Window and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a window and a vehicle with improved performance.SOLUTION: A window includes: a window frame; a light source module fixed to the window frame; a first transparent substrate attached to the window frame so as to be movable with respect to the light source module; and a display panel provided on the first transparent substrate and having a first substrate, a second substrate provided apart from the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. When a space surrounded by the window frame is in a closed state, the display panel can generate an image based on light emitted from the light source module.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to windows and vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-164189 A) describes a power supply structure having a liquid crystal transparent display. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-164189 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors of the present application have been developing a window that can display an image on a movable transparent substrate. The performance of the window described above has room for improvement. For example, when both the display portion and the light source portion move, the transparency of the display portion may be reduced by the light source portion, which is not very transparent.

[0005] Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A window comprising: a window frame; a light source module fixed to the window frame; a first transparent substrate attached to the window frame so as to be movable relative to the light source module; and a display panel provided on the first transparent substrate and having a first substrate, a second substrate provided at a distance from the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein when the space surrounded by the window frame is in a closed state, the display panel is capable of generating an image based on light emitted from the light source module. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a window according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the window shown in FIG. 1 in an open state. [Figure 3] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship when a viewer on one side of a transparent display panel device views a background on the opposite side through the transparent display panel device. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a background visible through the transparent display panel device. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the window shown in FIG. 2 in an open state. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the window shown in FIG. 1 in a closed state. [Figure 7] 7 is a circuit block diagram showing an example of a circuit included in the window of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a window, which is a modified example of the window shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the window shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a window, which is another modified example of the window shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 11] 11 is a circuit block diagram showing an example of a circuit included in the window of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a window, which is another modified example of the window shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 13] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a window, which is another modified example of the window shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle to which the window described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The disclosure is merely an example, and appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Furthermore, in this specification and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with reference to the previous drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] In this application, the description of the embodiments will be divided into multiple sections, etc., for convenience, as necessary. However, unless otherwise expressly stated, these are not mutually independent and separate, and regardless of the order of description, they are each part of a single example, one being a partial detail of the other, or a partial or complete modification, etc. Furthermore, as a general rule, repeated explanations of similar parts will be omitted. Furthermore, each component in the embodiments is not essential unless otherwise expressly stated, there is a theoretical limit to the number, or it is clearly not essential from the context.

[0010] In the accompanying drawings, hatching may be omitted even in cross sections if it would be too complicated or if the distinction from voids is clear. In relation to this, background contour lines may be omitted even in the case of holes that are closed in plan view if it is clear from the description, etc. Furthermore, hatching or dot patterns may be added even in cases where the drawing is not a cross section to clearly indicate that the hole is not a void or to clearly indicate the boundary of the area.

[0011] <<Window>> The structure of the window according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a window according to one embodiment. The window 1 according to this embodiment includes a transparent substrate 50, a window frame 60, a light source module 30, and a display panel P1.

[0012] In the following description, the expressions "window in a closed state" or "space surrounded by the window frame in a closed state" and the terms "window in an open state" or "space surrounded by the window frame in an open state" may be used. The "closed state" refers to a state in which the entire window frame 60 is blocked by one or more substrates including the transparent substrate 50. In other words, the closed state refers to a state in which the space surrounded by the window frame is not open. On the other hand, the "open state" refers to a state in which part or all of the space surrounded by the window frame 60 is open.

[0013] The window 1 shown in FIG. 1 is in a closed state. The window 1 shown in FIG. 2 is in an open state. As shown in FIG. 1, in a plan view, the position where the transparent substrate 50 is disposed overlaps the position where the display panel P1 is disposed. The display panel P1 is disposed in the area surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the transparent substrate 50 is movable in the Y direction relative to the window frame 60. Furthermore, when the window 1 is closed, the window 1 can be opened by moving the transparent substrate 50 to the right. Since the display panel P1 is integral with the transparent substrate 50, moving the transparent substrate 50 also moves the display panel P1. Rails (not shown) may be provided at the top and bottom of the window frame 60. For example, the upper end of the transparent substrate 50 is fitted into rails provided at the top and bottom of the window frame 60. For example, grooves extending in the Y direction are formed in the rails. The transparent substrate 50 is movable in the Y direction relative to the window frame 60 along the grooves of the rails provided at the top and bottom of the window frame 60. The rails hold the transparent substrate 50 so that it does not come off the window frame 60.

[0014] The window 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can function as a so-called transparent display panel device. As shown in FIG. 1, when the window 1 is closed, the display panel P1 can generate an image G based on light emitted from the light source module 30. Here, the display panel P1 generating the image G means that the display panel P1 uses the light emitted from the light source module 30 to emit emitted light that is visible from the outside. By viewing the emitted light emitted from the display panel P1, a viewer can recognize that the image G is being displayed. The example of the generated image shown in FIG. 1 is just one example, and the generated image G may be text, a pattern, a photograph, a video, or a combination of these. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the window 1 is open, the display panel P1 does not generate the image G. However, as a variation of this embodiment, the display panel P1 may generate the image G even when the window 1 is closed, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] 1 and 2, in the window 1 according to this embodiment, a light source module 30 that is difficult to make transparent is disposed in a window frame 60. In addition, a display panel P1 on which an image G is generated is disposed on a transparent substrate 50 that is movable relative to the window frame 60. This allows the window 1 to function as a display device without impairing the transparency of the window 1.

[0016] Next, the characteristics of the transparent display panel will be described. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship when a viewer on one side of the transparent display panel views a background on the opposite side through the transparent display panel. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a background viewed through the transparent display panel.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, when a viewer 100 views the display panel P1 from one side to the other, the background 111 is viewed through the display panel P1. As shown in FIG. 4, if the display area DA and the peripheral area PFA outside the display area DA are both light-transmitting, the entire background 111 can be viewed without any sense of incongruity. On the other hand, if the peripheral area PFA has a light-blocking property that does not transmit light, a portion of the background 111 viewed through the display panel P1 is blocked by the peripheral area PFA, which may cause an uncomfortable feeling to the viewer 100 (see FIG. 3). As such, in the case of the display panel P1, which is a transparent display panel, it is preferable that the display area DA and the peripheral area PFA each have visible light transmittance. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of viewing the background 111 without any sense of incongruity, it is particularly preferable that the visible light transmittance characteristics of the display area DA and the peripheral area PFA are approximately the same.

[0018] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the window shown in Fig. 2 in an open state. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the window shown in Fig. 1 in a closed state. As shown in Fig. 5, the window 1 according to this embodiment includes a transparent substrate 50, a window frame 60, a light source module 30, a display panel P1, a drive circuit 40, and a power supply unit 74.

[0019] <Transparent substrate> As shown in FIG. 5 , the transparent substrate 50 has an upper surface 50a, a lower surface 50b opposite the upper surface 50a, and a side surface 50s1 between the upper surface 50a and the lower surface 50b. The upper surface 50a and the lower surface 50b are spaced apart from each other. The side surface 50s1 functions as a light incident surface for introducing light into the transparent substrate 50, which functions as a light guide plate. The transparent substrate 50 is provided so as to be movable relative to the window frame 60. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 , 5 , and 6 , the transparent substrate 50 is attached to the window frame 60 so as to be movable along the Y direction. In this embodiment, the transparent substrate 50 is a glass plate. In other words, the transparent substrate 50 is made of, for example, glass. The transparent substrate 50 is transparent to visible light. Examples of materials for the transparent substrate 50 include glass, as well as organic materials such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin.

[0020] <Window frame> As shown in FIG. 5, the window frame 60 is provided to surround the side surface of the transparent substrate 50. The window frame 60 is a frame for housing the transparent substrate 50 and the display panel P1 (or for mounting the transparent substrate 50 and the display panel P1). As shown in FIG. 5, when the window 1 is in an open state, a portion of the transparent substrate 50 is separated from the window frame 60. As shown in FIG. 6, when the window 1 is in a closed state, the transparent substrate 50 is located close to the window frame 60. The positions of the window frame 60 and the transparent substrate 50 can be changed relatively.

[0021] <Light source module> As shown in FIG. 5, the light source module 30 is mounted on a window frame 60. The light source module 30 is fixed to the window frame 60. That is, the light source module 30 is integrally mounted on the window frame 60. The transparent substrate 50 is movable relative to the light source module 30. In other words, the positions of the transparent substrate 50 and the light source module 30 are changeable relative to each other. In the example shown in FIG. 5, as described above, the transparent substrate 50 is attached to the window frame 60 in a state in which it is movable along the Y direction. Therefore, the distance between the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 and the light source module 30 is variable in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 6, when the window 1 is in a closed state, the light source module 30 is positioned closest to the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50. In other words, the distance D1 between the light source module 30 and the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 is the shortest distance that is equal to or greater than zero. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5, when the window 1 is in an open state, the distance D2 between the light source module 30 and the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 is longer than the distance D1 shown in Fig. 6. An example of the light source element included in the light source module 30 is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, when the window 1 is in an open state, the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 is away from the light source module 30. Although the light source module 30 can emit light L1 (see FIG. 6) even when the window 1 is in an open state, the window 1 of this embodiment generates an image when the window 1 is in a closed state. When the window 1 is in an open state, even if light L1 is emitted from the light source module 30, the light L1 may not be incident on the transparent substrate 50. The light L1 is, for example, visible light.

[0023] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the window 1 is in a closed state, the transparent substrate 50 is located near the light source module 30. Furthermore, when the window 1 is in a closed state, a side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 is located near the light source module 30. When the window 1 is in a closed state, light L1 emitted from the light source module 30 enters the transparent substrate 50 from the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50. When the window 1 is in a closed state, the display panel P1 can generate an image G (see FIG. 1) based on the light L1 emitted from the light source module 30. As described above, the closed state of the window 1 refers to a state in which no opening is formed in the window in a plan view.

[0024] <Display panel> As shown in FIG. 5, the display panel P1 is provided on the upper surface 50a of the transparent substrate 50. In the example shown in FIG. 5, an adhesive layer 51 is interposed between the upper surface 50a of the transparent substrate 50 and the display panel P1. The display panel P1 faces the upper surface 50a of the transparent substrate 50 via the adhesive layer 51. The display panel P1 is fixed to the upper surface 50a of the transparent substrate 50 by the adhesive layer 51. The adhesive layer 51 is transparent to visible light. The display panel P1 is movable together with the transparent substrate 50. That is, the display panel P1 is movable relative to the light source module 30. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the display panel P1 is attached to the window frame 60 in a state where it is movable along the Y direction together with the transparent substrate 50.

[0025] In this embodiment, the display panel P1 is a transparent display panel. The display panel P1 is transparent to visible light. As shown in Fig. 5, the display panel P1 includes a substrate 10, a substrate 20, a liquid crystal layer LQL, and a sealing portion SLM.

[0026] (Substrate 10) As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 10 is provided on the upper surface 50a of a transparent substrate 50. In the example shown in FIG. 5, an adhesive layer 51 is provided between the upper surface 50a of the transparent substrate 50 and the lower surface 10b of the substrate 10. The adhesive layer 51 fixes the substrate 10 to the upper surface 50a of the transparent substrate 50. The substrate 10 is transparent to visible light. The substrate 10 may be provided with a switching element (active element) Tr, which will be described later. A plurality of switching elements Tr may be arranged in an array on the substrate 10. A terminal 101 of the substrate 10 can be electrically connected to the drive circuit 40 when the window 1 is in a closed state. Furthermore, a signal input from the drive circuit 40 is input to the switching element Tr via the terminal 101.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 5, an adhesive layer 51 having visible light transmissive properties is interposed between the transparent substrate 50 and the substrate 10, and the display panel P1 is adhesively fixed to the transparent substrate 50 via the adhesive layer 51. The refractive index of the adhesive layer 51 is closer to that of the transparent substrate 50 than that of air. Since the refractive index of the adhesive layer 51 is the same as that of the transparent substrate 50, reflection of light L1 at the interface between the adhesive layer 51 and the upper surface 50a of the transparent substrate 50 or the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10 can be suppressed. Examples of the adhesive layer 51 having a refractive index similar to that of the transparent substrate 50 include a transparent adhesive sheet called OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive) formed in a sheet shape, and OCR (Optical Clear Resin) which is used by curing a liquid transparent adhesive.

[0028] (Substrate 20) As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 20 is provided at a distance from the substrate 10. The substrate 20 is provided above the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10. The lower surface 20b of the substrate 20 faces the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10. The substrate 20 is transparent to visible light. The substrate 20 is provided on the display surface side. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 20 has a terminal 101.

[0029] (liquid crystal layer) As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal layer LQL is disposed between the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10 and the lower surface 20b of the substrate 20. The liquid crystal layer LQL is disposed so as to contact the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10 and the lower surface 20b of the substrate 20. The liquid crystal layer LQL includes a liquid crystal LQ. The liquid crystal layer LQL is an optical modulation element capable of changing the light transmission state by electrically driving the alignment state of the liquid crystal. The display panel P1 has a function of driving the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules and modulating the light L1 passing therethrough by controlling the state of the electric field formed around the liquid crystal layer LQL via the switching element described above. As shown in FIG. 6, when the window 1 is closed, the light L1 emitted from the light source module 30 enters the liquid crystal layer LQL. By changing the alignment of the molecules of the liquid crystal LQ, the light L1 entering the liquid crystal layer LQL can be scattered. This allows an image to be generated in the liquid crystal layer LQL.

[0030] (Sealing part) As shown in FIG. 5, the seal portion (sealing material) SLM bonds the substrate 10 and the substrate 20 together. The seal portion SLM bonds the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10 and the lower surface 20b of the substrate 20 together. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the seal portion SLM is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer LQL. The seal portion SLM surrounds the entire liquid crystal layer LQL together with the substrates 10 and 20. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal layer LQL is located inside the seal portion SLM. The seal portion SLM serves as a seal that seals the liquid crystal LQ between the substrates 10 and 20. The seal portion SLM also serves as an adhesive that bonds the substrates 10 and 20 together.

[0031] <Drive circuit> As shown in FIG. 5, the drive circuit 40 is provided on the window frame 60. The drive circuit 40 is a circuit for displaying an image G (see FIG. 1) on the transparent substrate 50. The drive circuit 40 has a terminal 401. When the window 1 is in a closed state, the terminal 401 of the drive circuit 40 is electrically connected to the terminal 101 of the substrate 10. The drive circuit 40 drives the display panel P1 and the light source module 30, as will be described in detail later.

[0032] <Power supply section> As shown in FIG. 5, the power supply unit 74 can supply power to the display panel P1, the drive circuit 40, and the light source module 30. The power supply unit 74 can supply power to the drive circuit 40 via wiring (not shown). The power supply unit 74 can supply power to the light source module 30 via wiring (not shown). As shown in FIG. 6, when the window 1 is closed, the power supply unit 74 can supply power to the display panel P1 via a terminal 401 of the drive circuit 40 and a terminal 101 of the substrate 10. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the power supply unit 74 is provided in the window frame 60. However, as a variation, the power supply unit 74 may be provided separately from the window frame 60. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which a terminal extending from the power supply unit 74 is connected to a terminal provided in the window frame 60.

[0033] 5, the drive circuit 40, the light source module 30, and the power supply unit 74 are provided on the window frame 60. The display panel P1 is provided on the transparent substrate 50. In other words, the display panel P1 and the transparent substrate 50 are provided so as to be movable relative to the drive circuit 40, the light source module 30, the power supply unit 74, and the window frame 60.

[0034] When the window 1 is in the closed state shown in Fig. 6, the display panel P1 shown in Fig. 6 can generate an image G (see Fig. 1). In other words, the window 1 functions as a display device in the closed state. The operation of the window 1 when it functions as a display device will be described in detail below.

[0035] As shown schematically by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 , when the window 1 is closed, light L1 emitted from the light source module 30 is supplied to the display panel P1 via the transparent substrate 50. More specifically, light (light source light) L1 emitted from the light source module 30 is incident on the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50. The light L1 propagates away from the side surface 50s1 while being reflected by the lower surface 50b of the transparent substrate 50 and the upper surface 20a of the substrate 20. In the propagation path of the light L1, the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 and the upper surface 20a of the substrate 20 are interfaces between a medium with a high refractive index and a medium with a low refractive index. Therefore, when the incident angle of the light L1 on the upper surface 20a and the lower surface 50b is greater than the critical angle, the light L1 is totally reflected by the upper surface 20a and the lower surface 50b.

[0036] 6, the light L1 is incident on the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50, but as a modified example, the light L1 may be configured to be incident on the side surface 20s1 of the substrate 20. As another modified example, a lens may be interposed between the light source module 30 and the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50, or between the light source module 30 and the side surface 20s1 of the substrate 20.

[0037] The liquid crystal LQ is a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal LC, which contains liquid crystal polymer and liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal polymer is formed into stripes, and the liquid crystal molecules are dispersed in the gaps between the liquid crystal polymer. The liquid crystal polymer and the liquid crystal molecules each have optical anisotropy or refractive index anisotropy. The response of the liquid crystal polymer to an electric field is lower than that of the liquid crystal molecules. The orientation direction of the liquid crystal polymer hardly changes regardless of the presence or absence of an electric field.

[0038] On the other hand, when a high voltage equal to or greater than a threshold value is applied to the liquid crystal LQ, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules changes in response to the electric field. When no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal LQ, the optical axes of the liquid crystal polymer and the liquid crystal molecules are parallel to each other. Therefore, light L1 incident on the liquid crystal layer LQL is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer LQL with almost no scattering (transparent state). When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal LQ, the optical axes of the liquid crystal polymer and the liquid crystal molecules intersect with each other. Therefore, light L1 incident on the liquid crystal LQ is scattered within the liquid crystal layer LQL (scattered state). The display panel P1 controls the alignment of the liquid crystal LQ along the propagation path of light L1 to control the transparent state and the scattered state. In the scattered state, light L1 is emitted by the liquid crystal LQ to the outside of the display panel P1 from the top surface 20a side as emitted light L2. Furthermore, background light L3 incident from the top surface 10a side passes through the substrate 10, the liquid crystal layer LQL, and the substrate 20, and is emitted to the outside from the top surface 20a. The emitted light L2 and background light L3 are visible to a viewer standing on the top surface 20a side. The viewer can perceive the emitted light L2 and the background light L3 in combination. A display panel that allows the viewer to perceive the displayed image and the background superimposed in this way is called a transparent display panel.

[0039] One possible method for providing a display device function to a light-transmitting substrate that can move relative to the window frame is to configure the light source and drive circuitry of the display device to be movable in the same way as the light-transmitting substrate when attached. However, in this case, non-transparent parts such as the light source of the display device may interfere with the transparent parts of the window. This may impair the view through the window and reduce the window's function as a transparent display panel. Furthermore, when attaching the entire display device function to the light-transmitting substrate, the wiring connected to the various circuits must also be movable to follow the light-transmitting substrate. In this case, routing the wiring cables is difficult and restrictive.

[0040] On the other hand, the window 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a display panel P1 for displaying images and a light source module 30 as separate components. The display panel P1 is fixed to a movable transparent substrate 50, and the non-transparent (light-blocking) light source module 30 is fixed to a window frame 60. That is, among the components that provide the display device function, components that are difficult to make transparent are fixed to the window frame 60 in a state where they can be separated from the transparent substrate 50. This allows the window 1 to function as a display device without impairing the transparency of the window 1. Furthermore, since the light source module 30 is provided in the window frame 60, multiple wiring lines connected to the light source module 30 can be provided in the window frame 60. This reduces the number of wiring lines that need to move in response to the moving transparent substrate 50. This simplifies the routing of wiring cables. In other words, this embodiment places fewer constraints on the routing of wiring cables.

[0041] <Circuit configuration example> Next, an example of the configuration of the circuit included in the window 1 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram showing an example of the circuit included in the window of FIG. 6. The window 1 has a display unit 12 and a control unit 90. The display unit 12 has a light source module 30, a drive circuit 40, and a display area DA. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the light source module 30 has a light source unit 31. The light source unit 31 also has, for example, a red light source unit 31r, a green light source unit 31g, and a blue light source unit 31b. The drive circuit 40 has a signal processing circuit 41, a pixel control circuit 42, a gate drive circuit 43, a source drive circuit 44, and a common potential drive circuit 45. The display area DA has a switching element Tr, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal LC, a storage capacitor HC, a pixel electrode PE, a gate line GL, and a source line SL.

[0042] In FIG. 7, when the window 1 is closed, the terminal of the gate line GL extending from the display area DA side is electrically connected to the terminal extending from the gate drive circuit 43 side at the connection portion TG. When the window 1 is closed, the terminal of the source line SL extending from the display area DA side is electrically connected to the terminal extending from the source drive circuit 44 side at the connection portion TS. When the window 1 is closed, the terminal of the common potential line CML extending from the common electrode CE is electrically connected to the terminal extending from the common potential drive circuit 45 side at the connection portion TC. The terminal 101 shown in FIG. 6 includes the terminal extending from the display area DA side among the terminals connected by the connection portion TG, the connection portion TS, and the connection portion TC. In other words, the terminal extending from the display area DA side among the terminals connected by the connection portion TG, the connection portion TS, and the connection portion TC is provided on the display panel side. 6 includes terminals that are connected by the connection parts TG, TS, and TC and that extend from the drive circuit 40 side. In other words, among the terminals that are connected by the connection parts TG, TS, and TC, the terminals that extend from the drive circuit 40 side are provided on the window frame 60 side.

[0043] When the window 1 is in the open state as shown in FIG. 5, the terminals 101 and 401 connected at the connection parts TG, TS, and TC (see FIG. 7) are spaced apart from each other. Therefore, when the window 1 is in the open state, the terminals 101 and 401 are electrically isolated. Therefore, when the window 1 is in the open state, the terminals (terminals 401 and 101) at the connection parts TG, TS, and TC shown in FIG. 7 are electrically offline, and the window 1 does not function as a display device. In other words, when the window 1 is in the open state, the window 1 is simply a window through which only the background 111 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is visible.

[0044] A wiring path (common potential wiring CML) connected to the common electrode CE shown in Fig. 7 is formed on, for example, the substrate 20 shown in Fig. 6. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the light source control unit 32 is included in the drive circuit 40. As a modified example, the light source control unit 32 may be provided separately from the drive circuit 40. The light source control unit 32 is formed on, for example, a window frame 60 (see Fig. 6) connected to the light source module 30, and is electrically connected to the light source unit 31 via the window frame 60.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 10 has a larger area than the substrate 20, and therefore the terminal of the common potential wiring CML extending from the common electrode CE shown in FIG. 7 may be provided on the substrate 10 shown in FIG.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, the signal processing circuit 41 includes an input signal analysis unit (input signal analysis circuit) 411, a memory unit (memory circuit) 412, and a signal adjustment unit 413. The control unit 90 includes a control circuit that controls image display. An input signal VS is input from the control unit 90 to the input signal analysis unit 411 of the signal processing circuit 41 via a wiring path such as a flexible wiring board (not shown). The input signal analysis unit 411 performs analysis processing based on the input signal VS input from outside, and generates an input signal VCS. The input signal VCS is a signal that determines, for example, what gradation value should be assigned to each pixel PIX in the display area DA based on the input signal VS.

[0047] The signal adjustment unit 413 generates an input signal VCSA from the input signal VCS input from the input signal analysis unit 411. The signal adjustment unit 413 sends the input signal VCSA to the pixel control circuit 42 and sends a light source control signal LCSA to the light source control unit 32. The light source control signal LCSA is, for example, a signal including information about the light intensity of the light source unit 31, which is set according to the input gradation value to the pixel PIX. For example, when a dark image is displayed, the light intensity of the light source unit 31 is set to be small. When a bright image is displayed, the light intensity of the light source unit 31 is set to be large.

[0048] The pixel control circuit 42 generates a horizontal drive signal HDS and a vertical drive signal VDS based on the input signal VCSA. For example, in this embodiment, the field sequential driving method is used, so that the horizontal drive signal HDS and the vertical drive signal VDS are generated for each color that the light source unit 31 can emit. The gate drive circuit 43 sequentially selects the gate lines GL in the display area DA within one vertical scanning period based on the horizontal drive signal HDS. The order in which the gate lines GL are selected is arbitrary.

[0049] Based on the vertical drive signal VDS, the source drive circuit 44 supplies a grayscale signal corresponding to the output grayscale value of each pixel PIX to each source line SL in the display area DA within one horizontal scanning period. One pixel PIX is formed at each intersection of a gate line GL and a source line SL. A switching element Tr is formed at each intersection of a gate line GL and a source line SL. The multiple gate lines GL and multiple source lines SL shown in FIG. 7 correspond to multiple signal wirings that transmit drive signals to drive the liquid crystal LQ.

[0050] The switching element Tr shown in FIG. 7 may be, for example, a thin film transistor. The type of thin film transistor is not particularly limited, and examples include the following: When classified based on the position of the gate, a bottom-gate transistor or a top-gate transistor can be mentioned. When classified based on the number of gates, a single-gate thin film transistor and a double-gate thin film transistor can be mentioned. One of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the switching element Tr is connected to a source line SL, the gate electrode is connected to a gate line GL, and the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode is connected to one end of a capacitance of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal LC (liquid crystal LQ shown in FIG. 6). One end of the capacitance of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal LC is connected to the switching element Tr via a pixel electrode PE, and the other end is connected to a common potential line CML via a common electrode CE. A storage capacitance HC is generated between the pixel electrode PE and a storage capacitance electrode electrically connected to the common potential line CML. The common potential line CML is supplied with a common potential from a common potential drive circuit 45.

[0051] <Modification> FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a window that is a variation of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the window shown in FIG. 8. Window 1A further includes a transparent substrate 80 in addition to the transparent substrate 50. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the transparent substrate 80 is a glass plate. In other words, the transparent substrate 80 is made of, for example, glass. Like the transparent substrate 50, the transparent substrate 80 is transparent to visible light. Examples of materials for the transparent substrate 80 include glass and organic materials such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin. The liquid crystal layer LQL of the display panel P1 is disposed between the transparent substrate 50 and the transparent substrate 80. The transparent substrate 80 has a lower surface 80b facing the substrate 20 and an upper surface 80a opposite the lower surface 80b. The window 1A of this variation differs from the window 1 shown in FIG. 5 in that it is a double-glazed window.

[0052] 9, the window 1A has a substrate frame 65 provided on the periphery of the transparent substrate 50. The substrate frame 65 is provided to house the transparent substrate 50, the transparent substrate 80, and the display panel P1. The substrate frame 65 is fixed to the transparent substrate 50 and the transparent substrate 80, and is provided so as to be movable relative to the window frame 60. The presence of the substrate frame 65 reduces the possibility of the transparent substrate 50 and the transparent substrate 80 being damaged.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8, the substrate frame 65 has an opening 67 so that light emitted from the light source module 30 is incident on the liquid crystal layer LQL when the window 1A is in the closed position. The opening 67 is provided so that the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 is exposed. The opening 67 is provided so that the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 is exposed from the light source module 30 when the window 1A is in the closed state. As shown in FIG. 8, the light L1 emitted from the light source module 30 passes through the opening 67 and is incident on the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50. As a result, even when the substrate frame 65 is provided, the display panel P1 can generate an image G based on the light L1 emitted from the light source module 30.

[0054] In the case of a double-glazed window like the window 1A, the operation of the display panel P1 is the same as that of the window 1 shown in Fig. 6. That is, the light source module 30 is disposed in a position facing the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50, and light L1 is incident from the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50. When the window 1A is in a closed state, an image G (see Fig. 1) based on the light L1 emitted from the light source module 30 can be displayed on the transparent substrate 50.

[0055] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of suppressing reflection of the light L1 between the transparent substrate 50 and the display panel P1, it is preferable to suppress reflection of the light L1 on the upper surface 50a of the transparent substrate.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8 , even if light L1 is totally reflected by the upper surface 20a of the substrate 20, the light L1 travels along the same optical path as in FIG. 6 , and therefore no particular problem occurs. However, in the example shown in FIG. 8 , an adhesive layer 81 having visible light transmission properties is interposed between the transparent substrate 80 and the substrate 20, and the substrate 20 of the display panel P1 is adhesively fixed to the transparent substrate 80 via the adhesive layer 81. In this case, it is preferable to suppress refraction of light L1 in the adhesive layer 81. Therefore, the refractive index of the adhesive layer 81 is closer to the refractive index of the transparent substrate 80 than that of air. By making the refractive index of the adhesive layer 81 equivalent to that of the transparent substrate 80, reflection of light L1 at the lower surface 80b of the transparent substrate 80 or refraction of light L1 in the adhesive layer 81 can be suppressed. Examples of the adhesive layer 81 are similar to those of the adhesive layer 51.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a window that is a modification of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 10, the drive circuit 40 of the window 1B differs from the drive circuit 40 of the window 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in that it includes a circuit (display panel drive circuit 47) formed on the display panel P1. The drive circuit 40 of this modification includes a display panel drive circuit 47 and a pixel control circuit 42. The display panel drive circuit 47 is provided on the substrate 10. The display panel drive circuit 47 includes a terminal 471. The window frame 60 is provided with the pixel control circuit 42. The pixel control circuit 42 includes a terminal 421. When the window 1B is closed, the terminal 471 is electrically connected to the terminal 421. The display panel drive circuit 47 is provided integrally with the transparent substrate. Therefore, the display panel drive circuit 47 is movable relative to the window frame 60. When the window 1B is open, the terminal 471 is electrically isolated from the terminal 421. The display panel drive circuit 47 may be provided on the substrate 20. Alternatively, the display panel drive circuit 47 may be provided on both the substrate 10 and the substrate 20.

[0058] Fig. 11 is a circuit block diagram showing an example of the circuits included in the display panel of Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the display panel drive circuit 47 includes a gate drive circuit 43, a source drive circuit 44, and a common potential drive circuit 45. When the window 1B is closed, the terminal extending from the gate drive circuit 43 is electrically connected to the terminal extending from the pixel control circuit 42 at a connection part T1. When the window 1B is closed, the terminal extending from the source drive circuit 44 is electrically connected to the terminal extending from the pixel control circuit 42 at a connection part T2. When the window 1B is open, the terminal extending from the gate drive circuit 43 is electrically isolated from the terminal extending from the pixel control circuit 42. When the window 1B is open, the terminal extending from the source drive circuit 44 is electrically isolated from the terminal extending from the pixel control circuit 42. Specifically, when window 1B is in the open state, terminal 471 and terminal 421, which are connected at connection portion T1 and connection portion T2 (see FIG. 11), are spaced apart from each other. Therefore, when window 1B is in the open state, terminal 471 and terminal 421 are electrically isolated. Therefore, when window 1B is in the open state, at connection portion T1 and connection portion T2 shown in FIG. 11, the terminals (terminal 471 and terminal 421) are electrically offline, and window 1B does not function as a display device. In other words, when window 1B is in the open state, window 1B is simply a window from which only background 111 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is visible.

[0059] 11, the gate drive circuit 43, the source drive circuit 44, and the common potential drive circuit 45 are provided on the display panel P1 side. The display panel P1 side is provided integrally with the transparent substrate 50. That is, the gate drive circuit 43, the source drive circuit 44, and the common potential drive circuit 45 are provided integrally with the transparent substrate 50. Therefore, the gate drive circuit 43, the source drive circuit 44, and the common potential drive circuit 45 are movable with respect to the window frame 60. Of the drive circuit 40 shown in FIG. 11, the signal processing circuit 41, the pixel control circuit 42, and the light source control unit 32 are provided on the window frame 60. The terminal 471 shown in FIG. 10 includes terminals connected by the connection portion T1 and the connection portion T2, extending from the gate drive circuit 43 side and the source drive circuit 44 side. Terminals 421 shown in FIG. 10 include terminals extending from the pixel control circuit 42 among the terminals connected at the connection portions T1 and T2.

[0060] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a window, which is another variation of FIG. 10 . The window 1C shown in FIG. 12 differs from the window 1B shown in FIG. 10 in the position where the drive circuit 40 is provided. As shown in FIG. 12 , the window 1C has the drive circuit 40 and a terminal 741. The drive circuit 40 has a terminal 401. The terminal 401 is electrically connected to the terminal 741. The terminal 741 is electrically connected to, for example, a power supply unit 74. The power supply unit 74 may supply electricity to the drive circuit 40 via the terminal 741. The drive circuit 40 is provided on the substrate 10. The drive circuit 40 is provided on the side opposite the side surface 50s1 onto which light L1 is incident. When the window 1C is opened or closed, the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 moves away from the light source module 30. As a result, an opening of the window 1C is formed between the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50 and the light source module 30. On the other hand, since the drive circuit 40 is provided on the side opposite to the side surface 50s1 onto which the light L1 is incident, the terminal 401 and the terminal 741 can remain electrically connected even when the window 1C is opened or closed. As a result, when the window 1C is opened, the amount of wiring provided on the side surface 50s1 away from the window frame 60 can be reduced. This simplifies the routing of the wiring. The drive circuit 40 may be provided on the substrate 20. Alternatively, the drive circuit 40 may be provided on both the substrate 10 and the substrate 20.

[0061] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a window, which is another variation of FIG. 6. As in the window 1D shown in FIG. 13, the light source module 30 may include a light source unit 31 and a light guide 33. The light source unit 31 may include a red light source unit 31r that emits red light, a green light source unit 31g that emits green light, and a blue light source unit 31b that emits blue light. When the window 1D is in a closed state, the light guide 33 is located between the light source unit 31 and the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50. The light guide 33 may be provided in a window frame 60. The light guide 33 may include a light incident surface 3301 and a light exit surface 3302. The light guide 33 has a light guide path between the light incident surface 3301 and the light exit surface 3302. Light emitted from the light source unit 31 is incident on the light incident surface 3301 of the light guide 33. Light incident on the light incident surface 3301 of the light guide 33 is emitted from the light exit surface 3302 of the light guide 33. When the window 1D is in the closed state, the light emitted from the light exit surface 3302 of the light guide 33 is incident on the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50. When the window 1D is in the open state, the light emitted from the light exit surface 3302 of the light guide 33 may not be incident on the side surface 50s1 of the transparent substrate 50. The light guide 33 has the function of diffusing incident light in the light guide path to make the intensity distribution of the incident light uniform. The light guide 33 may be made of a transparent resin material.

[0062] 13, the light source unit 31 may be mounted on a wiring board 311 and provided in the window frame 60. For example, the light source unit 31 may be supplied with power from a power supply unit 74 via the wiring board 311. The wiring board 311 may be, for example, a printed wiring board (PCB) or a flexible wiring board (FPC). The wiring board 311 may be provided in the window frame 60 via an adhesive layer 312.

[0063] <<Vehicles>> FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle relating to the application example of the window described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. The vehicle 200 includes a window 1E and a vehicle body 211. The window 1E is attached to the vehicle body 211. The window 1E is similar to the window 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that it is attached to the vehicle 200. Therefore, the window 1E attached to the vehicle 200 can be any of the window 1, window 1A, window 1B, window 1C, and window 1D already described, or a combination of these structures. The transparent substrate 50 is, for example, a window glass for an automobile. The window frame 60 corresponds to a portion of the frame of the vehicle 200. In the application example shown in FIG. 14, for example, the display panel P1 is disposed in a position overlapping a portion of the transparent substrate 50. When an image is displayed on the display panel P1, the image can be viewed from outside the vehicle 200 and also from inside the vehicle 200. In the example shown in FIG. 14 , power for functioning as a display device is supplied via a power supply path housed in the frame of the vehicle 200. The power supply unit 74, not shown, is, for example, a battery installed in the vehicle. The window 1E is supplied with power from the battery installed in the vehicle, and is able to generate and display images. The vehicle 200 may be equipped with an opening and closing mechanism that electrically or manually opens and closes the transparent substrate 50, which is the window glass. If the opening and closing mechanism is electrically operated, the opening and closing mechanism is supplied with power from a battery installed in the vehicle. If the opening and closing mechanism is electrically operated, the vehicle 200 is equipped with a control unit for operating the opening and closing mechanism.

[0064] Within the scope of the concept of the present invention, a person skilled in the art may conceive of various modifications and alterations, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, to the above-described embodiments, a person skilled in the art may appropriately add, delete, or modify components, or add, omit, or change conditions of steps, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they maintain the gist of the present invention.

[0065] Furthermore, other effects and advantages brought about by the aspects described in this embodiment that are clear from the description in this specification or that can be appropriately thought of by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide windows and vehicles with improved performance, and therefore has high industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E windows 10 Substrate 10a top surface 10b Bottom side 12 Display section 20 Substrate 20a top surface 20b Bottom side 20s1 side 30 Light Source Module 31 Light source section 31b Blue light source section 31g green light source section 31r Red light source section 311 Wiring board 312 Adhesive layer 32 Light source control unit 33 Light guide 3301 Light entrance surface 3302 Light exit surface 40 Drive circuit 41 Signal processing circuit 42 Pixel control circuit 43 Gate drive circuit 44 Source driver circuit 45 Common potential drive circuit 47 Display panel drive circuit 50 Transparent substrate 50a top 50b Bottom side 50s1 side 51 Adhesive layer 60 Window Frame 65 PCB frame 67 Opening 74 Power supply section 80 Transparent substrate 80a top 80b bottom side 81 Adhesive layer 90 Control Unit 100 Observer 111 Background 200 vehicles 211 Car Body 411 Input signal analysis unit 412 Storage section 413 Signal Conditioning Unit 101, 401, 421, 471, 741 terminals G Image CE common electrode CML common potential wiring DA display area GL gate line HC retention capacity HDS horizontal drive signal L1 light L2 emission light L3 background light LC Polymer dispersed liquid crystal LCSA Light Source Control Signal LQ LCD LQL liquid crystal layer P1 display panel PE pixel electrode PFA surrounding area PIX SL Source Line SLM seal part Tr switching element VS, VCS, VCSA input signals VDS Vertical drive signal TG, TS, TC, T1, T2 connection

Claims

1. Window frames and a light source module fixed to the window frame; a first transparent substrate attached to the window frame so as to be movable relative to the light source module; a display panel provided on the first transparent substrate, the display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate provided spaced apart from the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; A window, wherein when the space surrounded by the window frame is in a closed state, the display panel is capable of generating an image based on the light emitted from the light source module.

2. In claim 1, The first transparent substrate is made of glass.

3. In claim 1, the first transparent substrate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first side surface provided between the first surface and the second surface; the display panel is provided on the first surface of the first transparent substrate, a window, wherein when the space surrounded by the window frame is in a closed state, light emitted from the light source module is incident on the first side surface of the first transparent substrate.

4. In claim 1, Further, the display device includes a drive circuit for causing the display panel to function as a display device, and a switching element for driving the liquid crystal layer, the switching element is provided on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate; the drive circuit is fixed to the window frame; the switching element is provided so as to be movable relative to the drive circuit, When the space surrounded by the window frame is in a closed state, the terminal of the switching element and the terminal of the drive circuit are electrically connected, A window that electrically separates the terminals of the switching element and the terminals of the drive circuit when the space surrounded by the window frame is in an open state.

5. In claim 1, The display device further includes a second transparent substrate and a substrate frame provided on peripheral edges of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, the display panel is disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate; the substrate frame is provided so as to be movable relative to the light source module; The substrate frame has an opening, A window in which, when the space surrounded by the window frame is in a closed state, light emitted from the light source module can enter the transparent substrate through the opening in the substrate frame.

6. In claim 1, a drive circuit for causing the display panel to generate the image; the drive circuit includes a display panel drive circuit for driving the display panel, and a pixel control circuit for outputting a signal to the display panel drive circuit; the display panel drive circuit is provided on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate; the pixel control circuit is fixed to the window frame; the display panel drive circuit is provided so as to be movable relative to the pixel control circuit; When the space surrounded by the window frame is in a closed state, the terminals of the pixel control circuit and the terminals of the display panel drive circuit are electrically connected to each other, A window in which, when the space surrounded by the window frame is in an open state, the terminals of the pixel control circuit and the terminals of the display panel drive circuit are electrically isolated from each other.

7. In claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit and a drive circuit for causing the display panel to generate the image; the drive circuit is provided on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate; A window through which the terminals of the power supply unit and the terminals of the drive circuit are electrically connected.

8. A window according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a vehicle body to which the window is attached.

Images