Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device that has improved visibility and suppressed influence of pseudo lighting at inexpensive costs.SOLUTION: A display device 1 for a vehicle comprises: a segment light emitting section 10 that has a plurality of first light sources which are regularly disposed and that forms a first display pattern by light emission of some of the first light sources; a light guide plate 20 having a light guide that emits light by reflecting light incident from a second light source or generates fluorescence with light incident from the second light source, the light guide plate 20 forming a predetermined second display pattern through radiation of light by the light guide; and a mesh plate 30 having regular formation of a plurality of through-holes through which light of the first display pattern and light of the second display pattern pass. The segment light emission section 10, the light guide plate 20 and the mesh plate 30 arranged on top of each other in this order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle display device for transmitting necessary information to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-132979 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As in Patent Document 1, a display can be used as a means for expressing intention. As a display for such an application, it is conceivable to use a light guide plate in which light guides are arranged in the shape of a display pattern in order to display figures with higher resolution. On the other hand, it is conceivable to use a segment light emitting unit that emits light from some of a plurality of light sources arranged at predetermined positions in order to display various figures with lower resolution.

[0005] However, in order to display high-resolution figures on a display using segment light emitting units, a large number of light sources are required, which increases manufacturing costs. Also, when segment light emitting units with a small number of light sources are used, jagged edges appear in the displayed figures, reducing visibility. In contrast, displays using light guide plates can display high-resolution graphics at lower manufacturing costs than displays using segment light-emitting sections, but the display patterns are limited. Alternatively, when both a segment light emitting section and a light guide plate are used in a display, pseudo-emission may occur in which the light guide plate unintentionally emits light in conjunction with the emission of light from the segment light emitting section.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device which improves visibility and suppresses the effects of pseudo lighting while keeping costs down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A display device according to one aspect of the present invention is a display device for a vehicle, a segment light emitting unit including a plurality of regularly arranged first light sources, the segment light emitting unit forming a first display pattern by emitting light from some of the first light sources; a light guide plate including a light guide that reflects light incident from a second light source and emits light or that emits fluorescence when light is incident from the second light source, the light guide forming a predetermined second display pattern by emitting light from the light guide; a mesh plate having a plurality of through holes regularly formed therein through which light of the first display pattern and the second display pattern passes; The segment light emitting portion, the light guide plate, and the mesh plate are disposed one on top of the other in this order. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a display device that improves visibility and reduces the effects of pseudo lighting while keeping costs down. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a display device mounted on a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a display device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a segment light emitting portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a light guide plate. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a mesh plate. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates the first display pattern before passing through the mesh plate. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view in which the first display pattern and the mesh plate are overlapped. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates the brightness of the light of the first display pattern passing through the aperture. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates the first display pattern after passing through the mesh plate. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view in which the second display pattern and the mesh plate are overlapped. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates the brightness of the light of the second display pattern passing through the apertures. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates pseudo-luminescence. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates a second display pattern when a part of the first light source is turned on. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates a mesh plate according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, the description of the components having the same reference numbers as those already described in the description of the embodiment will be omitted. Also, for the sake of convenience, the dimensions of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions of each component.

[0011] In addition, in the description of this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the "upward / downward direction" and "leftward / rightward direction" will be mentioned as appropriate. Here, the "upward / downward direction" is a direction that includes the "upward direction" and the "downward direction". The "leftward / rightward direction" is a direction that includes the "leftward direction" and the "rightward direction". In the figures described below, the symbol U indicates the upward direction. The symbol D indicates the downward direction. The symbol F indicates the forward direction. The symbol B indicates the rearward direction. The symbol L indicates the leftward direction. The symbol R indicates the rightward direction. These directions correspond to the directions as seen by the driver in the vehicle.

[0012] In addition, the drawings may show examples of display patterns. In each drawing, a portion of the display pattern having a high luminance may be represented by fine hatching, and a portion of the display pattern having a low luminance may be represented by coarse hatching.

[0013] A display device 1 according to this embodiment that is provided in a vehicle 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 illustrates the display device 1 mounted on the vehicle 100.

[0014] 1, the display device 1 is provided at the front of a vehicle 100. The display device 1 is configured to be able to transmit information to traffic pedestrians in front of the vehicle.

[0015] 2 is a schematic diagram of the display device 1. The display device 1 includes a segment light emitting section 10, a light guide plate 20, and a mesh plate 30. The segment light emitting section 10, the light guide plate 20, and the mesh plate 30 are arranged in a stacked manner from the rear to the front.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates the segment light emitting unit 10. The segment light emitting unit 10 includes a plurality of first light sources 11 arranged in a regular pattern. In this embodiment, the first light sources 11 are arranged side by side at an equal pitch Da in the vertical and horizontal directions. The vertical direction is an example of the first direction, and the horizontal direction is an example of the second direction. The segment light emitting unit 10 is configured to form a first display pattern P1 by some of the plurality of first light sources 11 emitting light. The first display pattern may be, for example, an arrow (see FIG. 2), simple characters, an image showing the charge amount when the vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle, or the like.

[0017] The first light source 11 is configured, for example, by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element or an LD (Laser Diode) element. The first light source 11 may be configured by a semiconductor light emitting element that emits laser light.

[0018] 4 is a schematic diagram of the light guide plate 20. The light guide plate 20 is configured to form a second display pattern P2. In this embodiment, the second display pattern P2 is an emoticon, but the second display pattern P2 is not limited to the example of this embodiment. For example, the second display pattern P2 may be a design image of a car, etc.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4. The light guide plate 20 includes a second light source 21 and a light guide formed in an area in which a second display pattern is formed. The light guide is configured to emit light by reflecting light incident from the second light source 21, or to emit fluorescence by light incident from the second light source 21. In this embodiment, the light guide is formed as a plurality of steps 22. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the steps 22 are configured to reflect the light emitted from the second light source 21 forward.

[0020] In this embodiment, the second light source 21 includes a light source unit 21a and a light guiding unit 21b. When the light source unit 21a emits light, the light is incident on the light guiding unit 21b. The light incident on the light guiding unit 21b is emitted in the direction of the step 22. Note that, although the light source unit 21a and the light guiding unit 21b are provided in contact with each other in the example of FIG. 4, the light source unit 21a and the light guiding unit 21b may be provided in a state separated from each other.

[0021] In this embodiment, the light guide plate 20 includes the second light source 21, but the second light source may be provided apart from the light guide plate.

[0022] 6 is a schematic diagram of the mesh plate 30. Through holes that transmit the first display pattern P1 and the second display pattern P2 are regularly formed in the mesh plate 30. In this embodiment, the mesh plate 30 has a surface lattice formed by intersecting lattice portions 31. A plurality of openings 32 formed by the lattice portions 31 function as through holes that can transmit the first display pattern P1 and the second display pattern P2.

[0023] The lattice portion 31 is formed by a member extending in a direction different from both the up-down direction (first direction) and the left-right direction (second direction), which are directions in which the first light sources 11 are arranged. Therefore, the openings 32 are arranged in a direction different from both the up-down direction (first direction) and the left-right direction (second direction). The openings 32 are arranged such that the center-to-center distance between adjacent openings 32 is constant. The constant center-to-center distance between adjacent openings 32 may be referred to as the pitch Dc.

[0024] Next, the display of the first display pattern P1 in the display device 1 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 illustrates the first display pattern P1 before passing through the mesh plate 30. The first display pattern P1 is formed by the corresponding first light source 11 in the segment light emitting unit 10 emitting light. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the first display pattern P1 may be formed to include jaggies, which are stepped, jagged portions. Note that in Fig. 7, bright portions are displayed by filling them in black.

[0025] Fig. 8 is a partial enlarged view in which the first display pattern P1 and the mesh plate 30 are overlapped. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion J in Fig. 7. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the first display pattern P1 is displayed through the opening 32, which is a through hole formed in the mesh plate 30.

[0026] Here, the openings 32 are divided into three types of patterns, a first opening 321, a second opening 322, and a third opening 323. The first opening 321 overlaps with the first display pattern P1 in the entire area of ​​the opening. The second opening 322 does not overlap with the first display pattern P1 in the entire area of ​​the opening. The third opening 323 overlaps with the first display pattern P1 in a part of the area of ​​the opening.

[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates the brightness of the first display pattern P1 passing through the opening 32. The first opening 321 transmits the light of the first display pattern P1 in the entire area of ​​the opening, so the first opening 321 is bright overall. The second opening 322 does not transmit the light of the first display pattern P1 in the entire area of ​​the opening, so the second opening 322 is dark overall. The third opening 323 transmits the light of the first display pattern P1 in a partial area of ​​the opening, so the light is dispersed and the brightness of the entire third opening 323 is uniform. Therefore, the entire third opening 323 is darker than the first opening 321 and brighter than the second opening 322.

[0028] 10 illustrates the first display pattern P1 after passing through the mesh plate 30. Because the third openings 323 make the first display pattern P1 appear darker than the first openings 321, the first display pattern P1 after passing through the mesh plate 30 appears blurrier than the first display pattern P1 before passing through the mesh plate 30. This makes the jaggies appear less pronounced, improving the visibility of the first display pattern P1.

[0029] Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged view of the second display pattern P2 overlapping the mesh plate 30. Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged view of part XI in the second display pattern P2 illustrated in Fig. 4. The second display pattern P2 is displayed through the opening 32, which is a through-hole formed in the mesh plate 30.

[0030] Here, the openings 32 are divided into three types of patterns: a fourth opening 324, a fifth opening 325, and a sixth opening 326. The fourth opening 324 overlaps with the second display pattern P2 in the entire area of ​​the opening. The fifth opening 325 does not overlap with the second display pattern P2 in the entire area of ​​the opening. The sixth opening 326 overlaps with the second display pattern P2 in a part of the area of ​​the opening.

[0031] FIG. 12 illustrates the brightness of the second display pattern P2 passing through the opening 32. In FIG. 12, the narrower the hatching interval, the brighter the area. The fourth opening 324 transmits the light of the second display pattern P2 in the entire area of ​​the opening, so the fourth opening 324 is bright in its entirety. The fifth opening 325 does not transmit the light of the second display pattern P2 in its entirety, so the fifth opening 325 is dark in its entirety. The sixth opening 326 transmits the light of the second display pattern P2 in a partial area of ​​the opening, so the light is diffused and the brightness of the entire sixth opening 326 is uniform. Therefore, the sixth opening 326 is darker than the fourth opening 324 and brighter than the fifth opening 325 in its entirety.

[0032] Therefore, similar to the first display pattern P1, the second display pattern P2 after passing through the mesh plate 30 appears blurred compared to the second display pattern P2 before passing through the mesh plate 30. In particular, the outer shape of the second display pattern P2 appears blurred.

[0033] The display device 1, which is mounted on the vehicle 100 and used to indicate the intentions of other road users, does not necessarily require a high-resolution display pattern. For this reason, the display device 1 is provided with a segment light emitting unit 10 that is not suitable for high resolution but can easily switch between a plurality of display patterns.

[0034] On the other hand, it may be desirable to display a high-resolution display pattern in the vehicle display device 1. In order to form a high-resolution display pattern in the segment light emitting unit 10, the number of light sources required increases, and the manufacturing cost increases. For this reason, the display device 1 is provided with a light guide plate 20 that can display only fixed patterns, but can more easily and inexpensively display figures with a higher resolution than the segment light emitting unit 10.

[0035] However, when the display device 1 includes the segment light emitter 10 and the light guide plate 20, it is necessary to suppress pseudo-emission. The pseudo-emission is a phenomenon in which, when the first light source 11 of the segment light emitter 10 emits light to display the first display pattern P1, the light of the first light source 11 enters the light guide plate 20, causing the second display pattern P2 to be unintentionally displayed. Fig. 13 illustrates pseudo-lighting. As illustrated in Fig. 13, not only the first display pattern P1 but also the second display pattern P2 is displayed. At this time, the second display pattern P2 displayed by the pseudo-lighting is displayed darker than the first display pattern P1 displayed by the first light source 11. However, since not only the first display pattern P1 but also the second display pattern P2 are displayed, the visibility of the first display pattern P1 may be deteriorated.

[0036] According to the display device 1 of this embodiment, the outer portion of the second display pattern P2 appears blurred, making the second display pattern P2 displayed by pseudo lighting difficult to see, and conversely, the attention of traffic pedestrians is more likely to be attracted to the first display pattern P1.

[0037] In this way, the display device 1 of the present embodiment can display the first display pattern P1 and the second display pattern P2 while suppressing manufacturing costs. Moreover, the display device 1 can reduce jaggies in the first display pattern P1 and suppress pseudo lighting of the light guide plate 20.

[0038] It is desirable that the pitch Dc of the openings 32, which are through-holes, in the mesh plate 30 is smaller than the pitch Da of the first light sources 11. In this case, the light of the first display pattern P1 is dispersed and transmitted through a greater number of the openings 32, which are through-holes. Therefore, the jaggies of the first display pattern P1 are further alleviated, and the first display pattern P1 is easily visible.

[0039] In the display device 1 of the present embodiment, the arrangement direction of the openings 32 is different from the first direction, the up-down direction, and the second direction, the left-right direction. This makes it easier to disperse the amount of light passing through each opening 32 when the first display pattern is displayed, and reduces the effect of jaggies in the first display pattern P1.

[0040] In the display device 1 of this embodiment, when the second light source 21 is turned on to form the second display pattern P2, a part of the first light source 11 overlapping with the second display pattern P2 may be turned on. Fig. 14 illustrates the second display pattern P2 when a part of the first light source 11 is turned on. As illustrated in Fig. 14, the second display pattern P2 is displayed on the display device 1. Furthermore, by turning on the body of the first light source 11 corresponding to the eye part E of the emoticon, the eye part E of the emoticon can be further brightened.

[0041] The display device 1 of the present embodiment includes an aspect in which the second display pattern P2 and the turned-on first light source 11 overlap to emit light, so that at least a part of the second display pattern P2 can be made more noticeable.

[0042] In the display device 1 of the present embodiment, it is desirable that the second display pattern P2 has smoother contours than the first display pattern P1, which enables the second display pattern P2 to display figures with a higher resolution than the first display pattern P1.

[0043] Furthermore, in the display device 1 of this embodiment, it is desirable that the distance Db (see FIG. 5) between adjacent steps 22 is smaller than the pitch Da of the first light sources 11. This makes it possible to display the second display pattern P2 with a higher resolution than the first display pattern P1.

[0044] Next, a modified example of the mesh plate will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 illustrates a mesh plate 30A according to the modified example. As illustrated in Fig. 15, the mesh plate 30A has circular through holes 32A formed therein instead of the openings 32 formed by a lattice. The circular through holes 32A are arranged in a staggered pattern.

[0045] Even in such through-holes 32A, there are through-holes 32A that partially overlap with the first display pattern P1 and the second display pattern P2. As a result, the first display pattern P1 and the second display pattern P2 are displayed in a blurred manner, and the effects of jaggies and pseudo-emission can be mitigated.

[0046] In the modified example, the through holes formed in the mesh plate are circular, but they may be other shapes. For example, the through holes may be polygonal, such as hexagonal.

[0047] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. The present embodiment is an example of the present disclosure, and is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, numerical value, form, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present disclosure can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0048] In this embodiment, the display device 1 is provided at the front of the vehicle 100, but it may be provided at the rear or side of the vehicle.

[0049] The configurations listed below also form part of this disclosure. (1): a segment light emitting unit including a plurality of regularly arranged first light sources, the segment light emitting unit forming a first display pattern by emitting light from some of the first light sources; a light guide plate including a light guide that reflects light incident from a second light source and emits light or that emits fluorescence when light is incident from the second light source, the light guide forming a predetermined second display pattern by emitting light from the light guide; a mesh plate having a plurality of through holes regularly formed therein through which light of the first display pattern and the second display pattern passes; the segment light emitting unit, the light guide plate, and the mesh plate are arranged in this order in a stacked manner. A display device for a vehicle. (2): the pitch at which the through holes formed in the mesh plate are arranged is smaller than the pitch at which the first light sources are arranged; 2. The display device of claim 1. (3): In the mesh plate, a portion through which the light of the first display pattern and the light of the second display pattern can be transmitted is a surface lattice formed by intersecting lattice portions, The through hole is formed as an opening in the grating, The first light sources are arranged in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction; The arrangement direction of the openings is different from the first direction and the second direction. 3. A display device according to claim 1 or 2. (4): When the second light source is turned on to form the second display pattern, a part of the first light source overlapping the second display pattern is turned on. A display device according to any one of (1) to (3). (5): The second display pattern has smoother contour lines than the first display pattern. A display device according to any one of (1) to (4). (6): the light guide is formed as a plurality of steps that reflect light from the second light source; a distance between adjacent steps is smaller than a pitch at which the first light sources are arranged; A display device according to any one of (1) to (5). [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Display device 10 Segment light emitting section 11 First Light Source 20 Light guide plate 21 Second Light Source 21a Light source section 21b Light guiding part 22 Steps 30,30A Mesh plate 31 Lattice section 32 Opening 32A through hole 100 vehicles 321 First opening 322 Second opening 323 Third opening 324 Fourth opening 325 Fifth opening 326 Sixth opening P1 First display pattern P2 Second display pattern

Claims

1. a segment light emitting unit including a plurality of regularly arranged first light sources, the segment light emitting unit forming a first display pattern by emitting light from some of the first light sources; a light guide plate including a light guide that reflects light incident from a second light source and emits light or that emits fluorescence when light is incident from the second light source, the light guide forming a predetermined second display pattern by emitting light from the light guide; a mesh plate having a plurality of through holes regularly formed therein through which light of the first display pattern and the second display pattern passes; the segment light emitting unit, the light guide plate, and the mesh plate are arranged in this order in a stacked manner. A display device for a vehicle.

2. the pitch at which the through holes formed in the mesh plate are arranged is smaller than the pitch at which the first light sources are arranged; 2. The display device of claim 1.

3. In the mesh plate, a portion through which the light of the first display pattern and the light of the second display pattern can be transmitted is a surface lattice formed by intersecting lattice portions, The through hole is formed as an opening in the grating, The first light sources are arranged in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction; The arrangement direction of the openings is different from the first direction and the second direction.

3. A display device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the second light source is turned on to form the second display pattern, a part of the first light source overlapping the second display pattern is turned on.

2. The display device of claim 1.

5. The second display pattern has smoother contour lines than the first display pattern.

2. The display device of claim 1.

6. the light guide is formed as a plurality of steps that reflect light from the second light source; a distance between adjacent steps is smaller than a pitch at which the first light sources are arranged; 2. The display device of claim 1.

Images