JP2010054325A - Illumination apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination apparatus for achieving a cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: The illumination apparatus includes: an indicator 2; an indicator panel 3 having a translucent index section 31; a light source 4; and a circular light guide 7 (a first circular light guide 71) for guiding a light from the light source 4 to the index section 31. The light source 4 is disposed so as to direct the illumination light to an indicator shaft 11 through the circular light guide 7. The circular light guide 7 includes an inner circumferential side face 711 facing the indicator shaft 11, and an outer circumferential side face 712 facing the inner circumferential side face 711. A light receiving section 713 is provided on the outer circumferential side face 712, and receives the light from the light source 4. The inner circumferential side face 711 includes: a first reflection section 714 for circumferentially reflecting a light from the light receiving section 713; and a second reflection section 715 for exiting a light from the first reflection section 714 to the index section 31 through the outer circumferential side face 712. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device applied to, for example, a vehicle meter.

As this type of lighting device, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The illumination device includes a pointer that is connected to a pointer shaft of a driving device such as a stepping motor and rotates around the shaft, a display board that is disposed behind the pointer and has a light-transmitting indicator corresponding to the pointer, and the display A light source composed of a light emitting diode disposed behind the plate, and an arcuate light guide composed of a translucent material disposed so as to surround the pointer shaft behind the display plate and guiding light from the light source to the indicator portion ing. The arcuate light guide is formed in a cross-sectional wedge shape whose thickness decreases with increasing distance from the pointer shaft, and light received from the light source is incident along the axial direction of the pointer shaft on the inner peripheral side surface facing the pointer shaft. And a plurality of semi-conical light introducing portions that project light incident through the light receiving portion in a radiation direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the pointer shaft. The number of light introducing portions is arranged so as to face the light receiving portions in the axial direction. Then, after the light from the light source is introduced into the arc-shaped light guide through the light receiving unit, the light is reflected through the radiation reflecting unit in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pointer shaft and travels through the arc-shaped light guide, It comes to light up.
JP 2005-24530 A

  However, the illumination device described in the above publication has a structure in which one light introduction portion (light receiving portion and radiation reflection portion) corresponds to one light source. Since the area where one light source guides light is limited, a plurality of light sources are required to illuminate the entire indicator portion, leading to an increase in cost. In addition, the lighting device described in the above publication has a structure in which the arcuate light guide and the light source are stacked in the thickness direction of the arcuate light guide (axis direction of the pointer shaft), which is disadvantageous for thinning. There was a problem of being.

  The present invention pays attention to the above-mentioned problems, and by devising the structure of the arc-shaped light guide, an illumination device that can illuminate the entire area of the indicator portion with the minimum necessary light source and can achieve cost reduction. It is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a pointer that is connected to a pointer shaft of a driving device and rotates around the shaft, and a display board that is disposed behind the pointer and has a light-transmitting indicator portion corresponding to the pointer. A light source disposed behind the display plate, and an arcuate light guide made of a translucent material disposed to surround the pointer shaft behind the display plate and guiding light from the light source to the indicator portion And the light source is arranged on the outer periphery of the arcuate light guide so that the irradiation light is directed to the pointer shaft through the arcuate light guide, and the arcuate light guide is An inner peripheral side surface facing the pointer shaft in a radial direction centered on the pointer shaft; and an outer peripheral side surface facing the inner peripheral side surface in the radial direction, and the outer peripheral side surface from the light source A light receiving portion for entering light is provided, and the inner circumference A first reflecting portion that reflects light from the light receiving portion toward the circumferential direction on the surface portion, and a second reflecting portion that emits light from the first reflecting portion to the indicator portion side through the outer peripheral side surface portion And is provided.
According to this, since the area where one light source guides light can be widened in setting the optical path of the arcuate light guide, the entire indicator section can be illuminated with a small number of light sources, and cost reduction can be achieved. Further, since the arcuate light guide and the light source do not overlap in the thickness direction, a reduction in thickness can be achieved.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a display board having a pointer connected to a pointer shaft of a driving device and rotating around the shaft, and a transparent indicator portion disposed behind the pointer and corresponding to the pointer. And a light source disposed behind the display plate, and a first circle made of a translucent material disposed so as to surround the pointer shaft behind the display plate and guiding light from the light source to the indicator portion An arcuate light guide and a second arcuate shape arranged behind the display board and inside the first arcuate lightguide so as to surround the pointer shaft and guide light from the light source to the pointer A light guide, wherein the first arcuate light guide and the second arcuate light guide are connected through a connecting portion, and the light source emits light from the first circle. The first arcuate light guide is directed toward the pointer shaft through the arcuate light guide. A first inner circumferential side surface portion disposed on a circumference and facing the pointer shaft in a radial direction centered on the pointer shaft; and the first inner circumference in the radial direction. A first outer peripheral side surface opposed to the side surface portion, a light receiving portion for receiving light from the light source is provided on the first outer peripheral side surface portion, and the light receiving portion is provided on the first inner peripheral side surface portion. A first reflecting portion that reflects light from the first reflecting portion in a circumferential direction, and a second reflecting portion that emits light from the first reflecting portion to the indicator portion side through the first outer peripheral side surface portion. The second arcuate light guide is opposed to the pointer shaft in the radial direction centered on the pointer shaft; the second inner peripheral side surface portion in the radial direction; and A second outer peripheral side surface facing the first inner peripheral side surface and a front surface facing the base of the pointer And a bottom surface portion opposed to the front surface portion, and the light introduced into the second arcuate light guide through the coupling portion on the second inner peripheral side surface portion is reflected in the circumferential direction. 3 reflection portions, a fourth reflection portion that reflects light from the third reflection portion and emits light from the front surface portion toward the base portion is provided on the bottom surface portion, and the connecting portion is connected to the light receiving portion. The light receiving portion is formed along a straight line connecting the pointer shaft to connect the second outer peripheral side surface portion and the first inner peripheral side surface portion, and the third reflecting portion is connected to the light receiving portion via the connecting portion. It is formed so that it may oppose.
According to this, since the area where one light source guides light can be widened in setting the optical path of the first arcuate light guide, the entire indicator section can be illuminated with a small number of light sources, and the second circle The pointer can also be illuminated through the arcuate light guide, and cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the arcuate light guide and the light source do not overlap in the thickness direction, a reduction in thickness can be achieved.

According to the present invention, a reflector is provided along the back surface of the display plate, the arcuate light guide or the first arcuate light guide is provided between the reflector and the display plate, and the indicator A space portion is provided between a back region of the display plate corresponding to the portion and the reflector, and the outer peripheral side surface portion or the first outer peripheral side surface portion faces the space portion.
According to this, since the indicator portion can be illuminated through the space portion, the illumination efficiency can be improved.

In the invention, it is preferable that the light source and the light receiving unit are disposed at a location outside the operating range of the pointer.
According to this, it is possible to guide light to the entire index portion without any restriction on the extra shape.

  According to the present invention, the initial purpose can be achieved, and the entire indicator portion can be illuminated with a small number of light sources, thereby achieving cost reduction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 show a first embodiment when the lighting device according to the present invention is applied to an instrument device for a vehicle. 1 is a front view of the lighting device according to the present embodiment, with a part thereof cut away, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the arcuate light guide, and FIG. In FIG. 2, hatching other than the arcuate light guide is omitted. 2 and 4 to 6, dotted lines with arrows indicate the progress of light (light rays).

  1 and 2, the illuminating device according to the present embodiment includes a driving device 1 made of, for example, a stepping motor, a pointer 2 connected to a pointer shaft 11 of the driving device 1 and rotating about the axis, and a back of the pointer 2. And a display board 3 on which a light-transmitting indicator part 31 and a light-shielding ground part 32 corresponding to the pointer 2 are formed by screen printing or the like, and, for example, a light emitting diode arranged behind the display board 3 A light source 4 comprising: a reflector 5 made of, for example, milky white synthetic resin disposed along the back surface of the display panel 3, and various circuits (not shown) arranged behind the reflector 5 in addition to the driving device 1 and the light source 4. The light from the light source 4 is indicated by a circuit board 6 on which the element is mounted and an arc (annular) shape surrounding the pointer shaft 11 and is arranged behind the display board 3 and between the reflector 5. Part 31 and pointer 2 It includes Ku e.g. arcuate light guide body 7 made of transparent synthetic resin.

  As the drive device 1, a cross coil drive device may be applied instead of the stepping motor. The pointer 2 is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin, and shines in a linear shape by introducing light from the light source 4 guided through the arc-shaped light guide 7 from the base connected to the pointer shaft 11. This base is covered with a light-shielding cap. The display plate 3 has a light transmitting hole corresponding to the base portion of the pointer 2, but may be a transparent portion as long as light can pass therethrough. The light source 4 is arranged on the outer periphery of the arcuate light guide so that the irradiated light travels toward the pointer shaft 11 through the arcuate light guide 7. In the reflector 5, a space S surrounded by the back region, the reflector 5 region corresponding to this region, and the arcuate light guide 7 is formed in the back region of the display plate 3 corresponding to the indicator portion 31. Is arranged.

  The arc-shaped light guide body 7 includes a first arc-shaped light guide body 71 and a second arc-shaped light guide body 72 that are formed in an arc shape (annular) so as to surround the pointer shaft. The arc-shaped light guides 71 and 72 are integrally formed through the connecting portion 73 so that the second arc-shaped light guide 72 is located inside the first arc-shaped light guide 71 and the positions of the pointer shafts 11 are set to each other. Concentric with the standard.

  2 and 3, the first arcuate light guide 71 is opposed to the pointer shaft 11 with the second arcuate light guide 72 interposed therebetween in the radial direction R around the pointer shaft 11. 1 inner peripheral side surface portion 711 and a first outer peripheral side surface portion 712 facing the first inner peripheral side surface portion 711 in the radial direction R.

  On the first outer peripheral side surface portion 712, a light receiving portion 713 for entering light from the light source 4 is formed at a position facing the light source 4, and the light receiving portion 713 protrudes toward the light source 4. At this time, the optical axis center of the light source 4 is set so that the pointer shaft 11 faces and the center positions of the light receiving part 713 and the connecting part 73 are aligned with the optical axis center. A straight line LN connecting the light receiving portion 713 and the pointer shaft 11 so as to partially connect the inner peripheral side surface portion 711 of the second arcuate light guide 72 and a second outer peripheral side surface portion to be described later (see FIG. 4). It extends along.

  The first inner peripheral side surface portion 711 has a pair of first reflecting portions 714 that reflect the light incident from the light receiving portion 713 in the circumferential direction (circumferential direction), and the first reflecting portion 714. There is provided a second reflecting portion 715 that reflects light traveling in the circumferential direction in the first arcuate light guide 71 in the radial direction R and emits light toward the indicator portion 31 through the first outer peripheral side surface portion 712. Yes.

  The first reflecting portion 714 is formed of flat surfaces formed on both sides of the connecting portion 73 so as to face the light receiving portion 713, and propagates light from the light receiving portion 713 in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In order to improve the utilization efficiency, the wall surface of the first inner peripheral side surface portion 711 is used to form a substantially V shape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the second reflecting portion 715 is formed of an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axial direction of the pointer shaft 11, and the first inner peripheral side surface excluding the first reflecting portion 714. The wall surface of the portion 711 is used to form a conical surface with the pointer shaft 11 as an axis.

  In this case, the first outer peripheral side surface portion 712 functions as an irradiation surface for emitting light from the second reflecting portion 715 to the indicator portion 31 side, and the first outer peripheral side surface portion 712 and the second reflecting portion. Both of 715 also function as a propagation reflecting surface that propagates light traveling in the first arcuate light guide 71 in the circumferential direction.

  The second arcuate light guide 72 includes a second inner peripheral side surface 721 that faces the pointer shaft 11 in the radial direction R, a second inner peripheral side surface 721 and the first inner peripheral side surface in the radial direction R. A second outer peripheral side surface portion 722 that faces the portion 711, a front surface portion 723 that faces the base portion of the pointer 2, and a bottom surface portion 724 that faces the front surface portion 723.

  The second inner peripheral side surface portion 721 is formed with a third reflecting portion 725 that reflects the light introduced into the second arcuate light guide 72 through the connecting portion 73 in the circumferential direction.

  The third reflecting portion 725 is a flat surface formed on both sides of the connecting portion 73 so as to face the light receiving portion 713 via the connecting portion 73, and uses the wall surface of the second inner peripheral side surface portion 721. It is formed so as to be substantially V-shaped.

  The bottom surface portion 723 reflects light traveling in the circumferential direction in the second arcuate light guide 72 through the third reflecting portion 725 in the axial direction of the pointer shaft 11 and exits from the front surface portion 723 toward the base portion. A fourth reflecting portion 726 is formed.

  The fourth reflecting portion 726 is continuously formed so that the cross-sectional shape along the circumferential direction forms a sawtooth shape, and the ridge line and the valley line extend along the radial direction R as shown in FIG. Yes. The fourth reflecting portion 726 may have any structure as long as it can reflect light toward the base of the pointer 2, and may be formed by, for example, dot processing or grain processing.

  Further, in this case, both the second inner peripheral side surface portion 721 and the second outer peripheral side surface portion 722 may serve as a propagation reflecting surface that propagates light traveling in the second arcuate light guide 72 in the circumferential direction. Function.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, when the light source 4 is turned on, the light is introduced into the first arcuate light guide 71 through the light receiving portion 713. The light introduced in this way is reflected in the circumferential direction through the first reflecting portion 711, and the first light is transmitted through the first inner peripheral side surface portion 711 (second reflecting portion 715) and the first outer peripheral side surface portion 712. It propagates in the arcuate light guide 71 in the circumferential direction. A part of the light propagated in this way is reflected to the first outer peripheral side surface portion 712 through the second reflecting portion 715 and is radiated from the first outer peripheral side surface portion 712 into the space S. Thus, the light radiated in the space S illuminates the indicator 31 while repeating mutual reflection between the reflector 5 and the display panel 3.

  A part of the light from the light source 4 is also introduced into the second arcuate light guide 72 through the light receiving part 713 and the connecting part 73. The light thus introduced is reflected in the circumferential direction through the third reflecting portion 725 and passes through the second arcuate light guide 72 through the second inner peripheral side surface portion 721 and the second outer peripheral side surface portion 722. Propagated in the circumferential direction. Part of the light thus propagated is reflected to the front surface portion 723 side through the fourth reflecting portion 726, and is emitted from the front surface portion 723 toward the base portion to illuminate the pointer 2.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the display having the pointer 2 connected to the pointer shaft 11 of the driving device 1 and rotating around the shaft, and the translucent indicator portion 31 disposed behind the pointer 2 and corresponding to the pointer 2. The plate 3, the light source 4 disposed behind the display plate 3, and the translucent material disposed around the pointer shaft 11 behind the display plate 3 and guiding light from the light source 4 to the indicator unit 31. In the illumination device including the arcuate light guide 7 (first arcuate light guide 71), the light source 4 guides the arcuate light so that the irradiated light travels toward the pointer shaft 11 through the arcuate light guide 7. Arranged on the outer periphery of the light body 7, the arcuate light guide 7 is disposed on the inner peripheral side surface portion 711 facing the pointer shaft 11 in the radial direction R around the pointer shaft 11, and on the inner peripheral side surface portion 711 in the radial direction R. The outer peripheral side surface portion 712 faces the outer peripheral side surface portion 712 from the light source 4. A light receiving portion 713 for entering light is provided, and a first reflecting portion 714 that reflects light from the light receiving portion 713 in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side surface portion 711 and light from the first reflecting portion 714 are reflected. By providing the second reflecting portion 715 that emits light toward the indicator portion 31 side through the outer peripheral side surface portion 712, the area where one light source 4 guides light can be widened in setting the optical path of the arcuate light guide 7. The entire indicator section 31 can be illuminated with a small number of light sources 4, and cost reduction can be achieved. Further, since the arcuate light guide 7 and the light source 4 do not overlap in the thickness direction (the axial direction of the pointer shaft 11), it is possible to achieve a reduction in thickness.

  In the present embodiment, the arcuate light guide 7 is integrally formed through the connecting portion 73, and the first arcuate light guide 71 that illuminates the indicator portion 31 and the second arcuate guide that illuminates the pointer 2. And a second inner peripheral side surface portion 721 in which the second arcuate light guide 72 is opposed to the pointer shaft 11 in the radial direction R, and a second inner peripheral side surface portion 721 in the radial direction R. And a second outer peripheral side surface portion 722 that opposes the first inner peripheral side surface portion 711, a front surface portion 723 that opposes the base portion of the pointer 2, and a bottom surface portion 724 that opposes the front surface portion 723, A third reflecting portion 725 that reflects light introduced into the second arcuate light guide 72 through the connecting portion 73 in the circumferential direction is provided on the second inner peripheral side surface portion 721, and a third reflecting portion 725 is provided on the bottom surface portion 724. The light from the reflection part 725 is reflected and emitted from the front part 723 toward the base part. A fourth reflecting part 726 is provided, and the connecting part 73 is formed along a straight line LN connecting the light receiving part 713 and the pointer shaft 11 to connect the second outer peripheral side part 722 and the first inner peripheral side part 711. In addition, since the third reflecting portion 725 is formed so as to face the light receiving portion 713 via the connecting portion 73, the entire indicator portion 31 can be illuminated with a small number of light sources 4. The pointer 2 can also be illuminated through the two arcuate light guides 72, and cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, since each arcuate light guide 71, 72 and the light source 4 do not overlap in the thickness direction, a reduction in thickness can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the reflector 5 is provided along the back surface of the display plate 3, and the first arcuate light guide 71 is provided between the reflector 5 and the display plate 3, and corresponds to the indicator portion 31. The space portion S is provided between the back surface region of the display panel 3 and the reflector 5, and the first outer peripheral side surface portion 712 faces the space portion S, so that the indicator portion 31 can be illuminated through the space portion S. Therefore, the illumination efficiency can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the light source 4 and the light receiving unit 713 are disposed at a location outside the operating range RA (see FIG. 1) of the pointer 2. As a result, light can be guided to the entire index portion without any additional shape restrictions.

  In the present embodiment, the number of the light sources 4 is one, but a plurality of light sources 4 may be provided. 725 may be provided.

  FIG. 6 is a main part front view showing a modified example of the second reflecting portion 715 as the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the second reflecting portion 715 is set in a sawtooth shape in plan view. It is a thing. Also by this, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be expected. The structure of the second reflecting portion 715 is optional as long as it can reflect light toward the base side of the pointer 2.

The front view which notches and shows a part of illuminating device by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The exploded perspective view of FIG. The perspective view which shows the light source and arc-shaped light guide by the embodiment. The front view of the circular-arc-shaped light guide by the embodiment. The principal part perspective view which cut | disconnects and shows a part of arc-shaped light guide by the embodiment. The principal part front view which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drive device 2 Pointer 3 Display board 4 Light source 5 Reflector 6 Circuit board 7 Arc-shaped light guide 11 Pointer shaft 31 Indicator part 32 Ground 71 First arc-shaped light guide 72 Second arc-shaped light guide 71 , 72 Arc-shaped light guide body 73 Connecting portion 711 First inner peripheral side surface portion 712 First outer peripheral side surface portion 713 Light receiving portion 714 First reflecting portion 715 Second reflecting portion 721 Second inner peripheral side surface portion 722 First 2 outer peripheral side surface portion 723 front surface portion 724 bottom surface portion 725 third reflection portion 726 fourth reflection portion LN straight line R radiation direction RA operation range S space portion

Claims (4)

A pointer connected to the pointer shaft of the driving device and rotating around the shaft;
A display board disposed behind the pointer and having a light-transmitting indicator corresponding to the pointer;
A light source disposed behind the display board;
An illuminating device comprising an arcuate light guide made of a translucent material that is arranged so as to surround the pointer shaft behind the display plate and guides light from the light source to the indicator portion,
The light source is disposed on the outer periphery of the arcuate light guide so that the irradiation light is directed to the pointer shaft through the arcuate light guide,
The arcuate light guide has an inner peripheral side surface facing the pointer shaft in a radial direction centered on the pointer axis, and an outer peripheral side surface portion facing the inner peripheral side surface portion in the radial direction;
A light receiving portion that allows light from the light source to enter the outer peripheral side surface portion,
A first reflecting portion that reflects light from the light receiving portion toward the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side surface portion, and a first reflecting portion that emits light from the first reflecting portion to the indicator portion side through the outer peripheral side surface portion. An illuminating device comprising two reflecting portions. A pointer connected to the pointer shaft of the driving device and rotating around the shaft;
A display board disposed behind the pointer and having a light-transmitting indicator corresponding to the pointer;
A light source disposed behind the display board;
A first arcuate light guide made of a translucent material arranged to surround the pointer shaft behind the display plate and guiding light from the light source to the indicator portion; and behind the display plate A second arcuate light guide disposed inside the first arcuate light guide so as to surround the pointer shaft and guiding light from the light source to the pointer;
In the lighting device in which the first arc-shaped light guide and the second arc-shaped light guide are connected through a connecting portion,
The light source is disposed on the outer periphery of the first arcuate light guide so that the irradiation light is directed to the pointer shaft through the first arcuate light guide,
The first arcuate light guide is opposed to the first inner peripheral side surface portion facing the pointer shaft in the radial direction centered on the pointer shaft, and to the first inner peripheral side surface portion in the radial direction. A first outer peripheral side surface,
A light receiving portion for receiving light from the light source is provided on the first outer peripheral side surface portion,
A first reflecting portion that reflects light from the light receiving portion in a circumferential direction on the first inner peripheral side surface portion, and the light from the first reflecting portion is transmitted through the first outer peripheral side portion to the index. A second reflecting part for emitting light on the part side,
The second arcuate light guide body facing the pointer shaft in the radial direction centered on the pointer shaft; the second inner peripheral side surface portion in the radial direction; and A second outer peripheral side surface facing the first inner peripheral side surface, a front surface facing the base of the pointer, and a bottom surface facing the front surface;
A third reflecting portion for reflecting light introduced into the second arcuate light guide through the connecting portion in the circumferential direction is provided on the second inner peripheral side surface portion,
A fourth reflecting portion that reflects light from the third reflecting portion and emits light from the front portion toward the base portion on the bottom surface portion;
The connecting part is formed along a straight line connecting the light receiving part and the pointer shaft to connect the second outer peripheral side part and the first inner peripheral side part, and the third reflecting part is An illumination device, wherein the illumination device is formed so as to face the light receiving portion via a connecting portion. A reflector is provided along the back surface of the display board,
The arcuate light guide or the first arcuate light guide is provided between the reflector and the display plate,
A space is provided between the back surface region of the display plate corresponding to the indicator and the reflector,
The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral side surface portion or the first outer peripheral side surface portion faces the space portion. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source and the light receiving unit are disposed at a location outside the operating range of the pointer.

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