Switching device

Abstract

To provide a switch device capable of improving visibility.SOLUTION: A switch device 1 includes a panel 2 having a first design 21 and a second design 22, a first switch 3 that detects an operation performed on the first design 21 displayed on the panel 2, a second switch 4 that detects an operation performed on the second design 22 displayed on the panel 2, and a control unit 7 that sets a display state in which the first design 21 is displayed in the initial state, and a non-display state in which the second design 22 is not displayed, and switches the second design 22 from the non-display state to the display state on the basis of the operation of the first switch 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a switching device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional technology, a vehicle switch device is known that comprises a translucent decorative panel with a pattern or color applied to the interior material of a vehicle, an electrode positioned at a predetermined location on the back of the decorative panel, a control unit that detects changes in the capacitance of the electrode and controls a predetermined operation of an in-vehicle device, and a light source that illuminates the position where the electrode is located or its vicinity from the back of the decorative panel and displays a pattern on the front of the decorative panel to indicate the operating position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The control unit of this vehicle switch device, when no pattern is displayed, detects a change in the capacitance of the electrodes and illuminates the light source to display the pattern. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-321336 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Conventional vehicle switch devices have a problem where the position of the electrodes, and therefore the position of the switch, is difficult to determine when the diagram is not displayed, resulting in poor switch visibility.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that can improve visibility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a switch device comprising: a panel having a first design and a second design; a first switch for detecting an operation performed on the first design displayed on the panel; a second switch for detecting an operation performed on the second design displayed on the panel; and a control unit that, in its initial state, is in a display state that shows the first design and in a non-display state that does not show the second design, and switches the second design from the non-display state to the display state based on an operation on the first switch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, visibility can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) is an example of a block diagram of a switch device according to an embodiment, and Figure 1(b) is a diagram showing an example of a panel. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the interior of a vehicle equipped with a switch device. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) shows an example where the second switch of the switch device according to the embodiment is in a hidden state, and Figure 3(b) shows an example where the second switch is in a displayed state. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) shows an example of a right door in which the switch device according to the embodiment is located, and Figure 4(b) shows an example of a left door in which the switch device is located. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show examples of the first and second designs when the modified switch device is capable of operating the vehicle's mirror adjustment device, and Figures 5(c) and 5(d) show examples of the first and second designs when the device is capable of operating the vehicle's seat adjustment device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a switch device according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The switch device according to this embodiment is generally configured to include a panel having a first design and a second design; a first switch for detecting an operation performed on the first design displayed on the panel; a second switch for detecting an operation performed on the second design displayed on the panel; and a control unit that initially displays the first design and hides the second design, and switches the second design from the hidden state to the displayed state based on an operation on the first switch.

[0011] This switch device switches the second design from a hidden state to a visible state by operating the first switch, thus improving visibility compared to operating a switch that is in a hidden state to switch it to a visible state.

[0012] [Embodiment] (Overview of Switch Device 1) Figure 1(a) is an example of a block diagram of a switch device according to an embodiment, and Figure 1(b) is an example of a panel. Figure 2 is an example of the interior of a vehicle in which the switch device is installed. Figure 3(a) is an example showing the case in which the second switch of the switch device according to the embodiment is hidden, and Figure 3(b) is an example showing the case in which the second switch is displayed. Figure 4(a) is an example showing the right door in which the switch device according to the embodiment is located, and Figure 4(b) is an example showing the left door in which the switch device is located.

[0013] In the figures relating to the embodiments described below, the proportions and shapes between figures may differ from those of the actual figures. Also, in Figure 1(a), the main signals and information flows are indicated by arrows.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) to 3(b), the switch device 1 includes a panel 2 having a first design 21 and a second design 22, a first switch 3 for detecting an operation made on the first design 21 displayed on the panel 2, a second switch 4 for detecting an operation made on the second design 22 displayed on the panel 2, a display state for displaying the first design 21 in an initial state and a non-display state for not displaying the second design 22, and a control unit 7 for switching the second design 22 from the non-display state to the display state based on an operation on the first switch 3, and is schematically configured.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, this panel 2 is mounted on a vehicle 9, but is not limited thereto. The first design 21 of the present embodiment is, as an example, displayed on the panel 2 with the unlocking of the vehicle 9 as an initial state, but is not limited thereto.

[0016] As an example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4(a) and 4(b), the switch device 1 can use the door trim 901 of the door 900 on the driver's seat 91 side, the door trim 903 of the door 902 on the passenger seat 92 side, the instrument panel 904, the center console 905, the floor console 906, the console box 907, the A-pillar 908 on the driver's seat 91 side, the A-pillar 909 on the passenger seat 92 side, the B-pillar 910 on the driver's seat 91 side, the B-pillar on the passenger seat 92 side, the door trims 913 of the left and right doors 912 on the rear seat 93 side, the ceiling 94, etc. as the panel 2. Note that the panel 2 is not limited thereto.

[0017] The switch device 1 operates on an electronic device 95 arranged in the vehicle 9. As an example, the electronic device 95 is a vehicle control device 90 that controls the settings of the entire vehicle and the automatic driving function, an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle, a navigation device that displays the current location map and guides to the destination, a display device that displays images, a seat device that controls the position and inclination of the seat, a music and video playback device that plays music and videos, etc.

[0018] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1(a), the switch device 1 of this embodiment includes a first illumination unit 5 that illuminates the first design 21 and displays it on the panel 2, and a second illumination unit 6 that illuminates the second design 22 and displays it on the panel 2. The switch device 1 may also be configured such that the panel 2 is an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display capable of displaying and hiding the first design 21 and the second design 22.

[0019] In the following, the switch device 1 is configured, for example, as an electronic device 95 to adjust the set temperature and airflow of an air conditioning unit, but is not limited to this configuration.

[0020] (Panel 2 configuration) Panel 2, as an example, is composed of a panel body 200, a design layer 201, and a smoke film 202, as shown in Figure 1(b). The panel body 200 is formed in a plate shape using a transparent resin material. The panel body 200 is not limited to a flat surface, but may also be curved. The design layer 201 is formed on the surface 200a of the panel body 200, as an example, and has a light-shielding portion 201a with low light transmittance and a light-transmitting portion 201b with high light transmittance. The first design 21 and the second design 22 are formed by a combination of the light-shielding portion 201a and the light-transmitting portion 201b. The smoke film 202 is formed on the design layer 201 and has a transmittance such that the first design 21 and the second design 22 are not visible when they are not displayed; in other words, it is configured to black out when they are not displayed.

[0021] (Composition of the first design 21) The first design 21 is a design related to the second design 22. In other words, when a user sees the first design 21, they can associate it with an electronic device 95 that can be operated by the switch device 1. For example, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the first design 21 is a design that mimics a thermometer, which is associated with an air conditioning device. Therefore, the second design 22 is a design related to other functions of the air conditioning device as a related design. Furthermore, the second design 22 includes a design related to adjusting the set temperature as a related design. In this way, in the initial state, the switch device 1 displays only the first design 21, thus suppressing the inconvenience caused by having many designs displayed.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first design 21 is one, but it is not limited to this and may be multiple. Also, the first design 21 is illuminated in response to the unlocking of the vehicle 9, but it is not limited to this and may be illuminated in response to the starting of the drive system of the vehicle 9.

[0023] (Composition of the second design 22) The second design 22, as an example, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), includes a high-setting temperature design 220, a low-setting temperature design 221, a high-airflow design 222, a low-airflow design 223, and an airflow design 224.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(b), the switch device 1 has a reception design that is displayed on the panel 2 in response to an operation on the second switch 4. The switch device 1 of this embodiment has reception designs 220a, 221a, 222a, and 223a. These reception designs 220a, 221a, 222a, and 223a provide an answer back that an operation has been received by changing from a hidden state to a displayed state in response to an operation on the related switch.

[0025] The high-setting temperature design 220 and the low-setting temperature design 221 are designs related to the adjustment of the set temperature of an air conditioning system. The first design 21 is positioned between the related designs, the high-setting temperature design 220 and the low-setting temperature design 221. The reception design 220a displays when an operation performed on the high-setting temperature design 220 is received. Similarly, the reception design 221a displays when an operation performed on the low-setting temperature design 221 is received.

[0026] The high-airflow design 222 and the low-airflow design 223 are designs related to the adjustment of the airflow of an air conditioning system. The high-airflow design 222 and the low-airflow design 223 are separated by an airflow design 224, which is a design that mimics wind. The reception design 222a displays when an operation performed on the high-airflow design 222 is received. Similarly, the reception design 223a displays when an operation performed on the low-airflow design 223 is received.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the switch device 1 is located on the door trim 901 of the driver's side door 900 and on the door trim 903 of the passenger side door 92. Therefore, a portion of the door trims 901 and 903 forms the panel 2. The second design 22 is kept hidden until the user operates the first switch 3 of the first design 21. In Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the displayed state is shown with a solid line and the hidden state is shown with a dotted line.

[0028] Furthermore, the second design 22 may be hidden if no touch operation is performed for a predetermined period of time.

[0029] (Regarding modified examples of the first design 21 and the second design 22) Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show examples of the first and second designs when the modified switch device is capable of operating the vehicle's mirror adjustment device, and Figures 5(c) and 5(d) show examples of the first and second designs when the device is capable of operating the vehicle's seat adjustment device. In Figures 5(a) and 5(c), the second design 22 is hidden. In Figures 5(b) and 5(d), the second design 22 is displayed.

[0030] The first design 21 shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) is a design that mimics the right-side mirror 914 and left-side mirror 915 of a vehicle, which are adjustable by the switch device 1. The second design 22 shown in Figure 5(b) includes, as an example, a cross design 225a indicating a function to adjust the angle of the selected mirror, a selection design 225b indicating a function to select either the right-side mirror 914 or the left-side mirror 915, and a folding design 225c indicating a function to fold the right-side mirror 914 and the left-side mirror 915.

[0031] When the user performs an operation on the first design 21, the second design 22 switches from the hidden state shown in Figure 5(a) to the displayed state shown in Figure 5(b).

[0032] The first design 21 shown in Figures 5(c) and 5(d) is a design that mimics the seat of a vehicle 9 in which the switch device 1 can be adjusted. The second design 22 shown in Figure 5(d) includes, as an example, a front-to-back design 226a indicating a function to adjust the front-to-back position of the seat, a height design 226b indicating a function to adjust the height of the seat, an angle adjustment design 226c indicating a function to adjust the angle of the seat back, and an angle adjustment design 226d indicating a function to adjust the angle of the headrest.

[0033] When the user performs an operation on the first design 21, the second design 22 switches from the hidden state shown in Figure 5(c) to the displayed state shown in Figure 5(d).

[0034] The switch device 1 may, for example, be configured to display the first design 21 and the second design 22 shown in Figure 3(b), and the first design 21 and the second design 22 shown in Figure 5(b), on the door trim 901 of the door 900 on the driver's seat 91 side. In this case, for example, the first design 21 shown in Figure 3(b) and the first design 21 shown in Figure 5(b) are displayed, and when one of the first designs 21 is operated, the second design 22 on the operated side becomes displayed.

[0035] The switch device 1 may also be configured to display the first design 21 and the second design 22 shown in Figure 5(d). The switch device 1 may also be configured to display the first design 21 and the second design 22 shown in Figure 3(b) and the first design 21 and the second design 22 shown in Figure 5(d) on the door trim 903 on the passenger side 92 and the door trim on the rear passenger side. The switch device 1 may also be configured to display multiple first designs 21 and the second design 22 on the panel 2 corresponding to multiple electronic devices 95 to be operated.

[0036] (Configuration of the first switch 3 and the second switch 4) The first switch 3 and the second switch 4 are configured, for example, as capacitive touch sensors. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the first switch 3 has a detection electrode 30 below the first design 21.

[0037] The second switch 4 is composed of multiple switches, each of which has a second design 22 and is assigned a function to be operated. In this embodiment, the second design 22 includes a high-set temperature design 220, a low-set temperature design 221, a high-airflow design 222, and a low-airflow design 223. Accordingly, the switch 41 has a detection electrode 41a, the switch 42 has a detection electrode 42a, the switch 43 has a detection electrode 43a, and the switch 44 has a detection electrode 44a.

[0038] The detection electrodes 30 and 41a to 44a are formed in a disc shape using transparent electrodes, as an example, but are not limited to this. The detection electrodes 30 and 41a to 44a are located on the back surface 200b of panel 2.

[0039] The first switch 3 detects touch operations performed on the first design 21 using the detection electrode 30. Switch 41 of the second switch 4 detects touch operations performed on the high-set temperature design 220 using the detection electrode 41a. Similarly, switches 42 to 44 of the second switch 4 detect touch operations performed on the low-set temperature design 221 to the low-airflow design 223 using the detection electrodes 42a to 44a.

[0040] The first switch 3 and the second switch 4 may be configured to detect not only contact but also proximity to the panel 2.

[0041] Detection electrodes 30 and 41a to 44a are electrically connected to the control unit 7. The detection electrodes 30 and 41a to 44a then output detection signals S1 to S5 to the control unit 7, corresponding to the detected change in capacitance.

[0042] As a variation, the first switch 3 and the second switch 4 may be physical switches instead of capacitive switches. In other words, the first switch 3 and the second switch 4 have microswitches at the positions of detection electrode 30 and detection electrodes 41a to 44a, and the operation is detected when the panel 2 is deformed by the operation and turns on.

[0043] (Configuration of the first lighting unit 5 and the second lighting unit 6) The first illumination unit 5 and the second illumination unit 6 are electrically connected to the control unit 7. The first illumination unit 5 and the second illumination unit 6 are, for example, light-emitting diode (LED) elements that output white light, but are not limited to these. As shown in Figure 1(b), the first illumination unit 5 is located on the substrate 10 below the first design 21.

[0044] The second lighting unit 6 has multiple light-emitting elements. As shown in Figure 3(b), the second lighting unit 6 has light-emitting elements 61 to 65 arranged on the substrate 10 below the high-temperature setting design 220, low-temperature setting design 221, high-airflow design 222, low-airflow design 223, and airflow design 224.

[0045] Furthermore, the second lighting unit 6 has light-emitting elements 66 to 69 arranged on the substrate 10 below reception designs 220a, 221a, 222a, and 223a. Since reception designs 220a, 221a, 222a, and 223a are designs that surround the corresponding high-temperature design 220, low-temperature design 221, high-airflow design 222, and low-airflow design 223, the designs may be illuminated with two light-emitting elements on either side, or with one light-emitting element using a ride guide, or a frame may be formed to allow illumination with one light-emitting element. Figure 3(b) shows an example configuration in which illumination is performed with one light-emitting element.

[0046] The first lighting unit 5 illuminates the first design 21 to display it based on the lighting signal S6 output from the control unit 7. The second lighting unit 6 illuminates the first design 21 to display it based on the lighting signal S7 to lighting signal S6 output from the control unit 7. 11 Based on this, the second design 22 is illuminated to display the design.

[0047] The high-temperature setting design 220, the low-temperature setting design 221, the high-airflow design 222, the low-airflow design 223, and the airflow design 224 are controlled by the illumination signals S7 to S7 output to the light-emitting elements 61 to 65. 11 They are illuminated accordingly. In addition, reception designs 220a, 221a, 222a, and 223a are illuminated according to the illumination signal S output to the light-emitting elements 66 to 69. 12 ~Lighting signal S 15 It is illuminated accordingly.

[0048] (Configuration of the control unit 7) The control unit 7 is, for example, a microcomputer composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs operations such as calculation and processing on the acquired data according to a stored program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) which is a semiconductor memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. In this ROM, for example, a program for the operation of the control unit 7 is stored. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like.

[0049] The control unit 7 outputs operation information S including information on the switch where a touch operation has been detected 16 to the connected electronic device 95.

[0050] Also, as an example, the control unit 7 outputs a lighting signal S6 to the first lighting unit 5 based on the vehicle information S 20 output from the vehicle control device 90 to illuminate the first design 21. Then, when the control unit 7 determines the detection of a touch operation by the first switch 3 based on the detection signal S1, it outputs lighting signals S7 to lighting signal S 11 to the second lighting unit 6 to illuminate the second design 22.

[0051] An example of the operation regarding the illumination of the first design 21 and the second design 22 of the switch device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below according to the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0052] (Operation) When the control unit 7 of the switch device 1 determines that the vehicle 9 has been unlocked based on the vehicle information S 20 input from the vehicle control device 90, it outputs a lighting signal S6 to the first lighting unit 5 to illuminate the first design 21 (Step 1).

[0053] The control unit 7 monitors based on whether a touch operation is performed on the first design 21 or the detection signal S1 input from the first switch 3. When "Yes" in Step 2 is established, that is, when the first switch 3 detects a touch operation (Step 2: Yes), the lighting signals S7 to lighting signal S 11The signal is output to the second lighting unit 6 to illuminate the second design 22 (Step 3).

[0054] (Effects of the embodiment) The switch device 1 according to this embodiment can improve visibility. Specifically, the switch device 1 can display the second design 22, which is in a hidden state, by touching the first design 21, which is in a displayed state. Therefore, compared to when the design is in a hidden state, the visibility of the first design 21, which accepts the operation, can be improved.

[0055] In its initial state, the switch device 1 displays only the first design 21, thus reducing the visual clutter caused by displaying multiple designs compared to the case where all designs are displayed.

[0056] Since the switch device 1 has a design that evokes the object being operated as the first design 21, compared to cases where this configuration is not adopted, the object being operated becomes easier to understand before operation, and operability is improved.

[0057] Although several embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. Moreover, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1…Switch device, 2…Panel, 3…First switch, 4…Second switch, 5…First lighting unit, 6…Second lighting unit, 7…Control unit, 9…Vehicle, 10…Substrate, 21…First design, 22…Second design, 41~44…Switches, 30,41a~44a…Detection electrodes, 61~69…Light-emitting element, 90…Vehicle control device, 91…Driver's seat, 92…Passenger seat, 93…Rear seat, 94…Ceiling, 95…Electronic equipment, 200…Panel body, 200a…Front surface, 200b…Back surface, 201…Design layer, 201a…Light-shielding part, 201b…Transmitting part, 202…Smoke film, 220…High-setting temperature design, 220a~223a…Reception design, 221 ...Low temperature setting design, 222...High airflow design, 223...Low airflow design, 224...Airflow design, 225a...Cross design, 225b...Selectable design, 225c...Folding design, 226a...Front and rear design, 226b...Design, 226c...Angle adjustment design, 226d...Angle adjustment design, 900...Door, 901...Door trim, 902...Door, 903...Door trim, 904...Instrument panel, 905...Center console, 906...Floor console, 907...Console box, 908...A-pillar, 909...A-pillar, 910...B-pillar, 912...Door, 913...Door trim, 914...Right side mirror, 915...Left side mirror

Claims

1. A panel mounted on a vehicle and having a first design and a second design, A first switch for detecting an operation performed on the first design displayed on the panel, A second switch for detecting an operation performed on the second design displayed on the panel, Initially, the device is in a display state that shows the first design and a hidden state that does not show the second design, and a control unit switches the second design from the hidden state to the displayed state based on an operation of the first switch, Equipped with, The second switch is composed of multiple switches, each of which has the second design and is assigned the function of the object being operated. The first design is a switch device that displays the unlocked state of the vehicle as the initial state on the panel.

2. The first design is a design related to the second design. The switch device according to claim 1.

3. The second design has a reception design that is displayed on the panel in response to the reception of operation to the second switch. The switch device according to claim 2.

4. A first illumination unit that illuminates the first design and displays it on the panel, A second illumination unit that illuminates the second design and displays it on the panel, Equipped with, A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images