JP5632968B2 - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle operating device.
This application claims priority in 2011/06/02 based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-124352 for which it applied to Japan, and uses the content for it here.

Conventionally, as an operation device for performing input operations of various in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner, an acoustic device, and a navigation device, from the selection of the in-vehicle device to be operated, the function selection and function adjustment of the selected in-vehicle device 2. Description of the Related Art An operation device is known in which operation items having a hierarchy until selection are selected and determined in stages by operating an operation member such as an operation lever arranged at hand.
As such an operation device, for example, a button focus on the display is operated by an operation lever, a desired menu item is selected from the menu items displayed on the display, and then the button focus is set on the display. A configuration is known in which a desired function is executed by moving to each layer according to a selected menu item by matching with the determination button (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-152361

However, in the case of the configuration of Patent Document 1 described above, it is necessary to select and determine menu items for each layer using the operation lever. Therefore, in order to execute a desired function, it is necessary to perform selection / determination operations by the operation lever a plurality of times. Further, the operator needs to operate the operation member while looking at the display and confirming the displayed hierarchy and the menu item to be selected.
Therefore, there is a problem that the operability is low and the burden on the operator increases, such as an increase in line of sight movement.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle operation device that can improve operability and reduce the burden on an operator.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention employs the following.
(1) That is, the vehicle operation device according to one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle operation device that includes an operation member that can be held by an operator and that performs an input operation on an operation item having a plurality of levels. The operation member has, for each hierarchy, an operator for selecting the menu item with a transition between the hierarchies by performing an input operation on a selectable menu item. In the state where the operation member is gripped, each of the operators is operated independently , and one of the operators is configured to be tilted by the operator, and the other operation The child is configured to be operated by the operator's finger, and the operator is configured to be tilted in the front-rear direction while being held by the operator, and the operation lever Left and right on top And a plurality of operation input units arranged to be operated by one finger and rotatably supported by a side surface of the operation lever, and operated by other fingers other than the one finger. A dial part configured as described above, and the operation lever is configured such that the menu item of the first layer configured in the vertical direction so as to select one in-vehicle device from among a plurality of in-vehicle devices is the operation The levers are associated with each tilt position in the front-rear direction of the lever, and the plurality of operation input units select one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes in the one in-vehicle device selected in the first hierarchy. Each menu item in the second layer configured to be selected in the left-right direction is associated with each of the plurality of operation input units arranged in the left-right direction, and the dial unit is selected in the second layer. Said one operation The menu item in the third layer configured in a ring shape so as to select one function or one setting value from a plurality of functions or a plurality of setting values in the mode depending on the rotation angle of the dial unit select.

(2) In the vehicle operating device according to (1), the plurality of operation input units may be configured by touch sensors.

( 3 ) The vehicle operation device according to (1) or (2) includes a display unit that displays the menu item on a display screen at a position where the operator can visually recognize the menu item. On the display screen, the plurality of hierarchies may be arranged and displayed in a direction along the operation direction of the operator.
(4) In the vehicle operating device according to (1), at least the operation lever and the plurality of operation input units are operated with one of them first or both at the same time while holding the operation lever. It may be possible.
(5) In the vehicle operating device according to (1), the dial portion is rotatably supported on the front side of the operation lever, and a portion located on the rear side of the outer peripheral portion of the dial portion is: It may be accommodated in the operation lever.

According to the aspect of (1) above, each operator with a transition between each level can be operated independently while holding the operation member. Therefore, the transition between the levels can be performed simultaneously or a series of continuous operations. Can be done. As a result, it is possible to set a desired operation item with movement between layers in one operation, so compared with the case where menu items are selected and determined for each layer as in the past. , Operability is improved.
In addition, since the operator can easily learn the correspondence between the input operation for each operator and the movement state of the operation item with respect to the input operation, for example, the operator operates the operation target without visually recognizing the display means. The so-called blind operation can be easily performed. In addition, since the line-of-sight movement can be suppressed as described above, the operability is reliably improved.
Therefore, according to (1) above, the burden on the operator can be reduced by improving the operability.

In addition , by performing hierarchically from the selection of the in-vehicle device to the setting of various functions of the selected in-vehicle device, there is no need to separately provide a switch or the like for selecting the in-vehicle device, and all operations are integrated with the operation device It can be carried out.

Also, by performing operations with the wrist or arm in addition to operations with only the operator's finger, the operation pattern of the input operation can be increased, making it easier to perform the input operation of each operator simultaneously or in a series of operations. it can.

An operation input unit is disposed on the upper surface of the tiltable operation lever, and a dial unit is disposed on the side surface. Therefore, the operator can guide the tilting operation of the operation lever only by grasping the operation lever, and the thumb is naturally guided to the operation input unit and the other finger (for example, the index finger) other than the thumb is naturally guided to the dial unit. . Therefore, it is possible to obtain a so-called affordable shape that can be intuitively determined without reading a manual or a cautionary note, and further improve the operability.

In addition , the menu items in each layer are associated with each other that can be operated by different operations. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform the transition between the hierarchies simultaneously or in a series of continuous operations.

According to the above aspect ( 3 ), even if the operator is not sufficiently skilled, it is possible to operate more intuitively, so that convenience is improved and it is possible to lead to early learning of the operation method.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior showing an arrangement of a vehicle operating device in an embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the operation member from diagonally backward. It is the perspective view which looked at the operation member from diagonally forward. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of an operating device, Comprising: It is a figure which shows a display part. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of an operating device, Comprising: It is a figure which shows an operating member. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of an operating device, Comprising: It is a figure which shows a display part. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of an operating device, Comprising: It is a figure which shows an operating member. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of an operating device, Comprising: It is a figure which shows a display part. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of an operating device, Comprising: It is a figure which shows an operating member.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior showing the arrangement of a vehicle operating device 1 (hereinafter referred to as an operating device 1). In the following description, directions such as front, rear, left and right are the same as those in the vehicle unless otherwise specified.
As shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example, and an operator (for example, a driver) performs an input operation on an operation item having a plurality of levels. Thus, the function of the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle is executed. The operation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation member 11 that is gripped by an operator, and a display unit (display unit) 12 that displays operation items according to the operation of the operation member 11.

  Examples of the in-vehicle device of the operation device 1 according to the present embodiment include a navigation device, an air conditioner, and an acoustic device. A desired operation item is set by hierarchically performing the selection (function, setting value, etc.) of the in-vehicle devices from the selection of each of these in-vehicle devices. Specifically, a first layer for selecting a desired in-vehicle device (for example, an air conditioner) from among the in-vehicle devices, and a plurality of operation modes (for example, blowing mode setting, fan speed setting, A second level for selecting a desired operation mode (for example, balloon mode setting) from among (temperature adjustment), and a desired function or set value (for example, balloon) from a plurality of functions or setting values in the selected operation mode. The desired function is executed through the third layer for selecting the mode and temperature setting value.

  The display unit 12 is configured by an MID (multi-information display) or the like disposed on the instrument panel 15. The display unit 12 displays a virtual image, for example, at a position corresponding to the front of the driver's seat on the instrument panel 15 toward the center of the meter panel 16 including instruments such as a vehicle speedometer and a tachometer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operating member 11 as viewed obliquely from behind, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the operating member 11 as viewed from obliquely forward.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation member 11 is preferably disposed in a place where an operator (for example, a driver) can easily reach, for example, the center console 13. The operation member 11 is disposed on the base portion 21 fixed to the center console 13, an operation lever 22 provided to be tiltable with respect to the base portion 21 (configured to be tilted), and the operation lever 22. Are provided with a plurality of hierarchical operators (operators) 23-25. These hierarchical operators (operators) 23 to 25 perform menus with a transition between hierarchies by performing input operations on the menu items that can be selected (configured to be selected) for each hierarchy described above. Select an item. In the operating device 1 according to the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the operating member 11 is disposed on the center console 13 and the shift lever 14 is disposed on the center portion of the instrument panel 15 as described above. However, contrary to this, even if the operation member 11 is disposed at the center of the instrument panel 15 and the shift lever 14 is disposed on the center console 13, the feature of the present embodiment is not impaired.

  The base portion 21 has a triangular shape in a side view formed so that the width in the front-rear direction is reduced as it goes upward. In the center portion in the front-rear direction, the portion located on both sides in the vehicle width direction faces upward. A support piece 26 formed to protrude is provided.

  The operation lever 22 is connected to the connection portion 31 connected to the base portion 21, a rod-shaped grip portion 32 that extends slightly inclined forward as it goes upward, and the upper end of the grip portion 32. The knob part 33 expanded with respect to it is provided.

The connecting portion 31 is accommodated between the support pieces 26 and is supported so as to be tiltable along the front-rear direction around an axis P1 of a shaft (not shown) spanned between the support pieces 26 (in FIG. 4B). (See arrow L1). In this case, the operation lever 22 is configured to be locked in a stepwise manner for each predetermined tilt position by a locking means (not shown).
In the operation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the tilt position of the operation lever 22 and the menu item (selection of the in-vehicle device) in the first layer are associated with each other. Therefore, the menu item corresponding to the tilt position is selected (determined) by tilting the operation lever 22. That is, the operation lever 22 and the locking means function as a first layer operation element 23 for selecting a menu item on the first layer by tilting operation with an arm or a wrist.

The grip portion 32 gradually increases in diameter as it goes upward, and its peripheral portion is rounded so that it can be gripped by an operator.
The knob portion 33 includes an enlarged portion 41 that expands in the front-rear direction as it goes upward from the upper end of the grip portion 32, and a bulging portion 42 that bulges in the left-right direction from the upper portion of the enlarged portion 41. Yes. The peripheral portion of the knob portion 33 is rounded like the grip portion 32 described above.

  The bulging portion 42 is formed so that the amount of bulging in the left-right direction increases as it goes forward, and is located rearward in plan view of the entire knob portion 33 (the enlarged portion 41 and each bulging portion 42). It has a triangular shape that tapers as it goes. On the upper surface of the bulging portion 42 and the upper surface of the above-described enlarged portion 41, operation input portions 43a to 43c are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. These operation input parts 43a-43c are comprised by a touch sensor, a tact switch, etc. Therefore, the operator can operate with a thumb (one finger), for example, while holding the grip portion 32.

  In the controller device 1 according to the present embodiment, the operated operation input units 43a to 43c are associated with each menu item (selection of operation mode) in the second hierarchy. Therefore, by selecting any one of the operation input units 43a to 43c among the operation input units 43a to 43c, a menu item corresponding to the operated operation input unit 43a to 43c is selected (determined). That is, the operation input units 43a to 43c function as the second hierarchy operation element 24 that selects the menu item of the second hierarchy by operating the thumb (how to grip the operation lever 22).

The upper surface of the enlarged portion 41 is disposed above the bulging portion 42 and is inclined upward as it goes forward. A dial portion 44 that can be rotated is provided on the front side of the enlarged portion 41 described above. The dial part 44 is made of, for example, an endless rotary encoder, and is formed in a disk shape with the vertical direction as an axial direction. Of the outer peripheral part, the rear part is accommodated in the enlarged part 41. Yes.
The dial portion 44 is supported by the portion accommodated in the enlarged portion 41 so as to be rotatable about an axis P2 of a shaft (not shown) along the vertical direction. In this case, in the dial portion 44, the portion located on the front side of the outer peripheral portion projects forward from the front surface of the enlarged portion 41. The protruding portion of the dial portion 44 is disposed at a position where, for example, the index finger (another finger) can be locked while the operator holds the grip portion 32. Thereby, the operator can rotate the dial part 44 by operation with an index finger.

  In the controller device 1 according to the present embodiment, the dial unit 44 is associated with each menu item (for example, a function or a set value) in the third hierarchy. Therefore, the menu item to be selected (determined) can be switched according to a predetermined rotation angle by rotating the dial unit 44. That is, the dial unit 44 functions as the third hierarchy operator 25 that selects the third hierarchy by operating the index finger.

  Each of the hierarchical operators 23 to 25 of the controller device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that it can be operated independently (individually) by different operations using different parts (for example, arms, wrists, fingers, etc.). ing. Therefore, the operation of each layer and the transition between layers can be operated simultaneously or in a series of continuous operations.

  Operation | movement of the operating device 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the controller device 1. FIG. 4A, 5A, and 6A show the display unit 12, and FIGS. 4B, 5B, and 6B show the operation member 11. FIG. In the following description, a case will be described in which the blowing mode of the air conditioner is set among the in-vehicle devices. In the operating device 1 according to the present embodiment, as an initial state, the operating lever 22 is locked at an intermediate position within the tilting range as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. An operation screen of the device or the like is displayed.

  The operator first grips the grip portion 32 of the operation lever 22. Then, by tilting the operation lever 22 with the wrist or arm in this state, as shown in FIG. 4A, the image of the display unit 12 is switched, and menu items that can be selected in the first hierarchy are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12. Scroll up. The operator tilts the operation lever 22 around the axis P1 (in the direction of arrow L1 in FIG. 4B) from the tilt positions of the operation lever 22 to the tilt positions corresponding to the desired menu item. Thereby, a desired in-vehicle device is selected (determined) from each in-vehicle device, and the process moves to the second layer. As shown in FIG. 5A, the menu item (second layer) of the selected in-vehicle device is enlarged and displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12 in accordance with the operation of the first layer operator 23. Specifically, on the display unit 12, the operation modes of the in-vehicle devices selected by the first hierarchy control 23 (operation lever 22) are displayed side by side in the left-right direction.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the operator operates the second hierarchy operator 24 in order to select a desired menu item from the menu items in the second hierarchy. Specifically, the grip method is changed so that the thumb is pressed against the operation input units 43a to 43c corresponding to the desired menu item from among the operation input units 43a to 43c (see arrow L2 in FIG. 5B). . Accordingly, a desired operation mode corresponding to the pressed operation input units 43a to 43c is selected (determined) from the selected in-vehicle devices, and the process moves to the third layer. As shown in FIG. 6A, in accordance with the operation of the second hierarchy operation element 24, a plurality of menu items (third hierarchy) in the selected operation mode are expanded and displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12 in a ring shape. The Specifically, the function or setting value of the operation mode selected by the second hierarchy operation element 24 is displayed on the display unit 12 side by side with an interval.

  As long as the first level operator 23 is gripped, at least the first level operator 23 and the second level operator 24 may be operated first, or may be operated simultaneously. Absent. For example, when the second hierarchy operator 24 is operated first, after the pressed operation input units 43a to 43c are selected from the second hierarchy menu items, the first hierarchy operator 23 is operated. To do. As a result, the menu item corresponding to the tilt position is selected from the menu items in the first layer. As a result, it is possible to select a desired in-vehicle device mode from among the in-vehicle devices.

In order to select a desired menu item from the menu items in the third hierarchy, the operator operates the third hierarchy operation element 25. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the dial 44 is rotated around the axis P2 with the index finger, whereby the menu item expanded and displayed in a ring shape is rotated, and the menu item to be selected is switched. The operator operates the dial unit 44 in the direction of the arrow L3 to switch the menu item to be selected, and matches the desired menu item. Accordingly, the function or setting value of the menu item of the desired in-vehicle device is selected from each in-vehicle device, and the selected function or setting value is displayed on the display unit 12.
As described above, it is possible to integrally select the in-vehicle device and set the selected in-vehicle device (function, setting value, etc.) based on the input operation of the operator.

As described above, in the controller device 1 according to the present embodiment, the hierarchical operators 23 to 25 that select menu items with a transition between layers by performing input operations on selectable menu items are operated. A plurality of members 11 are arranged for each layer.
According to this configuration, since each of the hierarchy operators 23 to 25 that perform the transition between the respective levels can be operated independently with the operation lever 22 being held, the transition between the respective levels can be performed simultaneously or in a series of consecutive times. Can be done in action. As a result, it is possible to set a desired operation item with movement between layers in one operation. Therefore, the operability is improved as compared with the conventional case where selection and determination of menu items are performed for each layer.
Further, the operator can easily learn the correspondence between the input operation for each of the hierarchical operators 23 to 25 and the movement state of the operation item with respect to the input operation. Therefore, a so-called blind operation in which an input operation is performed without visually recognizing the display unit 12 can be easily performed. Thereby, since line-of-sight movement can be suppressed, operativity improves reliably.
Therefore, the operating device 1 according to the present embodiment can reduce the burden on the operator by improving the operability.

Further, in the operating device 1 according to the present embodiment, by performing hierarchically from the selection of the in-vehicle device to the setting of various functions of the selected in-vehicle device, there is no need to separately provide a switch or the like for selecting the in-vehicle device, All operations can be performed integrally by the operation device 1.
Further, by performing an operation with the wrist or arm in addition to the operation with only the finger, the operation pattern of the input operation can be increased, and the input operation of each of the hierarchical operators 23 to 25 can be easily performed simultaneously or in a series of operations. it can.

Further, in the controller device 1 according to the present embodiment, the menu items of each hierarchy are associated with the hierarchy operators 23 to 25 that can be operated by different operations. It can be reliably performed by continuous operation.
Furthermore, in the operating device 1 according to the present embodiment, the second hierarchy operation element 24 is disposed on the upper surface of the tiltable operation lever 22 and the third hierarchy operation element 25 is disposed on the front surface. Therefore, the operator can guide the tilting operation of the operation lever 22 only by grasping the operation lever 22, and the thumb is naturally guided to the second hierarchy operation element 24 and the index finger is naturally guided to the third hierarchy operation element 25. Therefore, the shape is so strong that it can be used intuitively without reading a manual or a cautionary note, so that the operability can be further improved.

In the controller device 1 according to the present embodiment, menu items that can be selected for each layer are arranged and displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12 in a direction along the operation direction of the layer operators 23 to 25. Specifically, the menu items that can be selected in the first hierarchy are scroll-displayed in the vertical direction along with the tilting operation of the first hierarchy operator 23, and the operation input units 43 a to 43 c of the second hierarchy operator 24 are displayed. The menu items that can be selected in the second hierarchy are displayed side by side in accordance with the arrangement, and the menu items that can be selected in the third hierarchy in accordance with the rotation operation of the dial unit 44 of the third hierarchy operator 25 are ring-shaped. Expand to display.
According to this configuration, even if the operator is not sufficiently proficient, it is possible to operate more intuitively, so that convenience is improved and early operation method learning can be achieved.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes those in which various modifications are made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In other words, the configuration described in the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and can be changed as appropriate.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where three hierarchy operations are performed by the hierarchy operators 23 to 25 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or four or more hierarchy operations may be performed.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the operation lever 22 is tilted in the front-rear direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation lever 22 may be tilted in the left-right direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the display unit 12 is arranged on the meter panel has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even if the display unit 12 is arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel 15, A HUD (head-up display) device that displays on a window may be used.
Further, when the operation of the operation lever 22 is released, the operation lever 22 may be configured to be restored to the initial position, or may be fixed at a tilt position corresponding to the immediately preceding input operation.
Further, if the operation input units 43a to 43c are pressed against the plurality of operation input units 43a to 43c at the same time, the input operation by the operation member 11 is invalidated, or attention is given by feedback by vibration or sound. It doesn't matter.

Further, when the operation of the operation member 11 is canceled, the image displayed on the display unit 12 is an operation item corresponding to the previous input operation even if the operation screen of the navigation device, the acoustic device, or the like is displayed as described above. May be displayed.
Moreover, even if the dial part 44 mentioned above is an endless type like embodiment mentioned above, it does not matter even if it can be rotated between predetermined angle ranges. When it is possible to rotate between the predetermined angle ranges, it is possible to associate the rotation angle of the dial unit 44 with each menu item (for example, function selection or function adjustment) in the third layer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the operation member 11 is disposed on the center console 13 has been described. Instead, the operation member 11 is fixed to the driver's seat and is operated integrally with the forward / backward movement of the driver's seat. The member 11 may be moved.

Since each operator accompanied by the transition between the layers can be operated independently while holding the operation member, the transition between the layers can be performed simultaneously or in a series of continuous operations. As a result, it is possible to set a desired operation item with movement between layers in one operation, so compared with the case where menu items are selected and determined for each layer as in the past. , Operability is improved.
In addition, the operator can easily learn the correspondence between the input operation for each operator and the movement state of the operation item with respect to the input operation. For example, the operator can operate the operation target without visually recognizing the display means. The so-called blind operation can be easily performed. Therefore, the line of sight movement can be suppressed, and the operability is reliably improved.
Further, the burden on the operator can be reduced by improving the operability.

11 Operation member 22 Operation lever 23 First level operation element (operation element)
24 Level 2 operator (operator)
25 Third level controls (controls)
43a to 43c Operation input section 44 Dial section

Claims (5)

An operation device for a vehicle that includes an operation member that can be gripped by an operator and that performs an input operation on an operation item having a plurality of levels.
The operation member has an operation element for selecting each menu item with a transition between the layers by performing an input operation on a selectable menu item for each of the layers,
The operation element is operated independently by different operations in a state where the operation member is gripped,
Among the operators, one of the operators is configured to be tilted by the operator, and the other operator is configured to be operated by the operator's finger,
The operator is
An operation lever configured to be tilted in the front-rear direction while being held by the operator;
A plurality of operation input units arranged along the left-right direction on the upper surface of the operation lever and configured to be operated by one finger;
A dial portion that is rotatably supported on a side surface of the operation lever and is configured to be operated by another finger other than the one finger; and
In the operation lever, the menu item of the first layer configured in the vertical direction so as to select one vehicle-mounted device from among a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices is associated with each tilt position of the operation lever in the front-rear direction. And
The plurality of operation input units are arranged in the left and right directions so as to select one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes in the one in-vehicle device selected in the first layer. A menu item is associated with each of the plurality of operation input units arranged in the left-right direction ,
The dial unit is configured in a ring shape so as to select one function or one set value from a plurality of functions or a plurality of set values in the one operation mode selected in the second hierarchy. The vehicle operation device, wherein the menu item in the third hierarchy is selected according to the rotation angle of the dial part.   The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of operation input units include a touch sensor. A display unit that displays the menu item on a display screen at a position that is visible to the operator;
3. The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, wherein the menu items are arranged and displayed on the display screen in a direction along an operation direction of the operation element for each of the plurality of layers.   The at least one of the operation lever and the plurality of operation input units is configured to be able to operate either one first or both at the same time in a state where the operation lever is held. Vehicle operating device.   The dial portion is rotatably supported on the front side of the operation lever,
  2. The vehicle operating device according to claim 1, wherein a portion located on the rear side of the outer peripheral portion of the dial portion is accommodated in the operation lever.

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