JP4792909B2 - Instrument pointer illumination device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pointer illumination device for a meter mounted on a vehicle, for example, and particularly to a pointer illumination device for a meter provided with a pointer that shines by receiving light from a light source.

In a pointer illuminating device that guides light from a light source behind a pointer that rotates on a display board to shine the pointer, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent below, the light leakage from the gap between the pointer and the display board is suppressed Document 2 is known.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No.6-20097 JP 2004-125498 A

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination device for a meter described in Patent Document 1 has a guide 2 provided with a pointer cap 3 at the tip of a pointer shaft 6 and is provided on the back of the dial 1. In a lighting device of an instrument in which light from the light plate 4 is guided to the pointer base 2a to make the pointer 2 shine, a light-shielding ring 10 protruding into a gap 8 between the hole edge of the dial 1 and the pointer cap 3 Is the one that is attached. With this configuration, halation (light leakage) on the dial 1 around the pointer cap 3 can be prevented without reducing the brightness of the pointer 2.

  The pointer illumination device described in Patent Document 2 guides illumination light to the pointer 1 including the pointer main body 10 and the light-shielding cover 11 and to the light introducing portion 13 of the pointer 1 that is located on the back side of the display plate 2. A light source 3 that shines the pointer 1, a color member 4 that has a light shielding wall 41 that is fixed to the display plate 2 and extends toward the light shielding cover 11, and a rotation center region R of the pointer main body 10 are covered from behind and from the light source 3. And a covering member 12 having a daylighting portion 16 for allowing the illumination light to pass through the light introduction portion 13 and a light shielding portion 17 extending inside the light shielding wall portion 41, and the light introduction portion 13 is provided with a protruding portion 18 to block light. The cover 11, the light shielding wall 41, the light shielding portion 17, and the protruding portion 18 form a labyrinth-like light leakage suppression portion. By configuring in this way, the gap from between the pointer 1 and the display plate 2 is formed. That light leakage can be reduced. That.

  However, the instrument illumination device in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the wall 10a of the light-shielding ring 10 and the pointer cap 3 are simply overlapped with a predetermined gap therebetween, so that the pointer base 2a side through the light guide plate 4 is used. The illumination light reflected by the pointer base 2a and the like easily leaks to the surface of the dial 1 through the wall 10a of the light shielding ring 10 and the pointer cap 3, and this causes light leakage (halation). As a result, the lighting quality may be deteriorated, and there is room for improvement in this respect.

  The pointer illumination device in Patent Document 2 can suppress light leakage more than that in Patent Document 1 by forming a labyrinth-shaped light leakage suppression portion, but light leaks onto the dial 1 while repeating reflection. There is also a fear. Further, in order to further suppress light leakage, the covering member 12 and the light introducing portion 13 are provided with a light shielding portion 17 and a protruding portion 18, and a predetermined gap is provided between the light shielding cover 11 and the light shielding portion 17 (or the protruding portion 18). The configuration becomes complicated, for example, because it is necessary to enter the light shielding wall 41 of the collar member 4 with a space therebetween.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a pointer illumination device for a meter that can suppress light leakage from between a pointer and a display board with a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an instrument body having a rotating shaft, a pointer having an indicator and a pointer shaft fixed to the distal end side of the rotating shaft, and disposed behind the pointer. A display plate having a pivot shaft or a through-hole through which the pointer shaft is inserted, and a light source disposed around the pivot shaft behind the display plate to illuminate the pointer through the through-hole. The plate has an inclined surface around the through hole, the pointer has a cap that covers the front side of the pointer shaft, and the peripheral diameter of the inclined surface is smaller than the outer diameter of the cap. The surface is formed by bending the periphery of the through-hole so that the clearance from the pointer increases from the outer peripheral side toward the through-hole and is positioned behind the surface of the display panel .

Also, a meter body having a pivot shaft, a pointer having an indicator and a pointer shaft fixed to the distal end side of the pivot shaft, and the pivot shaft or the pointer shaft disposed behind the pointer is inserted. A display plate having a through-hole, a light source disposed around the rotation shaft behind the display plate and illuminating the pointer through the through-hole, and a tube portion surrounding the light source. A holding member for holding, the display plate has an inclined surface around the through hole, the pointer has a cap that covers the front side of the pointer shaft, and the peripheral diameter of the inclined surface of the cap The inclined surface is smaller in diameter than the outer diameter, and the gap between the pointer increases from the outer peripheral side toward the through hole, and around the through hole so as to be located behind the surface of the display plate. It is formed by bending

  An instrument pointer illumination device that can suppress light leakage from between the pointer and the display board with a simple configuration can be obtained.

  A vehicle instrument to which the present invention is applied will be described as an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a speedometer (instrument) showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and is roughly divided into an instrument unit A and a case B in which the instrument unit A is accommodated. The instrument unit A includes a rigid circuit board 1 and an instrument body 3 that is mounted on the back side of the circuit board 1 in a conductive state with the circuit board 1 and has a pivot shaft 2 that penetrates the circuit board 1 and extends forward. A pointer 6 having a pointer 4 and a pointer shaft 5 fixed to the distal end side of the rotating shaft 2, and a scale and a number indicating the speed of a vehicle disposed behind the pointer 6 and to be pointed to by the pointer 4 A display plate 7 provided with a display unit (not shown) such as a diffusion plate 8 disposed behind the display plate 7 and a holding member 9 for holding the diffusion plate 8 and the display plate 7. Yes.

  Also, a pointer light emitting diode 11 as a light source disposed on the circuit board 1 around the rotation shaft 2 of the instrument body 3 and illuminating the pointer 6 through the through hole 10 of the display board 7, and a circuit board behind the diffusion plate 8 The display panel light emitting diode 12 is provided as a light source that is disposed on the display panel 1 and illuminates the display panel 7. Reference numeral 13 denotes a rubber vibration isolating member that is mounted in a plurality around the periphery of the display board 7 and suppresses the display board 7 from shaking.

  The case B includes an upper case 14 that covers the front side and the periphery of the display board 7 and a synthetic resin lower case 15 that covers the back side of the circuit board 1 and the periphery of the holding member 9. The upper case 14 includes a colorless and transparent see-through plate 16 made of synthetic resin, and a cover portion 17 and a side wall 18 made of, for example, black synthetic resin, which are integrally formed around the see-through plate 16.

  The pointer 6 includes a cap 19 made of a light-shielding synthetic resin that covers the front side of the pointer shaft 5 in addition to the indicator 4 and the pointer shaft 5 made of colorless and transparent synthetic resin. 20 is a balancer made of a copper alloy. Further, for example, a red foil (not shown) is hot stamped on the front surface and the back surface of the instruction unit 4, and the instruction unit 4 is visually recognized in red when the surroundings are bright such as daytime. In addition, in this embodiment, although the instruction | indication part 4 and the pointer shaft 5 are united, a separate body may be sufficient.

  The holding member 9 is made of, for example, white synthetic resin having a light shielding property, and is disposed so as to surround the cylindrical portion 21 surrounding the pointer light emitting diode 11 disposed around the rotation shaft 2 and the display panel light emitting diode 12. The reflecting wall 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23 are provided. A diffusion plate 8 and a display plate 7 are held on the holding member 9. Further, the distal end side of the cylindrical portion 21 is inserted through the through holes 10 and 10 </ b> A of the display plate 7 and the diffusion plate 8.

The display plate 7 is made of, for example, a dark-colored synthetic resin molded product (substrate) having optical transparency, and a convex display portion (not shown) is integrally provided on the surface side of the substrate. Further, a protrusion (not shown) corresponding to the display portion provided on the front surface side is also integrally provided on the back surface side of the substrate. For example, white foil is hot stamped on the display portion on the front surface side, and black foil is hot stamped on the protrusion portion on the back surface side, for example. Further, an inclined surface 24 is provided around the through hole 10 through which the turning shaft 2 of the meter body 3 or the pointer shaft 5 of the pointer 6 is inserted. The inclined surface 24 is formed by bending the display plate 7 toward the inner peripheral side so that the gap X with the pointer 6 increases from the outer peripheral side toward the through hole 10. Further, the peripheral diameter D1 of the inclined surface 24 is smaller than the outer diameter D2 of the cap 19.

  The diffusion plate 8 is provided with, for example, a white transmission layer by printing on the surface side of the colorless and transparent substrate substantially corresponding to the display area (area along the display part) of the display board 7 provided with the display part. Is black-printed. Moreover, the light control layer is provided in the back surface of the board | substrate. This light control layer adjusts the amount of transmitted light so that the light from the light emitting diode 12 for the display panel that has passed through the white transmission layer irradiates the back side of the display panel 7 substantially uniformly.

  In the instrument configured as described above, the display plate 7 is visually recognized in white on the dark substrate. Further, when the surroundings are dark such as at night, for example, when the light-emitting diode 12 for display panel that emits white light is turned on, the light transmitted through the diffusion plate 8 is transmitted and illuminated in white except for the display section, and the display section is visually recognized as black. Is done. At this time, since the area where the diffusing plate 8 is black-printed does not transmit light, the display plate 7 corresponding to the area is white and hardly illuminated. When the pointer 6 is dark, such as at night, the pointer light emitting diode 11 that emits red light is turned on, for example, so that the light is incident from the periphery of the pointer shaft 5 and reflected by the reflecting surface 25 and guided to the indicator 4 side. Is transmitted through a red foil provided on the surface of the indicator 4 so that the indicator 4 shines red.

Note that not all the light emitted from the pointer light emitting diode 11 is guided to the indication portion 4 of the pointer 6, and there is also light that is reflected by the pointer shaft 5 and the cap 19 and toward the through hole 10 of the display plate 7. . At this time, as described above, the inclined surface 24 is provided around the through hole 10, and the inclined plate 24 has a gap X between the indicator 6 and the display plate 7 so as to increase from the outer peripheral side toward the through hole 10. Is bent to the inner peripheral side . Therefore, the light irradiated on the inclined surface 24 is directed toward the center of the cap 19 without going toward the front of the cap 19 (that is, the line of sight of the vehicle driver). Therefore, even if light irradiates the inclined surface 24, it is difficult to cause light leakage.

  In this way, the ring member for preventing light leakage that has been used conventionally is not necessary, and the pointer 6 and the display board can be formed with a simple configuration in which the inclined surface 24 as described above is provided around the through hole 10 of the display board 7. Light leakage from between the two can be suppressed. Further, since it has a cylindrical portion 21 surrounding the pointer light emitting diode 11 and includes a holding member 9 for holding the diffusion plate 8 and the display plate 7, light leakage from between the pointer 6 and the display plate 7 is prevented. In addition to being able to suppress, even if the light emitting color of the pointer light emitting diode 11 and the light emitting diode 12 for the display panel are different, the two light emitting colors are not mixed and the illumination quality is not deteriorated. Further, the diffusion plate 8 and the display plate 7 can be easily held.

  Further, by setting the peripheral diameter D1 of the inclined surface 24 to be smaller than the outer diameter D2 of the cap 19, the inclined surface 24 becomes difficult to see from the vehicle driver side, and the appearance of the instrument does not deteriorate. If there is no sense of incongruity, the peripheral diameter D1 of the inclined surface 24 may be slightly larger than the outer diameter D2 of the cap 19.

  In this embodiment, the display plate 7 is indirectly held by the holding member 9 via the diffusion plate 8. However, when the diffusion plate 8 is not used, the display plate 7 is directly attached to the holding member 9. Retained. In addition, the display board 7 is a dark synthetic resin molded product having light transmissivity, but the material, color tone and shape of printing, etc. are arbitrary.

  FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a speedometer (instrument) showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the diffuser plate in the first embodiment is not used, and the display panel is mainly different except for the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as in the first embodiment. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The display board 7 is, for example, a white transparent material for forming a scale (number not shown) indicating the speed of the vehicle and the like on a surface side of a colorless and transparent thin substrate (sheet material) made of synthetic resin. After printing the property display layer (not shown), a black (impermeable) ground color layer (not shown) is formed by printing except for the display portion. Further, an inclined surface 24 is provided around the through hole 10 through which the turning shaft 2 of the meter body 3 or the pointer shaft 5 of the pointer 6 is inserted. The inclined surface 24 is formed so that the clearance X with the pointer 6 increases from the outer peripheral side toward the through hole 10, and the peripheral diameter D 1 of the inclined surface 24 is smaller than the outer diameter D 2 of the cap 19. . The inclined surface 24 is a surface on the pointer 6 side of the bent portion 26 formed by bending the periphery of the through hole 10 of the display plate 7 after printing, for example, using a press. The display board 7 is held by the holding member 9, and the distal end side of the cylindrical portion 21 of the holding member 9 is inserted into the through hole 10.

  In the instrument configured in this way, the display plate 7 is visually recognized in white on the black ground. Further, when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, for example, when the display panel light emitting diode 12 that emits white light is turned on, the display unit is transmitted and illuminated in white. As in the first embodiment, the indicator 6 is visually recognized in red when the surroundings are bright, and the indicator light emitting diode 11 that emits red light when the surroundings are dark. It comes to shine in red.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the light reflected from the periphery of the pointer shaft 5 and the cap 19 and irradiating the inclined surface 24 toward the periphery of the through hole 10 of the display board 7 is the front of the cap 19 (that is, the vehicle). Head toward the center of the cap 19 without heading toward the driver's line of sight. Therefore, even if light irradiates the inclined surface 24, it is difficult to cause light leakage.

Thus, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. Even if the display plate 7 is thin, the inclined surface 24 is formed by bending the periphery of the through hole 10 toward the inner peripheral side, so that the inclined surface 24 can be easily provided on the display plate 7.

  FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a speedometer (instrument) showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those of the above-described embodiments, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The speedometer includes a hard circuit board 1, an instrument body 3 that is mounted on the surface side of the circuit board 1 in a conductive state with the circuit board 1, and has a rotation shaft 2 that extends forward, an indicator 4, and a rotation shaft. A pointer 6 having a pointer shaft 5 fixed to the distal end side of 2 and a display unit (not shown) for indicating the speed of a vehicle which is arranged behind the pointer 6 and which is to be indicated by the indication unit 4. ), A lamp 27 that is mounted on the circuit board 1 and serves as a light source for illuminating the pointer 6 and the display board 7, and the light of the lamp 27 that is disposed on the back side of the display board 7 is indicated by the pointer 6. A light guide member 28 leading to the portion 4 is provided.

  The pointer 6 includes a cap 19 made of a light-shielding synthetic resin that covers the front side of the pointer shaft 5 in addition to the indicator 4 and the pointer shaft 5 made of colorless and transparent synthetic resin. Further, for example, a white foil (not shown) is hot stamped on the back surface of the instruction unit 4, and when the surroundings are bright such as in the daytime, the instruction unit 4 is visually recognized in white.

As in the second embodiment, the display unit 7 has a display unit (not shown) printed in white on the surface side of a colorless and transparent thin substrate (sheet material) made of synthetic resin. The part is printed in black. An inclined surface 24 is provided around the through hole 10. The inclined surface 24 is formed so that the clearance X with the pointer 6 increases from the outer peripheral side toward the through hole 10, and the peripheral diameter D 1 of the inclined surface 24 is smaller than the outer diameter D 2 of the cap 19. . The inclined surface 24 is a surface on the pointer 6 side of the bent portion 26 formed by bending the periphery of the through hole 10 of the display plate 7 to the inner peripheral side after printing.

  The light guide member 28 is made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin, and includes a flat portion 29 along the display plate 7 and a light receiving portion 30 that extends from the flat portion 29 toward the lamp 27. In addition, a first reflecting surface 31 is provided between the flat surface portion 29 and the light receiving portion 30, and a second reflecting surface 32 is provided around the through hole 10B. The light guide member 28 and the display board 8 are attached and fixed to the instrument body 3.

  In the instrument configured as described above, when the lamp 27 is lit when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the light incident from the light receiving unit 30 of the light guide member 28 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 31 and guided to the plane unit 29. Then, the light is reflected by the second reflecting surface 32 and emitted to the pointer 6 side. This light enters the pointer 6 through the through hole 10 of the display plate 7 and is reflected by the white foil on the back surface of the indicator 4 so that the indicator 4 shines in white. Further, the display unit of the display panel 7 receives direct light from the lamp 27 from behind, or receives light guided to the flat part 29 of the light guide member 28 and is illuminated in white.

  As in the above-described embodiments, the light reflected from the periphery of the pointer shaft 5 and the cap 19 and irradiating the inclined surface 24 toward the periphery of the through hole 10 of the display board 7 is forward of the periphery of the cap 19 (that is, driving the vehicle). Toward the center of the cap 19 without going toward the person's line of sight. Therefore, even if light irradiates the inclined surface 24, it is difficult to cause light leakage. In this way, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained. The display board 7 is a synthetic resin sheet material, but may be a synthetic resin molded product similar to that of the first embodiment. In the case of a synthetic resin molded product, the plate thickness is thicker than that of the sheet material, and bending becomes difficult. However, since it can be handled by a molding die for molding the display plate, an inclined surface can be easily provided.

Sectional drawing of the meter which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. The fragmentary sectional view of the meter which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The fragmentary sectional view of the meter which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 Rotating shaft 3 Instrument body 4 Pointer 5 Pointer shaft 6 Pointer 7 Display plate 9 Holding member 10 Through hole 11 Light emitting diode for pointer (light source)
19 Cap 21 Tube portion 24 Inclined surface X Clearance D1 Perimeter diameter D2 Outer diameter

Claims (2)

An instrument body having a pivot shaft, a pointer having an indicator and a pointer shaft fixed to the tip end side of the pivot shaft, and the pivot shaft or the pointer shaft disposed behind the pointer is inserted. a display panel having a through hole, and a light source for illuminating the pointer through the through-hole is arranged behind the display panel, the display plate has an inclined surface around the through-hole, the pointer is The cap has a cap that covers the front side of the pointer shaft, the peripheral diameter of the inclined surface is smaller than the outer diameter of the cap, and the inclined surface has a gap with the pointer as it goes from the outer peripheral side to the through hole. An instrument pointer illuminating device which is formed by bending the periphery of the through-hole so as to be larger and located behind the surface of the display plate . An instrument body having a pivot shaft, a pointer having an indicator and a pointer shaft fixed to the tip end side of the pivot shaft, and the pivot shaft or the pointer shaft disposed behind the pointer is inserted. A display plate having a through hole, a light source disposed around the rotation shaft behind the display plate to illuminate the pointer through the through hole, and a cylindrical portion surrounding the light source, and holding the display plate A holding member, the display plate has an inclined surface around the through hole, the pointer has a cap covering the front side of the pointer shaft, and the peripheral diameter of the inclined surface is the outer diameter of the cap The diameter of the inclined surface is smaller and the clearance from the pointer becomes larger from the outer peripheral side toward the through hole, and the periphery of the through hole is bent so as to be located behind the surface of the display plate. characterized in that it is formed by Vessel of the pointer illuminating apparatus.

Images