JP2005181017A - Instrument for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an instrument for a vehicle having a pointer with a variable length, while suppressing cost increase, by forming the pointer as a bright line formed on the dial surface by irradiating it with a light having strong directivity. <P>SOLUTION: A dial 2 is constituted of a first elliptic display face 21 and a second display face 22 positioned on the peripheral side. The first display face 21 is projected stepwise still farther to the driver's side than the second display face 22 in the driver's viewing direction, and light from a light-emitting diode 3 having high directivity is reflected by a reflector fixed on the tip of a shaft 6 and rotated integrally with the shaft 6, to thereby form the bright line T which is the pointer on the first display face 21 irradiated therewith. Hereby, a combination meter 1, wherein the bright line T length as the pointer length is variable can be realized, while suppressing cost increase, by adopting an easy means wherein the shape of the dial 2 is stepped; namely, the first display face 21 and the second display face 22 are provided and the external shape of the first display part 21 is formed to have a desired shape. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle instrument mounted on, for example, an automobile.

  Conventionally, in a vehicular instrument, for example, a speedometer mounted on an automobile, the pointer rotates along the surface of the dial and is arranged along an arc around the rotation axis of the pointer on the surface of the dial. Radial scales and numbers arranged corresponding to these scales (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Such an instrument has a mediocre appearance and lacks interest. Therefore, in order to make the appearance of the vehicle instrument more novel, for example, it is conceivable to arrange scales and numbers on the dial plate in a shape different from the arc. For example, it may be arranged along an ellipse centered on the rotation axis of the pointer. In this case, since the length of the scale, that is, the length in the radial direction is constant, the distance between the tip of the pointer and the scale changes according to the change in the indication angle of the pointer. In other words, when the pointer indication angle is in the minor axis direction of the ellipse and the distance between the pointer tip and the scale is set so as to obtain good visibility, when the pointer indication angle is in the major axis direction of the ellipse, And the scale are far apart, making it difficult to read the indicated value. On the other hand, when the pointer indication angle is in the major axis direction of the ellipse and the distance between the needle tip and the scale is set so that good visibility can be obtained, when the pointer indication angle is in the minor axis direction of the ellipse, Protrudes to the outer peripheral side of the scale and the appearance is lowered.

  To solve this, the pointer length is set so that the distance between the tip of the pointer and the scale is good when the pointer indication angle is in the minor axis direction of the ellipse, and the scale length is elliptical. It can be considered that the distance between the tip of the pointer and the scale is always constant by gradually increasing the length from the minor axis direction to the major axis direction.

  However, in such a configuration, the inner peripheral side end of each scale is arranged in a circle, so that it is not interesting, and further, the gap between the scales is clogged in the vicinity of the major axis direction so that the indicated value can be read accurately. It becomes difficult.

  Therefore, scales and numbers of a certain length are arranged along the ellipse on the dial, and the positional relationship between the pointer tip and the scale is always optimum regardless of the pointer rotation angle, in other words, the pointer length. If it is possible to realize such a configuration that can be changed, a novel combination meter can be provided.

As the means for realizing the above, for example, a pointer instrument in which a pointer is formed from a rod-shaped discharge tube has been proposed. This is because a voltage is applied between an internal electrode arranged near the center of rotation as a guide of the discharge tube and an external electrode provided along the longitudinal direction of the discharge tube to cause discharge, thereby displaying light. Therefore, the light emission length, that is, the pointer length is made variable by changing the voltage applied between both electrodes (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-35571 A

  However, in the pointer instrument disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in order to appropriately control the pointer length, that is, the applied voltage corresponding to the rotation angle position of the pointer, the rotation angle detecting means of the pointer, the applied voltage control There is a problem that it is necessary to add means and the like, and the cost increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and suppresses an increase in cost by forming the pointer from bright lines formed on the dial surface by irradiating the dial surface with highly directional light. On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle instrument having a variable pointer length.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicular instrument that includes a dial provided with a display unit for indicating a measured amount, a light source that emits light having high directivity, and a rotation axis that is predetermined according to the measured amount. A dial for a vehicle, comprising: a movement that rotates by an angle; and an optical means that is attached to the rotating shaft and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft and irradiates light from the light source toward the surface of the dial. Is provided with a bright line forming part on the surface of which a bright line is formed when irradiated with light from the light source and an outer peripheral part on the outer peripheral side of the bright line forming part. It was set as the structure which protrudes in step shape toward a driver | operator side rather than a part.

  In this configuration, in order to irradiate the light from the light source and form the bright line on the bright line forming part, the optical means attached to the pointer shaft emits a narrow width and radial light.

  That is, the width of the emitted light corresponds to the width of the bright line on the dial, and both ends of the radial light correspond to both ends of the bright line. That is, the light on the driver side in the viewing direction of the dial of light emitted radially reaches the outer edge of the bright line forming portion, which is the tip of the bright line.

  When light from the light source that has reached the outer edge of the bright line forming portion travels outside the outer edge of the bright line forming portion, the light travels on an extension line of the line connecting the optical means and the outer edge of the bright line forming portion.

  By the way, the outside of the outer edge of the bright line forming portion of the dial, that is, the outer peripheral portion, is farther stepwise than the bright line forming portion as viewed from the driver in the visual recognition direction of the dial. For this reason, since the outer peripheral surface is not irradiated with light from the light source traveling outside the bright line forming portion, the tip position of the bright line formed on the dial by the light from the light source is the position of the bright line forming portion. Always matches the outer edge. That is, the length of the pointer formed as a bright line is the length from the light emission point from the light source in the optical means to the outer edge of the bright line forming portion.

  Therefore, if the length from the rotation center of the rotating shaft to the outer edge of the bright line forming part is changed smoothly, in other words, if the outer edge shape of the bright line forming part is set to a smooth curve shape that is not circular, The length can be made variable.

  As a result, the dial is shaped in two steps, the bright line forming part and the outer peripheral part, and by adopting easy means of forming the outer shape of the bright line forming part into the desired shape, the increase in the cost of the instrument for the vehicle is suppressed. However, it is possible to provide a vehicle instrument having a variable pointer length.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicular instrument comprising a dial provided with a display unit for indicating a measured amount, a light source that emits light with high directivity, and a rotation axis that is predetermined according to the measured amount. A dial for a vehicle, comprising: a movement that rotates by an angle; and an optical means that is attached to the rotating shaft and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft and irradiates light from the light source toward the surface of the dial. Has a bright line forming part that forms bright lines on its surface when irradiated with light from the light source and an outer peripheral part that is the outer peripheral side of the bright line forming part, and the outer peripheral part forms bright lines in the viewing direction of the dial. It was set as the structure which protrudes in step shape toward a driver | operator side rather than a part.

  Also in this configuration, as in the case of the vehicle instrument according to claim 1 of the present invention described above, it is attached to the pointer shaft in order to irradiate light from the light source and form a bright line on the bright line forming portion. The optical means emits light having a narrow width and a radial shape.

  That is, the width of the emitted light corresponds to the width of the bright line on the dial, and both ends of the radial light correspond to both ends of the bright line. That is, the light on the driver side in the viewing direction of the dial of light emitted radially reaches the outer edge of the bright line forming portion, which is the tip of the bright line. In addition, the outer peripheral portion of the dial protrudes stepwise toward the driver in the visual recognition direction of the dial from the bright line forming portion, and extends in the pointer axis direction at the boundary between the outer peripheral portion and the bright line forming portion light Is formed. This wall prevents the light from the light source that has reached the outer edge of the bright line forming portion from irradiating the outer peripheral portion, so that the tip position of the bright line formed on the dial plate by the light from the light source is the outer edge of the bright line forming portion. Always matches. That is, the length of the pointer formed as a bright line is the length from the light emission point from the light source in the optical means to the outer edge of the bright line forming portion.

  Therefore, if the length from the rotation center of the rotating shaft to the outer edge of the bright line forming part is changed smoothly, in other words, if the outer edge shape of the bright line forming part is set to a smooth curved line that is not circular, the length of the pointer The thickness can be made variable.

  This makes it possible to reduce the cost of vehicle instruments by adopting easy means that the dial has a two-stage configuration of the bright line forming part and the outer peripheral part and the outer shape of the bright line forming part is formed in a desired shape. However, it is possible to provide a vehicle instrument having a variable pointer length.

  The vehicular instrument according to claim 3 of the present invention is configured such that the distance from the rotation axis to the outer periphery of the bright line forming portion increases from the vertical direction of the dial toward the horizontal direction.

  In this case, the shape of the bright line forming portion is a horizontally long substantially oval shape. Generally, the dial shape of a vehicle instrument, for example, a combination meter of an automobile, is formed in a horizontally long shape. It is possible to realize a vehicle instrument with a novel appearance in harmony with the above.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicular instrument according to a fourth aspect of the present invention. A dial for a vehicle, comprising: a movement that rotates by an angle; and an optical means that is attached to the rotating shaft and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft and irradiates light from the light source toward the surface of the dial. When the light from the light source is irradiated, bright lines are formed on the surface, and on the surface of the dial, a light-shielding wall that regulates the tip position of the bright lines covers at least the rotation range around the rotation axis of the bright lines. It was set as the structure provided in.

  Also in this configuration, as in the case of the vehicle instrument according to claim 1 of the present invention described above, it is attached to the pointer shaft in order to irradiate light from the light source and form a bright line on the bright line forming portion. The optical means emits light having a narrow width and a radial shape.

  That is, the width of the emitted light corresponds to the width of the bright line on the dial, and both ends of the radial light correspond to both ends of the bright line. That is, the light on the driver side in the viewing direction of the dial of light emitted radially is the tip of the bright line.

  Here, if a light shielding wall is provided on the surface of the dial plate to block the light that becomes the tip of the bright line, the position of the light shielding wall becomes the tip of the bright line.

  Therefore, if the shape of the light-shielding wall is set to be curved, in other words, if the distance from the center of the pointer shaft to the light-shielding wall is set to change smoothly with the rotation of the pointer shaft, The length of the bright line, that is, the length of the pointer can be changed smoothly.

  Thus, by adopting an easy means of providing an annular or curved light shielding wall on the dial, it is possible to provide a vehicular instrument with a variable pointer length while suppressing an increase in cost.

  Hereinafter, an example in which a vehicle instrument according to the present invention is applied to a combination meter 1 mounted on an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a combination meter 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is a speedometer S that indicates the traveling speed of the automobile.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the reflecting mirror 41 of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a view taken in the direction of arrow III in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an electric circuit configuration of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG.

  The combination meter 1 is provided in front of the driver's seat in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the driver can visually recognize the amount to be measured (traveling speed, engine speed, etc.) related to the operating state of the vehicle by rotating the pointer. To display.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention forms a speedometer S that indicates the traveling speed of the automobile as a measured quantity, and mainly includes a dial 2 and a shaft. A movement 7 that rotates 6, a light-emitting diode 3 that is a light source, a reflector 4 that is attached to the shaft 6 and emits light from the light-emitting diode 3 toward the surface of the dial 2, and the light-emitting diode 3 and the movement 7. Etc. are configured from a printed circuit board 8 and the like mounted thereon. In FIG. 2, the left side of the combination meter 1 is a driver's seat (not shown), and the combination meter 1 is visually recognized from the left side in FIG.

  First, an outline of the configuration of the combination meter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The dial 2 is made of a translucent material such as a colorless and transparent polycarbonate resin. As shown in FIG. 2, the dial 2 includes a first display surface 21 that is a bright line forming portion and a second display surface 22 that is an outer peripheral portion located on the outer peripheral side of the first display surface 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the display surface 21 is formed to project in a step shape from the second display surface 22 to the driver side (to the left side in FIG. 2) in the driver's visual recognition direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2). Yes. A through-hole 23 for extending a shaft 6 (described later) to the surface side of the first display surface 21 (left side in FIG. 2) is provided in the substantially central portion of the first display surface 21.

  Further, the first display surface 21 increases as the distance from the central axis of the shaft 6 to the outer periphery of the first display surface 21 increases from the vertical direction of the dial plate 2 to the horizontal direction. Specifically, the shape is larger in the left-right direction from the direction, and is formed in an elliptical shape. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the first display surface 21 is centered on the central axis of the shaft 6 and has a short axis in the vertical direction of the automobile (vertical direction in FIG. 1), and the horizontal direction of the automobile (in FIG. 1). It is formed as an ellipse having a major axis in the vertical direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the dial 2 includes a scale 2a, a number 2b, and a character 2c, which are display units for displaying a traveling speed that is a measured amount. These scales 2a, numbers 2b, and characters 2c are formed by providing a light-shielding layer, for example, a black print layer 24, on the surface of the dial plate 2 excluding the scales 2a, numbers 2b, and characters 2c. That is, on the dial 2, only the scale 2a, the number 2b, and the character 2c are translucent. Of these scales 2a, numbers 2b, and characters 2c, the scale 2a and the characters 2c are provided on the first display surface 21, and the numbers 2b are provided on the second display surface 22, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the scale 2 a is formed on the radiation from the center of the ellipse having the shape of the first display surface 21 and so that the tip thereof is in contact with the outer edge of the first display surface 21. . Furthermore, the length L of the scale 2a is the same in all the scales 2a. Further, the numbers 2b are arranged along an elliptical arc concentric with the first display surface 21 as shown in FIG.

  As the light-emitting diode 3, a high-luminance type is used that has high directivity, that is, the irradiation angle θ is small as shown in FIG. The light emitting diode 3 irradiates the dial 2, that is, the first display surface 21 through a reflector 4 to be described later, and generates the bright line T shown in FIG. 1 on the first display surface 21. The bright line T rotates on the first display surface 21 with the shaft 6 as the central axis, and functions as a pointer for the speedometer S. In the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the light emission color of the light emitting diode 3 is red. Thereby, the bright line T is also red. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting diode 3 is mounted on a printed board 8 disposed on the back side of the dial 2 (right side in FIG. 2).

  On the back side of the dial 2 (on the right side in FIG. 2), a movement 7 is disposed that rotates the shaft 6 that is a rotating shaft by a predetermined angle according to the amount to be measured. The movement 7 is composed of, for example, a stepping motor or a cross coil drive device, and the travel speed calculated based on an external electric signal, that is, a vehicle speed signal in the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, The shaft 6 is rotated by a predetermined angle so that the bright line T indicates on the display surface 21. Further, the shaft 6 extends to the front side (left side in FIG. 2) of the first display surface 21 through the through hole 23 of the dial plate 2, and the reflector 4 as an optical means is fixed to the tip thereof. That is, when the movement 7 is driven and the shaft 6 rotates, the reflector 4 also rotates integrally. The movement 7 is mounted and fixed to the printed circuit board 8.

  The printed board 8 is made of, for example, a glass epoxy board, and constitutes an electric circuit portion of the combination meter 1. Further, a controller 11 is mounted on the printed circuit board 8 to control lighting / extinguishing of the light emitting diode 3, drive control of the movement 7, and lighting / extinguishing control of the light emitting diode 9 described later. The controller 11 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer.

  The reflector 4, which is an optical means, reflects the light emitted from the light emitting diode 3 toward the dial plate 2, that is, the first reflecting surface 21, and irradiates the first reflecting surface 21, thereby causing the light on the first reflecting surface 21. This is for forming the bright line T. The reflector 4 is formed of, for example, acrylic resin and includes a reflection surface 41 that reflects light from the light emitting diode 3. In order to effectively use the light emitted from the light emitting diode 3 and increase the emission luminance of the bright line T, it is desirable to increase the reflectance of the reflecting surface 41 as much as possible. For this purpose, a plating layer or a metal vapor deposition layer may be provided on the reflection surface 41. Further, the shape of the reflecting surface 41 is set so that the reflected light from the reflecting surface 41 irradiates the entire length of the ellipse as the first reflecting surface 21 in the major axis direction or a slightly wide range as shown in FIG. Has been. If the shape of the reflection surface 41 is set in this way, the outer edge of the first reflection surface 21 can always be irradiated over the entire rotation angle of the shaft 6.

  By the way, the light emitting diode 3 emits light radially, that is, conically, although the irradiation angle θ is smaller than that of a general light emitting diode. The light from the light emitting diode 3 is reflected by the reflecting surface 41 of the reflector 4 to irradiate the first display surface 21, and a thin band having a uniform width over the entire length on the first reflecting surface 21, that is, a bright line as a pointer. In order to make T visible, it is necessary to set so that the light traveling from the reflective surface 41 to the first display surface 21 irradiates a band-shaped range.

  Therefore, in the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, a light shielding mask 42 having a substantially rectangular slit 43 is mounted on the surface of the reflection surface 41. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the slit 43 is arranged on the reflection surface 41 so that the axis 61 of the shaft 6 is a symmetric axis. Thereby, the bright line T having a uniform width over the entire length of the first reflective surface 21 can be formed on the first reflective surface 21 as a band when the light traveling from the reflective surface 41 to the first display surface 21 is viewed from the viewing direction of the driver. .

  In addition, in order to prevent the light from the light emitting diode 3 from traveling directly toward the driver at the end of the reflector 4 opposite to the movement 7, that is, the end on the driver side, a light shielding cap 5 is provided. Is installed. The light shielding cap 5 is made of metal or resin material.

  On the back side of the dial 2 (right side in FIG. 2), a light emitting diode 9 as a light source for transmitting and illuminating the scale 2a, the number 2b, and the character 2c of the dial 2 is disposed. The light emitting diode 9 is mounted on the printed circuit board 8, and a general white light emitting diode is used in the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  On the back side of the dial plate 2 (right side in FIG. 2), a light guide plate 10 that effectively guides light emitted from the light emitting diode 9 to the scale 2a, numerals 2b, and characters 2c of the dial plate 2 is disposed. The light guide plate 10 is made of, for example, a colorless and transparent polycarbonate resin or the like, and is firmly fixed to the back surface of the dial 2.

  The dial 2, the reflector 4, the movement 7, the printed board 8, and the like described above are accommodated and held in the case 12 as shown in FIG. The case 11 is made of, for example, a resin material and is attached to a dashboard (not shown) of the automobile.

  A transparent cover 14 is attached to the driver side of the case 11 (the right side in FIG. 2) via a facing plate 13 made of, for example, a resin material. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a light shield 13a is provided at the dial plate 2 side end portion of the facing plate 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the light shield 13 a is formed in a shape that is substantially similar to the first display surface 21. When a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 41 travels to the outer peripheral side of the first display surface 21 and reaches the inner wall of the facing plate 13, the inner wall of the facing plate 13 is thereby viewed brightly. There is a risk that the appearance will deteriorate. Thus, by providing the light shielding plate 13a on the facing plate 13, it is possible to prevent the inner wall of the facing plate 13 from being viewed brightly.

  Next, the electrical circuit configuration and operation of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above will be described with reference to the electrical circuit configuration diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, power is constantly supplied from the battery 16 to the controller 11. Further, the controller 11 is connected to the ignition switch 15 so as to be able to detect its operating state (ON or OFF). The controller 11 performs lighting / extinguishing control of the light emitting diodes 3 and 9 based on the detection result of the operation state of the ignition switch 15. Further, a vehicle speed sensor 17 is connected to the controller 11, and the controller 11 drives the movement 7 based on the detection signal to rotate the shaft 6 to a predetermined angle.

  (1) When the ignition switch 15 is turned on.

  When the ignition switch 15 is turned on by the driver, the controller 11 detects that the ignition switch 15 is turned on and turns on the light emitting diodes 3 and 9. By the light from the light emitting diode 9, the scale 2a, the number 2b, and the character 2c are lit and displayed. Further, when the light from the light emitting diode 3 irradiates the first display surface 21 through the reflector 4, a red bright line T is formed on the first display surface 21 of the dial 2. The controller 11 also drives the movement 7 based on the detection signal from the vehicle speed sensor 17 to rotate the shaft 6 to a predetermined angle, that is, an angle corresponding to the traveling speed of the automobile. As a result, the bright line T, which is a pointer, rotates to indicate the traveling speed of the vehicle.

  (2) When the ignition switch 15 is turned off.

  When the ignition switch 15 is turned off by the driver, the controller 11 detects that the ignition switch 15 is turned off, stops energization of the light emitting diodes 3 and 9 and turns them off. As a result, the scale 2a, the number 2b, and the character 2c are turned off, and at the same time, the red bright line T formed on the first display surface 21 of the dial 2 disappears.

  Next, means and operation for forming the bright line T on the dial 2 which is a feature of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, that is, the configuration and operation of the reflector 2 of the dial 2 and further, Will describe the effects and effects on the visibility of the combination meter 1.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a traveling path (light path) of light from the light emitting diode 3 in the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a partial sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. It is. The VV line in FIG. 1 coincides with the long axis of the ellipse as the first reflecting surface 21. In FIG. 5, the rotational angle position of the shaft 6, that is, the angular position of the reflector 4 indicates a state in which the bright line T as a pointer is on the VV line in FIG. 1. In addition, in FIG. 5, the II-II sectional view taken on the line in FIG. 1 is described with the dashed-two dotted line. In FIG. 5, the description of the light guide plate 10, the case 12, and the transparent cover 14 is omitted for easy understanding.

  (1) When the rotational angular position of the shaft 6, that is, the angular position of the reflector 4 is on the VV line in FIG. 1, that is, on the major axis of the ellipse.

  As shown in FIG. 5, light is emitted radially from the light emitting diode 3 at an irradiation angle θ. Of the light emitted radially from the light emitting diode 3, the light on one end side travels on the optical path P, reflects on the reflecting surface 41 and travels on the optical path P ', as shown in FIG. The light enters the inner edge of the first reflecting surface 21, that is, the edge of the through hole 23. On the other hand, among the light emitted radially, the light on the other end side travels on the optical path R, reflects on the reflecting surface 41 and travels on the optical path R ′, as shown in FIG. The light enters the outer edge of one reflecting surface 21, that is, the axial end of the major axis of the ellipse that is the first reflecting surface 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the light travels outward from the outer edge of the first reflecting surface 21 and enters the inner wall 13 b of the facing plate 13.

  Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 3 and reflected by the reflector 4 irradiates the entire major axis of the ellipse on the first reflecting surface 21, that is, from the through hole 22 to the outer peripheral portion. A pointer that is a bright line T is formed on one display surface 21 and is visually recognized by the driver. At this time, the light traveling on the optical path R ′ and further traveling outward from the outer edge of the first reflecting surface 21 enters the inner wall 13 b of the facing plate 13 and does not enter the second display surface 22. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 3 and reflected by the reflector 4 irradiates only the first display surface 21. In other words, the bright line T is formed only on the first display surface 21.

  Even if the light incident on the inner wall 13b of the facing plate 13 is irregularly reflected by the inner wall 13b, the reflected light toward the driver's viewing direction is blocked by the shading bar 13a, so that it is viewed by the driver, that is, the facing plate 13 The inner wall 13b is visually recognized brightly, and appearance is prevented from being deteriorated.

  (2) When the rotational angular position of the shaft 6, that is, the angular position of the reflector 4 is on the line II-II in FIG. 1, that is, on the end axis of the ellipse.

  At this time, among the light emitted radially from the light emitting diode 3, the light traveling on the optical path P, reflected by the reflecting surface 41 and traveling on the optical path P ′ is the same as in the case of (1) above. The dial 2 enters the inner edge of the first reflecting surface 21, that is, the edge of the through hole 23. On the other hand, of the light emitted radially, the light traveling on the optical path Q is reflected by the reflecting surface 41 and travels on the optical path Q ′ as shown in FIG. The light enters the outer edge, that is, the axial end of the elliptical end axis that is the first reflecting surface 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the light travels outward from the outer edge of the first reflecting surface 21 and enters the inner wall 13 b of the facing plate 13.

  Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 3 and reflected by the reflector 4 irradiates the entire end axis of the ellipse on the first reflecting surface 21, that is, from the through hole 22 to the outer peripheral portion. A pointer that is a bright line T is formed on one display surface 21 and is visually recognized by the driver. At this time, the advancing movement light between the optical path Q and the optical path R is reflected by the reflecting surface 41, travels between the optical path P ′ and the optical path Q, and enters the inner wall 13b of the facing plate 13 to enter the second display surface 22. It is not incident on. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 3 and reflected by the reflector 4 irradiates only the first display surface 21. In other words, the bright line T is formed only on the first display surface 21.

  Even if the light incident on the inner wall 13b of the facing plate 13 is irregularly reflected by the inner wall 13b, the reflected light toward the driver's visual recognition direction is blocked by the shading bar 13a as in the case of (1) above. It is visually recognized by the driver, that is, the inner wall 13b of the facing plate 13 is visually recognized brightly, and the appearance is prevented from being deteriorated.

  (3) When the rotational angular position of the shaft 6, that is, the angular position of the reflector 4 is between the II-II line and VV line in FIG. 1, that is, between the major axis and the end axis of the ellipse.

  Also in this case, the bright line T is formed only on the first display surface 21 as in the cases (1) and (2) described above. Furthermore, even if a part of the reflected light from the reflector 4 enters the inner wall 13b of the look-back plate 13 and is irregularly reflected by the inner wall 13b, the reflected light toward the driver's visual recognition direction is blocked by the shading bar 13a. , That is, the inner wall 13b of the facing plate 13 is viewed brightly, and the appearance is prevented from deteriorating.

  To summarize (1) to (3) described above, the shaft 6 rotates and the angular position of the reflector 4 changes from the VV line to the II-II line in FIG. When changing from the major axis to the minor axis, the length of the bright line T formed on the first display portion 21 gradually changes from L1 to L2 in FIG. When the driver visually recognizes this, the length of the pointer is visually recognized so as to gradually become shorter corresponding to the rotation of the shaft 6.

  Thereby, the dial 2 has a stepped shape, that is, the first display surface 21 and the second display surface 22 are provided and the first display portion 21 is formed in a desired shape. Thus, it is possible to realize the combination meter 1 in which the bright line T length as the pointer length is variable while suppressing an increase in cost.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the length of the bright line T as a pointer is the first axis of the shaft 6 in the irradiation direction of the reflector 4 corresponding to the rotation angle of the shaft 6. It is a distance from the outer periphery of the display surface 21.

  Therefore, the distance between the central axis of the shaft 6 and the outer periphery of the first display surface 21 changes in association with the change in the rotation angle of the shaft, in other words, the change in the irradiation direction of the reflector 4. By setting the shape, it is possible to realize the combination meter 1 in which the length of the pointer changes corresponding to the rotation of the shaft 6, that is, the pointer length is variable. In this case, the degree of change in the pointer length with respect to the rotation of the shaft 6 can be realized by adjusting the shape of the first display surface 21. Here, if the shape of the first display surface 21 is a circle centered on the central axis of the shaft 6, the length of the bright line T as the pointer length is always a constant length regardless of the rotation angle of the shaft 6. It looks the same as a general pointer instrument.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the first reflecting surface 21 is centered on the central axis of the shaft 6 and has a short axis in the vertical direction of the vehicle (vertical direction in FIG. 1). However, the present invention is not limited to this shape, and other shapes, for example, the central axis of the shaft 6 may be shifted from the center of the ellipse. Or it is good also as shapes other than an ellipse, for example, an oval, a quadratic curve, and a cubic curve. Furthermore, it is not necessary to limit the shape of the first reflecting surface 21 to a closed figure, and only the indication angle range of the bright line 7 that is a pointer may be formed by a curve or the like that can realize a desired change in the length of the pointer. .

  FIG. 6 shows a partial front view of a modification of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a modification of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

  In the modification of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6 on the second reflecting surface 22 of the dial 2 with respect to the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. In addition, a reflection ring 18 is fixed along the outer periphery of the second reflection surface 22 and concentric with the first reflection surface 21.

  The reflection ring 18 is formed of, for example, a colorless and transparent polycarbonate resin or the like, and includes a reflection surface 18a.

  A part of the reflected light from the reflector 4 enters the reflecting surface 18a of the reflecting ring 18 and is reflected toward the driver as shown in FIG. When viewed from the driver, the bright line Ta is visually recognized on the extended line of the bright line T in addition to the bright line T as a pointer, as shown in FIG. When the bright line T rotates corresponding to the rotation of the shaft 6, the bright line Ta also rotates in synchronization therewith. That is, the indicator of the speedometer S is formed from the bright line T and the bright line Ta.

  Thereby, the appearance of the combination meter 1 can be made more innovative.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the combination meter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 8 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the dial 2 is changed and attached to the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the dial 2 is used for transillumination. The shape of the optical plate 10 is also changed. Only differences from the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the concavo-convex relationship between the first display surface 21 and the second display surface 22 of the dial 2 in the visual recognition direction of the driver, that is, the left-right direction in FIG. It is reversed with respect to the case of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the first reflecting surface 21 is retracted in a step shape more than the second reflecting surface 22.

  In addition, the shape of the reflection surface 41 is set so that the reflected light from the reflection surface 41 irradiates the entire length of the ellipse as the first reflection surface 21 in the major axis direction or slightly irradiates the driver side. . Therefore, also in the combination meter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to always irradiate the outer edge of the first reflecting surface 21 over the entire rotation angle of the shaft 6.

  When the reflected light from the reflective surface 41 irradiates the driver side slightly from the outer edge of the first display surface 21, this light is transmitted from the outer edge of the first display surface 21 to the driver side (FIG. 8). The second display surface 2 is not irradiated by being blocked by the wall surface 24 rising toward the left side).

  Therefore, also in the combination meter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the degree of change in the pointer length with respect to the rotation of the shaft 6 is determined by the shape of the first display surface 21 as in the first embodiment. The cost of the plate 2 is increased by adopting easy means of providing a stepped shape, that is, providing the first display surface 21 and the second display surface 22 and forming the outer shape of the first display portion 21 in a desired shape. Thus, it is possible to realize the combination meter 1 in which the bright line T length as the pointer length is variable. By adopting such an easy means, it is possible to realize the combination meter 1 in which the bright line T length as the pointer length is variable while suppressing an increase in cost.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a partial front view of a combination meter 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a combination meter 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the dial 2 is changed with respect to the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the dial 2 is transmitted to the dial. The shape of the optical plate 10 is also changed. Only differences from the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the first display surface 21 and the second display surface 22 in the first embodiment are not provided, and the entire dial 2 is substantially flush with the plane as shown in FIG. It is formed as.

  On the surface of the dial, a light shielding wall 25 that regulates the tip position of the bright line T as a pointer, in other words, determines the length of the bright line T, as shown in FIG. 9, is centered on the central axis of the shaft 6. It is provided in an elliptical shape. In the combination meter 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding wall 25 is provided integrally with the dial 2 by a mold when the dial 2 is resin-molded. In the combination meter 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the light shielding wall 25 is provided with a light shielding layer in the same manner as the background portion of the dial 2, that is, the portions other than the scale 2a, the number 2b, and the character 2c. Has been. As a result, the visibility of the light shielding wall 25 itself is lowered, that is, the light shielding wall 25 itself is difficult to be seen by the driver, and only the bright line T as a pointer is made conspicuous, thereby renewing the appearance of the combination meter 1. Can be.

  In this case, the reflected light from the reflecting surface 41 is set to irradiate the entire length of the ellipse as the light shielding wall 25 in the major axis direction or slightly irradiate the driver side. Therefore, also in the combination meter 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to always irradiate the outer edge of the first reflecting surface 21 over the entire rotation angle of the shaft 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the height H of the light shielding wall 25 from the surface of the dial 2 is such that the reflected light from the reflecting surface 41 is slightly smaller than the surface of the dial 2 in the major axis direction of the ellipse as the light shielding wall 25. Even when the driver side is irradiated, the light is set so as to reliably prevent the light from irradiating the surface of the dial 2 outside the light shielding wall 25.

  As a result, in the combination meter 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the degree of change in the pointer length with respect to the rotation of the shaft 6 is determined by the shape of the light shielding wall 25. By adopting an easy means of forming the contour shape of the wall 25 into a desired shape, it is possible to realize the combination meter 1 in which the bright line T length as the pointer length is variable while suppressing an increase in cost.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to limit the shape of the light shielding wall 25 to an ellipse, and a shape corresponding to a desired change in the length of the pointer. Should be set.

  Moreover, in the combination meter 1 by 3rd Embodiment of this invention, although the light-shielding wall 25 is formed by integrally molding with the dial 2, it is not necessary to limit to this method, For example, metal or light-shielding It may be formed as a separate part from a resin having a property and attached to the dial 2.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention described above, the light emitting diode 3 is used as a light source with high directivity for forming the bright line T as a pointer. It is not necessary to limit to 3, and other types of light sources may be used as long as they have a high directivity. For example, laser light may be used.

  Moreover, in the combination meter 1 by 1st-3rd embodiment of this invention demonstrated above, although the light emitting diode 9 is employ | adopted as a light source for transmitting and illuminating the dial 2, the light source is used as a light emitting diode. It is not necessary to limit, and you may replace with another kind of light source, for example, a light bulb, a discharge lamp, an EL panel, etc.

  Moreover, in the combination meter 1 by 1st-3rd embodiment of this invention demonstrated above, although the speedometer S part is demonstrated to an example, it is not necessary to restrict to the speedometer S part, The combination meter 1 is You may apply to the other instrument with which it equips, for example, the tachometer which instruct | indicates an engine speed, a fuel gauge, a water temperature gauge, a timepiece, etc.

It is a partial front view of the combination meter 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the combination meter 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is the II-II sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a front view of the reflective mirror 41 of the combination meter 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is the III arrow directional view in FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the electric circuit structure of the combination meter 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the combination meter 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is the VV sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a partial front view of the modification of the combination meter 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the modification of the combination meter 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the combination meter 1 by 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is equivalent to the II-II sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a partial front view of the combination meter 1 by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the combination meter 1 by 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and is equivalent to the XX sectional drawing in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Combination meter (vehicle instrument)
2 Dial 21 First display surface (pointer forming part)
22 Second display surface (outer periphery)
23 Through-hole 24 Wall 25 Light-shielding wall 2a Scale (display part)
2b Number (display part)
2c characters (display section)
3 Light emitting diode (light source)
4 Reflectors (optical means)
41 Reflective surface (optical means)
42 Shading mask 43 Slit 5 Shading cap 6 Shaft (rotating shaft)
61 Axis 7 Movement 8 Printed circuit board 9 Light emitting diode 10 Light guide plate 11 Control circuit 12 Casing 13 Turn plate 13a Light shield 14 Transparent cover 15 Ignition switch 16 Battery 17 Speed sensor 18 Reflecting ring 18a Reflecting surface P, P 'Optical path Q, Q' Optical path R, R 'Optical path L Length L1 Length L2 Length S Speedometer T Pointer (bright line)
θ Irradiation angle

Claims (4)

A dial provided with a display for indicating the amount to be measured;
A light source that emits highly directional light,
A movement that rotates the rotation axis by a predetermined angle according to the amount to be measured;
An instrument for a vehicle comprising: an optical means attached to the rotating shaft and rotating integrally with the rotating shaft and irradiating light from the light source toward the surface of the dial plate;
The dial includes a bright line forming portion that forms a bright line on a surface thereof when irradiated with light from the light source, and an outer peripheral portion that is an outer peripheral side of the bright line forming portion,
The bright line forming portion is formed so as to protrude in a step shape toward the driver side from the outer peripheral portion in the visual recognition direction of the dial. A dial provided with a display for indicating the amount to be measured;
A light source that emits highly directional light,
A movement that rotates the rotation axis by a predetermined angle according to the amount to be measured;
An instrument for a vehicle comprising: an optical means attached to the rotating shaft and rotating integrally with the rotating shaft and irradiating light from the light source toward the surface of the dial plate;
The dial includes a bright line forming portion that forms a bright line on a surface thereof when irradiated with light from the light source, and an outer peripheral portion that is an outer peripheral side of the bright line forming portion,
The vehicle instrument, wherein the outer peripheral portion protrudes in a step shape toward the driver side from the bright line forming portion in the visual recognition direction of the dial.   3. The vehicle instrument according to claim 1, wherein a distance from the rotation axis to the outer periphery of the bright line forming portion increases from a vertical direction of the dial toward a horizontal direction. 4. A dial provided with a display for indicating the amount to be measured;
A light source that emits highly directional light,
A movement that rotates the rotation axis by a predetermined angle according to the amount to be measured;
An instrument for a vehicle comprising: an optical means attached to the rotating shaft and rotating integrally with the rotating shaft and irradiating light from the light source toward the surface of the dial plate;
When the dial is irradiated with light from the light source, bright lines are formed on its surface,
A vehicular instrument characterized in that on the surface of the dial plate, a light-shielding wall that regulates the tip position of the bright line is provided so as to cover at least a rotation range of the bright line around the rotation axis.

Images