JP3246330B2 - Display device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an instrument and other various display devices used in a vehicle, and in particular, requires a high voltage as a driving voltage for a discharge tube such as a cold cathode tube or an electroluminescent luminous body. The present invention relates to a vehicle display device using a light source as an illumination source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, in a vehicle instrument,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-107490, a discharge tube such as a cold-cathode tube is used as an illumination source such as a scale plate and a pointer.

[0003]

By the way, as a power supply required to discharge the discharge tube, a high voltage power supply that generates a high voltage of several hundred volts to several thousand volts at several tens of kilohertz is required. Therefore, when the discharge tube is driven by the high voltage from the high-voltage power supply, the high voltage is applied to the discharge tube through both connector terminals of the connector that connects between the high-voltage power supply and the discharge tube. .

[0004] Therefore, if the distance between the two connector terminals is small, there occurs a problem that a high voltage causes an electric phenomenon between the two connector terminals, such as electric discharge, which causes electrical breakdown. Therefore, the present invention, in order to deal with such a problem, by appropriately widening the interval between the two connector terminals that connect the high-voltage power supply to the light source that requires a high voltage from the high-voltage power supply, at least these An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular display device in which an electrical phenomenon that causes electrical insulation such as discharge between connection lines is prevented from occurring.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the distance between the two connector terminals between the high-voltage generating source and the light source is reduced by the distance between the two connector terminals. It is set wide enough to prevent electrical breakdown due to high voltage between terminals. As a result, even when a high voltage is applied to the light source through both connector terminals, an electrical phenomenon that causes electrical insulation such as discharge between the two connector terminals does not occur . This
Utilizing a linear cold cathode tube as a light source,
Both connector terminals along the straight line direction of this cold cathode tube
This is achieved on the assumption that the interval between them is set wide.

Here, as in the invention described in claim 2,
Both connector terminals shall be fitted to both connector terminals so as to keep the space electrically insulated.
And with flat electrical insulating member, be constituted tabular connector, the generation of the electrical phenomena, the distance between the connector terminals can be more reliably prevented while reliably held. Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, connector
Is a general-purpose connector in which a connector terminal between both connector terminals corresponding to both connector terminals is removed.

For this reason, a general-purpose connector can be effectively used, and it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated connector.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a vehicular instrument according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the instrument includes a scale plate unit 10 disposed in a vehicle cabin. The scale plate unit 10 includes a flat scale plate 10 a and a linear cold cathode tube 10.
b, light guide plate 10c and holder 10d made of light shielding plate material
(Also used as a reflector).

The scale plate 10a is an instrument panel disposed in the cabin of the vehicle.
On the black display surface a, an engine speed scale portion 11, a vehicle speed scale portion 12, an engine water temperature scale portion 13, and a fuel amount scale portion 14 are formed by printing. The black display surface of the scale plate 10a is covered by a front panel 30 via an annular dial plate 20.

The cold cathode tube 10b is mounted along the longitudinal direction of the scale plate 10a at the upper edge in the width direction of the back surface of the scale plate 10a. 11, the vehicle speed scale 12, the engine water temperature scale 13, and the fuel amount scale 14 can be illuminated. The cold cathode tube 10b includes a string heater H (see FIG. 5), and the heater H is attached to the outer surface of the cold cathode tube 10b along the longitudinal direction.

The light guide plate 10c is made of a light guide material such as a transparent acrylic resin.
It is mounted adjacent to the cold cathode tube 10b on the back surface of the scale plate 10a (see FIG. 2). The incident end face 15 of the light guide plate 10c is located parallel to the axial direction of the cold cathode tube 10b and faces the light emitting surface of the cold cathode tube.
Is formed on the back surface thereof in order to secure a light diffusion action in the light guide plate 10c. In addition, it may be formed by printing instead of the grain.

Thus, the light guide plate 1 is moved from the cold cathode tube 10b.
0c from the incident end face 15 into the holder 10d
The light is efficiently guided under the reflection function of, and irradiates the engine speed scale section 11, the vehicle speed scale section 12, the engine water temperature scale section 13, and the fuel amount scale section. The holder 10d is provided with a scale plate 10 so as to cover the cold cathode tube 10b.
a.

[0013] Further, the instrument is provided with respective hands for instructing the rotation speed, the vehicle speed, the water temperature, and the fuel amount, and respective driving devices for driving the respective hands. FIG. 2 shows only a pointer 40 for instructing the number of rotations and a driving device 50 for driving the pointer 40. The driving device 50 is mounted in a casing 60 mounted on the back surface of the light guide plate 10c.
c and each through hole of the scale plate 10a,
0 is supported.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the instrument comprises a wiring board 70, a connector 80, and a wiring board 90.
It has. The wiring board 70 is mounted on the bottom wall of the holder 10d from below so as to face the cold cathode tube 10b via the bottom wall. The cold cathode tube 10b is mounted on a predetermined wiring portion of the wiring board 70. , Both input terminals . The wiring board 70 is clearly visible in FIG.
In particular, in a direction perpendicular to the linear direction of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10b,
And is narrower than the wiring board 90.

On the other hand, the wiring board 90 is fastened to the bottom wall of the casing 60 from below by a plurality of screws.
The wiring board 90 is opposed to the wiring board 70 at the left end in FIG. A high voltage generation circuit 100 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later , is connected to a predetermined wiring portion of the wiring board 90 at both output terminals 101 and 102.

The tabular connector 80, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrical and the terminal holder 81 formed into a flat plate of an insulating material, electrical good plurality of connector terminals or lead wires 82a made of lead, 82b, 82c , 8
2d and 82e. On the inner wall of the terminal holder 81, a plurality of U-shaped grooves 81a to 81
1i are formed at predetermined intervals in parallel with each other,
Of these grooves 81a to 81i, each of the grooves 81a, 81i
Connector terminals 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d and 82e are fitted in d, 81g, 81h and 81i, respectively. The connector terminals 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d, and 82e are fitted at both ends to corresponding portions of the wiring boards 70 and 90, respectively.
Soldered. Thus, the connector 80 is fixed to both the wiring boards 70 and 90.

Here, the above-mentioned predetermined interval is a value which can ensure electrical insulation between both adjacent grooves of the terminal holder 81 with respect to a normal commercial voltage. Further, the distance between the two grooves 81a and 81d of the terminal holder 81 and the two grooves 81
The interval between d and 81g is three times the above-mentioned predetermined interval.
This is a value that can secure electrical insulation with respect to a high voltage generated from 0.

The connector terminal 82a is connected at both ends to one input terminal of the cold-cathode tube 10b and the input terminal 101 of the high-voltage generating circuit 100 via respective wiring portions of both wiring boards 70 and 90, respectively. (See FIG. 5). At both ends of the connector terminal 82b, the other input terminal of the cold-cathode tube 10b and the input terminal 102 of the high-voltage generation circuit 100 are connected via the respective wirings of the wiring boards 70 and 90.
(See FIG. 5). The remaining connector terminals 82c to 82e are connected at both ends to the ignition switch IG and the input terminal of the drive device 50 via the respective wiring portions of both wiring boards 70 and 90.

Next, an electrical circuit connection configuration for the cold cathode tube 10b will be described with reference to FIG. The high-voltage generating circuit 100 is supplied with power from a battery Ba via an ignition switch IG of the vehicle, and generates a high voltage of several hundred volts to several thousand volts between its two output terminals 101 and 102 at several tens of kilohertz. .

The heater circuit 110 receives power from the battery Ba via the ignition switch IG and turns on the heater H in the closed state of the normally closed type poly switch 120 based on the temperature detection output of the cold cathode tube 10b by the thermistor 111. Drive heat. Thus, the heater H is CCFL 1 0
Heat b . The poly switch 120 is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10b.
Opening temperature only when in a predetermined operating temperature range.

In the first embodiment configured as described above, when the meter according to the present invention is in the operating state, the high-voltage generating circuit 100 is supplied with power from the battery Ba via the ignition switch IG and has both output terminals. 101, 102
Is generating a high voltage. Therefore, this high voltage
The voltage is applied to both input terminals of the cold-cathode tube 10b through the wiring board 70, the connector terminals 82a and 82b, and the wiring board 90. Accordingly, the cold cathode tube 1 0b is emitting light irradiated toward the dial plate 10a by the discharge. As a result, the scale plate unit 10 displays the respective hands on the engine speed scale section 11, the vehicle speed scale section 12, the engine water temperature scale section 13, and the fuel amount scale section 14.

In this case, as described above, in the connector 80, the distance between the two connector terminals 82a and 82b and the distance between the two connector terminals 82b and 82c are three times the predetermined distance between the adjacent grooves of the terminal holder 81. This is a value that can ensure a sufficient dielectric strength against a high voltage. Therefore, even if the high voltage of the high voltage generation circuit 100 is applied between the connector terminals 82a and 82b, the connector terminals 82a and 82b
No electrical phenomena such as electric discharge, which may cause electrical insulation breakdown, occur between b and between the connector terminals 82b and 82c.

Each of the connector terminals 82a to 82a to 8
2e, the two connector terminals are insulated by the peripheral wall of the terminal holder 81 in a state where the interval between the two connector terminals adjacent to each other is securely held by each groove of the terminal holder 81. It can be reliably prevented. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a main part of a modification of the first embodiment.

In this modification, instead of the light guide plate 10c described in the first embodiment, a light guide plate 10e is provided.
It is mounted on the lower surface of the scale plate 10a. Further, the casing 10f is the holder 1 described in the first embodiment.
In place of Od and the casing 60, the light guide plate 10 e and the drive device 50 are mounted on the lower surface of the scale plate 10 a so as to cover the drive device 50.

The casing 10f has a U-shaped cross section receiving section 17 formed in an elongated shape, and the receiving section 17 is formed by a long opening 17a formed in the bottom wall thereof.
At the position corresponding to the V-shaped groove 16 formed on the surface of c,
It is in contact with the lower surface of the light guide plate 10c. In addition, the cold cathode tube 10b described in the first embodiment includes the reflector 10
The cold cathode tube 10b is accommodated and supported in the accommodating portion 17 of the casing 10f by the g. The cold cathode tube 10b corresponds to the V-shaped groove 16 on the lower surface of the light guide plate 10c through the opening 17a under the reflecting action of the reflector 10g. Irradiate the part.

The wiring board 7 described in the first embodiment
0 is mounted on the lower surface of the reflector 10g, while the wiring board 90 is mounted on the bottom wall of the casing 10f by screwing. The connector 80 is connected to both wiring boards 7 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.
It is mounted between 0 and 90. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In this modified example having the above-described structure,
As in the first embodiment, the high-voltage generation circuit 1 between the connector terminals 82a and 82b of the connector 80 is provided.
It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of an electrical phenomenon that causes electrical breakdown such as discharge due to a high voltage from 00 and the electrical phenomenon between both connector terminals 82b and 82c. (Second Embodiment) FIGS. 8 to 10 show a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, both connectors 13
0 and 140 are employed in place of the connector 80 described in the first embodiment. The connector 130 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, both connector members 130a and 130b made of an electrically insulating material and a plurality of connector terminals 130c to 130g made of an electrically conductive wire are provided.

The connector member 130a has its positioning pins 131 fitted in the through holes 71 of the wiring board 70 and is assembled to the lower surface of the wiring board 70, while the connector member 130b has the lower surface thereof. At the wiring board 90
It is mounted on the upper surface and soldered. As illustrated in FIG. 10, each of the plurality of connector terminals 130 c to 130 g is inserted into each of the insertion holes 132 of the connector member 130 b by press-fitting at its lower end, and each of the upper ends of these connector terminals 130 c to 130 g. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the parts are inserted into the respective insertion holes 133 of the connector member 130a by press fitting.

The plurality of connector terminals 130c
As illustrated in FIG. 10, through holes 130 g are inserted into the through holes 91 of the wiring board 90 and soldered at their lower ends. The connector 140 is mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 70 and soldered. This connector 1
40 is provided with a casing 141, and a plurality of connector terminals 130c to 130f are provided at respective upper ends thereof in respective insertion holes 141a (only one example of the insertion holes 141a is shown in FIG. 10) in the casing 141. In the department,
As illustrated in FIG. 10, it is inserted by press fitting.

In the casing 141, a plurality of curved terminals 142 made of a spring conductive material are fixedly accommodated at intervals, and each of the terminals 142 is connected at one end 142a to the terminal shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG.
f is in pressure contact with the upper end of each. Further, each terminal 142 is inserted and soldered into each through hole 72 of the wiring board 70 at the other end 142b. However, each terminal 142 is accommodated in the casing 141 at a position corresponding to the upper end of each of the connector terminals 130c to 130f.

Here, the connector terminals 130c to 130g correspond to the connector terminals 82a to 82e described in the first embodiment, respectively. Accordingly, the interval between the connector terminals 130c and 130d and the interval between the connector terminals 130d and 130e are equal to the interval between the connector terminals 82a and 82b and the interval between the connector terminals 82b and 82c, respectively. Also, both connector terminals 130e, 13
0f and both connector terminals 130f, 13
The distance between 0g is determined by the connector terminals 82c and 82d.
And the distance between the connector terminals 82d and 82e.

The upper end of the connector terminal 130c is connected to the output terminal 101 of the high-voltage generating circuit 100 via the wiring board 70 and the corresponding terminal 142 of the connector member 140.
The lower end of the cold cathode tube 10 a
Connected to one input terminal. The connector terminal 130d is connected at its upper end to the output terminal 102 of the high-voltage generating circuit 100 via the wiring board 70 and the corresponding terminal 142 of the connector member 140,
The lower end of the connector terminal 130d is
Is connected to the other input terminal of the cold-cathode tube 10a. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment constructed as described above, similarly to the first embodiment, the connector 130
Of electrical phenomena that cause electrical breakdown such as discharge due to high voltage from the high voltage generating circuit 100 between the two connector terminals 130c and 130d, and the two connector terminals 1
The occurrence of the electric phenomenon between 30d and 130e can be reliably prevented. Also, the connection on the lower side of FIG.
The connection using the connector member 130a and the connector 140 may be used instead.

In practicing the present invention, for example, an adhesive tape is used in place of the terminal holder 81 in the connector 80 described in the first embodiment, and the connector terminals 82a to 82a are connected by the adhesive tape.
2e may be held. In addition, each wiring board 7
The connector terminals 82a to 82e may be inserted through the appropriate connectors to the connectors 0 and 90.
Further, even if the respective wiring boards 70 and 90 are slightly misaligned, the connector terminals 82a to 82e and 130
Since e to 130f are deformed with a certain degree of rigidity, the displacement can be absorbed.

In practicing the present invention, the connector 130 described in the second embodiment may be a commercially available connector having both of the connector terminals 130c and 130c.
Between 30d and both connector terminals 130d, 130
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which each connector terminal existing between e is removed. This eliminates the need to prepare a dedicated connector as the connector 130.

In practicing the present invention, a light source requiring a high-voltage power source such as an electroluminescent light emitting body may be employed without being limited to a cold cathode tube.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which one cold cathode tube 10b is employed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cold cathode tube 10b may be divided into two.
In this case, the number of connector terminals of the connector in each of the above embodiments is selected in accordance with the number of input terminals of both cold cathode tubes, and the adjacent distance between these connector terminals is set wide similarly to the above embodiment.

Further, in practicing the present invention, the present invention may be applied to various display devices employed in vehicles without being limited to vehicle instruments.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a scale plate unit in a vehicle instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the connector as viewed from arrow A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic electric circuit configuration diagram of a meter.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a main part of a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a main part according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state where both connectors of FIG. 8 are separated.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along line 10-10 in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

10a: Scale plate, 10b: Cold cathode tube, 70, 90: Wiring board, 80, 130: Connector, 81: Terminal holder, 82a to 82e, 130c to 130f: Connector terminal, 100: High voltage generation circuit.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A high voltage source for generating a high voltage.
0), the high voltage generating source or we first wiring board (70),
Both connector terminals (82a, 82b, 130c, 1
A light source (10b) which emits light by receiving a pre-Symbol high voltage through 30d) and the second wiring board (90), e Bei the display surface illuminated by light from the light source (10a), the light source, A straight line located parallel to the back of the display surface
A linear cold-cathode tube, wherein the first wiring substrate is provided on a back side of the display surface.
The cold cathode at a position further from the back surface than the cold cathode tube
Parallel to the tube along its linear direction, while
(2) The wiring board is provided on the back side of the display surface.
At a position more distant from the first wiring board than the first wiring board.
The first wiring substrate is positioned parallel to the substrate so as to face the substrate, and is perpendicular to the linear direction of the cold cathode tubes.
The connector terminals are narrower in the angular direction than the second wiring board, and the two connector terminals are connected to the first and second wiring boards.
Are fixed in parallel to each other between the substrates, prior Symbol both connectors terpolymer Mina Le in its interval, to the extent that electrical breakdown due to the high voltage between these two connector terminal does not occur, the linear of the cold cathode tube In the direction
The display device is wide rather than set along the vehicle. Wherein said both connector terpolymer Mina Le is a <br/> both tabular Electrical insulating member mounted on the both connector terminal to hold while electrically insulating the spacing (81), constitutes a flat connector (80), the connector, so that along a straight line direction of the cold cathode tube
Vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein characterized that you have been fixed between the two wiring substrates. Wherein the connector is displayed for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that it consists of those formed by removing the connector terminal between the two connector terminals corresponding to the two connector terminal in a general-purpose connector apparatus.