JPS60244653A - Control device for operating function discriminating switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make an operating knob feel of temperature with a finer tip and thereby make functions of the knob discriminable, by forming all sorts of operating knobs with a material excellent in thermal conductivity, while maintaining temperature of each of these operating knobs at the specified one corresponding to the operating function. CONSTITUTION:Each of air conditioner setting temperature falling and rising operating knobs 12 and 16, and an air conditioner on-off operating knob 14 are all set up in an instrument panel 8. Both operating knobs 12 and 16 are made up of a material excellent in thermal conductivity, while the operating knob 14 is made up of an ordinary material. And, the operating knob 12 is kept up in lower temperature than the normal one by an electronic cooling device 20 whereby this operating knob 12 is recognized as a knob for setting temperature falling use. And, the operating knob 16 is kept up in higher temperature than the normal one, and in addition the operating knob 14 is kept up in the normal temperature. Accordingly, each operating knob is discriminated for individual functions with the temperature state.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

(Industrial Application Field 1) The present invention relates to a control 11 device for an operation function identification switch, and in particular to a device for controlling the operating states of various loads of vehicles such as automobiles.
l 7. The present invention relates to a control device for an operation/function identification switch which is suitable for use as a switch and which facilitates the identification of operation functions. [Prior art 1] In vehicles such as automobiles, it is necessary to control the loads of various lamps, air conditioners (hereinafter referred to as air conditioners), etc.
The switch for tJ is placed in a location that is particularly easy for the driver to operate, and when the driver operates or controls a load, he or she identifies the switch before operating it. However, in recent years, the number of various switches has tended to increase in order to make the vehicle more maneuverable, and as the number of switches increases, the number of switches has increased. ! ! It may become difficult to understand. Therefore, in order to easily identify the switch, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 or 9, the plate 1 of the switch 10 is
By changing the shape or arrangement of the operating knobs 12, 14, and 16 located on the top of the operating knob 12, 14, and 16, the driver can feel the difference in shape and position when touching it with his or her fingertips, without looking directly at it. There are devices that allow users to easily select the switch they want to operate by making it easy to identify what the operating knob operates. In addition, as an operation function display switch in which operation functions are identified by a pictorial display, for example,
838, in a switch device including a light emitter that emits light when a switch part of a picture showing a vehicle drawn on a flexible display board is pressed, a part of the light emitter is attached to the switch part of the flexible display board. It has also been proposed that the switch be made to protrude to make it easier to operate the switch. However, all of the conventional methods have had the problem that unless the driver is sufficiently familiar with the shape or arrangement of the operating knob, he or she may make a mistake in selection or judgment. In order to solve these problems, the operation function identification switch includes an operation knob made of a material with good thermal conductivity, a contact that is turned on and off by operation of the operation knob, and -
'1 Temperature control means for maintaining the operating knob at a predetermined temperature corresponding to its operating function is provided, and by making the fingertip feel the temperature of the operating knob, the user can move towards the switch. !
It is conceivable to be able to immediately identify the function of the operating knob touched by the finger, without having to move the 1M, or even if the shape and arrangement of the switches are the same.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such an operation function identification switch that maintains the surface temperature of the operation knob at a predetermined temperature in accordance with the operation function, it is difficult to detect when the engine ignition switch is turned on. Immediately afterward, it is necessary to operate the temperature control means, such as an electronic cooling device, continuously, so it is necessary to efficiently dissipate the heat taken by the electronic cooling device, etc. However, the operation function identification switch itself as described above Since it was new, no suitable heat dissipation structure had been proposed. Further, if the above-mentioned operation function identification switch is adopted in a car that is often left in the hot sun, the knob 6 of the operation function identification switch will be warmed up because the inside of the III will be at a high temperature. Therefore, even if the driver turns on the ignition switch while riding in his or her IlJ vehicle, the operating knob may not be cooled down to the predetermined temperature for a while, and it may become impossible to identify the operating knob based on temperature immediately after getting into the vehicle. was there. In order to solve this problem, it is possible to constantly operate the electronic cooling device regardless of whether the ignition switch is on or off. When I activated it, the battery suddenly became M! This could result in the engine not being able to start. On the other hand, in order to prevent battery consumption, a -1IJiN battery is used.
10, a solar cell is installed in the car, and a 1g fan is installed in the ventilator duct, and the electromotive force of the solar cell is applied to the battery charging circuit when the temperature is below a certain temperature, and when the temperature is above the set temperature. Now let's talk about the electric fan! Although an automobile ventilation system characterized by being provided with an automatic changeover switch has been proposed, it was not used for the purpose of identifying the operating function of the switch as in the present invention. (Objective of the Invention) The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and even if the shape and arrangement are the same, the operator can operate it extremely easily by just touching it with his or her fingertip. Functions can be classified by function, so you can operate them without having to look at the switch, and it consumes less power and does not run out of battery. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for an operating function identification switch that can reliably identify an operating knob from the user's fingertips. As shown in FIG. 1, there is a control device for an operation function identification switch for the purpose of the present invention, as shown in FIG. a reference signal generator that optically converts the 11! quasi-signal in accordance with a predetermined temperature corresponding to the operating function; a comparator that compares the reference signal output from the reference signal generator with the output of the temperature detection element; a drive circuit driven based on the output of the comparator;
an electronic cooling means that is driven by the output of the drive circuit and cools the operation knob to a predetermined temperature corresponding to its operation function; The above object is achieved by comprising a forced cooling means, a control circuit including at least the reference signal generator, a comparator, and a drive circuit even when the engine is stopped, and a solar cell for driving the forced cooling means. Achieved IC
It is something. (Function) In the present invention, a reference signal generated according to a predetermined temperature corresponding to the operating function of the operating knob is compared with the output of a temperature detection device for detecting and overturning the temperature of the operating knob, and based on the comparison result. By driving the electronic cooling means, the operating knob is cooled to a predetermined temperature corresponding to the operating function, so a relatively simple control device can adjust the temperature of the operating knob according to the operating function. It can be cooled to the corresponding predetermined humidity. Therefore, you can feel the temperature of the operating knob at your fingertips without having to look at the switch, and even if the shape and arrangement of the switch are the same. By doing so, it is possible to immediately identify the function of the operating knob touched by the finger.Furthermore, since a forced cooling means for forcibly cooling and covering the heat radiating member of the electronic cooling means is provided, the electronic The heat taken by the cooling means can be efficiently dissipated, and the operation rate of the electronic cooling means, which generally consumes more power than a blower, can be lowered to save power.Furthermore, the forced cooling means and at least the standards The control circuit, including the signal generator, comparator, and drive circuit, is powered by solar cells even when the engine is stopped, so even if the vehicle is left in the hot sun, the operating sound from the operating knob will be heard immediately after getting into the vehicle. It is possible to accurately sense the temperature, and it does not cause batch reversal. (Example 1) Referring to the drawings below, the control switch for an air conditioner employing the present invention will be described. Detailed explanation of the embodiment of the @ picture - 4. The first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4,
3111 operating knobs 12, 14, and 16 of the same shape (approximately square) arranged in parallel arranged on the instrument panel 8 of a car (12 is for setting concentration above, 14 is for turning on/off the air conditioner, 16 is for setting) The present invention is applied to a control switch 10 of an air conditioner having a temperature increase function. The set temperature emergency operation knob 12 and the set humidity increase operation knob 16 are both made of a material with good thermal conductivity, for example, a metal such as aluminum laminate, and their surfaces are coated with
Plating and baking are done with thin, highly durable surface treatments such as painting, and consideration is given to improving thermal conductivity. On the other hand, the air conditioner on/off operation knob 14, which is maintained at room temperature, is made of a common material such as resin. On the back side of the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature, an electronic Nl device R20 such as a thermo module is disposed closely. When current flows through this electronic cooling device 20, heat is taken away from the operation knob 12 for lowering the set temperature, and the heat is transferred to the radiation fins 22. A thermistor 24 for detecting the temperature is closely placed on the back side of the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature, and is used for automatic cooling/temperature control of the operating knob 12 for lowering the set hot water temperature. . Therefore, the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature is always maintained at a predetermined temperature lower than normal temperature, corresponding to its function of lowering the set temperature of the air conditioner. One end of a flexible duct 26 made of a soft material is connected to the radiation fins 22 of the power distribution electronic cooling device 20, and the other end of the flexible duct 26 is connected to the radiating fin 22 of the power distribution electronic cooling device 20.
It is connected to the outlet of one machine 28. Therefore, when the motor 2BA of the blower 28 is rotated, the fan 28B is rotated, and fresh air is efficiently sent to the radiation fins 22 via the flexible duct 26 by the cylindrical motor fan case 28C. Therefore, the radiation fins 22 are efficiently cooled, and the heat taken away by the electronic cooling bag M20 is efficiently radiated. In the figure, 29 is a guide for fixing the flexible duct 26. On the other hand, on the back side of the operation knob 16 for increasing the set hot water temperature, a heater 3o is disposed with a blue tint. When current is passed through the heater 30, it generates heat and warms the set temperature increase operation knob 16. A thermistor 32 is also disposed closely on the back surface of the operating knob 16 for increasing the set temperature, and is used to control the heating temperature of the operating knob 16 for increasing the set temperature. Therefore, the operating knob 16 for raising the set temperature is always maintained at a predetermined temperature higher than normal temperature, corresponding to its function of raising the set temperature of the air conditioner. In contrast to these, an air conditioner on/off operation knob 14 that constitutes the 1ζth main switch for turning on and off the air conditioner
is not subject to any temperature control and is therefore maintained at room temperature. In FIG. 2, BA indicates a vent hole formed on both sides of the instrument panel 8 to enhance the cooling effect of the ship's delivery air fan 28, and 34 indicates the operation knob 12 and 1.
6, each operating knob 12 and 1
The heat insulating materials 40, 42, and 44 filled on the back side of the board 6 are rubber contacts that are pressed by the operation knobs 12, 14, and 16, respectively, to conduct the printed pattern arranged on the printed circuit board 46F. Here, rubber contacts 4o, 42.44 for each operation knob 12.14.16
The operation knobs 12 are arranged with two each.
．． This is to balance the loads of 14 and 16, but it is acceptable even if there is only one each. FIG. 5 shows the control device of the first embodiment. This control a device includes a battery 5o, an ignition switch 52, a noise absorption circuit 54, and the thermistor 24 at + and - terminals.
a cooling temperature control circuit 56 that controls the current flowing to the electronic cooling device 20 so that the temperature of the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature detected by the temperature rises to a predetermined concentration; and a set temperature increase detected by the thermistor 32. Operation knob 1
a heating temperature control circuit 58 that controls the current flowing to the heater 30 so that the temperature of the heater 30 reaches a predetermined temperature; It is comprised of various control circuits including a heating temperature control circuit 58 and a large battery 60 for supplying electric power to the motor 28A of the eyebrow sender. In FIG. 5, 62 and 64 are backflow prevention diodes that prevent the electromotive force of the solar cell 60 from flowing into another electrical path (not shown). This control HW't is controlled by the ignition switch 5 from the battery 50.
2 to the cooling concentration control circuit 56 and the heating temperature control circuit 58, and when the solar cell 60 generates an electromotive force due to sunlight irradiation. The front V/noise absorption circuit 54 is composed of a Zener diode 54A and a capacitor 54B connected in parallel with each other, and has a function of absorbing noise to prevent malfunctions caused by noise. The cold N1 thirst control circuit 56 operates as follows. That is, the resistance value of the thermistor 24 changes depending on the temperature of the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature, and the voltage divided by the thermistor 24 and the resistor 56A is applied to the negative terminal of the comparator 56B. On the other hand, a reference voltage divided by resistors 56G and 560 is applied to the positive terminal of the comparator 56g. Now, when the temperature of the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the resistance value of the thermistor 24 is lower than the reference value, so a voltage higher than the reference voltage is applied to the negative terminal of the inverter 56B. Therefore, the output of comparator 56B is a low voltage, and transistor 56E is turned on.
Output transistor 56F is also turned on. Hence, electronic cooling! ! 20, and the operation knob 12 for lowering the set temperature is cooled. At this time, the heat dissipating fins 22 are operated by the electric power of the battery 50 and/or the solar cell 60, which is operated almost all the time during the day when a large cooling capacity is required for the electronic device 20.
is forcedly cooled, resulting in efficient heat dissipation. On the other hand, when the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature is cooled down, the resistance value of the thermistor 24 increases, and a voltage lower than the reference voltage is applied to the negative terminal of the comparator 561-3. The output of 56H is a high voltage. Therefore, both transistor 56E and output transistor 56F are turned off. Therefore, the electronic cooling device 2
0 is stopped, and the operation knob 12 for lowering the set temperature is turned off.
By repeating the above steps, the temperature of the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature lower than room temperature. A feedback resistor 56G provided in the inverter 56B of this cooling temperature control circuit 56
is for providing hysteresis when switching the comparator 56'B. On the other hand, the heating control circuit 58 is constructed as follows.
That is, the resistance value of the thermistor 32 changes depending on the temperature of the temperature control knob 16, and the voltage divided by the thermistor 32 and the resistor 58A is applied to the negative terminal of the comparator 58B. Ru. On the other hand, the base 1 m pressure divided by the resistors 58C and 58D is applied to the positive terminal of the comparator 58B. Now, when the temperature of the set temperature increase operation knob 16 is lower than the predetermined temperature, the resistance value of the thermistor 32 is higher than the reference value, so a voltage higher than the reference voltage is applied to the negative terminal of the comparator 58F3. Therefore, the output of comparator 58B becomes a low voltage, transistor 58E is turned off, and output transistor 58F is turned on. Therefore, a current flows through the heater 30, and the operating knob 16 for increasing the set temperature is heated. On the other hand, when the operating knob 16 for increasing the set temperature is heated and the resistance value of the thermistor 32 becomes low, and a voltage lower than the reference voltage is applied to the negative terminal of the inverter 58B, the output of the comparator 58B becomes a high voltage. becomes. Therefore, transistor! The transistor 58 is turned on, and the transistor 58 is turned off. Therefore, power supply to the heater 30 is stopped F, and heating of the operation knob 16 for W above the set temperature is stopped. By returning the above to N, the temperature of the operating knob 16 for increasing the set temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature higher than room temperature. Comparator 5 of this heating temperature control circuit 58
The feedback resistor 58G provided at 8B is
This is to provide hysteresis when switching the inverter 58B. Temperature change state of operation knob 12 and electronic cooling bag immediately after turning on ignition switch 52 in this embodiment *20
The on/off state of the current applied to the is shown in Figure 6 by the solid line A (
. Similarly, compared to the case where the blower indicated by the dashed line B in FIG. 6 is not used, in this embodiment, the blower 2 is
8 increases the amount of heat radiated by the heat radiating fins 22, so the temperature of the operation knob 12 decreases quickly. Also, electronic cooling bag wt.
Since there is little backflow of heat from the radiation fins 22 to the operation knob 12 after the heat dissipation fins 20 are turned off, the temperature rises slowly. As a result, the on-time of the electronic cooling bag vj120 is shortened, so that it is possible to save Fr power consumption. In addition, since the solar battery 60 is used to drive the air blower R2B etc. even when the ignition switch 52 is turned off, the operation knob 12 can be operated under the scorching sun without worrying about the battery running out. The cooling response of the IC has been improved, and the temperature of the operating knob 12 can be accurately sensed immediately after the driver gets on the vehicle. Also, the ignition switch 52
Even if it is turned on, there are no problems such as the operation knob 12 not cooling down unless it is combed for a while. In this embodiment, since the feedback resistors 56G and 58G are provided in both the comparators 56B and 58B of the cooling temperature control circuit 56 and the heating temperature control circuit 58, hysteresis is provided when switching the comparators 56B and 158B, and this is not necessary. Frequently use electronic cooling bag $2
0 and the heater 30 are never turned on or off. . Further, in this embodiment, the forced cooling means is composed of a blower 28 disposed in a prominent position from the heat radiating fins 22, and a flexible duct 26 that connects and covers the air blower 1a28 and the heat radiation fins 22. Since it is, send lit machine 2
The vibrations and sounds generated in step 8 are not transmitted to the heat dissipation fins 22 and the instant h switch 10, and in particular, vibrations transmitted to the operation knob 12 prevent it from becoming difficult to feel the temperature when the fingertip touches the operation knob 12. be done. Also, switch 1
0 does not become a source of noise transmission. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the back sides of the operation knobs 12 and 16 are filled with heat insulation (A34), the effects of ambient temperature are blocked, and the temperature stability of the operation knobs 12 and 16 is enhanced. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.This embodiment has an operating knob 12.
14.16, Electronic cooling device 20. Radiation fin 22, thermistor 24.332, sending J! In the control switch 10 of the air conditioner, in which the air conditioner 28, the heater 30, the rubber contacts 40, 42, 44, the printed circuit board 46, etc. are mounted on the right side, as shown in FIG. This is because it is placed close to the radiation fin 22 on the back side of the switch 10. Other points are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, so explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, the configuration is extremely simple and relatively light. In each of the navigational embodiments, the present invention is applied to a control switch for an air conditioner, and the operating knob 12 for lowering the set temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature lower than normal temperature, and the operating knob 16 for increasing the set temperature is maintained at normal temperature. Since the temperature is maintained at a higher predetermined temperature, each operating knob is maintained in a state that matches the natural sensation of the operator, making it extremely easy to identify the operation mode. In addition, in each of the embodiments described in @, the operation knob 12.1
4. Since the shape and arrangement of the knobs are the same, it is possible to consolidate the parts of the operation knob, and it is easy to assemble the parts. Note that the shape and arrangement of the operating knob is not limited to this. For example, the shape of the operating knob may be changed as in the conventional example shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. By changing the arrangement surfaces of the operating knob 12 for lowering the temperature, the operating knob 16 for increasing the set temperature, and the operating knob 14 for turning on/off the air, it is possible to make the operating knobs easier to identify. In these cases, even when the fingertips are cold and it is difficult to feel the temperature, they can be identified to some extent because of the closeness of the shape and layout. [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, an operation function identification switch control rR+ device can be realized with a relatively simple configuration. Therefore, even if 7'A1m is not moved toward the switch, and even if the shape and arrangement are the same,
By feeling the temperature of the fingertip, it becomes possible to immediately identify the switch that the fingertip touched. Therefore, it is possible to perform the operation by groping, and not only can it be operated reliably while driving the vehicle, but also a visually impaired person can operate it. Furthermore, since the heat taken by the electronic cooling device is efficiently dissipated, the operating rate of the Gaso-ko Reigetsu 1 device, which consumes more power than the J@ machine, is reduced, and power consumption is saved. Even if the vehicle has been bravely exposed to the scorching sun, the operator can accurately sense and control the surface temperature of the operating knob after getting on the vehicle, and the system will not cause the battery to run out, etc. Has excellent effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the control I of the operation function identification switch according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows the structure of the first embodiment of the air conditioner control switch to which the present invention is applied; Fig. 3 shows the main structure of the lock; FIG. 4 is a front view seen from the direction of the arrow ■, FIG. 4 is a side view similarly seen from the direction of the arrow ■, FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the control device of the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 shows a comparison of the temperature change state of the operating knob and the on/off state of the electric current of the electronic cooling device in the first embodiment (FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention; The figure shows an example of a conventional operation function identification switch, and FIG. 9 is a front view showing another example. 10...Switch, 12...Operation knob, 20...
・Electronic cooling device, 22...h heat rough-in 24...
Thermistor, 26...Flexible duct, 28...Blower, 40...Rubber contact. 46... Printed circuit board, 50... Battery, 52...
...Ignition switch, 56...Cooling temperature control circuit, 56A, 56C156D...Resistor. 56B...Comparator, 56E, 56F...Transistor, 60...Solar cell. Agent Takaya Ron (and 1 other person) Figure 1 Figure 2 Child < u 1 Figure 3 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A temperature detection element for detecting and covering the temperature of the operation knob made of a material with good thermal conductivity at the control point of the operation function identification switch for easily identifying the operation function, and the operation knob. a reference signal generator that generates a reference signal in accordance with a predetermined temperature corresponding to the operating function of the base II' signal generator; a comparator that compares the reference signal output from the base II' signal generator with the output of the temperature detection element; a drive circuit driven based on the output of the drive circuit; an electronic cooling means driven by the output of the drive circuit for cooling the operation knob to a predetermined temperature corresponding to its operation function; and heat dissipation of the electronic cooling means. forced cooling means for forcibly cooling the components; and at least the reference signal generator, even when the engine is stopped.
1. A control I device for an operation function identification switch, comprising: a comparator, a control circuit including a drive circuit, and a solar cell for driving the forced cooling means.