JP2004257881A

JP2004257881A - Lighting system

Info

Publication number: JP2004257881A
Application number: JP2003049458A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hideki Igarashi; 秀樹五十嵐; Hideaki Honma; 英昭本間
Original assignee: Nippon Seiki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nippon Seiki Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-26
Filing date: 2003-02-26
Publication date: 2004-09-16

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system capable of attaining novel outward appearance when lighting and displaying an index part on a display board, concerning the lighting system for lighting the index part on the display board used, for example, for vehicle instruments of an automobile or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This system is equipped with the display board 5 having the index part 51 indicated by a pointer 4, a light source 9 arranged on the back of the display board 5, and a translucent colored member 6 arranged between the pointer 4 and the display board 5 so as to cover at least the index part 51, wherein the color tone thereof is viewed by light entering from the front side of the display board 5 at the switch-off time of the light source 9 and light from the light source 9 is transmitted at the switch-on time of the light source 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば自動車等の車両用計器に用いられる表示板の指標部を照明する照明装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の照明装置にあっては、例えば光透過性の基板と、この基板の前面に塗布形成され外部の光（反射光）によって暗色系の色調を有して視認されると共に背面側からの光を透過することが可能な地色層と、基板の背面に形成され目盛、文字等の指標部を形成するための開口部を有する遮光層とからなる表示板と、この表示板の背後に配置され指標部を照明する光源とを備え、光源の消灯時には地色層にあたって反射した反射光が視認されることで表示板がその全面に渡って暗色の色調により視認されるが、光源の点灯時にはその光が遮光層の開口部（指標部）及び地色層を通って前面側に透過し、この透過光によって指標部が照明されることで、これにより光源の消灯時は表示板全体が暗色により視認されると共に、光源の点灯時は指標部が所望の色調により照明表示されるようになっている（例えば特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開平１１−１０５５８１号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、特許文献１に記載の照明装置の場合、光源の消灯時は地色層にあたって反射した反射光が視認されることで表示板がその全面に渡って暗色の色調により視認されると共に、光源の点灯時にはその光が遮光層の開口部及び地色層を通って前面側に透過し、この透過光によって指標部が照明表示される構成である。従って、光源の点灯時、表示板の基板の前面に塗布形成された地色層内を透過光が透過することで、指標部は地色層上に平面的に照明表示されるだけであるため、表示板における指標部の照明表示が単調にならざるを得なく斬新さに欠けていた。
【０００５】
本発明はこの点に鑑みてなされたもので、その主な目的は、表示板の指標部を照明表示させるにあたって、斬新な見栄えを達成し得る照明装置を提供せんとするものである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は前記目的を達成するために、指針が指示する指標部を有する表示板と、この表示板の背後に配置される光源と、少なくとも前記指標部を覆うように前記指針と前記表示板の間に配置され前記光源の消灯時には前記表示板の前方側から入射する光によってその色調が視認されると共に前記光源の点灯時には前記光源からの光を透過する半透過着色部材と、を備えたことを特徴とする。
【０００７】
また本発明は、前記半透過着色部材はその一側面に対向配置される透過用光源のから光供給によって所定色に発光されてなることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１，図２は本発明の第１実施形態を示すもので、以下、これらに基づいて本発明の第１実施形態を例えば自動車に搭載される計器の表示板を照明する照明装置に適用した場合について説明する。なお、図１は本発明の第１実施形態による照明装置の正面図、図２は図１のＡ−Ａ断面図である。
【０００９】
図１，図２において、本実施形態による照明装置は、回路基板１と、この回路基板１に導通装着され回転軸２が前方に延びる駆動装置３と、回転軸２にて回転駆動される指針４と、この指針４の背後に位置して回路基板１上に配置される表示板５と、指針４と表示板５の間に位置し表示板５の前面に沿うように配置される半透過着色部材６と、指針４や半透過着色部材６を露出させるための見返し板７と、指針４を照明する指針用光源８と、表示板５を照明する光源９と、回路基板１と表示板５との間に配置されるケース体１０とから構成される。
【００１０】
回路基板１は、例えばガラスエポキシ系基材に配線パターン（図示せず）を施した硬質回路基板からなり、指針用光源８と、光源９と、例えば駆動装置３の駆動・制御を行う駆動手段（図示せず）や例えば抵抗、コンデンサ等の各種回路部品（図示せず）が前記配線パターンに導通接続されている。
【００１１】
駆動装置３は、可動磁石式計器またはステッピングモータからなり、回転軸２が回路基板１を貫通するように、その主要部が回路基板１の背後に装着され、且つ半田付け等の適宜導通手段により前記配線パターン（前記駆動手段）に電気接続される。
【００１２】
指針４は、透光性合成樹脂からなる指示部４１と、この指示部４１の回転中心部外周を覆う遮光性合成樹脂からなるキャップ４２とを備えている。そして、指針４の指示部４１は表示板５の後述する指標部５１を指示するように線状に延び、また指針４の回転中心部には、その背後に配置された指針用光源８から発せられる光を受光しその光を指示部４１の先端側に反射導光する受光部４３が形成されている。なお、４４は指示部４１の前面に被着形成される赤色の透光性ホットスタンプ層である。
【００１３】
表示板５は、指針４の回転軌道に沿った円弧状の配列形状を有し指示部４１の指示対象となる目盛５１ａ，数字５１ｂからなる指標部５１と、この指標部５１の背景を形成する背景部５２と、この背景部５２に対応して形成される反射部５３とを有している。
【００１４】
この場合、背景部５２は、ＰＣ等の透光性の基材５４の前面に印刷形成された印刷層からなり、例えば黒色系の遮光性インクにより印刷形成されている。そして、指標部５１は背景部５２の印刷にあたり指標部５１となる部分を抜き印刷することにより、背景部５２を形成する印刷層が形成されない抜き部５５として形成され、また反射部５３は光反射率の高い半透光性の白色系インクにて指標部５１の対応範囲を除く基材５４の背面に印刷形成される。なお、これら背景部５２，反射部５３の各印刷層はスクリーン印刷等の手段を用いて印刷形成されている。
【００１５】
また指標部５１は、対応する指針４と組み合わされて計測表示対象に応じた指針式表示部Ｄを構成し、この指針式表示部Ｄは、本実施形態の場合、速度計からなる指針式表示部Ｄ１，並びにこの指針式表示部Ｄ１に隣接する回転計からなる指針式表示部Ｄ２のみが示されているが、この他に例えば燃料計、水温計、電圧計等からなる指針式表示部を組み込んでコンビネーションメータとしてもよく、この際、各指針式表示部毎に本実施形態のごとき半透過着色部材６を表示板５上に配置してもよい。
【００１６】
半透過着色部材６は、例えば黒色系もしくは暗色系のスモーク色調を有する半透明の合成樹脂（ガラスでもよい）板からなり、所定厚さ（例えば３ｍｍ〜１０ｍｍ）を有し、略円板状に形成されている。また、半透過着色部材６の外形形状は表示板５の外形形状と略一致するように形成されており、半透過着色部材６は表示板５の前面に密着して配設され、表示板５を覆う被覆部材としての機能を有している。また、半透過着色部材６は印刷層等の被膜が形成されておらず、その部材の質感（この場合、合成樹脂板の質感）が露出するようになっている。
【００１７】
また、半透過着色部材６は、見返し板７の後述する開口部７１から露出するように表示板５の指標部５１，背景部５２上に配置される略円板状の平板部６１と、この平板部６１の側面から平板部６１の板面方向に沿うように平板部６１の外方に突出し表示板５と見返し板７との間に位置するフランジ部６２とを有し、フランジ部６２は平板部６１を取り巻くように見返し板７側に延びており、その板厚は平板部６１の板厚よりも肉薄となるように設定されている。
【００１８】
そして、光源９の非点灯時には半透過着色部材６の前方側からの外光が半透過着色部材６の平板部６１の前面にあたって反射され、その反射光によって平板部６１は半透過着色部材６自体の色調である暗色により視認される。これにより運転者側には半透過着色部材６を通じて表示板５（指標部５１）が視認されないようになっている。なお、半透過着色部材６は光源９の点灯時には表示板５の指標部５１の発光色を運転者側に視認可能にさせるための透光部材としての機能も有している。なお、図示しないが平板部６１の前面に必要に応じて例えば低反射コーティングからなる保護層を設けて、平板部６１前面における外光反射を抑えるようにしてもよい。
【００１９】
見返し板７は、黒色系の合成樹脂からなり、指針４や半透過着色部材６を露出し、それ以外の所要領域を隠蔽するもので、半透過着色部材６のフランジ部６２に対応する箇所に開口部７１を備えている。
【００２０】
指針用光源８は、例えば白色光を発するチップ型発光ダイオードからなり、指針４の回転中心近傍に複数個配置され、受光部４３を通じて指針４の指示部４１の先端側に反射導光され、さらに透光性ホットスタンプ層４４によって着色されることにより指示部４１を赤色に発光させる発光体である。
【００２１】
光源９は、例えば白色光を発するチップ型発光ダイオードからなり、ケース体１０の後述する第１の反射壁に対応する回路基板１の前方側に配置され、指標部５１を白色に発光させる発光体である。
【００２２】
ケース体１０は、例えば白色系の合成樹脂からなり、表示板５を保持する保持体としての機能、指針用光源８や光源９を収納するハウジングとしての機能、指針用光源８や光源９の光を前方側に反射させる反射体としての機能を有している。また、ケース体１０は、指針用光源８を収納し指針４の前記回転中心部に指針用光源８の光を供給するための筒状部１０１と、この筒状部１０１を取り巻くように表示板５側に傾斜して延び光源９と対向する第１の反射壁１０２と、この第１の反射壁１０２と表示板５とに対向し指標部５１（見返し板７）側に近づくに従って表示板５に近接する皿形状の環状壁からなる第２の反射壁１０３とを有している。
【００２３】
そして、この場合、第１の反射壁１０２は光源９からの光を主に外周に向けて放射状に反射する反射面を構成し、第２の反射壁１０３は第１の反射壁１０２を通じて外周に反射された光を表示板５（半透過着色部材６）側に反射する反射面を構成している。
【００２４】
また、第１，第２の反射壁１０２，１０３，筒状部１０１，並びに表示板５の反射部５３によって囲まれた空間部Ｓは光源９の光を指標部５１に導く照明室としての機能を有しており、この照明室（空間部Ｓ）と前記照明室内に配置される光源９とで指標部５１を照明する照明手段Ｌが構成される。この際、表示板５の反射部５３は、この反射部５３により光源９の光を前記照明室内に再反射させ、照明効率を高める機能を有している。
【００２５】
このような構成において、例えば自動車に搭載されるキースイッチのスイッチオフ、すなわち指針用光源８，光源９の非点灯時には、指針用光源８の非点灯によって指示部４１は指針４の前方側からの外光等が透光性ホットスタンプ層４４の前面を反射することにより赤色に視認される。
【００２６】
また、光源９の非点灯によって前記照明室には光源９からの光が供給されないため、指標部５１を含む表示板５は表示板５の前方側からの外光等が半透過着色部材６の平板部６１の前面を反射することにより半透過着色部材６自体の色調である黒色または暗色により視認される。これにより前記キースイッチがスイッチオフ状態のとき、運転者側には平板部６１前面の光反射作用により指標部５１がぼとんど視認されないかまたは全く視認されずに、透光性ホットスタンプ層４４の光反射作用により指示部４１のみが視認されるようになっている。
【００２７】
そして、前記キースイッチのスイッチオンによって指針用光源８，光源９が点灯すると、指針用光源８から発せられた光はケース体１０の筒状部１０１内を通過して受光部４３に到達する。さらに、この受光部４３に到達した光は受光部４３によって指示部４１の先端側に反射導光され、指示部４１の先端側に反射導光された光が透光性ホットスタンプ層４４によって着色されることで指示部４１が赤色に発光する。
【００２８】
また、光源９から発せられた光は、前記照明室（空間部Ｓ）を通じて反射・拡散され、表示板５の反射部５３の抜きエリアを通過して指標部５１（抜き部５５）に対応する基材５４内に供給される。そして、指標部５１に対応する基材５４内に供給された光は抜き部５５を通過して、抜き部５５に対応する半透過着色部材６の平板部６１箇所に供給され、この光が抜き部５５に対応する平板部６１箇所を透過することで、指標部５１である目盛５１ａ及び数字５１ｂが透過照明される。これにより前記キースイッチがスイッチオン状態のとき、運転者側には光源９からの光が抜き部５５に対応する平板部６１箇所を透過することで指標部５１が視認されると共に、指針用光源８からの光が透光性ホットスタンプ層４４を透過することで指示部４１が視認されるようになっている。
【００２９】
従って、前記キースイッチのスイッチオフ時には平板部６１の光反射作用によって指標部５１が視認されないが、前記キースイッチをスイッチオンすると、光源９が点灯し、この光源９の光が抜き部５５を通じて抜き部５５に対応する平板部６１箇所に供給されることで指標部５１が透過照明され、これにより前記キースイッチのスイッチオン・オフ時における指標部５１の明暗の差をはっきりと認識させることが可能となる。
【００３０】
そして、表示板５の前方には暗色系からなる板状の半透過着色部材６が密着するように配置されていることで計器全体の造形が半透明感のあるものとなり、しかも光源９の点灯時に指標部５１が半透過着色部材６自体の半透明感によって半透過着色部材６前面から浮かび上がるように照明表示されるため、半透過着色部材６の立体造形のもとで前記キースイッチのスイッチオン・オフ時における見栄えが斬新なものとなる。
【００３１】
図３は本発明の第２実施形態を示しており、本実施形態ではケース体１０の第１の反射壁１０２を廃止して、光源９の真上に位置し、光源９から前記照明室に至る照明経路中に配置される導光体１１によって光源９の光を空間部Ｓを通じて抜き部５５（指標部５１）側に反射導光させる構成を示している。
【００３２】
この場合、照明手段Ｌは光源９と、空間部Ｓ（前記照明室）と、導光体１１とから構成され、この導光体１１は例えば透光性のアクリル樹脂からなり、断面略「Ｌ」字状に形成され、光源９の光を受光する入光部１１１と、この入光部１１１に入光した光を外側（見返し板７側）に反射させる反射面１１２と、この反射面１１２によって反射された光を空間部Ｓ内に照射するための照射部１１３とを有している。
【００３３】
かかる実施形態においても、前記キースイッチのスイッチオフ時には半透過着色部材６の平板部６１前面の光反射作用によって指標部５１が視認されることはない。そして、前記キースイッチのスイッチオンによって光源９が点灯すると、光源９の光が入光部１１１に入光し、この入光部１１１に入光した光源９の光が反射面１１２を通じて照射部１１３側に反射導光され、照射部１１３から照射する光が空間部Ｓを通過する際に拡散・反射されて抜き部５５に対応する基材５４内に供給されるようになっている。従って、抜き部５５に対応する基材５４内に供給された光は指標部５１の目盛５１ａ，数字５１ｂ内を通過して、さらに抜き部５５に対応する半透過着色部材６の平板部６１箇所を透過し、これにより指標部５１である目盛５１ａ及び数字５１ｂが透過照明されるため、前記第１実施形態と同様の作用効果を得ることができる。
【００３４】
また前記各実施形態では、半透過着色部材６の平板部６１前面が平坦面からなる場合について説明したが、半透過着色部材６の形状は任意であり、例えば半透過着色部材６の平板部６１前面に平板部６１の板面方向に沿うように凸面状もしくは凹面状からなる曲面を設けてもよい。さらに、この曲面は平板部６１前面の一部にのみ設けてもよいし、平板部６１前面に複数箇所設けてもよい。
【００３５】
また前記各実施形態では、半透過着色部材６が表示板５の指標部５１、背景部５２を覆う略円板状からなる場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されることはなく、例えば図１中、点線で示すように指標部５１のみを覆うように略馬蹄形状の半透過着色部材６を表示板５上に配置してもよい。
【００３６】
また前記各実施形態では、半透過着色部材６を暗色系の色調に設定したが、
半透過着色部材６の半透明感を演出することが可能であれば任意の色に設定することができ、例えば赤、青、黄、オレンジ等に設定してもよい。
【００３７】
なお前記各実施形態では、指標部５１が表示板５の基材５４の前面に形成された印刷層からなる場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されることはなく、例えば表示板５を廃止して半透過着色部材６の背面に背景部５２を印刷形成し、光源９からの光が背景部５２の抜き部５５を通じて半透過着色部材６に供給されることによって指標部５１を透過照明するようにしてもよい。また、指標部５１は目盛、数字の他に警報マーク等からなる報知部であってもよい。
【００３８】
図４，図５は本発明の第３実施形態を示しており、本実施形態では半透過着色部材６の平板部６１前面に平板部６１の板面方向に沿うように略凸面状からなる曲面部６３が形成され、且つ平板部６１の一側面６４との対向面には半透過着色部材６を所定色に発光させるための透過用光源１２が配置されており、この透過用光源１２からの光が一側面６４を通じて半透過着色部材６内にエッジライト光として供給されることで半透過着色部材６が所定色を有するように発光する。
【００３９】
この場合、透過用光源１２は、例えば青色光を発するチップ型発光ダイオードからなり、硬質回路基板からなる配線基板１３上に搭載されている。この配線基板１３は、回路基板１と見返し板７との間に配置され表示板５の板面方向（回路基板１の板面方向）と直交する方向に板状に延びている。また、配線基板１３は透過用光源１２や例えば抵抗、コンデンサ等の各種回路部品（図示せず）が配線パターンに導通接続されている。
【００４０】
そして、前記キースイッチのスイッチオンによって指針用光源８，光源９及び透過用光源１２が点灯すると、前記各実施形態のごとき指針用光源８の点灯によって指示部４１が赤色に発光し、光源９の点灯によって抜き部５５内を通過する白色光が半透過着色部材６内を透過することで、指標部５１が白色に発光する。
【００４１】
また、透過用光源１２から発せられた光は透過用光源１２と対向する半透過着色部材６の一側面６４に入光し、一側面６４に入光した光は一側面６４周囲ではあまり拡散反射されずに、主に半透過着色部材６の板面方向に沿って指標部５１に対応する半透過着色部材６箇所に直進する。これにより、直進光の光量は指標部５１に対応する半透過着色部材６箇所に多く供給されるため、この指標部５１に対応する半透過着色部材６箇所が明るい青色に発光し、その内側である指針４の前記回転中心部の周囲は曲面部６３によって半透過着色部材６内を拡散反射するわずかな光量によって指標部５１に対応する半透過着色部材６箇所よりもぼやけた状態で青色に発光する。
【００４２】
従って、半透過着色部材６は透過用光源１２の点灯によって指針４の前記回転中心部から外側（指標部５１側）に向かうに従って次第に色が濃くなるように色のグラデーション模様を有して視認される。また、この場合、指標部５１内を通過して、さらに指標部５１に対応する半透過着色部材６箇所を透過する白色透過光は前記直進光と混合され、指標部５１は前記白色透過光と前記直進光との混合色である青白色光によって視認される。これにより、半透過着色部材６の発光による色のグラデーション模様は指標部５１の青白色光の下地を形成しており、前記キースイッチのスイッチオン時における斬新な見栄えを演出することが可能となる。
【００４３】
図６は本発明の第４実施形態を示しており、本実施形態では前記第３実施形態における透過用光源１２，配線基板１３を廃止し、空間部Ｓ内であって半透過着色部材６のフランジ部６２に対応する表示板５の背面箇所に導光部材１４を設けた例を示している。
【００４４】
この場合、表示板５には指標部５１の外側（見返し板７側）に導光部材１４の形状に対応させて抜き形成してなる透光部５６が形成されている。この透光部５６は背景部５２を形成する遮光性インクを抜き印刷することにより、背景部５２が形成されない抜き部からなり、従って透光部５６は基材５４が部分的に露出し、導光部材１４を通じて導かれた光源９からの光を半透過着色部材６側に透過できるようになっている。なお本実施形態では、反射部５３が指標部５１，透光部５６の対応範囲を除く基材５４の背面に印刷形成されている。
【００４５】
そして、この透光部５６の前面に青色系の透光性インクにより着色部５７が印刷形成されており、この着色部５７と透光部５６とによって光源９の点灯時に半透過着色部材６を着色させる着色手段Ｔが設けられている。この着色手段Ｔは導光部材１４と半透過着色部材６との間に挟まれるように表示板５の外縁に連続形成されている。そして、光源９の白色光が導光部材１４を通じて半透過着色部材６に供給されると半透過着色部材６に導光された光は青色に着色されるため、半透過着色部材６の着色光を抜き部５５並びに抜き部５５に対応する半透過着色部材６箇所を透過する白色透過光に対して容易に異ならせることができる。
【００４６】
また、着色部５７と対向する半透過着色部材６の曲面部６３箇所には反射壁部６５が形成され、この反射壁部６５は着色手段Ｔを通じて入光する光を指標部５１に対応する半透過着色部材６側に照射させる照射部としての機能を有している。
【００４７】
また、本実施形態に採用した導光部材１４は例えば透光性のアクリル樹脂からなり、断面略三角形状に形成され、第１の反射壁１０２と対向配置され空間部Ｓ内に供給された光を受光する受光面１４１と、この受光面１４１を通じて導光部材１４内に入光した光を半透過着色部材６の反射壁部６５側に反射導光させるための反射受光部１４２と、透光部５６と対向配置され反射受光部１４２からの光を透光部５６に導入する導光面１４３とを有している。
【００４８】
そして、光源９から発せられた光は前記照明室（空間部Ｓ）を通じて反射・拡散され、表示板５の抜き部５５に対応する基材５４内に供給される光と、導光部材１４の受光面１４１に供給される光とに大別される。そして、抜き部５５に対応する基材５４箇所に供給される光は基材５４、抜き部５５を通過して、さらに抜き部５５に対応する半透過着色部材６箇所に供給され、これにより指標部５１が白色に発光する。ゆえに、運転者側には指標部５１の白色光が視認されるようになっている。
【００４９】
また、導光部材１４の受光面１４１に供給される光は導光部材１４内に入光し、この導光部材１４に入光した光は受光反射部１４２を通じて導光面１４３側に反射導光される。そして、この導光面１４３側に反射導光された光は着色手段Ｔを通過する際に青色に着色され、この青色光が半透過着色部材６に導入される。
【００５０】
さらに、半透過着色部材６に導入された光は反射壁部６５を通じて指標部５１に対応する半透過着色部材６側に反射導光される光量が多くなり、これにより半透過着色部材６は前記第３実施形態と同様に指針４の前記回転中心部から外側（指標部５１側）に向かうに従って次第に色が濃くなるように色のグラデーション模様を有して視認される。従って、かかる実施形態においても、前記第３実施形態と同様に前記キースイッチのスイッチオン時における斬新な見栄えを演出することが可能となり、しかも指標部５１を発光させるための光源９を用いて半透過着色部材６の発光色を指標部５１の発光色に対して容易に異ならせることができるというメリットもある。
【００５１】
図７，図８は本発明の第５実施形態を示しており、本実施形態では前記各実施形態にて採用した表示板５の代わりにグラデーション模様Ｇの形成された表示板１５が採用されている場合を示している。この表示板１５は、指針４の指示対象となる目盛１５１ａ，数字１５１ｂからなる指標部１５１と、この指標部１５１の背景を形成する背景部１５２とを有している。
【００５２】
この場合、背景部１５２は、ＰＣ等の透光性の基材１５３の前面に印刷形成された印刷層からなり、例えば薄い青色系の透光性インクにより印刷形成されている。そして、指標部１５１は背景部１５２の印刷にあたり指標部１５１となる部分を抜き印刷することにより、背景部１５２を形成する印刷層が形成されない抜き部１５４として形成される。
【００５３】
さらに、背景部１５２の前面には遮光層１５５によるグラデーション模様Ｇが形成されており、この遮光層１５５は図７中、数字１５１ｂの一部と目盛１５１ａを含む領域Ｒ１は黒色系の遮光性インクにより一様に印刷形成されている。そして、指針４側となる領域Ｒ３及び、領域Ｒ１と領域Ｒ３との間に位置する領域Ｒ２には背景部１５２の前面に指針４の前記回転中心部から指標部１５１に向かうに従って黒色系の遮光性インクの密度が濃くなるような網点によるグラデーション模様Ｇが印刷形成されている。
【００５４】
そして、前記キースイッチのスイッチオンにより光源９，透過用光源１２が点灯すると、光源９の光は基材１５３内に供給され、基材１５３を透過した光は抜き部１５４を通過する光と背景部１５２内を透過する光とに大別される。
さらに、抜き部１５４を通過する光は真上に進み半透過着色部材６内を透過することで指標部１５１が白色に発光する。また、背景部１５２内を透過する光は遮光層１５５の抜きエリア１５６から部分的に抜けて前記網点の密度の薄い領域Ｒ３箇所は薄い青色に発光し、前記網点の密度の濃い領域Ｒ２箇所は領域Ｒ３箇所よりもさらに薄い青色に発光する。
【００５５】
また、透過用光源１２の光は、半透過着色部材６内に供給され、前記第３実施形態のごとく目盛１５１ａに対応する領域Ｒ１箇所には青色光が多く供給され、指針４の前記回転中心部の周囲である領域Ｒ２，Ｒ３箇所には青色光が供給されにくくなる。
【００５６】
従って、領域Ｒ１箇所は透過用光源１２の光によって青色光に発光し、また数字１５１ｂの一部、並びに目盛１５１ａは半透過着色部材６内に供給される青色光と抜き部１５５を通過する白色光とが混合されて青白色光に発光する。また、領域Ｒ３箇所は背景部１５２を透過する光が半透過着色部材６内に多く供給されることによって薄い青色に発光する。そして、領域Ｒ２箇所は背景部１５２を透過するわずかな薄い青色光と、透過用光源１２から半透過着色部材６に供給される少量の青色光とが混合されることによって、領域Ｒ１箇所におおける青色光と領域Ｒ３箇所における薄い青色光との中間の発光色が得られる。
【００５７】
これにより半透過着色部材６は指針４の前記回転中心部（領域Ｒ３）から指標部５１側（領域Ｒ１）に向かうに従って次第に色が濃くなるように色のグラデーション模様を有して視認され、前記キースイッチのオン時における斬新な見栄えを演出することが可能となる。
【００５８】
なお前記前記第３，第４，第５実施形態では、半透過着色部材６の背面が平坦面からなる例について説明したが、例えば目盛５１ａ（１５１ａ）、数字５１ｂ（１５１ｂ）と対向する半透過着色部材６の背面箇所に例えば断面形状が略凹状の肉抜き部を設け、この肉抜き部に到達する光源９からの光と透過用光源１２からの光とによって目盛５１ａ（１５１ａ）、数字５１ｂ（１５１ｂ）を立体的に見せることも可能である。
【００５９】
なお前記第３，第４，第５実施形態では、半透過着色部材６内に透過用光源１２からの光を供給して半透過着色部材６がグラデーション発光を有するように設定したが、例えば半透過着色部材６の前面または背面にシボ等の粗面を形成し、この粗面の光拡散効果により半透過着色部材６のグラデーション発光を調整するようにしてもよい。
【００６０】
【発明の効果】
以上、本発明によれば、初期の目的を達成することができ、表示板の指標部を照明表示させるにあたって、斬新な見栄えを達成し得る照明装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態による照明装置の正面図。
【図２】図１のＡ−Ａ断面図。
【図３】本発明の第２実施形態による照明装置の断面図。
【図４】本発明の第３実施形態による照明装置の正面図。
【図５】図４のＢ−Ｂ断面図。
【図６】本発明の第４実施形態による照明装置の断面図。
【図７】本発明の第５実施形態による照明装置の要部正面図。
【図８】同実施形態による照明装置の要部断面図
【符号の説明】
１回路基板
２回転軸
３駆動装置
４指針
５表示板
６半透過着色部材
７見返し板
８指針用光源
９光源
１０ケース体
５１指標部
５１ａ目盛
５１ｂ数字
５２背景部
５３反射部
５４基材
５５抜き部
６１平板部
６２フランジ部
Ｌ照明手段
Ｓ照明室[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an illuminating device that illuminates an indicator portion of a display panel used for a vehicle instrument such as an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a lighting device of this type, for example, a light-transmitting substrate and a light-reflecting light applied to the front surface of the substrate and having a dark color tone by external light (reflected light) are visually recognized and the rear side is used. And a display plate comprising a ground color layer capable of transmitting light from the substrate, and a light-shielding layer formed on the back surface of the substrate and having an opening for forming an index portion such as a scale and a character. A light source for illuminating the indicator section, which is disposed behind the display panel. When the light source is turned off, the reflected light hitting the ground color layer is visually recognized, so that the display panel is visually recognized in a dark color tone over the entire surface. When the light is turned on, the light is transmitted to the front side through the opening (index portion) of the light-shielding layer and the ground color layer, and the transmitted light illuminates the indicator portion. When the light source is lit while the whole is visible in dark color Indicator portions are adapted to be illuminated displays the desired color tone (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-105581
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the lighting device described in Patent Literature 1, when the light source is turned off, the reflected light hitting the ground color layer is visually recognized, so that the display board is visually recognized in a dark color tone over the entire surface, and At the time of lighting, the light is transmitted to the front side through the opening of the light-shielding layer and the ground color layer, and the indicator is illuminated and displayed by the transmitted light. Therefore, when the light source is turned on, the transmitted light is transmitted through the ground color layer applied to the front surface of the substrate of the display panel, so that the indicator portion is simply illuminated and displayed on the ground color layer in a planar manner. However, the illumination display of the indicator section on the display panel must be monotonous and lacks novelty.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of this point, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating device that can achieve a novel appearance when illuminating and displaying an index portion of a display panel.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a display plate having an indicator portion indicated by a pointer, a light source disposed behind the display plate, and between the pointer and the display plate so as to cover at least the indicator portion. A semi-transmissive coloring member that is arranged and that when the light source is turned off, its color tone is visually recognized by light incident from the front side of the display panel, and that when the light source is turned on, the light from the light source is transmitted. And
[0007]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the translucent coloring member emits light of a predetermined color by light supply from a transmissive light source disposed on one side of the translucent coloring member.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, based on these, the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to an illuminating device for illuminating a display panel of an instrument mounted on an automobile, for example. The case will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
[0009]
1 and 2, a lighting device according to the present embodiment includes a circuit board 1, a driving device 3 which is conductively mounted on the circuit board 1 and has a rotating shaft 2 extending forward, and a pointer driven to rotate by the rotating shaft 2. 4, a display plate 5 positioned on the circuit board 1 behind the pointer 4, and a semi-transmissive disposed between the pointer 4 and the display plate 5 and arranged along the front surface of the display plate 5. A coloring member 6, a dial plate 7 for exposing the hands 4 and the semi-transparent coloring member 6, a pointer light source 8 for illuminating the hands 4, a light source 9 for illuminating the display plate 5, the circuit board 1 and the display plate 5 and a case body 10 disposed between them.
[0010]
The circuit board 1 is formed of, for example, a hard circuit board in which a wiring pattern (not shown) is formed on a glass epoxy base material, and a light source 8 for a pointer, a light source 9, and driving means for driving and controlling the driving device 3, for example. (Not shown) and various circuit components (not shown) such as resistors and capacitors are electrically connected to the wiring pattern.
[0011]
The driving device 3 is composed of a movable magnet type instrument or a stepping motor, and its main part is mounted behind the circuit board 1 so that the rotating shaft 2 penetrates the circuit board 1 and is appropriately connected by conducting means such as soldering. It is electrically connected to the wiring pattern (the driving means).
[0012]
The pointer 4 includes an indicator 41 made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin, and a cap 42 made of a light-shielding synthetic resin that covers the outer periphery of the center of rotation of the indicator 41. The indicator 41 of the indicator 4 extends linearly so as to indicate an indicator 51 to be described later of the display panel 5, and the center of rotation of the indicator 4 emits light from the indicator light source 8 disposed behind it. A light receiving unit 43 is formed to receive the received light and reflect and guide the light to the tip side of the indicating unit 41. Reference numeral 44 denotes a red translucent hot stamp layer formed on the front surface of the indicator 41.
[0013]
The display plate 5 has an arc-shaped arrangement along the rotation trajectory of the hands 4, and forms a scale 51 a to be indicated by the indicating section 41, an index section 51 including a numeral 51 b, and a background of the index section 51. It has a background part 52 and a reflection part 53 formed corresponding to the background part 52.
[0014]
In this case, the background portion 52 is formed of a print layer formed by printing on the front surface of a translucent base material 54 such as a PC, and is formed by printing with, for example, a black light-blocking ink. The index portion 51 is formed as a cutout portion 55 on which a print layer forming the background portion 52 is not formed by printing a portion serving as the index portion 51 when the background portion 52 is printed. The semi-transparent white ink having a high efficiency is printed and formed on the back surface of the base material 54 excluding the corresponding area of the index portion 51. The printing layers of the background portion 52 and the reflecting portion 53 are formed by printing using a means such as screen printing.
[0015]
In addition, the indicator section 51 constitutes a pointer type display section D corresponding to the measurement display object in combination with the corresponding pointer 4, and in the case of the present embodiment, the pointer type display section D is a pointer type display comprising a speedometer. Although only the pointer D-type display section D2 composed of a tachometer adjacent to the section D1 and the pointer-type display section D1, only a pointer-type display section composed of, for example, a fuel gauge, a water temperature gauge, a voltmeter, etc., is shown. A semi-transparent coloring member 6 as in the present embodiment may be arranged on the display plate 5 for each pointer-type display unit at this time.
[0016]
The semi-transparent coloring member 6 is made of, for example, a translucent synthetic resin (or glass) plate having a black or dark smoke color, has a predetermined thickness (for example, 3 mm to 10 mm), and has a substantially disk shape. Is formed. Further, the outer shape of the semi-transparent coloring member 6 is formed so as to substantially match the outer shape of the display panel 5, and the semi-transparent coloring member 6 is disposed in close contact with the front surface of the display panel 5. Has a function as a covering member for covering the Further, the semi-transparent coloring member 6 is not formed with a coating such as a printing layer, and the texture of the member (in this case, the texture of the synthetic resin plate) is exposed.
[0017]
The semi-transparent coloring member 6 includes a substantially disk-shaped flat plate portion 61 disposed on the indicator portion 51 and the background portion 52 of the display plate 5 so as to be exposed from an opening 71 described later of the dial plate 7. It has a flange portion 62 protruding outward from the side surface of the flat plate portion 61 along the plate surface direction of the flat plate portion 61 and located between the display plate 5 and the return plate 7. It extends toward the return plate 7 so as to surround the flat plate portion 61, and the plate thickness is set to be thinner than the plate thickness of the flat plate portion 61.
[0018]
When the light source 9 is not turned on, the external light from the front side of the translucent coloring member 6 is reflected on the front surface of the flat plate portion 61 of the translucent coloring member 6, and the reflected light causes the flat translucent coloring member 6 itself. It is visually recognized by the dark color which is the color tone. As a result, the display plate 5 (index portion 51) is not visually recognized by the driver through the translucent coloring member 6. The translucent coloring member 6 also has a function as a translucent member for making the emission color of the indicator 51 of the display panel 5 visible to the driver when the light source 9 is turned on. Although not shown, a protective layer made of, for example, a low-reflection coating may be provided on the front surface of the flat plate portion 61 as necessary to suppress the reflection of external light on the front surface of the flat plate portion 61.
[0019]
The return plate 7 is made of a black synthetic resin, and exposes the hands 4 and the semi-transparent coloring member 6 and conceals other necessary areas, and is provided at a position corresponding to the flange portion 62 of the semi-transparent coloring member 6. An opening 71 is provided.
[0020]
The pointer light source 8 is composed of, for example, a chip-type light emitting diode that emits white light. A plurality of the pointer light sources 8 are arranged near the center of rotation of the pointer 4, and are reflected and guided to the tip side of the pointer 41 by the light receiving unit 43. It is a light emitter that causes the indicator 41 to emit red light by being colored by the translucent hot stamp layer 44.
[0021]
The light source 9 is formed of, for example, a chip-type light emitting diode that emits white light, is disposed on the front side of the circuit board 1 corresponding to a first reflective wall of the case body 10 described later, and emits white light from the indicator 51. It is.
[0022]
The case body 10 is made of, for example, a white synthetic resin, and functions as a holder for holding the display panel 5, a function as a housing for accommodating the pointer light sources 8 and 9, and the light of the pointer light sources 8 and 9. Has a function as a reflector that reflects the light to the front side. The case body 10 includes a cylindrical portion 101 for accommodating the pointer light source 8 and supplying the light of the pointer light source 8 to the rotation center of the pointer 4, and a display board surrounding the cylindrical portion 101. A first reflecting wall 102 extending inclining to the side 5 and facing the light source 9, the first reflecting wall 102 facing the first reflecting wall 102 and the display panel 5, and moving toward the indicator 51 (return plate 7) side. And a second reflecting wall 103 formed of a dish-shaped annular wall close to the second reflecting wall 103.
[0023]
In this case, the first reflecting wall 102 constitutes a reflecting surface that radially reflects the light from the light source 9 toward the outer periphery, and the second reflecting wall 103 is formed on the outer periphery through the first reflecting wall 102. The reflection surface is configured to reflect the reflected light toward the display panel 5 (semi-transmissive coloring member 6).
[0024]
The space S surrounded by the first and second reflecting walls 102 and 103, the cylindrical portion 101, and the reflecting portion 53 of the display panel 5 functions as an illumination room for guiding the light of the light source 9 to the index portion 51. This illumination room (space S) and the light source 9 arranged in the illumination room constitute illumination means L for illuminating the index portion 51. At this time, the reflecting portion 53 of the display panel 5 has a function of causing the light of the light source 9 to be re-reflected into the lighting room by the reflecting portion 53, thereby increasing the lighting efficiency.
[0025]
In such a configuration, for example, when the key switch mounted on the automobile is turned off, that is, when the pointer light source 8 and the light source 9 are not lit, the pointer 41 is turned off by the non-lighting of the pointer light source 8. External light or the like is visible in red by reflecting the front surface of the translucent hot stamp layer 44.
[0026]
In addition, since the light from the light source 9 is not supplied to the illumination room due to the non-lighting of the light source 9, the display panel 5 including the index portion 51 receives the external light or the like from the front side of the display panel 5. By reflecting the front surface of the flat plate portion 61, the translucent coloring member 6 is visually recognized in black or dark color, which is the color tone of the translucent coloring member 6 itself. Thus, when the key switch is in the switch-off state, the indicator portion 51 is barely or not at all visible due to the light reflecting action of the front surface of the flat plate portion 61 on the driver side, and the translucent hot stamp layer is not visible. Due to the light reflection effect of the light 44, only the indicator 41 is visually recognized.
[0027]
When the pointer light sources 8 and 9 are turned on by turning on the key switch, the light emitted from the pointer light source 8 passes through the cylindrical portion 101 of the case body 10 and reaches the light receiving section 43. Further, the light that has reached the light receiving portion 43 is reflected and guided by the light receiving portion 43 to the tip side of the pointing portion 41, and the light reflected and guided to the tip side of the pointing portion 41 is colored by the translucent hot stamp layer 44. Then, the instruction unit 41 emits red light.
[0028]
Further, the light emitted from the light source 9 is reflected and diffused through the illumination room (space S), passes through the area where the reflection part 53 of the display panel 5 is cut out, and corresponds to the index part 51 (drained part 55). It is supplied into the base material 54. Then, the light supplied into the base material 54 corresponding to the index portion 51 passes through the cutout portion 55 and is supplied to the flat plate portion 61 of the translucent coloring member 6 corresponding to the cutout portion 55, and this light is extracted. By transmitting the flat portion 61 corresponding to the portion 55, the scale 51a and the numeral 51b as the indicator portion 51 are transmitted and illuminated. Accordingly, when the key switch is in the switch-on state, the light from the light source 9 is transmitted to the driver side through the flat plate portion 61 corresponding to the extraction portion 55 so that the indicator portion 51 is visually recognized and the pointer light source is provided. When the light from 8 is transmitted through the translucent hot stamp layer 44, the indicator 41 can be visually recognized.
[0029]
Therefore, when the key switch is turned off, the indicator portion 51 is not visible due to the light reflecting action of the flat plate portion 61. However, when the key switch is turned on, the light source 9 is turned on, and the light of the light source 9 is extracted through the extraction portion 55. The indicator portion 51 is transmitted and illuminated by being supplied to the flat plate portion 61 corresponding to the portion 55, whereby the difference in brightness of the indicator portion 51 when the key switch is turned on / off can be clearly recognized. It becomes.
[0030]
A plate-shaped semi-transparent coloring member 6 made of a dark color is arranged in close contact with the front of the display panel 5 so that the entire instrument has a semi-transparent appearance, and the light source 9 is turned on. Since the indicator 51 is sometimes illuminated and displayed so as to emerge from the front surface of the translucent coloring member 6 due to the translucency of the translucent coloring member 6 itself, the switch of the key switch can be operated under the three-dimensional structure of the translucent coloring member 6. The appearance at the time of on / off will be novel.
[0031]
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first reflecting wall 102 of the case body 10 is eliminated, and the first reflecting wall 102 is located right above the light source 9 and is moved from the light source 9 to the lighting room. A configuration is shown in which the light from the light source 9 is reflected and guided by the light guide 11 disposed in the illumination path to the extraction portion 55 (index portion 51) through the space S.
[0032]
In this case, the illuminating means L is composed of the light source 9, the space S (the illuminating room), and the light guide 11, and the light guide 11 is made of, for example, a translucent acrylic resin, and has a cross section of approximately "L". A light-entering portion 111 which is formed in a "" shape and receives the light from the light source 9, a reflecting surface 112 which reflects the light incident on the light-entering portion 111 to the outside (toward the return plate 7), and a reflecting surface 112. And an irradiation unit 113 for irradiating the light reflected by the light into the space S.
[0033]
In this embodiment as well, when the key switch is turned off, the index portion 51 is not visually recognized by the light reflecting action on the front surface of the flat plate portion 61 of the translucent coloring member 6. When the key switch is turned on to turn on the light source 9, the light of the light source 9 enters the light incident portion 111, and the light of the light source 9 incident on the light incident portion 111 passes through the reflecting surface 112 to the irradiation portion 113. The light emitted from the irradiating section 113 is diffused and reflected when passing through the space S, and is supplied into the base material 54 corresponding to the cutout section 55. Accordingly, the light supplied into the base material 54 corresponding to the cutout portion 55 passes through the scales 51 a and the numerals 51 b of the index portion 51, and further passes through the flat plate portion 61 of the translucent coloring member 6 corresponding to the cutout portion 55. And the scale 51a and the numeral 51b, which are the index portions 51, are transmitted and illuminated, so that the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0034]
In each of the above embodiments, the case where the front surface of the flat portion 61 of the semi-transparent coloring member 6 has a flat surface has been described. However, the shape of the semi-transparent coloring member 6 is arbitrary. A curved surface having a convex shape or a concave shape may be provided on the front surface along the plate surface direction of the flat plate portion 61. Further, the curved surface may be provided only on a part of the front surface of the flat plate portion 61, or may be provided at a plurality of locations on the front surface of the flat plate portion 61.
[0035]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 has a substantially disc shape covering the indicator portion 51 and the background portion 52 of the display panel 5 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the semi-transparent coloring member 6 having a substantially horseshoe shape may be arranged on the display panel 5 so as to cover only the index portion 51 as shown by a dotted line in FIG.
[0036]
In each of the embodiments, the translucent coloring member 6 is set to a dark color tone.
Any color can be set as long as the translucent coloring member 6 can produce a translucent feeling. For example, the color may be set to red, blue, yellow, orange, or the like.
[0037]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the index portion 51 is formed of the print layer formed on the front surface of the base material 54 of the display panel 5 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Is abolished, and the background portion 52 is printed on the back surface of the translucent coloring member 6, and the light from the light source 9 is supplied to the translucent coloring member 6 through the cutout portion 55 of the background portion 52, thereby transmitting the index portion 51. You may make it illuminate. In addition, the indicator 51 may be a notification unit including a warning mark and the like in addition to the scale and the number.
[0038]
4 and 5 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a curved surface having a substantially convex shape is formed on the front surface of the flat plate portion 61 of the semi-transparent coloring member 6 so as to extend along the plate surface direction of the flat plate portion 61. The transmission light source 12 for causing the translucent coloring member 6 to emit light of a predetermined color is disposed on the surface of the flat portion 61 opposite to the side surface 64 in which the portion 63 is formed. When the light is supplied as edge light into the translucent coloring member 6 through the one side surface 64, the translucent coloring member 6 emits light so as to have a predetermined color.
[0039]
In this case, the transmission light source 12 is formed of, for example, a chip-type light emitting diode that emits blue light, and is mounted on a wiring board 13 formed of a hard circuit board. The wiring board 13 is disposed between the circuit board 1 and the return plate 7 and extends in a plate shape in a direction orthogonal to the plate surface direction of the display panel 5 (the plate surface direction of the circuit board 1). In the wiring board 13, the transmission light source 12 and various circuit components (not shown) such as resistors and capacitors are electrically connected to the wiring pattern.
[0040]
When the pointer light source 8, the light source 9 and the transmission light source 12 are turned on by turning on the key switch, the indicator 41 emits red light by turning on the pointer light source 8 as in each of the above embodiments, and the light source 9 is turned on. When the white light passing through the cutout portion 55 is turned on and transmitted through the semi-transmissive coloring member 6, the indicator portion 51 emits white light.
[0041]
The light emitted from the transmission light source 12 enters one side surface 64 of the translucent coloring member 6 facing the transmission light source 12, and the light entering the one side surface 64 is diffusely reflected around the one side surface 64. Instead, the light goes straight to the semi-transparent coloring member 6 corresponding to the indicator 51 mainly along the plate surface direction of the semi-transparent coloring member 6. As a result, the amount of the straight light is largely supplied to the six translucent coloring members corresponding to the index portion 51, so that the six translucent coloring members corresponding to the index portion 51 emit bright blue light, and the light is emitted inside. The periphery of the center of rotation of the pointer 4 emits blue light in a more blurred state than the six translucent coloring members corresponding to the index portion 51 due to the slight amount of light diffusely reflected in the translucent coloring member 6 by the curved surface portion 63. I do.
[0042]
Accordingly, the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 is visually recognized as having a color gradation pattern such that the color gradually becomes darker from the rotation center portion of the pointer 4 toward the outside (the index portion 51 side) by turning on the transmission light source 12. You. In this case, the white transmitted light that passes through the index portion 51 and further passes through the six semi-transmissive coloring members corresponding to the index portion 51 is mixed with the straight-ahead light, and the index portion 51 is mixed with the white transmitted light. It is visually recognized by blue-white light which is a mixed color with the straight light. Thereby, the color gradation pattern by the light emission of the translucent coloring member 6 forms the base of the blue-white light of the indicator 51, and it is possible to produce a novel appearance when the key switch is turned on. .
[0043]
FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the transmissive light source 12 and the wiring board 13 in the third embodiment are omitted, and the semi-transparent coloring member 6 is provided in the space S. An example is shown in which the light guide member 14 is provided on the back surface of the display plate 5 corresponding to the flange portion 62.
[0044]
In this case, the display plate 5 is formed with a light-transmitting portion 56 formed outside the index portion 51 (on the side of the return plate 7) in a shape corresponding to the shape of the light guide member 14. The light-transmitting portion 56 is formed of a cutout portion in which the background portion 52 is not formed by removing and printing the light-shielding ink forming the background portion 52. Therefore, the light-transmitting portion 56 partially exposes the base material 54, and Light from the light source 9 guided through the optical member 14 can be transmitted to the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 side. In the present embodiment, the reflection portion 53 is formed by printing on the back surface of the base member 54 excluding the corresponding range of the index portion 51 and the light transmitting portion 56.
[0045]
A coloring portion 57 is printed and formed on the front surface of the light transmitting portion 56 with a blue-based light transmitting ink. The coloring portion 57 and the light transmitting portion 56 allow the translucent coloring member 6 to be turned on when the light source 9 is turned on. A coloring means T for coloring is provided. The coloring means T is formed continuously on the outer edge of the display panel 5 so as to be sandwiched between the light guide member 14 and the translucent coloring member 6. When the white light of the light source 9 is supplied to the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 through the light-guiding member 14, the light guided to the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 is colored blue. Can be easily changed with respect to the white transmitted light transmitted through the cutout portion 55 and the six translucent coloring members corresponding to the cutout portion 55.
[0046]
Further, a reflective wall 65 is formed at a curved portion 63 of the translucent coloring member 6 facing the coloring portion 57, and the reflective wall 65 transmits light entering through the coloring means T to the half corresponding to the index portion 51. It has a function as an irradiation unit for irradiating the transparent coloring member 6 side.
[0047]
Further, the light guide member 14 employed in the present embodiment is made of, for example, a translucent acrylic resin, has a substantially triangular cross section, and is disposed opposite to the first reflecting wall 102 and supplied to the space S. A light receiving surface 142 for receiving light, a reflection light receiving portion 142 for reflecting light guided into the light guide member 14 through the light receiving surface 141 toward the reflective wall 65 side of the semi-transmissive coloring member 6, and a light transmitting portion. The light guide surface 143 is disposed to face the portion 56 and guides light from the reflection light receiving portion 142 to the light transmitting portion 56.
[0048]
The light emitted from the light source 9 is reflected and diffused through the illumination room (space S), and is supplied into the base material 54 corresponding to the cutout portion 55 of the display panel 5 and the light of the light guide member 14. The light is roughly divided into light supplied to the light receiving surface 141. Then, the light supplied to the portion of the base material 54 corresponding to the cutout portion 55 passes through the base material 54 and the cutout portion 55, and is further supplied to six places of the semi-transparent coloring member corresponding to the cutout portion 55. The unit 51 emits white light. Therefore, the driver can visually recognize the white light of the indicator 51.
[0049]
The light supplied to the light receiving surface 141 of the light guide member 14 enters the light guide member 14, and the light that enters the light guide member 14 is reflected and guided to the light guide surface 143 through the light receiving / reflecting portion 142. Is lighted. The light reflected and guided toward the light guide surface 143 is colored blue when passing through the coloring means T, and the blue light is introduced into the semi-transparent coloring member 6.
[0050]
Further, the amount of light introduced into the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 is reflected and guided toward the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 corresponding to the indicator portion 51 through the reflecting wall portion 65. Similar to the third embodiment, the pointer 4 is visually recognized as having a color gradation pattern so that the color gradually becomes darker from the rotation center portion toward the outside (the index portion 51 side). Therefore, in this embodiment as well, it is possible to produce a novel appearance when the key switch is turned on, as in the third embodiment, and furthermore, the light source 9 for causing the indicator 51 to emit light is used. There is also an advantage that the emission color of the transmissive coloring member 6 can easily be made different from the emission color of the index portion 51.
[0051]
7 and 8 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a display plate 15 on which a gradation pattern G is formed is employed instead of the display plate 5 employed in each of the above embodiments. Is shown. The display plate 15 has a scale 151a to be indicated by the pointer 4 and an index portion 151 including a number 151b, and a background portion 152 that forms the background of the index portion 151.
[0052]
In this case, the background portion 152 is formed of a printing layer formed by printing on the front surface of a light-transmitting base material 153 such as a PC, and is formed by printing with, for example, light blue-colored light-transmitting ink. Then, the index portion 151 is formed as a cutout portion 154 in which the print layer forming the background portion 152 is not formed by printing out the portion to be the index portion 151 when printing the background portion 152.
[0053]
Further, a gradation pattern G by a light shielding layer 155 is formed on the front surface of the background part 152. The light shielding layer 155 is a black light shielding ink in a region R1 including a part of the numeral 151b and the scale 151a in FIG. To form a uniform print. In the region R3 on the side of the pointer 4 and in the region R2 located between the region R1 and the region R3, blackish light shielding is provided on the front surface of the background portion 152 from the rotation center portion of the pointer 4 toward the index portion 151. A gradation pattern G is formed by printing such that the density of the non-reactive ink is high.
[0054]
When the key switch is turned on to turn on the light source 9 and the transmission light source 12, light from the light source 9 is supplied into the base 153, and light transmitted through the base 153 is transmitted to the light passing through the cutout 154 and the background. The light is roughly divided into light transmitted through the portion 152.
Further, the light passing through the cutout portion 154 proceeds right above and passes through the translucent coloring member 6, so that the index portion 151 emits white light. Further, light transmitted through the background portion 152 partially escapes from the extraction area 156 of the light-shielding layer 155, and the region R3 where the dot density is low emits light blue, and the region R2 where the dot density is high is emitted. The portion emits a lighter blue color than the region R3.
[0055]
Further, the light from the transmission light source 12 is supplied into the semi-transparent coloring member 6, and a large amount of blue light is supplied to the region R1 corresponding to the scale 151a as in the third embodiment. It is difficult for blue light to be supplied to regions R2 and R3 around the portion.
[0056]
Therefore, the region R1 emits blue light by the light of the transmission light source 12, and a part of the numeral 151b and the scale 151a are the blue light supplied into the semi-transparent coloring member 6 and the white light passing through the cutout 155. Light is mixed to emit blue-white light. Further, the region R3 emits light blue light when a large amount of light transmitted through the background portion 152 is supplied into the translucent coloring member 6. Then, the region R2 is mixed with the slightly thin blue light transmitted through the background portion 152 and a small amount of blue light supplied from the transmission light source 12 to the translucent coloring member 6, so that the region R1 is formed. An emission color intermediate between the blue light in the region and the light blue light in the region R3 is obtained.
[0057]
Thereby, the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 is visually recognized as having a color gradation pattern so that the color gradually becomes darker from the rotation center portion (region R3) of the pointer 4 toward the indicator portion 51 (region R1). It is possible to produce a novel appearance when the key switch is turned on.
[0058]
In the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, the example in which the back surface of the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 has a flat surface is described. However, for example, the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 faces the scale 51a (151a) and the numeral 51b (151b). For example, a lightening portion having a substantially concave cross-sectional shape is provided at a rear portion of the coloring member 6, and a scale 51 a (151 a) and a numeral 51 b are formed by light from the light source 9 and light from the transmission light source 12 reaching the lightening portion. It is also possible to make (151b) look three-dimensional.
[0059]
In the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, the light from the transmission light source 12 is supplied into the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 so that the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 emits gradation light. A rough surface such as a grain may be formed on the front or back surface of the transmissive coloring member 6, and the gradation light emission of the semi-transmissive coloring member 6 may be adjusted by the light diffusion effect of the rough surface.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an illuminating device that can achieve the initial purpose and achieve a novel appearance when illuminating and displaying the indicator portion of the display panel.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a lighting device according to a second embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a front view of a lighting device according to a third embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a lighting device according to a fourth embodiment;
FIG. 7 is an exemplary front view of a main part of a lighting device according to a fifth embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of the lighting device according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 circuit board
2 Rotation axis
3 drive
4 guidelines
5 Display board
6 semi-transparent coloring members
7 Facing board
8 Light source for pointer
9 Light source
10 Case body
51 Indicator
51a scale
51b number
52 Background
53 Reflector
54 substrate
55 blank
61 Flat part
62 Flange
L Lighting means
S Lighting room

Claims

A display plate having an indicator portion indicated by a pointer, a light source disposed behind the display plate, and a light source disposed between the pointer and the display plate so as to cover at least the indicator portion, the display plate being turned off when the light source is turned off. A lighting device, comprising: a semi-transparent coloring member whose color tone is visually recognized by light incident from the front side and which transmits light from the light source when the light source is turned on.

The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the semi-transmissive coloring member emits light of a predetermined color by supplying light from a transmissive light source disposed on one side of the translucent coloring member.