Meter panel unit and work vehicle

Abstract

This meter panel unit for a work vehicle comprises: a meter portion including first and second analog meters each having an indicator needle, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters; a wall surface portion which is provided on a display surface side of the meter portion and which surrounds the first and second analog meters and the display element; a transparent cover opposing a display surface of the meter portion; a circular-arc shaped indicator disposed at the periphery of a region of movement of each indicator needle; and facing plates positioned to the outside of the circular-arc shaped indicators. Each circular-arc shaped indicator includes at least one light-emitting region disposed between the region of movement of the indicator needle and the facing plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a meter panel unit, an information display system, and a work vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] As next-generation agriculture, research and development of smart agriculture utilizing ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and IoT (Internet of Things) is underway. Research and development towards automation and unmanned operation of work vehicles such as tractors used in fields is also underway. For example, work vehicles that travel with automatic steering using a positioning system such as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) capable of precise positioning have been put into practical use.

[0003] In front of the driver's seat of an agricultural machine (work vehicle) such as a tractor, a meter panel unit is provided that displays the traveling speed, the load state of the engine, and the states of each part of the work vehicle and notifies the driver (operator).

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a meter unit for a general passenger car.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The instrument panels installed on agricultural machinery such as tractors are required to accurately notify the operator of various information about the vehicle while it is in motion or working. Furthermore, because such agricultural machinery performs various tasks outdoors, it needs to display more information than ordinary passenger cars. When agricultural machinery is used in smart agriculture, it will be necessary to display even more information. However, as the amount of information displayed on the instrument panel increases, visibility decreases, making it difficult for the driver to obtain the necessary information.

[0007] Furthermore, the increasing demands on such meter panels are not limited to agricultural machinery, but also apply to construction machinery used for work on construction sites. Hereafter, mobile agricultural and construction machinery will be collectively referred to as "work vehicles."

[0008] This disclosure provides a meter panel unit capable of solving these problems and a work vehicle equipped with the meter panel unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This disclosure provides solutions as described in the following items.

[0010] [Item A1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, An arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the aforementioned indicator needle, A return plate located on the outside of the aforementioned arc-shaped indicator, Equipped with, The arc-shaped indicator has at least one or more light-emitting regions positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the return plate, in a meter panel unit for a work vehicle.

[0011] [Item A2] The meter panel unit according to item A1, wherein the arc-shaped indicator has at least one or more light-emitting regions that emit light of different colors.

[0012] [Item A3] The arc-shaped indicator and the return plate are, Each of these is provided on both sides of the display element, A meter panel unit according to item A1 or A2, located outside the region bounded by a straight line defining the boundary between the first analog meter and the display element, and another straight line defining the boundary between the second analog meter and the display element.

[0013] [Item A4] The meter panel unit described in item A2 or A3, A control device for controlling the meter panel unit, Equipped with, The control device is an information display system that, when a work vehicle is started, displays information using the arc-shaped indicator before displaying the information on the display element.

[0014] [Item A5] The information display system described in item A4 contains information indicating the status of the work vehicle.

[0015] [Item A6] The control device is an information display system as described in item A5, which changes the color of the light according to the content of the information.

[0016] [Item A7] The information display system according to item A6, wherein the control device changes the color of the light to red when the state of the work vehicle is classified as abnormal for traveling or work.

[0017] [Item A8] A work vehicle comprising a meter panel unit according to any one of items A1 to A3.

[0018] [Item A9] A work vehicle comprising an information display system according to any one of items A4 to A7.

[0019] [Item B1] A meter panel unit for a work vehicle, and A control device for controlling the meter panel unit, and comprising The meter panel unit has first and second analog meters having indicating needles, and a meter section provided between the first and second analog meters and having a display element, a wall surface section provided on the display surface side of the meter section and surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, a transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, and an arc-shaped indicator disposed around the movable region of the indicating needle, and has The arc-shaped indicator has at least one or more light-emitting regions in an arc shape, The control device displays a curved image on the display element on the extension line of the arc, an information display system.

[0020] [Item B2] The information display system according to item B1, further comprising a back plate located outside the arc-shaped indicator.

[0021] [Item B3] The control device displays a curved image on the extension of the arc using light of the same color as the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting regions, as described in item B1 or B2, in the display element.

[0022] [Item B4] The information display system according to item B1 or B2, wherein the control device is configured to synchronize the blinking of light emitted from the light-emitting region with the change in brightness of the image to be displayed on the display element.

[0023] [Item B5] The arc-shaped indicator is provided on both sides of the display element. The control device causes the display element to display a straight portion that is connected to the arc concentric with the arc, and is parallel to a straight line defining the boundary between the first analog meter and the display element, and to another straight line defining the boundary between the second analog meter and the display element, as described in item B1 or B2.

[0024] [Item B6] A work vehicle equipped with an information display system as described in any one of items B1 to B5.

[0025] [Item C1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, An arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the aforementioned indicator needle, A return plate located on the outside of the aforementioned arc-shaped indicator, Equipped with, The arc-shaped indicator has a light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate. The aforementioned reflective plate has a reflective surface that reflects light emitted from the light-emitting region toward the driver of the work vehicle, in the meter panel unit.

[0026] [Item C2] The meter panel unit according to item C1, wherein the height of the facing plate from the meter portion is highest at the side of the central part of the arc-shaped indicator, and the height decreases along the arc-shaped indicator toward both ends of the facing plate.

[0027] [Item C3] The meter panel unit described in item C2, wherein the maximum height is 30 mm or more.

[0028] [Item C4] The meter panel unit according to item C3, wherein the wall portion has a visor area located above the analog meter and the display element when mounted on a work vehicle, and the height of the visor area from the meter portion is 40 mm or more.

[0029] [Item C5] The meter panel unit according to item C2, wherein the wall portion has a visor area located above the analog meter and the display element when mounted on a work vehicle, and the height of the visor area from the meter portion is greater than the height of the facing plate from the meter portion.

[0030] [Item C6] The meter panel unit according to item C4 or C5, wherein, when attached to the aforementioned work vehicle, the transparent cover is tilted forward when viewed from the normal direction of the meter section.

[0031] [Item C7] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items C1 through C6.

[0032] [Item D1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, An arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the aforementioned indicator needle, A return plate located on the outside of the aforementioned arc-shaped indicator, Equipped with, The arc-shaped indicator has at least one light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate, The analog meter is a meter panel unit having an arc-shaped scale between the arc-shaped indicator and the movable range of the indicator needle.

[0033] [Item D2] The arc-shaped indicator and the facing plate are provided on both sides of the display element, The meter panel unit according to item D1, located outside the region bounded by a straight line defining the boundary between the first analog meter and the display element, and another straight line defining the boundary between the second analog meter and the display element.

[0034] [Item D3] The scale is a three-dimensional scale that protrudes from the display surface, as described in item D1, for the meter panel unit.

[0035] [Item D4] The meter panel unit according to item D3, wherein the wall portion, the facing plate, and the scale are integrally formed from resin.

[0036] [Item D5] The scale has a plurality of notches arranged at predetermined intervals, as described in item D4.

[0037] [Item D6] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items D1 through D5.

[0038] [Item D7] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having a first analog meter with a first indicator needle, a second analog meter with second and third indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, A first arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the first indicator needle, A second arc-shaped indicator positioned around the movable area of ​​the second and third indicator needles, A pair of facing plates located on the outside of the first and second arc-shaped indicators, Equipped with, Each of the first and second arc-shaped indicators has at least one light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate, A meter panel unit in which the movable ranges of the second indicator needle and the movable ranges of the third indicator needle have similar or congruent shapes as external dimensions.

[0039] [Item D8] The meter panel unit described in item D7, wherein the external shape defining the shape of the movable range of the second indicator needle and the external shape defining the shape of the movable range of the third indicator needle are vertically symmetrical.

[0040] [Item D9] The meter panel unit according to item D7, wherein the movable ranges of the second indicator needle and the movable ranges of the third indicator needle have a shape and size such that they overlap each other when one is moved parallel to the vertical direction.

[0041] [Item D10] The second indicator needle indicates the remaining fuel level of the work vehicle. The third indicator needle indicates the temperature of the engine coolant of the work vehicle, as described in any one of items D7 to D9 of the meter panel unit.

[0042] [Item E1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, An arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the aforementioned indicator needle, A return plate located on the outside of the aforementioned arc-shaped indicator, Equipped with, The analog meter has an arc-shaped scale between the arc-shaped indicator and the movable area of ​​the indicator needle. The meter panel unit has a plurality of protrusions that project toward the movable range of the indicator needle, and the plurality of protrusions are provided at positions that align with the scale.

[0043] [Item E2] The arc-shaped indicator has at least one light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate, The meter panel unit according to item E1, wherein the plurality of protrusions on the facing plate each straddle the space between the light-emitting regions.

[0044] [Item E3] The scale is a three-dimensional scale that protrudes from the display surface, as described in item E1, for the meter panel unit.

[0045] [Item E4] The meter panel unit according to item E3, wherein the plurality of protrusions connect the reflecting plate and the three-dimensional scale.

[0046] [Item E5] The meter panel unit according to item E4, wherein the wall portion, the facing plate, and the three-dimensional scale are integrally formed from resin.

[0047] [Item E6] The meter panel unit described in Item E4, wherein multiple protrusions define the boundary of the light-emitting area in an arc-shaped indicator.

[0048] [Item E7] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items E1 through E6.

[0049] [Item F1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, Equipped with, The aforementioned wall portion has a visor area located above the analog meter and the display element when attached to the work vehicle. The transparent cover has a concave surface, forming a meter panel unit.

[0050] [Item F2] The meter panel unit according to item F1, wherein the transparent cover has a front portion including the concave surface and a side portion extending from the front portion along the outside of the wall portion.

[0051] [Item F3] The meter panel unit according to item F2, wherein the side portion of the transparent cover covers the entire outer circumference of the wall portion.

[0052] [Item F4] The meter panel unit described in item F1, wherein, when attached to the aforementioned work vehicle, the transparent cover is tilted forward when viewed from the normal direction of the meter section.

[0053] [Item F5] The meter panel unit according to item F1, wherein the curvature of the concave surface of the transparent cover is constant in the horizontal transverse direction and in the vertical longitudinal direction perpendicular to the horizontal transverse direction, respectively.

[0054] [Item F6] A meter panel unit according to any one of items F1 to F5, wherein the height of the visor area from the meter section is 40 mm or more.

[0055] [Item F7] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items F1 through F6.

[0056] [Item G1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, An indicator area where multiple indicators are placed, Equipped with, The meter panel unit includes a group of indicators, each of which is assigned two light-emitting elements.

[0057] [Item G2] The indicator region has two separate parts, The meter panel unit according to item G1, wherein the indicator group is arranged in one of the two separated parts, and another group of indicators is arranged in the other of the two separated parts, each assigned one light-emitting element.

[0058] [Item G3] The meter panel unit according to item G2, wherein the group of indicators includes relatively large-sized indicators, and the other group of indicators includes relatively small-sized indicators.

[0059] [Item G4] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items G1 to G3.

[0060] [Item G5] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, An indicator area provided at the bottom of the display element, Equipped with, The meter panel unit has an indicator area located at the lower part, which has two separate parts, left and right.

[0061] [Item G6] The meter panel unit according to item G5, further comprising another indicator area provided above the display element.

[0062] [Item G7] The meter panel unit according to item G6, wherein the warning level of the information indicated by the indicators placed in the other indicator area is higher than the warning level of the information indicated by the indicators placed in the indicator area.

[0063] [Item G8] The meter panel unit according to item G7, wherein the indicator area includes a blank area near the boundary between the two parts where no indicator is located.

[0064] [Item G9] The meter panel unit according to item G8, wherein the blank area is provided so as to straddle the boundary between the two parts.

[0065] [Item G10] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items G5 through G9.

[0066] [Item H1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, Equipped with, A meter panel unit further comprising an illuminance sensor located below the aforementioned display element.

[0067] [Item H2] The meter panel unit according to item H1, wherein the wall portion has a visor area located above the analog meter and the display element when mounted on a work vehicle.

[0068] [Item H3] The meter panel unit according to item H1, wherein non-emitting regions having a width of 5 mm or more are provided on both sides of the illuminance sensor.

[0069] [Item H4] An arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the aforementioned indicator needle, A return plate located on the outside of the aforementioned arc-shaped indicator, Equipped with, The arc-shaped indicator has at least one light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate, The meter panel unit according to item H1, configured to change the brightness of the light-emitting area of ​​the arc-shaped indicator in accordance with the output of the illuminance sensor.

[0070] [Item H5] The meter panel unit according to item H1, configured to change the brightness of the display element in accordance with the output of the illuminance sensor.

[0071] [Item H6] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items H1 through H5.

[0072] [Item H7] Meter panel unit and Headlights and, A control device for controlling the illumination state of the headlights, Equipped with, The meter panel unit is A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, Illuminance sensor and, It has, The control device is configured to change the brightness of the headlights in accordance with the output of the illuminance sensor, in a work vehicle.

[0073] [Item H8] The illuminance sensor is located below the display element in the work vehicle described in item H7.

[0074] [Item H9] Equipped with work lights, The work vehicle according to item H7 or H8, wherein the control device is further configured to change the brightness of the work light in accordance with the output of the illuminance sensor.

[0075] [Item H10] The work vehicle according to item H9, wherein the control device causes the display element to display a warning message prompting the driver to turn off the headlights and / or work lights in accordance with the output of the illuminance sensor.

[0076] [Item I1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, A rear cover located on the back side of the meter section, Equipped with, The meter panel unit has a rear cover having at least one rear connector whose connection direction is inclined from the normal direction of the rear cover.

[0077] [Item I2] The meter panel unit according to item I1, wherein the at least one rear connector is a connector connected to a camera cable, and the connection direction of the connector is perpendicular to the normal direction.

[0078] [Item I3] The device includes a cap for covering the connection portion of at least one of the rear connectors, The meter panel unit according to item I2, wherein the rear cover is provided with a fall prevention string that connects the cap and the rear cover.

[0079] [Item I4] The aforementioned cap is a rubber cap having a rib shape, The aforementioned anti-detachment cord is a rubber cord, as described in item I3 of the meter panel unit.

[0080] [Item I5] The aforementioned rear cover fits into the aforementioned transparent cover. The meter panel unit according to item I3, wherein the anti-detachment string is fixed to the mating portion where the rear cover and the transparent cover meet.

[0081] [Item I6] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, A rear cover located on the back side of the meter section, Equipped with, The rear cover of the meter panel unit has a binding section for bundling multiple wire harnesses.

[0082] [Item I7] The fastening portion is located in the center of the rear cover, as described in item I6.

[0083] [Item I8] The meter panel unit according to item I6, wherein the rear cover and the fastening portion are integrally formed from a resin material.

[0084] [Item I9] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, A rear cover located on the back side of the meter section, Equipped with, The rear cover has at least one fixing portion having a bolt hole through which a bolt for fixing the transparent cover passes, A meter panel unit in which the at least one fixed portion is located within a rectangular frame that is in contact with the outer shape of the meter panel unit.

[0085] [Item I10] The meter panel unit according to item I9, wherein the at least one fixing portion includes four fixing portions, each projecting toward one of the four corners of the circumscribed rectangle.

[0086] [Item I11] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, A rear cover located on the back side of the meter section, Equipped with, The aforementioned rear cover has a surface that includes at least three protrusions that project toward the rear side, A meter panel unit in which the tips of at least three protrusions are located on the same plane, forming a predetermined gap between the plane and the surface.

[0087] [Item I12] The meter panel unit according to item I11, wherein the rear cover and the protruding portion are integrally formed from a resin material.

[0088] [Item I13] At least one electronic component is mounted on the surface of the aforementioned rear cover. The meter panel unit according to item I11, wherein the spacing of the predetermined gaps is greater than the height of the at least one electronic component.

[0089] [Item I14] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items I1 to I13.

[0090] [Item J1] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, A rear cover located on the back side of the meter section, A decorative ring provided along the edge of the aforementioned transparent cover, Equipped with, The decorative ring is fixed to the rear cover while being placed over the transparent cover, in the meter panel unit.

[0091] [Item J2] The decorative ring is a meter panel unit according to item J1, having a metal-plated front surface.

[0092] [Item J3] The meter panel unit according to item J1, wherein the rear cover has at least one fixing portion having a bolt hole for passing a bolt for fixing the decorative ring.

[0093] [Item J4] The meter panel unit according to item J3, wherein the at least one fixing portion is located within a rectangular frame that is in contact with the outer shape of the meter panel unit.

[0094] [Item J5] The meter panel unit according to item J4, wherein the at least one fixing portion includes four fixing portions that each protrude toward the four corners of the circumscribing rectangle.

[0095] [Item J6] A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, A rear cover located on the back side of the meter section, Equipped with, The rear cover has two or more fixing parts, each having bolt holes for passing bolts to secure the transparent cover. A meter panel unit in which the bolt hole in one of the two or more fixing parts has a different size and shape from the bolt holes in the other fixing parts.

[0096] [Item J7] The meter panel unit according to item J6, wherein the bolt hole in one of the two or more fixing parts is larger in a predetermined direction than the bolt, and the bolt holes in the other fixing parts are sized to match the size of the bolt.

[0097] [Item J8] The two or more fixing parts include four fixing parts that each protrude toward the four corners of the circumscribing rectangle that is in contact with the outer shape of the meter panel unit, The meter panel unit according to item J6, wherein the bolt hole in one of the four fixing parts is elliptical in shape, and the bolt holes in each of the remaining three fixing parts are circular in shape.

[0098] [Item J9] A work vehicle equipped with a meter panel unit as described in any one of items J1 through J8.

[0099] The comprehensive or specific embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by apparatus, systems, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, or computer-readable non-temporary storage media, or any combination thereof. Computer-readable storage media may include volatile storage media or non-volatile storage media. Apparatus may consist of multiple devices. If apparatus consists of two or more devices, these two or more devices may be located in a single device or in two or more separate devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0100] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a meter panel unit capable of displaying various information necessary for agricultural work in a highly visible manner is provided, as well as a work vehicle equipped with the meter panel unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0101] [Figure 1A] This is a schematic side view showing an example of a work vehicle in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the instrument panel unit is schematically shown as being mounted behind the steering wheel located in front of the driver's seat of a work vehicle. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing an example of the arrangement of the main components of the meter panel unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the wall portion of the meter panel unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the transparent cover of the meter panel unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing an example of the arrangement of indicators in a meter panel unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 6A] This is a front view showing an example of a state in which various information is displayed on the display element of the meter panel unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 6B] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the indicator configuration according to this embodiment. [Figure 6C] This is a schematic diagram showing another example of the indicator configuration according to this embodiment. [Figure 7A] This is a front view showing the detailed configuration of the meter panel unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 7B] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Figure 7C] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view along the CC line. [Figure 7D] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view along the DD line. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the meter panel unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the analog meter in the meter panel unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a front view showing the arrangement of the first analog meter, the arc-shaped indicator, and the facing plate. [Figure 11] This is a front view showing an example configuration of an arc-shaped indicator. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 10. [Figure 13] This is a front view showing the second analog meter and the second arc-shaped indicator. [Figure 14] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information display system in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] This is a schematic front view showing an example where an arc of the same color as the light emitted from the light-emitting area of ​​an arc-shaped indicator is displayed. [Figure 16] This is a schematic front view showing an example where an arc of the same color as the light emitted from the light-emitting area of ​​an arc-shaped indicator is displayed, along with other shapes containing arcs of the same color. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view showing an example of a decorative ring for the meter panel unit in this embodiment. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view showing the rear portion of the meter panel unit in this embodiment. [Figure 19] This is another perspective view showing the rear of the meter panel unit in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0102] The meter panel unit according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that parts with the same reference numerals appearing in multiple drawings indicate the same or equivalent parts.

[0103] The following embodiments are illustrative examples for embodying the technical concept of the present invention and do not limit the present invention to these embodiments. Descriptions of the size, material, shape, and relative arrangement of components are intended as examples only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those specific examples. The size and positional relationships of the components shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for ease of understanding.

[0104] In this disclosure, “parallel” includes cases where the angle between two lines, edges, planes, etc., is between 0° and 5°, unless otherwise specified. Also, in this disclosure, “perpendicular” or “orthogonal” includes cases where the angle between two lines, edges, planes, etc., is between 90° and ±5°, unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified, the angle between two lines, edges, planes, etc., is positive and not negative.

[0105] <Outline configuration of work vehicles> Figure 1A is a schematic side view showing an example of the work vehicle 200 in this embodiment. The illustrated work vehicle 200 is a tractor that tows an implement (interchangeable work device) 300.

[0106] The work vehicle 200 shown in Figure 1A comprises a body 201, a prime mover (engine) 202, and a transmission 203. The body 201 is provided with a running gear including wheels with tires 204 and a cabin 205. The running gear includes four wheels 204, axles that rotate the four wheels, and brakes that brake each axle. In this example, the wheels 204 include a pair of front wheels 204F and a pair of rear wheels 204R. One or both of the front wheels 204F and the rear wheels 204R may be replaced with multiple wheels fitted with tracks (crawlers) instead of wheels with tires.

[0107] Inside the cabin 205 are the instrument panel unit 100, the driver's seat 207, the steering wheel 220, and a group of switches for operation according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0108] The work vehicle 200 in Figure 1A is equipped with multiple external sensors that sense the surroundings of the work vehicle 200. The external sensors may include various sensors such as multiple cameras 270, multiple obstacle sensors 295, and multiple LiDAR sensors 290. The cameras 270 may be installed, for example, on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the work vehicle 200. The cameras 270 capture images of the environment around the work vehicle 200 and generate image data. The images acquired by the cameras 270 may be transmitted to a terminal device for remote monitoring, for example. The cameras 270 are installed as needed, and their number is arbitrary. The LiDAR sensors 290 are an example of external sensors that output sensor data showing the distribution of objects located in the environment surrounding the work vehicle 200. In the example in Figure 1A, two LiDAR sensors 290 are located at the front and rear of the cabin 205. The LiDAR sensors 290 may be installed in other locations (for example, at the lower front of the vehicle body 201). Each LiDAR sensor 290 repeatedly outputs sensor data indicating the distance and direction to each measurement point of an object in the surrounding environment, or the three-dimensional coordinate values ​​of each measurement point, while the work vehicle 200 is in motion. The number of LiDAR sensors 290 is not limited to two; it may be one or three or more. In the example in Figure 1A, multiple obstacle sensors 295 are provided at the front and rear of the cabin 205. Obstacle sensors 295 may also be placed in other locations. Obstacle sensors 295 may include, for example, a laser scanner or an ultrasonic sonar.

[0109] The work vehicle 200 is further equipped with a GNSS unit 260. GNSS is a general term for satellite positioning systems such as GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, e.g., Michibiki), GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. GNSS unit 260 The system receives satellite signals (also called GNSS signals) transmitted from multiple GNSS satellites and performs positioning based on these satellite signals. The GNSS unit 260 is located on top of the cabin 205, but it may be located in other positions.

[0110] The prime mover 202 may be, for example, a diesel engine. An electric motor may be used instead of a diesel engine. The transmission 203 can change the propulsion force and travel speed of the work vehicle 200 by shifting gears. The transmission 203 can also switch the work vehicle 200 between forward and reverse.

[0111] A coupling device 208 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 201. The coupling device 208 includes, for example, a three-point support device (also called a "three-point link" or "three-point hitch"), a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft, a universal joint, and a communication cable. 208 The implement 300 can be attached to and detached from the work vehicle 200 by this coupling device. 208 For example, a hydraulic system can be used to raise and lower the three-point linkage, thereby changing the position or orientation of the implement 300. Power can also be supplied from the work vehicle 200 to the implement 300 via a universal joint. The work vehicle 200 can pull the implement 300 and cause the implement 300 to perform a predetermined task. The coupling device may be located at the front of the vehicle body 201. In that case, the implement can be connected to the front of the work vehicle 200.

[0112] The implement 300 shown in Figure 1A is, for example, a sprayer for spraying pesticides on crops, but the implement 300 is not limited to a sprayer. For example, any implement 300 such as a mower, seeder, spreader, rake, baler, harvester, plow, harrow, or rotary tiller can be connected to the work vehicle 200 and used.

[0113] Thus, the work vehicle 200 used in smart agriculture is equipped with various sensors and performs various tasks together with various implements 300. During the process of such tasks, it is necessary to provide the driver (operator) with various information regarding the driving status and work status. For this reason, the information to be displayed on the meter panel unit 100 can change in various ways depending on the content and stage of the work.

[0114] Furthermore, the work vehicle 200, such as a tractor, may be configured to operate manually, automatically steered, or automatically.

[0115] <Outline configuration of the meter panel unit> Figure 1B is a schematic front view showing an instrument panel unit 100 mounted on a tractor, which is one of the work vehicles, in an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the instrument panel unit 100 is positioned on the front side of the driver's seat of the tractor. Specifically, the instrument panel unit 100 is fitted into an opening in a meter cover 240 above a handle stay 230 that rotatably supports the steering wheel (handle) 220. In this example, the steering wheel 220 has a central hub (horn cover) 221, three spokes 222A, 222B, and 222C extending radially from the horn cover 221, and a rim 223 supported by the spokes 222A, 222B, and 222C. The instrument panel unit 100 is positioned so as to be visible to the driver (operator) seated in the driver's seat. In the example of Figure 1B, various information displayed on the instrument panel unit 100 is visible through an opening between spokes 222A and 222B.

[0116] The meter panel unit 100 is required to have excellent visibility. In particular, in mobile work vehicles capable of automatic steering or autonomous driving, it is necessary to display various information that is not displayed in ordinary passenger cars during the process of performing various agricultural tasks. For such a meter panel unit 100, it is desirable that its visibility be enhanced so that particularly important information is not overlooked. Furthermore, when the meter panel unit 100 is to be mounted on various types of work vehicles, it is desirable that it has a structure that allows for easy installation. As will be described below, the meter panel unit 100 in this embodiment has excellent visibility and is easy to install.

[0117] The schematic configuration of the meter panel unit 100 will be described below with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 4. Figure 2 is a front view showing an example of the arrangement of the main components of the meter panel unit 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the wall portion of the meter panel unit 100, which will be described later. Figure 4 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the transparent cover of the meter panel unit 100, which will be described later. For reference, these figures show mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes (right-handed coordinate system). In this specification, the positive direction of the Y axis may be referred to as upward and the negative direction as downward, and the positive direction of the X axis may be referred to as the right direction and the negative direction as the left direction. In addition, the positive direction of the Z axis may be referred to as the front direction and the negative direction as the back direction.

[0118] The meter panel unit 100 shown in Figure 2 comprises a meter section 10 having a first analog meter 11, a second analog meter 12, and a display element 13 provided between the first and second analog meters 11 and 12. In this specification, the display portion of the meter section 10 shown in Figure 2 may also be referred to as the display surface side of the meter section 10.

[0119] The first analog meter 11 has an indicator needle 2A, and the second analog meter 12 has indicator needles 2B and 2C. Indicator needle 2A is rotatably supported around a pivot axis located near the center of the first analog meter 11. Indicator needle 2A indicates, for example, engine speed, depending on the direction its tip points. Indicator needles 2B and 2C are rotatably supported around two pivot axes located at different locations on the second analog meter 12. Indicator needle 2B indicates, for example, fuel level, depending on the direction its tip points. Indicator needle 2C indicates, for example, engine coolant temperature (water temperature), depending on the direction its tip points. Indicator needles 2A, 2B, and 2C are driven by a drive unit (movement) provided in the meter unit 10. The drive unit can receive electrical signals indicating sensor outputs such as engine speed, fuel level, or water temperature, and convert them into mechanical motion that changes the direction of indicator needles 2A, 2B, and 2C. Each of the drive units for the indicator needles 2A, 2B, and 2C has an actuator such as a stepping motor.

[0120] The display element 13 is a digital meter, not an analog meter. The display element 13 is, for example, an active-matrix display such as a liquid crystal display panel or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode). The display element 13 has a large number of pixels arranged two-dimensionally in the display area, and a display visible to the human eye is realized by the light emitted from the large number of pixels. In the display element 13 in this embodiment, each pixel includes RGB subpixels, and a color image can be displayed. Unlike an analog meter, the display element 13 can display numbers, characters, figures, symbols, still images, or moving images of any size at any position within the display area. Strictly speaking, numbers, characters, figures, and symbols are also part of the image (still image or moving image) that the display element 13 displays in the display area. The display element 13 can also display an image that, for example, superficially resembles all or part of an analog meter with an indicator needle. When the display element 13 displays an image of an "analog meter," it is possible to rotate the "indicator needle" in the image to any orientation as part of a moving image by changing the image frame by frame. Furthermore, if the work vehicle is an electric vehicle powered by a battery, the displays for engine speed, fuel level, and water temperature may be replaced with displays such as motor output, battery level, and battery temperature, respectively.

[0121] The difference between the image of the "analog meter" displayed by a display device such as the display element 13 and the first analog meter 11 and the second analog meter 12 is that the former is two-dimensional, while the latter is three-dimensional. Furthermore, the shape, color, and size of the indicator needle and memory of the analog meter can be changed in the former, but it is difficult to change these in the latter. In addition, in the former, the visibility depends on the contrast of the image, so visibility may decrease when the ambient light is strong in the day, whereas in the latter, such a possibility is relatively small. Taking these factors into consideration, in this embodiment, some of the information to be displayed on the meter unit 10, especially information that is of high importance and requires strong visibility, is displayed by an analog meter with a three-dimensional structure.

[0122] The outer shape of the meter section 10 when viewed from the front on the display side is a closed curve similar to an ellipse, but the outer shape of the meter section 10 is not limited to this example. The outer shape of the meter section 10 when viewed from the front may be roughly a rectangle, or a figure that combines straight lines and curves. If the size of the meter section 10 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) is enlarged, the spokes 222A and 222B shown in Figure 1B may hide both ends of the meter section 10, potentially reducing visibility for the operator. As will be described later, the meter panel unit 100 in this embodiment makes it possible to clearly present the information displayed on the meter section 10 to the operator while suppressing such a reduction in visibility.

[0123] The meter panel unit 100 further includes a wall portion 20 fixed to the display surface side of the meter section 10, and a transparent cover 30 facing the display surface of the meter section 10. The following describes examples of the configurations of the wall portion 20 and the transparent cover 30.

[0124] The wall portion 20 surrounds the entirety of the first analog meter 11, the display element 13, and the second analog meter 12 along the periphery of the meter portion 10. The wall portion 20 may be formed from, for example, plastic (synthetic resin). The wall portion 20 protrudes vertically (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the display surface of the meter portion 10. The wall portion 20 does not need to be perpendicular to the display surface of the meter portion 10 and may be inclined from the Z-axis. In this disclosure, the distance from the display surface of the meter portion 10 to the front end of the wall portion 20 will be referred to as the "height" of the wall portion 20. As will be described later, the height of the wall portion 20 in this embodiment is not constant along the periphery of the meter portion 10, but may vary depending on the position on the periphery.

[0125] When the wall portion 20 in this embodiment is viewed from the front of the meter portion 10, the approximate shape of the wall portion 20 forms a closed curve such as an ellipse. Within the region surrounded by such a wall portion 20, that is, inside the wall portion 20, a single continuous three-dimensional space is formed, enclosed by the inner wall surface of the wall portion 20.

[0126] As shown in Figure 3, the wall portion 20 has a portion with a relatively large height and a portion with a relatively small height. The portion of the wall portion 20 with a relatively large height includes a visor area 20A. At least the visor area 20A of the wall portion 20 has light-shielding properties. The visor area 20A is positioned above the display element 13 when the meter panel unit 100 is mounted on a work vehicle. The visor area 20A of the wall portion 20 functions as an overhang, suppressing external light such as sunlight from illuminating the display element 13 and reducing the visibility of the display in the meter section 10. The height (maximum height) Ha of the visor area 20A is 20 mm or more, preferably 35 mm or more, and more preferably 40 mm or more. When the wall portion 20 is viewed from the direction normal to the meter section 10, the visor area 20A extends to the left and right over a wider area than the display element 13, surrounding the upper half of the first analog meter 11 and the second analog meter 12, respectively. The height of the visor area 20A is highest above the display element 13 and decreases towards the left and right edges.

[0127] The portion of the wall section 20 with a relatively small height is located near the lower end of the meter section 10. The height of the smallest portion of the wall section 20 may be, for example, 5 mm or less, or it may be 0 mm.

[0128] Figure 3 also shows structures other than the wall section 20 that are formed integrally with the wall section 20. As mentioned above, since the wall section 20 can be formed from plastic, it is possible to manufacture the wall section 20 and other structures simultaneously using resin molding technology. The structures other than the wall section 20 shown in Figure 3 will be described later.

[0129] As shown in Figure 4, the transparent cover 30 has a front portion 30A including a concave surface 32, and a side portion 30B extending from the periphery of the front portion 30A along the outside of the wall portion 20. The side portion 30B of the transparent cover 30 can cover the outside of the wall portion 20 all around. The transparent cover 30 may be formed from, for example, a colorless transparent plastic (e.g., acrylic) or glass. In this embodiment, the front portion 30A and the side portion 30B of the transparent cover 30 are a single integrated part.

[0130] When the meter panel unit 100 is mounted on a work vehicle, and the transparent cover 30 is viewed from the direction normal to the meter section 10, it is preferable that the front portion 30A of the transparent cover 30 is tilted forward. With such a forward tilt of the front portion 30A, when the operator looks at the meter section 10 through the transparent cover 30, the operator's face and the operator's background are less likely to be reflected in the transparent cover 30.

[0131] Because the front portion 30A of the transparent cover 30 has a concave surface 32, when the operator looks at the meter unit 10 through the transparent cover 30, the image of the driver and background reflected on the transparent cover 30 is greatly magnified and visible to the driver. This is because concave reflection occurs due to the front portion 30A of the transparent cover 30. When the information displayed by the meter unit 10 is represented by relatively small numbers, letters, figures, etc., the visibility of the displayed information decreases as the spatial frequency of the image reflected on the transparent cover 30 decreases. According to this embodiment, such a decrease in visibility can be suppressed.

[0132] The curvature ρ of the concave surface 32 of the transparent cover 30 is preferably constant in the horizontal (X-axis direction or left-right direction) and vertical (Y-axis direction or up-down direction) directions, respectively. The curvature ρ determines the magnification of the visible image. The more uniform the curvature ρ is regardless of direction, the closer the concave surface 32 becomes to a part of a sphere, and a magnified image with a natural ratio is visible. Note that the front portion 30A does not necessarily have to be concave. For example, if the front portion 30A of the transparent cover 30 is covered with an anti-reflective film, there is no need to worry about reflections, so the front portion 30A may be flat or convex.

[0133] Since the side portion 30B of the transparent cover 30 extends along the outside of the wall portion 20, the side portion 30B has a height corresponding to the height of the wall portion 20. For example, the height of the portion of the side portion 30B of the transparent cover 30 that covers the visor area 20A of the wall portion 20 is greater than the height of the other portions. The space defined by the front portion 30A and the side portion 30B of the transparent cover 30 will be called the "internal space" of the transparent cover 30. The internal space of the transparent cover 30 has a shape and size that accommodates substantially the entire wall portion 20. As mentioned above, a single continuous three-dimensional space is formed inside the wall portion 20, surrounded by the inner wall surface of the wall portion 20, but the front side of this three-dimensional space is defined and closed by the transparent cover 30. The outside of the wall portion 20 and the inside of the side portion 30B of the transparent cover 30 may be in contact, or a gap may be formed between them.

[0134] Furthermore, water vapor present in the "internal space" may condense, causing the transparent cover 30 to fog up. To prevent such fogging, the surface of the transparent cover 30 may be coated with an anti-fog agent. Alternatively, an anti-fog effect can be obtained by providing a small opening in a part of the meter section 10 to create a fluid connection between the internal space and the outside. Note that the entire transparent cover 30 does not need to be transparent. For example, the side portion 30B does not need to be transparent.

[0135] Next, the indicator area of ​​the meter unit 10 will be described with reference to Figure 5. In the example in Figure 5, the meter unit 10 has an indicator area 14T provided above the display element 13, and indicator areas 14L and 14R provided below the display element 13. Various indicators are provided in each of the indicator areas 14T, 14L, and 14R. Each indicator displays predetermined information, such as a warning, when the light-emitting element behind it, such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), is lit.

[0136] The indicator areas 14T, 14L, and 14R are positioned to be easily visible from between spokes 222A and 222B as shown in Figure 1B. However, because the horn cover 221 is located in the center of the steering wheel 220, the central part of the area located directly below the display element 13 may be obscured by the horn cover 221. More specifically, when the operator views the meter unit 10 from the front, the approximate outer shape of the horn cover 221 of the steering wheel 220 is often circular or nearly circular. Therefore, near the lower end of the meter unit 10, the closer to the center of the lower end, the more it tends to be hidden by the horn cover 221 from the operator's perspective. In this embodiment, since two indicator areas 14L and 14R are arranged below the display element 13, the horn cover 221 of the steering wheel 220 is less likely to reduce visibility. In addition, in this embodiment, a blank area 15 is provided that straddles the boundary between the indicator areas 14L and 14R. The blank area 15 includes blank areas 15L and 15R. In the left indicator area 14L, various indicators are arranged with a relative bias to the left, and a first blank area 15L is provided near the right edge. In contrast, in the right indicator area 14R, various indicators are arranged with a relative bias to the right, and a second blank area 15R is provided near the left edge. The first blank area 15L and the second blank area 15R may be easily obscured by the horn cover 221 of the steering wheel 220 if the horn cover 221 is large, making them difficult to see. However, in this embodiment, by not placing indicators in these areas, it is possible to suppress the overlooking of indicators.

[0137] An illuminance sensor 16 may be provided in at least one of the first blank area 15L and the second blank area 15R. The inventors' studies have shown that by using the illuminance sensors 16 provided in these blank areas 15L and 15R to adjust the illuminance of the meter section 10 (adjust the display brightness), accurate illuminance detection can be achieved without being affected by the brightness of the image displayed on the display element 13, and appropriate display brightness can be achieved. The illuminance sensor 16, positioned below the display element 13, is in the shadow of the visor area 20A of the wall section 20 and is not easily exposed to direct sunlight, thus enabling illuminance detection that appropriately reflects the brightness of the environment surrounding the operator. Furthermore, instead of placing an indicator in an area of ​​the meter section 10 that is difficult for the operator to see due to the horn cover 221, placing an illuminance sensor 16 that does not require visual inspection contributes to the effective use of empty space in the meter section 10. If non-emitting areas (blank areas 15L, 15R, etc.) with a width of 5 mm or more are provided on both sides of the illuminance sensor 16, it is possible to suppress the influence of light emitted from the indicator on the illuminance detection of the illuminance sensor 16.

[0138] According to this embodiment, the brightness of the light-emitting area of ​​the arc-shaped indicator, described later, can be changed according to the output of the illuminance sensor 16. It is also possible to change the brightness of the display element 13 according to the output of the illuminance sensor 16.

[0139] The indicator area 14T, located above the display element 13, is less likely to be obstructed by the spokes 222A, 222B, and 222C of the steering wheel 220 compared to the other indicator areas 14L and 14R. For this reason, it is preferable that indicators showing particularly important information (information with a high warning level) (for example, indicators showing the illumination status of lighting devices, turn signals, and warnings to the driver) are selected and placed in the indicator area 14T from among a large number of indicators. The "warning level" of the information displayed by the indicators may be defined, for example, in the owner's manual for the work vehicle. For example, information such as engine abnormalities or malfunctions, and whether the headlights are illuminated or not, have a high warning level.

[0140] Furthermore, as will be described later, the control device may be configured to automatically turn on or adjust the brightness of the headlights and work lights of the work vehicle based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 16.

[0141] Next, an example of the display of the display element 13 will be described with reference to Figure 6A. In the example in Figure 6A, the display area of ​​the display element 13 is divided into several areas, and an "image" showing information such as the gear shift stage, vehicle speed, various function performance displays, and hour meter is displayed in each area. This image contains various types of information represented by letters, numbers, symbols, etc. Various digital data may be indicated by different colors to enhance visibility. In addition, when it is particularly important to attract the operator's attention, the position, size, or color of at least one of the letters, numbers, or symbols may be changed to provide an emphasized display. When such an emphasized display is provided, sound or voice may be emitted from an audio device such as a speaker.

[0142] In this embodiment, each indicator 90 illustrated in Figure 6A is composed of a translucent area 91 with a shape defining a characteristic figure (including icons and / or letters), and a light-emitting element 92 positioned behind it, as shown in Figure 6B or Figure 6C. The indicator 90 can be turned on / off by turning on / off the light-emitting element 92 behind it. One or two light-emitting elements 92 are positioned behind each indicator 90. For example, indicator area 14L may contain an indicator group where two light-emitting elements 92 are assigned to each indicator, as shown in Figure 6B, and indicator area 14R may contain an indicator group where one light-emitting element 92 is assigned to each indicator, as shown in Figure 6C. In this example, indicator area 14L contains a relatively large indicator 90L, and indicator area 14R contains a relatively small indicator 90R. In this case, two light-emitting elements 92 may be positioned behind the relatively large indicator 90L, and one light-emitting element 92 may be positioned behind the relatively small indicator 90R. This arrangement is achieved by ensuring that even when the spacing between light-emitting elements is constant, the light-transmitting area of ​​a relatively large indicator spans two adjacent light-emitting elements, while the light-transmitting area of ​​a relatively small indicator spans one light-emitting element. Since different sized shapes (icons) or characters can be selectively used for each indicator, it becomes possible to increase the visibility of indicators with higher warning levels by making them larger. Furthermore, arranging the light-emitting elements at equal intervals, regardless of the indicator size, allows for the use of a single substrate (light-emitting element substrate) across various work vehicles.

[0143] <Specific configuration example of a meter panel unit> Next, an example of the configuration of the meter panel unit 100 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D. Figure 7A is a front view showing the detailed configuration of the meter panel unit 100 according to this embodiment. Figures 7B, 7C, and 7D are cross-sectional views of Figure 7A, taken along lines BB, CC, and DD, respectively.

[0144] As shown in Figures 7B to 7D, the transparent cover 30 covers the wall portion 20. The transparent cover 30, or more precisely, the front portion 30A of the transparent cover 30, is tilted forward when viewed from the direction normal to the meter portion 10. As explained with reference to Figure 3, the visor area 20A of the wall portion 20 functions as an overhang.

[0145] The side portion 30B of the transparent cover 30 is fixed to the meter section 10. More specifically, in this embodiment, the meter section 10 is fixed to a rear cover 70 provided on the rear side of the meter section 10, and the transparent cover 30 is fixed to the rear cover 70. In the illustrated example, the rear cover 70 houses the movable parts 11A, 12A, and 12B of the indicator needles 2A, 2B, and 2C of the meter section 10. These movable parts 11A, 12A, and 12B are electrically connected to various sensors or electronic control units (ECUs) provided in the work vehicle. Such electrical connections are made via wiring cables connected to electronic components built into the meter panel unit 100. In the figure, the wiring cables are not shown.

[0146] As shown in Figure 7A, the rear cover 70 of the meter panel unit 100 has four fixing points 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D for securing the transparent cover 30 to the rear cover 70. Each of the fixing points 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D has bolt holes 79A, 79B, 79C, and 79D.

[0147] The transparent cover 30 has fixing part covers 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D in positions corresponding to these fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the transparent cover 30 fixed to the rear cover 70 so as to cover the wall part 20 and the meter part 10. In this state, the fixing part covers 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D of the transparent cover 30 face the fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D, respectively, and cover the top and side surfaces of each fixing part 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D. Note that the fixing part 71B and fixing part cover 31B are not shown in Figure 8.

[0148] The fixing covers 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D of the transparent cover 30 have bolt holes 39A, 39B, 39C, and 39D that are opposite to the bolt holes 79A, 79B, 79C, and 79D of the fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D, respectively. The transparent cover 30 is fixed to the meter part 10 by bolting the opposing pair of bolt holes together.

[0149] Note that bolt holes 79A, 79B, 79C, and 79D do not all need to be the same size and shape. In the example in Figure 7A, bolt hole 79D has a different size and shape from the other bolt holes 79A, 79B, and 79C. Specifically, when viewed from the front, bolt hole 79D has an elliptical shape, while the other bolt holes 79A, 79B, and 79C have a circular shape. Bolt hole 79D is larger in a predetermined direction than the bolt used for connection, while the other bolt holes 79A, 79B, and 79C are matched to the size of the bolt. Having bolt hole 79D be larger than the bolt makes it possible to absorb dimensional deviations (dimensional errors) when attaching the transparent cover 30 to the back cover 70.

[0150] As shown in Figure 7A, the meter section 10, including the fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D, is contained within a rectangular area 70X. The rectangular area 70X corresponds to the circumscribed rectangle that is in contact with the outer shape of the meter panel unit 100. The fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D protrude from the main body of the rear cover 70 toward the four corners of the rectangular area 70, respectively. When the housing of the meter section 10 is manufactured by resin molding, the manufacturing cost of the mold increases as the size of the rectangular area 70X that contains the entire meter section 10 increases. In this embodiment, since the positions of the fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D are close to the four corners of the rectangular area 70X, the increase in the manufacturing cost of the mold involved in resin molding can be suppressed.

[0151] Furthermore, each of the fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D has a fastening hole 78A, 78B, 78C, and 78D for the decorative ring. The decorative ring will be described later.

[0152] <Communication ring and endpaper> Next, with reference to Figures 9 to 12, we will describe the arc-shaped indicator (C-shaped communication ring) and the facing plate.

[0153] The meter panel unit 100 of this embodiment includes a first arc-shaped indicator (communication ring) 40A arranged around the movable area 11X of the indicator needle 2A, and a second arc-shaped indicator 40B arranged around the movable areas of the indicator needles 2B and 2C. In this disclosure, "arc" means a part of a circle (circumference), but this circle is not limited to a "perfect circle" and may include a part where the curvature changes gradually or locally, such as a part of an ellipse.

[0154] The first arc-shaped indicator 40A and the second arc-shaped indicator 40B have a symmetrical structure, and therefore, they are collectively referred to as the arc-shaped indicator 40. For simplicity, the first arc-shaped indicator (communication ring) 40A will be used as an example to explain the arc-shaped indicator 40 below.

[0155] As shown in Figure 9, the meter panel unit 100 of this embodiment includes a facing plate 50 located outside the arc-shaped indicator 40. The facing plate 50 is made of the same material (plastic) as the wall portion 20 and is an integrated part with the wall portion 20, as shown in Figure 3. When viewed from the front, the facing plate 50 has a roughly arc-shaped form. The height of the upper end 50T of the facing plate 50 changes continuously from the upper end 50A to the lower end 50B, with the maximum height at the intermediate position. The facing plate 50 is a curved wall rising from the meter portion 10. The height of the visor area 20A of the wall portion 20 from the meter portion 10 is greater than the height of the facing plate 50 from the meter portion 10. In other words, the maximum height of the visor area 20A from the meter portion 10 is greater than the maximum height of the facing plate 50 from the meter portion 10.

[0156] Figure 10 is a front view showing the arrangement of the first analog meter 11, the arc-shaped indicator 40, and the backing plate 50. Figure 11 is a front view mainly showing an example configuration of the arc-shaped indicator 40. None of the first analog meter 11, the arc-shaped indicator 40, and the backing plate 50 extend to the right (positive direction of the X axis) of the EE dashed line shown in Figure 10. The display element 13 is arranged to the right of the EE dashed line (positive direction of the X axis).

[0157] By adopting this configuration, it becomes possible to increase the length of the indicator needle 2A, i.e., the radius of the first analog meter 11, while suppressing the expansion of the lateral (X-axis) size of the first analog meter 11. The same applies to the second analog meter 12. However, expanding the lateral size of the meter section 10 would greatly increase the possibility that the spokes 222A and 222B of the steering wheel 220 would obstruct the visibility of the first and second analog meters 11 and 12, as shown in Figure 1B. For this reason, expanding the lateral size of the meter section 10 is undesirable. In this embodiment, by housing the analog meters inside a shape enclosed by the EE dashed line and arc, rather than a circle, it is possible to increase the lateral (X-axis) size of the display element 13 while improving the visibility of the first and second analog meters 11 and 12, even in a meter section 10 with limited lateral size. Furthermore, by separating the first and second analog meters 11 and 12 from the display element 13 with a straight line, the display areas for analog and digital information can be clearly separated, thereby improving the visibility of both analog and digital information.

[0158] To obtain the above effects, it is preferable that the central angle of the arc of the arc-shaped indicator 40 (40A) arranged to surround the first analog meter 11 is greater than 180° and less than 270°. If the central angle of the arc is 180° or less, the visibility of the first analog meter 11 will decrease, and if the central angle of the arc is 270° or more, the reduction effect of the first analog meter 11 in the lateral direction (X-axis direction) will be insufficient. The same applies to the arc-shaped indicator 40 (40B) surrounding the second analog meter 12. From the viewpoint of design, it is preferable that the left and right arc-shaped indicators 40A and 40B are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical line passing through the center of the display element 13.

[0159] The arc-shaped indicator 40 has at least one light-emitting region 42 positioned between the movable region 11X of the indicator needle 2A and the return plate 50. In the example shown in Figure 11, multiple light-emitting regions 42 are provided. In this example, each light-emitting region 42 has a thin, curved shape that extends in an arc. The multiple light-emitting regions 42 are arranged to form a row of arcs to form the arc-shaped indicator 40. When there is only one light-emitting region 42, that single light-emitting region 42 has an arc shape.

[0160] In the example shown in the figure, the first analog meter 11 has an arc-shaped scale 17 between the arc-shaped indicator 40 and the movable area 11X of the indicator needle 2A. This scale 17 is a three-dimensional scale that protrudes from the display surface and is integrally formed from plastic together with the wall portion 20 and the return plate 50. Note that the scale 17 does not necessarily have to be three-dimensional, but it is desirable to have a three-dimensional scale from the viewpoint of improving readability.

[0161] The multiple light-emitting regions 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40 may each be formed from a light-emitting element (e.g., an LED or OLED), but in this embodiment, they are composed of multiple light-transmitting regions provided on the display surface of the meter unit 10 (i.e., the surface on the front side of the housing of the meter unit 10), and one or more light-emitting elements arranged behind them. This point will be explained below with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 10.

[0162] In this embodiment, the main body of the meter unit 10 includes a substrate 10A and a support portion 10B. In the area of ​​the first analog meter 11, an opening is provided on the front side of the support portion 10B, and this opening is covered by the meter dial 10C. The meter dial 10C is made of a translucent plastic (e.g., polycarbonate), and its surface has a printed layer having characters, numbers, and patterns drawn in any color, white, or black. The edge of the end plate 50 and the three-dimensional scale 17 are located above the edge of the meter dial 10C. In the cross-section shown in Figure 12, there is a gap between the end plate 50 and the three-dimensional scale 17, and this gap forms a translucent region 42A. The portion of the meter dial 10C that functions as the translucent region 42A is configured to transmit light. On the back side of the translucent region 42A (the negative Z-axis side), one or more light-emitting elements 10D are mounted on the substrate 10A. The substrate 10A may have electronic components other than the light-emitting element 10D, as well as electronic circuits (including integrated circuit devices), and these electronic components may be electrically connected by wiring on the substrate 10A.

[0163] The light-transmitting regions 42A function as light-emitting regions 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40 in order to transmit light emitted from the light-emitting element 10D. The shape and size of each light-emitting region 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40 are determined by the shape and size of the corresponding light-transmitting regions 42A. The number of light-emitting elements 10D located below each of the multiple light-transmitting regions 42A, i.e., light-emitting regions 42, is not limited to one, but may be multiple. Furthermore, multiple light-transmitting regions 42A may be arranged to transmit light emitted from a single light-emitting element 10D.

[0164] The multiple light-emitting elements 10D may include multiple LEDs that emit light of different colors. In the example in Figure 12, some of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 10D may pass directly through the light-transmitting region 42A, while other parts of the light may be reflected by an optical element 10E or the like. The optical element 10E may be a diffuser plate, a reflector plate, a light guide plate, or a laminated structure thereof.

[0165] In this embodiment, the multiple light-emitting elements 10D include LEDs that emit red light, LEDs that emit green light, and LEDs that emit blue light. By selectively emitting these LEDs, the arc-shaped indicator 40 can perform the function of notifying the operator of information with light of various colors. For example, red light, green light, and blue light can be selectively emitted from all of the multiple light-emitting regions 42 shown in Figure 11. Furthermore, by assigning a light-emitting element 10D to each of the multiple light-emitting regions 42 and emitting light independently from the multiple light-emitting elements 10D, it is also possible to emit light sequentially from the multiple light-emitting regions 42.

[0166] In this embodiment, the facing plate 50 is located outside the arc-shaped indicator 40, and the inner surface of the facing plate 50 functions as a reflective surface 50R. This reflective surface 50R can reflect light emitted from multiple light-emitting regions 42 towards the operator. The presence of the reflective surface 50R improves the visibility of the arc-shaped indicator 40. The reflective surface 50R does not need to produce specular reflection; it may be a rough surface as long as it can produce diffuse reflection.

[0167] The height Hb of the facing plate 50 from the meter section 10 (see Figure 12) is highest at the side of the central section 40C of the arc-shaped indicator 40. As shown in Figure 3, this height Hb decreases along the arc-shaped indicator 40 towards both ends 50A and 50B of the facing plate 50. The maximum value of the height Hb is, for example, 30 mm or more. By providing such a facing plate 50 close to the arc-shaped indicator 40 (for example, at a distance of 5 mm or less) and on its outside, the visibility of the arc-shaped indicator 40 from the operator's position is improved, and the incidence of ambient light on the periphery of the multiple light-emitting areas 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40 can be suppressed. Incidence of ambient light can reduce the display contrast of the arc-shaped indicator 40, but the double light-shielding function of the tall facing plate 50 located closer to it, in addition to the wall section 20, suppresses the reduction in the visibility of the arc-shaped indicator 40.

[0168] The reason why such tall facing panels 50 can be provided is that the Z-axis size of the three-dimensional space surrounded by the wall portion 20 is sufficiently large. In this embodiment, in addition to the visor area 20A of the wall portion 20, the height of the facing panels 50 arranged on the left and right is large, so as a synergistic effect of both, ambient light from the surroundings is effectively blocked, and the displays of the display element 13 and the left and right arc-shaped indicators 40 can be brightly seen by the operator.

[0169] <3D scale> Next, the three-dimensional scale 17 will be described. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the three-dimensional scale 17 extends in an arc shape inside the arc-shaped indicator 40, roughly forming the letter C. The three-dimensional scale 17 also has a plurality of notches 17A arranged at predetermined intervals, as shown in Figures 3 and 9. These notches 17A are portions where the width W of the three-dimensional scale 17 shown in Figure 12 is locally reduced. The positions of the notches 14A coincide with the positions of the scale indicated by the tip of the indicator needle 2A in the first analog meter 11. The presence of such three-dimensional notches 14A makes it easier for the operator to read the scale.

[0170] As shown in Figure 9, the endpiece 50 has multiple protrusions 52 that project toward the movable area 11X of the indicator needle 2A. The multiple protrusions 52 are positioned at the cutouts of the three-dimensional scale 17, in other words, at positions that align with the scale. As a result, the cutouts 14A of the three-dimensional scale 17 are recognized as a single integrated figure with the protrusions 52, improving the visibility of the scale. Each of the multiple protrusions 52 straddles between the multiple light-emitting areas 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40. Therefore, the arrangement of the multiple light-emitting areas 42 also aligns with the arrangement of the scale.

[0171] As can be seen in Figure 3, the multiple protrusions 52 connect the three-dimensional scale 17 and the end plate 50 as bridges. The end plate 50 is connected to the wall portion 20. In this embodiment, the wall portion 20, the end plate 50, and the three-dimensional scale 17 are integrally formed from resin. The multiple protrusions 52 extending from the end plate 50 define the boundaries of the multiple light-emitting regions 42 in the arc-shaped indicator 40. Even when the translucent region 42A shown in Figure 12 has a continuous arc shape, the multiple protrusions 52 straddle such translucent region 42A, thereby forming multiple light-emitting regions 42.

[0172] When the wall portion 20, the facing plate 50, and the three-dimensional scale 17 are integrally formed from a mold by resin molding, the multiple protrusions 52 will be made of resin located in the resin passage of the molding mold. By providing multiple protrusions 52 arranged at predetermined intervals, the flow of the softened resin during molding is improved, making it easier to integrally form the wall portion 20, the facing plate 50, and the three-dimensional scale 17 by resin molding.

[0173] Next, with reference to Figure 13, the second analog meter 12 and the second arc-shaped indicator 40B will be described. The second arc-shaped indicator 40B is symmetrical to the first arc-shaped indicator 40A, and its basic configuration is identical. A reflective plate (right-side reflective plate) 50 is provided on the outside of the second arc-shaped indicator 40B. right side The facing board 50 is symmetrical to the facing board (left facing board) 50 described earlier.

[0174] Inside the second arc-shaped indicator 40B, there is an arc-shaped protrusion 14X corresponding to the three-dimensional scale 17, but this arc-shaped protrusion 14X does not have a notch. Between the arc-shaped protrusion 14X and the right-side facing plate 50, protrusions (bridges) 52 are arranged at equal intervals to define the multiple light-emitting regions 42 of the second arc-shaped indicator 40B.

[0175] The movable areas 13X of the second indicator needle 2B and the third indicator needle 2C are located within the area enclosed by the second arc-shaped indicator 40B. The rotation angle range 2BM of the second indicator needle 2B and the rotation angle range 2CM of the third indicator needle 2C have similar or congruent shapes as external dimensions. In the example of Figure 3, the rotation angle range 2BM of the second indicator needle 2B and the rotation angle range 2CM of the third indicator needle 2C are vertically symmetrical, but the example is not limited to this. The rotation angle ranges 2BM and 2CM may have shapes and sizes such that they overlap each other when one is translated vertically, for example.

[0176] By adopting this configuration, it becomes possible to intuitively read the scale from the movement of the second indicator needle 2B and the third indicator needle 2C, making reading errors less likely.

[0177] <Information Display System> The information display system 500 in the embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 14 to 16. The information display system 500 comprises the meter panel unit 100 described above and a control device 400 that controls the meter panel unit 100. The information display system 500 can be electrically connected to a lighting device 420, including headlights and work lights, that has a work vehicle.

[0178] The control device 400 may display a warning message on the display element 13 prompting the driver to turn off the headlights and / or work lights, depending on the output of the illuminance sensor 16. For example, when the illuminance indicated by the output of the illuminance sensor 16 is above a threshold, the control device 400 may display a warning message on the display element 13 prompting the driver to turn off the headlights and / or work lights. This effectively prevents unnecessary illumination of the lighting device 420, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0179] Some of the functions of the control device 400 may be performed by the meter panel unit 100. For example, some or all of the functions of the control device 400 may be realized by an integrated circuit device mounted on the substrate 10A of the meter section 10.

[0180] In the information display system 500 of this embodiment, the control device 400 is configured to display information using the arc-shaped indicator 40 before displaying various types of information on the display element 13 when the work vehicle is started. This makes it possible to prioritize the transmission of information that the operator should know first when starting up. Such information includes content indicating the status of the work vehicle (a state classified as abnormal for driving or work). The control device 400 also operates to change the color of the light it emits according to the content of the information. For example, if there is no abnormality when starting up, the control device 400 may emit blue light from the arc-shaped indicator 40, and if there is a problem with driving, for example, it may operate to emit red light immediately after starting up to indicate an abnormality. Examples of situations where there is a problem with driving include abnormal battery voltage, abnormal engine oil pressure, abnormal engine overheating, and abnormal brake system. Note that the emitted color is not limited to blue and red, but may also be green.

[0181] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 400 is configured to display a curved image located on the extension of the arc on the display element 13. Figure 15 is a schematic front view showing an example in which an arc 13A of the same color as the light emitted from the light-emitting region 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40 is displayed. As an example, Figure 15 shows an arc 13A concentric with the arc of the arc-shaped indicator 40. Figure 16 is a schematic front view showing an example in which an arc 13B of the same color as the light emitted from the light-emitting region 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40 and another shape 13C including an arc of the same color are displayed. In the example shown in Figure 16, the other shape 13C is a straight line. The control device 400 displays the arc 13B concentric with the arc and the straight line connected to the arc 13B on the display element 13. The straight line is connected to the first analog meter 11 and the display element 13It extends parallel to the straight line defining the boundary (corresponding to the EE dashed line shown in Figure 16). By displaying it in this way, the portion of the circle surrounding the first analog meter 11 that is cut off by the EE dashed line is perceived by the operator as part of the first analog meter 11, making the first analog meter 11 appear larger. Furthermore, the image displayed as if it were part of the first analog meter 11 may be partially obscured by numerical or character information displayed on the display element 13. More important information may be displayed on the display element 13 in a larger size or closer to the viewer.

[0182] The control device 400 can display various images on the display element 13 in accordance with the light emitted from the light-emitting area 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40, in a manner not limited to the examples shown in Figures 15 and 16. Furthermore, the control device 400 can display various images on the display element 13 in synchronization with the blinking of the light-emitting area 42 of the arc-shaped indicator 40. By emphasizing or linking the display of the arc-shaped indicator 40 with the display of the display element 13 in this way, the display of the arc-shaped indicator 40 becomes easier for the operator to understand.

[0183] <Decorative Ring> An example of a decorative ring in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7A, 8, and 17.

[0184] As mentioned above, the fixing portions 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D of the back cover 70 have fastening holes 78A, 78B, 78C, and 78D for the decorative ring, respectively. The decorative ring is a component that is placed over the transparent cover 30 in the state shown in Figure 8, and it functions to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the design. Figure 8 shows three fastening holes 78A, 78C, and 78D.

[0185] Figure 17 is a schematic perspective view showing the decorative ring 80 fixed to the back cover 70 with the transparent cover 30 placed over it. In this example, the decorative ring 80 is formed from, for example, a resin material and its surface may be plated with a metal such as chromium. The decorative ring 80 may be formed from metal. The decorative ring 80 has a ring-shaped body 81 and a plurality of support parts 82 extending from the ring-shaped body to the fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D of the back cover 70. The ring-shaped body 81 is along the edge of the transparent cover 30 and can be seen through the transparent cover 30. Meter section It doesn't interfere with seeing the number 10.

[0186] The appearance of the decorative ring 80, including its shape, color, material, and pattern, can be provided in various forms depending on the operator's preference or the model or grade of the work vehicle. The decorative ring 80 is not necessarily an essential part of the meter panel unit 100. Therefore, the decorative ring 80 does not need to be fixed to the fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D of the rear cover 70. When the decorative ring 80 is not fixed to the fixing parts 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D of the rear cover 70, no bolts or other fasteners are inserted into the retaining holes 78A, 78B, 78C, and 78D of the decorative ring. By providing such retaining holes 78A, 78B, 78C, and 78D in advance, the versatility of the meter panel unit 100 can be increased.

[0187] <Back structure> The rear structure of the meter panel unit 100 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the rear part of the meter panel unit 100. Figure 19 is another perspective view showing the rear part of the meter panel unit 100.

[0188] As shown in Figures 7B to 7D above, the meter panel unit 100 includes a rear cover 70 located on the rear side of the meter section 10. The structure of the rear cover 70 in this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0189] First, the rear cover 70 has at least one rear connector 73 whose connection direction is inclined from the direction normal to the surface 70S of the rear cover 70 (Z-axis direction). Here, "inclined" includes orthogonal. 70S It may have some unevenness. In the example in Figure 18, the number of rear connectors 73 is 1, but there may be 2 or more. The connection direction of the rear connector 73 shown in Figure 18 is parallel to the X-axis direction. In other words, the connection direction of this rear connector 73 is parallel to the rear cover 70 It is perpendicular to the normal direction of the surface 70S. The rear connector 73 is a connector that connects, for example, to a camera cable from an in-vehicle camera.

[0190] By adopting this configuration, it becomes easier to perform operations such as connecting the camera cable to the rear connector 73 or disconnecting the camera cable from the rear connector 73 while the meter panel unit 100 is still attached to the work vehicle. Specifically, when the meter panel unit 100 is attached to the work vehicle, removing the meter cover 240 as shown in Figure 1B allows access to the rear connector 73 from the opened space on the side.

[0191] In the example shown in Figure 18, when no cable is connected to the rear connector 73, the connection portion of the rear connector 73 is covered by a rubber cap 73A. The rubber cap 73A has a rib shape that is recessed on the side of the connection portion when it is covering the connection portion of the rear connector 73. The rear cover 70 is provided with a fall prevention string 73B that flexibly connects the rubber cap 73A to the rear cover 70 to prevent the rubber cap 73A from being lost. The fall prevention string 73B is, for example, a rubber string.

[0192] A fall prevention string 73B can be fixed to the mating portion where the back cover 70 and the transparent cover 40 interlock. In the example shown in Figure 18, the fixing portion 71A of the back cover 70 and the fixing portion cover 31A of the transparent cover 40 interlock to function as a mating portion, and the fall prevention string 73B is fixed to this mating portion.

[0193] The rear cover 70 has a bundling portion 74 for bundling a plurality of wire harnesses. In this example, the bundling portion 74 is located at the central portion of the rear cover 70. The rear cover 70 and the bundling portion 74 are integrally formed from a resin material. More specifically, the bundling portion 74 has a pair of small piece plates 74A and 74B that project in the normal direction (Z-axis direction) from the rear cover 70. The small piece plates 74A and 74B face each other in parallel with a predetermined interval therebetween. Also, the lower ends of the small piece plates 74A and 74B are connected by a bottom plate 74D having a through hole 74C. The through hole 74C has a size that allows a plurality of wire harnesses to pass through. By passing the plurality of wire harnesses through the through hole 74C, it becomes possible to bundle them in the bundling portion 74. This can prevent the plurality of wire harnesses from, for example, interfering with maintenance work. The upper ends of the small piece plates 74A and 74B are inclined from the normal direction of the surface 70S of the rear cover 70, and the height (Y-axis direction size) of the small piece plates 74A and 74B becomes smaller as it moves away from the surface 70S of the rear cover 70. The height of the bundling portion 74, or the height (X-axis direction size) of the small piece plates 74A and 74B, is, for example, 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

[0194] The rear cover 70 has a plurality of protrusions 76 that fit into a member to which the meter panel unit 100 is attached. In the examples shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, two protrusions 76 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the rear cover 70, respectively. However, the position and number of the protrusions are not limited to these. Each protrusion 76 has a convex portion (fitting claw). By fitting the convex portion of the protrusion 76 into a concave portion (a hole that matches the fitting claw) provided in the meter cover 240 shown in FIG. 1B and having a shape that matches the convex portion, the meter panel unit 100 can be fixed to the meter cover 240.

[0195] Further, the back cover 70 has at least three, preferably four, protruding portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D that protrude from the surface 70S. The tips of the protruding portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D are located on the same plane (virtual plane). The protruding portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D are arranged so as to form a predetermined gap between such a plane and the surface 70S of the back cover 70.

[0196] The height (size in the X-axis direction) of each of the protruding portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D is, for example, 25 mm or more and 60 mm or less. Each of the protruding portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D is located within a range where the distance from the center of the surface 70S of the back is, for example, 100 mm or more, preferably, for example, 120 mm or more. Cover 70 can be located within a range where the distance from the center of the surface 70S of the back is, for example, 100 mm or more, preferably, for example, 120 mm or more.

[0197] The back cover 70 and the protruding portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D are integrally formed from, for example, a resin material. The interval of the predetermined gap formed between the same plane where the tips of the protruding portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D are located and the surface 70S of the back cover 70 is larger than the height of all the convex portions on the surface 70S such as the binding portion 74 and the back connector 73. Thereby, for example, the protruding portions 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D can stably place the meter panel unit 100 on, for example, a flat workbench without being interfered by the binding portion 74 and the back connector 73. As a result, operations such as assembly, wiring, or maintenance can be facilitated.

Industrial Applicability

[0198] The technology of the present disclosure is widely applied to various types of work vehicles used in smart agriculture.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0199] 10... Meter section, 11... First analog meter, 12... Second analog meter, 13... Display element, 14T... Indicator area, 14L... Indicator area, 14R... Indicator area, 15L... Blank area, 15R... Blank area, 16... Illuminance sensor, 17... Three-dimensional scale, 20... Wall section, 30... Transparent cover, 30A... Front of transparent cover, 30B... Side of transparent cover, 40... Arc-shaped indicator, 50... Facing plate, 100... Meter panel unit

Claims

1. A meter panel unit for work vehicles, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, An arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the aforementioned indicator needle, A return plate located on the outside of the aforementioned arc-shaped indicator, Equipped with, The arc-shaped indicator has at least one light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate, The aforementioned facing plate has a reflective surface that reflects light emitted from at least one of the light-emitting regions toward the driver of the work vehicle, A meter panel unit for a work vehicle, wherein the height of the reflecting plate from the meter section is highest at the side of the central part of the arc-shaped indicator, and the height decreases towards both ends of the reflecting plate along the arc-shaped indicator.

2. The meter panel unit according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped indicator has at least one or more light-emitting regions that emit light of different colors.

3. The arc-shaped indicator and the return plate are, Each of these is provided on both sides of the display element, The meter panel unit according to claim 1, which is located outside the region bounded by a straight line defining the boundary between the first analog meter and the display element, and another straight line defining the boundary between the second analog meter and the display element.

4. The meter panel unit according to claim 1, wherein the wall portion has a visor area located above the analog meter and the display element when mounted on a work vehicle, and the height of the visor area from the meter portion is 40 mm or more.

5. The meter panel unit according to claim 1, wherein the analog meter has an arc-shaped scale between the arc-shaped indicator and the movable area of ​​the indicator needle.

6. The arc-shaped indicator and the facing plate are provided on both sides of the display element, The meter panel unit according to claim 5, which is located outside the region bounded by a straight line defining the boundary between the first analog meter and the display element, and another straight line defining the boundary between the second analog meter and the display element.

7. The meter panel unit according to claim 5, wherein the scale is a three-dimensional scale that protrudes from the display surface.

8. The first analog meter has a first indicator needle, and the second analog meter has second and third indicator needles. The arc-shaped indicator includes a first arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the first indicator needle, and a second arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable areas of the second and third indicator needles. The aforementioned facing plate is located outside the first and second arc-shaped indicators, respectively. These are a pair of facing panels, Each of the first and second arc-shaped indicators has at least one light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate, The meter panel unit according to claim 1, wherein the movable range of the second indicator needle and the movable range of the third indicator needle have similar or congruent shapes as external dimensions.

9. The meter panel unit according to claim 8, wherein the outer shape defining the shape of the movable range of the second indicator needle and the outer shape defining the shape of the movable range of the third indicator needle are vertically symmetrical.

10. The second indicator needle indicates the remaining fuel level of the work vehicle. The meter panel unit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the third indicator needle indicates the temperature of the engine coolant of the work vehicle.

11. A meter panel unit for a work vehicle, A meter section having first and second analog meters having indicator needles, and a display element provided between the first and second analog meters, A wall portion is provided on the display surface side of the meter section, surrounding the first and second analog meters and the display element, A transparent cover facing the display surface of the meter section, An arc-shaped indicator arranged around the movable area of ​​the aforementioned indicator needle, A return plate located on the outside of the aforementioned arc-shaped indicator, Equipped with, The arc-shaped indicator has at least one light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate, The analog meter has an arc-shaped scale between the arc-shaped indicator and the movable area of ​​the indicator needle. The meter panel unit has a plurality of protrusions that project toward the movable range of the indicator needle, and the plurality of protrusions are provided at positions that align with the scale.

12. The arc-shaped indicator has at least one light-emitting region positioned between the movable region of the indicator needle and the end plate, The meter panel unit according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of protrusions on the facing plate each straddle the space between the light-emitting regions.

13. The scale is a three-dimensional scale that protrudes from the display surface. The meter panel unit according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of protrusions connect the reflecting plate and the three-dimensional scale.

14. A work vehicle comprising a meter panel unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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