JP2009192435A - Pointer instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a good looking pointer instrument capable of creating three-dimensional feeling. <P>SOLUTION: The pointer instrument 100 includes: a dial 2 on which a background 26, except a display design area 25, is dark colored; a rotating internal mechanism 3 being disposed on a viewer side of the dial 2 and having a pointer shaft 31 extending to the viewer; and a pointer 4 fixed at the tip of the pointer shaft 31, wherein a dark colored semi transparent panel 7 having a shape capable of shielding at least the visible range of the rotating internal mechanism 3 from the viewer is placed between the rotating internal mechanism 3 and the rotating face of the pointer 4. By the light shielding function of the dark colored semi-transparent panel 7, the massive feeling of the rotating internal mechanism 3 is reduced resulting in looking good, and by creating the floating feeling of the pointer 4 and the rotating internal mechanism 3 from the dial 2 and the feeling of the depth by the dark colored semi-transparent panel 7 and the dial 2, the pointer instrument 100 exhibiting the three-dimensional feeling is realized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pointer instrument suitable for being employed in an automobile or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a pointer instrument configured to dispose a motor for driving a pointer on a viewer side of a dial as in a pointer instrument disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP 2006-162569 A

  In the pointer instrument in which the motor for driving the pointer is disposed on the viewer side of the dial, there is a problem that the motor disposed on the viewer side of the dial impairs the appearance of the pointer instrument. Moreover, even if the dial, the pointer, and the motor are three-dimensionally arranged in the viewer direction, they have not produced a three-dimensional effect.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pointer instrument with excellent appearance that produces a stereoscopic effect.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the dial is provided on the viewer side of the dial plate, and the dial that extends to the viewer side except for the display design. A pointer instrument comprising a rotating inner unit having a shaft and a pointer fixed to a tip of a pointer shaft, and at least a viewer of the rotating inner unit between the rotating inner unit and a rotating surface of the pointer A dark semi-translucent panel having a shape covering the visible range is provided.

  The turning inner unit is visually recognized by the viewer recognizing light that is incident on the pointer instrument and is reflected to the viewer side on the outer surface of the turning inner unit. According to this invention, most of the light reflected to the viewer side on the outer surface of the rotating inner unit is caused by the dark translucent panel having a shape covering the visible range from the viewer of the rotating inner unit. It is shielded and the amount of light is reduced. With this configuration, the turning inner unit is provided with a pointer instrument with excellent appearance that is not clearly visible and reduces the mass feeling of the turning inner unit located on the viewer side of the dial. be able to.

  Further, the amount of incident external light is less on the dial side of the rotating inner unit. In addition, the background of the dial is dark and does not reflect extraneous light. Combined with this structure and the light-shielding action of the dark translucent panel, the appearance of the rotating inner unit gradually becomes unclear toward the dial side which is the back side in the viewing direction. By this blurring action on the inner side of the rotating inner unit, it is possible to create a floating feeling in which the pointer and the rotating inner unit are floating from the dial.

  In addition, the distance between the dark-colored translucent panel and the dial can be visually confirmed by the appearance of the rotating inner unit slightly transmitted through the dark-colored translucent panel, The depth can be clearly perceived.

  By creating the sense of depth and creating the floating feeling described above, it is possible to provide a pointer instrument that produces a three-dimensional effect.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the display design is formed so as to be capable of emitting light on the surface of the dial plate facing the rotation area of the tip portion of the pointer and the viewing direction, and the display design is transmitted through the back side of the display design. The light source that illuminates is arranged, and the dark translucent panel is shaped to cover the dial, and the dark translucent panel gradually increases the light transmittance along the direction of extension of the rotating pointer. It is characterized by having a gradation structure.

  According to this invention, the display design which can be light-emitted is formed in the outer peripheral part of a dial. Since the dark translucent panel has a gradation structure along the direction of extension of the pointer, the light transmissivity of the dark translucent panel located in the viewing direction of the display design is high and depends on the display design that emits light. The outer periphery is visually recognized with high brightness. On the other hand, the inner peripheral portion of the dial and the periphery of the rotating inner unit are visually recognized with low lightness because the light transmissivity of the dark translucent panel is low. A high contrast can be obtained by the enhancement effect of the brightness difference between the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the dial plate by the dark translucent panel, and it is possible to provide a pointer instrument having a better appearance.

  Further, the portion with high brightness is visually recognized at a position closer to the actual position, and the portion with low brightness is visually recognized at a position further than the actual position. From this visual recognition characteristic, it is possible to provide a pointer instrument in which the outer peripheral portion of the dial is visually recognized at a closer position and the inner peripheral portion is visually recognized on a farther side, thereby producing a three-dimensional effect.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the gradation structure has a wedge-shaped cross section in which the plate thickness of the dark translucent panel gradually decreases along the extending direction of the rotating pointer. According to the present invention, the light transmission in the gradation structure is provided by the thickness of the dark translucent panel. According to this structure, the above-described brightness difference enhancement and stereoscopic effect can be more easily performed.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the viewer-side surface of the dark translucent panel and the turning surface of the pointer are close to each other. According to the present invention, the plane on which the dark-colored translucent panel is positioned is visually enhanced by the configuration in which the rotating surface of the pointer is close to the dark-colored translucent panel. A sense of depth is created by recognizing the distance between the dark translucent panel and the dial, and the plane on which the dark translucent panel is located is visually emphasized by turning the pointer. By doing so, a sense of depth can be imparted more strongly. By this action, it is possible to provide a pointer instrument that produces a more stereoscopic effect.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a casing is provided on the outer peripheral side of the dark translucent panel, and the dark translucent panel is supported by the casing at the outer peripheral edge. Is supported by a dark translucent panel. According to this invention, the support | pillar member for supporting a rotation inner machine becomes unnecessary by the structure by which a rotation inner machine is supported via a dark-colored translucent panel. This strut member cannot be thinned because it requires strength to support the rotating inner unit. For this reason, in the structure in which the support member is disposed on the front face of the dial, the appearance is remarkably impaired.

  Furthermore, in the structure in which the thick support member supports the rotating inner unit, it is difficult to give the viewer a floating feeling of the pointer and the rotating inner unit. The abolition of the strut members by supporting the rotating inner unit with the dark translucent panel avoids deterioration of the appearance and provides a feeling of floating of the pointer and the rotating inner unit. Can be provided.

  In the invention according to claim 6, a dial, a rotating inner unit having a pointer shaft disposed on the viewer side of the dial and extending to the viewer side, and a pointer fixed to the tip of the pointer shaft A transparent instrument having a shape covering at least a visible range from a viewer of the rotating inner unit is disposed between the rotating inner unit and the rotating surface of the pointer. The light-sensitive panel has a cross-sectional shape that is convexly curved along the extension direction of the pointer so that the plate thickness gradually increases toward the dial side.

  The turning inner unit is visually recognized by the viewer recognizing light that is incident on the pointer instrument and is reflected to the viewer side on the outer surface of the turning inner unit. According to this invention, the light reflected to the viewer side on the outer surface of the rotating inner unit has a shape that covers the visible range from the viewer of the rotating inner unit, and has a translucency that is convexly curved toward the dial side. The panel is refracted toward the outer peripheral side, which is the direction in which the pointer extends. A viewer who visually recognizes the refracted light recognizes that the position of the rotating inner unit is on the extension line of the refracted light, and is closer to the inner periphery than the actual side and the viewer. By this action, the rotating inner unit can be visually recognized smaller than the actual one, the feeling of mass can be reduced, and a pointer instrument with excellent appearance can be provided.

  In addition, the configuration in which the pointer is disposed on the viewer side of the translucent panel prevents the pointer from being visually distorted due to the convex curve of the translucent panel. As a result, it is possible to provide a pointer meter with excellent appearance.

  Further, as the dial side is farther from the translucent panel, the refracting action of the translucent panel is more effective, and the appearance of the rotating inner unit is distorted to gradually contract toward the dial side. The viewer has a characteristic that the object farther away from the viewer has a characteristic of perceiving smaller and perceiving perspective, so it contracts toward the dial side and visually reduces the appearance of the rotating inner unit. The depth on the dial side can be clearly perceived. In addition, by the rotating inner unit, the distance between the translucent panel and the dial can be visually recognized, and the depth can be perceived more clearly. By creating the perception of depth, it is possible to provide a pointer instrument that produces a three-dimensional effect.

  In the invention according to claim 7, the translucent panel is shaped to cover the dial, and the outer peripheral portion of the translucent panel that is visible from the viewer of the rotating inner unit is a rotating pointer. It has a cross-sectional shape that curves along the extension direction so that the thickness of the dial gradually decreases toward the dial, and a display design is formed on the outer surface of the transmission panel and the surface of the dial facing the viewing direction. And

  According to this invention, the light reflected from the display design to the viewer side is refracted to the inner peripheral side of the pointer by the translucent panel that is convexly curved toward the dial side. A viewer who visually recognizes the refracted light recognizes that the display design is located on the extended line of the refracted light. By this action, the visually recognized display design is located on the outer peripheral side and the viewer side from the actual size, and is enlarged in the extension direction of the pointer. With this display design, it is possible to make the diameter of the pointer instrument larger, and it is possible to provide a powerful and excellent pointer instrument.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the viewer side surface of the translucent panel and the rotating surface of the pointer are close to each other. According to this invention, the plane in which the translucent panel is located is visually enhanced by the configuration in which the pointer is close to the translucent panel. A sense of depth is created by recognizing the distance between the translucent panel and the dial, and the plane on which the translucent panel is located is visually enhanced by the rotation of the pointer. Can be applied more strongly. By this action, it is possible to provide a pointer instrument that produces a more stereoscopic effect.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a casing is provided on the outer peripheral side of the translucent panel, the translucent panel is supported by the casing at the outer peripheral edge, and the rotating inner unit is provided by the translucent panel. It is supported. According to this invention, the support | pillar member for supporting a rotation inner machine becomes unnecessary by the structure by which a rotation inner machine is supported via a translucent panel. This strut member cannot be thinned because it requires strength to support the rotating inner unit. For this reason, in the structure in which the support member is disposed on the front face of the dial, the appearance is remarkably impaired. By eliminating the support members, it is possible to provide a pointer instrument that can produce a more three-dimensional effect by avoiding deterioration in appearance.

  In a tenth aspect of the present invention, the dial is a liquid crystal display device. According to the present invention, since it is possible to control the liquid crystal display device and change the displayed color and transmissivity, it is possible to change the display design according to the viewer's preference and the vehicle situation. Various information displays can be switched. With this configuration, the degree of freedom in design is expanded, and it is possible to provide a pointer instrument with excellent appearance.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the pointer is formed of a light-transmitting material and includes a light source that makes light incident on the pointer. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pointer instrument having a higher appearance by turning the pointer to emit light and having high brightness and turning. Furthermore, a visual advancement action occurs due to brightness, and the pointer is visually recognized at a position closer to the viewer side, creating a feeling of floating from the dial. As a result, it is possible to provide a pointer instrument that provides a more stereoscopic effect.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the pointer instrument according to the present invention is suitable for a combination meter 100 mounted on an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a front view of a combination meter 100 which is a pointer meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the combination meter 100, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II.

  The combination meter 100 is disposed at a position visible from the viewer in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle, and displays various information related to the vehicle. A combination meter 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a tachometer 100a for indicating the rotational speed of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle as shown in FIG. 1, other instruments and various indicators (not shown), Various warning lights and the like are included in the configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the index of the rotation speed by the tachometer 100 a is made by the rotating pointer 4 and the display design 25 displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2. The display design 25 includes a scale image 25a and a character image 25b.

  Below, the structure of the combination meter 100 by 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG. 1 and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the combination meter 100 includes a liquid crystal display panel 2 having a backlight 21 on the back side thereof. The liquid crystal display panel 2 uses a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal panel that is a dot matrix type in which various types of information can be displayed and pixels are uniformly arranged in a lattice pattern. The transmission of light emitted from the backlight 21 is controlled to enable various image displays.

  In the present embodiment, the illumination by the backlight 21 is performed by an edge light method in which the light of the white LED 21a is incident from the end of the light guide plate 21b formed from a light-transmitting material such as resin. However, a light source such as a cold cathode tube may be used instead of the LED 21a.

  The liquid crystal display panel 2 includes a liquid crystal control circuit 22 that performs drive control for displaying an image and lighting control of the backlight 21, and the liquid crystal control circuit 22 is on the back side of the liquid crystal display panel 2 (lower side in FIG. 2). Is electrically connected to the first circuit board 51 disposed on the board. On the first circuit board 51, a controller 52 for controlling the movement 3 and the LEDs 43 described later is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the movement 3 is disposed at the center of the liquid crystal display panel 2 on the viewer side (upper side in FIG. 2), and the pointer shaft 31 extends from the movement 3 to the viewer side. A pointer fixing portion 42 to which the pointer 4 is fixed is attached to the tip of the pointer shaft 31, and the pointer 4 is configured to be rotatable integrally with the pointer shaft 31.

  In a space formed between the movement 3 and the pointer fixing portion 42, an LED 43 for introducing light into the pointer 4 and the LED 43 are mounted, and a second circuit in which a wiring circuit to the LED 43 and the movement 3 is formed. The substrate 56 is accommodated and disposed in the cylindrical support member 33.

  The pointer 4 is formed of a translucent resin material, and the whole emits light by light introduced from the LED 43. The pointer fixing portion 42 and the support member 33 are formed of a material that does not have translucency, and the pointer fixing portion 42 and the support member 33 prevent the light from the LED 43 from leaking to the outside. Furthermore, the inner surface side of the support member 33 is coated with a white coating for improving the reflectance, so that the pointer 4 emits light with higher brightness. Further, the outer surface where the pointer 4 is fixed to the pointer fixing portion 42 is covered with a pointer cover 41 formed of a material that does not have translucency, and the appearance of the combination meter 100 is prevented from deteriorating. In the present embodiment, the emission color of the LED 43 is red, but other emission colors may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a disk-like dark translucent panel 7 is disposed so as to be close to the back side (lower side of FIG. 2) of the rotating surface of the pointer 4. Here, the rotation surface is a surface formed by a locus drawn by one side located on the back side of the pointer 4 by the rotation of the pointer shaft 31. The dark translucent panel 7 is formed of, for example, a material in which a fine powder having light diffusibility is mixed in a colorless and transparent resin or the like, and the light transmittance is determined depending on the amount of the fine powder mixed therein. Is adjusted.

  The dark translucent panel 7 has a wedge-shaped cross section in which the plate thickness gradually decreases along the direction in which the pointer 4 extends. With this cross-sectional shape, a gradation structure is obtained in which the light transmittance increases toward the outer peripheral side. This gradation structure may be provided by printing in which an arbitrary light transmittance is formed, or may be combined with the above-described cross-sectional shape. With this structure, the light transmittance can be adjusted even with a homogeneous translucent material.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 75 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the movement 3 is formed in the central portion of the dark translucent panel 7. The above-described support member 33 that accommodates the LED 43 and the second circuit board 56 is fixed and supported on the inner surface 75a of the opening 75 formed at the center of the dark translucent panel 7. Further, the movement 3 is supported by the second circuit board 56 fixed to the support member 33.

  A cylindrical front case 10a constituting the housing 10 of the combination meter 100 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the dark translucent panel 7, and the dark translucent panel 7 has an outer peripheral edge portion. 73 is supported by the front case 10a. As a result, the movement 3 is supported by the front case 10 a via the dark translucent panel 7, the support member 33, and the second circuit board 56.

  This structure eliminates the need for a support member for connecting the front case 10a and the movement 3 as seen in a pointer instrument having the movement 3 disposed on the viewer side of a conventional dial. Can be prevented.

  Since the front case 10a supports the entire outer peripheral edge 73 of the dark translucent panel 7, the supporting rigidity of the movement 3 is increased, and abnormal noise due to vibration, which is a problem under in-vehicle conditions, is generated. Deter. In addition, the movement 3 is brought into contact with the liquid crystal display panel 2 and the contact surface is joined with an adhesive or the like, whereby the support of the movement 3 can be further ensured. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which urges | moves the movement 3 to the liquid crystal display panel 2 by the elasticity of the dark translucent panel 7, and generation | occurrence | production of abnormal noise is also possible under the vibration environment in vehicle-mounted conditions by these structures. Deterrence is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 11 is joined to the viewer side end surface of the front case 10a. The front panel is formed from, for example, a transparent resin and has high translucency.

  The above-described front case 10a, front panel 11, and rear case 10b constitute the housing 10 of the combination meter 100. The front case 10a and the rear case 10b are formed of, for example, ABS resin. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear case 10 b that is a bottomed container is in contact with the end surface of the front case 10 a opposite to the viewer side, and the rear case 10 b and the front case 10 a sandwich the liquid crystal display panel 2. .

  The rear case 10b accommodates the first circuit board 51 described above. The circuit wiring 57 shown in FIG. 1 is once exposed from the support member 33 to the viewer side of the liquid crystal display panel 2, and is accommodated therein on the front case 10a side. The circuit wiring 57 electrically connects the first circuit board 51 and the second circuit board 56 shown in FIG. 2, transmits a control signal of the controller 52 to the movement 3 and the LED 43, and operates them. Supply power. As an electric conductor forming the circuit wiring 57, for example, a flexible printed circuit board, a coated conductor, or the like is used. The portion exposed to the viewer side of the liquid crystal display panel 2 of the circuit wiring 57 shown in FIG. 1 is difficult to be visually recognized by the viewer because the outer surface is coated with black, so that the appearance of the combination meter 100 can be improved. The structure is not damaged.

  Hereinafter, characteristic operations and effects of the configuration of the combination meter 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the combination meter 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the movement 3 is disposed on the viewer side of the liquid crystal display panel 2, and the viewer has the dark gradation structure on the viewer side. A dark translucent panel 7 is provided. The movement 3 is visually recognized when the viewer recognizes the light reflected by the outer surface of the movement 3 toward the viewer. The light source that irradiates the movement 3 is external light incident on the combination meter 100.

  In order for the extraneous light to reach the movement 3, it is necessary to pass through the dark-colored translucent panel 7. At this time, the amount of extraneous light is reduced by the dark translucent panel 7. Further, a part of the extraneous light transmitted through the dark translucent panel 7 is absorbed by the liquid crystal display panel 2 where the ground portion 26 other than the display design 25 displays a dark color. The light shielding effect of the dark translucent panel 7 and the absorption effect of the liquid crystal display panel 2 suppress the amount of extraneous light that irradiates the movement 3.

  Since the amount of incident extraneous light is smaller on the liquid crystal display panel 2 side which is the back side in the viewing direction, the light absorbing action of the ground portion 26 of the liquid crystal display panel 2 and the dark-colored semi-transmissive Combined with the light blocking effect of the light-emitting panel 7, the appearance of the movement 3 becomes gradually unclear from the dark-colored semi-transparent panel 7 side toward the liquid crystal display panel 2 side, making it difficult to see. Thus, the blurring action on the back side of the movement 3 can create a floating feeling such that the pointer 4 and the movement 3 are floating.

  Further, the appearance of the movement 3 is visually perceived through the dark semi-transparent panel 7 even if the movement 3 is unclear. As shown in FIG. 2, the visually recognized movement 3 is a member that substantially connects the dark translucent panel 7 and the liquid crystal display panel 2. By visually connecting the dark translucent panel 7 and the liquid crystal display panel 2 to the appearance of the movement 3, the interval between these two members can be visually recognized more clearly. By this visual recognition effect, it becomes possible for the viewer to reliably perceive the depth of the liquid crystal display panel 2 with respect to the dark translucent panel 7, and a sense of depth is created.

  The creation of the depth feeling and the above-described creation of the floating feeling can provide the combination meter 100 in which a three-dimensional effect is produced.

  Further, in the conventional pointer instrument, the movement 3 disposed on the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel 2 is clearly visually recognized, and the mass feeling impairs the appearance of the combination meter 100. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the amount of light irradiating the movement 3 is reduced by the light absorbing action of the ground portion 26 of the liquid crystal display panel 2 and the light shielding action of the dark translucent panel 7 described above. In addition, since most of the reflected light from the outer surface of the movement 3 is also blocked, it is difficult to reach the viewer. For this reason, the movement 3 is not clearly seen by the viewer. Thereby, the mass feeling of the movement 3 is reduced, and the combination meter 100 with excellent appearance can be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display panel 2 displays a display design 25 for displaying the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine as a pointer on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal display panel 2 during normal driving of the vehicle. At this time, since the position of the display design 25 that performs light emission display and the position of the movement 3 are separated from each other, the light emitted from the display design 25 does not irradiate the movement 3. With this configuration, since the amount of light that irradiates the movement 3 is further suppressed, the movement 3 becomes difficult to be visually recognized by a viewer, and the appearance of the combination meter 100 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light reflected by the movement 3 toward the viewer side needs to pass through the dark semi-transparent panel 7, thereby reducing the amount of light. In particular, since the dark-colored translucent panel 7 has a wedge-shaped cross section that gradually decreases along the extension direction of the pointer 4, the light transmittance on the inner peripheral side is low, and the amount of light is greatly reduced. .

  With this structure, the display design 25 displayed on the outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal display panel 2 maintains high lightness because the light transmissivity of the dark translucent panel 7 located in the viewing direction is high. Visible. Compared with the outer peripheral portion, the inner peripheral portion that is the periphery of the movement 3 is visually recognized with very low lightness because the light transmissivity of the dark translucent panel 7 is low. The gradation structure provided in the dark translucent panel 7 can provide the combination meter 100 with an excellent appearance by enhancing the brightness difference between the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion, that is, the contrast.

  In addition, there is a characteristic that a portion with high brightness is visually recognized at a position closer to the viewer than the actual one, and a portion with low brightness is visually recognized at a position farther than the actual one. Since the display design 25 that emits light is displayed on the outer peripheral side of the liquid crystal display panel 2 and the light transmittance of the dark-colored translucent panel 7 is high, the lightness is high and the viewer side is more visually recognized than the actual one. . Compared with the outer peripheral part, the inner peripheral part with extremely low brightness is visually recognized at a position farther from the viewer than the actual one. A visual three-dimensional effect can be imparted to the flat liquid crystal display panel 2 by the advancing / retreating action due to the brightness difference.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the pointer 4 rotates in the vicinity of the viewer-side surface of the dark translucent panel 7, and the pointer 4 emits light with high brightness and high saturation by light incident from the LED 43. To do. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a combination meter 100 in which the contrast with the inner peripheral portion, which is particularly low in brightness, is more emphasized and the image quality is more excellent.

  In addition, since the viewer side surface of the dark translucent panel 7 on the dark side which is the reference side for perceiving depth can be clearly perceived by the viewer, the semi-transparent dark liquid crystal of the liquid crystal display panel 2 can be obtained. It is possible to provide the combination meter 100 in which the effect of perceiving the depth on the light-sensitive panel 7 is emphasized and a sense of depth is created.

  Furthermore, when the pointer 4 emits light with high brightness and high saturation, a visual advancing action is generated, and it is possible to visually recognize the pointer 4 as rotating on the viewer side. Thereby, the combination meter 100 in which the floating feeling of the pointer 4 is more created can be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, since the movement 3 is supported by the dark-colored translucent panel 7, there is no support member. When the structure in which the support member supports the movement 3 is clearly visually recognized, the mass feeling of the movement 3 is emphasized, and the viewer cannot obtain the floating feeling of the pointer 4 or the movement 3. By supporting the movement 3 with the dark-colored translucent panel 7, it is possible to improve the appearance and to create a floating feeling.

  In the first embodiment according to the present invention, a dot matrix type liquid crystal display panel 2 is adopted as a dial. By using the liquid crystal display panel 2 capable of controlling the liquid crystal control circuit 22 and changing the displayed color and transmissivity, the display design 25 can be changed according to the viewer's preference. The degree of freedom is expanded. In addition, it is possible to switch to warnings, navigation displays, etc. as necessary, and various warning lamps, display units, etc. are not scattered. Thereby, the combination meter 100 with excellent appearance can be provided.

  Next, the electric circuit configuration of the combination meter 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above will be described based on the electric circuit schematic diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, power is constantly supplied from the battery 53 to the controller 52. In addition, the controller 52 is connected to an ignition switch 54 so that its operating state can be detected.

  The controller 52 is connected to the liquid crystal control circuit 22 connected to the LED 21 a that is the light source of the backlight 21 and the LED 43. Based on the detection result of the ignition switch 54, the controller 52 controls the lighting of the LED 43 and transmits the detection result to the liquid crystal control circuit 22. Thereby, the liquid crystal control circuit 22 performs lighting control of the backlight 21 and drive control of the liquid crystal display panel 2.

  Further, the controller 52 is connected to a movement ECU 3 and a vehicle ECU 55 to which a rotary encoder (not shown) for detecting the rotational speed of the on-board internal combustion engine is connected. The vehicle ECU 55 is connected to other sensors (not shown). Based on a signal from the vehicle ECU 55, the controller 52 controls the movement 3 and rotates the pointer shaft 31 to a predetermined angle.

  When the driver who is a viewer turns on the ignition switch 54, the voltage of the battery 53 is applied to the controller 52 and the controller 52 detects that the ignition switch 54 is turned on, the controller 52 controls the lighting of the LED 43. The energization is started, and the detection result is transmitted to the liquid crystal control circuit 22. The liquid crystal control circuit 22 receives this detection result, energizes the LED 21a, and drives the liquid crystal display panel 2.

  The liquid crystal display panel 2 displays the display design 25 shown in FIG. 1 by drive control by the liquid crystal control circuit 22. At this time, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the LED 21a, the display design 25 becomes a light emitting display. Further, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the LED 43, the pointer 4 emits light. In addition, the controller 52 drives the movement 3 on the basis of the detection signal from the rotary encoder input via the vehicle ECU 55, and causes the pointer shaft 31 to respond to a predetermined angle, that is, the rotational speed of the on-board internal combustion engine. Rotate to an angle. These indicate the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

  The liquid crystal display panel 2 may display various warnings based on information obtained by various sensors (not shown) connected to the vehicle ECU 55. Further, the liquid crystal display panel 2 may be configured to display route information in cooperation with a car navigation system (not shown).

  When the controller 52 detects that the ignition switch 54 is turned off by the driver and the ignition switch 54 is turned off, the controller 52 controls the LED 43 to be extinguished, stops energization, and sends the detection result to the liquid crystal control circuit 22. Send. The liquid crystal control circuit 22 receives this detection result, and stops energization of the LED 21 a and driving of the liquid crystal display panel 2. When the driving of the liquid crystal display panel 2 is stopped, the display of the display design 25 is turned off and the backlight 21 is turned off. In addition, when the voltage applied to the LED 43 becomes zero, the pointer 4 is also turned off. In addition, the controller 52 finishes driving the movement 3, and the pointer shaft 31 is rotated to the angle of the zero point position.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the combination meter 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention at the same location as FIG. The combination meter 100 according to the second embodiment has a cross-sectional shape in which the dark translucent panel 7 is convexly curved toward the liquid crystal display panel 2 along the extension direction of the pointer 4 with respect to the first embodiment described above. The translucent panel 701 is changed. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the viewer side surface of the translucent panel 701 is a flat surface, but the plate thickness gradually increases on the inner peripheral side 701a and gradually decreases on the outer peripheral side 701b along the extending direction of the pointer 4. If it is, it may be curved to either the viewer side or the liquid crystal display panel 2 side.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different structure and characteristic are demonstrated.

  Below, the action and effect which the translucent panel 701 which is the characteristic structure in the combination meter 100 by 2nd Embodiment gives to appearance are demonstrated based on FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the translucent panel 701 having a cross-sectional shape in which the cross section is convexly curved toward the liquid crystal display panel 2 side has a characteristic of refracting light incident from the liquid crystal display panel 2 side in a converging direction. Light incident on the inner peripheral portion 701 a of the translucent panel 701 that is convexly curved so as to increase in thickness along the extension direction of the pointer 4 is refracted toward the outer peripheral side of the combination meter 100 by the translucent panel 701. Is done. Light incident on the outer peripheral portion 701 b of the translucent panel 701 that is convexly curved so as to increase in thickness along the extension direction of the pointer 4 is refracted by the translucent panel 701 toward the inner peripheral side of the combination meter 100. Is done.

  Due to the refracting action of the light of the translucent panel, as shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the liquid crystal display panel 2, the appearance of the movement 3 and the support member 33, and the liquid crystal display panel 2 side of the translucent panel 701. The inner surface 10c of the front case 10a positioned is distorted and visually recognized. These shapes visually recognized by the viewer are shown in FIG. 4 by a two-dot chain line.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the reflected light BLT1 reflected from A1 located on the appearance of the movement 3 is refracted to the outer peripheral side by the inner peripheral portion 701a of the translucent panel 701. When the viewer visually recognizes the refracted light RLT1 at the viewpoint EP, it is recognized as being reflected by A2 located on the extension of the optical path of the refracted light RLT1. Here, the optical path distances from the viewer to each of A1 and A2 are the same. In contrast to A1, A2 is the viewer side and the inner peripheral side, and due to this refraction action, the appearance of the movement 3 and the support member 33 is smaller than the actual one and is visible to the viewer side as shown in FIG. The

  The viewer uses the object farther away from the viewer as a means for visually recognizing smaller and perceiving perspective. As shown in FIG. 4, the refracting action of the translucent panel 701 is larger toward the liquid crystal display panel 2 side farther from the translucent panel 701, and the appearance of the movement 3 and the support member 33 is the back of the liquid crystal display panel 2 side. It is distorted toward the side and shrinking. The viewer visually recognizes the appearance of the movement 3 and the support member 33 that are distorted toward the back side and gradually become smaller, and clearly perceive that the back side to be viewed smaller is a farther position from the above-described viewing characteristics. be able to. By creating this sense of depth, it is possible to provide the combination meter 100 that produces a three-dimensional effect.

  In addition, the movement 3 and the support member 33 connect the translucent panel 701 and the liquid crystal display panel 2 with each other even when the translucent panel 701 is transmitted and deformed by refraction. Being a member is the same. By visually connecting the translucent panel 701 and the liquid crystal display panel 2 to the external appearance of the movement 3 and the support member 33, the distance between the two members and the member can be visually recognized more clearly. It is possible to make the viewer surely perceive the sense of depth of the liquid crystal display panel 2 with respect to the translucent panel 701 and to produce a stereoscopic effect.

  Moreover, since the external appearance of the movement 3 and the support member 33 is visually recognized smaller than actual, the mass feeling of the movement 3 is reduced, and the combination meter 100 with excellent appearance can be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the pointer 4 rotates in the vicinity of the viewer-side surface of the translucent panel 701, and the pointer 4 emits light with high brightness and high saturation, so that it becomes a reference side for perceiving depth. The viewer side surface of the translucent panel 701 can be clearly perceived by the viewer. Thus, the emphasis on the effect of perceiving the depth of the liquid crystal display panel 2 on the translucent panel 701 further creates a sense of depth of the combination meter 100.

  In addition, since the pointer 4 is disposed on the viewer side of the translucent panel 701, the pointer 4 is not distorted and viewed due to the refraction action of the translucent panel 701. For this reason, the appearance of the combination meter 100 is not impaired.

  In the outer peripheral part 701b of the translucent panel 701, as shown in FIG. 4, the emitted light LT2 emitted from B1 on the display design 25 is refracted by the translucent panel 701 toward the inner peripheral side. When the viewer visually recognizes the refracted light RLT2 at the viewpoint EP, it is recognized that the refracted light RLT2 is emitted at a position B2 on the extension of the optical path of the refracted light RLT2. Here, the optical path distances from the viewer to B1 and B2 are the same.

  In contrast to B1, B2 is the viewer side and the outer peripheral side, and the display design 25 is visually recognized by the refraction action as being enlarged to the viewer side and the outer peripheral side. For this reason, the diameter is larger than that of the actual combination meter 100 and is visually recognized. With this action, it is possible to provide a powerful and excellent combination meter 100.

  Further, the inner surface 10c of the front case 10a positioned on the liquid crystal display panel 2 side with respect to the translucent panel 701 is enlarged and visually recognized toward the outer peripheral side, and the combination meter 100 whose diameter is enlarged can be visually recognized. By this action, the area of the liquid crystal display panel 2 can be reduced, and cost reduction can be realized.

  Furthermore, the area of the light guide plate 21b of the backlight 21 is also reduced, thereby increasing the light density in the light guide. By this action, the density of light emitted from the display design 25 can be increased, and the contrast can be improved. Thereby, the combination meter 100 which is more excellent in appearance can be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the liquid crystal display panel 2 is visually recognized in a shape in which inner and outer peripheral edge portions are respectively extended and concavely curved toward the viewer side. By visually recognizing the surface shape of the flat liquid crystal display panel 2 so as to be curved by refraction, it is possible to provide the combination meter 100 that produces a more stereoscopic effect.

  The display design 25 is refracted by the translucent panel 701 and enlarged and displayed, so that a slight distortion occurs in the shape. Here, since the display design 25 is displayed by the dot matrix type liquid crystal display panel 2, it is possible to display the display design 25 having a shape in which the distortion after refraction is corrected in advance, and to cancel the distortion. Furthermore, the distortion correction amount of the display design 25 can be finely corrected according to the difference in viewpoint position depending on the body of the viewer.

It is a front view of the combination meter which is a pointer meter by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the combination meter which is a pointer instrument by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the combination meter which is a pointer meter by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the same location as FIG. 2 of the combination meter by 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 liquid crystal display panel, 21 backlight, 21a LED, 21b light guide plate, 22 liquid crystal control circuit, 25 display design, 25a scale image, 25b character image, 26 ground, 3 movement (rotating inner machine), 31 pointer shaft, 33 support member, 4 pointer, 41 pointer cover, 42 pointer fixing portion, 43 LED, 51 first circuit board, 52 controller, 53 battery, 54 ignition switch, 55 vehicle ECU, 56 second circuit board, 57 circuit wiring, 7 Dark translucent panel, 73 outer peripheral edge, 75 opening, 701 translucent panel, 10 housing, 10a front case, 10b rear case, 11 front panel, 100 combination meter (pointer instrument)

Claims (11)

A dial with a dark background, excluding the display design,
A rotary inner unit disposed on the viewer side of the dial and having a pointer shaft extending to the viewer side;
A pointer instrument provided with a pointer fixed to the pointer shaft tip,
A dark translucent panel having a shape that covers at least a visible range from a viewer of the rotating inner unit is disposed between the inner rotating unit and the rotating surface of the pointer. Characteristic indicator instrument. The display design is formed so as to be capable of emitting light on the surface of the dial plate facing the rotation area and the viewing direction of the tip of the pointer,
The dark translucent panel is a shape that covers the dial,
The pointer instrument according to claim 1, wherein the dark translucent panel has a gradation structure in which light transmittance gradually increases along the extending direction of the rotating pointer.   3. The pointer according to claim 2, wherein the gradation structure includes a wedge-shaped cross section in which the thickness of the dark translucent panel is gradually reduced along the extending direction of the rotating pointer. Instrument.   4. The pointer instrument according to claim 2, wherein the viewer side surface of the dark translucent panel and the rotating surface of the pointer are close to each other. 5. A casing is provided on the outer peripheral side of the dark translucent panel,
The dark translucent panel is supported by the casing at an outer peripheral edge,
The pointer instrument according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the rotating inner unit is supported by the dark translucent panel. Dial,
A rotary inner unit disposed on the viewer side of the dial and having a pointer shaft extending to the viewer side;
A pointer instrument provided with a pointer fixed to the pointer shaft tip,
Between the turning inner unit and the turning surface of the pointer, a translucent panel having a shape covering at least a visible range from a viewer of the turning inner unit is disposed,
The light-transmitting panel has a cross-sectional shape that is convexly curved along the extension direction of the pointer so that the thickness of the dial gradually increases toward the dial. The translucent panel is a shape that covers the dial,
The outer peripheral portion of the translucent panel in the visible range from the viewer of the rotating inner unit is a cross section that is convexly curved so that the thickness of the dial gradually decreases along the extending direction of the rotating pointer. The pointer instrument according to claim 6, wherein a display design is formed on a surface of the dial plate having a shape and facing the outer peripheral portion of the transmissive panel in a viewing direction.   The pointer instrument according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the viewer side surface of the translucent panel and the rotation surface of the pointer are close to each other. A casing is provided on the outer peripheral side of the translucent panel,
The translucent panel is supported by the casing at the outer periphery,
The pointer instrument according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the rotating inner unit is supported by the dark translucent panel.   The pointer instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the dial is a liquid crystal display device. The pointer is formed of a translucent material,
The pointer instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a light source that makes light incident on the pointer.

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