Panel member and electronic device

Abstract

A panel member and an electronic device are provided. The panel member includes a color layer, a first cover layer, and a second cover layer. The color layer is transparent to light from a light source. The first cover layer is disposed on a back side of the color layer, is opaque to at least a portion of the light from the light source, and has an opening. The second cover layer is disposed on a back side of the first cover layer, is opaque to at least a portion of the light from the light source, and has an opening corresponding to the opening of the first cover layer. The color layer appears in a different color from the first cover layer and the second cover layer. The first cover layer has a higher lightness than the second cover layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a panel component and an electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] A panel component that displays text, graphics, or symbols by illuminating its surface with light from a light source by shining light onto its back side has been known for some time. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-85456 discloses a decorative panel having a touch switch with text and graphics as a display area. This decorative panel, from its back side, comprises, in sequence, a light-guiding component, a support component, a light-transmitting molded resin layer, a light-shielding layer, and a light-transmitting front panel. The light-shielding layer has light-transmitting holes corresponding to the text and graphics of the touch switch. In the decorative panel, when a light source located on the back side emits light, the light is guided through the light-guiding component and enters the molded resin layer; only the light passing through the light-transmitting holes shines forward from the front panel. Thus, the text and graphics, as the display area, are illuminated and displayed using the shape of the light-transmitting holes. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] In the decorative panel described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-85456, the color (e.g., black) of the area surrounding the text and graphics on the display panel is visually apparent through the light-shielding layer on the front panel. On the other hand, there are cases where it is desirable for the area surrounding the text and graphics to have an arbitrary color different from the light-shielding layer. However, when an arbitrary colored layer with light transmittance is provided on the surface side of the light-shielding layer, sometimes the color of the light-shielding layer is visually apparent through the colored layer, making it impossible to achieve the desired color for the area surrounding the display panel.

[0005] One of the advantages of the present invention is that it provides a panel component that can improve color rendering effect and an electronic device having such a panel component.

[0006] Solution for solving the problem

[0007] A panel component of this disclosure includes: a color rendering layer that is translucent to light from a light source; a first opaque layer disposed on the back side of the color rendering layer that opaques at least a portion of the light from the light source and has an opening; and a second opaque layer disposed on the back side of the first opaque layer that opaques at least a portion of the light from the light source and has an opening corresponding to the opening of the first opaque layer. The color rendering layer is a different color from both the first opaque layer and the second opaque layer, and the brightness of the first opaque layer is higher than that of the second opaque layer.

[0008] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: the panel component; and a light source that illuminates the rear side of the panel component.

[0009] Invention Effects

[0010] According to the present invention, a panel component capable of improving color rendering effect and an electronic device having such a panel component can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the electronic keyboard musical instrument as described in the implementation method.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a top view of the operation panel of the electronic keyboard musical instrument according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the operation panel of the electronic keyboard musical instrument according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the panel component of an electronic keyboard musical instrument according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The electronic keyboard musical instrument (electronic instrument and other electronic device) 1 shown includes: a keyboard section 10 having multiple keys such as white keys and black keys; and a housing 20. A control board (not shown) and the like are housed inside the housing 20. Furthermore, hereafter, the arrangement direction of the multiple keys of the electronic keyboard musical instrument 1 will be set to left-right (meaning...). Figure 1 Set the left side of the key to the left direction), and set the front and back directions of each key to the front and back directions (set the left side of the key to the left direction). Figure 1 Set the near-front side as the forward direction), and set the up and down direction of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 as the up and down direction (set the near-front side as the forward direction). Figure 1 (The upper side is set as the upward direction) to explain.

[0016] The housing 20, when viewed from above, is approximately rectangular in shape with its length along the left-right axis, and includes an upper housing 22, a lower housing 24, a left housing 26, and a right housing 28. At least the upper housing 22 is formed of synthetic resin, for example, in a white or yellow color scheme. Examples of white include ivory, beige, egg yolk yellow, pink, milky white, natural white, and snow white (bluish-white), and the housing 20 is selected in a color corresponding to the design. The upper surface of the upper housing 22 is a top surface panel 20a comprising an acrylic resin that is translucent to visible light.

[0017] The upper surface of the upper housing 22 is provided with a power button 2 for turning the power on / off of the electronic keyboard instrument 1, a volume knob 4 for controlling the volume of the musical sounds output by the electronic keyboard instrument 1, an LCD display 6, and an operation panel 30. The upper surface of the left housing 26 is provided with a pitch bend wheel 26a for controlling the pitch bend of musical sounds, setting buttons 26b for various settings, etc. The front surface of the left housing 26 is provided with an earphone jack 26c. The electronic keyboard instrument 1 has a processor that controls the operation panel 30 to illuminate when the power is turned on and it is started.

[0018] like Figure 2 As shown, the operation panel 30 includes a lit area L and multiple touch switches TS. Each touch switch TS is an electrostatic capacitive switch used to perform various functions related to the electronic keyboard instrument 1, and is assigned to various operations such as demonstration playing, tone, and brightness change. Around each touch switch TS is a lit icon section (display section) I, which includes a ring-shaped or equal sign-shaped graphic indicating the position of each touch switch TS, and text or symbols indicating the function of the touch switch TS such as "FUNCTION". As described below, the icon section I is also illuminated by the light source 32a, just like the lit area L, and is therefore also located within the lit area.

[0019] The peripheral portion S, located around the illuminated area, is visually perceived as white or yellow based on the color of the color-developing layer 38 of the panel component 36 (described later). In each icon portion I, light emitted from the light source 32a (described later), such as an LED, shines upwards from the icon portion I, thus displaying it brightly. In the peripheral portion S, the covering layer 39 of the panel component 36 (described later) blocks the light emitted from the light source 32a. When viewed from above the operation panel portion 30, it appears darker than the icon portion I, thus making the icon portion I appear to float above the peripheral portion S.

[0020] like Figure 3 As shown, the operation panel 30, generally from the bottom (back side), includes, in sequence, an inner housing 21 independently disposed from the upper housing 22, a circuit board 32, a touch sensor unit 34 disposed on the circuit board 32, a portion of the upper housing 22 corresponding to the operation panel 30 (hereinafter referred to as "corresponding portion 22a"), and a panel member 36. The circuit board 32 is a generally rectangular shape that extends horizontally across almost the entire area of ​​the operation panel 30. On the upper surface of the circuit board 32, in the area corresponding in the vertical direction to each touch switch TS and the illuminated portion L, a light source 32a is provided so that light is emitted upward, i.e., towards the panel member 36. Various wirings are wound around the circuit board 32.

[0021] The circuit board 32, to which the light source 32a is connected, is fixed by being clamped by the inner housing 21 and the corresponding part 22a. In each touch switch TS, a reflective housing (not shown) is provided around the space between the light source 32a and the touch sensor part 34. The reflective housing is used to reflect the light from the light source 32a, thereby increasing the light emission efficiency from the panel member 36 and enabling a high-contrast display of the icon part I relative to the peripheral part S.

[0022] The touch sensor unit 34 includes, for example, a capacitive touch sensor, comprising a thin metal plate component that forms the electrodes of the touch panel with a central opening. When a touch operation is performed on the panel component 36 in each touch switch TS (when a person's finger touches or approaches it), the capacitive capacitance of the thin metal plate component serving as electrodes in the touch sensor unit 34 changes. The circuit board 32 detects this change in capacitive capacitance and sends a detection signal. The processor of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 is instructed based on the detection signal to execute the function corresponding to the touched touch switch TS.

[0023] Furthermore, the processor of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 can also control the light source 32a to emit light differently (e.g., flashing) than the light source 32a corresponding to the touch switch TS that has been touched, in order to report the detected touch operation to the touch operator. The light source 32a is illuminated differently (e.g., flickering) than the light source 32a corresponding to the touch switch TS that has not been touched. Light from the light source 32a is emitted toward the panel member 36 located above the touch sensor section 34 through the opening in the thin metal plate of the touch sensor section 34.

[0024] like Figure 4 As shown, the panel component 36 includes a substrate (substrate) 37 made of acrylic or the like, which is translucent to light L from a light source 32a, etc. The thickness of the transparent substrate 37, such as acrylic, is set in the range of 1 to 3 mm, for example. Multiple layers are stacked on the back side (lower surface side) of the substrate 37. Specifically, a cover layer 39 that blocks (shiels) light L is provided on the back side of the substrate 37. The color rendering layer 38 has a double-layer structure, comprising a color-adjusting layer (first color rendering layer) 38a and a transmission-adjusting layer (second color rendering layer) 38b sequentially from the side (upper side) closest to the substrate 37. The cover layer 39 has a double-layer structure, comprising a first cover layer 39a and a second cover layer 39b sequentially from the side (upper side) closest to the color rendering layer 38. A touch sensor unit 34 is disposed below the cover layer 39.

[0025] Furthermore, light L from each light source 32a, which has passed through the touch sensor unit 34, is shone onto the back side of the panel component 36 and the side below the cover layer 39. The color rendering layer 38 has a lower opacity than the cover layer 39; therefore, when light L shines in, it is difficult to cover the color of the cover layer 39. In contrast, the cover layer 39 covers the peripheral area S, allowing for sufficient contrast adjustment between the peripheral area S and the illuminated area.

[0026] The color-developing layer 38a is formed from an ink that mixes various pigments, such as white or yellow. The color of the color-developing layer 38a is the primary color that is visually recognized on the periphery S of the surface of the operation panel portion 30 through the substrate 37, and it is formed by pre-mixing multiple pigments to combine with the color desired to be displayed on the periphery S. The transmission-adjusting layer 38b of the color-developing layer 38 is formed by combining a single ink containing pigments of the same color family as or white of the color-developing layer 38a with a transparent ink containing a non-volatile transparent component. The single ink can be a commercially available standard ink. The transparent ink can be, for example, a neutral ink (a transparent substance containing solvents and additives in polyester resin, etc.). The thickness of each of the color-developing layer 38a and the transmission-adjusting layer 38b is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

[0027] Additionally, neutral inks can also be included in the color-mixing layer (first color-developing layer) 38a, the first opaque layer 39a, and the second opaque layer 39b. The transparency adjustment layer 38b is used to adjust for insufficient color tone in the single layer of color-mixing layer 38a to achieve the desired hue for the operation panel 30, or insufficient opacity of the opaque layer 39. Thus, by layering color-developing layers, the color-developing layer 38 can achieve hues such as ivory, beige, egg yolk yellow, ochre, milky white, natural color, and snow white (bluish white) according to the design. Furthermore, the transparency adjustment layer 38b is a layer that adjusts the amount of light-transmitting neutral ink added to adjust the brightness of illuminated areas such as icon area I and illuminated area L when illuminated, and to adjust the hue balance of the peripheral area S corresponding to the opaque layer 39 when not illuminated.

[0028] The first opaque layer 39a of the opaque layer 39 is formed of an ink with a lighter shade (e.g., light gray) in the Munsell color system than the second opaque layer 39b. The second opaque layer 39b is formed of an ink with a darker shade (e.g., dark gray) in the Munsell color system than the first opaque layer 39a. Specifically, inks with a lightness range of 7.0 to 8.0 in the Munsell color system at hue N can be used for the first opaque layer 39a. Inks with a lightness range of 1.0 to 5.0 in the Munsell color system at hue N can be used for the second opaque layer 39b. The thickness of each of the first opaque layer 39a and the second opaque layer 39b is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

[0029] In the Munsell color system, the lower the lightness of a hue at N, the higher the opacity. Therefore, the opacity of the second opacity layer 39b is higher than that of the first opacity layer 39a. In the operation panel section 30, especially with the first opacity layer 39a located above and with a higher lightness than the second opacity layer 39b, compared to the case where the second opacity layer 39b is provided instead of the first opacity layer 39a, the brightness of the peripheral section S can be adjusted to a tone that is not too dark, thus increasing the design freedom.

[0030] In the first cover layer 39a, a first opening 39a1 is hollow-printed along the vertical (thickness) direction, such that it is arranged in the illuminated areas of the illuminated parts L and each touch switch TS. The first opening 39a1 extends through the first cover layer 39a. Multiple first openings 39a1 are arranged to overlap with each icon part I and illuminated part L in the vertical direction, in accordance with the shape and size of each icon part I and illuminated part L. Furthermore, in the second cover layer 39b, a second opening 39b1 is hollow-printed in the portion overlapping the first opening 39a1 in the vertical direction. This second opening 39b1 extends through the second cover layer 39b. The opening width of the second opening 39b1 is slightly larger than the opening width of the first opening 39a1 (for example, approximately 0.1 to 1.5 mm larger). In other words, the second opening 39b1 is configured to be offset relative to the first opening 39a1.

[0031] Thus, in the illuminated areas of the illuminated portion L and each touch switch TS, a first opening 39a1 and a second opening 39b1 are provided in the cover layer 39. Light L emitted from the light source 32a of the touch switch TS passes through the first opening 39a1 and the second opening 39b1, and shines through the color rendering layer 38 onto the back side of the substrate 37. Consequently, on the surface side of the substrate 37, the illuminated portion L and the icon portion I of each touch switch TS are illuminated and displayed.

[0032] Next, the functions of each layer printed on the back side of the substrate 37 will be explained. The color-matching layer 38a presents a color that is visually confirmed on the surface of the operation panel 30 by adjusting the combination of various pigments (in this embodiment, a white or yellow color mixed according to design requirements). Since this layer contains multiple pigments, hue deviations corresponding to deviations in the mixing amount are easily generated during mass production. If multiple layers of this layer are stacked, the hue deviations visually confirmed on the surface of the operation panel 30 become larger due to the influence of hue deviations in each layer. Therefore, the minimum number of layers required is preferred, and in this embodiment, it is set to a single layer.

[0033] Transparency adjustment layer 38b is a layer of the same color family as or white as the color layer 38a, used to adjust the amount of transparent inks such as neutral inks. If the color development layer 38 consists of only a single layer of color layer 38a, the color development will be insufficient due to the thinness of color layer 38a, making it difficult to achieve the desired hue. By adding the transparency adjustment layer 38b, the hue of the color development layer 38 can be adjusted. The pigments used in the transparency adjustment layer 38b are of fewer types than those in the color layer 38a, thus suppressing hue deviations caused by variations in pigment formulation during manufacturing compared to the case where color layer 38a is layered instead of transparency adjustment layer 38b. Furthermore, since the amount of transparent inks such as neutral inks is adjusted in the transparency adjustment layer 38b, its light transmittance is superior to that of the color layer 38a. Therefore, light L from the light source 32a can easily be emitted out of the panel component 36, and when illuminated, illuminated areas such as the icon I can be brightened.

[0034] The second masking layer 39b is formed with a hue that is lower in brightness than the first masking layer 39a, thereby effectively masking the light emitted from the light source 32a. On the other hand, in order to suppress hue deviation, the color rendering layer 38 is set to have a smaller number of layers, so especially when the power supply 32a is not lit, the color rendering layer 38 has difficulty fully masking the color of the masking layer 39.

[0035] Here, as a comparative example, we examine the case where the first masking layer 39a of this embodiment is omitted, and the masking layer 39 is simply the second masking layer 39b. In this case, in order to satisfy the desired contrast between the illuminated area and the surrounding area S when the power supply 32a is turned on, the brightness of the second masking layer 39b is set sufficiently low, similar to this embodiment. As for the color rendering layer 38, the masking based on the color of the masking layer 39 becomes insufficient, especially when the power supply 32a is not turned on. A portion of the external light incident from the outside of the operation panel portion 30 is reflected and scattered by the color rendering layer 38, so that light corresponding to the hue of the color rendering layer 38 is emitted towards the outside of the operation panel portion 30, but another portion of the external light is absorbed by the masking layer 39. The masking layer 39 directly below the color rendering layer 38, i.e., the second masking layer 39b, has a low brightness, so the amount of external light absorbed increases. As a result, in most cases, the operation panel portion 30 becomes darker than the hue based on the individual color of the color rendering layer 38.

[0036] However, in this embodiment, a first opaque layer 39a is sandwiched between the color-developing layer 38 and the second opaque layer 39b. This first opaque layer 39a has a relatively higher brightness and a lighter hue compared to the second opaque layer 39b at hue N in the Munsell color system. Therefore, compared to the second opaque layer 39b, the amount of light absorption is slightly suppressed. Even if the opacity of the color-developing layer 38 is insufficient, the operation panel portion 30 will not become too dark due to the base color of the color-developing layer 38, allowing for visual confirmation. Furthermore, the second opaque layer 39b and the first opaque layer 39a are not limited to completely blocking light; they can also allow light to pass through slightly.

[0037] As explained above, the panel component 36 according to this embodiment includes: a color rendering layer 38 that is transmissive to light L from a light source 32a; a first opaque layer 39a disposed on the back side of the color rendering layer 38 that opaques at least a portion of the light L from the light source 32a and has an opening; and a second opaque layer 39b disposed on the back side of the first opaque layer 39a that opaques at least a portion of the light L from the light source and has an opening corresponding to the opening of the first opaque layer 39a. The color rendering layer 38 is a different color from the first opaque layer 39a and the second opaque layer 39b, and the brightness of the first opaque layer 39a is higher than the brightness of the second opaque layer 39b.

[0038] In this embodiment, the panel component 36 has a dual-layer structure on the visual confirmation side, consisting of a color-developing layer 38a and a transmission adjustment layer 38b. The color-developing layer 38a incorporates multiple color-developing materials to present the hue of the panel component 36, while the transmission adjustment layer 38b is supplied with a single color-developing material and a transparent neutral ink. Thus, while maintaining the hue of the panel component 36, light L from the light source 32a can be efficiently transmitted in the illuminated area. Furthermore, light emitted from the light source 32a on the back side of the panel component 36 is effectively blocked by the second cover layer 39b. Therefore, good hue and high contrast can be displayed in the illuminated area and its surrounding area. Furthermore, even if the color-developing layer 38 cannot fully cover the color of the cover layer 39, since the color of the first cover layer 39a disposed between the second cover layer 39b and the color-developing layer 38 has a higher brightness, the color tone of the color-developing layer 38 can be stronger on the surface side of the panel component 36 compared to the case where the first cover layer 39a is not sandwiched, and can be clearly visually confirmed.

[0039] Furthermore, in the panel component 36 of this embodiment, the color rendering layer 38 is a white or yellowish color. Therefore, a panel component 36 with a visually perceptible light color such as white can be provided, where the color rendering effect is improved on the surface side.

[0040] Furthermore, in the panel component 36 of this embodiment, the color-developing layer 38 includes: a color-mixing layer 38a, which contains multiple pigments or dyes as color-developing materials; and a transmission adjustment layer 38b, which is disposed on the back side of the color-mixing layer 38a and contains fewer types of pigments or dyes than the color-mixing layer 38a, and a non-volatile transparent component, such as a single type of pigment or dye. Thus, by using the transmission adjustment layer 38b alone to fill in insufficient hues, the color visually confirmed on the surface side of the operation panel portion 30 can be adjusted. Therefore, while improving the color-developing effect of the panel component 36, it is possible to increase light transmittance compared to cases where three or more layers of color-mixing layer 38a are stacked to adjust the hue, and suppress hue deviations caused by mismatches in pigment or dye formulation during manufacturing. Furthermore, since the color visually confirmed on the surface side of the operation panel portion 30 can be adjusted using only one layer of color-mixing layer 38a, the number of printing operations required for the color-developing layer 38 on the back side of the substrate 37 can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs associated with printing.

[0041] Furthermore, in the panel component 36, the opening width of the second opening 39b1 provided in the second cover layer 39b is larger than the opening width of the first opening 39a1 provided in the first cover layer 39a. Therefore, even if a printing offset occurs in the second cover layer 39b, which is printed after the first cover layer 39a, during the manufacturing of the panel component 36, the second opening 39b1 can be configured to overlap with the first opening 39a1 in the vertical direction.

[0042] Furthermore, in panel component 36, the brightness is the brightness in the Munsell color system. This provides a clear reference for distinguishing the brightness of the first opaque layer 39a and the brightness of the second opaque layer 39b.

[0043] Furthermore, the panel component 36, serving as a display unit, includes illuminated areas such as icon sections I that are illuminated and displayed according to touch operations on the touch panel. This allows for a specific method of providing the display unit, enabling a touch panel that improves the color rendering effect of the illuminated areas.

[0044] Furthermore, the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of the embodiment includes a panel component 36. Therefore, the color visible on the surface of the operation panel 30 can be adjusted to match the color of the housing 20 of the electronic keyboard instrument 1, further enhancing the color rendering effect of the operation panel 30.

[0045] In the above embodiments, an electronic keyboard musical instrument is exemplified as an electronic device, but it is not limited to this. It can be applied to home electronic devices and office electronic devices such as personal computers, printers, electronic computers, electronic dictionaries, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), projectors, watches, and clocks.

[0046] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments or their variations are included in the scope or spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and their equivalents. For example, in the above embodiments, a structure in which the light source is disposed on the lower side of the panel member is illustrated, but it can also be configured such that the light source is disposed on the side of the panel member, and light from the light source is incident on the rear side of the panel member via a light guide member. In addition, for example, in the above embodiments, a structure in which the color rendering layer has one transmission adjustment layer is illustrated, but it can also be a structure in which the color rendering layer has multiple transmission adjustment layers.

Claims

1. A panel component, characterized in that, have: The color-developing layer is transparent to light from a light source; A first opaque layer is disposed on the back side of the color rendering layer, which has opaqueness to at least a portion of the light from the light source, and is provided with an opening; as well as A second shielding layer is disposed on the back side of the first shielding layer, which has shielding properties against at least a portion of the light from the light source, and has an opening corresponding to the opening of the first shielding layer. The color-developing layer comprises: a first layer containing multiple pigments or multiple dyes; and a second layer disposed on the back side of the first layer, containing fewer types of pigments or dyes than the first layer. The color-developing layer is a different color from the first and second masking layers. The brightness of the first covering layer is higher than that of the second covering layer.

2. The panel component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second layer contains a single type of pigment or dye.

3. The panel component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second layer contains non-volatile transparent components.

4. The panel component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The color-developing layer is a white or yellow color.

5. The panel component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening width of the opening in the second cover layer is larger than the opening width of the opening in the first cover layer.

6. The panel component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The brightness mentioned is the brightness in the Munsell color system.

7. The panel component according to claim 1, characterized in that, This includes an icon portion that is illuminated and displayed through an opening in the first cover layer based on touch operations of the touch panel.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that, have: The panel component according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and A light source that illuminates the back side of the panel component.

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