JP2004301663A

JP2004301663A - Meter device

Info

Publication number: JP2004301663A
Application number: JP2003094848A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Shigeo Matsumura; 成生松村
Original assignee: Nippon Seiki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nippon Seiki Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-03-31
Filing date: 2003-03-31
Publication date: 2004-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-31
Also published as: JP3747466B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter device wherein light guide bodies are eliminated, weight reduction is achieved at a low cost, and display parts provided in the vicinity of a drive shaft for a pointer are illuminated. <P>SOLUTION: This meter device is equipped with a circuit substrate 1, a meter body 3 with the forward extending drive shaft 2, the pointer 4 mounted on the drive shaft 2, a display board 5 comprising a first display part 51a positioned on a portion separate from the drive shaft 2 and a second display part 51b positioned in the vicinity of the drive shaft 2, a light source 7 for the display board, and a case body 8 which is a reflector disposed between the display board 5 and the circuit substrate 1. The light source 7 for the display board is disposed outside a visible region excepting a portion just under the first and second display parts 51a and 51b and its vicinity so that it can radiate light to the first and second display parts 51a and 51b. The case body 8 is provided with a first reflection part 85 standing opposite to the light source 7 for the display board to reflect illumination light from the light source 7 for the display board to the drive shaft 2 side, and a second reflection part 86 extended so as to surround the light source 7 for the display board with an appropriate space kept from the display part 5 for reflecting the illumination light to the display part 5 side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば自動車等の車両に搭載される計器装置に関し、特にその照明構造に特徴を有する計器装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の計器装置として、回路基板に駆動軸を突設した計器本体を装着し、駆動軸の先端に回動中心部より光供給を受けて光輝する指針を装着し、この指針の背後に、指針の回動軌道に沿って目盛や文字やマークなどの透光性の表示部が配された表示板を配置し、この表示板の背後に配置した光源により、表示板の表示部を照明するものが知られている。
【０００３】
具体的には、回路基板の背後に配置され駆動軸が前方に延びる計器本体と、前記駆動軸の先端側に装着される指針と、この指針と前記回路基板との間に配置され前記指針に対応する表示部を有する表示板と、前記駆動軸を中心とした同心円上に複数個配置され前記表示部を照明する光源と、前記表示板と前記回路基板との間に配置される反射体とを備え、前記反射体は前記光源と対向し前記光源からの照明光を外周に反射する第１の反射部と、前記光源を取り巻くように前記表示板側に反射する第２の反射部とを備えるもので、表示板の照明に際して、導光体を廃止でき、安価で軽量化を達成できるものであった（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−９９６８５号公報（図４，図７）
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、従来の計器装置の場合、速度計やエンジン回転計などの表示面積の大きい計器に比べて、燃料計や冷却水温計などの表示面積の小さい計器の場合、表示板の面積が小さいため表示部を配置するスペースがなく、特に、目盛や文字に比べてマークは指針の駆動軸の近傍に設けられることがある。このように表示部を指針の駆動軸の近傍に設けた場合、特許文献１のような構造では、駆動軸の中心とした同心円上に設けられた光源からの光を外周に反射する第１の反射部を備えているために、指針の駆動軸の近傍に設けられた表示部を照明することができないという問題があった。
【０００６】
そこで、本発明は、この点に鑑みてなされたもので、その主な目的は、導光体を廃止でき、安価で軽量化を達成でき、指針の駆動軸の近傍に設けた表示部を照明することが可能な計器装置を提供するものである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は前記目的を達成するため、回路基板と、駆動軸が前方に延びる計器本体と、前記駆動軸に装着される指針と、この指針と前記回路基板との間に配置され前記駆動軸から離れた部分に位置する第１の表示部と前記駆動軸の近傍に位置する第２の表示部を有する表示板と、前記回路基板の前方側に配置されるとともに前記第１，第２の表示部を照明する光源と、前記表示板と前記回路基板との間に配置される反射体とを備え、前記計器本体を前記回路基板の背後に設け、前記光源を前記第１，第２の表示部の直下及びその近傍を除いた可視範囲外でかつ前記第１，第２の表示部に光を放射可能に配置し、前記反射体に前記光源と対向し前記光源からの照明光を前記駆動軸側に反射する第１の反射部と、前記光源を取り巻くように前記表示板とは適宜空間を空けて延長し前記照明光を前記表示板側に反射する第２の反射部とを設けたものである。
【０００８】
また、本発明は、回路基板と、駆動軸が前方に延びる計器本体と、前記駆動軸に装着される指針と、この指針と前記回路基板との間に配置され前記駆動軸から離れた部分に位置する第１の表示部と前記駆動軸の近傍に位置する第２の表示部を有する表示板と、前記回路基板の前方側に配置されるとともに前記第１，第２の表示部を照明する光源と、前記表示板と前記回路基板との間に配置される反射体とを備え、前記計器本体を前記回路基板の背後に設け、前記光源を前記第１，第２の表示部の直下及びその近傍を除いた可視範囲外で前記第１，第２の表示部に光を放射可能であるとともに前記回路基板の板面方向に光を発するように設け、前記反射体に前記光源を取り巻くように前記表示板とは適宜空間を空けて延長し前記光源からの照明光を前記表示板側に反射する反射部を設けたものである。
【０００９】
また、本発明は、前記回路基板の前記駆動軸の周囲に設けられ前記指針を照明する指針用光源と、この指針用光源を収納するハウジングを形成する壁とを備え、前記壁に前記光源からの照明光を前記表示板側に反射する反射面を設けたものである。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の計器装置は、回路基板１と、駆動軸２が前方に延びる計器本体３と、駆動軸２に装着される指針４と、この指針４と回路基板１との間に配置され駆動軸２から離れた部分に位置する第１の表示部５１ａと駆動軸２の近傍に位置する第２の表示部５１ｂを有する表示板５と、回路基板１の前方側に配置されるとともに第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂを照明する光源である表示板用光源７と、表示板５と回路基板１との間に配置される反射体であるケース体８とを備え、計器本体３を回路基板１の背後に設け、表示板用光源７を第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂ直下及びその近傍を除いた可視範囲外でかつ第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂに光を放射可能に配置し、ケース体８に表示板用光源７と対向し表示板用光源７からの照明光を駆動軸２側に反射する第１の反射部８５と、表示板用光源７を取り巻くように表示板５とは適宜空間を空けて延長し前記照明光を表示板５側に反射する第２の反射部８６とを設けたものである。このように構成したことにより、導光体を廃止でき、安価で軽量化を達成でき、指針の駆動軸の近傍に設けた表示部を照明することが可能な計器装置を提供するものである。
【００１１】
また、回路基板１と、駆動軸２が前方に延びる計器本体３と、駆動軸２に装着される指針４と、この指針４と回路基板１との間に配置され駆動軸２から離れた部分に位置する第１の表示部５１ａと駆動軸２の近傍に位置する第２の表示部５１ｂを有する表示板５と、回路基板１の前方側に配置されるとともに駆動軸４側に光を発し第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂを照明する表示板用光源１１と、表示板５と回路基板１との間に配置される反射体であるケース体８とを備え、計器本体３を回路基板１の背後に設け、表示板用光源１１を第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂの直下及びその近傍を除いた可視範囲外でかつ第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂに光を放射可能であるとともに回路基板１の板面方向に光を発するように設け、ケース体８に表示板用光源１１を取り巻くように表示板５とは適宜空間を空けて延長し表示板用光源１１からの照明光を表示板５側に反射する反射部８７を設けたものである。このように構成したことにより、導光体を廃止でき、安価で軽量化を達成でき、指針の駆動軸の近傍に設けた表示部を照明することが可能な計器装置を提供するものである。
【００１２】
また、回路基板１の駆動軸２の周囲に設けられ指針４を照明する指針用光源６と、指針用光源６を収納するハウジング８１を形成する壁８３とを備え、壁８３に表示板用光源１１からの照明光を表示板５側に反射する反射面８４を設けたものである。このように構成したことにより、導光体を廃止でき、安価で軽量化を達成でき、指針の駆動軸の近傍に設けた表示部を照明することが可能な計器装置を提供するものである。
【００１３】
【実施例】
図１から図４は本発明の第１実施例を示すもので、以下、本発明を例えば自動車の計器装置に適用した場合について説明する。
【００１４】
本実施例による計器装置Ｍは、図１に示すように、燃料計Ｆと冷却水温計Ｔとオートマチックトランスミッションのギアポジションを表示するギアインジケータＧとを備えている。燃料計Ｆと冷却水温計Ｔは、回路基板１と、この回路基板１に導通装着され駆動軸２が前方に延びる計器本体３と、駆動軸２にて回転駆動される指針４と、この指針４と回路基板１との間に位置する表示板５と、指針４を照明する指針用光源６と、表示板５を照明する表示板用光源７と、回路基板１と表示板５との間に配置される反射体であるケース体８と、指針４や表示板５を露出させるための見返し部材９とから構成される。
【００１５】
回路基板１は、例えばガラスエポキシ系基材に配線パターン（図示せず）を施した硬質回路基板からなり、指針用光源６と、表示板用光源７と、例えば計器本体３の駆動・制御を行う駆動手段（図示せず）や例えば抵抗、コンデンサ等の各種回路部品（図示せず）が前記配線パターンに導通接続されている。
【００１６】
計器本体３は、可動磁石式計器またはステッピングモータからなり、駆動軸２が回路基板１を貫通するように、その主要部が回路基板１の背後に装着され、且つ半田付け等の適宜導通手段により前記配線パターン（前記駆動手段）に電気接続される。
【００１７】
指針４は、透光性合成樹脂からなり、線状に延びる指示部４１と、この指示部４１の回転中心部外周を覆う遮光性合成樹脂からなるキャップ４２とを備えており、指示部４１の先端側が表示板５の後述する表示部構成する目盛を指示している。また、指示部４１の前記回転中心部には、背後に配置された指針用光源６から発せられる光を受光する受光部４３と、この受光した光を指示部４１の先端側に反射導光する反射部４４が形成されている。
【００１８】
表示板５は、指針４の回転軌道に沿った円弧状の配列形状を有し指針４の指示部４１の指示対象となる目盛５１ａ，数字（図示していない）及びマーク５１ｂからなる表示部５１と、この表示部５１の背景を形成する背景部５２とを有している。表示部５１の中で、目盛５１ａなどは駆動軸２から離れた部分に位置する第１の表示部であり、指示部４１の先端側が回動する軌跡に沿って設けられており、マーク５１ｂは駆動軸２の近傍に位置する第２の表示部であり、キャップ４２の近くに設けられている。これら第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂ、背景部５２は透光性合成樹脂からなる薄板状の基材５３の前面に形成された印刷層からなり、第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂは白色系の透光性インクにより形成され、表示板用光源７によって透過照明される。また、背景部５２は黒色系の遮光性インクにより形成されている。なお、これら第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂ、背景部５２の各印刷層はスクリーン印刷等の手段を用いて印刷形成されている。
【００１９】
指針用光源６は、例えば赤色光を発するチップ型発光ダイオードからなり、指針４の回転中心近傍に複数個配置され、受光部４３を通じて指針４の指示部４１を赤色に発光させる発光体である。
【００２０】
表示板用光源７は、例えば白色光を発するチップ型発光ダイオードからなり、第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂの直下及びその近傍を除いた可視範囲外で、かつ第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂに光を放射可能に配置してあり、本実施例においては、見返し部材９に対応する部分に配置されている。ここで、第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂに光を放射可能とは、図１で示すように、計器装置Ｍを正面から見た場合に、表示板用光源７と各第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂとを直線で結べることを意味するものである。なお、表示板用光源７は、第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂを白色に発光させる発光体である。
【００２１】
ケース体８は、例えば白色系の合成樹脂からなり、表示板５を保持する保持部材としての機能、指針用光源６や表示板用光源７を収納するハウジング８１，８２としての機能、指針用光源６の光を指針４に導いたり、表示板用光源７の光を第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂに導くために反射する反射部材としての機能を有している。
【００２２】
指針用光源６を収納するハウジング８１は、円筒形の壁８３によって形成されている。この円筒形の壁８３の中程で、円筒形の径の大きさが変わるところがあり、この径が変わるところが傾斜している。この傾斜した部分が表示板用光源７からの光を表示板５側に反射する反射面８４を構成している。なお、この壁８３の上端側側には、表示板５をケース対８に固定するためと、指針４と表示板５との間から光が漏れないようにするためのリング状の固定兼遮光部材１０が固定されている。
【００２３】
表示板用光源７を収納するハウジング８２は、計器装置Ｍを正面から見ると扇形をしており、ケース体８のハウジング８２は表示板用光源７と対向し、この表示板用光源７が発した照明光を駆動軸２側に反射する第１の反射部８５と、表示板用光源７を取り巻くように表示板５とは適宜空間を空けて延長し、第１の反射部８５で反射された照明光を表示板５側に反射する第２の反射部８６とを備えている。
【００２４】
第１の反射部８５は、表示板用光源７からの光を駆動軸２側に拡散するように円錐形状をしている。なお、この第１の反射部８５の形状は、表示板用光源７からの光を駆動軸２側に拡散するものであれば、どのような形状であっても良い。
【００２５】
また、第２の反射部８６は、すり鉢形状であり、角度の異なる２つの反射面８６ａ，８６ｂを備えている。この反射面８６ａ，８６ｂは、回路基板１に沿うような傾斜のゆるい反射面８６ａと、回路基板１に対して４５度の角度をなす反射面８６ｂである。
【００２６】
この第１，第２の反射部８５，８６を設けたことによって、表示板用光源７からの光を良好に拡散することができるので、導光体を廃止でき、安価で軽量化を達成できる。
【００２７】
見返し部材９は黒色系の合成樹脂からなり、指針４や表示板５が露出する略円形の開口部１０１を備えている。
【００２８】
以上のように、表示板用光源７を設ける位置を、駆動軸２側から第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂの可視範囲外部分に移動し、駆動軸２側に表示板用光源７の照明光を照射したことによって、指針４の近傍に設けた第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂを照明することができる。
【００２９】
また、表示板用光源７を駆動軸２の近傍から移動したことによって、表示板用光源７を回路基板１に配置する際に、計器本体３の端子や回路基板１への機械的固定部分による制約がなくなり、設計が容易となるという効果を得ることもできる。特に、本実施例のように、燃料計や冷却水温計のような表示面積の小さい計器には特に有効である。
【００３０】
次に本発明の第２実施例を、図５を用いて説明する。なお、第１実施例と同一及び相当箇所には同一符号を付して、その詳細な説明は省略する。
【００３１】
第１実施例の表示板用光源７が上方向に光を発するのに対して、本実施例の表示板用光源１１は、駆動軸２側に光を発し第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂを照明するものである。この表示板用光源１１は、回路基板１の板面に対してほぼ並行に光を発するものである。そして、この表示板用光源１１を収納するハウジング８３は表示板用光源７と対向し、この表示板用光源７が発した照明光を表示板５側に反射する反射部８７とを備えている。この反射部８７は、第１実施例の第２の反射部８６と同様に、すり鉢形状で、角度の異なる２つの反射面８７ａ，８７ｂを備えている。
【００３２】
本実施例においても、第１実施例と同様に、表示板用光源１１からの光を良好に拡散することができるので、導光体を廃止でき、安価で軽量化を達成できる。
【００３３】
また、表示板用光源１１を設ける位置を、駆動軸２側から第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂの可視範囲外部分に移動し、駆動軸２側に表示板用光源１１の照明光を照射したことによって、指針４の近傍に設けた第２の表示部５１ｂを照明することができる。
【００３４】
また、表示板用光源１１を駆動軸２の近傍から移動したことによって、表示板用光源１１を回路基板１に配置する際に、計器本体３の端子や回路基板１への機械的固定部分による制約がなくなり、設計が容易となるという効果を得ることもできる。特に、本実施例のように、燃料計や冷却水温計のような表示面積の小さい計器には特に有効である。
【００３５】
なお、第１実施例では、表示板用光源７を設ける位置を、見返し部材９に対応する部分で、指針４より、やや下側に設けていたが、前記実施例に限定されるものではなく、第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂの直下及びその近傍を除いた可視範囲外で、かつ第１，第２の表示部５１ａ，５１ｂに光を放射可能な位置であれば、例えば、図６で示す第３実施例のように、見返し部材９に対応する部分で、指針４のほぼ真横の位置に設けても良い。また、見返し部材９に対応する部分にある必要はなく、例えば、図７で示す第４実施例のように、表示板５の背景部５２に対応する部部に設けても良い。
【００３６】
【発明の効果】
以上、本発明によれば、初期の目的を達成することができ、導光体を廃止でき、安価で軽量化を達成でき、指針の駆動軸の近傍に設けた表示部を照明することが可能な計器装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施例の正面図である。
【図２】同実施例の反射体の正面図である。
【図３】図１中のＡ−Ａ線の断面図である。
【図４】図１中のＢ−Ｂ線の断面図である。
【図５】本発明の第２実施例の断面図である。
【図６】本発明の第３実施例の正面図である。
【図７】本発明の第４実施例の正面図である。
【符号の説明】
１回路基板
２駆動軸
３計器本体
４指針
５表示板
７，１１表示板用光源
８ケース体（反射体）
５１ａ目盛（第１の表示部）
５１ｂマーク（第２の表示部）
８３壁
８４反射面
８５第１の反射部
８６第２の反射部
８７反射部
Ｍ計器装置
Ｆ燃料計
Ｔ冷却水温計[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an instrument device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example, and particularly to an instrument device having a characteristic illumination structure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a meter device of this type, a meter body having a drive shaft protruding from a circuit board is mounted, and a pointer that receives light from the center of rotation and shines is mounted at the tip of the drive shaft, and a pointer behind the pointer is attached. In addition, a display plate on which a translucent display unit such as scales, characters, and marks is arranged along the rotation trajectory of the pointer, and the display unit of the display plate is arranged by a light source disposed behind the display plate. Lighting is known.
[0003]
Specifically, an instrument body disposed behind a circuit board and having a drive shaft extending forward, a pointer mounted on the tip side of the drive shaft, and a pointer disposed between the pointer and the circuit board. A display plate having a corresponding display unit, a plurality of light sources arranged on concentric circles around the drive shaft to illuminate the display unit, and a reflector disposed between the display plate and the circuit board; A first reflector that faces the light source and reflects illumination light from the light source to the outer periphery, and a second reflector that reflects toward the display panel so as to surround the light source. In the case of illuminating the display panel, the light guide can be eliminated, and the cost and weight can be reduced (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-99685 A (FIGS. 4 and 7)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the conventional instrument device, the gauge of the display area such as the fuel gauge or the cooling water temperature gauge has a small display area compared to the instrument with the large display area such as the speedometer or engine tachometer. There is no space for arranging the parts, and in particular, marks may be provided near the drive shaft of the hands as compared to the scales and characters. When the display unit is provided in the vicinity of the drive shaft of the hands as described above, in the structure as in Patent Literature 1, the first light that reflects light from a light source provided on a concentric circle centered on the drive shaft to the outer periphery is used. There is a problem that the display unit provided near the drive shaft of the pointer cannot be illuminated because of the provision of the reflection unit.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of this point, and its main purpose is to eliminate the light guide, achieve a low cost and light weight, and illuminate the display unit provided near the drive shaft of the pointer. It is intended to provide an instrument device capable of performing such operations.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a circuit board, an instrument body having a drive shaft extending forward, a pointer mounted on the drive shaft, and a drive shaft disposed between the pointer and the circuit board. A display panel having a first display unit located at a distant portion and a second display unit located near the drive shaft; and the first and second displays arranged at the front side of the circuit board. A light source for illuminating the display unit; and a reflector disposed between the display board and the circuit board. The instrument main body is provided behind the circuit board, and the light source is provided for the first and second displays. The light source is disposed outside the visible range except for the area immediately below and in the vicinity thereof, and is capable of emitting light to the first and second display units, and the reflector is opposed to the light source and the illumination light from the light source is driven. A first reflecting portion that reflects toward the axial side, and the display that surrounds the light source; The is provided with a second reflecting part for reflecting the illumination light extending at a suitable space on the display panel side.
[0008]
In addition, the present invention provides a circuit board, an instrument main body having a drive shaft extending forward, a pointer attached to the drive shaft, and a part disposed between the pointer and the circuit board and separated from the drive shaft. A display panel having a first display unit located therein and a second display unit located in the vicinity of the drive shaft; and a display plate arranged in front of the circuit board and illuminating the first and second display units. A light source, a reflector disposed between the display board and the circuit board, the instrument main body is provided behind the circuit board, and the light source is provided directly below the first and second display units and It is provided so as to be able to emit light to the first and second display portions outside the visible range excluding the vicinity thereof, and to emit light in the direction of the plate surface of the circuit board, so that the reflector surrounds the light source. The display panel is extended with an appropriate space, and is illuminated by the light source. The is provided with a reflection portion for reflecting on the display panel side.
[0009]
The present invention also includes a pointer light source provided around the drive shaft of the circuit board and illuminating the pointer, and a wall forming a housing for accommodating the pointer light source. And a reflecting surface for reflecting the illumination light to the display panel side.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The instrument device of the present invention includes a circuit board 1, an instrument body 3 having a drive shaft 2 extending forward, a pointer 4 mounted on the drive shaft 2, and a drive shaft disposed between the pointer 4 and the circuit board 1. A display panel 5 having a first display section 51a located at a position distant from the drive shaft 2 and a second display section 51b located near the drive shaft 2; The instrument body 3 includes a display panel light source 7 that is a light source for illuminating the second display units 51a and 51b, and a case body 8 that is a reflector disposed between the display panel 5 and the circuit board 1. The display panel light source 7 is provided behind the circuit board 1 and emits light to the first and second display units 51a and 51b outside the visible range except immediately below and near the first and second display units 51a and 51b. Are arranged so as to be radiable, and the case body 8 faces the light source 7 for the display panel, A first reflecting portion 85 that reflects light toward the drive shaft 2 and a display plate 5 that extends around the display plate light source 7 with an appropriate space therebetween to reflect the illumination light toward the display plate 5 side. And two reflecting portions 86. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an instrument device in which the light guide can be eliminated, the cost and weight can be reduced, and the display unit provided near the drive shaft of the pointer can be illuminated.
[0011]
A circuit board 1; an instrument main body 3 having a drive shaft 2 extending forward; a pointer 4 mounted on the drive shaft 2; and a portion disposed between the pointer 4 and the circuit board 1 and separated from the drive shaft 2. And a display panel 5 having a first display section 51a located in the vicinity of the drive shaft 2 and a second display section 51b located in the vicinity of the drive shaft 2; The instrument body 3 includes a display panel light source 11 for illuminating the first and second display units 51a and 51b, and a case body 8 as a reflector disposed between the display panel 5 and the circuit board 1. The display panel light source 11 is provided behind the circuit board 1 and the display panel light source 11 is located outside the visible range except immediately below and in the vicinity of the first and second display units 51a and 51b and on the first and second display units 51a and 51b. The case is provided so as to emit light and emit light in the direction of the surface of the circuit board 1. The display panel 5 so as to surround the display panel light source 11 to 8 is provided with a reflective portion 87 for reflecting the display panel 5 side illumination light from the display panel light source 11 extends at a suitable space. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an instrument device in which the light guide can be eliminated, the cost and weight can be reduced, and the display unit provided near the drive shaft of the pointer can be illuminated.
[0012]
The light source 6 for a pointer provided around the drive shaft 2 of the circuit board 1 for illuminating the pointer 4 and a wall 83 forming a housing 81 for accommodating the light source 6 for the pointer are provided on the wall 83. A reflecting surface 84 for reflecting the illumination light from 11 toward the display panel 5 is provided. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an instrument device in which the light guide can be eliminated, the cost and weight can be reduced, and the display unit provided near the drive shaft of the pointer can be illuminated.
[0013]
【Example】
FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to, for example, an instrument device of an automobile will be described.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, the meter device M according to the present embodiment includes a fuel gauge F, a coolant temperature gauge T, and a gear indicator G for displaying a gear position of an automatic transmission. The fuel gauge F and the coolant temperature gauge T include a circuit board 1, an instrument main body 3 electrically connected to the circuit board 1 and having a drive shaft 2 extending forward, a pointer 4 driven to rotate by the drive shaft 2, and a pointer 4 A display plate 5 positioned between the circuit board 1 and the circuit board 1; a pointer light source 6 for illuminating the hands 4; a display plate light source 7 for illuminating the display plate 5; , And a return member 9 for exposing the hands 4 and the display panel 5.
[0015]
The circuit board 1 is formed of, for example, a hard circuit board in which a wiring pattern (not shown) is formed on a glass epoxy base material, and controls and drives the pointer light source 6, the display panel light source 7, and the instrument body 3, for example. Driving means (not shown) and various circuit components (not shown) such as resistors and capacitors are electrically connected to the wiring pattern.
[0016]
The instrument body 3 is composed of a movable magnet instrument or a stepping motor, and its main part is mounted behind the circuit board 1 so that the drive shaft 2 penetrates the circuit board 1, and is appropriately connected by conducting means such as soldering. It is electrically connected to the wiring pattern (the driving means).
[0017]
The pointer 4 includes a pointing portion 41 made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin and extending linearly, and a cap 42 made of a light-shielding synthetic resin that covers the outer periphery of the rotation center of the pointing portion 41. The tip side indicates the scale of the display unit of the display plate 5 described later. In addition, a light receiving unit 43 that receives light emitted from the pointer light source 6 disposed behind the light receiving unit 43 is provided at the rotation center portion of the pointing unit 41, and the received light is reflected and guided to the tip side of the pointing unit 41. The reflection part 44 is formed.
[0018]
The display plate 5 has an arc-shaped array shape along the rotation trajectory of the hands 4, and includes a scale 51 a to be indicated by the indicating unit 41 of the hands 4, a number (not shown), and a mark 51 b. And a background section 52 that forms the background of the display section 51. In the display unit 51, a scale 51a and the like are a first display unit located at a portion distant from the drive shaft 2, and are provided along a trajectory in which the tip side of the indicating unit 41 rotates, and a mark 51b is provided. The second display unit is located near the drive shaft 2, and is provided near the cap 42. The first and second display portions 51a and 51b and the background portion 52 are formed of a printing layer formed on the front surface of a thin plate-shaped base material 53 made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin, and the first and second display portions 51a are formed. , 51b are formed of a white translucent ink, and are illuminated by the display panel light source 7. The background portion 52 is formed of a black light-blocking ink. The printing layers of the first and second display portions 51a and 51b and the background portion 52 are formed by printing using means such as screen printing.
[0019]
The pointer light source 6 is, for example, a chip-type light emitting diode that emits red light, is a plurality of light emitters arranged near the rotation center of the pointer 4, and causes the indicator 41 of the pointer 4 to emit red light through the light receiving unit 43.
[0020]
The display panel light source 7 is composed of, for example, a chip-type light emitting diode that emits white light, is outside the visible range except immediately below and near the first and second display units 51a and 51b, and is the first and second display units. Light is radiated on the display units 51a and 51b, and in this embodiment, it is disposed at a portion corresponding to the dial member 9. Here, the fact that light can be emitted to the first and second display units 51a and 51b means that the light source 7 for the display panel and each of the first and second display units 51a and 51b, as shown in FIG. This means that the second display units 51a and 51b can be connected with a straight line. The display panel light source 7 is a light emitter that causes the first and second display units 51a and 51b to emit white light.
[0021]
The case body 8 is made of, for example, a white synthetic resin, and functions as a holding member that holds the display panel 5, functions as housings 81 and 82 that store the pointer light source 6 and the display panel light source 7, and a pointer light source. 6 has a function as a reflection member that reflects the light to guide the pointer 4 and the light from the light source 7 for the display panel to guide the light to the first and second display units 51a and 51b.
[0022]
A housing 81 that houses the pointer light source 6 is formed by a cylindrical wall 83. In the middle of the cylindrical wall 83, there is a portion where the diameter of the cylindrical shape changes, and the portion where this diameter changes is inclined. This inclined portion constitutes a reflecting surface 84 that reflects light from the display panel light source 7 to the display panel 5 side. On the upper end side of the wall 83, a ring-shaped fixing and light shielding for fixing the display plate 5 to the case pair 8 and preventing light from leaking from between the hands 4 and the display plate 5 are provided. The member 10 is fixed.
[0023]
The housing 82 accommodating the display panel light source 7 has a fan shape when the instrument device M is viewed from the front, and the housing 82 of the case body 8 faces the display panel light source 7, and the display panel light source 7 emits light. The first reflecting portion 85 that reflects the illumination light to the drive shaft 2 side, and the display panel 5 extends with an appropriate space so as to surround the display panel light source 7, and is reflected by the first reflecting portion 85. And a second reflector 86 that reflects the illumination light to the display panel 5 side.
[0024]
The first reflector 85 has a conical shape so as to diffuse the light from the display panel light source 7 toward the drive shaft 2. The shape of the first reflecting portion 85 may be any shape as long as the light from the display panel light source 7 is diffused to the drive shaft 2 side.
[0025]
The second reflector 86 has a mortar shape and includes two reflection surfaces 86a and 86b having different angles. The reflecting surfaces 86a and 86b are a reflecting surface 86a having a gentle inclination along the circuit board 1 and a reflecting surface 86b forming an angle of 45 degrees with the circuit board 1.
[0026]
By providing the first and second reflecting portions 85 and 86, light from the display panel light source 7 can be satisfactorily diffused, so that the light guide can be eliminated and inexpensive and lightweight can be achieved. .
[0027]
The dial member 9 is made of a black synthetic resin and has a substantially circular opening 101 through which the hands 4 and the display panel 5 are exposed.
[0028]
As described above, the position where the display panel light source 7 is provided is moved from the drive shaft 2 side to a portion outside the visible range of the first and second display units 51a and 51b, and the display panel light source 7 is located on the drive shaft 2 side. The first and second display portions 51a and 51b provided near the hands 4 can be illuminated by irradiating the illumination light of.
[0029]
In addition, when the display panel light source 7 is moved from the vicinity of the drive shaft 2, when the display panel light source 7 is arranged on the circuit board 1, the terminal of the instrument main body 3 or the mechanically fixed portion to the circuit board 1 is used. It is also possible to obtain the effect that there is no restriction and the design becomes easy. In particular, the present embodiment is particularly effective for instruments having a small display area, such as a fuel gauge and a cooling water temperature gauge.
[0030]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same and corresponding parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0031]
While the display panel light source 7 of the first embodiment emits light in the upward direction, the display panel light source 11 of the present embodiment emits light to the drive shaft 2 side and the first and second display units 51a. , 51b. The display panel light source 11 emits light substantially parallel to the plate surface of the circuit board 1. The housing 83 that accommodates the display panel light source 11 is provided with a reflector 87 that faces the display panel light source 7 and reflects the illumination light emitted by the display panel light source 7 toward the display panel 5. . The reflecting portion 87 has two mortar-shaped reflecting surfaces 87a and 87b having different angles, like the second reflecting portion 86 of the first embodiment.
[0032]
Also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the light from the display panel light source 11 can be satisfactorily diffused, so that the light guide can be eliminated, and the cost and weight can be reduced.
[0033]
The position where the display panel light source 11 is provided is moved from the drive shaft 2 side to a portion outside the visible range of the first and second display units 51a and 51b, and the illumination light of the display panel light source 11 is moved to the drive shaft 2 side. Can illuminate the second display section 51b provided near the pointer 4.
[0034]
In addition, when the display panel light source 11 is moved from the vicinity of the drive shaft 2, when the display panel light source 11 is disposed on the circuit board 1, the terminal of the instrument main body 3 or a mechanically fixed portion to the circuit board 1 is used. It is also possible to obtain the effect that there is no restriction and the design becomes easy. In particular, the present embodiment is particularly effective for instruments having a small display area, such as a fuel gauge and a cooling water temperature gauge.
[0035]
In the first embodiment, the position where the display panel light source 7 is provided is provided slightly below the hands 4 at a portion corresponding to the dial member 9, but is not limited to the above embodiment. If the position is outside the visible range except for the area immediately below and near the first and second display units 51a and 51b and can emit light to the first and second display units 51a and 51b, for example, As in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a portion corresponding to the look-back member 9 may be provided almost directly beside the hands 4. Further, it is not necessary to be provided at a portion corresponding to the look-back member 9, and may be provided at a portion corresponding to the background portion 52 of the display panel 5, for example, as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the initial object can be achieved, the light guide can be eliminated, the cost can be reduced and the weight can be reduced, and the display unit provided near the driving shaft of the pointer can be illuminated. It is possible to provide a simple instrument device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the reflector of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Circuit board 2 Drive shaft 3 Instrument main body 4 Pointer 5 Display board 7 and 11 Light source 8 for display board Case body (reflector)
51a scale (first display unit)
51b mark (second display unit)
83 wall 84 reflecting surface 85 first reflecting portion 86 second reflecting portion 87 reflecting portion M instrument device F fuel gauge T cooling water temperature gauge

Claims

A circuit board, an instrument body with a drive shaft extending forward, a pointer mounted on the drive shaft, and a first display located between the pointer and the circuit board and located at a distance from the drive shaft. A display panel having a display unit and a second display unit located near the drive shaft; a light source arranged on the front side of the circuit board and illuminating the first and second display units; A reflector disposed between the plate and the circuit board, the instrument main body provided behind the circuit board, and the light source except under and near the first and second display units. A first reflection which is arranged outside the visible range and is capable of emitting light to the first and second display portions, and which faces the light source on the reflector and reflects illumination light from the light source toward the drive shaft. Part, and the display panel is extended with an appropriate space so as to surround the light source. Meter apparatus characterized by the illumination light is provided and a second reflecting part for reflecting the display panel side.

A circuit board, an instrument body with a drive shaft extending forward, a pointer mounted on the drive shaft, and a first display located between the pointer and the circuit board and located at a distance from the drive shaft. A display panel having a display unit and a second display unit located near the drive shaft; a light source arranged on the front side of the circuit board and illuminating the first and second display units; A reflector disposed between the plate and the circuit board, the instrument main body provided behind the circuit board, and the light source except under and near the first and second display units. The display plate is provided so as to be able to emit light to the first and second display portions outside the visible range and to emit light in the plate surface direction of the circuit board, and to surround the light source around the reflector. Means that the illumination light from the light source extends Meter device being characterized in that a reflective portion for reflecting on the plate side.

A pointer light source provided around the drive shaft of the circuit board to illuminate the pointer; and a wall forming a housing for accommodating the pointer light source, and the wall displays illumination light from the light source. 3. The instrument device according to claim 1, wherein a reflection surface for reflecting light is provided on the plate side.