JPH07271310A - Display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a display device for vehicles which makes a pointer indication type meter on the rear side invisible at the time of display by a liquid crystal element and consequently makes analog display by the pointer indication type meter and character and/or graphic display by the liquid crystal element selectively exchangeable and displayable at the same point. CONSTITUTION:The pointer indication type meter 1 makes analog display by light emission of the display index 12b of a dial 1a and a pointer 1c turning above this dial 1a. The liquid crystal element 2 exists in front of the meter 1 and is changeable over to the transparent state and the character and/or graphic display. A first illumination member 3 is lit to supply light to the meter 1 when the liquid crystal element 1 is transparent. This member is put out when the liquid crystal element 2 is on display. A light control member 4 exists between the liquid crystal element 2 and the meter 1 and remains transparent when the liquid crystal element 2 is transparent. This member attains a scattering state when the liquid crystal element 2 is on display. A second illumination member 5 is off when the first illumination member 3 is lit. This second illumination member supplies light to the display range 2a of the liquid crystal element 2 via the light control member 4 when the first illumination member is off.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular display device, and more particularly to a vehicular display device for switching between analog display by a pointer indicating meter and character and / or graphic display by a liquid crystal element at the same position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example of a vehicle display device for switching between analog display by a pointer indicating meter and character or graphic display by a liquid crystal element is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-16746.
It is known from Japanese Patent No. 55-39284 or Japanese Patent No. 56-35776. These are composed of liquid crystal elements on the surface glass of pointer indicating meters such as speedometers and tachometers, or the scale plates of those meters.The liquid crystal elements are transparent during normal driving and are similar to ordinary glass. The liquid crystal element makes the liquid crystal opaque by the signal from the
Alternatively, the graphic can be displayed in an embossed manner.

[0003]

In such a conventional example, a single vehicle display device can perform a plurality of types of display (analog display by a pointer indicating meter and character and / or graphic display by a liquid crystal element). It has an advantage that various kinds of different information can be provided to the driver in the limited space of the driver's seat. However, in the conventional example, there is a problem that the pointer indicating meter behind the liquid crystal element is transparent and visible, which makes it difficult to visually recognize.
In order to avoid this problem, if the LCD element is configured to be displayed in a place other than the pointer indicating meter, an extra space other than the pointer indicating meter is required. There is a problem that the device becomes large.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a pointer indicating type meter for displaying an analog of a display index of a dial and a pointer rotating above the dial for illuminating. A liquid crystal element located in front of the meter and capable of switching between a transparent state and a character and / or graphic display, and when the liquid crystal element is in a transparent state, the liquid crystal element is turned on to supply light to the meter so that the liquid crystal element displays the character and And / or a first illuminating member which is turned off when displaying a graphic, and is located between the liquid crystal element and the meter and is transparent when the liquid crystal element is in a transparent state. Light is supplied to the liquid crystal element through the light control member in the scattering state during display, and off when the first illumination member is on and through the light control member when the first illumination member is off. And a second illumination member that does.

The light control member is formed by laminating a light transmissive resin plate member and a liquid crystal panel capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state according to the state of an applied voltage.

Further, a first liquid crystal element capable of switching between a transparent state and a character and / or graphic display, and a first liquid crystal element located behind the first liquid crystal element when the first liquid crystal element is in a transparent state When only the display index is transparent and the first liquid crystal element is displaying characters and / or figures, at least a portion corresponding to the display range of the first liquid crystal element is a transparent character composed of a second liquid crystal element. A pointer and a pointer indicating type meter that rotates above the dial and emits an analog display, a constantly illuminating member that supplies light to the first liquid crystal element and the meter, and the first indicator A light control member that is located between the liquid crystal element and the meter and is in a transparent state when the first liquid crystal element is in a transparent state, and in a scattering state when the first liquid crystal element is displaying characters and / or graphics. , With.

Further, the light control member is a liquid crystal panel capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state according to the state of an applied voltage.

In each of the liquid crystal panels, the liquid crystal is dispersed in a polymer matrix in a microencapsulated state and the refractive index is controlled by an applied voltage. It is in a scattered state.

[0009]

When the liquid crystal element is used for display, the pointer indicating meter on the rear side is difficult to see, so that analog display by the pointer indicating meter and character and / or graphic display by the liquid crystal element can be switched and displayed at the same location.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the second embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a vehicle display for explaining the display operation of these examples. It is a front view of an apparatus.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment, in which a dial 1
A pointer indicating type meter 1 for displaying an analog display by illuminating a display index 1b of a and a pointer 1c rotating above the dial 1a.
A liquid crystal element 2 located in front of the meter 1 and capable of switching between a transparent state and a character and / or graphic display; and when the liquid crystal element 2 is in a transparent state, the liquid crystal element 2 is turned on to supply light to the meter 1 The liquid crystal element 2 is located between the liquid crystal element 2 and the meter 1 when the element 2 is turned off when the element 2 displays characters and / or figures and is transparent when the liquid crystal element 2 is in the transparent state. When is a character and / or graphic display, the light control member 4 in a scattered state
And a second illumination member 5 that supplies light to the liquid crystal element 2 via the light control member 4 when the first illumination member 3 is on and is off, and when the first illumination member 3 is off. With.

In this embodiment, the meter 1 is a fuel gauge and a water temperature gauge (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1), and a sensor (not shown) installed at a detection location such as a fuel tank or a cooling water tank.
Movement of crossed coil type instrument according to the signal from
The pointer 1c of d is rotated, and the dial 1 is illuminated by light from the illumination member 3 which is a circular cold cathode ray tube (CCT).
The display index 1b such as a scale or number of a and the pointer 1c are set to the light emission display state. In this case, the liquid crystal element 2 and the light control member 4 are in a transparent state, and the second illuminating member 5 made of a linear CCT facing the side end of the light control member 4 is in the off state, The display device A for display performs analog display by the meter 1 as shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal element 2 is normally in a transparent state,
It is set in advance in order to let the driver know the contents when the road information and traffic guidance radiated in the traveling environment of the vehicle are detected, or by the manual operation of the driver. In order to display the predetermined information to the driver, for example, characters, figures, etc. are displayed in relief by combining a large number of dots. Then, when the liquid crystal element 2 is in the transparent state, when the liquid crystal element 2 is in the display state, the light control member 4 in the scattering state and the first illumination member 3 are turned on (that is, the liquid crystal element 2 is in the transparent state). When the first illumination member 3 is turned off (that is, when the liquid crystal element 2 is displaying), it is turned on and the display range 2a of the liquid crystal element 2 is passed through the light control member 4
The second illumination member 5 for supplying light to the liquid crystal element 2
3 is displayed, the light control member 4 hides the rear meter 1 in a scattered state and irradiates the light of the second illumination member 5 to the liquid crystal element 2 side. As shown in (b), a negative type display by the liquid crystal element 2 is performed. Of course, a positive type display may also be used.

As the light control member 4, a light-transmissive resin plate member 4a such as acrylic or polycarbonate and a liquid crystal panel 4b capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state according to the state of applied voltage are laminated. In the liquid crystal panel 4b, the liquid crystal is dispersed in a polymer matrix in a microencapsulated state and the refractive index is controlled by an applied voltage, and when the refractive indexes match, the transparent state does not match. NCAP (nematic curv)
ilinear aligned phase), PDLC (polymer disper)
sed liquid crystal), LCPC (liquid crystal pol)
ymer composite) or PNLC (polymer network)
What is said to be a liquid crystal) is suitable.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment. If the same or corresponding portions as those in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted, a transparent state, characters and / or The first liquid crystal element 2 capable of switching between graphic display and the first liquid crystal element 2 positioned behind the first liquid crystal element 2 and in the transparent state, only the display index 1b is in the transparent state and the first When the liquid crystal element 2 displays characters and / or graphics, at least a portion corresponding to the display range 2a of the first liquid crystal element 2 is made transparent and the dial 1a made of the second liquid crystal element and above the dial 1a A pointer 1c that rotates the pointer 1c emits light to display an analog signal, a first liquid crystal element 2 and a lighting member 3 that is constantly turned on to supply light to the meter 1, the first liquid crystal element 2 and the meter. 1 and is transparent when the first liquid crystal element 2 is in a transparent state. In case the first liquid crystal element 2 of the character and / or graphic display has a light control member 4 in scattering state.

Light from the illuminating member 3 causes the display indicators 1b such as scales and numbers on the dial 1a and the pointer 1c to emit light. In this case, the first liquid crystal element 2 and the light control member 4 are in a transparent state, and the vehicle display device A performs analog display by the meter 1 as shown in FIG. Of course, a positive type display may also be used.

The light control member 4 is in a transparent state when the liquid crystal element 2 is in a transparent state and in a scattering state when the first liquid crystal element 2 is in a display state.
When the first liquid crystal element 2 is transparent, only the display index 1b is transparent, and when the first liquid crystal element 2 is displaying, at least a portion corresponding to the display range 2a of the first liquid crystal element 2 is transparent. When the liquid crystal element 2 is displaying, the light control member 4 hides the rear meter 1 in a scattering state and transmits the transparent portion of the dial 1a by the dial plate 1a made of the second liquid crystal element in the state. Since the light of the illumination member 3 is applied to the first liquid crystal element 2 side while being diffused by the light control member 4, the vehicle display device A has a negative type of the first liquid crystal element 2 as shown in FIG. 3B. Display. In this case, the pointer 1c that is emitting light
It is conceivable that the shadow of the movement 1d due to the light of the illumination member 3 can be seen, but it can be made inconspicuous by the light control member 4 being in a sufficient scattering state.

As the light control member 4, a liquid crystal panel 4b which can be switched between a transparent state and a scattering state according to the state of the applied voltage used in the first embodiment can be used. This liquid crystal panel 4b can be used.
The liquid crystal is dispersed in a polymer matrix in a microencapsulated state and the refractive index is controlled by an applied voltage, and when the refractive indexes are the same, the transparent state is NCAP, PDLC, which is the scattering state when the refractive indexes are not the same. What is called LCPC or PNLC is suitable as in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the vehicular display device A for switching between the analog display by the pointer indicating type meter 1 and the character and / or graphic display by the liquid crystal element 2 at the same place.

[0020]

According to the present invention, the function of the light control member makes it difficult for the pointer indicating meter at the rear to be seen when displaying by the liquid crystal element, and analog display by the pointer indicating meter and characters and / Or, it is possible to obtain a display device for a vehicle which switches and displays a graphic display, and in particular,
At the time of displaying by the liquid crystal element, the pointer indicating meter at the rear is hard to see, and the display of the liquid crystal element becomes easier to see than in the past. Further, since it is not necessary to display the liquid crystal element in a place other than the pointer indicating meter, the vehicle display device can be downsized without preparing an extra space.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the display operation of the first and second embodiments.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A vehicle display device 1 meter 1a dial 1b display index 1c pointer 2 liquid crystal element (first liquid crystal element) 2a display range 3 first illumination member (illumination member) 4 light control member 4a light transmissive resin plate member 4b Liquid crystal panel 5 Second lighting member

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Hitoshi Igarashi 1-1190 Fujibashi, Nagaoka City, Niigata Pref. 1 within R & D Center, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. (72) Kazuyoshi Yamada 1-1190 Fujibashi, Nagaoka City, Niigata Japan 1 Seiki Co., Ltd. Company R & D Center (72) Inventor Yasuo Shinbo 2-32 Higashi Zao Nagaoka, Niigata Japan Seiki Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A pointer indicating meter for displaying a dial on a dial and an indicator rotating above the dial for emitting an analog display, and a transparent state and a character and / or a figure positioned in front of the meter. A liquid crystal element capable of switching display, and a first illuminating member which is turned on when the liquid crystal element is in a transparent state and supplies light to the meter and is turned off when the liquid crystal element is displaying characters and / or figures A light control member that is located between the liquid crystal element and the meter and is in a transparent state when the liquid crystal element is in a transparent state, and in a scattering state when the liquid crystal element is displaying characters and / or graphics; When the illumination member is turned on, the second illumination member supplies light to the liquid crystal element via the light control member when the first illumination member is turned off. Vehicle display device. 2. The light control member is formed by laminating a light-transmissive resin plate member and a liquid crystal panel capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state according to a state of an applied voltage. The vehicle display device according to claim 1. 3. The liquid crystal panel, wherein liquid crystals are encapsulated in a polymer matrix and dispersed in a polymer matrix to control a refractive index by an applied voltage, and when the refractive indices match, the liquid crystals scatter in a transparent state when they do not match. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 2, which is in a state. 4. A first liquid crystal element capable of switching between a transparent state and a character and / or graphic display, and a first liquid crystal element located behind the first liquid crystal element when the first liquid crystal element is in a transparent state. Only the display index is transparent, and the first liquid crystal element has characters and / or
Alternatively, at the time of graphic display, at least a portion corresponding to the display range of the first liquid crystal element is made transparent, and a dial composed of a second liquid crystal element and a pointer rotating above the dial emit light to generate an analog signal. A pointer indicating meter for displaying, an illumination member for constantly lighting the first liquid crystal element and the meter, and a first liquid crystal located between the first liquid crystal element and the meter. A vehicle display device comprising: a light control member in a transparent state when the element is in a transparent state, and in a scattering state when the first liquid crystal element is displaying characters and / or graphics. 5. The vehicle display device according to claim 4, wherein the light control member is a liquid crystal panel capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state according to a state of an applied voltage. 6. The liquid crystal panel, wherein liquid crystals are encapsulated in a polymer matrix and dispersed in a polymer matrix to control a refractive index by an applied voltage, and when the refractive indices are matched, a transparent state causes scattering. The vehicle display device according to claim 5, wherein the display device is in a state.