Vehicular switch device

Abstract

To reduce man-hours and costs.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A vehicular switch device comprises: a switch circuit part that has a plurality of switches that are brought into a conduction state in accordance with operation by a switch operation part that instructs a vehicle or a device loaded on the vehicle to operate; and a control part that generates a control signal in accordance with operation of the plurality of switches of the switch circuit part. The control part comprises: a switch detecting part that detects conduction states of the plurality of switches; a map memorizing part that memorizes a map defining a relation between each of the plurality of switches and a function; a function allocating part that allocates functions to the plurality of switches respectively, in accordance with the map; and a control signal generating part that generates a control signal in accordance with a detected result by the switch detecting part and the allocation by the function allocating part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle switch device including various switches for operating devices mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as private cars are equipped with lighting devices, air conditioning devices, audio devices, car navigation devices, etc., and are also equipped with vehicle switch devices including switches for operating these devices. Vehicle switch devices come in a variety of forms depending on the types of devices installed, the functions of the various devices, the model of the vehicle, etc. Furthermore, at the request of a vehicle purchaser, a dealer selling the vehicle may replace the devices in accordance with the request (system variation), and may also replace the switch operating unit for operating the devices accordingly (switch variation). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-132123 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Changing vehicle switch devices to different types depending on the type and function of various installed devices, vehicle model, etc., increases production costs at the manufacturing site and increases replacement labor and costs at the dealership. As a result, these increased costs are reflected in the price of the vehicle, placing a heavy burden on users. As such, vehicle manufacturers and dealers must prepare various types of switches and circuits to accommodate these system variations, and further modify, replace, and adjust control circuits such as ECUs, which increases development and management labor, causing increases in labor and costs.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a vehicle switch device that can reduce the number of steps and costs associated with changing, replacing, or adjusting a switch operation unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle switch device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a switch circuit unit having a plurality of switches that are turned on in response to operation of a switch operation unit that instructs operation of a vehicle or a device mounted on the vehicle, and a control unit that generates a control signal in response to operation of the plurality of switches in the switch circuit unit. The control unit includes a switch detection unit that detects the on-state of the plurality of switches, a map storage unit that stores a map that defines the relationship between each of the plurality of switches and a function, a function allocation unit that allocates a function to each of the plurality of switches in accordance with the map, and a control signal generation unit that generates a control signal in accordance with the detection result of the switch detection unit and the allocation by the function allocation unit.

[0007] According to the vehicle switch device of the first aspect, functions are assigned to each of the switches according to a map that defines the relationship between each of the switches and the function. Therefore, even if the switch operation unit is replaced as needed, the control unit only needs to switch the map, and there is no need to replace the control unit itself, thereby reducing the man-hours and costs associated with replacing the switch operation unit.

[0008] In the vehicle switch device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the map storage unit can store map switching condition data relating to a map switching condition that is a condition for switching and using the map, and by referring to the map switching condition, switching to a map corresponding to a replaced switch operation unit can be appropriately performed.

[0009] In the vehicle switch device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the maps stored in the map storage unit may include a first map corresponding to a first switch circuit unit and a second map corresponding to a second switch circuit unit having more switches than the first switch circuit unit. Having multiple maps corresponding to different numbers of switches allows for more flexible replacement of the switch operation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle switch device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] In the vehicle switch device 1 of the present embodiment, the switch operation unit 100 is replaced with a switch operation unit 100A. [Figure 3] In the vehicle switch device 1 of the present embodiment, the switch operation unit 100 is replaced with a switch operation unit 100B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, functionally identical elements may be designated by the same numerals. Note that the accompanying drawings show embodiments and implementation examples according to the principles of the present disclosure, but these are for understanding the present disclosure and are not to be used to interpret the present disclosure in a limiting manner. The descriptions in this specification are merely typical examples and are not intended to limit the scope or application of the present disclosure in any way.

[0012] Although the present embodiment has been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present disclosure, it should be understood that other implementations and forms are possible, and that changes in configuration and structure and substitutions of various elements are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the technical ideas of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following description should not be interpreted as being limited thereto.

[0013] An overview of a vehicle switch device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The vehicle switch device 1 includes a switch operation unit 100, a switch circuit unit 200, and a control unit 300. The switch circuit unit 200 and the control unit 300 can be directly connected by wiring via terminals T1 to T4 and terminals T1' to T4', for example. Instead of a wiring connection, the switch connection unit 200 and the control unit 300 can also be connected by communication (including wired and wireless).

[0014] As will be described later, in this vehicle switch device 1, the switch operation unit 100 can be replaced with a different one depending on the type of vehicle in which it is installed, the functions of the devices installed in the vehicle, etc. The multiple types of switch operation units 100 that can be used may differ from one another in the number of switch options and in the arrangement of the switches. In accordance with the replacement of the switch operation unit 100, the relationship between the switches in the switch circuit unit 200 and the available functions is changed by switching the map in the control unit 300.

[0015] The control unit 300 stores a plurality of maps assuming various switch operation units 100, and switches between the maps as appropriate. This allows the vehicle switch device 1 to be compatible with a plurality of switch operation units 101 using the common control unit 300. In other words, even if the switch operation unit 101 is replaced with a different one, the vehicle switch device 1 can continue to be used as is by switching the map in the control unit 300, without replacing the control unit 300 itself.

[0016] The switch operation unit 100 is a switch operated by a person in the vehicle (such as a driver) to specify the operation of the vehicle or a device mounted on the vehicle, for example, to control the turning on or off of a lighting device. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the switch operation unit 100 may include a switch main body 101 and a rotary operation unit 102 that is rotatable around a rotation axis relative to the switch main body 101. In the case of the switch operation unit 100 shown in FIG. 1, the function can be switched between, for example, functions A, B, C, D, etc., by rotating the rotary operation unit 102. In the case of a lighting device, these A, B, C, and D may be headlamp on (HEAD), taillamp on (TAIL), automatic lighting control (AUTO), turning off (OFF), etc.

[0017] Various switch operation units 100 can be used depending on the vehicle model, the functions of the installed devices, the preferences of the purchaser, etc. Note that the switch operation unit 100 shown in Fig. 1 is merely an example, and the switch operation unit 100 may be, for example, one that includes multiple buttons arranged in parallel, or may be a lever-type unit.

[0018] The switch circuit section 200 includes a plurality of (for example, four) switches SW1 to SW4 that are switched between conductive and non-conductive states in accordance with the switching operation of the switch operation section 100, and are arranged between the terminals T1 to T4 and the ground terminal N2. Operation of the switch operation section 100 causes any of the plurality of switches SW1 to SW4 in the switch circuit section 200 to perform an appropriate switching operation. As a result, the switch circuit section 200 generates an input voltage Vin corresponding to the switch operation from its output terminal. The configuration of the switch circuit section 200 can be changed according to the form of the switch operation section 100 employed. The switches SW1 to SW4 of the switch circuit section 200 may be, for example, semiconductor switches that are turned on in response to an operation signal from the switch operation section 100.

[0019] The control unit 300 detects a switching operation in the switch operation unit 100 based on the input voltage Vin output from the switch circuit unit 200, and generates a control signal corresponding to the switching operation. The control unit 300 is configured, for example, by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and, as an example, includes therein a switch detection unit 301, a function allocation unit 302, a map switching control unit 303, a map storage unit 304, and a control signal generation unit 305.

[0020] The switch detection unit 301 detects which of the multiple switches SW1 to SW4 of the switch circuit unit 200 is in a conductive state. The map storage unit 304 stores multiple maps that define the relationship between the switches SW1 to SW4 and their functions. In addition to the multiple maps, the map storage unit 304 also stores map switching condition data that indicates conditions for switching between the multiple maps. The map switching condition indicates conditions for switching maps, for example, when switching from a standard vehicle model to another vehicle model. The map switching control unit 303 is a part that executes control to switch from the multiple types of maps stored in the map storage unit 304 to a map that is compatible with the adopted switch operation unit 100, also by referring to the map switching condition data.

[0021] The function allocation unit 302 allocates a function to each of the plurality of switches SW1 to SW4 according to the switched map. The control signal generation unit 305 generates a control signal according to the detection result of the switch detection unit 301 and the allocation by the function allocation unit 302. For example, if function A is allocated to switch SW1, a control signal α corresponding to function A is generated in response to the conduction of switch SW1. If function B is allocated to switch SW2, a control signal β corresponding to function B is generated in response to the conduction of switch SW2. If function C is allocated to switch SW3, a control signal γ corresponding to function C is generated in response to the conduction of switch SW3. If function D is allocated to switch SW4, a control signal δ corresponding to function D is generated in response to the conduction of switch SW4.

[0022] In this way, when the switch operation unit 100 having functions A, B, C, and D is used, the functions A to D are assigned to the switches SW1 to SW4, and the corresponding control signals α to δ are generated. At this time, if the switch operation unit 100 of FIG. 1 is replaced with a switch operation unit 100A having functions A, C, and D, the map switching control unit 303 reads out the map corresponding to this switch operation unit 100A from the map storage unit 304 and executes control to switch to this map. The function allocation unit 302 allocates functions to each of the switches SW1 to SW4 in accordance with this new map. Since this switch operation unit 100A has only three functions, A, C, and D, one of the switches SW1 to SW4 (for example, switch SW4) becomes redundant and can be assigned no function.

[0023] The number of selectable functions per switch operation unit 100 is not limited to four, and it is also possible to select a switch operation unit 100B that can select more than four functions, for example, five functions. In this case, as shown in Fig. 3, the switch circuit unit 200 can be replaced with a switch circuit unit 200B that has five switches SW1 to SW5 to match the switch operation unit 100B. By storing a map in advance that allows selection of such five functions, the control unit 300 can accommodate switch operation units 100B with different numbers of functions without having to replace the control unit 300 itself.

[0024] As described above, according to this embodiment, even when various switch operation units 100 are replaced, a plurality of maps are stored in the map storage unit 304, and the maps can be switched as appropriate, making it possible to continue using the common control unit 300. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when various switch operation units 100 are replaced in accordance with the vehicle model, installed devices, or the desires of the vehicle purchaser, the labor and costs involved can be reduced.

[0025] Even when a new switch operation unit 100 and switch circuit unit 200 that do not correspond to the maps stored in the map storage unit 304 are adopted, a map can be generated by a map generation unit (not shown) and stored in the map storage unit 304. This makes it possible to adopt a new switch operation unit 100 that does not correspond to an existing map. Furthermore, the switch detection unit 301, function allocation unit 302, map switching control unit 303, map storage unit 304, and control signal generation unit 305 of the control unit 300 do not need to be integrated into one device, but may be distributed and arranged in multiple control devices. For example, the switch detection unit 301 may be provided on the switch circuit unit 200 side.

[0026] [others] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 100...Switch operation section 200...Switch circuit section 300...Control unit 301...Switch detection unit 302...Function allocation section 303...Map switching control unit 304...Map memory section 305...Control signal generation unit SW1~SW4...Switches

Claims

1. a switch circuit unit having a plurality of switches that are turned on in response to operation of a switch operation unit that instructs operation of a vehicle or a device mounted on the vehicle; a control unit that generates a control signal in accordance with operations of the plurality of switches of the switch circuit unit; Equipped with The control unit a switch detection unit that detects the conduction states of the plurality of switches; a map storage unit that stores a map that defines the relationship between each of the plurality of switches and a function; a function allocation unit that allocates a function to each of the plurality of switches according to the map; a control signal generating unit that generates a control signal in accordance with the detection result of the switch detecting unit and the allocation by the function allocating unit; A vehicle switch device comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle switch device according to claim 1, wherein the map storage unit stores map switching condition data relating to a map switching condition that is a condition for switching and using the map.

3. The map stored in the map storage unit is a first map corresponding to the first switch circuit unit; a second map corresponding to a second switch circuit unit having more switches than the first switch circuit unit; The vehicle switch device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

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