CN1190768C - Vehicle LCD - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a liquid crystal display device for a vehicle, which improves the visibility of information displayed on a monochromatic liquid crystal. Among them, a plurality of light emitting diodes (64) are arranged as backlight light sources for illuminating the liquid crystal part (63). The light emitting diode (64) can obtain any backlight color. The color of the backlight is switched according to the display content of the liquid crystal unit (63). A backlight color storage unit (83) stores backlight color data corresponding to the state of the vehicle. The state judging unit (81) detects the state of the vehicle, and reads backlight color data from the storage unit (83) to the LED driver (67). A light emitting diode driver (67) drives a light emitting diode (64) for liquid crystal illumination based on the backlight color data.

Description

Liquid crystal display device for vehicles

technical field

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device for a vehicle suitable for improving the visibility of displayed information.

Background technique

A liquid crystal display device mounted on a vehicle is known as a display device for displaying vehicle information. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-118527 discloses a liquid crystal display device for displaying vehicle information such as traveling speed, navigation information, and VICS information. In this display device, the backlight color is switched between when a display signal necessary for displaying vehicle information or operation information is normal and when there is an abnormality, thereby making it possible to easily determine whether there is an abnormality.

The information representing the state of the vehicle is various. In addition, with the development of computer processing technology in recent years, information other than directly related to the state of the vehicle, such as time information or weather information, is also displayed on the vehicle-mounted liquid crystal display device. In order to improve the visibility of these numerous pieces of information, it is preferable to display them in color. However, since color liquid crystal display devices are generally expensive and can be used in a narrow temperature range, there is a problem that they cannot be widely used in all vehicles, especially small two-wheeled vehicles. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to display a large amount of information easily and clearly using a monochrome liquid crystal display device.

Contents of the invention

In view of the above needs, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device for a vehicle that can improve the visibility of displayed information even though a monochrome liquid crystal display device is used.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a liquid crystal display device for a vehicle, which is a liquid crystal display device for a motorcycle having a liquid crystal portion capable of switching and displaying various types of information based on an input display information signal, wherein: It is equipped with: a color light source for illuminating the above-mentioned liquid crystal part with a backlight, the color light source is provided in plurality, and the area of the above-mentioned liquid crystal part illuminated by each color light source is determined in advance; in response to the switching of the display caused by the above-mentioned display information signal, select A backlight color corresponding to the displayed content, and a driver for switching the emission color of the color light source according to the backlight color, the driver is configured to select a backlight color corresponding to the information displayed on each of the above areas, Switching the luminescent colors of the above-mentioned color light sources; and making the plurality of areas set on the above-mentioned liquid crystal part correspond to the above-mentioned plurality of color light sources in advance, and guiding the output light from the color light sources to irradiate the corresponding areas in the above-mentioned areas. The light guide mechanism for the area is provided on the side surface of the above-mentioned liquid crystal part.

According to the present invention, since the backlight color changes according to the switching of the display content, although the display information of the liquid crystal part is monochrome, it is fully suitable for the use environment of a two-wheeled vehicle that becomes high temperature, but it can be achieved by using different backlight colors according to the display information. Improved visibility of displayed information. Furthermore, since the backlight color can be changed for each area of the liquid crystal part, when a plurality of information is simultaneously displayed on the liquid crystal part, it is possible to illuminate each information with a different backlight color. In addition, backlighting can be performed by clearly changing the color for each area set on the liquid crystal unit.

In addition, preferably, the color light source is composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements having different light-emitting colors, and the light-emitting color of the color light source is determined by activation and deactivation of each light-emitting element.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a partial functional block diagram of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a side view of a scooter-type motorcycle equipped with a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a partial plan view of a motorcycle showing a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention together with its installation position.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a liquid crystal unit.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the liquid crystal unit.

Fig. 7 is a partial program block diagram of liquid crystal display control.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example (part 1) of a liquid crystal display screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example (part 2) of a liquid crystal display screen.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a display example (part 3) of a liquid crystal display screen.

11 is a diagram showing a display example (fourth) of a liquid crystal display screen.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a display example (No. 5) of a liquid crystal display screen.

13 is a diagram showing a display example (sixth) of a liquid crystal display screen.

Fig. 14 is a partial front view of liquid crystal display control according to a modified example.

Explanation of labels

10...two-wheeled motorcycle, 11...frame, 12...front fork, 13...front wheel, 14...handlebar, 15...power unit, 16...rear wheel , 60...liquid crystal display device, 63...liquid crystal part, 64...light emitting diode for liquid crystal lighting, 66...liquid crystal driver, 67...light emitting diode driver for liquid crystal lighting, 69...substrate, 71...CPU, 74...Light guide plate, 81...Status judgment unit, 82...Display information storage unit, 83...Backlight color storage unit

Detailed ways

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description, 'front', 'rear', 'up', and 'down' represent directions viewed from the driver, and front Fr, rear Rr, left L, and right R represent relative directions. position in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a side view of a motorcycle equipped with a vehicle display device according to the present invention. A two-wheeled motorcycle 10 as a scooter type vehicle includes a vehicle frame 11, a front fork 12 mounted on a front fork riser 11a of the vehicle frame 11, a front wheel 13 mounted on the front fork 12, and a vehicle connected to the front fork 12. 14, the power unit 15 that can swing up and down on the rear portion of the vehicle frame 11, the rear wheel 16 installed on the power unit 15, the rear buffer device 17 at the rear end of the suspension power unit 15, are installed on the vehicle frame 11, a storage box (trunk) 18 at the rear upper part, and a seat cushion 19 disposed on the storage box 18 and capable of being opened and closed. The helmet He is housed in the luggage compartment 18 .

The handlebar 14 is provided with left and right hand levers 51L and 51R, left and right brake levers 52L and 52R, and brake switches 53L and 53R as switches operated by the left and right brake levers 52L and 52R.

The frame 11 is formed by connecting the die-casting front frame 11F and the die-casting rear frame 11R of the front fork stem 11a integrally formed by the connecting portion 11X. The power unit 15 is composed of an engine 21 and a belt torque converter continuously variable transmission 22 with a centrifugal clutch. The engine 21 is a water-cooled four-cycle engine that makes the cylinder block 307, the cylinder head 308 and the cylinder head cover 311, that is, the cylinder part extend between the storage box 18 and the fuel tank 35, and is inclined substantially horizontally.

The fuel tank 35 is provided with a refueling cap 35a with a lock, which is exposed when the refueling cap 91 is opened forward and upward, and refueling is possible from there. In order to detect the remaining amount of fuel, the fuel tank 35 is provided with a fuel unit 56 mainly composed of a resistor.

The vehicle frame 11 is covered by a vehicle body cover 24 . The vehicle body cover 24 consists of a front cover 28 covering the front of the front fork stem 11a, and a leg guard 26 covering the rear of the front cover 28 and covering the front of the driver's legs with the front fork stem 11a sandwiched between the driver's legs. The footrest (low-position type footrest) 27 of the foot, a pair of left and right pedal skirts 28 extending downward from the outer edge of the footrest 27, covering the lower cover 29 between the lower edges of these pedal skirts 28, covering the seat cushion 19 The lower cover 31 at the front of the lower circumference, the rear cover 32 covering the lower rear portion of the seat cushion 19 and the top of the rear wheel 16, and a pair of left and right side covers 33 are configured.

A main switch 34 is arranged on the part of the leg guard 26 , and a fuel tank 35 and a fuel pump 36 are arranged under the footrest 27 . In addition, a rear glove box 37 for a radiator, a battery 38 , and a control unit 39 are disposed on the rear upper end portion of the vehicle frame 11 . The motorcycle 10 is equipped with a liquid crystal display device 60 for displaying vehicle speed, remaining fuel amount, travel distance, messages for communication with the driver, and the like.

The two-wheeled motorcycle 10 is provided with an air cleaner 41 on the left side of the vehicle body, a carburetor 42, an engine cooling radiator 43 on the right end of the crankshaft 21a of the engine 21, and an engine exhaust pipe 44. , the exhaust muffler 45 that is located on the right side of the car body, the front fender 46 that rotates with the front fork 12, the rear fender 47, the headlight 48, the rearview mirror 92, the front steering indicator of the left and right Lights 93L, 93R, front handlebar cover 94, rear handlebar cover 94R, horn 95 provided in the front cover 25, a pair of left and right engine hangers 96, pedals 97 for starting the engine, main bracket 98, bracket 99, cylinder block 307, cylinder head 308, cylinder head cover 311, suction pipe 312, intake manifold 313.

A water temperature sensor 54 for detecting the water temperature of the engine 21 is provided on the engine 21 , and a speed sensor 55 is provided on the rear wheel 16 side of the transmission mechanism 22 . The speed sensor 55 is preferably a Hall sensor using a Hall element. Left and right rear turn indicators 59L, 59R are arranged side by side with the stop lamp 57 at the rear of the vehicle body, and a lighting circuit unit 58 for lighting the stop lamp 57 is provided at the front of the vehicle body.

3 is a plan view of a liquid crystal display device for vehicles according to the present invention. The liquid crystal display device 60 has an egg-shaped display portion 61 including a rectangular monochrome liquid crystal portion 63, and the character display or Anthropomorphic message displays have a multiplied effect, with overall shapes that exhibit cuteness or intimacy. Adjacent to the liquid crystal unit 63 is provided a speed warning light emitting diode 65 .

On the liquid crystal display device 60 , the vehicle speed is displayed while the vehicle is running, and a clock display is displayed when the vehicle is stopped, displaying information different from the vehicle speed. The display information can be input and set by the left and right brake switches 53L, 53R respectively located on the left and right brake knobs 52L, 52R.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the liquid crystal display device 60 . The liquid crystal display device 60 includes a display unit 61 that displays various information, and a control unit 62 that controls the display unit 61 . The display unit 61 is composed of a liquid crystal unit 63 for displaying various information, liquid crystal lighting LEDs 64 and 64 for illuminating the liquid crystal unit 63, and a speed warning LED 65 for lighting when the speed exceeds a predetermined speed. The liquid crystal 63 is driven by a liquid crystal driver 66 , and the light emitting diode 64 for liquid crystal lighting is driven by a light emitting diode driver 67 for liquid crystal lighting. In addition, the speed warning light emitting diode 65 is driven by the speed warning light emitting diode driver 68 .

The liquid crystal unit 63 is used for monochrome display, and performs color illumination by the illumination color of the light-emitting diode 64 for liquid crystal illumination, that is, the backlight color. As the light-emitting diodes 64 for liquid crystal lighting, a plurality of kinds of light-emitting diode elements having different light-emitting colors are provided for multi-color lighting. Which of these plural types of light-emitting diode elements for liquid crystal lighting is driven and which color is used for lighting is associated with information displayed on the liquid crystal unit 63 in advance. Therefore, a switching signal of information input from the CPU 71 to the liquid crystal driver 66 is supplied to the light emitting diode driver 67 for liquid crystal lighting, and the driving control of the light emitting diode 64 for liquid crystal lighting is performed.

The control unit 62 is composed of a CPU 71 that controls the liquid crystal driver 66 by receiving various information, a clock integrated circuit 72 that sends a clock pulse to the CPU 71 , and a ROM 73 that supplies display information stored in advance to the CPU 71 .

The CPU 71 receives a display information signal and a setting input signal from the outside, and receives a clock backup power supply for a clock backup of the clock integrated circuit 72 to control the display unit 61 .

Here, the signal for display information is the speed pulse signal used to recognize the vehicle speed, one side of the fuel resistance signal and the other side of the fuel resistance signal used to recognize the remaining fuel amount, the idle speed pulse signal used to recognize the idling or idling stop, and the recognition of the engine. Engine abnormal signal for abnormal. Note that these signals are examples, and various changes or additions can be made according to the information displayed on the liquid crystal display device 60 .

In addition, the switching signal is generated based on the left brake signal and the right brake signal generated by operating the left and right brake knobs 52L and 52R. The CPU 71 supplies an instruction for switching the backlight color to the LED driver 67 for liquid crystal lighting based on the switching signal.

That is, the CPU 71 outputs an instruction to select the backlight color based on the display information signal, and outputs an instruction to switch the backlight color based on the left brake signal and the right brake signal. For example, it may be configured such that when the vehicle is stopped, if the left brake is engaged and the right brake is turned on and off, the colors are switched in a predetermined order.

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the liquid crystal display device 60, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view thereof. In both figures, three sets of light-emitting diodes 64 for liquid crystal illumination are provided on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal unit 63, respectively. Each group of light emitting diodes 64 for liquid crystal lighting is constituted by a maximum of three light emitting diode elements. When a plurality of light-emitting diode elements are provided, those that output different light-emitting colors are configured so that each light-emitting diode element can be individually driven. Various backlight colors can be obtained by individually driving light-emitting diode elements of different light-emitting colors. The light emitting diode 64 for liquid crystal illumination is mounted on the substrate 69 , and the output light is supplied to the illumination of the liquid crystal portion 63 via the light guide plate 74 . Which of the light-emitting diodes 64 for liquid crystal lighting is driven depends on the content of the screen displayed on the liquid crystal unit 63 .

FIG. 7 is a main flow diagram of display processing in the liquid crystal display device 60 . In step S1, if it is recognized that the main switch 34 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S2 to perform display processing based on the above-mentioned display information signal. For example, the vehicle speed is detected based on the input speed pulse signal, and information for displaying numbers corresponding to the vehicle speed is read from the ROM 73 . In step S3, an illumination color (backlight color) corresponding to the displayed information is selected. For example, green is selected when the vehicle speed is lower than the legal limit, yellow is selected when the vehicle speed reaches the legal limit, and red is selected when the vehicle speed exceeds the legal limit. In step S4, the liquid crystal unit 63 is driven based on the determined display information, and the light emitting diode 64 for liquid crystal illumination is driven so that the selected backlight color can be obtained.

Next, a display example of the liquid crystal display device 60 will be described. In addition, in the following display examples, for the convenience of drawing, the difference in backlight color is represented by the difference in black and white shades. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a vehicle speed. In this display example, the backlight color is switched according to which of the predetermined ranges the parking space is in. The left picture in Fig. 8 is the case where the vehicle speed is low (for example, 0-20km/h), and the backlight color is green. In addition, the center graph in FIG. 8 is for a vehicle speed at a medium level (for example, 21 to 30 km/h), and the backlight color is yellow. Moreover, the right figure in Fig. 8 is an occasion where the vehicle speed is high (for example, exceeds the legal speed limit), and the backlight color is orange.

FIG. 9 is a start-up screen, that is, an initial display example after the main switch 34 is turned on. In this display example, the backlight color is switched according to the outside air temperature. The left picture in Figure 9 is an occasion where the outside temperature is low (for example, below 10°C), and the backlight color is blue. In addition, the figure in the center of FIG. 9 is an occasion where the outside air temperature is moderate (for example, 11°-25° C.), and the backlight color is green. Furthermore, the right figure in FIG. 9 is an occasion where the outside air temperature is high (for example, above 26° C.), and the backlight color is orange.

Fig. 10 is a boot screen, and the backlight color is switched according to the animation (icon) selected. Furthermore, the icons are preset and appear when the main switch is turned on. The left picture in Figure 10 is the occasion where the penguin icon is set, and the backlight color is blue. In addition, the central figure in Fig. 10 is the case where the chick hatch icon is set, and the backlight color is purple. Furthermore, the right figure in Fig. 10 is the case where the star icon is set, and the backlight color is yellow.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example as a fuel gauge. In this display example, the backlight color is switched according to how much fuel remains. The left picture in Figure 11 is when the fuel is full (full to one-half full), and the backlight color is green. In addition, the figure in the center of Fig. 11 is the case where the fuel is reduced from full to below (less than a quarter full), and the backlight color is yellow. Moreover, the right picture in Fig. 11 is the case where there is little fuel remaining and refueling is required, and the backlight color is orange.

8 to 11 are examples in which the entire surface of the liquid crystal portion 63 is illuminated with the same backlight color, but in this embodiment, the liquid crystal portion 63 may be illuminated with mutually different backlight colors in predetermined areas.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example in which the liquid crystal unit 63 is divided into three areas, upper, middle, and lower, and the backlight colors of each area are different from each other. In FIG. 12 , the backlight color is different at the animation (upper row) and the driving distance display (middle row) portion and the clock display (lower row) portion. In the backlight display as shown in FIG. 12 , it is only necessary to individually determine who is lit at each segment of the liquid crystal lighting LEDs 64 arranged in three segments on both sides of the liquid crystal portion 63 . Furthermore, when the backlight color to be turned on is selected for each area in this way, there is an effect that color gradation can be given although the colors are mixed at the boundary of each area.

Since there is an opposite side to the advantages brought by color mixing at the boundaries of the above-mentioned regions, "bright" distinguishing colors are sometimes preferred, so it is better to accommodate this preference as well. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of clarifying the boundary of an illumination area. In the figure on the left, the backlight color is clearly distinguished between the upper region and the lower region of the liquid crystal portion 63 . On the other hand, in the right diagram in FIG. 13 , the backlight color is clearly distinguished in the area of the vehicle speed display and the like shown in the upper left area of the liquid crystal portion 63 .

In order to clearly differentiate the backlight color for each zone, something like the following will suffice. FIG. 14 is a partial front view of the liquid crystal portion 63 and its surroundings. In this figure, three sets of light-emitting diodes 64 for liquid crystal illumination are arranged on both sides of a liquid crystal unit 63 . A light guide plate 74 for guiding the output light of the light emitting diodes 64 for liquid crystal lighting to the liquid crystal part 63 is provided between each light emitting diode 64 for liquid crystal lighting and the liquid crystal part 63 . Here, the light guide plate 74 is not provided in common for one side of the liquid crystal lighting LEDs 64 arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal unit 63 , but is provided individually for each area intended to clearly distinguish the backlight color. In the example of this figure, the light guide plate 74A corresponding to the area 63A in the upper left corner where the fuel supply warning is displayed is separately provided from the light guide plate 74 corresponding to other areas, and each light guide plate 74, 74A A light-shielding mechanism 74B is set on the boundary of .

Furthermore, by painting the portion corresponding to the border in FIG. 13 and displaying it in a strip shape, it is possible to block the blurred portion of the backlight and clearly distinguish each area.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing partial functions of backlight color switching control. In this figure, the state determination unit 81 uses a signal to determine the state of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle speed, the amount of remaining fuel, and the like, based on the displayed information. A display signal (animated message data or character data indicating a number such as a vehicle speed) corresponding to the status signal output from the status determination unit 81 is stored in the display information storage unit 82 . The liquid crystal driver 66 drives the liquid crystal unit 63 according to display information.

The status signal is also input to the backlight color storage unit 83 . The backlight color data corresponding to the status signal is stored in the backlight color storage unit 83, and the corresponding backlight color data is input to the LED driver 67 for liquid crystal lighting according to the supplied status signal. The light emitting diode driver 67 for liquid crystal lighting drives each light emitting diode element of the light emitting diode 64 for liquid crystal lighting according to the backlight color data. For example, when the light-emitting diodes 64 for liquid crystal lighting are composed of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light-emitting diode elements, the backlight color data is composed of 9 bits, and each bit can be controlled by each bit. The light-emitting colors of the light-emitting diode elements are mixed to illuminate the liquid crystal portion 63 with a backlight of an arbitrary color.

In addition, backlight color data corresponding to the operation of the brake switch may also be stored in the backlight color storage unit 83 . The brake switch determination unit 84 detects a backlight color switching instruction by turning on and off the brake switch, and inputs the detection signal to the backlight color storage unit 83 . The backlight color storage unit 83 outputs corresponding backlight color data in response to the detection signal. In addition, the detection signal generated by the brake switch determination unit 84 has priority over the above-mentioned state signal, and the backlight color data caused by the detection signal is output in priority to the backlight color data caused by the state signal.

Invention effect

As can be seen from the above description, according to the present invention, although a monochromatic liquid crystal display mechanism is used, the visibility of each displayed information can be improved by changing the color of the backlight. In particular, when a plurality of pieces of information are displayed at the same time, for example, according to the priority of the displayed information, the high-priority information can be emphasized with a backlight color that is easy to be noticed, and the visibility can be further improved. In addition, if the present invention is used, since the backlight light source clearly corresponds to each set area of the liquid crystal part by means of the light guide mechanism, color blurring between areas can be eliminated, and information displayed at the same time can be easily distinguished clearly.

Claims (2)

1. A liquid crystal display device for a vehicle, which is a liquid crystal display device for a motorcycle having a liquid crystal portion capable of switching and displaying a plurality of types of information based on an input display information signal, characterized in that: A color light source for illuminating the above-mentioned liquid crystal part with a backlight, the color light source is provided in plurality, and the area of the above-mentioned liquid crystal part illuminated by each color light source is predetermined; In response to the switching of the display caused by the above-mentioned display information signal, select the backlight color corresponding to the display content, and switch the luminous color of the above-mentioned color light source according to the backlight color. The backlight color corresponding to the displayed information, according to the backlight color to switch the luminous color of the above-mentioned color light sources; and A light guide mechanism for guiding the output light from the color light sources to be irradiated on corresponding areas of the above-mentioned areas by making the plurality of areas set on the liquid crystal part correspond to the plurality of color light sources in advance. The optical mechanism is provided on a side surface of the liquid crystal unit. 2. The liquid crystal display device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the color light source is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements having different emission colors, and the color light source is determined by activation and deactivation of each light emitting element. glow color.

Images