JPH0738920U - Indicator instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide an indicator instrument capable of maintaining excellent visibility of an indicated value under a wide range of ambient conditions and reducing reading error of the indicated value depending on the viewing direction. [Structure] The output arm 30 attached to the output shaft 11 of the movement 10 rotates behind the display unit by an angle corresponding to the measured amount. A zone scale 22d is formed in an arc shape on the display surface of the surface of the flat light guide plate 21. The arc-shaped reflecting surface 21 formed on the back surface of the light guide plate 21 corresponding to this zone scale
b is a light source 20 installed at the center of the arc of the zone scale
Illuminate by a. Contrast strip 3 attached to the output arm
When 1 blocks the illumination light, a shadow image is formed on the arcuate reflecting surface 21b, and the measured amount is displayed by this and the zone scale 22d.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an indicating instrument, and more particularly to an indicating instrument that requires illumination by a light source.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 12 and 13 show a conventional example of an indicating instrument which is preferably applied to a vehicle. In the figure, when the driving information of the vehicle, for example, the signal of the vehicle speed is input to the movement 1 of the instrument, the movement 1 responds to this by driving the pointer shaft 1a, and a fixed amount corresponding to the measured amount is obtained. Rotate at an angle. The dial 2 has scales and scale numbers for indicating the vehicle speed, for example, drawn on its surface. The movement 1 is attached to the bottom of the instrument case 3, and the dial 2 is attached to the movement 1 by means not shown. The movement 1 is behind the dial 2, and a pointer shaft 1a thereof penetrates the dial 2 and is projected on the surface thereof. A pointer 1b is attached to the tip of the pointer shaft 1a, and the pointer 1b rotates on the front surface of the dial 2 in accordance with the measured amount and displays, for example, the vehicle speed in cooperation with the scale and the scale number.

Conventionally, illumination means such as self-luminous pointer illumination, indirect illumination, and illumination illumination have been used so that the visibility of the instrument is kept good even when the surroundings are dark when driving a vehicle. FIG. 12 shows a configuration example for self-luminous pointer illumination. In FIG. 12, a light guide plate 2a made of a material having a high light transmittance such as acrylic resin is provided behind the dial plate 2. The light guide plate 2a guides light from a light source 2b such as a lamp arranged at the edge thereof and sends it out toward the reflecting surface 1c of the pointer base along the pointer axis 1a. The pointer is made of a material with good light transmittance such as acrylic resin, and is configured to act as a light guide itself. There is a reflecting surface 1c on the pointer base, and the surface facing the dial 2 of the pointer. A colored layer 1d made of a fluorescent material or the like is provided, and it is illuminated by the light guided by the light guide plate 2a and the reflection surface 1c to emit light by itself.

FIG. 13 shows a configuration example for an indirect illumination system. In FIG. 13, light from a light source 2 b such as a lamp arranged behind the dial 2 at the bottom of the instrument case 3 is displayed by the dial 2. The graduations and graduations on the surface of the dial 2 and pointers are illuminated by diffusing through the gap 2d between the dial 2c and the dial 2c that covers the peripheral portion. In the above-mentioned irradiation illumination, although not shown, the surface of the dial and the pointer are directly illuminated by a light source such as a lamp provided appropriately in the vehicle or near the instrument.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the above-mentioned conventional indicating instrument, the ambient conditions that affect the visibility of the indicated value during operation change in a very wide range, so the display structure including the conventional lighting method provides the best visibility under all conditions. It is difficult to keep.

Further, since the pointers are arranged on the front surface of the dial plate with a certain space, there is a drawback that a reading error occurs depending on the viewing direction.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention can maintain good visibility of the indication value under a wide range of ambient conditions, and at the same time, make a reading error of the indication value depending on the viewing direction. It is intended to provide a reduced indicating instrument.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an indicator meter according to the present invention comprises a movement 10 having an output shaft 11 which rotates by a predetermined angle according to a measured amount, and a flat plate-shaped conductive member made of a translucent material. A display unit comprising a light plate 21 and a display surface 22 formed on the surface of the light guide plate 21 for displaying the measured amount, and a display unit fixed to the output shaft and rotated to indicate the measured amount on the display surface. Output arm 30 and the display surface is composed of a light-transmitting area 22b forming a zone scale 22d arranged in an arc shape and a light-shielding area 22a covering the other part of the display surface. The light plate has an arcuate reflecting surface 21b facing the zone scale and visible through the zone scale, and a light receiving unit for taking in light from an illumination light source 20a installed at the center of the arc of the reflection plane. 21a and the reflective surface A circular arc groove 21c is formed inside the circular arc from the back surface of the light guide plate so as to be concentric with the reflecting surface circular arc, and the axial center of the output shaft coincides with the circular arc center of the zone scale. The movement is fixed to the light guide plate so that the output arm approaches the back surface of the light guide plate and rotates in a plane parallel to the back surface of the light guide plate. The contrast strip 31 that moves along is attached, emitted from the illumination light source, taken in from the light receiving part, travels in the light guide plate in the plane direction of the plate, and tries to cross the arc groove and the contrast strip. Therefore, the image corresponding to the position of the output arm is formed on the reflecting surface.

Further, in the indicating instrument according to the present invention, the light-transmitting area 22b of the display surface 22 has an annular window 22e arranged in an arc shape concentric with the zone scale 22d, and the output arm 30 is made of a light-transmitting material. The light guide pointer 32 is composed of a light guide pointer 32 to which a contrast piece 31 moving along the arc groove 21c is attached, and the light receiving prism 32a is attached to the shaft mounting base and the pointer prism 32b is attached to the tip end portion. Is formed, and the tip surface 32c of the light guide pointer bent by the pointer prism is configured to be visible through the annular window 22e, and part of the light of the illumination light source 20a is taken in by the light receiving prism 32a. The light guide needle 32b travels in the direction 32 and is deflected toward the annular window by the pointer prism 32b to be radiated from the light guide pointer distal end surface 32c. The feature is that it is made to be visually recognized as a corresponding light spot 22g.

[0010]

[Action]

 In the above structure, although there is no pointer on the front surface of the dial, the measurement amount is indicated on the display surface 22 by the following operation. The light emitted from the illumination light source 20a installed in the central portion of the light guide plate 21 and taken from the light receiving portion 21a and traveling radially inside the light guide plate 21 is a scale number 22c formed as a light transmission area 22b of the display surface 22. Of the zone scale 22d formed as the light-transmitting area 22b.

By the action of the light crossing the circular arc groove 21c and the contrast piece 31 in the circular arc groove 21c, the other zone graduations 22d are formed at the positions on the reflecting surface 21b corresponding to the positions of the output arm 30. Different images 22f are formed, whereby the measurement amount is indicated on the display surface 22.

Further, a part of the light emitted from the illumination light source 20 a travels inside the light guide pointer 32 and is emitted from the tip surface 32 c of the light guide pointer 32, which is an annular window 22 e corresponding to the position of the output arm 30. At this position, a light spot 22g is visually recognized through the translucent area 22b, and the measurement amount of the display surface 22 is instructed together with the image 22f on the zone scale 22d.

[0013]

【Example】

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of an indicating instrument according to the present invention. In the figure, when a signal according to vehicle driving information, for example, a vehicle speed is input to the movement 10 of the instrument, the movement 10 will be removed. In response to this, the output shaft 11 is driven and rotated by a predetermined angle corresponding to the measured amount.

Above the movement 10, a light guide plate 21 made of a material having high light transmittance such as acrylic resin is arranged. On the surface of the light guide plate 21, as shown in FIG. 2, an arc-shaped zone graduation 22d for displaying the measurement amount and a corresponding graduation number 22c are left as a light-transmitting area 22b, and the remaining portion is left. A non-light-transmitting paint layer is applied to the display surface 22 with the non-light-transmitting paint layer as a light-shielding area 22a.

In FIG. 1, the light guide plate 21 has a hole-shaped light receiving portion 21a for accommodating an illumination light source 20a such as a lamp attached by an appropriate lamp house 20 at the center of the arc of the zone scale 22d. The light emitted from the light source 20a is received from the side wall of the hole formed and taken into the light guide plate 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light receiving portion 21 a is formed by a reflecting surface portion 21 d integrally formed on the light guide plate 21 and a lens portion 21 e, and an appropriate lamp house is formed on the front side of the light guide plate 21. The light from the illumination light source 20a attached by may be received and taken into the light guide plate 21.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, an arcuate reflecting surface 21b is formed on the back surface of the light guide plate 21 facing the zone scale 22d. The reflecting surface 21b is, for example, textured or has a reflecting layer made of paint or the like, diffusely reflects the light taken in from the light receiving portion 21a and shines, and the transparent area 22b of the zone scale 22d. It is configured to be brightly visible through. Further, on the back surface of the light guide plate 21, inside the arc of the reflecting surface 21b, an arc groove 21c cut in an arc shape concentric with the reflecting surface 21b is formed. Therefore, the light that is taken in from the light receiving portion 21a and travels radially inside the light guide plate 21 crosses the arc groove 21c and reaches the reflecting surface 21b on the way.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the display portion is formed by the light guide plate 21 and the display surface 22 directly formed on the surface thereof, but as shown in detail in FIG. A light-shielding layer 23b made of paint or the like is provided on the surface of a base plate 23a made of a film or the like, and a dial plate 23 having a display surface 22 shown in FIG. You may.

In FIG. 1, the movement 10 and the display unit are fixed to each other via an appropriate mounting member 40. At this time, the center of the output shaft 11 coincides with the arc center of the zone scale 22d, and the output is The output arm 30 fixed to the shaft 11 is arranged so as to approach the back surface of the light guide plate 21 and rotate in parallel therewith.

The output arm 30 is provided with a contrast strip 31 that moves along the arcuate groove 21c when the output arm 30 rotates. The contrast piece 31, as shown in detail in FIG. 6, may be a light-shielding piece 31a integrally formed by bending the tip of an output arm 30 formed by stamping and molding a metal plate, or in detail in FIG. As shown, it may be a color filter 31b made of a colored transparent material. Of the light that crosses the circular arc groove 21c, the light that strikes the contrast piece 31 is either completely blocked by the light blocking piece 31a or colored by the color filter 31b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. At the corresponding position on the reflecting surface 21b, a shadow that is shielded from light is displayed, or a shadow image 22f of a color different from that of the other zone graduations 22d is formed, which allows measurement on the display surface 22. The amount is indicated.

In both of the structures shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with respect to the mounting portion of the output shaft 11 of the output arm 30, the entire extension of the output arm 30 is maintained at the extension on the side opposite to the arm tip. A counter balancer 30a is attached.

In the structure of FIG. 1, a barrier 20b made of a heat-resistant material having a light-shielding property is provided on the side of the light receiving portion 21a facing the movement 10 to block the light emitted by the light source 20a and the heat emitted by the light source 20a. Protects the movement 10 from

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the construction of another embodiment of the pointer type meter according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an annular window 22e is additionally arranged as a light-transmitting area 22b on the display surface 22 outside the zone graduation 22d in a concentric manner with the zone graduation 22d. As will be described in detail below, the output arm 30 is different from the first embodiment in that it is a light guide pointer 32.

The light guide pointer 32 is made of a translucent material such as acrylic resin. A light receiving prism 32a is formed at the shaft mounting base and a pointer prism 32b is formed at the tip end thereof, and the guide prism 32b bends the guide light. The tip surface 32c of the light pointer 32 is configured to be visible through the light transmitting area 22b of the annular window 22e. A contrast strip 31 that moves along the arc groove 21c along the straight line portion of the light guide pointer 32 is attached, as in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, a barrier 20c made of a heat-resistant material having a light-shielding property and having a hole 20c ₁ in the center is provided on the movement 10 side of the light receiving portion 21a to protect the movement 10 from heat emitted from the light source 20a. Suruga, part of the light of the illumination light source 20a is adapted towards the light receiving prisms 32a through hole 20c _1.

The light from the illumination light source 20 a taken in by the light receiving prism 32 a of the light guide pointer 32 travels in the light guide pointer 32 and is deflected by the guide prism 32 b in the direction of the annular window 22 e. Since it is radiated from the tip surface 32c, it is visually recognized as a light spot 22g corresponding to the position of the output arm 30 through the transparent region 22b of the annular window 22e, and the image 22f on the zone scale 22d in the first embodiment is shown. At the same time, the measurement amount on the display surface 22 is instructed.

In the embodiment, the annular window 22e for the intersection 22g is outside the zone scale for displaying an image, but it may be inside.

[0028]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, a shadow that is shielded from light is displayed at a position corresponding to a measured amount on the zone scale, or a shadow image of a color different from that of other zone scales is displayed. Since the measurement amount is indicated by this, the visibility of the instrument is less likely to be affected by changes in ambient conditions during operation.

Further, since the pointer is not placed in front of the display dial and the display structure in which the zone scale and the image for instructing the measurement amount are close to each other, the reading instruction value does not vary depending on the viewing direction. , The reading error is small.

Further, the visibility of the instrument can be further improved by the combined display structure in which the measurement amount is indicated as a light spot in an annular window concentric with the zone graduation together with the image on the zone graduation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of an indicating instrument according to the present invention.

2 is a plan view showing a display surface of the indicating instrument of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the light receiving portion of the indicating instrument of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the display unit of the indicating instrument of FIG. 1 with a part thereof cut away.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the display unit of the indicating instrument of FIG.

6 is a detailed view showing the configuration of the output arm of the indicating instrument of FIG.

7 is a detailed view showing another embodiment of the output arm of the indicating instrument of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of an indicating instrument according to the present invention.

9 is a plan view of a display surface of the indicating instrument of FIG.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the display unit of the indicating instrument of FIG. 8 with a part thereof cut away.

11 is a detailed view showing the configuration of the output arm of the indicating instrument of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example for illuminating a self-luminous pointer of a conventional indicating instrument.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example for indirect illumination of a conventional indicating instrument.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 movement 11 output shaft 20 display section 20a light source 21 light guide plate 21a light receiving section 21b reflecting surface 21c arc groove 22 display surface 22a light shielding area 22b light transmitting area 22d zone scale 22e annular window 22f image 22g light spot 30 output arm 31 contrasting piece 32 Light guide pointer 32a Light receiving prism 32b Pointer prism 32c Tip surface

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A movement having an output shaft that rotates by a predetermined angle according to a measurement amount, a flat light guide plate formed of a translucent material, and a surface of the light guide plate for displaying the measurement amount. A display unit formed of a display surface formed on the display surface, and an output arm that is fixed to the output shaft and rotates to indicate a measurement amount on the display surface, and the display surface is arranged in an arc shape. It is composed of a light-transmitting area that forms a zone scale and a light-shielding area that covers a portion of the display surface other than that, and the light guide plate has an arcuate reflecting surface that faces the zone scale and is visible through the zone scale. A light-receiving portion for taking in light from an illumination light source installed in the center of the arc of the reflecting surface, and cutting from the back surface of the light guide plate inside the arc of the reflecting surface in a concentric arc shape with the arc of the reflecting surface. A circular arc groove is formed and The movement is relative to the light guide plate such that the axis of the shaft coincides with the arc center of the zone scale, and the output arm approaches the back surface of the light guide plate and rotates in a plane parallel to the back surface. The contrast piece that is fixed and moves along the arc groove along the arc groove is attached to the output arm, the contrast piece is emitted from the illumination light source, is taken in from the light receiving portion, and advances in the plane direction of the plate in the light guide plate. An indicating instrument characterized in that an image corresponding to the position of the output arm is formed on the reflecting surface by the light that is going to cross the arc groove and the contrast piece. 2. The light-transmitting region of the display surface has an annular window arranged in an arc shape concentric with the zone scale, and the output arm is a light-guide pointer made of a light-transmitting material. The contrast piece moving along the arc groove is attached to the pointer, and the light receiving prism is formed at the shaft mounting base and the pointer prism is formed at the tip end, and the light guide is bent by the pointer prism. The tip surface of the pointer is configured to be visible through the annular window, and a part of the light of the illumination light source is taken in by the light receiving prism and travels in the light guide pointer to be deflected in the annular window direction by the pointer prism. 2. The light guide pointer is radiated from the tip end surface of the well-intentioned light guide pointer, so that it is visually recognized as a light spot corresponding to the position of the output arm through the annular window. Indicating instrument.