JP2006078183A - Meter dial and meter using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter dial capable of sufficiently putting emphasis on 3D feeling and to provide the meter using it. <P>SOLUTION: On the meter dial plate 1 the indication design 11 indicating predetermined value by a pointer 2 is formed, and the slanting part 12 is formed while slanting toward the indication design 11 gradually and exponentially, while making the around of the central protruding part 13 lowest. At the center part of the dial plate 1 a hollow central protrudent part 13 provided with a shaft hole 13a is formed, and on the central protruding part 13 the rectangular LCD window 14 is adjacently provided corresponding to the display surface of the LCD 7. On the side of the central projection part 13 the light leaking strip 13b is formed for emitting the light coming from internal part of the central protrudent part 13 as leakage light toward the slanting part 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a dial plate and a meter device using the dial plate, and more particularly to a dial plate and a meter device using the dial plate that can enhance a three-dimensional effect.

  A meter device using a three-dimensional dial plate formed by three-dimensionally forming a flat dial plate is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing this conventional three-dimensional dial plate and a meter device using the same.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the dial 901 has a horizontally long shape corresponding to each meter portion when viewed from above. On the dial plate 901, display designs 912a and 912b corresponding to numerals and scales such as a tachometer, a speedometer, a water temperature meter, and a fuel meter are formed. The dial plate 901 includes ring designs 911a and 911b formed so as to go around the display designs 912a and 912b. Similarly, the ring designs 911a and 911b are formed on the top surfaces of the ring-shaped raised portions 914a and 914b that circulate around the display designs 912a and 912b and are raised like a bank. The dial plate 901 is also provided with pointer shaft holes 915a and 915b and an LCD display window 913.

  On the back surface of the dial plate 901, a plate-like light guide member 904 that guides light from the light source for the dial plate and illuminates each dial plate from the back surface is stacked or attached. The light guide member 904 has a shape corresponding to the dial plate 901, and is provided with the pointer shaft holes 915a and 915b, the pointer shaft holes 945a and 945b corresponding to the LCD display window 913, and the LCD display window 943. .

  On the back side, a motor that rotates the pointer 902 of each meter unit by a predetermined angle in response to a command mechanism (not shown) is arranged. Further, a light source for illuminating the dial plate 901 and the pointer 902 is also provided on the back surface of the dial plate 901. The pointer 902 is rotated by a predetermined angle based on each measurement value by a motor corresponding to each meter unit, and indicates a predetermined display design on the dial 901.

  The main body case 903 includes a front cover and a back cover that house an electronic substrate on which a motor, a light source, and various electronic components are mounted so as to be sandwiched from both sides. The main body case 903 includes a light guide member accommodating portion 932 that accommodates the light guide member 904, an LCD accommodating portion 933 that accommodates an LCD, and the like.

  In such a configuration, the display designs 912a and 912b and the pointer 902 on the dial plate 901 are illuminated from the back by light supplied from these dedicated light sources. At the same time, the ring designs 911a and 911b formed on the dial 901 also shine. These are visible from the front of the meter through smoked glass (not shown).

The conventional dial and the meter device using the dial are described in detail in the following patent documents.
JP 2003-315110 A

  According to the above conventional example, a three-dimensional effect can be given to the ring designs 911a and 911b without using a dedicated ring member, but a three-dimensional effect of the dial 901 cannot be given. That is, according to the conventional example, the portions other than the ring-shaped raised portions 914a and 914b are completely flat like the conventional dial. Therefore, according to the above conventional example, it is difficult to emphasize the three-dimensional effect of the dial.

  Therefore, in view of the present situation described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a dial plate that can sufficiently enhance a three-dimensional effect and a meter device using the dial plate.

  The dial according to claim 1, which is made to solve the above-described problem, is a dial having a display design instructed by the pointer, which is formed so as to go around a central portion where a shaft hole of the pointer is arranged. And an inclined portion formed so as to be gradually opened from the lowest portion toward the display design, with the periphery of the central portion being the lowest portion.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the dial is inclined so as to gradually open from the lowest part toward the display design with the periphery of the central part where the shaft hole of the pointer is disposed as the lowest part. And an inclined portion formed. By this inclined portion, a three-dimensional effect can be brought about in the region from the central portion of the dial plate, which has been conventionally flat, to the display design.

  The dial according to claim 2, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is characterized in that, in the dial according to claim 1, the inclined portion has a front of the display design as a vertex of inclination.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, the inclined portion has the front of the display design as the apex of the inclination. In other words, the dial has a cross-sectional shape with the front of the display design as the apex of the slope.

  The dial according to claim 3, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, is the dial according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dial is formed in the central portion and has a hollow central protrusion having the shaft hole formed therein. And a light leakage part that is formed in a strip shape on the side surface of the central convex part and emits light coming from the inside of the central convex part as light leakage toward the inclined part.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the central convex portion is formed at the central portion of the dial, and the light coming from the inside of the central convex portion is leaked toward the inclined portion on the side surface of the central convex portion. An outgoing light leakage part is provided.

  The dial according to claim 4, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, corresponds to the display surface of the liquid crystal display device that is continuously provided to the central convex portion and displays digital information. A rectangular window.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional effect of the dial plate including the liquid crystal display can be emphasized by the rectangular window for the liquid crystal display device provided continuously with the central convex portion.

  The meter device according to claim 5, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, is a meter device using the dial according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the center device is configured to go around the pointer shaft of the pointer. It has a ring-shaped light guide member that is housed in a convex portion and guides light from a light source disposed on the substrate to the light leakage portion.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the ring-shaped light guide member that is housed in the central convex portion of the dial and guides the light from the light source disposed on the substrate to the light leakage portion is efficiently used. Can illuminate the inclined surface of the dial.

  The meter device according to claim 6, which is made to solve the above-mentioned problem, is the meter device according to claim 5, further comprising a silver-based hot stamp printed on a side surface of the pointer light guide portion of the pointer. And

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the silver hot stamp is printed on the side surface of the pointer light guide portion of the pointer. The silver hot stamping on this side can suppress halation generated on the dial.

  The meter device according to claim 7, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is the meter device according to claim 5, wherein the pointer light guide unit is configured to avoid a tapered tip portion of the pointer light guide unit of the pointer. It has a silver-based hot stamp and a bright hot stamp printed on the side surface and bottom surface of the unit, respectively.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the silver hot stamp and the glitter hot stamp are printed on the side surface and the bottom surface of the pointer light guide portion so as to avoid the tapered tip portion of the pointer light guide portion of the pointer. ing. With these hot stamps, halation generated on the dial can be suppressed and the thickness of the pointer can be made to be visually recognized.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the dial is inclined so as to gradually open from the lowest part toward the display design with the periphery of the central part where the shaft hole of the pointer is disposed as the lowest part. And an inclined portion formed. By this inclined portion, a three-dimensional effect can be brought about in the region from the central portion of the dial plate, which has been conventionally flat, to the display design. Therefore, the three-dimensional effect of the dial can be emphasized.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, the inclined portion has the front of the display design as the apex of the inclination. In other words, the dial has a cross-sectional shape with the front of the display design as the apex of the slope. Therefore, the three-dimensional effect of the dial is further emphasized.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the central convex portion is formed at the central portion of the dial, and the light coming from the inside of the central convex portion is leaked toward the inclined portion on the side surface of the central convex portion. An outgoing light leakage part is provided. Therefore, the three-dimensional effect of the dial can be further enhanced by the synergistic effect of light.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional effect of the dial plate including the liquid crystal display can be emphasized by the rectangular window for the liquid crystal display device provided continuously with the central convex portion.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the ring-shaped light guide member that is housed in the central convex portion of the dial and guides the light from the light source disposed on the substrate to the light leakage portion is efficiently used. Can illuminate the inclined surface of the dial. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a meter device having a dial plate with enhanced three-dimensional effect.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the silver hot stamp is printed on the side surface of the pointer light guide portion of the pointer. The silver hot stamping on this side can suppress halation generated on the dial. Therefore, since the stereoscopic effect becomes clear when the halation is suppressed, a meter device having a dial plate in which the stereoscopic effect is emphasized can be obtained.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the silver hot stamp and the glitter hot stamp are printed on the side surface and the bottom surface of the pointer light guide portion so as to avoid the tapered tip portion of the pointer light guide portion of the pointer. ing. With these hot stamps, halation generated on the dial can be suppressed and the thickness of the pointer can be made to be visually recognized. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a meter device having a dial plate with a more enhanced three-dimensional effect.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of a dial plate and a meter device using the dial plate according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a dial plate and a part of a meter device using the dial plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The present invention is applied to, for example, a meter device mounted on a vehicle, and particularly shows an example applied to a speedometer unit. In FIG. 1, the dial 1 is made of polycarbonate, for example, and is formed so that a display design 11 such as a speed number and a memory circulates around a central portion where the shaft hole 13 a of the pointer 2 is disposed. . A diffusion plate 5 having the same shape as the dial 1 is stacked on the back of the dial 1 and assembled to the main body case 6. When the dial 1 is fixed to the main body case 6, the ring-shaped dial presser 4 is fitted into the ring receiving portion 63 a of the main case 6 through the shaft hole 13 a of the dial 1.

  The display design 11 on the dial 1 is instructed to have a predetermined value by a pointer 2 rotated by a movement not shown here. A hollow central convex portion 13 in which the shaft hole 13 a is formed is formed at the central portion of the dial 1, and the central convex portion 13 corresponds to a display surface of an LCD (liquid crystal display device) 7. A rectangular LCD window 14 (corresponding to the rectangular window in the claims) is provided continuously.

  Further, on the side surface of the central convex portion 13, there is a strip-shaped light leakage portion 13 b that emits light coming from the inside of the central convex portion 13 as leakage light toward the inclined portion 12 and is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the central convex portion 13. Is formed. The inclined portion 12 is formed so as to be gradually opened from the lowest portion toward the display design 11 with the periphery of the central convex portion 13 as the lowest portion. In addition, the shape of the inclined part 12 becomes clearer by description using FIG.2 and FIG.3 mentioned later.

  The diffusion plate 5 is made of, for example, resin and has the same shape as the dial 1. The diffusing plate 5 receives light from the plurality of light sources 91, equalizes the luminance, and illuminates the display design 11 on the dial 1. A rectangular window 54 having the same shape is formed on the diffusion plate 5 at a position corresponding to the LCD window 14.

  The main body case 6 is provided with an accommodating portion 61 having an opening surface of the same shape as the dial 1 and the diffusion plate 5. A plurality of holes 62 for exposing the plurality of light sources 91 arranged on the substrate 9 are formed in the bottom surface of the housing portion 61. A cylindrical portion 63 that goes around the pointer shaft and fits in the central convex portion 13 is provided at the central portion of the accommodating portion 61, and a ring in which the dial holder 4 is fitted. A receiving portion 63a is formed. A ring-shaped light guide member 8 that guides light from a light source arranged on the substrate 9 to the light leakage portion 13b is attached to the cylindrical portion 63. Further, an LCD holding portion 64 that holds the LCD 7 and has the same shape as the LCD 7 is formed below the cylindrical portion 63. The LCD 7 digitally displays the accumulated travel distance and the like.

  In addition to the above-described components, the meter device also includes a lookback, a back cover, various electronic components, a front glass, and the like, but are omitted here because they are not necessary for explaining the present invention. Although application to the speedometer unit is illustrated here, application to a tachometer unit and a fuel system unit is also possible in the same manner.

  Further, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a supplementary explanation and operation of the dial plate and the meter device using the dial plate according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of a dial plate and a meter device using the dial plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 2 and 3, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIG. 1, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this meter device, a dial 3 is attached to the front surface of the dial 1. The dial 3 has a central concealing portion 31 that conceals the central portion of the dial plate 1, that is, the central convex portion 13 of the dial plate 1 and the vicinity of the LCD window 14. However, a rectangular display window 32 corresponding to the display surface of the LCD 7 is provided at a portion corresponding to the LCD window 14 in the central concealing unit 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a substrate 9 is attached to the back surface of the main body case 6, and the back surface of the substrate 9 is covered with a back cover 10. Mounted on the substrate 9 are a movement 92 for rotating the pointer 2, a plurality of light sources 91a for the pointer 2, a plurality of light sources 91b for the dial 1, and an electronic component such as an IC constituting a control unit (not shown). Has been. The rotation shaft 92 a of the movement 92 mounted on the back surface of the substrate 9 passes through the substrate 9 and is inserted into the pointer shaft portion 23 of the pointer 2.

  As is well known, the pointer 2 is composed of a pointer light guide portion 21, a pointer cap 22, a pointer shaft portion 23 called a pointer rod, and the like. The pointer 2 receives light R3 from the light source 91a at a light receiving portion (not shown) formed at the base end portion thereof, and advances this light in the pointer light guide portion 21 in the distal direction. At this time, the pointer light guide 21 shines according to the color of the hot stamp printed on the bottom surface of the pointer light guide 21.

  The light R3 from the light source 91a is covered with the cylindrical portion 63 and is supplied to the pointer 2 without waste. A ring-shaped light guide member 8 is attached to the side surface of the tubular portion 63. The light R <b> 1 from the light source 91 b is received by the lower surface of the light guide member 8, then guided through the light guide member 8, and emitted to the light leakage part 13 b formed in the central convex part 13. The emitted light passes through the light leakage portion 13b to become light leakage R2, and travels toward the inclined portion 12 formed on the dial 1. Since the inclined portion 12 is inclined so as to gradually open toward the display design 11, the three-dimensional effect is synergistically enhanced by the light leakage R2.

  Supplementally, since the inclined portion 12 itself is three-dimensionally inclined so as to gradually open toward the display design 11, even if there is no light leakage R2, the three-dimensional effect can be emphasized more than the conventional dial. However, the three-dimensional effect of the dial can be synergistically enhanced by irradiating the inclined portion 12 with the light leakage R2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the inclined portion 12 has the front of the display design 11 as the apex of the inclination. That is, the dial 1 is formed in a cross-sectional shape with the front side of the display design 11 as an apex of inclination. Therefore, the stereoscopic effect of the dial 1 is further emphasized. Furthermore, the three-dimensional effect of the dial plate 1 including the digital display by the LCD 7 can be emphasized by the rectangular window 14 for the LCD 7 connected to the central convex portion 13.

  Although the three-dimensional effect of the dial is emphasized by the above-described configuration, the three-dimensional effect can be more emphasized by further improvement. 4 and FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B) are diagrams for understanding another embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 (A) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 5 (A). 6 (A) to 6 (C) relate to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 6 (A) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 6 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 6 (A), and FIG. 6 (C) is a view taken along the arrow C in FIG. 6 (A). In each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is already demonstrated already, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the light R3 from the pointer light source 91a is received by a light receiving portion (not shown) formed at the proximal end portion of the pointer 2, and the inside of the pointer light guide portion 21 is received. Progress in the tip direction. At this time, according to the red hot stamp 21a (corresponding to the bright color hot stamp in the claims) printed on the bottom surface of the pointer light guide unit 21, the pointer light guide unit 21 shines in a red color tone.

  Although this is not a problem, in practice, as shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B), the light R4 leaked to the outside of the pointer from the side surface of the pointer light guide unit 21 that is not stamp printed, The inclined portion 12 of the dial 1 is irradiated. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the ring member 19 is irradiated with light R <b> 5 that has leaked beyond the leading end surface of the pointer light guide 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, halation H4 and H5 are generated at these irradiated portions. If it does so, the site | part which halation H4 and H5 generate | occur | produced will become the blurry feeling, and a three-dimensional effect may become unclear.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, silver hot stamps 21b are printed on both side surfaces of the pointer light guide 21 'of the pointer 2'. By this silver hot stamp 21b, the light R4 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) leaking from the side surface to the outside of the pointer is reflected inside the pointer as indicated by the light R6. Therefore, the halation H4 due to the light R4 shown in FIG. 4 is suppressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, red pad printing 21c is applied to the tip surface of the pointer light guide 21 'of the pointer 2'. By this red pad printing 21c, the light R5 (see FIG. 5A) leaking from the tip surface to the outside of the pointer is weakened. Therefore, the halation H5 caused by the light R5 shown in FIG. 4 is reduced.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the red hot stamp 21a and the silver hot stamp 21b are printed so as to avoid the tip portion of the pointer light guide portion 21 'of the pointer 2' having a tapered shape. ing. Accordingly, the tapered tip end portion does not shine, so that the thickness of the pointer 2 'can be made to be visible evenly.

  The basic structure of the pointer 2 'is the same as that of the pointer 2, but the presence or absence of the silver hot stamp 21b and the red pad printing 21c is different.

  As described above, according to another embodiment, the halation H4 and H5 are suppressed, and the pointer thickness is also visually recognized, so that the three-dimensional effect of the dial can be further emphasized. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a meter device having a dial plate with a more enhanced three-dimensional effect.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a dial plate that can sufficiently enhance a stereoscopic effect and a meter device using the dial plate.

  By applying the present invention to a black face meter that employs a black transparent surface glass as the surface glass, the three-dimensional effect can be increased and a high-class feeling can be given. In addition, by appropriately adjusting the intensity of light applied to the display design 11 and the inclined portion 12, it is possible to adjust these contrasts and further enhance the stereoscopic effect.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a dial plate which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and a part of meter apparatus using the same. It is a front view which shows a dial plate which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and a part of meter apparatus using the same. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure for understanding other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams for understanding another embodiment of the present invention. 6A is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. Yes, FIG. 6 (C) is an arrow C view of FIG. 6 (A). It is a disassembled perspective view which shows this conventional three-dimensional dial plate and a meter apparatus using the same.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dial 2 Pointer 3 Look-back 4 Dial retainer 5 Diffuser 6 Body case 7 LCD
8 Light guide member 9 Substrate 12 Inclined part 13b Light leakage part 91 Light source

Claims (7)

In the dial plate having a display design indicated by the pointer, which is formed so as to go around a central portion where the shaft hole of the pointer is arranged,
An inclined portion formed so as to gradually open from the lowest part toward the display design, with the periphery of the central part as the lowest part,
A dial having the following characteristics. The dial according to claim 1,
The inclined portion is
The front of the display design is the apex of the slope,
A dial characterized by that. In the dial according to claim 1 or 2,
A hollow central convex portion formed in the central portion and formed with the shaft hole;
A light leakage part that is formed in a band shape on the side surface of the central convex part, and emits light coming from the inside of the central convex part toward the inclined part as light leakage,
A dial having the following characteristics. The dial according to claim 3,
A rectangular window corresponding to a display surface of a liquid crystal display device that is connected to the central convex portion and displays digital information,
A dial having the following characteristics. A meter device using the dial according to claim 3 or claim 4,
A ring-shaped light guide member that is housed in the central convex portion so as to circulate around the pointer shaft of the pointer, and guides light from a light source disposed on the substrate to the light leakage portion,
A meter device comprising: The meter device according to claim 5,
Silver-based hot stamp printed on the side of the pointer light guide part of the pointer,
A meter device comprising: The meter device according to claim 5,
Silver hot stamp and glitter hot stamp printed on the side and bottom of the pointer light guide, respectively, so as to avoid the tapered tip portion of the pointer light guide of the pointer,
A meter device comprising:

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