A user interface capable of controlling various functions of a vehicle is disclosed. More particularly, an in-vehicle function control apparatus using a detachable knob and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. A method of controlling a vehicle function using a detachable knob includes an integrated operation unit detecting an attachment position of the detachable knob among a plurality of attachment positions in a vehicle, transmitting information on a result of the operation from the detachable knob to the integrated operation unit when an operation unit provided in the detachable knob is operated, and the integrated operation unit controlling a controlled function corresponding to the attachment position of the detachable knob based on the information on the result. The detachable knob is fixed at any one of the plurality of attachment positions using magnetic force.

An air freshener device for an automobile includes a housing, a removable vented cover, and an interior chamber containing a fan and a heater. The housing is structured for removable receipt of a wax melt container within an upper portion of the interior chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the wax melt container is at least partially formed of silicone and includes a removable spill-proof vented top. A button control on the housing is operable to electrically power the fan and heater, causing a fragrant wax material in the wax melt container to melt, thereby releasing a pleasant aroma out from the vented cover and within the surrounding atmosphere. The interior chamber may further include one or more LEDs for directing light upwardly and out through the vented cover.

An operation device includes an operation part that is provided so as to move relative to a device body in each of a first direction and a second direction from a neutral position. Touch operations on the panel surface of the operation part are detected by a sensor provided to the operation part. A touch operation on the operation part is designated as an operation for selecting an icon group on a screen. A push operation on the operation part, in the first direction or the second direction, is designated as an operation for determining a selection state on the screen. A one-finger tracing operation on the operation part is designated as an operation for changing an icon selected on the screen. A two-finger tracing operation on the operation part is designated as an operation for changing the screen.

Systems and methods for heating and cooling a vehicle using a heat pump are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for heating and cooling the vehicle includes a heat pump having: a compressor located in an engine compartment of the vehicle, and an evaporator located in a sleeper or a cab of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller for selecting a cooling mode or a heating mode for the heat pump. In one embodiment, the system includes a clutch for engaging the compressor with a transmission of the vehicle.

A control system including a touch-sensitive surface and an actuator fixed to the touch-sensitive surface, the actuator having a control element rotatable relative to the touch-sensitive surface between at least two selection positions. The actuator has a first sensor element rotationally fixed to the control element and coupled to the touch-sensitive surface in all selection positions, and a second sensor element. The control element is translationally movable relative to the touch-sensitive surface between a selected position and a release position. The second sensor element is rotationally fixed to the element and uncoupled from the touch-sensitive surface in the selected position and coupled to the touch-sensitive surface in the release position.

A control system that includes a tactile surface and at least a control member fixed to the tactile surface and rotatable relative to the tactile surface around a first direction which is substantially perpendicular to the tactile surface between at least two selection positions. The control member includes at least a first sensor element integral in rotation with the control element, the first sensor element being coupled to the tactile surface in all selection positions of the control element. The first sensor element forms an interrupted ring defining at least one interruption area decoupled from the tactile surface on the control element.

An onboard equipment operating device includes a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, a display unit, an operation unit, and an in-cabin camera. The display unit displays information regarding onboard equipment, instruction to the onboard equipment displayed at the display unit is configured to be received as a result of manual operation of the operation unit. The in-cabin camera captures images of a vehicle occupant. The processor is configured to: detect a predetermined action from actions of a face or a body of the vehicle occupant, the actions of the face or the body of the vehicle occupant being imaged by the in-cabin camera; input an instruction corresponding to the predetermined action to the onboard equipment; and display the information regarding the onboard equipment in an operatable state at the display unit, in a case in which the instruction corresponding to the predetermined action has been input to the onboard equipment.

The present disclosure relates to a damper dial for a vehicle air vent and prevents a manipulation force from increasing even when a dial fixture in which a dial body is rotatably installed is deformed by an impact generated while a vehicle is being operated such that the inner wall surfaces of the dial fixture are displaced toward the dial body. The damper dial includes: a dial body (100) in which a hinge hole (120) is formed to penetrate a center portion of the dial body and a dial (110) is formed on a front surface portion of the dial body; a first dial bush (200) in which a hinge protrusion (210) protrudes from one side surface of the first dial bush so as to penetrate through and be inserted into the hinge hole (120) formed in the dial body (100) and a support pin (211) extends from a distal end portion of the hinge protrusion (210); a second dial bush (300) in which an insertion groove (320) is inwardly formed on one surface of the second dial bush so that the support pin (211) of the first dial bush (200) is inserted into the insertion groove (320) and an annular groove (310) is formed outside the insertion groove (320); an O-ring (400) installed so that an outer surface of the O-ring makes contact with one side surface of the dial body (100) in a state where the O-ring (400) is seated on the second dial bush (300); and a dial fixture (500) in which an assembling hole (510) is perforated and formed such that the first dial bush (200) and the second dial bush (300) fixed to each of both left and right sides of the dial body (100) are assembled to the dial fixture while making contact with inner wall surfaces of the dial fixture.

An air conditioning control ECU functions as a display control section and a prohibiting section. The display control section is configured to display an icon on a touch screen in cases in which an input operation has been performed using a virtual key displayed on the touch screen or a rotary switch provided to the touch screen, the icon corresponding to an instruction arising from the input operation using the switchover key or the rotary switch. The prohibiting section is configured to prohibit display of the icon by the display control section in cases in which a specific condition has been satisfied, for example when an image captured by a camera is being displayed on the touch screen.

An interior trim panel for a vehicle interior. The panel includes an air distributing member for distributing the air, a first air distribution channel for distributing the airflow from the air distributing member into the vehicle interior. A canopy is configured to partly cover an accessory arranged on the interior trim panel. Further, the interior trim panel includes a second air distribution channel configured in a gap formed between the canopy and the accessory for distributing the airflow from the air distributing member. Further, the air distributing from the second distribution channel is deviated towards the vehicle interior by a curved extension of the canopy.