Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device that reduces light leakage while ensuring rigidity strength of a display panel.SOLUTION: A display device 1 has: a display panel 2 having a display section IDb on which information is displayed; a light source L2B provided on a back surface 2b side of the display panel 2; and a light shielding body 3 provided between the display panel 2 and the light source L2B. The light shielding body 3 has: an accommodating hole 92 provided at a position intersecting a straight line Ly2 passing through the display section IDb and the light source L2B; and a peripheral wall portion 35B surrounding the accommodating hole 92. And a recess 25 is provided on the back surface 2b of the display panel 2 at a portion facing the light shielding body 3 in the direction of the straight line Ly2, and the recess 25 accommodates the peripheral wall portion 35B of the light shielding body 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a display device in which a light shielding body is disposed between a plurality of adjacent light sources.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the display device of Patent Document 1, the light transmitted through the inside of the display panel is not shielded by the light shielding body. Therefore, when the display panel is viewed from a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the display panel, the light irradiated from adjacent light sources may be visually recognized as light leakage. For example, if the thickness of the display panel is reduced, light leakage can be reduced, but it affects the rigidity strength of the display panel.

[0005] Therefore, there is a demand for a display device that can reduce light leakage from the display panel while ensuring the rigidity strength of the display panel. Note that not limited to such a requirement, the actions and effects derived from each configuration disclosed in the "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention" described later, which are actions and effects not obtained by the conventional technology, can also be positioned as other objects of the present case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is a display panel having a display unit on which information is displayed, a light source provided on the back side of the display panel, It has a light-shielding body provided between the display panel and the light source. The light-shielding body has a through-hole provided at a position intersecting a first straight line passing through the display portion and the light source, and a peripheral wall portion surrounding the through-hole. On the back surface of the display panel, a recess is provided at a portion facing the light-shielding body in the direction of the first straight line. The display device is configured such that the peripheral wall portion of the light-shielding body is accommodated in the recess.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a display device that can reduce light leakage from the display panel while ensuring the rigidity strength of the display panel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] In the present embodiment, the display device 1 arranged on the instrument panel of a vehicle will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the display device 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display device 1 as viewed from the user side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the display device 1. In the following description, when explaining the positional relationship of the components of the display device 1, the XYZ directions (see FIG. 1 etc.) are used as a reference. The X direction generally follows the vehicle width direction, the Y direction follows the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the Z direction follows the vertical direction, but they do not necessarily have to be completely parallel. Also, as necessary, the terms "front side of the vehicle" and "rear side of the vehicle" may be used with reference to the Y direction. Further, with reference to the Z direction, the terms "upper side" or "above" and "lower side" or "below" may be used.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 1 according to the present embodiment has six switches SW (SW1 to SW6). The switches SW are used for the user to operate various in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner, an audio device, and a car navigation device. The switch SW can be, for example, a capacitive touch sensor.

[0011] Marks Mk indicating each function of the in-vehicle device are displayed on the switch SW. Examples of the marks Mk include those indicating the ON / OFF of the air conditioner, outside air introduction, recirculation of interior air, and seat heater. Also, as shown in switches SW1 and SW6 in FIG. 1, for those capable of stepwise temperature adjustment (for example, high temperature, medium temperature, low temperature) such as a seat heater, an indicator ID for displaying the adjustment level is provided.

[0012] In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the indicator ID has three display parts IDa, IDb, and IDc corresponding to the information indicating the adjustment levels of "high temperature, medium temperature, low temperature" (see the enlarged area in FIG. 1). Note that the number of display parts is not limited to three. It may be two, or four or more.

[0013] The display device 1 has a display panel 2 provided with the switch SW, a light-shielding body 3 connected to the display panel 2 from the front side in the Y direction, and a back cover 4 connected to the light-shielding body 3 from the front side in the Y direction. In the display device 1, the display panel 2 is exposed in the vehicle cabin VR, and the light-shielding body 3 and the back cover 4 are not exposed in the vehicle cabin VR.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the display panel 2, the light shield 3, and the back cover 4 are assembled in the Y direction by bolts (not shown). The display panel 2 is a strip-shaped member provided along the X direction. The six switches SW (SW1 to SW6) are arranged at intervals in the X direction and are provided on the surface 2a side of the display panel 2 in the Y direction.

[0015] A sheet-shaped electrostatic sensor S is attached to the back surface 2b side of the display panel 2. The electrostatic sensor S is electrically connected to the six switches SW of the display panel 2. The electrostatic sensor S is also electrically connected to the printed circuit board P via the wiring Sa.

[0016] The light shield 3 is a rectangular parallelepiped housing provided with its longitudinal direction along the X direction. The light shield 3 is made of a resin material having light impermeability. The light shield 3 has a housing portion 8 for housing the first light guide 6 and a housing portion 9 for housing the second light guide 7. In the present embodiment, six first light guides 6 are provided corresponding to the switches SW1 to SW6.

[0017] The housing portion 8 has housing holes 81 to 86 for housing the six first light guides 6 respectively. The housing holes 81 to 86 are provided at intervals in the X direction. The first light guides 6 are inserted into the housing holes 81 to 86 from the Y direction. When viewed from the Y direction, the first light guides 6 respectively overlap the marks Mk of the switches SW1 to SW6.

[0018] The housing portion 9 is provided on one side and the other side of the housing portion 8 in the X direction, sandwiching the housing portion 8. As shown in the enlarged area of FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, corresponding to the display portions IDa to IDc (see FIG. 1) of the indicator ID, three second light guides 7 are provided on each of one side and the other side of the housing portion 8 in the X direction, sandwiching the housing portion 8.

[0019] The accommodating portion 9 has accommodating holes 91, 92, and 93 for accommodating the three second light guides 7 respectively. The accommodating holes 91, 92, and 93 are provided at intervals in the Z direction. The second light guides 7 are inserted into the accommodating holes 91, 92, and 93 from the Y direction. As viewed from the Y direction, the second light guide 7 located on one side in the X direction (the left side in the figure) overlaps with the indicator ID of the switch SW1. The second light guide 7 located on the other side in the X direction (the right side in the figure) overlaps with the indicator ID of the switch SW6.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, on the opposing portion of the back cover 4 with the light-shielding body 3 in the Y direction, a printed circuit board P is provided. The printed circuit board P is a strip-shaped member provided with its longitudinal direction along the X direction and its thickness direction along the Y direction.

[0021] On the opposing surface Pa of the printed circuit board P with the light-shielding body 3 in the Y direction, a light source L1 is provided. Six light sources L1 are provided at intervals in the X direction. As viewed from the Y direction, the six light sources L1 respectively overlap with the marks Mk of the switches SW1 to SW6 and the first light guide 6.

[0022] Also, on the opposing surface Pa of the printed circuit board P, on one side and the other side sandwiching the six light sources L1 in the X direction, three light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C are provided respectively. The light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C are arranged side by side at intervals in the Z direction. As viewed from the Y direction, the light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C located on one side in the X direction (the left side in the figure) overlap with the indicator portion ID of the switch SW1 and the second light guide 7. The light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C located on the other side in the X direction (the right side in the figure) overlap with the indicator portion ID of the switch SW6 and the second light guide 7.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the display panel 2. (A) of FIG. 3 is a front view of the display panel 2 in FIG. 2. (B) of FIG. 3 is a rear view of the display panel 2 in FIG. 2. (C) of FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section of (A) of FIG. 3. Note that in (C) of FIG. 3, the thicknesses of the mask portion 21 and the electrostatic sensor S are exaggerated.

[0024] As shown in (A) of FIG. 3, the switches SW1 to SW6 provided on the surface 2a of the display panel 2 are arranged at intervals on a straight line Lx along the X direction. The switches SW1 and SW6 located at both ends of the display panel 2 in the direction of the straight line Lx are provided with a mark Mk and an indicator ID.

[0025] As shown in the enlarged area of (A) of FIG. 3, in the switch SW6, the indicator ID has three display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc arranged in the Z direction. The display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc are arranged on a straight line Lz (second straight line) along the Z direction. The three display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc in the direction of the straight line Lz are set at a pitch T. By arranging the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc in the direction of the straight line Lz, which is the short side direction of the display panel 2, a display space other than the indicator ID in the long side direction of the display panel 2 is secured, improving the layout property of the switches SW1 to SW6.

[0026] As shown in (C) of FIG. 3, the display panel 2 is composed of a plate-shaped base portion 20 (first member) and a mask portion 21 (second member) that masks one surface 20a of the base portion 20 in the Y direction. The base portion 20 is located on the back surface 2b side of the display panel 2, and the mask portion 21 is located on the surface 2a side of the display panel 2. The base portion 20 is made of a resin material having light transmissivity. The mask portion 21 is made of a resin material having light non-transmissivity.

[0027] The mask portion 21 is provided with non-mask portions 21a, 21b, and 21c that do not mask the base portion 20 in a region through which three straight lines Ly1, Ly2 (first straight line), and Ly3 along the Y direction pass. The straight lines Ly1, Ly2, and Ly3 are straight lines parallel to each other with a space T in the Z direction.

[0028] When viewing the display panel 2 from the Y direction, in the regions where the non-mask portions 21a, 21b, and 21c are provided, one surface 20a of the base portion 20 is exposed. As shown in the enlarged region of (A) in FIG. 3, the non-mask portions 21a, 21b, and 21c form a rectangular shape when viewed from the Y direction and are arranged in order from the upper side to the lower side on a straight line Lz along the Z direction.

[0029] In the switch SW6, among one surface 20a of the base portion 20, the portions exposed from the non-mask portions 21a, 21b, and 21c constitute the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc of the indicator ID. That is, the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc of the indicator ID are arranged and displayed in order from the upper side to the lower side on the straight line Lz. The pitch T of the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc in the Z direction corresponds to the intervals T between the straight lines Ly1, Ly2, and Ly3 (see (C) of FIG. 3).

[0030] Also, as shown in the enlarged region of (A) in FIG. 3, in the switch SW6, a non-mask portion 21d is provided at a position adjacent in the X direction to the non-mask portions 21a, 21b, and 21c. When viewed from the Y direction, the non-mask portion 21d has a predetermined shape corresponding to the mark Mk of the switch SW6. In the switch SW6, among one surface 20a of the base portion 20, the portion exposed from the non-mask portion 21d constitutes the mark Mk.

[0031] Although detailed description is omitted, the indicator ID and mark Mk of the switch SW1 and the marks Mk of the switches SW2 to SW5 also have the same configuration as the switch SW6.

[0032] As shown in (B) of FIG. 3, two recesses 25, 25 are provided on the other surface 20b of the base portion 20 in the display panel 2. When viewed from the Y direction, the recesses 25, 25 are provided at positions overlapping the indicators ID, ID of the switches SW1, SW6 and are arranged so as to surround the indicators ID, ID.

[0033] As shown in (C) of FIG. 3, the concave portion 25 is recessed by a depth D25 from the other surface 20b of the base portion 20 toward the one surface 20a in the Y direction. As shown in the enlarged area of (B) of FIG. 3, the concave portion 25 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Y direction. The concave portion 25 has a pair of long side portions 251 and 252 located on one side and the other side with respect to a straight line Lz passing through the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc of the indicator ID, and short side portions 253 and 254 connecting the ends of the long side portions 251 and 252.

[0034] As shown in the enlarged area of (B) of FIG. 3, the long side portions 251 and 252 are provided in parallel with each other with a cutout along the straight line Lz. The long side portions 251 and 252 have a length L25 that can include the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc of the indicator ID in the direction of the straight line Lz.

[0035] As shown in the enlarged area of (B) of FIG. 3, the short side portions 253 and 254 are provided in parallel with each other in a direction orthogonal to the straight line Lz. The short side portions 253 and 254 have a width W25 that can include the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc of the indicator ID in the direction orthogonal to the straight line Lz. Therefore, when viewed from the Y direction, the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc are included in the region formed by the long side portions 251 and 252 and the short side portions 253 and 254 of the concave portion 25.

[0036] As shown in (C) of FIG. 3, an electrostatic sensor S is attached to the other surface 20b of the base portion 20. The electrostatic sensor S has a through hole Sb at a position overlapping the concave portion 25 when viewed from the Y direction (see FIG. 2). The through hole Sb can have a rectangular shape having substantially the same size as the concave portion 25 when viewed from the Y direction. In a state where the electrostatic sensor S is attached to the other surface 20b of the base portion 20, when the other surface 20b of the base portion 20 is viewed from the Y direction, the concave portion 25 is exposed from the through hole Sb of the electrostatic sensor S.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the light-shielding body 3. (A) of FIG. 4 is a front view of the light-shielding body 3. (B) of FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section of (A) of FIG. 4. (C) of FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the B-B cross section of (A) of FIG. 4. In addition, in (B) and (C) of FIG. 4, the back cover 4 and the printed circuit board P are shown by phantom lines. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the light-shielding body 3. (A) of FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the C-C cross section of (A) of FIG. 4. (B) of FIG. 5 is a perspective view of (A) of FIG. 5 as viewed from the A-A direction. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the light-shielding body 3. (A) of FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the B-B cross section of (A) of FIG. 5. (B) of FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the C-C cross section of (A) of FIG. 5. (C) of FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section of (A) of FIG. 6. In addition, in (C) of FIG. 6, the second light guide 7 disposed in the accommodation hole 91 is shown by a phantom line.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4(B), the light-shielding body 3 is, for example, a bottomed cylindrical housing. The light-shielding body 3 has, as an example, a bottom wall portion 31 orthogonal to a straight line Ly along the Y direction, and a peripheral wall portion 32 surrounding the periphery of the bottom wall portion 31. The peripheral wall portion 32 extends from the other end surface 31b of the bottom wall portion 31 in the direction of the straight line Ly. The opening 32a on the side opposite to the bottom wall portion 31 in the direction of the straight line Ly of the peripheral wall portion 32 is sealed by the back cover 4 (see the phantom line in the figure). In this state, the printed circuit board P (see the phantom line in the figure) fixed to the back cover 4 is arranged inside the peripheral wall portion 32. In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the light-shielding body 3 is a bottomed cylindrical housing is exemplified, but it is not limited to this aspect. The light-shielding body 3 only needs to have at least a portion orthogonal to the straight line Ly.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4(A), when viewed from the Y direction, the bottom wall portion 31 forms a strip shape extending in the X direction. The accommodating portion 8 and the accommodating portion 9 are provided on the bottom wall portion 31 of the light-shielding body 3. The accommodation holes 81 to 86 of the accommodation part 8 may have a common shape and are arranged at intervals on a straight line Lx along the X direction. The accommodation part 9 is provided close to the accommodation holes 81 and 86 on one side and the other side sandwiching the accommodation part 8 in the direction of the straight line Lx. The accommodation parts 9 and 9 located on one side and the other side sandwiching the accommodation part 8 in the X direction may have a common shape. In the following description, taking the accommodation hole 86 and the accommodation part 9 adjacent to the accommodation hole 86 as an example, the configurations of each part of the accommodation part 8 and the accommodation part 9 will be described.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4(C), the accommodation hole 86 is a through hole penetrating a region intersecting the straight line Ly of the bottom wall part 31 of the light shielding body 3. The light shielding body 3 has a cylindrical wall part 33 surrounding the accommodation hole 86. The cylindrical wall part 33 is provided in a direction along the straight line Ly. The cylindrical wall part 33 extends in the direction of the straight line Ly from the other end face 31b of the bottom wall part 31.

[0041] In the direction of the straight line Ly, one end part 33a side of the cylindrical wall part 33 is connected to the bottom wall part 31. The other end part 33b side of the cylindrical wall part 33 is blocked by the bottom wall part 34. One side of the accommodation hole 86 in the direction of the straight line Ly is open to the bottom wall part 31, and the other side is blocked by the bottom wall part 34.

[0042] A through hole 34a is provided in the bottom wall part 34 at a position intersecting the straight line Ly. The through hole 34a communicates with the accommodation hole 86. When the printed circuit board P is arranged inside the peripheral wall part 32 of the light shielding body 3, the light source L1 is arranged in the through hole 34a of the bottom wall part 34. Thereby, when viewed from the Y direction, the light source L1 is exposed in the accommodation hole 86. Although the description is omitted, the accommodation holes 81 to 85 (see Fig. 4(A)) also have the same configuration.

[0043] As shown in the enlarged area of Fig. 4(A), the accommodation part 9 has three accommodation holes 91, 92, and 93 arranged on a straight line Lz along the Z direction. As shown in Fig. 5(A), the accommodation holes 91, 92, and 93 are through holes penetrating regions intersecting the straight lines Ly1, Ly2, and Ly3 on the bottom wall part 31 of the light shielding body 3. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the directions along the straight lines Ly1, Ly2, and Ly3 are also simply referred to as the straight line Ly direction.

[0044] On one end face 31a of the bottom wall portion 31, a cylindrical wall portion 35 that comprehensively surrounds the accommodation holes 91, 92, and 93 is provided. The cylindrical wall portion 35 protrudes from the one end face 31a of the bottom wall portion 31 by a length H35 in the straight line Ly direction. The tip end face 35a of the cylindrical wall portion 35 in the straight line Ly direction is a flat surface orthogonal to the straight lines Ly1, Ly2, and Ly3.

[0045] On the other end face 31b of the bottom wall portion 31, there is a cylindrical wall portion 36 that comprehensively surrounds the accommodation holes 91, 92, and 93. The cylindrical wall portion 36 protrudes from the other end face 31b of the bottom wall portion 31 in the straight line Ly direction. The inner peripheral surface 36b of the cylindrical wall portion 36 is flush with the inner peripheral surface 35b of the cylindrical wall portion 35.

[0046] In the straight line Ly direction, the end portion of the cylindrical wall portion 36 on the side opposite to the bottom wall portion 31 is blocked by a bottom wall portion 37. Through holes 37a, 37a, and 37a are respectively provided in the bottom wall portion 37 at positions intersecting the straight lines Ly1, Ly2, and Ly3. The three through holes 37a communicate with the accommodation holes 91, 92, and 93 respectively. When the printed circuit board P is arranged inside the peripheral wall portion 32 of the light shielding body 3, the light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C are respectively arranged in the three through holes 37a provided in the bottom wall portion 37.

[0047] Also, in the bottom wall portion 37, a partition wall portion 38 that connects to the tip end face 35a of the cylindrical wall portion 35 through the space between the straight lines Ly1 and Ly2, and a partition wall portion 39 that connects to the tip end face 35a of the cylindrical wall portion 35 through the space between the straight lines Ly2 and Ly3 are provided. The accommodation holes 91, 92, and 93 are formed by partitioning the internal space surrounded by the cylindrical wall portions 35 and 36 into three spaces by the partition wall portions 38 and 39.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 6(A), the cylindrical wall portion 35 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the straight line Ly. Specifically, the cylindrical wall portion 35 has long wall portions 351 and 352 provided along the straight line Lz, and short wall portions 353 and 354 that connect the ends of the long wall portions 351 and 352 in the direction of the straight line Lz. The long wall portions 351 and 352 are provided on one side and the other side sandwiching the straight line Lz.

[0049] The length L35 of the cylindrical wall portion 35 in the direction of the straight line Lz is slightly smaller than the length L25 of the concave portion 25 in the direction of the straight line Lz (see Fig. 3(B)) (L35 < L25). Also, the width W35 of the cylindrical wall portion 35 in the direction orthogonal to the straight line Lz is slightly smaller than the width W25 of the concave portion 25 in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the straight line Lz (see Fig. 3(B)) (W35 < W25).

[0050] Also, the partition wall portions 38 and 39 extend in the X direction between the short wall portions 353 and 354 in the direction of the straight line Lz and are connected to the long wall portions 351 and 352.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 6(A), when viewed from the direction of the straight line Ly1, the accommodation hole 91 is surrounded by the long wall portions 351 and 352, the short wall portion 353, and the partition wall portion 38 in the cylindrical wall portion 35. That is, the long wall portions 351 and 352, the short wall portion 353, and the partition wall portion 38 constitute a peripheral wall portion 35A that surrounds the accommodation hole 91.

[0052] Also, when viewed from the direction of the straight line Ly2, the accommodation hole 92 is surrounded by the long wall portions 351 and 352 and the partition wall portions 38 and 39. That is, the long wall portions 351 and 352 and the partition wall portions 38 and 39 constitute a peripheral wall portion 35B that surrounds the accommodation hole 92.

[0053] Also, when viewed from the direction of the straight line Ly3, the accommodation hole 93 is surrounded by the long wall portions 351 and 352, the partition wall portion 39, and the short wall portion 354. That is, the long wall portions 351 and 352, the partition wall portion 39, and the short wall portion 354 constitute a peripheral wall portion 35C that surrounds the accommodation hole 93.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 6(A), when viewed from the directions of the straight lines Ly1, Ly2, and Ly3, light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C are respectively arranged inside the peripheral wall portions 35A, 35B, and 35C.

[0055] In the accommodation holes 91 and 92 adjacent to each other in the straight line Lz direction, a partition wall portion 38 is shared between the peripheral wall portion 35A surrounding the accommodation hole 91 and the peripheral wall portion 35B surrounding the accommodation hole 92. Also, in the accommodation holes 92 and 93 adjacent to each other in the straight line Lz direction, a partition wall portion 39 is shared between the peripheral wall portion 35B surrounding the accommodation hole 92 and the peripheral wall portion 35C surrounding the accommodation hole 93. Thereby, in the straight line Lz direction, the pitch T (see Fig. 5(A)) of the aligned light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C can be reduced.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 5(B), the peripheral wall portions 35A, 35B, and 35C surround the accommodation holes 91, 92, and 93 respectively, and are continuous walls that locally protrude from the bottom wall portion 31 by a length H35. Note that the protruding length H35 of the peripheral wall portions 35A, 35B, and 35C is slightly shorter than the depth D25 in the Y direction in the above-described recess 25 (see Fig. 3(C)) (H35 < D25).

[0057] The cylindrical wall portion 36 may have the same shape as the cylindrical wall portion 35 in a cross-sectional view along the Z direction. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6(B), the cylindrical wall portion 36 forms a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the straight line Ly. Specifically, the cylindrical wall portion 36 has long wall portions 361 and 362 provided in the direction along the straight line Lz, and short wall portions 363 and 364 connecting the ends of the long wall portions 361 and 362 in the straight line Lz direction. The long wall portions 361 and 362 are provided on one side and the other side sandwiching the straight line Lz.

[0058] The partition wall portions 38 and 39 extend in the X direction between the short wall portions 363 and 364 in the straight line Lz direction and are connected to the long wall portions 361 and 362.

[0059] As shown in (B) of FIG. 6, when viewed from the direction of the straight line Ly1, the accommodation hole 91 is surrounded by the long wall portions 361 and 362, the short wall portion 363, and the partition wall portion 38 in the cylindrical wall portion 36. That is, the long wall portions 361 and 362, the short wall portion 363, and the partition wall portion 38 constitute a peripheral wall portion 36A that surrounds the accommodation hole 91.

[0060] Also, when viewed from the direction of the straight line Ly2, the accommodation hole 92 is surrounded by the long wall portions 361 and 362, and the partition wall portions 38 and 39. That is, the long wall portions 361 and 362, and the partition wall portions 38 and 39 constitute a peripheral wall portion 36B that surrounds the accommodation hole 92.

[0061] Also, when viewed from the direction of the straight line Ly3, the accommodation hole 93 is surrounded by the long wall portions 361 and 362, the partition wall portion 39, and the short wall portion 364. That is, the long wall portions 351 and 352, the partition wall portion 39, and the short wall portion 364 constitute a peripheral wall portion 36C that surrounds the accommodation hole 93.

[0062] As shown in (C) of FIG. 6, the second light guide 7 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 91. The second light guide 7 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that substantially matches the shape of the accommodation hole 91. The length L7 of the second light guide 7 in the direction of the straight line Ly1 is set to the combined length of the peripheral wall portion 35A and the peripheral wall portion 36A. When the second light guide 7 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 91, one end surface 71 in the direction of the straight line Ly1 is arranged flush with the front end surface 35a of the peripheral wall portion 35A, and the other end surface 72 abuts against the bottom wall portion 37. The side surface 73 of the second light guide 7 is in contact with the peripheral wall portion 35A and the peripheral wall portion 36B over the entire length in the direction of the straight line Ly1. Although not shown, the same applies to the second light guide 7 accommodated in the accommodation holes 92 and 93.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the optical path in the display device 1. (A) of FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a cross section along the Z direction of the region where the indicator ID of the switch SW6 in FIG. 1 is provided. (B) of FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the A region in (A) of FIG. 7. (C) of FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the kerare of the display unit IDa. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the display device 100 according to the comparative example. Note that in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lit light sources are shown with cross-hatching.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7(A), in the display device 1 according to the present embodiment, the display panel 2, the light shielding body 3, the printed circuit board P, and the back cover 4 are overlapped in the Y direction. As a result, the display portion IDa of the indicator ID, the recess 25, the second light guide 7 housed in the housing hole 91, and the light source L2A are arranged on the straight line Ly1. Further, the display portion IDb of the indicator ID, the recess 25, the second light guide 7 housed in the housing hole 92, and the light source L2B are arranged on the straight line Ly2. Further, the display portion IDc of the indicator ID, the recess 25, the second light guide 7 housed in the housing hole 93, and the light source L2C are arranged on the straight line Ly3.

[0065] Here, in order for the user U to visually recognize the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc integrally and quickly grasp the information, it is preferable that the pitch T of the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc is narrow. As shown in FIG. 5(A), in the present embodiment, the partition wall portions 38 and 39 are shared between the peripheral wall portion 35A and the peripheral wall portion 35B adjacent in the straight line Lz direction, and between the peripheral wall portion 35B and the peripheral wall portion 35C, and the pitch T of the light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C arranged in the straight line Lz direction is narrowed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the pitch T of the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc arranged in the straight line Lz direction is narrowed.

[0066] As shown in the enlarged area of FIG. 7(A), the light shielding body 3 is configured such that the cylindrical wall portion 35 protruding from one end surface 31a of the bottom wall portion 31 crosses the through hole Sb of the electrostatic sensor S in the Y direction and is housed in the recess 25 provided in the base portion 20 of the display panel 2.

[0067] As a result, the distance CL1 in the Y direction between the surface 210 of the mask portion 21 and the cylindrical wall portion 35 is smaller than the distance CL2 between the surface 210 of the mask portion 21 and the light shielding body 3 in a region where the recess 25 and the cylindrical wall portion 35 are not provided (CL1 < CL2).

[0068] Here, the light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C can be selectively switched between lighting and extinguishing in response to the operation of the switch SW6 (see FIG. 1). For example, by operating the switch SW6, the temperature of the seat heater can be switched among "high temperature", "medium temperature", and "low temperature". In this embodiment, it is configured to be displayed as follows. (a) When the temperature of the seat heater is set to "high temperature", all three light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C are lit. That is, in the indicator ID, as information indicating the adjustment level, all of the display units IDa, IDb, and IDc are lit. (b) When the temperature of the seat heater is set to "medium temperature", among the three light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C, only the two lower light sources L2B and L2C are lit. That is, in the indicator ID, as information indicating the adjustment level, only the display units IDb and IDc are lit. (c) When the temperature of the seat heater is set to "low temperature", among the three light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C, only the lowermost light source L2C is lit. That is, in the indicator ID, as information indicating the adjustment level, only the display unit IDc is lit. (d) When the seat heater is not in use, the light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C are all extinguished. That is, in the indicator ID, all three display units IDa, IDb, and IDc are extinguished. In the following description, taking the case where the temperature of the seat heater is set to "medium temperature" shown in (b) above as an example, the effects of the present application will be described.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7(A), when the temperature of the seat heater is set to "medium temperature", the light sources L2B and L2C corresponding to the display units IDb and IDc are lit, and the light source L2A corresponding to the display unit IDa is extinguished.

[0070] The light emitted by the light sources L2B and L2C (thick arrows in the figure) is diffused by the second light guides 7, 7 accommodated in the accommodation holes 92, 93. As a result, the second light guides 7 emit light as a whole. The light in the second light guides 7 emits surface light from one end face 71 that is not surrounded by the cylindrical wall portion 36 and the partition wall portions 38, 39 (peripheral wall portions 36B, 36C: refer to (B) of FIG. 6). The light irradiated from the one end face 71 of the second light guide 7 toward the display panel 2 passes through the base portion 20 of the display panel 2 and finally reaches the display portions IDb, IDc (white arrows in the figure). Accordingly, when the user U views the display panel 2 from the Y direction, the user U can visually recognize that the two display portions IDb and IDc of the indicator ID are lit, and can determine that the temperature of the seat heater is set to "medium temperature".

[0071] Here, the user U may view the indicator ID obliquely downward from above the display portion IDa. In this case, the direction along the line of sight of the user U is a direction that intersects the straight line Ly2 (the direction of the broken-line arrow in (A) of FIG. 7).

[0072] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the display device 100 according to the comparative example is different from the display device 1 of the present application in that the display panel 200 and the light-shielding body 300 do not have the concave portion 25 and the cylindrical wall portion 35, respectively.

[0073] In the display device 100 according to the comparative example, even in the region overlapping the indicator ID in the Y direction, the distance between the surface 210 of the mask portion 21 and the light-shielding body 3 remains CL2. In this case, when the indicator ID is viewed obliquely downward from above the display portion IDa, the second light guide 7 corresponding to the display portion IDb is located on the extension of the line of sight connecting the user U and the display portion IDa.

[0074] Therefore, one end surface 71 of the second light guide 7 that emits surface light with the light of the light source L2B is visible from the display unit IDa even through the base 20' (light leakage). Then, even though the light source L2A is turned off, the user U may seem to see that all of the display units IDa, IDb, and IDc are lit. Therefore, there is a risk that the user U may judge that the temperature of the seat heater is set to "high".

[0075] In the display device 100 according to the comparative example, the following measures can be considered to reduce light leakage. (1) Overall, reduce the thickness of the base 20' to decrease the distance between the surface 210 of the mask portion 21 and the light shield 3. (2) Increase the pitch T of the light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C in the Z direction so that the second light guide 7 corresponding to the display unit IDb is not located on the extension of the line of sight connecting the user U and the display unit IDa.

[0076] However, in the above (1), reducing the overall thickness of the base 20' affects the rigidity strength of the display panel 200. In the above (2), increasing the pitch T also widens the pitch T of the display units IDa, IDb, and IDc of the indicator ID, making it difficult to visually recognize the display units IDa, IDb, and IDc integrally and making it difficult for the user U to quickly grasp the information (adjustment level).

[0077] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(A), a recess 25 is locally provided in the base 20 of the display panel 2, and the cylindrical wall portion 35 is accommodated in the recess 25. As a result, a part of the light shield 3 is arranged to extend into the display panel 2.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 7(B), in the region where the display unit IDb is provided, the peripheral wall portion 35B is accommodated in the recess 25. In this state, when the user U views the indicator ID obliquely downward from above the display unit IDa, the partition wall portion 38 is located on the extension of the line of sight connecting the user U and the display unit IDa. Therefore, one end surface 71 of the second light guide 7 that emits surface light with the light of the light source L2B is not visible from the display unit IDa for the user U.

[0079] Also, in FIG. 7(A), when the user U looks at the indicator ID obliquely upward from below the display unit IDc, a partition wall portion 39 is positioned on the extension of the line of sight (not shown) connecting the user U and the display unit IDc. Therefore, one end surface 71 of the second light guide 7 that emits surface light with the light of the light source L2B is not visible from the display unit IDc for the user U.

[0080] In this way, by accommodating the peripheral wall portion 35B surrounding the light source L2B in the recess 25, the light of the light source L2B does not leak into areas other than the display unit IDb.

[0081] Although not shown, the peripheral wall portions 35A and 35C (see FIG. 5(A)) are also accommodated in the recess 25. Therefore, the light of the light sources L2A and L2C does not leak into areas other than the display units IDa and IDc.

[0082] As a result, the display device 1 according to the present embodiment has reduced light leakage while ensuring the rigidity strength of the display panel 2. Since it is not necessary to increase the pitch T of the light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C, the user U can quickly grasp the information (adjustment level) displayed on the display units IDa, IDb, and IDc of the indicator ID.

[0083] Here, as shown in FIG. 7(C), when looking at the display unit IDa from the upper oblique side, one end surface 71 of the second light guide 7 that emits surface light with the light of the light source L2A is positioned on the extension of the line of sight connecting the user U and the display unit IDa. In this case, the user U will visually recognize the light at the intersection point Ep of the line of sight with one end surface 71 of the second light guide 7.

[0084] If the intersection point Ep is near the boundary (side surface 73) between the peripheral wall portion 35A and the second light guide 7, a shadow (halo) may occur at the periphery of the display unit IDa visually recognized by the user U. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(C), by housing the peripheral wall portion 35A in the concave portion 25, the intersection point Ep between the line of sight of the user U and one end surface 71 of the second light guide 7 is moved away from the boundary (side surface 73) between the peripheral wall portion 35A and the second light guide 7 by a distance Q. As a result, the occurrence of a shadow (kerare) at the periphery of the display unit IDa is reduced.

[0085] As described above, the display device 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. (1) The display panel 2 of the display device 1 has a display unit IDb on which the adjustment level (information) of the indicator ID is displayed. A light source L2B is provided on the back surface 2b side of the display panel 2. A light shield 3 is provided between the display panel 2 and the light source L2B. The light shield 3 has a housing hole 92 (through hole) provided at a position intersecting a straight line Ly2 (first straight line) passing through the display unit IDb and the light source L2B, and a peripheral wall portion 35B surrounding the housing hole 92. The peripheral wall portion 35B is provided at the portion of the light shield 3 facing the display panel 2 in the direction of the straight line Ly2. A concave portion 25 is provided on the back surface 2b of the display panel 2 at the portion facing the light shield 3 in the direction of the straight line Ly2. The peripheral wall portion 35B of the light shield 3 is housed in the concave portion 25.

[0086] With this configuration, the peripheral wall portion 35B, which is a part of the light shield 3, is disposed so as to extend into the display panel 2. Therefore, even when the display panel 2 is viewed in a direction (oblique direction) intersecting the straight line Ly2 from a region other than the display unit IDb, it is possible to reduce the visibility of the light of the light source L2B. Further, in the display panel 2, by providing the concave portion 25 locally at a position facing the light source L2B and adopting a structure in which the peripheral wall portion 35B can extend into the concave portion 25, it is not necessary to reduce the overall thickness of the display panel 2, so that the rigidity strength of the display panel 2 can be ensured.

[0087] The display device 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. In the above (1), (2) A plurality of display units IDa, IDb, IDc, a plurality of accommodation holes 91, 92, 93, and a plurality of light sources L2A, L2B, L2C are provided along a straight line Lz (second straight line) orthogonal to the straight line Ly2. The accommodation holes 91, 92, 93 are respectively surrounded by peripheral wall portions 35A, 35B, 35C. Between the peripheral wall portion 35A and the peripheral wall portion 35B, a partition wall portion 38 (wall portion) located between one accommodation hole 91 and the other accommodation hole 92 adjacent to each other on the straight line Lz is shared. Between the peripheral wall portion 35B and the peripheral wall portion 35C, a partition wall portion 39 (wall portion) located between one accommodation hole 92 and the other accommodation hole 93 adjacent to each other on the straight line Lz is shared.

[0088] With such a configuration, the interval between the adjacent accommodation holes 91, 92, 93 in the straight line Lz direction can be narrowed, so that the pitch T of the light sources L2A, L2B, L2C can be narrowed. Thereby, the pitch T of the display units IDa, IDb, IDc can be narrowed, so that the user U can grasp the information promptly.

[0089] The display device 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. In the above (1) or (2), (3) When viewed from the straight line Ly2 direction, the display panel 2 is in a strip shape. The straight line Lz direction is a direction along the short side direction of the display panel 2.

[0090] With such a configuration, a display space other than the indicator ID of the display panel 2 in the longitudinal direction can be secured, and the layout property of other display units (for example, switches SW1 to SW6) can be improved.

[0091] The display device 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. In any one of the above (1) to (3), (4) The display panel 2 has a light-transmissive base portion 20 (first member) and a light-impermeable mask portion 21 (second member). The base 20 and the mask portion 21 are provided on the back surface 2b side and the front surface 2a side of the display panel 2, respectively. The mask portion 21 is provided over the entire surface of the base 20 and has a non-mask portion 21b (opening) in the region through which the straight line Ly2 passes. The display portion IDb is a region exposed from the non-mask portion 21b in the base 20. The mask portion 21 has non-mask portions 21a and 21c (openings) in the regions through which the straight lines Ly1 and Ly3 parallel to the straight line Ly2 pass, respectively. The display portions IDa and IDc are regions exposed from the non-mask portions 21a and 21c in the base 20.

[0092] With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the leakage of light transmitted through the base 20 to regions other than the display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc.

[0093] The display device 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. In any of the above (1) to (4), (5) A switch SW6 (touch sensor) is provided on the display panel 2. The switch SW6 is electrically connected to the electrostatic sensor S. The light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C can be selectively selected alternatively according to the operation of the switch SW6.

[0094] With this configuration, in the display panel 2 having a touch sensor function, it is possible to reduce the leakage of light from the light sources L2A, L2B, and L2C.

[0095] In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the three display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc are arranged in the Z direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this aspect. For example, the three display portions IDa, IDb, and IDc may be arranged in the X direction. In this case, the concave portion 25 and the peripheral wall portions 35A, 35B, and 35C may be provided in a direction along the X direction.

[0096] Further, in the light-shielding member 3, a peripheral wall portion surrounding the accommodation holes 81 to 86 (see (A) of FIG. 4) for accommodating the first light guide member 6 may be provided, and a recess may be provided at a position (see (B) of FIG. 3) on the other surface 20b of the base portion 20 that faces the accommodation holes 81 to 86. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of light leakage between the switches SW1 to SW6 arranged in the X direction, and it can contribute to narrowing the pitch of the switches SW1 to SW6 in the X direction.

[0097] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0098] 1 Display device 2 Display panel 3 Light-shielding member 4 Rear cover 6 First light guide member 7 Second light guide member 8 Accommodation portion 9 Accommodation portion 2b Rear surface 20 Base portion (first member) 21 Mask portion (second member) 21a Non-mask portion (opening) 21b Non-mask portion (opening) 21c Non-mask portion (opening) 25 Recess 35 Cylindrical wall portion 35A, 35B, 35C Peripheral wall portion 38 Partition wall portion 39 Partition wall portion 71 One end face 91 Accommodation hole 92 Accommodation hole 93 Accommodation hole ID Indicator IDa Display portion IDb Display portion ID3 Display portion L2A Light source L2B Light source L2C Light source Ly1 Straight line Ly2 straight line (first straight line) Ly3 straight line Lz straight line (second straight line) P printed circuit board S electrostatic sensor SW1~SW6 switches T pitch X direction Y direction Z direction

Claims

1. A display panel having a display unit on which information is displayed, a light source provided on the back side of the display panel, and a light shield provided between the display panel and the light source, The light shield has a through hole provided at a position intersecting a first straight line passing through the display unit and the light source, and a peripheral wall portion surrounding the through hole, A concave portion is provided on the back surface of the display panel at a portion facing the light shield in the direction of the first straight line, The display device is characterized in that the peripheral wall portion of the light shield is accommodated in the concave portion.

2. In claim 1, a plurality of the display units and the through holes are provided along a second straight line orthogonal to the first straight line, The display device is characterized in that a wall portion located between one through hole and the other through hole adjacent to each other on the second straight line is shared by the peripheral wall portions.

3. In claim 2, When viewed in the direction of the first straight line, the display panel has a strip shape, The display device is characterized in that the direction of the second straight line is a direction along the short side direction of the display panel.

4. In claim 1, The display panel has a first member having light transmissivity and a second member having light non - transmissivity, The first member and the second member are provided on the back side and the front side of the display panel, respectively, The second member is provided over the entire surface of the first member, and an opening is provided in a region through which the first straight line passes, The display device is characterized in that the display unit is a region exposed from the opening in the first member.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, A touch sensor is electrically connected to the display panel, The light source is a display device characterized in that it can be selectively selected according to the operation of the touch sensor.

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