WO2007113969A1

WO2007113969A1 - Pointer illumination structure

Info

Publication number: WO2007113969A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/054253
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomomichi Nanba
Original assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-06
Publication date: 2007-10-11
Also published as: JP2007271272A

Abstract

A pointer illumination structure has a pointer (2) that is fixed to a pointer shaft (7) projecting from an opening (6a) formed in a dial (6) to the front face side of the dial (6) and has a light transmissive indication section (2a), an LED (3) that is provided on the rear side of the dial (6) and illuminates the pointer (2), a guide light (4) for the pointer, provided between the LED (3) and the pointer (2), and a support pointer (5) that is seated on and engaged to the front face side of the opening edge of the opening (6a), restricting the movement of the dial (6) in the direction to the pointer (2), and prevents leakage of light from the opening (6a). The guide light (4) for the pointer and the support pointer (5) are integrally formed in the same mold. The diameter of the opening (6a) is formed greater than the outer diameter of the guide light (4) for the pointer (4), so that the guide light (4) can be assembled from the front face side of the dial (6).

Description

Specification

Indicator lighting structure

Technical field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of a pointer illumination structure of an instrument device such as a vehicle using a pointer, for example.

Background art

[0002] In a conventional pointer illumination device, a light guide using a transparent resin between LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED), which is a light source that brightens the pointer to improve visibility, and a light incident part of the pointer I have a body. This light guide is inserted between the housing and the electronic board after being pressed into the opening of the housing from the back side (electronic board side) of the housing for supporting the dial plate located between the dial and the electronic board. The positioning is fixed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1: JP 2001-215138 A

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0003] However, in the above prior art, when assembling the light guide to the housing, there is a problem that it is inferior in assembling because it requires time and effort to press the winging over and press into the housing. there were.

[0004] That is, in the above prior art, in order to brighten the pointer, the light guide using a transparent resin interposed between the light source LED and the light incident portion of the finger is a dial. After being press-fitted into the opening of the housing from the back side of the housing for supporting the dial plate located between the housing and the electronic substrate, the positioning is fixed by sandwiching between the housing and the electronic substrate. In addition, in this conventional technology, a plurality of convex lens shapes are set in the light receiving portion of the light guide, and the light condensing performance is improved by matching the convex lens shape with the position of the LED.

[0005] However, in the above prior art, when assembling the light guide to the housing, it takes time and effort to press the housing over and press-fit into the housing. In addition, it is necessary to form a foot-shaped member on the light guide to avoid the height of the LED. Therefore, the cost increases due to the complicated shape.

[0006] Further, in order to align the convex lens shape with the LED position, a positioning shape with respect to the housing is required, which further complicates the shape and increases the number of assembly steps. In addition, dimensional control becomes strict due to press-fitting into the housing and alignment with the LED.

[0007] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pointer illumination structure that is excellent in assembling and capable of reducing manufacturing costs.

Means for solving the problem

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:

A pointer having an indicator that is fixed to a pointer shaft that protrudes from the opening formed in the dial to the surface side of the dial and transmits light;

A light source provided on the back side of the dial and illuminating the pointer;

A light guide provided between the light source and the pointer;

A light-blocking member that is seated and engaged with the surface side of the opening edge of the opening to suppress movement of the dial in the direction of the pointer and prevent light leakage from the opening;

In the pointer illumination structure with

The light guide and the light shielding member are integrally molded in the same mold,

The opening is formed to have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the light guide so that the light guide can be assembled from the surface side of the dial.

The invention's effect

In the pointer illumination structure of the present invention, the light guide is formed integrally with the light blocking member in the same mold, and the light guide can be assembled by being inserted into the opening from the surface side of the dial. As a result, it is possible to reduce the man-hours for assembling the light guide and to simplify the structure and reduce the manufacturing cost.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an instrument panel including a vehicle meter to which the pointer illumination structure of Example 1 according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the vehicle meter of Example 1 indicated by a dashed-dotted line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of a guide light for a pointer and a support pointer of Example 1.

鬧 4] It is a bottom view of the guide light for a pointer and the support pointer of Example 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a guide light for a pointer and a support pointer according to the first embodiment.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the guide light for the pointer and the support pointer of Example 1 along S6-S6 in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle meter

2 Guidelines

2a Indicator

2b Stud pointer

2c base

2d pointer cap

3 LED

4 Guide light for pointer

4a Hollow part

4b Incident surface

4c Light emitting surface

5 Support pointer

5a base

5b collar

5c Leg

5d nails

5e Guidelines side

6 Dial

6a opening

7 Pointer shaft

8 Roano, Uzing 8a Engagement opening

9 Electronic board

100 instrument panel

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the best mode for realizing the pointer illumination structure of the present invention will be described based on Example 1.

Example 1

First, the configuration of the pointer illumination structure of Example 1 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an instrument panel including a vehicle meter 1 to which the pointer illumination structure of the first embodiment is applied. The vehicle meter 1 is disposed on an instrument panel 100 in a vehicle compartment, and is used as, for example, a vehicle speed meter.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the vehicle meter 1 of Example 1 indicated by a one-dot chain line circle AA in FIG. 1. The vehicle meter 1 includes a pointer 2, an LED 3, and a guide light for the pointer. 4 and a support pointer 5. The LED 3 corresponds to the light source of the present invention, the guide light guide 4 corresponds to the light guide of the present invention, and the support pointer 5 corresponds to the light shielding member of the present invention.

[0015] The pointer 2 is fixed to the distal end portion of the pointer shaft 7 that passes through the opening 6a formed in the dial 6 and protrudes to the surface side of the dial 6, and receives light from the indicator 2a. A stud pointer 2b having a disk-shaped portion that guides the head and a cylindrical portion that is fixed to the pointer shaft 7 integrally therewith, a base portion 2c, and a pointer cap 2d. The indicator 2a, the stud pointer 2b, and the base 2c are formed of a transparent synthetic resin that transmits light, and the pointer cap 2d is formed of a black synthetic resin. The instruction portion 2a, the stud pointer 2b, the base portion 2c, and the pointer cap 2d rotate together in accordance with the rotation of the pointer shaft 7.

The LED 3 is fixed on an electronic board 9 provided on the back side of the dial 6 and emits light when power is supplied from the electronic board 9.

On the back side of the dial 6, a lower housing 8 that supports the dial 6 is provided. The lower housing 8 is formed with a circular engaged opening 8 a at a position corresponding to the opening 6 a of the dial 6. The lower housing 8 corresponds to the housing of the present invention. The engaged opening 8a corresponds to the engaged portion of the present invention.

Next, the configuration of the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

3 is a side view of the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5, FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof, FIG. 5 is a plan view thereof, and a cross-sectional view taken along S6-S6 in FIG. 5 of FIG. It is.

[0018] The guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 are integrally formed by forming two different colors of synthetic resin in the same mold. That is, the guide light 4 for the pointer is formed of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin that transmits light, and the support pointer 5 is formed of a black synthetic resin having a light shielding property.

[0019] The guide light 4 for the pointer is disposed between the LED 3 and the pointer 2, and transmits the light of the LED 3 to the pointer. The guide light 4 for the pointer has a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion 4a through which the pointer shaft 7 passes in the center in the axial direction. Is formed. Here, the opening 6a of the dial 6 is set to have a larger diameter than the guide light 4 for the pointer, and the engaged opening 8a of the lower housing 8 is set to have a larger diameter than the opening 6a. . Further, the light incident surface 4b facing the light source of the guide light 4 for the pointer is set in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide light 4 for the pointer.

The light from the LED 3 passes through the inside of the guide light 4 for the pointer from the light incident surface 4b, moves from the light exit surface 4c to the pointer side, and reaches the indicator 2a through the stud pointer 2b and the base 2c. The Thereby, the pointer can be brightly illuminated.

[0020] The support pointer 5 is seated and engaged with the surface side of the opening edge of the opening 6a formed in the dial 6 to suppress the movement of the dial 6 to the pointer 2 side and from the opening 6a. This prevents light leakage, and has a base 5a provided along the outer periphery of the pointer guide light 4 and a flange 5b that rises radially outward from the base 5a and is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section. ing. The pointer side surface 5e of the base 5a is set flush with the light exit surface 4c of the guide light 4 for the pointer.

[0021] The collar portion 5b is provided with three leg portions 5c and a claw portion 5d formed at the tip of each leg portion 5c. The leg portions 5c are arranged at equal intervals (120 °) in the circumferential direction of the collar portion 5b. The outer diameter of the claw portion 5d is set to be larger than the inner periphery of the engaged opening 8a, and the inner diameter is set to be smaller than the inner periphery of the engaged opening 8a. ing. The claw portion 5d corresponds to the locking portion of the present invention. [0022] The pointer illumination structure of Example 1 is assembled as follows.

First, the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 are assembled to the dial 6. That is, in the pointer illumination structure of Example 1, the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 are integrally formed by two-color molding in the same mold, and the opening 6a of the dial 6 is used for the pointer. Since the guide light 4 is set to have a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the guide light 4, the surface side force of the dial plate 6 and the pointer guide light 4 integral with the pointer 6 are inserted into the opening 6a.

[0023] At this time, the opening edge of the engagement opening 8a of the core housing 8 and each claw 5d of the support pointer 5 come into contact with each other, and each leg 5c squeezes inward in the radial direction. 5d moves to the front side of the engaged opening 8a and moves to the back side, the support pointer 5 is seated and engaged with the opening edge of the opening 6a, and each claw 5d is engaged with the engaged opening (engaged). Engage with the back side of the opening edge of 8a. As a result, the dial 6 and the lower housing 8 are sandwiched between the collar portion 5b and each claw portion 5d, and the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 are fixed to the lower housing 8, Movement of the dial 6 toward the pointer 2 is suppressed.

[0024] These insertions and fixations can be easily performed. Therefore, the pointer illumination structure of Example 1 is assembled with the light guide as compared with the case where the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 are assembled separately. It is possible to reduce both the man-hours and the number of parts.

[0025] In addition, the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 can be fixed to the lower housing 8 using only the three claw portions 5d provided on the support pointer 5, so that the guide light 4 for the pointer There is no need to provide a fixing structure. Therefore, the shape of the guide light 4 for the pointer and the lower housing 8 can be simplified, and the moldability can be improved and the mold cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the guide light 4 for the pointer can be fixed to the lower housing 8 with one touch of the surface side force of the lower housing 8, the lower housing 8 can be assembled without turning it over, and the assembly time can be reduced. .

[0026] Power! Because the fixing claw 5d is provided only on the support pointer 5, the shape of the lower housing 8 can be used even when the pointer 2 does not require high brightness and the guide light 4 for the pointer is not required. It is possible to mold and assemble only the support pointer 5 without changing the parts, and to share parts. [0027] In the first embodiment, the claw portion 5d is engaged with the opening edge of the circular engaged opening portion 8a formed in the lower housing 8, so that the claw portion 5d and the engaged opening portion 8a are assembled. Positioning (orientation) is not necessary, and it can be assembled without rotating to align the position, further reducing the assembly time.

[0028] Next, the pointer 2 is assembled to the dial plate 6 side. That is, the surface side force of the dial 6 moves the pointer 2 toward this back side, and the cylindrical portion of the stud pointer 2b is inserted into the hollow portion 4a of the guide light 4 for the pointer and locked to the front end of the pointer shaft 7. Let As a result, the pointer 2 is integrated with the character plate 6 and the like, and the indicating portion 2a can rotate integrally with the pointer shaft 7.

As a result of this assembly, the disc-shaped portion of the stud pointer 2 b comes to face the light exit surface 4 c of the support pointer 5.

Accordingly, when the LED 3 emits light by the electronic substrate 9, the light enters the guide light 4 for the pointer from the light incident surface 4b and exits to the front side of the dial 6 from the light emitting surface 4c. This light enters the disk-shaped portion of the stud pointer 2b of the pointer 2, and this force also travels to the indicating portion 2a via the base portion 2c, and illuminates the indicating portion 2a.

[0030] In this case, the guide light 4 for the pointer is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the light incident surface 4b facing the LED 3 is set in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide light 4 for the pointer. There is no need to press-fit 4 into lower housing 8 and align with LED3. Therefore, since the dimensional tolerance of the guide light 4 for the needle can be increased, the moldability can be improved.

[0031] Further, the light exit surface 4c of the pointer guide light 4 and the pointer side surface 5e of the support pointer 5 are set to be flush with each other. In addition, the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 are integrally molded by two-color molding in the same mold. For this reason, for example, when both parts are molded separately as in the conventional structure and then fixed during assembly, the guide guide light exit surface and the support pointer side face are set to be flush with each other due to dimensional errors. In Example 1, the light emitting surface 4c and the pointer side surface 5e can be flush with each other, and the light from the LED 3 is guided to the position closest to the pointer 2 where light does not leak from the side. be able to.

Next, the effect of the pointer illumination structure of Example 1 will be described.

The pointer illumination structure of Example 1 has the following effects. [0033] (1) The pointer shaft 7 that protrudes from the opening 6a formed in the dial 6 to the surface side of the dial 6 is fixed, and the pointer 2 and the dial 6 having the indicating portion 2a through which light is transmitted. The LED 3 that illuminates the pointer 2 provided on the back side, the guide light 4 for the pointer provided between the LED 3 and the pointer 2, and the dial on the front side of the opening edge of the opening 6a The pointer guide light 4 and the support pointer 5 are within the same type in a pointer illumination structure having a support pointer 5 that suppresses movement of the pointer 6 in two directions and prevents light leakage from the opening 6a. The opening 6a is formed larger than the outer diameter of the pointer guide light 4 so that the pointer guide light 4 can be assembled from the surface side of the dial 6. As a result, the number of assembling steps can be reduced as compared with the case where the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 are separately assembled to the lower housing 8. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by simplifying the structure.

(2) Dial support provided on the back side of the dial 6 when the support pointer 5 is seated and engaged with the opening edge of the opening 6 a on one of the guide light 4 for the pointer and the support pointer 5 An engaging portion (claw portion 5d) for fixing the support pointer 5 to the lower housing 8 by engaging with an engaged portion (engaged opening portion 8a) formed in the opening housing 8 is provided. As a result, the guide guide light 4 can be fixed to the lower housing 8 with one touch of the surface side force of the lower housing 8, so that the lower housing 8 can be assembled without turning it over, and the assembly time can be reduced. it can. Further, the light emitting surface 4c and the pointer side surface 5e can be flush with each other, and the light of the LED 3 can be guided to the position closest to the pointer 2 where light does not leak from the side.

(3) The engaged portion is a circular engaged opening 8a formed at a position corresponding to the opening 6a of the dial 6 of the lower housing 8, and the locking portion is engaged. Three claw portions 5d that engage with the back side of the opening edge of the joint opening portion 8a are provided. This eliminates the need for positioning (orientation) between the claw 5d and the engaged opening 8a during assembly, and the assembly can be performed without rotating to align the position, further reducing the assembly time. You can plan.

(4) The guide light 4 for the pointer is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the light incident surface 4b facing the LED 3 is formed perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide light 4 for the pointer. No need to press fit into 8 and align with LED3, and the dimensional tolerance of the guide light for guide 4 can be increased to improve the moldability. [0037] (5) Since the pointer guide light 4 and the support pointer 5 are formed by two-color molding of synthetic resin, they can be integrally molded using different materials. For example, the guide guide light 4 includes It is possible to select and use materials that are optimal for both, such as using a synthetic resin with excellent light guiding properties, and using a synthetic resin with high strength and excellent light shielding properties for the support pointer 5.

[0038] (Other Examples)

The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described based on the first embodiment. However, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment and does not depart from the gist of the present invention. V, range design changes and the like are also included in the present invention.

[0039] For example, in Example 1, an example in which the light guide and the light-shielding member are formed by two-color molding has been shown. However, after both are molded with a transparent resin, mask printing is performed on the light-shielding member portion. May be. Industrial applicability

[0040] In the pointer illumination structure of the present invention, the pointer indicating portion is on the front surface of the dial, and the light source is behind the dial, and the light emitted from the light source is provided between the pointing portion and the light source. As long as the pointer illumination structure is guided to the instruction unit via the light guide, the present invention is not limited to the instrument device for vehicles, and can be applied to various pointer illumination structures including a fixing device.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A pointer having an indicator that is fixed to a pointer shaft protruding from the opening formed in the dial to the surface side of the dial and transmits light;

A light guide provided between the light source and the pointer;

A light-shielding member that is seated and engaged with the surface side of the opening edge of the opening to suppress the movement of the dial in the direction of the pointer and prevent light leakage of the opening force;

In the pointer illumination structure with

A pointer illuminating device characterized in that the opening is formed to have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the light guide so that the light guide can be assembled on the surface side of the dial.

[2] In the pointer illumination structure according to claim 1,

One of the light guide and the light shielding member is formed on a dial support housing provided on the back side of the dial when the light shielding member is seated and engaged with the opening edge of the opening. A pointer illuminating structure comprising a locking portion that engages with an engaged portion and fixes a light shielding member to a housing.

[3] In the pointer illumination structure according to claim 2,

The engaged portion is an engaged opening formed at a position corresponding to the opening of the dial of the housing;

The pointer illumination structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is a claw portion that engages with a back surface side of an opening edge of the engaged opening.

[4] The pointer illumination structure according to claim 1 is!

A pointer illumination structure, wherein the light guide is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a light incident surface facing the light source is formed perpendicular to the axial direction of the light guide.

[5] The pointer illumination structure according to claim 1, which is claimed in claim 1!

A pointer illumination structure characterized in that the light guide and the light-shielding member are formed by two-color molding of synthetic resin.