JP7069454B2 - Vehicle meter unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle meter unit.

The vehicle is equipped with a meter unit for displaying driving information such as vehicle speed and engine speed. The meter unit includes a conventional analog mechanical meter and a meter unit that displays a meter or the like as an image on an image display device such as a liquid crystal display. When using an image display device, an image combining displays showing various driving information is displayed on the display screen of the image display device. Patent Document 1 discloses a meter unit that uses an image display device.

Patent No. 4442672

When using an image display device, various driving information is displayed as one image, so an image display device having a large display screen is required. However, large image display devices are expensive. On the other hand, when a 7-inch liquid crystal display, which is widely used in large quantities and is relatively inexpensive, is used, the sense of quality is impaired.

The present invention has been conceived under the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a meter unit for a vehicle that can suppress the price without impairing the sense of quality.

In order to solve the above problems, the following technical means are taken in the present invention.

The vehicle meter unit provided by the present invention includes an image display device that displays an image of the first information, a fixed display device that displays the second information by turning light emission on and off, the image display device, and the fixed display device. On the other hand, a display board arranged on the rear side of the vehicle is provided, and the display board includes a first transmission unit that transmits the image and a second transmission unit that transmits the light emitted by the fixed display device. It is characterized by.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixed display device includes a segment display . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first information includes engine speed . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second information includes vehicle speed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixed display device is arranged on the right side of the image display device.

According to the present invention, the first information which is a part of the traveling information is displayed as an image on the image display device, and the second information different from the first information is displayed by the fixed display device. The display board transmits the image displayed on the image display device from the first transmission unit, and transmits the display by the fixed display device from the second transmission unit. As a result, the driver has the illusion that the display board is a large display screen on which the first information and the second information are displayed. Therefore, the vehicle meter unit according to the present invention can give the driver a sense of luxury that a large image display device is equipped while using a small and low-priced image display device. As a result, the price of the vehicle meter unit can be suppressed more than when an image display device having a display screen having the same size as the display board is used, without impairing the sense of quality.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent by the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle to which the meter unit for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment is applied. It is a front view of the meter unit for a vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. It is a front view of the substrate of the vehicle meter unit shown in FIG. 1. It is a front view of the display board of the vehicle meter unit shown in FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle 1 to which the vehicle meter unit 2 according to the first embodiment is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle meter unit 2, a vehicle speed sensor 31, an engine ECU (Electric Control Unit) 32, a fuel level sensor 33, and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) -ECU 34. And an instrument panel 9. Although the vehicle 1 has other configurations, the description is omitted in FIG.

The vehicle speed sensor 31 is a sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1. The vehicle speed sensor 31 generates a pulse signal synchronized with the rotation of the wheel and outputs the pulse signal to the vehicle meter unit 2. The meter ECU 4 of the vehicle meter unit 2 calculates the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 based on the frequency of the pulse signal input from the vehicle speed sensor 31. The pulse signal of the vehicle speed sensor 31 may be input to an ECU other than the meter ECU 4, and the vehicle speed calculated by the ECU may be obtained by the meter ECU 4.

The engine ECU 32 performs electronic control for controlling the engine, and is realized by a microcomputer provided with a CPU and a memory. The engine ECU 32 controls the start, stop, and engine speed of the engine. The engine ECU 32 controls the engine rotation speed input from the engine rotation speed sensor to the target rotation speed by adjusting the slot valve. The engine ECU 32 outputs the engine rotation speed detected by the engine rotation speed sensor to the vehicle meter unit 2.

The fuel remaining amount sensor 33 is a sensor that detects the remaining amount of fuel. The fuel remaining amount sensor 33 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the remaining amount of fuel to the vehicle meter unit 2. The meter ECU 4 of the vehicle meter unit 2 calculates the remaining amount of fuel based on the input detection signal. The detection signal of the fuel remaining amount sensor 33 may be input to an ECU other than the meter ECU 4, and the meter ECU 4 may acquire the remaining amount of fuel calculated by the ECU.

The CVT-ECU 34 performs electronic control for controlling a continuously variable transmission, and is realized by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU and a memory. The CVT-ECU 34 detects the operation position (shift position) of the shift lever by the shift position sensor, and sets the gear ratio of the gear and the continuously variable transmission according to the detection result. The CVT-ECU 34 outputs the shift position detected by the shift position sensor to the vehicle meter unit 2.

Although not shown, various information is input to the vehicle meter unit 2 from other sensors and the ECU. Other information to be input includes, for example, navigation information, total mileage, time, outside temperature, direction instruction information, parking brake information, information indicating the lighting and status of lights, seatbelt attachment / detachment information, and cooling water temperature. , Information on failure diagnosis, security information, etc. The information input to the vehicle meter unit 2 is not limited.

The vehicle meter unit 2 is a unit that processes and displays information input from each sensor and each ECU in a state that the driver can visually understand. The vehicle meter unit 2 is arranged on the instrument panel 9 so as to face the driver's seat. The vehicle meter unit 2 includes a meter ECU 4, a liquid crystal display 51, a 7-segment display 52, a fuel gauge display 53, a plurality of LEDs 54 (note that only one is shown in FIG. 1), a display board 6, a substrate 7, and the like. And a housing 8. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle meter unit 2 according to the first embodiment, and shows a state in which a display is performed on a liquid crystal display 51 or the like. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the substrate 7. FIG. 5 is a front view of the display board 6.

The meter ECU 4 performs electronic control for processing and displaying information input from each sensor and each ECU, and is realized by a microcomputer provided with a CPU and a memory. The meter ECU 4 controls the liquid crystal display 51, the 7-segment display 52, the fuel gauge display 53, and each LED 54 based on the input information. As shown in FIG. 1, the meter ECU 4 includes a storage unit 41 and a drawing unit 42.

The storage unit 41 stores a liquid crystal display 51, a 7-segment display 52, a fuel gauge display 53, a program for controlling each LED 54, image data for drawing on the liquid crystal display 51, and the like.

The drawing unit 42 is a functional block for generating an image for drawing on the liquid crystal display 51, and is realized by, for example, a drawing LSI. The drawing unit 42 generates an image for drawing on the liquid crystal display 51 based on information such as the engine rotation speed input from the engine ECU 32 and image data for drawing stored in the storage unit 41. .. The meter ECU 4 outputs the image data of the image generated by the drawing unit 42 to the liquid crystal display 51 and displays it.

The meter ECU 4 displays information such as engine speed, shift position, navigation information, integrated mileage, time, and outside temperature among the input information on the liquid crystal display 51 as an image generated by the drawing unit 42. Display. In the present embodiment, information such as engine speed, shift position, navigation information, integrated mileage, time, and outside air temperature corresponds to "first information" of the present invention. Further, the meter ECU 4 controls the 7-segment display 52 based on the acquired vehicle speed information to display the vehicle speed. Further, the meter ECU 4 controls the fuel gauge display 53 based on the acquired information on the remaining amount of fuel, and displays the remaining amount of fuel. In the present embodiment, the vehicle speed information and the fuel remaining amount information correspond to the "second information" of the present invention. Further, the meter ECU 4 responds based on information such as direction instruction information, parking brake information, information indicating lighting and status of lights, seatbelt attachment / detachment information, cooling water temperature, failure diagnosis information, security information, and the like. The LED 54 is controlled to display the corresponding information. This information also corresponds to the "second information" of the present invention. It should be noted that there is no limitation on which information is displayed and how.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 8 accommodates a meter ECU 4, a liquid crystal display 51, a 7-segment display 52, a fuel gauge display 53, a plurality of LEDs 54, and a substrate 7, and is located on the rear side of the vehicle (upper side in FIG. 3). It is open. A display board 6 is attached to the opening.

The substrate 7 is a so-called wiring board, which is printed and wired on a long rectangular plate-shaped substrate. As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate 7 includes a front surface 7a and a back surface 7b facing opposite sides in the thickness direction. In FIG. 4, the substrate 7 is shown so that the surface 7a faces toward the front side. A liquid crystal display 51, a 7-segment display 52, a fuel gauge display 53, and each LED 54 are mounted on the surface 7a of the substrate 7. The substrate 7 is housed in the housing 8 so that the surface 7a faces the rear side of the vehicle. The microcomputer that realizes the meter ECU 4 is mounted on the back surface 7b of the substrate 7. The liquid crystal display 51, the 7-segment display 52, the fuel gauge display 53, and each LED 54 and the meter ECU 4 may be connected by wiring formed on the substrate 7, or may be connected by other wiring. The meter ECU 4 may or may not be mounted on the surface 7a of the substrate 7. Further, the meter ECU 4 may be arranged as a separate body outside the housing 8 without being housed in the housing 8.

The liquid crystal display 51 is, for example, a 7-inch TFT type transmissive liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display 51 is not limited to this. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid crystal display 51 is mounted on the surface 7a of the substrate 7 on the left side of the center. The mounting position is not limited. The liquid crystal display 51 includes a display screen 51a and a light source (not shown). The liquid crystal display 51 displays an image on the display screen 51a based on the image data input from the meter ECU 4. In FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display 51 displays an image generated based on the engine speed, shift position, navigation information, integrated mileage, time, outside air temperature, and the like. Of the display screen 51a, the portion where the light of the light source is blocked is black. The liquid crystal display 51 corresponds to the "image display device" of the present invention.

The 7-segment display 52 is a display device for displaying Arabic numerals, and in the present embodiment, a three-digit number can be displayed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the 7-segment display 52 is mounted on the surface 7a of the substrate 7 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 51. The mounting position is not limited. The 7-segment display 52 displays one number by individually turning on and off the seven segments 52b arranged on the display surface 52a. Each segment 52b of each digit is provided with a light source such as an LED, and can be switched on and off by turning the light source on and off. That is, the 7-segment display 52 displays information by turning on / off the light emission. The 7-segment display 52 is controlled by the meter ECU 4. The meter ECU 4 controls the on / off of the light source of each segment 52b of the 7-segment display 52 based on the acquired vehicle speed information to display the vehicle speed. Of the display surface 52a of the 7-segment display 52, the portion where the segment 52b is not arranged is black, and the color of each segment 52b when the light is off is the same black. Therefore, only the segment 52b in which the light source is emitting light is lit, and the numbers are displayed on the black display surface 52a. The black portion of the display surface 52a has the same color as the portion of the display screen 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 where the light of the light source is blocked. The 7-segment display 52 corresponds to the "fixed display device" of the present invention.

The fuel gauge display 53 is a display device that displays the remaining amount of fuel. As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel gauge display 53 is mounted on the surface 7a of the substrate 7 under the 7-segment display 52. The mounting position is not limited. In the fuel gauge display 53, for example, eight bar-shaped segments 53b are arranged side by side on the display surface 53a, and by sequentially lighting these segments, the remaining amount of fuel is digitally displayed by a gauge. Each segment 53b is provided with a light source such as an LED, and can be switched on and off by turning the light source on and off. That is, the fuel gauge display 53 displays information by turning on / off the light emission. The fuel gauge display 53 is controlled by the meter ECU 4. The meter ECU 4 controls the on / off of the light source of each segment 53b of the fuel gauge display 53 based on the acquired information on the remaining amount of fuel, and displays the remaining amount of fuel. The fuel gauge display 53 also displays a mark indicating fuel and a mark indicating full tank and empty. Of the display surface 53a of the fuel gauge display 53, the segment 53b and the portion where each mark is not arranged are black, and the color of each segment 53b when the light is off is the same black. Therefore, only the segment 53b in which the light source is emitting light is lit, and a gauge indicating the remaining amount of fuel is displayed on the black display surface 52a. The black portion of the display surface 53a has the same color as the portion of the display screen 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 where the light of the light source is blocked. The fuel gauge display 53 corresponds to the "fixed display device" of the present invention.

Each LED 54 is a light source for displaying various information by lighting. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each LED 54 is mounted on the surface 7a of the substrate 7. Each LED 54 is arranged according to the position of each mark 65 (described later) on the display board 6. Each LED 54 includes a light emitting element and a case formed so as to surround the light emitting element. The case is open only on one side (front side in FIG. 4). The light emitted by the light emitting element is emitted only from the opening, and only the corresponding mark 65 on the display board 6 is emitted. Since the light emitted by the light emitting element is blocked by the case except for the opening, the mark 65 other than the corresponding mark 65 is not emitted. In addition, each LED 54 may be configured so as not to emit a mark 65 other than the corresponding mark 65 by another structure. Each LED 54 emits light to emit the corresponding mark 65. That is, each LED 54 displays information by turning on / off the light emission. Each LED 54 is controlled by the meter ECU 4. The meter ECU 4 controls the on / off of the corresponding LED 54 based on the acquired information, and causes the corresponding mark 65 to emit light to display the information. Each LED 54 corresponds to the "fixed display device" of the present invention.

The display plate 6 is a plate-shaped member made of a transparent resin such as acrylic, and is formed by printing a black paint on the transparent plate-shaped member. The material of the display board 6 is not limited, and may be another transparent synthetic resin or glass. As shown in FIG. 3, the display plate 6 is attached to the opening of the housing 8 and is arranged on the surface 7a side of the substrate 7 so as to be parallel to the substrate 7. That is, the display board 6 is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the meter ECU 4, the liquid crystal display 51, the 7-segment display 52, the fuel gauge display 53, and each LED 54. Further, the display board 6 is in contact with the display screen 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, the display surface 52a of the 7-segment display 52, the display surface 53a of the fuel gauge display 53, and each LED 54. As shown in FIG. 5, the display board 6 includes a light-shielding portion 61, a first window 62, a second window 63, a third window 64, and a plurality of marks 65.

The light-shielding portion 61 is a portion that does not transmit light and is a portion on which black paint is printed. The color of the light-shielding portion 61 is the same color as when the light of the light source is blocked on the display screen 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. The light-shielding portion 61 may be formed by a method other than printing the black paint.

Each of the first window 62, the second window 63, and the third window 64 is a rectangular portion through which light is transmitted, and is a portion on which black paint is not printed. The first window 62 has substantially the same shape and size as the display screen 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, and is arranged in accordance with the position of the display screen 51a. The first window 62 transmits the image displayed on the display screen 51a. The first window 62 corresponds to the "first transmission portion" of the present invention. Of the display screen 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, the portion where the light of the light source is blocked and the light-shielding portion 61 are the same black color. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the boundary between the display screen 51a and the light-shielding portion 61 is inconspicuous, and the driver has the illusion that there is no boundary.

The second window 63 has substantially the same shape and size as the display surface 52a of the 7-segment display 52, and is arranged according to the position of the display surface 52a. The second window 63 allows the numbers displayed on the display surface 52a to pass through. The second window 63 corresponds to the "second transmission portion" of the present invention. The portion of the display surface 52a of the 7-segment display 52 where the segment 52b is not arranged and the light-shielding portion 61 are the same black color. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the boundary between the display surface 52a and the light-shielding portion 61 is inconspicuous, and the driver has the illusion that there is no boundary.

The third window 64 has substantially the same shape and size as the display surface 53a of the fuel gauge display 53, and is arranged so as to match the position of the display surface 53a. The third window 64 allows the gauge displayed on the display surface 53a to pass through. The third window 64 corresponds to the "second transmission portion" of the present invention. The segment 53b of the display surface 53a of the fuel gauge display 53, the portion where each mark is not arranged, and the light-shielding portion 61 are the same black color. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the boundary between the display surface 53a and the light-shielding portion 61 is inconspicuous, and the driver has the illusion that there is no boundary.

Each of the plurality of marks 65 is a portion through which light is transmitted in the shape of a warning light or the like indicating information, and is a portion in which black paint is not printed. Each mark 65 is arranged according to the position of the corresponding LED 54. To put it the other way around, the corresponding LEDs 54 are arranged on the surface 7a of the substrate 7 according to the positions of the marks 65. The case of each LED 54 is formed in a shape and size corresponding to the corresponding mark 65. Each mark 65 transmits the light emitted by the corresponding LED 54. Each mark 65 also corresponds to the "second transmission portion" of the present invention. The mark 65 includes, for example, a direction indicating mark 65a, a fuel remaining amount warning mark 65b, a parking brake warning mark 65c, a high beam display mark 65d, a cooling water temperature warning mark 65e, a seatbelt warning mark 65f, and the like. Among the marks 65, those in which the corresponding LED 54 emits light are displayed on the black display board 6. As shown in FIG. 2, when each LED 54 does not emit light, the corresponding mark 65 is not displayed and cannot be distinguished from the light-shielding portion 61. In FIG. 2, since all the LEDs 54 are not emitting light, none of the marks 65 is displayed.

The display plate 6 may be a black plate-shaped member provided with holes corresponding to the first window 62, the second window 63, the third window 64, and a plurality of marks 65.

Next, the operation and effect of the vehicle meter unit 2 according to the first embodiment will be described.

According to the present embodiment, for example, information such as engine speed is displayed as an image on the liquid crystal display 51, and information on vehicle speed is displayed on the 7-segment display 52. The display board 6 transmits the image displayed on the display screen 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 from the first window 62, and transmits the display by the 7-segment display 52 from the second window 63. The light-shielding portion 61 of the display board 6 is the same as the portion of the display screen 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 where the light of the light source is blocked and the portion of the display surface 52a of the 7-segment display 52 where the segment 52b is not arranged. It is black. Therefore, the boundary between the display screen 51a and the display surface 52a and the light-shielding portion 61 is inconspicuous. Therefore, the driver has the illusion that there is no boundary and that the display board 6 is one large display screen (see FIG. 2). Therefore, while using the small and low-priced liquid crystal display 51, the driver can feel the luxury of being equipped with the large liquid crystal display. As a result, the price of the vehicle meter unit 2 can be suppressed more than when a large liquid crystal display having a display screen of the same size as the display board 6 is used without impairing the sense of quality. Further, since the amount of information displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 is reduced, each information can be displayed in a large size. Therefore, it is easy for the driver to recognize each information.

According to the present embodiment, the information on the remaining amount of fuel is displayed on the fuel gauge display 53, and the display plate 6 transmits the display by the fuel gauge display 53 from the third window 64. The boundary between the display surface 53a of the fuel gauge display 53 and the light-shielding portion 61 is also inconspicuous. Therefore, the driver has the illusion that the information on the remaining amount of fuel is also displayed on the display board 6, which is one large display screen (see FIG. 2). Further, according to the present embodiment, various information such as direction instruction information is displayed as each mark 65 by the LED 54. Therefore, the driver has the illusion that various information such as direction instruction information is also displayed on the display board 6, which is one large display screen. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of information displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 while giving the driver a sense of luxury that the large liquid crystal display is equipped. Therefore, each information displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 can be displayed in a larger size.

When displaying an image including vehicle speed information on a large liquid crystal display, if the display position of the vehicle speed information (speedometer) changes, the driver may lose sight of it. According to the present embodiment, the vehicle speed information is displayed on the fixed 7-segment display 52 whose position does not change. Therefore, there is no risk that the driver will lose track of the vehicle speed information.

In the present embodiment, the case where the vehicle meter unit 2 includes the liquid crystal display 51 as the image display device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle meter unit 2 may include other displays for displaying images, such as an organic EL display and a plasma display, instead of the liquid crystal display 51. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the vehicle meter unit 2 is provided with the 7-segment display 52 as a means for displaying the vehicle speed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle meter unit 2 may include another segment display such as a 12-segment display instead of the 7-segment display 52.

In the present embodiment, the case where the vehicle meter unit 2 includes the 7-segment display 52 and the fuel gauge display 53 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle meter unit 2 may not include one or both of the 7-segment display 52 and the fuel gauge display 53. If the 7-segment display 52 is not provided, the vehicle speed may be displayed as an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. If the fuel gauge display 53 is not provided, the remaining amount of fuel may be displayed as an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. In these cases, the vehicle speed or the remaining amount of fuel corresponds to the "first information" of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the case where the time and the integrated mileage are displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 as a part of the image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the vehicle meter unit 2 is provided with a 7-segment display for displaying the time and the integrated mileage, respectively, and the time and the integrated mileage are displayed on these 7-segment displays instead of being displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. good. In this case, the time and the total mileage correspond to the "second information" of the present invention. Further, since the amount of information to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 is reduced, the liquid crystal display 51 can display other information to be displayed in a large size or display other information. In this way, which information is displayed and how it is displayed is not limited, and may be appropriately designed.

The vehicle meter unit according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the vehicle meter unit according to the present invention can be freely redesigned.

1: Vehicle 2: Vehicle meter unit 31: Vehicle speed sensor 32: Engine ECU
33: Fuel remaining amount sensor 34: CVT-ECU
4: Meter ECU
41: Storage unit 42: Drawing unit 51: Liquid crystal display 51a: Display screen 52: 7-segment display 52a: Display surface 52b: Segment 53: Fuel gauge display 53a: Display surface 53b: Segment 54: LED
6: Display board 61: Light-shielding part 62: First window 63: Second window 64: Third window 65: Mark 65a: Direction indicator mark 65b: Remaining amount warning mark 65c: Parking brake warning mark 65d: High beam display mark 65e: Cooling water Water temperature warning mark 65f: Seat belt warning mark 7: Substrate 7a: Front side 7b: Back side 8: Housing 9: Instrument panel

Claims (5)

An image display device that draws and displays an image generated based on the first information on the display screen, and
A fixed display device that displays the second information on the display surface by turning on / off the individual light emission of each light source.
A display board arranged on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the image display device and the fixed display device,
Equipped with
The display board is
A part of the transparent plate-shaped member is colored.
The light-shielding portion, which is the colored portion of the plate-shaped member,
A first transmissive portion that is arranged at a position facing the image display device and is a portion of the plate-shaped member that is not colored and remains transparent.
A second transmissive portion that is arranged at a position facing the fixed display device and is a portion of the plate-shaped member that is not colored and remains transparent.
Equipped with
The surface of the display plate facing the vehicle front is in contact with the display screen and the display surface.
A meter unit for vehicles characterized by that. The fixed display device includes a segment display.
The vehicle meter unit according to claim 1. The second information includes the vehicle speed.
The vehicle meter unit according to claim 1 or 2. The first information includes the engine speed.
The vehicle meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The fixed display device is arranged on the right side of the image display device.
The vehicle meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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