CN103210286B - Vehicular meter - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle instrument utilizing edge light illumination, which introduces illumination light into a display panel (1) from a side edge portion (3) of a display panel (1) on which scales (2) are formed, the edge light illumination The vehicle instrument includes indicator letters arranged on the inner side of the display panel (1) and formed by indicating portions (5). The indicating part (5) includes: at least one digital indicating part (5a), which is printed on the inner side of the display panel (1) and indicates numbers; and a three-dimensional display part (5b), which is arranged on the digital indicating part (5a ) at the position of the shadow of ), and make the number indicator (5a) visible three-dimensionally. The stereoscopic display portion (5b) is formed by a V-shaped cutout (5b1) including an inclined surface (10) recessed from the back side of the display panel (1) to the surface side of the display panel. Illumination light of the edge lighting is reflected on the inclined surface (10), so that the three-dimensional display part (5b) allowing the indication part (5) to be visible three-dimensionally emits light at night.

Description

vehicle instrument

Cross References to Related Applications

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-262634 filed on November 25, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Descriptions of patent documents as enumerated as related arts may be incorporated or cited by reference as descriptions of technical elements described in this specification.

technical field

The present invention relates to a vehicle instrument using edge lighting that introduces illumination light into a display panel on which scales are formed from an edge portion thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle instrument in which a stereoscopic display portion formed of a concave portion is formed on the back of a display panel, and an indication portion of the display panel is visually recognizable stereoscopically.

Background technique

The vehicle meter disclosed in JP-A-2010-85113 is known in the past. FIG. 12 is a front view of the vehicle meter of JP-A-2010-85113, and FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12 . In the vehicle meter shown in FIG. 12, the pointer 4 rotates on the inner side of the display panel 1, and illumination light is introduced into the display panel 1 in the direction of arrow Y13 (FIG. 13), which is perpendicular to the display panel 1. Direction in the thickness direction of panel 1 (also known as dial). This lighting is called rim lighting.

A plurality of light emitting diodes 8 (hereinafter, also referred to as LEDs 8 ) are arranged in a row on the end surface of the display panel 1 of FIG. 12 . In addition, the illumination light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 8 is reflected on the inner surface of the meter case, and guided into the display panel 1 made of acrylic resin. In addition, the pointer 4 is driven by a mechanism 20 such as a stepping motor, and points to the indicating portion 5 printed on the back surface of the display panel 1 .

Related technical documents

patent documents

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2010-85113.

The indicator portion 5 printed on the display panel 1 is practically invisible three-dimensionally. Meanwhile, in recent years, there have been demands for a three-dimensional appearance of a vehicle instrument and demands for a change in appearance in daytime and nighttime. In JP-A-2010-85113, index letters including indication portion 5 , scales, and units are printed on the back of display panel 1 , and illumination light is introduced into display panel 1 from edge portion 3 of display panel 1 . However, in terms of printing index letters on the back, the back of the display panel 1 must be flat as a whole.

A method of allowing index letters to be seen three-dimensionally by drawing shadows as a design of index letters based on the so-called shadow method and a method of allowing index letters to be seen three-dimensionally by adding a three-dimensional portion to the display panel in order to allow index letters to be three-dimensional have been considered visible. This method is not preferable because of an increase in cost in the method of allowing index letters to be seen three-dimensionally by adding a three-dimensional portion to the display panel. Therefore, a method of allowing the indication portion to be seen stereoscopically by drawing the shaded portion in the shape of the numeral portion forming the indication portion 5 in particular has been considered. This method is visually effective during the day, but is less effective when illuminated at night.

In addition, a method of making index letters such as the indicating portion 5 protrude and molding the display panel when the display panel 1 is molded so as to allow the index letters to be seen three-dimensionally is considered. However, due to the method of making a part of the display panel 1 three-dimensionally protruded and molding the display panel, the deformation of the index letters printed on the back side during molding is affected, or due to the influence of the shrinkage of the molding material, forming on the display panel 1 Unnatural lines, so this method is not preferred. In addition, even if the display panel is stereoscopically visible without problems, it is impossible to satisfy the demand for changes in appearance during the day and night.

Contents of the invention

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle meter whose appearance can be changed during the day and night, and which includes index letters printed on an indicating portion on a display panel. Some are visible three-dimensionally.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an edge-light illumination type vehicle meter introduces illumination light into a display panel from a side thereof, and includes: an indication part provided on the inner side of the display panel and forming index letters; and a stereoscopic display portion, which is provided on the inner side of the display panel along the indication portion and stereoscopically displays the indication portion. The stereoscopic display portion is formed by a recess recessed from the back side of the display panel toward the surface side, includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to a plane direction of the display panel, and has a V-shaped cross section. The illumination light introduced through the edge portion of the display panel is reflected on the inclined surface and the indication portion and guided to the surface side of the display panel.

Advantages of the invention

According to this structure, the stereoscopic display portion is formed by a recess recessed from the back side of the display panel toward the surface side, which includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to the plane direction of the display panel and has a V-shaped cross section; and is formed by the edge portion of the display panel The introduced illumination light is reflected on the inclined surface and on the indicator portion and guided to the surface side of the display panel. Therefore, the indication portion is allowed to be stereoscopically recognized visually by the stereoscopic display portion, and the illumination light guided into the display panel through the edge portion of the display panel is reflected on the inclined surface, so that the stereoscopic display portion becomes bright and visually visible at night. identified above. Furthermore, when edge lighting is not performed, the stereoscopic display portion diffuses external light. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle gauge capable of changing appearance during the day and night and whose indication portion printed on the display panel is stereoscopically visible.

Description of drawings

The object or other objects, structures, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the following drawings. In the attached picture,

Fig. 1 is a front view of a vehicle meter according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indication portion shown in FIG. 1, specifically portions "180" and "200".

3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2, schematically illustrating an arrangement of LEDs forming a lighting device for guiding light to a display panel.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a dimensional relationship of an indication part '20' on the display panel of FIG. 1 .

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line V-V shown in FIG. 4 and illustrating, in particular, a dimensional relationship of a stereoscopic display section.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the shape of a surface of a mold for molding the indicating portion '20' of FIG. 1 .

Fig. 7 is a front view of a part of a vehicle meter according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portions "180" and "200" of the indication portion shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG.

Fig. 9 is a front view of a part of a vehicle meter according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view of a part " 20 " and " 40 " of the indicating portion in the area X in FIG. 9 .

11A and 11B are schematic cross-sectional views showing cross-sectional shapes of other stereoscopic display portions and corresponding to FIG. 5 .

Fig. 12 is a front view of a vehicle meter in the related art.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12 .

detailed description

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Portions of the respective embodiments corresponding to items described in the previous embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof may be omitted. When only a part of the structure of each embodiment is described, other embodiments that have been described previously are applicable to other parts of the structure. Portions of specific combinations clearly described in the respective embodiments may be combined. Furthermore, even if the combination of other embodiments is not clearly described, the embodiments may be partially combined if no hindrance particularly occurs in combination.

(first embodiment)

The first embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 . Fig. 1 is a front view of a vehicle meter according to a first embodiment. The display panel 1 is made of transparent acrylic resin, which is called a molded dial, and the back side of the display panel positioned on the inner side of the plane of FIG. 1 is flat. The surface of the display panel 1 is molded in a gently curved shape. Meanwhile, the curved shape of the surface is not necessary.

As in Patent Document 1, the display panel 1 is illuminated by edge lighting that introduces illumination light into the display panel 1 from the edge portion 3 of the display panel 1 on which the scale 2 is formed. The pointer 4 rotates on the display panel 1 , and the end of the pointer points to a numeral portion forming an indication portion 5 in particular. Index letters including at least the indicator portion 5 are printed on the back side of the display panel 1 such that the indicator portion 5 is visually recognized from the surface through the transparent display panel 1 .

Specifically, eleven indicating portions 5 corresponding to “0”, “20”, “40” to “180”, and “200” are formed on the rear surface of the display panel 1 . Each of the indication parts 5 is provided with a stereoscopic display part formed at a position corresponding to the shade so as to be seen stereoscopically. V-shaped grooves or V-shaped cutouts 5b1 ( FIG. 3 ) formed by recesses and described below are formed on the rear surface of the acrylic resin of the display panel 1 according to the shape of the stereoscopic display portion.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of, in particular, portions "180" and "200" of the indicating portion 5 shown in FIG. 1 . The indicating part 5, such as "180" and "200", includes a numeral indicating part 5a that is printed on the inner side of the display panel 1 and indicates a numeral. Further, each of the indication portions 5 includes a stereoscopic display portion 5b provided on the right side of the numeral indication portion 5a so as to be substantially adjacent to the numeral indication portion 5a and allowing the indication portion 5 to be stereoscopically visible. The three-dimensional display portion 5b is formed by a V-shaped cutout 5b1 ( FIG. 3 ) formed as a concave portion facing from the back side of the display panel 1 to the front side.

Meanwhile, when the indication portion 5 is viewed from the surface side of the display panel 1, a stereoscopic display portion 5b is shown. When the indicator portion 5 is viewed from the back side of the display panel 1, a V-shaped cutout 5b1 is shown. The three-dimensional display portion 5b is a V-shaped cutout 5b1. However, for convenience, reference numeral 5b is used when describing the stereoscopic display portion, and reference numeral 5b1 is used when describing the V-shaped cutout.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view schematically showing an arrangement of LEDs 8 forming an illumination means for guiding light to the display panel 1 , taken along line III-III of FIG. 2 . Illumination light shown by an arrow Y3 etc. is guided into the display panel 1 from the edge portion 3 of the display panel 1, and the guided illumination light is reflected on the printed portion 1a and the V-shaped cutout 5b1 on the back surface of the display panel 1 , where the indicating portion 5 and the like are printed on the printing portion 1a.

FIG. 3 only shows the reflection of the illuminating light through the V-shaped cutout 5b1. The reflected illuminating light is emitted from the surface side of the display panel 1 and enters the eyes of the driver of the vehicle, so that the illuminating light allows the driver to visually and stereoscopically recognize the indicating portion 5 . Meanwhile, since the indicating portion 5 is provided in the printing portion 1a in FIG. 3, the indicating portion 5 is practically invisible, as shown in FIG. However, for convenience, FIG. 3 schematically shows the indicating portion 5 in order to show the corresponding relationship.

The V-shaped cutout 5b1 is visible as the stereoscopic display portion 5b from the surface side of the display panel 1, and allows the indication portion 5 to be stereoscopically visible. A V-shaped cutout 5b1 is formed on the back side of the display panel 1, and is a recess including an inclined surface 10 (FIGS. 3 and 5) to be described below. The inclined surface 10 is not subjected to printing processing in this first embodiment. However, since the inclined surface 10 needs to undergo mirror finishing, the inclined surface 10 is partially illuminated at night, and the index letters are three-dimensionally visible. Therefore, the sloped surface 10 can also provide a very premium feel.

Meanwhile, when edge lighting is not performed during the daytime, even if the V-shaped cutout 5b1 is irradiated with external light, the external light does not return in some irradiation directions. Therefore, the three-dimensional display portion 5b is seen as a shadow. Since the V-shaped cutout 5b1 reflects the illumination light of the edge lighting at night, the appearance can be changed between daytime and nighttime.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the dimensional relationship of the indication portion "20" of the display panel 1 in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line V-V shown in FIG. 4 and showing, in particular, the dimensional relationship of the V-shaped cutout 5b1. In addition, FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the shape of the surface of the mold 12 that molds the indicating portion "20". Meanwhile, hatching indicating a cross section is omitted in FIG. 5 .

In FIG. 4 , the numeral indicating portion 5 a includes a center colored portion 5 a 1 colored with a hue by which illumination light guided into the display panel 1 is not easily reflected. In addition, the numeral indicating portion 5a includes a peripheral colored portion 5a2 that surrounds the central colored portion 5a1 and easily reflects illumination light, that is, has a high reflectance hue compared to the central colored portion 5a1.

In addition, the three-dimensional display portion 5b is formed on at least a part of the periphery of the peripheral colored portion 5a2. Moreover, the stereoscopic display portion 5b is formed on the side opposite to the side of the indicating portion 5 (the side corresponding to the shadow), and when the driver sees the display panel 1, the side surface of the indicating portion 5 is illuminated by light corresponding to light from the left side of the display panel. side (lower side in FIG. 1 ) virtual light irradiation shown by the arrow Y40 in the virtual entering direction. In addition, a contour line 5c showing the contour of the indication portion 5 is formed at the left contour portion of the indication portion 5 in FIG. 4 where the stereoscopic display portion 5b formed on the periphery of the surrounding colored portion 5a2 does not exist. Furthermore, in FIG. 3 , LED 8 is mounted on printed circuit board 9 . Illumination light emitted from the LED 8 is reflected on the inner wall of the meter case 6 and guided into the display panel 1 from the edge portion 3 .

B in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 indicates the maximum width of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 forming the stereoscopic display portion 5b, which corresponds to the maximum width of the groove. Meanwhile, the groove is formed in the shape of a channel having a triangular cross section. In addition, C of FIG. 4 shows the maximum width of the center colored part 5a1 which is one member of the numeral indicating part 5a. The maximum width B of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 is set within a range of 25% to 75%, preferably 40% to 60%, of the maximum width C of the central colored portion 5a1.

Then, like the letter "0" of Fig. 4 or "4", "6", "8" and "9" in the letters of the indicating part 5 of Fig. 1, a numeral is formed therein and is colored by the center 5a1 closed inner peripheral portion 5d ( FIG. 4 ), the number includes an inner peripheral side peripheral colored portion 5a21 which is formed along a part of the central colored portion 5a1 close to the inner peripheral portion 5d and has a The colored portion 5a1 has a color tone with a higher reflectance than that of illumination light.

Furthermore, the inner peripheral side three-dimensional display portion 5b2 is formed on a part of the inner peripheral side peripheral colored portion 5a21 close to the inner peripheral portion 5d. However, the inner peripheral side stereoscopic display portion 5b2 is only shaded in design and is not provided with a concave portion corresponding to the V-shaped cutout 5b1. Further, the numeral indicating portion 5a includes an outer peripheral side peripheral colored portion 5a22 formed along the periphery of the central colored portion 5a1 and having a color tone having a high reflectance of illumination light compared with the central colored portion 5a1.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the illumination light of edge lighting indicated by arrow Y50 penetrates the display panel 1 . V-shaped cutout 5b1 is formed, the cross-sectional shape of which forms an isosceles triangle, the cross-sectional shape being cut to face the inclined surface 10 having an angle θ1 (θ1=44°) with respect to the plane direction of the flat portion, the display panel The printed portion 1a on the back side of 1 is formed on the flat portion.

The inclined surface 10 is inclined toward the surface side of the display panel 1 from the planar portion on which the printed portion 1 a is formed. Therefore, the inclined surface 10 serves as a reflection surface of the illumination light, and the reflected light exits from the surface side of the display panel 1 as indicated by arrow Y51 and the like, and enters the driver's eyes. Meanwhile, in this first embodiment, the thickness Tp of the display panel 1 is in the range of 3 to 4 mm, and the depth D of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 is 0.3 mm.

In consideration of preventing generation of welding lines or shrinkage during molding of the display panel 1, which would cause irregular and unintended patterns on the surface of the display panel 1, it is preferable to reduce the depth D of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 by As small as about 30% of the thickness Tp (Tp=3 mm to 4 mm) of the display panel 1 . Therefore, the depth D of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 is in the range of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. Tj represents the thickness of the display panel 1 immediately above the concave portion 5b1.

Furthermore, since the width B of the V-shaped notch 5b1 is 0.62 mm, and half of the width B is 0.31 mm, assuming that the inclination angle in this case is represented by θ1, "Tan θ1 = 0.3/0.31" is satisfied. Therefore, the inclination angle θ1 becomes 44°. Therefore, the intersecting angle θ2 of the V-shaped notch 5b1 becomes 92° (180-2×44=92). Meanwhile, in order to sufficiently reflect the illumination light and brighten the display panel, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ1 is in the range of 40° to 50°. Meanwhile, when imprinting is performed on the inclined surface 10 as described below, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ1 is in the range of 30° to 60°.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the surface of the mold 12 for injection molding of the display panel 1 corresponding to “ 20 ” of the indicator portion 5 . For ease of description, “20” of the indicator portion 5 is imaginary drawn on the surface of the mold 12 . A portion corresponding to the V-shaped cutout 5b1 of the stereoscopic display portion 5b forming “20” of the indication portion 5 is formed as protrusions 13a, 13b, and 13c protruding in the shape of a mountain range. The height H13 of each of the protrusions 13a, 13b, and 13c corresponds to the depth D (0.3 mm, FIG. 5 ) of the V-shaped cutout 5b1. In addition, the top taper angle θ13 ( FIG. 6 ) of the triangular-shaped mountain portion of the cross-section of each of the protrusions 13 a , 13 b , and 13 c corresponds to the intersection angle θ2 ( FIG. 5 ) of the V-shaped cutout 5 b1 .

Next, effects of the first embodiment will be described. The vehicle instrument includes: an indicating part 5, which includes a numeral indicating part 5a (Fig. 4) which is printed on a printing part 1a (Fig. 5) on the inner side of the display panel 1 and indicates numbers; and a stereoscopic display part 5b which allows the indicating part 5 is visible in three dimensions. Furthermore, the stereoscopic display portion 5b includes a V-shaped cutout 5b1 recessed from the back side of the display panel 1 toward the surface side of the display panel.

The indication part 5 is visually recognized three-dimensionally by the three-dimensional display part 5b. In addition, the illumination light emitted from the LED 8 forming the illumination means and guided into the display panel 1 from the edge portion 3 of the display panel 1 is reflected on the inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped cutout 5b1, so that a part of the stereoscopic display portion 5b is brightened. And is visually recognizable at night. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle gauge capable of changing appearance during the day and night and which is stereoscopically visible including index letters of the indicating portion 5 printed on the display panel.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, since each of the numeral indicating portions 5a includes a central colored portion 5a1 and a surrounding colored portion 5a2, and each of the stereoscopic display portions 5b is formed on at least a part of the periphery of the surrounding colored portion 5a2 Therefore, the surrounding colored portion 5a2 is regarded as a stand. Therefore, since the central colored portion 5a1 is viewed as being placed on the stand, the indicating portion 5 is further three-dimensionally visible.

Also, since the stereoscopic display portion 5b is formed on the opposite side to the side surface of the indication portion 5 irradiated by virtual light entering from the left side of the display panel 1, the indication portion 5 is allowed to be stereoscopically visible by the stereoscopic display portion 5b. In addition, since the outline 5c showing the outline of the indicating portion 5 is formed at the outline portion of the indicating portion 5 where the stereoscopic display portion 5b formed on the periphery of the surrounding coloring portion 5a2 does not exist, the outline 5c passes through the outline 5c. And the three-dimensional display part 5b makes the outline of the indication part 5 clear. Therefore, the indication part 5 is made easy to see.

In addition, each of the letters "0", "4", "6", "8", and "9" includes an inner peripheral portion 5d formed in the indicating portion 5 and closed by a central colored portion 5a1, including an inner peripheral A side peripheral colored portion 5a21 which is formed along the inner periphery of the central colored portion 5a1 and has a color tone having a high reflectance of illumination light guided into the display panel 1 compared with the central colored portion 5a1 . Furthermore, since the inner peripheral side three-dimensional display portion 5b2 corresponding to the shadow is also formed in the inner peripheral side peripheral colored portion 5a21, the indicating portion 5 is more accurately visible three-dimensionally.

In addition, an inner contour line 5c1 (FIG. 4) showing the contour of the indicating portion 5 is formed at the contour portion of the indicating portion 5, where the stereoscopic display portion 5b formed in the inner peripheral side surrounding colored portion 5a21 does not exist. . For this reason, the inner contour line 5c1 and the inner peripheral side stereoscopic display portion 5b2 make the outline of the indicating portion 5 near the inner peripheral portion 5d clear. Therefore, the indication part 5 is seen three-dimensionally and becomes more recognizable.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, since the V-shaped notch 5b1 is formed by a recess like a groove, and the maximum width of the groove, that is, the maximum width B of the V-shaped notch 5b1, is set at the central colored portion 5a1 In the range of 25% to 75%, preferably 40% to 60%, of the maximum width C of the V-shaped notch 5b1, the inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 sufficiently reflects light. Therefore, it is possible to form a high-quality stereoscopic display portion of the indication portion 5 and to display the stereoscopic indication portion 5 .

(second embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment will be described. Meanwhile, the same components as those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, descriptions thereof will be omitted, and structures and characteristics different from the above-described first embodiment will be described in the following embodiments. Fig. 7 is a front view of a part of a vehicle meter according to a second embodiment.

The inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 identical to the V-shaped cutout shown in FIG. 5 is colored red in this second embodiment, so that the V-shaped cutout 5b1 is shown in red. Therefore, a stereoscopic display that changes between daytime and nighttime can be realized. Specifically, since the inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 emits red light at night using illumination light emitted from the LED 8 and introduced into the display panel 1, display with a sense of tension can be implemented.

Portions indicated by reference numerals R1, R2, and R3 in FIG. 7 represent portions that emit red light. Reference numeral R1 denotes an outer peripheral side arcuate portion of the display panel 1, and reference numeral R2 denotes a stereoscopic display portion 5b in which red paint applied to a V-shaped cutout 5b1 (the same as in FIG. 5 ) The V-shaped cutout 5b1 is formed to be recessed from the back side of the display panel 1 toward the surface side of the display panel to emit light by reflecting the illumination light of the edge light illumination. The stereoscopic display section exists in a plurality of positions. In addition, reference numeral R3 denotes a light emitting portion using reflection of red paint applied to cutout portions (recesses) formed in scales printed on the back side of the display panel 1 . The light emitting portion exists at a plurality of positions.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portions "180" and "200" of the indicating portion 5 shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. In FIG. 7 , indication portions 5 such as "180" and "200" include numeral indication portions 5a that are printed on the inner side of display panel 1 and indicate numerals. In addition, each of the indicating sections 5 includes a stereoscopic display section 5b provided on the right side of the numerical indicating section 5a so as to be adjacent to the numerical indicating section 5a and allowing the indicating section 5a to be stereoscopically visible. The stereoscopic display portion 5b is formed by a V-shaped cutout 5b1 including at least one inclined surface 10 (same as shown in FIG. 5 ) recessed from the back side toward the surface side of the display panel 1 .

In addition, a red paint layer is formed on the inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 by printing or coating. Since the red paint layer is colored with a color to allow the number indicator 5a to be seen three-dimensionally and is formed in the recess of the V-shaped cutout 5b1, the LED 8 (the same as shown in FIG. 3 ) is emitted and guided into the display panel 1. The illumination light is reflected. Therefore, a three-dimensional effect with tension is obtained.

At the same time, it goes without saying that not only red but also other colors can be painted. Also, the direction indicated by arrow Y80 ( FIG. 8 ) is the entry direction of imaginary light entering from the left side of the display panel 1 when the driver sees the display panel 1 . A V-shaped cutout 5b1 forming the stereoscopic display portion 5b is formed at a shadow corresponding portion opposite to imaginary light entering from the left to allow the indication portion to be seen stereoscopically by shading to obtain a stereoscopic effect with a sense of tension. Therefore, the position of the shadow corresponding portion of the indicator portion 5 of the display panel 1 is determined by the entering direction of imaginary light different from the direction of the illumination light actually guided into the display panel 1 for edge lighting.

(third embodiment)

Next, a third embodiment will be described. Characteristic portions different from the above-described embodiments will be described. Fig. 9 is a front view of a part of a vehicle meter according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view of a part of "20" and "40" of the indication part 5 in the area X of FIG. 9 . In FIG. 10 , the V-shaped cutout 5b1 surrounds the entire circumference of the indicating portion 5 with a single stroke.

Each of the indicating portions 5 includes a numeral indicating portion 5 a that is printed on the back side of the display panel 1 and indicates numerals. In addition, each of the indicating portions 5 includes a stereoscopic display portion 5b that allows the numerical indicating portion 5a to be seen stereoscopically so as to surround the periphery of the numerical indicating portion 5a. The stereoscopic display portion 5 a is formed by an annular ring on “ 20 ” which is, for example, one indicating portion 5 .

Therefore, since the V-shaped cutout 5b1 including at least one inclined surface 10 cut from the inner side toward the surface side of the display panel 1 is also formed by the annular ring, the illuminating light is partially reflected, thereby obtaining a three-dimensional effect. (same as in Figure 5). In addition, when the entering direction of the illumination light entering the display panel 1 is changed, the reflective portion inside the V-shaped cutout 5b1 having a ring shape is also changed. Therefore, when light is allowed to be emitted from, for example, the end of the pointer 4 of FIG. 9 , the display state changes according to the movement of the pointer 4 . Meanwhile, emission of light from the end of the pointer is not necessary.

(other embodiments)

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be modified or expanded as described below. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape of another V-shaped notch and corresponding to FIG. 5 . The display panel may have other cross-sectional shapes of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 shown in FIG. 11 . FIG. 11A shows a V-shaped cutout with a scalene triangular cross-section, and FIG. 11B shows a V-shaped cutout with a trapezoidal cross-section. Meanwhile, hatching indicating a cross section is partially omitted in FIG. 11 .

Next, it is preferable that a mirror surface is formed on the inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped notch 5b1 by mirror finishing, and that the illumination light is reflected on the mirror surface. However, the inclined surface may be a simple shaped cut surface, and does not need to be formed as a special mirror surface so that the surface roughness is reduced. In addition, if a raised portion is formed on the inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped cutout 5b1, the entire raised portion becomes bright, seen as embossed, and can provide a three-dimensional effect when illuminated at night.

In addition, mirror printing may be performed so that a bright printing layer is formed on the inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped cutout 5b1. Alternatively, mirror ink may be jetted so that a coating film is attached to the inner surface of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 that has not been masked. In this way, bright mirror printing or a sprayed film of mirror ink is formed on the inclined surface 10 of the V-shaped cutout 5b1, so that the brightness of the inclined surface 10 is enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to allow the indication section 5 to be further visually recognized three-dimensionally. Also, even if the indicating portion 5 is irradiated with illumination light from any one of the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the index letter, the illumination light is effective. Thus, edge lighting and backlighting illuminated from the inside of the display panel 1 can be combined.

In addition, the above-mentioned structure can be utilized in a vehicle instrument in which illumination light guided from the end of the pointer 4 to the pointer is irradiated so that the reflection of the V-shaped cutout 5b1 of the indicating portion 5 (the pointer 4 points to the indicating portion 5) is reflected by the pointer from the pointer 4. The end-guided light intensifies. Furthermore, the color of the illuminating light can be changed during display.

Furthermore, if no printing or embossing for reflection is carried out on the V-shaped cutout 5b1 , then in some shapes the inner structure of the gauge is visible through the V-shaped cutout 5b1 . For this reason, if the inclination angle θ1 ( FIG. 5 ) of the inclined surface 10 is set in a range of preferably 35° to 45°, an effect capable of hiding the internal structure is obtained by total reflection of illumination light. Also, the structure described above can be utilized in other instruments such as tachometers (tachometers) or fuel gauges as well as speedometers.

Also, the inclined surface may not be a tapered surface and may be a gently curved surface. Furthermore, the embodiment in which the numeral portion is used as the indication portion has been described, but the above-described structure can be used in a meter whose pointer points to the indication portion such as “E” or “F” that is not a numeral. Furthermore, the pointer may not be provided, and the transition portion of the illumination position of the plurality of light-emitting diodes pointing to the position of the index letter may be used instead of the pointer.

According to the above disclosure, the edge light illumination type vehicle meter introduces the illumination light into the display panel from the side of the display panel, the vehicle meter includes: an indication part provided on the inner side of the display panel and forming index letters; and a three-dimensional display portion, which is provided on the inner side of the display panel along the indication portion and stereoscopically displays the indication portion. The stereoscopic display portion is formed by a recess recessed from the back side of the display panel toward the surface side, includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to a plane direction of the display panel, and has a V-shaped cross section. The illumination light introduced through the edge portion of the display panel is reflected on the inclined surface and the indication portion and guided to the surface side of the display panel.

According to this structure, the stereoscopic display portion is formed by a recess recessed from the back side of the display panel toward the surface side, includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to the plane direction of the display panel and has a V-shaped cross section; and is introduced through the edge portion of the display panel The illumination light is reflected on the inclined surface and the indicator portion and is guided to the surface side of the display panel. Therefore, the indication portion is allowed to be stereoscopically recognized visually by the stereoscopic display portion, and the illumination light guided into the display panel through the edge portion of the display panel is reflected on the inclined surface, so that the stereoscopic display portion becomes bright and visually visible at night. identified above. Furthermore, when edge lighting is not performed, the stereoscopic display portion diffuses external light. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle gauge capable of changing appearance during the day and night and whose indication portion printed on the display panel is stereoscopically visible.

The stereoscopic display portion may be formed at a position corresponding to a shadow of the indication portion opposite in a planar direction to a side from which light of the indication portion virtually illuminates the display panel. According to this structure, since the stereoscopic display portion is formed at a position corresponding to the shadow of the indication portion which is opposite in the planar direction to the side from which the light of the indication portion virtually irradiates the display panel, it is allowed The indication part can be easily viewed three-dimensionally by the three-dimensional display part.

A contour line showing an outline of the indication portion may be formed on a side of the indication portion opposite to the stereoscopic display portion in a planar direction. According to this structure, since the outline showing the outline of the indicating portion can be formed on the side opposite to the stereoscopic display portion with the indicating portion interposed therebetween in the planar direction, the outline and the stereoscopic display portion make the outline of the indicating portion clearer. Therefore, the indication part is made easy to see.

The indication part may include: a colored central colored part, and a peripheral colored part surrounding the periphery of the central colored part and having a hue having a high reflectance of illumination light compared with the central colored part; and the stereoscopic display part may be formed on the peripheral At least a part of the periphery of the colored portion.

According to this structure, since the indication part includes the central colored part, and the peripheral colored part surrounding the periphery of the central colored part, and the stereoscopic display part is formed on at least a part of the periphery of the peripheral colored part, the peripheral colored part is regarded as a pedestal and The central colored portion is seen to be placed on the stand. Therefore, the indication part is further seen three-dimensionally.

The maximum width in the planar direction of the concave part forming the stereoscopic display part may be in the range of 25% to 75% of the maximum width in the planar direction of the central colored part. According to this structure, since the stereoscopic display portion is formed by a groove-like concave portion and the maximum width of the groove is in the range of at least 25% to 75% of the maximum width of the central colored portion, the indication portion is displayed by the stereoscopic display portion. See fully stereoscopically and angled surfaces reflect light sufficiently. Therefore, the display can be made as an index letter having a high-quality indication portion.

The inclined surface of the stereoscopic display part may be convex. According to this structure, since the inclined surface is convex, the entire inclined surface becomes bright. Therefore, the indicator can be visually recognized three-dimensionally.

The inclined surface of the stereoscopic display part may be formed of a mirror surface whose surface roughness is smaller than that of the rear surface of the display panel. According to this structure, since the mirror surface is formed on the inclined surface, the brightness of the inclined surface is enhanced, so that the inclined surface is strongly brightened. Therefore, the indicator can be visually recognized three-dimensionally.

An inclination angle of the inclined surface with respect to a plane direction of the display panel on which the stereoscopic display part is formed may be in a range of 40° to 50°. According to this structure, since the angle of inclination of the inclined surface with respect to the plane direction is in the range of 40° to 50°, illuminating light is well reflected on the inclined surface. Therefore, the brightness is enhanced, which can make the appearance look good.

The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments and their constructions. The present invention is intended to include various modifications or equivalent arrangements. In addition, preferred embodiments or other kinds of combinations or embodiments further including or excluding only one element are also included in the category and scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

1., for by an illumination light edge-light types of illumination vehicular meter from the lateral leadin of display floater (1) to described display floater (1), described vehicular meter includes:

Instruction unit (5), it is arranged on the inboard of described display floater (1) and is formed index letter；

Stereo display portion (5b), it is arranged on the inboard of described display floater (1) along described instruction unit (5) and three-dimensionally shows described instruction unit (5)；

Illuminator (8), it is installed in printed circuit board (PCB) (9) and above and sends illumination light；And

Having the meter case (6) of inwall, described inwall reflects the illumination light sent from described illuminator,

Wherein said stereo display portion (5b) includes recess (5b1), described recess (5b1) is recessed towards face side from the inboard of described display floater (1), including the inclined surface (10) tilted relative to the in-plane of described display floater (1), and there is V-arrangement cross section, the degree of depth in V-arrangement cross section equals to or less than the 30% of display floater (1) thickness, and

Described illumination light that be introduced into by the edge part of described display floater (1), reflection on the inwall of meter case is reflected on the described inclined surface (10) and described instruction unit (5) of described recess, and is led to the face side of described display floater (1)；

Described stereo display portion (5b) is formed on the position of the shade corresponding to described instruction unit (5), the side that described shade hypothetically irradiates display floater (1) in the in-plane direction with the light of instruction unit (5) from its side is contrary

Described stereo display portion (5b) is formed on the position of the described shade of the side corresponding to being hypothetically formed at instruction unit (5) especially, that side that the side of this instruction unit (5) is hypothetically irradiated from its side with the imagination light when the imaginary light that described instruction unit (5) enters with being supposed to irradiates is contrary

Described stereo display portion (5b) is formed by the recess with V-arrangement cross section,

Illustrate that the contour line (5c) of the profile of described instruction unit (5) is formed on the side contrary with described stereo display portion (5b) of described instruction unit (5) on described in-plane；And

Described inclined surface (10) is formed on the inclination angle of the in-plane of display floater thereon (1) in the range of 40 ° to 50 ° relative to described stereo display portion (5b),

When described illuminator does not sends illumination light, described stereo display portion (5b) is seen as shade for driver, and when described illuminator sends illumination light, V-arrangement cross section is reflected described illumination light and is visually identified, so that the outward appearance in described stereo display portion changes with night in the daytime.

Vehicular meter the most according to claim 1,

Wherein said instruction unit (5) including: the center colored portion (5a1) being colored；Colored portion (5a21 and 5a22) around and, described surrounding colored portion is around the periphery at described center colored portion (5a1) and has the tone of the high reflectance compared with described center colored portion (5a1) with described illumination light, and

Described stereo display portion (5b) be formed on the periphery of described surrounding colored portion (5a21 and 5a22) at least some of on.

Vehicular meter the most according to claim 1 and 2,

Wherein formed in the range of the 25% to 75% of the recess (5b1) of described stereo display portion (5b) Breadth Maximum Shi center colored portion (5a1) on described in-plane Breadth Maximum on described in-plane.

Vehicular meter the most according to claim 1 and 2,

The inclined surface (10) of wherein said stereo display portion (5b) is protruding.

Vehicular meter the most according to claim 1 and 2,

The inclined surface (10) of wherein said stereo display portion (5b) is formed less than the minute surface of the surface roughness at the back side of described display floater (1) by surface roughness.

Vehicular meter the most according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle of inclined plane is equal to 44 °, and described display floater (1) has the thickness of 3 to 4mm, and the recess (5b1) in V-arrangement cross section has the degree of depth of 0.3mm.