JP2001304923A - Pointer measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointer measuring instrument which can surely prevent the rotation impossibility of a pointer, which is constituted at low costs and which prevents light from being leaked onto a scale plate from a part near the rotation central part of the pointer. SOLUTION: The pointer measuring instrument comprises the pointer 14 which is turned on the scale plate 12. The measuring instrument comprises a cover member 16 which covers a part near the rotation central part 23 of the pointer 14. The cover member 16 is molded of a light shielding material. At the cover member 16, a lid part 26 which is situated on the surface near the part 23 of the pointer 14 is installed, and sheath-shaped parts 27, 28 which are hung down toward the side of the scale plate 12 from the outer circumferential edge part of the lid part 26 are installed, A prescribed gap 34 is formed between tip parts of the sheath-shaped parts 27, 28 and the scale plate 12. The sheath-shaped parts 27, 28 are formed as a double wall structure which is separated at a prescribed interval 29 in the longitudinal direction of the pointer 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointer instrument having a pointer which rotates on a dial, and more particularly to a structure for preventing light from leaking from the vicinity of the center of rotation of the pointer onto the dial. It is suitable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-9618 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-20097 have proposed such a light leakage preventing structure. In these prior arts, a ring-shaped light-shielding member positioned around a pointer shaft integrally connected to the pointer is separately arranged on the scale plate side.

[0003]

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned conventional structure, a separate ring-shaped light shielding member is required.
The number of parts increases, which causes a cost increase. Furthermore, since the ring-shaped light-shielding member is arranged in the hole on the scale plate side, it is necessary to secure an appropriate gap in the radial direction between the rotating pointer-side member and the ring-shaped light-shielding member. However, it is difficult to accurately manage the radial gap due to the positional deviation of the hole of the dial, the dimensional tolerance of the pointer-side member, the dimensional tolerance of the ring-shaped light shielding member, and the like. As a result, a case may occur in which the radial gap cannot be secured. In this case, the pointer-side member interferes with the ring light-shielding member, and the pointer cannot rotate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention can reliably prevent the hands from being unable to rotate, and can prevent light from leaking from the vicinity of the center of rotation of the hands to the scale plate with a low-cost configuration. The purpose is to be.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cover members (16, 1) for covering the vicinity of the center of rotation (23) of the hands (14, 15) are provided.
7) is formed of a light-shielding material, and the cover members (16, 17) are provided with a lid (26) located on the upper surface near the center of rotation of the hands (14, 15), and a cover (26). A hakama-shaped portion (27, 28) that hangs from the peripheral edge toward the scale plate (12, 13);
A predetermined gap (34) is provided between the tip of (8) and the scale plate (12, 13), and the hakama-shaped portions (27, 28) are separated from each other by a predetermined distance (27) in the longitudinal direction of the hands (14, 15). 29)
Characterized by a double wall structure separated by a.

According to this, the hakama-shaped portions (27, 28) having a double wall structure can be integrally formed with the cover members (16, 17), and can be manufactured at low cost. Moreover, the hakama-shaped part (2
7 and 28) have a double wall structure,
As illustrated in (b), the light incident on the gap (34) at the tip of the skirt shape portion is separated from the gap (29) in the double wall structure as shown by the arrow b.
And the light can be attenuated, so that light leakage from the gap (34) near the center of rotation of the pointer onto the scale can be suppressed well.

Further, the gap (34) is formed by the cover member (16,
The gap (34) can always be easily adjusted by adjusting the cover member assembling position such that the gap (34) has a predetermined dimension, since the gap (34) can be regulated by adjusting the assembly position with respect to the scale plate (12, 13). It can be set to a predetermined size.

Therefore, the gap (34) can always be set to a predetermined size without being affected by dimensional tolerances or the like in manufacturing parts, and it is possible to prevent the hands (14, 15) from being unable to rotate. Also,
By regulating the gap (34) to a minute size, the effect of suppressing light leakage onto the dial can be further improved.

Specifically, as in the second aspect of the present invention, the lid (26) is formed in a disk shape, and the skirt shape portion (27, 2) is formed.
8) is made into a double cylindrical shape, notch grooves (30, 31) are provided in the hakama-shaped portions (27, 28), and the hands (14, 15) are passed through the notch grooves (30, 31). , 2
8) It can be configured to protrude from the inside to the outside.

Thus, the entire shape of the cover member (16, 17) can be formed in a compact double-ended cylindrical shape with a bottom.

The reference numerals in parentheses of the above-mentioned means indicate the correspondence with the concrete means described in the embodiments described later.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicular instrument to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, in which a speedometer 10 and an engine tachometer 11 are arranged side by side in a vehicle left-right direction. The speedometer 10 and the engine tachometer 11 together constitute a pointer instrument having hands 14 and 15 that rotate on the scales 12 and 13. Cover members (boss portions) 16 and 17 that cover the vicinity of the center of rotation are integrally connected to the center of rotation of the hands 14 and 15.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line A--A in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the rotation mechanism and the illumination mechanism of the hands 14 will be described by taking the speedometer 10 as an example. The circuit boards 18 are arranged at predetermined intervals. The circuit board 18 constitutes an electric circuit portion of the instrument, and a light source 19 for illuminating the pointer 14 is arranged and fixed on the surface side thereof. The light source 19 is formed of, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), and a plurality of light sources 19 may be provided as necessary.

A rotary inner unit 20 of the pointer 14 is arranged and fixed on the back side of the circuit board 18. The rotary inner unit 20 gives the amount of rotation corresponding to the vehicle speed to the pointer shaft 21, and uses a well-known step motor type, cross coil type or the like.
The pointer shaft 21 passes through the through hole 22 of the circuit board 18 and protrudes toward the surface of the circuit board 18. On the other hand, the rotation center portion 23 of the pointer 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the rotation center portion 23 passes through the through-hole 24 of the scale plate 12 and passes through the scale plate 1.
2, the tip of the pointer shaft 21 and the cylindrical rotation center 23 of the pointer 14 are integrally fitted and connected by press-fitting.

The pointer 14 is formed of a translucent material through which light can pass, specifically, a transparent or translucent material such as an acrylic resin. A reflecting surface 25 inclined at a predetermined angle is formed in a portion of the pointer 14 facing the light source 19,
Light from the light source 19 is reflected by the reflection surface 25 as shown by an arrow A, and travels inside the pointer 14 toward the tip end of the pointer 14 as shown by an arrow B.

The cover member 16 that covers the vicinity of the center of rotation 23 of the pointer 14 is formed of a light-shielding material that blocks light, and is specifically formed of an appropriate resin (for example, polyacetal resin or the like). The cover member 16 has a lid 26 having a disc shape, and a hakama-shaped portion 27, 2 which hangs cylindrically from the outer peripheral edge of the lid 26 toward the scale 12.
8 is integrally formed.

The hakama-shaped portions 27 and 28 form concentrically arranged double cylindrical portions, that is, a double wall structure separated by a predetermined distance 29 in the longitudinal direction of the pointer 14.
The thickness of the hakama-shaped portions 27 and 28 is, for example, about 0.5 mm,
The interval 29 is, for example, about 1.0 mm.

Notch grooves 30 and 31 for passing the hands 14 are formed in the hakama-shaped portions 27 and 28, and the hands 14 pass through the notch grooves 30 and 31.
7, 28 project from the inside to the outside.

Further, the pointer 14 and the cover member 16 can be integrally connected by various means. In this embodiment, a pin 32 is integrally formed on the cover member 16 and the pin 32 is connected to the hole 33 of the pointer 14. The pointer 14 and the cover member 16 are integrally connected by heat caulking the tip 32a of the pin 32. Needless to say, the pointer 14 and the cover member 16 may be integrally connected by an engagement structure of engagement claw pieces utilizing the elasticity of the resin.

Here, a method of assembling the pointer 14 in this embodiment will be described.
The light source 19, the rotating inner unit 20, and the like are assembled in the arrangement shown in FIG. In addition, the pointer 14 and the cover member 16 are integrally connected in advance by the above-mentioned means.

Thereafter, the cylindrical center portion 23 of the pointer 14 is made to pass through the through hole 24 of the scale plate 12 and protrude toward the back side of the scale plate 12, and the center hole of the center portion 23 is inserted into the pointer shaft. 21 are integrally fitted and connected to each other by press-fitting.
At this time, a predetermined gap 34 is set between the tips of the skirt shape portions 27 and 28 of the cover member 16 and the scale plate 12. Since the gap 34 can be defined by adjusting the press-fit amount of the cylindrical rotation center portion 23 of the pointer 14, the gap is adjusted by adjusting the press-fit amount of the pointer so that the gap 34 has a predetermined dimension (for example, about 1.0 mm). 34 can always be easily set to a predetermined size.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the pointer 14 from being unable to rotate by always setting the gap 34 to a predetermined size without being affected by dimensional tolerances in manufacturing parts.

The light from the light source 19 passes through the through hole 24 of the scale 12 as shown by the arrow A and is reflected by the reflecting surface 25. The light from the reflecting surface 25 passes through the pointer 14 as shown by the arrow B. Proceed to the tip end of the pointer 14. At that time, a part of the light from the light source 19 tends to leak onto the scale plate 12 from the gap 34 between the tip portions of the skirt shape portions 27 and 28 of the cover member 16 and the scale plate 12.

However, according to the present embodiment, the gap 34 is limited to a small dimension of about 1.0 mm as described above, and the hakama-shaped portions 27 and 28 are arranged concentrically with a predetermined interval 29 therebetween. Since it is formed in a heavy cylindrical shape, the gap 3
4 can also be satisfactorily suppressed. That is, FIG.
(A) is a comparative example. When a skirt-shaped portion 27 ′ having a single cylindrical shape is formed as in this comparative example, when a part of the light from the light source 19 enters the gap 34, the incident light Is repeatedly reflected between the end face of the hakama-shaped portion 27 'and the scale plate 12 as indicated by the arrow a, and leaks out of the hakama-shaped portion 27'.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, even if a part of the light from the light source 19 enters the gap 34, the incident light enters the predetermined space 29 of the double cylinder and is attenuated. Can be done. Thereby, a part of the light from the light source 19 can be satisfactorily suppressed from passing through the gap 34 and leaking to the outside of the hat-shaped portions 27 and 28.

(Other Embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the light source 19 is disposed at a position directly facing the reflecting surface 25 of the pointer 14, and the light from the light source 19 is directly reflected as indicated by an arrow A. Although the light is reflected by the surface 25, the light source 19
May be arranged at a position not directly facing the reflecting surface 25 of the pointer 14 to guide the light from the light source 19 to an appropriate light guide plate, and reflect the light from this light guide plate on the reflecting surface 25. Of course.

Further, it is needless to say that the lid portion 26 and the skirt shape portions 27 and 28 of the cover member 16 may be formed in an oval shape instead of a perfect circular shape.

In the above embodiment, the speedometer 10
Although the present invention has been described by taking the example of the engine tachometer 11 as an example, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a pointer instrument such as a fuel gauge and a water temperature gauge.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle instrument to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

12, 13 ... scale plate, 14, 15 ... pointer, 16, 17 ...
Cover member, 19: light source, 23: center of rotation, 26: lid, 27, 28: skirt shape, 29: interval, 34: gap.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Miyagawa 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside Denso Corporation (72) Inventor Eiji Fukatsu 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Denso Corporation F-term (reference) 2F074 AA01 BB06 DD03 EE03 FF01 GG10

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A dial (12, 13), a pointer (14, 15) rotating on the dial (12, 13), and a rotation center (23) of the pointer (14, 15). In a pointer instrument having a light source (19) for emitting light guided to the vicinity, a cover member (16, 17) for covering the vicinity of the center of rotation (23) of the hands (14, 15) is formed of a light shielding material. At the same time, the hands (14, 1) are attached to the cover members (16, 17).
5) lid (26) located on the upper surface near the center of rotation
And the scale plate (1) from the outer peripheral edge of the lid (26).
Hakama-shaped part (27, 2)
8), and the tip of the hakama-shaped portion (27, 28) and the scale plate (1).
A predetermined gap (34) is provided between the pointer (14, 1) and the pointer (14, 1).
5) 2 separated by a predetermined distance (29) in the longitudinal direction
A pointer instrument characterized by a heavy wall structure. 2. The lid (26) has a disk shape, the skirt shape (27, 28) has a double cylindrical shape, and a cutout groove (30) is formed in the skirt shape (27, 28). , 3
2) The device according to claim 1, wherein 1) is provided, and the hands (14, 15) are protruded from inside to outside of the hakama-shaped portion (27, 28) through the cutout grooves (30, 31). Pointer instrument.