JPH0123183Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an illumination device that satisfactorily illuminates a display mechanism housed within a housing using an internal light source.

The illumination mechanism (for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 120077/1983) in a conventionally widely used automobile instrument device will be explained as follows with reference to FIG.

That is, the display mechanism 2, such as the instrument body, which is housed and fixed inside the synthetic resin housing 1, is arranged so that it can be seen through the window 4 formed in the front plate 3 that covers the inside of the housing 1, and is visible at night. In this case, the housing 1 is illuminated by a beam of light from a light source 5 placed at a suitable location. In this case, the above-mentioned light beam illuminates the display mechanism 2 either directly or by indirect irradiation reflected from the inner surface of the housing 1, the front plate 3, etc.; The leaked light rays may make the area around the window 4 brighter than necessary, or such direct light may cause problems such as dazzling the viewer.

Such a light leakage phenomenon is often seen when the front plate 3 has a window 4 formed by a notch. This problem may also occur in a structure in which the window section 4 is a transparent part where the light shielding layer is not applied by forming the light shielding layer except for the area, and has the disadvantage that the illumination effect is impaired.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a lighting mechanism that prevents dazzling caused by light leakage especially around the window, and diffuses direct light from the light source or indirect light reflected from the inner surface of the housing etc. around the rear of the window. The device is characterized in that a light diffusing plate that can illuminate the display mechanism is provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 2, a display mechanism 7 such as a meter body is housed and fixed in the housing 6, and a dial plate 9 serving as a front plate has a cutout window 8 through which the display part of the display mechanism 7 can be seen on the front side. will be placed.
The dial plate 9 is formed of a light-transmitting member, and a light-shielding layer 10 (printed or thin plate) having letters, scales, etc. is applied to the surface thereof. Further, a light-transmitting wall portion 11 is integrally hung around the back surface of the window portion 8 of the dial 9, and a light-diffusing surface 12 such as a matte finish or a diamond cut is formed on the side surface of the window portion 8 of this wall portion 11. This constitutes a light diffusing plate. Further, the formation position of the wall portion 11 as the light diffusing plate is preferably set at a location where it can easily receive direct irradiation from the light source 13 appropriately disposed within the housing. or,
Even in a structure where the direct light from the light source 13 to the window 8 is blocked by the instrument body etc., if the internal mechanism causes diffuse reflection and partial brightness from the window 8 occurs, it is necessary to place the wall 11 in such a light path. Just form it.

According to the above configuration, the direct light from the light source 13 toward the window section 8 and the display part of the display mechanism 7, or the indirect light that is diffusely reflected on the inner surface and internal mechanism of the housing 6 and condensed toward the window section 8 side is transmitted. Since the light passes through the wall 11, is diffused by the light diffusing surface 12, and is irradiated onto the display area of the display mechanism 7, significant illumination unevenness caused by partial brightness around the window 8 is alleviated, resulting in relatively uniform and soft illumination. becomes possible.

In addition, in conventional devices, in order to prevent dazzling caused by direct light from the light source, a light-shielding element such as a metal plate is placed around the light source, and a configuration is adopted in which the lighting is illuminated by indirect light that is diffusely reflected inside the housing. Yes, but
If it is not necessary to control the amount of illumination by the light-shielding element to other illumination targets, such as the characters, scales, etc. on the light-transmitting dial plate in the embodiment, such a dedicated light-shielding element can also be omitted. It is also possible to provide a simpler lighting mechanism by reducing the number of parts.

In the above embodiment, the light diffusing plate is constituted by the wall part 11 integrally hanging down from the dial 9 formed of a light-transmitting member and the light diffusing surface 12 formed on this surface. The diffusion plate is not limited to this, and a light-transmitting member that diffuses the irradiated light beam toward the window portion 8 side may be provided.

For example, as a modification similar to the above embodiment in which the light-transmitting member is used as a dial, light-diffusing surfaces may be formed on both sides of the wall portion 11, or a light-diffusing film may be attached. Furthermore, the wall portion 11 may be formed in a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of panels are suspended to provide multiple diffusion effects depending on the amount of light from the light source.

In addition, when the dial is formed of a non-transparent material, a transparent plate corresponding to the wall portion 11 may be arranged and fixed around the window on the back of the dial by adhesive or the like. The light diffusing plate such as a light-transmitting plate may be fixed not to the back surface of the dial but to another internal mechanism, such as rising from the bottom of the housing, or to a side circumferential portion of the instrument body.

Further, when the front plate is configured as a facing plate that allows the instrument mechanism including the dial plate to be seen through the cutout window and covers the inside of the housing between the instrument mechanisms, it is configured in the same manner as in the above embodiment. However, if a display mechanism such as a totalizer is further provided behind the dial of an instrument mechanism equipped with a dial with a facing plate on the front, as in the case of an automobile instrument, this can be seen through. A light diffusing plate may be disposed around the rear of the dial window, and this does not deviate from the illumination mechanism of the present invention.

In addition, in a configuration in which display mechanisms with different heights of display parts are arranged in the housing and a facing plate is placed on the front, a light diffusing plate is formed on the higher display mechanism to illuminate the adjacent lower display mechanism. can be improved.

FIG. 3 explains the illumination mechanism having such a configuration. That is, an instrument mechanism 17 with dial plates 15 and 16 of different heights is provided in the housing 14,
18, each dial plate 15, 1 is illuminated by a light source 19.
6, a facing plate 22 is bent along the instrument mechanisms 17, 18 and has windows 20, 21 through which the dials 15, 16 can be seen. In this case, the upper dial 15 is configured as a transparent display plate made of a light-transmissive member, and the lower dial 16 is a non-transparent display plate. Here, the diffusion effect of the light diffusing plate may be applied to the dial 16 illuminated by the irradiated light from the side, but as in this embodiment, the diffusion effect is applied to the dial 15 that extends around the window 21. Hanging light-transmissive wall 2
3, and by forming a light diffusing surface on at least one surface, 1 for the lower dial plate 16.
It can function as a light diffusion plate.

As described in detail above, the present invention houses a display mechanism in a housing, provides a front plate with a window through which it can be seen, and irradiates the display mechanism with light from an internal light source. By arranging a light diffusing plate to diffuse the irradiated light rays around the rear of the window, the area around the window is prevented by direct light from the light source or indirect light diffusely reflected inside the housing. Partial brightness can be prevented and soft illumination without dazzling is possible. Furthermore, depending on the placement position and size of the light diffusing plate, the light diffusing plate itself can function as a mask that blocks the internal mechanism from being seen through the gap between the window and the display mechanism. It is possible to provide a highly practical lighting device with improved lighting efficiency and a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a conventional structure of a lighting device, Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the lighting device according to the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the lighting device of the present invention. It is. 6, 14...housing, 7...display mechanism,
9, 15, 16... dial, 8, 20, 21...
Window portion, 11, 23...Wall portion as a light diffusing plate, 1
2...Light diffusion surface, 13, 22...Light source.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) A display mechanism such as an indicator is housed inside the housing, and a window is located in the opening of the housing on the front side of the display mechanism and allows the display part of the display mechanism to be visually recognized. In the illumination device, the display mechanism is illuminated by a front plate formed with a window, and a light beam from a light source disposed inside the housing illuminates the display mechanism. A lighting device characterized in that a display mechanism is provided with a light diffusion plate that enables diffused irradiation. (2) The front plate is formed of a light-transmitting member, and a light-shielding layer that makes it impossible to see through at least the inside of the housing is formed on the front or rear surface of the front plate,
and forming a light-transmissive wall portion that hangs integrally from the rear periphery of the window portion of the light-transmissive member;
The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a light diffusing surface formed on at least one side of the wall portion.