Diagnostic mechanism for in-vehicle devices

Abstract

To provide a diagnostic mechanism of an on-vehicle device which can inhibit complication of inspection work while inhibiting an occupant (a user) from recognizing lighting of an indicator lamp incorrectly.SOLUTION: An indicator lamp 44 is provided at the side of a front passenger seat 50 in a device storage space 45 covered with an instrument panel 10 and its radiation direction is directed to the interior of a passenger compartment. A cutout 35, which allows a user to view the device storage space 45 from the passenger compartment when a glove box 30 is opened, is provided at an upper end edge 32A of a front panel 32 of the glove box 30. The cutout 35 is provided at the center side as seen in a vehicle width direction relative to the indicator lamp 44 so that a radiation range of the indicator lamp 44 is defined between the front passenger seat 50 and a driver seat 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Disclosed herein is a diagnostic mechanism for the operating status of on-board equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Indicator lamps are sometimes used as a means for indicating the operating status of in-vehicle equipment. For example, in Patent Document 1, a lamp is provided near the glove box in front of the passenger seat to indicate whether the air conditioner filter needs to be replaced. More specifically, when the glove box is opened toward the passenger seat (toward the driver), light that passes through the filter is emitted toward a window (display unit) provided at the upper back of the glove box. When dirt accumulates on the filter, the light is blocked by the filter, and the window no longer shines. This makes it possible to know when it is time to replace the filter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-155405 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if there is a time difference between the timing of operating an in-vehicle device and the timing of the indicator lamp lighting up, it may cause misunderstanding among passengers. For example, an air purifier, which is an in-vehicle device, operates in synchronization with the blower of the air conditioning system. For example, the blower rotation speed can be set from 0 (off) to any desired rotation speed (weak-strong), and the air purifier will start up when it detects the rotation of the blower.

[0005] In this case, there is a time lag between the operation of the air conditioner and the start-up of the air purifier. In such a case, if an indicator lamp is provided to show the operating status of the air purifier, the indicator lamp will light up several seconds after the blower rotation speed dial is operated, for example, and this delay in lighting may cause the occupant (user) to mistakenly believe that something is wrong with the air purifier.

[0006] One possible solution would be to have the air purifier indicator light illuminate outside the vehicle, for example by shining light toward the engine compartment. However, in this case, the technician inspecting the vehicle would have to operate the blower RPM dial on the instrument panel, then exit the vehicle and look into the engine compartment to check whether the indicator light is on, which would make the inspection process more cumbersome.

[0007] Therefore, this specification discloses a diagnostic mechanism for on-board devices that can suppress the occupant (user) from noticing that the indicator lamp is lit, while suppressing the complexity of the inspection work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This specification discloses a diagnostic mechanism for on-board equipment. The mechanism includes an indicator lamp and a glove compartment. The indicator lamp can be turned on depending on the operating state of on-board equipment having an operating unit provided on the instrument panel. The glove compartment is provided in a lower portion of the instrument panel facing the passenger seat. The indicator lamp is provided on the passenger seat side within an equipment storage space covered by the instrument panel, and its illumination direction is directed toward the vehicle interior. The glove compartment has a box-like shape with an opening at the top, and includes a rear panel facing the passenger seat and a front panel provided forward of the rear panel. A notch is provided in the upper edge of the front panel, allowing the equipment storage space to be viewed from the vehicle interior when the glove compartment is open. The notch is provided toward the center of the vehicle width relative to the indicator lamp so that the illumination range of the indicator lamp is divided between the passenger seat and the driver's seat.

[0009] With this configuration, the passenger seat and the driver's seat are excluded from the illumination range of the indicator lamp, so the indicator lamp will not be noticed by occupants in a normal seated position. Also, vehicle inspection personnel can diagnose abnormalities in the vehicle's on-board equipment from within the vehicle.

[0010] In the above configuration, the notch may be formed on a straight line connecting a predetermined point provided between the headrests of the passenger seat and the driver seat and the center point of the illuminated surface of the indicator lamp in a plan view of the vehicle.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the passenger seat and the driver's seat can be excluded from the illumination range of the indicator lamp.

[0012] In the above configuration, the notch may be formed on a straight line connecting a predetermined point in front of and near the headrest and a center point of an illuminated surface of the indicator lamp in a side view of the vehicle.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the worker can check whether the indicator lamp is on or off simply by moving his / her head from the headrest to the center in the vehicle width direction (moving laterally). [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the diagnostic mechanism for on-board equipment disclosed in this specification, the occupant (user) is prevented from noticing that the indicator lamp is lit, and the inspection work is prevented from becoming complicated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a component configuration on the passenger seat side in the front portion of the vehicle interior. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a view showing the glove box when it is open. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a view with the glove box removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a glove box. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle illustrating the position of a notch. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the vehicle illustrating the position of a notch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 1 to 6, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is indicated by an axis represented by the symbol FR, the transverse direction of the vehicle is indicated by an axis represented by the symbol LW, and the vertical direction is indicated by an axis represented by the symbol UP.

[0017] The symbol FR stands for Front, and the forward direction of the longitudinal axis FR is the positive direction. The symbol LW stands for Left Width, and the left width direction of the width axis LW is the positive direction. The upward direction of the height axis UP is the positive direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the FR axis, LW axis, and UP axis are perpendicular to one another. Hereinafter, the vehicle interior front structure according to this embodiment will be described appropriately based on these three axes.

[0018] 1 illustrates an example of the interior of a vehicle around a passenger seat 50. Referring to this figure, an instrument panel 10 is provided at the front of the vehicle interior, and is equipped with instruments, storage devices, air conditioning components, etc. For example, the instrument panel 10 includes an upper instrument panel 11, registers 12 and 14, an inner instrument panel 13 (see FIG. 3), a center cluster 15, an upper box 20, and a glove box 30. As will be described later, the diagnostic mechanism for on-vehicle devices according to this embodiment includes the glove box 30 and an indicator lamp 44 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] The upper instrument panel 11 is a ceiling panel of the instrument panel 10. The registers 12 and 14 are air outlets through which air is sent from the air conditioning unit 40 (see FIG. 3). The center cluster 15 is provided with a plurality of operating units. For example, the center cluster 15 is provided with an air outlet dial 16A, an air volume dial 16B, and a temperature dial 16C.

[0020] The air outlet dial 16A is a rotary dial for selecting the air outlet from among a plurality of air outlets including the registers 12 and 14. The temperature dial 16C is a rotary dial for adjusting the temperature of the air being blown out.

[0021] The air volume dial 16B is a rotary dial that adjusts the volume of air blown from the air outlet. For example, the air volume dial 16B can be set to weak, medium, or strong, starting from 0 (off). Based on this air volume setting, the rotation speed of the blower (not shown) of the air conditioning unit 40 (see FIG. 3) is set.

[0022] As will be described later, the operating state of the air purifier 42 of the air conditioning unit 40 is determined in conjunction with the air volume setting of the air volume dial 16B. For example, when the air volume dial 16B is set to operate, that is, when the air volume dial 16B is set from 0 (off) to weak, medium, or strong, the air purifier 42 enters an operating state in conjunction with this. In other words, when the blower (not shown) of the air conditioning unit 40 is operating, the air purifier 42 also operates in conjunction with this. Therefore, the air volume dial 16B not only functions as an operating part for the blower, but also as an operating part for the air purifier 42.

[0023] 1, the instrument panel 10 includes an upper box 20 and a glove box 30 as storage sections. The upper box 20 is a storage container provided above the glove box 30. For example, by inserting a finger into a recess 31B provided above the rear panel 31 of the glove box 30 and pulling a handle 20A toward oneself, a locking mechanism (not shown) is released, and the lid of the upper box 20 can be opened toward the front of the passenger seat.

[0024] The glove compartment 30 is located below the instrument panel 10, facing the passenger seat 50. Fig. 4 shows an example of a perspective view of the glove compartment 30. The glove compartment 30 has a box-like shape with an opening at the top, and includes a rear panel 31, a front panel 32, side panels 34, 34, and a bottom panel 37 (see Fig. 5).

[0025] The rear panel 31 has an exposed surface (design surface) exposed to the passenger compartment, and faces the passenger seat 50. The front panel 32 faces the rear panel 31 on the side opposite the passenger seat 50, and is provided further forward in the vehicle than the rear panel 31. The side panels 34, 34 and the bottom panel 37 connect the front panel 32 and the rear panel 31.

[0026] The glove compartment 30 is rotatable about a rotation axis (not shown) and can be rotated from a closed state illustrated in Fig. 1 to an open state illustrated in Fig. 2 by, for example, pulling a handle 31A toward oneself. In the open state, the upper opening of the glove compartment 30 is exposed to the interior of the vehicle.

[0027] When the glove compartment 30 is in an open state, the front panel 32 functions as a so-called screen wall so that the equipment housing space 45 (see FIG. 3) inside the instrument panel 10 is not visible from the vehicle interior. Here, a notch 35 that functions as a viewing window in the screen wall is provided in the upper edge 32A (see FIG. 4) of the front panel 32. That is, in the diagnostic mechanism for on-vehicle equipment according to this embodiment, when the glove compartment 30 is in an open state, a worker or the like inside the vehicle interior can view the equipment housing space 45 through the notch 35. The detailed structure of this notch will be described later.

[0028] 3 shows an example of the state when the glove compartment 30 is removed from the instrument panel 10. An equipment storage space 45 is provided so as to be covered by the instrument panel 10. The equipment storage space 45 accommodates the air conditioning unit 40 and its ducts, as well as reinforcing members such as an instrument panel reinforcement (not shown), wiring, airbags, etc.

[0029] The air conditioning unit 40 is a so-called manual air conditioner, whose operation is adjusted by operating an air outlet dial 16A, an air volume dial 16B, and a temperature dial 16C on the center cluster 15, for example.

[0030] The air conditioning unit 40 is connected to the air purifier 42 by a connecting pipe such as a duct. For example, a blower (not shown) of the air conditioning unit 40 blows air to the air purifier 42. The air purified by the air purifier 42 is then sent into the vehicle cabin. Alternatively, the air purified by the air purifier 42 is drawn into the blower and sent into the vehicle cabin.

[0031] Air purifier 42 operates in conjunction with the operation of a blower (not shown) of air conditioning unit 40. In other words, when the blower is inactive (when air volume dial 16B is set to 0), air purifier 42 also operates inactive. When an operation setting of weak, medium, or strong is selected with air volume dial 16B, air purifier 42 also operates in conjunction with this. For example, air purifier 42 includes a detection unit that detects the rotation speed of the blower.

[0032] An indicator lamp 44 is provided in the equipment housing space 45. The indicator lamp 44 is oriented to emit light into the vehicle interior. The indicator lamp 44 is provided in the equipment housing space 45 on the passenger seat 50 side, in other words, on the back side of the glove box 30.

[0033] 3, the indicator lamp 44 is provided in an outer end region in the vehicle width direction within the equipment accommodation space 45. For example, the vehicle width position thereof may be the same as the outer end of the passenger seat 50 in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The indicator lamp 44 can be turned on depending on the operating state of the air purifier 42, which is an in-vehicle device. For example, the indicator lamp 44 is turned on when the air purifier 42 is in operation.

[0035] As described above, the air volume dial 16B functions as an operating part for the air purifier 42. However, since the operation of the air purifier 42 is dependent on the operation of the blower of the air conditioning unit 40, for example, when the air volume dial 16B is operated (for example, when the setting is changed from 0 to high), the blower starts rotating, and the air purifier detects this and starts up. Furthermore, when the air purifier starts up, the indicator lamp 44 lights up, and so on.

[0036] According to the above operation process, there is a delay of several seconds between the operation of the air volume dial 16B and the lighting of the indicator lamp 44. If an occupant notices through the notch 35 that the indicator lamp 44 in the equipment housing space 45 has been lit, the operation of the center cluster 15 may have already been completed by that time, which could cause the occupant to feel uncomfortable.

[0037] Therefore, in the diagnostic device for on-vehicle equipment according to this embodiment, the illumination range of the indicator lamp 44 is determined so that the illumination of the indicator lamp 44 is less likely to be noticed by the occupants. Fig. 6 illustrates an example of the arrangement of the notch 35 in a plan view of the vehicle. Referring to this figure, the notch 35 of the glove compartment 30 is provided closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the indicator lamp 44 so that the illumination range of the indicator lamp 44 is defined between the passenger seat 50 and the driver's seat 60.

[0038] For example, the notch 35 is provided on a line connecting a predetermined point provided between the headrests 52, 62 of the passenger seat 50 and the driver seat 60, for example, a midpoint C, and the center point B of the illuminated surface of the indicator lamp 44.

[0039] In addition, the notch 35 has the function of a camera aperture and defines the illumination width of the indicator lamp 44. For example, the width W1 (dimension in the vehicle width direction) of the notch 35 is set so that the illumination range falls within the width W2 between the headrests 52, 62 of the passenger seat 50 and the driver seat 60.

[0040] 5 illustrates the arrangement of the notch 35 in a side view of the vehicle. Referring to this figure, the notch 35 is formed on a straight line connecting the center point B of the illuminated surface of the indicator lamp 44 and a predetermined point A in front of and near the headrest 52 of the passenger seat 50 (or the headrest 62 of the driver's seat 60). The predetermined point A is determined, for example, based on the position of the eyes of the occupant when seated in the passenger seat 50 or the driver's seat 60. For example, the predetermined point A is determined within 30 cm in front of the headrest 52, 62.

[0041] 6, the passenger seat 50 and the driver's seat 60 are excluded from the illumination range of the indicator lamp 44. Therefore, when the occupant is in a normal seating position, the occupant is less likely to notice that the indicator lamp 44 is on.

[0042] 5 and 6, the operator inspecting and diagnosing the air purifier 42 can easily perform the operational diagnosis of the air purifier 42. That is, the operator can check whether the indicator lamp 44 is lit or not by simply operating the air volume dial 16B, which is an operating part of the instrument panel 10, and then moving his / her head (moving sideways) toward the center in the vehicle width direction while seated in the driver's seat 60 or the passenger seat 50. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 instrument panel, 15 center cluster, 16A air outlet dial, 16B air volume dial, 16C temperature dial, 30 glove box, 31 rear panel, 32 front panel, 32A upper edge, 35 cutout, 40 air conditioning unit, 42 air purifier, 44 indicator lamp, 45 equipment storage space, 50 passenger seat, 52, 62 headrests, 60 driver's seat.

Claims

1. an indicator lamp that can be turned on depending on the operating state of an in-vehicle device having an operation unit provided on an instrument panel; a glove box provided in a lower portion of the instrument panel facing the passenger seat; A diagnostic mechanism for an on-board device, comprising: The indicator lamp is provided on the passenger seat side in the equipment housing space covered by the instrument panel, and its illumination direction is directed toward the interior of the vehicle. The glove box has a box shape with an opening at the top, and includes a rear panel facing the passenger seat and a front panel provided forward of the rear panel, a notch is provided on an upper edge of the front panel so that the equipment housing space can be seen from the vehicle interior when the glove box is open; The notch is provided on the vehicle width direction center side with respect to the indicator lamp so that the illumination range of the indicator lamp is divided between the passenger seat and the driver's seat. Diagnostic mechanism for on-board equipment.

2. 2. The diagnostic mechanism for an in-vehicle device according to claim 1, In a plan view of the vehicle, the notch is formed on a straight line connecting a predetermined point provided between the headrests of the passenger seat and the driver seat and a center point of an illumination surface of the indicator lamp. Diagnostic mechanism for on-board equipment.

3. 3. A diagnostic mechanism for an in-vehicle device according to claim 2, When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the notch is formed on a straight line connecting a predetermined point in front of and near the headrest and a center point of the illumination surface of the indicator lamp. Diagnostic mechanism for on-board equipment.

Images