JP2004028927A - Metering apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a metering apparatus that is mounted on transportation such as an automobile, motorcycle, ship, agricultural construction machine, and aircraft and can illuminate a panel body with light so that a projecting index section stands out. <P>SOLUTION: The metering apparatus comprises a panel body 11 made of a light transmission material; and an illumination chamber (illumination means) 9 for allowing light to enter from a light introduction section 114 for illuminating a panel body 11 with light. The panel body 11 comprises a pointer 4 that rotates with a center axis C as a base point; a board section 110 that is arranged at the rear of the pointer 4 and is expanded in a direction for crossing the center axis C; a protrusion 111 that protrudes in the direction of a plate thickness from the board section 110 for forming an index section corresponding to the pointer 4; and the light introduction section 114 being provided on a wall surface located in a direction orthogonally crossing the direction of the plate thickness at the board section 110. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an instrument device mounted on vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, ships, agricultural construction machines, and aircraft.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this instrument device, a type in which a panel body arranged corresponding to a pointer emits light by a light source arranged behind the panel body is known. As the light emission form of the panel body, a type in which the indicator such as a scale or a character emits light but the background does not emit light, a type in which the indicator does not emit light but the background emits light, and both the indicator and the background emit light They can be broadly divided into three types. However, most of the panel body is merely a plate material on which the index portion and its background are printed, so that even if it is illuminated from behind, the appearance itself must be flat.
[0003]
On the other hand, as an example of an instrument device that gives a three-dimensional effect to the appearance of the indicator, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-129824 discloses a transparent panel body provided with an indicator (a scale in this case) composed of a convex portion. It describes that the entire panel body is illuminated by a light source disposed on the back surface thereof.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the instrument device described in the above publication is configured to transmit and illuminate the entire panel body from the back side, light is almost uniformly incident on the entire panel body including the convex part, so that the convex part stands out. It is difficult to emit light, and there has been a problem that, at the time of illumination, it is not possible to make full use of the structural merit of the index portion formed of the convex portion. Further, in the meter device described in the above-mentioned publication, since the panel body including the index portion constituted by the convex portion only emits light, there has been a situation that the novelty and freshness are poor.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of this point, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an instrument device capable of illuminating a panel body so that an index portion formed of a convex portion stands out.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pointer rotating around a central axis, a substrate disposed behind the pointer, and extending in a direction intersecting the central axis, and a thickness extending from the substrate in a thickness direction. A panel body made of a translucent material having a protrusion that protrudes to form an index part corresponding to the pointer, and a light introduction part provided on a wall surface of the substrate part that is located in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate part. And illuminating means for illuminating the panel body by making light incident from the light introducing unit.
[0007]
The present invention also provides a pointer that rotates around a central axis, a substrate disposed behind the pointer and extending in a direction intersecting the central axis, and a projection that projects from the substrate in a thickness direction and corresponds to the pointer. A panel body made of a light-transmitting material having a convex portion forming the indicated index portion, and a light introducing portion provided on a wall surface located in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate portion, and the panel body And a light-transmissive decorative pattern forming means provided at least at a position corresponding to the convex portion, and illuminating the panel body by irradiating light from the light introducing portion, and placing the decorative pattern forming means behind the decorative pattern forming means. And illumination means for displaying a decorative pattern behind the projection by transmitting illumination from the light source.
[0008]
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a light source in which the illuminating means is disposed behind the panel body and around the central axis, and the light of the light source is located between the light source and the panel body so that the light of the central axis passes through the central axis. A first reflecting portion which radially reflects as a base point, and light from the first reflecting portion which is arranged radially outside of the first reflecting portion and behind the panel body with a space portion therebetween. And a second reflecting portion for reflecting the light toward the panel body side, wherein the light introducing portion of the panel body faces the space.
[0009]
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a light source in which the illuminating means is disposed behind the panel body and around the central axis, and the light of the light source is located between the light source and the panel body so that the light of the central axis passes through the central axis. A first reflecting portion which radially reflects as a base point, and light from the first reflecting portion which is arranged radially outside of the first reflecting portion and behind the panel body with a space portion therebetween. And a second reflection part for reflecting the light toward the panel body side, the light introducing part of the panel body facing the space part, and the decorative pattern forming means is provided in the space part and the panel body. It is characterized in that it is arranged between.
[0010]
Further, the invention is characterized in that a light guide or a light guide member for guiding light in the space to the light introduction unit is provided between the light introduction unit and the space.
[0011]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that a second panel body made of a translucent material is disposed behind the panel body, and the decorative pattern forming means is formed on the second panel body.
[0012]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the decorative pattern forming means comprises an uneven pattern portion for forming a predetermined pattern by light transmission.
[0013]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the decorative pattern forming means is a filter that changes the color or the intensity of transmitted light according to the plane direction.
[0014]
Further, in the invention, it is preferable that a reflection processing unit for reflecting light is provided on a rear surface of the substrate facing the convex portion.
[0015]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that a diffusion processing section for diffusing light is provided on a front surface of the convex section.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a case where the instrument device according to the present invention is applied to an automobile instrument will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an instrument device, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part showing an illumination state.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, the instrument device according to the present embodiment has a rigid circuit board 1, and a driving device 3 having, for example, a stepping motor having a rotating shaft 2 is conductively fixed to the back side of the circuit board 1. I have.
[0019]
The rotating shaft 2 of the driving device 3 extends forward through the circuit board 1, and a pointer 4 is fixed to a tip of the rotating shaft 2. Thus, the pointer 4 is configured such that the pointing unit 41 rotates with the rotation axis 2 as the center axis C and the reference point as a base point. The pointer 4 is composed of a light-emitting pointer that emits light from the indicator 41 in response to light supplied from a light source, which will be described later. The indicator 41 is covered with a red colored layer (not shown).
[0020]
On the front side of the circuit board 1, a first light source 5 located behind the hands 4 and illuminating the indicator 41, and a panel body (first panel body) and a decorative panel (second panel body) described later. And a second light source 6 for illuminating them, which is located behind the light source. Each of the first and second light sources 5 and 6 is composed of, for example, a light emitting diode, and is disposed in a plurality so as to surround the center axis C. The color is set to, for example, red, and the emission color of the second light source 6 is set to, for example, white.
[0021]
Further, a case body 7 made of, for example, a white light-shielding synthetic resin is arranged on the front side of the circuit board 1.
[0022]
The case body 7 is formed in a tubular shape surrounding the rotating shaft 2 and accommodates the first light source 5 therein, and is inclined like a parabolic antenna so as to surround the periphery of the tubular portion 71. An illumination room (illuminating means) that includes a second light source 6 and a space 8 between the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 71 and the inner wall of the reflection frame 72. 9) are formed.
[0023]
A light guide 10 made of, for example, a transparent synthetic resin is disposed in the illumination room 9. The light guide 10 is formed in a donut shape surrounding the cylindrical portion 71, and is opposed to the second light source 6. Is supported by the case body 7. At a position corresponding to the second light source 6 of the light guide 10, a first reflecting portion 101 that radially reflects the light from the second light source 6 introduced therein to the center axis C is formed. The light reflected by the reflection unit 101 is radiated into the space 8.
[0024]
Further, a reflection frame portion that is radially outward of the first reflection portion 101 (light guide 10) and faces the light exit side of the light guide 10 and a panel body and a decoration plate, which will be described later, with a space 8 therebetween. On the inner wall surface of 72, a second reflector 73 is formed to reflect light from the first reflector 101 side (light guide 10 side) to the front side (panel body or decorative panel side described later). I have.
[0025]
A panel body 11 and a decorative plate 12 are arranged in front of the lighting room 9 and between the hands 4 from the side near the hands 4, and these are overlapped with each other by the case body 7 (cylindrical portion). 71 and the reflection frame 72).
[0026]
The panel body 11 is made of, for example, a colorless and transparent synthetic resin material, and extends along the operating range of the pointer 4 in a direction intersecting (perpendicular to) the central axis C, and protrudes from the substrate 110 in the thickness direction. It has a scale 111 corresponding to the pointer 4 and a convex portion 111 forming an index portion such as a numeral.
[0027]
On the front surface of the substrate 110, for example, a black light-shielding layer 112 is formed by printing. However, this light-shielding layer 112 is not formed on the convex portion 111 and its surrounding area. A corresponding light-transmitting arc-shaped region 113 is formed. By eliminating the light-blocking layer 112, the entire panel body 11 may be made light-transmissive, as long as at least the projection 111 and its surroundings emit light.
[0028]
A wall surface located in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate portion 110 and located at a position farther from the central axis C than the convex portion 111 has, for example, an inclination of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the central axis C. The light introducing portion 114 is formed to have an inclined surface, and the light introducing portion 114 extends in an arc shape with the center axis C as a base point. In this case, the light introducing portion 114 is arranged so as to face the space 8 via a light guide member described later. You.
[0029]
A light guide member 115 made of, for example, a transparent synthetic resin material is disposed between the light introducing section 114 and the space section 8. Is to lead to. Note that the light guide member 115 can also be continuously formed as a light guide unit integrally from a rear portion of the substrate unit 110 corresponding to the light introduction unit 114.
[0030]
Further, on the back surface of the substrate 110, a reflection processing section 116 composed of, for example, a white print layer, a hot stamp layer, and a coating layer is formed corresponding to the projection 111, and is introduced into the substrate section 110 by the reflection processing section 116. The reflected light is efficiently reflected to the convex 111 side. Note that the reflection processing unit 116 may be a grain processing unit.
[0031]
On the front surface of the top of the projection 111, a diffusion processing unit 117 is formed by, for example, embossing, and the diffusion processing unit 117 diffuses light passing through the top of the projection 111. The diffusion processing unit 117 may be a printing layer, a hot stamp layer, or a coating layer.
[0032]
The decoration plate 12 (second panel body) is made of, for example, a sheet material of a milky white semi-permeable synthetic resin, and has a light-transmitting colored layer (decorative pattern formation) at least at a position corresponding to the arc-shaped region 113 of the panel body 11. (Means) 121 is formed by means such as printing. The coloring layer 121 constitutes a dot-shaped coloring filter whose density per unit area is adjusted so that, for example, the color and intensity of transmitted light change in the plane direction of the sheet material. In this example, the color of transmitted light is centered. A gradation pattern G changes from dark blue to light blue (light blue) as the distance from the axis C increases (see FIG. 2). Note that the coloring layer 121 may be any filter that changes the color or intensity of transmitted light according to the planar direction of the sheet material, and the color or intensity may be changed in any direction. Further, the decorative pattern is not limited to the gradation pattern G, and any decorative pattern such as a pattern can be formed.
[0033]
In the instrument device of the present embodiment configured as described above, when the first light source 5 is turned on, the light is introduced into the hands 4 through the tubular portion 71, and the indicator 41 emits red light.
[0034]
On the other hand, when the second light source 6 is turned on, the light is once taken into the light guide 10 and then reflected through the first reflecting portion 101 and at the same time transmits through the light guide 10 itself to form a cylindrical shape. Diffusion and reflection are repeated in the space 8 surrounded by the outer wall surface of the portion 71, the second reflection portion 73, and the back surface of the decorative panel 12. The second reflecting portion 73 reflects the light radially reflected through the first reflecting portion 101 and emitted from the light guide 10 in the radial direction to the decorative panel 12 side, and is also reflected by the decorative panel 12 and returns to the second reflective portion. Is reflected back to the decorative panel 12 side, and diffusion and reflection between the second reflective section 73 and the decorative panel 12 are repeated.
[0035]
Part of the light diffused and reflected in the space portion 8 and the light radiated into the space through the first reflection portion 101 is incident on the light guide member 115 and once collected, and then the panel body is formed. The light that has been reflected toward the light introduction unit 114 and incident on the light introduction unit 114 is reflected at this portion in a direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction, and travels in the substrate unit 110 in the direction toward the central axis C. Illuminate the arc-shaped region 113. At this time, light traveling in the substrate 110 is efficiently reflected by the reflection processing unit 116 toward the projection 111, and light reaching the top of the projection 111 is radiated in a diffusion state by the diffusion processing unit 117. The entire convex portion 111 emits light with higher luminance than those around it.
[0036]
Further, another part of the light diffusely reflected in the space portion 8 and the other portion of the light radiated into the space through the first reflecting portion 101 illuminates the colored layer 121 of the decorative panel 12 from behind by being illuminated, thereby forming an arc shape. A gradation pattern G (see FIG. 2) appears (displays) on the region 113 and behind the projection 111. As a result, in the arc-shaped region 113, the convex portion (index portion) 111 that emits light on the gradation pattern G is visually recognized as floating.
[0037]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the pointer 4 that rotates around the central axis C, the substrate 110 that is disposed behind the pointer 4 and extends in a direction that intersects the central axis C, A light-transmitting portion having a convex portion 111 protruding in the plate thickness direction and forming an index portion corresponding to the pointer 4, and a light introducing portion 114 provided on a wall surface of the substrate portion 110 located in a direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction. By providing a panel body 11 made of a material and an illumination room (illuminating means) 9 for illuminating the panel body 11 by irradiating light from the light introducing section 114, the index section made up of the convex section 111 is made to emit light. be able to. This makes it possible to emphasize the presence of the index portion composed of the convex portion 111, and to fully utilize the merit of the index portion composed of the convex portion 111.
[0038]
Further, in the present embodiment, a light-transmissive decorative pattern forming means composed of the decorative panel 12 is provided at a position behind the panel body 11 and at least at a position corresponding to the convex portion 111, and the decorative pattern forming means is illuminated from behind. By displaying the decorative pattern consisting of the gradation pattern G behind the convex part 111, a unique lighting design can be formed by a combination of the light emitting convex part 111 and the gradation pattern G having a sense of depth. Novelty and freshness can be given to the appearance of time.
[0039]
Further, in the present embodiment, the second light source 6 disposed behind the panel body 11 and around the central axis C, and the light of the light source 6 located between the light source 6 and the panel body 11 is transmitted through the central axis. A first reflecting portion 101 that radially reflects from C, and a first reflecting portion that is disposed radially outside of the first reflecting portion 101 and behind the panel body 11 with a space portion 8 therebetween. A lighting unit is configured by an illumination room 9 having a second reflection portion 73 that reflects light from the portion 101 to the panel body 11 side, and a light introduction portion 114 of the panel body 11 is provided in a space 8 of the illumination room 9. Since the light that has been equalized in the space portion 8 is introduced into the panel body 11 through the reflection and diffusion actions of the first and second reflecting portions 101 and 73, the panel body 11, especially the convex portion 111 can be illuminated with good balance over the entire circumference.
[0040]
Further, in the present embodiment, the light introducing portion 114 of the panel body 11 is made to face the space 8 of the lighting means consisting of the lighting room 9, and the decorative pattern forming means consisting of the decorative panel 12 is connected to the space 8 and the panel body 11. With the arrangement, the light that has been equalized in the space 8 through the reflection and diffusion of the first and second reflection portions 101 and 73 is introduced into the panel body 11 and at the same time, the colored layer of the decoration panel 12 is formed. 121 is transmitted and illuminated, whereby the panel body 11, in particular, the projection 111 and the colored layer 121 can be illuminated with good balance over the entire circumference. Moreover, since the panel body 11 and the decorative panel 12 can be illuminated by the common light source 6 (illuminating means), the configuration becomes compact and the cost can be reduced.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the light guide member (light guide) 115 that guides the light in the space 8 to the light introduction unit 114 is provided between the light introduction unit 114 and the space 8, so that After the light is once condensed by the light guide member 15, the light can be introduced into the light introducing portion 114 of the panel body 11, whereby the illumination efficiency of the panel body 11 can be improved.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the decorative panel 12 made of the sheet material on which the gradation pattern G is formed is provided behind the panel body 11 as the second panel body, but the decoration pattern made of the gradation pattern G or the like is the first panel. It may be formed on the back surface of the panel body 11 which becomes the panel body.
[0043]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the decorative pattern forming means includes the colored layer 121, the decorative pattern can be formed with a simple configuration.
[0044]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the reflection processing unit 116 that reflects light is provided on the back surface of the substrate unit 110 facing the projection 111, the projection 111 can emit light efficiently.
[0045]
Further, in the present embodiment, the diffusion front surface of the projection 111 is provided with the diffusion processing unit 117 for diffusing light, so that the front surface of the top of the projection 111 can be diffused and emitted.
[0046]
3 and 4 show a modified example of the decorative pattern forming means as a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an instrument device, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part showing an illumination state.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the second panel body is replaced with a decorative panel 12 made of a sheet material with a coloring layer (decorative pattern forming means) 121 employed in the first embodiment, The decorative panel 12 made of a plate material with a pattern portion (decorative pattern forming means) 122 is employed, and the plate material itself is made of, for example, a colorless and transparent synthetic resin.
[0048]
That is, at the back side portion of the decorative panel 12 corresponding to the arc-shaped region 113, an uneven pattern portion 122 including a plurality of protruding portions 123 protruding toward the lighting room 9 (space portion 8) side and a concave portion 124 is formed. The projections and depressions 122 have a quadrangular pyramid shape when the projections 123 alone are formed. By arranging the projections 123 in a regular manner, the projections 123 themselves form a three-dimensional pattern. ing.
[0049]
In the instrument device of this embodiment configured as described above, when the second light source 6 emits light, the light is introduced into the panel body 11 through the illumination room 9 and at the same time passes through the decorative panel 12. At this time, the light transmitted through the concavo-convex pattern portion 122 reflects light in various directions on individual surfaces forming the concavo-convex pattern portion 122, and illuminates the concavo-convex pattern portion 123 itself, which is basically a square pyramid, Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, a transparent three-dimensional pattern M that shines unevenly behind the light-emitting convex portion 111 is displayed in the arc-shaped region 113. This three-dimensional pattern M is not only a simple pattern but also has a three-dimensional feeling and a transparent feeling, so that the background of the convex portion 111 is given a sense of depth, the appearance is improved in texture, and the freshness and freshness of the appearance are improved. You can have.
[0050]
In the present embodiment, the decorative panel 12 having the uneven pattern portion 122 is provided separately from the panel body 11, but the uneven pattern portion 122 may be formed on the back surface of the panel body 11, for example. By doing so, the number of components can be reduced. On the other hand, the use of the dedicated decorative panel 12 having the uneven pattern portion 122 facilitates the development of variations according to the type of the uneven pattern portion 123.
[0051]
Further, in the present embodiment, the uneven pattern portion 122 having the basic shaping of the quadrangular pyramid is employed. However, the shaping of the uneven pattern portion 122 is arbitrary as long as a three-dimensional pattern can be formed. May be set to the uneven pattern portion 122, or may be set to the uneven pattern portion 122 having an irregular uneven cross section.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention can provide an instrument device that can achieve the initial purpose and can illuminate the panel body so that the index portion formed of the convex portion stands out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an instrument device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an essential part plan view showing an illumination state of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an instrument device sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an essential part plan view showing an illumination state of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Circuit board 2 Rotating shaft 3 Drive device 4 Pointer 5 First light source 6 Second light source 7 Case body 8 Space 9 Lighting room 10 Light guide 11 Panel body 12 Decorative panel 41 Indicating section 71 Cylindrical section 72 Reflection Frame portion 73 Second reflecting portion 101 First reflecting portion 110 Substrate portion 111 Convex portion (index portion)
112 Light-shielding layer 113 Arc-shaped region 114 Light introduction unit 115 Light guide member 116 Reflection processing unit 117 Diffusion processing unit 121 Coloring layer (decorative pattern forming means)
122 Concavo-convex pattern part (decorative pattern forming means)
123 Projecting portion 124 Depressed portion C Central axis G Gradation pattern M Solid pattern pattern

Claims (10)

A pointer that rotates around the center axis,
A substrate disposed behind the pointer and extending in a direction intersecting the central axis, a projection protruding from the substrate in a plate thickness direction to form an indicator corresponding to the pointer, and the plate of the substrate being A panel body made of a translucent material having a light introducing portion provided on a wall surface located in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction,
An illumination device for illuminating the panel body by irradiating light from the light introducing unit. A pointer that rotates around the center axis,
A substrate disposed behind the pointer and extending in a direction intersecting the central axis, a projection protruding from the substrate in a plate thickness direction to form an indicator corresponding to the pointer, and the plate of the substrate being A panel body made of a translucent material having a light introducing portion provided on a wall surface located in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction,
A light-transparent decorative pattern forming means provided behind the panel body and at least at a position corresponding to the convex portion;
Lighting means for illuminating the panel body by making light incident from the light introducing portion, transmitting and illuminating the decorative pattern forming means from behind, and displaying a decorative pattern behind the convex portion. Instrumentation equipment. A light source, wherein the illuminating means is located behind the panel body and around the central axis, and the light of the light source is located between the light source and the panel body and is radially centered on the central axis; A first reflecting portion that reflects light, and a light-emitting portion that is arranged radially outside of the first reflecting portion and behind the panel body with a space portion interposed therebetween, and transmits light from the first reflecting portion to the panel body side. The instrument device according to claim 1, comprising an illumination room having a second reflecting portion for reflecting light, wherein the light introducing portion of the panel body faces the space. A light source, wherein the illuminating means is located behind the panel body and around the central axis, and the light of the light source is located between the light source and the panel body and is radially centered on the central axis; A first reflecting portion that reflects light, and a light-emitting portion that is arranged radially outside of the first reflecting portion and behind the panel body with a space portion interposed therebetween, and transmits light from the first reflecting portion to the panel body side. An illumination room having a second reflecting portion that reflects light, wherein the light introducing portion of the panel body faces the space, and the decorative pattern forming means is disposed between the space and the panel body. 3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein: The instrument device according to claim 3, wherein a light guide or a light guide member for guiding light in the space to the light introduction unit is provided between the light introduction unit and the space. . The instrument device according to claim 2, wherein a second panel body made of a translucent material is disposed behind the panel body, and the decorative pattern forming means is formed on the second panel body. 3. The instrument device according to claim 2, wherein said decorative pattern forming means comprises a concave / convex pattern portion forming a predetermined pattern by light transmission. 3. The instrument device according to claim 2, wherein the decorative pattern forming means is a filter that changes the color or the intensity of transmitted light according to the plane direction. The instrument device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a reflection processing unit that reflects light is provided at a rear portion of the substrate unit facing the convex portion. The instrument device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a diffusion processing unit that diffuses light on a front surface of the projection.

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