Vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle display device capable of performing decorative illumination without increasing cost.SOLUTION: A vehicle display device 1 includes a housing 2, a display 3, and a light guide member 4. The light guide member 4 guides decoration illumination light L2, which is a part of light L emitted from an exit surface 3f, toward part of an outer peripheral surface 24. The housing 2 has a transmission unit 26 for transmitting the decoration illumination light L2 to part of the outer peripheral surface 24 from an inner space 20s toward an outside. The transmission unit 26 is provided with a space 101s and faces an instrument panel 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle manufacturers have a desire to improve the added value of meter panels (vehicle display devices) by adding new features. To achieve this, some vehicles are equipped with hoodless meter panels (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 05-41940 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition, vehicle manufacturers wish to illuminate the instrument panel located below the meter panel so that the meter panel appears to be floating above the instrument panel. However, in order to illuminate the instrument panel so that it appears to be floating above the meter panel, a separate light source such as an LED that illuminates the instrument panel located below the meter panel and electric wires that electrically connect the light source to a power source are required, which may increase costs.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a display device for a vehicle that can provide decorative lighting without increasing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle display device of the present invention comprises a housing having an outer peripheral surface and an internal space, a display that emits light and has an exit surface different from the outer peripheral surface, is located in the internal space and emits light from the exit surface to display information regarding the vehicle's driving, and a light-guiding member that guides decorative illumination light, which is a portion of the light emitted from the exit surface, toward a portion of the outer peripheral surface, wherein the housing has a translucent portion on a portion of the outer peripheral surface that transmits the decorative illumination light from the internal space to the outside, and the translucent portion faces the instrument panel with a space provided. Effect of the Invention

[0007] Since the display device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide decorative lighting without increasing costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a vehicle display device according to an embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle display device as seen from the driver's seat. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing information displayed on the display 3 via a cover in the vehicle display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an end view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing decorative lighting performed by the vehicle display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing information displayed on the display 3 via a cover in the vehicle display device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing, in sequence, auxiliary lighting provided by the vehicle display device when the vehicle equipped with the vehicle display device according to the second embodiment turns left. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing, in sequence, auxiliary lighting provided by the vehicle display device when the vehicle equipped with the vehicle display device according to the second embodiment turns left. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing, in sequence, auxiliary lighting provided by the vehicle display device when the vehicle equipped with the vehicle display device according to the second embodiment turns left. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing auxiliary lighting performed by the vehicular display device when another vehicle passes the vehicle on which the vehicular display device according to the second embodiment is mounted from the right side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine or that are substantially the same.

[0010] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of a vehicle in which a vehicle display device 1 according to a first embodiment is provided. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the vehicle display device 1 according to the first embodiment and a steering wheel 104. FIG. 3 is a front view showing information displayed on the display 3 through a cover 27 in the vehicle display device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an end view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. In the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment, X1 in FIGS. 1 to 4 is the emission direction of light L emitted from the emission surface 3f of the display 3. Similarly, Y is a lateral direction perpendicular to the emission direction X1. Similarly, Z is a vertical direction Z perpendicular to the emission direction X1 and the lateral direction Y. X2 is the opposite direction to the emission direction X1. Z1 is a downward direction in the vertical direction Z. Z2 is an upward direction in the vertical direction Z. When viewed from the upward direction Z2, the emission direction X1 coincides with the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the opposite direction X2 coincides with the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a display device 1 for a vehicle according to the embodiment is disposed on an upper portion of an instrument panel 101 of a vehicle.

[0012] The vehicular display device 1 of this embodiment is a device that displays information related to vehicle travel, such as at least the vehicle travel speed. The vehicular display device 1 is disposed in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle. More specifically, the vehicular display device 1 is located in front of the steering wheel 104 as seen from the driver's seat. The vehicular display device 1 is mounted on the vehicle such that the emission direction X1 of light L emitted from an emission surface 3f, which will be described later, coincides with the rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Such a vehicular display device 1 includes a housing 2, a display 3, and a light-guiding member 4.

[0013] The steering wheel 104 has an annular portion 104a that is held by a driver sitting in the driver's seat. When the vehicle display device 1 is viewed from the emission direction X1, a part of the steering wheel 104 (more specifically, a part of the annular portion 104a) overlaps with a part of the display 3. More specifically, when the vehicle display device 1 is viewed from the emission direction X1, a part of the steering wheel 104 overlaps with a part of a non-display area 32 of the display 3, which will be described later. That is, when the display 3 according to this embodiment is viewed from the emission direction X1, there is an area (driver non-visible area 104b) that the driver cannot see due to the steering wheel 104, and the driver non-visible area 104b overlaps with at least a part of the non-display area 32. As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the entire height (N1) of the non-display area 32 in the vertical direction Z becomes the driver non-visible area 104b due to the steering wheel 104. The vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment has a tilt mechanism that can change the inclination of the steering wheel 104, and even when the inclination of the steering wheel 104 is changed by the tilt mechanism, a part of the steering wheel 104 overlaps a part of the non-display area 32 when viewed from the emission direction X1.

[0014] The housing 2 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin, and includes a housing body 20 and a bracket 28. The housing body 20 is formed in a box shape having a top portion 22a and a bottom portion 22b facing each other in the vertical direction Z, both side portions 23a, 23b facing each other in the horizontal direction Y, and a rear portion 25 located at the end portions of the top portion 22a and the bottom portion 22b on the opposite direction X2 side and the end portions of the both side portions 23a, 23b on the opposite direction X2 side. The housing body 20 according to this embodiment has an opening 20a (see FIG. 3) that opens to the emission direction X1 side, and is formed in a hexagonal shape when viewed from the emission direction X1. Furthermore, the housing body 20 has an outer peripheral surface 24 formed by the outer surfaces of the top portion 22a and the bottom portion 22b and the outer surfaces of the both side portions 23a, 23b. The housing body 20 has an internal space 20s formed by the top portion 22a, the bottom portion 22b, the both side portions 23a, 23b, and the rear portion 25. That is, the housing 2 has an outer peripheral surface 24 and an internal space 20s. The housing body 20 is of a hoodless type in which the tip of the top part 22a in the emission direction X1 does not protrude beyond the tips of the side parts 23a, 23b in the emission direction X1.

[0015] The housing main body 20 has a transmitting portion 26 at the bottom 22b that transmits light. That is, the housing 2 has the transmitting portion 26 at a part of the outer circumferential surface 24 that transmits light. The transmitting portion 26 according to the present embodiment is a groove-shaped opening formed at the bottom 22b. The transmitting portion 26 faces the instrument panel 101 with a space 101s provided therebetween. A part of the light-guiding member 4 including a light-guiding member emission surface 43 described later is fitted into the transmitting portion 26, which is a groove-shaped opening formed at the bottom 22b.

[0016] Housing main body 20 has cover 27 that transmits light emitted from emission surface 3f and closes opening 20a in housing 2 (opening on the driver's seat side). In other words, housing 2 has cover 27 that transmits light emitted from emission surface 3f and closes opening 20a in housing 2 (opening on the driver's seat side).

[0017] Cover 27 is against light Light-transmittingThe cover 27 is made of a synthetic resin material. As shown in FIG. 4, the entire outer surface of the cover 27 facing the internal space 20s is provided with an anti-reflection film (so-called AR film) 27a for preventing reflection of sunlight. A non-transmitting portion 27b is provided on a part of the inner surface of the cover 27 facing the internal space 20s. The width of the non-transmitting portion 27b in the horizontal direction Y is larger than the width of the light guide member 4 in the horizontal direction Y, and the height of the non-transmitting portion 27b in the vertical direction Z is larger than the height of the light guide member 4 in the vertical direction Z. The non-transmitting portion 27b overlaps the entire light guide member 4 when viewed from the emission direction X1. That is, the cover 27 has the non-transmitting portion 27b overlapping the entire light guide member 4 when viewed from the emission direction X1. The non-transmitting portion 27b is formed of a light-shielding synthetic resin that blocks at least light of wavelengths in the visible light region. In this embodiment, in the vehicle display device 1, taking into consideration misalignment that may occur when the light-guiding member 4 is attached to the housing 2, the non-transparent portion 27b has a width in the lateral direction Y that is greater than the width in the lateral direction Y of the light-guiding member 4, and the height in the vertical direction Z of the non-transparent portion 27b is greater than the height in the vertical direction Z of the light-guiding member 4.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 28 faces the bottom 22b of the vehicle display device 1 to the instrument panel 101 in the vertical direction Z with a space 101s (with a gap), and attaches the vehicle display device 1 to the instrument panel 101. The bracket 28 is provided, for example, separately from the housing main body 20, and has a bracket through-hole 28a that penetrates the bracket 28 in the thickness direction. The bracket 28 is attached via a fixing plate 29 provided on a reinforcement (not shown) provided on the instrument panel 101. The fixing plate 29 has a fixing plate through-hole 29a that penetrates the fixing plate 29 in the thickness direction. The vehicle display device 1 is attached to the instrument panel 101 via the bracket 28 and the fixing plate 29 by fastening a net Nu to the tip of a bolt Bo that penetrates the bracket through-hole 28a and the fixing plate through-hole 29a.

[0019] The display 3 emits light L, has an emission surface 3f different from the outer peripheral surface 24, and is located in the internal space 20s to emit light L from the emission surface 3f to display at least information related to the running of the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a front view showing information displayed on the display 3 through the cover 27 in the vehicle display device 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the cover 27 is partially cut away for convenience of explanation of the display area 31 and the non-display area 32 of the display 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the display 3 according to the present embodiment is formed to have a width slightly narrower than the width of the internal space 20s of the housing 2 in the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIG. 4, the display 3 is disposed on the rear side (opposite direction X2 side) of the cover 27 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is disposed on the front side (exit direction X1 side) of the rear part 25 of the housing main body 20 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The display 3 according to the present embodiment is a liquid crystal display device, for example, a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display). Such a display 3 is attached, for example, to the bottom part 22b of the housing 2.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the display 3 has at least a display area 31 that displays information related to the vehicle's traveling, and a non-display area 32 that is located adjacent to the lower end of the display area 31 and does not display information related to the vehicle's traveling.

[0021] The display area 31 is an area where at least information (essential information) relating to the traveling of the vehicle is displayed. The display area 31 is partitioned into, for example, a rectangular shape. The display area 31 occupies, for example, 70% of the area of ​​the emission surface 3f of the display 3. The display area 31 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a first display area 31a that displays the traveling speed of the vehicle, a second display area 31b that displays the engine RPM, and a third display area 31c that displays a fuel gauge.

[0022] The first display area 31a is disposed at one end of the display area 31 in the horizontal direction Y. The first display area 31a of the present embodiment is disposed at the left end of the display area 31 in the horizontal direction Y in FIG.

[0023] The second display area 31b is disposed at the other end of the display area 31 in the horizontal direction Y. The second display area 31b of the present embodiment is disposed at the right end of the display area 31 in the horizontal direction Y in FIG.

[0024] The third display area 31c is disposed at an upper end of the display area 31 in the vertical direction Z. The display area 31 also has an intermediate display area 31d located between the first display area 31a and the second display area 31b in the horizontal direction Y.

[0025] The non-display area 32 is an area where no information is displayed, and is an area where a first decorative lighting (decorative lighting) described later is performed. The non-display area 32 is partitioned into, for example, a rectangular shape. The non-display area 32 occupies, for example, 20% of the area of ​​the emission surface 3f of the display 3. The width of the non-display area 32 in the horizontal direction Y is the same as the width of the display area 31 in the horizontal direction Y, while the height of the non-display area 32 in the vertical direction Z is lower than the height of the display area 31 in the vertical direction Z. In the display 3, the position of the non-display area 32 in the horizontal direction Y is arranged to match the position of the display area 31 in the horizontal direction Y, and the non-display area 32 is arranged directly below the display area 31 in the vertical direction Z.

[0026] The light guide member 4 is a prism formed of a synthetic resin having translucency. As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide member 4 according to this embodiment is formed slightly wider than the width of the display 3 in the horizontal direction Y. Such a light guide member 4 can guide a part of the light emitted from the emission surface 3f of the non-display area 32. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the light guide member 4 is disposed between the display 3 and the cover 27 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the light guide member 4 has a light guide member incident surface 41 into which light is incident, a light guide member reflecting surface 42 that reflects light inside the light guide member 4, and a light guide member exit surface 43 that emits light from the inside of the light guide member 4 to the outside. Such a light guide member 4 is attached to both side portions 23a and 23b of the housing 2, for example.

[0027] The light guide member incident surface 41 is disposed on the front side of the light guide member 4 in the front-rear direction, and faces the exit surface 3f of the display 3 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. More specifically, the light guide member incident surface 41 faces the exit surface 3f of the non-display area 32 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle when viewed from above. The width of the light guide member incident surface 41 in the lateral direction Y is approximately the same as the width of the non-display area 32 in the lateral direction Y. The height of the light guide member incident surface 41 in the vertical direction Z is approximately the same as the height of the non-display area 32 in the vertical direction.

[0028] The light guide member exit surface 43 is disposed on the lower side of the light guide member 4 in the vertical direction Z, and faces the upper surface of the instrument panel 101 in the vertical direction Z. More specifically, the light guide member 4 allows the first decorative illumination light (decorative illumination light) L2 emitted from the exit surface 3f in the non-display area 32 of the display 3 to enter the inside of the light guide member 4 from the light guide member entrance surface 41, reflects the first decorative illumination light L2 at the light guide member reflection surface 42, and then emits the first decorative illumination light L2 downward from the light guide member exit surface 43. That is, in the light guide member 4, the light incident from the light guide member entrance surface 41 changes its traveling direction by the light guide member reflection surface 42, and then the light is emitted from the light guide member exit surface 43. In other words, the light guide member 4 emits the first decorative illumination light L2 emitted from the exit surface 3f downward. Moreover, the light-guiding member 4 guides the first decorative illumination light L2, which is a part of the light emitted from the emission surface 3f, toward a part of the outer circumferential surface .

[0029] The vehicle display device 1 also includes a control unit (not shown) that comprehensively controls each unit of the vehicle display device 1. More specifically, the control unit controls, for example, the display of the display area 31 and the display of the non-display area 32 on the display 3. The control unit is electrically connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle.

[0030] Next, the display of the display area 31 performed by the control unit of the vehicular display device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. First, when the driver of the vehicle starts the vehicle (the ignition is turned on), the control unit performs a predetermined display from each area of ​​the display area 31. More specifically, the control unit emits light L1 from each area of ​​the display area 31.

[0031] The light L1 emitted from each region of the display area 31 is emitted to the rear side of the vehicle through the cover 27. While driving the vehicle, the driver drives the vehicle while viewing the information formed by the light L1 emitted from each region of the display area 31 as necessary. The control unit also appropriately changes the display content of the display area 31 based on information transmitted from the ECU that is changed in response to the driving of the vehicle.

[0032] Next, the decorative illumination performed by the control unit of the vehicular display device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. For ease of explanation, Fig. 5 illustrates a state in which light L emitted from the emission surface 3f of the display 3 is projected onto the cover 27. First, when the driver of the vehicle starts the vehicle (the ignition is turned on), the control unit emits white first decorative illumination light L2 from the emission surface 3f over the entire non-display area 32.

[0033] The first decorative illumination light L2 enters the light-guiding member 4 from the light-guiding member incident surface 41, is reflected by the light-guiding member reflecting surface 42, and is then emitted from the light-guiding member exit surface 43 into the light-guiding member 4. In other words, the optical path of the first decorative illumination light L2 is changed by the light-guiding member 4.

[0034] The first decorative illumination light L2 is emitted from the light-guiding member emission surface 43, exits the housing 2 through the transmissive portion 26 formed in the bottom portion 22b of the housing 2, and then strikes the instrument panel 101, which faces the transmissive portion 26 with a space 101s provided therebetween. Then, in the vertical direction Z, a portion 101L of the instrument panel 101 facing the transmissive portion 26 is illuminated by the first decorative illumination light L2 of the display 3. That is, a part of the instrument panel 101 (a portion shown by hatching in Figs. 4 and 5) is illuminated by the first decorative illumination light L2 of the display 3. At this time, since the cover 27 has the non-transmissive portion 27b described above, the first decorative illumination light L2 emitted from the non-display area 32 is not emitted in the emission direction X1 through the cover 27, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0035] As described above, the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. The vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a light guide member 4 that guides the first decorative illumination light L2, which is a part of the light emitted from the emission surface 3f, toward a part of the outer peripheral surface 24. The housing 2 has a transmission part 26 that transmits the first decorative illumination light L2 from the internal space 20s to the outside in a part of the outer peripheral surface 24. The transmission part 26 faces the instrument panel 101 with a space 101s provided therebetween. Therefore, according to the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide decorative illumination for the instrument panel 101 using a part of the display 3 that displays information related to the vehicle's running, without requiring a separate light source and an electric wire that electrically connects the light source to a power source. As a result, the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment can provide decorative illumination without increasing costs. Moreover, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment can emphasize the distance of the vehicle display device 1 from the instrument panel 101 by illuminating a part of the instrument panel 101, and can make the vehicle display device 1 appear to be floating above the instrument panel 101. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment can increase added value by decorative illumination using the light of the display 3. Moreover, the vehicle surface display device uses the first decorative illumination light L2, which is a part of the light emitted from the emission surface 3f of the display 3, by the light-guiding member 4, and can therefore illuminate the instrument panel 101 with various colors and can also illuminate in a complex shape.

[0036] The vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. Light for decorative lighting is emitted from the non-display area 32. Therefore, in the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment, the part of the display 3 that does not display information related to the vehicle's traveling can be used for decorative lighting.

[0037] The vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. The non-display area 32 emits at least white light. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment can improve the luminance rate of the illuminated portion and improve the floating feeling of the vehicle display device 1.

[0038] The vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. The cover 27 overlaps the entire light guide member 4 when viewed from the emission direction X1, and has a non-transparent portion 27b that is non-transparent to light. The first decorative illumination light L2 does not correspond to information for vehicle driving for the driver in the first place, and when such first decorative illumination light L2 is emitted from the vehicle display device 1 to the driver's eye point and the first decorative illumination light L2 enters the driver's eyes, the driver may mistakenly think that it is information for vehicle driving. On the other hand, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment can prevent the first decorative illumination light L2 from entering the driver's eyes by the non-transparent portion 27b. As a result, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment can provide decorative illumination and allow the driver to concentrate on driving.

[0039] The vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: As shown in Fig. 4, the vehicle display device 1 is of a hoodless type in which the tip of the top part 22a in the emission direction X1 does not protrude from the tip of the both side parts 23a, 23b in the emission direction X1, so that the vehicle display device 1 allows a passenger in the vehicle to feel a sense of freedom.

[0040] [Second embodiment] FIG. 6 is a front view showing information displayed on the display 3 through the cover 27 in the vehicle display device 1A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the second decorative lighting (decorative lighting) performed by the vehicle display device 1A in sequence when the vehicle equipped with the vehicle display device 1A according to the second embodiment turns left. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the second decorative lighting performed by the vehicle display device 1A in sequence when the vehicle equipped with the vehicle display device 1A according to the second embodiment turns left. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the second decorative lighting performed by the vehicle display device 1A in sequence when the vehicle equipped with the vehicle display device 1A according to the second embodiment turns left. For convenience of explanation, FIGS. 7 to 9 show a state in which the light L emitted from the emission surface 3f of the display 3 is projected onto the cover 27.

[0041] The vehicle display device 1A of the second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the vehicle display device 1 of the first embodiment, except for the configuration of the non-display area 32, and in addition to the first decorative lighting described above, performs the second decorative lighting and the third decorative lighting described below.

[0042] Therefore, the following will describe the configuration of the vehicle display device 1A according to the second embodiment, focusing on differences from the configuration of the vehicle display device 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the non-display area 32 includes, for example, a first non-display area 32a, a second non-display area 32b, a third non-display area 32c, and a fourth non-display area 32d.

[0044] The first non-display area 32a is located, for example, adjacent to the intermediate display area 31d in the downward direction Z1 in the up-down direction Z. The second non-display area 32b is located, for example, adjacent to the lower right half of the first display area 31a shown in Fig. 3. The third non-display area 32c is located, for example, adjacent to the lower left half of the first display area 31a shown in Fig. 3. The fourth non-display area 32d is located, for example, adjacent to the lower second display area 31b.

[0045] When the control unit emits the decorative illumination light from the emission surface 3f of the third non-display area 32c, the optical path of the decorative illumination light is changed by the light-guiding member 4, and the decorative illumination light is emitted to the outside of the housing 2 through the transmission portion 26 and hits the instrument panel 101. Then, the decorative illumination light that hits the instrument panel 101 illuminates a left end area 101c of the instrument panel 101, as shown in Fig. 9. The left end area 101c is located at the left end of the instrument panel 101 below the vehicular display device 1A.

[0046] When the control unit emits the decorative illumination light from the emission surface 3f of the second non-display area 32b, the optical path of the decorative illumination light is changed by the light-guiding member 4, and the decorative illumination light is emitted to the outside of the housing 2 through the transmission portion 26 and hits the instrument panel 101. Then, the decorative illumination light that hits the instrument panel 101 illuminates a first central area 101b of the instrument panel 101, as shown in Fig. 8. The first central area 101b is adjacent to the left end area 101c in the lateral direction Y, and is located in the center of the instrument panel 101 below the vehicular display device 1A.

[0047] When the control unit emits the decorative illumination light from the emission surface 3f of the first non-display area 32a, the optical path of the decorative illumination light is changed by the light-guiding member 4, and the decorative illumination light is emitted to the outside of the housing 2 through the transmission portion 26 and hits the instrument panel 101. Then, the decorative illumination light that hits the instrument panel 101 illuminates a second central area 101a of the instrument panel 101, as shown in Fig. 7. The second central area 101a is adjacent to the first central area 101b in the horizontal direction Y, adjacent to a right end area 101d (described later), and located in the center of the instrument panel 101 below the vehicular display device 1A.

[0048] When the control unit emits the decorative illumination light from the emission surface 3f of the fourth non-display area 32d, the optical path of the decorative illumination light is changed by the light-guiding member 4, and the decorative illumination light is emitted to the outside of the housing 2 through the transmission portion 26 and hits the instrument panel 101. Then, the decorative illumination light that hits the instrument panel 101 illuminates a right end area 101d of the instrument panel 101, as shown in Fig. 10. The right end area 101d is located at the right end of the instrument panel 101 below the vehicular display device 1A.

[0049] Next, the second decorative illumination performed by the control unit will be described. When the vehicle turns left, the control unit continues the first decorative illumination in the fourth non-display area 32d, but stops the emission of the first decorative illumination light in the first non-display area 32a to the third non-display area 32c.

[0050] Next, the control unit continues to stop the emission of the first decorative illumination light in the second non-display area 32b and the third non-display area 32c, while emitting the second decorative illumination light (decorative illumination light) from the first non-display area 32a. The color of the second decorative illumination light is different from the color of the first decorative illumination light L2. For example, the color of the second decorative illumination light is green.

[0051] The second decorative illumination light emitted from the first non-display region 32a is guided by the light-guiding member 4 in the same manner as described above, and after being emitted from the light-guiding member emission surface 43, exits the housing 2 to the outside through the transmissive portion 26. The second decorative illumination light then strikes the instrument panel 101 that faces the transmissive portion 26 with a space 101s provided therebetween, and the second central region 101a is illuminated by the second decorative illumination light, as shown in FIG.

[0052] Next, the control unit stops the emission of the second decorative illumination light in the first non-display area 32a and continues to stop the emission of the second decorative illumination light in the second non-display area 32b, while emitting the second decorative illumination light from the second non-display area 32b.

[0053] The second decorative illumination light emitted from the second non-display region 32b is guided by the light-guiding member 4 in the same manner as described above, and after being emitted from the light-guiding member emission surface 43, exits to the outside of the housing 2 through the transmissive portion 26. The second decorative illumination light then strikes the instrument panel 101 that faces the transmissive portion 26 with a space 101s provided therebetween, and the first central region 101b is illuminated by the second decorative illumination light, as shown in FIG.

[0054] Next, the control unit stops the emission of the second decorative illumination light from the second non-display area 32b and continues to stop the emission of the second decorative illumination light from the first non-display area 32a, while emitting the second decorative illumination light from the third non-display area 32c.

[0055] The second decorative illumination light emitted from the third non-display region 32c is guided by the light-guiding member 4 in the same manner as described above, and after being emitted from the light-guiding member emission surface 43, exits to the outside of the housing 2 through the transmissive portion 26. The second decorative illumination light then strikes the instrument panel 101 that faces the transmissive portion 26 with a space 101s provided therebetween, and the left end region 101c is illuminated by the second decorative illumination light, as shown in FIG.

[0056] The control unit repeats the above operation, moving the area of ​​the instrument panel 101 illuminated by the second decorative illumination light of the display 3 from right to left, and the movement of the illuminated area makes the occupants aware that the vehicle is turning left.

[0057] The above describes the operation of the non-display area 32 by the control unit when the vehicle turns left. When the vehicle turns right, the control unit moves the area of ​​the instrument panel 101 illuminated by the second decorative illumination light of the display 3 from left to right, and the movement of the illuminated area can make the passengers aware that the vehicle is turning right.

[0058] Next, the third decorative lighting performed by the control unit will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the third decorative lighting (decorative lighting) performed by the vehicular display device 1A according to the second embodiment. For ease of explanation, Fig. 10 illustrates a state in which the light L emitted from the emission surface 3f of the display 3 is projected onto the cover 27.

[0059] In this embodiment, the vehicle equipped with the vehicular display device 1A has an imaging unit (e.g., a CCD camera) capable of imaging the outside of the vehicle. When another vehicle passes the vehicle equipped with the vehicular display device 1A from the right side, the control unit performs the third decorative lighting described below.

[0060] When another vehicle overtakes a vehicle equipped with the vehicle display device 1A from the right side, the control unit continues the first decorative illumination in the first non-display area 32a to the third non-display area 32c, while stopping the emission of the first decorative illumination light in the fourth non-display area 32d.

[0061] Next, the control unit emits a third decorative illumination light (decorative illumination light) from the fourth non-display area 32d. The color of the third decorative illumination light (decorative illumination light) is different from the color of the first decorative illumination light and the color of the second decorative illumination light. The color of the third decorative illumination light is, for example, amber, which is the same as the color of a turn signal in a vehicle.

[0062] The third decorative illumination light emitted from the fourth non-display region 32d is guided by the light-guiding member 4 in the same manner as described above, and after being emitted from the light-guiding member emission surface 43, goes out to the outside of the housing 2 through the transmissive portion 26. Then, the third decorative illumination light hits the instrument panel 101 that faces the transmissive portion 26 with a space 101s provided therebetween, and the right end region 101d is illuminated by the third decorative illumination light, as shown in FIG.

[0063] Then, by the operation of the control unit described above, the instrument panel 101 is illuminated by the third decorative illumination light, so that the vehicular display device 1A can make the driver aware that there is another vehicle overtaking the vehicle from the right side of the vehicle.

[0064] The display 3 of the vehicle display device 1 according to the embodiment described above has the display area 31 that displays information related to vehicle traveling, and the non-display area 32 that does not display information related to vehicle traveling. However, the display area 31 of the display 3 of the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and may have a first display area that displays essential information related to vehicle traveling, and a second display area that displays preliminary information related to vehicle traveling. The preliminary information related to vehicle traveling displayed in the second display area may be, for example, information on the internal temperature of the vehicle, or information on fuel efficiency.

[0065] Also, the transmissive portion 26 of the vehicle display device 1 according to the embodiment described above is a notch formed in the bottom portion 22b of the housing 2. However, the transmissive portion 26 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and may be formed of, for example, a transmissive synthetic resin that transmits light at least in the visible light region.

[0066] The housing main body 20 of the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment has been described as having the following configuration. The housing main body 20 is formed in a box shape having a top portion 22a and a bottom portion 22b facing each other in the vertical direction Z, both side portions 23a, 23b facing each other in the horizontal direction Y, and a rear portion 25 located at the ends of the top portion 22a and the bottom portion 22b on the opposite direction X2 side and the ends of the both side portions 23a, 23b on the opposite direction X2 side. However, the housing main body 20 of the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. The housing main body 20 may be formed in a box shape having a bottom portion 22b located below in the vertical direction Z, both side portions 23a, 23b facing each other in the horizontal direction Y, and a rear portion 25 located at the ends of the bottom portion 22b on the opposite direction X2 side and the ends of the both side portions 23a, 23b on the opposite direction X2 side. If the housing main body 20 is formed in this way, the housing 2 has an opening that opens in the upward direction Z2 in the vertical direction Z.

[0067] Further, the vehicle display device 1 according to the above embodiment has the following configuration. The display 3 has a display area 31 that displays information related to vehicle travel, and a non-display area 32 that is adjacent to the lower end of the display area 31 in the vertical direction Z and does not display information related to vehicle travel. The vehicle display device 1 directs decorative illumination light emitted from the display 3 to the instrument panel 101 through the transmission part 26 located at the bottom part 22b of the housing 2 by the light guide member 4. However, the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. The display 3 has a display area 31 that displays information related to vehicle travel, and a non-display area 32 that is adjacent to both sides of the display area 31 in the horizontal direction Y and does not display information related to vehicle travel. In addition, the instrument panel 101 has a wall part that protrudes upward in the vertical direction from the surface, and the transmission part 26 is provided on both side wall parts of the housing 2. In the vehicle display device 1, the decorative illumination light emitted from the display 3 may be irradiated onto the wall of the instrument panel through the light-guiding member 4 and the transparent portions located on both side portions 23a, 23b of the housing 2.

[0068] Also, the housing 2 of the vehicle display device 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment has been described as being provided with the housing main body 20 and the bracket 28 separately. However, the housing 2 of the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the housing main body 20 and the bracket 28 may be provided integrally. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Vehicle display device 2. Housing 20s interior space 24 Outer surface 26 Transparent part 27 Cover 27b Non-transparent part 3. Display 3f exit surface 31 Display area 32 Hidden area 4 Light guide member 101 Instrument Panel 101s space L Light emitted from the emission surface 3f of the display 3 L1 (light emitted from the display area 31) L2 (first decorative illumination light emitted from the non-display area 32)

Claims

1. a housing having an outer circumferential surface and an interior space; a display that emits light, has an emission surface different from the outer peripheral surface, is positioned in the internal space, and emits light from the emission surface to display information related to vehicle travel; a light guide member that guides decorative illumination light, which is a portion of the light emitted from the light exit surface, toward a portion of the outer peripheral surface; Equipped with the housing has a transmission portion on a part of the outer circumferential surface through which the decorative illumination light passes from the internal space to the outside, The display device for a vehicle, wherein the transmission portion faces an instrument panel with a space therebetween.

2. The display comprises: a display area for displaying information related to the running of the vehicle; a non-display area located adjacent to a lower end of the display area and not displaying information related to the running of the vehicle; having The decorative illumination light is light emitted from the non-display area. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. The non-display area emits at least the white decorative illumination light. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 2 .

4. The housing has a cover that closes an opening on a driver's seat side of the housing, the cover transmits light emitted from the emission surface; and the cover has a non-transmitting portion that overlaps the entire light guide member when viewed from the emission direction, The non-transmissive portion is non-transmissive to light. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 2 or 3.

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