Display cover plate

[0039] The following is a detailed description of the technical scheme of the invention in combination with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments to further understand the purpose, scheme and efficacy of the invention, but it is not a limitation of the scope of protection of the claims attached to the invention.

[0040] reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , which respectively shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram and a sectional schematic diagram of the display cover plate 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display cover plate 10 is used to display the predetermined pattern D. The predetermined pattern D can be any text, figure or image, and the I letter shown here is only a simple example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the display cover plate 10 can display the predetermined pattern d by emitting light L through the light transmission window w of the predetermined pattern D, and can be applied to various scenes where the predetermined pattern D needs to be displayed. For example, it can be applied to various light signal display screens or lighting appliances such as decorative lamps, atmosphere lamps, lighting lamps, vehicle cover plates, electrical instrument panels and medical instrument panels to display the predetermined pattern D.

[0041] Bearing, reference Figure 2 According to the present embodiment, the display cover plate 10 may include a light transmitting layer 100, a window pattern 200 arranged on the light transmitting layer 100 corresponding to a predetermined pattern D design, at least one light source 400 arranged on the light transmitting layer 100 or the window pattern 200, and a light conducting layer 600 arranged on the light transmitting layer 100 and covering the window pattern 200 and at least one light source 400.

[0042]Specifically, the light transmitting layer 100 can be any light transmitting film layer, such as a decorative film that can transmit light to maintain the integrity or consistency of the overall appearance, such as polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI) Transparent film made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS). Accordingly, a window pattern 200 having a lower transmittance relative to the light transmitting layer 100, such as black ink or dark components, can be arranged on the light transmitting layer 100 to mask blocks other than the predetermined pattern D. Thus, the light transmission window w of the predetermined pattern D can be defined on the light transmission layer 100.

[0043] As mentioned above, together with Figure 2 Further reference Figure 3 , at least one light source 400 may be arranged on the light transmitting layer 100 or the window pattern 200 and configured to emit light L. For example, at least one light source 400 may be an LED, an organic light emitting element, an electroluminescent element, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0044] According to some embodiments, in order to make it easier for the outside to detect the existence of the light source 400, the light source 400 may be arranged on the side of the window pattern 200 away from the light transmitting layer 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0045] Next, the light conducting layer 600 provided to cover the window pattern 200 and at least one light source 400 may be, for example, a plastic module. In addition, according to some embodiments, the window pattern 200 and the at least one light source 400 can be coated and embedded in the light conducting layer 600. Thus, when at least one light source 400 emits light, the light l can be directly incident on the light conducting layer 600 for conduction without incident on the light conducting layer 600 through the interface between different media. Therefore, the loss rate of the light l emitted by the light source 400 can be reduced or avoided, or the possible deflection of the light l emitted by the light source 400 through different media can be reduced or avoided.

[0046] According to some embodiments, since the light l emitted by the light source 400 can be directly incident on the light conducting layer 600, and the light diffusion or uniformity can be increased based on the change of structural shape in the light conducting layer 600 (for example, total reflection in the light conducting layer 600 of the plastic module, but not limited to this), the need for additional diffusion parts or dielectric layers can be omitted or reduced. In addition, it can also reduce or avoid the increase of light loss / reduction of transmitted light at the interface of media due to the setting of diffusion parts when crossing different media.

[0047] In detail, such as Figure 2 As shown, the side of the light conducting layer 600 away from the light transmitting layer 100 may have at least one light guiding structure 800. By this, together with Figure 2 Further reference Figure 3 , at least one light guide structure 800 may be configured to guide the light l emitted by the light source 400 at least partially to the light transmitting window w of the predetermined pattern D. Thus, the uniformity and brightness of the outgoing light can be effectively improved, the distance that can be illuminated (E. G., towards the expected outgoing light direction of the light transmitting window w or the extension direction of the light conducting layer 600) can be increased, and the number or power of the set light sources 400 may be reduced. Therefore, when the display cover plate 10 is arranged on a predetermined device or a predetermined scene and emits light, an object is observed on the side of the light transmitting layer 100 away from the light conducting layer 600, and it can be seen that the display cover plate 10 displays the predetermined pattern d by emitting light.

[0048] Therefore, based on the light guiding structure 800 formed on the light conducting layer 600 itself and the light source 400 covered by the light conducting layer 600, a lighter and thinner display cover plate 10 can be provided through an integrated relatively simplified architecture. Further, the display cover plate 10 according to the present embodiment reduces or avoids the loss and changes that may be caused by the passage of light through different media, since additional attached circuit boards or light-emitting elements are reduced or avoided on the light conduction layer 600. Thus, the efficiency, accuracy and stability of light output and / or light guide of the display cover plate 10 can be improved under the simplified structure.

[0049] stay Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the example shown, the light source 400 may be a single front emitting LED. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, multiple LEDs can be set, side emitting LEDs or wide-angle / full-angle emitting LEDs can be set, or different light sources other than LEDs can be set. In conclusion, what is shown and explained here is only an example.

[0050] Next, please refer to Figure 4 And from Figure 4 Direction DN looking down Figure 5 , the display cover plate 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention may substantially further include a conductive pattern 300 arranged on the light transmitting layer 100 or the window pattern 200. Specifically, in order to reduce or avoid the use of another attached circuit board, according to the present embodiment, for the circuit configuration and / or circuit design corresponding to at least one light source 400, it can be directly formed on the light transmitting layer 100 or the window pattern 200 in the form of a conductive pattern 300. Thus, at least one light source 400 can be electrically connected to the conductive pattern 300 and can turn on and emit light.

[0051] In addition, according to some embodiments, the conductive pattern 300 can be arranged on the side of the window pattern 200 away from the light transmitting layer 100, so that when an object is observed on the side of the light transmitting layer 100 away from the light conducting layer 600, the existence of the conductive pattern 300 will not be detected due to the shielding of the window pattern 200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the conductive pattern 300 is made of a light transmitting material, the conductive pattern 300 can also extend from the window pattern 200 to the light transmitting window w on the light transmitting layer 100 without being perceived by the object located outside. In this embodiment, the conductive pattern 300 may, for example, have a touch function for the object to touch. In addition, similar to the window pattern 200 and at least one light source 400, the conductive pattern 300 may be covered by the light conducting layer 600. For example, the conductive pattern 300 may be coated and embedded in the light conducting layer 600.

[0052] Next, you will reference Figures 6 to 7C A method for manufacturing a display cover plate according to some embodiments of the present invention is described.

[0053] reference Figure 6 , the manufacturing method 1000 of the display cover plate according to an embodiment of the present invention sequentially includes step S1, step S2 and step S3.

[0054] In detail, refer to Figure 7a , in step S1, a light transmitting layer 100 may be prepared first, and a dark material such as dark ink may be printed or coated on the light transmitting layer 100 corresponding to the desired pattern to form a window pattern 200.

[0055] Next, refer to Figure 7B In step S2, at least one light source 400, such as an LED patch and a conductive pattern 300 arranged and designed relative to the circuit of the light source 400, may be placed on the light transmitting layer 100 or the window pattern 200. Specifically, the conductive pattern 300 can be formed by printing or coating a conductive ink such as conductive silver paste on the light transmitting layer 100 or the window pattern 200, and the light source 400 can also be configured on the light transmitting layer 100 or the window pattern 200 and electrically connected with the conductive pattern 300. For example, a conductive ink with a line width of 0.2 ~ 1mm and a thickness of 3 ~ 10um, such as conductive silver paste screen printing, can be used to make the conductive pattern 300 (adjusted according to the light source current / conductive ink, such as conductive silver paste characteristics / printing parameters). According to some embodiments, in order to reduce or avoid unexpected observation of the conductive pattern 300 and the light source 400 by external objects, the conductive pattern 300 and the light source 400 may be formed on the window pattern 200 without directly contacting the light transmitting layer 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0056]According to some embodiments, the conductive ink such as conductive silver paste can be a high temperature resistant conductive ink. For example, it can be a conductive ink with a temperature range of up to 150 ℃. In addition, conductive silver glue may be used to electrically connect the conductive pattern 300 and the light source 400, and the conductive silver glue can also have high temperature resistance. For example, it can be baked and cured in the temperature range of 60 ~ 150 ℃ (adjusted according to the temperature resistance of conductive materials such as conductive ink / other parts). However, the invention is not limited to this, and according to other embodiments, conductive materials such as conductive ink with applicable temperature range of 90 ~ 130 ℃ or conductive materials such as low-temperature conductive ink with even lower temperature range of 60 ~ 80 ℃.

[0057] Undertake the above, together with Figure 7B reference Figure 7C , in the above step S2, the assembled structure of the light transmitting layer 100, the window pattern 200, at least one light source 400 and the selectively arranged conductive pattern 300 is a screen layer SL. For example, the screen layer SL may be a combination of a decorative outer film expected to be displayed externally, an internal thin film circuit and a light source. On, on Figure 7C In step S3 shown, the screen layer SL can be set in a specific mold, and a molten plastic can be injected into the mold to form a corresponding light conducting layer 600. That is, the display cover plate 20 can be injection molded by injection molding plastic on the screen layer SL to form a cured light conducting layer 600 through in mold electronics. Thus, the integrated molding can be completed, and the window pattern 200, at least one light source 400 and the selectively arranged conductive pattern 300 cover the integrated display cover plate 20 embedded in the light conducting layer 600. According to other embodiments, in addition to melt injection molding, the light conducting layer 600 can also use pouring and other methods to wrap the light source 400 in the light conducting layer 600, so that the light l can be directly incident on the light conducting layer 600 for conduction.

[0058] In addition, according to some embodiments, at least one light guide structure 800 formed on the side of the light conducting layer 600 away from the light transmitting layer 100 can be formed by naturally transferring to the light conducting layer 600 corresponding to the corresponding structure on the mold in the in-film electronic program. Thus, the light guide structure 800 can be completed by a more convenient program. Alternatively, according to other embodiments, at least one light guide structure 800 can be completed by first emitting the semi-finished product of the display cover plate 20 of the cured light guide layer 600, and then through subsequent processing procedures such as etching, cutting, attachment, etc. Thus, a few fixed molds can complete more varied light guide structures 800. In addition, according to different embodiments of the invention, the process and details for forming at least one light guide structure 800 are not limited to the States specifically shown in the specification and the drawings.

[0059] Further reference will be made below Figures 8A to 8F A display cover plate having a light guide structure 800 according to different embodiments of the present invention is described.

[0060] First, reference Figure 8A According to an embodiment, at least one light guide structure 800 of the display cover plate 30 may include a microstructure 820 for reflecting and guiding light to the transparent window W. In addition, the microstructure 820 can be any microstructure that can help reflect light or guide light to the transparent window W, and is located on the optical path of the light l emitted by at least one light source 400. For example, the microstructure 820 may have a plurality of microstructure units 825 arranged as concave convex holes, such as serrated or wavy, and at least one light source 400 may be a side emitting LED. Thus, the light l can propagate in the light conducting layer 600, shoot at the microstructure 820 and be reflected by the microstructure 820 to guide the light transmitting window W.

[0061] Next, refer to Figure 8B According to an embodiment, at least one light guide structure 800 of the display cover plate 40 may include an inclined structure 840 for reflecting and guiding light to the transparent window W. Accordingly, the inclined structure 840 may define a reflecting surface 845 facing the interior of the light conducting layer 600. The reflecting surface 845 faces the light transmitting window W and is inclined relative to the extension direction D1 of the light conducting layer 600 so that it can reflect light L from at least one light source 400. For example, the inclined plane structure 840 may be set so that the light path of the light l emitted by at least one light source 400 and the incident angle incident on the reflecting surface 845 are symmetrical or corresponding to the light path of the light l reflected from the reflecting surface 845 and the exit angle, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, at least one light source 400 may be a front light-emitting LED and emit light towards the inclined structure 840. Thus, the light l can propagate in the light conducting layer 600, shoot at the inclined structure 840 and be reflected by the inclined structure 840 to guide the transparent window W.

[0062] According to some embodiments, such as Figure 8B As shown, at least one reflective layer 860 is arranged on the back of the at least one light guide structure 800 facing away from the light transmitting layer 100, and the at least one reflective layer 860 reflects the light l emitted by at least one light source 400, so that the brightness of the obtained light can be further improved. For example, in order to further enhance the ability of the inclined structure 840 to reflect light L and reduce or avoid the probability of light l escaping from the light conducting layer 600, at least one reflecting layer 860 may be arranged behind the inclined structure 840. However, the above is only an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible to simply reflect the light L through the inclined structure 840 without setting the reflection layer 860.

[0063] Again, refer to Figure 8C , the display cover plate 50 may have substantially similar Figure 8B The difference is only that Figure 8B The inclined structure 840 is formed in a depression on the light conducting layer 600, and Figure 8C The inclined structure 840 of the light conducting layer 600 is formed in a protruding manner. In addition, it can be seen from different states that according to different embodiments of the invention, various light guide structures 800 can be flexibly prepared according to the design or manufacturing process, and these light guide structures 800 fall into the scope of the invention.

[0064] Bearing, reference Figure 8D According to the display cover plate 60 of an embodiment, the above reflection layer 860 can also be arranged in a similar manner Figure 8A Behind the microstructure 820. Thus, the ability of the microstructure 820 to reflect and guide light l can be further strengthened, and the probability of light l escaping from the light conducting layer 600 can be reduced or avoided.

[0065] Further, refer to Figure 8e , according to an embodiment, the light guide structure 800 of the display cover plate 70 may have a combined application of the above various different structures. Specifically, such as Figure 8e As shown, the light guide structure 800 may include the microstructure 820, the inclined structure 840 and the reflection layer 860. For example, the microstructure 820 may be arranged on the side of the light conducting layer 600 closer to the light source 400 away from the light transmitting layer 100, while the inclined structure 840 may be arranged on the side of the light conducting layer 600 farther away from the light source 400 away from the light transmitting layer 100, so that the reflecting surface 845 faces the light source 400 and the light transmitting window W. In addition, the reflective layer 860 may be arranged on the back of the inclined structure 840 to increase the reflection ability of the inclined structure 840 and reduce or avoid the unexpected departure of light L from the light conducting layer 600. As described above, it can be combined and applied through a variety of structures to guide the light L in all directions or angles to the transparent window w as much as possible.

[0066] When the light source 400 and the inclined structure 840 are arranged on both sides of the light transmitting window w relative to each other, the light source 400 may be a side emitting LED that emits light l towards the inclined structure 840, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0067] As described above, according to another embodiment, such as Figure 8F As shown, the display cover plate 80 may also be similar to the above embodiment and have the above combined application of a variety of different structures. For example, the light guide structure 800 may include the microstructure 820, the inclined structure 840, and a reflective layer 860 disposed behind the inclined structure 840. At least one light source 400 is arranged on the same side of the light transmitting window w relative to the inclined structure 840, and the inclined structure 840 and the microstructure 820 are relative to the front of the light source 400. Therefore, in this embodiment, at least one light source 400 may be a front light-emitting LED that emits light l towards the microstructure 820 and the inclined structure 840 above the front.

[0068] According to some embodiments, the wavelength of the light l emitted by the at least one light source 400 changes after being reflected through the at least one reflection layer 860. For example, the reflective layer 860 may be a reflective material with a specific color, and the light l will change the color after being reflected by the reflective layer 860. Thus, the characteristics of the light displayed by the display cover plate can be further adjusted.

[0069] In addition, although the above microstructure 820 is set corresponding to the transparent window W, according to other embodiments, the microstructure 820 may also be relatively set on the light conduction layer 600 on both sides of the transparent window W, and appropriately reflect or guide the light l to the transparent window w according to the shape change of its detail structure. In conclusion, the state samples shown in the specification and the drawings are only examples, and the invention is not limited to this.

[0070] As described above, referring to the above various states, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that the specific structure and combination of the required light guide structure 800 can be adjusted according to different embodiments of the invention. For example, the specific detail structure and configuration can be set and adjusted according to the range of the light transmission window W, the expected light path, the angle and direction of light output, the expected luminous uniformity and luminous intensity. In conclusion, the invention is not limited to the example State specifically drawn in the description and the schema.

[0071] Similar to the above process steps, the microstructure 820 and the inclined structure 840 can be formed, for example, by the detailed shape or structure of the mold, or by etching or cutting after the formation of the light conducting layer 600. In addition, the reflective layer 860 can be attached to the light conducting layer 600 at the same time when the light conducting layer 600 is formed by laying in a specific part of the mold and injecting plastic into the mold, or it can be formed by attaching the reflective layer 860 to a specific part after the light conducting layer 600 is formed. As described above, as long as the display cover plate within the defined scope of the invention can be formed, the applicable processes and means during manufacturing are not limited to this. In addition, the proportion and relative proportion of each component shown in the diagram of the application may be enlarged or highlighted for clarity or illustration. Therefore, those skilled in the art should understand that the actual proportion of the whole and each part of the display cover plate made according to each embodiment of the invention is not limited to the proportion specifically shown in the diagram.

[0072] Next, please refer to Figure 9 The upper part shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the display cover plate 90, and the lower part shows a schematic top view of the relative configuration of the microstructure 820 in the display cover plate 90 and the light sources 410 and 420. In addition, it should be noted that in order to make the schema easy to understand, some elements, such as the reflective layer 860, are connected to Figure 9 Omitted from the top schematic diagram of. According to another embodiment of the invention, the display cover plate 90 may have, for example, two light sources 410 and 420, which are respectively arranged relative to both sides of the light transmitting window W. In this embodiment, the light guide structure 800 may include a microstructure 820 and a reflective layer 860 selectively arranged on the back of the microstructure 820. The farther away from the light sources 410 and 420 (for example, the more corresponding to the middle of the light transmission window w), the higher the density of the arrangement of the plurality of microstructure units 825 of the microstructure 820. For example, the farther away from the light source 410 or 420, the smaller the distance between the microstructure units 825 or the smaller the size of the microstructure unit 825 itself. Thus, the amount of reflected light can be increased by reflecting light through the high-density microstructure unit 825, so as to make up for the problem that less light can be received and reflected because it is far from the light source 410 or 420. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, through the microstructure 820 with different density, using fewer light sources (E. G., two light sources 410 and 420) can realize the state of a relatively slender light transmission window w or display cover plate 90 (E. G., high slender ratio) while reducing or avoiding the reduction of light output efficiency or luminous uniformity.

[0073] Other details according to this embodiment are similar to or the same as the other embodiments described above, and the contents of these parts will not be repeated here. For example, the denser one of the light sources 820 is set away from the light source 410, and the denser one of the light sources 820 is set away from the light source 410 (for example, according to another embodiment, the denser one of the light sources 820 is set away from the light source 410 is set away from the light source 410). In conclusion, those skilled in the art should be able to adjust the number and position of light sources and the density of microstructure 820 relative to the light source under the understanding of the above principles, and will not be repeated here.

[0074] Next, please refer to Figure 10 , according to another embodiment of the present invention, a display cover plate 95 is proposed. The display cover plate 95 is integrally formed in a predetermined shape F, and the structures of light sources such as light source 410 and light source 420, window pattern 200 and selectively arranged conductive pattern 300 can be covered by light conduction layer 600. For example, the predetermined shape F may be hemispherical or curved, and the structures of light sources such as light source 410 and light source 420, window pattern 200 and selectively arranged conductive pattern 300 may be coated and embedded in the light conducting layer 600. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0075] In addition, according to the principle of the invention, the display cover plate 95 can be formed by integrally covering each component, so as to achieve the effect of lightening, thinning and / or reducing the occupied space. Further, in addition to being rectangular, the display cover plate 95 can be correspondingly designed into different predetermined shapes f based on this thinning characteristic, so that the light transmitting layer 100 of the display cover plate 95 formed in the predetermined shape f is not substantially planar away from the outer surface e of the light conducting layer 600. For example, a mold can be designed so that the display cover plate 95 emitted through the mold can have various arbitrary shapes, so as to manufacture various luminous, decorative or display structures. Therefore, since it is not necessary to set or reduce the components for assembling and stacking according to various embodiments of the present invention, as long as the light transmitting window w in the light transmitting layer 100 faces a predetermined direction, for example, towards an object for which the display cover plate 95 is intended to be used, the predetermined shape f that the display cover plate 95 can be made can have a variety of changes. In addition, the predetermined shape that the display cover plate of the invention can be made is not limited to the state shown in the specification and the diagram.

[0076] To sum up, the display cover plate disclosed according to the embodiments of the invention can reduce the overall weight and thickness, reduce the space occupied by the setting, and reduce the cost and process of stacking and assembly. Further, since the light source is covered or integrated in the light conducting layer by the light conducting layer, the light loss caused by the light emitted by the light source entering the light conducting layer through different media can be reduced or avoided, so as to achieve better light output efficiency, display brightness and diffusion uniformity by directly injecting the light into the light conducting layer. In addition, according to some embodiments of the invention, a 3D stereoscopic predetermined shape can also be made to achieve a stereoscopic and efficient display cover plate.

[0077] Of course, the invention can also have a variety of other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and deformations according to the invention, but these corresponding changes and deformations should belong to the protection scope of the claims attached to the invention.