JP2002340630A - Luminescent pointer, and measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a luminescent pointer of which the respective transparent light guide parts are formed to be opposed to each other via a long light emitting part prepared by mixing a fluorescent material into a transparent light guide material, and a measuring instrument using the pointer. SOLUTION: A pointer part 60b is provided with a branched part 63 comprising a colorless transparent light guiding resin material, and the thin light emitting part 64 prepared by mixing the fluorescent material of orange color homogeneously into the colorless transparent light guiding resin material, in a pointer main body 60 of this luminescent pointer P. The light emitting part 64 is sandwichedly held between the both light guide parts 63b of the branched part 63. Light incident into the each light guide part 63b out of the white light from the each light source incident from a turning base part 61a of the pointer main body 60 into the pointer part 60b comes out from an upper face of the each light guide part 63b and gets incident from the width direction into the light emitting part 64. The luminescent pointer P emits thereby white light in the both light guide parts 63b, and emits orange light in the light emitting part 64.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a luminous pointer and an instrument using the luminous pointer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a light emission guide used for an instrument, there is, for example, one shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-7523. This luminescent hand is formed by forming a translucent colored portion on the upper surface of the hand body. Here, the pointer body is
It is formed of a transparent resin material mixed with a fluorescent dye that emits light in the same color as the translucent colored portion.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned light emitting pointer, when a fluorescent dye is mixed into the transparent resin material of the pointer main body as described above, the transmittance of the pointer main body with respect to light decreases. Therefore, when light enters the pointer body from the light source, the light emission luminance of the portion of the pointer body close to the light source increases,
A problem arises in that the light emission luminance of the portion of the pointer body far from the light source is reduced.

On the other hand, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-14951, a transparent material layer formed by mixing a fluorescent dye into a transparent material is provided on the upper surface of a pointer body made of a transparent material. It is conceivable to form

[0005] According to this, even in a part of the pointer main body that is far from the light source that enters light into the pointer main body, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the light emission luminance. However, the emission guideline
Since the transparent material layer is formed on the upper surface of the pointer body, the vertical thickness of the light emitting pointer itself increases. As a result, the distance between the surface of the scale plate located below the light emitting hands and the upper surface of the light emitting hands becomes large, which causes a problem that the appearance is poor.

Therefore, in order to cope with the above, the present invention forms each transparent light guide section so as to face each other via a longitudinal light emitting section in which a fluorescent material is mixed into a transparent light guide material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting pointer formed by the above method and an instrument using the light emitting pointer.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the pointer portion (60b) of the instrument light-emitting pointer according to the first aspect of the present invention is made by mixing a fluorescent material into a transparent light guide material. The light emitting device includes: a longitudinal light emitting portion (64); and transparent light guide portions (63b) formed along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting portion so as to face each other via the light emitting portion. Each of them introduces light and enters the light emitting unit, and the light emitting unit emits light based on the fluorescent material in accordance with each of the incident lights.

Thus, the light emitting pointer emits light in the fluorescent color of the fluorescent material at the light emitting part of the pointer part, and both light guide parts are illuminated in that color by the introduced light. As a result, a novel appearance can be provided to the light emitting guide. Here, since light is incident on the light emitting portion between the two light guide portions, the brightness of the light emitting portion does not decrease depending on the portion of the light emitting portion. Further, since the light emitting portion is sandwiched between the two light guiding portions, the distance between the pointer portion and the scale plate does not increase, and therefore, the appearance of the light emitting pointer does not deteriorate.

The luminous pointer for an instrument according to the second aspect of the present invention is rotatably supported along the surface of the dial (30, 30a), and is supported on the surface of the dial by the pointer (60b). To instruct.

[0010] In the light emitting pointer, the pointer portion is a longitudinal light emitting portion (6) formed by mixing a fluorescent material into a transparent light guide material.
4) and transparent light guide sections (63) formed along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section so as to face each other via the light emitting section.
b), each light guide section introduces light from a light source and enters the light emitting section, and the light emitting section emits light based on a fluorescent material according to each incident light. This also
The same operation and effect as the first aspect can be achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instrument according to the present invention, comprising: a scale plate (30, 30a); an inner machine body (41) disposed on the back side of the scale board; A rotary inner machine (40) having a pointer shaft (42) rotatably extending toward the through hole (32) of the dial, and supported on the tip of the pointer shaft through the through hole of the dial. A light emitting pointer (P, Pa) having a rotating base (60a) to be extended, a longitudinal pointer (60b) extending from the rotating base along the surface of the dial, and a back side of the dial. A light source (50) is provided near the axis of the pointer shaft and allows light to enter the pointer from its extending base through a through hole of the dial.

In the meter, the pointer portion is a longitudinal light emitting portion (64) made by mixing a fluorescent material into a transparent light guide material.
And transparent light guide sections (63b) formed along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section so as to face each other via the light emitting section.
Each light guide section introduces light from a light source and enters the light emitting section, and the light emitting section emits light based on a fluorescent material in accordance with each incident light.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide an instrument using the light emitting pointer which can achieve the operation and effect of the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a meter (30, 30a) having arcuate translucent scale portions (31, 33) formed on the outer peripheral portion, and the scale plate. A light source (80) arranged on the back side of the scale along the arc direction of the scale and transmitting light through the scale and a longitudinal pointer (60b) along the surface of the scale. Supported light emitting pointers (P, Pa).

In the meter, the pointer portion is a longitudinal light emitting portion (64) formed by mixing a fluorescent material into a transparent light guide material.
And transparent light guide sections (63b) formed along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section so as to face each other via the light emitting section.
Each light guide section introduces light from a light source that passes through the scale section of the dial plate and enters the light emitting section, and the light emitting section emits a fluorescent material in accordance with each incident light. Emits light based on

As described above, it is possible to provide an instrument provided with a light-emitting indicator capable of achieving substantially the same operation and effect as the invention described in claim 1 even if the light from the scale plate light source is used.

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

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a passenger car instrument to which the present invention is applied.
This instrument is disposed on an instrument panel provided in the passenger compartment of the passenger car.

This instrument, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a speedometer S, a tachometer T and a shift indicator I. It is assembled with a wiring board 20 (see FIG. 2) in a casing (not shown) assembled to the return plate 10. The wiring board 20 is supported in parallel with the bottom wall 11 (described later) of the return plate 10 in the casing (see FIG. 2).

The speedometer S includes a scale plate 30, a rotating inner unit 40, a plurality of pointer light sources 50, and a light emitting pointer P (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The scale plate 30
As shown in FIG. 1, the return plate 10 is attached to the opening 11a of the bottom wall 11 from the back side thereof. The graduation plate 30 has a graduation portion 31 for grading the vehicle speed of the passenger car.
The scale portion 31 is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral portion of the scale plate 30. Here, the scale plate 30 is formed in an opaque dark color (for example, black) except for each scale 31a and each scale 31b of the arc-shaped scale portion 31. The inside of each scale 31a and each outline of each number 31b is transparent.

The rotating inner unit 40 includes an inner unit main body 41 and a pointer shaft 42. The inner unit main body 41 is located at a position corresponding to the scale plate 30 on the back surface of the wiring board 20 in the casing. Supported. The pointer shaft 42 is rotatably extended from the inner machine main body 41 through the through hole 21 of the wiring board 20 and the central hole 32 of the scale plate 30.

Each of the plurality of light sources 50 is composed of a light emitting diode. Each of the light sources 50 is disposed on the surface of the wiring board 20 along the outer periphery of the through hole 21 and electrically connected to the wiring board 20. It is connected to the. Thereby, each light source 5
Numeral 0 emits white light toward the center hole 32 of the scale plate 30 along the axis of the pointer shaft 42 by the light emission. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the number of light sources 50 is three, and each light source 50 is arranged at the position shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the light emitting pointer P has a pointer main body 60 and a light-shielding cap 70 having a U-shaped cross section.
And The pointer main body 60 is configured by extending a pointer portion 60b in a longitudinal direction from a plate-shaped head portion 61 of a T-shaped cross-section rotation base portion 60a.
The boss-shaped leg 62a is coaxially supported by the tip of the pointer shaft 42.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pointer 60b has a forked portion 63 and a narrow light emitting portion 64. The forked portion 63 is formed of a colorless and transparent light-guiding resin material together with the rotating base 60a.
Is composed of a plate-like connecting portion 63a and light guide portions 63b extending along the surface of the scale plate 30 from both ends in the width direction of the connecting portion 63a in parallel with each other. Connecting part 63
“a” integrally extends from the left end side in FIG. 2 of the head 61 of the rotating base 60b to the left side. Also, this connecting portion 63
A rear surface 63c of the head 61 extends obliquely upward and to the left from the left end of the head 61 in FIG. Thereby, the rear surface 63c is positioned so as to be able to face each light source 50 through the central hole 32 of the scale plate 30 via the connecting portion 63a,
It functions as a reflecting surface that reflects the white light of each light source 50 that enters the connecting portion 63a from the back surface thereof in the longitudinal direction of both the light guide portion 63b and the light emitting portion 64.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the light emitting portion 64 is sandwiched between the two light guiding portions 63b of the forked portion 63. The light emitting portion 64 is made of a colorless and transparent light guiding resin material. Is formed by uniformly mixing an orange fluorescent material.
Here, the outer surface of each of the light guide portions 63b is subjected to an optical reflection process except for the upper surface of each of the light guide portions 63b and the boundary surface with the light emitting portion 64. For this reason, the reflected light that enters the light guides 63b from the rear surface 63c is reflected while traveling along the longitudinal direction of the light guides 63b, exits from the upper surface of each light guide 63b, and enters the light emitting unit 64. Also enter. The back surface of the light emitting unit 64 is subjected to an optical reflection process, and the light incident on the light emitting unit 64 is transmitted to the upper surface (the surface opposite to the scale 30) in the light emitting unit 64.
Reflected toward.

In the present embodiment, the width W of the pointer 60b is
It is approximately 2 mm at the front end of the pointer 60b, and approximately 3 mm at the rear end of the pointer 60b. The width a of each light guide 63b is approximately 0.75 mm at the front end of each light guide 63b, and approximately 1.25 mm at the rear end of each light guide 63b. Further, the width b of the light emitting section 64 is substantially 0.5 mm over the entire length of the light emitting section 64. Thereby, the light emitting unit 6
Reference numeral 4 reflects the reflected light from both light guides 63b and emits orange and narrow width light. The pointer portion 60b of the pointer main body 60 is formed by two-color integral molding so as to have the above configuration. The cap 70 is supported by the pointer main body 60 so as to cover the connecting portion 63a of the rotating base 60a and the pointer 60b from above.

The tachometer T has substantially the same configuration as that of the speedometer S except that the tachometer T indicates the number of revolutions of the engine of the passenger car. It has a device 40, a plurality of pointer light sources 50 and a scale plate 30a corresponding to the light emitting hands P, a rotating inner machine (not shown), a plurality of light sources (not shown), and a light emitting hand Pa. Here, the scale plate 30a is attached to the opening 11b of the bottom wall 11 of the dial plate 10 from the back side thereof. The graduation plate 30a has a graduation portion 33 for grading the number of revolutions of the engine. The graduation portion 33 is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral portion of the graduation plate 30a. Here, the scale plate 30a is formed in an opaque dark color (for example, black) except for each scale and each number of the arc-shaped scale portions 33. The inside of each scale and each number of contours of the scale portion 33 is transparent. Further, the light emitting pointer Pa has the same configuration as the light emitting pointer P.

The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described using the speedometer S as an example. Each light source 5
When 0 is emitted, the white light from each of the light sources 50 enters the cap 70 of the light emitting pointer P through the central hole 32 of the scale plate 30 along the axial direction of the pointer shaft 42. Then
After the white light of the light source 50 facing the connecting portion 63a of the pointer main body 60 among the light sources 50 enters the connecting portion 63a from the back surface thereof, the white light of the light source 50 enters the light guiding portion 63b and the light emitting portion 64 by the rear surface 63c. It is reflected in the longitudinal direction.

Here, the white light reflected on the light emitting portion 64 in the longitudinal direction enters the light emitting portion 64 and travels in the longitudinal direction. Further, as described above, since the pointer 60b has a configuration in which the light emitting portion 64 is sandwiched between the light guides 63b, the white light reflected into the light guides 63b is transmitted to both light guides 6b.
3b while moving toward the tip of each light guide portion 6b.
The light is reflected by the outer surface of 3b and enters the light emitting portion 64 from the width direction thereof.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the light emitting section 64 is formed by uniformly mixing an orange fluorescent material in a colorless and transparent light-guiding resin material.
4 is subjected to an optical reflection process, the white light into the light emitting unit 64 is reflected toward the upper surface side in the light emitting unit 64 and emitted as orange light. Also,
As described above, since both light guides 63b are formed of a colorless and transparent light guide resin material, white light traveling inside the light guides 63b is emitted from the upper surface of each light guide 63b. For this reason,
Both light guides 63b are illuminated in white. As a result, the light emitting pointer P emits orange light at the light emitting section 64 of the pointer section 60b, and is illuminated in white at both light guide sections 63b. Thereby, a novel appearance can be provided to the light emitting pointer P.

Here, both light guide portions 63 of the pointer main body 60 are used.
b, only the light-emitting portion 64 is formed by uniformly mixing an orange fluorescent material with a colorless and transparent light-guiding resin material, and both light-guiding portions 63b are made of only a colorless and transparent light-guiding resin material. Consists of Then, as described above, the light that has entered the light guides 63b from the light source 50 enters the light emitting unit 64 from the width direction thereof. Accordingly, the transmittance of the light incident on the light emitting unit 64 to the upper surface side of the light emitting unit 64 becomes uniform over the entire length of the light emitting unit 64. Therefore, the light emitting section 64 can emit light with uniform luminance over the entire longitudinal direction. Further, since the width direction dimension of the light emitting portion 64 is formed to be narrower than the width direction size of the pointer portion 60b as described above, the light emitting portion 64 shines sharply in a streak shape. Therefore, the light emission guide P
The novel appearance can be further improved. Thereby, the appearance as an instrument is further improved.

Further, as described above, since the light emitting portion 64 is sandwiched and supported between the light guide portions 63b, the distance between the upper surface of the light emitting portion 64, that is, the upper surface of the pointer 60b and the surface of the scale 30 is increased. It does not become large, and therefore does not impair the appearance of the light emitting pointer P. It should be noted that the above operation and effect can be similarly achieved in the tachometer T.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the pointer portion of the pointer main body 60 of the speedometer S described in the first embodiment is described. In 60b, the two light guide portions 63b are formed so as to be connected at the respective distal ends thereof as shown by reference numeral 63d on the distal end side of the light emitting portion 64. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Thereby, the light emitting unit 64
Also at the tip end, the same operation and effect as in the case of the light emitting section 64 on both sides in the width direction described in the first embodiment can be achieved.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 6 to 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, in the speedometer S described in the first embodiment,
Each light source 50 for the pointer is abolished, and each light source 80 for the scale plate is provided on the surface of the wiring board 20 at a position corresponding to the arc-shaped scale portion 31 of the scale plate 30.
Are arranged at intervals so as to follow the arc direction (see FIG. 6).

Each of the light sources 80 is formed of a light emitting diode, and each of the light sources 80 emits light corresponding to a corresponding portion of the arc-shaped scale portion 31 of the dial 30 (hereinafter referred to as a corresponding light source portion). ) From the back side of the scale plate 30. Therefore, each light source 80
Then, the white light incident on the respective light source corresponding portions of the arc-shaped scale portion 31 transmits through the scales and the number of the respective light source corresponding portions. This means that the scale plate 30 shines at each scale and number of the scale portions 31. Here, the light emitting diodes constituting each light source 80 emit white light by the light emission.

In the third embodiment, in the pointer main body 60 of the light emitting pointer P described in the first embodiment, the forked portion 63 of the pointer 60b is connected to the first light guide 63b by the first fork. Unlike the embodiment, the following changes are made.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the light guide portions 63b is cut into a trapezoidal cross section from the upper surface and the widthwise side surface to form each inclined surface 63e. Each of the inclined surfaces 63e is subjected to an optical reflection process. However, the optical reflection processing on the back surface of each light guide 63d is different from the first embodiment,
Obsolete. The above configuration is substantially the same as the speedometer S in the tachometer T described in the first embodiment. Other configurations are as described in the first section above.
This is the same as the embodiment.

The operation of the third embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the speedometer S as an example. Each light source 8
When 0 is emitted, the white light from each of the light sources 80 is incident on the corresponding one of the light sources in the arc-shaped scale portion 31 of the scale board 30 from the back surface side. Along with this, the white light incident on the respective light source corresponding portions passes through the respective scales and respective numbers of the respective light source corresponding portions and is emitted toward the front side of the scale plate 30. Thus, the scale plate 30 shines at each scale and each number of the scale section 31.

As described above, of the white light transmitted through each scale and each number of each light source corresponding portion, the light directed toward the tip of the pointer portion 60b of the pointer main body 60 is transmitted to both light guide portions 63b by the respective back surfaces. Incident from Then, the white light entering both light guide portions 63b from the back surface is partially reflected by both light guide portions 6b.
3b, and the remaining white light is emitted from both light guide portions 6b.
The light emitting portion 64 is reflected by the respective inclined surfaces 63e within 3b.
From the width direction. Thus, the light emitting section 64
White light that enters from both sides in the width direction is reflected by the back surface of the light emitting unit 64 and emitted from the upper surface of the light emitting unit 64 as orange light.

As described above, even if each of the light sources 80 for the scale is employed in place of each of the light sources 50 for the pointers described in the first embodiment, the respective light sources 80 may be used.
0 with the white light passing through the graduation 31
Of the white light transmitted through the graduation portion 31 and illuminating the graduations and the numbers of the graduations with the light incident on the light guide portions 63b of the pointer main body 60 from the back surface thereof as described above.
Emits light in orange, so that the light emitting pointer P emits white light in both light guide portions 63b, and the light emitting portion 6 emits light.
At 4, it can emit orange light. As a result, the third
Also in the embodiment, substantially the same operation and effect as those described in the first embodiment can be achieved. Note that the above-described operation and effect are similarly established in the tachometer T.

In implementing the present invention, the light emission guide P
The forked portion 63 is not limited to colorless and transparent, but may be colored and transparent of a color different from orange.

In implementing the present invention, the light emission guide P
The fluorescent color of the fluorescent material mixed in the light guide resin material forming the light emitting portion 64 is not limited to orange, and may be a fluorescent material that emits a fluorescent color other than white light.

In implementing the present invention, each light source 5
0 and 80 are not limited to light-emitting diodes that emit white light, and may be light-emitting diodes that emit light in a color different from the color of the fluorescent material used for the light-emitting portion 64 of the light-emitting indicator P,
Further, various light source elements such as lamps are not limited to light emitting diodes. Further, each light source 80 may be an arc tube light source (such as a cold cathode discharge tube) arranged along the arc direction of the scale portion 31 of the scale plate 30.

In practicing the present invention, the present invention is not limited to an indicator for a passenger car having a light emitting indicator, but may be applied to an indicator for a ship or an aircraft having a light emitting indicator or other instruments having various light emitting indicators. The same operation and effect as those of the above embodiments can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a passenger car meter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the speedometer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the light emitting pointer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of a pointer portion of the pointer main body of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially broken plan view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a main part of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial plan view of a pointer portion of the light emitting pointer of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pointer shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

30, 30a: Scale plate, 31, 33: Scale portion, 40
... Rotating inner machine, 41 ... Inner machine main body, 42 ... Pointer shaft, 50, 8
0: light source, 60a: rotating base, 60b: pointer, 63b
... Light guide part, 64 ... Light emitting part, P, Pa ... Light emitting guide.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A light-emitting indicator for an instrument having a pointer portion (60b), wherein the pointer portion includes a longitudinal light-emitting portion (64) formed by mixing a fluorescent material into a transparent light-guiding material; Transparent light guide portions (63b) formed along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting portion so as to face each other, and each of the light guide portions introduces light and enters the light emitting portion. A light emitting indicator for an instrument, wherein the light emitting portion emits light based on the fluorescent material according to each incident light. 2. A luminous pointer for an instrument which is rotatably supported along the surface of a scale plate (30, 30a) and is indicated on a surface of the scale plate by a pointer portion (60b), wherein the pointer portion is transparent. And a transparent light guide section (63b) formed along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section so as to face each other via the light emitting section. ), Each of the light guide sections introduces light from a light source and enters the light emitting section, and the light emitting section emits light based on the fluorescent material in accordance with each of the incident lights. Characteristic light emitting pointer for instruments. 3. A scale plate (30, 30a), and an inner machine main body (41) disposed on the back side of the scale plate
And a through hole (32) of the scale plate from the inner machine body.
A rotary inner machine (40) having a pointer shaft (42) rotatably extending toward the rotary shaft; and a rotary base (60a) supported by a distal end portion of the pointer shaft through a through hole of the scale plate. ) And a longitudinal pointer (60b) extending from the pivot base along the surface of the dial.
A light-emitting pointer (P, Pa) having: a light-emitting pointer (P, Pa) disposed near the axis of the pointer shaft on the rear surface side of the dial; And a light source (50) for inputting the light. 50. The pointer portion has a longitudinal light emitting portion (64) formed by mixing a fluorescent material into a transparent light guide material, and is opposed to each other via the light emitting portion. A transparent light guide section (63b) formed along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section. Each of the light guide sections introduces light from a light source, enters the light emitting section, and emits light. The instrument emits light based on the fluorescent material according to each incident light. 4. An arc-shaped translucent scale portion (3) at an outer peripheral portion.
Scale plate (30, 30a) formed by forming 1, 33)
A light source (80) disposed on the back side of the scale plate along the arc direction of the scale portion and transmitting light through the scale portion; And a light emitting pointer (P, Pa) supported so as to rotate in (), wherein the pointer comprises a longitudinal light emitting portion (64) formed by mixing a fluorescent material into a transparent light guide material; A transparent light guide section (63b) formed along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section so as to face each other with the light emitting section interposed therebetween. An instrument which introduces light from the light source passing through the light source and enters the light emitting unit, and the light emitting unit emits light based on the fluorescent material according to each of the incident lights.