Display device for sales or testing with light guide

Abstract

The present application relates to a display device for sales or testing with a light guide, comprising a lower layer (14) for housing a product in an assembled state, a light emitting system (16) and an upper layer fixing said light emitting system, said light emitting system comprising a base (24), a printed circuit board (22) comprising light emitting diodes adapted to emit light (L1) and a guide (26) made of translucent material extending along a path (L) and positioned opposite said light emitting diodes to conduct said light, said guide (26) comprising an upper surface reflecting at least part of said light (L1) downwards and forming a reflected light and a lower surface allowing at least part of said reflected light to pass through and forming a scattered light (L3), said guide being configured to form an illuminated area (20) in said lower layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display device for sale or testing, whether assembled or in a kit configuration, comprising a lower layer for accommodating a product in the assembled state, a light-emitting system adapted to illuminate the product from above, and an upper layer for fixing the light-emitting system. This display device enables the display of products to be sold or tested. Background Technology

[0002] A commonly used light-emitting system today consists of multiple light-emitting diodes (or LEDs) arranged in a continuous array, each diode being adapted to emit strong white light (primarily at the solid angles forming a cone).

[0003] From the perspective of light intensity reaching the product, this type of light-emitting system is suitable for illuminating the product well. However, the illuminated area has spots or halos generated by each of the diodes and can be clearly seen by the user. These spots or halos are detrimental to the aesthetics of the product display device.

[0004] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a display device of the above type, which has technical features that enable improved product display. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the present invention relates to an assembled or kit-like display device for sale or testing, comprising a lower layer for accommodating a product in the assembled state, a light-emitting system adapted to illuminate the product from above, and an upper layer for fixing the light-emitting system, the light-emitting system comprising:

[0006] -At least one base,

[0007] - At least one printed circuit board, said at least one printed circuit board being fixed to the base, and including at least one light-emitting diode adapted to emit light, and

[0008] - A guide element, made of a translucent material, extending from the base along a path, positioned opposite the light-emitting diode along the path to collect and conduct the light.

[0009] The guide includes:

[0010] - An upper surface, said upper surface being adapted to reflect at least a portion of the light located inside the guide downwards and form reflected light, and

[0011] - A lower surface, said lower surface being adapted to allow at least a portion of the reflected light to pass through and form scattered light, said guide being configured to form an illuminated area in said lower layer.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment, the display device includes one or more of the following features, which may be considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - The guide is configured such that the illuminated area is free of multiple spots and halos that are visible to the naked eye and are separated from each other;

[0014] -The guide element comprises polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, or glass;

[0015] -The upper surface defines protrusions or grooves that form a plurality of flat refractive lenses;

[0016] -The upper surface includes a white reflective coating or a white reflective silkscreen print;

[0017] - The printed circuit board is movable relative to the base between a disassembled position and an assembled position, wherein in the disassembled position the printed circuit board is separated from the base, and in the assembled position the printed circuit board is fixed to the base;

[0018] - The base includes a second plate and a first pin and a second pin, the second plate extending in a plane perpendicular to the route and parallel to the first plate in the assembled position, the first pin and the second pin protruding from the first plate along the route and located on the other side of the second plate relative to the guide along the route, the first pin and the second pin being adapted to be received in a first recess and a second recess defined by the periphery of the first plate in the assembled position, respectively.

[0019] - The guide includes a reflective surface located at one end opposite the base along the route, the reflective surface being adapted to reflect at least a portion of the light located inside the guide and form a second reflected light propagating in the opposite direction relative to the light along the route;

[0020] - The route is straight;

[0021] - In the assembled state, the light-emitting system includes: a second printed circuit board and a second base, the second printed circuit board having a second light-emitting diode, the guide extending from the second base along the route, the second printed circuit board being fixed to the second base, and the guide being positioned opposite the second light-emitting diode along the route;

[0022] The light-emitting system includes one or two light-emitting diodes located at the ends of the guide along the route.

[0023] - The base or the printed circuit board includes pillars adapted to position the base relative to the printed circuit board in the assembled state of the display device.

[0024] - The printed circuit board includes a heat sink.

[0025] - The guide has a generally circular cross-section perpendicular to the route, with or without a flat portion, or an elliptical, rectangular, square, or trapezoidal cross-section.

[0026] - The maximum dimension of the cross-section is between 2mm and 16mm, for example, between 6mm and 8mm.

[0027] The guide is further secured to the second layer by, for example, clamps or clamping rings made of metal or plastic.

[0028] -The guide element is rigid.

[0029] -The guide is flexible, and

[0030] - The route is curved or defines one or more angles. Attached Figure Description

[0031] A better understanding of the invention will be achieved by reading the following description, which is provided by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the display device according to the present invention in its assembled state.

[0033] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the lighting system and the lower illuminated area of ​​the display device shown.

[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and 2 The top view of the light-emitting system shown.

[0035] Figure 4 yes Figures 1 to 3 The image shows a side view of one end of the light-emitting system, which includes a base mounted on a printed circuit board.

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows a perspective view of the end portion, where the base is separated from the printed circuit board.

[0037] Figure 6 yes Figures 2 to 5 The diagram shows a perspective view of the printed circuit board, viewed from the side including the light-emitting diodes.

[0038] Figure 7 It constitutes Figures 1 to 5 A top view of the first variant of the light-emitting system shown.

[0039] Figure 8 It constitutes Figures 1 to 5 A top view of the second variant of the light-emitting system shown.

[0040] Figure 9 It constitutes Figures 1 to 5 A top view of the third variant of the light-emitting system shown, and

[0041] Figure 10 These are schematic diagrams of different variations of the guide, shown in a cross-section perpendicular to the route. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Reference Figure 1 The display device 10 according to the present invention is described. In this figure, the display device 10 is in an assembled state. The display device 10 is used to display a product 12 to be sold or tested to a user (not shown).

[0043] In a variant not shown, the display device 10 is in a kit state, that is, in an unassembled state, with detachable parts advantageously packaged in a package (not shown).

[0044] In this example, the display device 10 includes a lower layer 14 for accommodating the product 12, a light-emitting system 16 adapted to illuminate the product from above, and an upper layer 18 for fixing the light-emitting system.

[0045] According to a variation not shown, the display device 10 may include more than two layers. According to one of these variations, the upper layer 18 may also include a product illuminated by a third layer located above the upper layer 18.

[0046] Within the meaning of this invention, "upper" means that when the display device 10 is in the normal use position, the upper layer 16 is located above the lower layer 14.

[0047] Advantageously, the lower layer 14 forms a shelf or drawer for accommodating the product 12.

[0048] Advantageously, the upper layer 18 is similar to the first layer 14, but it also serves as a support for the light-emitting system 16.

[0049] like Figure 2 As can be seen, the light-emitting system 16 is adapted to form an illuminated area 20 in the lower layer 14.

[0050] like Figures 2 to 4 As can be seen, the light-emitting system 16 includes a printed circuit board 22, a base 24, and a guide 26, the guide being made of a translucent material and extending from the base along route L.

[0051] In this example, route L is straight in the normal use position of display device 10, and advantageously it is horizontal.

[0052] The printed circuit board 22 is fixed on the base 24. The printed circuit board 22 includes a first plate 28 serving as a support, a light-emitting diode 30 fixed on the first plate, and a connector 32.

[0053] Advantageously, the printed circuit board 22 also includes a heat sink 33.

[0054] The first board 28 includes, for example, two openings 34, so that the printed circuit board 22 can be secured to the base 24 using two screws, two rivets, or two clamps (not shown).

[0055] Advantageously, the first plate 28 includes a periphery 36 that defines a first recess 38 and a second recess 42, the first recess being located, for example, on the larger side 40 of the first plate and the second recess being located, for example, on the smaller side 44 of the first plate.

[0056] The light-emitting diode 30 is, for example, a surface-mount component (SMC) type.

[0057] Advantageously, the printed circuit board 22 can be in a detached position relative to the base 24 (e.g., Figure 6 (as shown) and assembly location (e.g.) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The circuit board moves between the base and the detached position. In the detached position, the printed circuit board is separated from the base. In the assembled position, the printed circuit board is fixed to the base.

[0058] The base 24 includes, for example, a second plate 46 extending on a plane P perpendicular to the route L and parallel to the first plate 28 in the assembled position. Advantageously, the base 24 includes a first pin 48 and a second pin 50 projecting from the second plate along the route L and located on the opposite side of the plate relative to the guide 26 along the route L, the first pin and the second pin being adapted to be received in a first recess 38 and a second recess 42, respectively, in the assembled position.

[0059] The base 24 is made of, for example, the same material as the guide 26. Advantageously, the base 24 is integral with the guide 26.

[0060] Advantageously, the base 24 includes a plurality of pillars 54 on which the printed circuit board 22 is positioned in the assembly position to ensure a predetermined position of the base relative to the printed circuit board in the assembly position.

[0061] According to a variant not shown, the column 54 is formed by a printed circuit board 22 and mates with the base 24.

[0062] The second plate 46 includes, for example, two openings 56 that are aligned with the openings 34 of the first plate 28 in the assembly position, so that the printed circuit board 22 can be fixed on the base 24.

[0063] In the assembly position, the guide 26 is positioned opposite the light-emitting diode 30 along the path L to collect and conduct the light L1 emitted by the light-emitting diode.

[0064] The guide 26 is configured to form an illuminated area 20 in the lower layer 14 via light L1.

[0065] The guide element 26 is configured such that the illuminated area 20 is free of multiple spots and halos that are visible to the naked eye. Such spots or halos would form if the lower layer 14 were directly illuminated by multiple light-emitting diodes.

[0066] The guide 26 comprises one or more optical-grade materials, advantageously capable of achieving a light transmittance of greater than or equal to 80%, preferably greater than or equal to 90%, as determined according to the 2006 standard ISO 13468-2. The light transmittance allowed by the guide 26 is advantageously at least equal to the light transmittance of the window glass.

[0067] For example, guide 26 may comprise polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, or glass. According to a particular embodiment, guide 26 is made of one of these materials, and base 24 is, for example, formed as an end member integral with the guide.

[0068] In this example, guide 26 is rigid.

[0069] like Figure 4 As can be seen, the guide 26 includes an upper surface 56 adapted to reflect at least a portion of the light L1 located inside the guide downward in the normal use position to form reflected light L2. The guide 26 includes a lower surface 58 adapted to allow at least a portion of the reflected light L2 to pass through and form scattered light L3, thereby forming the illuminated area 20.

[0070] Advantageously, the guide 26 includes a reflective surface 60. Figure 3 The reflective surface 60 is located at one end opposite to the base 24 and is adapted to reflect at least a portion of the light L1 located inside the guide and form a second reflected light L4 that propagates in the opposite direction along the route L.

[0071] For example, guide 26 has a generally circular cross-section 62 perpendicular to route L, which forms a flat portion 64. Figure 4 and Figure 10 (Right side).

[0072] Advantageously, by means of one or more clamps 65, for example, made of metal or plastic Figure 1 (or clamping ring, guide 26 is fixed to the upper layer 18.)

[0073] The maximum dimension D of the cross section 62 is, for example, between 2 mm and 16 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 8 mm.

[0074] According to one particular embodiment, the upper surface 56 defines protrusions 66 forming a plurality of flat refractive lenses 68. Figure 4 The flat refractive lens, or groove, has multiple tilt angles α relative to the path L, which advantageously vary relative to each other along the path L. This allows the amount of reflected light L2 and scattered light L3 to be adjusted along the path L.

[0075] According to one particular embodiment, the upper surface 56 is coated with white reflective paint or white reflective serigraphy.

[0076] Protrusions 66 or grooves, for example, oriented perpendicular to route L.

[0077] Advantageously, the illuminated area 20 is uniform. Within the illuminated area 20, a strongly illuminated elliptical central portion 70 is shown, surrounded by a slightly less illuminated first peripheral portion 72 and an even less illuminated second peripheral portion 74. The central portion 70 is the only spot in the illuminated area 20. To the naked eye, no other spots are perceptible. Nor are any multiple halos perceptible. The illuminated area 20 is not caused by a projected light cone generated by multiple diodes, but rather by the continuous diffusion of light along path L through guide 26.

[0078] For assembling the display unit 10, the lower layer 14 and the upper layer 18 are assembled in a manner known per se. Figure 1 ).

[0079] Then, the printed circuit board 22 is removed from the disassembly position ( Figure 6 Move to the assembly position. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first pin 48 engages in the first recess 38. Figure 4 The second pin 50 enters the second recess 42. The first plate 28 contacts the post 54. Advantageously, the post 54 very precisely fixes the base 24 relative to the printed circuit board 22, and especially relative to the light-emitting diode 30, so that the guide 26 is perfectly aligned with the light-emitting diode.

[0080] Next, the printed circuit board 22 is fixed to the base 24 by, for example, pushing rivets into the holes 34 of the first plate 28 and the holes 56 of the second plate 46.

[0081] The light-emitting system 16 is fixed, for example, by using a clamp 65 to fix the guide 26 to the upper layer 18.

[0082] The operation of the display device 10 is related to its structure, which will now be briefly described.

[0083] The display unit 10 is in an assembled state. Optionally, the product 12 is placed on the lower layer 14 and illuminated from above by the light-emitting system 16.

[0084] Optionally, other products are placed on the upper layer 18. These products are illuminated, for example, by another layer not shown or by ambient light.

[0085] During operation, LED 30 emits light L1 ( Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The light L1 enters the guide 26.

[0086] Light L1 propagates in the guide 26. The upper surface 56 reflects at least a portion of light L1 downwards, forming reflected light L2. Figure 4 ).

[0087] The lower surface 58 allows at least a portion of the reflected light L2 to pass through and form the scattered light L3.

[0088] The scattered light L3 forms the illuminated area 20 by falling on the lower layer 14 or the product 12.

[0089] The optional reflective surface 60 causes light L1 that has not left the guide 26 to return along the path L in the opposite direction, forming a second reflected light L4. The second reflected light L4 is also reflected by the upper surface 56 and scattered by the lower surface 58.

[0090] Due to the aforementioned features, the display device 10 creates a more pleasing illuminated area for the observer, unlike the situation that would occur if multiple diodes were installed along a single path. Because of the technical features of the display device of this application, the display device 10 improves the display effect on the product 12.

[0091] Advantageously, the display device 10 allows for the creation of an illuminated area 20 with a uniform and smooth appearance for the observer.

[0092] Furthermore, the display device 10, which uses only a single diode in the above example, achieves significant energy savings. Because of the low power consumption of a single LED, the environmental impact is also reduced.

[0093] The optional feature of the upper surface 56 forming a protrusion 66 allows the scattered light L3 to be adjusted, and for example, to have a substantially constant intensity along the path L.

[0094] The following will describe several variations of the display device 10. These variations remain consistent with the above references. Figures 1 to 6 The descriptions are similar. Similar elements have the same reference numerals and will not be described again. Only the differences are described in detail below.

[0095] according to Figure 7 The first variant shown omits the reflective surface 60 from the display device 10. The display device 10 includes a second printed circuit 122 and a second base 124 located opposite the guide 26 to the base 24.

[0096] Advantageously, the second printed circuit board 122 and the second base 124 are structurally similar to the printed circuit board 22 and the base 24, and operate similarly. The second printed circuit board 122 is fixed to the second base 124.

[0097] The second printed circuit board 122 includes a second light-emitting diode 130 adapted to emit a second light L5, which enters the guide 26 and propagates in the opposite direction to the light L1. The second light L5 is reflected by the upper surface 56 and scattered by the lower surface 58, and helps to form the illuminated area 20.

[0098] according to Figure 8 The second variation shown has a curved path L instead of a straight one. For example, path L can be flat.

[0099] According to another example, route L is warped.

[0100] According to one particular embodiment, the guide 26 is not rigid but flexible, which allows the route L to be given a desired shape and the light-emitting system 16 to adapt to the environment.

[0101] according to Figure 9 The third variation shown is where the route L is not straight but broken, meaning it is divided into segments of straight lines. In the example, the route L consists of two straight segments LL and LLL, for example, forming right angles between the segments.

[0102] The guide 26 includes two parts 26A and 26B extending along segments LL and LLL.

[0103] Between components 26A and 26B, guide 26 includes a reflective surface 160 adapted to guide light L1 arriving from component 26A into component 26B, and advantageously, to guide light arriving from component 26B into component 26A.

[0104] According to other embodiments, route L is broken into two or more components, forming several angles between these segments, such as any angle.

[0105] according to Figure 10 In the variant shown, the cross-section 62 of the guide 26 does not have a generally circular shape with a flat portion 64. Figure 10 From left to right, the cross-section 62 is, for example, rectangular, circular, elliptical, trapezoidal, or square without a flat portion. Other shapes are also possible.

Claims

1. A sales or testing display device, assembled or in kit form, the display device comprising a lower layer for accommodating a product in the assembled state, a light-emitting system adapted to illuminate the product from above, and an upper layer for fixing the light-emitting system, the light-emitting system comprising: -At least one base, - At least one printed circuit board, said at least one printed circuit board being fixed to the base, and including at least one light-emitting diode adapted to emit light, and - A guide element, made of a translucent material, extending from the base along a path, positioned opposite the light-emitting diode along the path to collect and conduct the light. The guide includes: - An upper surface, said upper surface being adapted to reflect at least a portion of the light located inside the guide downwards and form reflected light, and A lower surface, said lower surface being adapted to allow at least a portion of the reflected light to pass through and form scattered light, the guide being configured to form an illuminated area in said lower layer. in, - The upper surface defines protrusions or grooves forming a plurality of flat refractive lenses; or -The upper surface includes a white reflective coating or a white reflective silkscreen print; or - The printed circuit board is movable relative to the base between a disassembled position and an assembled position, in the disassembled position the printed circuit board is separated from the base, and in the assembled position the printed circuit board is fixed to the base; the printed circuit board includes a first plate, the light-emitting diode is fixed on the first plate, and the base includes a second plate and a first pin and a second pin, the second plate extending in a plane perpendicular to the route and parallel to the first plate in the assembled position, the first pin and the second pin protruding from the first plate along the route and located on the opposite side of the second plate relative to the guide along the route, the first pin and the second pin being adapted to be received in a first recess and a second recess defined by the periphery of the first plate in the assembled position.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The guide is configured such that the illuminated area is free of multiple spots and halos that are visible to the naked eye and are separated from each other.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The guide may be made of polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate or glass.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The guide includes a reflective surface located at one end opposite the base along the route, the reflective surface being adapted to reflect at least a portion of the light located inside the guide and form a second reflected light propagating in the opposite direction relative to the light along the route.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The route is straight.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, In the assembled state, the light-emitting system (16) includes: - A second printed circuit board, the second printed circuit board having a second light-emitting diode, and - A second base, the guide extending from the second base along the route, the second printed circuit board being fixed to the second base, and the guide being positioned opposite the second light-emitting diode along the route.

Images