Gearshift indicator for a vehicle

Abstract

A gear position indicator device for a vehicle, comprising: a light source (13) arranged on an upper surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) (12) and electrically configured in a circuit; a housing (10) for accommodating the light source (13) and the PCB (12) therein; and a light guide sheet (15) arranged at the front of the light source (13) to deliver light from the light source (13) to a character part (17), characterized in that the light source (13) is integrated into the PCB (12), such that the light source (13) is mounted directly on the upper surface of the PCB (12) and is electrically configured in a circuit on the PCB (12), and wherein the PCB (12) is configured to control switching stages and to illuminate lettering of a gearshift lever.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Area of ​​the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift indicator, gear indicator, transmission position indicator, or transmission indicator (hereinafter referred to as "shift indicator") for a vehicle. In particular, it relates to a shift indicator whose lettering can be illuminated. Description of the related technique

[0002] In general, a vehicle's gear position indicator is a means of indicating the position of an automatic transmission's gearshift lever and is located on one side of an area where the automatic transmission's gearshift lever is moved.

[0003] The automatic transmission's gear selector moves into Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), and Drive (D) positions as its gear is selected. The position of the automatic transmission's gear selector is indicated by illumination on the gear indicator, allowing the driver to visually identify the lever's position.

[0004] A typical switching stage indicator requires a plurality of light sources, for example about four to about six light sources, each of which is arranged below each character when the character part of the switching stage indicator is illuminated.

[0005] To overcome the aforementioned limitation, the illumination of the character part is implemented using a single light source with the aid of a light guide plate (or light guide plate for short) and a method for printing a pattern on the back of the light guide plate.

[0006] For example, as in Fig. Figure 1 shows a typical shift indicator comprising: a lens 100 printed with the letters P, R, N, D, emitting night illumination and indicating the position of a TGS lever or a shift lever of an automatic transmission; a light guide plate 110 for illuminating the lettering portion; a light source 120 for illuminating the light guide plate; a printed circuit board 130 (hereinafter referred to as "PCB"); a housing equipped with the PCB 150 and the lens 100 and featuring a structure that shields the illumination; a PCB 150 and a lower cover 160 for protecting the PCB 150.

[0007] Since a separate PCB 130 is required in this case to illuminate the light guide board in order to use the light guide board in the structure above, the manufacturing costs may increase.

[0008] The following limitations exist for a technology to implement the illumination of the switching stage character part using a typical light guide plate.

[0009] Since, due to limitations on the thickness of the light guide plate and the size of a light source chip, illumination of the light guide plate cannot be configured in the PCB 150 for controlling the gearbox, a light source for illuminating the light guide plate and a PCB component 130 or a PCB unit are additionally required to apply a light-shielding structure to a character part.

[0010] Furthermore, the light guide plate and the light source for illuminating the light guide plate are configured on the opposite side of PCB 150 to interrupt the illumination of the light source. A mounting structure for attaching the light source to PCB 130 is also required to adjust the position of the light guide plate and the light source. Consequently, the entire structure becomes more complex.

[0011] As a result, there is a limitation in that the manufacturing costs increase due to the addition of a light source to illuminate a light guide board, a PCB component and wiring.

[0012] Fig. Figure 2 shows a limitation when a light source is applied to a PCB for controlling the transmission control.

[0013] To deliver light uniformly to a light guide plate 110, a light-emitting part 170 of a light source 120 must be aligned with the central section of the light guide plate 110, i.e., be horizontally aligned with it. However, in a typical technology, the light-emitting part 170 of the light source 120 cannot be aligned with the central section of the light guide plate 110 due to the thickness of the light guide plate and the light-shielding structure.

[0014] Here, reference numeral 180 shows an unspecified light-shielding plate arranged inside a housing 140 to interrupt light.

[0015] Accordingly, since the light source 120 is needed to illuminate the light guide board and the PCB 130 is also required, the manufacturing costs are increased.

[0016] JP 2003-11 690 A relates to a switching stage indicator device for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, which has a printed circuit board in which light sources are integrated and which is exclusively configured for controlling the light sources.

[0017] DE 10 2011 051 262 B4 relates to a gearbox position indicator which is arranged around a gearshift lever in a passenger compartment of a vehicle to indicate the current position of the vehicle's gearbox.

[0018] DE 10 2004 029 248 A1 relates to a lighting system for displays in motor vehicles, which serves to backlight symbols in different colors and brightness levels in order to make the symbol visible in darkness and / or, when activated, to convey this information to the driver. Flexible light guide sheets with curved shapes and V-cut patterns are known from US 2008 / 0 247 191 A1 and US 2009 / 0 067 178 A1.

[0019] The information disclosed here in connection with the background of the invention is intended solely to provide a better understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an acknowledgment or any form of indication that this information represents prior art already known to those skilled in the art. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0020] Several aspects of the present invention are aimed at providing a vehicle gear position indicator that can be simplified in its overall structure and whose manufacturing costs can be reduced by implementing an improved, integrated PCB-like area or surface illumination for a vehicle that can illuminate the entire gear position indicator part, using only one PCB by means of a method for integrating a light source for illumination into the PCB for illuminating the gear position indicator part (or into the PCB for controlling the gear positions), using only one light source and one light guide board.

[0021] The present invention also provides a switching stage indicator for a vehicle which can achieve high brightness and uniformity of light and can be applied in various fields to increase the quality of products and expand the range of applications due to the curved shape of a light guide plate using a flexible V-cut lighting sheet (“VFLS”, derived from the English term: “V-cut Flexible Lighting Sheet”) or a flexible V-cut lighting film as the light guide plate, which serves as an optical waveguide during the illumination of a switching stage character part.

[0022] In one aspect, the gear position indicator device for a vehicle may comprise: a light source arranged on or at the top surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) (hereinafter referred to as PCB) and electrically configured in a circuit; a housing for receiving the light source and the PCB therein; and a light guide sheet (or film) arranged at the front of the light source to deliver light from the light source to a character element, wherein the light source is integrated into the PCB such that the light source is mounted directly on the top surface of the PCB and electrically configured in a circuit on the PCB, and wherein the PCB is configured to control gear positions and illuminate characters of a gearshift lever.

[0023] The light source on or at the PCB preferably has a light-emitting part whose center can be aligned or aligned horizontally with the center of the light guide sheet.

[0024] The housing preferably also accommodates a light shielding plate, and the light guide sheet can be arranged on or at the light shielding plate.

[0025] The light guide sheet can be flexible to implement a curved shape.

[0026] The optical fiber sheet can be formed from a waveguide sheet with a V-cut pattern.

[0027] The light guide sheet can be configured to display uniform brightness by adjusting the depth and width of the V-cut pattern.

[0028] The light guide sheet preferably has a thickness of about 0.15 mm to about 0.4 mm; a light shielding plate on which the light guide sheet is arranged may have a thickness of about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm; a light-emitting part of the light source on or at the PCB preferably has a height of about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm; and a central axis of the light guide sheet may be aligned with the height of the light-emitting part of the light source.

[0029] The light source preferably emits light through an opening in a central section of the housing onto an opposite side of the housing, if the light source can be arranged on or at the top surface of the PCB.

[0030] Other aspects and embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

[0031] The methods and devices of the present invention have further features and advantages, which will become apparent in detail from the attached drawings incorporated herein and the following more detailed descriptions, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a typical gear position indicator for a vehicle. Fig. Figure 2 is a view illustrating a limitation of a typical gear position indicator for a vehicle. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating an installation state of a gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 is a view illustrating a lighting principle of a gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The reference numerals specified in the drawings refer to the following elements, as explained below.

[0033] It is understood that the attached drawings are not necessarily to scale and merely present a simplified representation of the various preferred features according to the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention, as disclosed herein, including, for example, particular dimensions, orientations, positions, and outlines, will be partly determined by a particularly intended application and environment of use.

[0034] In the figures, reference numerals refer to identical or equivalent parts of the present invention in the various figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following section describes in detail various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in connection with these exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention to these exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended that the invention covers not only the exemplary embodiments but also various embodiments that fall within the scope and protection of the invention, as defined in the attached claims.

[0036] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-" or other similar terms used herein include motor vehicles or motorized vehicles in general, such as passenger cars including off-road vehicles or sports utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles or vehicles used for business purposes, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft and the like, and also includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referenced herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more power sources or propulsion systems, such as vehicles with both gasoline and electric propulsion.

[0037] The above and other features of the invention are discussed below.

[0038] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the shift indicator can illuminate the entire shift indicator lettering section using a PCB that is also used to illuminate the lettering on a gearshift lever in a given vehicle. The shift indicator can have a structure in which a light source emitting light onto a light guide plate, e.g., an LEC, is integrated into the PCB (or the PCB for controlling the shift stages).

[0041] For this purpose, a housing 10 with a light-shielding plate 11 arranged inside it is provided. A PCB 12 can be arranged in the housing and under the light-shielding plate 11.

[0042] Here, the housing 10 is a type of receiving device that accommodates the PCB 12 and the like. The light shielding plate 11 can be arranged on an inner wall of the housing 10. Furthermore, a lighting aperture 22 and a plurality of lighting holes 21 can be formed on the upper section of the housing to direct light from a light source 13, such as an LED, to a character element (reference numeral 17 of Fig. 4) on or at an indicator housing (reference numeral 18 of Fig. 4) to lead.

[0043] In this case, the character part 17 can be designed as a lens type. When the character part 17 receives light from the light source 13, each character can emit light according to its own shape and provide legibility for a driver.

[0044] A lens 24, printed with characters, can be arranged on a front surface (top surface) of the housing 10. In this case, the housing 10 can be fitted into a housing seat prepared by cutting out one side of the indicator housing 18.

[0045] In particular, the light source 13 can be mounted directly on or to the upper surface of the PCB 12. The light source 13 can be electrically configured in a circuit on the PCB 12.

[0046] The PCB and the light source for illuminating the light guide board can be integrated into the PCB 12.

[0047] The light source 13 can be arranged on one side of the light shielding plate 11 of the housing 10 and emit light onto a light guide sheet 15, i.e. a light guide plate that is installed on the light shielding plate 11.

[0048] When the light source 13 is arranged on the upper surface of the PCB 12, it can emit light onto the opposite side of the housing 10 through an opening 23 in the central section of the housing 10, where the opening 23 is, for example, a cutout formed in the end section of the light shielding plate 11. Accordingly, light from the light source 13, which is arranged on the upper side, can be transmitted through the opening to the light guide sheet 15.

[0049] The light guide plate 15 can also serve to transmit light from the light source 13 to the character part 17 of the indicator housing 18, i.e. the character display part.

[0050] The optical fiber sheet 15 can be supported by means of the light shielding plate 11. The center of the thickness of the optical fiber sheet 15 can be aligned with a light-emitting part 14 of the light source 13 on the circuit board 12.

[0051] In particular, the light guide sheet 15, which is an optical waveguide sheet, can be formed from a flexible V-cut illumination sheet (VFLS) with a V-cut pattern. Since the thickness of the VFLS is less than the thickness (e.g., about 2 mm to about 5 mm) of an injection-molded or injection-coated type illumination circuit board, the light source 13 can be integrated into the PCB 12.

[0052] Since the light guide sheet 15, which is formed from such an optical light guide sheet, is flexible, curved shapes that cannot be implemented in a typical light guide plate (LGP) can be implemented.

[0053] Furthermore, since the light guide sheet 15 is suitably designed with a depth and width corresponding to the V-cut pattern, bright light with uniform brightness can be emitted. Moreover, because a light guide with a V-cut pattern is formed, light can also be induced in a darkened area.

[0054] Since the light guide sheet 15 thus has a V-cut pattern instead of a typical pattern of a laser-cut or press-cut type, the brightness and uniformity of the light can be qualitatively improved. Furthermore, curved shapes that cannot be implemented in the LGP (Laser-Ground Processing) can be implemented thanks to the VFLS (V-cut pattern).

[0055] A cover 16 can be provided to close off the lower section of the housing and can be coupled to a coupling opening 20 of the housing 10 using a pull hook 19 or coupling hook.

[0056] Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating an installation state of a gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the housing 10 including the PCB 12, which is equipped with the light source 13, can be coupled, for example, by a bolting method to a lower section of the character part 17, which is formed on one side of the indicator cover 18.

[0058] Since the indicators, such as various characters, symbols, and markings of the lettering part 17, are formed from a light-transmitting or translucent lens type, the indicators of the lettering part 17 can emit light when light is shone onto the lower section of the lettering part 17. Accordingly, a driver can visually verify the status of the gear selector or the selected gear by means of the illumination of the lettering part 17.

[0059] Fig. Figure 6 is a view illustrating a lighting principle of a gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the light source 13 for illuminating the VFLS can be arranged on or near the PCB.

[0061] To ensure uniform illumination of the light source onto the light guide sheet 15, the distance from the housing (light shielding plate) to the center of the light guide sheet 15 must be within approximately 2.5 mm of the PCB 12 and the light emission point, i.e., the light-emitting part 14 of the light source 13. A VFLS (thickness of approximately 0.15 mm to approximately 0.4 mm) can be used for this purpose instead of an injection-molded or injection-molded light guide plate.

[0062] The light guide sheet 15 can have a thickness of approximately 0.15 mm to approximately 0.4 mm. In this case, the thickness of the light shielding plate 11 can be in a range of approximately 2 mm to approximately 2.5 mm, and the height from the upper surface of the PCB for controlling the gear 12 to the light-emitting part 14 of the light source 13 can be in a range of approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 2.5 mm.

[0063] If the thickness of the light guide sheet 15 and the light shielding plate 11 are appropriately adjusted within the above ranges and the height of the light source 13 is adjusted within a maximum of approximately 2.5 mm, the light emission point can be precisely aligned with the center of the light guide sheet 15, thereby delivering the light uniformly to the light guide sheet 15.

[0064] Thus, in comparison to a related technique where a light source cannot be arranged in the PCB for gear or shift stage control due to the base thickness (approximately 2 mm to approximately 5 mm) of an illumination circuit board and the thickness (approximately 2 mm to approximately 2.5 mm) of a light shielding plate, a shift stage indicator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can have an integrated PCB structure in which a light source is integrated into a PCB, establishing a height relationship between associated components by using a VFLS-type light guide sheet and appropriate design. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an illumination device that is advantageous in terms of structure and cost.

[0065] A gear position indicator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages.

[0066] Firstly, since a light source for illumination and a PCB unit are integrated into a single PCB, the structure of the switching stage indicator can be simplified. Furthermore, since a separate PCB for illumination is no longer required, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0067] Secondly, a bright light with uniform brightness can be created by controlling / laying out the depth and width of the V-cut pattern, and no additional effort is required to change the pattern.

[0068] Thirdly, because a light guide is shaped in a V-cut pattern, light can also be induced into a darkened or shaded region.

[0069] Fourthly, since curved shapes that cannot be implemented in a light guide board (LGP) can be implemented using a flexible V-cut lighting sheet (VFLS), the range of applications can be extended.

[0070] Fifthly, compared to a typical LGP, the brightness can be increased and the uniformity of the light improved.

[0071] For the purpose of explaining and precisely defining the attached claims, terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner" and "outer" are used to describe the features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as shown in the figures.

[0072] The preceding descriptions of the specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention serve the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precisely disclosed form. Many modifications and variations are obviously possible in light of the teachings above. The exemplary embodiments were selected and described to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, and thus to enable the person skilled in the art to manufacture and use the various embodiments of the present invention, as well as their numerous alternatives and modifications. It is intended that the scope of protection of the invention is defined by the stated claims.

Claims

[1] A gear position indicator device for a vehicle, comprising: a light source (13) arranged on an upper surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) (12) and electrically configured in a circuit; a housing (10) for accommodating the light source (13) and the PCB (12) therein; and a light guide sheet (15) arranged at the front of the light source (13) to deliver light from the light source (13) to a character part (17), characterized by , that the light source (13) is integrated into the PCB (12), such that the light source (13) is mounted directly on the upper surface of the PCB (12) and is electrically configured in a circuit on the PCB (12), and wherein the PCB (12) is configured to control switching stages and to illuminate lettering of a gear shift lever. [2] The switching stage indicator device according to claim 1, wherein the light source (13) on the PCB (12) has a light-emitting part (14) the center of which is aligned in a horizontal direction to a center of the light guide sheet (15). [3] The switching stage indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a light shielding plate (11) is further accommodated in the housing (10), and the light guide sheet (15) is arranged on the light shielding plate (11). [4] The switching stage indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide sheet (15) is flexible to implement a curved shape. [5] The switching stage indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide sheet (15) is formed from a waveguide sheet with a V-cut pattern. [6] The switching stage indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide sheet (15) is configured to show uniform brightness by adjusting a depth and width of the V-cut pattern. [7] The switching stage indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the optical fiber sheet (15) has a thickness of approximately 0.15 mm to approximately 0.4 mm; a light shielding plate (11) on which the light guide sheet (15) is arranged, has a thickness of about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm; a light-emitting part (14) of the light source (13) on the PCB (12) has a height of about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm; and a central axis of the light guide sheet (15) is aligned with the height of the light-emitting part (14) of the light source (13). [8] The switching stage indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (13) emits light through an opening (23) of a central section of the housing (10) onto an opposite side of the housing (10) when the light source (13) is arranged on the upper surface of the PCB (12).

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