JPH11118967A - Radiation structure of instrument for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly and efficiently radiate heat being generated by the heat generation electric element in a housing even when an instrument is arranged at a place where sufficient radiation space cannot be secured at the rear as in a dashboard above a center console. SOLUTION: When heat being generated by a power transistor TR being mounted on a wiring substrate 13 is radiated inside a main housing 11 of an instrument for a vehicle being arranged at a place that is a nearly middle part in a vehicle width direction X of the dashboard of the vehicle and at the same time is a secluded position near a front, a connection part 25a of a retention member 25 being made of a material with a high heat conduction rate for maintaining the power transistor TR is allowed to project in front of a front cover 21 through an opening 21f for radiating heat of an endsheet frame 21a, and a heat sink 23 being made of the material with the high heat conduction rate and being accommodated in a accommodation part 21g of the endsheet frame 21a is connected to the connection part 25a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat radiation structure in an instrument such as a vehicle speedometer or an engine speed meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle room, there is provided a combination meter that integrates instruments for displaying information related to the running state of the vehicle, such as a traveling speedometer, an engine speed meter, a fuel gauge, a water temperature gauge, and the like. Conventionally, the display information of the combination meter is exclusively used as pure technical information for the driver to safely drive the vehicle.

In recent years, however, the display information of an instrument that has been exclusively viewed by a driver has been shared with a passenger in a passenger seat or the like, together with a screen of a car navigation system, which has recently become very popular. For example, it has been attempted to arrange a composite display type vehicle instrument at a substantially central portion of a dashboard in a vehicle width direction, that is, a dashboard portion above a center console.

[0004] By the way, if a composite display type vehicle instrument is to be arranged at the dashboard above the center console as described above, it is now possible to view the instrument from both the driver's seat and the passenger's seat without swinging the line of sight too much left and right. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the combination meter in front of the vehicle, and accordingly, the space that can be secured behind the instrument is reduced.

[0005]

Accordingly, heat is radiated to the outside of the housing from a heat radiating hole provided on the rear surface of the housing, which is generally used as a heat radiating structure of a conventional instrument disposed in front of a driver's seat. If the structure was adopted as it was in the composite display type vehicle instrument placed on the dashboard above the center console, the heat released to the outside of the housing could not be diffused from there, instead It is not preferable because heat is trapped in one place.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to efficiently and efficiently generate heat generated by a heat-generating electric element inside a housing even when the heat-generating electric element inside a housing is arranged in a place where a sufficient heat radiation space cannot be secured behind, such as a dashboard place above a center console. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat dissipating structure for a vehicle instrument which can emit the heat.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat radiating structure for a vehicle instrument according to the present invention.
A heat dissipating structure for a vehicle instrument in which a heat-generating electric element is housed inside a housing having a display surface which is covered by a front cover in the front, wherein the heat-generating structure is disposed inside the housing and the heat-generating electric element is attached thereto. A conductive holding member, an opening formed at a front cover portion deviated from the front of the display surface in a state where the display surface is covered by the front cover, and exposing a portion of the holding member to the outside, the display surface; Is disposed in the opening from the front of the front cover in a state of covering,
A heat radiating member having a high thermal conductivity that is thermally connected to the holding member portion that is exposed to the outside from the opening, wherein the heat generated by the heat-generating electric element is transmitted through the holding member and the heat radiating member. And is discharged to the front of the front cover.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat dissipating structure for a vehicle instrument according to the present invention, wherein the front cover is exposed in front of the front cover with the front cover covering the display surface. A spacer is protrudingly provided on the front surface of the periphery of the opening, and the heat dissipating member is thermally connected to the holding member in a state of being separated from the front front surface of the front cover through the spacer. It was to be done.

According to the heat radiating structure for a vehicle instrument according to the present invention, the heat generated by the heat-generating electric element is transferred to the holding member in the housing to which the heat-generating electric element is attached, and to the holding member. The front cover, which covers the display surface, is guided from the inside of the housing to the outside through two openings having a high thermal conductivity with a thermally connected heat radiation member, and the front cover covers the display surface. Is emitted toward the space in front of.

Therefore, in order to make it visible from both the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, the vehicle instrument is arranged in a place where a sufficient heat radiation space cannot be secured behind, for example, a dashboard place above the center console. Even in this case, the heat generated by the heat-generating electric element can be efficiently released to the outside of the housing using the space in front of the vehicle instrument.

[0011] In addition, when a vehicle instrument is arranged at a dashboard position above the center console, the center console is generally provided with an air outlet of an air conditioner, and is connected to the air outlet. Because the ducts are located inside the center console, the ducts through which the conditioned air flows can be used as an indirect air cooling member to release the heat generated by the heat-generating electric elements more efficiently. Becomes

Further, according to the heat radiating structure for a vehicle instrument according to the present invention, since the heat radiating member to which the heat generated by the heat generating electric element is transmitted does not come into direct surface contact with the front surface of the front cover, It is possible to prevent the heat from the heat generating electric element transmitted to the heat radiating member from being concentrated and transmitted to the front cover, thereby preventing the front cover from being thermally deformed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a heat radiating structure for a vehicle instrument according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part in a vehicle provided with a heat radiating structure for a vehicle instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle instrument of this embodiment indicated by reference numeral 1 in FIG. A driver (not shown) sitting in the driver's seat 5 and the passenger's seat 7 are located just halfway between the driver's seat 5 and the passenger's seat 7 on the dashboard 3 of the vehicle, that is, in an intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction X of the vehicle. It is located in a recessed position near the front of the dashboard 3 so that it can be seen obliquely from both sides with a passenger (not shown) sitting at the front of the dashboard 3 and without having to look so much left and right. .

[0015] A center console 9 is arranged on the dashboard 3 below the vehicle instrument 1 arranged at the above-mentioned location, and the center console 9 is provided with an air outlet 9a of an air conditioner. A ventilation duct (not shown) of an air conditioner is disposed in the dashboard 3 at a position behind the ventilation opening 9a immediately below the instrument 1 for a vehicle.

As shown in an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, the vehicle instrument 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described arrangement has a main housing 11, a wiring board 13, a fluorescent display tube 15, left and right warning units 17, 19, a front surface. A cover 21 and a radiator plate 23 are provided.

The main housing 11 (corresponding to a housing) is formed in a substantially rectangular shape which is longer in the vehicle width direction X than in the vertical direction Y of the vehicle, and has an opening 11a at the front end. The wiring board 13 is formed of a hard resin material or the like with an outer shape that can be accommodated in the main housing 11, and the mounting surface 13a of the wiring board 13 has left and right sides on both sides in the vehicle width direction X. Connectors 13b, 1 for electrical connection with the warning units 17, 19
3c are respectively mounted.

A power transistor TR (corresponding to a heating electric element) for supplying power is provided on the mounting surface 13a near the lower end of the wiring board 13 at substantially the center in the vehicle width direction X.
It is mounted via a holding member 25 made of a high thermal conductivity material such as an aluminum alloy.

The fluorescent display tube 15 receives a power supply from the power transistor TR and displays an instrument image such as a traveling speed of the vehicle, an engine speed, a shift range, an odometer, each traveling distance of a trip, and a remaining fuel amount. The light-emitting display is performed in digital form on the surface 15a. The wiring board 13 is mounted on the mounting surface 13a above the holding member 25 so as to leave spaces on both sides in the vehicle width direction X. The display surface 15 is mounted on the wiring board 13.
a is located on the driver's seat 5 and the passenger's seat 7 side.

The left and right warning units 17, 1
Reference numeral 9 denotes a mounting surface 13a which is mounted on the mounting surface 13a near both sides of the wiring board 13 in the vehicle width direction X. One of a plurality of lamps (not shown) housed in the housings 17a and 19a is used for power. When the power is supplied from the transistor TR and the lamps are turned on, the warning symbols formed on the lens sheets 17b and 19b corresponding to the turned on lamps of the lens sheets 17b and 19b covering the front end open portions of the housings 17a and 19a. The light from the lamp is transmitted through a portion (not shown), and the transmitted light is used to emit and display a warning symbol image with a light quantity lower than the instrument image on the display surface 15a of the fluorescent display tube 15.

The left and right warning units 17,
The electrical connection between the lamp in 19 and the wiring board 13 is performed by connecting the terminals 27a and 29a of the flexible wiring boards 27 and 29 disposed on the back of the lamp housings 17a and 19a.
Connectors 13b, 13c on mounting surface 13a of wiring board 13
It is done by plugging in.

The front cover 21 has a return plate 21a and a cover body 21k.

The return frame 21a is integrally formed of, for example, a resin material by molding, and has an upper surface 21a.
b, a plurality of engagement holes 1 on the upper surface 11b of the main housing 11.
1d and a plurality of engagement pieces 21c each of which can be engaged with each other. As shown in a partially enlarged exploded perspective view in FIG. 3, an engagement hole 11e in the lower surface 11c of the main housing 11 is also provided below the return frame 21a. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a cover opening 21e is formed on the front surface of the return frame 21a.

The cover opening 21 of the facing frame 21a
As shown in FIG. 3, a heat-dissipating opening 21f (corresponding to an opening) is formed in a portion lower than e, and a heat-dissipating opening 21f is formed in a return frame 21a on the periphery of the heat-dissipating opening 21f. 21g (corresponding to the front part of the periphery of the opening) is formed, and a stepped portion 21j is formed in each of the facing frames 21a opposed to each other across the heat dissipation opening 21f in the accommodation portion 21g. A pair of positioning pins 21
h, 21h are protruded.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover body 21k is formed of a translucent resin plate or the like into a horizontally long and substantially rectangular shape, and is attached to the cover opening 21e of the return frame 21a. On the surface of the cover body 21k, an anti-reflection film (not shown) for preventing reflection of light irradiated within a predetermined angle range is provided on the driver's seat 5 and the passenger's seat 7 side for external light entering from outside the vehicle. It is formed for the purpose of preventing reflection.

The front cover 21 thus configured is
As shown in a perspective view of the assembled state of the vehicle instrument 1 excluding the front cover 21 in FIG. 4, the main instrument 11 is engaged with the wiring board 13 and the left and right warning units 17 and 19 in an assembled state. As shown in a perspective view of the assembled vehicle instrument 1 in FIG. 5, the main housing 11 is closed by the engagement of the hole 11d with the engagement piece 21c, as shown in the perspective view of the assembled vehicle instrument 1.
Attached to.

In the vehicle instrument 1 of the present embodiment,
Wiring board 13 and left and right warning units 17 and 19
Is attached to the main housing 11 with the opening 11a.
By attaching the front cover 21 so as to cover the left and right warning units 17 and 19,
Upper surfaces 17c, 19 of the lamp housings 17a, 19a
c with the opening 11a of the main housing 11 exposed.
Of the power transistor TR mounted on the mounting surface 13a of the wiring board 13, and the connecting portion 25a of the holding member 25 of the power transistor TR does not touch the peripheral end of the heat-dissipating opening 21f of the return frame 21a. The front cover 21 is configured to protrude slightly forward of the front cover 21 through the opening 21f.

In the vehicle instrument 1 of the present embodiment, an anti-reflection film is formed on the surface of the cover body 21k to prevent reflection of external light to the driver's seat 5 and the passenger's seat 7 side. A light-shielding hood above a front cover provided in a conventional general vehicle instrument is omitted.

The heat radiating plate 23 (corresponding to a heat radiating member) is formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity such as an aluminum alloy, as shown in FIG. Positioning holes 23a, 23a into which the positioning pins 21h, 21h closer to the distal end than the stepped portion 21j can be inserted in the housing portion 21g are formed, and between the positioning holes 23a, 23a, The heat radiation opening 21f in the state of being housed in the housing 21g
A screw insertion hole 23b is formed at a position of the heat sink 23 facing the.

The heat radiating plate 23 having the above-described structure is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in the enlarged vertical sectional view of FIG. 6, the positioning pins 21h, 21h closer to the tip than the stepped portion 21j are fitted to the receiving portion 21g of the return frame 21a of the front cover 21 assembled to the main housing 11 in the state shown in FIG. Positioning holes 23a, 2
In this state, the connecting portion 25a of the holding member 25 (which corresponds to the holding member portion exposed to the outside from the opening) slightly projects forward of the front cover 21 through the heat dissipation opening 21f. The heat radiating plate 23 at the periphery of the insertion hole 23b abuts, and is attached to the connecting portion 25a of the holding member 25 by the mounting screw 31 inserted through the screw insertion hole 23b.

The heat radiating plate 23 accommodated in the accommodating portion 21g is provided.
The peripheral portions of the positioning holes 23a, 23a are stepped portions 21j.
Is not in direct surface contact with the return frame 21a inside the storage portion 21g.

As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, the positioning pin 21h located closer to the tip than the step 21j constitutes a spacer in the claims.

The vehicle instrument 1 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is arranged at a substantially intermediate position in the vehicle width direction X of the dashboard 3 as described above, and the radiator plate 23 is attached to the dashboard 3. Since the vehicle instrument 1 is located in a space inside of the center console 9 and in a space near the back side of the ventilation port 9 a of the center console 9 and at a position near the front of the dashboard 3, the main housing 11
There is not much space behind the
A space of a certain size exists before 1a.

In this state, the heat radiating plate 23 is disposed near the air duct (not shown).

In the vehicle instrument 1 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration, when the power transistor TR generates heat, the heat is transmitted to the holding member 25 made of a high thermal conductivity material that holds the power transistor TR. Heat is transmitted to the heat radiating plate 23 made of a high thermal conductivity material in which the peripheral portion of the screw insertion hole 23b is in contact with the connecting portion 25a of the holding member 25, and from the heat radiating plate 23 to the inside of the dashboard 3, It is released into the space in front of the return frame 21a.

Since the space in front of the return frame 21a has a certain size, heat is more efficiently dissipated than behind the main housing 11 where there is not much space. Air conditioner duct is located near the center console 9
This duct through which the conditioned air blown into the vehicle from the air outlet 9a of the above will function as a kind of air cooling member,
Therefore, when the heat generated in the power transistor TR and transmitted through the holding member 25 and the heat radiating plate 23 is released to the space inside the dashboard 3 and in front of the return frame 21a, the conditioned air passing through the duct is discharged. To further enhance the heat radiation effect.

As described above, according to the vehicle instrument 1 of the present embodiment, the vehicle is disposed at a substantially middle portion in the vehicle width direction X of the dashboard 3 of the vehicle, and furthermore, at a location which is deeper and closer to the front. The power transistor TR mounted on the wiring board 13 inside the main housing 11 of the measuring instrument 1
Release the heat generated by the power transistor T
The connecting portion 25a of the holding member 25 made of a high thermal conductivity material that holds R projects forward of the front cover 21 through the heat dissipation opening 21f of the facing frame 21a, and the high thermal conductivity accommodated in the receiving portion 21g of the facing frame 21a. Heat sink 23 made of material
Is connected to the connecting portion 25a.

Therefore, the heat of the power transistor TR transmitted through the holding member 25 and the heat radiating plate 23 is transferred to the space inside the dashboard 3 and in front of the return frame 21 a which is wider than the space behind the main housing 11. Therefore, as compared with the case of adopting a configuration in which heat is radiated from the rear surface of the housing, which is adopted in a conventional general vehicle instrument, as in the present embodiment, the front of the dashboard 3 is used. In particular, when disposing the vehicle instrument 1 in a deeper place, the efficiency of the subsequent heat diffusion is increased by releasing heat to a larger space, and the released heat is located at one place inside the dashboard 3. It can be prevented from being muffled.

In addition, according to the vehicle instrument 1 of the present embodiment, the radiator plate 2 is located close to a duct (not shown) inside the dashboard 3 connected to the ventilation port 9a of the center console 9.
3 is disposed, the released heat is reduced by air cooling utilizing the temperature difference with the conditioned air passing through the duct,
The space in front of the facing frame 21a is prevented from abnormally increasing in temperature due to the released heat, so that the heat radiation efficiency can be further improved.

In addition, according to the vehicle instrument 1 of this embodiment, the heat radiating plate 23 accommodated in the accommodating portion 21g is caught by the stepped portion 21j of the positioning pins 21h, 21h, and the facing frame inside the accommodating portion 21g is provided. Since the heat radiating plate 23 does not directly contact the peripheral end of the heat radiating opening 21f, the heat transmitted from the power transistor TR to the heat radiating plate 23 via the holding member 25 is returned. The front cover 21 can be prevented from being thermally deformed by being transmitted to the frame 21a.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle instrument 1 that performs digital instrument display using the fluorescent display tube 15 has been described as an example. However, the heat dissipation structure of the present invention uses a so-called analog instrument display. The present invention is also applicable to an instrument for a vehicle, and it is optional to form an anti-reflection film on the surface of the cover body 21k and omit the light shielding hood instead.

In this embodiment, the case where the lamp housings 17a and 19a of the left and right warning units 17 and 19 for performing the warning display are separate from the main housing 11 has been described. The present invention is also applicable to a vehicle instrument including a housing, and the lamp housings 17a and 19 according to the present embodiment.
Needless to say, the present invention can be applied as a heat radiation structure for only a.

Further, in the present embodiment, the vehicle instrument 1 disposed on the dashboard 3 of the vehicle, which is located just in the middle between the driver's seat 5 and the passenger's seat 7, that is, in the middle in the vehicle width direction X, is used. Although described using an example, the present invention is not limited to a place where the driver in the driver's seat 5 and a passenger in the front passenger's seat 7 can share and view the same, and is arranged at a location in front of the driver's seat 5 as in the related art. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a vehicle instrument according to the vacant space inside the dashboard portion to be arranged.

In the present embodiment, the heat sink 23 is moved by the presence of the step 21j of the positioning pins 21h, 21h.
The structure is such that the facing frame 21a inside the accommodating portion 21g is separated from the facing frame 21a without direct surface contact. However, when the facing frame 21a is made of a material having sufficient heat-resistant deformation, this configuration is omitted. Is also good.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the heat sink 23
It is needless to say that it is not essential to dispose in the vicinity of the duct of the air conditioner inside the dashboard 3, and it may be changed to a different configuration.

[0046]

As described above, according to the heat radiating structure for a vehicle instrument according to the present invention, the heat generating electric element is accommodated in the housing having the display surface which is covered by the front cover in the front. Heat dissipating structure of a vehicle instrument,
A high thermal conductivity holding member disposed inside the housing and to which the heat-generating electric element is attached, and formed at a front cover portion that is separated from the front of the display surface while the display surface is covered by the front cover. An opening for exposing a portion of the holding member to the outside, and a holding member disposed in the opening from the front of the front cover while covering the display surface, the holding member being exposed to the outside from the opening. A heat dissipating member having a high thermal conductivity that is thermally connected to the member portion, wherein the heat generated by the heat generating electric element is emitted to the front of the front cover via the holding member and the heat dissipating member.

Therefore, the heat generated by the heat-generating electric element is caused by two high thermal conductivities of the holding member in the housing to which the heat-generating electric element is attached and the heat radiation member thermally connected to the holding member. Through the member, the front cover that covers the display surface is guided from the inside of the housing to the outside through an opening at a position deviated from the front of the display surface, and is discharged toward the space in front of the front cover.

Therefore, in order to make it visible from both the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, the vehicle instrument is arranged in a place where a sufficient heat radiation space cannot be secured behind, such as a dashboard place above the center console. Even in this case, the heat generated by the heat-generating electric element can be efficiently released to the outside of the housing by utilizing the space in front of the vehicle instrument.

Further, when a vehicle instrument is provided at a dashboard position above the center console, the center console is generally provided with an air outlet of an air conditioner, and is connected to the air outlet. Since the ducts are arranged inside the center console, the ducts through which the conditioned air flows can be used as indirect air cooling members, and the heat generated by the heat-generating electric elements can be released more efficiently. .

According to the heat radiating structure for a vehicle instrument of the present invention described in claim 2, the front surface of the front cover exposed in front of the front cover while the display surface is covered by the front cover is provided. A spacer is protrudingly provided on the front surface of the periphery of the opening, and the heat dissipating member is thermally attached to the holding member portion in a state of being separated forward from the front surface of the front cover via the spacer. It was configured to be connected.

Since the heat dissipating member to which the heat generated by the heat generating electric element is transmitted does not directly contact the front surface of the front cover, the heat from the heat generating electric element transmitted to the heat dissipating member is concentrated on the front cover. It is possible to prevent the front cover from being thermally deformed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part in a vehicle provided with a heat radiating structure of a vehicle instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle instrument of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view of an accommodation portion of a return plate to which the heat sink of FIG. 2 is attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the vehicle instrument of FIG. 2 excluding a front cover.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the vehicle instrument shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an accommodation portion of a return plate to which the heat sink of FIG. 2 is attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle instrument 11 Main housing (housing) 15a Display surface 17b, 19b Lens sheet (display surface) 21 Front cover 21f Heat dissipation opening (opening) 21g Housing (front part of the periphery of opening) 21h Positioning pin 23 Heat sink ( (Heat dissipation member) 25 Holding member 25a Connecting portion (portion of holding member exposed to the outside from opening) TR Power transistor (heat generating element)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A heat dissipating structure for a vehicle instrument in which a heat generating electric element is accommodated in a housing having a display surface covered with a front cover in front, wherein the heat generating electric element is disposed inside the housing. A holding member having a high thermal conductivity to be attached, and an opening formed at a front cover portion which is separated from the front of the display surface in a state where the display surface is covered by the front cover, and exposes a portion of the holding member to the outside. And a high thermal conductivity that is disposed in the opening from the front of the front cover while covering the display surface and is thermally connected to the holding member, which is the holding member that is exposed to the outside from the opening. A heat radiating structure for a vehicle instrument, comprising: a heat radiating member; and radiating heat generated by the heat generating electric element to the front of the front cover via the holding member and the heat radiating member. 2. A spacer is provided on a front surface of the front cover, which is exposed in front of the front cover while the display surface is covered by the front cover, and a spacer is protruded from a front portion of a periphery of the opening. 2. The heat dissipating structure for a vehicle instrument according to claim 1, wherein said heat dissipating member is thermally connected to said holding member portion in a state where said heat dissipating member is separated forward from said front surface via said spacer.