Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device capable of narrowing the frame area.SOLUTION: A disclosed display device includes a display panel, a front panel, a circuit board, and a support part. The display panel transmits visible light from the back to display images. The front panel has a transparent area that covers the display panel, and a frame area surrounding the transparent area. The circuit board is connected to the display panel via a cable. The support part is attached to the frame area of the front panel and supports the circuit board. An extension line of at least either the cable or the circuit board is arranged to cross the front panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in a display device whose back surface can be seen, a circuit board that controls a display panel is arranged in a frame area that surrounds a transparent area. If the circuit board is visible to a user, it will spoil the design, so it is preferable that the circuit board is hidden. In order to hide the circuit board, the frame area is made relatively wide. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-236101 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to expand the transparent area, there is a demand for narrower picture frames of display devices.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a display device capable of narrowing the frame area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The display device according to the present disclosure includes a display panel, a front panel, a substrate, and a support. The display panel transmits visible light from the rear and displays an image. The front panel has a transparent region that is a transparent region covering the display panel, and a frame region that surrounds the transparent region. The substrate is connected to the display panel via a cable. The support is attached to the frame region of the front panel and supports the substrate. An extension line of at least one of the cable and the substrate is arranged to intersect with the front panel. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the display device according to the present disclosure, the frame area can be narrowed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the display device of the portion enclosed by the frame line shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a frame region of the display device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a frame region of the display device according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a frame region of a display device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a support portion according to the first modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a support portion according to the second modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a transparent region according to the third modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a transparent region according to the fourth modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a transparent region according to the fifth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display device 1 according to a first embodiment. Here, the width direction of the display device 1 is defined as the X-axis direction, the length direction of the display device 1 is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. Note that Fig. 1 shows the display device 1 in a state where the end in the X-axis direction is cut off.

[0011] The display device 1 is a transparent display through which the rear side can be seen. As shown in Fig. 1, the display device 1 has a front panel 10 that covers the front side. The front panel 10 is a cover for protecting a display panel 20 (see Fig. 2). The front panel 10 is formed of a transparent material such as glass.

[0012] The front panel 10 has a transparent region 11 which is a transparent region covering the display panel 20, and a frame region 12 which surrounds the transparent region 11. The transparent region 11 is a region through which the opposite side of the transparent region 11 can be seen through. In other words, the transparent region 11 is a region through which the rear side can be seen and where an image is displayed by the display panel 20 arranged on the rear side of the front panel 10.

[0013] The frame region 12 is a region that surrounds the transparent region 11. The frame region 12 is a region through which it is impossible to see the opposite side of the transparent region 11. The frame region 12 is, for example, a region that is coated with paint.

[0014] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the display device 1 of a portion surrounded by frame line A shown in Fig. 1. In other words, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of frame region 12 of display device 1. Display device 1 has a front panel 10, a display panel 20 arranged on the rear side of front panel 10, and a circuit board 40.

[0015] The display panel 20 transmits visible light from the rear surface and displays an image. The display panel 20 is a panel in which RGB (Red Green Blue) colored cells and transparent pixels that are transparent pixels are arranged alternately. A user can see the rear surface through the transparent pixels of the display panel 20. For example, the display panel 20 is formed of a TOLED (Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode).

[0016] The front panel 10 and the display panel 20 are attached with a transparent adhesive such as OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive).

[0017] The circuit board 40 is a board on which a circuit for controlling the display panel 20 is mounted. The circuit board 40 is connected to the display panel 20 via a bendable cable 30 such as an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable).

[0018] Here, it is desirable to narrow the frame area 12. Furthermore, when the display device 1 is mounted on a vehicle, a load may be applied to the connection portion between the circuit board 40 and the cable 30 due to vibration of the vehicle. Therefore, the circuit board 40 is supported by a support portion 50.

[0019] The support portion 50 is a protrusion that is attached to the frame region 12 and supports the circuit board 40. The support portion 50 supports the circuit board 40. More specifically, the circuit board 40 is attached to the support portion 50 with an adhesive, a tape, or the like.

[0020] In order to narrow the frame, it is preferable that the circuit board 40 is disposed so as to extend substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. On the other hand, since the transparent region 11 is transparent, the user may be able to see diagonally behind the transparent region 11 depending on the user's line of sight. For example, if the circuit board 40 is disposed substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction, the circuit board 40 will be located ahead of the user's line of sight R. In other words, there is a possibility that the user will be able to see the circuit board 40.

[0021] Therefore, the support section 50 arranges the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 such that an extension line of at least one of the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 intersects with the front panel 10. For example, the support section 50 has a first inclined surface 51 that moves away from the front panel 10 in the Z-axis direction as it moves away from the display panel 20 in the Y-axis direction.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the first inclined surface 51 does not intersect with the line of sight R, which is the lower end of the user's field of vision indicated by the arrow. That is, the first inclined surface 51 inclines the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 at an angle at which the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 are not in the user's field of vision. Therefore, the circuit board 40 is not visible to the user. Furthermore, the circuit board 40 is attached to the first inclined surface 51 with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like. Therefore, the first inclined surface 51 can support the circuit board 40.

[0023] As described above, the display device 1 according to the first embodiment has the support section 50 that is arranged so that at least one of the extension lines of the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 intersects with the front panel 10. Specifically, the support section 50 has a first inclined surface 51 that arranges the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 so that at least one of the extension lines of the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 intersects with the front panel 10. In this way, since the display device 1 has the support section 50 that arranges the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 at an angle with respect to the front panel 10, a narrower frame can be achieved compared to the case where the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 are arranged approximately parallel to the front panel 10.

[0024] Furthermore, the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 are supported by the support portion 50. Therefore, the load on the connection portion between the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 is reduced compared to a case where the cable 30 is not supported by the support portion 50. Therefore, the display device 1 can reduce the possibility that the connection portion between the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 will be broken.

[0025] Second embodiment The support portion 50a according to the second embodiment is formed in a shape different from that of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the frame region 12 of the display device 1 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the display device 1 according to the second embodiment, which corresponds to the portion surrounded by the frame line A shown in Fig. 1.

[0026] 3, the support portion 50a arranges the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 in a line. As a result, the extension lines of the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 intersect with the front panel 10.

[0027] More specifically, the support portion 50a has a first inclined surface 51a that moves away from the front panel 10 in the Z-axis direction as it moves away from the display panel 20 in the Y-axis direction, and a second inclined surface 52a that moves closer to the front panel 10 in the Z-axis direction as it moves away from the display panel 20 in the Y-axis direction. The second inclined surface 52a is disposed at a position farther away from the display panel 20 in the Y-axis direction than the first inclined surface 51a. The apex of the support portion 50a in the Z-axis direction is formed between the first inclined surface 51a and the second inclined surface 52a.

[0028] The first inclined surface 51a is an inclined surface that moves the cable 30 farthest from the front panel 10 at an angle that is not visible to the user. The second inclined surface 52a is an inclined surface that moves the end of the circuit board 40 opposite the cable 30 closer to the front panel 10. In other words, the first inclined surface 51a positions the connection point between the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 at a position farthest from the front panel 10. The circuit board 40 is attached to the second inclined surface 52a with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like. Therefore, the second inclined surface 52a can support the circuit board 40.

[0029] As described above, in the support section 50a according to the second embodiment, the cable 30 is disposed on the first inclined surface 51a, and the circuit board 40 is disposed on the second inclined surface 52a. In this case as well, the support section 50a disposes the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 at an angle with respect to the front panel 10, thereby achieving a narrow frame.

[0030] (Third embodiment) The support portion 50b according to the third embodiment is formed in a shape different from that of the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the frame region 12 of the display device 1 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the display device 1 according to the third embodiment, which corresponds to the portion surrounded by the frame line A shown in Fig. 1.

[0031] 4, the support portion 50b has a first inclined surface 51b that moves away from the front panel 10 in the Z-axis direction as it moves away from the display panel 20 in the Y-axis direction. The first inclined surface 51b is an inclined surface that moves the circuit board 40 the furthest from the front panel 10 at an angle that is not within the user's field of vision.

[0032] More specifically, the first inclined surface 51b moves the circuit board 40 away from the front panel 10, out of the cable 30 and the circuit board 40. That is, there is a distance between the display panel 20 and the first inclined surface 51b that is approximately the same as the length of the cable 30. Therefore, the cable 30 is disposed approximately parallel to the front panel 10. And the circuit board 40 is disposed in a position where the end is not in the user's field of vision. And the circuit board 40 is attached to the first inclined surface 51b with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like. Therefore, the first inclined surface 51b can support the circuit board 40.

[0033] As described above, the support section 50b according to the third embodiment is disposed at a position spaced apart in the Y-axis direction from the display panel 20 by approximately the same length as the cable 30, and has the first inclined surface 51b. The cable 30 is disposed approximately parallel to the front panel 10 between the display panel 20 and the support section 50b. The circuit board 40 is disposed on the first inclined surface 51b. In this case as well, the support section 50b disposes the circuit board 40 at an angle relative to the front panel 10, thereby achieving a narrower frame.

[0034] (Fourth embodiment) The support portion 50c according to the fourth embodiment is formed in a shape different from that of the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the frame region 12 of the display device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the display device 1 according to the fourth embodiment, which corresponds to the portion surrounded by the frame line A shown in Fig. 1.

[0035] 5, the support portion 50c has a first inclined surface 51c that moves away from the front panel 10 in the Z-axis direction as it moves away from the display panel 20 in the Y-axis direction, and a first parallel surface 52c that is approximately parallel to the front panel 10. The first parallel surface 52c is disposed at a position farther away from the display panel 20 in the Y-axis direction than the first inclined surface 51c.

[0036] More specifically, the first inclined surface 51c is an inclined surface that moves the cable 30 farthest from the front panel 10 at an angle that is not visible to the user. That is, the first inclined surface 51c positions the connection point between the cable 30 and the circuit board 40 at a position farthest from the front panel 10. The first parallel surface 52c positions the circuit board 40 approximately parallel to the front panel 10 at a position farthest from the front panel 10. The circuit board 40 is attached to the first parallel surface 52c with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like. Therefore, the first parallel surface 52c can support the circuit board 40.

[0037] As described above, in the support section 50c according to the fourth embodiment, the cable 30 is disposed on the first inclined surface 51c, and the circuit board 40 is disposed on the first parallel surface 52c. In this case as well, the support section 50c disposes the cable 30 at an angle with respect to the front panel 10, thereby achieving a narrower frame.

[0038] (Variation 1) Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a support portion 50d according to Modification 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the support portion 50d may have a recess 53d into which a component 41 to be mounted on a circuit board 40 is inserted.

[0039] Here, it is preferable that the components 41 mounted on the circuit board 40 are not seen by the user. Therefore, the first inclined surface 51d of the support portion 50d has a recess 53d into which the components 41 of the circuit board 40 are inserted. The first inclined surface 51 and the surface of the circuit board 40 on which the components 41 are mounted are attached with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like. As a result, the components 41 protruding from the circuit board 40 are positioned on the opposite side of the circuit board 40 from the user's line of sight R, and are therefore not visible to the user. Therefore, the support portion 50d can arrange the circuit board 40 with a greater inclination in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the components 41 of the circuit board 40 can be inserted into the recess 53d of the support portion 50d to narrow the frame area 12.

[0040] (Variation 2) Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a support part 50e according to Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the support part 50e has a fixing part 52e that fixes the circuit board 40. For example, the fixing part 52e fixes the circuit board 40 by fitting the circuit board 40 with a claw.

[0041] The supporting portion 50e supports the circuit board 40 by the fixing portion 52e instead of an adhesive, an adhesive tape, etc. The supporting portion 50e may support the circuit board 40 by the fixing portion 52e in addition to an adhesive, an adhesive tape, etc.

[0042] (Variation 3) Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a transparent region 11 according to Modification 3. As shown in Fig. 8, a first transparent portion 60 may be attached to the surface of the display panel 20 opposite to the surface to which the front panel 10 is attached.

[0043] For example, the first transparent portion 60 is attached to the side of the display panel 20 opposite to the front panel 10, and has a refractive index equal to or higher than that of the display panel 20. More specifically, the first transparent portion 60 is a transparent member having a refractive index substantially the same as that of the display panel 20. For example, when the refractive index of the display panel 20 is 1.5, the first transparent portion 60 can be a transparent member having a refractive index of 1.5.

[0044] When the display device 1 does not include the first transparent portion 60, air is located on the rear side of the display panel 20. Since the refractive index of air is 1, light incident on the display panel 20 from the front panel 10 side is refracted at the interface between the display panel 20 and the air, and is emitted to the rear side of the display panel 20. On the other hand, when the display device 1 includes the first transparent portion 60, light incident on the display panel 20 from the front panel 10 side is refracted at the interface between the display panel 20 and the first transparent portion 60, but is refracted at the interface between the first transparent portion 60 and the air, and is emitted to the rear side of the first transparent portion 60, since the refractive indexes of the first transparent portion 60 and the display panel 20 are approximately the same. Therefore, the user's line of sight R is also bent as shown in FIG. 8. The user's line of sight R is the lower end of the range that the user can see.

[0045] In this way, by providing the display device 1 with the first transparent portion 60, the position at which light incident on the display panel 20 from the front panel 10 side is refracted can be moved away from the front panel 10 to the rear side and away from the transparent region 11. In other words, the range that the user can view through the display panel 20 on the rear side of the display panel 20 can be narrowed.

[0046] As a result, even if the circuit board 40 is arranged at an angle as in the first embodiment, it is even less likely to be seen by the user through the display panel 20. This embodiment also makes it possible to narrow the frame area 12.

[0047] (Variation 4) Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a transparent region 11 according to Modification 4. As shown in Fig. 9, a second transparent portion 60a may be attached to the surface of the display panel 20 opposite to the surface to which the front panel 10 is attached.

[0048] The second transparent portion 60a has a refractive index higher than that of the display panel 20. For example, the second transparent portion 60a is a transparent member having a refractive index of 1.5 or more.

[0049] When light enters the second transparent portion 60a from the display panel 20, the refraction angle is smaller than the incidence angle because the refractive index of the second transparent portion 60a is greater than that of the display panel 20. In other words, the second transparent portion 60a can make the traveling direction of the light emitted from the display panel 20 closer to a direction parallel to the Z-axis direction. The light that has traveled through the second transparent portion 60a is refracted at the interface between the second transparent portion 60a and the air, and is emitted to the rear side of the second transparent portion 60a.

[0050] In this way, by providing the display device 1 with the second transparent portion 60a, the position at which light incident on the display panel 20 from the front panel 10 side is emitted into the air can be moved away from the front panel 10 to a position toward the rear side and away from the transparent region 11. In other words, the range that the user can view through the display panel 20 on the rear side of the display panel 20 can be narrowed.

[0051] As a result, even if the circuit board 40 is arranged at an angle as in the first embodiment, it is even less likely to be seen by the user through the display panel 20. This embodiment also makes it possible to narrow the frame area 12.

[0052] (Variation 5) Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a transparent region 11 according to Modification 5. As shown in Fig. 10, the display panel 20 may have a third transparent portion 60b attached to the surface opposite to the surface to which the front panel 10 is attached.

[0053] The third transparent portion 60b has substantially the same refractive index as the display panel 20. For example, the third transparent portion 60b is a transparent member having a refractive index of 1.5.

[0054] Moreover, the third transparent portion 60b has a refractive surface 61b that refracts the light emitted through the third transparent portion 60b toward the transparent region 11. More specifically, the refractive surface 61b from which the light passing through the third transparent portion 60b is emitted is inclined with respect to the surface from which the light is emitted to the third transparent portion 60b. Here, the refraction angle of the light emitted from the third transparent portion 60b into the air is determined according to the angle of the refraction surface 61b. That is, by providing an inclination to the refraction surface 61b, the refraction angle at which the light is emitted from the third transparent portion 60b into the air can be changed.

[0055] 10, the traveling direction of light incident into the air from the third transparent portion 60b can be changed to a direction away from the frame region 12. This makes it even less likely for the light to enter the user's field of view through the display panel 20, even if the circuit board 40 is arranged at an angle as in the first embodiment. This embodiment also makes it possible to narrow the frame region 12.

[0056] In addition, the surface of the third transparent portion 60b from which the light passing through the third transparent portion 60b shown in Fig. 10 is emitted is a flat surface. This surface may be formed as a curved surface. For example, this surface may be a curved surface whose cross section is represented by an arc.

[0057] (Variation 6) The above description is based on the assumption that a user is present on the emission side from which the display panel 20 emits light. However, when the display device 1 is used as a window, the user may also be present on the opposite side from the emission side from which the display panel 20 emits light. Even in this case, it is preferable that the circuit board 40 is not visible to the user. The support portions 50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, and 50e support the circuit board 40, thereby making it possible to realize a narrower frame area 12 while hiding the circuit board 40 from the user.

[0058] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0059] (Additional Note) The above description of the embodiment discloses the following technical aspects. [Item 1] a display panel that transmits visible light from the rear and displays an image; a front panel having a transparent region that is a transparent region covering the display panel and a frame region that surrounds the transparent region; a substrate connected to the display panel via a cable; a support portion attached to the frame region of the front panel and supporting the substrate; Equipped with an extension line of at least one of the cable and the board intersects with the front panel; Display device. [Item 2] the support portion has a first inclined surface that becomes farther from the front panel as the support portion becomes farther from the display panel, The cable and the substrate are arranged in a line on the first inclined surface. Item 1. A display device according to item 1. [Item 3] the support portion has a first inclined surface that moves away from the front panel as the support portion moves away from the display panel, and a second inclined surface that moves closer to the front panel as the support portion moves away from the display panel, The cable is disposed on the first inclined surface, The substrate is disposed on the second inclined surface. Item 1. A display device according to item 1. [Item 4] the support portion has a first inclined surface that becomes farther from the front panel as the support portion becomes farther from the display panel, the cable is disposed between the display panel and the support portion and substantially parallel to the front panel; The substrate is disposed on the first inclined surface. Item 1. A display device according to item 1. [Item 5] the support portion has a first inclined surface that becomes farther from the front panel as the support portion becomes farther from the display panel, and a parallel surface that is substantially parallel to the front panel; The cable is disposed on the first inclined surface, The substrate is disposed on the parallel surface. Item 1. A display device according to item 1. [Item 6] The support portion has a recess into which a component mounted on the board is inserted. Item 6. The display device according to any one of items 1 to 5. [Item 7] The support portion has a fixing portion that fixes the substrate to the support portion. Item 7. The display device according to any one of items 1 to 6. [Item 8] the display panel further includes a transparent portion attached to a side opposite to the front panel and having a refractive index equal to or higher than that of the display panel; 8. The display device according to claim 1, [Item 9] The transparent portion has a surface that refracts light emitted through the transparent portion toward the transparent region. Item 9. The display device according to item 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Display device 10 Front Panel 11 Transparent area 12 Frame Area 20 Display Panel 30 Cable 40 Circuit Board 41 parts 50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e Support part 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d 1st slope 52a 2nd slope 52e Fixed part 53d Recess 60 1st transparent part 60a Second transparent part 60b 3rd transparent part A Border R line of sight

Claims

1. a display panel that transmits visible light from the rear and displays an image; a front panel having a transparent region that is a transparent region covering the display panel and a frame region that surrounds the transparent region; a substrate connected to the display panel via a cable; a support portion attached to the frame region of the front panel and supporting the substrate; Equipped with an extension line of at least one of the cable and the board intersects with the front panel; Display device.

2. the support portion has a first inclined surface that becomes farther from the front panel as the support portion becomes farther from the display panel, The cable and the substrate are arranged in a line on the first inclined surface. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. the support portion has a first inclined surface that moves away from the front panel as the support portion moves away from the display panel, and a second inclined surface that moves closer to the front panel as the support portion moves away from the display panel, The cable is disposed on the first inclined surface, The substrate is disposed on the second inclined surface. The display device according to claim 1 .

4. the support portion has a first inclined surface that becomes farther from the front panel as the support portion becomes farther from the display panel, the cable is disposed between the display panel and the support portion and substantially parallel to the front panel; The substrate is disposed on the first inclined surface. The display device according to claim 1 .

5. the support portion has a first inclined surface that becomes farther from the front panel as the support portion becomes farther from the display panel, and a parallel surface that is substantially parallel to the front panel; The cable is disposed on the first inclined surface, The substrate is disposed on the parallel surface. The display device according to claim 1 .

6. The support portion has a recess into which a component mounted on the board is inserted. The display device according to claim 1 .

7. The support portion has a fixing portion that fixes the substrate to the support portion. The display device according to claim 1 .

8. the display panel further includes a transparent portion attached to a side opposite to the front panel and having a refractive index equal to or higher than that of the display panel; The display device according to claim 1 .

9. The transparent portion has a surface that refracts light emitted through the transparent portion toward the transparent region. The display device according to claim 8.

Images