JPH0814951A - Pointer for measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To emit light with a sufficient quantity of light even in a pointer tip part in the same manner as a root part and to enhance the light-emitting display quality of a pointer by a method wherein a transparent-material layer containing a fluorescent paint in which the fluorescent paint is mixed with a transparent material is formed on the surface of a pointer body. CONSTITUTION:A light-conducting body 2 is arranged and installed on the lower side of a dial 1. The light-conducting body 2 is formed to be a sheet shape from a transparent synthetic resin such as an acrylic, a polycarbonate or the like, and a hole into and through which a boss part for a pointer 3 is inserted and passed is formed in the center. Light-reflecting faces 2a, 2b are formed on the inner circumferential face of the hole and on the peripheral edge of the light-conducting body 2, and a light- incident face 2c is formed at the peripheral-edge lower part of the light-conducting body 2. Then, a light source 4 for an illuminating lamp is installed so as to face the incident face 2c The painter 3 is provided with a slender pointer body 5 which is molded integrally from a transparent synthetic resin such as an acrylic, a polycarbonate or the like, and a transparent-material layer 7 which contains a fluorescent paint is formed on the surface of the pointer body 5. A light-transmitting colored film 8 is formed on the transparent material 7, which contains the fluorescent paint, on the pointer body 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointer for an instrument used in an instrument for an automobile, etc., and in particular, the pointer body is made of a transparent material (including translucent), and light for illumination is passed through a light guide. The present invention relates to a light-emitting type instrument pointer that is incident on the pointer body to emit and illuminate the pointer itself.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of luminescent type instrument pointer, a light-transmitting colored film is generally formed on the upper surface of the pointer body in order to cause the pointer itself to emit light in a specific color (for example, red). There is. However, when the light of the illumination lamp introduced through the light guide has a small red wavelength component, there is a problem that the amount of illumination light for emitting and illuminating the upper surface of the pointer is insufficient.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8, a colored sheet 32 is attached to the upper surface of a pointer body 31 formed of a transparent material, and a luminescent dye of the same color as the colored sheet 32 is placed in the pointer body 31 of the transparent material. When used, lighting lamp 3
When the light from 3 is incident on the pointer main body 31 through the light guide 34, the luminescent dye is made to emit the same color as the color of the colored sheet 32 to make up for the shortage of the illumination light amount on the pointer surface, and the side of the pointer main body 31 There has been proposed an instrument pointer in which light leaking from the section is made inconspicuous by making the color of light emitted from the colored sheet 32 the same (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-7523).

[0004]

However, in this instrument pointer, for example, when the red colored sheet 32 is attached on the pointer body 31, the illumination lamp 33 is provided in the pointer body 31.
A fluorescent dye that changes the light yellow color that has entered through the light guide 34 to red and emits light is mixed. However, since the transmittance of this fluorescent dye itself is generally very low, in the case of a long pointer main body 31, up to the tip thereof. There is a problem that a sufficient amount of light does not reach and the light emission at the tip of the pointer becomes darker than that at the base of the pointer near the incident position, deteriorating the emission display quality of the pointer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to improve the luminous display quality of the pointer by allowing the tip portion of the pointer to emit light with a sufficient amount of light as with the base portion. Its purpose is to provide guidance.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an instrument pointer of the present invention is an instrument pointer in which light from a light source is introduced into a pointer body formed of a transparent material to cause the pointer itself to emit light. In the pointer, a transparent material layer containing a fluorescent dye formed by mixing a fluorescent dye in a transparent material is formed on the upper surface of the pointer main body.

In such an instrument pointer, a transparent colored film having the same color as the emission color of the fluorescent dye may be formed on the transparent material layer containing the fluorescent dye.

It is also possible to form an opening space portion that opens to the side surface at the rear end portion of the pointer main body and press the balance weight into the opening space portion.

[0009]

[Operation / Effect] With the instrument pointer having such a structure, when the light source is turned on at night, for example, the light emitted from the light source enters the inside of the pointer body through the light guide and the like. It is reflected by the reflecting surface and advances toward the tip of the pointer body, and enters the transparent material layer containing the fluorescent dye on the pointer body.

Here, the light hits the fluorescent dye, and the fluorescent dye emits light of a specific wavelength (color), the emitted light is emitted from the upper surface of the pointer, and the pointer itself emits and illuminates.

As described above, since the transparent material layer containing the fluorescent dye is formed on the pointer body of the transparent material, the light introduced from the light source can reach the tip of the pointer without being attenuated, Even at the tip of the pointer, the fluorescent dye can be made to emit light with a sufficient amount of light as in the case of the base, and the luminous display quality of the pointer can be improved.

When a transparent coloring film having the same color as the emission color of the fluorescent dye is formed on the fluorescent dye-containing transparent material layer as in claim 2, the entire pointer emits light more clearly.・
It can be displayed, and the color of the pointer can be set to a desired specific color even during non-illumination.

Further, as described in claim 3, by forming the opening space portion which opens to the side surface at the rear end portion of the pointer main body and pressing the balance weight into the opening space portion, it is relatively thin and long. Even with the pointer, the balance weight having an appropriate weight can be stably stored in the rear portion of the pointer.

Further, if the wall surface of the opening space into which the balance weight is press-fitted forms a reflection surface for the light introduced into the pointer main body as in claim 4, it is sufficient on the rear end portion of the pointer. A large amount of light can be introduced, and the entire pointer can be satisfactorily emitted and illuminated.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a pointer for an instrument, and FIG. 2 shows a plan view thereof. Reference numeral 1 denotes an instrument dial, and a light guide 2 is arranged below the dial 1. The light guide 2 is formed in a plate shape from a transparent synthetic resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and a hole is formed in the center through which the boss portion of the pointer 3 is inserted, and the inner peripheral surface of the hole and the peripheral edge of the light guide 2 are formed. Light reflecting surfaces 2a and 2b are formed on the end faces, and a light incident surface 2c is formed below the peripheral edge of the light guide 2. A light source 4 such as an illumination lamp is provided so as to face the incident surface 2c.

Although not shown, the dial 1
Characters and scales are formed as light-transmitting parts on the upper side, and light from the light source 4 is emitted forward through the light-transmitting parts of the characters and scales.
Make characters and scales illuminate.

The pointer 3 has an elongated pointer main body 5 integrally formed from a transparent synthetic resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and a boss portion 6 for inserting the pointer shaft is inserted into the base portion of the pointer main body 5. An incident surface 5a, which is provided so as to project downward, and on which the light from the light guide 2 is incident, is formed on the lower surface of the upper peripheral edge of the boss portion 6, and an inverted trapezoidal space is formed above the boss portion 6, A reflecting surface 5b for the light introduced into the wall surface of this space is formed.

Further, a transparent material layer 7 containing a fluorescent dye is formed on the upper surface of the pointer body 5. The transparent material layer 7 containing the fluorescent dye is formed by mixing the fluorescent dye into a transparent synthetic resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate to form a plate having a thickness of, for example, 1 to 2 mm. Along with the two-color molding, it can be easily integrally molded on the pointer main body 5.

Further, a transparent colored film 8 is formed on the transparent material layer 7 containing the fluorescent dye on the pointer main body 5. The colored film 8 is formed by coloring with a hot stamp, for example, in an arbitrary color (for example, red). To make the colored film 8 emit red light efficiently, the transparent material layer 7 containing a fluorescent dye is formed.
For this purpose, a fluorescent dye which emits red light upon receiving a light yellow light from the light source 4 or an arbitrary colored light is used.

The pointer 3 having such a structure is mounted on the dial plate of the instrument by inserting the boss portion of the base portion thereof into the pointer shaft (not shown) located above the holes of the dial plate 1 and the light guide 2. .

When the light source 4 of the instrument is turned on during nighttime use, the light emitted from the light source 4 (for example, light yellow or green light) enters the light guide 2 through the incident surface 2c. , The light guide 2 while being reflected by the reflection surfaces 2b and 2a in the light guide 2.
Go inside. Then, the light enters the pointer body 5 above from the tip of the light guide 2, is reflected by the reflecting surface 5b, advances toward the tip of the pointer body 5, and is reflected by the lower surface of the pointer body 5.
Enter the transparent material layer 7 containing the fluorescent dye.

A part of the light that has entered the fluorescent dye-containing transparent material layer 7 passes through it as it is to reach the red colored film 8, and the light of the color of the colored film 8, that is, the red light is radiated forward from there. . Further, a part of the light entering the transparent material layer 7 containing the fluorescent dye hits the fluorescent dye therein, and at this time, the fluorescent dye emits red light which is the same color as the colored film 8. Then, the red light emitted from the transparent material layer 7 containing the fluorescent dye is also emitted forward through the colored film 8 thereon.

Therefore, the red light is satisfactorily emitted from the upper surface of the pointer, and the pointer itself is emitted and illuminated with the red light. In this way, the light that has entered the transparent pointer body 5 from the light guide 2 travels satisfactorily to the tip portion without being attenuated, and like the conventional pointer in which the fluorescent dye is mixed in the pointer body, The problem that the amount of light decreases toward the tip of the pointer does not occur, and the entire pointer can be uniformly emitted and illuminated with a sufficient amount of light.

In the above embodiment, the color of the pointer when not illuminated is a specific color (here, red) by the colored film 8. However, when the color of the pointer when not illuminated is not a problem, the colored film 8 is You don't have to.

4 to 6 show another embodiment, in which the balance weight 11 is mounted in the rear end portion of the pointer 13.

That is, the pointer 13 has an elongated pointer main body 15 integrally molded from a transparent synthetic resin, and the boss portion for inserting the pointer shaft into the base portion of the pointer main body 15 as in the above. 16 is provided so as to project downward, an incident surface 15a on which light from the light guide is incident is formed on the lower surface of the upper peripheral edge of the boss portion 16, and an inverted trapezoidal space is formed above the boss portion 16. A reflecting surface 15b for the light introduced into the wall surface of this space is formed.

Further, a transparent material layer 17 containing a fluorescent dye is formed on the upper surface of the pointer main body 15. The transparent material layer 17 containing the fluorescent dye is formed in a plate shape having a thickness of, for example, 1 to 2 mm by mixing the fluorescent dye in the transparent synthetic resin as in the above.

A transparent colored film 18 is formed on the transparent material layer 17 containing the fluorescent dye on the pointer main body 15.
The colored film 18 is formed in a desired color (for example, red) by hot stamping, for example, and in order to make the colored film 8 emit red light efficiently, the transparent material layer 17 containing the fluorescent dye is provided with the light source 4. A fluorescent dye that emits red light upon receiving a light yellow light from the above or any colored light is selected and used.

Further, at the rear end portion of the pointer main body 15, an opening space portion 10 which opens to the side surface thereof is formed, and a metal balance weight 11 is press-fitted into the opening space portion 10. The weight of the balance weight 11 is set so as to balance the front end and the rear end of the pointer. Reference numeral 12 denotes a synthetic resin cap, which is fitted to the rear portion of the pointer so as to surround the rear end portion of the pointer including the opening space portion 10 and the balance weight 11 and the upper portion of the boss portion 16.

The balance weight 11 is laterally pressed into the opening space 10 at the rear end of the pointer with the cap 12 removed. Since the balance weight 11 is press-fitted, it is difficult to move in the space and a gap is unlikely to be formed around the balance weight 11. Therefore, the balance weight 11 can be stably attached at a fixed position, and abnormal noise is generated due to vibration or the like. It never happens.

Further, since the balance weight 11 is press-fitted into the opening space 10 from the side opening, that is, from the lateral direction, even if the pointer has a relatively long and thin shape, the balance weight 11 has an appropriate weight within the opening space. The balance weight of can be stored.

FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment. In this example, a light reflecting surface 25a is formed on the wall surface of the opening space 20 provided in the rear end of the pointer main body 25.

That is, similarly to the above, the boss portion 16 for inserting and inserting the pointer shaft is provided at the base portion of the pointer main body 15 so as to project downward, and the light guide is provided on the lower surface of the upper peripheral edge of the boss portion 16. Body 2
The incident surface 25a on which the light from the
An inverted trapezoidal space is formed above 6 and a reflection surface 25b for the light introduced into the wall surface of this space is formed.

Further, an opening space portion 20 is formed at the rear end portion of the pointer body 25, the opening space portion 20 having an opening on the side surface thereof. The side wall of the opening space portion 20 reflects the light reflected from the reflecting surface 25b upward. The reflecting surface 25a is formed. Further, the balance weight 21 made of metal is press-fitted into the opening space portion 20 in the same manner as described above.

In the instrument pointer having such a structure, as shown in FIG. 7, the light passing from the light source 4 through the light guide 2 enters the pointer body 25 from the incident surface 25a on the boss portion 16 and is reflected. The light is reflected by the surface 25b, and the light is further reflected by the opening space 2
It is reflected upward by the reflecting surface 25c of the side wall of 0. And
Transparent material layer 1 containing fluorescent dye, which is located on the pointer body 25
The fluorescent dye 7 is exposed to light, and the fluorescent dye is on the colored film 1
The same color as 8 is emitted, and the light is emitted upward through the colored film 18.

As described above, by providing the reflecting surface 25c on the wall surface of the opening space portion 20 for accommodating the balance weight, a sufficient amount of light is also introduced onto the rear end portion of the pointer to cause the fluorescent dye to emit light. , The entire pointer can be illuminated and illuminated well.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an instrument pointer showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pointer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an instrument pointer showing another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pointer.

6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an instrument pointer showing still another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional instrument pointer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-character plate, 2-light guide, 3-pointer, 4-light source, 5-pointer main body, 7-fluorescent dye-containing transparent material layer, 8-colored film.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a pointer for an instrument, in which light from a light source is introduced into a pointer body formed of a transparent material to cause the pointer itself to emit light, a fluorescent dye is mixed in the transparent material on the upper surface of the pointer body. A pointer for a measuring instrument, characterized in that a transparent material layer containing a fluorescent dye is formed. 2. The pointer for an instrument according to claim 1, wherein a transparent colored film having the same color as the emission color of the fluorescent dye is formed on the transparent material layer containing the fluorescent dye. 3. In a pointer for an instrument for introducing light from a light source into a pointer main body made of a transparent material to cause the pointer itself to emit light, an opening space portion opening to a side surface is formed at a rear end portion of the pointer main body. And a balance weight is press-fitted into the opening space. 4. The instrument pointer according to claim 3, wherein a wall surface of the opening space into which the balance weight is press-fitted forms a reflection surface of the light introduced into the pointer main body.