JPH0814500B2 - Lighting equipment for measuring instruments - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device for a meter device, and more particularly to a vehicle meter for informing an occupant of the condition of the vehicle such as vehicle speed, engine speed, engine cooling water temperature and the like. Involved in the lighting equipment of the equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an illuminating device of a meter device which emits light from a pointer and a scale by a light emitter. As a method of emitting light from the pointer and the scale, there is known a method of guiding light generated from a common light-emitting body to both the scale and the pointer by using a light guide means.

On the other hand, development of an illuminating device in which a pointer and a scale are made to emit light by separate light emitters is also in progress, and according to this illuminating device, the pointer can emit light with high brightness.

[0004]

However, in an illuminating device in which the pointer and the scale are respectively made to emit light by separate light emitters, the simultaneous emission of the pointer and the scale, which has been carried out by the structure in which the common light emitter emits light, is adopted. If implemented, the following problems may occur.

That is, since the light emitters are separate from each other, there is a possibility that the light emission timing may be shifted among the light emitters due to variations in characteristics between parts, assembly errors, and the like. This deviation of the light emission timing causes three ways of light emission: one in which the pointer and the scale simultaneously emit light, one in which the pointer emits light after the scale emits light, and one in which the scale emits light after the pointer emits light. .

The above-mentioned problems may occur between different vehicle models having different specifications, or even in the same vehicle model, due to the responsiveness of the luminous body affected by the environmental temperature. Therefore, there is a problem in that a user such as an occupant feels uncomfortable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminating device for an instrument device capable of eliminating discomfort of a user by always emitting different illuminants in a fixed manner.

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 employs the following technical means. An indicator instrument in which the pointer rotates, an instrument panel on which a display portion such as a scale or a symbol is arranged according to the movement of the indicator, a first light-emitting body for causing the indicator of the indicator instrument to emit light, and the instrument panel A second light-emitting body that emits light from the display portion, switch means that connects the first and second light-emitting bodies to a power source, and power is supplied to the first and second light-emitting bodies by turning on the switch means. When the power is supplied to the first light emitter,
And a delay unit that delays the power supply timing to the second light emitter.

[0009]

[0010]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the switch means
When power is supplied to the first and second light emitters by turning on
To, by delay means, first among the first, second light emitter 1
The power supply timing to the second light emitter is reliably delayed with respect to the power supply timing to the second light emitter. Therefore, since the first and second light emitters always emit light in a constant order, the pointer and the display portion such as the scale and the symbol always emit light in a constant order, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable. .

Further, since the pointer emits light when the display portion such as the scale or symbol does not emit light, the user can clearly recognize the pointer.

[0012]

[Structure of Embodiment] Next, an explanation will be given based on an embodiment in which the illuminating device of the instrument device of the present invention is applied to an automobile instrument device. 1 and 2 are views showing a lighting device of a vehicle instrument device. Reference numeral 1 denotes an illuminating device of an automobile instrument device which is arranged in front of a vehicle interior of the automobile.

The lighting device 1 of the instrument device includes an instrument panel 6 on which a water temperature gauge 2, an engine tachometer 3, a speedometer 4 and a fuel gauge 5 are integrally mounted, and a case 7 arranged on the back side of the instrument panel 6. And two light emitting devices 100 housed between the instrument panel 6 and the case 7, and an electric circuit 300 (see FIG. 5) for controlling the lighting device 1 of the instrument device.

The water temperature gauge 2 is an analog indicator for indicating the engine cooling water temperature. The position of the pointer 21 of the water thermometer 2 is on the low temperature side when the key switch 301 is OFF. When the key switch 301 is turned on, the pointer 21 rotates to the high temperature side. The engine tachometer 3 is an analog indicator that indicates the engine speed, and in the present embodiment, the engine speed is directly detected by the cam shaft of the engine.
The position of the pointer 31 when the engine is idling
Instruct 500-800 rpm. Also, except when the engine is idling, the pointer 3
1 rotates.

The speedometer 4 is an analog instrument for instructing the speed of the vehicle, and the pointer 41 is rotated according to the speed of the vehicle detected by a vehicle speed sensor or the like. The fuel gauge 5 is an analog instrument that indicates the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank, and the pointer 51 rotates according to the remaining amount of fuel. Here, each guideline 2
1, 31, 41 and 51 are cold cathode discharge tubes 22 and
A light emitting pointer having 32, 42, 52 is employed. The cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42, and 52 are the first light emitters that emit light when energized.
Lights 1, 41 and 51.

The instrument panel 6 is made of a light-transmissive material such as acrylic resin and has dial plates 61, 62, 63 corresponding to the water temperature gauge 2, the engine tachometer 3, the speedometer 4 and the fuel gauge 5.
64.

The dial portion 61 of the water temperature gauge 2 is provided with a plurality of light transmitting portions 65 at positions corresponding to display portions such as scales and symbols indicating the engine cooling water temperature. The plurality of light transmitting portions 65 are arranged in an arc shape, and
The light from the light emitting device 100 is transmitted and guided to the front of the pointer 21 and the instrument panel 6.

In the dial portion 62 of the engine tachometer 3,
A plurality of light transmitting portions 66 are provided at positions corresponding to display portions such as scales and symbols indicating the engine speed.
The plurality of light transmitting portions 66 are arranged in a substantially annular shape, and transmit the light from the light emitting device 100, so that the pointer 31
And lead it to the front of the instrument panel 6.

The dial portion 63 of the speedometer 4 is provided with a plurality of light transmitting portions 67 at positions corresponding to display portions such as scales and symbols indicating the speed of the automobile. The plurality of light transmitting portions 67 are arranged in a substantially annular shape, transmit light from the light emitting device 100, and guide the light to the front of the pointer 41 and the instrument panel 6.

The dial portion 64 of the fuel gauge 5 is provided with a plurality of light transmitting portions 68 at positions corresponding to display portions such as scales and symbols representing the engine cooling water temperature. The plurality of light transmitting portions 68 are arranged in an arc shape, and
The light from the light emitting device 100 is transmitted and guided to the front of the pointer 51 and the instrument panel 6.

[0021] The light transmission portion 65 to 68, that are formed by punching printed opaque film that does not transmit light (the smoke or the like) on the surface and the back surface of the instrument panel 6. Unplug printing and, when printing the opaque film on the surface and the back surface of the instrument panel 6 is subjected to a treatment that does not print only the light transmitting portions 65 to 68, a printing method for printing.

A protective cover 69 made of black translucent resin (for example, acrylic resin) is arranged in front of the instrument panel 6. The protective cover 69 protects the internal indicating instrument and the like and also hides the scale and the positions of the hands 21, 31, 41, 51 and the like when the light emitting device 100 does not emit light.

The case 7 is connected to the instrument panel 6 to form the light emitting device 1.
00 is stored. In addition, the case 7 has a wall portion 72 having a U-shaped cross section formed in a donut shape along the light emitting device 100. The wall portion 72 is provided with a fixing portion (not shown) for fixing the light emitting device 100.
In addition, the wall portion 72 includes a light transmitting portion 6 of the light emitting device 100.
The light-transmitting portions 65 and 68 of the water temperature gauge 2 and the fuel gauge 5 and the hands 21 and 51, which are not provided directly behind the numerals 5 and 68, also function as reflecting mirrors for reflecting light so that the occupants can read them.
A protruding portion 73 for positioning the light emitting device 100 is formed on a part of the wall portion 72.

The light emitting device 100, as also shown in FIG.
A fluorescent tube 110 which has a circle shape and is arranged behind the light transmitting portions 66 and 67 of the engine tachometer 3 and the speedometer 4.
A thermistor 120 for detecting the surface temperature of the fluorescent tube 110, an electric heater 130 for heating the fluorescent tube 110 in response to a signal from the thermistor 120, and a connector device 200 for connecting these to the outside. With.

The fluorescent tube 110 is a second light emitting body which emits light when energized, and causes the plurality of light transmitting portions 65 to 68 to emit light. The fluorescent tube 110 includes an engine tachometer 3 and a speedometer 4
The light-transmitting portions 66 and 67 are bent into a substantially annular shape. At both ends of the fluorescent tube 110, a base 111,
112 is provided, and the fluorescent tube 11 is provided from both ends.
The lead wires 113 and 114 for electrically connecting 0 and the connector device 200 are provided in a protruding manner.

The thermistor 120 is a temperature sensor whose resistance value changes according to temperature, and is fixed to the surface of the fluorescent tube 110. The thermistor 120 has an electric heater 13 when the surface of the fluorescent tube 110 becomes low temperature (for example, 0 ° C.).
A signal is output so that 0 is energized. Thermistor 120
The lead wires 121 and 122 are electrically connected to the connector device 200.

The electric heater 130 is a corrugated metal thin plate. When the electric heater 130 is energized, its temperature rises to heat the surface of the fluorescent tube 110 and evaporate the mercury present inside. Further, the lead wires 131 and 132 of the electric heater 130 are electrically connected to the connector device 200.

The connector device 200 includes a printed circuit board 21.
0, a connector 220 and a coupler 230. The printed circuit board 210 is made of an electrically insulating material and has a fluorescent tube 110.
Lead wires 113 and 114, lead wires 121 and 122 of the thermistor 120, and lead wire 13 of the electric heater 130.
Each lead wire 11 while electrically insulating between 1 and 132
3, 114, 121, 122, 131, 132 are inserted.

The connector 220 is formed of an electrically insulative member, and has “× 1000 RPM” and “k” of the light transmitting portions 66 and 67 shown in the engine tachometer 3 and the speedometer 4.
m / h, MPH ”, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, in the connector 220, the lead wire 131 of the electric heater 130, the lead wires 121 and 122 of the thermistor 120, and the fluorescent tube 11 are arranged in this order from the bottom of the drawing.
The lead wires 113 and 114 of 0 and the lead wire 132 of the electric heater 130 are connected to the contacts 221 to 22 by soldering or the like.
6 is connected. The connector 220 includes the lead wire extraction hole 7 formed in the case 7 and the printed circuit board 71.
It is attached so that 4 can be inserted. Therefore, the connector 220 can easily connect to the other connector 250 that holds the lead wire connected to the AC power supply or the DC power supply, behind the case 7.

The coupler 230 is made of a light-transmitting resin for transmitting light to the "× 1000 RPM" and "km / h, MPH" portions of the light-transmitting portions 66 and 67. The coupler 230 includes a lid member 231 and a bottom member 2
32, and the lead wires 113 and 11 of the fluorescent tube 110.
4, the lead wires 121 and 122 of the thermistor 120, and the lead wires 131 and 132 of the electric heater 130 are housed.

The lid member 231 has a coupler 230 on the case 7.
Mounting portion 233 for mounting the fluorescent lamp 110, and both end portions of the fluorescent tube 110 and the lead wires 121, 122, 131, 13
It has a semicircular holding groove 234 for holding 2. Bottom member 23
2 is a mounting groove 23 for mounting the printed circuit board 210.
5, a fitting portion 236 for fitting the connector 220, both end portions of the fluorescent tube 110 and the lead wires 121, 1
It has a semicircular holding groove 237 that holds 22, 131, and 132.

The coupler 230 is connected by engaging the protrusion 238 formed on the bottom member 232 with the engagement groove 239 of the lid member 231. Therefore, the lid member 231
Since both ends of the fluorescent tube 110 and the lead wires 121, 122, 131, and 132 are sandwiched between the holding groove 234 formed on the bottom member 232 and the holding groove 237 formed on the bottom member 232. The printed circuit board 210 and the connector 220 are fixed while being firmly fixed to both ends of the.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electric circuit 300 energizes (turns on) the cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42, 52 and the two fluorescent tubes 110 and stops energization (OFF). Is. In this electric circuit 300, when a key switch 301 as a switch means is turned on (ON), a DC current is supplied from a DC power supply 302 to a transformer module 303 and a delay circuit 304. The transformer module 303 converts direct current into alternating current,
An alternating current is supplied to the cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42, 52.

The delay circuit 304 includes the transformer module 3
It is a delay unit that delays the power supply timing to 05 by a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the key switch 301 is turned on. In the transformer module 305, the direct current is converted into an alternating current to convert the two fluorescent tubes 11 into one.
Supply an alternating current to 0.

That is, when the key switch 301 is turned on, first the cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42 and 52 emit light, and the hands 21, 31, 41 and 51 emit light. Then, when a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) set by the delay circuit 304 has passed after turning on the key switch 301,
The two fluorescent tubes 110 emit light and the dial plate portion 6 of the instrument panel 6
1 to 64 emit light.

[Operation of Embodiment] Next, the operation of the illuminating device 1 of the vehicle instrument device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

The key switch 301 is off,
Cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42, 52 and two fluorescent tubes 1
In a state where 10 is not energized, the water temperature gauge 2, the engine tachometer 3, the speedometer 4 and the hands 21, 31 of the fuel gauge 5,
41 and 51 and the dial plate portions 61 to 64 of the instrument panel 6 cannot be seen.

When the key switch 301 is turned on, a DC current is input from the DC power supply 302 to the transformer module 303. By converting the direct current into the alternating current by the transformer module 303, the cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42, 52 are energized, and the cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42, 52 emit light to generate the water temperature. 2,
Pointer 2 for engine tachometer 3, speedometer 4 and fuel gauge 5
1, 31, 41 and 51 emit light.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the key switch 301 is turned on, first, the cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 4 are turned on.
2, 52 emit light, and only the pointers 21, 31, 41, 51 of the water temperature gauge 2, the engine tachometer 3, the speedometer 4 and the fuel gauge 5 emit light. Therefore, when the passenger looks through the protective cover 69, each pointer 21 , 31, 41, 51 appear to be floating in the air, the aesthetics is excellent and the occupants can clearly recognize the hands 21, 31, 41, 51.

Further, by the operation of the delay circuit 304,
After the key switch 301 is turned ON, that is, after the pointers 21, 31, 41, 51 of the water temperature gauge 2, the engine tachometer 3, the speedometer 4 and the fuel gauge 5 emit light, a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) After a lapse of time, a DC current is input from the DC power supply 302 to the transformer module 305. By converting a direct current into an alternating current with this transformer module 305, the two fluorescent tubes 110 are energized,
Two fluorescent tubes 110 emit light.

At this time, the lights emitted from the two fluorescent tubes 110 are the characters of the water temperature gauge 2, the engine tachometer 3, the speedometer 4 and the fuel gauge 5 provided on the instrument panel 6 from the back side of the instrument panel 6. Light is guided to the front of the instrument panel 6 through the plurality of light transmitting portions 65 to 68 of the plate portions 61 to 64. Therefore, depending on the rotational position of the light emitting pointers 21, 31, 41, 51, the occupant can determine the engine cooling water temperature, the engine speed,
Recognize vehicle speed and fuel level.

In this embodiment, the two fluorescent tubes 110 are connected to the plurality of light transmitting portions 66 of the engine tachometer 3 and the speedometer 4,
Since the dial plate portions 62 and 63 of the engine tachometer 3 and the speedometer 4 are uniformly illuminated because they are bent in a substantially annular shape corresponding to 67, the light transmitting portions 66 and 67 of the substantially annular shape are provided.
Uniform and high-luminance light is guided from the whole.

In the case 7 for housing the two fluorescent tubes 110 between the instrument panel 6 and the wall portion 72 which serves as a reflecting mirror for the light emitted from the two fluorescent tubes 110, a plurality of light transmitting portions 65 are provided. , 68, the dial plates 61, 64 of the water temperature gauge 2 and the fuel gauge 5 are evenly illuminated, so that uniform and high-brightness light is transmitted from the entire substantially ring-shaped light transmitting portions 65, 68. Will be done.

[Effects of the Embodiment] As described above, the lighting device 1 of the instrument device includes the cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42, 52.
And the two fluorescent tubes 110 always emit light in a fixed order. That is, first, the cold cathode discharge tubes 22, 32, 42, 5
Since the two fluorescent tubes 110 emit light after a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) from the emission of 2 by the user, no discomfort is given to a user such as an occupant.

When the dials 61 to 64 of the water temperature gauge 2, the engine tachometer 3, the speedometer 4 and the fuel gauge 5 are not lit, first the respective hands 21, 31, 41, 51 are lit. Because it is possible, each pointer 21, 31, 41, 5
1 can be clearly recognized, and a user such as an occupant can be given a high sense of precision of the indicating instruments such as the water temperature gauge 2, the engine tachometer 3, the speedometer 4, and the fuel gauge 5.

Dial portions 61 to 6 provided on the instrument panel 6
Light having uniform and high brightness is guided over the entire area 4, and there is no low brightness part. For this reason, even if there is a change in the environment such as twilight or retrograde, the occupant can display the scales and symbols of the water temperature gauge 2, the engine tachometer 3, the speedometer 4 and the fuel gauge 5 and the pointers 21 and 31. , 41, 51 can be sufficiently visually recognized.

[Modification] In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a lighting device for an instrument device for an automobile, but is applied to a lighting device for an instrument device such as a vehicle other than an automobile, a ship, an airplane, and various indicating instruments. May be.

In this embodiment, the light-transmitting portions 65 to 68 are formed by punching and printing the light-impermeable film on the front and back surfaces of the instrument panel 6 made of a light-transmitting material. On the instrument panel, holes may be formed only in the display portions such as scales and symbols, and a light transmitting portion may be provided by fitting a plate made of a light transmitting material into the holes.

[0049]

In this embodiment, a plurality of light transmitting portions 66 of the engine tachometer 3 and the speedometer 4 are arranged in a substantially annular shape,
Two fluorescent tubes 110 are arranged directly behind 67, but a second light emitter is arranged directly behind a plurality of light transmitting portions 65, 68 arranged in a substantially arc shape of the water temperature gauge 2 and the fuel gauge 5. Is also good. Although the circular fluorescent tube 110 is adopted as the second light emitter in the present embodiment, the second light emitter having a substantially U-shape, a substantially C-shape, a substantially D-shape or the like may be adopted. good.

[0051]

The invention according to claim 1 is the first luminous body.
The second light emitter emits light after
For emitting light in the order that the display portion of such guidelines and graduations and symbols always constant, causing discomfort to the user have greens.

[0052] In addition, because the pointer to emit light when the display portion such as a memory and a symbol is not emitting light, Ki de be given clearly to recognize the guidance to the user, a high-precision sense to use for the person,且
After the pointer has lit up, wait for a period and
It is possible to give a high-class feeling because the indicated parts emit light in order.
It becomes Noh.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an illuminating device of a vehicle instrument device adopted in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an illuminating device of a vehicle instrument device adopted in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a light emitting device according to an illumination device of an automobile instrument device adopted in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector device of a light emitting device according to a lighting device of an automobile instrument device adopted in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electric circuit relating to a lighting device of a vehicle instrument device adopted in an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Automotive instrument lighting device 2 Water temperature gauge (indicating instrument) 3 Engine tachometer (indicating instrument) 4 Speedometer (indicating instrument) 5 Fuel gauge (indicating instrument) 6 Instrument panel 21 Water temperature indicator 31 Engine tachometer Pointer 41 Pointer for speedometer 51 Pointer for fuel meter 22 Cold cathode discharge tube for water temperature gauge (first light emitter) 32 Cold cathode discharge tube for engine tachometer (first light emitter) 42 Cold cathode discharge tube for speedometer (First luminous body) 52 Cold cathode discharge tube of fuel gauge (first luminous body) 61 Water thermometer dial plate portion 62 Engine tachometer dial plate portion 63 Speedometer dial plate portion 64 Fuel gauge dial plate Part 65 Light-transmitting part of water temperature meter 66 Light-transmitting part of engine tachometer 67 Light-transmitting part of speedometer 68 Light-transmitting part of fuel gauge 110 Fluorescent tube (second light emitter) 300 Electric circuit 301 Key switch (switch means)04 delay circuit (delay means)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Akihiro Watanabe 1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya city, Aichi Nihon Denso Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuo Hagiri 1-cho, Toyota city, Aichi prefecture Toyota Motor Corporation Stock In-house (56) References JP-A-1-80916 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An indicator instrument for rotating a pointer, (b) an instrument panel on which display portions such as scales and symbols are arranged according to the movement of the indicator, and (c) the indicator instrument. A first light emitting body for emitting a pointer, (d) a second light emitting body for emitting the display portion of the instrument panel, and (e) a switch for connecting the first and second light emitting bodies to a power source And (f) when power is supplied to the first and second light emitters by turning on the switch means ,
A lighting device for an instrument device, comprising: a delay unit that delays the power supply timing to the second light emitter with respect to the power supply timing.