Operation device for vehicle

• US 7,965,282 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Yamada, Hajime
• Primary Examiner(s): LAO, LUNYI
• Application Number:
  US11/989,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20090200149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,792 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345164-169, 345/184, 345/161, 345/162, 200/5.A, 200/5.R, 200/6.A, 200/6.R, 701/1, 701/36, 307/9.1, 463/37, 463/38, 744/71.XY, D14412-417, 715/345, 700/85, 361/679.1, 361/679.18
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2019/146 Roller type actuators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/008 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being perpendicular to the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/04 Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

An operation device for a vehicle is provided that enables switching over of a plurality of operation menu display screens and switching over of a plurality of function display screens for in-vehicle equipment displayed on a monitor by tilting of an operating knob (30) in eight directions, pivoting of the operating knob (30) around its axis, and operation of a main switch (31) and a sub switch (32) provided on the operating knob (30). In this process, since the operating knob (30) is not pivoted around its axis without limit but it is restricted so that pivoting is possible only in a predetermined angle range, it is not necessary to change the grip on the operating knob (30) when pivoting the operating knob (30), the burden on the wrist is lessened, and the operability is improved. Moreover, since the main switch (31) and the sub switch (32) are provided on the operating knob (20), they can be operated without detaching the hand from the operating knob (30), thus further improving the operability.

Claims

1. An operation device for a vehicle comprising:

a monitor for displaying information related to in-vehicle equipment installed in the vehicle, and

an operating knob for outputting an operation command signal to the in-vehicle equipment based on information displayed on the monitor,

wherein the operating knob is formed to have different operating loads at different operating positions, and

switching over of a plurality of operation menu display screens and switching over of a plurality of function display screens for the in-vehicle equipment displayed on the monitor are carried out by tilting of the operating knob in a plurality of directions, pivoting of the operating knob around an axis thereof in a predetermined angle range, and operation of a main switch provided on a front part of the operating knob,

wherein the operating knob comprises a first variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a tilt angle of the operating knob,

the first variable load mechanism having a sliding member having an end which engages with multiple guide grooves formed on an inner surface of a hemispherical-shaped recess of a base member, the sliding member for guiding the operating knob in a proper tilt direction, and

wherein said first variable load mechanism is configured to make said operating load, which is produced in tilting the operating knob, variable in response to a change in relative position of the sliding member with respect to the guide grooves.

2. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a display screen displayed on the monitor is returned to a higher level display screen by operation of sub switches provided on opposite side parts on the left and right of the operating knob.

3. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the operating knob comprises a second variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a pivot angle of the operating knob.

4. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating knob is held at a neutral position in the tilt direction when the operating knob is not in operation.

5. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the guide grooves in the hemispherical-shaped recess enable the operating knob to tilt in only eight different directions.

6. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating knob comprises a second variable load mechanism which is located above and apart from the first variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a pivot angle of the operating knob.

7. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the second variable load mechanism has click stop means for stopping the operating knob at a plurality of positions in a pivoting direction.

8. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said end of the sliding member is hemispherical-shaped and resiliently urged toward the multiple guide grooves by a spring interposed between the sliding member and the operating knob and said guide grooves extend radially in multiple directions and each of the guide groove is tapered from radially inside to outside.

9. An operation device for a vehicle comprising:

a monitor for displaying information related to in-vehicle equipment installed in the vehicle, and

an operating knob for outputting an operation command signal to the in-vehicle equipment based on information displayed on the monitor,

wherein the operating knob comprises;

a first variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a tilt angle of the operating knob, and

a second variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a pivot angle of the operating knob, and

switching over of a plurality of operation menu display screens and switching over of a plurality of function display screens for the in-vehicle equipment displayed on the monitor are carried out by tilting of the operating knob in a plurality of directions, pivoting of the operating knob around an axis thereof in a predetermined angle range, and operation of a main switch provided on a front part of the operating knob,

wherein the operating knob is supported on a base plate via a plate-shaped member which is integral with a rotary shaft of the operating knob so that the operating knob can swing in fore-and-aft and left-and-right directions,

wherein the plate-shaped member is provided with a part of components of each of the first variable load mechanism and the second variable load mechanism, and

wherein the plate-shaped member includes a lower support shaft which projects downwardly from a lower surface thereof and extends part way into a hemispherical-shaped recess of a base member located below the plate-shaped member.

wherein the lower support shaft has a hollow bore for housing a sliding member, the sliding member being one of the components of the first variable load mechanism, and

wherein said first variable load mechanism is configured to make said operating load, which is produced in tilting the operating knob, variable in response to a change in relative position of the sliding member with respect to the hemispherical-shaped recess of the base member.

10. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein a display screen displayed on the monitor is returned to a higher level display screen by operation of sub switches provided on opposite side parts on the left and right of the operating knob.

11. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the operating knob is held at a neutral position in the tilt direction when the operating knob is not in operation.

12. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the first variable load mechanism of the operating knob has guide means for guiding the operating knob in a proper tilt direction,

the sliding member is formed with a hemispherical-shaped sliding portion which engages with the guide means for guiding the operating knob in the proper tilt direction,

hemispherical-shaped sliding portion having a diameter larger than that of the hollow bore of the lower support shaft.

13. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the guide means is formed in the hemispherical-shaped recess formed in the base member is located under the plate-shaped member, and

the guide means enables the operating knob to tilt in only eight different directions.

14. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the second variable load mechanism has click stop means for stopping the operating knob at a plurality of positions in a pivoting direction.

15. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said sliding member has an end which is hemispherical-shaped and resiliently urged toward the hemispherical-shaped recess of the base member by a spring interposed between the sliding member and the operating knob in said hollow bore.