JP4339138B2 - Meter structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a meter structure having good space efficiency and excellent layout.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 13, a vehicle instrument 1 provided with a cylindrical ring illumination member 2 is known (see Patent Document 1).

  First, in terms of configuration, a lower housing 4 is provided with a peripheral flange portion 4a fixed inside an outer case 3 in which an analog instrument 1 such as a vehicle speed meter or an engine speed meter is accommodated.

  A circuit board 5 is fixed to the lower housing 4 with screws 5a.

  The circuit board 5 is provided with a movement 7 for rotating the pointer 8 and a plurality of light sources 6 and 6.

  When these light sources 6 and 6 are turned on, the dial 10 supported by the annular rib member 10a is transmitted and illuminated through the transparent resin light guide member 9 from the back side, and is made of a translucent milky white resin. Thus, the illumination light is illuminated from the back end surface 2a side of the ring illumination member 2 formed in a cylindrical shape, and gradually decreases in light quantity toward the front end surface 2b. It is comprised so that.

  A transparent front cover member 12 is provided on the surface side of the ring illumination member 2 at a predetermined interval.

  Next, the operation of the analog instrument 1 having the conventional ring illumination member 2 will be described.

In the analog instrument 1 having the conventional ring illumination member 2 configured as described above, the dial 10 is transmitted from the back side through the light guide member 9 made of transparent resin when the light sources 6 and 6 are turned on. Illuminated and the illumination of the light source 6 enters from the back end surface 2a side of the ring illumination member 2, and the amount of light gradually decreases toward the front end surface 2b. 11 is visible from the inside.
JP 2002-81966 A

However, in the conventional analog instrument 1 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 14, a scale portion 13a indicated by the pointer 8 is formed around the surface side of the dial 10 by printing or the like. When the ring-shaped scale member 13 is mounted, the protruding amount in the outer diameter direction is limited so that the cantilever-shaped locking claw portion 13b does not interfere with the ring illumination member 2. For this reason, there is a possibility that the locking claw portion 13b may be broken or whitened due to bending at the time of mounting, and the appearance quality may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, in view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a meter structure having good space efficiency and excellent layout properties while ensuring sufficient mounting strength.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that an instrument dial is provided on the surface side of the lower housing member to form an annular groove around the dial, and around the dial. The locking claw part integrally extended from the ring-shaped scale member provided in an annular shape is locked to the locked part in the annular groove part, whereby the ring-shaped scale member together with the dial is The meter structure is fixed to a lower housing member, and the locking claw portion has a pair of flaky leg portions having outer surfaces substantially flush with an outer peripheral edge of the ring-shaped scale member, and the leg portions A bridge-like portion integrally connecting the two is formed in a side view type, and a locking projection to be locked to a locked portion formed in the lower housing member is provided on the bridge-like portion. Meter protruding from the inner surface toward the inner diameter It is characterized elephant.

  Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the state where the locked portion is formed on the inner side surface portion of the annular groove portion of the lower housing member and the locking protrusion is locked, the leg portion and The meter structure according to claim 1, wherein the meter structure has a recess for burying the bridge-like portion.

  Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the ring-shaped scale is formed in a state where the bridge-shaped portion is formed in a straight line and the locking projection is pressed from the inner diameter direction toward the outer diameter direction. The meter structure according to claim 1, wherein the meter structure is bent and deformed in a curved shape between the pair of leg portions along the outer peripheral edge of the member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention configured as described above, the locking is formed by protruding from the inner surface of the bridge-shaped portion toward the inner diameter direction with respect to the locked portion formed on the lower housing member. The ring-shaped scale member is mounted around the dial by engaging the protrusion.

  The locking claw part integrally extended from the ring-shaped scale member has a pair of flaky legs having outer surfaces substantially flush with the outer peripheral edge, and a bridge that integrally connects the legs. It is formed in a lateral optic portal type by the shape part.

  For this reason, as compared with the cantilever-shaped locking claw portion, the protruding amount in the outer diameter direction is reduced, and the outer surface of the ring-shaped scale member has an outer surface substantially flush with the outer peripheral edge. Even if the leg portion and the bridge-like portion are formed, the pair of flaky leg portions support the bridge-like portion on which the locking projection is formed with two pairs, so that sufficient mounting strength is secured. , Space efficiency can be improved.

  For example, even when a ring illumination member is provided in the outer diameter direction, the ring-shaped scale member can be mounted around the dial, and the layout is good.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the state where the recessed portion of the locked portion is formed on the inner side surface portion of the annular groove portion of the lower housing member and the locking protrusion is locked, The part and bridge part are buried.

  Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, when the bridge-shaped portion has a straight line shape in a normal state and the ring-shaped scale member is mounted around the dial, Since the locking projection is pressed from the inner diameter direction toward the outer diameter direction, it is bent and deformed in a curved shape between the pair of leg portions along the outer peripheral edge of the ring-shaped scale member.

  For this reason, even if a sufficient amount of bending deformation for securing is secured, there is less possibility of protruding in the outer diameter direction than the outer peripheral edge of the ring-shaped scale member, and therefore the layout can be further improved. .

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The same or equivalent parts as those in the conventional example will be described with the same reference numerals.

  FIGS. 1 to 12 show a combination meter device 16 having an independent monocular design to which the meter structure according to the present embodiment is applied. Mainly, a plurality of instruments such as a vehicle speed meter 17 and an engine speed meter 18 are provided. It is housed and configured in the outer case 3 as in the prior art.

  A lower housing member 14 is accommodated in the outer case 3, and a cluster member 20 is mounted on the vehicle compartment 11 side via the ring illumination member 2, the upper housing member 15 and the front cover member 12. ing.

  And, through each cylindrical meter opening 20a ... formed in the cluster member 20, from the direction of the vehicle compartment 11, the vehicle speedometer 17 mounted on the surface side of the lower housing member 14 and the like. The dial 19 is mainly configured to be visible.

  In this embodiment, since the structure of each instrument is substantially the same or equivalent, in the following description, the vehicle speedometer 17 will be mainly described in detail, and description of other instruments will be omitted.

  In the combination meter device 16, the dial 19 of the vehicle speed meter 17 is provided on the surface side of the lower housing member 14 fixed in the outer case 3.

  An annular groove 21 is formed around the dial 19 of the lower housing member 14, and a part of the ring illumination member 2 on the back end surface 2 a side is inserted.

  Further, in the annular groove portion 21, locked portions 22 and 22 are provided at predetermined intervals on the inner side surface portion 21 a located on the back side of the dial 19.

  Each of these locked portions 22 includes locking ring portions 24 and 24 as locking claws extending integrally from a ring-shaped scale member 23 provided in a ring around the dial 19, respectively. The ring-shaped scale member 23 is configured to be fixed to the lower housing member 14 together with the dial 19 by being locked in the annular groove portion 21.

  The locking ring portion 24 has a pair of thin leg portions 24b, 24b having an outer surface 24a substantially flush with the outer peripheral edge 23a of the ring-shaped scale member 23, and between these leg portions 24b, 24b. As shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 1, the bridge-like portion 24 c that integrally connects the two is formed to have a portal shape in a side view.

  And it protrudes toward the inner diameter direction from the inner surface of the said bridge-like part 24c, and the latching protrusion 24d is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a taper surface portion 24e is formed on the bridge-like portion 24c on the distal end side of the locking projection 24d, and the locking portion 22 formed on the lower housing member 14 has a tapered surface portion 24e. It is configured to get over and be locked while being elastically contacted with the locked stepped portion 22a.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the bridge portion 24c is formed in a straight line between the leg portions 24b and 24b, and the locking projection 24d has an outer diameter from the inner diameter direction. When pressed toward the direction, as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure, along the outer peripheral edge 23a of the ring-shaped scale member 23, the pair of leg portions 24b and 24b are bent and deformed in a curved shape. Is configured to do.

  And it is comprised so that it may not protrude in the outer-diameter direction from the outer peripheral edge 23a position of the said ring-shaped scale member 23, even in the state bent and deform | transformed into the said curved shape.

  Further, the locked step portion 22a of the locked portion 22 of this embodiment is formed to be recessed in the inner side surface portion 21a of the annular groove portion 21 of the lower housing member 14 to lock the locking protrusion 24d. In this state, the leg portions 24b, 24b and the bridge-like portion 24c of the locking ring portion 24 are formed so as to protrude in the outer diameter direction in a recess 22b having a depth enough to be buried. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the recess 22b of this embodiment is located on the surface side of the locked step portion 22a, and the locking projection 24d is locked to the locked step portion 22a. In this state, an opening 22c for a locking claw for immersing a part of the tip is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the circuit board 5, a movement 7 for rotating the pointer 8 and a plurality of light sources 6 used for ring illumination are provided.

  Next, the operation of the meter structure of this embodiment will be described.

  In the meter structure of this embodiment, when the combination meter device 16 is assembled, dials 19... Such as the vehicle speed meter 17 and the engine speed meter 18 are arranged on the surface side of the lower housing member 14. Each of the locking ring portions 24 of the ring-shaped scale member 23 is inserted into an annular groove portion 21 around the dial 19 formed in the lower housing member 22.

  And as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, with respect to the locked step portions 22a, 22a of the locked portions 22, 22 formed on the inner side surface portion 21a located on the back side of the dial 19, The ring-shaped scale member 23 is mounted around the dial 19 by locking a locking projection 24d that protrudes from the inner surface of the bridge-shaped portion 24c of the locking ring portion 24 toward the inner diameter direction. Is done.

  At this time, in the locking ring portion 24 integrally extended from the ring-shaped scale member 23, as shown in FIG. 12, the bridge-like portion 24c is linear in a normal state as shown by a solid line. In addition, when the ring-shaped scale member 23 is mounted around the dial 19, the locking projection 24d is moved from the inner diameter direction toward the outer diameter direction, and the white arrow in the figure. As shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the leg portions 24b and 24b are twisted and deformed while rotating around the center points R and L as indicated by arrows. The bridge-like portion 24c is bent and deformed by the pressing force in the outer diameter direction between the pair of leg portions 24b and 24b.

  Accordingly, the pressing force applied to the locking projection 24d is distributed to the bridge-like portion 24c and the leg portions 24b, 24b, and the bridge-like portion 24c extends along the outer peripheral edge 23a of the ring-shaped scale member 23. It is bent and deformed in a curved shape without causing stress concentration.

  Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient amount of bending deformation for locking, and there is no risk of whitening due to cracking or bending at the time of mounting unlike the conventional cantilevered locking ring portion 13b. Is not reduced.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the locking projection 24d protrudes from a bridge-shaped portion 24c formed in a straight line between the leg portions 24b, 24b. Compared to the amount of movement d1 until the side surface 24a reaches the outer peripheral edge 23a, the outer peripheral surface 23a is curved, so that the outer surface of the bridge-like portion 24c reaches the outer peripheral edge 23a. The movement amount d2 increases.

  Accordingly, since the possibility that the outer surface of the bridge-shaped portion 24c protrudes outward from the outer peripheral edge 23a is reduced, the other surface in the annular groove portion 21 positioned outside the outer peripheral edge 23a at the time of mounting is reduced. Even when they are arranged close to each other so that they may interfere with members or the like, it is possible to easily ensure a sufficient elastic deformation stroke of the locking projection 24d.

  For this reason, the layout can be further improved.

  Further, the locking ring portion 24 integrally extended from the ring-shaped scale member 23 has a pair of flaky legs 24b and 24b having outer surfaces 24a and 24a substantially flush with the outer peripheral edge 23a. The leg portions 24b and 24b are formed so as to have a side portal structure by a bridge-like portion 24c that integrally connects the leg portions 24b and 24b.

  These locking ring portions 24 are formed to be thinner than the conventional cantilevered locking ring portion 13b.

  The recessed portions 22b of the locked portion 22 are formed on the inner side surface portion 21a of the annular groove portion 21 of the lower housing member 14, and the leg portions 24b, 24b are in a state where the locking projection 24d is locked. And the bridge-like part 24c is buried.

  In the mounted state, a part of the tip of the locking projection 24d is partially immersed in the locking claw opening 22c formed on the back side of the locked step 22a, and the locked The locking projection 24d is locked to the stop portion 22a more than the required amount to ensure locking.

  Further, the leg portions 24b and 24b and the bridge-like portion 24c of the locking ring portion 24 are buried in the concave portion 22b, so that the outer side surfaces 24a and 24a are substantially flush with the inner side surface portion 21a of the annular groove portion 21. Can be one.

  For this reason, even if the locking ring portion 24 in the annular groove portion 21 is visually recognized from the outside, the appearance quality can be improved.

  Thus, even after mounting, the amount of protrusion in the outer diameter direction can be reduced as compared with the conventional cantilever-shaped locking ring portion 13b, and the outer peripheral edge 23a of the ring-shaped scale member 23 can be reduced. The leg portions 24b and the bridge portions 24c can be formed so as to have the outer surfaces 24a and 24a substantially flush with each other.

  In addition, since the pair of thin leg portions 24b and 24b support the bridge-like portion 24c on which the locking projections 24d are formed, sufficient mounting strength is ensured and space efficiency is good. Can be

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the ring illumination member 2 is provided in the outer diameter direction, the ring-shaped scale member 23 and the locking ring portion 24 do not interfere with each other. The ring-shaped scale member 23 can be mounted around the dial 19, and the layout is good.

  Thus, for example, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3, even when the ring illumination member 2 is placed close to the dial 19, the bridge portion 24 c exhibits a straight line shape in a normal state. In addition, when the ring-shaped scale member 23 is mounted around the dial 19, the locking projection 24d is pressed from the inner diameter direction toward the outer diameter direction. Along the outer peripheral edge 23a of the member 23, the pair of leg portions 24b and 24b are bent and deformed in a curved shape.

  For this reason, even if a sufficient amount of bending deformation for securing is secured, there is less possibility of projecting in the outer diameter direction than the outer peripheral edge 23a of the ring-shaped scale member 23. Therefore, the layout can be further improved. Can do.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the ring-shaped graduation member 24 is configured such that the locking ring portion 24 configured to have a side-view portal shape is formed by the pair of flaky legs 24b and 24b and the bridge-shaped portion 24c. An outer surface 24a is provided so as to be substantially flush with the outer peripheral edge 23a of 23.

  For this reason, for example, even if the ring-shaped scale member 23 is made of a transparent or translucent material and transmits illumination from the back surface side of the dial 19, these locking ring portions 24 ... The possibility of hindering transmitted illumination can be reduced.

  The meter structure of the best embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and the design does not depart from the gist of the present invention. Such modifications are included in the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ring-shaped scale member 23 has been described as having the integrally provided locking ring portions 24 as four locking claws, but not limited thereto. For example, you may comprise so that it may have two or three latching claw parts, or five or more latching claw parts, and it has a pair of lamellar leg parts 24b and 24b, and between leg parts 24b and 24b. The shape, quantity, and material are not particularly limited as long as they are formed in a side-view portal shape by the bridge-like portion 24c that integrally connects the two.

  Further, in this embodiment, the combination meter device 16 exhibiting an independent monocular design has been described with the application of the meter structure of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may apply to the combination meter apparatus which is not used, or the analog meter apparatus used independently.

It is a perspective view which shows the meter structure of the best embodiment of this invention, and demonstrates the structure of the principal part. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the combination meter from the front in the meter structure of an embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the position along the AA in FIG. 2 explaining the structure of the principal part by the meter structure of embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of a combination meter by the meter structure of embodiment. It is a partial cross-sectional perspective view explaining the structure of the back surface side of a ring-shaped scale member by the meter structure of embodiment. It is a partial cross section perspective view explaining the composition of the to-be-latched part by the lower housing member side by the meter structure of an embodiment. It is a perspective view explaining the structure of the latching claw part provided in the back surface side of the ring-shaped scale member by the meter structure of embodiment. It is a front view explaining the structure of the latching claw part provided in the back surface side of the ring-shaped scale member by the meter structure of embodiment. It is a side view explaining the structure of the latching claw part provided in the back surface side of the ring-shaped scale member by the meter structure of embodiment. It is a bottom view explaining the structure of the latching claw part provided in the back surface side of the ring-shaped scale member by the meter structure of embodiment. It is an inner side view explaining the structure of the latching claw part provided in the back surface side of the ring-shaped scale member by the meter structure of embodiment. It is a bottom view explaining the effect | action of the latching claw part provided in the back surface side of the ring-shaped scale member by the meter structure of embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the structure of the principal part by the meter structure of one prior art example. It is an expanded sectional view explaining the composition of the principal part by the meter structure of other conventional examples.

Explanation of symbols

14 Lower housing member 15 Upper housing member 16 Combination meter device 17 Vehicle speed meter (one of the instruments)
18 Engine speed meter (one of the instruments)
19 Dial 21 Annular groove 21a Inner side 22 Locked portion 22a Locked step 22b Recess 23 Ring scale member 23a Outer peripheral edge 24 Lock ring (locking claw)
24a Outer side surface 24b, 24b Leg part 24c Bridge-like part 24d Locking protrusion

Claims (3)

The dial face of the instrument is provided on the surface side of the lower housing member, and an annular groove portion is formed around the dial face, and is integrally extended from a ring-shaped scale member provided annularly around the dial face. The locking claw portion is locked to the locked portion in the annular groove portion, thereby fixing the ring-shaped scale member together with the dial to the lower housing member,
The locking claw portion has a pair of flaky leg portions having outer surfaces substantially flush with the outer peripheral edge of the ring-shaped scale member, and a side surface by a bridge-like portion integrally connecting the leg portions. In addition to being formed in the optic portal shape, a locking projection to be locked is provided to protrude from the inner side surface of the bridge-shaped portion toward the inner diameter direction with respect to the locked portion formed on the lower housing member. The meter structure characterized by becoming.   The locked portion is formed on an inner side surface portion of the annular groove portion of the lower housing member, and has a recess for burying the leg portion and the bridge-shaped portion in a state where the locking protrusion is locked. The meter structure according to claim 1. The bridge-shaped portion is formed in a straight line, and the pair of legs is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the ring-shaped scale member in a state where the locking projection is pressed from the inner diameter direction toward the outer diameter direction. The meter structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the meter structure is bent and deformed in a curved shape.

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