JP4244937B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device including a plurality of display means including display means for switching the size of a display area.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the types and amounts of various types of information that assist driving operations provided to drivers are rapidly increasing in accordance with environmental changes surrounding automobiles. For example, in addition to vehicle information such as travel speed, travel distance and arbitrary section distance, fuel remaining amount, cooling water temperature, etc., road information transmitted by navigation information or radio signals that display the current position and destination point on a map Etc.

For the purpose of efficiently transmitting such a large amount of information to the vehicle, for example, a pointer drive in which a pointer rotates on the dial on both sides together with a liquid crystal display unit capable of displaying an image such as a liquid crystal panel, etc. A vehicle instrument in which a unit is integrated is proposed (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-268556

  In this type of vehicle instrument, when the liquid crystal display unit displays a plurality of information at the same time, the liquid crystal display unit becomes larger, and the space for providing the pointer drive units on both sides of the liquid crystal display unit becomes smaller, which deteriorates the appearance of the vehicle instrument. Let

  For this reason, it is conceivable that the liquid crystal display unit switches and displays a plurality of information. However, when the information displayed by the liquid crystal display unit is small, a dead space occurs in the display unit of the liquid crystal display unit.

  For example, when the liquid crystal display unit displays map information over the entire display unit, no dead space is generated in the display unit. However, when the gear shift information (PRND2L) is displayed, the display unit is dead because the display is small. Space is created.

  For this reason, when the display of the information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit is small, this display appears to be extended with respect to the pointer drive units on both sides, which deteriorates the appearance of the vehicle instrument.

  This is a problem common to not only the vehicle instrument device but also a display device including a plurality of display means including a display means in which the size of the display area is switched. Here, the display area size is not limited to the information displayed by switching a plurality of information having different display area sizes, and the same information is displayed with the display area switched between large and small. It includes those that do.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to improve the appearance of a display device including a plurality of display means including a display means in which the size of a display area is switched.

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

The display device according to claim 1 is a liquid crystal display unit having a liquid crystal panel for displaying information and a light source for transmitting and illuminating the liquid crystal panel as a first display means capable of switching the size of the display area, and a liquid crystal display As a second display means arranged on the front side of the unit and displaying desired information, there are two pointer driving units including a dial and a pointer that rotates along the front of the dial , a liquid crystal display unit, and 2 a meter casing for housing one of the hand drive unit, with respect to the instrument housing, and a position changing means for mounting movably along the front surface of the liquid crystal display unit with two hands driving unit,
The two pointer driving units are arranged adjacent to each other with a liquid crystal display unit disposed therebetween, and the position variable means is configured to shield at least a part of the area where the liquid crystal display unit does not display information by the two pointer driving units. and so as not to be shielded display area of the liquid crystal display unit, moves the two hand drive unit, by two hands drive unit interlocked with and away from closer to each other, the display area of the liquid crystal display unit is enlarged, It is set so as to reduce the display area of the liquid crystal display unit is enlarged, a structure that displays a different display during reduction in the display area.

In this configuration, to shield at least a part of the region that does not display the information of the liquid crystal display unit by hand driving unit, and moves the pointer driving unit so as not to shield the display of the liquid crystal display unit. As a result, when the display of the liquid crystal display unit is small, the display does not appear to be extended to the pointer driving unit , and when the display of the liquid crystal display unit is large, the display is obstructed by the pointer driving unit . There is no.

That is, various sizes of the liquid crystal display unit can be displayed with improved appearance without deteriorating the appearance. As a result, it is possible to improve the appearance of a display device that includes a liquid crystal display unit that can switch the size of the display area and a pointer drive unit .

The display device according to claim 2 is configured such that the size of the display area is switched according to information displayed by the liquid crystal display unit .

In this configuration, the size of the display area is switched according to the information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit , and thus the above-described effect can be obtained even in this configuration.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the display device includes a control unit that moves the pointer driving unit in conjunction with the switching of the size of the display area of the liquid crystal display unit .

In this configuration, since the pointer driving unit is moved in conjunction with the switching of the display area size of the liquid crystal display unit , the above-described effect can be obtained as automatic control.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device comprising: a power converting means for converting the rotational motion into a linear motion, and a driving section for rotating the power converting means; and the power converting means for rotating the driving section. Accordingly, the pointer driving unit is configured to move along the front surface of the liquid crystal display unit .

  In this configuration, since the position variable means converts the rotational motion into a linear motion, the above-described effects can be obtained with a simple configuration.

The display device according to claim 5 receives an instruction signal from the outside, and operates the liquid crystal display unit, the pointer driving unit, and the position changing unit, and at least an area in which the liquid crystal display unit does not display information by the pointer driving unit. some are shielded, and as the display area of the liquid crystal display unit is not shielded, a configuration that Ru comprising a control means for moving the pointer driving unit.

In this configuration, upon receiving an instruction signal from the external control means, guidance as the hand drive unit is shielded at least part of a region that does not display the information of the liquid crystal display unit, and does not shield the display of the liquid crystal display unit Move the drive unit . As a result, the effect of claim 1 can be obtained using an external instruction signal as a trigger.

The display device according to claim 6 is configured such that the control unit switches information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit in accordance with the instruction signal and switches the display area to a size corresponding to the information.

In this configuration, the control means switches the size of the display area according to the information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit . Thereby, also in this structure, the effect of Claim 5 can be acquired.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device comprising a switching instruction means for generating an instruction signal.

  In this configuration, switching instruction means for generating an instruction signal is provided, and thereby the above-described effects can be obtained.

The display device according to claim 8 is configured such that the switching instruction means generates an instruction signal that changes in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle.

In this configuration, since the switching instruction means generates an instruction signal that changes according to the traveling state of the vehicle, the pointer drive unit can be moved in conjunction with the switching of the traveling state of the vehicle. As a result, the above-described effect can be automatically obtained when the traveling state of the vehicle is switched.

The display device according to claim 9 is configured such that the switching instruction means generates an instruction signal that changes in conjunction with a switching operation of the size of the display area.

In this configuration, since the switching instruction means generates an instruction signal that changes in conjunction with the switching operation of the display area size, the pointer drive unit is moved in conjunction with the switching of the display area size of the liquid crystal display unit . be able to. As a result, the above-described effects can be automatically obtained when the display area size switching operation is performed.

  Hereinafter, a case where the display device according to the present invention is applied to a combination meter 1 mounted on an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a front view of a combination meter 1 which is a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 is the same as the vertical direction of the automobile.

  2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

  3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the combination meter 1 shown in FIG. 1 showing a state where the vehicle speed meter 10 and the tachometer 20 as the second display means are farthest apart.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the combination meter 1 shown in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the vehicle speed meter 10 and the tachometer 20 are closest to each other.

  FIG. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating an electrical circuit configuration of the combination meter 1 shown in FIG.

  The combination meter 1 that is a display device is arranged in front of the driver's seat of the automobile and displays various vehicle information related to the automobile. As shown in FIG. 1, the combination meter 1 according to the present embodiment has a speedometer 10 as second display means on the left side indicated by an arrow in the figure, and a rotation as second display means on the right side indicated by an arrow in the figure. A total 20 and a liquid crystal display 30 as a first display means are provided between them.

  The speedometer 10 displays the traveling speed of the automobile, the tachometer 20 displays the engine speed, and the liquid crystal display 30 displays navigation information, road traffic information, and the like.

  The speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 include dials 11 and 21, hands 12 and 22, and movable housings 15 and 25, respectively. The dials 11 and 21 are fixed to the movable casings 15 and 25, respectively, and the hands 12 and 22 are respectively along the front surfaces of the dials 11 and 21 (the upper surface indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). Rotate. Each of the movable casings 15 and 25 is attached to a design plate 41 constituting a part of the instrument casing part so as to be movable in the left-right direction indicated by the arrows in FIG.

  Scales, letters, etc. are printed or hot stamped on the front surface (upper surface indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2) or back surface (lower surface indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2) of each dial 11, 21. It is formed by.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the speedometer 10 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the dial 11 is provided with a through hole through which a shaft 13a of a movement 13 described later is inserted, and a print is provided behind the dial 2 (lower side indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2). A substrate 14 is disposed. The printed circuit board 14 constitutes an electric circuit unit of the speedometer 10 and is fixed to the movable housing 15. The movement 13 is mounted on the printed circuit board 14.

  The movement 13 is composed of, for example, a cross coil actuator, a stepping motor, or the like, and rotates the shaft 13a by an angle corresponding to an electric signal from the outside (in this embodiment, a signal related to the vehicle speed). The shaft 13a extends through the through hole of the dial 2 to the surface side (the upper side indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2), and the pointer 12 is fixed to the tip thereof.

  The drive member 16 that constitutes a part of the position changing means moves the movable casing 15 in the left-right direction (the left-right direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2). The mounting portion 16a and the guide portion 16b and a slide gear portion 16c constituting a part of the power conversion means.

  The movable housing 15 is provided with a mounting hole 15a, and the design plate 41 is provided with a slide hole 41a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slide hole 41a has a substantially rectangular shape. The mounting portion 16a of the drive member 16 is passed through the design plate 41 through the slide hole 41a, and the design plate 41 is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the movable housing 15 and the guide portion 16b of the drive member 16 as shown in FIG. It fixes to the body 15 in the position of the attachment hole 15a.

  The movable casing 15, the driving member 16, and the design plate 41 are each formed of a resin material, and the mounting portion 16a of the driving member 16 is attached to the movable casing 15 by an adhesive or the like at the mounting hole 15a. Fixed. Accordingly, the movable casing 15 is attached to the design plate 41 so as to be restrained in the left-right direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 and movable in the left-right direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

  Specifically, a portion between the mounting portion 16 a and the guide portion 16 b of the driving member 16 is disposed in the slide hole 41 a of the design plate 41, and this portion is the longitudinal length of the slide hole 41 a with respect to the design plate 41. It is configured to be movable in the direction (left and right direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2).

  Note that the slide gear portion 16c of the drive member 16 has a liquid crystal panel 31 or a liquid crystal panel 31 of the liquid crystal display 30 described later when the movable housing 15 moves to the left as indicated by the arrow in FIG. It is formed at a position where it does not interfere with a light diffusion plate (not shown).

  2 and 3 below the drive member 16 is a movement 17 that constitutes a part of the drive part that rotates a shaft 17a that constitutes a part of the drive part with its longitudinal direction as a rotation axis. Is placed. The movement 17 is mounted and fixed to the printed circuit board 18. The shaft 17a extends through the through hole of the printed circuit board 18 to the upper side indicated by the arrow in the figure, and a rotating gear 17b constituting a part of the power conversion means is fixed to the tip of the shaft 17a.

  The movement 17 is the same except that the movement 17 is larger than the movement 13 (high torque compatible type). The printed circuit board 18 is fixed to a case 42 that forms a part of the instrument housing. The rotation gear 17b and the slide gear portion 16c of the drive member 16 are each provided with teeth (not shown) and are engaged with each other as shown in FIGS.

  That is, in this embodiment, the position variable means is constituted by the drive member 16, the movement 17, the shaft 17a, and the rotation gear 17b, and the power conversion means is constituted by the rotation gear 17b and the slide gear portion 16c of the drive member 16. Is done. The drive unit is composed of a movement 17 and a shaft 17a.

  In FIG. 2, the printed circuit board 14 and the printed circuit board 18 are connected by a flexible wiring 14a having flexibility.

  The slide hole 41a of the design plate 41 is formed so that the flexible wiring 14a is not sandwiched between the drive member 16 and the design plate 41 when the movable housing 15 is moved to the right in FIG. The Specifically, the slide hole 41a is provided large in the right direction on the right side in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2).

  On the printed circuit board 18, a control device 44 (FIG. 6), which is a control means composed of a microcomputer or the like, is mounted. The control device 44 controls the movement 13, the movement 17, the liquid crystal panel 31, the light emitting diode 32, and the like according to an external electric signal that is input.

  Since the configuration of the tachometer 20 is the same as the configuration of the speedometer 10, the description thereof is omitted.

  The liquid crystal display 30 is disposed behind the design plate 41 (lower side indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2) and behind the liquid crystal panel 31 (lower side indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). A light-emitting diode 32 as a light source, and a light diffusion plate (not shown) disposed between them. The light emitting diode 32 transmits and illuminates the liquid crystal panel 31, and the light diffusing plate guides the light from the light emitting diode 32 uniformly (the lower surface indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). .

  The liquid crystal panel 31 is a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type liquid crystal panel, and is arranged so that its display is viewed from the viewing side (the upper side indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2) through the opening 41 b provided in the design plate 41. Established. That is, the liquid crystal panel 31 is disposed behind the movable casing 15 of the speedometer 10 and the movable casing 25 of the tachometer 20 (lower side indicated by arrows in FIGS. 2 and 3).

  In FIG. 4, the liquid crystal panel 31 passes through the opening 41 b of the design plate 41 and displays the map information with the substantially entire area as a display area 31 a. The mark 31b indicates the position of the car in the map information displayed in the display area 31a. At this time, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are configured to move in the left direction and the right direction indicated by the arrows in the drawing, respectively, and to be controlled in a state farthest from each other.

  In FIG. 5, the liquid crystal panel 31 displays gear shift information (gear position of the transmission) with a partial area as a display area 31 a through the opening 41 b of the design plate 41. The mark 31b indicates a position where the transmission gear is switched in the display area 31a.

  In FIG. 5, the mark 31b indicates that the transmission gear is switched to the parking position. In this case, for example, the mark 31b is displayed with a black character “P” with a red background, and the other characters “R, N, D, 2, L” are displayed with a black background with a white background. At this time, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are configured to move in the right direction and the left direction indicated by the arrows in the drawing, respectively, and to be controlled to be closest to each other.

  The electric circuit configuration of the combination meter 1 according to the present embodiment described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control device 44 is always supplied with electric power from the battery 49, and an ignition switch 48, which is also a switching instruction means, is connected so as to be able to detect its operation position (off position, on position), and a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle. 45, a rotation sensor 46 that detects the engine speed of the vehicle, a gear position sensor 47 that is a switching instruction unit that detects a gear position of the transmission, a sensor, a switch, and the like (not shown) are connected so that these signals can be input.

  In addition, devices driven by the control device 44 in accordance with detection signals from these various sensors 45, 46, 47 are connected. That is, the movements 13 and 17, the liquid crystal panel 31, the light emitting diode 32, and the like are connected to the control device 44.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are in an intermediate position between FIG. 4 and FIG. At this time, the ignition switch 48 is turned on, that is, in a state where the ignition switch 48 is turned off, and the liquid crystal panel 31 is in a state where display is stopped.

  The speedometer 10, the tachometer 20, and the liquid crystal display 30 described above are accommodated and held in an instrument housing unit that includes a design plate 41, a case 42, and a transparent cover 43 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Has been.

(Operation)
When the ignition switch 48 is turned off, the liquid crystal panel 31 is in a display stopped state, and the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are intermediate positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively. Is in the state shown.

  When the ignition switch 48 is turned on by the driver, the control device 44 detects it and starts operation, lights up the light emitting diode 32, and causes the liquid crystal panel 31 to display as shown in FIG. In conjunction with this, that is, the control device 44 receives the ON signal of the ignition switch 48 that is an instruction signal, and causes the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 to move to the right and left as indicated by the arrows in the drawing, respectively. And move them closer to each other.

  Since the display of the gear position of this transmission is much smaller than the opening 41b of the design plate 41, a dead space occurs. However, since the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are controlled to be closest to each other, the dead space generated in the opening 41 b is covered by the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the display of the liquid crystal panel 31 from appearing to be extended with respect to the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 on both sides, and the appearance of the combination meter 1 can be improved.

  When the vehicle starts running and the gear of the transmission is switched to one of the driving positions “D, 2, L” and a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed, the control device 44 receives the gear as an instruction signal. It is detected by receiving a signal from the position sensor 47. Upon detecting this, the control device 44 automatically switches the display on the liquid crystal panel 31 from the display shown in FIG. 5 to the display shown in FIG. In conjunction with this, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are moved in the left direction and the right direction indicated by the arrows in the drawing, respectively, and are controlled to be farthest from each other.

  Since the display of this map information is substantially equal to the opening 41b of the design board 41, no dead space is generated. However, since the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are controlled so as to be farthest from each other, the display of the map information substantially equal to the opening 41 b is not covered by the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20.

  When the driver switches the gear of the transmission between the driving positions “D, 2, L” while the vehicle is running, the control device 44 receives the signal from the gear position sensor 47 to change it. Then, the display of the liquid crystal panel 31 is switched from the display shown in FIG. 4 to the display shown in FIG. 5 (however, the mark 31b is any one of “D, 2, L”). In conjunction with this, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are moved in the right and left directions indicated by the arrows in the drawing, respectively, and are controlled to be closest to each other.

  When the car reaches the destination and parks it, the driver switches the transmission gear to the parking position “P”. At this time, the control device 44 receives the signal from the gear position sensor 47 to detect it, and switches the display on the liquid crystal panel 31 from the display shown in FIG. 4 to the display shown in FIG. In conjunction with this, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are moved in the right and left directions indicated by the arrows in the drawing, respectively, and are controlled to be closest to each other.

  Thereafter, the ignition switch 48 is turned off, and the control device 44 receives the ignition switch 48 which is an instruction signal to detect it, stops the display on the liquid crystal panel 31, and the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20. Are moved to the state shown in FIG.

  The combination meter 1 which is a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention described above includes a liquid crystal display 30 which is a first display means capable of switching the size of a display area, and a first display disposed on the front side thereof. The speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 which are two display means, the design board 41 which is an instrument housing | casing part which accommodates these, the case 42, and the transparent cover 43 are provided.

  Further, a drive member 16, a movement 17, and a shaft, which are position variable means for attaching the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 along the front surface of the liquid crystal display 30 to the instrument housing (design plate 41). 17a and a rotating gear 17b.

  The drive member 16, the movement 17, the shaft 17 a, and the rotation gear 17 b are rotated with the speedometer 10 so that the area not displayed by the liquid crystal display 30 is shielded by the speedometer 10 and the speedometer 20 and the display is not shielded. A total of 20 is moved.

  Thereby, when the display of the liquid crystal display 30 is small, the non-display area (dead space) is controlled to be shielded by the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20, and when the display of the liquid crystal display 30 is large. The display is controlled so as not to be shielded by the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20.

  For this reason, when the display of the liquid crystal display 30 is small, the display of the liquid crystal display 30 does not appear to be extended with respect to the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 on both sides. On the other hand, when the display of the liquid crystal display 30 is large, this display is not obstructed by the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 on both sides. In other words, the liquid crystal display 30 can perform various sizes of display with improved appearance without deteriorating the appearance.

  In addition, every time the size of the display area of the liquid crystal display 30 is changed, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 on both sides are moved in conjunction with each other. It can also give surprise and fun to the person.

  In the above-described embodiment, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are moved in conjunction with the switching of the display on the liquid crystal display 30. However, this movement may be performed by a manual switch.

  Further, when the same information is displayed by switching the size of the display area, instead of switching the display of the liquid crystal display 30, the rotation of the speedometer 10 and the display area are linked with the switching of the size of the display area. The total 20 can be moved.

  For example, in FIG. 4, the display of the liquid crystal display 30 is switched to a smaller display by reducing the display by a touch operation of a panel touch switch which is a switching instruction means, or only the vicinity of the mark 31 b indicating the position of the vehicle is displayed. For example, the display may be switched to a smaller display, or the display may be switched to a larger display by enlarging the small display.

  Further, instead of the liquid crystal panel 31, a flat panel such as an organic EL panel or a plasma panel can be applied.

  Moreover, it can also be set as the structure which abolishes the tachometer 20 in FIG. In this case, the moving range of the speedometer 10 (the length of the slide hole 41a in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2) needs to be set large, and the slide hole 41a may be visible in FIG. is there.

  For this reason, for example, in FIG. 2, the design plate 41 is made black, and the black bellows rubber that is freely stretchable is fixed to the drive member 16 and the design plate 41. Specifically, one side of the bellows rubber is fixed to the drive member 16 on the right side indicated by the arrow in the drawing of the slide hole 41a, and the other side is fixed to the design plate 41. Make it difficult to see from above.

  In this case, the flexible wiring 14a may be formed by providing a hole in a bellows rubber (not shown) and connecting the printed boards 14 and 18 through the hole.

  In FIG. 1, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 may be arranged in the vertical direction indicated by the arrows in the drawing of the liquid crystal display 30. In this case, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are configured to move in the vertical direction instead of the horizontal direction.

  That is, the display device according to the present invention is characterized in that the area not displayed by the first display means that can switch the size of the display area is moved so that it can be shielded by the second display means. For this reason, the positional relationship between the first display means and the second display means, the number of the second display means, the moving direction of the second display means, and the like are not limited to those described above, and various configurations are conceivable.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the position variable means is configured by the drive member 16, the movement 17, the shaft 17a, and the rotation gear 17b, but is not limited thereto.

  Moreover, although the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are formed as the second display means, the speedometer 10 and the tachometer 20 are not limited to these, and may be replaced with or added to another instrument such as a fuel gauge.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a combination meter 1 which is a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the combination meter 1 shown in FIG. 1 showing a state where the vehicle speed meter 10 and the tachometer 20 as the second display means are farthest apart. FIG. 5 is a front view of the combination meter 1 shown in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the vehicle speed meter 10 and the tachometer 20 are closest to each other. FIG. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating an electrical circuit configuration of the combination meter 1 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Combination meter (display device)
10 Speedometer (second display means, pointer drive unit)
11 Dial 12 Pointer 13 Movement 13a Shaft 14 Printed Circuit Board 14a Flexible Wiring 15 Movable Housing 15a Mounting Hole 16 Drive Member (Position Variable Means)
16a Mounting portion 16b Guide portion 16c Slide gear portion (power conversion means)
17 Movement (drive unit)
17a Shaft (drive unit)
17b Rotating gear (power conversion means)
18 Printed circuit board 20 Tachometer (second display means, pointer drive unit)
21 Dial 22 Pointer 25 Movable housing 30 Liquid crystal display (first display means, liquid crystal display unit)
31 Liquid crystal panel 32 Light emitting diode (light source)
41 Design board (instrument housing)
41a slide hole 41b opening 42 case (instrument housing)
43 Transparent cover (instrument housing)
44 Control device (control means)
45 Vehicle speed sensor 46 Rotation sensor 47 Gear position sensor (switching instruction means)
48 Ignition switch (switching instruction means)
49 battery

Claims (9)

As a first display means capable of switching the size of the display area, a liquid crystal display unit having a liquid crystal panel for displaying information and a light source for transmitting and illuminating the liquid crystal panel ;
Two pointer drive units provided on the front side of the liquid crystal display unit , each having a dial and a pointer that rotates along the front of the dial as second display means for displaying desired information;
An instrument housing that houses the liquid crystal display unit and the two pointer drive units ;
Position variable means for attaching the two pointer drive units to the instrument housing part movably along the front surface of the liquid crystal display unit ;
The two pointer drive units are arranged adjacent to each other with the liquid crystal display unit arranged therebetween,
Wherein the position varying means, at least part of a region where the liquid crystal display unit does not display the information by two pointer driving unit is blocked, and as the display area of the liquid crystal display unit is not blocked, the two hands Move the drive unit ,
The display area of the liquid crystal display unit is set to be enlarged or reduced by the two pointer drive units moving closer to or away from each other, and the display area of the liquid crystal display unit is enlarged or reduced. display device comprising you to view in the display region different display during. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display unit is configured so that a size of the display area is switched according to information to be displayed. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that moves the pointer driving unit in conjunction with switching of a size of the display area of the liquid crystal display unit . The position variable means has power conversion means for converting rotational motion into linear motion, and a drive unit for rotating the power conversion means,
The said power conversion means moves the said pointer drive unit along the said front surface of the said liquid crystal display unit according to rotation of the said drive part, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The display device described in 1. In response to an instruction signal from the outside, the liquid crystal display unit, the pointer driving unit, and the position changing means are operated, and at least a part of the area where the liquid crystal display unit does not display information is shielded by the pointer driving unit. and wherein as the display area of the liquid crystal display unit is not blocked, the display device according to claim 1, characterized in Rukoto a control means for moving the pointer driving unit. The control means switches the information which the liquid crystal display unit is displayed in response to the instruction signal, the display device according to claim 5, wherein the switching Rukoto to the size of the display area in accordance with the information . The display device according to claim 5, further comprising a switching instruction unit that generates the instruction signal . The switching instruction means, the display device according to claim 7, characterized that you generate the indication signal which changes in accordance with the running state of the vehicle. The switching instruction means, the display device according to claim 7, characterized that you generate the instruction signal that varies in conjunction with the switching operation of the size of the display area.

Images