JP2008254703A - Vehicular meter unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular meter unit superior in the representation effect when actually feeling and grasping travel behavior of a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: While reflecting a part of an operation state parameter of a travel control driving part of the vehicle on a meter display 501 as a first output object parameter, a visual representation for enabling a driver to actually feel and grasp an operation state of the travel control driving part, is performed by the content of reflecting an acquired value of a second output object parameter by a visual representation part 270, with the operation state parameter in the same as or separate from this parameter as the second output object parameter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle meter unit.

JP 2004-157434 A JP-A-11-51686 JP 2007-45315 A

  In a cockpit for vehicles (particularly for automobiles), a meter that displays vehicle speed, engine speed, and the like is arranged. As such a meter, an analog mechanical pointer type meter is classic, but as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a meter unit is configured by an image display device such as a liquid crystal panel. Instead of a conventional analog mechanical meter, a meter color image (so-called soft meter) is also widely used. For example, if the vehicle speed meter or tachometer is configured with a pointer-type meter, the vehicle speed and the engine speed can be directly read from the pointer position, which is advantageous for intuitively grasping the current meter indication value. However, the pointer-type meter is inferior to the digital meter that directly displays the indicated value as a number in terms of reading accuracy of the indicated value. In view of this, a digital meter is combined with a pointer-type meter to make up for the shortcomings.

  However, in recent years, the diversity and design of cockpit meter units have been further improved, and a simple combination of a pointer-type meter and a digital meter has a difficulty in producing effects. In addition, there is a drawback that it is difficult to grasp the running behavior of the vehicle during driving as a real feeling (or a bodily sensation) only with the meter indication value. In particular, the change in the posture of the vehicle body that changes variously according to the acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, steering, etc. has a problem that it is difficult to compensate for the actual feeling only by reading the meter.

  The subject of this invention is providing the vehicle meter unit excellent in the production effect in grasping | ascertaining the actual driving | running | working behavior of a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

The present invention is a vehicle meter unit that is disposed opposite to a driver's seat of a vehicle such as an automobile, in order to solve the above-described problem,
An operation state parameter acquisition means for acquiring one or a plurality of operation state parameters, which are numerical parameters indicating the operation state of the travel control drive unit that controls the travel behavior of the vehicle;
A meter display device that displays and outputs at least one of the acquired operation state parameters as a first output target parameter so as to be directly readable in a meter form;
The first output target parameter is arranged so that it can be viewed simultaneously with the meter output display of the first output target parameter by the meter display device, and among the acquired operating state parameters, the same or different parameter as the first output target parameter is set as the second output target parameter. And a visual presentation unit that performs visual presentation for allowing the driver to grasp the operating state of the driving dominant drive unit in a manner that reflects the acquired value of the second output target parameter. And

  According to the configuration of the present invention, a part of the operation state parameter of the vehicle driving control unit (for example, engine, power steering, active suspension mechanism, etc.) is reflected on the meter display as the first output target parameter. Using the same or different operation state parameter as the second output target parameter, a visual effect for causing the driver to grasp the operation state of the travel dominant drive unit is obtained by the visual effect unit. It was made to reflect the content. Thereby, it becomes easier to grasp the driving behavior of the vehicle, which is difficult to grasp only by the meter display, by the operation of the visual rendering unit, and the rendering effect in the meter unit is also enhanced.

  The meter display device can be a display panel that displays a meter image. Various display forms can be freely designed using the display panel, and customization of the meter display form taking into account the fusion with the visual production unit is easy.

  The visual rendering unit is provided separately from the meter display device, and can be a simulated entity operation unit that performs an entity machine operation that simulates the operation of the travel dominant drive unit. In this case, it is possible to provide a synthetic visual mechanism that synthesizes and visually recognizes one of the simulated entity operation unit and the meter image by the meter display device as a direct-view image and the other as a projected image. The visual effect is not an image production, but a real operation by a simulated entity movement unit, and the production effect is further enhanced.

  Specifically, the composite visual recognition mechanism can be configured to have a half mirror on which the meter image of the meter display device is projected from the front lower side in the visual recognition direction by the driver. The simulated entity movement unit is disposed behind the half mirror and allows direct viewing from the driver in a perspective form through the half mirror. On the other hand, the meter image projected onto the half mirror is the half mirror. It can be configured to be visually recognized as a virtual image behind the mirror. According to this configuration, the design surface of the meter unit is configured with a half mirror, and the half mirror serves as a transparent protective wall, so that a simulated actual operation unit, which is a real mechanical structure, is present immediately behind the meter. It is visually recognized in the form, and the production effect is further enhanced along with the design. Then, since the meter image emerges as a virtual image around the simulated entity operation unit, it becomes easier to grasp the actual feeling of the running behavior in combination with reading of the meter instruction value. In particular, when the meter image is projected on the half mirror so that the virtual image of the meter image is projected in a positional relationship overlapping with the simulated actual action unit that is directly viewed from the driver, the effect is achieved more remarkably.

  Next, the visual presentation unit may be a display panel that performs visual presentation by image display. In this configuration, the visual effect is displayed by image display. However, the unit can be reduced in weight and cost by using an inexpensive display panel as in the meter display device. In particular, the meter display device is a display panel that displays a meter image, and is also used as a visual rendering unit in the form of simultaneously displaying an image for visual rendering (that is, the meter image on the screen of the same display panel). And an image for visual presentation are displayed at the same time).

  Specifically, the travel dominant drive unit can be an engine of a vehicle. The meter display device may output a parameter reflecting the engine speed (including vehicle speed) as a first output target parameter. The visual rendering unit rotates at a speed corresponding to the number of rotations, and the visual rendering is performed by the operation of a rotating motion body (which may be an image or a simulated entity motion unit) that recalls the rotation of the engine. Can be done. As a result, the visual rotation speed of the rotary operation body changes in accordance with the operation speed of the engine that is the travel dominant drive unit, and it becomes easy to grasp the actual feeling related to the operation state of the engine.

  When the meter display device is a display panel that displays a meter image, the visual effect section can be configured to have a simulated entity rotating action body that constitutes a simulated entity action section. Then, in order to synthesize and visually recognize the simulated entity rotating motion body as a direct-view image and a meter image by the meter display device as a projection image, the meter image of the meter display device is projected from the front lower side in the viewing direction by the driver. A composite visual recognition mechanism having a half mirror can be provided. The simulated entity rotating operation body can be arranged behind the half mirror, and can be directly viewed from the driver in a perspective form through the half mirror. On the other hand, the meter image projected on the half mirror is It can comprise so that it may be visually recognized as a virtual image behind a half mirror. With this configuration, it is possible to grasp the actual situation related to the rotational state of the engine extremely realistically.

  The simulated entity rotating action body has a windmill-like rotation action part, and is arranged in a positional relationship in which the windmill-like rotation action part is viewed from the rotation axis direction with respect to the half mirror in the direct viewing direction from the driver. It becomes easier to grasp the rotating state of the windmill-like rotational operation portion, which is the rotated portion, and the rotational speed (and hence the rotational speed of the engine). In this case, if the meter image is displayed in a circle, and the windmill-like rotation operation portion is arranged in a positional relationship where the rotation axis coincides with the center of the meter image, the windmill-like rotation operation portion of the simulated entity rotation operation body When reading meter readings reflecting the engine speed, the meter images overlap concentrically, and the windmill-like rotational movement part will naturally catch the eye, and the actual situation related to the engine speed will be more effectively understood. Can do. In particular, if the meter image is a tachometer image, the effect is more direct, but the meter image may be a speed meter, for example.

  In particular, the meter image can be a pointer-type meter image that is displayed in a relationship in which the pointer rotation center coincides with the rotation axis of the windmill-like rotational movement portion. Behind the pointer that moves according to the engine speed, the windmill-like rotational movement part rotates in the same shape as the center of rotation of the pointer and the design is improved. For example, the rotational speed of the windmill-like rotational movement portion behind the vehicle increases in conjunction with this, and it becomes easy to grasp the actual state of the change behavior of the engine speed.

  The simulated entity rotating operation body can be a simulated turbine having a turbine blade forming a windmill-like rotating operation portion and a cylindrical turbine case surrounding the outside of the turbine blade around the rotation axis. By making the simulated entity rotating action body into a turbine shape, it is possible to associate a jet engine with a speed sense at the time of visual recognition of the meter, and the design is further improved. In this case, at the front end portion of the turbine case in the direct viewing direction from the driver, the warning meter instruction value corresponding to the predetermined warning meter instruction value section of the arc-shaped scale plate of the pointer type meter image By providing an emphasis indicator for emphasizing the section so that it can be seen through the half mirror, it is possible to promptly notify the approach to the warning meter indication value (especially the high-speed rotation side), and the indicator part By separating from the meter image and becoming a substantial structure part, a more excellent design effect can be brought about.

  Next, the travel dominant drive unit may be provided corresponding to each wheel of the vehicle, and may be an active suspension mechanism for adjusting the damping force generated for each wheel. In this case, the visual rendering unit displays the suspension adjustment level parameter for each wheel, with the suspension adjustment level parameter (for adjusting the damping force) commanded to the active suspension mechanism as the second output target parameter. A suspension adjustment level display unit that visually displays in a form reflected in at least one of area, display color, and display luminance can be provided. The basic configuration of the active suspension mechanism is known as disclosed in Patent Document 3, and the change in posture that occurs in the vehicle in accordance with the acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, steering, or the road surface undulation state is determined dynamically for each wheel. It can be reduced by performing attenuation control. The damping force adjustment amount commanded to the active suspension mechanism for each wheel in order to perform this dynamic damping control is based on various sensor information (for example, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, steering, etc.) collected to grasp the running state of the vehicle. Therefore, it can be used as an effective parameter that comprehensively reflects the driving behavior of the vehicle. Then, by visually displaying the suspension adjustment level parameter that reflects the damping force adjustment amount for each wheel, it is possible to produce a meter display that reflects the running behavior of the vehicle.

  The suspension adjustment level display unit can be configured to display a level display figure that increases or decreases the display area according to the damping force adjustment amount reflected in the suspension adjustment level parameter. By displaying the level display figure for each wheel in a lump, not only how the suspension adjustment level of which wheel changes, but also the aggregation of them, the driving behavior of the entire vehicle, in particular the addition. The state of deceleration and steering can be accurately visualized, and the production effect is enhanced.

  When the driving control unit (related to meter display) is an engine of a vehicle, the meter display device displays the engine speed or the vehicle speed reflecting the engine speed as a first output target parameter so as to be directly readable by the meter. Can be. The meter in this case may be a pointer-type substantive meter or may be a meter image displayed on the display panel. In this case, if the suspension adjustment level display unit is arranged adjacent to the meter that displays the number of revolutions or the vehicle speed, the driving support effect that the driving speed can be noticed while visually grasping the running behavior of the entire vehicle. In addition, the display content of the suspension adjustment level display portion changes during acceleration / deceleration and steering, and the driving effect is enhanced. In this case, if the meter display device is a display panel that displays a meter image, it can also be used as a suspension adjustment level display unit in the form of displaying an image of a suspension adjustment level parameter adjacent to the meter image. It is possible to further simplify the hardware configuration involved in the process.

  In this case, a pair of suspension adjustment level display portions corresponding respectively to the right front wheel and the right rear wheel of the vehicle are arranged on the right side of the meter image so as to be vertically adjacent to each other, and similarly correspond to the left front wheel and the left rear wheel, respectively. If a pair of suspension adjustment level display parts are arranged on the left side of the meter image so as to be adjacent to each other vertically, the left and right suspension adjustment level display parts are biased to either the lower side or the upper side during acceleration or deceleration. In the case of left and right steering, the lower and upper suspension adjustment level display portions are shifted to either the left or right. This makes it possible to directly visualize the direction of acceleration experienced during acceleration / deceleration and steering (or the direction in which the vehicle bends), enhancing the driving effect, as well as sudden acceleration or braking and curves. It is possible to call attention to the lack of deceleration.

  If the suspension adjustment level display unit is configured to display a level display figure whose display length expands and contracts in the direction adjacent to the meter image according to the damping force adjustment amount reflected in the suspension adjustment level parameter, it is generated by steering. The expansion / contraction direction of the level display figure matches the direction of the lateral acceleration, and the effect of enhancing the real feeling is further increased. In particular, it is more effective if the level display graphic corresponding to each wheel is extended in a direction away from the meter image with the side closer to the meter image as the base end side as the damping force adjustment amount increases. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a vehicle meter unit of the present invention. The vehicle meter unit 1 is disposed opposite to a driver's seat of an automobile (vehicle), and has a parameter (including vehicle speed) that reflects the driving control unit of the automobile, specifically, the engine speed. The value is output to the meter display device as one output target parameter. The meter display device 210 includes a liquid crystal panel 108 (display panel: a color liquid crystal panel) and a backlight (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal panel 108 integrally displays a meter image including a tachometer 501 and various peripheral meters 503, 504, and 506 to 509.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the meter display device 210 is mounted on a plate-like base 267 with the display screen facing up. The meter image 269 displayed on the meter display device 210 is projected from the front lower side in the meter viewing direction by the driver onto the half mirror 268 (synthetic viewing mechanism) attached in an inclined manner on the base 267. Behind the half mirror 268, the simulated turbine 270 rotates at a speed corresponding to the engine speed, and the simulated turbine 270 serves as a simulated entity rotating operation body (simulated entity operating unit) that recalls the rotation of the engine. Is arranged as. The simulated entity rotating operation body 270 can be directly viewed from the driver in a perspective form through the half mirror 268, and the meter image 269 projected onto the half mirror 268 is a virtual image behind the half mirror 268. 269I (see also FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the simulated turbine 270 includes a turbine blade 272 that forms a windmill-like rotational operation portion, and a cylindrical turbine case 271 that surrounds the outside of the turbine blade 272 around the rotation axis. As shown in FIG. 1, the turbine blade 272 is attached to the base body 267 in a positional relationship in which the windmill-like rotational movement portion 272 is viewed from the rotational axis direction with respect to the half mirror 268 in the direct viewing direction from the driver. It has been. A light shielding plate 266 that conceals the periphery of the simulated turbine 270 is provided on the base 267 at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the simulated turbine 270. The simulated turbine 270 is formed so as to penetrate the light shielding plate 266. The cutout portion 267C is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the screen of the meter display device (shown in a projected state on the half mirror 268 in FIG. 3), the gear position meter 503, speed meter 504, tachometer (engine speed) (Meter: reference numeral 502 is a pointer) 501, a hydraulic meter 506, a remaining fuel meter 507, a battery meter 508, and a water temperature meter 509 are displayed. Among them, the image of the tachometer 501 has a scale plate having an arc shape (circular shape) in which a scale of the engine speed is engraved, and the turbine blade (windmill shape) of the simulated turbine 270 seen behind the half mirror 268. The rotational movement portion 272 is mounted on the base 267 (FIG. 1) in a positional relationship in which the rotational axis coincides with the center of the meter image 501, specifically, the rotational center of the pointer 502.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a predetermined warning of a scale plate having an arc shape of a tachometer (pointer-type meter image) 501 is provided at a front end portion of the turbine case 271 in a direct viewing direction from the driver. Corresponding to the meter instruction value section (here, 8 to 10 (× 1000 rpm)), an emphasis indicator 273 made of LED for emphasizing the warning meter instruction value section is attached, and through the half mirror 268 It is possible to see through. The turbine case 271 having a metallic gloss finish has a front end surface that can be seen through the half mirror 268 along the scale plate, making it look as if it forms a circular meter outer frame. Design effects have also been achieved.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the vehicle meter unit 1.
The main part of the configuration is a meter ECU 200 that performs main control of meter display. The main part of the meter ECU 200 includes a microcomputer in which a CPU 281, a ROM 282, a RAM 283, a drawing LSI, and an input / output unit 280 are connected via an internal bus. The ROM 282 stores meter drawing software. A turbine drive motor 270M (servo motor or stepping motor) for rotating the turbine blade 272 of the simulation turbine 270 described above at a speed corresponding to the engine speed is connected to the input / output unit 280 via a motor driver 270D. Yes. The backlight module 309 used for the liquid crystal panel 108 of the meter display device is also connected to the input / output unit 280 together with the emphasis indicator 273 (having a lighting driver circuit not shown).

  The meter ECU 200 is network-connected to another ECU such as the body system ECU 300 via the communication interface 126 via the serial communication bus 127 and also functions as an operation state parameter acquisition unit. That is, the body system ECU 300 is connected to a sensor group for acquiring basic operation state information to be displayed on the meter. Specifically, a vehicle speed sensor 301, an engine speed sensor 302, a coolant temperature sensor 303, a fuel remaining amount sensor 304, a hydraulic pressure sensor 305, a gear position detection unit 306, a battery voltage monitor 307, and the like.

  The meter ECU 200 acquires the detection information from the sensor groups 301 to 304 via the communication bus 127, and displays the indicated value on the master image of each corresponding meter (for example, stored in the ROM 282). Reflecting and creating drawing data of each meter (hereinafter referred to as meter drawing data). Specifically, in FIG. 3, the detection value of the gear position detection unit 306 is the gear position meter 503, the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 301 is the speed meter 504, the detection value of the engine speed sensor 302 is the tachometer 501, and the hydraulic pressure The detection value 4 of the sensor 305 is the hydraulic pressure meter 506, the detection value of the remaining fuel sensor 304 is the remaining fuel meter 507, the detected value of the battery voltage monitor 307 is the battery meter 508, and the detected value of the water temperature sensor 303 is the water temperature. Each is reflected in the meter 53. The drawing LSI 106 receives the above drawing data, combines the images on the graphic memory 107, and outputs them to the liquid crystal panel 108.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the meter operation process in a simplified manner focusing on the parts related to the main part of the present embodiment. If the engine is started in S51, the detected value of the engine speed acquired from the body system ECU 300 in S52 is acquired. In S53, meter operation processing is performed according to the acquired engine speed. This processing routine is repeatedly executed until the engine is stopped in S54. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the pointer 502 of the tachometer 501 is drawn so as to move to the scale position corresponding to the acquired engine speed. As the above processing routine is repeated, the drawing position of the pointer 502 changes following the change in the acquired engine speed.

  On the other hand, the acquired information on the engine speed is converted into a rotational speed command value of the turbine drive motor 270M by the meter ECU. The rotational speed command value is set larger as the engine speed increases. The motor driver 270 receives this rotational speed command value and rotates the turbine drive motor 270M at a corresponding rotational speed. As the processing routine is repeated, the rotational speed command value is also updated in accordance with the fluctuation of the engine speed, so that the rotational speed of the turbine drive motor 270M changes in accordance with the obtained fluctuation of the engine speed.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the actual turbine blade 272 that is not an image is rotating vigorously behind the pointer 502 that moves in accordance with the engine speed, and the image of the tachometer 501 is superimposed. The design is improved because it is seen through. In addition, if the engine speed increases and the pointer 502 moves, the rotational speed of the turbine blade 272 behind increases, and the change behavior of the engine speed can be easily grasped. In this embodiment, the emphasis indicator 273 is always lit during engine operation.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the vehicle meter unit of the present invention. The vehicle meter unit 50 is used by directly viewing the liquid crystal panel 108 as a meter. Although the layout of the design portion and each meter image is different, the gear position meter 503, the speed meter 504, the pointer-type tachometer 501, the hydraulic meter 506, and the remaining fuel meter 507 are the same as in the first embodiment (FIG. 3). A battery meter 508 and a water temperature meter 509 are displayed. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration. The configuration of the meter ECU 200 is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 4 including the connection relationship with the body system ECU 300, and therefore, the same reference numerals are given to common portions and detailed description thereof is omitted. The operation of each meter image is the same as that in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Since the vehicle meter unit 50 is not provided with the simulated turbine (simulated actual rotating operation body) 270, elements related thereto (the emphasis indicator 273 and the turbine drive motor 270M (+ driver 270D) in FIG. 1). Is omitted.

  On the other hand, an active suspension control ECU 400 is connected to the serial communication bus 127. The active suspension control ECU 400 is connected to active suspension mechanisms 403 to 406 for adjusting the damping force generated on each wheel (specifically, the right front wheel, the left front wheel, the right rear wheel, and the left rear wheel). . The active suspension mechanisms 403 to 406 perform dynamic damping control for each wheel in order to reduce the change in posture that occurs in the vehicle in accordance with the acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, the steering, or the road surface undulation state. Then, the active suspension control ECU 400 uses the damping force adjustment amount for each wheel in order to perform this dynamic damping control, various sensor information collected for grasping the running state of the vehicle, specifically the vehicle speed sensor 301. The yaw rate sensor 401 that detects the lateral acceleration is determined with reference to the detection values of the steering angle sensor 402 and is output to each of the active suspension mechanisms 403 to 406. The basic configuration and operation thereof are known as disclosed in Patent Document 3, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the vehicle meter unit 50 according to the second embodiment, the suspension adjustment level parameter (for adjusting the damping force) commanded to the active suspension mechanisms 403 to 406 is transmitted to the meter ECU 200 as the second output target parameter. . As shown in FIG. 6, the value of the suspension adjustment level parameter for each wheel is reflected in the corresponding suspension adjustment level display section 505 on the liquid crystal panel 108 in at least one of its display area, display color, and display luminance. Is output in the form The suspension adjustment level display unit 505 constitutes a visual effect unit.

  The suspension adjustment level display unit 505 displays a level display graphic 510 for increasing or decreasing the display area according to the damping force adjustment amount reflected in the suspension adjustment level parameter. The level display graphic 510 for each wheel is displayed in a lump, so that not only the suspension adjustment level of which wheel changes, but also the collective behavior of the entire vehicle, In particular, the acceleration / deceleration and steering state can be accurately visualized, and the production effect is enhanced.

  Also here, the main meter image is a tachometer 501 indicating the engine rotation speed, and the vehicle engine is used as a driving dominant drive unit, and the rotation speed is displayed as a first output target parameter so as to be directly readable. The suspension adjustment level display unit 505 is disposed adjacent to the tachometer 501. Specifically, a pair of suspension adjustment level display sections 505FR and RR corresponding to the right front wheel and the right rear wheel of the vehicle are arranged and displayed on the right side of the tachometer 501 so as to be vertically adjacent to each other. A pair of suspension adjustment level display portions 505FL and RL respectively corresponding to the right rear wheel and the right rear wheel are arranged on the left side of the tachometer 501 so as to be adjacent vertically.

  The level display graphic 510 of each suspension adjustment level display section 505FR, RR, FL, RL is expanded and contracted in the direction adjacent to the tachometer 501 in accordance with the damping force adjustment amount reflected in the suspension adjustment level parameter. Is displayed. Specifically, the level display graphic 510 corresponding to each wheel expands in a direction away from the tachometer 501 with the side closer to the tachometer 501 as the base end side as the damping force adjustment amount increases.

  In order for the level display graphic 510 to be visually recognized in an expanded / contracted form, the display of an image area that corresponds to the value of the suspension adjustment level parameter and is to be visually recognized as an effective level display portion (the shaded portion in FIG. 6). It is necessary to set the state (here, pixel setting state; specifically, color or brightness) to a display state different from the following part, and the length of the effective level display part is the suspension adjustment level. It expands and contracts according to the parameter value. In this embodiment, the level display graphic 510 is formed by a series of a plurality of segmented display areas, the effective level display part is the first color (for example, purple), and the ineffective level display part is the second color. (For example, black or gray having a lightness lower than that of the effective level display portion: including a light-off state as a concept).

  FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the process flow of the meter operation in a simplified manner focusing on the part related to the main part of this embodiment. If the vehicle starts running in S1, the value of the suspension adjustment level parameter is acquired in S2. In S3, the level display graphic display operation process corresponding to the acquired suspension adjustment level parameter is performed. This processing routine is repeatedly executed until the engine is stopped in S54.

  FIG. 6 shows a display example when the vehicle is stopped on a flat ground. All the active suspension mechanisms 403 to 406 are in a neutral state, and the suspension adjustment level parameter also shows a neutral value. Accordingly, the four suspension adjustment level display portions 505 (FL, RL, FR, RR) are all in a state where the effective level display portion extends to the neutral position.

  FIG. 8 shows a display form at the time of acceleration of the vehicle. As the acceleration in the forward direction occurs, the front part of the vehicle body rises and the rear part tends to sink, so the suspension adjustment level parameter is the right rear wheel and High at the left rear wheel, low at the right front wheel and left front wheel. Therefore, as shown by the arrows, the effective level display portions of the suspension adjustment level display portions 505RL and RR for the right rear wheel and the left rear wheel are extended, and the running behavior during acceleration is visually expressed. On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows a display form at the time of deceleration of the vehicle. As the acceleration in the deceleration direction occurs, the rear part of the vehicle body is lifted and the front part tends to sink, so the suspension adjustment level parameter is the right front wheel. And higher at the left front wheel and lower at the right rear wheel and left rear wheel. Therefore, as shown by the arrows, the effective level display portions of the suspension adjustment level display portions 505FL and FR of the right front wheel and the left front wheel are expanded, and the traveling behavior during deceleration is visually expressed. The degree of acceleration or deceleration is reflected in the length of the effect level display part.

  FIG. 10 shows a display form when the vehicle turns to the left. As a result of the suspension behavior of lifting the vehicle body sinking to the left, the suspension adjustment level parameter is high for the left front wheel and the left rear wheel, and the right front wheel and the right rear wheel. At low. Therefore, as shown by arrows, the effective level display portions of the suspension adjustment level display portions 505FL and RL for the left front wheel and the left rear wheel are expanded, and the left turn traveling behavior is visually expressed. On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows a display form when the vehicle turns right. As a result of the suspension behavior of lifting the vehicle body sinking to the right, the suspension adjustment level parameter is high for the right front wheel and the right rear wheel, and the left front wheel and the left Lower at the rear wheel. Therefore, as shown by the arrows, the effective level display portions of the suspension adjustment level display portions 505FR and RR for the right front wheel and the right rear wheel are expanded, and the right turn traveling behavior is visually expressed.

  That is, when decelerating, the left and right suspension adjustment level display sections are in a specific display state biased to either the lower side or the upper side. During left and right steering, the lower and upper suspension adjustment level display sections are either the left or right side. A biased and unique display state is obtained. As a result, the direction of acceleration (or the direction in which the vehicle bends) experienced during acceleration / deceleration and steering is directly visualized, and the driving effect is enhanced. You can call attention to shortages. In addition, since the expansion / contraction direction of the level display graphic 510 matches the direction of the lateral acceleration generated by the steering, the effect of enhancing the actual feeling of the driving behavior is further increased.

The perspective view which shows the principal part of the meter unit for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the simulation turbine used for the meter unit for vehicles of FIG. The front view which shows the display form of each meter image in the meter unit for vehicles of FIG. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the meter unit for vehicles of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process principal part of the meter unit for vehicles of FIG. The front view which shows the display form of each meter image in the vehicle meter unit which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of the meter unit for vehicles of FIG. The front view which shows the 1st operation example of the suspension adjustment level display part in the meter unit for vehicles of FIG. The front view which similarly shows the 2nd operation example. The front view which similarly shows the 3rd operation example. The front view which similarly shows the 4th operation example. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process principal part of the meter unit for vehicles of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle meter unit 108 Liquid crystal panel (display panel)
210 Meter display device 268 Half mirror 269 Meter image 269I Virtual image 270 Simulated turbine (visual rendering unit, simulated entity operating unit, simulated entity rotating unit)
271 Turbine case 272 Turbine blade (wind turbine-like rotational movement part)
273 Indicator for emphasis 403-406 Active suspension mechanism 501 Tachometer (meter image)
502 Pointer 505 Suspension adjustment level display section (visual presentation section)
510 level display figure

Claims (22)

A vehicle meter unit disposed opposite to a driver's seat of a vehicle,
An operation state parameter acquisition means for acquiring one or a plurality of operation state parameters, which are numerical parameters indicating an operation state of a travel control drive unit that controls the travel behavior of the vehicle;
A meter display device that displays and outputs at least one of the acquired operation state parameters as a first output target parameter so as to be directly readable in a meter form;
The first display target parameter is arranged so that it can be viewed simultaneously with the meter output display of the first output target parameter by the meter display device, and among the acquired operating state parameters, the same or different parameter as the first output target parameter As a second output target parameter, a visual effect for performing a visual effect for causing the driver to grasp the operating state of the travel dominant drive unit with a content reflecting the acquired value of the second output target parameter; and
A vehicle meter unit characterized by comprising:   The vehicle meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the meter display device is a display panel for displaying a meter image. The visual presentation unit is provided separately from the meter display device, and is a simulated entity operation unit that performs an entity machine operation that simulates the operation of the traveling control drive unit,
3. The vehicle meter according to claim 2, further comprising: a combined visual recognition mechanism that synthesizes and visually recognizes one of the simulated entity operation unit and the meter image by the meter display device as a direct-view image and the other as a projected image. unit. The composite visual recognition mechanism has a half mirror on which the meter image of the meter display device is projected from the front lower side in the visual recognition direction by the driver,
The simulated entity movement unit is disposed behind the half mirror, and can be directly viewed from the driver in a see-through manner through the half mirror. On the other hand, the meter image projected onto the half mirror The vehicle meter unit according to claim 3, wherein is visually recognized as a virtual image behind the half mirror.   5. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 4, wherein the meter image is projected onto the half mirror in a positional relationship in which the virtual image of the meter image overlaps with the simulated actual operation unit viewed directly from the driver.   The vehicle meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the visual effect part is a display panel that performs the visual effect by image display.   The vehicle meter unit according to claim 6, wherein the meter display device is a display panel for displaying a meter image, and is also used as the visual effect unit so as to simultaneously display the image for the visual effect. The travel dominant drive unit is an engine of the vehicle;
The meter display device outputs a parameter reflecting the engine speed as the first output target parameter to the meter,
8. The visual presentation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the visual presentation unit performs the visual presentation by an operation of a rotating operation body that recalls the rotation of the engine and that rotates at a speed corresponding to the number of rotations. The vehicle meter unit according to Item. The meter display device is a display panel for displaying a meter image;
The visual rendering unit has a simulated entity rotating action body forming a simulated entity action unit,
In order to synthesize and visually recognize the simulated entity rotating action body as a direct-view image and the meter image by the meter display device as a projection image, the meter image of the meter display device is in front and lower side in the viewing direction by the driver. A composite visual recognition mechanism having a half mirror projected from
The simulated entity rotating operation body is arranged behind the half mirror, and can be directly viewed from the driver in a perspective form through the half mirror, and on the other hand, the meter projected onto the half mirror 9. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 8, wherein the image is visually recognized as a virtual image behind the half mirror.   The simulated entity rotating operation body has a windmill-like rotation operation portion, and is arranged in a positional relationship in which the windmill-like rotation operation portion is viewed from the rotation axis direction with respect to the half mirror in the direct viewing direction from the driver. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 9.   11. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 10, wherein the meter image is displayed in a circular shape, and the windmill-like rotational movement portion is arranged in a positional relationship in which the rotation axis coincides with the center of the meter image.   The vehicle meter unit according to claim 11, wherein the meter image is a tachometer image.   The vehicle meter unit according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the meter image is a pointer-type meter image displayed in a relationship in which a pointer rotation center coincides with the rotation axis of the windmill-like rotation operation portion.   12. The simulated actual rotating body is a simulated turbine having a turbine blade forming the windmill-like rotational motion part and a cylindrical turbine case that surrounds the outside of the turbine blade around the rotation axis. 14. The vehicle meter unit according to any one of items 13.   The front end portion of the turbine case in the direct viewing direction from the driver corresponds to a predetermined warning meter instruction value section of the dial plate that forms an arc shape of the pointer type meter image, and the warning meter instruction The vehicle meter unit according to claim 14, wherein an emphasis indicator for emphasizing the value section is provided so as to be seen through the half mirror. The travel control drive unit is an active suspension mechanism that is provided corresponding to each wheel of the vehicle and adjusts a damping force generated for each wheel,
The visual rendering unit uses the suspension adjustment level parameter commanded to the active suspension mechanism as the second output target parameter, and the suspension adjustment level parameter is at least one of display area, display color, and display brightness for each wheel. The vehicle meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a suspension adjustment level display unit that visually displays the reflected shape.   17. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 16, wherein the suspension adjustment level display unit displays a level display graphic for increasing or decreasing a display area in accordance with a damping force adjustment amount reflected in the suspension adjustment level parameter. The travel dominant drive unit is an engine of the vehicle;
The meter display device displays the rotational speed of the engine or the vehicle speed reflecting the rotational speed as the first output target parameter so as to be directly readable by the meter,
The vehicle meter unit according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the suspension adjustment level display unit is arranged adjacent to the meter that displays the rotation speed or the vehicle speed.   The meter display device is a display panel that displays the meter image, and is also used as the suspension adjustment level display unit so as to display an image of the suspension adjustment level parameter adjacent to the meter image. Item 19. A vehicle meter unit according to Item 18.   A pair of suspension adjustment level display portions corresponding respectively to the right front wheel and the right rear wheel of the vehicle are arranged on the right side of the meter image so as to be vertically adjacent to each other, and also correspond to the left front wheel and the left rear wheel, respectively. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 19, wherein the pair of suspension adjustment level display portions are arranged on the left side of the meter image so as to be adjacent vertically.   21. The suspension adjustment level display unit displays a level display figure whose display length expands and contracts in a direction adjacent to the meter image according to a damping force adjustment amount reflected in the suspension adjustment level parameter. The vehicle meter unit described.   23. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 21, wherein the level display graphic corresponding to each wheel expands in a direction away from the meter image with a side closer to the meter image as a base end side as the damping force adjustment amount increases. .

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