JPH11101667A - Stereoscopic scale display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the visibility of a dial by arranging light guide bodies to individually correspond to the scales of the dial, arranging light sources corresponding to the scales of the dial via the light guide bodies, and stereoscopically forming the light guide bodies on the dial. SOLUTION: A light guide plate 30 is integrally formed out of multiple stereoscopic light guide bodies 31 and a light guide substrate section 32 holding the light guide bodies 31 in the lump to correspond to the scales 11 of a dial 10 via prisms. Thereby, fitting can be simplified at the time of assembling. Single- color LEDs 41 are arranged as light sources corresponding to the scales 11 of the dial 10 via the light guide bodies 31, and all scales 11 on the dial 10 can be illuminated when all LEDs 41 are invariably lighted, thus visibility can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional scale display device, and more particularly to a three-dimensional scale display device such as an instrument and an indicator. The present invention relates to a three-dimensional scale display device suitable for a display device that displays a value of a measured amount such as a number.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a speedometer for a moving body such as a vehicle,
In a meter such as a tachometer, a pointer 4 is provided at the center of the dial 1 of the meter as shown in FIG. 5, a scale 2 near a circle on which the tip of the pointer 4 orbits, and a numeral corresponding to the scale 2. An index 3 such as a character or a symbol is arranged, the pointer 4 is moved according to the measured amount, and the measured amount is displayed in cooperation with the scale 2 and the index 3 attached to the dial 1. Although not shown, the hands 4 are rotated by the movement by a measured amount corresponding to the vehicle speed or the number of revolutions of the engine. The display device includes a case for fixing and storing the dial 1 and the movement, a facing covering the dial 1, and a front glass for protecting the hands 4 on the dial 1.

[0003] A scale 2 on a dial 1 is provided on a display device of an instrument.
The part of the index 3 is translucent, and the other parts are non-translucent. At night, light incident from the back side of the dial 1 is transmitted through the translucent scale 2 and the index 3 on the dial 1. In the part, scale 2
And an indicator that can visually recognize the indicator 3 and the like, an instrument that can be visually recognized by illuminating from the front side of the dial 1, and a pointer 4 itself that reflects light from an illumination light source. 2. Description of the Related Art A display device such as an instrument in which visibility is improved by guiding light is known.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional display device, there is a so-called three-dimensional dial, not shown, though it is not shown. For example, some dials have a three-dimensional appearance by bending the dial after printing scales, indices such as numbers and symbols on the dial, such as an uneven dial. Further, there is also known a scale in which a scale of a flat dial and indices such as numerals, symbols, and the like are expressed in a three-dimensional effect by thick printing.

In these display devices, since the scale is printed, it is difficult to shine the scale itself, so that the display has been dependent on external irradiation. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to visually recognize the scale depending on the angle at which the display device is observed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and moves a pointer according to a measured amount, and measures the scale in cooperation with a scale attached to a dial and an index such as a numeral, a character or a symbol. In the display device for displaying the amount, by arranging the scales of the dial three-dimensionally, it is possible to give the display a three-dimensional effect, thereby improving the visibility of the scales of the dial. It is an object to provide a scale display device.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a pointer is moved in accordance with a measured amount, and the scale is associated with a scale attached to a dial and indices such as characters and symbols. In the display device which displays the measured amount by operating, the light guide arranged individually corresponding to each scale arranged on the dial, and the scale of the dial separately through the light guide And the light guides are arranged in a three-dimensional manner on the dial, so that the scale display has a three-dimensional effect.

The light guide according to the first aspect of the present invention can use a separate light guide for each of the scales. The light body may be formed by an integral light guide plate such that portions individually corresponding to the scales of the dial are convex.
With such a shape, mounting at the time of assembly can be simplified.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as in the third aspect of the invention, the dial and the light guide plate each having the scale formed by a through hole are positioned and fixed by a case. By adding a structure such that the dial is three-dimensionally arranged, position adjustment for realizing a good three-dimensional effect can be eliminated, and mounting during assembly can be further simplified. .

[0010] The light source according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention corresponds to the light guide individually corresponding to the scale of the dial, as in the invention of the fourth aspect. With such a structure of being arranged as described above, it is possible to give a change to the display for each scale.

In the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, the light guide is formed by a plane passing through the center of the pointer, the light source, and the scale corresponding to the light source. When the cross-section is configured to be an arc, the incidence surface for the light source can be wider than that of a flat surface, so that light can be efficiently collected on the scale. Thus, a three-dimensional effect can be given, and the visibility can be improved.

A feature of the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 is that the light guide is arranged so as to protrude uniformly from the dial. As in the invention, the light guides individually corresponding to the respective scales,
With a configuration in which the height from the dial surface is different corresponding to the index, a three-dimensional effect can be given by displaying the dial, and the visibility can be improved.

[0013] In the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, further, as in the invention according to claim 7,
The measured value is used as a reference value, and by turning on a light source in a predetermined range equal to or less than the reference value, the scale in a predetermined range according to the measured amount is illuminated, thereby displaying the display of the predetermined range on the dial. With this configuration, the visibility of the scale on the dial is further improved, and the movement of the hands can be more clearly recognized.

[0014] In the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, the display of the predetermined range is performed according to the magnitude of the measurement amount. By displaying the color change according to the change, not only the measurement result can be transmitted to the driver, but also a warning meaning in terms of safety can be transmitted.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a stereoscopic scale display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings for a display device of a speedometer used for a moving body. First,
Describing the configuration of the present embodiment, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instrument employing a three-dimensional scale display device according to the present invention,
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an embodiment of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the above.

In the three-dimensional scale display device shown in FIG. 1, the dial 10 includes a pointer 20, a scale 11, and an index 12. On the dial 10, a pointer 20 that is moved in accordance with the measured amount is disposed at the center, and a scale 11 necessary for displaying a result corresponding to the measured amount in cooperation with the pointer 20; Are arranged along the edge of the dial 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the scale 11 on the dial 10 is 0-180.
In this configuration, the range of km / h is cut at intervals of 5 km / h.
Here, although not shown, for example, 0 to 180 km
The range of / h may be cut at intervals of 1 km / h, and the range and the interval may be variously changed according to the purpose.

Regarding the shape of the scale 11, the scale 1
The shape of the scale 11 differs depending on whether or not 1 corresponds to the index 12. In the present embodiment, the scale 11 corresponding to the index 12
Has a larger shape than the scale 11 that does not correspond to the index 12. This is because it is easier to visually recognize that the shape of the scale 11 is changed, and the scales 11 may have the same shape.

In this embodiment, the scale 11 is arranged along a circular orbit drawn by the tip of the pointer 20 of the dial 10 when it moves, and the index 12 is arranged from the center of the dial 10 of the scale 11. ing. This is because the scale is displayed at the tip of the pointer 20 so that it is easy to visually recognize it. The positions of the scale 11 and the index 12 are reversed such that the index 12 is arranged outside the scale 11. But it doesn't hurt.

In FIG. 2, a light guide plate 30 includes a plurality of three-dimensional light guides 31 and a light guide substrate 32 that collectively holds the light guides 31 so as to correspond to the scales 11 of the dial 10. ,
It is configured to be integrally formed by a prism. With such a configuration, mounting at the time of assembly can be simplified. Further, in the present embodiment, a prism is used for the light guide plate 30, but the member is not limited to a prism as long as the member can guide light.

The light guide projecting portion 33 is a portion of the light guide 31 protruding in the direction facing the dial 10 of the light guide substrate portion 32, and the light guide projecting portion 33 is formed by the dial. 10 scales 1
In other words, by projecting the light guide projections 33 from the surface of the dial 10, the scale 1
1 are arranged three-dimensionally. Therefore, the light guide convex portion 33 must be designed to be thicker than the thickness of the dial 10. Although not shown, various scales 11 can be configured according to the purpose. For example, the height of the light guide projection 33 corresponding to the index 12 is increased, and the height of the light guide projection 3 not corresponding to the index 12 is increased.
By setting the height of the light guide projections 33 to be arbitrarily different, for example, by setting 3 to be low, the three-dimensional appearance of the scale 11 can be changed.

As can be understood from FIG. 3, the light guide incident surface 34 in a cross section taken along a plane passing through the center of the pointer 20, the LED 41 and the scale 11 corresponding to the LED 41 is different from the LED 41 arranged in the display circuit 40. Are arranged so as to form an arc. By arranging in this way, it is possible to secure a larger light incident area than that in which the light guide incident surface 34 is flat. Therefore, light can be efficiently condensed on the scale 11, so that the scale 11 can give a three-dimensional effect and the visibility can be improved. In the present embodiment, the light guide incident surface 34 does not reach the display circuit 40, but a structure in which the light guide incident surface 34 reaches the display circuit 40 may be used. Although not shown, a wiring pattern for transmitting a signal to each LED 41 is formed in the display circuit 40 in order to control lighting of each LED 41.

Here, in the present embodiment, the case where the LED 41 is used as the light source has been described, but this is because the unit price of the LED 41 is low, and other luminous substances such as semiconductors can be used. It is.

The three-dimensional scale display device is positioned by inserting the light guide plate 30 into the case projecting portion 51, and the dial plate 10 is provided above the light guide plate 30 with the light guide projecting portion 33 and the case projecting portion. It is positioned and fixed by being inserted into the setting part 51. With such a structure, the positioning of each light guide 31 and the scale 11 of the dial 10 can be easily performed, so that the assembly of the present three-dimensional scale display device can be simplified.

The case projecting portion 51 is for positioning and fixing the dial 10 and the light guide plate 30.
It suffices if at least two locations are provided, but it may be provided at any given interval along the scale 11.

In FIG. 3, the dial 10 is formed of the black non-light-transmitting layer 13 so that the portions corresponding to the light guide projections 33 and the case projections 51 become through holes. With such a configuration, only the graduation 11 composed of the light guide protrusions 33 on the black non-light-transmitting layer 13 is brilliant, and the graduation 1
Unnecessary light is prevented from transmitting from portions other than 1. The scale 11 shines depending on the color emitted by the LED 41. However, the scale 11 may have a configuration depending on the color of the light guide plate 30 by making the light guide plate 30 itself colored. In addition, it is assumed that the index 12 is printed on the dial 10. However, another configuration is used such that the index 12 is also translucent and displayed by the incidence of light from a light source. Can be.

It should be noted that in FIG.
Reaches the surface of the dial 10 because it is assumed that the case protrusion 51 is hidden.
In the case of a structure that is not hidden, by changing the portion of the hole through which the dial 10 penetrates into a recess, the case protrusion 51 can be prevented from reaching the surface of the dial 10.

In the present embodiment, the light guide plate 30
Since a prism is used for the scale 11, the scale 11 of the dial 10
When viewed from the front, there is a problem that the LED 41 disposed immediately below the scale 11 is seen due to transmission, so that a problem of the inside appearance is caused. This problem can be solved by decorating the surface of the light guide plate 30. As a decorating method, a sand plast method in which sand is blown to a mold surface with compressed air, or a graining process such as a chemical etching method of chemically corroding a mold surface to obtain a desired surface state is known. I have. In addition, about the decoration process of the light guide plate 30, the light guide plate 3
0 to decorate the entire surface or decorate only the surface of the light guide protruding portion 33 of the light guide plate 30.
Any treatment may be used as long as the portion exposed on the surface is decorated.

When the display of a single color is to be realized by using the structure of the above embodiment, the scale 11 of the dial 10 is required.
A single color LED 41 is disposed as a light source corresponding to
All the graduations 11 on 0 can be made to shine. Although it is effective to shine the scale 11 at night because the surroundings are dark, it is difficult to make the display effect effective even if the scale 11 of the dial 10 is brilliant during the day because the surroundings are bright. Since the scales 11 are three-dimensionally arranged, it is easier to visually recognize the scales 11 than the conventional display device without making the scales 11 shine.
1 need not be brilliant.

Next, when an attempt is made to realize a display by changing the color, the color can be arbitrarily determined by a light source corresponding to the scale 11 of the dial 10 and arranged. For example, the range from 1 to 99 km / h is displayed in green for safety. On the other hand, 100km /
When h is exceeded, it is displayed in red from the meaning of danger.
In the embodiment of the display device in which such a display is provided with an effect such as a warning signal, the configuration of the dial 10 is used as it is, and the LED individually corresponding to the scale 11 is used.
The arrangement of 41 is such that a green LED 41 is arranged on the scale 11 corresponding to the range of 0 to 99 km / h, and a red LED 41 is arranged and lit on the scale 11 corresponding to the range of 100 km / h or more. The display can be made by changing the color. By performing such display, the driver can be effectively urged to pay attention to safety.

Further, in the case of realizing display by light and shade, it is possible to realize by arranging the LED 41 which can adjust the luminous intensity so as to correspond to the scale 11 of the dial 10. For example, the scale 11 corresponding to the index 12 is illuminated by a high gray scale, and the scale 11 not corresponding to the index 12 is illuminated by a low gray scale, so that a bright and dark display can be realized. By performing such display using light and shade, it is possible to improve the three-dimensional effect of the scale 11 of the dial 10 and to improve the visibility.

The structure described above is equivalent to the scale 1 of the dial 10.
1 and the light source are arranged one-to-one.
However, there is no problem if a structure having one light source is used. For example, although not shown, the structures of the dial 10 and the light guide plate 30 are not changed, and a light source such as a cold cathode tube is replaced with a light source such as a cold cathode tube along the scale 11 of the dial 10 without changing the LED 41. 40. When such a structure is used, assembly can be simplified, but there is a disadvantage that individual display such as a change in color of the scale 11 becomes difficult. Therefore, it is preferable that the relationship between the scale 11 and the light source be one-to-one.

Next, an embodiment utilizing the structure in which the scale 11 of the dial 10 and the light source are arranged one-to-one will be described. In the present three-dimensional scale display device, when realizing display in a single color by changing the display shape, a single-color LED 41 is disposed as a light source corresponding to the scale 11 of the dial 10, and the pointer 20 is moved according to the measured value, By using the measured value as a reference value and turning on the LED 41 corresponding to the scale 11 in a predetermined range corresponding to 0 of the index 12 from the reference value, a predetermined range according to the measured amount can be displayed. Thus, by arranging the LEDs 41 so as to correspond to the scales 11 of the dial 10 in a one-to-one correspondence, a single color display can be performed as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, the speed is 50 km.
/ H, the pointer 20 is set to the index 12
Is moved to the scale 11 corresponding to 50 km / h, and the LED 4 in the range of 0 to 50 km / h of the scale 11
By turning on 1, a display in a predetermined range is realized.
As described above, by displaying the predetermined range according to the measurement amount, the position of the pointer 20, the movement state of the pointer 20,
In addition, the change in the motion state of the moving object can be displayed more clearly.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment of display in two colors using a three-dimensional display device using a plurality of colors. In this case, at 0 km / h, all the graduations 11 are displayed in green, and at 60 km / h, 0 to 60 km / h.
The scale 11 corresponding to h is discolored to red display, and
For the scale 11 corresponding to a value exceeding / h, a display indicating that the scale 11 is not changed while being displayed in green is displayed. In such a display, the entire scale 11 of the dial 10 is displayed in green in advance, the pointer 20 is moved according to the measured value, and the scale 11 in a predetermined range according to the measured amount is displayed in red. This can be achieved by: That is, it can be realized by arranging two LEDs 41 so as to be in a one-to-two relationship with each scale 11 of the dial 10.
Therefore, when displaying a plurality of colors, it can be dealt with by arranging a plurality of LEDs 41 on each scale 11 of the dial 10. Note that L capable of emitting light of multiple colors
If a light source such as the ED 41 can be used, it is not necessary to use a plurality of light sources.

Further, in the above embodiment, 1 to 99 km /
The range up to h is displayed in green for safety, and
The portion exceeding 0 km / h is displayed in red from the meaning of danger, but the display shape did not change. here,
A case in which the display shape is changed to improve the display effect will be described. For example, the display of the range according to the measurement amount is green, the range from 1 to 99 km / h is green,
When the speed exceeds 00 km / h, the entire display is displayed by a change in the red display shape. By displaying in this way, not only the position of the pointer 20, the change in the movement state of the pointer 20, and the change in the movement state of the moving body are displayed more clearly, but also the safety of the driver due to the change in the color of the display. Can be more effectively encouraged. When such a display is performed, LEDs 41 capable of lighting in two colors are arranged as a light source for the scale 11 of the dial 10 so as to be in a one-to-one correspondence. Alternatively, it can be realized by arranging the two green and red LEDs 41 in a one-to-two relationship.

Further, in the case of 0 km / h, all the scales 11 are displayed in green, and in the case of 60 km / h, 0 to 0 km / h.
Both green and red LEDs within the range of 60 km / h
By turning on 41, the scale 11 in a predetermined range according to the measurement amount is displayed in amber, and the scale 11 corresponding to a value exceeding 60 km / h remains unchanged in green display. Display. further,
The scale 11 in the range of 1 to 49 km / h is green, 50 to 99
The scale 11 in the range of km / h is yellow, and the range of over 100 km / h is red. Different displays can be provided.

As a predetermined range corresponding to the measured amount,
The case where the measured value is the reference value and the range from the reference value to the scale 11 corresponding to 0 of the index 12 has been described, but the display may be displayed in an arbitrary fixed range from the scale 11 corresponding to the reference value.

Next, as another embodiment of the three-dimensional scale display device, there is a change in display shape due to light and dark. For example, while moving the pointer 20 in accordance with the measured value, the measured value is used as a reference value, and each scale 11 in an arbitrary fixed range corresponding to the index 12 smaller than the pointer 20 from the reference value.
Is controlled so that the luminous intensity of the LED 41 corresponding to the light is sequentially attenuated so that the display is bright and dark, and an effect such as an afterimage of the pointer 20 can be expressed.

Although the three-dimensional scale display device has been described so far in which the scale 11 protrudes from the surface of the dial 10, the present invention can also be applied to a device in which the scale 11 is depressed from the surface of the dial 10. is there. For example,
From the contact surface of the light guide plate 30 with the dial 10, the light guide protruding portions 33
Can be dealt with by changing the structure, for example, and the above-described display can be performed.

Although the embodiment in the case of the speedometer has been described above, the present three-dimensional scale display device can also be applied to an instrument such as a tachometer used for a moving body such as a vehicle.

Although the embodiment has been described with respect to the three-dimensional scale display device which displays a circular orbit, the present invention is also applicable to a three-dimensional scale display device in which the scales 11 are arranged in an arc shape.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the pointer is moved according to the measured amount, and the measured amount is displayed in cooperation with the scale attached to the dial and the index such as a numeral, a character or a symbol. In the display device, by arranging the scales of the dial three-dimensionally, it is possible to give the display a three-dimensional effect,
As a result, there is an effect that the visibility of the scale of the dial can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instrument employing a three-dimensional scale display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a display device of a conventional instrument.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 dial 11 scale 12 indicator 20 pointer 30 light guide plate 31 light guide 41 LED (light source) 50 case

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display device for moving a pointer in accordance with a measured amount and displaying the measured amount in cooperation with a scale attached to the dial and an index such as a numeral, a character or a symbol. A light guide disposed individually to correspond to each of the scales, and a light source disposed to individually correspond to the scale of the dial through the light guide. A three-dimensional scale display device, wherein a three-dimensional impression is given to the display of the scale by forming a three-dimensional body on the dial. 2. The light guide plate according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light guides are formed as an integral light guide plate such that portions individually corresponding to the scales of the dial are convex. 3D scale display device. 3. The scale is three-dimensionally arranged on the dial by positioning and fixing the dial and the light guide plate formed by a through-hole by a case. The three-dimensional scale display device according to claim 2. 4. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the light source is arranged to correspond to the light guide individually corresponding to the scale of the dial. 3D scale display device. 5. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the light guide by a plane passing through the center of the pointer, the light source, and the scale corresponding to the light source has an arc shape. 3D scale display device. 6. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the light guides individually corresponding to the respective scales are arranged so as to have different heights from the dial surface corresponding to the indices. ,
3. The solid scale display device according to 3, 4 or 5. 7. The measured value is set as a reference value, and by turning on a light source in a predetermined range equal to or less than the reference value, a scale in a predetermined range according to the measured amount is illuminated, whereby the predetermined value is displayed on the dial. 7. The three-dimensional scale display device according to claim 1, wherein the range is displayed. 8. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display of the predetermined range is displayed by a change in color.
The solid scale display device according to 4, 5, 6, or 7.