JP5682549B2 - Vehicle instrument - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle instrument that displays a state of a vehicle.

  There is known a vehicular instrument that displays the state of two different vehicles by indicating one of two indicators that selectively emit light by a pointer (see Patent Document 1). The illumination structure of each indicator of this instrument is provided with a light source at a position facing each indicator (directly under each indicator), and one of the two indicators is caused to emit light by turning on one of the light sources. . Hereinafter, a structure in which a light source is provided immediately below an index to be emitted and the index is illuminated by the light source is referred to as a direct illumination structure.

  There is also known a vehicle display device in which an indicator for displaying the state of the vehicle is installed next to the instrument (see Patent Document 2). Thus, by providing a display such as a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the state of the vehicle in addition to the meter, it is possible to increase information that can be displayed on the vehicle display device.

JP 2009-128242 A JP 2008-76541 A

  As shown in Patent Document 2, an indicator is also installed next to a vehicle meter that can display the state of two vehicles by one pointer as disclosed in Patent Document 1. There is a desire to install the indicator as close to the instrument as possible.

  As one method for installing the display device as close as possible to the vehicle meter, there is a method in which a part of the display device is accommodated on the rear side in the display direction of the display panel of the meter. This method makes it possible to install the display device as close to the meter as possible.

  However, since the illumination structure of the instrument disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a direct illumination structure, if the display is accommodated behind the display direction of the instrument, the light path from the light source to the indicator and the display Interfered and there was a limit to getting the display closer to the instrument.

  Therefore, the applicant of the present application has applied for an invention that solves the above problem by changing a part of the direct illumination structure to a system in which the optical path does not interfere with the display. Specifically, a light guide that can guide light freely is installed between the light source and a part of one of the indicators from a direct illumination structure with a part of one of the indicators. Was changed to an illumination structure that led light to a part of one of the indicators by a light guide. By adopting such a configuration, there is no need to install a light source at a position facing a part of one of the indicators as in a direct lighting structure. A space that can accommodate components can be formed. For example, by accommodating a part of the display device in the space formed in this way, the display device can be installed as close as possible to the instrument.

  Further, in the instrument of the invention filed earlier, the illumination structure has a direct illumination structure as disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, and the distance from the light source to the index is different. Luminance unevenness may occur. Therefore, in a portion having a direct illumination structure in the instrument of the invention filed earlier, a light diffusing member having a function of diffusing light in order to suppress the occurrence of uneven emission luminance of the index as described above Is provided. According to this, since the light diffused by the light diffusing member is incident on the indicator that emits light by the direct illumination structure, the occurrence of uneven emission luminance of the indicator can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, in the meter of the invention filed earlier, the light guide is directed toward the emission part in the middle of the optical path from the part where the light of the light source is incident to the part where the light is emitted toward a part of one index. A reflection part that diffusely reflects light is provided. According to this configuration, since the light diffused by the reflecting portion is emitted from the light guide toward the index and is incident on the index, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of light emission luminance unevenness in the index. it can.

  However, according to the vehicular instrument that uses both the direct type and the light guide type illumination structure, when one of the indicators emits light, the indicator that emits light by the direct type illumination structure and the light guide type illumination structure There was a problem that the emission color was different from the remaining indicators that emitted light. As described above, when the emission color is partially different in one of the indicators, there is a possibility that the viewer may feel uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to display the state of two different vehicles by pointing one of the two indicators that emit light selectively with one pointer. The viewer can respond to the desire to install other parts as close as possible to the instrument, and suppress the occurrence of uneven emission brightness of the indicator while giving the viewer a sense of discomfort that the indicator's emission color looks different. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle instrument that can emit light without giving light.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides:
A first region, a second region, and a third region, in which indicators that emit light by transmitting light side by side along the rotation direction of the pointer are formed, and the second region is in the rotation direction with respect to the first region. A display panel arranged in such a way that the third region is adjacent to the inner and outer circumferences of the first region;
A first light source that is provided at a position facing the first region on the rear side of the display direction of the display board and illuminates the first region;
A second light source provided on the display direction rear side of the display board and illuminating the second region;
A third light source that is provided at a position facing the third region on the rear side of the display direction of the display board and illuminates the third region;
The light absorption characteristic is provided between the first region and the first light source and absorbs a wavelength component of a specific range of incident light from the first light source, diffuses the incident light, and converts the diffused light to the first light source. A light diffusing member for a first region that is incident on an indicator of one region;
It is provided between the second region and the second light source, and is made of a transparent material having a light absorption characteristic that absorbs less wavelength components in a specific range than the first region light diffusion member. A light guide that guides the incident light while diffusing and emits the light toward the second region,
When the first light source and the second light source emit light, each indicator of the first region and the second region emits light while the indicator indicates the respective indicators of the first region and the second region. The second vehicle, which is different from the first vehicle state when the indicator of the third region is instructed by the indicator in the third region when the third light source emits light and the indicator of the third region emits light. A vehicle instrument for displaying the state,
Provided between the light guide and the second region, and has a light absorption characteristic for absorbing a wavelength component of a specific range of incident light from the light guide, and light that has absorbed a wavelength component of the specific range from the incident light. A light absorbing member that is incident on the second region index is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first and second regions included in the display board are arranged in the direction of rotation of the pointer, and the third region is adjacent to the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side of the first region. Lined up to fit. In addition, these regions are irradiated with light from the first, second, and third light sources. Furthermore, the first to third light sources are configured to selectively emit light from the first, second, or third light sources. According to the vehicular instrument having such a configuration, the first and second light sources emit light, and the first and second region indicators emit light. The first vehicle state is displayed when the pointer indicates, the third light source emits light, and the third region indicator emits light, and the third region indicator indicates the first vehicle state. A second vehicle state different from the vehicle state can be displayed.

  In this invention, since the first region light diffusing member for diffusing the incident light from the first light source is provided between the first region and the first light source, the unevenness of the emission luminance of the index of the first region is provided. Occurrence can be suppressed. Furthermore, in this invention, since the 1st light source which illuminates the 1st area | region and the 3rd light source which illuminates the 3rd area | region are both provided in the position facing each area | region, the 1st formed in a display board, It is possible to make the distance of the third region as close as possible. If the distance between the first and third regions can be made as close as possible in this way, the indicators of the first and third regions can be designated with a single pointer.

  However, if the illumination structure of the indicator in the second area is the same as the structure that illuminates the first area, the second area should be placed as close as possible to the instrument. When you want to accommodate a part of the display panel behind the display direction, it interferes with the optical path between the second light source and the second area, and you want to install other parts as close to the instrument as possible. I can't respond.

  On the other hand, in this invention, as the illumination structure of the second region, a structure in which the light emitted from the second light source is guided to the second region using a light guide and the second region is illuminated is adopted. doing. According to this, it is possible to form a space for accommodating a part of other components installed adjacent to the instrument on the rear side in the display direction of the display board. As described above, according to the illumination structure of the second region, it is possible to meet the demand to install other parts as close as possible to the instrument.

  In the light guide of the present invention, the light guided while diffusing the incident light from the second light source is incident on the indicator of the second region. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the light emission brightness nonuniformity of the parameter | index in a 2nd area | region is suppressed.

  As described above, according to the configuration described above, it is desirable to suppress the occurrence of light emission luminance unevenness when the indicators of the first and second regions are lit and displayed, and to place other components as close to the instrument as possible. It can respond to the request.

  As described above, the light guide having the light diffusion member for the first region and the reflection portion has a function of suppressing the occurrence of uneven emission luminance. Therefore, the light emitted from the light diffusion member for the first region and the light guide is generally made to enter the respective indicators of the first and second regions as they are.

  However, each of the first region light diffusion member and the light guide has a light absorption characteristic that absorbs a wavelength component in a specific range of incident light from the light source. In particular, the absorption amount of the wavelength component in a specific range of the light guide is smaller than that of the first region light diffusion member. When the light transmitted through the first region light diffusing member and the light guide having such light absorption characteristics is directly incident on the respective indexes of the first and second regions, the difference in the characteristics causes the first The emission color of the area indicator and the emission color of the second area indicator may be different. If the amount of absorption of the wavelength component in the specific range is different, the ratio of the wavelength component in the specific range and the wavelength component in the other range is the same for the light emitted from the first region light diffusion member and the light guide. Unlikely, the color of the light emitted from the light diffusion member for the first region and the light guide is different.

  As described above, by interposing the light diffusion member for the first region and the light guide between the light source and the indicator, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven emission luminance of the indicator in both regions. Since the light absorption characteristics are different, there is a possibility that the emission colors of the indicators in the first and second regions cannot be made substantially the same. In this way, if the light emission colors of the indicators in the first and second regions are different, the viewer may feel uncomfortable.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in particular, it has a light absorption characteristic that absorbs a wavelength component in a specific range of incident light from the light guide, and the light that has absorbed the wavelength component in the specific range from the incident light is reflected in the second region. A light absorbing member to be incident on the indicator is installed between the light guide and the second region. According to this, since the wavelength component of the specific range of the incident light from the light guide is absorbed, the wavelength component of the specific range and the wavelength of the other range with respect to the light emitted from the light absorbing member The ratio of the component can be made close to the light emitted from the light diffusion member for the first region, and the state of the light incident on the indicator in the second region is the state of the light incident on the indicator in the first region Can be approached. As a result, the emission color of the indicator in the second region approaches the emission color of the indicator in the first region.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the state of two different vehicles can be displayed by pointing one of the indicators of the first and second regions or the indicator of the third region that selectively emit light with one pointer. Can respond to the request to install other parts as close as possible to the instrument, and suppress the occurrence of uneven brightness in the indicators in the first and second areas, and emit light from the indicators. It is possible to provide a vehicle instrument capable of light emission display that does not give a viewer a sense of incongruity that colors look different.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, the light diffusion member for the first region covers all of the first region from the rear side in the display direction, and the light absorption member covers all of the second region from the rear side in the display direction. . According to this configuration, the light in which the wavelength component in the specific range is absorbed by the light diffusion member for the first region is incident on all the indexes formed in the first region, and the wavelength component in the specific range is supplied by the light absorption member. Since the incident light is incident on all the indicators formed in the second region, the emission colors of all the indicators in both regions can be made substantially the same.

  Here, since the light guide of this instrument is formed of a transparent material, the amount of absorption of the wavelength component in the specific range is extremely small, and the state of the light emitted from the light guide is This is almost the same as the state of light emitted from the first light source. For this reason, the state of the light incident on the light absorbing member via the light guide is substantially the same as the state of the light incident on the light diffusing member. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the light diffusion member for the first region and the light absorption member are formed of the same material, the light absorption characteristic of the light absorption member is set to the light of the light diffusion member for the first region. The absorption characteristics can be approached. As described above, since the state of light incident on the first region light diffusing member and the light absorbing member is substantially the same, by forming both members from the same material, the second region The emission color of the indicator can be made closer to the emission color of the indicator in the first region. In addition, as in the invention described in claim 4, by making the thicknesses in the display direction of both members the same, the emission color of the indicator in the second region is further changed to the emission color of the indicator in the first region. You can get closer.

  In addition, as in the invention described in claim 5, the incident light from the third light source is diffused between the third light source and the third region, and the diffused light is incident on the index of the third region. A third region light diffusion member is provided. According to such a configuration, since the light diffused by the light diffusion member for the third region is incident on the third region index, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of light emission luminance unevenness in the third region index. .

  As in the invention described in claim 6, when the light diffusion member for the first region, the light diffusion member for the third region, and the light absorption member are connected to each other with a light shielding member having a light shielding property interposed therebetween, Three members can be handled as one part. For this reason, manufacture of a meter becomes easy. Further, since a light shielding member having a light shielding property is interposed between each of the two light diffusing members and the light absorbing member, for example, the first and second light sources emit light and the third light source emits light. When not in the state, incident light to the first region light diffusing member and the light absorbing member can be prevented from entering the third region light diffusing member.

  In addition, the optical path from the first light source to the first area, the optical path from the second light source to the second area, and the optical path from the third light source to the third area are isolated on the rear side of the display direction of the display board. An isolating member is provided. As described above, according to these, the light emitted from each light source can be reliably incident on the corresponding region index, and the first, second region index, or third region index can be selectively selected. Can emit light.

  Moreover, since the edge part of the display direction front side in a separating member and the light shielding member are joined to the double-sided tape like the invention of Claim 7, the separating member and the light shielding member are closely attached, and the first light source The light emitted from the second light source and the third light source can be reliably suppressed from leaking between the isolation member and the light shielding member. Therefore, the light emitted from each light source can be incident on the index of the corresponding area, and the index of the first area, the index of the second area, or the index of the third area can be selectively emitted. Moreover, since it becomes difficult for the isolation member and the light shielding member to be separated from each other by the vibration of the vehicle, the generation of a gap between them can be suppressed.

  When the second light source is provided at a position facing the inner peripheral side portion of the second area on the display board as in the invention described in claim 8, the optical path from the second light source to the second area is an instrument. Therefore, it is possible to easily form an accommodation space that is open toward the outer peripheral side of the second region on the rear side in the display direction of the display panel. Therefore, by installing the second light source at the above-described position, it is possible to accommodate a part of other components from the outer peripheral side of the meter.

It is a front view of the combination meter by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of a power condition display part in case the power condition display meter of the combination meter by one Embodiment of this invention displays the rotational speed of an internal combustion engine. It is a front view of the power status display part in case the power status display meter of the vehicle meter by one Embodiment of this invention is displaying the system output status of a hybrid system. It is sectional drawing in the IV-IV line of FIG. It is a top view of a diffusion plate. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the combination meter by one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the VII-VII line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the combination meter by other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(One embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view of a combination meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The combination meter 10 shown in FIG. 1 displays various types of vehicle information, and is housed in an instrument panel positioned in front of the vehicle compartment with the display direction facing the viewer. The combination meter 10 according to the present embodiment is particularly mounted on a so-called hybrid vehicle equipped with a hybrid system that uses power output from an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as driving force of the vehicle.

  The combination meter 10 includes a power state display meter 12, a speedometer speedometer 14, and a vehicle information display unit 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the power status display meter 12 and the speedometer 14 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle information display unit 16 is provided between the power status display meter 12 and the speedometer 14. Be placed.

  The power status display meter 12 displays at least one of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine and the system output status of the hybrid system. FIG. 2 is a front view of the power state display meter 12 when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is displayed, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the power state display meter 12 when the system output state of the hybrid system is displayed. It is a front view. FIG. 1 shows a state in which indicators for both the rotational speed and the system output are lit on the display plate 20 of the power status display meter 12. For example, the display of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine and the display of the system output state of the hybrid system are switched by the driver operating a mode switch 84 installed in the vehicle. The mode changeover switch 84 is a switch for changing the system output tendency of the hybrid system, and has a “SPORT” mode and an “ECO” mode. For example, when the driver switches the mode changeover switch 84 to the “SPORT” mode, for example, a power management control circuit that controls the hybrid system controls the internal combustion engine and the electric motor so that the operation is focused on torque. On the other hand, when the driver switches to the “ECO” mode, the power management control circuit controls the internal combustion engine and the electric motor so that the fuel consumption is minimized. When the mode switch 84 is in the “SPORT” mode, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is displayed on the power status display meter 12 (see FIG. 2), and when in the “ECO” mode, the system output The status is displayed (see FIG. 3).

  Hereinafter, each display state will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the power status display meter 12 that displays the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine indicates the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine by pointing the character 24, the scale 26, and the unit symbol 28 at the tip of the rotating pointer 40. Display. The characters 24, scales 26, and unit symbols 28 are formed on the display board 20 so as to be arranged along the rotation direction of the pointer 40, and emit light by transmission of light incident from the rear side in the display direction to the front side in the display direction. . The character 24 is an index imitating a number, and includes a character 24a composed of the numbers “0” to “5” and a character 24b composed of the numbers “6” to “8”. The scale 26 is a rectangular index whose longitudinal direction is the extending direction of the pointer 40, and includes a scale 26a formed on the outer peripheral side of the character 24a and a scale 26b formed on the outer peripheral side of the character 24b. ing. In addition to the characters 24 and the scale 26, the display board 20 is formed with a unit symbol 28 imitating a symbol indicating the unit of the rotational speed above the center of rotation of the pointer 40 for visual recognition. Each of the characters 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28 is formed in the first area 31 formed on the display board 20, and the characters 24b and the scale 26b are formed in the second area 32 formed on the display board 20. Has been. The second area 32 is aligned with the rotation direction of the pointer 40 with respect to the first area 31. In the present embodiment, the portion corresponding to the red zone of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine in the scale 26b emits red light, and the portions other than the red zone of the characters 24a, 24b, scale 26a, and scale 26b emit light in white. In the present embodiment, the portion other than the red zone emits white light, but the light emission color is not limited to white.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the power status display meter 12 that displays the system output status of the hybrid system indicates that the character 36 and the scale 38 are pointed at the tip of the pointer 40 that moves along the front of the display direction of the display board. Displays the system output status. The characters 36 and the scale 38 are formed on the display panel 20 so as to be arranged along the rotation direction of the pointer 40, and emit light by transmitting light incident from the rear side in the display direction to the front side in the display direction. The character 36 is an index indicating the system output state of the hybrid system, and is composed of indexes “CHARGE”, “ECO”, and “POWER”. Of the characters 36, “CHARGE” is formed between “0” and “1” of the character 24 a and shifted to the rotation center side of the pointer 40. Of the characters 36, “ECO” is formed inside “2” of the character 24a. Of the characters 36, “POWER” is formed at a position shifted to the rotation center side of the pointer 40 from “4” of the character 24 a. The scale 38 is a rectangular index whose longitudinal direction is the direction in which the pointer 40 extends. The scale 38 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the character 24 a and on the inner peripheral side of the scale 26 a, but is not formed in the second region 32. The characters 36 and the scale 38 are formed in the third region 33 formed on the display board 20. In the present embodiment, the third region 33 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the first region 31 where the scale 26a is formed. In addition, a third region 33 where the character 36 is formed is formed on the inner peripheral side of the first region 31 where the character 24a is formed, and a scale 38 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the first region 31 where the character 24a is formed. A third region 33 to be formed is formed. Further, in the present embodiment, in the scale 38, the vicinity of “CHARGE” of the character 36 emits dark blue, the vicinity of “POWER” of the character 36 emits white, and the vicinity of “ECO” of the character 36 becomes light blue. Emits light. When the pointer 40 indicates the dark blue light emission range of the scale 38, the power state display meter 12 displays the state in which the running energy of the vehicle is recovered (regenerated), and the white light emission range is indicated by the pointer 40. Indicates that the hybrid system uses most of the power from the internal combustion engine and the power from the electric motor as power for driving the vehicle. By pointing, the system output state of the hybrid system that suppresses the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine as much as possible is displayed. In the present embodiment, the color of the character 36 near “ECO” is light blue, but it may be green.

  The speedometer 14 displays the traveling speed of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the speedometer 14 displays the traveling speed of the vehicle by pointing the character 102a and the scale 102b with the tip of the rotating pointer 106. The characters 102 a and scales 102 b are formed on the display panel 100 so as to be aligned along the rotation direction of the pointer 106, and emit light by light emitted from a light source provided on the display direction rear side of the display panel 100. The character 102a is an index imitating a number. The scale 102b is a rectangular index whose longitudinal direction is the extending direction of the pointer 106, and is formed on the outer peripheral side of the character 102a. In addition to the characters 102a and the scale 102b, the display board 100 is formed with a unit symbol 104 imitating a symbol indicating a unit of traveling speed above the center of rotation of the pointer 106 for visual recognition.

  The vehicle information display unit 16 displays various information related to the state of the vehicle such as the travel distance of the vehicle, instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, half-door warning, and tire pressure warning. The vehicle information display unit 16 is a liquid crystal display panel 16 that can display an arbitrary image on the screen, and displays various information regarding the state of the vehicle on the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 16.

  Next, the mechanical configuration of the power state display meter 12 in the meter 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the power status display meter 12 includes a display plate 20, a pointer 40, a circuit board 44, electrical components, a diffusion plate 56, a light guide 62, and a case 74. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the diffusion plate.

  The display panel 20 is formed by laminating a light-shielding print layer having a light-shielding property on a light-transmissive substrate made of, for example, a light-transmitting polycarbonate or acrylic. The character 24, the scale 26, the unit symbol 28, the character 36, and the scale 38 formed on the display board 20 are composed of, for example, a portion exposed from the through-hole of the light-shielding print layer in the light-transmitting substrate, and the rear side in the display direction The light emitted from the LEDs 48a to 48i provided in the light is transmitted to the front side in the display direction.

  The pointer 40 is made of, for example, light-transmitting acrylic, and is disposed on the front side of the display board 20 in the display direction. The rotating shaft 42 of the pointer 40 extends to the rear side in the display direction of the display board 20 through the through hole 39 of the display board 20, and includes a stepper motor 50 that is one of electric components mounted on the circuit board 44 described later. It is connected.

  The circuit board 44 is made of, for example, a hard board such as paper phenol type or glass epoxy type, and a wiring pattern (not shown) made of a predetermined copper foil material is formed on both surfaces. The circuit board 44 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the display board 20 on the rear side in the display direction of the display board 20. On the circuit board 44, a stepper motor 50, a liquid crystal display panel 16, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 48a to 48j, and a control unit 54, which are electrical components connected to a wiring pattern, are mounted. The circuit board 44 used in the present embodiment has wiring patterns formed on both sides, but it is also possible to use a four-layer circuit board having wiring patterns inside the circuit board 44. It is.

  The stepper motor 50 includes a rotor that rotates in synchronization with input pulse power, and an output shaft 52 that is integral with the rotor and is connected to the rotating shaft 42 of the pointer 40. The output shaft 52 of the stepper motor 50 rotates to a desired angle in the direction to rotate in accordance with the input pulse power. The stepper motor 50 is mounted on the rear surface of the circuit board 44 in the display direction, and the front end of the output shaft 52 protrudes forward in the display direction through the opening 46.

  The liquid crystal display panel 16 displays an image by applying a voltage to each of a plurality of segment portions formed in advance in a specific shape. The liquid crystal display panel 16 is a transmissive panel that displays an image by transmitting light incident from the rear side in the display direction, and is electrically connected to the circuit board 44.

  The LEDs 48a to 48j are semiconductor elements that convert electrical energy into light energy, and emit light when a voltage is applied. All of these LEDs 48a to 48j are mounted on the front surface of the circuit board 44 in the display direction. The LED 48a is “1” to “5” of the characters 24a, the LED 48b is “0” of the characters 24a, the LED 48c is the scale 26a, the LED 48d is the characters 24b and 26b, the LED 48e is the unit symbol 28, and the LED 48f is “CHARGE” among the characters 36, LED48g “POWER” among the characters 36, LED48h “ECO” among the characters 36, LED 48i illuminates the scale 38, and LED 48j illuminates the pointer 40, respectively. The light source.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the diffusion plate 56 has a plurality of diffusion portions 58a to 58i made of a resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic. The diffusion parts 58a to 58i are silicon beads or glass beads as a particulate light diffuser that diffuses light into a light-transmitting resin, and a pigment (milky white) that adjusts the color of light and the amount of transmitted light. Is included. With these inclusions, the diffusing parts 58a to 58i diffuse incident light and make the light emission luminance distribution of the diffusing parts 58a to 58i uniform.

  Specifically, the light incident on each of the diffusion parts 58a to 58i is diffused to every corner by the silicon beads and the glass beads contained in the diffusion parts 58a to 58i. However, with this alone, the portion where the distance between the light source and the diffusing portion is short is in a relatively high luminance state compared to the far portion, and distribution occurs in the light emission luminance on the surface of the diffusing portion. In order to eliminate this distribution, pigments for adjusting the amount of light transmission are included in the diffusion portions 58a to 58i. This light transmission amount adjustment function makes the light emission luminance distribution of the diffusion portions 58a to 58i uniform. Further, the thicknesses of the diffusion portions 58a to 58i are substantially the same.

  The light diffused by the diffusing unit 58a is incident on “1” to “5” of the character 24a, and the light diffused by the diffusing unit 58b is incident on “0” of the character 24a. The light diffused by the diffusing portion 58c is incident on the scale 26a, and the light diffused by the diffusing portion 58d is incident on the character 24b and the scale 26b, and the diffusing portion 58e. Is diffused by the diffuser 58g. The light diffused by the diffuser 58f is incident on "CHARGE" of the characters 36 and is diffused by the diffuser 58g. The light is incident on “POWER” of the character 36, and the light diffused by the diffusion unit 58 h is incident on “ECO” of the character 36. And Tsu, light diffused by the diffusion unit 58i is made incident on the scale 38.

  The diffusion plate 56 has a black resin portion 60 having a light shielding property, and the diffusion portions 58 a to 58 i are held by the black resin portion 60. The black resin portion 60 is also made of a resin such as polycarbonate, acrylic, or elastomer, or an ABS resin. The diffusion plate 56 is disposed so as to be in contact with the rear surface in the display direction of the display plate 20. The diffusion plate 56 is formed by two-color molding of the black resin portion 60 and the diffusion portions 58a to 58i. The diffusion portions 58a to 58i are connected to each other with the black resin portion 60 interposed therebetween. For this reason, the plurality of diffusion portions 58a to 58i can be handled as one component, and the manufacture of the meter 10 is facilitated.

  The light guide 62 is made of, for example, light-transmitting acrylic, and is disposed further on the rear side in the display direction of the diffusion plate 56. Acrylic is a material having relatively high transparency among resin materials, and has higher transparency than polycarbonate. The light guide 62 guides the light emitted from the LED 48d to the characters 24b and the scale 26b. The light guide 62 is provided to face the LED 48d, and is provided to face the incident surface 64 on which light emitted from the LED 48d is incident, and the second region 32 where the characters 24b and the scale 26b are formed. 66 and a reflecting surface 68 provided in the middle of the optical path between the incident surface 64 and the exit surface 66. The reflection surface 68 is provided at a position facing the emission surface 66. The surface of the reflecting surface 68 on the side facing the emitting surface 66 has an uneven shape so that incident light is diffusely reflected. Light incident from the incident surface 64 is diffusely reflected by the reflecting surface 68 on the way to the output surface 66. The light diffusely reflected by the reflection surface 68 is emitted from the emission surface 66 toward the characters 24b and the scale 26b.

  The case 74 includes a first inner case 76, a second inner case 78, a lower case 80, and the like. The first inner case 76 is formed of a white resin material such as polypropylene. The first inner case 76 holds the display plate 20 and the diffusion plate 56 at the end portion on the front side in the display direction, and holds the circuit board 44 at the end portion on the rear side in the display direction. The second inner case 78 is formed of a resin material such as polypropylene. The second inner case 78 is disposed on the front side in the display direction of the circuit board 44 and holds the liquid crystal display panel 16.

  The lower case 80 is a bottomed container formed of a resin material such as polypropylene. The lower case 80 is assembled to the rear side in the display direction of the first inner case 76 by a fixing claw (not shown) or the like. The lower case 80 accommodates the circuit board 44 and the like, thereby preventing dust and dirt from adhering to the circuit board 44 from the rear side in the display direction.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the meter 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the electrical configuration of the power status display meter 12 and the liquid crystal display panel 16 will be described.

  The meter 10 is electrically configured by a control unit 54, a stepper motor 50, a liquid crystal display panel 16, LEDs 48a to 48j, a mode switch 84, and the like. In addition, an external battery 86, a relay 88, a controller area network (CAN) 90 that is an in-vehicle network, and a grounded earth wiring 96 are connected to the meter 10.

  The control unit 54 is composed of a microcomputer that operates according to a program. The control unit 54 includes a power supply system that is always in conduction with the battery 86 and a power supply system via the relay 88, and power is supplied from the battery 86. In addition, the control unit 54 is connected to an in-vehicle network such as the CAN 90, for example, and information on the vehicle output to the CAN 90, specifically, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, the system output state of the hybrid system, the vehicle Information such as travel speed, fuel consumption, door open / close state, seat belt wearing state, and ON / OFF state of the engine switch 92 is acquired.

  The control unit 54 is electrically connected to the stepper motor 50, the liquid crystal display panel 16, the LEDs 48a to 48j, the mode changeover switch 84, and the like. The control unit 54 calculates a rotation direction, a rotation angle, and a rotation speed that the output shaft 52 (see FIG. 4) should rotate based on the acquired information about the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine or the system output state, and the calculation result Is output to the stepper motor 50. Further, the control unit 54 controls the application of voltage to the LEDs 48a to 48j based on information such as the state of the mode switch 84 and the ON / OFF state of the engine switch 92. Further, the control unit 54 calculates the cumulative travel distance, instantaneous fuel efficiency, and average fuel efficiency based on the vehicle travel speed and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine. Based on these calculated values, information on the door opening / closing state and seat belt wearing state, and the operation state of a display changeover switch (not shown), the voltage applied to the plurality of segment portions of the liquid crystal display panel 16 is controlled.

  On the CAN 90, a power supply control circuit 94 is provided. The power supply control circuit 94 is connected to a battery 86, an engine switch 92, a relay 88, an engine control circuit (not shown), and the like. The battery 86 supplies power to the power supply control circuit 94. When the power supply control circuit 94 detects a pressing operation of the engine switch 92 by the driver, the power supply control circuit 94 applies a voltage from the battery 86 to the relay 88 to turn on the relay 88. Further, the power supply control circuit 94 outputs information related to the start / stop state of the vehicle on the CAN 90 based on the detected pressing operation of the engine switch 92 by the driver. In addition, the starting state of a vehicle means the state which can drive a vehicle, when a driver | operator operates the accelerator provided in the vehicle.

  According to the above configuration, when the driver operates the engine switch 92, the power supply control circuit 94 sets the vehicle state to the activated state. At this time, the power supply control circuit 94 applies a voltage to the relay 88 to make the battery 86 and the control unit 54 conductive. At the same time, information on the vehicle activation state is output on the CAN 90. After acquiring information that the state of the vehicle is the activated state, the control unit 54 starts acquiring information about the vehicle through the CAN 90. The control unit 54 controls electrical components such as the connected stepper motor 50 based on the information acquired from the CAN 90.

  Specifically, the control unit 54 acquires information indicating that the mode changeover switch 84 is in the “SPORT” mode, so that the LEDs 48 a to e and j are turned on and the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is determined. Rotation of the output shaft 52 of the stepper motor 50 to an angle. As a result, the power status display meter 12 starts displaying the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, the control unit 54 obtains information indicating that the mode changeover switch 84 is in the “ECO” mode, thereby turning on the LEDs 48f to 48j and a stepper to an angle corresponding to the system output state of the hybrid system. The output shaft 52 of the motor 50 is rotated. Thereby, the power status display meter 12 starts displaying the system output status of the hybrid system (see FIG. 3).

  When the engine switch 92 is operated again by the driver, the power supply control circuit 94 sets the vehicle state to the stop state. At this time, the power supply control circuit 94 stops the application of the voltage to the relay 88 and stops the conduction between the battery 86 and the control unit 54. At the same time, information indicating that the vehicle is in a stopped state is output on the CAN 90. After acquiring information that the state of the vehicle is a stop state, the control unit 54 stops applying voltage to the LEDs 48a to 48j and outputs pulse power that causes the output shaft 52 to return to the stepper motor 50. To do. By the operation of the control unit 54, the LEDs 48a to 48j stop emitting light, and the stepper motor 50 causes the output shaft 52 to return to zero.

(Characteristic part)
Hereinafter, the characteristic part of the meter 10, especially the power condition display meter 12 and the liquid crystal display panel 16 by one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the letters 24a, scales 26a, and unit symbols 28 that emit light when displaying the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine are formed in a first region 31 having a sector shape, as shown in FIG. . And the character 24b and the scale 26b are formed in the 2nd area | region 32 which exhibits the sector shape provided along with the rotation direction of the pointer | guide 40 with respect to the 1st area | region 31, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the first region 31 is located on the left side toward the power state display meter 12, and the second region 32 is located on the right side toward the power state display meter 12.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view of the diffusion plate 56. This figure is a diagram for explaining the positions of the character 24, the scale 26, the unit symbol 28, the character 36, the scale 38, and the positions of the LEDs 48a-i with respect to the diffusion portions 58a to 58i. , Scale 26, unit symbol 28, character 36, scale 38 are indicated by broken lines, and LEDs 48a to 48i are indicated by alternate long and short dash lines.

  Each of the LEDs 48a to 48c, e is installed in front of the display direction of the circuit board 44 so as to face the characters 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28 of the first region 31, and the LED 48d is a character 24b of the second region 32, The display direction of the circuit board 44 is set in front of the display direction of the circuit board 44 facing the inner peripheral portion of the scale 26b, and each of the LEDs 48f to 48i faces the character 36 and the scale 38 of the third area 33. The LED 48j is installed on the front surface of the circuit board 44 in the display direction so as to face the end of the pointer 40 on the rotating shaft 42 side.

  All the colors of light emitted from the LEDs 48a to 48j are substantially the same color. In the present embodiment, the light colors of the LEDs 48a to 48j are all white. Of the characters 24a, scale 26a, characters 24b, and scale 26b, the portions other than the red zone are transparent so that the white light of the LEDs 48a to 48d and e can be transmitted as they are, so that the white light can be emitted. The red zone portion of the scale 26b contains a red pigment so that red light can be emitted. Since it is sufficient that the red zone portion can emit red light, a red filter may be provided in the portion. The character 36 is transparent so that the white light of the LEDs 48f, g, h can be transmitted as it is. The portion of the scale 38 that emits white light is transparent so that the white light of the LED 48i can be transmitted as it is. The portion of the scale 38 that emits dark blue contains a dark blue pigment so that it can emit light in dark blue. The portion of the scale 38 that emits light blue light contains a light blue pigment so that light can be emitted light blue. The dark blue and light blue light emitting portions may emit dark blue and light blue light, respectively, and therefore dark blue and light blue filters may be provided in the portions.

  The diffusing portion 58a is arranged at a position facing “1” to “5” among the characters 24a in the first region 31. The diffusing portion 58 b is disposed at a position facing “0” among the characters 24 a in the first region 31. The diffusion portion 58 c is disposed at a position facing the scale 26 a in the first region 31. The diffusion parts 58a and c have a fan shape. The diffusion part 58c is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the diffusion parts 58a and 58b. The diffusing portion 58d is disposed at a position facing the character 24b and the scale 26b in the second region 32. The diffusing part 58d has a larger fan shape than the diffusing parts 58a, b, and c, and is arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the pointer 40 with respect to the diffusing parts 58a and c. The diffusing portion 58e is disposed at a position facing the unit symbol 28.

  The diffusing unit 58f is disposed at a position facing the “CHARGE” in the character 36. The diffusing portion 58g is arranged at a position facing the “POWER” in the character 36. The diffusing portion 58h is disposed at a position facing the “ECO” in the character 36. The diffusion portion 58 i is disposed at a position facing the scale 38. The diffusion unit 58f is disposed between the diffusion unit 58a and the diffusion unit 58b, and the diffusion unit 58g is disposed between the diffusion unit 58a and the diffusion unit 58e. The diffusion portion 58h is disposed between the diffusion portion 58f and the diffusion portion 58g. In addition, the diffusion part 58i is disposed between the diffusion parts 58a and 58b and the diffusion part 58c.

  Each of the diffusing parts 58a to 58c covers all of the characters 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28 in the first area 31, and the diffusing part 58d has the characters 24b and the scale 26b in the second area 32. It covers everything. Further, each of the diffusing portions 58f to 58i covers all the characters 36 and the scale 38 of the third region 33.

  The light guide 62 includes an incident portion 70 having an incident surface 64 at an end on the rear side in the display direction, and an emitting portion 72 having a fan shape and having an emitting surface 66 and a reflecting surface 68. The incident portion 70 extends from the incident surface 64 toward the front side in the display direction, and an end portion on the front side in the display direction is optically connected to the emission portion 72. The emitting portion 72 extends from the end of the incident portion 70 on the front side in the display direction in a direction intersecting the display direction and toward the outer peripheral side of the display plate 20. Further, the incident portion 70 is connected to a portion of the emission portion 72 that faces the inner peripheral side portion of the second region 32. An emission surface 66 is formed on the front surface of the emission unit 72 in the display direction, and a reflection surface 68 is formed on the rear surface in the display direction. The emission portion 72 has a smaller thickness toward the outer peripheral side of the display panel 20. The surface on which the emission surface 66 is formed is substantially parallel to the display plate 20, and the surface on which the reflection surface 68 is formed is closer to the display plate 20 toward the outer periphery. Inclined. According to the light guide 62 configured in this way, the light that has entered the incident portion 70 from the LED 48d through the incident surface 64 travels in the incident portion 70 toward the front end in the display direction, and optically. The light enters the connected emission part 72. The light that has entered the emitting portion 72 is diffusely reflected by the reflecting surface 68 that is inclined with respect to the display panel 20. The diffusely reflected light travels toward the exit surface 66 located on the front side in the display direction, is emitted from the exit surface 66, and enters the characters 24b and the scale 26b in the second region 32. According to the light guide 62 having such an optical path, even if the LED 48d is disposed at a position facing the character 24b of the second region 32 and the inner peripheral portion of the scale 26b, the light emitted from the LED 48d. Can be made incident on the character 24b and the scale 26b.

  According to the light guide 62 having the above-described configuration, the liquid crystal display panel 16 held by a component different from the power state display meter 12, for example, the second inner case 78, on the rear side in the display direction of the emission unit 72. Can be formed (see FIG. 4). Thus, by accommodating a part of the liquid crystal display panel 16 in the space, the power state display meter 12 and the liquid crystal display panel 16 can be installed as close as possible. Further, in particular, in the present embodiment, the LED 48 d is installed at a position facing the inner peripheral portion of the second region 32, so that the optical path from the LED 48 d to the character 36 and the scale 38 is on the outer peripheral side of the second region 32. Can be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, it becomes easy to form an accommodation space that opens toward the outer peripheral side of the second region 32 on the rear side of the light guide 62 in the display direction.

  FIG. 7 shows a cross section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. The first inner case 76 includes isolation portions 82a to 82j that isolate adjacent optical paths. Each isolation part 82a-j is comprised so that the circumference | surroundings of the through-hole 39 of the spreading | diffusion part 58a-i and the display board 20 may be surrounded. Moreover, in these isolation | separation parts 82a-j, the edge part of the display direction front side is in contact with the black resin part 60 of the diffusion plate 56, or the display surface rear surface of the display board 20, and the edge part of the display direction rear side is a circuit. The substrate 44 is in contact with the front of the display direction. The separators 82 a to 82 j are in contact with the display plate 20, the diffusion plate 56, and the circuit board 44, so that the display plate 20, the diffusion plate 56, and the circuit board 44 are held by the first inner case 76.

  The isolation portions 82 a to 82 c and e to j excluding the isolation portion 82 d are provided substantially perpendicular to the diffusion plate 56. Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange | position LED48a-c and e-i in the position facing spreading | diffusion part 58a-c, e-i. Therefore, the LEDs 48 a to c and e are arranged to face the characters 24 a, the scale 26 a and the unit symbol 28 in the first region 31, and the LEDs 48 f to i are arranged to face the characters 36 and the scale 38. Further, the separating portion d has a shape that follows the rear surface of the light guide 62 in the display direction, and covers the rear surface of the light guide 62 in the display direction. Further, the side walls of the isolation portions 82a to 82j are white, and the light emitted from the LEDs 48a to 48j can be efficiently guided to the characters 24a, the scale 26a, the unit symbol 28, the characters 24b, the scale 26b, and the pointer 40. It can be done.

  Further, in the power status display meter 12 of the present embodiment, as described above, in particular, the LEDs 48a to 48c are installed at positions facing the characters 24a and the scale 26a of the first region 31, and the LEDs 48f to 48i are respectively set. Since the third region 33 is placed at a position opposite to the characters 36 and the scale 38, the characters 24a and scale 26a of the first region 31 and the characters 36 and the scale 38 of the third region 33 are made as close as possible to each other. 20 can be formed. For this reason, the character 24a, the scale 26a, the character 36, and the scale 38 can be indicated by one pointer 40.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the isolation | separation part 82a-i is the optical path to the character 24a of the 1st area | region 31 corresponding to each of LED48a-c, e from each of the LED 26a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28, LED48d through the light guide 62. The light path to the character 24b and the scale 26b in the second region 32 and the light path to the character 36 and the scale 38 in the corresponding third region 33 from each of the LEDs 48f to 48i are isolated. Since the isolation portions 82a to 82i having such an optical path isolation function are provided on the rear side in the display direction of the display board 20, the LEDs 48a to 48e and the LEDs 48f to 48i are selectively made to emit light. The characters 24a, scales 26a, unit symbols 28, characters 24b, scales 26b, characters 36, and scales 38 of the second regions 31 and 32 can be selectively emitted. Moreover, according to the isolation | separation part 82a-i which has such an optical path isolation function, the 1st area | region 31, the 2nd area | region 32, and the 3rd area | region 33 can be mutually approached.

  Further, since the diffusing parts 58a to 58i are connected to each other with the black resin part 60 interposed therebetween, the light incident on the diffusing parts 58a to 58i does not enter the other diffusing parts 58a to 58i. It is emitted toward 31, 32, 33. Since the diffusing portions 58a to 58i have such a structure, the characters 24a, the scale 26a, the unit symbol 28, the characters 24b, the scale 26b, or the third area 33 of the first and second areas 31, 32 are surely formed. The characters 36 and the scale 38 can be selectively emitted.

  In the instrument 10 of the embodiment described so far, when the mode switch 84 is operated in the “SPORT” mode and the LEDs 48a to e and j are lit, the characters 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28 in the first area 31 are The LEDs 48a-c, e emit light. In particular, in this embodiment, since the diffusion portions 58a to 58c and e are provided between the LEDs 48a to 48c and the first region 31, the characters 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28 in the first region 31 are provided. The light diffused by the diffusing parts 58a to 58c and e enters. Thus, by providing the diffusing parts 58a to c and e, the LEDs 48a to c and e are arranged to face the character 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28 of the first region 31, and the LEDs 48a to c and e are arranged. Even if it has an illumination structure in which the character 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28 are illuminated by the light emitted from the light, the occurrence of uneven emission luminance of the character 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28 is suppressed. Can do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the light is emitted from the LED 48 d provided at a position facing the inner peripheral side portion of the second region 32, and is guided by the light guide 62 provided between the LED 48 d and the second region 32. The light 24b and the scale 26b in the second area 32 emit light by the light. The light guide 62 has a reflection surface 68 that diffuses and reflects the light from the LED 48 d toward the emission surface 66, so that the light diffusely reflected by the reflection surface 68 is a character in the second region 32. 24b and the scale 26b. Thus, the light guide 62 having the reflecting surface 68 is provided between the LED 48d and the second region 32, and the light 24b and the scale 26b in the second region 32 are illuminated by the light guided by the light guide 62. According to the structure, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven light emission luminance of the characters 24b and the scale 26b.

  As described above, even if the characters 24a, 24b, scale 26a, scale 26b, and unit symbol 28 emit light with different illumination structures, the characters 24a, scale 26a, unit symbol 28 of the first region 31, In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven light emission luminance of the characters 24b and the scale 26b in the second region 32.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the light emitted from the LEDs 48f to 48i and incident on the diffusers 58f to 58i and diffused is incident on the characters 36 and the scale 38 of the third region 33. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of light emission luminance unevenness at 36 and the scale 38.

  With the structure as described above, the occurrence of uneven emission luminance of the characters 24a, scales 26a, unit symbols 28, characters 24b, and scales 26b in the first region 31 and the second region 32 is suppressed. Usually, a member for diffusing light, such as the diffusing portions 58a to 58c, is not provided between the emission surface 66 and the second region 32.

  Here, the light absorption characteristics of the diffusion parts 58a to 58i and the light guide 62 will be described. It is empirically known that when light passes through the diffusing parts 58a to 58i and the light guide 62, a wavelength component in a specific range of the light passing therethrough is absorbed. In addition, it is also empirically known that the light guide 62 formed of a transparent material has a smaller amount of absorption of wavelength components in a specific range than the diffusion portions 58a to 58i. The difference in the light absorption characteristics is that the light guide 62 is made of a transparent material (for example, acrylic), whereas silicon beads and glass beads that diffuse light incident on the diffusion portions 58a to 58i, It is thought that this is because a pigment for adjusting the amount of permeation is included and polycarbonate is used as the base material of the diffusion portions 58a to 58i.

  Thus, the light emitted from the diffusing portions 58a to 58i having the light absorption characteristic that absorbs more wavelength components in the specific range than the light guide 62 includes the wavelength components in the specific range and the wavelength components in other ranges. The ratio of and changes greatly compared to the incident light. When the state of the emitted light changes in this way, the color of the emitted light is different from the color of the incident light. For example, in the case where white light is incident on the diffusing parts 58a to 58i, since the blue wavelength component contained in the light is absorbed, the ratio of the blue wavelength component is reduced. The light emitted from the diffusing portions 58a to 58i has a color containing a lot of yellow components. In addition, this light absorption characteristic may change also when the base material itself discolors when shape | molding the spreading | diffusion part 58a-i, or discoloring by the secular change of a base material.

  In the light guide 62, unlike the diffusion portions 58a to 58i, light is diffused by the reflection surface 68 without using a light diffuser or a pigment, so that the light guide 62 can be formed of a transparent material. For this reason, the light absorption characteristic of the transparent material light guide 62 is such that the absorption amount of the wavelength component in the specific range is very small. Therefore, the color of the light emitted from the light guide 62 is substantially the same as the color of the light emitted from the LED 48d. As described above, when the light emission colors of the LEDs 48a to 48c and e and the LED 48d are the same (white), the colors of the light emitted from the diffusion portions 58a to 58c and e and the light guide 62 are different.

  As described above, just because the diffusing portions 58a to 58c and the light guide 62 have the light diffusion function, for example, the light emitted from the light guide 62 is directly used as the characters 24b in the second region 32. When the light is incident on the scale 26b, the light emission color of the characters 24a, scale 26a, and unit symbol 28 in the first area 31 is different from the light emission color of the characters 24b, scale 26b in the second area 32, which makes the viewer feel uncomfortable. There is a risk of giving. For example, when the LEDs 48a to 48e emit white light, the character 24a and the scale 26a have a light emission color including more yellow components than the portions other than the red zone in the character 24b and the scale 26b.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in particular, the light absorption characteristic that absorbs the wavelength component in the specific range of the incident light from the light guide 62 is the second light that has absorbed the wavelength component in the specific range from the incident light. A diffusion portion 58d for entering the characters 24b and the scale 26b in the region 32 is provided between the light guide 62 and the second region 32. According to this, since the wavelength component of the specific range of the incident light from the light guide 62 is absorbed, the wavelength component of the specific range and the other range of the light emitted from the diffusion unit 58d are absorbed. The ratio of the wavelength component of the first region 31 can be made close to the light emitted from the diffusing parts 58a to 58c and the state of the light incident on the characters 24b and the scale 26b of the second region 32. It is possible to approach the state of light incident on the characters 24a, the scale 26a, and the unit symbol 28. As a result, the light emission colors of the characters 24b and scales 26b in the second region 32 are close to the light emission colors of the characters 24a, scales 26a, and unit symbols 28 in the first region 31. Here, the light state indicates the ratio between the wavelength component in the specific range and the wavelength component in the other range, and that the light state is close means that the ratio is close.

  Thus, one of the characters 24 and the scales 26 and the unit symbols 28 of the first and second areas 31 and 32 that selectively emit light and the characters and the scales 38 of the third area 33 are indicated by one pointer 40. In the power status display meter 12 that displays the status of two different vehicles, the liquid crystal display panel 16 as another component can be met as close as possible to the power status display meter 12 and Provided is a power status display meter 12 (instrument) that can emit light without giving the viewer a sense of incongruity that the light emission color of the first index 22 looks different while suppressing the occurrence of light emission luminance unevenness of the first index 22. can do.

  Further, in particular, in the present embodiment, the diffusion parts 58 a to c and e cover the first area 31, and the diffusion part 58 d covers the second area 32. According to such a structure, light emitted from the diffusion portions 58a to 58e after the wavelength component in the specific range is absorbed is incident on the characters 24, scales 26, and unit symbols 28 of the first and second regions 31, 32. Therefore, the light emission colors of the characters 24, scales 26 (excluding the red zone portion), and unit symbols 28 in the first and second regions 31, 32 can be made substantially the same.

  As described above, since the light guide 62 is made of a transparent material, the absorption amount of the wavelength component in the specific range is extremely small, and the state of the light emitted from the light guide 62 is from the LED 48d. It is almost the same as the state of emitted light. For this reason, the state of the light incident on the diffusion part 58d via the light guide 62 is substantially the same as the state of the light incident on the diffusion parts 58a to 58c.

  In the present embodiment, the diffusion parts 58a to 58c, e and the diffusion part 58d are formed of substantially the same material. According to this, the light absorption characteristic of the diffusion part 58d can be brought close to the light absorption characteristic of the diffusion parts 58a to 58c. As described above, since the states of light incident on the diffusion portions 58a to 58c and e and the diffusion portion 58d are substantially the same, the diffusion portions 58a to 58c and e and the diffusion portion 58d are made of substantially the same material. According to the formation, the light emission colors of the characters 24b and scales 26b in the second region 32 can be made closer to the light emission colors of the characters 24a and scales 26a and the unit symbols 28 in the first region 31. Further, in the present embodiment, since the thicknesses of the diffusion portions 58a to c and e and the diffusion portion 58d are substantially the same, the light absorption characteristics of the diffusion portions 58a to c and e and the diffusion portion 58d can be made closer to each other. . As a result, the light emission colors of the characters 24b and scales 26b in the second region 32 can be brought close to the light emission colors of the characters 24a, scales 26a, and unit symbols 28 in the first region 31.

  The LEDs 48a to c and e of the present embodiment correspond to the “first light source” described in the claims, the LED 48d corresponds to the “second light source” described in the claims, and the LEDs 48f to i include the LEDs 48f to i. This corresponds to the “third light source” recited in the claims. Further, the diffusing portions 58a to 58c of the present embodiment correspond to the “first region light diffusing member” described in the claims, and the diffusing portion 58d is the “light absorbing member” described in the claims. The diffusion portions 58f to 58i correspond to the “third region light diffusion member” recited in the claims. The black resin portion 60 corresponds to the “light shielding member” described in the claims, and the first inner case 76 corresponds to the “isolation member” described in the claims.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the system output state of the hybrid system is displayed on the power state display meter 12, the scale 26 a is not lighted. The scale 26a may be made to emit light following the rotation speed display state of the internal combustion engine. That is, the scale 26 a emits light regardless of the display content of the power status display meter 12. In such a case, in particular, in the first region 31, the region where the characters 24 a and the unit symbol 28 are formed serves as both the “first region” and the “third region” described in the claims. The LED 48c serves as both the “first light source” and the “third light source” recited in the claims, and the diffusion portion 58c includes the “first region light diffusing member” recited in the claims. It also serves as the “third region light diffusion member”.

(Other embodiments)
In the above, several embodiment of this invention was described. The present invention is not construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In the previous embodiment, the character 36 of the third region 33 is arranged on the inner periphery of the character 24a of the first region 31, and the scale 38 of the third region 33 is placed between the character 24a of the first region 31 and the scale 26a. Although it arrange | positions, you may arrange | position the character 36 of the 3rd area | region 33, and the arrangement position of the scale 38 on the outer peripheral side of the character 24a of the 1st area | region 31, and the scale 26a, for example.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the separating portions 82 a to 82 j, the end portion on the front side in the display direction and the black resin portion 60 may be joined with a double-sided tape 85. According to this, since the isolation | separation part 82a-j and the diffuser plate 56 contact | adhere more closely, it can suppress that a clearance gap is formed between isolation | separation part 82a-j and the black resin part 60, and radiates | emits from LED48a-i. It is possible to reliably suppress leakage of the emitted light from the gap between the isolation portions 82a to 82j and the black resin portion 60. As a result, the characters 24a and scales 26a, unit symbols 28, characters 24b and scales 26b of the first and second regions 31 and 32, or the characters 36 and scales 38 of the third region 33 can be selectively emitted. it can. Further, by joining the separating portions 82a to 82j and the black resin portion 60 with the double-sided tape 85 in this manner, it becomes difficult to separate them due to the vibration of the vehicle. Can do.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Combination meter, 12 Power condition display meter, 14 Speedometer, 16 Vehicle information display part (liquid crystal display panel), 20 Display board, 24 characters, 26 scales, 28 Unit symbol, 31 1st area | region, 32 2nd area | region, 33 Third area, 36 characters, 38 scales, 39 through holes, 40 pointers, 44 circuit board, 48a LED (first light source), 48b LED (first light source), 48c LED (first light source), 48d LED (second) Light source), 48e LED (first light source), 48f LED (third light source), 48g LED (third light source), 48h LED (third light source), 48i LED (third light source), 48j LED, 50 stepper motor, 54 control unit, 56 diffusion plate, 58a diffusion unit (first region light diffusion member), 58b diffusion unit (first region light diffusion member), 8c Diffusion unit (first region light diffusion member), 58d Diffusion unit (light absorption member), 58e Diffusion unit (first region light diffusion member), 58f Diffusion unit (third region light diffusion member), 58g Diffusion Part (third region light diffusing member), 58h diffusing part (third region light diffusing member), 58i diffusing part (third region light diffusing member), 60 black resin part (light shielding member), 62 light guide 64, entrance surface, 66 exit surface, 68 reflective surface, 74 case, 76 first inner case (isolation member), 84 mode switch

Claims (8)

A first region, a second region, and a third region in which indicators that emit light by being transmitted side by side along the direction of rotation of the pointer are formed, and the second region is the first region with respect to the first region. A display board arranged in a rotation direction and arranged so that the third region is adjacent to the inner and outer circumferences of the first region;
A first light source that is provided at a position facing the first region on the rear side in the display direction of the display plate, and illuminates the first region;
A second light source provided on the display direction rear side of the display plate and illuminating the second region;
A third light source provided at a position facing the third region on the rear side in the display direction of the display plate, and illuminating the third region;
The light source is provided between the first region and the first light source and has a light absorption characteristic for absorbing a wavelength component of a specific range of incident light from the first light source, and diffuses the incident light and diffuses the light. A first region light diffusing member that makes the light incident on the indicator of the first region;
It is provided between the second region and the second light source, and is made of a transparent material having a light absorption characteristic in which the absorption amount of the wavelength component in the specific range is less than the light diffusion member for the first region, A light guide that guides the incident light from the second light source while diffusing, and emits the light toward the second region, and
When the first light source and the second light source emit light, the indicators of the first region and the second region emit light in the state where the indicators of the first region and the second region emit light. By indicating the first vehicle state, the third light source emits light, and when the indicator of the third region emits light, the pointer indicates the indicator of the third region. A vehicle instrument for displaying a second vehicle state different from the first vehicle state,
The light guide is provided between the light guide and the second region, and has a light absorption characteristic for absorbing a wavelength component of the specific range of incident light from the light guide, and from the incident light to the wavelength of the specific range. A vehicle instrument comprising a light absorbing member that causes light having absorbed components to enter the indicator of the second region.   The light diffusion member for the first area covers all of the first area from the rear side in the display direction, and the light absorbing member covers all of the second area from the rear side in the display direction. The vehicle instrument according to claim 1.   The vehicle instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first region light diffusion member and the light absorption member are made of the same material.   The vehicle instrument according to claim 3, wherein thicknesses of the first region light diffusion member and the light absorption member in the display direction are the same.   A third region light diffusing member is provided between the third light source and the third region for diffusing incident light from the third light source and causing the diffused light to enter the indicator of the third region. The vehicular instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized by things. The first region light diffusing member, the third region light diffusing member, and the light absorbing member are connected to each other with a light shielding member having a light shielding property interposed therebetween,
On the rear side in the display direction of the display plate, an optical path from the first light source to the first area, an optical path from the second light source to the second area, and an optical path from the third light source to the third area The vehicle instrument according to claim 5, wherein an isolation member for isolating each of the two is provided.   The vehicle instrument according to claim 6, wherein an end of the separating member on the front side in the display direction and the light shielding member are joined by a double-sided tape.   The vehicle instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second light source is provided at a position facing an inner peripheral side portion of the second region on the display board. .

Images