JP2002087113A - Instrument for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make outward appearance attractive of an instrument for a vehicle equipped in an instrument panel, additionally improve mutual visibility of each instrument, by constituting the instrument for the vehicle in a manner wherein a display surface of each instrument constituting the instrument for the vehicle is arranged in an almost equal distance from the front edge of the instrument panel. SOLUTION: Each of the instrument equipped in a lateral width direction central part of an instrument panel is step provided so as to make a display surface of the instrument tilt in a driver direction and hold a parallel to each other, to be further formed to arrange a step provided direction of each display surface along on a parallel line which is in parallel to a front edge of the instrument panel, in addition a circuit board arranged behind each instrument is divided into a plurality of parts, each of this divided circuit board is arranged by a step difference so as to be in parallel to each display surface of the instrument, additionally a circuit of these divided circuit boards is connected to each other through an electric contact wire between the boards.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an instrument for a composite vehicle installed in, for example, an automobile, and more particularly to an instrument panel of a vehicle body, which is inclined at a central portion in a width direction thereof so that a display surface thereof faces a driver. The present invention relates to the structure of a vehicle instrument (center meter) to be installed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a conventional instrument for a vehicle installed in a cabin of an automobile is generally installed in an instrument panel in front of a driver's seat so that a driver can easily see the instrument. However, recently, a center meter has been known in which a vehicle instrument is assembled and used between a driver's seat and a passenger's seat, that is, at a central portion in a lateral direction of an instrument panel.

[0003] The schematic structure and arrangement of such a center meter are, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, in which a gauge such as a vehicle speedometer 1, an engine tachometer 2, a fuel gauge 3, a water temperature gauge 4, and the like are arranged in a square instrument housing 5. When the instrument 6 for a vehicle is assembled and the instrument 6 for the vehicle is installed at the center in the width direction of the instrument panel 7 integrated with the vehicle body, the display surface of each instrument is connected to the eye point of the driver 8. It is required that the instruments 8 be tilted so as to face each other and arranged so that the driver 8 can easily see each instrument.

[0004]

However, the vehicle instrument 6 mounted in the rectangular instrument housing 5 described above.
Is installed in such a manner that its display surface faces the driver, and is inclined vertically in FIG. 4. The front edge 7 a of the instrument panel 7 and the innermost position 7 b of the instrument 6 for the vehicle
(L) is spread, and this causes interference with equipment components such as an air conditioning duct and an air conditioner unit provided in the instrument panel 7, thereby limiting the degree of freedom of layout.

[0005] As described above, the display surface of the instrument 6 for the vehicle is inclined so as to face the driver 8 so that the display portion is close to the front edge 7a of the instrument panel as shown in the figure, and the instrument panel is provided with the display portion. Of the instrument panel leading edge 7a.
There is a problem in that a difference in distance between a and the display surface of each instrument occurs, which deteriorates the appearance of the instrument for the vehicle installed in the instrument panel, and also deteriorates the visibility of each instrument.

The present invention has been made in view of the problem of such a conventional instrument for a vehicle (center meter). A composite instrument comprising a plurality of instruments assembled in one instrument housing is provided on an instrument panel. In a vehicle instrument provided at the center in the width direction, a display surface of each instrument constituting the vehicle instrument is configured to be disposed at substantially equal distance from a front edge of the instrument panel, and an instrument panel is provided. It is a first object of the present invention to improve the appearance of a vehicle instrument provided therein and to improve the visibility of each instrument.

Further, according to the present invention, a vehicle instrument provided inside the instrument panel does not interfere with other components such as an air-conditioning duct and an air-conditioning unit provided inside the instrument panel. A second object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle instrument that can be installed in an instrument panel.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite instrument in which a plurality of instruments are unitized by being assembled in an instrument housing. In a vehicle instrument in which a composite instrument is provided at a central portion in a lateral direction of an instrument panel, a display surface of each instrument provided at a central portion in a lateral direction of an instrument panel is inclined in a driver direction and each instrument is provided. The display instruments are arranged stepwise so that they are parallel to each other, and furthermore, the stepping direction of each display screen is arranged and formed along a parallel line parallel to the front edge of the instrument panel. It is characterized by being.

Therefore, according to this vehicle instrument, since each display surface of each instrument constituting the vehicle instrument is arranged to be inclined toward the driver, the visibility of each instrument by the driver can be improved. Is improved. Also, since each display surface of each instrument is arranged along a parallel line parallel to the front edge of the instrument panel, the distance between the front edge of the instrument panel and the display surface of each instrument is made uniform, For this reason, the vehicle instrument provided in the instrument panel has a good appearance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the second object, a circuit board disposed behind each instrument having each display surface stepped is provided in addition to the first aspect. , And each of the divided circuit boards is arranged stepwise so as to be parallel to each display surface of each of the instruments, and the circuit of each of the divided circuit boards is connected with an inter-board electrical contact line. It is characterized in that it is a vehicle instrument connected via a switch.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the second object, in addition to the first or second aspect, the plurality of circuit boards which are arranged in steps are approached to the rear surfaces of the plurality of circuit boards. And a lower housing having a rear surface formed in a stepped shape corresponding to the stepped shape of the vehicle.

Therefore, according to the second or third aspect of the invention, since the unitized composite instrument can be formed to have a relatively small dimension, especially in the front-rear depth direction, the instrument for the vehicle is instrumented. When installed inside the panel, the instrument for the vehicle does not interfere with other components installed in the instrument panel, for example, air conditioning ducts, air conditioners, and the like. The facility workability inside is improved.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a vehicle instrument according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when the vehicle instrument is mounted on the vehicle body.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes an entire structure of a unitized composite instrument for a vehicle. The composite instrument 11 includes a vehicle speed meter 12, an engine speed meter 1
3. A fuel and water temperature indicator 14 is arranged in a horizontal line, and a space on the left side of the fuel and water temperature gauge 14, a space between the fuel and water temperature gauge 14 and the vehicle speed meter 12, and a vehicle speed meter 12
Each of various warning display portions 15A, 15B, 15C is formed by utilizing a space between the engine and the engine speed meter 13.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an upper housing of the composite instrument 11. The shape of the upper housing 16 is such that an opening edge 18 for attaching a front cover 17 to a front surface thereof and a lateral position at a position deeper than the opening edge 18 are provided. A plurality of (four) display screens 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D are formed. Each of the display surfaces 19A, 19 provided in a stepped manner
B, 19C and 19D are parallel to each other, and the opening edge 1
8 is inclined at an angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal line (a) determined along the line 8. Here, the term “parallel” refers to each display surface 19.
A, 19B, 19C, and 19D include the arrangement in the same viewer direction (driver's seat direction), and are not limited to strictly parallel.

That is, in order to set the inclination angle (θ) of each of the display surfaces 19A to 19D, the composite instrument 11 is installed at the center in the width direction of the automobile instrument panel, that is, in the range between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. When positioning the composite instrument 11 such that the horizontal line (a) defined along the opening edge of the upper housing 16 constituting the composite instrument 11 is parallel to the front edge of the instrument panel, The display surfaces 19A to 19D are set so as to face the eye point direction of the driver sitting on the driver's seat.

Each of the display surfaces 19A to 19D has a light-transmitting display panel 20A, 20B, 20C,
Window holes 21A, 21B, 21 for attaching 20D
C, 21D are formed. In the present embodiment, 20A does not have a display plate corresponding to only the warning display unit 15A, and 20B does not have a display plate displaying a display corresponding to the fuel and water temperature indicator 14 and a display corresponding to the warning display unit 15B. , 20C is a display panel provided with a display corresponding to the vehicle speedometer 12 and a display corresponding to the warning display section 15C, and 20D is a display panel provided with a display corresponding only to the engine speed counter 13.

Behind the display panel 20A, the display panel 2
Each warning display 22A given to 0A
A plurality of warning lamps 23A (one is shown in the drawing) corresponding to are provided. Behind the display panel 20B, a warning lamp 23B and an indicator lamp 24A corresponding to the warning display 22B and the indicator display 24 provided on the display panel 20B, and a pointer 27A corresponding to the fuel amount display 25 are provided.
Thermometer movement 28 for driving a fuel gauge movement 27 for driving the indicator and a pointer 28A corresponding to the water temperature display 26
Is arranged.

Behind the display panel 20C, a pointer 3 corresponding to a vehicle speed display 29 provided on the display panel 20C is provided.
A vehicle speedometer movement 30 for driving 0A and a warning lamp (not shown) corresponding to the warning display 22C are arranged, and behind the display panel 20D,
An engine speed movement 3 for driving a pointer 31A corresponding to a speed display 33 provided on the display panel 20D.
1 is arranged.

32A is a first integrated control circuit board, 32B
Is a second integrated control circuit board, and the first integrated control circuit board 32A is provided with the two light-transmitting display boards 20
A, 20B, a warning display 22A, 2
Indicator lamps 2 corresponding to warning lamps 23A and 23B for controlling 2B and indicator display 24
4A, and a control circuit for controlling the fuel gauge movement 27 and the water temperature gauge movement 28.

A second integrated control circuit board 32B is provided opposite to the two light-transmitting display boards 20C and 20D,
It has a warning lamp (not shown) for controlling the warning display 22C, and a control circuit for controlling the vehicle speedometer movement 30 and the engine speed movement 31.

The first integrated control circuit board 32A
Is arranged close to and parallel to the light transmissive display boards 20A and 20B, and the second integrated control circuit board 32B is arranged close to and parallel to the light transmissive display boards 20C and 20D. Both integrated control circuit boards 32A and 32
B is stepped in a plane as shown in FIG.
The first integrated control circuit board 32A and the second integrated control circuit board 32B that are provided in a row are electrically connected to each other via a board-to-board electrical contact line 34 made of, for example, a flexible printed circuit board and the connector 34A. Connection is maintained. The integrated control circuit boards 32A and 32B first form first and second circuits (on which elements are mounted) in the same circuit board, and thereafter, the first integrated control circuit board 32A and the second integrated control It is formed separately from the circuit board 32B.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a lower housing in which steps are formed so as to approach the back surfaces of the first and second integrated control circuit boards 32A and 32B.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a mounting bracket integrated with the lower housing.
Reference numeral 39A denotes a lamp case for storing lamps for warning indicators 22A and 22B, and a gauge shade which also functions as a mounting member for a fuel gauge and a water temperature gauge display panel 20B. 2 shows a shade for a vehicle speed and a tachometer which also functions as a mounting member of each display plate of the engine tachometer 13. Assembling is performed by assembling an integrated control circuit board on which electronic components, various movements, and connectors are mounted on the lower housing, and then mounting a shade 39A for a gauge and a shade 39B for a vehicle speed and a tachometer on the integrated control circuit board. Then, the various transmissive display boards 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, the upper housing 16, and the front cover 17 are assembled in this order.

The configuration of the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the operation will be described. In the composite instrument 11 of this embodiment, a vehicle speedometer 12 is disposed substantially at the center of the front face, and the fuel And a display 14 for displaying the water temperature,
An engine tachometer 13 is disposed on the right side thereof, and a left portion of a display 14 for displaying the fuel and water temperature, a space between the display unit 14 and the vehicle speed meter 12 and a vehicle speed meter 12.
Warning display units 15A and 15 required for the operation of the vehicle in respective spaces between the motor and the engine speed counter 13.
B, 15C, 15D and the like are arranged and formed.

A light transmissive display panel 20A displaying the warning display 22A and a fuel quantity and water temperature display 2A
5, 26 and a light transmissive display panel 20B displaying a warning display 22B, a vehicle speed display 29 and a light transmissive display panel 20C displaying a warning display 22C, and a light transmissive display displaying a rotation speed display 33. Each of the plates 20D is formed individually, and the display surfaces of the four light-transmitting display plates 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are inclined toward the eye point direction of the driver 38 seated in the driver's seat. The angle (θ) is set, and the arrangement direction of the light-transmitting display panels 20A to 20D is parallel to the horizontal line (a) defined along the opening edge 18 of the upper housing on which the front cover 17 is attached. Each of the light transmissive display panels 20A to 20D is
It is set up through.

Therefore, the driver sitting in the driver's seat can use the light transmissive display boards 20A to 20A-2 attached to the composite instrument 11.
The visibility of each display in 0D is significantly improved. When the composite instrument 11 is installed in the instrument panel of the vehicle body, if the front of the composite instrument front cover 17 is arranged and fixed so as to coincide with the front edge of the instrument panel, the front edge of the instrument panel is provided. Thus, the distance from the display surface of each of the light transmissive display panels 20A to 20D becomes constant, and the appearance of the composite instrument provided in the instrument panel and the visibility of each instrument are improved.

In this embodiment, the vehicle speedometer 1
2. The integrated control board is divided into a plurality of first integrated control boards with the display surfaces of the engine speed meter 13, the fuel and water temperature indicator 14, and the warning displays 22A, 22B, and 22C provided stepwise. 32A and second integrated control board 32
B, since these integrated control boards are set up corresponding to the setting of each instrument, it is possible to reduce the depth dimension of the composite instrument, whereby the composite instrument is connected to the instrument panel of the vehicle body. When mounted inside the instrument panel, the workability of mounting the composite instrument is improved without interfering with other components such as an air conditioning duct and an air conditioner unit arranged in the instrument panel, and the layout and flexibility are enhanced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the display surface of each instrument and the like has a four-stage configuration, whereas the integrated control board is the first and the second.
Since the second integrated control board has a two-stage configuration, and the two integrated control boards are connected to each other by the connector between the integrated control boards using the inter-board electrical contact line 34, the number of connector connection points can be reduced. As a result, the number of steps for mounting the integrated control board and the labor for connecting the boards can be reduced, and the connection reliability between the integrated control boards can be improved.

[0029]

As described above, according to the vehicle instrument according to the first aspect of the present invention, each display surface of each instrument and the like constituting the composite instrument faces the driver's eye point direction. As a result, the visibility of each instrument is enhanced. In addition, since the arrangement direction of each instrument display surface is arranged along a parallel line parallel to the front edge of the instrument panel, the distance (interval) between each instrument display surface and the front edge of the instrument panel becomes constant. Therefore, the appearance of the vehicle instrument provided in the instrument panel becomes good.

According to the instrument for a vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention, the depth of the composite instrument can be made relatively small, so that the instrument for the instrument and the instrument panel can be installed in the instrument panel. The instrument for the vehicle does not interfere with other parts installed in the instrument panel, and the workability of the instrument and the degree of freedom of layout of the instrument for the vehicle are greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan sectional view showing an internal configuration of a vehicle instrument according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a vehicle instrument according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing an arrangement state of each light-transmitting display plate which is particularly provided in a vehicle instrument according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory plan view showing an equipment state of a conventional vehicle instrument.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Composite instrument 12 Vehicle speed meter 13 Engine speed meter 14 Fuel and water temperature indicator 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D Warning display part 16 Upper housing 17 Front cover 18 Opening edge 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D Display surface 20A, 20B, 20C , 20D Light transmissive display plate 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D Window hole 22A, 22B, 22C Warning display 23A, 23B Warning lamp 24 Indicator display 24A Indicator lamp 25 Fuel quantity display 26 Water temperature display 27 Fuel gauge movement 27A Indicator 28 Water temperature gauge Movement 28A pointer 29 vehicle speed display 30 vehicle speedometer movement 30A pointer 31 engine speed movement 31A pointer 32A first integrated control circuit board 32B second integrated control circuit board 33 speed Between shows 34 substrate conductive tangent 34A connector 35 the lower housing 36 main connector 37 mounting bracket 38 driver

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaharu Ozawa 5-24-15 Minamidai, Nakano-ku, Tokyo Calsonic Kansei Corporation F-term (reference) 3D044 BA03 BA04 BA19 BA21 BB01 BC02 BC07 BD02 BD13

Claims (3)

[Claims] A composite instrument in which a plurality of instruments are assembled into an instrument housing to form a unit, and the instrument is a vehicle instrument provided at a central portion in a lateral direction of an instrument panel. The display surface of each of the above-mentioned instruments provided at the center in the width direction of the instrument panel is stepped so that the display surface of each of the instruments is inclined toward the driver and the display surfaces of the respective instruments are kept parallel to each other. The instrumentation of a vehicle is characterized in that the steps are arranged along a parallel line parallel to the front edge of the instrument panel. 2. A circuit board disposed behind each instrument on which each instrument display surface is stepped is divided into a plurality of circuit boards, and each of the divided circuit boards is parallel to each display surface of each instrument. 2. The vehicle instrument according to claim 1, wherein the circuit boards of the divided circuit boards are connected to each other via a board-to-board electrical contact line, and the circuit boards of the divided circuit boards are connected stepwise. 3. A lower housing having a back surface formed in a stepped shape corresponding to a stepped shape formed by the circuit boards, being attached to a back surface of the plurality of circuit boards arranged in a stepped manner. The vehicle instrument according to claim 1.