JP2003014503A - Pointer type instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointer type instrument that can uniformly illuminant a scale plat with backlight. SOLUTION: The instrument is provided with a pointer 4 rotating around the rotating shaft 21 of the instrument body 2 by the rotating shaft 21, the scale plate 5 where the display part 56 being the indicating object of this pointer 45 is formed, a light source 6 illuminating this scale plate 5 from the back, and a reflector 3 which is placed at the back of the scale plate 5 with a space S and reflects the light from a light source 6 towards the side of the scale plate 5. The light source 6 is placed at the opposite side of the scale plate 5 with the reflector 3 between the light source 6 and the scale plate 5. A light guide body 7 is placed between the light source 6 and the space S to introduce the light from the light source 6 into the space S. Consequently, the light from the light source 6 is introduced into the space S via the light guide body 7, and the light introduced into the space S is then diffused to be reflected in the space S. The scale plate 5 is illuminated by this light diffused to be reflected, and then the scale plate 5 can be uniformly illuminated because the light source 6 is located in the back of the reflector 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointer-type instrument which is mounted on various vehicles represented by, for example, automobiles, motorcycles, ships, agricultural and construction machines, and aircraft, and which displays predetermined measurement information with a pointer and a scale plate. More specifically, it relates to a lighting structure of a pointer type meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of pointer type measuring instrument, for example, one shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-21655 is known. This pointer-type instrument is mounted on, for example, the dashboard of an automobile, and displays the pointer that rotates around the axis of the drive device and the scale and characters that are placed behind the pointer and that are to be pointed to by the pointer. A scale is formed and a scale is provided, and a pointer indicates a display portion of the scale to display a measured value.

A plate-shaped light guide is arranged behind the scale plate, and a plate-like reflector is also arranged along the back surface of the light guide. These light guides, reflectors,
A plurality of holes corresponding to the center of rotation of the pointer are formed at a position corresponding to the rotation axis of the scale plate, and a light source composed of a light emitting diode is arranged at a circuit board position corresponding to the holes. Part of the emitted light passes through the holes formed in the light guide, the reflector, and the scale plate and is introduced into the center of rotation of the pointer to directly illuminate the pointer with backlight. Part of the light guide is guided to the scale plate to illuminate the display unit with backlight.At that time, the reflector serves as a shield plate for suppressing light leakage of the light guide and increasing illumination efficiency. Function.

[0004]

However, according to the pointer-type instrument disclosed in the above publication, plate-shaped light guides are superposed and arranged along the scale plate, and the light from the light source is calibrated by the light guides. Since it is a structure that guides the light behind the plate to illuminate the backlight, it is difficult to make the light from the light source that emits light in spots evenly emit light through the plate surface of the light guide body, and the scale plate is evenly backlighted. The problem is that it is difficult to illuminate. Further, according to the pointer indicator disclosed in the above publication, the light from the light source passes directly through the light guide body without being internally guided in the direction along the scale board in the light guide body, and this light passes through the scale board. By doing so, uneven illumination is likely to occur on the scale plate. Further, when illuminating the pointer, unevenness in brightness is likely to occur because the pointer light is directly supplied to the pointer to illuminate the pointer. Further, since the light source is arranged in the hole formed in the light guide, the reflector, and the scale plate, direct light from the light source easily leaks to the front of the scale plate through this hole, and the illumination quality is likely to be deteriorated. The present invention has been made in view of these points, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a pointer-type instrument capable of backlighting a scale plate substantially uniformly.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a pointer which rotates about an axis by a rotation shaft of a predetermined drive device, and a scale plate having a display portion which is an instruction target of the pointer. A light source that illuminates at least the scale plate from the back, and a reflector that is disposed behind the scale plate with a space between the light source and reflects the light from the light source toward the scale plate, wherein the light source reflects the light. It is characterized in that a light guide body, which is arranged on the opposite side of the scale plate across the body, and which guides light from the light source into the space, is provided between the light source and the space.

Further, the present invention has a first end portion where the light guide receives the light from the light source, and a second end portion which is arranged in the space so as to surround the rotation shaft. The second end is provided with an irradiation unit that irradiates the light from the light source in a radiation direction centered on the rotation axis.

The present invention is also characterized in that a reflecting portion for reflecting the light from the light source toward the irradiation portion is provided at the second end portion corresponding to the irradiation portion.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the second end portion is provided with a pointer irradiating section for guiding the light from the light source to the center of rotation of the pointer to illuminate the pointer.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the light source comprises a surface mount type light emitting diode.

The present invention is also characterized in that the light emitting portion of the light source is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

The present invention is also characterized in that the scale plate emits planar light by the light source.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A pointer-type instrument according to the present invention is provided with a pointer which rotates around an axis together with a rotary shaft provided in a predetermined drive device and a display portion such as a scale or a character which is an object to be designated by the pointer. A scale plate, a light source that illuminates the scale plate from behind, and a reflector made of a material with a high surface reflectance that is placed behind the scale plate with a space between them and reflects the light from the light source to the scale plate side. The light source is disposed on the opposite side of the scale plate with the reflector interposed therebetween, and the light guide body for guiding the light from the light source into the space portion is provided between the light source and the space portion. Thereby, the light from the light source is guided into the space through the light guide, and the light guided into the space is diffusely reflected in the space by the reflector, and the scale plate is illuminated by the diffusely reflected light. The illumination unevenness of the scale plate can be suppressed, and since the light source is located behind the reflector, direct light from the light source can be prevented from reaching the scale plate, and the scale plate can be illuminated substantially uniformly. it can.

The light guide has a first end for receiving the light from the light source, and a second end penetrating the reflector so as to surround the rotating shaft and located in the space. An irradiation unit that irradiates the light from the light source in the radial direction about the rotation axis can be provided at the second end, and at this time, the light from the light source is irradiated at the second end portion corresponding to the irradiation unit. The illumination efficiency can be improved by providing the reflection portion that reflects toward the irradiation portion.

Further, in the pointer-type instrument according to the present invention, both the scale plate and the pointer are provided by providing the pointer irradiating section for guiding the light from the light source to the rotation center of the pointer to illuminate the pointer at the second end. It can be configured to illuminate with a common light source, and by configuring in this way, a dedicated light source for illuminating the pointer is unnecessary, and cost reduction and downsizing can be achieved.

Although any type of light source can be used as the light source, use of a surface-mounting type light emitting diode is advantageous for downsizing, and the light emitting portion of the light source is arranged vertically with respect to the rotation axis. It is advantageous to reduce the thickness of the device when facing the light guide.

As the scale plate, a scale plate may be applied in which the display portion is light-transmissive and the other area is light-shielding. Alternatively, the display portion is light-shielding and the other area is light-transmissive. The configured graduation plate may be applied, or the graduation plate in which both the display unit and the other region are configured to be light transmissive may be applied. In particular, it is suitable for the second and third types of scale plates where the scale plate emits planar light.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking as an example the case where a lighting device according to the present invention is applied to a pointer type meter for an automobile.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pointer-type instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a partial cross section of the light guide.

1 and 2, the pointer-type instrument according to this embodiment includes a circuit board 1, a driving device 2, a reflector 3, a pointer 4, a scale plate 5, a light source 6, and a light guide 7.

The circuit board 1 is made of a hard circuit board made of paper phenol or glass epoxy, and a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) made of a predetermined copper foil material are formed on the front side thereof. The instrument body (predetermined driving device) 2 and the light source 6 are electrically connected to each other.

The instrument main body 2 is mounted on the back side of the circuit board 1, and a drive shaft 21 and a terminal (not shown) which rotate according to a measured amount of engine speed penetrates the circuit board 1 to the front. And the terminals are soldered to the wiring pattern.

The reflector 3 is made of, for example, a white synthetic resin having a high light reflectance, is located between the circuit board 1 and the scale plate 5, and is arranged with a predetermined space S from the scale plate 5. The reflective wall portion 31 has a reflective wall portion 31, and the reflective wall portion 31 includes the scale plate 5.
Of the drive shaft 2 covers the back surface of the scale plate 5 so as to include at least a region in which a display portion described later is formed.
Scale plate 5 gradually as it goes in the radial direction centered on 1
And a height dimension along the direction of the rotation axis 21 of the space S corresponding to this is formed in the radial direction (outer peripheral direction).
It is getting smaller as you go to.

Further, the reflection wall portion 31 is formed with a penetrating portion 32 corresponding to the drive shaft 21, and the penetrating portion 32 is connected to the drive shaft 21.
The second end of the light guide 7 described later passes through.

The pointer 4 is made of a transparent synthetic resin in a linear shape, and is composed of a light emitting pointer that receives the light of the light source 6 from the rotation center portion 41 thereof and shines linearly. The cover 42 is attached, rotates about the axis in conjunction with the drive shaft 21, and indicates a display portion of the scale plate 5 described later.

The scale plate 5 is a plate material or a sheet material supported by the reflector 3, and includes a substrate 51 made of a transparent synthetic resin, and a transparent coloring layer 52 formed by printing on the front side of the substrate 51. The light-transmitting colored portion 53 is formed by printing on the front side of the transparent coloring layer 52, and the reflective layer 54 is formed on the back side of the substrate 51.

The light-shielding colored layer 53 is continuously formed so as to expose a part of the transparent coloring layer 52, and the ground color portion 55 is formed.
And a display portion (transmissive portion) 56 such as a character or a scale is formed in a region of the transparent colored portion 52 that is partially exposed to the front side from the light shielding colored portion 53. In this example, the light shielding colored layer 55 is formed.
Is printed with a black ink and the transparent colored layer 52 is printed with a white ink, and the light source 6 is not lit, the display unit 5 is not illuminated.
6 is visually recognized in a white color tone, and when the light source 6 is turned on, it is illuminated with the emission color of the light source 6.

The reflective layer 54 is made of, for example, a white light-shielding reflective layer, and is provided uniformly over substantially the entire rear surface of the substrate 51 except the corresponding portion of the display section 56.

The light source 6 is composed of, for example, a surface mount type light emitting diode (light emitting diode chip), and a plurality of light emitting portions 61 are conductively fixed on the circuit board 1 along the axial direction of the drive shaft 21. The light source 6 is arranged on the back surface of the reflection wall portion 31 opposite to the scale plate 5 with the reflection wall portion 31 interposed therebetween. Therefore, the reflection wall portion 31 is located between the light source 6 and the scale plate 5 so as to cover the light emitting portion 61 of the light source 6.

The light guide body 7 includes a first end portion 72 having a light receiving portion 71 facing the light emitting portion 61 of the light source 6, and the second end portion 72.
An extension portion 73 extending from the end portion 72 along the reflection wall portion 31 to the rotation shaft 21 side in a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the rotation shaft 21 and from the extension portion 73 along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 21. Has a second end portion 74 that is bent into an “L” shape and extends so as to surround the rotary shaft 21. In this case, the second end portion 74 is formed in a tubular shape centering on the rotary shaft 21. ing.

At the joint between the first end portion 72 and the extension portion 73 (the portion corresponding to the light receiving portion 71), the light from the light source 6 introduced from the light receiving portion 71 is extended along the extension direction of the extension portion 73. A first reflecting portion 75 that reflects light is formed, and the light introduced into the extending portion 73 is formed at a joint portion (a portion corresponding to the first reflecting portion 75) between the extending portion 73 and the second end portion 74. A second reflecting portion 76 that reflects the light to the second end portion 74 side is formed, and a second reflecting portion 76 is formed at the end portion of the second end portion 74 on the pointer 4 side (a portion corresponding to the second reflecting portion 76). A third reflecting portion (reflecting portion) 77 for reflecting the light reflected in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 21 through the reflecting portion 76 of the rotating shaft 21 in the radial direction around the rotating shaft 21 is formed, and the third reflecting portion 77 is formed. The light reflected in the radial direction from the third reflecting portion 77 is radiated to the side surface portion of the second end portion 74 corresponding to Irradiation section 78 is formed.

At this time, the third reflecting portion 77 has the rotating shaft 21.
Is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined by about 45 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the rotary shaft 21.
The light guided along the axial direction of the
Although it is reflected in a direction (radiation direction) orthogonal to 0 degree, the irradiation unit 7 is included in the light reaching the third reflection unit 77.
There is also light that is not reflected to the 8 side and is transmitted toward the rotation center portion 41 of the pointer 4, and this transmission light causes the rotation center portion 4 to move.
The light reaching 1 causes the pointer 4 to shine linearly.

On the other hand, the light radiated in the radial direction through the irradiating section 78 is uniformized while being diffusely reflected between the reflective layer 54 of the scale plate 5 and the reflective wall section 31 of the reflector 3 (in the space S). This light is transmitted through the display portion 56 of the scale plate 5 to illuminate the scale plate 5 (display portion) 5 with a backlight.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the instrument main body 2
Of the pointer 4 which rotates about its axis by the rotary shaft 21 of the above, and a scale plate 5 on which a display portion 56 which is an instruction target of the pointer 4 is formed.
And a light source 6 that illuminates the scale plate 5 from behind, and a reflector 3 that is arranged behind the scale plate 5 with a space S between them and that reflects light from the light source 6 toward the scale plate 5 side. , Light source 6
Is arranged on the opposite side of the scale plate 5 with the reflector 3 interposed therebetween, and the light guide 7 for guiding the light from the light source 6 into the space S is provided between the light source 6 and the space S. The light from 6 is guided into the space S through the light guide 7, and the light guided into the space S is diffused and reflected in the space S by the reflector 3.
Since the scale plate 5 is illuminated by this diffusely reflected light, uneven illumination of the scale plate 5 can be suppressed, and since the light source 6 is located behind the reflector 3, the direct light from the light source 6 is It is possible to prevent the scale plate 5 from reaching the scale plate 5 and to illuminate the scale plate 5 substantially uniformly. In addition, the light source 6 is connected to the reflection wall 3
Since the light source 6 is arranged behind the light source 1, the position of the light source 6 can be freely selected, so that the light source 6 can be arranged at an advantageous position on the artwork (circuit pattern or circuit element layout) of the circuit board 1. The layout flexibility can be increased.

Further, in this embodiment, the light guide 7 has a first end 72 having a light receiving portion 71 for receiving the light from the light source 6, and
A second end portion 74 that is located in the space S and penetrates the reflector 3 so as to surround the rotary shaft 21;
4 is provided with an irradiating section 78 for irradiating the light from the light source 6 in the radial direction around the rotation axis 21, and the irradiating section 78 for irradiating the light from the light source 6 to the second end 74 corresponding to this irradiating section 78. The illumination efficiency can be improved by providing the reflecting portion 77 that reflects the light toward.

In the present embodiment, the light guide 7 also illuminates the pointer 4 together with the illumination of the scale plate 5, so that both the scale plate 5 and the pointer 4 are illuminated by the common light source 6. Therefore, a dedicated light source for illuminating the pointer is unnecessary, and cost reduction and compactness can be achieved.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a part of the third reflecting portion 77 formed of an inclined surface formed on the second end portion 74 of the light guide body 7 is provided. Is a flat surface extending in the vertical direction with respect to the rotation axis 21, and the flat surface portion forms a pointer irradiating portion 79 for irradiating the rotation center portion 41 of the pointer 4 with the light from the second reflecting portion 76. By providing the pointer irradiating section 79, the amount of light supplied to the pointer 4 can be increased and the illumination efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the scale plate 5 comprises a scale plate 5 which emits planar light, and the pointer 4 shadows the scale plate 5 which emits planar light. In this case, the pointer 4 is made of a light-shielding material, and the light guide 7 illuminates only the scale plate 5 with a backlight so that it can be visually recognized.

That is, in the scale plate 5 according to the present embodiment, the transparent coloring layer 52 (ground color portion 55) is continuously and uniformly formed on the front surface of the substrate 51, and the display portion is formed on the surface of the transparent coloring layer 52. A light-shielding colored layer 53 forming 56,
When the light source 6 emits light, the ground color portion 55 other than the display portion 56 emits planar light, whereby the display portion 56 and the pointer 4 are visually recognized as a shadow. With such a configuration, It is possible to expect the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment, and it is possible to cause planar light emission from the vicinity of the rotary shaft 21 to a required outer peripheral portion of the scale plate 5.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the light emitting portion 61 of the light source 6 formed of a surface mount type light emitting diode is oriented vertically with respect to the rotating shaft 21. The light receiving part 71 of the light guide 7 is arranged on the circuit board 1.
In this embodiment, it is possible to expect the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment, and it is possible to reduce the thickness of the pointer-type instrument.

[0040]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, there is provided a pointer which rotates about an axis of rotation of a predetermined driving device, a scale plate having a display portion which is an instruction target of the pointer, and at least the dial. The scale includes a light source that illuminates the scale plate from behind, and a reflector that is arranged behind the scale plate with a space between them and that reflects light from the light source toward the scale plate, and the light source sandwiches the reflector. Is provided on the opposite side of the scale plate, and a light guide body for guiding the light from the light source into the space part is provided between the light source and the space part, so that the scale plate is substantially evenly illuminated by the backlight. It is possible to provide a pointer-type instrument that can be used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pointer-type instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a part of a light guide body applied to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 circuit board 2 instrument body 3 reflector 4 guidelines 5 scale plate 6 light source 7 Light guide 21 Drive axis 31 Reflective wall 41 Rotation center 42 cover 51 substrate 52 Transparent colored layer 53 Light-shielding colored layer 54 Reflective layer 55 Ground color part 56 display 61 Light emitting part 71 Light receiving part 72 First end 73 Extension 74 Second end 75 First reflector 76 Second reflector 77 Third Reflector (Reflector) 78 Irradiation part 79 pointer irradiation unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H01L 33/00 H01L 33/00 LF term (reference) 2F074 AA02 AA04 BB06 DD03 EE03 FF01 GG03 GG06 3D044 BA00 BA22 5F041 DC07 DC23 DC83 DC84 DC91 EE25 FF01

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A pointer which rotates about an axis by a rotation shaft of a predetermined drive device, a scale plate having a display section which is an instruction target of the pointer, and a light source which illuminates at least the scale plate from behind. A reflector arranged to separate the space from behind the scale plate and reflecting the light from the light source to the scale plate side, the light source being arranged on the opposite side of the scale plate with the reflector interposed therebetween; A pointer-type instrument characterized in that a light guide body for guiding light from the light source into the space is provided between the light source and the space. 2. The light guide has a first end that receives light from the light source, and a second end that is disposed in the space so as to surround the rotation shaft. 2. The pointer-type instrument according to claim 1, further comprising an irradiation unit that irradiates the light from the light source in a radial direction around the rotation axis at the second end. 3. A pointer-type measuring instrument according to claim 2, wherein a reflecting portion for reflecting light from the light source toward the irradiation portion is provided at the second end portion corresponding to the irradiation portion. . 4. The pointer irradiating section for guiding the light from the light source to the center of rotation of the pointer to illuminate the pointer at the second end portion. The indicated pointer type instrument. 5. The pointer-type instrument according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a surface-mounted light emitting diode. 6. The pointer-type instrument according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting portion of the light source is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. 7. The pointer-type instrument according to claim 1, wherein the scale plate emits planar light by the light source.