JP4096910B2 - Vehicle instrument - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular instrument that is installed in a driver's seat of a vehicle and displays various information related to the vehicle so that the driver can visually recognize the information. For example, the present invention is suitable for an automobile.

  In a vehicular instrument, it has been generally performed to indicate a physical quantity by a turning angle of a pointer, that is, to indicate an analog type. In addition, so-called digital meters that display physical quantities with numbers have been adopted in order to make the appearance of vehicle meters innovative.

  According to digital instruments, physical quantities can be read directly by numbers, but changes in physical quantities, for example, whether they are increasing or decreasing, or their degree, that is, the rate of change Is difficult to read intuitively.

In order to solve this problem, for example, the amount of change to be displayed is divided into a plurality of quantity bands, and control is performed so that the display number increases from a small quantity band to a large quantity band. Some have a display control circuit (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-48838

  In the above-described conventional vehicle meter, that is, the vehicle meter described in Patent Document 1, when the physical quantity changes over a plurality of quantity bands, the size of the displayed number changes, so that the change in the physical quantity is to some extent. Can be recognized.

  However, when a change in physical quantity occurs within one quantity band, the size of the displayed number does not change, and therefore it is difficult to recognize the change state of the physical quantity.

  In addition, in conventional vehicular instruments, it is possible to determine the state and degree of change of a physical quantity, that is, whether the physical quantity is increasing or decreasing, and whether the physical quantity change is abrupt or slow. It is very difficult.

  Further, in the conventional vehicle instrument, the size of the displayed number only changes in several stages, and there is a problem that the appearance of the vehicle instrument is flat and lacks interest.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular instrument with a novel appearance that can easily visually recognize a change state of a physical quantity by devising a physical quantity indication method. And

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means.

  The vehicle meter according to claim 1 of the present invention is a vehicle meter that includes a display that displays characters and figures, and that indicates a detected physical quantity with a number formed on the display. In the background, a background figure is superimposed on the number, and one or more second background figures of the same or similar shape as the background figure are displayed partially overlapping the background figure behind the background figure. The part where the second background graphic is displayed is switched in accordance with the change state of the physical quantity.

  In a conventional vehicle instrument, the size of the number indicating the physical quantity only changes in several stages, and it is difficult for the viewer to accurately recognize the change state of the physical quantity, and on the display Since only the numbers are displayed, there is a problem that the appearance of the vehicle instrument is flat and lacks interest.

  On the other hand, according to the vehicle meter according to the first embodiment of the present invention, by looking at the position where the second background graphic is displayed in the background graphic, in other words, by looking at the positional relationship between the background graphic and the second background graphic. The viewer can easily know the change state of the physical quantity indicated by the vehicle meter. That is, the viewer can easily know whether the physical quantity is increasing or decreasing based on the display position of the second background graphic.

  In addition, according to the vehicle instrument according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the background figure behind the number and the second background figure number are visually recognized as shadows of the number on the display, so that the physical quantity is supported. The appearance of the numbers can be rich in three-dimensionality. Thereby, the appearance of the vehicle instrument can be made novel.

  As described above, it is possible to realize a vehicular instrument that can easily recognize a change state of a physical quantity and has a novel appearance.

  In the vehicular instrument according to claim 2 of the present invention, the part is either the right side, the lower side, or the lower right side when the physical quantity is increasing, and the left side, the upper side, or the upper left side while the physical quantity is decreasing. It is set as the structure which is either.

  By the way, when various events are displayed on various display devices, generally, the display design is arranged with its front facing left, and arranged so that the movement of the display design is viewed from right to left. In many cases, a positive movement, for example, an increase in physical quantity is exhibited by arranging the display design so that the movement of the display design is viewed from the bottom to the top. In addition, the opposite display method, that is, the display design is arranged with its front face facing right, arranged so that the movement of the display design is viewed from the left to the right, or the movement of the display design is from the top. In many cases, a negative movement, for example, a decrease in physical quantity, is exhibited by arranging it so as to be viewed downward.

  Therefore, according to the vehicle meter according to claim 2 of the present invention, the viewer can be made to recognize the change state of the physical quantity accurately and without misunderstanding.

  The vehicle meter according to claim 3 of the present invention is configured to change the display pitch of the second background graphic displayed in an overlapping manner depending on the magnitude of the change degree of the physical quantity.

  According to this configuration, during the change of the physical quantity, the viewer can easily and accurately recognize the degree of change of the physical quantity, that is, the rate of change of the physical quantity, from the size of the display pitch. In other words, it is possible to provide a vehicular instrument that can accurately read not only the change direction of the physical quantity, that is, the increase or decrease, but also the change rate of the physical quantity.

  In this case, as in the vehicle instrument according to claim 4 of the present invention, if the display pitch is increased as the degree of change of the physical quantity is larger, the viewer can increase the display pitch → high change speed → It can be quite naturally associated with a large change rate or a small display pitch → a small change speed → a small change rate.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a vehicular instrument that can easily visually recognize the change degree of the physical quantity, that is, the change rate, and has a novel appearance.

  The vehicular instrument according to claim 5 of the present invention has a configuration in which the number of second background graphics displayed in an overlapping manner is changed depending on the degree of change in physical quantity.

  According to this configuration, during the change of the physical quantity, the viewer can easily and accurately recognize the degree of change of the physical quantity, that is, the rate of change of the physical quantity, from the number of second background graphics to be displayed. In other words, it is possible to provide a vehicular instrument that can accurately read not only the change direction of the physical quantity, that is, the increase or decrease, but also the change rate of the physical quantity.

  In this case, as in the vehicle instrument according to claim 6 of the present invention, if the configuration is such that the larger the degree of change in the physical quantity, the larger the number, the viewer can increase the number of displayed items → large change rate → change rate. It can be very naturally associated with large or small display number → small change speed → small change rate.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a vehicular instrument that can easily visually recognize the change degree of the physical quantity, that is, the change rate, and has a novel appearance.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the vehicle instrument is configured such that the number, the background graphic displayed in a superimposed manner, and the second background graphic are inclined toward the overlapping direction depending on the magnitude of the degree of change in the physical quantity.

  According to this configuration, during the change of the physical quantity, the viewer can determine the degree of change of the physical quantity, that is, the rate of change of the physical quantity, from the displayed number and the inclined state of the background graphic and the second background graphic displayed in an overlapping manner. It can be easily and accurately recognized. In other words, it is possible to provide a vehicular instrument that can accurately read not only the change direction of the physical quantity, that is, the increase or decrease, but also the change rate of the physical quantity.

  In this case, as in the vehicular instrument according to claim 8 of the present invention, the greater the degree of change in the physical quantity, the greater the degree of inclination, the greater the degree of inclination → the greater the change speed → the greater the change rate. Or, it can be quite naturally associated with a small degree of inclination → low change speed → low change rate.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a vehicular instrument that can easily visually recognize the change degree of the physical quantity, that is, the change rate, and has a novel appearance.

  The vehicle instrument according to claim 9 of the present invention is configured to gradually change the light emission luminance of the background graphic and the second background graphic.

  According to this, in the arrangement of the past values from the current value, by changing their brightness in a gradation, the appearance of the vehicle instrument can be enhanced with a more stereoscopic effect.

  The vehicular instrument according to claim 10 of the present invention is configured to gradually change the emission colors of the background graphic and the second background graphic.

  According to this, in the arrangement of each past value from the current value, those colors are changed in a gradation, for example, yellow → yellow green → green. The feeling can be emphasized.

  A vehicle instrument according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a vehicle instrument that includes a display that displays characters and figures, and that indicates a detected physical quantity with a number formed on the display. A background graphic is displayed in the background so as to overlap numbers, and the shape of the background graphic is continuously changed corresponding to the change state of the physical quantity.

  In a conventional vehicle instrument, the size of the number indicating the physical quantity only changes in several stages, and it is difficult for the viewer to accurately recognize the change state of the physical quantity, and on the display Since only the numbers are displayed, there is a problem that the appearance of the vehicle instrument is flat and lacks interest.

  On the other hand, according to the vehicle instrument according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the background graphic is continuously changed corresponding to the change state of the physical quantity, in other words, the shape of the background graphic and the change of the physical quantity. A one-to-one relationship is established with the state. Therefore, by looking at the shape of the background graphic, the viewer can easily know the change state of the physical quantity indicated by the vehicle meter. That is, the viewer can easily know whether the physical quantity is increasing or decreasing based on the shape of the background graphic.

  As described above, it is possible to realize a vehicular instrument that can easily recognize a change state of a physical quantity and has a novel appearance.

  In the vehicle instrument according to claim 12 of the present invention, the background graphic is deformed so as to be viewed as if it is tilted away from the viewer while the physical quantity is increasing, and the background graphic is displayed to the viewer while the physical quantity is decreasing. It is configured to be deformed so as to be visually recognized as if it falls down in the approaching direction.

  In this case, when the background graphic falls in a direction away from the viewer, in other words, when the background graphic falls behind the number so as to move away from the number, the number is visually recognized so as to jump out to the viewer side. On the other hand, when the background graphic falls in the direction approaching the viewer, in other words, when the background graphic falls closer to the viewer side than the number in the viewing direction, the number will be viewed as if it is away from the viewer. Become.

  That is, by changing the shape of the background graphic as described above, the viewer can clearly recognize the change state of the physical quantity.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicular instrument that allows a viewer to recognize a change state of a physical quantity accurately and without misunderstanding.

  In this case, as in the vehicle instrument according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, while the physical quantity is increasing, the background figure is reduced in the height direction dimension and the width direction dimension is reduced with the lower end portion fixed as viewed from the viewer. While the physical quantity is decreasing, the background figure is deformed so that it is further away from the lower end, the lower end is fixed as viewed from the viewer, the height direction is reduced, and the width direction is enlarged as it moves away from the lower end. If the physical quantity is increased, the numbers will pop out toward the viewer when the physical quantity is increasing, and the figures will move away from the viewer while the physical quantity is decreasing. Can be visually recognized.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle instrument according to the present invention, the physical quantity is at least one of a vehicle traveling speed, an engine rotational speed, an engine coolant temperature, a residual fuel amount, and an engine lubricating oil pressure. Yes.

  The physical quantities indicated by these instruments are all important with respect to the operating state of the vehicle, but it is possible to realize a vehicular instrument that can easily recognize the change state and degree of change of these physical quantities and has a novel appearance. .

  Hereinafter, an example in which a vehicle instrument according to the present invention is applied to a speedometer 1 mounted on an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a combination meter 100 equipped with a speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the upper side is the upper side of the automobile, and the left-right direction is the width direction of the automobile.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the combination meter 100 equipped with the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. In FIG. 2, the left side is a driver's seat, and the speedometer 1 is visually recognized from the left side in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an electric circuit configuration of the combination meter 100 equipped with the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIGS. 4-7 is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is a figure for demonstrating the display state of the speed in the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  The combination meter 1 is disposed at a position visible from the driver in front of the driver's seat of the automobile and displays various information related to the automobile. The speedometer 1 is disposed in the combination meter 100 and indicates the traveling speed of the automobile. As shown in FIG. 1, the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a so-called digital speedometer that displays the traveling speed of the automobile by numbers. In FIG. 1, the upper side is the upper side of the automobile, and the left-right direction is the width direction of the automobile.

  First, the configuration of the speedometer 1 including the configuration of the related combination meter 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the combination meter 100 includes a dial 6 for displaying various information, a printed circuit board 7 that forms an electric circuit portion of the combination meter 100, and a casing that accommodates and fixes the dial 6, the printed circuit board 7, and the like. 8 is provided. Further, a transparent cover 9 is fixed to the end of the casing 8 on the driver's seat side (left end in FIG. 2). The transparent cover 9 is made of a colorless and transparent resin plate, glass, or the like, and maintains the cleanliness in the combination meter 100.

  The dial 6 is formed of a translucent material, for example, a colorless and transparent polycarbonate resin plate, and various display designs (not shown) for displaying various information are printed or hot on the front or back surface of the dial 6. It is formed by applying a stamp or the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the dial 6 is provided with an opening hole 6 a for allowing a later-described liquid crystal panel 2 forming the speedometer 1 to be visible. That is, the shape of the opening 6a is set so that the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2 can be fitted. In the combination meter 100 equipped with the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the periphery of the opening 6a of the dial 6 highlights the presence of the speedometer 1 so that the speedometer 1 has good visibility. In order to obtain, it is opaquely colored (for example, matte black).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the speedometer 1 includes a liquid crystal panel 2 that is a display for displaying characters and figures, and a backlight 3 that is a light source for transmitting and illuminating the liquid crystal panel 2 to cause the speedometer 1 to emit light. And a controller 4 that drives the liquid crystal panel 2 so as to display the traveling speed of the vehicle based on the calculated traveling speed of the vehicle based on the detected vehicle speed signal.

  The liquid crystal panel 2 that is a display for displaying characters and figures uses a matrix type color liquid crystal display in the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal panel 2 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 7 of the combination meter 100 via, for example, a multipolar flexible printed circuit board 5.

  On the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2, as shown in FIG. 1, a number 23 indicating speed, a character 22 indicating a unit of speed, a background graphic 24 displayed behind the number 23, and a background graphic Four second background graphics 25 that are partially overlapped with 24 are displayed. In the speedometer 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention, the background graphic 24 is formed in an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. In addition, the four second background graphics 25 are formed in an elliptical shape having the same shape as the background graphics 24. The numbers 23 and the characters 22 are colored in black, the background graphic 24 is colored in white, and the four second background graphics 25 are colored in gray with lower brightness as the distance from the background graphic 24 increases. Moreover, the outer part of the character 22, the number 23, the background figure 24, and the four 2nd background figures 25 is colored light blue. Therefore, the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2 is transmitted and illuminated by the backlight 3, and each part is lit and displayed in the above-described color.

  The backlight 3 includes a light emitting diode (not shown) and a light guide plate (not shown) that guides light from the light emitting diode to the liquid crystal panel 2 and illuminates the entire surface of the liquid crystal panel 2 with uniform illuminance. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal panel 2 is disposed in close contact with the back surface. The backlight 3 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 7 of the combination meter 100 via the flexible printed circuit board 5 as shown in FIG.

  The controller 4 is composed of a microcomputer, for example, and is mounted on the printed circuit board 7 of the combination meter 100.

  Next, the electric circuit configuration of the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, power is constantly supplied from the battery 11 to the controller 4. Further, the controller 4 is connected so that the ignition switch 10 can detect its operating state (ON or OFF).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a speed sensor 12 for detecting the traveling speed of the automobile is connected to the controller 4 so that a detection signal can be input. The speed sensor 12 detects, for example, the rotational speed of the transmission output shaft of the automobile.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a liquid crystal panel 2 and a backlight 3 are connected to the controller 4.

  Next, regarding the operation and the visual recognition state of the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, in particular, the traveling speed on the liquid crystal panel 2 which is a feature of the speedometer 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. The display method will be mainly described.

  When the ignition switch 10 is turned on by the driver, the controller 4 detects that the ignition switch 10 is turned on and turns on the backlight 3. At the same time, the controller 4 receives the detection signal from the speed sensor 12, calculates the traveling speed of the automobile, and drives the liquid crystal panel 2 to display the traveling speed of the automobile based on the detected speed.

  Moreover, the minimum unit of the display speed in the speedometer 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention is 1 km / h. That is, when the traveling speed changes, the display speed on the speedometer 1 is switched in increments of 1 km / h.

  Hereinafter, how to display the traveling speed on the liquid crystal panel 2 for each change state of the traveling speed will be described.

  (1) When the speed of the automobile is increasing: No. 1 (when the speed is increasing slowly, in other words, when the absolute value of acceleration is small).

  In this case, the number 23 indicating the traveling speed displayed on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2 is switched so as to increase in conjunction with the increase in speed.

  FIG. 1 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 at an instant during acceleration of the automobile, that is, at an instant when the traveling speed reaches 40 km / h.

  At this time, on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2, as shown in FIG. 1, “40” and “km / h”, which is the character 22, are displayed in black as the number 23 indicating the traveling speed, and behind that The background graphic 24 is displayed in white. Further, behind the background graphic 24 and in the lower right portion, four second background graphics 25 are arranged at equal intervals while partially overlapping each other. Here, the display interval of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is set to a pitch P1, as shown in FIG. The four second background graphics are displayed in gray, but the brightness, that is, the brightness of the second background graphic 25 adjacent to the background graphic 24 is the highest, so-called light gray, and the background The brightness is set lower as the distance from the figure 24, that is, the right side in FIG. The ground portion other than the number 23, the character 22, the background graphic 24, and the second background graphic 25 is displayed in light blue.

  Accordingly, when the driver sees this, as shown in FIG. 1, the white background graphic 24 is visually recognized as a cloud floating in the sky with a light blue background, and the white background graphic 24 is black. The number 23 indicating the speed is visible. In addition, since the brightness of the four second background figures 25 is changed in gradation as described above, the background figure 24 is visually recognized with enhanced stereoscopic effect. That is, it appears to have a thickness in the viewing direction.

  (2) When the vehicle is accelerating: Part 2 (when accelerating rapidly, in other words, when the absolute value of acceleration is large).

  FIG. 4 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 at an instant during acceleration of the automobile, that is, at an instant when the traveling speed reaches 60 km / h.

  In this case, the numbers 23, the characters 22, the background graphics 24 and the second background graphics 25 displayed on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2, and the emission color of the ground portion are the same as in the case of (1) described above. It is the same. Similarly to the above (1), the four second background graphics 25 are arranged at equal intervals while partially overlapping each other behind and below the background graphic 24. However, unlike the case of (1) described above, the display interval of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is set to the pitch P2 as shown in FIG. The pitch P2 is set larger than the pitch P1.

  That is, when the vehicle is accelerating, the four second background graphics 25 are displayed on the lower right side of the background graphic 24, and the interval between the background graphics 24 and the four second background graphics 25 increases as the acceleration increases. In other words, the length dimension L as an aggregate of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is formed so as to increase.

  (3) The car is traveling at a constant speed.

  FIG. 5 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed of 80 km / h.

  In this case, the numbers 23, the characters 22, the background graphics 24 and the second background graphics 25 displayed on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2, and the emission color of the ground portion are the same as in the case of (1) described above. It is the same. Similarly to the above (1), the four second background graphics 25 are arranged at equal intervals while partially overlapping each other behind and below the background graphic 24. However, unlike the case of (1) described above, the display interval of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is set to the pitch P3 as shown in FIG. The pitch P3 is set smaller than the pitch P1.

  That is, the arrangement interval of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is formed so as to increase as the acceleration increases, and to be the minimum when the acceleration is zero.

  Even when the traveling speed of the vehicle is constant, the four second background figures 25 are displayed at equal intervals while partially overlapping each other behind and below the background figure 24, so that the appearance of the background figure 24 can be seen. Can be rich in three-dimensionality.

  Note that the display on the speedometer 1 is the same when the automobile is stopped, that is, when the traveling speed is 0 km / h.

  (4) When the automobile is decelerating: No. 1 (when decelerating slowly, in other words, when the absolute value of acceleration is small).

  In this case, the number 23 indicating the traveling speed displayed on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2 is switched so as to decrease in conjunction with the decrease in speed.

  FIG. 6 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 at a moment during deceleration of the automobile, that is, at a moment when the traveling speed reaches 50 km / h.

  In this case, the numbers 23, the characters 22, the background graphics 24 and the second background graphics 25 displayed on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2, and the emission color of the ground portion are the same as in the case of (1) described above. It is the same. However, during the deceleration of the automobile, the four second background graphics 25 are arranged in such a manner that the four second background graphics 25 are partly behind the background graphics 24 and in the upper left part, as opposed to the above (1). Are arranged at equal intervals while overlapping. Further, the display interval between the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is set to a pitch P1, as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when the driver sees this, the display position of the four second background graphics 25, that is, the relative relationship with the background graphics 24 is opposite to that during acceleration, so that the vehicle is decelerating. It can be easily and reliably recognized. Similarly to the case of (1), a white background figure 24 is visually recognized as a cloud floating in the sky with light blue as a background, and the number 23 indicating the speed in black in the white background figure 24. Can be seen. In addition, since the brightness of the four second background figures 25 is changed in gradation as described above, the background figure 24 is visually recognized with enhanced stereoscopic effect.

  (5) When the automobile is decelerating: No. 2 (when decelerating rapidly, in other words, when the absolute value of acceleration is large).

  FIG. 7 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 at a moment during deceleration of the automobile, that is, at a moment when the traveling speed reaches 70 km / h.

  In this case, the numbers 23, the characters 22, the background graphics 24 and the second background graphics 25 displayed on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2, and the emission color of the ground portion are the same as in the case of (1) described above. It is the same. Similarly to the above (4), the four second background graphics 25 are arranged at equal intervals while partially overlapping each other behind and in the upper left of the background graphic 24. However, the display interval of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is set to the pitch P2 as shown in FIG. 7, unlike the case of (4) described above. The pitch P2 is set larger than the pitch P1.

  That is, when the vehicle is decelerating, the four second background graphics 25 are displayed at the upper left of the background graphic 24, and the arrangement interval between the background graphics 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is an absolute value of acceleration. In other words, the length dimension L as an aggregate of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is increased so as to increase as it increases.

  Therefore, during deceleration and acceleration, the driver can easily change the acceleration, which is the rate of change in speed, from the size L of the aggregate of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25. And it can recognize correctly.

  In the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the background graphic 24 is arranged behind the numeral 23 indicating the traveling speed, and the four second patterns are partially overlapped with the background graphic 24. A background graphic 25 is displayed. Furthermore, four second background graphics 25 are arranged at the lower right of the background graphic 24 during acceleration, and four second background graphics 25 are arranged at the upper left of the background graphic 24 during deceleration. .

  By the way, when displaying an event that fluctuates, generally, the display design is arranged with its front facing left, arranged so that the movement of the display design is viewed from the right to the left, or the movement of the display design In many cases, a positive movement, for example, an increase in a physical quantity, is exhibited by arranging so that the image is viewed from the bottom to the top. In addition, the opposite display method, that is, the display design is arranged with its front face facing right, arranged so that the movement of the display design is viewed from the left to the right, or the movement of the display design is from the top. In many cases, a negative movement, for example, a decrease in physical quantity, is exhibited by arranging it so as to be viewed downward.

  Therefore, in the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the four second background graphics 25 are arranged on the lower right side of the background graphic 24 during acceleration, and the four second background graphics 25 are arranged during deceleration. If the background graphic 25 is arranged at the upper left of the background graphic 24, the viewer can see whether the speed change state, that is, whether the speed is increasing or decreasing, by looking at the display positions of the four second background graphics 25. Can be recognized easily and accurately.

  Moreover, in the speedometer 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the display interval of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 arranged partially overlapped behind the background graphic 24 is set as the speed. The degree of change, that is, the absolute value of the acceleration (because the acceleration is a positive value during acceleration and a negative value during deceleration) is changed according to the magnitude of the acceleration. In other words, the larger the absolute value of acceleration, the larger the display interval.

  Thereby, the viewer can be very naturally associated with a large display pitch → a large change speed → a large change rate, or a small display pitch → a small change speed → a small change rate.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a speedometer 1 that can easily visually recognize the degree of change in speed, that is, the magnitude of acceleration (during acceleration and deceleration) and has a novel appearance.

  During acceleration of the automobile, the acceleration may temporarily decrease (acceleration feeling temporarily weakens) due to the shift up of the transmission. In this case, the speedometer according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used. In 1, the display interval of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 decreases for a moment and increases again. In other words, the length dimension L of the aggregate composed of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 decreases momentarily and increases again.

  That is, during the acceleration of the automobile, the change in the length L of the aggregate composed of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 displayed on the speedometer 1 and the inertial force experienced by the driver himself / herself. The change in the size of this is almost the same. Therefore, in the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to accurately display the acceleration change during the traveling of the automobile.

  Moreover, in the speedometer 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the light emission luminance of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25 is gradually changed. That is, the background graphic 24 is white and has the highest light emission luminance, the second background graphic 25 adjacent to the background graphic 24 is light gray and the light emission luminance is slightly reduced, and the light emission luminances of the remaining three second background graphics 25 are also sequentially increased. It is falling. As a result, the appearance of the background graphic 24 can be made rich in three-dimensionality.

  In a conventional vehicle instrument, that is, a digital speedometer, it is very difficult to determine the speed change state and the degree of change, that is, whether the speed is being increased or decreased, and whether the acceleration is slow or steep. In addition, there is a problem that the appearance of the display is flat and lacks interest.

  On the other hand, the speedometer 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention described above has the advantage that the speed of the digital speedometer, that is, the speed can be directly read by a numerical value by adopting the configuration as described above. It is possible to realize the speedometer 1 that can easily and surely read the speed change state and the degree of change, that is, whether the speed is being increased or decreased, and whether the acceleration is slow or steep.

  Furthermore, due to the effects of the background graphic 24 and the four second background graphics 25, it is possible to provide the speedometer 1 with a three-dimensional effect and a novel appearance.

(Second Embodiment)
In the speedometer 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the speed change state, that is, whether the speed is increasing or not, is decelerated depending on the position where the four second background figures 25 are displayed, that is, the position of the background figure 24. And the acceleration / deceleration is instructed by the density of the arrangement interval of the background graphic 24 and each second background graphic 25.

  On the other hand, in the speedometer 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the second background graphic 25 of the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is abolished, and the shape of the background graphic 24 is changed to the automobile. By changing and displaying in accordance with the change state and the degree of change of the traveling speed, the driver tries to recognize the change state and the degree of change of the traveling speed of the automobile.

  Below, the display method of the traveling speed on the liquid crystal panel 2 of the speedometer 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described for each traveling speed change state.

  (1) When the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed, or when the vehicle is stopped (speed = 0 km / h).

  In FIG. 8, the front view of the speedometer 1 by 2nd Embodiment of this invention is shown.

  The display mode of the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2 in the speedometer 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as that of the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the number 23 indicating speed and the character 22 indicating the unit of speed are colored black, and the background graphic 24 is colored white. Further, the outer portions of the characters 22, numbers 23, and background graphic 24 are colored light blue. Therefore, the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2 is transmitted and illuminated by the backlight 3, and each part is lit and displayed in the above-described color. FIG. 8 shows a state where the traveling speed is constant at 60 km / h.

  In this case, the background graphic 24 is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. That is, it is a rectangle having a length L and a height H. Therefore, the driver sees that the background graphic 24 is rectangular and recognizes that the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed (or stopped).

  (2) When the speed of the automobile is increasing: No. 1 (when the speed is increasing slowly, in other words, when the absolute value of acceleration is small).

  FIG. 9 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 at an instant during acceleration of the automobile, that is, at an instant when the traveling speed reaches 60 km / h.

  At this time, on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2, the shape of the background graphic 24 has changed from a rectangle to a trapezoid as shown in FIG. That is, in the background graphic 24, the position and length dimension L of the lower side 24a of the background graphic 24 are the same as in the case of (1) (see FIG. 8), and from the case of the height dimension (1) (see FIG. 8). Is a so-called isosceles trapezoid in which the length H1 is a dimension L1 shorter than that in the case of (1) (see FIG. 8).

  When the driver sees this, it feels like the background graphic 24 falls to the back side of the numeral 23, in other words, falls in a direction away from the viewer around the lower side 24a. For this reason, the number 23 is felt to pop out toward the viewer, contrary to the background graphic 24. As a result, the driver can easily and reliably recognize that the automobile is speeding up.

  Furthermore, since it is possible to make the viewer feel as if the numbers 23 jump out toward the viewer, the appearance of the speedometer 1 can be made more rich in three-dimensionality.

  (3) When the vehicle is accelerating: Part 2 (when accelerating rapidly, in other words, when the absolute value of acceleration is large).

  FIG. 10 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 at an instant during acceleration of the automobile, that is, at an instant when the traveling speed reaches 60 km / h.

  In this case, the shape of the background graphic 24 is an isosceles trapezoid as in the case of (2) (see FIG. 9), but when the height dimension is (2) as shown in FIG. 10 (see FIG. 9). The dimension H2 is smaller than the dimension H1, and the length L2 of the upper side 24b is shorter than the dimension L1 in the case of (2) (see FIG. 9).

  When the driver sees this, as in the case of (2), the background graphic 24 seems to fall down in a direction away from the viewer around the lower side 24a, but the degree of the fall is more than in the case of (2). It feels great. Therefore, the pop-out feeling of the numeral 23 is felt more emphasized than in the case of (2). As a result, the driver can easily and reliably recognize that the vehicle is speeding up and that the acceleration is large.

  (4) When the automobile is decelerating: No. 1 (when decelerating slowly, in other words, when the absolute value of acceleration is small).

  FIG. 11 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 at a moment during deceleration of the automobile, that is, at a moment when the traveling speed reaches 60 km / h.

  At this time, on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2, the shape of the background graphic 24 is an isosceles trapezoid as shown in FIG. 11, but contrary to the case of the speed increase shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The length dimension of the upper side 24b is a dimension L3 longer than the length dimension L of the lower side 24a. That is, in the background graphic 24, the position and length dimension L of the lower side 24a of the background graphic 24 are the same as in the case of (1) (see FIG. 8), and from the case of the height dimension (1) (see FIG. 8). Is a so-called isosceles trapezoid in which the length H1 is a dimension L3 which is longer than that in the case of (1) (see FIG. 8).

  When the driver sees this, the background graphic 24 feels to fall to the near side of the numeral 23, in other words, to fall in a direction approaching the viewer around the lower side 24a. For this reason, the number 23 seems to be retracted to the other side, contrary to the background graphic 24. As a result, the driver can easily and reliably recognize that the automobile is decelerating.

  (5) When the automobile is decelerating: No. 2 (when decelerating rapidly, in other words, when the absolute value of acceleration is large).

  FIG. 12 shows a front view of the speedometer 1 at an instant during acceleration of the automobile, that is, at an instant when the traveling speed reaches 60 km / h.

  In this case, the shape of the background graphic 24 is an isosceles trapezoid as in the case of (4) (see FIG. 11), but as shown in FIG. 12, the height dimension is (4) (see FIG. 11). The dimension H2 is smaller than the dimension H1, and the length L4 of the upper side 24b is longer than the dimension L3 in the case of (4) (see FIG. 11).

  When the driver sees this, as in the case of (4), the background graphic 24 seems to fall down in the direction approaching the viewer around the lower side 24a, but the degree of the fall is more than in the case of (4). It feels great. Therefore, the feeling of retraction of the numeral 23 is felt more emphasized than in the case of (4). As a result, the driver can easily and reliably recognize that the automobile is decelerating and that acceleration is large (for example, during sudden braking).

  In the speedometer 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the background graphic 24 is displayed behind the numeral 23, and the shape of the background 24 is longer than the length of the lower side 24a during acceleration. The short trapezoidal shape is displayed as a trapezoidal shape in which the length of the upper side 24b is longer than the length of the lower side 24a during deceleration. For this reason, when the driver looks at the speedometer 1, the number (23) pops out toward him while the car is speeding up, and the number (23) is his own during deceleration. I feel like going away.

  Thereby, the viewer can associate the number (23) toward himself / herself with increasing speed, and the number (23) goes away from himself / herself with slowing down.

  Further, in the speedometer 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, during the acceleration of the automobile, the height change rate of the background graphic 24 becomes smaller and the upper side length becomes longer as the speed change rate, that is, the acceleration increases. When the vehicle is decelerating, the size is shortened and the speed change rate, that is, the absolute value of the acceleration is increased, and the height of the background graphic 24 is reduced and the upper side length is increased. .

  In other words, the vehicle is displayed such that the degree of the fall of the background graphic 24 increases as the acceleration increases, in other words, the height dimension of the background graphic 24 decreases both during acceleration and deceleration of the automobile.

  Thereby, the viewer can be very naturally associated with the background graphic 24 having a large degree of fall → large change rate or the background graphic 24 having a small degree of fall → small change rate.

  From the above, even in the speedometer 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, while utilizing the advantage of the digital speedometer, that is, the advantage that the speed can be directly read numerically, the speed change state and the degree of change, that is, the speed is increasing. It is possible to realize the speedometer 1 that can easily and reliably read whether the vehicle is decelerating or whether the vehicle is decelerating or not.

  In the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the number of the second background graphics 25 is four. However, the number is not limited to four, and any number of two or more may be used. Good.

  Further, in the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the luminescent color of each part on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2 is displayed, the number 23 indicating the speed and the character 22 indicating the unit of speed are black, The background graphic 24 is white, the four second background graphics 25 are gray in which the brightness changes stepwise, and the outer portion thereof, that is, the ground portion is light blue, but it is not necessary to be limited to this combination, and any You may change to other colors.

  Further, in the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the background graphic 24 is white, and the four second background graphics 25 are gray in which the brightness changes stepwise, and the light emission luminance thereof is set. Although it is configured to change gradually, instead of changing the light emission luminance by using similar colors, the hues of the background graphic 24 and the second background graphic 25 may be changed stepwise. For example, the background graphic 24 may be yellow, and the four second background graphics 25 may be yellow-green, green, blue, and purple.

  Further, in the speedometer 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the shape of the background graphic 24 during acceleration and deceleration is an isosceles trapezoid, but it is not necessary to be limited to an isosceles trapezoid. It may be an isosceles trapezoid.

  Further, in the speedometer 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the emission color of each part on the display screen 21 of the liquid crystal panel 2 is indicated by the number 23 indicating the speed and the character 22 indicating the unit of speed being black, The background graphic 24 is white, and the outer portion thereof, that is, the ground portion is light blue. However, the background graphic 24 is not limited to this combination, and may be arbitrarily changed to another color.

  In the speedometer 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the liquid crystal panel 2 is used as a display. However, other types of displays such as an organic EL panel are used. It may be used.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention which were demonstrated above, although the speedometer 1 was demonstrated as an example as a vehicle meter, it is not necessary to limit to the speedometer 1, and other types For example, the present invention may be applied to a tachometer that indicates the engine rotational speed of the automobile, a fuel meter that indicates the amount of remaining fuel in the fuel tank, a water temperature meter that indicates the engine coolant temperature, and the like. Further, a single combination meter 100 may include a plurality of vehicle meters according to the present invention.

It is a partial front view of the combination meter 100 carrying the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the combination meter 100 carrying the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is the II-II sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the electric circuit structure of the combination meter 100 carrying the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the speedometer 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Speedometer (vehicle instrument)
2 Liquid crystal panel (display)
21 display screen 22 characters 23 numbers (characters)
24 background graphic 24a lower side 24b upper side 25 second background graphic 3 backlight 4 controller 5 flexible printed circuit board 6 dial 6a opening 7 printed circuit board 8 casing 9 transparent cover 10 ignition switch 11 battery 12 speed sensor 100 combination meter H height dimension H1 Height dimension H2 Height dimension L Length dimension L1 Length dimension L2 Length dimension L3 Length dimension L4 Length dimension P1 Display pitch P2 Display pitch P3 Display pitch θ Inclination angle

Claims (14)

It has a display to display characters and figures,
A vehicle meter that indicates a detected physical quantity by a number formed on the display,
A background graphic is displayed over the number behind the number,
One or a plurality of second background graphics having the same shape or similar shape as the background graphics are displayed partially overlapping the background graphics behind the background graphics,
The vehicle instrument characterized by switching the part in which the said 2nd background figure is displayed in the said background figure corresponding to the change state of a physical quantity.   The said part is either the right side, the lower side, or the lower right side when the physical quantity is increasing, and is either the left side, the upper side, or the upper left side while the physical quantity is decreasing. The vehicle instrument described in 1.   The vehicle instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a display pitch of the second background graphic displayed in an overlapping manner is changed according to a magnitude of a change degree of a physical quantity.   The vehicle instrument according to claim 3, wherein the display pitch is increased as the degree of change in physical quantity is larger.   The vehicular instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of the second background figures displayed in an overlapping manner is changed depending on the degree of change of the physical quantity.   6. The vehicular instrument according to claim 5, wherein the number is increased as the degree of change in physical quantity is larger.   3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the number and the background graphic and the second background graphic displayed in an overlapping manner are inclined toward the overlapping direction according to the magnitude of the change degree of the physical quantity. Instrument.   The vehicular instrument according to claim 7, wherein the degree of inclination is increased as the degree of change in physical quantity is larger.   The vehicular instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein light emission luminances of the background graphic and the second background graphic are gradually changed.   The vehicular instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a light emission color of the background graphic and the second background graphic is gradually changed. It has a display to display characters and figures,
A vehicle meter that indicates a detected physical quantity by a number formed on the display,
A background graphic is displayed over the number behind the number,
A vehicular instrument characterized by continuously changing the shape of the background graphic in accordance with a change state of a physical quantity.   While the physical quantity is increasing, the background graphic is deformed so that it is viewed as if it is tilted away from the viewer, and while the physical quantity is decreasing, the background graphic is deformed so that it is viewed as if it is tilted toward the viewer. The vehicular instrument according to claim 11, wherein:   While the physical quantity is increasing, the background graphic is deformed so that the lower end is fixed as viewed from the viewer, the height direction dimension is reduced, and the width direction dimension is reduced as the distance from the lower end decreases. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the background graphic is deformed so that a lower end portion is fixed as viewed from a viewer, a height direction dimension is reduced, and a width direction dimension is increased as the distance from the lower end portion increases. Instrument.   The physical quantity is at least one of a vehicle traveling speed, an engine rotational speed, an engine coolant temperature, a residual fuel amount, and an engine lubricating oil pressure. The vehicle instrument as described.

Images