JP2001055062A - Meter with built-in variable dial - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simultaneously increase the visibility of both fixed dial and variable dial with a different luminous brightness and also reduce the sense of incompatibility of both fixed dial and variable dial. SOLUTION: This meter is composed of a case body 2 of single structure, meter elements 3, 4, 5 fixed to the case body 2 and a variable indicator 6 fixed to the case body 2. The meter elements 3, 4, 5 have fixed dials 7, 8, 9 seen through a first light permeation body 13-2 and the variable indicator 6 has a variable indicating surface 11 seen through a second light transmittance body 13-1 and the light permeation rate of the first light transmittance body 13-2 is different from that of the second light transmittance body 13-1. By changing the light transmittance the sense of incompatibility of the dial with a different quality is reduced and the visibility of both fixed dial and variable dial can be increased simultaneously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a meter with a built-in variable display surface, and more particularly to a meter with a built-in variable display surface in which a plurality of meters are integrated to maintain good visibility.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various meters are arranged in front of a driver and a driver. In order to simplify wiring and the like of such various meters, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-96
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 774, modularization for integrating meters is being performed. Meters that are arranged on an instrument panel and are further integrated are disclosed in JP-A-9-315.
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 184, there is a demand for providing a three-dimensional effect such as a sense of depth, increasing display contrast, and improving visibility.

[0003] To improve visibility. The meter surface such as a glass surface covering the meters is formed with a black face such as smoked glass. Such a black face is designed to have a low transmittance, and a display with a high brightness (400 to 1000 cd / sq. M) is arranged in the black face, and the brightness of a portion corresponding to a normal meter dial is adjusted to an external light. By lowering at the time of incidence, the contrast can be increased and the visibility can be improved.

[0004] With the diversification of maneuvering performance, the display mode has been further diversified, and in addition to a plurality of meters, various types of information and information have been added.
The use of a variable display surface (multi-display surface) for displaying data is expected. In such a case, it is important to adjust the relative luminance of the variable display surface having a different light emission format from the fixed display surface such as meters, and it is also important to adjust the luminance contrast of the variable display surface.

[0005] LCDs are often used for multi-display. When an LCD screen is covered with a black face, in order to provide the screen with high visibility (high contrast), it is necessary to increase the brightness of the element. Further, the transmission color of the black face restricts its color tone. The characteristics of the visibility of the light emitting surface of meters and the light emitting surface of the multi-screen having different light emission luminances are different.

It is desired to simultaneously improve the visibility of both the light emitting surface (fixed display surface) of meters and the light emitting surface of a multi-screen (variable display surface) having different light emission luminances. Further, it is preferable to reduce the sense of incongruity between the fixed display surface and the variable display surface to increase the commercial value of a composite display surface including a plurality of surfaces having different properties.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a meter with a built-in variable display surface which can simultaneously enhance the visibility of both a fixed display surface and a variable display surface having different light emission luminances. Another object of the present invention is to provide a meter with a built-in variable display surface that can reduce the sense of discomfort between the fixed display surface and the variable display surface and increase the commercial value of a composite display surface composed of a plurality of surfaces having different properties. It is in.

[0008]

Means for solving the problem are described as follows. The technical items appearing in the expression are appended with numbers, symbols, and the like in parentheses (). The numbers, symbols, and the like are technical items that constitute at least one embodiment or a plurality of the embodiments of the present invention, in particular, the embodiments or the examples. Corresponds to the reference numerals, reference symbols, and the like assigned to the technical matters expressed in the drawings corresponding to the above. Such reference numbers and reference symbols clarify the correspondence and bridging between the technical matters described in the claims and the technical matters of the embodiments or examples. Such correspondence / bridge does not mean that the technical matters described in the claims are interpreted as being limited to the technical matters of the embodiments or the examples.

A meter with a built-in variable display surface according to the present invention comprises a housing (2) having a single structure, meter elements (3, 4, 5) fixed to the housing (2), and a housing (2). A fixed variable display (6), wherein the meter element (3, 4, 5) has a fixed display surface (7, 8, 9) visible through the first light transmitting body (13-2); The display (6) has a variable display surface (11) that can be seen through the second light transmitting body (13-1), and the light transmittance of the first light transmitting body (13-2) and the second light transmitting body (13). The light transmittance of -1) is different. By changing the light transmittance, a sense of incongruity between different display surfaces can be reduced, and the visibility of both display surfaces having different optical properties can be maintained well.

The luminous intensity of the variable display surface (11) is weaker than the luminous intensity or luminous intensity of the fixed display surface (7, 8, 9), and the light transmittance of the first light transmitting body (13-2) is the second light transmitting. Body (13-
It is lower than the light transmittance of 1). First light transmitting body (13-2)
Has a light transmittance of 20 to 40%, and the light transmittance of the second light transmitting body is 80% or more.

The variable display surface (11) has a fixed display surface (7,
8, 9). Since the light transmittance of the light transmitting body of the multi display unit (variable display surface (11)) is high, it is easily affected by external light. However, by arranging the multi display unit on the back side of the dial surface, the external light Is difficult to enter,
It is less susceptible to external light, making it easier to see. A lens effector for optically enlarging the display on the variable display surface (11) may be provided.

The meter has a plurality of meter elements (3, 4, 5), which are arranged on both sides of the variable display. This arrangement is reasonable. It is also reasonable that the multiple meter elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to the variable display. The multiple meter elements each occupy adjacent multiple generally circular regions, and the variable indicator is disposed between the multiple approximately circular regions. This arrangement provides an aesthetic appearance due to symmetry, and can effectively utilize the limited arrangement area. The housing (2) is arranged on the instrument panel in front of the driver's seat of the automobile, and has a variable display surface (1).
1) is preferably arranged in front of the driver's seat so that it can be seen through the window of the steering wheel.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Corresponding to the drawings, in an embodiment of a meter with a built-in variable display surface according to the present invention, the meter is provided on an instrument panel in front of a driver's seat of an automobile. The meter 1 has a single housing 2 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 is a single structure that covers the entire surface except for the front surface and integrally forms a plurality of meters and a variable display inside. The meters are composed of a left meter 3, a right meter 4, and a center lower side meter 5. A multi-display 6 is arranged at the upper center. The left meter 3, the right meter 4, and the central lower meter 5 have a first fixed display surface 7, a second fixed display surface 8, and a third fixed display surface 9, respectively. The multi-display 6 has a single variable display surface 11.

The first fixed display surface 7, the second fixed display surface 8, and the third fixed display surface 9 are each formed of a self-luminous display and a front surface of a movable needle. For the self-luminous display, a commonly used luminous panel such as an EL luminous element array plate or a transmissive luminous plate can be used. Variable display surface 11
A semiconductor thin film substrate such as an LCD self-luminous surface or an LCD reflective light-emitting surface can be used. In the current state of the art, the luminous intensity or luminous intensity of the fixed display surface is stronger or higher than the luminous intensity or luminous intensity of the variable display surface.

The first fixed display surface 7, the second fixed display surface 8, and the third fixed display surface 9 are formed on substantially the same surface 12, and are substantially equidistant from the driver. The variable display surface 11 is arranged at a position farther from the driver than the same surface, and is arranged at the back of the meter 1 as shown in FIG.

The display variably displayed on the variable display surface 11 is as follows.
Various kinds of data display generated by the drawing circuit in the meter, such as enlarged display of warning, route guidance information, traveling related information, vehicle information, IT
Information necessary for driving such as S-related information and weather information. The fixed display, which is a meter display, is a display necessary for driving operation, such as a speed display by a pointer, an engine speed display, a remaining fuel amount display, and a remaining electric amount display.

As shown in FIG. 2, a front light transmitting plate 13 is attached to the front of the meter 1 in the housing 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the front light transmitting plate 13 is formed of two regions having different optical properties. One area is
It is occupied by the high transmittance light transmission plate 13-1. The entire area except for one area is a low transmittance light transmitting plate 13-.
Occupied by two.

The known smoked glass has a transmittance of 20 to 40% with respect to the display of high brightness (400 to 1000 cd / square meter) inside. In the sensory / visual test of the smoked glass used in the example of the present embodiment, the light transmittance of the high transmittance light transmitting plate 13-1 is most preferably 95%, preferably 80% or more, When the high transmittance light transmitting plate 13-1 has such light transmittance, the light transmittance of the low transmittance light transmitting plate 13-2 is 3
Most preferably, it is around 0%.

When a key is inserted so as to prompt the start of the engine of the automobile, the first fixed display surface 7, the second fixed display surface 8, and the third fixed display surface 9 are turned on. Before the lighting, even if external light is incident on those display surfaces, the first fixed display surface 7 and the second
The fixed display surface 8 and the third fixed display surface 9 appear almost completely dark due to the light-shielding properties of the low transmittance light transmission plate 13-2.

The variable display surface 11 is turned on simultaneously with another screen by the key operation, or is turned on by another operation. When simultaneously viewing the variable display surface 11 on the back side and the first fixed display surface 7, the second fixed display surface 8, and the third fixed display surface 9 on the front side, the first fixed display surface 7, the second fixed display surface 8, third
The fixed display surface 9 protrudes toward the user, and appears to protrude from the variable display surface 11 toward the user. Since the portions other than the light emitting portion are invisible due to the light-shielding property of the first light transmitting body, the entire display surface appears to be entirely raised. In addition, the variable display surface 11
Has a toughness against external light because it is on the back side.

It is preferable that the front light transmitting plate 13 itself has a lens function and enlarges the display. The front light transmission plate 13 can itself be a Fresnel lens.

It is preferable that the high transmittance light transmission plate 13-1 corresponding to the variable display surface 11 on the back side has a function of a lens for magnifying display. In this case, it is preferable to display the variable color display section with high luminance by partially increasing the light transmittance of a part of the lens part having the lens function more than the other lens parts. By forming a variable display surface in the area between the circular meters,
Space saving is possible. Since the variable display surface is close to the meter, more information can be displayed in a small solid angle range. The fact that the variable display surface is in front of the driver makes it easier to see the display.

FIG. 3 shows the multi display 6 of FIG.
Is drawn out to show the effect of light transmission, and the multi-display 6
The details are shown. The multi-display 6 is a self-luminous type L
It is formed of a CD 21 and a backlight cold cathode tube (CCT) 22. The luminance of the light emitting surface of the cold cathode tube 22 is 1000 cd / m 2. The brightness of the light emitting surface of the LCD 21 is 150 to 200 cd / sq. M, and the transmittance thereof is 10 to 15%. Light 23 emitted from LCD 21
Has a luminance of 150 to 200 cd / sq.m.
The brightness of the light exiting through the LCD 2 and passing through the LCD 21 is 100 to 1
50 cd / m 2. The light 23 passes through the high transmittance light transmission plate 13-1 having a transmittance of 95%, and its luminance drops to 140 to 190 cd / sq. The light 24 transmits through the high transmittance light transmission plate 13-1 and has a luminance of 95 to 1
It falls to 40 cd / square m.

FIG. 4 shows the effect of light transmission by cutting out the lower central meter 5 of FIG. 2 and shows details of the lower central meter 5. The lower center side meter 5 is formed of a dial and a cold cathode tube (CCT) 25. The dial is formed of a dial 26 and a diffusion plate 27. A movable hand 28 is rotatably provided on the front side of the dial 26. The luminance of the light emitting surface of the cold cathode tube 22 as a backlight is 1000 cd / m 2. The overall transmittance of the dial is 50%. The brightness of the light 29 emitted from the dial is 500 cd / m 2. The light 23 passes through the low transmittance light transmission plate 13-2 having a transmittance of 30%, and its luminance is reduced to 150 cd / m 2. As the backlight, an LED (or EL) is used instead of the CCT. As described above, the surface luminance of each light transmitting body of the variable display and the meter element is substantially equal, and it is possible to view the display without a sense of incongruity.

The housing 2 having a single structure does not have to be a complete single structure formed as a single unit. Instead, a plurality of partial housings are integrated by means of joining and integrating means such as screwing, bonding and welding. It can be manufactured as one. By integrating the meter and the variable display into a unit, the assembly cost for a structure such as a vehicle body is reduced.

[0026]

The meter with a built-in variable display surface according to the present invention
The high contrast of the variable display surface introduced in the black face meter and its performance are not lost. Further, the variable display surface can be introduced into the black face meter without any discomfort. The black face meter with a variable display surface enhances the design effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a meter with a built-in variable display surface according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing details of a variable display;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing details of a fixed display surface.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 ... Case 3,4,5 ... Meter element 6 ... Variable display 7,8,9 ... Fixed display surface 11 ... Variable display surface 13-1 ... Second light transmitting member 13-2 ... First light transmitting member

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kamiya 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama F-term in Honda R & D Co., Ltd. 2F074 AA02 BB06 BB07 BB10 DD03 EE03 GG01 3D044 BA00 BA12 BA20 BA21 BA22 BA24 BA26 BA30 BB01 BD02 5C094 AA06 BA43 DA02 5G435 AA00 AA02 BB04 BB12 CC04 DD02 EE02 EE26 FF01 GG05 GG24 GG26 LL17

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a single structure, a meter element fixed to the housing, and a variable display fixed to the housing, wherein the meter element is fixed through a first light transmitting body. A variable display having a display surface, wherein the variable display has a variable display surface that can be seen through a second light transmitting body, and wherein the light transmittance of the first light transmitting body and the light transmittance of the second light transmitting body are different. Meter with built-in surface. 2. The light transmittance of the variable display surface according to claim 1, wherein the light intensity of the variable display surface is lower than the light emission intensity of the fixed display surface, and the light transmittance of the first light transmitting member is smaller than the light transmittance of the second light transmitting member. Meter with a built-in variable display surface. 3. The meter with a built-in variable display surface according to claim 2, wherein the variable display surface is disposed on the back side of the fixed display surface.