JPS6363418B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention transmits power from an on-vehicle battery to an operation board installed in the center of a steering wheel, floating above the wheel. The present invention relates to a device for transmitting an electric signal to an on-board fixed control unit on the on-board battery side.

(Prior technology) In a vehicle, the steering wheel is closest to the driver, and is also closest to the driver's hands, so in order to improve operability, the steering wheel is equipped with an operation board equipped with key switches for controlling on-vehicle equipment. It is preferable to equip it in the center of the wheel.

However, because the steering mechanism that transmits wheel rotation to the steering shaft is complex,
It is difficult to wire the signal cable that connects the operation board (steering operation board) installed in the center of the steering wheel and the fixed control unit installed on the power line side of the on-board battery. Furthermore, it is necessary to arrange a pipe for wiring and/or a slip ring for connection on the mechanism in a manner that does not interfere with the operation of the steering mechanism.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, since the space allotted to the steering mechanism is limited, wiring these is quite difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the complexity and bulk of the structure of the steering wheel section due to the electrical connection between the operation board of the steering wheel and the fixed control unit.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for solving the problem) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes:
First, roughly speaking, the power line of the on-board battery and the power line of the steering operation board are connected by one or more pairs of electric coils that circulate around the steering shaft or its extension.

The steering operation board has a rectifier constant voltage circuit,
Equipped with an input key switch, a modulation circuit, and a transmission control device, the power line side of the on-board battery is equipped with an oscillation circuit, a demodulation circuit, and a reception control device that converts the DC voltage of the on-board battery into AC voltage. , transmits power through the oscillation circuit and electric coil to the rectifier constant voltage circuit of the operation board,
Then, the code corresponding to the operation of the input key switch is modulated from the operation board and sent to the demodulation circuit on the on-board battery side via the electric coil, the modulated wave is demodulated on the on-board battery side, and the code is transmitted to the on-board battery It is configured to play a code corresponding to the switch operation.

(Function) According to this, key operation information on the steering wheel operation board can be transmitted to the fixed control unit on the on-board battery side using digital processing logic without connecting with an electric signal cable, and the on-board battery and steering operation Since at least a pair of electrical coils that are mechanically separated from each other need only be interposed between the boards, wiring is relatively easy, and the structure of the steering wheel section does not become complicated or bulky. reduce Since the electric coils all revolve around the steering shaft or its extension, that is, the steering shaft or its extension passes through each electric coil, and the steering shaft and surrounding mechanical structural elements are magnetic. Since it is a body, the magnetic coupling between the electric coils is relatively high, and the power and signal transmission efficiency is relatively high. Since the power consumption in the operating board is low, a relatively small number of turns of a coil of relatively small diameter is sufficient to provide the required power and signal transmission.

In order to confirm the reception process and control the status display on the steering wheel operation board, it is preferable that the on-vehicle fixed control unit transmits a code indicating reception, status display instructions, etc. to the steering wheel operation board. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a demodulation circuit is provided on the steering wheel operation board, and display means such as lamps, light emitting diodes, character displays, two-dimensional graphic displays, etc. and/or speakers, etc. are provided as necessary. Furthermore, the transmission control device of the operation board shall decode or reproduce the received notification code and/or notification instruction code or notification data from the fixed control unit to decode the transmission/reception and activate the notification. The fixed control unit is provided with a modulation circuit, and the reception control device of the fixed control unit controls reception notification and transmission of status notification codes or data as necessary. Thereby, transmission and reception of electric signals, notification, and device control can be performed using a relatively low power modulation and demodulation circuit in the same way as data transmission and reception processing between ordinary telecommunication terminals.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
In this example, the steering wheel operation board includes a constant voltage power supply 70, a microcomputer unit 80 which is a transmission control device, a key switch 90, an FSK modulation circuit 100, and an FSK demodulation circuit 11.
0, an electric coil STL1 for transmitting and receiving electric signals and an electric coil PTL1 for receiving electric power are provided.

The fixed control unit on the on-board battery side includes a constant voltage power supply device 120, a microcomputer unit 130 which is a reception control device, and an FSK modulation circuit 1.
50, an FSK demodulation circuit 160, an electric coil STL2 for transmitting and receiving electric signals, and an electric coil PTL2 for transmitting power, and various devices 140 are connected to the microcomputer unit 130.

The electric line VPL of the on-board battery has oscillation and
A power amplifier circuit 170 and a constant voltage power supply device 120 are connected, and an electric coil PTL2 for power transmission is connected to the output end of the circuit 170.
(Frequency Shift Keying) The output end of the modulation circuit 150 and the input end of the FSK demodulation circuit 160 are connected to a coil.
Connected to STL2.

The output end of the FSK modulation circuit 100 and the input end of the FSK demodulation circuit 110 are connected to the coil STL1. A rectifier constant voltage circuit 70 is connected to the operation board side power line SPL connected to the coil PTL1. This rectifier constant voltage circuit 70 is a power supply circuit for the operation board.

FIG. 2a shows an external perspective view of the steering wheel, and FIG. 2b shows a front view. In FIGS. 2a and 2b, 30 is a steering wheel (handle), and an operation panel 31 of the attitude control device is installed in the center of the steering wheel. Three switches 32a, 33a and 34a arranged on the right side of the steering wheel 30 are for controlling the tilt angle of the steering wheel 30, 32a is an up switch that corrects the vertical angle upward, and 33a is an up switch that corrects downward. The down switch 34a is an away switch that specifies the upper and lower corners as the upper limit retracted (tilt away) position and returns the upper retracted position to the original operating position.

Three switches 32b, 33b and 34b located on the left side of the steering wheel 30
is for controlling the wheel height, and 32b is an away switch that instructs to drive the wheel to the upper limit retracted position, and also instructs to drive the wheel to the operating position when the wheel is at the upper limit retracted position. 33b is a switch for raising instructions, and 34b is a switch for lowering instructions.

FIG. 2c is a side view of the operating section 35 of the steering mechanism. The operation section 35 is roughly composed of a steering wheel 30, an operation panel 31, a steering telescope mechanism 36, and a tilt mechanism 37.

FIG. 2d is a sectional view showing a support structure for the steering wheel 30 and the operation panel 31. The support 38 and the gear 39 are fixed to the body of the vehicle, and the steering main shaft 40 is rotatably supported by the support 38. The support 41 is connected to the steering wheel 30 and the steering main shaft 40, and rotatably supports the gears 39, 42 and the connecting member 43. The connecting member 43 has gears 43a and 43b having the same number of teeth, which are connected to the gears 39 and 42, respectively, at both ends thereof.

A printed circuit board 44 including an attitude control circuit and an operation panel 31 are fixed to a gear 42 . 45 and 46 are slip rings fixed to the support 38 and the operation panel 31, respectively, and brushes 48a and 48b are pressed onto both by compression coil springs 47a and 47b, so that the two are electrically connected. It's summery. Note that the gears 39 and 42 have the same number of teeth. The purpose of this structure is to prevent the operation panel 31 from rotating as the steering wheel 30 rotates. In this embodiment, when the steering wheel 30 is rotated, the support 41 and the steering wheel are rotated. The main shaft 40 rotates to perform a steering operation, but since the gears 43a, 43b and 39, 42 have the same number of teeth, the support 41 is generated by the circular movement of the connecting member 43 due to the rotation of the support 41. and the relative movement amount (angle) of the gear 39, and the support 41 and the gear 42
The relative movement amounts of the gears 42 and 39 become equal, and the gear 42 and the gear 39
As a result, even if the steering wheel 30 rotates, the operation panel 31 does not rotate.

An electric coil is attached to the support plate 39a fixed to the gear 39.
PTL2 and STL2 are fixed, and this coil
Coils PTL1 and STL1 are fixed to the inside of the operation panel 31, facing STL2. These electric coils PTL2, PTL1, STL2, STL1
Both have main shaft 40 and support 41.
and the gears 39 and 42, so to speak.
The main shaft 40 and the like pass through these electric coils. Since the main shaft 40 etc. are made of magnetic material, the magnetic coupling between the electric coils is relatively strong, and even if PTL1 is quite far away from the electric coil PTL2, the power required by the operation board is small (very small).
is transmitted from PTL2 to PTL1, and there is a remainder.
Similarly, the transmission of electric signals from electric coil STL1 to STL2 and vice versa is also efficiently carried out.

Figure 2e shows the steering telescope mechanism 3.
An enlarged cross-sectional view of the drive unit of No. 6, Fig. 2f is its f~
It is an f-line sectional view. The steering telescope mechanism 36 moves the steering wheel 30 forward and backward relative to the driver, and in this embodiment is driven by a motor M7. The main shaft 40 and the shaft 40a do not slip in the direction of rotation, but are fitted to be slidable in the direction of arrow A.
The guide member 50 on the fixed side is provided with a drive section including a motor M7, which drives a threaded rod 52 fixed to the bracket 51 on the movable side. A shaft 53 of motor M7 is coupled to a worm shaft 54. The nut 55 that meshes with the worm gear 54a formed on the worm shaft 54 is screwed into the threaded rod 52 and is fixed in position and rotatable, so that the motor M
7 rotates, the worm gear 54a rotates, rotates the nut 55, and moves the threaded rod 52 forward (or backward) in the direction of arrow A. As a result, the movable side such as the steering wheel 30 is guided by the guide member 50 and moves back and forth in the axial direction of the main shaft 40, that is, in the direction of arrow A. This moves the steering wheel 30 up and down. Note that 60a and 60b are limit switches that detect the lower limit and upper limit positions.

The shaft 40b is fixed in position, and the shaft 40b is fixed in position.
0a is connected to the shaft 40b by a universal joint 56, so that the vertical angle can be changed in the direction of arrow B. Reference numeral 57 denotes an arm that is connected at one end to a position offset downward from the universal joint 56 that serves as a fulcrum for changing the vertical angle, and the other end is connected to a nut 58 on the driving side. Natsu 58
is a threaded rod 59 rotationally driven by motor M6.
are screwed together. Therefore, when the motor M6 rotates, the threaded rod 59 rotates, but the nut 58 does not rotate, which causes the nut 58 to move in the axial direction (arrow A
direction) to drive the arm 57, and the movable side rotates around the universal joint 56. Note that 60c and 60d are limit switches that detect the upper limit position on the movable side.

FIG. 3a shows the configuration of the operation board fixed to the operation panel 31. In this case, the key switch 90 shown in FIG. 1 is a key input unit 9 which is a combination of a momentary key switch and a key encoder that is closed only while the key is being pressed as shown in FIG. 3a.
1. Operation switch input sections 92 and 93 consisting of an operation switch that closes when pressed once and opens when pressed the next time, and a flip-flop for latching the state.
It consists of

The FSK modulation circuit 100 includes a pulse oscillator 101,
FSK modulator 102, output cutoff gate 10
3 and a transmission driver 104,
The FSK demodulation circuit 110 is an amplification/waveform shaping circuit 1
11, a noise cutoff circuit 112 and an FSK demodulator 113. The microcomputer unit 80 is a one-chip microcomputer.
It consists of a CPU, address latch ADL, semiconductor read-only memory ROM, input/output port I/O, reset switch, and clock pulse oscillator.The ROM stores key input reading program data and transmits codes according to changes in key status. Transmission control program data to be created and transmitted is stored. A constant voltage is applied to each of these elements by rectifying the voltage induced in the coil PTL1 by the alternating current energization of the coil PTL2 by the circuit 170 and making it a constant voltage by the rectifying constant voltage circuit 70.

Figure 3b shows the construction of the fixed control unit.
This fixed control unit is also similar to the operating board.
FSK modulation circuit 150 (pulse oscillator 151,
FSK modulator 152, output gate 153 and transmission driver 154) and FSK demodulation circuit (amplification/waveform shaping circuit 161, noise cutoff circuit 162)
and an FSK demodulator 163).

In this embodiment, a constant speed control device, an air conditioner, and a radio are connected to the microcomputer unit 130 in a relay control mode. In addition to the FSK transmission/reception control program data, the ROM of the unit 130 stores control program data for decoding received codes and controlling energization of relays L1 to L6.

The oscillation/power amplifier circuit 170 includes an oscillator and a power amplifier, generates alternating current at a predetermined frequency,
This is applied to coil PTL2.

FSK modulation circuits 100, 150 and FSK demodulation circuits 110, 1 shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.
60 input/output signals are shown in FIG. The operations of the FSK modulation circuit 100 (150 operates in the same manner) and the FSK demodulation circuit 110 (160 operates in the same manner) will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the output port P2 of the 1-chip microcomputer CPU of the unit 80 on the operation board 31
4 becomes a high level H, the pulse oscillator 101 is activated and generates a constant frequency pulse B. In this state, if the output P25 is at a high level H, the modulator 102
Output C becomes a pulse synchronized with pulse B, and when output P25 is low level L, output C becomes pulse B
It becomes a 1/2 frequency divided pulse. Therefore, while P25 is at H level, output C becomes pulse B, and while P25 is at L level, it becomes a 1/2 frequency divided pulse of pulse B. This output C is amplified by the driver 104 and the electric coil
Sent to STL1.

Since a coupling capacitor is inserted between the transmission driver 104 and the electric coil STL2, the electric coil STL1 receives bipolar pulses D,
That is, a differential pulse appears that has a positive peak at the rising point of pulse C and a negative peak at the falling point. When a hyperbolic pulse D appears in the electric coil STL1, it is amplified by the amplification/waveform shaping circuit 111 via a coupling capacitor, shaped into a positive polarity pulse E, and applied to the noise cutoff circuit 112, where it is further It is shaped into a predetermined width to widen the high level H width (F), integrated in the demodulation circuit 113 and converted to analog (H), and further binarized to produce a high level H or low level L binary signal (I ) and is applied to the input terminal T ₀ .

Unit 80's microcomputer CPU is
When the transmission bit is H, the output port P25 is set to H for the time T, and L for the next T, for this one cycle.
Assign 2T to 1 bit and send bit is L
When , output P25 is H for time 1/2T, then 1/2
One period T is assigned to 1 bit as L during T, and when receiving, if the input terminal _T0 is H during T, it is read that 1 bit H has arrived, and 1/2T.
If it is H during this period, it is read as 1 bit L has arrived. Unit 130 microcomputer
The same applies to the CPU's transmission and reception signal processing or decoding.

In this embodiment, the frame structure of the transmitted signal is as shown in Fig. 4a, consisting of a 10-bit H mark code indicating the beginning of the frame, a 1-bit L indicating the start of data, 16-bit data, and an 8-bit mark code.
The data bits are further divided into two 8-bit sections A and B, and the A group contains horn energization instruction and radio control data (key switch status notification) as shown in Figure 4b. As shown in FIG. 4c, constant speed running control and air conditioner control data (key switch status notification bit) are assigned to group B.

FIG. 6a shows the transmission/reception control flow of the microcomputer unit 80 (FIG. 3a) of the operation board 31. Transmission and reception control of the unit 80 will be explained with reference to this. The CPU of unit 80 initializes the input read register and input/output ports when it is powered on, monitors the input ports of the I/O and its own input ports P13-P10, and presses any key closed. Or, when there is a state change indicating that the switch is closed, each bit of the I/O input port and input ports P13 to P10 is set in the input reading register, and the contents are converted to transmission data (data A plus data B). Create CRC check bit BCC for transmission data. And a counter for checking transmission/reception errors (program counter)
A predetermined value is set in the output port P24, H is set in the output port P25, and a 2T period (when the bit = H) or a T period ( When bit = L) pulse is set to 1 for 1 bit.
Output by period assignment.

This allows electric coils STL1 and STL2 to
FSK demodulation circuit 1 of the fixed control unit via
At 60, a bipolar pulse D corresponding to the serial bit arrangement of the transmitted frame (Fig. 4a) arrives, which is demodulated and similar to the pulse sent to the output port P25 of the CPU of the operating board (Fig. 3a). The fixed control unit CPU (Figure 3b)
is applied to the input port T ₀ of .

When the CPU of the operation board (FIG. 3a) finishes transmitting one frame (FIG. 4a), it turns on the timer (program timer) and outputs a 1/2 period pulse indicating L to the output port P25. When a timeout occurs, both output ports P24 and P25 go low.
Then, turn on the timer and wait for the _T0 terminal to become H.

If the _T0 terminal becomes H before this timer times out, the H time is counted and the H bit or L
Determine if it is a bit, store it in the reception register, increment the bit count register by 1,
This is repeated every time _T0 changes from L to H, and when the count register reaches 19, the contents of the 12th to 19th bits of the receive register (ACK)
If all of them are L (reception complete), P24 is set to H again, and a pulse corresponding to a frame of mark (10 bits), start 1 bit, and continuous H ACK 8 bits is output to P25, and then After the predetermined time P25 is set to L, P24 is set to L. Thereafter, the input terminal _T0 is monitored for a predetermined period of time, and if it becomes H during that time, the data is written to the reception register in the same manner as described above, the limit counter is decremented by 1, the data is read, and the data is 8 bits L.
ACK (ACK is a reply code, consisting of 8 bits, all bits L = 0 indicates completion of reception, all bits H = 0)
=1 indicates completion of transmission), it is considered that reception is complete.

If the input terminal _T0 does not become H for a predetermined time after reception completion (ACK=L×8 bits) is received, the CPU of the operation board (FIG. 3a) returns to key input reading. If reception completion (ACK=L×8 bits) is not sent within a predetermined time after transmitting the data frame (FIG. 4a), the limit counter is decremented by 1 and the data frame is transmitted again. When the content of the limit counter becomes zero, it is regarded as an abnormality, the warning light on the operation board is set to turn on, and the process returns to key input reading. After receiving the ACK (=L x 8 bits) frame indicating reception completion, when the input terminal _T0 becomes H, data is read and the limit counter is set to 1.
When the data is decremented and the data is ACK=L×8 bits, transmission completion ACK=H×8 bits is sent out again, and when the data is not ACK=L×8 bits, the limit counter is further decremented by 1. Reception completed
If the limit counter reaches zero after receiving ACK "0", set the alarm display and return to key input reading.

In key input reading, the status signal of the output port is read at predetermined intervals and compared with the memory bit of the input register, and if any input has changed from the memory bit of the input register, it is assumed that a key or switch input has been made. , writes the input status signal to the input register and performs the above-mentioned transmission and reception.

FIG. 6b shows the reception/transmission control flow of the microcomputer CPU (FIG. 3b) of the fixed control unit. This is similar to the reception/transmission control flow of the operation board CPU (Figure 3a), but the received data (4th
A CRC check bit is generated from the data bits in Fig. 4a) and compared with the received BCC to check for transmission/reception errors. The difference is that the received data is converted into a device control code and the reception completion frame is sent out, and the received data is converted into a device control code and set to the output port to the device 140.

In addition, other display means, notification means, small equipment, etc. are connected to the microcomputer unit 80 of the operation board 31, and the unit 1
By connecting a key switch to 30 and storing a program capable of executing both the control flows of FIGS. 6a and 6b in both the CPUs of units 80 and 130, two-way remote instructions,
Control is possible.

Furthermore, the transmitted/received data frame may have not only the configuration shown in FIG. 4a but also any other desired configuration, such as one in which the data has a variable number of bits and includes a bit number code, as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

Furthermore, both on the operation board side and on the fixed control unit side, there may be one set (only one pair) of electric coils for power transmission and signal transmission. When doing this, for example, the power transmission voltage is set to a low frequency, the signal transmission wave is set to a high frequency, one of the PTL1 and STL1 is omitted on the operation board side (Figure 3a), and the rectifier constant voltage circuit 7 is connected to the remaining coil.
0, further connect circuits 104 and 111 via a high-pass filter as necessary,
On the fixed control unit side (Fig. 3b)
Omit one of PTL2 and STL2, connect the oscillation/power amplification circuit 170 to the remaining coil, and further,
Circuit 1 via a high-pass filter if necessary
Connect 54 and 161.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the transmission data is
Although FSK modulation and demodulation are used, other modulation and demodulation used for data communication may also be used.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, by simply arranging the electric coils on the operation board side and the side fixed on the vehicle, there is no need to connect power lines and communication lines to the operation board, and key operation information on the steering wheel operation board can be transferred to the vehicle. It can be sent by digital processing logic to the fixed control unit on the upper battery side. Between the on-board battery and the steering operation board,
Since it is sufficient to interpose at least a pair of electrical coils that are mechanically separated from each other, wiring is relatively easy, and the complexity and bulk of the structure of the steering wheel portion are reduced. Since the electric coils all revolve around the steering shaft or its extension, that is, the steering shaft or its extension passes through each electric coil, and the steering shaft and surrounding mechanical structural elements are magnetic. Since it is a body, the magnetic coupling between the electric coils is relatively high, and the power and signal transmission efficiency is relatively high. Since the power consumption in the operating board is low, a relatively small number of turns of a coil of relatively small diameter is sufficient to provide the required power and signal transmission.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a general configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2a is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a steering wheel operation board in an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2b is a plan view, and Fig. 2c is 2D is a longitudinal sectional view of the steering system section, FIG. 2D is a longitudinal sectional view of the operation board mounting section, FIG. 2E is an enlarged sectional view of the wheel vertical drive mechanism, and FIG.
Fig. 3a is a block diagram showing the details of the structure of the steering wheel operation board; Fig. 3b is a cross-sectional view taken along line f;
The figure is a block diagram showing the details of the configuration of the on-board battery side fixed control unit, FIG. 4a is a plan view showing the configuration of the transmission signal frame, FIGS. The diagram is FSK
3 is a time chart showing input and output signals of a modulation circuit and a demodulation circuit. FIG. 6a is a flowchart showing the transmission/reception control operation of the microcomputer unit 80 shown in FIG. 3a, and FIG. 6b is a flowchart showing the transmission/reception control operation of the microcomputer unit 130 shown in FIG. 3b. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another structure of the transmitted and received data frame. 30: Steering wheel, 31: Operation panel (steering operation board), 32: Up switch, 33: Down switch, 34: Away switch, 35: Operation part of steering mechanism, 3
6: Telescope mechanism, 37: Tilt mechanism, 3
8, 41: Support, 39, 42: Gear, 40:
Main shaft, 43: Connection member, 44: Printed circuit board, 50: Guide member, 51: Bracket,
52: Threaded rod, 53: Motor shaft, 54: Worm shaft, 55, 58: Nut, 56: Universal joint, 57: Arm, 60: Limit switch, 80: Microcomputer unit (transmission control device), 100: FSK modulation circuit (modulation circuit),
90: Key switch (input key switch), 13
0: Microcomputer unit (reception control device), 160: FSK demodulation circuit (demodulation circuit), PTL
1: Electric coil (operation board side electric coil, electric coil for power reception), STL1: Electric coil (operation board side electric coil, electric coil for modulated wave transmission), PTL2: Electric coil (fixed side electric coil,
Electric coil for power transmission), STL2: Electric coil (fixed side electric coil, electric coil for modulated wave reception).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electric coil on the operation board side connected to the rectifying constant voltage circuit and the transmission line of the steering operation board and orbiting around the axis of the steering shaft; An input key switch provided on the steering operation board; a modulation circuit and a transmission control device provided on the steering operation board that modulates a code corresponding to the operation and sends it to the transmission line; an oscillation circuit that is connected to the power line of the on-board battery and generates an alternating current voltage; a fixed-side electric coil connected to the oscillation circuit and circulating around the axis of the steering shaft; demodulating the modulated wave arriving at the fixed-side electric coil to reproduce a code corresponding to a switch operation;
A power and signal transmission device for a steering operation board, comprising: a demodulation circuit and a reception control device provided on the power line side of an on-board battery; 2 The electric coil on the operation board side consists of an electric coil for receiving power connected to a rectifying constant voltage circuit and an electric coil for transmitting modulated waves connected to a transmission line; the electric coil on the fixed side is connected to an oscillation circuit. The power and signal transmission device for a steering operation board according to claim 1, comprising an electric coil for transmitting electric power and an electric coil for receiving modulated waves connected to a demodulation circuit.