JP2007051937A - Display for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display for a vehicle capable of attention-attracting effectively a warning at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: An area near closely to a warning design 11 formed on a dial is allocated as an animation display area, and a plurality of polarization areas 12a, 12b, 12c having respectively polarization axes different in polarization directions is formed in the animation display area. A polarizing plate 3 is arranged rotatably while overlapped with the polarization areas, in a backface side of the polarization areas 12a, 12b, 12c, and the polarizing plate 3 is rotated synchronized with the warning design 11. A transmittance in the animation display area near closely to the warning design 11 is thereby varied with circulating by the rotation of the polarizing plate 3 at the same time when the warning design 11 lights on. That is, an animation can be expressed in the area near closely to the lighting-on warning design 11, without using an expensive liquid display panel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a display device for a vehicle that can effectively alert a warning at a low cost.

  In recent years, it is a combination meter that combines meter parts such as speedometers, engine tachometers, fuel gauges, and water temperature gauges with various warning display parts such as oil leaks, battery abnormalities, brake abnormalities, and seat belt reminders. In-vehicle display devices are widely used. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the appearance of this type of vehicle display device.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when viewed from the front, this type of vehicle display device includes a meter unit M such as a speedometer, an engine tachometer, a fuel fuel gauge, a water temperature gauge, an oil leak, a battery abnormality, a brake, etc. It can be seen that there is a warning part W that evokes abnormalities, abnormal water temperatures, and the like. As is well known, the meter unit M is instructed with a design corresponding to each measurement value formed on the dial by a pointer rotated by a motor (not shown). Some meter parts M are provided with the ring member 8 for decoration. The warning unit W includes a type in which a warning design such as the above-mentioned water temperature abnormality is formed on the dial plate and the light-emitting diode is turned on in the event of an abnormality, or the water temperature abnormality is displayed on a liquid crystal panel. Note that the display device for a vehicle includes a front glass, a lookback, a case, an electronic component, a back cover, and the like, which are omitted here.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration relating to warning control in this type of vehicle display device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional warning.

  In FIG. 9, the control unit 10 including a microcomputer connected to the ignition switch 40 and the battery 50 can receive sensor signals from the sensor group 30 including the water temperature sensor. And if abnormality is detected based on the sensor signal from the sensor group 30, the control part 10 will control the warning drive part 20, and will display that. Here, the warning drive unit 20 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel corresponding to the warning unit W in FIG. 8, a backlight that illuminates the entire panel, and a strongly directional light-emitting diode that emphasizes and illuminates only a specific part.

  Normally, when the ignition switch 40 is turned on, the control unit 10 displays the current water temperature value and odd / drip value 70 as shown in FIG. 10 on the liquid crystal panel included in the warning drive unit 20 and the back side. Turn on the light. For example, when a water temperature abnormality is detected based on the sensor signal, the control unit 10 displays a warning design 60 indicating the water temperature abnormality as shown in FIG. 10 on the liquid crystal panel and lights or blinks the light emitting diode. For example, since the light emitting diode emits red light or blinks, the warning design 60 is highlighted to warn the warning.

The vehicle display device as described above is also described in the following patent document.
JP 2003-83775 A

  However, conventional warnings such as making the above-mentioned warning designs stand out or blink are commonplace, and the degree of alerting is not sufficient. In view of this, it may be possible to draw a stronger attention by using an expensive liquid crystal panel that can express a moving warning design. In this case, however, the cost is expected to increase.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described present situation, the present invention has an object to provide a vehicle display device that can effectively alert a warning at a low cost.

  The vehicle display device according to claim 1, which has been made in order to solve the above problem, has assigned a warning design as a target and an area close to the warning design as an animation display area for displaying movement. A dial plate, a plurality of polarization regions each having a polarization axis of a different polarization direction formed so as to correspond to the animation display region, and rotatable on the back side of the plurality of polarization regions while overlapping with the polarization region And a polarizing plate control means for rotating the polarizing plate in synchronization with lighting of the warning design.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an area close to the warning design formed on the dial is assigned as an animation display area, and a plurality of polarization areas each having a polarization axis of a different polarization direction are assigned to the animation display area. Is formed. On the back side of these polarizing regions, a polarizing plate is rotatably arranged while overlapping with the polarizing region, and this polarizing plate is rotated in synchronization with lighting of the warning design. Then, the transmittance of the animation display area adjacent to the warning design changes cyclically by turning the polarizing plate at the same time as the warning design is turned on. That is, a motion can be expressed in an area close to the lit warning design without using an expensive liquid crystal panel.

  The vehicle display device according to claim 2, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is the vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the animation display region is a light transmission region, and the plurality of polarization regions is provided. Is formed by cutting a plurality of polarizing plates having different polarization directions so as to correspond to the polarization region, or by printing on a single film so that the polarization region overlaps the transmission region. Further, the polarizing plate or film is overlaid on the back side of the dial.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the polarizing region is formed by cutting a plurality of polarizing plates having different polarization directions so as to correspond to the polarizing region, or is formed by printing on a single film. The polarizing plate or the film is attached to the back side of the dial so that the polarizing region overlaps the transmission region.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the transmittance of the animation display area adjacent to the warning design changes cyclically by turning the polarizing plate at the same time when the warning design is turned on. That is, a motion can be expressed in an area close to the lit warning design without using an expensive liquid crystal panel. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicular display device that can effectively alert a warning at a low cost.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the polarizing region is formed by cutting a plurality of polarizing plates having different polarization directions so as to correspond to the polarizing region, or is formed by printing on a single film. The polarizing plate or the film is attached to the back side of the dial so that the polarizing region overlaps the transmission region. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle display device that can easily form a polarization region and can effectively alert a warning at a low cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a basic configuration of a warning unit in a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a peripheral portion of the warning design on the dial in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the polarizing film in FIG. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B are a front view and a cross-sectional view illustrating the polarizing plate control means of the vehicle display device of the invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the warning unit includes a dial 1, a polarizing film 2, a polarizing plate 3, a motor 4 and a light source 5. A polarizing film 2 is disposed on the back side of the dial 1, and a polarizing plate 3 is disposed on the back side of the polarizing film 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the polarizing film 2 may be disposed at a predetermined interval on the back side of the dial 1 or may be attached to the dial 1. The polarizing plate 3 is disposed at a predetermined interval from the polarizing film 2 and can be rotated by a motor 4. In the present specification, the front side means the viewpoint side of the driver, and the back side means the opposite side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a warning design 11 is formed and an animation display area 12 is assigned to the dial 1. As the warning design 11, a symbol mark is printed and formed in, for example, a red color different from the base print color of the dial 1. The animation display area 12 is a ring-shaped area that goes around the warning design 11, and light from the back surface of the dial 1 can be transmitted therethrough. For example, when the dial 1 is made of a transparent cloth, the animation display area 12 need only be removed (not colored).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the polarizing film 2 includes a plurality of polarizing regions 12a, 12b, and 12c having polarization axes AX12a, AX12b, and AX12c having different polarization directions so as to correspond to the animation display region 12. The polarizing regions 12a, 12b, and 12c are formed in a ring shape that circulates the warning design 11, and specifically, the diameters of the rings increase in the order of the polarizing regions 12a, 12b, and 12c, and are connected to each other. ing. For example, the polarization axis AX12b of the polarization region 12b is rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise by the polarization axis AX12a of the polarization region 12a, and the polarization axis AX12b of the polarization region 12c is rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise by the polarization axis AX12b of the polarization region 12b. It seems to have rotated.

  The polarizing plate 3 is disposed on the back surface of the dial 1 and the polarizing film 2 so as to be rotatable while overlapping with the polarizing regions 12a, 12b and 12c. The rotation axis of the polarizing plate 3 coincides with the rotation axis of the ring-shaped polarization regions 12a, 12b, and 12c. The polarizing plate 3 has a polarization axis in one direction, and this polarization axis is rotated.

  The polarizing plate 3 is rotated at a predetermined constant speed by a motor 4 constituting a part of the polarizing plate control means. A driving gear 42 meshed with the polarizing plate 3 side is connected to the rotating shaft 41 of the motor 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, for example, when a gear portion is formed on the outer periphery of the polarizing plate 3, the drive gear 42 connected to the rotating shaft 41 of the motor 4 is provided. And the polarizing plate 3 is rotated by the motor 4 about the polarizing plate rotation shaft 31.

  5A and 5B, for example, when the polarizing plate 3 is held by a disc-shaped holder 32 and a gear portion is formed on the outer periphery of the holder 32, The drive gear 42 connected to the rotation shaft 41 of the motor 4 is meshed with this, and the polarization plate 3 is rotated about the polarization plate rotation shaft 31.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the light source 5 is formed of a light emitting diode. Specifically, the light source 5 includes, for example, a red light emitting diode that emits light L1 for illuminating the warning design 11, and a light emitting diode that emits white light L2 for illuminating the animation display region 12, for example. Composed.

  Subsequently, a display device for a vehicle in which a warning unit having a configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is incorporated will be exemplified with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device in which the warning unit having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is incorporated. FIG. 6 corresponds to a cross section taken along line XX of the vehicle display device of FIG. 1 described above. The hardware configuration related to the warning control is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 9, but here the warning drive unit includes a light source, a polarizing plate, and a motor.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the meter portion M, designs (not shown) such as numbers and scales corresponding to the speed are formed on the dial 1, and the pointer 7 is rotated by the pointer motor 6. Directed by The pointer motor 6 rotates according to a speed signal from a speed sensor, for example, and rotates the pointer 7 inserted and attached to the rotary shaft 61 by a predetermined angle. A decorative ring member 8 is also mounted on the dial 1.

  The pointer motor 6 is mounted on the substrate 92. The substrate 92 is attached to the case 9 together with the dial 1. On the substrate 92, a light source 53 for illuminating other electronic components (not shown) and numbers, scales, etc. corresponding to the speed is mounted. Since the configuration of the meter unit M is well known, further detailed description is omitted.

  On the other hand, in the warning portion W, as described above, the warning design 11 is formed on the dial 1 and the animation display area 12 is assigned. On the back surface of the dial 1, the polarizing film 2 on which a plurality of polarizing regions 12a, 12b, and 12c corresponding to the animation display region 12 is formed is overlaid. A light shielding wall 91 formed integrally with the case 9 is erected at a portion corresponding to the boundary between the warning design 11 and the animation display area 12.

  Below the polarizing film 2, a rotatable polarizing plate 3 is disposed at a predetermined distance. The polarizing plate 3 is connected to a motor 4 serving as a polarizing plate control means. When the motor 4 is driven, the polarizing plate 3 is rotated by a drive gear 42 connected to a rotating shaft 41 thereof.

  In such a configuration, as is well known, in the meter unit M, the pointer motor 6 rotates and rotates the pointer 7 by a predetermined angle, for example, in accordance with a speed signal from a speed sensor. Further, the light source 53 is turned on in conjunction with the operation of the engine key or the conlite switch, and the design on the dial 1 and the ring member 8 are illuminated.

  In the warning unit W, as one of sensor signals from the sensor group 30 (see FIG. 9), the light source 51 and the light source 52 are turned on in response to a predetermined warning signal indicating, for example, a water temperature abnormality. Light L1 from the light source 51 illuminates the warning design 11 upward, and light L2 from the light source 52 illuminates the animation display area 12 upward. The polarizing plate 3 is rotated by the motor 4 in conjunction with the lighting of the light source 51 and the light source 52. Then, since the positional relationship between the polarization axis of the polarization plate 3 and each polarization axis of the plurality of polarization regions 12a, 12b, and 12c in the animation display region 12 changes as the polarization plate 3 rotates, from the viewpoint of the driver. Is visually recognized as the movement of the animation display area 12 changes as the transmittance of the polarization areas 12a, 12b and 12c changes.

  The state of movement in the animation display area 12 will be specifically described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D are front views showing the movement in the animation display area.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the polarization axis AX12b of the polarization region 12b is rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise by the polarization axis AX12a of the polarization region 12a, and the polarization axis AX12c of the polarization region 12c is The polarization axis AX12b of the polarization region 12b is rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise. However, these polarization axes AX12a, AX12b, and AX12c are fixed. On the other hand, as the polarizing plate 3 rotates, the polarization axis AX3 of the polarizing plate 3 coincides with AX12a as shown in FIG. 7A and coincides with AX12b as shown in FIG. 7B. As shown in FIG. 7C, it matches AX12c, as shown in FIG. 7D, matches AX12b in the vertical direction, and again matches AX12a as shown in FIG. It changes cyclically sequentially.

  Then, in the state of FIG. 7A, the polarization axis AX12a of the polarization region 12a and the polarization axis AX3 of the polarizing plate 3 are parallel, so that the transmittance of the polarization region 12a is the highest. On the other hand, since the polarization axis AX12c of the polarization region 12c and the polarization axis AX3 of the polarizing plate 3 are perpendicular to each other, the transmittance of the polarization region 12a is the lowest. Note that the transmittance of the polarizing region 12b is intermediate. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 7A, from the viewpoint of the driver, the innermost area of the animation display area 12 is brightest and is visually recognized to become darker toward the outside.

  7B to 7D, the positional relationship between the polarization axis of the polarizing plate 3 and the polarization axes of the plurality of polarization regions 12a, 12b, and 12c in the animation display region 12 is the same. Since it changes with the rotation of the polarizing plate 3, the transmittance of each of the polarizing regions 12a, 12b and 12c changes. Note that after the state of FIG. 7D, the state returns to the state of FIG. Such a state change is repeated cyclically. As a result, from the viewpoint of the driver, it is visually recognized that the ring-shaped region having the highest transmittance moves from the inside to the outside as the polarizing plate 3 rotates. Supplementally, at the time of abnormality, the light source 51, 52 on the back surface of the polarizing plate 3 is turned on to illuminate, for example, a red warning design 60 at the center, and the above-described movement in the ring-shaped area around this A certain display, that is, an animation display is illuminated. Therefore, the warning can be alerted very effectively.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, an animation can be expressed in a ring-shaped region around a lit warning design without using an expensive liquid crystal panel. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicular display device that can effectively alert a warning at a low cost. In addition, an unprecedented novel warning expression becomes possible.

  Needless to say, the target warning design may be other than those exemplified. The setting of the polarization axis, the animation pattern, the speed of movement (rotational speed of the polarizing plate), etc. can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, the animation pattern may not be ring-shaped depending on circumstances. In addition, the polarizing film 2 may be printed and formed on the dial 1 in the same polarization pattern as the polarizing film 2 instead of being attached to the dial 1. Further, instead of the polarizing film 2, as described above, polarizing plates having different polarization directions may be cut so as to correspond to the respective polarizing regions and attached to the back side of the dial. Furthermore, the color tones of the light sources 51 and 52 can be appropriately polarized, and the light sources 51 and 52 may be combined into one light source and used in common for the warning design and the animation display area.

It is sectional drawing which shows the basic composition of the warning part in the display apparatus for vehicles of embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the peripheral part of the warning design on the dial in FIG. It is a front view which shows the polarizing film in FIG. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are a front view and a cross-sectional view illustrating the polarizing plate control means of the vehicle display device of the present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are a front view and a cross-sectional view illustrating the polarizing plate control means of the vehicle display device of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the display apparatus for vehicles incorporating the warning part of the structure shown in FIGS. FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D are front views showing the movement in the animation display area. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of this kind of vehicle display apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions concerning warning control in this kind of vehicle display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the conventional warning.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dial 2 Polarizing film 3 Polarizing plate 11 Warning design 12 Animation display area M Meter part W Warning part

Claims (2)

A dial that is assigned as an animation display area for displaying a motion in which a warning design as a target is formed and an area close to the warning design is displayed;
A plurality of polarization regions each having a polarization axis of a different polarization direction, formed to correspond to the animation display region;
A polarizing plate disposed rotatably on the back side of the plurality of polarizing regions while overlapping with the polarizing regions;
Polarizing plate control means for rotating the polarizing plate in synchronization with lighting of the warning design,
A vehicle display device comprising: The vehicle display device according to claim 1,
The animation display area is a light transmission area,
The plurality of polarizing regions are formed by cutting a plurality of polarizing plates having different polarization directions so as to correspond to the polarizing regions, or are formed by printing on a single film. The polarizing plate or film is superimposed on the back side of the dial so as to overlap the transmission region.
A display device for a vehicle.