Display device

Abstract

A display device includes a panel having a display portion, a plurality of light sources and a plurality of light guides arranged on the back side of the panel, and a housing having a plurality of holding spaces arranged on the back side of the panel, wherein the light sources and the light guides are arranged in each of the holding spaces, the plurality of light sources selectively emit light, and the plurality of appearances are selectively displayed on the display portion. The panel has a surface in which a cover film is integrally formed. An upper surface of the housing, which faces the back surface of the panel, has a plurality of exposed portions in which upper end portions of the plurality of light guides are exposed. Each of the plurality of exposed portions has a shape of an appearance when viewed from above.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to display devices. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses the following technology: a light-transmitting coloring layer is provided on the entire surface of the dial, and a light-shielding coloring layer is provided on the back surface of the dial except for each indicator, so that the indicator is not visible when the light-emitting diode is turned off.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-067443 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 uses printing or hot stamping to create a translucent coloring layer, which fails to improve the wear resistance of the surface of the dial. Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 provides an indicator on the back surface of the dial, which means that when the indicator of the display object is shown using light emitted from a light-emitting diode, light leakage could cause nearby non-display object indicators to be visually recognized.

[0008] Solution for solving the problem

[0009] A display device according to one embodiment includes: a panel having a display portion; a plurality of light sources arranged on the back side of the panel; a plurality of light guides arranged on the back side of the panel and guiding light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources toward the display portion of the panel; and a housing having a plurality of holding spaces arranged on the back side of the panel, wherein the light sources and the light guides are disposed in each of the plurality of holding spaces, the plurality of light sources selectively emit light, thereby selectively displaying a plurality of appearances on the display portion, the display device being characterized in that the panel has a surface integrally formed with a cover film, and the upper surface of the housing opposite the back side of the panel has a plurality of exposed portions exposing the upper ends of each of the plurality of light guides, each of the plurality of exposed portions having the shape of the appearance when viewed from above.

[0010] Invention Effects

[0011] According to one embodiment, the wear resistance of the panel surface can be improved, and the situation where an indicator of a nearby non-display object is visually recognized when the light source corresponding to the display object is lit can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the display device according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged sectional perspective view showing a section at the AA section line of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a display device according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, for convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction in the figures is defined as the up-down direction, the X-axis direction as the front-back direction, and the Y-axis direction as the left-right direction. Specifically, the positive X-axis direction is defined as the front direction, the positive Y-axis direction as the right direction, and the positive Z-axis direction as the up direction. Furthermore, the view from the positive Z-axis direction to the negative Z-axis direction is considered a top view. These figures are used to represent relative positional relationships within the device and are not intended to limit the device's installation or operating direction. Cases where structures with equivalent relative positional relationships within the device have different installation or operating directions are also included in the entire technical solution of the present invention. Furthermore, in the figures, for ease of explanation of the constituent components, there are instances where the components are shown as thicker than their actual proportions; however, this is not a limitation to the proportions shown in the figures, and the thickness relationships can be appropriately varied.

[0016] (Overview of display device 100)

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the display device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 1 The display device 100 is, for example, mounted in the interior of a vehicle such as a motor vehicle, to display various vehicle-related information. Figure 1 As shown, the display device 100 includes a housing 110 and a panel 120 disposed on the upper part of the housing 110. A cover film 122 is provided on the surface 120A of the panel 120, and a display section 120B that is rectangular when viewed from above is provided in the center of the panel 120.

[0018] The display device 100 can selectively illuminate three LEDs 132 (see reference 110) disposed inside the housing 110 according to the status of the target device (e.g., air conditioning airflow). Figure 2 Therefore, the display device 100 can display up to three indicators, each having a predetermined shape (rectangular in this embodiment), relative to the display unit 120B, depending on the state of the target device. It should be noted that, as described later, Figure 1The displayed indicators are guided by light from each LED 132 to the upper surface 150C of each light guide 150 (see reference). Figure 2 It is visually recognized in the display section 120B.

[0019] In addition, the display device 100 is configured such that when all three LEDs 132 are off, none of the three indicators on the display section 120B are displayed, and the appearance of the three indicators (rectangular in this embodiment) is not visually discernible (so-called blackout).

[0020] (Structure of display device 100)

[0021] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional perspective view showing a section at the AA section line of a display device 100 according to one embodiment. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the display device 100 has a panel 120 on the upper part, and a housing 110, a circuit board 130, a plurality of LEDs 132 and a plurality of light guides 150 on the back side of the panel 120.

[0022] The housing 110 is a box-shaped component having a holding portion 112 for holding the light guide 150 inside. The housing 110 is formed using injection-molded resin material. In particular, in this embodiment, the housing 110 uses a white resin with light-shielding properties. Furthermore, the housing 110 has a hollow structure inside for arranging the circuit board 130, a plurality of LEDs 132, and a plurality of light guides 150, and has a lower opening 110A connected to this hollow structure. Figure 1 In the example shown, the outer casing 110 has a cuboid shape, but is not limited to this. The outer casing 110 can also have any shape. In addition, the outer casing 110 is not limited to white and can be formed of resin of various colors.

[0023] In this embodiment, the holding portion 112 has three holding spaces 114 for holding three light guides 150. The three holding spaces 114 are arranged along the X-axis direction. Each holding space 114 has a cylindrical shape with the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) as the cylindrical direction, and holds the light guide 150 inside the cylinder. In this embodiment, each holding space 114 has a quadrilateral cylindrical shape, but it may also have other shapes (e.g., cylindrical shape). The upper surface 112A of the holding portion 112 faces the back surface 120C of the panel 120. A plurality of exposed portions 112B are formed on the upper surface 112A of the holding portion 112, which are holes that penetrate the holding portion 112 in the vertical direction and communicate with the holding spaces 114. In this embodiment, the three exposed portions 112B are arranged along the X-axis direction on the upper surface 112A of the holding portion 112. The upper end portion 150B of the light guide 150 is disposed in the exposed portion 112B in a through manner. The exposed portion 112B, when viewed from above, has a shape approximately the same as the upper end portion 150B of the light guide 150 (rectangular in this embodiment) and the same dimensions. That is, the shape of the exposed portion 112B when viewed from above is the same as the shape of the appearance of the display portion 120B. It should be noted that the lower opening 114A of each holding space 114 is sealed by abutting against the circuit board 130.

[0024] Panel 120 is a flat plate-shaped component facing the upper surface 112A of the retaining portion 112 of housing 110. A cover film 122 is integrally formed and pressed onto the surface 120A of panel 120. Both panel 120 and cover film 122 are translucent. It should be noted that cover film 122 is formed using a wear-resistant and translucent resin material (e.g., polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, etc.). Alternatively, panel 120 is formed using a smoke-black translucent resin material (e.g., polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, etc.). It should be noted that cover film 122 can be a cover film with any design (pattern, graphic, text, etc.) printed on its back.

[0025] Multiple light guides 150 respectively guide the light emitted from the LED 132 to the display section 120B of the panel 120. A light guide 150 is provided for each LED 132. The display device 100 of this embodiment has three light guides 150 corresponding to the case of having three LEDs 132. Each light guide 150 is formed using a light-transmitting resin material (e.g., polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin).

[0026] Each light guide 150 is disposed and held within a holding space 114 of the holding portion 112 of the housing 110. Each light guide 150 has a columnar shape with its long side pointing in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). In this embodiment, each light guide 150 has a quadrangular prism shape, but it may also have other shapes (e.g., cylindrical). Each light guide 150 is disposed above the corresponding LED 132 within the holding space 114. That is, the lower end face 150A of each light guide 150 faces the corresponding LED 132. Thus, light emitted from the LED 132 enters the light guide 150 through the lower end face 150A of the light guide 150.

[0027] The upper end portion 150B of each light guide 150 is locally tapered. The upper end portion 150B of each light guide 150 passes through and is disposed in the exposed portion 112B formed on the upper surface 112A of the holding portion 112. As a result, the upper end face 150C of the upper end portion 150B of each light guide 150 is exposed from the exposed portion 112B and faces the display portion 120B (back side 120C) of the panel 120. As a result, light incident on each light guide 150 and propagating within each light guide 150 is emitted from the upper end face 150C of each light guide 150 toward the display portion 120B, and the shape of the upper end face 150C (exposed portion 112B) is visually identifiable on the display portion 120B when viewed from above.

[0028] The circuit board 130 is a flat plate-shaped component arranged horizontally inside the housing 110. For example, a PWB (Printed Wired Board) is used for the circuit board 130. Various electronic components are mounted on the circuit board 130. A plurality of LEDs 132 (Light Emitting Diodes) are mounted on the surface of the circuit board 130. In this embodiment, as an example, three LEDs 132 are arranged along the X-axis on the surface of the circuit board 130.

[0029] LED 132 is an example of a "light source". LED 132 is driven by electronic circuitry formed on the circuit board 130, thereby emitting light upwards towards the LED 132. The electronic circuitry formed on the circuit board 130 is electrically connected to the outside of the display device 100 via various wiring components (e.g., connectors, FPCs, cables, etc.). Thus, the emission of LED 132 can be controlled from outside the display device 100.

[0030] In one embodiment of the display device 100, a cover film 122 is integrally formed on the surface 120A of the panel 120. Specifically, the cover film 122 is provided in a mold for injection molding the panel 120 at a position corresponding to the surface 120A, and the resin of the panel 120 is injection molded in this state, thereby integrally forming the resin of the panel 120 and the cover film 122 in a state of being pressed together on the surface 120A.

[0031] Therefore, for the display device 100 of one embodiment, the wear resistance of the surface 120A of the panel 120 can be improved compared to the case where coating or the like is applied to the surface 120A of the panel 120.

[0032] In addition, in one embodiment of the display device 100, the upper surface 112A of the housing 110 (holding portion 112) opposite to the back surface 120C of the panel 120 has multiple exposed portions 112B that allow the upper ends 150B of each of the multiple light guides 150 to be exposed. Each of the multiple exposed portions 112B has the shape of a rectangular indicator displayed on the display portion 120B when viewed from above (the shape of the appearance).

[0033] That is, in the display device 100 of one embodiment, instead of forming a plurality of indicators in the panel 120 and the cover film 122 such that light can only pass through the corresponding portions, a plurality of exposed portions 112B provided on the upper surface 112A side of the housing 110 opposite to the panel 120 and the cover film 122 are used to allow light to pass through in the shape of a plurality of indicators.

[0034] Therefore, for the display device 100 of one embodiment, compared to the case where a light-transmitting appearance shape is provided on the surface 120A of the panel 120, which is separated from the upper end 150B of the light guide 150, it is possible to suppress the undesirable situation where indicators of nearby non-display objects are visually recognized. That is, since a light-transmitting exposed portion 112B is provided at the position of the upper end 150B of the light guide 150, when the indicator of the display object is displayed using light emitted from the LED 132, light leakage from nearby non-display object indicators caused by the diffusion and internal reflection of the light within the panel 120 can be suppressed.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a display device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, a cover film 122 is integrally formed on the surface 120A of the panel 120.

[0036] Furthermore, a first region A1 is provided in the center of the back surface 122A of the cover film 122. The first region A1 is the area that includes multiple exposed portions 112B when viewed from above, and is adjacent to the display portion 120B (see reference). Figure 1 The first region A1 corresponds to the area shown in the diagram. In this embodiment, the first region A1 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, but it can also be other shapes. A smoked layer 124 is formed on the back side 122A of the cover film 122 in the first region A1 by printing.

[0037] Additionally, a second region A2 is provided around the first region A1 on the back surface 122A of the cover film 122. A light-shielding layer 126 is formed on the second region A2 on the back surface 122A of the cover film 122 by printing.

[0038] Thus, for a display device 100 according to one embodiment, light emitted from LED 132 is transmitted in the first region A1 of the cover film 122, while light emitted from LED 132 is not transmitted in the second region A2 of the cover film 122.

[0039] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the display device 100, by providing a black layer 124 in the first region A1 of the cover film 122, when the LED 132 is lit, almost all the light emitted from the exposed portion 112B can pass through to the outside and is difficult to reflect into the interior of the housing 110. Moreover, by providing the black layer 124, when the LED 132 is off, external light is difficult to enter the interior of the housing 110, making it difficult to see the appearance of the exposed portion 112B, thus achieving a black display.

[0040] Additionally, in one embodiment of the display device 100, such as Figure 3 As shown, a reflection attenuation layer 116 based on black printing or black coating is provided in the area opposite to the first region A1 of the upper surface 112A of the housing 110.

[0041] Therefore, in one embodiment of the display device 100, when the LED 132 is lit, even if the light emitted from the exposed portion 112B toward the panel 120 is reflected back by the back surface 120C of the panel 120 and the back surface of the cover film 122 (smoke black layer 124, light-shielding layer 126), it will be attenuated due to the reflection attenuation layer 116, making it difficult to reflect. Thus, one embodiment of the display device 100 can suppress the visual recognition of the appearance shape of a nearby indicator (i.e., the shape of the adjacent exposed portion 112B) due to light emitted from the exposed portion 112B. Furthermore, one embodiment of the display device 100 can suppress the visual recognition of the appearance shape of an indicator (i.e., the shape of the exposed portion 112B) due to external light incident into the interior of the housing 110.

[0042] In particular, in this embodiment, the reflection attenuation layer 116 is formed by printing or coating with matte black ink.

[0043] Therefore, the display device 100 of one embodiment can improve the attenuation of light (reflected light from the exposed portion 112B and external light) based on the reflection attenuation layer 116. Therefore, the display device 100 of one embodiment can further improve the non-visual recognition of indicators of nearby non-display objects.

[0044] However, it is not limited to this; the reflection attenuation layer 116 can also be formed by glossy black printing or glossy black coating.

[0045] It should be noted that the size of the reflection attenuation layer 116 when viewed from above is preferably larger than the size of the first region A1 when viewed from above. Therefore, even when viewing the display unit 120B from an obliquely above position, the portion of the upper surface 112A of the housing 110 where the reflection attenuation layer 116 is not formed (e.g., the white portion) can be made visually invisible, thereby reliably achieving black display.

[0046] It should be noted that in one embodiment of the display device 100, the surface 120A of the panel 120 has a curved surface (see reference). Figure 2 However, in this case, the covering film 122 can also be integrally formed onto the surface 120A of the panel 120.

[0047] Therefore, compared with the case where the cover film 122 is pasted to the surface 120A of the panel 120 using an adhesive or the like, the display device 100 of one embodiment can easily make the cover film 122 and the surface 120A of the panel 120 closely adhere and become integrated.

[0048] In addition, for the display device 100 of one embodiment, the housing 110 is preferably formed of a white resin with light-shielding properties.

[0049] Thus, for a display device 100 according to one embodiment, the housing 110 (inner wall surface of the holding space 114) of the light guide 150 can reflect the light leaking from the light guide 150 into the holding space 114 into the light guide body, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of light from the LED 132 to the upper end surface 150C of the light guide 150.

[0050] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention in detail, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or alterations can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as described in the technical solution.

[0051] This international application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-072625, filed on April 22, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0053] 100: Display device; 110: Housing; 110A: Lower opening; 112: Holding part; 112A: Upper surface; 112B: Exposed part; 114: Holding space; 114A: Lower opening; 116: Reflection attenuation layer; 120: Panel; 120A: Surface; 120B: Display part; 120C: Back side; 122: Cover film; 122A: Back side; 124: Black layer; 126: Light shielding layer; 130: Circuit board; 132: LED; 150: Light guide; 150A: Lower end face; 150B: Upper end face; 150C: Upper end face.

Claims

1. A display device comprising: A panel, which has a display section; Multiple light sources are arranged on the back side of the panel; A plurality of light guides are arranged on the back side of the panel and guide light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources toward the display portion of the panel; and The housing has a plurality of retaining spaces arranged on the back side of the panel, and the light source and the light guide are disposed in each of the plurality of retaining spaces. The multiple light sources selectively emit light, thereby selectively displaying multiple appearances on the display unit. The display device is characterized in that... The panel has a surface integrally formed with a covering film. The upper surface of the housing opposite the back of the panel has a plurality of exposed portions that expose the upper end faces of each of the plurality of light guides. Each of the plurality of exposed portions has the shape of the appearance when viewed from above. When viewed from above, the upper end faces of each of the plurality of light guides are located inside the plurality of exposed portions.

2. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A black coating is printed on a first region on the back side of the cover film, which, when viewed from above, includes a plurality of exposed portions. A light-shielding layer is printed on a second region surrounding the first region. The appearance of the plurality of appearances, which corresponds to the non-emitting light source, is displayed in black on the display unit.

3. The display device according to claim 2, characterized in that, On the upper surface of the housing, in the area opposite to the first area, a reflection attenuation layer based on black printing or black coating is provided.

4. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The reflection attenuation layer is formed by printing or coating in matte black.

5. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The outer shell is formed using a white resin with light-shielding properties.

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