JP2006214989A - Fuel gauge for vehicle and combination meter with same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel gauge for vehicles capable of effectively calling for drivers' attention when the remaining quantity of fuel has fallen below a specific quantity, achieving low costs, and saving space, and to provide a combination meter with the same. <P>SOLUTION: In the fuel gauge 10 for vehicles, the remaining quantity of fuel of a vehicle is displayed by indicating, by an indicating means 13, illuminated display designs, which are illuminated by light from an illumination means, of a dial 17 provided with the display designs. The dial 17 has both a first display design 11 for displaying the remaining quantity of fuel of a specific quantity or more and a second display design 12 for displaying the remaining quantity of fuel below the specific quantity. The illumination means alternatively illuminates the first display design 11 or the second display design 12 according to the remaining quantity of fuel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular fuel gauge that displays a fuel remaining amount of a vehicle by indicating the display design shining on a dial provided with a display design that is brilliant by light from an illuminating means, by the indicating means, and the fuel gauge It is related with the combination meter provided with.

  In general, vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a combination meter provided with a plurality of instruments for displaying various information related to the state of the vehicle, such as travel speed, engine speed, various warnings, fuel remaining amount, and the like. Yes.

  As a fuel gauge for displaying the remaining amount of fuel, the height of the liquid level in the fuel tank is detected, and based on the height of the liquid level, from F (Full) to E (Empty) as a display design ) And the indicator as an indicator, the remaining amount of fuel is displayed, and if the remaining amount of fuel falls below the specified amount, a warning light is lit to alert the driver. In recent years, for example, in some four-wheel drive vehicles that may run on rough terrain such as deserts and forest roads, the inclination of the vehicle is measured by an inclination sensor, etc. In some cases, the display accuracy of the remaining amount of fuel is improved by detecting and correcting the above.

  According to such a fuel gauge, the driver can know the remaining amount of fuel accurately to a certain degree. However, the remaining amount of fuel can be displayed more accurately when the pointer points to the scale E. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a fuel gauge in which two display units for displaying the amount are provided adjacent to each other so that they are continuously displayed to prevent fuel shortage more reliably (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the combination meter 50 disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a first display device 51 provided with a vehicle speed display unit 55, a fuel remaining amount display unit 53, and a water temperature display unit 56. The second display device 52 disposed adjacent to the first display device 51 is provided with a vehicle speed display portion 57, a fuel remaining amount display portion 54, and a water temperature display portion 63.

When the remaining amount of fuel becomes 10 l (liters) or less, the pointer of the remaining fuel amount display unit 54 provided in the second display device 52 indicates the scale E and stops at that position. When the fuel is further consumed and the remaining fuel amount is 6 l or less and becomes 5 l or more, all the indicators 58 to 62 of the remaining fuel amount display unit 53 provided in the first display device 51 are lit, and the remaining fuel amount is 5 l. The indicator 58 is turned off when the fuel becomes 4 liters or more below, and the indicators 59, 60, and 61 are sequentially turned off as the fuel is further consumed. It is supposed to be.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-025874 (page 3-5, FIG. 2)

  However, in the fuel meter disclosed in Patent Document 1, the indicators 58 to 62 of the remaining fuel amount display unit 53 provided in the first display device 51 are turned on / off when the remaining fuel amount falls below a specified amount. Even so, the remaining fuel amount display section 54 provided in the second display device 52 is always displayed (the pointer always indicates the scale E). In terms of alerting the driver when the amount was below the specified amount, it was not much different from a fuel gauge that turned on a warning light.

  Further, the remaining fuel amount display unit 54 provided in the second display device 52 displays the remaining fuel amount by a pointer and a scale, and the remaining fuel amount display unit 53 provided in the first display device 51 is lit / lit. Since the remaining amount of fuel is displayed by the indicators 58 to 62 that are turned off, the structure and control become complicated and the cost is increased. In addition, a combination meter in which a plurality of instruments are provided densely occupies a large installation area. It was something to end up with.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to effectively alert the driver when the remaining amount of fuel falls below a specified amount, which is low in cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular fuel gauge capable of achieving space saving and a combination meter including the fuel gauge.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the fuel gauge for vehicles according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (3).

(1) A vehicular fuel gauge that displays a fuel remaining amount of a vehicle by indicating the display design shining on a dial provided with a display design that shines by light from an illuminating unit by using an instruction unit, The dial has a first display design for displaying a fuel remaining amount equal to or greater than a specified amount, and a second display design for displaying a fuel remaining amount below the specified amount, The illumination means alternatively illuminates the first display design or the second display design according to the remaining fuel amount.
(2) In the vehicular fuel gauge according to (1), the instruction unit includes a first instruction member for instructing the first display design, and a second instruction for instructing the second display design. The display form by the said 1st display design and the said 1st indication member, and the display form by the said 2nd display design and the said 2nd indication member differ.
(3) In the vehicular fuel gauge according to (2), the first indicating member and the second indicating member are driven by a single driving device.

  According to the vehicular fuel meter described in (1) above, the remaining fuel amount is equal to or greater than the specified amount by the illumination unit that alternatively illuminates the first display design or the second display design according to the remaining fuel amount. In the case of (1), the first display design of the dial is illuminated, and the second display design is illuminated when the fuel remaining amount is below the specified amount. When the remaining fuel amount falls below the specified amount, the display of the remaining fuel amount moves from the first display design to the second display design, and at the same time, the first display design is darkened and the visibility is greatly increased. It becomes low. As described above, when the remaining amount of fuel falls below the specified amount, the display form of the remaining amount of fuel is rich in changes, so that the driver can be effectively alerted.

  According to the vehicular fuel gauge described in (2) above, the display form by the first display design and the first indicating member is different from the display form by the second display design and the second indicating member, The change in the display form of the remaining amount of fuel when the remaining amount of fuel falls below the specified amount can be made more prominent, thereby making it possible to alert the driver more effectively.

  According to the vehicular fuel meter described in (3) above, the first indicating member and the second indicating member of the indicating means are driven by a single driving device, so that the structure and control can be simplified. Thus, the cost and size of the vehicular fuel gauge can be reduced.

  The combination meter according to the present invention is characterized by the following (4).

  (4) The vehicle fuel gauge according to any one of (1) to (3) is provided.

  According to the fuel meter for vehicles and the combination meter equipped with the fuel meter of the present invention, it is possible to effectively alert the driver when the remaining amount of fuel falls below a specified amount, and at a low cost, The effect that space saving can be achieved is obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 is a front view of an embodiment of a fuel gauge for a vehicle according to the present invention, FIG. 2 (a) is a plan view of indicating means used in the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is a plan view of FIG. 3 is a front view when the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1 is equal to or greater than a specified amount, and FIG. 4 is a front view when the remaining amount of fuel is lower than the specified amount in the fuel meter shown in FIG. FIGS. 5 and 5 are front views of the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1 when the remaining amount of fuel is below a specified amount, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the combination meter provided with the fuel gauge shown in FIG.

  The fuel gauge 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called analog type that displays the fuel remaining amount of the vehicle by instructing the display design of the dial provided with the display design that shines by the light from the illumination unit by the instruction unit. As shown in FIG. 6, the fuel meter is incorporated in a combination meter 40 equipped in a vehicle such as an automobile.

  The combination meter 40 is provided with a multi-display 41 for displaying various warnings relating to the state of the vehicle at the center, a tachometer 42 for displaying the engine speed on the right side of the multi-display 41, and on the left side. A speedometer 43 that displays the traveling speed is provided, and the fuel gauge 10 is provided in a section on the left side of the speedometer 43.

  Such a combination meter 40 has a tachometer 42, a speedometer 43, a fuel gauge 10, etc. on the front side of the dial face provided with a display design that serves as an index such as engine speed, traveling speed, fuel remaining amount, and the like. A dial member that divides the dial corresponding to the dial is disposed, and a transparent cover is mounted on the front side of the dial member, while a case for supporting the dial is provided on the back side of the dial. Inside, a liquid crystal display device constituting the multi-display 41, an illumination means for illuminating the dial from the back side, a tachometer 42, a speedometer 43, a drive device for driving the indicator members of the fuel gauge 10, and these liquid crystal display devices, A wiring board provided with a control circuit for controlling the illumination means, the driving device and the like is accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display design of the fuel gauge 10 is provided in a circular area (hereinafter simply referred to as a dial) 17 of a dial divided by a facing member, and one side of the dial 17 (FIG. 1). The left-hand semicircular area is composed of two letters “F” (Full) and “E” (Empty) and a scale 11 a aligned in an arc shape between the “F” and “E”. A first display design 11 for displaying the remaining amount of fuel equal to or greater than the amount is provided.

  On the other hand, in the semicircular area on the opposite side of the dial plate 17 (right side in FIG. 1), two characters “10” (10 liters) and “0” (0 liter), and the “10” and “0” A scale 12a concentrically aligned with the first display design 11 and a bar graph zone 12b extending concentrically with the scale 12a on the inner diameter side of the scale 12a and extending in a substantially arc strip shape. A second display design 12 for displaying the remaining amount of fuel below the amount is provided.

  “F” and “E” of the first display design 11, the scale 11 a, “10” and “0” of the second display design 12, the scale 12 a, and the bar graph zone 12 b are respectively It is light transmissive and shines by transmitting light from an illuminating means (not shown) that illuminates the dial 17 from the back side. In FIG. 1, the letters “FUEL” may also be made light-transmitting and shining with light from the illumination means, or may be printed on the dial 17.

  The illumination means for illuminating the dial 17 from the back side selectively illuminates the first display design 11 or the second display design 12 in accordance with the remaining amount of fuel. As such illumination means, for example, an LED or the like is used as a light source, and a first light source that illuminates the first display design 11 and a second light source that illuminates the second display design 12 are individually provided. Then, it is possible to determine whether or not the detected remaining amount of fuel is equal to or greater than a specified amount and selectively turn on the first light source or the second light source.

  The instruction means 13 for indicating the first display design 11 and the second display design 12 is connected to the drive device 20 and the drive device 20 as shown in FIGS. A pointer shaft 16, a pointer 14 as a first indicating member that indicates the first display design 11, and a shielding plate 15 as a second indicating member that indicates the second display design 12. The pointer 14 and the shielding plate 15 are disposed so as to sandwich the pointer shaft 16 and are integrally formed with the pointer shaft 16. The shielding plate 15 is formed in a substantially fan shape having a size that substantially covers the bar graph zone 12 b extending in a substantially arc-shaped belt shape of the second display design 12.

  The drive device 20 includes a drive source such as a stepping motor capable of controlling rotation in both forward and reverse directions, and the pointer 14 or the shielding plate 15 is a first display design based on the detected remaining fuel amount. The pointer shaft 16 and the pointer 14 formed integrally with the pointer shaft 16 and the shielding plate 15 are integrally rotated in both the forward and reverse directions so as to indicate an appropriate position of the eleventh or second display design 12.

  Next, the operation of the fuel gauge 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, when the remaining amount of fuel is equal to or more than a specified amount (10 liters in the present embodiment), as shown in FIG. 3, the first display design 11 is illuminated by the illumination means and shines. The display design 12 has a low visibility (almost invisible) in contrast with the first display design 11. In this state, the pointer 14 of the indicating means 13 rotates in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) from the letter “F” to “E” of the first display design 11 as the fuel is consumed. Then, an appropriate portion of the scale 11a of the first display design 11 corresponding to the remaining amount of fuel is indicated to display the remaining amount of fuel.

  When the pointer 14 indicates the vicinity of the letter “E” of the first display design 11, that is, when the remaining amount of fuel falls below the specified amount, the second display design 12 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4. While illuminated by the illumination means, the first display design 11 becomes dark and the visibility with respect to the contrast with the second display design 12 becomes low (becomes almost invisible). At the same time, the shielding plate 15 that is rotated together with the pointer 14 of the indicating means 13 is arranged on the front side in the forward rotation direction with respect to the bar graph zone 12b of the second display design 12 to expose the entire bar graph zone 12b. Thereby, it is displayed that the remaining fuel amount is less than 10 liters by the shining bar graph zone 12b, the characters “10”, “0” and the scale 12a. In this way, the display of the remaining amount of fuel moves from the first display design 11 to the second display design 12 to alert the driver.

  In addition, an illumination means has individually the 1st light source which illuminates the 1st display design 11 as mentioned above, and the 2nd light source which illuminates the 2nd display design 12, and a 1st light source or When the second light source is configured to be selectively turned on, the illumination color of the first light source is different from the illumination color of the second light source, for example, the illumination color of the first light source is white, If the illumination color of the second light source is red, which has a high psychological effect to call attention, the driver's attention when the fuel remaining amount display moves from the first display design 11 to the second display design 12 Arousal can be performed more effectively, which is preferable. Further, a warning lamp may be turned on.

  After the remaining amount of fuel falls below the specified amount, as the fuel is further consumed, as shown in FIG. 5, the shielding plate 15 of the indicating means 13 starts from the character “10” of the second display design 12. It is rotated in the reverse rotation direction (clockwise in FIG. 5) toward “0”, shields the bar graph zone 12b of the second display design 12, and the visible region of the bar graph zone 12b as the fuel is consumed. Reduce the circumferential length of. Then, the scale 12b and the characters “10” and “0” aligned along the bar graph zone 12b on the outer diameter side of the bar graph zone 12b are used, and the fuel is determined by the circumferential length of the visible region of the bar graph zone 12b. Display the remaining capacity.

  Here, the second display design 12 expands a part of the display range of the first display design 11 with respect to the first display design 11 that displays the remaining fuel amount from full to empty. The remaining amount of fuel from 10 liters to 0 liter is displayed, and the remaining amount of fuel below the specified amount can be displayed more accurately.

  According to the fuel gauge 10 of the present embodiment, when the fuel remaining amount is equal to or greater than the specified amount by the illumination unit that alternatively illuminates the first display design 11 or the second display design 12 according to the fuel remaining amount. The first display design 11 is illuminated, and the second display design 12 is illuminated when the remaining fuel amount is below the specified amount. When the remaining amount of fuel falls below the specified amount, the display of the remaining amount of fuel moves from the first display design 11 to the second display design 12, and at the same time, the first display design 11 is darkened and visually recognized. Is significantly reduced. As described above, when the remaining amount of fuel falls below the specified amount, the display form of the remaining amount of fuel is rich in changes, so that the driver can be effectively alerted.

  And while the 1st display form by the 1st display design 11 and the pointer | guide 14 is a display form which points the suitable location of the scale 11a with the rotated pointer | guide 14 and displays a fuel remaining amount, In the second display form by the display design 12 and the shielding plate 15, the circumferential length of the visible region of the bar graph zone 12b is reduced by reducing the circumferential length of the visible region of the bar graph zone 12b by the rotating shielding plate 15. This is a display form for displaying the remaining amount of fuel. The first display form and the second display form are different, and the change in the display form of the remaining fuel amount when the remaining fuel amount falls below the specified amount. It can be even more prominent. As a result, the driver can be alerted more effectively.

  Furthermore, since the pointer 14 and the shielding plate 15 of the indicating means 13 are rotated by a single drive device 20, the structure and control can be simplified, thereby reducing the cost and size of the fuel gauge 10. Can be planned.

  In the fuel meter 10 of the present embodiment, the fuel remaining amount is set to 10 liters. However, the fuel remaining amount is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the fuel consumption and driving conditions of the vehicle. Needless to say. In this case, the character “10” of the second display design 12 is also changed to a character indicating a prescribed numerical value. Further, the possible continuous running distance predicted from the remaining fuel amount may be displayed on the multi-display 41.

  Next, a modified example of the fuel gauge 10 described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 (a) relates to a modification of the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 (b) is a front view when the remaining amount of fuel is equal to or more than a prescribed amount, and FIG. 7 (b) is a modification of the fuel gauge shown in FIG. FIG. 8A is a plan view of a pointer used in a modified example of the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 8B is FIG. It is sectional drawing of a).

  The modified example of the fuel gauge 10 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B uses a smoke cover having a reduced transmittance by performing a smoke treatment instead of the transparent cover in the combination meter 40 described above. In a so-called black face type combination meter, when the front surface of the dial 17, the pointer 14, the shielding plate 15, and the pointer shaft 16 are painted with a matte black, and through a smoke cover, Portions other than the bright portion such as the first display design 11 and the second display design 12 are invisible.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a light source 22 such as an LED is built in the pointer shaft 16 of the pointing means 13, and a light guide member 21 is placed inside the pointer 14, and a front surface 21 a is attached to the pointer 14. It is housed in a state exposed to the outside. The light from the light source 22 is emitted from the front surface 21a guided through the light guide member 21 and exposed to the outside of the pointer 14, and the front surface 21a shines as shown in FIG.

  When the remaining amount of fuel is equal to or greater than the specified amount (10 liters in the present embodiment), the front surface 21a of the light guide member 21 of the first display design 11 and the pointer 14 is bright as shown in FIG. When the remaining fuel amount falls below the specified amount, the front face 21a of the light guide member 21 of the first display design 11 and the pointer 14 is shown in FIG. 7B. Becomes dark and becomes invisible, and the second display design 12 becomes bright and visible. In FIG. 7B, reference numeral 22 denotes a warning light. Since other operations are the same as those of the fuel gauge 10 described above, description thereof is omitted.

  According to this modification, it is possible to make clearer the switching between the display of the remaining fuel amount by the first display design 11 and the pointer 14 and the display of the remaining fuel amount by the second display design 12 and the shielding plate 15. It is possible to alert the driver effectively.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A deformation | transformation, improvement, etc. are possible suitably.

It is a front view of one embodiment of a fuel meter for vehicles concerning the present invention. (A) is a top view of the instruction | indication means used for the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a front view of the figure (a). FIG. 2 is a front view when the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel gauge shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view when the remaining amount of fuel falls below a specified amount in the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1. It is a front view in case the fuel remaining amount is less than the regulation amount in the fuel meter shown in FIG. It is a front view at the time of the normal display in the combination meter in which the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1 is used. (A) relates to a modification of the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1, and is a front view when the remaining amount of fuel is equal to or more than a prescribed amount, and (b) is a fuel remaining in the modification of the fuel gauge shown in FIG. It is a front view when quantity is less than regulation quantity. (A) is a top view of the pointer | guide used for the modification of the fuel meter shown to Fig.7 (a), (b) is sectional drawing of the same figure (a). It is a front view for demonstrating the conventional fuel meter for vehicles.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel gauge 11 1st display design 12 2nd display design 13 Instruction means 14 Pointer (1st indication member)
15 Shield plate (second indicating member)
17 Dial 20 Drive unit

Claims (4)

A fuel gauge for a vehicle that displays a fuel remaining amount of a vehicle by instructing the display design shining of a dial provided with a display design that shines by light from an illuminating unit by an instruction unit,
The dial has a first display design for displaying a fuel remaining amount equal to or greater than a specified amount, and a second display design for displaying a fuel remaining amount below the specified amount. ,
The vehicle fuel gauge, wherein the illumination means selectively illuminates the first display design or the second display design according to a remaining amount of fuel. The indicating means includes a first indicating member that indicates the first display design, and a second indicating member that indicates the second display design,
2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a display form by the first display design and the first instruction member is different from a display form by the second display design and the second instruction member. Fuel gauge.   The vehicular fuel gauge according to claim 2, wherein the first indicating member and the second indicating member are driven by a single driving device.   A combination meter comprising the vehicular fuel gauge according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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