JP2940798B2 - Instrument pointer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointer device for an instrument, and more particularly to a pointer device for an instrument such as a speedometer and a tachometer mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, among instruments such as a speedometer and a tachometer, in an analog type instrument using a pointer and a dial, a device for illuminating the pointer and the dial to make it easy to see even in a dark place. As disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-136422 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-216419, in which light from a light source disposed behind a dial is guided to a pointer or the like by a light guide plate so that the pointer or the like shines. Such devices are commonly used.

In this type of pointer device, light for illumination is guided from a light source to a pointer shaft insertion hole through a light guide plate.
The peripheral surface of the insertion hole is formed as a conical surface, so that the light is reflected above the light guide plate by the reflecting surface and is incident on the base of the pointer made of a translucent material fixed to the upper end of the pointer shaft. A light receiving surface for receiving the incident light and a reflecting surface for reflecting the light received by the light receiving surface toward the distal end of the pointer are formed on the pointer base, and these are covered with a non-light transmitting pointer cap. In the conventional pointer device described above, the light receiving surface formed at the base of the pointer in the pointer cap is not large enough, so that there is a drawback that sufficient light cannot be taken into the pointer to make the pointer shine with high luminance. Was.

In view of the above, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 5-8888 discloses a technique in which the light receiving surface in the pointer cap is enlarged to increase the amount of light that can be taken into the pointer, thereby causing the pointer to shine with high luminance. Proposed. The proposed pointer device is applied to a black face type instrument as shown in FIGS. The instrument includes an instrument unit 11 that drives an output shaft according to a measured amount, a pointer 12 fixed to the output shaft of the instrument unit 11, and a pointer 12
A light source unit 13 for illuminating a pointer that emits light that illuminates the pointer 12 by introducing the pointer 12, a dial 14 having characters, scales, and the like for displaying a measured amount in cooperation with the pointer 12, and the dial 14
The light source 15 for dial illumination is composed of an annular cold-cathode discharge tube arranged on the back of the dial, and the light emitted from the light source 15 for dial illumination emits characters, scales, etc. printed on the dial 14 without characters. Transmit and shine.

[0005] As shown in FIG.
An NS magnetized rotating magnet (not shown) is rotated in a magnetic field direction obtained by combining magnetic fields generated by a pair of coils 11a that are wound crosswise and whose energization amount is controlled in accordance with the speed, and rotate the rotating shaft of the rotating magnet. It is of a cross coil type in which the output shaft 11b formed to protrude is rotationally driven. A mainspring 11c for returning the hands 12 to the 0 indicated position is mounted on the output shaft 11b.

[0006] As shown in FIG.
A pointer body 12a comprised of the 2a ₁ and the base 12a ₂ (see FIG. 4), a pointer cap 12b made of opaque black resin material covering the base portion 12a _2, the output shaft 11a (figure guidelines 12 meter unit 11 4), and a connecting piece 12c for fixing the connecting piece 12c. Pointer cap 1
It exposes a top surface of the pointer body 12a provided with a slit 12b ₁ to 2b. Note that a balance weight 12d (see FIG. 4) is fixed in the pointer cap 12b.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pointer main body 12a is transparent.
The indicator 12a is made of clear acrylic resin.₁And base 1
2a_TwoConsisting of Base 12a_TwoIs the pointer cap 12
b slit 12b₁Rib 12a fitted to₆And the light source
Light receiving unit 12a that receives light incident from 13a_ThreeWhen,
This light receiving section 12a_ThreeThe light received by the ₁
Reflective surface 12a that reflects in the direction of_FourAnd this reflection surface 12a
_FourThe light reflected by the indicator 12a₁Guide towards the tip of
Light guide 12a_FiveConsists of

[0008] upper surface 12a ₇ of the light guide portion 12a ₅ Ribs 1
2a ₆ is fitted into the slit 12b ₁ of the pointer cap 12b so that both surfaces are flush with each other.
An amount corresponding to the thickness of the 2b are lowered to form a step from the surface of the rib 12a _6. Receiving portion 12a ₃ is in an arc to increase the amount of light received by a wide area, the light guide portion 12a ₅ includes a light receiving portion 12a ₃ in order to guide the received light into an instruction portion 12a ₁
To sector so gradually becomes narrower toward the instruction unit 12a ₁ from. The sector is the most preferred shape, but is not limited to this, and can be triangular or any other shape. When the light receiving portion 12a ₃ and the light guide portion 12a ₅ in such form base 12a ₂ is increased, the instruction unit 12a ₁ becomes short. Therefore, the light guide section 12a on the extension of the indication section 12a _1
5 top ribs 12a _6, the base portion 12a ₂ other than the rib 12a ₆ covered with a pointer cap 12b, the rib 12a ₆ is to act as part of the instruction unit 12a _1, increasing the length of the indicator apparent. The pointer cap 12b is attached to the light guide 12
preventing light leakage to the outside over the a ₅ and the reflective surface 12a _4, a rib 12a ₆ and instructing portion 12a ₁ is the effect appear as if made of a single guideline. The light reflector 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the pointer main body 12a to improve the reflection of light on the upper surface of the pointer main body 12a, and to enhance the brightness of the pointer. The light reflector 23 is formed by, for example, application of a paint or hot stamping. A red paint is often used as the paint, but a white or silver paint may be used.

Light source unit 13 for pointer illumination shown in FIG.
Is a plurality of (for example, eight) light sources 13a each composed of a light emitting diode having a high luminous intensity of 3 to 5 cd and a long life, and a compartment 13b ₁ for accommodating and holding each of the plurality of light sources 13a independently.
And a light source holding member 13b having Light source 13a
Is supplied with its lead terminals connected to the printed wiring board 13c.

[0010] The light source 13a, as shown in FIG. 7, 8 are arranged at equal intervals of 45 degrees on the circumference, the light receiving portion 12a ₃ of the pointer 12 from a light source by sliding on the circumference Accept light. The light source only needs to shine in a circular shape, and the number of light sources is not limited to eight. The light receiving unit 13a ₃ increases the amount of light received greater the area covering the circular light source. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the light receiving portion 13a ₃ is set to a size for receiving an amount of light corresponding to always two light sources 13a be in hands 12 is any position.

The light emitted from the light source 13a is as shown in FIG.
The light receiving portion 12a passes through the opening of the pointer cap 12b._Three
And the reflection surface 12a_FourReflected by the fan, the reflected light is a fan
Shaped light guide 12a_FiveInstructor 12a through₁Tip of
It is guided in the direction. Light receiving section 12a _ThreeLight enters at various angles
It is reflected in various directions because it shines, indicating part 12a₁To
Brightly shine.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dial 14 is
The light source unit 13 includes a dial main body 14a and a light diffusion plate 14b, and is mounted on the light source holding member 13b of the light source unit 13.

Light from the dial illuminating light source 15 is diffused by the light diffusing plate 14b and illuminated on the back of the dial main body 14a. By reaching the surface, characters, scales, etc. are illuminated.

[0014] Accordingly, the driver shall character indication portion 12a ₁ and the dial 14 of the pointer 12 to be bright, scale and the like can be visible through black clear cover 18, extra, such as pointer cap 12b that is not bright Is invisible. When the ignition key switch is turned off, the light source 13 of the pointer lighting light source unit 13 is turned off.
a and the dial illumination light source 15 are turned off, and the driver visually recognizes the black surface of the black transparent cover 18.

[0015]

The pointer body shown in FIG.
12a is a light receiving unit 13a_ThreeLight guide section 1
2a_FiveThe incoming light is increasing. But rib
12a₆The size of the indicator 12a₁Remains the thickness of
So the rib 12a₆Through the upper surface of the rib 12a₆of
Light that contributes to shining the surface is the light guide portion 12a._FiveIs large
It doesn't increase much even if it is hard. It is the light guide 12a_Fiveof
Upper surface 12a₇Is reflected by the indicator 12a₁The light going towards
Light guide 12a_FiveUpper surface 12a of₇Through the pointer cap
The light absorbed by the pump 12b is₇The area of
Although it increases in proportion, the light guide portion 12a _FiveUpper surface 12a of₇When
The reflection condition with the light reflector 23 matches well and the rib 12a
₆Because the amount of light that enters the upper surface of the
You. For this reason, the pointer shown in FIG.
The surface part has relatively lower brightness than other parts,
It looks dark. The difference in brightness of the pointer is not so large
No, it is not a problem to see the pointer, but if you can
It is preferable that the entire pointer shines uniformly. Also, the light guide
12a_FiveUpper surface 12a of₇Through the ribs 12a
₆Of light that does not contribute to the brilliance of light and use of accepted light
It is preferable to increase the rate to make the pointer shine brighter.

An object of the present invention is to make a pointer shine with high luminance, to eliminate the difference in brightness of the pointer, to make the pointer shine evenly, and to increase the utilization rate of light. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pointer device for an instrument with improved brightness.

[0017]

According to the present invention, a pointer is fixed to an output shaft of an instrument unit which is driven to rotate in accordance with a measured amount, and a light receiving portion for receiving light from a pointer illumination light source at a base of the pointer. Forming a reflecting surface that reflects the received light in the direction of the tip of the indicator, and a light guide that guides the reflected light toward the tip of the indicator to shine the indicator; A pointer device for an instrument in which a slit is provided in a pointer cap that covers a base, and a rib formed on the upper surface of the light guide unit on an extension of the pointer is fitted into the slit, so that the pointer and the upper surface of the rib shine. , Wherein the upper surface of the light guide portion in the pointer cap except the rib is a diffuse reflection surface.

The present invention is characterized in that a light reflector is provided on the bottom of the pointer, and a light reflector is provided on the inner surface of the pointer cap.

[0019]

In the present invention, the irregularly-reflective surface is formed by forming fine irregularities on the upper surface of the light guide portion of the pointer base, so that the irregularly reflected light is reflected on the bottom surface of the light guide portion in various directions. The ratio of light incident on the upper surface of the light guide increases, and the light passing through the upper surface of the light guide decreases, and the light diffusely reflected inside the light guide increases,
The entire upper surface of the pointer shines uniformly.

When the upper surface of the light guide of the base of the pointer is made a diffuse reflection surface, the amount of light passing through the upper surface of the light guide decreases, but there is still light passing through the upper surface of the light guide. By providing a light reflector on the inner surface of the pointer cap, light that has passed through the upper surface of the light guide can be reflected and returned to the light guide.
By increasing the light utilization rate, the brightness of the pointer can be improved. Further, light is reflected in the direction of the upper surface of the pointer having the rib by the light reflector provided at the bottom of the pointer, and a part of the light is incident on the rib to shine the rib. Furthermore, if a light reflector is provided on the entire inner surface of the pointer cap, even if there is light that directly enters the inner surface of the pointer cap from the light source unit for pointer illumination without being incident on the light receiving portion of the pointer, the light is reflected. The pointer can be returned to the pointer main body, and the brightness of the pointer main body is enhanced.

[0021]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view and an optical path diagram showing an embodiment of a pointer body which is a main part of the pointer device of the present invention. The pointer body shown is a pointer body 12a of the pointer device shown in FIG.
Is incorporated in place of
Since they are the same as those of the related art shown in the drawings, the same parts will be described with the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the pointer main body 12a
Consists formed of a transparent acrylic resin instruction section 12a ₁ and the base 12a ₂ Prefecture, the base 12a ₂ includes a light receiving portion 12a ₃ for receiving light from the light source, the instruction unit 1 received light
The reflection surface 12a ₄ for reflecting in the direction of 2a _1, a light guide portion 12a ₅ for guiding the light reflected toward the distal end of the indicator 12a _1,
Upper surface of the indicator 12a ₁ of the extension on the light guide section 12a ₅ 12
consisting Buribu 12a ₆ Metropolitan formed a _7. A light reflector 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the pointer main body 12a. The upper surface 12a ₇ of the light guide portion 12a ₅ is for example a diffused reflection surface composed of fine irregularities formed by the method of honing. Pointer body of this embodiment, the upper surface 1 of the light guide portion 12a ₅
Point where the 2a ₇ and irregular reflection surface is different from the previous guidance body shown in FIG.

In the instrument pointer device according to the present invention, as in the conventional instrument pointer device of FIG. 4, the output shaft 11b of the instrument unit 11 which is driven to rotate according to the measured amount is shown in FIG.
The pointer body 12a shown in FIG.
The pointer illuminating light source unit 13 disposed on the first upper, covering the base portion 12a ₂ of the pointer 12 in the pointer cap 12b. Slit 1 of pointer cap 12b on rib 12a _{6 of the} pointer body
It is also the same as the conventional fitting the 2b _1.

The light receiving portion 12a ₃ of the pointer main body 12a directly receives the light from the pointer illumination light source unit 13. Some of the received light is incident on the reflecting surface 12a _4, where it is reflected by the light guide portion 12a ₅ is guided toward the distal end of the indicator 12a ₁ of the pointer, remaining light upper surface of the light guide portion 12a ₅ enters the (irregular reflection surface) 12a _7, wherein the light diffusely reflected is reflected by the bottom surface of the light guide portion 12a ₅ is bright ribs 12a ₆ top. This will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the light receiving section 12a ₃
Most of the received light in the incident on the reflecting surface 12a _4, the remaining light is incident on the upper surface 12a ₇ of the light guide portion 12a _5. Light incident on the reflective surface 12a ₄ is reflected here, the light guide portion 12
led to the tip end direction of the indicator portion 12a ₁ of the pointer by a _5,
The instruction unit 12a ₁ is bright. Upper surface of the light guide portion 12a ₅ 1
Since 2a ₇ has a diffuse reflection surface, the light incident on the upper surface 12a ₇ of the light guide portion 12a ₅ is, for example, as shown by the light 21 is diffusely reflected in various directions. The diffusely reflected light 21 is
The light is reflected upward again by the light reflector 23. Light certain of the reflected light is to bright ribs 12a ₆ enters the rib 12a _6, the other light is incident on the upper surface 12a ₇ or instruction unit 12a ₁ of the light guide portion 12a _5, where the reflected or pass through Is repeated. Upper surface of the light guide portion 12a ₅ 12
When the a ₇ to irregular reflection surface, opportunities which light is reflected so as to satisfy a condition that is incident on the ribs 12a ₆ is increased, and because that also become irregular reflection surface light that has passed through when the upper surface 12a ₇ were smooth surface more light will be reflected toward the light reflector 23, the light entering the rib 12a ₆ increases to. In particular, light incident on the upper surface portion of the rib surrounded by the broken line 22 in FIG. 8 increases. As a result, the entire pointer shines uniformly.

[0026] Light will pass through the upper surface 12a ₇ by the upper surface 12a ₇ of the light guide portion 12a ₅ irregular reflection surface is decreased, the light is present to pass through still. Thus Yaba light intensity of the indicator is further increased by returning the light exiting out without contributing to bright ribs 12a ₆ guidelines. In order to reuse light, as shown in FIG.
A light reflector 24 is provided on the inner surface of 2b. The light reflector 24 is
For example, it is formed by applying a paint. The light reflector 24 is
Although it is necessary to provide a surface facing the upper surface 12a ₇ of at least the light guide portion 12a _5, no problem be provided on the entire inner surface of the pointer cap 12b. Light reflector 24 returns reflects light coming through the upper surface 12a ₇ of the light guide portion 12a ₅ to the light guide portion 12a _5, the light returned light guide portion 12a ₅
And re-reflected by the inner, increase the light intensity of the indicator 12a ₁ and the rib 12a ₆ of pointer body.

[0027] the entire inner surface of the pointer cap 12b preferably provided a light reflector 24, if there is light incident on the inner surface of the direct pointer cap without incident pointer illuminating light source unit 13 to the light receiving portion 12a ₃ of the guidelines Also, the light can be reflected back to the pointer main body 12a, and the brightness of the pointer main body can be enhanced.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to a black-face type instrument, the present invention uses a light guide plate other than the black-face type instrument, for example, a light guide plate as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1-136422. Can be applied to a well-known instrument pointer for guiding the pointer to shine. For instruments of the same type as described above, except that the black transparent cover is not used, except for the black transparent cover, it is necessary to turn on the switch only when it is dark at night to illuminate the hands and dial, and to illuminate when it is bright during the day Because there is no, make sure to switch off. In the pointer device of the embodiment, light from the light source is directly introduced into the pointer base. However, the present invention is equally applicable to a pointer device of a type in which light from the light source is introduced into the pointer base via the light guide plate. be able to.

In the above embodiment, the pointer is formed of a translucent material, and the light reflector is provided on the bottom surface. However, a transparent colored layer may be formed on the upper surface of the pointer, or The hands themselves may be formed of a translucent colored material, and in such a case, the light reflector on the bottom surface of the hands becomes unnecessary.

[0030]

As described above, in the present invention, the irregularities are formed on the upper surface of the light guide portion of the pointer base to form the irregular reflection surface, so that the light incident on the upper surface of the light guide portion is irregularly reflected. Light incident on the upper surface of the rib is increased, and light passing through the upper surface of the light guide is reduced, so that the entire upper surface of the pointer can be uniformly shined.

Also, since the light reflector at the bottom of the pointer is provided,
The light reflected by this light reflector is incident on the ribs, illuminating the ribs with high brightness, and a light reflector is provided on the inner surface of the pointer cap, so that light passing through the light guide and light for pointer illumination The direct light from the light source unit can be reflected back to the light guide, and then re-reflected in the light guide to contribute to the brightness of the indicator and ribs, increasing the brightness of the pointer body. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view and an optical path diagram showing an embodiment of a pointer main body which is a main part of a pointer device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the pointer device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an example of a conventional instrument pointer device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the instrument unit, the pointer light source unit and the pointer of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pointer main body and the pointer cap of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pointer main body.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the relationship between the pointer of FIG. 5 and a plurality of light sources.

8 is an optical path diagram of the pointer main body shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

12a Pointer body 12a ₁ Pointer 12a ₂ Pointer base 12a ₃ Light receiver 12a ₄ Reflecting surface 12a ₅ Light guide 12a ₆ Rib 12a ₇ Upper surface 12b Pointer cap 21 Light 23 Light reflector 24 Light reflector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G01D 11/28 G01D 13/28

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pointer is fixed to an output shaft of an instrument unit that is driven to rotate in accordance with a measured amount, a light receiving unit for receiving light from a light source for illuminating a pointer at a base of the pointer, and a light receiving unit for receiving the received light. A reflecting surface that reflects in the direction of the tip of the indicator and a light guide that guides the reflected light in the direction of the tip of the indicator to shine the indicator are formed, and a slit is formed in the indicator cap that covers the base of the indicator. A pointer formed on the upper surface of the light guide on an extension of the indicator to be fitted into the indicator, so that the indicator and the upper surface of the rib shine; A pointer device for an instrument, wherein an upper surface of the light guide portion in a cap is a diffuse reflection surface. 2. An instrument pointer device according to claim 1, wherein a light reflector is provided at the bottom of said pointer. 3. An instrument pointer device according to claim 1, wherein a light reflector is provided on an inner surface of said pointer cap.