JP5904297B2 - Meter unit for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle meter unit that displays a measured value of a physical quantity related to a vehicle state.

  Conventionally, an analog type vehicle meter that displays current measured values of physical quantities related to the vehicle state such as the engine speed and vehicle speed of the vehicle with a pointer or the like has been proposed that can change the display contents according to the situation. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). For example, the vehicle meter of Patent Document 1 has a plurality of display surfaces on which different scales are formed, and includes a dial face on which each display surface is provided non-concentrically. Then, the display content is changed by rotating the dial so that an arbitrary display surface of the dial is visually recognized.

  Further, in a vehicle meter for a hybrid vehicle in recent years, as shown in FIG. 12, contents displayed between the tachometer 501 (FIG. 1A) and the hybrid meter 502 (FIG. 1B) when the drive mode changes. There are things that change. Specifically, in a vehicle meter having a meter frame 510, a dial 520, and a pointer 550, the dial 520 has display contents 521 used for the tachometer 501 and display contents 522 used for the hybrid meter 502 in advance. It is written. The display contents 521 and 522 are displayed by being irradiated with light. Further, on the back side of the dial 520, a tachometer LED (not shown) for irradiating light to the display content 521 used for the tachometer 501, and a hybrid meter LED for irradiating light to the display content 522 used for the hybrid meter 502 (Not shown) is provided. In order to prevent light from each LED from leaking to the outside, a light shielding wall (not shown) is provided between the LEDs. Then, the tachometer 501 and the hybrid meter 502 are switched by switching control of turning on and off of the tachometer LED and the hybrid meter LED when the drive mode changes.

JP 2005-62036 A

  However, in the above conventional vehicle meter, even if the display content is changed according to the situation, only the display content such as the scale is changed, so the impression of the meter as a whole cannot be changed. .

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said problem, and makes it a subject to provide the meter unit for vehicles which can change the impression as the whole meter according to a condition.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a first meter and a second meter each having a ring-shaped meter frame and displaying a measured value of a physical quantity related to a vehicle state inside the meter frame. A vehicle meter unit comprising:
In each meter frame of the first and second meters, a part on the side of the inter-meter region that is a region between the first meter and the second meter is cut away,
The boundary of the meter frame with the notched portion is an end of the meter frame, the meter frame of the first meter is the first meter frame, and the meter frame of the second meter is the second meter frame. As
The area between each end of the first meter frame and the second meter frame including the inter-meter area is set as a display area, and the display area includes an end of the first meter frame and an end of the second meter frame. A connection image connecting between the first meter frame, a first meter frame image associated with the first meter frame so that the first meter frame is closed, and a ring shape with the second meter frame closed Display means capable of displaying a meter frame image including a second meter frame image associated with the second meter frame so that
Mode setting means for setting any one of a plurality of predetermined modes as a display mode of the vehicle meter unit;
Display control means for displaying either the connection image or the meter frame image selected in accordance with the mode set by the mode setting means in the display area;
The first meter frame image and the second meter frame image have a scale image,
The connection image and the meter frame image displayed by the display unit are selected according to each mode.

  According to this, the impression as the whole meter can be changed according to a situation.

1 is an external front view of a vehicle meter unit 1. It is sectional drawing when the vehicle meter unit 1 is cut by the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing when the meter unit 1 for vehicles is cut by the BB line of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the broken line part C of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the vehicle meter unit 1. It is the figure which showed the display state of the meter unit 1 for vehicles in normal mode. It is the figure which showed the display state of the meter unit 1 for vehicles in sports mode. It is the figure which showed the display state of the meter unit 1 for vehicles in eco mode. It is the figure which showed the display state of the meter unit 1 for vehicles in back mode. It is the figure which showed the display state of the meter unit 1 for vehicles in a warning mode. It is a figure explaining the moving image display of the connection image 350 in a warning mode. It is the figure which showed the conventional meter which can change a meter kind according to a condition.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle meter unit of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the vehicle meter unit 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle meter unit 1 taken along the line AA in FIG. First, the configuration of the vehicle meter unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The vehicle meter unit 1 displays measured values of physical quantities related to the vehicle state such as the engine speed and the vehicle speed while the vehicle is running, and the driver of the vehicle can easily see the measured values displayed during driving. For example, it is disposed at a position facing the driver's seat. The vehicle meter unit 1 is configured as a combination meter in which two ring-shaped meters 10 and 20 having the same size are arranged side by side as shown in FIG. One of the meters 10 and 20 corresponds to the “first meter” of the present invention, and the other corresponds to the “second meter” of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the left meter 10 disposed on the left side is described as the “first meter”, and the right meter 20 disposed on the right side is described as the “second meter”.

  The vehicle meter unit 1 includes a plate-like dial 31 and a plate-like acrylic plate 32 superimposed on the dial 31, and each meter 10, 20 includes the dial 31, an acrylic plate, and the like. 32. The dial 31 is made of a transparent resin such as polycarbonate. The surface of the dial 31 (the surface on the viewer side) is printed in a predetermined color, and more specifically, when nothing is displayed in the display area 41 of the TFT display device 40 described later. It is printed in the same gray color as the color of the display area 41.

  Further, on the surface of the dial 31, scales and numbers corresponding to the physical quantities displayed by the meters 10 and 20 are formed in advance. More specifically, the area 31a of the dial 31 in which the left meter 10 is arranged has scales and numbers for the left meter 10, and the right meter 20 is arranged in the area 31b in which the right meter 20 is arranged. Scales and numbers are formed. These scales and numbers are formed by printing the surface of the dial 31 into scales and numbers. That is, the gray printing is not applied to the portion of the dial 31 where the scales and numbers are formed. Then, when the light is irradiated from the back side of the dial 31, these scales and numbers are displayed by light emission. The scale and numbers formed on the dial 31 will be described later.

  The acrylic plate 32 is provided so as to be superimposed on the dial 31. The acrylic plate 32 is provided to suppress reflection by extraneous light incident on the meters 10 and 20, and is made of an acrylic resin having a non-glare treatment on the surface.

  The dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32 have openings 31d and 32d into which a part of the meter frame 11 of the left meter 10 described later is fitted, and an opening 31e into which a part of the meter frame 21 of the right meter 20 is fitted, respectively. 32e is formed. Furthermore, the dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32 are respectively formed with openings 31c and 32c at positions where a TFT display device 40 described later is provided in accordance with the shape of the TFT display device 40 (strictly, the display region 41). Has been.

  The left meter 10 includes a left meter frame 11 (corresponding to a first meter frame) provided on a dial 31 (including the acrylic plate 32), and a first meter provided inside the left meter frame 11. It comprises at least the pointer 12. The left meter frame 11 is a portion that becomes a frame of the left meter 10 and has a ring shape (arc shape) with a part cut away. More specifically, the left meter frame 11 has an alphabet “C” shape in which a part on the inter-meter region 51 side, which is a region between the left meter 10 and the right meter 20, is cut off. The notch range of the left meter frame 11 is, for example, about 1/6 of the entire circumference of the left meter frame 11. Thus, the left meter frame 11 has two end portions 11a and 11b that are boundaries with the notched portion because the left meter frame 11 is partially notched.

  As described above, openings 31d and 32d are formed in the portion of the dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32 where the left meter frame 11 is provided according to the shape of the left meter frame 11, and the left meter frame 11 The dial 31 is provided on the dial 31 so that a part (about the lower half of the left meter frame 11) fits into the openings 31d and 32d. Here, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the broken line portion C of FIG. 2 and shows details of the cross-sectional shape of the left meter frame 11. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the left meter frame 11 when cut at a position other than the line AA is the same as that in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the left meter frame 11 has a certain width, and the cross-sectional shape of the upper surface 11e is a mountain shape. Furthermore, a recess 11f is formed at the top of the upper surface 11e. That is, the left meter frame 11 has a C shape with a constant width in the front view shown in FIG. 1, and a linear alphabet “C” is formed inside the C shape with the constant width by the recessed portion 11f. ing.

  The left meter frame 11 is formed of a light transmissive material such as acrylic resin. Then, light is applied to the recess 11f from the back side of the left meter frame 11 (see FIG. 4), so that the recess 11f emits light.

  As described above, the scale for the left meter 10 is formed in the area 31 a of the dial 31, and the scale is formed along the left meter frame 11 inside the left meter frame 11. In FIG. 1, the scale for the left meter 10 is not shown for convenience. In the present embodiment, the left meter 10 is a meter that displays the vehicle speed, and a scale of the vehicle speed is formed inside the left meter frame 11 (see FIG. 6 described later). And the 1st pointer | guide 12 which instruct | indicates the scale corresponding to the present vehicle speed is provided in the form in which the base end 12a is connected with the rotating shaft of the motor mentioned later near the center of the area | region 31a. The first pointer 12 is rotationally driven so that the tip indicates one of the scales as the rotation shaft of the motor rotates.

  The right meter 20 includes a right meter frame 21 (corresponding to a second meter frame) provided on the dial 31 (including the acrylic plate 32, strictly speaking), and two provided inside the right meter frame 21. It includes at least a pointer (second pointer 22 and third pointer 24). The right meter frame 21 is a portion that becomes a frame of the right meter 20 and, like the left meter frame 11, has a ring shape (arc shape) with a part cut away. More specifically, the right meter frame 21 is symmetrical to the left meter frame 11. That is, the right meter frame 21 has the same size as the left meter frame 11 and has a reverse “C” shape with a part cut out on the inter-meter region 51 side. The range of the notch is the same as that of the left meter frame 11. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the right meter frame 21 is the same as that of the left meter frame 11 (see FIG. 4), and the material is the same as that of the left meter frame 11 (for example, acrylic resin). The right meter frame 21 has two end portions 21a and 21b because a part thereof is notched.

  In the area 31b inside the right meter frame 21, the scale for the right meter 20 is formed in advance as described above. The scale is formed along the right meter frame 21. In FIG. 1, the scale for the right meter 20 is not shown for convenience. In the present embodiment, the right meter 20 is a meter that simultaneously displays the measurement values of a plurality of types of physical quantities. For this reason, the area 31b inside the right meter frame 21 has scales corresponding to the plurality of types of physical quantities in advance. It is formed (see FIG. 6 described later). Further, the vehicle meter unit 1 according to the present invention has a plurality of modes for changing the impression of each meter 10, 20, and the right meter 20 is a meter that displays a measured value of a physical quantity according to the mode. Has been. Therefore, the scale used in each mode is previously formed in the area | region 31b inside the right meter frame 21. FIG.

  As described above, since the right meter 20 can display a plurality of measured values at the same time, the right meter 20 is provided with two pointers (second pointer 22 and third pointer 24). The second pointer 22 is provided such that its base end 22a is connected to the rotation shaft of a motor, which will be described later, near the center of the region 31b. The second pointer 22 is rotationally driven so that the tip thereof indicates one of the scales formed on the upper side of the region 31b as the rotation shaft of the motor rotates. The third pointer 24 is provided such that its base end 24a is connected to the rotation shaft of a motor, which will be described later, in the vicinity of the center of the region 31b. The third pointer 24 is rotationally driven so that its tip indicates one of the scales formed on the lower side of the region 31b as the rotation shaft of the motor rotates.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle meter unit 1 is provided with a substrate 60 on the back side of the dial 31. On the substrate 60, an LED 71 for irradiating light on the left meter frame 11 and an LED 72 for irradiating light on the right meter frame 21 are mounted. The LEDs 71 and 72 are arranged so as to have a C shape (in the case of the LED 71) or an inverted C shape (in the case of the LED 72) according to the shape of the meter frames 11 and 21, and the recessed portions of the meter frames 11 and 21. (See FIG. 4). In addition, the LEDs 71 and 72 are LEDs that can emit various colors by adjusting the light amounts of RGB.

  In addition, an LED 73 is mounted on the substrate 60 to irradiate light to the area where the scale of the left meter 10 of the dial 31 is formed and display the scale. Similarly, an LED 74 is mounted on the substrate 60 to irradiate light to the area where the scale of the right meter 20 of the dial 31 is formed and display the scale. As described above, in the region 31b inside the right meter frame 21, a plurality of scales used in each mode are formed in advance, and a plurality of LEDs 74 are provided so as to correspond to each scale. In FIG. 3, two LEDs 74a and 74b are shown. And between each LED74, the light-shielding wall 81 is provided in the form which connects the board | substrate 60 and the dial 31. FIG. That is, by providing the light-shielding wall 81, the light emitted from each LED 74 is irradiated to only the scale assigned to each LED 74 without leaking to others. Thereby, the scale to be displayed can be switched by switching the LED 74 to be lit.

  Further, a stepping motor 82 for rotating the first pointer 12 of the left meter 10 is mounted on the substrate 60, and the rotation shaft 82 a and the base end 12 a of the first pointer 12 are connected. Then, the stepping motor 82 rotates the first pointer 12 by rotating the rotation shaft 82a. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a stepping motor that rotates the second pointer 22 of the right meter 20 and a stepping motor that rotates the third pointer 24 are also mounted on the substrate 60.

  Further, on the substrate 60, the LEDs 71 to 74 are turned on and off, the stepping motors for rotating the hands 12, 22, and 24 are controlled, and the display of the display device 40 to be described later is controlled. A control unit 83 is mounted. Details of the control unit 83 will be described when the electrical configuration of the vehicle meter unit 1 is described.

  The vehicle meter unit 1 includes a TFT liquid crystal display device 40 (corresponding to “display means” of the present invention) capable of displaying various images. The display device 40 displays a connection image connecting the end portions 11a, 11b, 21a, and 21b of the meter frames 11 and 21. Details of the connection image will be described later in detail. The display device 40 is provided between the left meter 10 and the right meter 20 with respect to the installation position in the left-right direction. The display device 40 includes a display region 41 that includes an inter-meter region 51 and also includes regions between both ends 11 a and 11 b of the left meter frame 11 and both ends 21 a and 21 b of the right meter frame 21. The display area 41 is a display surface of the TFT liquid crystal, and is a part where various images are actually displayed. The display area 41 has a rectangular shape, and the upper and lower sides constituting the rectangle extend in the left-right direction (the arrangement direction of the meters 10 and 20), and the left and right sides extend in the vertical direction. Further, the left side (side on the left meter 10 side) of the display area 41 is positioned inside the left meter frame 11, and the right side (side on the right meter 20 side) of the display area 41 is positioned inside the right meter frame 21. Yes. That is, a part of the display area 41 enters the inside of the left meter frame 11 and the right meter frame 21.

  Further, the display device 40 is provided with a frame portion 42 that supports the display area 41 in a form of being connected around the display area 41. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame portion 42 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a portion 11 c, 11 d, 21 c near each end 11 a, 11 b, 21 a, 21 b of the left meter frame 11 and the right meter frame 21. It overlaps with 21d in front view.

  The display device 40 is provided on the back side of the dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32 with respect to the installation position in the depth direction of the vehicle meter unit 1 (vertical direction in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2) (see FIG. 2). At this time, the dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32 are formed with the openings 31c and 32c in accordance with the shape of the display area 41 as described above, so that the display area 41 can be viewed from the front side. Yes.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular meter unit 1 taken along the line BB in FIG. This BB line is a line along the right meter frame 21 in the vicinity of the lower end 21 b of the right meter frame 21. As shown in FIG. 3, a dial 31 and an acrylic plate 32 are provided on the upper side of the display device 40. Further, the right meter frame 21 is provided on the dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32 as described above. As described above, a part of the right meter frame 21 is fitted in the openings 31e and 32e formed in the dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32 (see FIG. 2). The dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32 are located below.

  Further, in the overlapping portion 21 d of the right meter frame 21 with the frame portion 42, the frame portion 42 is positioned below the dial 31 and the acrylic plate 32. Note that the thickness of the overlapping portion 21d is made thinner than the other portions. Thus, since the frame part 42 is located below the overlapping part 21d, the overlapping part 21d cannot be irradiated with the light of the LED from directly below the overlapping part 21d. For this reason, a light guide 26 is provided to guide light from a specific portion other than the overlapping portion 21d to the overlapping portion 21d.

  The light guide part 26 is formed of a material having a light guide property such as acrylic resin, and has an L-shape in cross section as shown in FIG. One side of the two sides constituting the L-shape is positioned below the overlapping portion 21d, and the other side is positioned immediately next to the frame portion 42 as a specific portion other than the overlapping portion 21d. That is, the incident surface 26a of the light guide part 26 is positioned not next to the overlapping part 21d but next to the overlapping part 21d.

  An LED 75 as a light source for light guide that irradiates light to the incident surface 26 a is mounted on the substrate 60 at a position facing the incident surface 26 a of the light guide unit 26. The light from the LED 75 enters the light guide portion 26 from the incident surface 26 a and travels along the L-shape of the light guide portion 26 while reflecting the inside of the light guide portion 26. A part of the light passes through the overlapping portion 21d. Thereby, the overlapping portion 21d emits light.

  In addition to the overlapping portion 21d shown in FIG. 3, other overlapping portions 11c, 11d, and 21c are also provided with light guides for emitting light from the overlapping portions 11c, 11d, and 21c, respectively, as in FIG. 60 is mounted with an LED as a light guide light source for irradiating each light guide portion with light.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the vehicle meter unit 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the vehicle meter unit 1. In FIG. 5, in addition to the vehicle meter unit 1, other configurations (body ECU 90 and the like) related to the operation of the vehicle meter unit 1 are also illustrated. As shown in FIG. 5, the electrical configuration of the vehicle meter unit 1 includes a control unit 83 (see FIG. 2) mounted on the substrate 60 as a main part and is electrically connected to the control unit 83. The display device 40, the stepping motor 82, the LEDs 71 to 75, and the mode setting SW 84 are included.

  The control unit 83 (corresponding to the “display control unit” of the present invention) includes a microcomputer in which a CPU 831, a ROM 832, a RAM 833, and an input / output unit (I / O) 835 are connected via an internal bus. The ROM 832 stores various programs to be executed by the CPU 831. Specifically, the ROM 832 controls the stepping motor 82, which is an image display program that indicates what kind of image is displayed on the display device 40 at what timing. A motor control program to be performed, an LED control program to control lighting of the LEDs 71 to 75, and the like are stored. As described above, the display device 40 displays a connection image that connects the end portions 11a, 11b, 21a, and 21b of the meter frames 11 and 21, so the ROM 832 displays the connection image. The image data shown is stored as part of the image display program. In addition, the connection image displayed on the display device 40 differs depending on the mode. For this reason, the ROM 832 stores image data indicating the connection image for each mode. The RAM 833 is used to temporarily store various data when the CPU 831 executes various processes.

  A mode setting SW 84 connected to the input / output unit (I / O) 835 is a switch for setting a mode for changing the display impression of the vehicle meter unit 1. Specifically, in this embodiment, five modes are defined: (A) normal mode, (B) sports mode, (C) eco mode, (D) back mode, and (E) walking mode. Of the five modes, the mode setting SW 84 includes (A) a switch (not shown) for setting the normal mode, (B) a switch (not shown) for setting the sport mode, and (C) the eco mode. It is comprised from the switch (not shown) for setting. This mode setting SW 84 is provided near the driver's seat so that the driver can easily operate. When each switch of the mode setting SW 84 is operated by the user, a signal corresponding to each switch is input to the control unit 83. Based on the input signal, the CPU 831 can recognize that the mode setting SW 84 has been operated, and can recognize which switch of the mode setting SW 84 has been operated.

  The control unit 83 is connected to the communication bus 91 via a communication interface (I / F) 836. A body ECU 90 is connected to the communication bus 91. And the control part 83 is communicable with the body type ECU90 via the communication bus 91, The physical quantity regarding the vehicle state for displaying on each meter 10 and 20 or the display apparatus 40 from the body type ECU90. The measured value is acquired. The physical quantities related to the vehicle state are, for example, the vehicle speed, the engine speed, the average fuel consumption, the fuel remaining amount, the shift position, the outside air temperature, the cooling water temperature, and the battery remaining amount, and the control unit 83 converts these measured values into the body ECU 90. Is getting from.

  Various sensors 92 (for example, a vehicle speed sensor, a coolant temperature sensor, a remaining fuel sensor, a shift position sensor, etc.) for measuring these physical quantities are connected to the body ECU 90. The body system ECU 90 transmits the values of the various sensors 92 to the control unit 83 as measured values for reflecting the values on the meters 10 and 20 and the display device 40.

  In addition, a vehicle (not shown) on which the vehicle meter unit 1 of the present embodiment is mounted is provided with clearance sonars (included in various sensors 92) at five locations in the corners and the center of the rear of the vehicle. The body system ECU 90 also acquires the measurement value of each clearance sonar. The control unit 83 also acquires the measurement values of the clearance sonars from the body system ECU 90 in the (D) back mode.

  Further, the vehicle on which the vehicle meter unit 1 is mounted is a hybrid vehicle, and the body system ECU 90 has information indicating the charging status of the battery and the driving ratio between the engine and the motor in order to drive the motor of the vehicle. Information on hybrid driving is also acquired. In the (C) eco mode, the control unit 83 also acquires information related to the hybrid travel from the body system ECU 90.

  Next, how the meters 10 and 20 and the display device 40 are displayed in each mode will be described. Note that the display of the display device 40 is performed by the CPU 831 of the control unit 83. Specifically, the CPU 831 reads out image data to be displayed from the ROM 832 according to an image display program and draws a drawing circuit (based on each image data). A basic image is generated on a graphic memory (not shown). Further, when displaying the measurement value on the display device 40, the drawing data reflecting the measurement value is created in the drawing circuit, and is combined with the basic image on the graphic memory to be finally displayed. Generate an image.

(A) Normal mode First, the normal mode will be described. This normal mode is set when the normal mode switch of the mode setting SW 84 is operated. Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display state of the vehicle meter unit 1 in the normal mode. As shown in FIG. 6, in the normal mode, each meter frame 11, 21 is in a closed ring shape, and is a twin-lens meter in which two ring meters are arranged as a whole.

  Specifically, a binocular connection image 300 is displayed in the display area 41 of the display device 40. The connection image 300 includes a line image 301 (corresponding to the “first meter frame image” of the present invention) that makes the left meter frame 11 a closed ring shape. The line image 301 has an arc shape with the same color, the same curvature and the same width as the left meter frame 11, one end is connected to the upper end 11 a of the left meter frame 11, and the other end is the lower side of the left meter frame 11. It is connected to the end 11b. The recessed portion 11f of the left meter frame 11 is emitted by light from the LEDs 71 and 75 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), and the left meter frame 11 as a whole emits light in a line-shaped C shape when viewed from the front. Is done. The line image 301 includes a line portion 301a having the same color, the same curvature, and the same width as the light emission of the left meter frame 11 so that the light emission shape of the left meter frame 11 is closed.

  Further, the binocular connection image 300 includes a line image 302 (corresponding to the “second meter frame image” of the present invention) in which the right meter frame 21 is closed in a ring shape. The line image 302 has an arc shape with the same color, the same curvature, and the same width as the right meter frame 21, one end is connected to the upper end 21 a of the right meter frame 21, and the other end is the lower side of the right meter frame 21. Connected to the end 21b. Similarly to the left meter frame 11, the right meter frame 21 also emits light in a line shape, and the line image 302 includes a line portion 302a having the same color, the same curvature, and the same width as the light emission of the right meter frame 21. .

  In the present embodiment, the meter frames 11 and 21 emit light in different colors depending on the mode by adjusting the emission color of the LEDs 71, 72, and 75. In this normal mode, for example, yellowish green Emits light. Therefore, the color of the line portions 301a and 302a of the line images 301 and 302 is yellowish green.

  In the display area 41, a scale image 303 of average fuel consumption is displayed along the line image 301 inside the left meter frame 11. Then, an instruction image 304 that indicates the scale of the scale image 303 corresponding to the measurement value of the average fuel consumption is displayed as an indicator bar image. Further, an average fuel consumption image 305 ("66.0 MPG" in FIG. 6) showing the measured value of the average fuel consumption is also displayed. It should be noted that the unit of average fuel consumption is mile pergalon MPG.

  In the display area 41, a scale image 306 of the distance to the next right / left turn point (turn-by-turn TBT) is displayed along the line image 302 inside the right meter frame 21. Then, an instruction image 307 for instructing the scale of the scale image 306 corresponding to the measured value of TBT is displayed as an indicator bar image. The instruction image 307 is displayed as a countdown bar in which the length of the bar becomes shorter as the measured value of TBT becomes smaller. Further, a TBT image 308 (0.24 mi, right turn in FIG. 6) showing the measured value of the TBT and the direction of bending is also displayed. The unit of TBT is mile mi. In addition, the measured value of this TBT is acquired from a vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus via the communication bus 91, for example.

  In the display area 41, a trip meter image 309, an outside air temperature image 310, and an odometer image 311 are displayed between the line images 301 and 302. The trip meter and odometer are in miles, and the outside temperature is in Fahrenheit.

  On the other hand, in the left meter 10, a vehicle speed scale 101 is displayed by the light of the LED 73 (see FIG. 2). In the right meter 20, a scale 201 for the remaining amount of fuel, a scale 202 for the cooling water temperature, and a scale 203 for the shift position are displayed by the light from the LED 74 (see FIG. 2). The second pointer 22 indicates the remaining fuel scale 201, and the third pointer 24 indicates the coolant temperature scale 202. In addition, the current shift position is instructed by causing the scale 203 corresponding to the current shift position to emit light.

(B) Sport mode Next, the sport mode will be described. This sport mode is set when the sport mode switch of the mode setting SW 84 is operated. Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display state of the vehicle meter unit 1 in the sport mode. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the portions that are not changed and displayed in the mode described above, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the sport mode, a central meter image 320 having a ring-shaped meter frame having a size passing through each end 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b of each meter frame 11, 21 in the display area 41. Is displayed. And it is set as the trinocular meter by which three ring-shaped arrangement | positioning is carried out as a whole.

  Specifically, a trinocular connection image 321 is displayed in the display area 41 as an image constituting a part of the central meter image 320. The connection image 321 constitutes a part of the meter frame of the central meter image 320, and is connected to both end portions 11a and 11b of the left meter frame 11 to form a line image 321a (in the “first other meter frame image” of the present invention). Equivalent). The line image 321a is an arc-shaped image curved so as to enter the inside of the left meter frame 11. Further, the connection image 321 constitutes a part of the meter frame of the central meter image 320, and is connected to the both end portions 21a and 21b of the right meter frame 21 (line image 321b of the present invention "second other meter frame image" of the present invention). Equivalent). The line image 321b is an arc-shaped image curved so as to enter the inside of the right meter frame 21. The line images 321a and 321b are images of the same color as the colors of the meter frames 11 and 21.

  In the display area 41, a scale image 323 of the engine speed is displayed as an image constituting a part of the center meter image 320 along the line images 321a and 321b inside the connection image 321. That is, the center meter image 320 is an image of an engine speed meter (tachometer). In the display area 41, a pointer image 324 as an instruction image for instructing the scale of the scale image 323 corresponding to the measured value of the engine speed is displayed. Further, in the display area 41, a shift position image 325 and an odometer image 326 showing the current shift position are also displayed near the center of the central meter image 320.

  On the other hand, in this sports mode, the meter frames 11 and 21 emit light in orange, for example. The left meter 10 is the same vehicle speed meter as the previous mode, but the right meter 20 has a display partly different from the normal mode described above. Specifically, the scale 204 of the accelerator opening is displayed along the lower part of the right meter frame 21. The third pointer 24 indicates the scale 204 corresponding to the current accelerator opening. The hydraulic scale 205 is displayed along the right side portion of the right meter frame 21. Then, the current hydraulic pressure is instructed by causing the scale 205 corresponding to the current hydraulic pressure to emit light. Thus, in the sport mode, the meter type is changed to the accelerator opening meter and the hydraulic gauge with respect to the normal mode. The accelerator opening scale 204 and the hydraulic scale 205 are changed by switching control of the LED 74 (see FIG. 2) to be lit. The control unit 83 and the LED 74 correspond to the “meter type changing unit” of the present invention. Other displays are the same as those described above.

(C) Eco mode Next, the eco mode will be described. This eco mode is set when the eco mode switch of the mode setting SW 84 is operated. Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display state of the vehicle meter unit 1 in the eco mode. In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are given to portions that are not changed and displayed in the mode described above, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the eco mode, the left meter 10 and the right meter 20 are connected to the left and right. Specifically, a connection image 330 for inter-meter connection is displayed in the display area 41. The connection image 330 is a line image 331 for connecting the upper end portion 11a of the left meter frame 11 and the upper end portion 21a of the right meter frame 21 (corresponding to the “first meter connection image” of the present invention). including. The line image 331 has an arc shape curved to the center side of the display area 41 having the same color and the same width as the meter frames 11 and 21 in order to have continuity with the meter frames 11 and 21. It is an image.

  The line image 331 is an indicator meter that displays the degree of eco-driving in hybrid traveling. Specifically, an ECO image 332 indicating “ECO” is displayed on the left meter 10 side, and a POWER image 333 indicating “POWER” is displayed on the right meter 20 side, in a form attached to the line image 331. . Then, an indicator bar image 331a in which the color of the line image 331 is changed by the length corresponding to the degree of eco-driving is displayed as a part of the line image 331. The length of the indicator bar image 331a is such that the higher the eco-driving level is, the closer to the ECO image 332 side, and vice versa. It is an image to be changed. For example, the higher the ratio of power from the battery power to the engine power, the higher the degree of eco-driving. On the contrary, the higher the ratio of engine power to the power from the battery, the higher the power. , The length of the indicator bar image 331a is determined.

  The connection image 330 displayed in the display area 41 is a line image 334 that connects the lower end portion 11b of the left meter frame 11 and the lower end portion 21b of the right meter frame 21 (the “first image” of the present invention). Equivalent to “second meter-to-meter connection image”). The line image 334 has an arc shape curved to the center side of the display area 41 having the same color and the same width as the meter frames 11 and 21 so as to have continuity with the meter frames 11 and 21. It is an image.

  The line image 334 is an indicator meter that displays the degree of regeneration due to regenerative braking in hybrid travel. Specifically, a CHARGE image 335 indicating “CHARGE” is displayed in a form accompanying the line image 334. The CHARGE image 335 is used to recognize that the line image 334 is an indicator meter that displays the degree of regeneration. Then, the indicator bar image 334a in which the color of the line image 334 is changed by the length corresponding to the degree of regeneration by the regenerative brake is displayed as a part of the line image 334. The length of the indicator bar image 334a is changed so that the lower the end 11b of the left meter frame 11 is, the closer to the lower end 21b of the right meter frame 21, the higher the degree of regeneration. It is an image.

  In the display area 41, a trip meter image 336, an outside air temperature image 337, and an odometer image 338 are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction between the line images 331 and 334.

  On the other hand, in this eco mode, each of the meter frames 11 and 21 emits blue light, for example. Moreover, although the left meter 10 is the same vehicle speed meter as the previous mode, the right meter 20 has a display partly different from the mode described above. Specifically, the battery charge amount scale 206 is displayed along the lower portion of the right meter frame 21. The third pointer 24 indicates the scale 206 corresponding to the current charge amount. The change to the battery scale 206 is made by switching control of the LED 74 (see FIG. 2) to be lit. Other displays are the same as those described above.

(D) Back Mode Next, the back mode will be described. This back mode is set when the shift position is rear “R”. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display state of the vehicle meter unit 1 in the back mode. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to portions that are not changed and displayed in the above-described mode, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the back mode, the left meter 10 (left meter frame 11) and the right meter 20 (right meter frame 21) are connected at the center point between them. Specifically, a cross-shaped connection image 340 is displayed in the display area 41. The connection image 340 is connected to the line image 341 connected to the upper end 11 a of the left meter frame 11, the line image 342 connected to the lower end 11 b of the left meter frame 11, and the upper end 21 a of the right meter frame 21. A line image 344 to be connected to the lower end portion 21b of the right meter frame 21. The connection image 340 is an image in which the other ends not connected to the end portions of the line images 341 to 344 are connected to each other at the central portion 43 of the display area 41. More specifically, the connection image 340 includes a square central image 345 displayed in the central portion 43 of the display area 41, and each line image 341 to 344 is an image connected to the central image 345.

  The connection image 340 is an indicator meter that displays the measurement values of each clearance sonar when the vehicle is back. Specifically, an icon image 346 of the vehicle when viewed from above is displayed in a form superimposed on the central image 345, and a character image 348 indicating that the clearance sonar is in operation is displayed. The upper left line image 341 is an indicator meter for displaying the measured value of the clearance sonar provided at the left corner of the front part of the vehicle, and the upper right line image 343 is the clearance sonar provided at the right corner of the front part of the vehicle. The measured value is displayed as an indicator meter. In addition, the lower left line image 342 is an indicator meter for displaying the measured value of the clearance sonar provided at the left corner of the rear of the vehicle, and the lower right line image 344 of the clearance sonar provided at the right corner of the rear of the vehicle. The indicator meter displays the measured value as an indicator. Specifically, an indicator bar image in which the color of each line image 341 to 344 is changed by the length corresponding to the measurement value of each clearance sonar is displayed as a part of each line image. This indicator bar image is an image that is lengthened as the distance to the obstacle decreases.

  In FIG. 9, the indicator bar image 342a is displayed in the lower left line image 342, and the indicator bar image 344a is displayed in the lower right line image 344. Therefore, in the vicinity of the left corner of the rear part of the vehicle and the right corner of the rear part of the vehicle. There will be obstacles. Since the indicator bar image 342a in the line image 342 is elongated, there is an obstacle particularly near the left corner of the rear part of the vehicle.

  Further, the display area 41 also displays an indicator of the measured value of the clearance sonar provided at the center of the rear part of the vehicle. Specifically, an indicator bar image 347 is displayed between the lower left line image 342 and the lower right line image 344 with the lower part of the central image 345 as the base end. The indicator bar image 347 is also an image that becomes longer as the distance to the obstacle becomes smaller.

  On the other hand, in this back mode, each of the meter frames 11 and 21 emits light in purple, for example. In addition, the display of each meter 10 and 20 is the same as that of the eco mode described above (see FIG. 8).

(E) Warning Mode Next, the warning mode will be described. This warning mode is set in such a way that it is interrupted when a warning condition occurs, such as when the battery needs to be replaced. Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display state of the vehicle meter unit 1 in the warning mode. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to portions that are not changed and displayed in the above-described mode, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the warming mode, the meter frames 11 and 21 are formed in a closed ring shape, and the meter frames 11 and 21 are connected to each other by lines extending in the left-right direction. The That is, a display frame composed of left and right frames and a lower frame is displayed in the display area 41. Information to be warned is displayed inside the display frame.

  Specifically, a frame-shaped connection image 350 is displayed in the display area 41. The connection image 350 is connected to the upper end portion 11a of the left meter frame 11 and the upper end portion 21a of the right meter frame 21, and a first convex image 351 that is convex in the direction of the lower end portions 11b and 21b. Including. The first convex image 351 is connected to the upper end portion 11a of the left meter frame 11, and the arc-shaped line image 351a extending in the circumferential direction of the left meter frame 11 (the “first left and right frame of the present invention”). An arc-shaped line image 351b connected to the upper end 21a of the right meter frame 21 and extending in the circumferential direction of the right meter frame 21 ("second left and right frame image" of the present invention). Equivalent). A first convex image 351 is configured including a linear line image 351c (corresponding to the “upper and lower frame image” of the present invention) connecting the line images 351a and 351b in the left-right direction. The line images 351a to 351c have the same color as the meter frames 11 and 21. The left and right line images 351a and 351b have the same curvature and the same width as the meter frames 11 and 21, respectively.

  Further, the connection image 350 is connected to the lower end portion 11b of the left meter frame 11 and the lower end portion 21b of the right meter frame 21, and is projected in the direction of the upper end portions 11a and 21a. 352. The second convex image 352 is connected to the lower end 11b of the left meter frame 11 and extends in the circumferential direction of the left meter frame 11 to the vicinity of the end of the line image 351a. Corresponding to the “first left and right frame image” of the present invention. The second convex image 352 is connected to the lower end portion 21b of the right meter frame 21 and extends in the circumferential direction of the right meter frame 21 to the vicinity of the end portion of the line image 351b. (Corresponding to the “second left and right frame image” of the present invention). A second convex image 352 is configured including a linear line image 352c (corresponding to the “upper and lower frame image” of the present invention) connecting the line images 352a and 352b in the left-right direction. The line images 352a to 352c have the same color as the meter frames 11 and 21. The left and right line images 352a and 352b have the same curvature and the same width as the meter frames 11 and 21, respectively.

  In this manner, the connection image 350 is an image in which the two convex images 351 and 352 face each other. However, in FIG. 10, the first convex image 351 has a higher convex shape than the second convex image 352, and the line images 351 a to 351 c of the first convex image 351 are displayed on the display frame. Has been. A warning image 353 indicating information to be warned is displayed inside the first convex image 351. In FIG. 10, a warning image 353 that prompts battery replacement is displayed.

  Further, in this warning mode, when a warning condition occurs, an icon 93 indicating that a warning condition has occurred first is displayed between the meters 10 and 20 as shown in FIG. Is displayed above the display area 41. This icon 93 is formed on the dial 31 and is displayed by light from an LED (not shown) provided on the back side of the dial 31. Thereafter, the connection image 350 and the warning image 353 are displayed in the display area 41. The line images 351c and 352c that are the upper and lower frames of the convex images 351 and 352 are displayed on the screen curtain from the upper side to the lower side. The moving image is displayed so as to gradually descend. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an initial stage of the moving image display. As shown in FIG. 11, in the initial stage of moving image display, the second convex image 352 has a higher convex shape than the first convex image 351, that is, the line images 351c and 352c that are upper and lower frames are shown in FIG. It is displayed on the upper side. Thereafter, the convex images 351 and 352 change so that the line images 351c and 352c gradually move downward. At this time, the warning image 353 is displayed so as to be gradually displayed as the line images 351c and 352c gradually move downward. By displaying the moving image in this way, attention can be directed to the display of the display area 41, that is, the warning image 353.

  On the other hand, in this warning mode, each of the meter frames 11 and 21 emits red light, for example. In addition, the display of each meter 10 and 20 is the same as that of the eco mode described above (see FIG. 8).

  Note that the warning mode is canceled when the user performs a switch operation after a certain period of time has elapsed, for example, when the warning state is resolved, and returns to the previous mode.

  As described above, in the vehicle meter unit 1 of the present embodiment, since the connection image displayed on the display device 40 is changed according to each mode, the impression of the meter as a whole is made different for each mode. Can do. In addition, since the display device 40 displays not only the connection image but also various measurement values of the physical quantity related to the vehicle state, it is possible to display more measurement values than in the case of the left meter 10 and the right meter 20 alone. Can do. In addition, since the connection image is displayed as a ring-shaped meter or a meter frame of an indicator meter depending on the mode, it is possible to give an impression different from the case of displaying the measured value numerically.

  The vehicle meter unit according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the connection images displayed in each mode are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment, and may be composed of line-like images connecting the ends of each meter. Any shape image may be used. In addition, the measurement values displayed on the display device 40 in each mode are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment.

1 Vehicle meter unit 10 Left meter (first meter)
20 Right meter (second meter)
11 Left meter frame (first meter frame)
11a, 11b Left meter frame end 21 Right meter frame (second meter frame)
21a, 21b Ends of right meter frame 11c, 11d, 21c, 21d Overlapping part with frame part 26 Light guide part 26a Incident surface of light guide part 31 Dial 40 Display device (display means)
41 Display area 42 Frame part 51 Area between meters 71-75 LED (light source)
83 Control unit (display control means)
84 Mode setting SW
300 Connection image for twin-lens system 301 Line image (first meter frame image)
302 line image (second meter frame image)
303, 306, 323 Scale image 304, 307, 324 Instruction image 321 Trinocular connection image 321a Line image (first other meter frame image)
321b Line image (second other meter frame image)
330 Connection image for meter connection 331 Line image (first meter connection image)
331a, 334a Indicator bar image 334 Line image (second inter-meter connection image)
340 Cross-shaped connection image 341-344 Line image 345 Center image 342a, 344a Indicator bar image 350 Frame-shaped connection image 351 First convex image (frame-shaped connection image)
351a Line image (first left and right frame image)
351b Line image (second left and right frame image)
351c Line image (upper and lower frame image)
352 Second convex image (frame-shaped connection image)
352a Line image (first left and right frame image)
352b Line image (second left and right frame image)
352c Line image (upper and lower frame image)
353 Warning image

Claims (5)

A vehicle meter unit having a first meter and a second meter, each having a ring-shaped meter frame, and displaying a measured value of a physical quantity related to the vehicle state inside the meter frame,
In each meter frame of the first and second meters, a part on the side of the inter-meter region that is a region between the first meter and the second meter is cut away,
The boundary of the meter frame with the notched portion is an end of the meter frame, the meter frame of the first meter is the first meter frame, and the meter frame of the second meter is the second meter frame. As
The area between each end of the first meter frame and the second meter frame including the inter-meter area is set as a display area, and the display area includes an end of the first meter frame and an end of the second meter frame. A connection image connecting between the first meter frame, a first meter frame image associated with the first meter frame so that the first meter frame is closed, and a ring shape with the second meter frame closed Display means capable of displaying a meter frame image including a second meter frame image associated with the second meter frame so that
Mode setting means for setting any one of a plurality of predetermined modes as a display mode of the vehicle meter unit;
Display control means for displaying either the connection image or the meter frame image selected in accordance with the mode set by the mode setting means in the display area;
The first meter frame image and the second meter frame image have a scale image,
The vehicle meter unit, wherein the connection image and the meter frame image displayed by the display means are selected according to each mode.   2. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the meter frame is made of a resin material having optical transparency.   3. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the first meter frame and the second meter frame has an alphabet C shape. 4.   The first meter frame image and the second meter frame image have the same curvature as the first meter frame and the second meter frame, respectively. The vehicle meter unit according to Item.   The scale images of the first meter frame image and the second meter frame image are located inside the ring-shaped portion of the first meter frame image and the second meter frame image. The vehicle meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.