JP4738619B2 - In-vehicle operation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operating device for operating on-vehicle equipment, and more particularly to an on-vehicle operating device with improved hand stability during operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the advancement of digital technology and communication technology, a wide variety of in-vehicle electronic / electrical devices have been developed. For example, in addition to an air conditioning system such as an air conditioner that has been generally used from the past, an audio system such as a radio and a CD player, recently, a navigation system, a television receiver, a communication terminal capable of Internet connection, e-mail, etc. Mechanism adjustment systems for adjusting devices and seats are also widely used.
[0003]
By the way, in an electronic device such as a car navigation system, a pointing device is used when scrolling a map displayed on the screen of a display device, selecting a specific point on the map, selecting a menu button, or the like. Necessary. A so-called joystick is widely used as such a pointing device for car navigation. This joystick is capable of inputting an operation instruction having a direction corresponding to the button by pressing a specific part such as a button or tilting the button in a specific direction. For example, the map screen can be scrolled upward by pressing the button to tilt upward.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the operation device including the joystick or the like as described above is generally disposed in the center of the dashboard of the car, when operating this, fingers, hands and wrists other than the operated fingers are used. The fingertip to operate is not stable. In particular, a joystick that needs to be pressed to tilt in a specific direction is likely to slide your finger or move too much for a long time, such as scrolling or moving the cursor too much. It is extremely difficult.
[0005]
In order to cope with this, it is conceivable to use a remote controller equipped with a joystick. However, when a remote controller is used, a storage location for the remote controller is required, and there is a possibility that the remote controller itself must be searched without being found, which is not necessarily suitable for an operation during driving.
[0006]
The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object thereof is to stabilize the hand during operation and to easily and reliably even a delicate operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle operation device that can be used.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an in-vehicle operation device according to claim 1 is an in-vehicle operation device including an operation input unit of an in-vehicle device and a main body disposed in a vehicle. It has a support part that supports the operation input part with respect to the main body part so that a gap into which a finger can be inserted is formed between the back side of the input part and the main body part . It is fixed to the main body, and is a substantially U-shaped or U-shaped rod-shaped or pipe-shaped member .
In the invention according to claim 1 as described above, since the user can hold the operation input unit with the finger to operate by inserting his finger from behind the operation input unit, the user can operate with one finger. Compared to the case, it can be operated with the hand stabilized. Therefore, for example, even a driving user can perform delicate operations.
Further, since the support portion is in the shape of a rod or a pipe, it is easy to use as a clue to the user who operates, and a more stable operation is possible.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the invention, the vehicle operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation input unit, characterized in that it is a pointing device.
In the invention described in claim 2 as described above, for example, a delicate operation required for the pointing device can be easily performed in selecting a direction or adjusting a pressing time, such as scrolling a map or moving a cursor. .
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the invention, the vehicle operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation input unit is characterized by a plurality of button switches.
In the invention according to the third aspect as described above, since the finger can be operated in a stable state, there is no mistake in which of the plurality of button switches is pressed.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[1. Reference example )
(Constitution)
First, a reference example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, this reference example is configured by an operation panel 1, a support portion 2, and a joystick 3, as shown in FIG. The operation panel 1 corresponds to the main body described in the claims, and is disposed in the center of the dashboard. The support portion 2 is a plate having an L-shaped cross section formed integrally with the right end of the operation panel 1. A gap in which a finger can be inserted is formed between the back side of the support portion 2 and the surface of the operation panel 1.
[0013]
The joystick 3 is disposed on the surface side of the support portion 2. The joystick 3 is a type of pointing device that can input an operation instruction having a direction corresponding to the button unit 3a by pressing the button unit 3a so as to be tilted up, down, left, or right. In addition, although not shown in figure, the joystick 3 is electrically connected required for operation of a vehicle-mounted apparatus via the wiring provided along the back surface side.
[0014]
(Function)
The present reference example configured as described above is used as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the user seated in the driver's seat inserts a finger F other than the thumb T into the back surface of the support portion 2 and places the thumb T on the button portion 3 a of the joystick 3. The support part 2 and the joystick 3 are sandwiched between the other fingers F. Various operations are performed by pressing the joystick 3 with the thumb T. In addition, arrangement | positioning etc. of the finger at the time of operation are a user's freedom, and are not limited to the aspect illustrated here.
[0015]
(effect)
According to this reference example as described above, the user can operate the joystick 3 using the support portion 2 as a clue, so that the fingertip is more stable than when the user uses a finger other than the finger to be operated. In addition, a delicate operation unique to the joystick 3 can be easily and reliably performed. In particular, even a user who is driving is less likely to be affected by vibrations or posture changes, and can perform stable operations. Furthermore, since the support part 2 is integrally formed with the operation panel 1 arranged on the dashboard of the car, it can be manufactured at low cost and contributes to the stabilization of the operation because there is no movable part.
[0016]
[2. First Embodiment]
(Constitution)
An embodiment corresponding to the first, second and third aspects of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, the support portion 2 is configured by the two substantially U-shaped pipes 4 and the mounting plate 5. Both ends of the two pipes 4 are fixed to the operation panel 1 so as to be parallel to each other. The attachment plate 5 is attached between the two pipes 4, and the joystick 3 is provided on the attachment plate 5. A gap into which fingers can be inserted is formed between the back side of the pipe 4 and the mounting plate 5 and the surface of the operation panel 1. Although not shown, the joystick 3 is electrically connected for operation of the in-vehicle device via wiring provided through the pipe 4.
[0017]
(Function and effect)
Since the present embodiment as described above can insert a finger into the back surface of the support portion 2, it can be used in the same manner as the first embodiment described above, and has the same effects. Furthermore, since the support part 2 is comprised by the pipe 4, it is easy for a user to operate as a clue, and a more stable operation is possible. Further, since the support strength of the joystick 3 is increased, the joystick 3 is resistant to vibration and impact, and durability is improved.
[0018]
[3. Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment as described above. For example, any known shape and structure of the joystick can be applied, and the inputable direction is not limited to the upper, lower, left, and right directions. Further, the operation input unit is not limited to a joystick, and any input means applied at present and in the future, such as a pointing device such as a trackball or a mouse pad, a switch such as a push button or a lever, can be applied. Furthermore, a touch panel that can be operated by directly touching a button displayed on the screen with a finger may be provided.
[0019]
Further, the number of operation input units arranged may be plural. For example, even if a large number of button switches are provided, it is possible to operate with the fingers in a stable state, and therefore it is difficult for the button switches to be pressed incorrectly. Further, for example, different types of operation input units such as a joystick and a button switch may be provided in combination.
[0020]
Further, the support portion is not limited to those shown in the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, by providing the support portion 2 shown in the reference example on the passenger seat side, a configuration in which a person sitting on the passenger seat can easily operate can be provided. It can also be provided on both the driver seat side and the passenger seat side. Further, any interior member in the vehicle can be applied as the main body portion provided with the support portion. For example, it is good also as a structure which provides a support part directly in this as a main body part.
[0021]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the pipe 4 shown in the first embodiment may be a single substantially U-shaped member. Instead of a pipe, a rod-like member may be bent as in the above embodiment. The cross-sectional shape of the pipe or rod-like member is not limited to a circle. Furthermore, a wave-shaped depression or the like corresponding to this may be formed at the position where the belly of the finger hits in the support portion 2 shown in the above embodiment to make it easier to grip.
[0022]
As a vehicle-mounted device to be operated by the operation device, various devices that are known or put into practical use can be applied in addition to those exemplified in the above-described conventional technology. For example, a system in which functions of a plurality of different devices are realized by a single computer may be used. It is also possible to target an ETC in-vehicle device that performs toll collection processing via a built-in antenna. Mechanisms such as mirrors, windows, installed cameras, sunroofs, and the like can be set as operation targets.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle operation device that can stabilize a hand during operation and can be easily and reliably performed even with a delicate operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an in-vehicle operation device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing how the embodiment of FIG. 1 is used.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the in-vehicle operation device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the in-vehicle operation device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the in-vehicle operation device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation panel 2 ... Support part 3 ... Joystick 3a ... Button part 4 ... Pipe 5 ... Mounting plate

Claims (3)

In an in-vehicle operation device provided with an operation input unit of an in-vehicle device and a main body disposed in the vehicle,
A support portion that supports the operation input portion with respect to the main body portion so that a gap into which a finger can be inserted is formed between the back side of the operation input portion and the main body portion;
The on-vehicle operating device is characterized in that the support portion is fixed to the main body portion and is a substantially U-shaped or U-shaped rod-shaped or pipe-shaped member . The in-vehicle operation device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation input unit is a pointing device. The in-vehicle operation device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation input unit is a plurality of button switches.

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