JP2003222537A - Lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system capable of reducing a work load relative to adjustment of a fluorescent layer and reducing a cost, concerning the lighting system for performing transmitted illumination of a body to be displayed by lighting of a light source, namely, the lighting system loaded on various conveyances represented by, for example, an automobile, a motorcycle, a marine structure, an agricultural or construction machine, or an airplane. <P>SOLUTION: This lighting system is equipped with light sources 6 comprising light emitting diodes, and a scale plate (body to be displayed) 5 transmitted and illuminated by light from the light sources 6 and having translucent parts TR1, TR2, such as a scale, a character or a graphic, and a second translucent display layer (fluorescent layer) 52b for converting an illumination color of the translucent part TR2 between the translucent parts TR1, TR2 into a different color from a luminescent color of the light sources 6. The second translucent display layer 52b is constituted from the first layer 521 and the second layer 522, and laminated in the thickness direction of the scale plate 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illuminating device which illuminates a display body through transmission (backlight) by turning on a light source, and is mounted on various vehicles represented by, for example, automobiles, motorcycles, ships, agricultural and construction machines, and aircraft. Lighting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a dashboard of an automobile is equipped with a display device composed of measuring instruments, and various kinds of measured values,
For example, the vehicle speed, engine speed, cooling water temperature, fuel, etc. are displayed. If it is a pointer-type instrument, the pointer (display body) rotates according to the measurement signal from the sensor, and the display part (translucent) such as characters and scales arranged according to the rotation operation of the pointer. And a scale plate (display body) having a portion), and the pointer indicates the display portion to display the measured value.

[0003] Such a pointer-type instrument usually has a light source for illumination so as to ensure the visibility even when the surroundings are dark, for example, at night, and a backlight (transmission) for the scale plate and the pointer is provided therein. There is something to illuminate.

Taking a scale plate as an example, most of them are composed of a base made of a transparent substrate and a display portion for displaying characters and scales.
In the case of a type in which the background portion is formed by printing and the display portion emits light, the display portion including the light-transmitting display layer is formed using a light-transmitting ink, and the light-shielding ink is used. As a result, a background portion including the light-shielding background layer is formed.

When the light source is turned on, the light is transmitted through the translucent display layer, and the transmitted light is visually recognized as a display portion which emits light having a predetermined color.

For example, a tungsten lamp (incandescent bulb) or a cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube (CFL) is often used as a light source. Since these light sources have a wide wavelength range (spectral distribution) of radiated light, for example, they are transparent. The optical display layer absorbs unnecessary wavelength components (wavelength components other than illumination color) of the light emitted from the light source, and necessary wavelength components (wavelength components that become illumination color)
By functioning as a color filter that allows
The illumination color can be determined by the color tone of the translucent display layer.

By the way, recently, for example, a light emitting diode has been widely used instead of a tungsten lamp or a cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube in accordance with the computerization of a lighting drive system of a light source itself and environmental problems. Since the wavelength range of the emitted light component of the light emitting diode is narrower than that of the tungsten lamp or the cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube, even if the translucent display layer functions as a color filter, there is a limit to the illumination color that can be adjusted through it. is there. For example, if the light of a light emitting diode that emits blue radiant light is filtered by a red color filter,
It is practically impossible to generate red light, and even if it is possible, a large reduction in brightness is inevitable. This is because the emitted light of the light emitting diode itself does not include a red wavelength component, and most of the component is absorbed by the color filter.

Therefore, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-67173, there is known one in which a fluorescent layer (fluorescent filter) is provided between a light-transmitting display layer (display element) and a light source. ing. This fluorescent layer is formed of ink containing a fluorescent pigment, and a normal color filter that only absorbs a wavelength component of the light emitted from the light source that does not match the illumination color when illuminating the translucent display layer. In contrast, it absorbs a wavelength component that does not match the illumination color and at the same time converts it into another wavelength. Therefore, if the fluorescent layer is used, it is possible to illuminate the translucent display layer in red with a light emitting diode that emits blue.

[0009]

By using the fluorescent layer in this manner, for example, it is not necessary to use a different color light source that matches the illumination color of the translucent display layer, and there are a plurality of display sections with different illumination colors. Even if it does, there is a great merit that the light source can be shared. On the other hand, the illumination color obtained by the fluorescent layer is influenced by not only the properties of the phosphor contained in the fluorescent ink and its content (ratio), but also the film thickness of the layer itself. Accordingly, it is necessary to adjust the selection of the phosphor material, the content of the phosphor, and the thickness of the layer itself. However, the adjustment work for realizing such a required color requires a lot of work load, and thus there is a problem that it takes time and cost.
Particularly, in the above-mentioned publication, since the fluorescent layer is a single layer, the required color (conversion color) must be adjusted with one fluorescent layer, and there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and effort for the adjustment. Therefore, the present invention provides a lighting device capable of reducing the work load related to the adjustment of the fluorescent layer and reducing the cost.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light source, a translucent portion that is transmissively illuminated with light from the light source, and an illumination color of the translucent portion that is the emission color of the light source. And a display member having a fluorescent layer for converting to a color different from
The phosphor layer is laminated in the thickness direction of the display body.

Further, according to the present invention, a light source, a first light-transmitting portion that is transmitted and illuminated in the same color as the light-emitting color of the light source, and a light-emitting color of the light source that is provided at a position apart from the first light-transmitting portion. And a fluorescent layer for converting the illumination color of the second transparent section into a color different from the emission color of the light source. The display body is laminated in the thickness direction.

The present invention also provides the light transmitting portion or the second portion.
The translucent layer is provided with a semi-transmissive layer serving as a display color layer during non-illumination, and the fluorescent layer is provided between the semi-transmissive layer and the light source.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the fluorescent layer serves as a display color layer when the translucent portion or the second transmissive portion is not illuminated.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a fluorescence suppressing layer is provided between the fluorescent layer and an observer.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the emission color of the light source is a chromatic color.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 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 meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an arrow B area in FIG. FIG.

1 and 2, the pointer-type meter according to the present embodiment comprises a circuit board 1, an instrument main body 2, a frame body 3, a pointer 4, a scale plate (display body) 5, and a light source 6.

The circuit board 1 is made of a hard circuit board of paper phenol type or glass epoxy type, 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 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 measurement amount such as the engine speed, penetrates the circuit board 1 to the front. And the terminals are soldered to the wiring pattern.

The frame 3 is made of white synthetic resin, is located on the circuit board 1 between the circuit board 1 and the scale plate 5, and surrounds the drive shaft 21 and the light source 6 and is a pointer. The cylindrical portion 31 extending to the 4 side and the light from the light source 6 are arranged on the scale plate 5.
And a reflecting portion 32 that reflects the light to the side.

The pointer 4 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin in a linear shape, and a cover 41 having a light-shielding property is attached to the center of rotation thereof, and the drive shaft 21 can indicate a display portion of the scale plate 5 described later. Is composed of.

The scale plate 5 is a plate material or a sheet material supported by the frame body 3, and includes a substrate (base body) 51 made of a transparent synthetic resin and a translucent display formed by printing on the front side of the substrate 51. The layer 52, the light-shielding background layer 53 formed by printing on the front side of the substrate 51 so as to expose the light-transmitting display layer 52, the light-transmitting display layer 52, and the light-shielding background layer 53.
An overcoat layer (fluorescence suppressing layer) 54 formed by printing so as to uniformly cover the front surface of the.

The translucent display layer 52 forms a display portion of scales, characters, figures, etc. arranged in an arc shape corresponding to the operation of the pointer 4 in the exposed region from the light-shielding background layer 52. ,
Further, in this example, the exposed region is the light source 6 on the scale plate 5.
Transmissive portion TR which is a transmissive region for allowing the light of the above to pass to the observer side
Is formed. Although the translucent portion TR is set to a shape corresponding to the shape of the display portion in this example, if the translucent portion TR is formed as a transmissive region that allows the light of the light source 6 to pass to the observer side, the shape and structure thereof will be the same. It is optional.

The translucent display layer 52 includes a first translucent display layer 52a (first translucent portion TR1) forming scales and letters (numerals) and a second translucent display layer 52 forming a warning region, for example. It can be distinguished from the translucent display layer 52b (the second translucent portion TR2), and the colors of the first and second translucent display layers 52a and 52b themselves (the display colors when not illuminated) are different from each other. It is set.

The light-shielding background layer 53 is continuously formed so as to expose the light-transmitting display layer 52, and forms the background portion of the display portion and the ground color portion of the scale plate itself.

The overcoat layer 54 has translucency,
In addition to having a function of protecting the surface of the scale plate 5 and a function of making a boundary and a step between the translucent display layer 52 and the light-shielding background layer 53 inconspicuous, as will be described later in detail, a second translucent display is provided. Layer 52
It also has the function of adjusting the color tone of b.

The translucent display layer 52 (first and second translucent display layers 52a and 52b), the light-shielding background layer 53, and the overcoat layer 54 undergo a photochemical reaction with the energy of ultraviolet rays, for example, and become liquid. A well-known UV ink that changes from solid to solid is used, and in a vehicle (transparent substrate or carrier) formed by combining monomers and oligomers having generally different viscosities, a colorant composed of a colored pigment of an appropriate color, an appropriate photocatalyst, an auxiliary agent It is composed of a film obtained by screen-printing a UV ink mixed with a substance, and then curing it by UV irradiation.

Of the translucent display layers 52 (first and second translucent display layers 52a and 52b), the light-shielding background layer 53, and the overcoat layer 54, the first translucent display layer 52a is formed. Is an ink using, for example, a white pigment as a colorant, and the color of the first translucent display layer 52a itself is white (milky white). In addition, the second translucent display layer 52b uses, for example, a fluorescent ink that uses a red fluorescent pigment (fluorescent substance) as a coloring agent, and the base color of the translucent display layer 52b itself is orange-red (orange Although it is tinged red), it is fluorescent. As the fluorescent pigment, a phosphor that shifts (wavelength-converts) short-wavelength (low-frequency) light into long-wavelength (low-frequency) light due to its excited light emission action is used. For the light-shielding background layer 53, an ink using, for example, a black pigment as a colorant is used.
The color of itself is black. The overcoat layer 54 is
An ink using a smoked gray pigment is used as a colorant, and the color of the overcoat layer 54 itself is a light smoked gray.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the second translucent display layer 52b is formed by stacking a first layer 521 and a second layer 522 in the thickness direction of the substrate 51 (scale plate 5). The first and second layers 521 and 522 are formed by printing the above-described fluorescent ink a number of times (twice in this example). That is, each of the first and second layers 521 and 522 is formed using the same fluorescent ink. Therefore, the film thickness of the layer itself formed in one printing step, the material, property, content ratio, etc. of the fluorescent pigment are substantially the same in each layer 521, 522. The number of times the fluorescent ink is printed
May be adjusted in accordance with, for example, the emission color and brightness of the light source 6, or the color, color tone, and brightness of the required illumination color.

The light source 6 is, for example, a surface-mount type light emitting diode having a light emission color of blue green (a color intermediate between blue and green), and a plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged on a concentric circle centered on the drive shaft 21. Do this

In the present embodiment configured as described above, when the light source 6 is illuminated (emits light), the light from the light source 6 passes through the pointer 4 and the translucent display portion 52, but the cover 41 is used.
Since the light-shielding background layer 53 does not emit light, the pointer 4 and the translucent display portion 52 emit light brightly.

At this time, the light from the light source 6 that illuminates the scale plate 5 is
The substrate 51 and the translucent display layer 52 (first and second translucent portions TR
1, TR2) to reach the viewer, but the light that has passed through the first light-transmissive display layer 52a (first light-transmissive portion TR1) passes through the first light-transmissive display layer 52a itself. Almost unaffected by the set color, and its illumination color (first translucent display layer 52a
Light emission color) is the same blue color as the light emission color of the light source 6.

On the other hand, the light that has passed through the second light-transmissive display layer 52b (second light-transmissive portion TR2) is converted into the light-transmissive display layer 52b made of fluorescent ink and thus becomes orange-red. That is, the light emitted from the light source 6 is transmitted through the translucent display layer 52b.
In the process of passing through, part of the wavelength component is absorbed and simultaneously converted into a long wavelength. As a result, the light of the light source 6 having the wavelength distribution characteristic recognized as blue-green light is converted into the light having the wavelength distribution characteristic recognized as orange red.

As described above, in this embodiment, the light source 6 and
Light-transmitting portions TR1 and T that are transmitted and illuminated with light from the light source 6.
A second translucent display layer (fluorescent layer) 52b for converting the illumination color of R2 and the translucent portion TR2 into a color different from the emission color of the light source 6.
And a scale plate (display body) 5 having the second transparent display layer 52b formed by a first layer 521 and a second layer 522 stacked in the thickness direction of the scale plate 5. Since the color and brightness of the translucent portion TR can be adjusted according to the number of stacked fluorescent layers (the number of times of printing), adjustment of the fluorescent layer (for example, selection of phosphor material and its The work load associated with the content setting and the film thickness setting of the layer itself) can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

Conventionally, it was necessary to adjust the fluorescent ink (fluorescent layer) for each product and model variation, which was inefficient. However, as in the present embodiment, by adopting a laminated structure of fluorescent layers, the product can be manufactured. Since the number of fluorescent layers to be laminated can be adjusted according to the model variation, it is not necessary to make a large adjustment for each model, which also reduces the work load and reduces the cost.

Further, in the present embodiment, the scale plate 5 is provided with the first light-transmitting portion TR1 which is transmitted and illuminated in the same color as the emission color of the light source 6,
A second light transmitting portion TR2 which is provided at a position apart from the first light transmitting portion TR1 and is transmitted and illuminated with a color different from the emission color of the light source 6, and the illumination of the second transparent display layer 52b. The second translucent display layer 52 is provided with a second translucent display layer (fluorescent layer) 52b for converting a color into a color different from the emission color of the light source 6.
Since b is formed of the first layer 521 and the second layer 522 that are stacked in the thickness direction of the scale plate 5, the work load relating to the adjustment of the fluorescent layer can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. , The first and second translucent portions TR1, which have different illumination colors
Since TR2 can be illuminated by the common light source 6, the first and second translucent portions TR1 and TR2 are partitioned by partition walls or the like,
Since it is possible to illuminate the first and second translucent portions TR1 and TR2 in different colors without providing separate light sources having different emission colors therein, it is possible to further reduce the cost.

In the present embodiment, the second light-transmissive display layer 52b serves as a display color layer when the second light-transmissive portion TR is not illuminated, thereby setting the display color when not illuminated. Since it is not necessary to separately provide a layer other than the fluorescent layer, only one type of ink needs to be used, and the cost can be kept low accordingly.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second light-transmissive display layer 52b can be seen through between the second light-transmissive display layer 52b which is also a display color layer and the observer when there is no illumination. , A fluorescence suppression layer 54 for suppressing the fluorescence coloring of the translucent display layer 52b
By providing, it is possible to mitigate the discomfort that the second light-transmissive display layer 52b is too conspicuous due to its fluorescent color.

In this embodiment, a light emitting diode is used as the light source 6, but the type of light source is arbitrary. The light emission color of the light source 6 is also arbitrary, but the light emission color of the light source 6 is preferably chromatic rather than achromatic (white).

Further, in this embodiment, the fluorescent ink containing the orange-red fluorescent pigment (fluorescent substance) is used, but the fluorescent substance is selected according to the emission color of the light source 6 and the illumination color of the second light transmitting portion TR2. can do.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a scale plate 5 showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the case where the second translucent display layer 52b is laminated in four layers is shown. ing. That is, the first layer 5 forming the second translucent display layer 52b
Of the 21st to 4th layers 524, first and second layers 521,
522 is on the back side of the substrate 51, and the third and fourth layers 523, 523
524 are laminated on the front side of the substrate 51,
According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be expected, and in addition, the first and the first parts which are a part of the translucent display layer 52b.
Since the second layers 521 and 522 are located on the back surface of the substrate 51, for example, the incidence of ultraviolet rays included in natural light can be reduced, so that the fluorescent layers (the first and second layers 521 and 52) can be reduced.
The deterioration of 2) can be suppressed. In the present embodiment, the substrate 5
Two fluorescent layers are provided on each of the front surface and the back surface of the substrate 51, but one fluorescent layer may be provided on the back surface of the substrate 51, or one layer may be provided on each of the front surface and the back surface of the substrate 51. .

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a scale plate 5 showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the second translucent display layer 52b is laminated in three layers, and further these A colored layer (semi-transmissive layer) 55 serving as a display color layer of the second light transmissive portion TR2 when not illuminated is laminated on the second light transmissive display layer 52b composed of three layers. In this case, the colored layer 55 is a layer containing no phosphor. That is, the first layer 521 to the fourth layer 523 which form the second light-transmitting display layer 52b.
Among them, the first and second layers 521 and 522 are respectively laminated on the back side of the substrate 51, the third layer 523 is laminated on the front side of the substrate 51, and the coloring layer 55 is further laminated on the front side of the third layer 523.
Are laminated. As a result, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be expected, and the second translucent display layer 52 can be expected.
b is hidden by the colored layer 55, and the second translucent display layer 52b
The second translucent display layer 5 has a structure in which the second translucent display layer 5 cannot be seen through.
The fluorescent color of 2b does not disturb the color balance of the entire scale plate 5, and the display quality can be improved.

In each of the above-described embodiments, only the scale plate 5 is illustrated as the display body, but any display body can be used as long as it provides visual information to the observer. You may apply.

[0045]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the light source, the light transmitting portion that is transmitted and illuminated by the light from the light source, and the illumination color of the light transmitting portion is different from the emission color of the light source. By providing a display body having a fluorescent layer for converting into a color and stacking the fluorescent layer in the thickness direction of the display body, it is possible to reduce the work load relating to the adjustment of the fluorescent layer and achieve cost reduction. It is possible to provide a simple lighting device.

Further, according to the present invention, a light source, a first light-transmitting portion that is transmitted and illuminated in the same color as the light-emitting color of the light source, and a light-emitting color of the light source provided at a position apart from the first light-transmitting portion. And a fluorescent layer for converting the illumination color of the second transparent section into a color different from the emission color of the light source. By stacking the display bodies in the thickness direction, it is possible to provide a lighting device capable of reducing the work load relating to the adjustment of the fluorescent layer and reducing the cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pointer-type meter 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 cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an enlarged area of an arrow B in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a scale plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a scale plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 circuit board 2 instrument body 3 frame 4 guidelines 5 Scale plate (display) 6 light source 21 Drive axis 31 tubular part 32 Reflector 41 cover 42 Light receiving part 50 LCD scale plate 51 substrate 52 translucent display layer 52a First translucent display layer 52b Second translucent display layer (fluorescent layer) 53 Light-shielding background layer 54 Overcoat layer (fluorescence suppressing layer) 55 Colored layer (semi-permeable layer) 521 to 524 First to fourth layers TR translucent part TR1 First translucent part TR2 Second translucent part

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A display body having a light source, a translucent part that is transmissively illuminated with light from the light source, and a fluorescent layer that converts the illumination color of the translucent part into a color different from the emission color of the light source. An illuminating device comprising: a phosphor layer, the phosphor layer being laminated in a thickness direction of the display body. 2. A light source, a first light-transmitting portion that is transmissively illuminated in the same color as the light-emitting color of the light source, and a light-emitting color of the light source that is provided apart from the first light-transmitting portion. A second translucent part that is transmissively illuminated with a color; and a fluorescent layer that converts the illumination color of the second translucent part into a color different from the emission color of the light source, the fluorescent layer being the display body. An illuminating device characterized by being laminated in the thickness direction of. 3. The translucent layer or the second translucent section is provided with a semi-transmissive layer serving as a display color layer during non-illumination, and the fluorescent layer is provided between the semi-transmissive layer and the light source. The display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. The fluorescent layer is the translucent part or the second part.
The illuminating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the illuminating device serves as a display color layer in a non-illuminated state of the transmissive portion. 5. The illumination device according to claim 4, wherein a fluorescence suppression layer is provided between the fluorescent layer and an observer. 6. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light emission color of the light source is a chromatic color.