JP2000309234A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the visibility of a pointer image that is displayed always and allowed to shift smoothly by illuminating a light source adjacent to a precedently illuminating light source and supposed to illuminate in the next, before the precedently illuminating light source is turned off when shifting the illuminating light sources according to the change of a quantity value. SOLUTION: This display device is used for displaying a vehicle speed (quantity value) analogously. When the quantity value is constant, a corresponding light source Ln is made to illuminate with 100% luminance to display a pointer image Pn with 100% luminance. Then, when shifting the illuminating light source Ln according to the change of the quantity value, one or two light source(s) Ln+1, Ln+2 adjacent to the light source Ln and supposed to be illuminate in the next are made to illuminate such that luminance thereof becomes greater gradually. At the same time, the anticedently illuminating air source(s) Ln, Ln+1 are turned off such that luminance thereof becomes smaller gradually. Thus, the smooth shifting of the pointer image Pn is enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device for displaying a predetermined quantity value in an analog manner by using a pointer image generated by using an optical member in which a plurality of micro optical elements are arranged concentrically. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a plurality of micro optical elements 1 having a predetermined cross-sectional shape (triangular shape, substantially sector shape, etc.) are periodically arranged in a plane on concentric circles. Light 7 from a light source (such as an LED) L disposed on the back side of the optical member 3 is made incident on the plate-like optical member 3 and refracted by the plurality of micro-optical elements 1 so as to be viewed from the front side of the optical member 3. There has been proposed a display device that emits light, generates a pointer image P by the emitted light 7, and performs analog quantity display using the pointer image P as a pseudo pointer.

Here, the generated pointer image P is formed by a light source La illuminated from the center of curvature of the plurality of micro optical elements 1.
(See FIG. 6). The optical member 3 is formed of a predetermined light transmissive material such as a transparent resin, and the micro optical element 1 is provided on the back side (or the front side) of the optical member 3.

[0004] Further, the external shape of the optical member 3 may be various, but here, the optical member 3 has a fan shape.
Correspondingly, the panel member 11 is provided with a window 11a having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the optical member 3,
The optical member 3 is set in the window 11a. A predetermined dial display 13 is provided on the outer peripheral portion on the front side of the window 11a of the panel member 11.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of light sources L are provided along the outer periphery of the optical member 3 on the back side of the optical member 3 (here, a plurality of micro optical elements 1 are extended). Are arranged on the substrate 15 so as to be regularly arranged (along the circumferential direction). In the illustrated example of FIG. 6, the arrangement pitch of the light sources L is drawn large for convenience, but the light sources L are actually arranged at a sufficiently fine pitch.

A typical display device of this type is a light source that turns on one light source L located at a rotation angle position corresponding to a quantity value to be displayed, and turns on the light source according to a change in the quantity value. By sequentially switching L, the pointer image P corresponding to the quantity value is displayed. That is, when the display position of the pointer image P is moved, the light source L that has been lit up until then is turned off, and then the next light source L to be lit next to it is turned on.

[0007]

For this reason, FIG.
In the display device shown in FIG. 6, when the display position of the pointer image P is moved according to the change of the quantity value, the pointer image P disappears intermittently, and the movement of the pointer image P is awkward. is there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display device that can smoothly move a pointer image while always displaying the pointer image, thereby improving visibility.

[0009]

The technical means for achieving the above object is an optical member in which a plurality of micro optical elements having a predetermined cross-sectional shape are periodically arranged on a substantially concentric circle in a planar manner. A plurality of light sources regularly arranged in the circumferential direction so as to be located on the outer periphery of at least a part of the plurality of micro optical elements arranged on the optical member, and a predetermined numerical value given from outside A control unit that individually controls the lighting of the plurality of light sources based on a signal indicating that the plurality of light sources are emitted from the light sources and refracted by the plurality of micro-optical elements of the optical member. It is configured to generate a pointer image that extends linearly toward the radiation direction corresponding to the light source that is turned on from the center of curvature of the micro optical element, and the control unit is configured to control the light source of the plurality of light sources. The quantity indicated by the signal Lighting the light source at the rotation angle position corresponding to, in accordance with a change in the quantity value indicated by the signal, when switching the light source to be turned on, near the light source being turned on The method is characterized in that at least one of the light sources to be turned on next is turned on, and then the light source that has been turned on is turned off.

[0010] Preferably, the control section turns on the at least one light source to be turned on next so that its luminance gradually increases.

Preferably, the control section turns off the light source, which has been turned on first, so that its luminance gradually decreases.

Further, preferably, the control unit is configured to control the rotation angle position corresponding to the quantity value indicated by the signal and a plurality of the light sources located near the rotation angle position so that the number of the light sources that are turned on is always the same. It is good to light it up.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The display device according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the display device shown in FIGS. The description is omitted here for the common configuration.

The display device according to the first embodiment is used for displaying the vehicle speed (quantity value) in an analog manner, and each light source L displays each value of the vehicle speed to be displayed in a predetermined display. It is assigned for each unit (here, 1 km / h), and the lighting control of each light source L is individually performed by a control unit (not shown) based on a signal indicating the vehicle speed given from outside.

[0015] The control unit according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle speed indicated by the input signal is maintained at a constant value,
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a single light source L (light source Ln in FIG. 1 (a)) corresponding to the vehicle speed is turned on at 100% luminance, and a pointer image P (in FIG. 1 (a), a pointer). Image Pn) is 10
The image is displayed at a luminance of 0%.

When switching the light source Ln to be turned on in response to a change in the vehicle speed indicated by the input signal, the control unit controls at least one light source to be turned on next to the light source Ln in the vicinity of the light source Ln. One (here, one or two
1) light source L (in FIG. 1 (b) to FIG. 1 (d), the light source L
After turning on (n + 1), L (n + 2)), the light source L (light sources Ln, L (n + 1) in FIGS. 1 (b) to 1 (d)) which is turned on first is turned off. ing.

Table 1 and FIGS. 1 (a) to 1
Based on (e), a specific example of lighting control of the control unit according to the present embodiment will be described.

In this specific example, the vehicle speed is 100 km /
The case where the speed changes from h to 102 km / h will be described. In this specific example, Table 1 and FIGS.
Referring to (e), each light source L is assigned every 1 km / h (here, 100 km / h, 101 km).
/ H, 102 km / h to the light sources Ln, L (n +
1), L (n + 2)), and when the vehicle speed changes from 100 km / h to 102 km / h, as shown in Table 1, the light sources Ln, L (n + 1), L
The lighting state of (n + 2) is changed in seven stages with the passage of time.

[0019]

[Table 1]

Numerical values such as 100% and 75% in each column in Table 1 represent light sources Ln, L (n + 1), L (n
+2), and the column without any numerical value indicates that the light sources Ln, L (n + 1) and L (n + 2) are turned off. Each value of the luminance in Table 1 indicates a luminance level when a predetermined reference luminance is substantially set to 100%.

The first stage corresponds to a state before the movement of the pointer image P is started, and the light source Ln corresponding to 100 km / h is turned on with 100% luminance, whereby the light source Ln shown in FIG. ), A single pointer image Pn is displayed at 100% luminance.

Then, when the vehicle speed is 100 km / h to 1
When the speed changes to 02 km / h, the process first proceeds from the first stage to the second stage, in which the luminance of the light source Ln is reduced to 75%, and the light source L (n + 1) is turned on with a luminance of 25%. As shown in (b), the luminance of the pointer image Pn is reduced to 75%, and the pointer image P (n + 1) is displayed at a luminance of 25%. In the subsequent third stage, the luminances of the light sources Ln and L (n + 1) are both switched to 50%, whereby the luminances of the pointer images Pn and P (n + 1) are both switched to 50%.

In the subsequent fourth stage, the light sources Ln, L (n +
The luminance of 1) is switched to 25% and 75%, and the light source L (n + 2) is turned on at a luminance of 25%. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1C, the pointer images Pn and P are displayed.
The luminance of (n + 1) is switched between 25% and 75%, and the pointer image P (n + 2) is displayed at a luminance of 25%.

In the subsequent fifth stage, the light source Ln is turned off, and the luminance of both the light sources L (n + 1) and L (n + 2) is switched to 50%.
As shown in the figure, while the pointer image Pn is erased, the brightness of both the pointer images P (n + 1) and P (n + 2) is switched to 50%.

Next, in the sixth stage, the light sources L (n + 1),
The luminance of L (n + 2) is switched between 25% and 75%, whereby the pointer images P (n + 1) and P (n + 2)
Is switched between 25% and 75%.

In the final stage, the seventh stage, the light source L (n + 1) is turned off and the light source L (n + 2)
Is switched to 100%.
As shown in (e), while the pointer image P (n + 1) is erased, a single pointer image P (n +
2) is displayed at 100% luminance.

As described above, in this specific example, the control unit:
When switching the light source Ln to be turned on in accordance with a change in the vehicle speed indicated by the input signal, at least one of the light sources Ln to be turned on next to the light source Ln (here, one or two ) (In FIGS. 1B to 1D, the light sources L (n + 1) and L (n + 2))
At the same time, the light source L (the light sources Ln and L (n + 1) in FIGS. 1B to 1D) is turned on in a stepwise manner while the light source L is turned on so that the luminance is gradually increased. The light is turned off in such a way that the brightness is reduced to a small extent, so that the pointer image P can be moved smoothly.

Here, various methods can be considered as a method of controlling the luminance of each light source L. Here, FIG. 2 (a)
As shown in (b) and (b), the brightness control is performed by adjusting the lighting time τ per cycle T when the light sources L, which are LEDs, are driven intermittently at a predetermined cycle T (for example, 16 msec). It is carried out. That is, one cycle T
The longer the lighting time τ per hit, the greater the brightness of the light source L. In this case, FIG.
As shown in the figure, when the lighting time τ is set to the same length as the period T (that is, when the light source L is continuously lit).
Is set so that the luminance becomes 100%.

As another specific example, the one shown in Table 2 below can be considered. Here, a case where the vehicle speed changes from 100 km / h to 104 km / h is shown as an example.

[0030]

[Table 2]

In another embodiment, the vehicle speed is 100 k
m / h, that is, 100 km / h
The vehicle speed is increased from 100 km / h to 10 km from the state (first stage) in which the light source Ln corresponding to is displayed at 100% brightness and the corresponding pointer image Pn is displayed at 100% brightness.
When the speed changes to 4 km / h, in the second stage, the light source Ln
Is switched from 100% to 50%, and the light source L (n + 1) is turned on at 100% luminance, whereby the luminance of the pointer image Pn is switched to 50% and the pointer image P (n + 1) is switched. Displayed at 100% brightness.

In the subsequent third stage, the light sources Ln, L (n +
The brightness of 1) is switched to 25% and 50%, and the light source L (n + 2) is turned on with 100% brightness.
As a result, the brightness of the pointer images Pn and P (n + 1) becomes 25
% And 50%, and the pointer image P
(N + 2) is displayed at 100% luminance.

In the subsequent fourth stage, the light source Ln is turned off, the luminance of the light sources L (n + 1) and L (n + 2) is switched between 25% and 50%, and the light source L (n +
3) is turned on with 100% luminance, whereby the display of the pointer image Pn is turned off, and the pointer images P (n + 1) and P (n +
The brightness in 2) is switched between 25% and 50%, and the pointer image P (n + 3) is displayed with 100% brightness.

Subsequently, in a fifth stage, the light source L (n + 1) is turned off, and the luminance of the light sources L (n + 2) and L (n + 3) becomes 2
5% and 50%, and the light source L
(N + 4) is turned on with 100% luminance, whereby the display of the pointer image P (n + 1) is turned off and the pointer image P (n
+2) and P (n + 3) are switched between 25% and 50%, and the pointer image P (n + 4) is 100%
Is displayed at a brightness of.

In the following sixth stage, the light source L (n + 2) is turned off and the luminance of the light source L (n + 3) is switched to 25%, whereby the display of the pointer image P (n + 2) is turned off. The luminance of the pointer image P (n + 3) is switched to 25%, and the luminance of the pointer image P (n + 4) is maintained at 100%.

Subsequently, in the final stage, the seventh stage, the light source L (n + 3) is turned off.
Only the pointer image P (n + 4) corresponding to h is displayed with 100% luminance.

As described above, in the other specific example, when the pointer image P is moved, always two or three pointer images P
Is displayed while the pointer image P is moved, and when the display of the pointer image P is turned off during the movement, the brightness of the pointer image P is reduced stepwise. The pointer image P
Can be moved smoothly.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the display position of the pointer image P is moved in accordance with the change in the vehicle speed to be displayed, the vicinity of the pointer image P already displayed is Is displayed after the at least one pointer image P to be displayed next is displayed, the previously displayed pointer image P is erased, so that the pointer image P is always displayed and smoothly ( (Continuously), and the visibility can be improved.

Further, in the process of moving the pointer image P, when the display of the pointer image P is turned off or when the pointer image P is displayed, the display brightness is changed stepwise, so that the pointer image P is more smoothly changed. The pointer image P can be moved.

The display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a vehicle speed (quantity value) similar to the first embodiment.
Are used to display the data in an analog manner.

In this embodiment, as shown in Table 3 below, each light source L has a plurality of adjacent light sources (here, 2 km / h) which are display units (here, 1 km / h) of the vehicle speed to be displayed.
And a control unit (not shown) for controlling the lighting of each light source L based on a signal indicating the vehicle speed given from the outside, based on a signal indicating the vehicle speed. 3 (a) to 3 (c), the light sources Ln, L (n + 1), L (n +
2) of 2) is turned on, and the light source L to be turned on is switched according to a change in the vehicle speed.

[0042]

[Table 3]

That is, as shown in Table 3 and FIGS. 3A to 3C, for example, among the light sources Ln, L (n + 1), L (n + 2) sequentially arranged in the circumferential direction, the light source Ln Is associated with 99 km / h and 100 km / h, the light source L (n + 1) adjacent to the light source Ln is associated with 100 km / h and 101 km / h, and the light source L (n + 1) Of the light source L (n
+2) is associated with 101 km / h and 102 km / h, and the light source L (n + 3) adjacent to the light source L (n + 2) has 102 km / h and 103 km / h.
/ H is associated therewith.

In each of the columns in Table 3, the light sources Ln, L (n + 1),
L (n + 2) is a predetermined very short blink period (for example, 1
6 msec) so as to be turned on and off, and the light source L corresponding to the blank column is blank.
n, L (n + 1) and L (n + 2) are turned off. In Table 3, the two light sources Ln, L (n + 1), L (n + 2) that are turned on in a blinking state are turned on and off alternately.

Thus, in this embodiment, for example,
In the state where the vehicle speed is maintained at 100 km / h, as shown in FIG. 1A, the two light sources Ln and L (n + 1) corresponding to 100 km / h are turned on and off alternately. , Whereby two pointer images Pn and P (n + 1) are displayed.

For example, when the vehicle speed is 100 km /
h to 101 km / h, as shown in FIG. 1B, the light source Ln is turned off, and instead, the light source L (n
+2) is lit in a blinking state so as to be alternately lit with the light source L (n + 1) previously lit, whereby
The pointer image Pn is erased, and instead the pointer image P (n + 2) is displayed together with the previously displayed pointer image P (n + 1).

Similarly, when the vehicle speed is 101 km / h
When it changes from 102 km / h to 102 km / h, as shown in FIG. 1C, the driven light sources L (n + 1) and L (n +
2) is switched to the light sources L (n + 2) and L (n + 3), whereby the pointer image P (n + 1) is erased, and instead the pointer image P (n + 3) is displayed earlier.
Both (n + 2) are displayed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pointer image P can be moved smoothly while always being displayed, the state where the vehicle speed is kept at a constant value, and the quantity value changes. The number of pointer images P to be displayed is always constant (here, two)
, And a plurality of displayed pointer images P can be used as one pointer, and the thickness of the pointer can be kept constant, so that the appearance is good and the visibility is further improved. I can do it.

In each of the above embodiments, an example is shown in which the display device according to the present invention is applied to a speedometer.
It may be applied to a fuel gauge or the like.

[0050]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the illuminated light source is switched according to a change in the quantity value to be displayed, the illuminated light source is located near the illuminated light source. Since at least one light source to be turned on next is turned on and then the light source that is turned on first is turned off, the pointer image is always displayed and moved smoothly (continuously). And visibility can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the pointer image is moved in accordance with a change in the quantity value to be displayed,
Since the pointer image located on the downstream side in the moving direction gradually increases in brightness, the display becomes gradually clearer, so that the pointer image can be moved more smoothly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the pointer image is moved according to the change of the quantity value to be displayed,
The display of the pointer image located on the upstream side in the moving direction gradually disappears as the brightness gradually decreases, so that the pointer image can be moved more smoothly.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the pointer is displayed in any of a state where the quantity to be displayed is kept at a constant value and a state where the quantity is changing. The number of images can always be kept constant, whereby a plurality of displayed pointer images can be used as one pointer, and the thickness of the pointer can be kept constant, so that the appearance is good and visual recognition is possible. Properties can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (a) to 1 (e) show a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display state of a pointer image on the display device according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining a method of adjusting the lighting luminance of a light source in the display device according to the first embodiment.

3 (a) to 3 (c) show a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display state of a pointer image on the display device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a display device according to a proposal example.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the display device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an arrangement of light sources provided in the display device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Micro optical element 3 Optical member L Light source P Pointer image

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Takanori Ito 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi F-term in Harness Research Institute, Inc. (reference) 2F041 EA03 EA08 3D044 BA21 BA27 BA28 BD01 BD13 5C096 AA01 AA02 BA02 BC18 CA06 CB01 CC21 CD02 CD53 DC02 DC06 DC20 DC17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An optical member in which a plurality of micro optical elements having a predetermined cross-sectional shape are periodically arranged on a substantially concentric circle in a plane, and among a plurality of micro optical elements arranged in the optical member. A plurality of light sources regularly arranged in the circumferential direction so as to be located on at least a part of an outer periphery of the light source; and individually controlling the lighting of the plurality of light sources based on a signal indicating a predetermined quantity value given from outside. And a control unit. The light emitted from each of the light sources and refracted by the plurality of micro optical elements of the optical member corresponds to the light source turned on from the center of curvature of the plurality of micro optical elements. The control unit is configured to generate a pointer image that extends linearly toward the radiation direction, wherein the control unit is configured to control the light source at a rotation angle position corresponding to the quantity value indicated by the signal of the plurality of light sources. Turn on Both according to the change of the quantity value which the signal indicates, when switching the light source that is lit,
A display device, comprising: turning on at least one of the light sources to be turned on next, which is located near the light source being turned on, and then turning off the light source turned on first. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit turns on the at least one light source to be turned on next so that its luminance gradually increases. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit turns off the light source, which is turned on first, so that its luminance gradually decreases. 4. The control section controls a plurality of light sources located at and near a rotation angle position corresponding to the quantity value indicated by the signal so that the number of light sources turned on is always the same. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is turned on.