Light-emitting display device

Abstract

To provide a light emitting display device capable of reducing a display region of a light-emitting image.SOLUTION: A light-emitting display device 100 comprises a light guide plate 10 having a front surface 11, a back surface 12 opposite the front surface 11, and three or more side surfaces connecting the front surface 11 and the back surface 12. The three or more side surfaces face in mutually different directions, and include a first side surface and a second side surface. The back surface 12 is provided with a reflective part 14 that reflects light, received by the first side surface or the second side surface and guided into the light guide plate 10, toward the front surface 11. The reflective part 14 displays a light-emitting image on the front surface 11 that has a different shape depending on whether the first side surface or the second side surface receives light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a shift position display device in which a plurality of display sections each displaying a shift position are provided on the underside of a light-transmitting plate, and an LED that emits light toward the inside of the light-transmitting plate is provided at the end of the light-transmitting plate in the longitudinal direction. In this device, a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the plurality of display sections are formed on the upper surface of the light-transmitting plate, and an illuminated image indicating the shift position is displayed on each protrusion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-83562 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the device described in Patent Document 1, the display area of ​​the luminescent image increases as the number of display portions and protrusions provided on the light-transmitting plate increases.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a light-emitting display device that can reduce the display area of ​​a light-emitting image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the light emitting display device according to the present disclosure comprises: a light guide plate having a front surface, a back surface opposite to the front surface, and three or more side surfaces connecting the front surface and the back surface; the three or more side surfaces are oriented in different directions from each other and include a first side surface and a second side surface; a reflecting portion is formed on the rear surface to reflect the light received by the first side surface or the second side surface and guided into the light guide plate toward the front surface; The reflecting portion displays an illuminating image on the front surface, the illuminating image having a different shape depending on whether the first side surface receives light or the second side surface receives light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the display area of ​​the luminescent image can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a light-emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of the light emitting display device according to the embodiment taken along an arrow I in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the light guide plate according to the embodiment, showing a part of a reflecting portion. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide plate according to the embodiment taken along line II-II in FIG. 3. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a view showing a first emission image according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a view showing a second light emission image according to the embodiment. [Figure 5C] FIG. 10 is a view showing a third emission image according to the embodiment. [Figure 5D] FIG. 10 is a view showing a fourth emission image according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the light-emitting display device 100 according to this embodiment includes a light guide plate 10 and an irradiation target selection unit 20. The light-emitting display device 100 is installed in, for example, a vehicle, and displays a predetermined light-emitting image toward a user (a passenger in the vehicle, mainly the driver). The light-emitting image in this embodiment represents the shift position of the vehicle. The shift position indicates the current range of the selector (also called a select lever) or the shift lever. The light-emitting display device 100 may be installed in any position within the vehicle. For example, the light-emitting display device 100 may be installed next to the selector or the shift lever, or may be installed on the dashboard (including the instrument panel).

[0011] The light guide plate 10 is a plate material formed to have light transmissivity, and is made of a resin such as acrylic (PMMA: Poly Methyl Methacrylate) or polycarbonate (PC).

[0012] In the following description, the following directions will be used: up, down, left, right, front, and rear, following the upward direction Ud, downward direction Dd, left direction Ld, right direction Rd, forward direction Fd, and rear direction Bd shown in the appropriate drawings. Note that the rear surface of a certain configuration is called the rear surface.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the light guide plate 10 is formed in the shape of a rectangular (including square) plate when viewed from the front. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the light guide plate 10 includes a front surface 11, a back surface 12 located opposite the front surface 11, and four side surfaces 13a to 13d connecting the front surface 11 and the back surface 12. The four side surfaces 13a to 13d face in different directions. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the side surface 13a faces upward, the side surface 13b faces downward, the side surface 13c faces leftward, and the side surface 13d faces rightward.

[0014] The irradiation target selection unit 20 includes light sources 20a to 20d and circuit boards 21a to 21d on which the light sources 20a to 20d are mounted, respectively. As shown in Fig. 2, the light source 20a emits light toward the rear end of the side surface 13a, and the light source 20b emits light toward the rear end of the side surface 13b. Similarly, the light source 20c emits light toward the rear end of the side surface 13c, and the light source 20d emits light toward the rear end of the side surface 13d. The light sources 20a to 20d are configured by LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The circuit boards 21a to 21d are configured by PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards).

[0015] The circuit boards 21a to 21d are electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) made up of a microcontroller. When the control unit turns on one of the light sources 20a to 20d, it turns off the others. For example, when the control unit turns on the light source 20a, it turns off the other three light sources 20b to 20d. In this way, the irradiation target selection unit 20 can select which of the four side surfaces 13a to 13d to irradiate with light.

[0016] Reflecting sections 14 are formed on the back surface 12 of the light guide plate 10, and the reflecting sections 14 reflect the light guided into the light guide plate 10 toward the front surface 11. The area of ​​the front surface 11 of the light guide plate 10 that faces the reflecting sections 14 in the front-to-rear direction becomes the display area for the luminescent image.

[0017] 3 and 4, the reflecting portion 14 is composed of a collection of concave microfabricated portions 14a formed on the back surface 12. As shown in Fig. 4, the microfabricated portions 14a have a reflecting surface 14b that reflects light Lx, which is emitted from any one of the light sources 20a to 20d and guided into the light guide plate 10, toward the front surface 11. This light Lx represents any one of the light La emitted from the light source 20a, the light Lb emitted from the light source 20b, the light Lc emitted from the light source 20c, and the light Ld emitted from the light source 20d, as shown in each of Figs. 5A to 5D.

[0018] The multiple micro-machined portions 14a that constitute the reflecting portion 14 include a micro-machined portion 14a (hereinafter referred to as the first micro-machined portion) that reflects only light La toward the front surface 11, a micro-machined portion 14a (hereinafter referred to as the second micro-machined portion) that reflects only light Lb toward the front surface 11, a micro-machined portion 14a (hereinafter referred to as the third micro-machined portion) that reflects only light Lc toward the front surface 11, and a micro-machined portion 14a (hereinafter referred to as the fourth micro-machined portion) that reflects only light Ld toward the front surface 11.

[0019] That is, the first micro-machined portion has a reflective surface 14b that reflects light La toward the front surface 11, but is formed without a reflective surface 14b that reflects light Lb, Lc, and Ld toward the front surface 11. The second micro-machined portion has a reflective surface 14b that reflects light Lb toward the front surface 11, but is formed without a reflective surface 14b that reflects light Lc, Ld, and La toward the front surface 11. The third micro-machined portion has a reflective surface 14b that reflects light Lc toward the front surface 11, but is formed without a reflective surface 14b that reflects light Ld, La, and Lb toward the front surface 11. The fourth micro-machined portion has a reflective surface 14b that reflects light Ld toward the front surface 11, but is formed without a reflective surface 14b that reflects light La, Lb, and Lc toward the front surface 11.

[0020] The first finely processed portion reflects light La that is incident on the side surface 13a from the light source 20a and reaches the first finely processed portion toward the front surface 11, thereby displaying the first light-emitting image 1a shown in FIG. 5A on the front surface 11. The first light-emitting image 1a represents P (parking range) among the shift positions of the vehicle. In other words, the first finely processed portions are formed so that a group of them form the shape of the letter "P" when viewed from the front surface 11.

[0021] The second finely processed portion reflects light Lb, which is incident on the side surface 13b from the light source 20b and reaches the second finely processed portion, toward the front surface 11, thereby displaying the second light-emitting image 1b shown in FIG. 5B on the front surface 11. The second light-emitting image 1b represents the R (reverse range) shift position of the vehicle. In other words, the second finely processed portion is formed so that its aggregate forms the shape of an "R" when viewed from the front surface 11.

[0022] The third finely processed portion reflects light Lc that is incident on the side surface 13c from the light source 20c and reaches the third finely processed portion toward the front surface 11, thereby displaying the third light-emitting image 1c shown in FIG. 5C on the front surface 11. The third light-emitting image 1c represents N (neutral range) among the shift positions of the vehicle. In other words, the third finely processed portion is formed so that its aggregate forms the shape of the letter "N" when viewed from the front surface 11.

[0023] The fourth finely processed portion reflects light Ld that is incident on the side surface 13d from the light source 20d and reaches the fourth finely processed portion toward the front surface 11, thereby displaying a fourth light-emitting image 1d shown in FIG. 5D on the front surface 11. The fourth light-emitting image 1d represents D (drive range) among the vehicle's shift positions. In other words, the fourth finely processed portion is formed so that its aggregate forms the shape of the letter "D" when viewed from the front surface 11.

[0024] With the above configuration, reflector 14 displays luminescent images of different shapes on front surface 11 when side surface 13a receives light La, when side surface 13b receives light Lb, when side surface 13c receives light Lc, and when side surface 13d receives light Ld. Light-emitting display device 100 including such reflector 14 can display multiple luminescent images of different shapes in one display area, thereby reducing the display area for the luminescent images.

[0025] The control unit determines whether the current shift position is P, R, N, or D, in accordance with a detection signal obtained from a detection unit that detects the position of a selector or shift lever provided in the vehicle. When the shift position is P, the control unit turns on only the light source 20a of the irradiation target selection unit 20. When the shift position is R, the control unit turns on only the light source 20b of the irradiation target selection unit 20. When the shift position is N, the control unit turns on only the light source 20c of the irradiation target selection unit 20. When the shift position is D, the control unit turns on only the light source 20d of the irradiation target selection unit 20. This makes it possible to display light-emitting images of different shapes, P, R, N, and D, in one display area. Note that the light sources 20a to 20d may include light sources that emit light in different colors, or may all emit light in different colors.

[0026] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and drawings, and modifications (including the omission of components) can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] (Variation) The light guide plate 10 only needs to have three or more side surfaces connecting the front surface 11 and the back surface 12. In other words, the light guide plate 10 is not limited to a rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front, but may also be a triangular plate shape when viewed from the front, or a polygonal plate shape with pentagons or more sides.

[0028] Furthermore, the reflecting portion 14 is only required to be able to display an illuminating image of a different shape on the front surface 11 when light is received by a first side surface and when light is received by a second side surface among the multiple side surfaces that the light guide plate 10 has.

[0029] Furthermore, the irradiation target selection unit 20 does not necessarily have to include light sources 20a-20d and circuit boards 21a-21d corresponding to each of the four side surfaces 13a-13d of the light guide plate 10. For example, the irradiation target selection unit 20 may be configured with one light source and a circuit board on which the light source is mounted. In this case, by providing the circuit board so that it can rotate around the side surface of the light guide plate 10, it is possible to select which of the four side surfaces 13a-13d the light is to be irradiated toward. When such a rotatable circuit board is used, the number of side surfaces of the light guide plate 10 is not limited to four and can be any number.

[0030] The luminous image displayed on the light guide plate 10 is not limited to the shift position of the vehicle and may be any image that represents other information related to the vehicle. For example, the luminous image may represent a warning, the direction of the headlights, the driving mode, etc. Furthermore, the light-emitting display device 100 may be mounted on a vehicle other than a vehicle and display a luminous image that represents information related to the vehicle.

[0031] In the above description, in order to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, descriptions of well-known technical matters have been omitted as appropriate.

[0032] This invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain this invention and do not limit the scope of this invention. That is, the scope of this invention is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 100...Light-emitting display device 10...Light guide plate 11...Front, 12...Back, 13a~13d...Side 14...Reflection part, 14a...Micro-processed part, 14b...Reflection surface 20... Irradiation target selection unit 20a to 20d: Light source; 21a to 21d: Circuit board La~Ld, Lx…Light 1a...first light-emitting image, 1b...second light-emitting image, 1c...third light-emitting image, 1d...fourth light-emitting image

Claims

1. a light guide plate having a front surface, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and three or more side surfaces connecting the front surface and the rear surface; the three or more side surfaces are oriented in different directions from one another and include a first side surface and a second side surface; a reflecting portion is formed on the rear surface, the reflecting portion receiving the first side surface or the second side surface and reflecting the light guided into the light guide plate toward the front surface; The reflecting portion displays an illuminating image having a different shape on the front surface when the first side surface receives light and when the second side surface receives light. Light-emitting display device.

2. further comprising an irradiation target selection unit capable of selecting whether to irradiate the light onto the first side surface or the second side surface; The light-emitting display device according to claim 1 .

3. There are four side surfaces, including a third side surface and a fourth side surface in addition to the first side surface and the second side surface, the irradiation target selection unit is capable of selecting one of the first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface onto which light is to be irradiated; the reflecting portion displays, on the front surface, luminous images of different shapes when the first side surface receives light, when the second side surface receives light, when the third side surface receives light, and when the fourth side surface receives light; The light-emitting image represents the shift position of the vehicle. The light-emitting display device according to claim 2 .

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