JP2009079971A - Instrument device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an instrument device enabling easy confirmation of the position of an operation member for operating a switch, even when the periphery is dark in the nighttime or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This device is equipped with the switch 14 having a movable part 13, a display board 7 having a display part 6, a translucent front plate 11 arranged on the front side of the display board 7 and having a through hole 10, the operation member 15 for operating the movable part 13, and a light emitting diode 17 (light source) for the display board for illuminating the display part 6. The operation member 15 has an operation part 25 inserted into the through hole 10 and extending to the front side of the front plate 11, a light receiving part 26 for receiving light from the light emitting diode 17 for the display board, a light guide part 27 for guiding light entering from the light receiving part 26 to the operation part 25 side, and an emission part 29 for emitting light guided in the light guide part 27 to the periphery of the through hole 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an instrument device provided with an operation member for operating a switch arranged inside the instrument device from the outside of the instrument device.

  Generally, an instrument device for a vehicle is provided with a display unit having a display unit for displaying information such as a travel distance, an outside temperature, and a time. These display units can be switched in display by operating an operation member protruding to the front side of the instrument device. As this kind of instrument device, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. ing.

The instrument device described in Patent Document 1 includes a pointer-type speedometer and tachometer, a liquid crystal display element D3 that displays information such as a vehicle travel distance, fuel consumption, outside temperature, and time, and the liquid crystal display element D3. The operation shaft 12 (operation member) that switches the display information according to the user's operation is provided. The operation shaft 12 penetrates the turn-back member 8 and the fluoroscopic panel 9 and protrudes to the front side of the fluoroscopic panel 9. . Then, by pressing the tip of the operation shaft 12, the switch element 11 provided on the circuit board 5 is operated to switch the display portion displayed on the liquid crystal display element D3.
JP 2003-200756 A

  However, the instrument device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that even if the operation shaft 12 (operation member) is operated at night, the operation shaft 12 is difficult to visually recognize and cannot be operated smoothly.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide an instrument device that can easily confirm the position of an operation member that operates a switch even when the surroundings are dark, such as at night.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a switch having a movable part, a translucent front plate disposed on the front side of the switch and having a through hole, an operation member for operating the movable part, and a light source. The operating member is inserted into the through hole and extends to the front side of the front plate; a light receiving unit that receives light from the light source; and light incident from the light receiving unit on the operating unit side A light guide part for guiding and a light emitting part for emitting light guided in the light guide part from the rear surface side of the front plate to the periphery of the through hole.

  A switch having a movable portion; a display plate disposed on the front side of the switch and having a display portion; a translucent front plate disposed on the front side of the display plate and having a through hole; and the movable portion. An operation member to be operated and a light source for illuminating the display unit, the operation member being inserted into the through hole and extending to the front side of the front plate, and a light receiving unit for receiving light from the light source A light guide that guides light incident from the light receiving unit to the operation unit, and an output unit that emits the light guided in the light guide from the rear side of the front plate to the periphery of the through hole. It is what you have.

  The front plate has a ring-shaped decorative portion protruding forward around the through hole, and the decorative portion emits light by light emitted from the emitting portion.

  Further, the front plate has a ring-shaped light receiving portion protruding rearward around the through hole, and the periphery of the through hole emits light emitted from the light emitting portion and incident from the ring light receiving portion. It will be.

  Further, the operation section is made of a dark color and impermeable material.

  Further, the light guide part has a light shielding part around it.

  Even when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, an instrument device can be obtained in which the position of the operating member for operating the switch can be easily confirmed.

  The present invention will be described as an embodiment of an instrument device provided in a vehicle, for example. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an instrument device showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a main part of the instrument device.

  The instrument device includes a rigid circuit board 1 and a rotating shaft 2 that is attached to the circuit board 1 in a conductive state on the back side of the circuit board 1 and extends forward through the circuit board 1. A meter body 3, a pointer 5 fixed to the rotating shaft 2 and having an indicator 4, and a display unit such as a scale and a number indicating the speed of the vehicle, which is disposed behind the pointer 5 and is an indication target of the indicator 4 6, a case 8 arranged between the display board 7 and the circuit board 1 and holding the display board 7, and a display board 7 visible on the surface side of the periphery of the display board 7. A turning member 9 for defining the region is provided.

  Also, the front plate 11 that covers the front side of the display plate 7 and the turn-back member 9 and has the through hole 10, the synthetic resin cover 12 that covers the back side of the circuit board 1, and the circuit board 1 are fixed by soldering. A switch 14 having a movable portion 13, an operation member 15 for pressing the movable portion 13 of the switch 14, a pointer light emitting diode 16 as a light source mounted on the circuit board 1, and a display plate light emitting diode 17 are provided. At night or the like, the light emitting diodes 16 and 17 are turned on to illuminate the indication unit 4 of the pointer 5 and the display unit 6 of the display board 7, respectively.

  The case 8 is made of, for example, a white synthetic resin having a light shielding property, and a cylindrical portion 18 disposed between the display board 7 and the circuit board 1 so as to surround the pointer light emitting diode 16, and the periphery of the cylindrical portion 18. And a first reflecting wall 19 that reflects light from the light emitting diode 17 for the display panel to the surroundings, and toward the peripheral side of the display panel 7 so as to surround the cylindrical portion 18 from the periphery of the light emitting diode 17 for the display panel. An inclined second reflecting portion 20, a daylighting hole 21 provided in the second reflecting portion 20 for guiding light from the light emitting diode 17 for the display plate to the operation member 15, and the display plate 7 are placed. A mounting portion 22, a hole portion 23 provided in the mounting portion 22 through which the operation member 15 is inserted, a peripheral wall 24, and the like.

  The operation member 15 is inserted into the through hole 10 of the front plate 11 and extends to the front side (the viewer side of the instrument device), a light receiving unit 26 that receives light from the light emitting diode 17 for the display panel, A light guide unit 27 that guides light incident from the light receiving unit 26 to the operation unit 25 side, and a light guide unit 27 that is provided on the distal end side (operation unit 25 side) of the light guide unit 27 and guides the light guided in the light guide unit 27. A light emitting portion 29 that is reflected by the first reflecting surface 28 and is emitted from the rear surface side (display plate 7 side) of the front plate 11 to the periphery of the through hole 10, and is provided between the light guide portion 27 and the light receiving portion 26. The guide portion 30, the shaft portion 32 inserted through the hole portion 31 of the circuit board 1, the pressing portion 33 provided between the light receiving portion 26 and the shaft portion 32 and pressing the movable portion 13 of the switch 14, And a light shielding portion 34 provided around the light portion 27.

  The light receiving unit 26, the light guiding unit 27, the emitting unit 29, the shaft unit 32, and the pressing unit 33 are made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin, but the operation unit 25, the guide unit 30, and the light shielding unit 34 are dark and opaque materials. These are made of, for example, black synthetic resin, and these (operation member 15) are integrally formed.

  The front plate 11 is made of translucent, for example, colorless and transparent synthetic resin. The front plate 11 protrudes forward around the through hole 10 and protrudes rearward (display plate 7 side) around the through hole 10. The ring-shaped light receiving unit 36 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 29 of the operation member 15. The ring-shaped light receiving unit 36 receives the light incident on the ring-shaped light receiving unit 36 toward the decoration unit 35. A reflective surface 37 for reflection is provided.

  The operation member 15 is held between the case 8 and the circuit board 1. That is, the coil spring 38 is disposed around the shaft portion 32 between the pressing portion 33 of the operation member 15 and the circuit board 1, and the operation member 15 is urged forward by the repulsive force of the coil spring 38, so that the guide portion 30 is The case 8 is held in contact with the placement portion 22. The operation of the switch 14 is performed by operating the operation member 15. In other words, the coil spring 38 is compressed by pressing the operation unit 25 downward, and the pressing unit 33 presses the movable unit 13 of the switch 14 to switch, for example, a display of a travel distance (not shown) (total integration displayed on the liquid crystal). Value and trip integrated value can be switched, or trip integrated value can be set to zero).

  In the instrument device configured as described above, when the display panel light emitting diode 17 that emits white light, for example, is turned on when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the light from the display panel light emitting diode 17 is reflected by the first reflection of the case 8. The display unit 6 is illuminated by being reflected by the wall 19 toward the second reflection unit 20 and reflected by the second reflection unit 20 to irradiate the back surface of the display plate 7. Alternatively, there is also light that illuminates the display unit 6 by directly irradiating the back surface of the display plate 7.

  At this time, a part of the light reflected by the first reflecting wall 19 of the case 8 and directed toward the second reflecting portion 20 side passes through the daylighting hole 21 provided in the second reflecting portion 20. The light enters the light receiving unit 26, is reflected within the light receiving unit 26, and proceeds through the light guide unit 27 toward the operation unit 25. The light guided in the light guide portion 27 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 28 and is emitted from the emission portion 29 to the periphery of the through hole 10.

  The light emitted from the emitting portion 29 enters the ring-shaped light receiving portion 36 of the front plate 11, is reflected by the reflecting surface 37, and is emitted forward from the ring-shaped decorative portion 35 that protrudes around the through hole 10. .

  As described above, the switch 14 having the movable portion 13, the translucent front plate 11 disposed on the front side of the switch 14 and having the through hole 10, the operation member 15 for operating the movable portion 13, and the display plate The operation member 15 includes a light emitting diode 17. The operation member 15 is inserted into the through hole 10 and extends to the front side of the front plate 11. The light receiving unit 26 receives light from the light emitting diode 17 for display panel. A light guide section 27 that guides light incident from the section 26 to the operation section 25 side, and an output section 29 that emits the light guided through the light guide section 27 from the rear surface side of the front plate 11 to the periphery of the through hole 10. With this configuration, the light from the light emitting diode 17 for the display plate is emitted from the emission portion 29 and shines around the through hole 10 of the front plate 11. Therefore, even when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the position of the operation member 15 can be easily confirmed, and an instrument device capable of smooth switch operation can be obtained.

  Further, by providing a ring-shaped decorative portion 35 that protrudes forward around the through hole 10 of the front plate 11 so that the decorative portion 35 emits light by the light emitted from the light emitting portion 29, the portion that emits light is constant ( Since it is on the front side with respect to other portions of the front plate 11 excluding the decoration portion 35, an instrument device with excellent design can be obtained.

  Further, a ring-shaped light receiving part 36 protruding rearward around the through hole 10 of the front plate 11 is provided, and the periphery of the through hole 10 is emitted by the light emitted from the emitting part 29 and incident from the ring shaped light receiving part 36. As a result, the light from the light emitting diode 17 for the display panel can be efficiently guided to the periphery of the through hole 10, and the periphery of the through hole 10 around the operation member 15 can be brightly illuminated. Therefore, the position of the operation member 15 can be easily confirmed even when the surroundings are dark, such as at night.

  Further, when the operation unit 25 constituting the operation member 15 is made of, for example, a black synthetic resin which is a dark and impermeable material, the operation unit 25 can be operated when the surrounding is bright, for example, the operation unit 25 is a colorless and transparent material. Although it is difficult for the unit 25 to recognize, there is a sense of incongruity. Further, since the operation unit 25 does not emit light even when the surroundings are dark, the visibility of the instrument device is good (if the operation unit 25 with a large area seems to shine, the operation unit 25 tends to be caught). . The dark color system is not limited to black, and may be dark ash, dark blue, dark brown, or the like.

  Moreover, by providing the light shielding part 34 around the light guide part 27, light leaking from the periphery of the light guide part 27 can be suppressed, and an instrument device with good visibility can be obtained. Note that the light-shielding portion 34 may not be provided as long as the visibility is not adversely affected.

  In addition to the above-described effects, the display unit 6 can be illuminated by an instrument device that includes a display plate 7 having the display unit 6 and a light source (light emitting diode 17 for display plate) that illuminates the display unit 6. By making the light from the light source incident on the light receiving portion 26 of the operation member 15, a dedicated light source for the operation member 15 is not required, and the cost increase can be suppressed.

  FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the main part of the instrument device showing the second embodiment of the present invention. Since this embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the operation member and the front plate, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as in the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the light guide 27 of the operation member 15 is provided with a second reflecting surface 39. The second reflection surface 39 reflects the light guided through the light guide 27 and reflected by the first reflection surface 28 toward the through hole 10. Further, the decorative portion 35 and the ring-shaped light receiving portion 36 as in the first embodiment are not provided around the through hole 10 of the front plate 11.

  In the instrument device configured as described above, the light from the light emitting diode 17 for the display panel guided through the light guide 27 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 28 and then reflected by the second reflecting surface 39. Then, the light is emitted from the emitting portion 29 to the periphery of the through hole 10 of the front plate 11. The emitted light emits light around the through hole 10. Therefore, even when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the position of the operation member 15 can be easily confirmed, and an instrument device capable of smooth switch operation can be obtained.

  FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an essential part of an instrument device showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the operation member and the facing member are different from the above embodiments. In the present embodiment, the light guide part 27 of the operation member 15 is not provided with the light shielding part 34.

  The facing member 9 is made of, for example, black synthetic resin, covers the peripheral side of the display board 7, and extends around the operation member 15. The facing member 9 is provided with a hole 23A through which the operation member 15 is inserted, and a light shielding wall 40 extending in the front-rear direction (the front plate 11 and the display plate 7 side) is integrally provided at the periphery of the hole 23A. .

  In the instrument device configured as described above, the light from the light emitting diode 17 for the display panel guided through the light guide 27 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 28 as in the first embodiment. The light is emitted from the emission part 29 around the through hole 10. The light emitted from the emitting portion 29 enters the ring-shaped light receiving portion 36 of the front plate 11, is reflected by the reflecting surface 37, and is emitted forward from the ring-shaped decorative portion 35 that protrudes around the through hole 10. . Therefore, even when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the position of the operation member 15 can be easily confirmed, and an instrument device capable of smooth switch operation can be obtained.

  At this time, the light shielding portion 34 is not provided around the light guide portion 27, but the light shielding wall 40 is provided at the periphery of the hole portion 23 </ b> A of the turning member 9. The leaking light can be suppressed, and an instrument device with good visibility can be obtained. As long as the visibility is not adversely affected, the light shielding wall 40 may not be provided.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may be a combination of the embodiments. Further, although the light incident on the light receiving portion 26 of the operation member 15 is the light from the light source that illuminates the display plate 7, a dedicated light source may be used. Moreover, although the switch 14 is a pressing type, it may be a rotary type or may be provided with both switches.

The fragmentary sectional view of the measuring device which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. The principal part detailed sectional view of the instrument device. The principal part detailed sectional drawing of the measuring device which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The principal part detailed sectional drawing of the measuring device which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

6 Display unit 7 Display plate 10 Through hole 11 Front plate 13 Movable unit 14 Switch 15 Operation member 17 Light emitting diode for display plate (light source)
25 Operation unit 26 Light receiving unit 27 Light guide unit 29 Output unit 34 Light blocking unit 35 Decoration unit

Claims (6)

  A switch having a movable portion; a translucent front plate having a through-hole disposed on the front side of the switch; an operation member for operating the movable portion; and a light source, wherein the operation member includes the through-hole. An operation portion that is inserted through the front plate and extends to the front side of the front plate, a light receiving portion that receives light from the light source, a light guide portion that guides light incident from the light receiving portion to the operation portion side, and an inside of the light guide portion And a light emitting portion for emitting light guided from the rear surface side of the front plate to the periphery of the through hole.   A switch having a movable part, a display plate arranged on the front side of the switch and having a display part, a translucent front plate arranged on the front side of the display board and having a through hole, and operating the movable part An operation member; and a light source that illuminates the display unit, wherein the operation member is inserted into the through-hole and extends to the front side of the front plate; and a light receiving unit that receives light from the light source; A light guide section that guides light incident from the light receiving section to the operation section side, and an output section that emits the light guided in the light guide section from the rear surface side of the front plate to the periphery of the through hole. Instrument device characterized by.   The said front board has a ring-shaped decoration part which protrudes ahead around the said through-hole, The said decoration part light-emits by the light radiate | emitted from the said emission part, or characterized by the above-mentioned. The instrument device according to claim 2.   The front plate has a ring-shaped light receiving portion projecting rearward around the through hole, and the periphery of the through hole is emitted by light emitted from the light emitting portion and incident from the ring-shaped light receiving portion. The instrument device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   The instrument device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation unit is made of a dark color and impermeable material.   The instrument device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide portion includes a light shielding portion around the light guide portion.

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