JPH10318801A - Illuminating device for meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illuminating device for meter which has a high visibility of index in a dial and a unique design, by giving composite indication of emitting pointer not covering the index of dial and optical indication picture even by inexpensive and simple structure. SOLUTION: A pointer 7 is formed as to have such a length that it may not overlap the index of a dial 1 and a light source 9 on the rear side of the dial 1 is lit up, so that a light emitting from the light source 9 falls on the pointer 7. Then, the incident light is allowed to reflect on the reflecting surface 7a of the painter 7 to its tip side so as to allow the pointer to emit a light, and at the same time, the reflected light on the reflection surface 7a is allowed to be outputted from a tip surface 7b to the outside, so that an indication picture 10 is projected visibly to the projection surface 6a of a reflection ring 6 outside the indexes of the dial 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illuminating device for an instrument used for, for example, a combimeter of an automobile, and more particularly to an illuminating device for an instrument which emits a pointer by light emitted from a light source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 5 and 6 show a conventional lighting device for an instrument, in which a pointer 13 is provided at the tip of a pointer shaft 12 projecting from the front of a dial 11, and the pointer 13 is provided on the back of the dial 11. The pointer 13 is made to emit light by an inexpensive and simple mechanism for making the light emitted from the light source 14 incident.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-200726, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-77918 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-122.
No. 320 discloses an instrument lighting device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 320, in which a tip of a rotating shaft 23 projecting a highly directional beam light emitted from a light source 22 disposed on the back of the dial 21 to the front of the dial 21. The dial 21 with the reflecting plate 24
Is reflected toward the front surface of the dial 21 to project the pointer image 25 on the front surface of the dial 21.

[0004]

However, in the former case, since the pointer 13 has a length overlapping the scale 15 of the dial 11, the numerical value 16 disposed inside the scale 15 is hidden by the pointer 13 and cannot be seen. I will.

In the latter case, the optical system for projecting the pointer image 25 on the front surface of the dial 21 with the beam light emitted from the light source 22 is an expensive and complicated mechanism, but the dial plate 2 uses the beam light.
Since only the pointer image 25 is projected on the
The index 26 such as the scale 26 and the numerical value 27 lacks visibility.

In view of the above, the present invention provides an inexpensive and simple mechanism, but provides a composite indication using a light emitting pointer and a light indication image which does not touch the dial index, thereby increasing the visibility of the dial index. The aim is to provide a unique instrument lighting device in design.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a pointer is provided on a pointer shaft projecting from the front surface of the dial to indicate an index of the dial, and the pointer is illuminated by a light source on the back of the dial. In a lighting device of an instrument that emits the hands by reflecting the incident light toward the tip side by the reflecting surface of the hands, the hands do not overlap with the indices on the dial. While having a length, a reflecting ring having a projection surface for projecting the indication image with light output from the tip end surface of the pointer so as to be visible from the front of the dial is arranged outside the index of the dial. Features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the hands are formed so as not to overlap the indices on the dial, the indices are indicated without hiding the indices on the dial. The dial index can be seen more reliably from the front of the dial.

When the light source is turned on, light emitted from the light source is incident on the pointer, and the incident light is reflected toward the distal end by the reflecting surface of the pointer to emit the pointer, while the reflecting surface of the pointer is emitted. The reflected light reflected by the pointer is output from the tip of the pointer to the outside, and the indicator image is projected on the projection surface of the reflection ring located outside the indicator, and the visibility of the indicator on the dial indicated by the pointer Can be improved.

Therefore, while being an inexpensive and simple mechanism,
By a composite instruction using a light emitting pointer and an instruction image of light that does not touch the dial index, it is possible to illuminate the instrument with a high visibility of the dial index and a unique design.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the outer surface between the reflecting surface and the front end surface of the pointer according to the first aspect is formed as a light emitting surface.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the outer surface between the reflecting surface and the tip surface of the pointer is formed as a light emitting surface, the light emitted from the light source is diffused to the outside by the light emitting surface. By emitting light, the visibility of the pointer can be further improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the distal end face of the hands according to the first and second aspects is formed as a convex lens that condenses light toward the projection surface of the reflection ring.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the tip end surface of the pointer is formed as a convex lens, the light emitted from the light source by the convex lens is condensed and formed toward the projection surface of the reflection ring, The shape of the pointing image projected on the reflection ring can be adjusted and the luminance can be increased to further improve the visibility.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the base corresponding to the distal end surface of the reflecting surface of the pointer according to the first to third aspects is formed as a concave mirror for condensing light toward the distal end surface.

According to the structure of the fourth aspect, since the base corresponding to the distal end face of the reflecting surface of the pointer is formed as a concave mirror for converging light toward the distal end face, the concave mirror is irradiated from the light source. The light is collected toward the tip end surface of the pointer, and the brightness of the pointing image projected on the reflection ring can be increased.

According to a fifth aspect, the projection surface of the reflection ring according to the first to fourth aspects is formed as an uneven surface.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the projection surface of the reflection ring is formed as an uneven surface, the light output from the tip end surface of the pointer and projecting the pointing image on the projection surface of the reflection ring is generated. It is diffused on the uneven surface, and the visibility of the pointing image can be improved.

[0019]

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

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a dial 1;
This dial 1 has a through hole 3 through which the pointer shaft 2 is inserted, a numerical value 4 as one of the indices arranged on an arc centered on the pointer shaft 2 on the front surface of the dial 1, and a numerical value 4 outside the numerical value 4. A scale 5 as another indicator arranged on a concentric arc at
And a reflection ring 6 arranged on a concentric arc outside the scale 5.

The reflection ring 6 has a projection surface 6a on its inner peripheral surface for projecting an instruction image 10 to be described later from the front of the dial 1 so as to be visible.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a pointer, which is provided at the tip of the pointer shaft 2 protruding from the front surface of the dial 1 and is formed of a transparent synthetic resin so as to have a length close to the numeral 4, and It does not overlap with scale 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the case of this embodiment, the pointer 7 is an inclined reflecting surface 7 covered with a cap 8.
a, a substantially vertical tip surface 7b, and a light emitting surface 7 in which an outer surface between the reflecting surface 7a and the tip surface 7b is formed in a convex arc shape.
c, and the light emitted from the light source 9 disposed on the back of the dial 1 is made to enter the periphery of the pointer shaft 2 through the through hole 3 of the dial 1, and the incident light is emitted from the reflecting surface 7a to the tip end surface 7b. The light is reflected toward the surface 7c, the reflected light is diffused and emitted outward from the light emitting surface 7c, and is output from the front end surface 7b to project the pointing image 10 on the projection surface 6a of the reflection ring 6 in a point shape. I have to do it.

According to the structure of the above-described embodiment, the pointer 7 is formed to have a length up to the vicinity of the numerical value 4 within a range where the numerical value 4 can be seen from the pointer shaft 2, so that the pointer 7 is attached to the scale 5 or the inside thereof. The placed numerical value 4 is not hidden, and the numerical value 4 and the scale 5 of the dial 1 indicated by the hands 7 are displayed on the dial 1
You can see from the front more surely.

When the light source 9 is turned on, the light emitted from the light source 9 is diffused and emitted on the light emitting surface 7c of the pointer 7, and the light output from the tip end surface 7b of the pointer 7 is disposed outside the scale 5. Pointing image 1 on projection surface 6a of reflection ring 6
Since 0 is projected, the visibility of the numerical value 4 and the scale 5 of the dial 1 indicated by the hands 7 can be improved.

Therefore, while being an inexpensive and simple mechanism,
By the composite instruction using the pointer 7 and the light indicating image 10 that emit light without being attached to the numerical value 4 and the scale 5 of the dial 1, the visibility of the numerical value 4 and the scale 5 of the dial 1 is high and the design is designed. Unique instrument lighting can be performed.

Since the light emitted from the light source 9 is diffused and emitted from the light emitting surface 7c of the pointer 7 as described above, the visibility of the pointer 7 can be further improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the light emitting surface 7c is formed in a convex arc shape. However, similar effects can be obtained by forming the light emitting surface 7c in a linear shape as shown in FIG.

The through hole 3 is necessary for the pointer shaft 2, but is not always necessary for the light emitted from the light source 9.

Further, the arrangement of the numerical value 4 and the scale 5 can be performed by arranging the scale 5 inside and the numerical value 4 outside, or by setting the numerical value 4 outside.
There are also cases where the scales 5 are arranged inside and outside of, and where two sets of numerical values 4 and the scales 5 are arranged on concentric circles (parallel).

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment, in which the distal end surface of the pointer 7 is formed as a convex lens 7d, and the convex lens 7d collects light toward the projection surface 6a of the reflection ring 6 and reflects light. The pointing image 10 projected on the projection surface 6a of the ring 6 is shaped into a light point with good visibility, such as a line or a dot, so that the luminance can be increased.

The reflecting surface 7a corresponding to the convex lens 7d
Is formed as a concave mirror 7e, and the pointer 7
The light is condensed toward the tip surface 7b or the convex lens 7d of the reflecting ring 6 so that the luminance of the pointing image 10 projected on the projection surface 6a of the reflecting ring 6 can be increased.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment in which the projection surface 6a of the reflecting ring 6 is formed as an uneven surface 6b, and the output from the tip end surface 7b of the pointer 7 or the convex lens 7d is formed on the uneven surface 6b. Thus, the light for projecting the pointing image 10 on the projection surface 6a of the reflection ring 6 is diffused, so that the visibility of the pointing image 10 can be improved.

In each of the embodiments, the light emitted from the light source 9 disposed on the back of the dial 1 is directly incident on the hands 7. However, a light guide plate is disposed on the back of the dial 1 and the light guide is provided by the light guide. The emitted light is guided to the pointer 7 to be incident on the pointer 7 to emit the pointer 7 and to project the pointing image 10 on the projection surface 6a of the reflection ring 6, and the light emitted from the light source by the light guide plate. The numerical value 4 and the scale 5 of the dial 1 can be illuminated and displayed by being guided to the dial 1.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect, since the hands are formed so as not to overlap the indices of the dial, the indices of the dial are not hidden by the hands, and the dial indicated by the hands is not hidden. Can be seen more reliably from the front of the dial.

When the light source is turned on, light emitted from the light source is incident on the pointer, and the incident light is reflected toward the tip side by the reflecting surface of the pointer to emit the pointer, while the reflecting surface of the pointer causes the pointer to emit light. The indicator light is output from the tip surface of the pointer to the outside, and the indicator image is projected on the projection surface of the reflection ring arranged outside the indicator, and the pointer can be specified without increasing the output of the light source. It is possible to improve the visibility of the index of the dial that is present.

Therefore, while having an inexpensive and simple configuration,
By a composite instruction using a light emitting pointer and an instruction image of light that does not touch the dial index, it is possible to illuminate the instrument with a high visibility of the dial index and a unique design.

According to the second aspect, the outer surface between the reflecting surface and the tip surface of the pointer is formed as a convex arc-shaped light emitting surface, so that the light emitted from the light source on the light emitting surface is transmitted to the outside. The visibility of the pointer can be further improved by diffusion light emission.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the distal end surface of the pointer is formed as a convex lens, the light emitted from the light source by the convex lens is condensed toward the projection surface of the reflection ring and is projected on the reflection ring. The shape of the pointing image can be shaped to increase the luminance, and the visibility can be further improved.

According to the fourth aspect, since the base corresponding to the distal end face of the reflecting surface of the pointer is formed as a concave mirror for converging light toward the distal end face, light emitted from the light source by the concave mirror can be used. According to the fifth aspect, the projection surface of the reflection ring is formed as a concave-convex surface, so that the light can be converged toward the tip surface of the pointer and increase the brightness of the pointing image projected on the reflection ring. The light that is output from the surface and projects the pointing image on the projection surface of the reflection ring is diffused on the uneven surface, so that the visibility of the pointing image can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a conventional lighting device for a meter that emits hands.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the conventional art.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a conventional instrument illuminating device that forms a pointer image with light.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the conventional art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 dial 2 pointer axis 4 numerical value (index) 5 scale (index) 6 reflection ring 6a projection surface 6b uneven surface 7 pointer 7a reflection surface 7b tip surface 7c light emission surface 7d convex lens 7e concave mirror 10 pointing image

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pointer for indicating an index of a dial is provided on a pointer shaft protruding from the front surface of the dial, light emitted from a light source on the back of the dial is made incident on the pointer, and the incident light is reflected by the pointer. In a lighting device for an instrument in which the hands are made to emit light by reflecting toward the tip side by the reflecting surface, the hands are formed to have a length that does not overlap with the indices of the dial, while the hands are output from the tip end face of the hands. A lighting device for an instrument, wherein a reflection ring having a projection surface for projecting an indication image from the front of the dial plate with the received light is disposed outside the index on the dial plate. 2. The illumination device for an instrument according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface between the reflecting surface and the tip surface of the pointer is formed as a light emitting surface. 3. The illumination device for an instrument according to claim 1, wherein the distal end surface of the pointer is formed as a convex lens that converges light toward the projection surface of the reflection ring. 4. A lighting device for an instrument according to claim 1, wherein a base portion corresponding to a front end surface of the reflecting surface of the pointer is formed as a concave mirror for converging light toward the front end surface. . 5. The illumination device for an instrument according to claim 1, wherein the projection surface of the reflection ring is formed as an uneven surface.