JP3501202B2 - Instrument equipment - 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 device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship, and more particularly to an instrument device capable of decoratively displaying an instrument display section for displaying a measurement amount.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique of this type of instrument device, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-221879 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-118.
The one described in Japanese Patent No. 883 is known. That is,
These instrument devices illuminate the instrument display part consisting of the pointer and the indicator part such as letters, numbers and scales formed on the display plate with a dedicated light source, and the light emission display image of the instrument display part obtained by the illumination of this light source. Is displayed through a dark-colored semi-transmissive panel arranged in the front, so that the user can perceive the light-emission display image of the instrument display unit as floating on the dark-colored background.

By the way, such an instrument device is characterized by a high-contrast display of a dark-colored background by a semi-transmissive panel and an instrument display section that emits light. However, in the semi-transmissive panel, only the instrument display section is displayed. This prominent display method has the problem that the display design as an instrument is monotonous and its appearance itself must be planar, and therefore it represents a new display design that is not restricted to the existing high-contrast display. Therefore, in the Japanese Patent Application No. 8-97870, the applicant of the present application has provided a ring-shaped illumination light emission display by another light source around the dial to add a three-dimensional effect and decorativeness. Proposed instrument device.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a measuring instrument device which can further improve the measuring instrument device and improve the commercial property and the design.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an instrument display section for displaying a measurement amount, and an illumination light supply from a light source arranged around the instrument display section.
A decoration display unit including a light guide that shines in a frame shape, and a power supply circuit for supplying power to the light source to display light on the decoration display unit, and the power supply circuit is for a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship. In response to the warning signal or the notification signal, the decoration display section is turned on or blinked to perform the notification display.

[0006]

In addition, the instrument display section for displaying the measured amount, which has a dial provided with a display index such as transmissive characters, symbols, etc., which are emitted by the first light source behind, and the instrument display section Illumination light supply from a second light source that is placed around
And a decorative display section made of a light guide that shines in a frame upon receiving
A dark-colored semi-transmissive panel for visually recognizing a light-emission display image from the instrument display unit, and controlling the first light source to illuminate and illuminate the instrument display unit, and to control the second light source to perform the decoration. And a power supply circuit for displaying light on the display unit, wherein the power supply circuit lights up or blinks the decoration display unit in response to a warning signal or a notification signal of a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship to display a notification display. It is an eggplant.

[0008]

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The instrument device of the present invention is a character provided with an indicator portion (display indicator) 10 such as a transmissive character or a symbol which is emitted and displayed by a cold cathode tube (first light source) 13 behind it. An instrument display unit 11 that has a plate 8 and displays the measured amount in an analog manner with a pointer 8, and a light guide body illumination such as an incandescent bulb that is arranged around the instrument display unit 11 and is arranged behind the instrument display unit 11. A light guide (decoration display) 17 that receives illumination light from a light source (second light source) 18 and shines like a frame, and a dark-colored semi-transmissive panel that visually recognizes a light emission display image from the instrument display 11. 25, and a power supply circuit 26 for controlling the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 13 to illuminate the instrument display unit 11 to emit light and to control the light guide illumination light source 18 to cause the light guide 17 to emit light. The power supply circuit 26 responds to an abnormal state or an operating state of a moving body such as a vehicle. The light guide 17 and light guide illumination light source 1
The light is turned on or off by 8 to provide a notification display, and the vehicle driver can easily recognize an abnormal state or an operating state of the vehicle by visually recognizing the light guide 17 of the instrument device. In addition, the light guide 17 is the dial 8 of the measuring device.
Since it acts decoratively above, the merchandise and design of the instrument device can be improved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but an instrument device installed in a vehicle will be described as an example of the instrument device of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part of an instrument device showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an essential part showing in detail FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a semitransparent panel is removed. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the measuring device, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a light emitting state of a decoration display portion of the measuring device.

1 to 3, the instrument device according to the present embodiment comprises a combination meter in which a plurality of types of instruments are unitized, and an engine tachometer and a speedometer as a main instrument are provided at predetermined portions in an instrument case 1. The measuring instruments 2 and 3 and the measuring instruments 4 and 5 including the water temperature gauge and the fuel gauge as auxiliary gauges are housed and arranged, respectively.

In these instruments 2 to 5, a pointer 7 and an instrument dial 8 are attached to a meter body 6 which is, for example, a crossed coil type movable magnet type instrument, and the pointer 7 has an indication portion such as acrylic or polycarbonate. On the other hand, the instrument dial 8 is a so-called transillumination type dial, and the measuring amount of each instrument main body 6 by the rotating operation of the pointer 7 in the light-shielding ground portion 9. Has a translucent index portion 10 in the form of numbers, letters, scales, etc. for displaying (see FIG. 3),
The indicator unit 10 and the pointer 7 constitute a meter display unit 11 that analog-displays the measured amount.

In the instrument display section 11, a light emitting diode (LED) 12 for illuminating the pointer 7 from behind and an index section 10 are provided.
And a cold cathode tube (first light source) 13 for illuminating
By turning on the light source 14 for illuminating the instrument display unit, a luminescent display image of the instrument display unit 11 described later is formed. In this embodiment, the luminescent color of the pointer 7 is set to red and the luminescent color of the indicator 10 is set to white.
An arbitrary emission color can be obtained by changing the lighting color of the light source 14 for illuminating the instrument display section or the color of the pointer 7 and the index section 10 itself.

In front of the meters 2 to 5 thus constructed, a light-shielding dial plate 15 for covering the opening of the instrument case 1 except the instrument display portion 11 is arranged.
5, a cylindrical portion 16 extending forward from the peripheral edge of the instrument display portion 11 is formed corresponding to the number of the instruments 2 to 5, and the surface of the dial plate 15 including the cylindrical portion 16 is molded or painted. Matted.

Inside the cylindrical portion 16 of the dial plate 15,
A ring-shaped (cylindrical) light guide (decorative display portion) 17 that surrounds the instrument display portion 11 and extends forward along the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 16 is similar to the cylindrical portion 16 in the instrument 2
5 to 5 are arranged. One end side of the light guide body 17 is bent into a crank shape in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the leading end of the light guide body 17 is, for example, an incandescent bulb arranged in the instrument case 1. It extends to a position facing the light source for illuminating light (second light source) 18.

Inside the light guides 17 protruding above the instrument dial plate 8, light-shielding plates 19 extending forward along the inner circumference of the light guides 17 are arranged by the number of light guides 17. , The light-shielding plate 19 and the cylindrical portion 16 of the dial plate 15 guide the light guide 1.
A light shielding member 20 is formed so as to cover the inner circumference (inner side) and the outer circumference (outer side) of 7.

Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, the light guide member 17 has a light receiving portion 2 at an end facing the light source 18 for illuminating the light guide member.
1 and a light guide illumination light source 1 which receives light from the light receiving section 21.
It is provided with first and second reflecting portions 22 and 23 that reflect the illumination light from 8 in a substantially vertical direction, and an irradiation portion 24 that irradiates the illumination light guided through these reflecting portions 22 and 23 forward. When the light source for illuminating the light guide 18 is turned on, illumination light is emitted from the irradiation unit 24 to form a ring-shaped light emitting display image (described later). At this time, if the irradiation unit 24 is shaped so as to be close to the inner surface of the semi-transmissive panel 25 described later, the end face shape of the irradiation unit 24 can be displayed more clearly, but the contrast of such a light emission display image is a design. It can be freely set by setting the separation distance from the inner surface of the semi-transmissive panel 25 according to the purpose. Further, in the present embodiment, the light emission color of the light emission display image by the light guide 17 is set to the same white color as the light emission color of the index portion 10, but the light guide 17 is used.
An arbitrary luminescent color can be obtained by coloring the light source for illuminating the light guide body 18 itself or by providing a dedicated coloring member on the optical path from the light source for illuminating the light guide body 18 to the semi-transmissive panel. . Further, if the light receiving portion 21 or the irradiating portion 24 of the light guide body 17 is subjected to texture processing or diffuse reflection surface processing for diffusing the illumination light, it is possible to suppress light emission unevenness of the light emission display image by the light guide body 17.

A semi-transmissive panel 25 made of, for example, a dark-colored smoke material such as black is disposed in front of the instrument display portion 11 surrounded by the light guide 17 and the light-shielding member 20 as described above. 25 is formed in the shape of an instrument cover. In this case, the transmissivity of the semi-transmissive panel 25 is
For example, it is set to 10 to 30% so that the inside of the instrument display section illumination light source 14 and the light guide illumination light source 18 cannot be seen at all or almost cannot be seen.

Next, in the above-described light emitting structure of the vehicle instrument device, each of the ring-shaped light guides 17 which characterizes the present invention.
A circuit configuration for supplying power to (17a to 17d) will be described with reference to FIG. 4. An instrument including a light emitting diode 7 for causing the pointer 7 to emit light and a cold cathode tube 13 for illuminating the dial 8 in the instrument device. The light source 14 for illuminating the display section is connected to a power supply circuit described later together with the light source 18 for illuminating the light guide, but only the light source 18 for illuminating the light guide, which is a feature of the present invention, is shown in the figure. The light source 14 for illuminating the instrument display is omitted.

Taking the instrumentation device of a vehicle as an example, the power supply circuit 26 includes an ignition switch 2 which is a power supply switch.
It is connected to the vehicle-mounted battery 28 via 7. In addition, the power supply circuit 26 includes a light source for light guide illumination 18 (18a to 18d).
Is connected to the light guide illumination light source 18 in response to a warning signal S1 and a notification signal S2, which will be described in detail later, from an engine control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU) of the vehicle.
Power is supplied to (18a to 18d) to perform the light emitting operation described in detail later.

Next, the operation pattern of the power supply circuit 26 in response to the input of the warning signal S1 and the notification signal S2 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, a light source 14 for illuminating the instrument display portion, which includes a light emitting diode 12 for emitting light from the pointer 7 and a cold cathode tube 13 for illuminating the dial 8, is provided after illuminating the instrument display portion after turning on the ignition switch 27. It is assumed that the light source 14 is turned on and is in the illumination state.

In FIG. 5 (a), the power supply circuit 26 outputs an alarm signal S1.
The light emission pattern of each light guide body 17 (17a to 17d) in the case of inputting is shown. For example, when the warning signal S1 indicating that the engine oil is insufficient or the seat belt is not worn is input to the power feeding circuit 26 from the ECU, the power feeding circuit 26
In the same way as before, the oil warning lights (not shown) and seat belt warning lights (not shown) etc. are lit up and displayed.
Light guide illumination light sources 18 (18a-18) so that all ring-shaped light guides 17 (17a-17d) emit blinking light.
A notification signal (clock signal) of a predetermined cycle that gives a warning display to d) is output, and the light source for light guide illumination 18 (18a to
18d) is displayed by blinking to warn (notify) the vehicle driver.

In FIG. 5 (b), the power feeding circuit 26 outputs the notification signal S2.
The light emission pattern of each of the light guides 17 (17a to 17d) in the case of inputting is input. For example, when the notification signal S2 of the turn signal of the left turn or the right turn is input from the ECU to the power supply circuit 26, In the same manner as in the conventional case, 26, blinks the blinker display portion 19 (29a, 29b) and displays the light guides 17a, 17 at the right end or the left end.
The light source for light guide body illumination 18a, so that d emits blinking light.
The blinker display unit 29 which gives a notification display to 18d.
A notification signal (clock signal) having substantially the same period is output, and the light source for light guiding body illumination 18a, 18d is displayed in a blinking manner to notify the vehicle driver.

In the above-described embodiment, the light guide illumination light sources 18a to 18d are controlled by the power supply circuit 26 so that the light guides 17a to 17d blink and emit light according to the warning signal and the notification signal of the vehicle. However, it is also possible to emit light by lighting.

In such an instrument device, the vehicle driver is caused to blink by turning on or off the ring-shaped light guide 17 (17a to 17d), which serves as a decoration display section, according to the abnormal state or the operating state of the vehicle. It is possible to easily recognize an abnormal state or an operating state, and since the light guide 17 acts decoratively on the dial of the instrument device, it is possible to improve the merchandise and design of the instrument device.

The operation pattern of the power feeding circuit 26 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the signal of the vehicle transmission (notification signal S1) from the ECU is input to the power feeding circuit 26, and the signal is changed. All the light guides 17 (17a to 17d) may be blinked or lit at the reverse position to alert the driver that the transmission is in the reverse mode. In addition, like the above-described turn signal display, the light guides 1 at the right end and the left end are provided.
Not only the blinking display of 7a and 17d, but also the blinking display of the turn signal indicator 29a when turning right, for example, and the light guide illumination light source 18 for illuminating and illuminating the light guide 17d at the left end.
The light guide body 17a at the right end may emit light from the light guide body 17a to the light guide body illumination light source 18a in sequence, and the present invention provides a notification display according to a warning signal or a notification signal in a moving body such as a vehicle. It is sufficient if it is a measuring instrument device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the instrument device for the vehicle has been described as an example, but it may be applied to the instrument device of a ship, an aircraft or the like.

[0029]

In this embodiment, each light guide 17 (17a)
Light source for illuminating a light guide for illuminating
Although incandescent bulbs are given as examples of (18a to 18d), it is possible to obtain luminescent illumination of various colors by using an illuminating member such as EL (electroluminescent element) in place of the incandescent bulbs. ， The design can be further improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the semi-transmissive panel 2 made of smoke material of dark color such as black is provided on the front surface of the instrument display section 11.
Although the instrument device in which 5 is arranged is given as an example, in the present invention according to claim 1, the present invention may be applied to an ordinary instrument device having a transparent front panel.

Further, in this embodiment, the illumination light source (first light source) for the dial 8 and the illumination light source (second light source) for the light guide 17 are separately configured. In the present invention, the dial plate and the light guide may have a common illumination light source, and the dial and the light guide may perform notification display.

Further, in this embodiment, the warning signal S1 and the notification signal S2, which are the outputs from the ECU mounted on the vehicle, are input to the power supply circuit 26. However, the present invention is not limited to the engine oil shortage, for example. In the case of the warning display, the oil pressure sensor or the like may be directly input to the power supply circuit 26, and a warning (notification) display may be performed in accordance with the input.

[0034]

The instrument device of the present invention is provided with an instrument display section for displaying a measured amount and a light source provided around the instrument display section .
And a power supply circuit for supplying power to the light source to cause the decorative display section to emit light. The power supply circuit is for making a notification display by lighting or blinking the decoration display section in response to a warning signal or a notification signal of a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship, and easily detects an abnormal state or an operating state of the moving body. Further, since the decorative display portion acts decoratively on the dial of the instrument device, it is possible to improve the commercial property and the design property.

Further, the measuring instrument device of the present invention has a dial plate provided with a display index such as transmissive characters, symbols, etc., which are luminescently displayed by the first light source behind, and has a measuring instrument display section for displaying a measured amount. And the second indicator behind the instrument display, which is arranged around the instrument display .
Is it a light guide that receives illumination light from a light source and shines like a frame?
A decorative display section, a dark-colored semi-transmissive panel for visually recognizing a light emission display image from the instrument display section, and controlling the first light source to illuminate the instrument display section with light.
And a power supply circuit for controlling the light source to display light on the decoration display unit. The power supply circuit displays the decoration display unit in response to a warning signal or a notification signal of a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship. It is for making a notification display by lighting or blinking, and the driver of the moving body visually recognizes the light guide body which is the decoration display section of the measuring device, thereby indicating an abnormal state or an operating state of the moving body. Easy to recognize,
Further, since the light guide body acts decoratively on the dial of the instrument device, it is possible to improve the commercial property and the design property.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing details of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same instrument device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the same instrument device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a light emitting state of a decoration display portion of the same instrument device.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 pointer 8 dial 10 indicator part (display index) 11 instrument display part 12 light emitting diode 13 cold cathode tube (first light source) 14 instrument display part illumination light source 17 (17a to 17d) light guide (decorative display part) 18 (18a to 18d) Light source for light guide illumination (second light source) 25 Semi-transmissive panel 26 Power supply circuit

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An instrument display section for displaying a measurement amount, and an illumination light supply from a light source which is arranged around the instrument display section.
And a power supply circuit for supplying light to the light source to display the light on the decoration display unit. The power supply circuit is a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship. In accordance with the warning signal or the notification signal, the decoration display unit is turned on or blinked to provide the notification display. 2. A meter display section for displaying a measured amount, which has a dial provided with a display index such as transmissive characters, symbols, etc., which are emitted and displayed by a first light source behind, and a meter display section of the meter display section. Provided with illumination light from the second light source that is placed around
A decorative display unit formed of a light guide that receives and shines in a frame shape, a dark-colored semi-transmissive panel for visually recognizing a light emission display image from the instrument display unit, and the instrument display unit by controlling the first light source. And a power supply circuit for controlling the second light source to display light on the decoration display unit, the power supply circuit being a warning signal or a notification signal for a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship. According to the above, the instrument device is characterized in that the decoration display portion is turned on or blinked to perform a notification display.