JP5285872B2 - Pointer illumination device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pointer illumination device, and in particular, a light-transmitting pointer member that has a reflecting surface for a pointer that reflects light incident on a predetermined incident surface and guides it to the tip of the pointer, and a drive shaft of the pointer member. The present invention relates to a pointer illumination device including a light source arranged around and a light-transmissive light guide member that guides light from the light source to an incident surface of the pointer member.

  Currently, the guidelines for automobile meters have a lighting function for ensuring visibility at night and during normal use of both a meter with a night lighting function and a self-luminous meter. As shown in FIG. 16, the illumination method introduces the light L of the light source 2 (bulb, LED) installed on the meter substrate 1 into the pointer 3 by the light receiving surface 4 on the pointer 3 side, finally hot stamping, Illumination is performed by emitting light L outside the pointer 3 using a diffusion / reflection layer 5 formed of a fine prism or the like.

  In addition, the area of the light receiving surface 4 on the side of the pointer 3 should be reduced due to design requirements (the pointer 3 should be as thin and bright as possible) and the weight limit of the pointer 3 (weight limit of the target to be driven by the pointer rotation drive motor). I must. Therefore, a plurality of light sources 2 are provided as shown in FIG. 17 in order to realize bright and uniform illumination with no brightness unevenness in the entire area where the pointer 3 rotates. However, since the area of the light receiving surface 4 of the pointer 3 is actually small as shown by the hatched lines in the figure, only a part of the light L emitted from the plurality of light sources 2 enters the pointer 3. The loss is very large.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem that the loss is large, in Patent Document 1, the light L from a plurality of light sources 2 is condensed near the axis using the first reflecting surface 7 in the light introducing member 6 as shown in FIG. The light L finally reflected by the third reflecting surface 9 enters the pointer 3 via the second reflecting surface 8 that reflects the condensed light L toward the third reflecting surface 9.

  Further, when the light L emitted from the light source 2 has a certain emission angle, light is incident on each of the reflection surfaces 7, 8, 9 at various angles. Each reflecting surface 7, 8, 9 of the light introducing member 6 has a simple inclination or curved surface, and it is possible to reflect only the incident light L under the condition satisfying total reflection. In order to narrow down the light L to an angle at which the total reflection condition can be satisfied as much as possible, the light L emitted from the light source 2 has an angle between the light source 2 and the light introducing member 6. The light L is narrowed down.

  However, when the light guide member 10 has a simple cylindrical shape, the emission angle of the light source 2 can be narrowed as shown in FIG. 19, but the parallelism of the emitted light L is low. For this reason, loss tends to occur on the reflection surfaces 7, 8, and 9 where light that falls outside the total reflection condition leaks. That is, the light L guided to the second reflective surface 8 among the light L reflected by the first reflective surface 7, the light L guided to the third reflective surface 9 among the light L reflected by the second reflective surface 8, Of the light L reflected by the third reflecting surface 9, the light L guided to the tip of the pointer 3 is reduced, and there is a problem that the pointer 3 cannot emit light with high brightness.

  In addition, there is a light source 2 with a lens with a narrowed emission angle, but in the case of light L that is too narrow, the range that can be covered by one light source 2 decreases, so as much as possible to cover the entire rotation range of the pointer 3 Many light sources 2 are required, leading to an increase in cost. In addition, it is conceivable to reduce the loss by applying a mirror process to each of the reflection surfaces 7, 8, and 9, but this also leads to an increase in cost.

According to the invention described in Patent Document 1, the third reflecting surface 9 is installed on the drive shaft 11 of the pointer 3, and the actual light emission area of the pointer 3 is the third reflection on the drive shaft 11. It can be installed only in the range from the surface 9 to the tip of the pointer 3. However, in order to improve the visibility and design, it is desirable to make the light emitting area of the pointer 3 as wide as possible, and also to make the light emitting area on the drive shaft 11, but it is very difficult in the configuration of the invention described in Patent Document 1. . That is, there is a problem that restrictions are imposed on both visibility and design.
JP 2004-294344 A

  Therefore, the present invention pays attention to the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pointer illumination device capable of reducing the loss on the reflecting surface of the pointer and emitting the pointer with high luminance.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a light-transmitting pointer member having a pointer reflecting surface that reflects light incident on a predetermined incident surface and guides it to the tip of the pointer, and the pointer A pointer illumination device comprising: a light source disposed around a drive shaft of a member; and a light-transmissive light guide member that guides light from the light source to an incident surface of the pointer member. A first light guide reflecting surface provided on a surface where the angle formed with the central axis of the light source decreases as the distance from the light source decreases so that the light from the light source is reflected and converted into a substantially parallel light beam; The parallel light beam is provided so as to guide the parallel light beam to the incident surface of the pointer member, and the light incident surface of the light guide member facing the light source is recessed most toward the side away from the light source on the central axis of the light source. is formed on the concave surface, light incident on the light guide member is the light As will be refracted toward the side away from the central axis the incident surface facing the light source timber lies in pointer illuminating apparatus characterized in that the light source is disposed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the substantially parallel light beam converted by the first light guide reflection surface of the light guide member is guided to the incident surface of the pointer member, so that the substantially parallel light beam enters the pointer reflection surface. Thus, most of the light reflected by the reflecting surface for the pointer can be guided to the tip of the pointer.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the incident surface of the light guide member is formed as a concave surface that is most concave toward the side away from the light source on the central axis of the light source, The light from the light source can be refracted by the surface toward the first light guide reflecting surface, and more light can be converted into a substantially parallel light beam.

A second aspect of the present invention resides in the pointer illumination device according to the first aspect, wherein the first light guide reflecting surface is provided on a parabolic surface focusing on the light source.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the first light guide reflecting surface is provided on the paraboloid having the light source as a focal point, all of the light incident on the first light guide reflecting surface is provided. Can be converted into substantially parallel rays along the central axis.

The invention according to claim 3 is the pointer illuminating device in which the light source is arranged so that a central axis thereof is parallel to the drive shaft, and the light guide member is the first light guide reflecting surface. 3. A third light guide reflecting surface for reflecting parallel light rays parallel to the drive shaft converted in (5) toward the drive shaft and guiding it to the incident surface of the pointer member. It exists in the pointer illumination device described in 1.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the third light-guiding reflecting surface reflects the converted drive shaft parallel to approximately parallel light rays toward the drive shaft in the first light reflecting surface incident Since the guide surface is guided to the surface, the incident surface of the pointer member can be incident on the surface along the drive axis, and the incident surface can be made larger than when substantially parallel light rays parallel to the drive axis are directly incident on the incident surface. it can.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the pointer reflecting surface is provided at the rear end of the front pointer and reflects incident light toward the tip of the pointer, and the bearing portion of the drive shaft. And a second reflecting surface for the pointer that reflects light incident from the incident surface of the pointer member toward the reflecting surface for the first pointer. It exists in the pointer illuminating device of any one of claim | item 1-3.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the light incident from the incident surface is reflected by the second reflecting surface for the pointer provided in the concave portion provided with the bearing portion so as to be guided to the second reflecting surface for the pointer. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source can be incident on the first reflecting surface for the pointer regardless of the rotational position of the pointer member.

The invention according to claim 5 is the pointer illumination device in which the first reflecting surface for the pointer is provided on the rear end side of the pointer with respect to the drive shaft, and the apex on the most front side of the concave portion is the bearing. 5. The pointer illumination device according to claim 4 , wherein the pointer illumination device is provided on the rear end side of the pointer from the portion.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the apex on the most front side of the recess is provided on the rear end side of the pointer with respect to the bearing portion, the first reflecting surface for the pointer and the second reflecting surface for the pointer Can be easily reflected toward the first pointer reflecting surface provided on the rear end side with respect to the drive shaft. it can.

The invention according to claim 6 is the pointer illuminating device in which the first reflecting surface for the pointer is provided on the rear end side of the pointer from the drive shaft, and the pointer member is the first reflecting for the pointer. A pointer main body portion provided with a surface; a light introducing portion provided with an incident surface of the pointer member and a second pointer reflecting surface; and the light introducing portion includes the second pointer. 5. The pointer illumination device according to claim 4, further comprising a refracting surface that refracts light reflected from the reflecting surface toward the first reflecting surface for the pointer.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the refractive surface refracts the light reflected from the second pointer reflecting surface toward the first pointer reflecting surface, so that the first pointer reflecting surface and the second pointer reflecting surface are refracted. Even if the distance from the reflective surface for the pointer is not so far away, the first reflective surface for the pointer provided on the rear end side of the drive shaft with the light incident on the second reflective surface for the pointer by the refracting surface It can be reflected toward.

The invention according to claim 7 is the pointer illuminating device, wherein the pointer member has a pointer main body portion and a light introducing portion provided with an incident surface of the pointer member, and the reflecting surface for the pointer is the pointer. A first pointer reflecting surface provided on the rear end side with respect to the drive shaft of the main body portion and reflecting incident light toward the tip of the pointer, and an incident surface of the pointer member provided on the light introducing portion. A second pointer reflecting surface for reflecting the reflected light to the drive shaft, and the light introducing portion reflects the light reflected from the second pointer reflecting surface to the first pointer reflecting surface. The pointer illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a refracting surface that refracts toward the surface.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the light incident from the incident surface is reflected in the driving axis direction by the second reflecting surface for the pointer. The light reflected by the second pointer reflecting surface and incident on the refracting surface is refracted toward the first pointer reflecting surface. Therefore, even if the distance between the first pointer reflecting surface and the second pointer reflecting surface is not so much separated, the light incident on the second pointer reflecting surface by the refracting surface is located behind the drive shaft. The light can be reflected toward the first reflecting surface for the pointer provided on the head.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, almost parallel light is incident on the reflecting surface for the pointer, and most of the light reflected by the reflecting surface for the pointer can be guided to the tip of the pointer. The loss on the surface can be reduced, and the pointer can emit light with high brightness.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light from the light source can be refracted toward the first light guide reflecting surface on the incident surface of the light guide member, and more light is converted into a substantially parallel light beam. Therefore, the loss on the reflecting surface of the pointer can be further reduced, and the pointer can emit light with high brightness.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since all of the light incident on the first light guide reflecting surface can be converted into substantially parallel light rays along the central axis, the reflecting surface of the pointer can be further improved. The pointer can be made to emit light with high brightness.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the incident surface of the pointer member can be incident on the surface along the drive axis, and the incident surface is compared with the case where substantially parallel light rays parallel to the drive axis are directly incident on the incident surface. Thus, the light from the light source can be efficiently incident on the pointer member, and the pointer can emit light with high brightness.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the light emitted from the light source can be incident on the first reflecting surface for the pointer regardless of the rotational position of the pointer member, the pointer can emit light with high brightness. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, light incident on the second pointer reflecting surface can be easily obtained without separating the first pointer reflecting surface and the second pointer reflecting surface so much. Since the light can be reflected toward the first reflecting surface for the pointer provided on the rear end side with respect to the drive shaft, the light emitting area of the pointer is also provided on the rear end side of the drive shaft within a limited space. Can do.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even if the distance between the first pointer reflecting surface and the second pointer reflecting surface is not so great, the light incident on the second pointer reflecting surface by the refracting surface. Can be reflected toward the first reflecting surface for the pointer provided on the rear end side with respect to the drive shaft, so that the rear end side with respect to the drive shaft is also set as a light emitting region of the pointer within a limited space. be able to.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even if the distance between the first pointer reflecting surface and the second pointer reflecting surface is not so great, the light incident on the second pointer reflecting surface by the refracting surface. Can be reflected toward the first reflecting surface for the pointer provided on the rear end side with respect to the drive shaft, so that the rear end side with respect to the drive shaft is also set as a light emitting region of the pointer within a limited space. be able to.

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a pointer illumination device of the present invention in a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the pointer illumination device of the present invention. 2A to 2C are a perspective view, a front view, and a rear view, respectively, of the light guide member 22 constituting the pointer illumination device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the light introducing portion 28 constituting the pointer illumination device of FIG. FIGS. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing an example of the light introducing portion 28 constituting the pointer illumination device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pointer main body constituting the pointer illumination device of FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the pointer illumination device includes a pointer member 20, a light source 21, and a light guide member 22. The pointer member 20 is made of a light transmissive resin (for example, transparent polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), transparent polycarbonate (PC), etc.). The pointer member 20 is provided with a bearing portion 25 to which the drive shaft 24 of the motor 23 is attached, and rotates around the axis of the drive shaft 24. The motor 23 is provided on the back side of the meter substrate 26. The drive shaft 24 of the motor 23 is provided so as to protrude to the front side of the meter substrate 26.

  The pointer member 20 has a first pointer reflecting surface M21 and a second pointer reflecting surface M22 that reflect the light L incident on the incident surface M1 and guide it to the tip of the pointer. The pointer member 20 includes two parts, a pointer main body portion 27 provided with the first pointer reflecting surface M21 and a light introducing portion 28 provided with the incident surface M1 and the second pointer reflecting surface M22. ing.

  A plurality of the light sources 21 are arranged around the drive shaft 24 on the meter substrate 26. In the present embodiment, three light sources 21 are arranged on a circle around the drive shaft 24. The three light sources 21 are arranged at equal intervals with each other at an angle of 120 °. As shown in FIG. 3, the light source 21 is disposed on the meter substrate 26 so that the central axis C <b> 1 is parallel to the drive shaft 24. The light source 21 can be regarded as generating the light L radially about the intersection of the central axis C1 and the exit surface M3.

  The light guide member 22 is made of a light transmissive resin (for example, transparent PMMA, transparent PC, etc.). The light guide member 22 is a member that guides the light L from the light source 21 to the incident surface M <b> 1 of the pointer member 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light guide member 22 has an incident surface M4, a first light guide reflection surface M51, a third light guide reflection surface M53, and an exit surface M6.

  The incident surface M4 is provided at the apex of the protruding portion 29 (see FIG. 2) protruding toward the light source 21. The three protrusions 29 are provided in the same number as the light source 21, and the three protrusions 29 are configured to communicate with each other on the pointer member 20 side.

  The incident surface M4 is provided on a concave surface that is most concave on the central axis C1 of the light source 21 toward the side away from the light source 21. Specifically, the incident surface M4 is provided on a spherical concave surface centering on the intersection of the central axis C1 of the light source 21 and the exit surface M3. As shown in FIG. 2C, three incident surfaces M4 are provided on a circle R with the drive shaft 24 as the center. Similar to the light source 21, the incident surfaces M4 are provided at equal intervals of 120 °. As shown in FIG. 3, the first light guide reflection surface M <b> 51 reflects the radial light L emitted from the light source 21 and converts it into a substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24. The angle θx formed with the central axis C1 of the light source 21 decreases as the distance from the surface decreases. Specifically, the first light guide reflecting surface M51 is provided such that the angle θx formed between the tangent Lx and the central axis C1 is small.

  In the present embodiment, the first light guide reflection surface M51 is provided on a paraboloid focusing on the intersection of the emission surface M3 of the light source 21 and the central axis C1. Although not shown, the first light guide reflecting surface M51 is provided in a parabolic shape centered on the central axis C1 of the optical axis 21 even when cut along the line BB in FIG. The third light guide reflection surface M53 reflects the substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24 converted by the first light guide reflection surface M51 and converts it into a substantially parallel light beam Lp toward the drive shaft 24. It is a reflective surface.

  The third light guide reflecting surface M53 is a tapered curved surface that approaches the drive shaft 24 as the distance from the light source 21 increases. The substantially parallel light beam Lp reflected by the third light guide reflecting surface M53 is incident on the incident surface M1 of the pointer member 20 through the emission surface M6. The light guide member 22 described above is disposed on the back surface of the dial 30 and is not visible from the front.

  Next, details of the pointer member 20 will be described. The pointer member 20 is provided so that a part thereof protrudes from the opening provided in the dial 30 to the front side. As shown in FIG. 6, the pointer main body 27 is provided with the first pointer reflecting surface M <b> 21, the third pointer reflecting surface M <b> 23, and the emission layer 31. The first pointer reflecting surface M <b> 21 is a reflecting surface provided on the front side of the rear end of the pointer main body 27.

  The first pointer reflecting surface M <b> 21 is provided closer to the pointer rear end than the drive shaft 24. The first pointer reflecting surface M21 is formed into a tapered curved surface that approaches the front as it goes to the tip. Accordingly, the first pointer reflecting surface M21 reflects the incident light L toward the tip of the pointer. The first pointer reflecting surface M21 is covered with a cap 33 (see FIG. 1) so that it cannot be seen from the front.

  The third pointer reflecting surface M23 is a reflecting surface provided in front of the distal end side of the first pointer reflecting surface M21. The third pointer reflecting surface M23 is formed in a tapered plane that approaches the back as it approaches the tip. Accordingly, the third pointer reflecting surface M23 reflects the light L reflected by the first pointer reflecting surface M21 toward the emission layer 31. The emission layer 31 is a layer on which a white hot stamp layer having a high reflectance is provided or fine prism processing is performed. The emitting layer 31 is a reflecting layer that reflects the light L from the third pointer reflecting surface M23 and emits the light to the front.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the light introducing portion 28 is provided with the incident surface M1, the second pointer reflecting surface M22, and the refracting surface M7. As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.4, the said 2nd reflective surface M22 for pointers is a reflective surface provided in the recessed part 32 by which the bearing part 25 was protrudingly provided. The second pointer reflecting surface M22 is a reflecting surface that reflects the light L incident from the incident surface M1 to the front side. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the concave portion 32 described above is provided with the most front side vertex C <b> 2 closer to the pointer rear end side than the bearing portion 25.

  As the above-described second pointer reflecting surface M22, for example, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5A, the angle θ1 formed by the axis C3 passing through the apex C2 provided on the rear end side of the drive shaft 24 and parallel to the drive shaft 24 is changed from the pointer rear end toward the pointer front end side. A second pointer reflecting surface M22 is provided. More specifically, the second reflecting surface M22 for the pointer is provided so that the angle θ1 increases from the trailing end of the pointer toward the leading end side of the pointer.

  Further, the second pointer reflecting surface M22 may be provided as shown in FIG. 5B, for example. In FIG. 5B, the second pointer reflecting surface M22 is provided so that the angles θ1 are all the same from the rear end of the pointer toward the front end of the pointer. Further, the second pointer reflecting surface M22 may be provided as shown in FIG. 5C, for example. In FIG. 10C, the apex C2 is positioned on the central axis C4 of the first pointer reflecting surface M21, and the angle θ2 formed with the central axis C4 is also from the pointer rear end toward the pointer front end side. A second pointer reflecting surface M22 is provided so as to be all the same.

  The refracting surface M7 is provided on the pointer main body 27 side of the light introducing portion 28. The refracting surface M7 is provided so as to refract the light L reflected from the second pointer reflecting surface M22 toward the first pointer reflecting surface M21.

  Next, how the light L emitted from the light source 21 of the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration proceeds will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the light source 21 emits a radial light L centering on the intersection between the central axis C1 and the emission surface M3. The light L emitted radially enters the light guide member 22 from the incident surface M4.

  The light L incident on the light guide member 22 is refracted toward the incident surface M4 toward the side away from the central axis C1, that is, the first light guide reflection surface M51. Thereafter, the light L incident from the incident surface M4 is reflected by the first light guide reflecting surface M51 and converted into a substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24. Specifically, the first light guide reflecting surface M <b> 51 reflects the light L traveling along the drive shaft 24 out of the light L incident on the light guide member 22 in the direction along the drive shaft 24. The substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24 is reflected by the third light guide reflecting surface M53 and converted into a substantially parallel light beam Lp directed to the drive shaft 24.

  Thereafter, the substantially parallel light beam Lp toward the drive shaft 24 is emitted from the exit surface M6 of the light guide member 22 and enters the light introducing portion 28 from the entrance surface M1. As shown in FIG. 1, the light L incident from the incident surface M1 is reflected by the second pointer reflecting surface M22 toward the first pointer reflecting surface M21 on the front side. The light L reflected by the second pointer reflecting surface M22 is refracted by the refracting surface M7 toward the first pointer reflecting surface M21 and then incident on the first pointer reflecting surface M21.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the light L incident on the first pointer reflecting surface M21 is reflected by the first pointer reflecting surface M21 toward the tip of the pointer. The light L reflected toward the tip of the pointer is reflected by the third reflecting surface M23 for the pointer and is reflected toward the emission layer 31. Then, the light L reflected by the emission layer 31 passes through the third pointer reflecting surface M23, reaches the driver's viewpoint, and is visually recognized as if the pointer is shining.

  According to the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration, the substantially parallel light beam Lp converted by the first light guide reflecting surface M51 of the light guide member 22 is guided to the incident surface M1 of the pointer member 20, so that the substantially parallel light beam Lp. Is incident on the first pointer reflecting surface M21 and the second pointer reflecting surface M22, and most of the light reflected by the first pointer reflecting surface M21 and the second pointer reflecting surface M22 is guided to the tip of the pointer. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the loss in the first pointer reflecting surface M21 and the second pointer reflecting surface M22, and to emit the pointer with high luminance.

  Further, according to the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration, the incident surface M4 of the light guide member 22 is provided on the concave surface that is most recessed toward the side away from the light source 21 on the central axis C1 of the light source 21. The light L from the light source 21 can be refracted toward the first light guide reflecting surface M51 at the incident surface M4 of the light guide member 22, and more light L can be converted into substantially parallel light Lp. . For this reason, it is possible to further reduce the loss of the pointer on the first pointer reflecting surface M21 and the second pointer reflecting surface M22 and to emit the pointer with high brightness.

  Further, according to the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration, the first light guide reflection surface M51 is provided in a parabolic shape with the central axis C1 of the light source 21 as an axis, and therefore the first light guide reflection. All of the light emitted from the light source 21 by the surface M51 can be converted into a substantially parallel light beam Lp along the central axis C1, and the first pointer reflection surface M21 and the second pointer reflection of the pointer are further improved. Loss on the surface M22 can be reduced and the pointer can emit light with high brightness.

  Further, according to the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration, the third light guide reflection surface M53 emits substantially parallel light Lp parallel to the drive shaft 24 converted by the first light guide reflection surface M51. Since the light is reflected toward the incident surface M1 and guided to the incident surface M1, the incident surface M1 of the pointer member 20 can be a surface along the drive shaft 24, and the substantially parallel light beam Lp parallel to the drive shaft 24 is directly incident on the incident surface M1. The incident surface M1 can be made larger compared to the case where the light is incident on. For this reason, the light L from the light source 21 can be efficiently incident on the pointer member 20, and the pointer can emit light with high luminance.

  Further, according to the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration, the light L incident from the incident surface M1 is reflected by the second reflecting surface M22 for the pointer provided in the concave portion 32 from which the bearing portion 25 is protruded. Therefore, most of the light L emitted from the light source 21 can be incident on the first pointer reflecting surface M21 regardless of the rotational position of the pointer member 20. For this reason, the pointer can emit light with high luminance.

  Moreover, according to the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration, the vertex C2 on the most front side of the recess 32 is provided closer to the rear end side of the pointer than the bearing portion 25. Even if the distance from the second pointer reflecting surface M22 is not so large, the light L incident on the second pointer reflecting surface M22 is easily provided on the rear end side of the drive shaft 24. It can be reflected toward the reflecting surface M21 for pointer. For this reason, within the limited space, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear end side of the drive shaft 24 can also be set as the light emitting region of the pointer.

  Further, according to the pointer illumination device configured as described above, the refractive surface M7 refracts the light L reflected from the second pointer reflective surface M22 toward the first pointer reflective surface M21. Even if the distance between the reflecting surface for pointer M21 and the reflecting surface for second pointer M22 is not so great, the light L incident on the second reflecting surface for pointer M22 by the refracting surface M7 is rearward of the drive shaft 24. The light can be reflected toward the first pointer reflecting surface M21 provided on the side. For this reason, within the limited space, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear end side of the drive shaft 24 can also be set as the light emitting region of the pointer.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the light L reflected by the second pointer reflecting surface M22 is provided on the drive shaft by providing the frontmost vertex C2 of the recess 32 on the rear end side of the drive shaft 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second pointer reflecting surface M22 may have any angle or shape as long as it reflects the light L from the second light guide reflecting surface M52 toward the front side.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the second pointer reflecting surface M <b> 22 is formed so as to have a target shape around the drive shaft 24, that is, so that the vertex C <b> 2 on the most front side of the recess 32 and the bearing portion 25 are aligned. May be provided. In this case, the second pointer reflecting surface M <b> 22 reflects the light L incident from the incident surface M <b> 1 and reflects it along the drive shaft 24. The refracting surface M7 refracts the light L from the second pointer reflecting surface M22 and reflects it toward the first pointer reflecting surface M21. In the example shown in FIG. 7 as well, as in the above embodiment, the second pointer does not have to be separated from the first pointer reflecting surface M21 and the second pointer reflecting surface M22 by the refracting surface M7. The light L incident on the reflective surface M22 can be reflected toward the first pointer reflective surface M21 provided on the rear end side of the drive shaft 24.

  Further, if the first pointer reflecting surface M21 and the second pointer reflecting surface M22 can be separated to some extent, even if the vertex C2 on the most front side of the recess 32 and the bearing portion 25 are made to coincide with each other, the second The light L reflected by the pointer reflective surface M22 can enter the first pointer reflective surface M21 provided on the rear end side of the drive shaft 24.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the second pointer reflecting surface M22 that is a reflecting surface that reflects the light L toward the drive shaft 24 to the front side is provided on the pointer member 20 that rotates together with the drive shaft 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, instead of the second pointer reflecting surface M22, the fourth light guiding reflecting surface M54, which is a reflecting surface for reflecting the light L toward the drive shaft 24 to the front side, is guided. It may be provided on the member 22. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those of the pointer illumination device described with reference to FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in the figure, the pointer illumination device includes a pointer member 20, a light source 21, and a light guide member 22.

  The light guide member 22 has an incident surface M4, a first light guide reflection surface M51, a third light guide reflection surface M53, a fourth light guide reflection surface M54, and an emission surface M6. Since the incident surface M4, the first light guide reflection surface M51, and the third light guide reflection surface M53 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fourth light guide reflecting surface M54 is provided so as to surround the drive shaft 24. The fourth light guide reflective surface M54 is a tapered surface that approaches the drive shaft 24 toward the front, and is provided to face the third light guide reflective surface M53. Accordingly, the fourth light guide reflection surface M54 is provided so as to reflect the light L from the third light guide reflection surface M53 toward the front. The fourth light guide reflecting surface M54 reflects the light L in the direction along the drive shaft 24. The exit surface M6 is provided on the front surface of the light guide member 22 so as to be orthogonal to the drive shaft 24.

  The pointer member 20 is provided as a single component. The pointer member 20 is provided with an incident surface M1, a first pointer reflecting surface M21, a third pointer reflecting surface M23, and an emission layer 31. The incident surface M <b> 1 is provided so as to be orthogonal to the drive shaft 24. The first pointer reflecting surface M <b> 21 is also provided on the distal end side from the drive shaft 24. Since the third pointer reflecting surface M23 and the emission layer 31 are the same as the pointer illumination device described with reference to FIG. 1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, how the light L emitted from the light source 21 of the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration proceeds will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the light L emitted radially from the light source 21 enters the light guide member 22 from the incident surface M4.

  The light L incident on the light guide member 22 is reflected by the first light guide reflecting surface M51 and converted into a substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24. The substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24 is reflected by the third light guide reflecting surface M53 and converted into a substantially parallel light beam Lp directed to the drive shaft 24. Thereafter, the substantially parallel light beam Lp toward the drive shaft 24 is converted into a substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24 by the fourth light guide reflection surface M54 and is emitted from the emission surface M6. The light L emitted from the exit surface M6 enters from the entrance surface M1 and enters the first reflecting surface M21 for pointer.

  Thereafter, the light L incident on the first pointer reflecting surface M21 is reflected by the first pointer reflecting surface M21 toward the tip of the pointer. The light L reflected toward the tip of the pointer is reflected by the third reflecting surface M23 for the pointer and is reflected toward the emission layer 31. Then, the light L reflected by the emission layer 31 passes through the third pointer reflecting surface M23, reaches the driver's viewpoint, and is visually recognized as if the pointer is shining.

  According to the pointer illumination device shown in FIG. 8 described above, the light guide member 22 is also provided with the fourth light guide reflection surface M54 that reflects the light L from the third light guide reflection surface M53 toward the front side. Therefore, the fourth light guide reflection surface M54 that reflects the light L from the third light guide reflection surface M53 toward the front side is not rotated, and the light source 21 and the fourth light guide light guide 21 are not rotated. Since the relative position with respect to the reflective surface M54 can be fixed, the occurrence of uneven light can be further prevented.

  Moreover, according to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, although the 1st light guide reflective surface M51 mentioned above was provided in the paraboloid which made the focal point the intersection of the output surface M3 of the light source 21 and the central axis C1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As the first light guide reflecting surface M51, the tangent line Lx as it moves away from the light source 21 so as to reflect the radial light L emitted from the light source 21 and convert it into a substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24. As long as the angle θx formed by the light source 21 and the central axis C1 of the light source 21 is small, and may not be provided on the paraboloid.

  Moreover, according to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, although the refractive surface M7 was provided in the pointer member 20, this invention is not limited to this. For example, only the second pointer reflecting surface M22 may be provided, and the refractive surface M7 may not be provided. In this case, the pointer member 20 may be integrally provided with the pointer main body portion 27 and the light introducing portion 28.

  Further, according to the above-described first embodiment, the second pointer reflecting surface M22 reflects the light L from the third light guide reflecting surface M53 by tilting it toward the rear end of the front pointer and reflecting it. Although the first pointer reflecting surface M21 is provided at the rear end of the pointer with respect to the pointer shaft 24, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, if the first pointer reflecting surface M 21 is also provided at the tip of the pointer shaft 24, the second pointer reflecting surface M 22 is reflected along the drive shaft 24. May be provided.

  Moreover, according to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, although the 1st reflective surface M51 for light guides was provided in one continuous curved surface, this invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown to FIG. 10 (A), you may comprise from several curved surfaces, and as shown to FIG. 10 (B), you may comprise from several planes. Thus, by providing from a plurality of curved surfaces and planes, it becomes easy to reliably convert the light reflected by the first light guide reflecting surface M51 into the substantially parallel light beam Lp.

Reference Example Next, the pointer illumination device of the present invention in a reference example will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the pointer illumination device of the present invention. 12A to 12C are a perspective view, a front view, and a rear view, respectively, of the light guide member 22 constituting the pointer illumination device of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. In FIG. 11, parts that are the same as those of the pointer illumination device described with reference to FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. As shown in the figure, the pointer illumination device includes a pointer member 20, a light source 21, and a light guide member 22.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the light guide member 22 is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape whose diameter increases as it approaches the light source 21. The light guide member 22 includes an incident surface M4, a first light guide reflection surface M51 provided on the drive shaft 24 side, a second light guide reflection surface M52 provided on the side away from the drive shaft 24, and It has an exit surface M6. The incident surface M4 is disposed so as to face the light source 21, and is provided on a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis C1 of the light source 21.

  The second light guide reflection surface M52 is provided on the outer surface of the light guide member 22, and guides the light L from the light source 21 to the first light guide reflection surface M51 while collecting and reflecting the light L. As described above, the angle θx formed by the tangent line Lx and the central axis C1 of the light source 21 increases as the distance from the light source 21 increases.

  The first light guide reflecting surface M <b> 51 is provided in a portion of the inner side surface of the light guide member 22 that faces the exit surface M <b> 6 in the direction of the drive shaft 24. The first light guide reflection surface M51 reflects the light L from the second light guide reflection surface M52 and converts the light L into the substantially parallel light Lp, as the distance from the light source 21 increases. It is provided on a curved surface in which the angle formed with the central axis C1 is large. Moreover, the said output surface M6 is provided in the ring shape, as shown to FIG. 12 (A).

  The pointer member 20 is provided as a single component. The pointer member 20 is provided with an incident surface M1, a first pointer reflecting surface M21, a third pointer reflecting surface M23, and an emission layer 31. The incident surface M <b> 1 is provided so as to be orthogonal to the drive shaft 24. The first pointer reflecting surface M <b> 21 is also provided on the tip side from the pointer shaft 24. Since the third pointer reflecting surface M23 and the emission layer 31 are the same as the pointer illumination device described with reference to FIG. 1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, how the light L emitted from the light source 21 of the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration proceeds will be described. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the light L emitted radially from the light source 21 enters the light guide member 22 from the incident surface M <b> 4.

  The light L incident on the light guide member 22 is guided to the first light guide reflection surface M51 while being reflected and condensed by the second light guide reflection surface M52. The light L guided to the first light guide reflection surface M51 is reflected by the first light guide reflection surface M51 and converted into a substantially parallel light beam Lp along the drive shaft 24.

  Thereafter, the substantially parallel light beam Lp is emitted in a ring shape from the emission surface M6, is incident from the incidence surface M1 of the pointer member 20, and is incident on the first pointer reflection surface M21. The light L incident on the first pointer reflecting surface M21 is reflected by the first pointer reflecting surface M21 toward the tip of the pointer. The light L reflected toward the tip of the pointer is reflected by the third reflecting surface M23 for the pointer and is reflected toward the emission layer 31. Then, the light L reflected by the emission layer 31 passes through the third pointer reflecting surface M23, reaches the driver's viewpoint, and is visually recognized as if the pointer is shining.

  According to the pointer illumination device shown in FIG. 11 described above, the substantially parallel light beam Lp converted by the first light guide reflecting surface M51 is guided to the incident surface M1 of the pointer member 20, so that the substantially parallel light beam Lp is the first light beam Lp. Most of the light incident on the pointer reflecting surface M21 and reflected by the first pointer reflecting surface M21 can be guided to the tip of the pointer. Further, since the second light guide reflection surface M52 reflects and collects the light from the light source 21, the second light guide reflection surface M52 guides the first light guide reflection surface M51 to the first light guide reflection surface M52. After being condensed, the light is converted into a substantially parallel light beam Lp by the first light guide reflecting surface M51. For this reason, the magnitude | size of the output surface M6 of the light guide member 22 is controllable by the condensing condition of the 2nd light guide reflective surface M52. That is, in order to increase the amount of light taken into the light guide member 22 as much as possible, even if the width W1 of the incident surface M1 of the light guide member 22 is increased, the width W2 of the exit surface M6 is reduced while ensuring high efficiency. be able to.

  Further, according to the pointer illumination device shown in FIG. 11 described above, since the second light guide reflecting surface M52 is provided at least on the central axis C1 of the light source 21, the central axis from which the strongest light is emitted. The upper light can be reliably guided to the second light guide reflecting surface M52 and converted into the substantially parallel light beam Lp. Thereby, the light from the light source 21 can be incident on the pointer member 20 more effectively.

In the reference example described above, as shown in FIG. 11, the emission surface M6 of the light guide member 22 is formed as a flat surface, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the emission surface M6 may be provided in a convex lens shape or a concave lens shape so that light from the light source 21 can be guided to the pointer member 20 more efficiently.

In the reference example described above, the first light guide reflection surface M51 and the second light guide reflection surface M52 are provided as a single surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, each of the first light guide reflection surface M51 and the second light guide reflection surface M52 may be divided into two. .

  As shown in the figure, the light guide member 22 includes a second light guide reflecting surface M521 on the side farther from the drive shaft 24 than the central axis C1 of the light source 21, and a second guide on the drive shaft 24 side. A light reflecting surface M522. The light guide member 22 is provided with a first light guide reflection surface M511 and a first light guide reflection surface M512.

  The second light guide reflection surfaces M521 and M522 reflect the light L1 from the light source 21 and collect the light L1 while being reflected away from the light source 21 so as to be guided to the first light guide reflection surfaces M511 and M512. The angle formed with the central axis of the light source 21 is increased. The first light guide reflection surfaces M511 and M512 are arranged at the centers of the light sources 21 as they move away from the light source 21 so as to convert the light guided from the second light guide reflection surfaces M521 and M522 into substantially parallel light beams Lp. The angle formed with the shaft is increased.

  The incident light from the light source 21 is reversed in direction of the light beam with the central axis C1 as a boundary. Therefore, the first light guide reflection surface M51 and the second light guide reflection surface M52 are divided to have respective directions. Can be set to an optimum shape for the natural light. Thereby, higher output parallelism can be achieved. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 14, two divisions are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and three divisions and four divisions may be used. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the first light guide reflection surface M51 and the second light guide reflection surface M52 are configured by a plurality of curved surfaces, but may be configured by a plurality of planes, for example.

Further, according to the above-described reference example , the light L reflected by the first light guide reflecting surface M51 is immediately reflected from the emitting surface M6 without being reflected thereafter, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Not a thing. For example, as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the light guide member 22 is provided with a third light guide reflection surface M53 so that the substantially parallel light beam Lp is reflected toward the drive shaft 24 and then emitted. May be. When the third light guide reflecting surface M53 is provided in this way, the pointer member 20 may also be provided as shown in FIGS.

Further, according to the first embodiment described above, the first light guide reflecting surface M51 is provided so as to reflect the radial light L emitted from the light source 21 and convert it into a substantially parallel light beam Lp. Here, the substantially parallel light beam Lp will be described.

  In the pointer illumination device having the above-described configuration, the inventors measured the relative reflection efficiency when the reflection angle on the first light guide reflecting surface M51 was changed in the range of 0 to ± 40 °. The results are shown in FIG. The reflection angle is an angle formed between the light reflected by the first light guide reflecting surface M51 and the central axis C1. The reflection efficiency is the reflection efficiency that is the ratio of the amount of light incident on the pointer member 20 with respect to the amount of light emitted from the light source 21, and the relative reflection efficiency is the reflection on the first light guide reflecting surface M51. When the reflection efficiency when the angle is 0 ° is 1, the reflection efficiency is obtained when the reflection angle is changed within a range of ± 40.

  As shown in the figure, when the reflection angle is in the range of 0 ° to 10 °, a high relative emission efficiency of 80% or more is obtained, and when it exceeds 10 °, the relative emission efficiency deteriorates. Therefore, the first light guide reflecting surface M51 may be provided so that the variation of the substantially parallel light beam Lp falls within the range of 0 to 10 °.

Moreover, according to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, although the three light sources 21 were provided, this invention is not limited to this. Two light sources 21 may be provided, or three or more light sources 21 may be provided.

  Further, the above-described embodiments are merely representative forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of the pointer | light indicator illuminating device of this invention. (A)-(C) are the perspective view, the front view, and the rear view of a light guide member which respectively comprise the pointer | light indicator illuminating device of FIG. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a rear view of the light introduction part which comprises the pointer illuminating device of FIG. (A)-(C) are sectional drawings which respectively show an example of the light introduction part which comprises the pointer | light indicator illuminating device of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the pointer main-body part which comprises the pointer illuminating device of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the light guide part in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the pointer | light illumination apparatus in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the pointer | light illumination apparatus in other embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the 1st reflective surface for light guides in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the reference example of a pointer | light indicator illuminating device. (A)-(C) are the perspective view, the front view, and the rear view of the light guide member which respectively comprise the pointer | light indicator illuminating device shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the light guide member in another reference example . It is a graph which shows the relationship between the reflection angle in the reflective surface for 1st light guides, and relative emission efficiency. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the conventional pointer | light indicator illuminating device. It is a front conceptual diagram of the pointer illumination device shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the conventional pointer | light indicator illuminating device. It is the elements on larger scale of the pointer illuminating device shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

20 Pointer member 21 Light source 22 Light guide member 24 Drive shaft 25 Bearing portion 27 Pointer body portion 28 Light introducing portion 32 Recessed portion C1 Center axis of the light source C2 Vertex L Light Lp Parallel ray Lx Tangent M1 Entrance surface M4 Entrance surface M21 First pointer Reflective surface M22 Second reflective surface for pointer M51 First reflective surface for light guide M52 Second reflective surface for light guide M53 Third reflective surface for light guide M7 Refractive surface

Claims (7)

A light-transmitting pointer member having a reflecting surface for a pointer that reflects light incident on a predetermined incident surface and guides the light to a tip of the pointer; a light source disposed around a drive shaft of the pointer member; In a pointer illumination device comprising a light-transmissive light guide member that guides light to an incident surface of the pointer member,
The first light guide member is provided on a surface whose angle with the central axis of the light source becomes smaller as the light guide member is separated from the light source so that the light from the light source is reflected and converted into a substantially parallel light beam. A reflective surface for light, provided to guide the parallel light beam to the incident surface of the pointer member ;
The incident surface facing the light source of the light guide member is formed as a concave surface that is most recessed toward the side away from the light source on the central axis of the light source,
The light source is arranged such that light incident on the light guide member is refracted toward a side away from the central axis on an incident surface of the light guide member facing the light source. Indicator lighting device to do. The pointer illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the first light guide reflecting surface is provided on a parabolic surface having the light source as a focal point. The light source is a pointer illumination device arranged such that a central axis thereof is parallel to the drive axis,
The light guide member reflects a parallel light beam parallel to the drive shaft converted by the first light guide reflection surface toward the drive shaft and guides it to the incident surface of the pointer member. The pointer illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the pointer illumination device has a reflective surface. The reflecting surface for the pointer is provided at the rear end of the pointer on the front surface and reflects the incident light toward the tip of the pointer, and the concave portion where the bearing portion of the drive shaft protrudes. 4. The second pointer reflecting surface that reflects the light incident from the incident surface of the pointer member toward the first pointer reflecting surface. 5. The pointer illumination device described in 1. The first pointer reflecting surface is a pointer illumination device provided on the rear end side of the pointer with respect to the drive shaft,
The pointer illumination device according to claim 4, wherein an apex on the most front side of the concave portion is provided on the rear end side of the pointer with respect to the bearing portion. The first pointer reflecting surface is a pointer illumination device provided on the rear end side of the pointer with respect to the drive shaft,
The pointer member has a pointer main body portion provided with the first pointer reflecting surface, and a light introducing portion provided with an incident surface of the pointer member and the second pointer reflecting surface, and ,
5. The pointer illumination according to claim 4, wherein the light introducing portion has a refracting surface that refracts the light reflected from the second reflecting surface for the pointer toward the reflecting surface for the first pointer. apparatus. The pointer member is a pointer illumination device having a pointer main body portion and a light introducing portion provided with an incident surface of the pointer member ,
The reflecting surface for the pointer is provided on the rear end side with respect to the driving shaft of the pointer main body portion, and is provided on the light introducing portion and a first reflecting surface for the pointer that reflects incident light toward the tip of the pointer. A second reflecting surface for the pointer that reflects the light incident from the incident surface of the pointer member to the drive shaft;
The light introducing portion has a refracting surface that refracts the light reflected from the second reflecting surface for the pointer toward the reflecting surface for the first pointer. The pointer illumination device according to claim 1.

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