Light emitting display device

Abstract

To provide a light emitting display device capable of performing light emitting display with excellent visibility and appearance.SOLUTION: The light guiding portion 8 has a shape in which the back surface side is inclined toward the front surface side, the incidence portion 9 has a plurality of incidence surfaces 9a that cause the light AX1 emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 2A to enter the inside of the light guiding portion 8 while refracting the light L1 in a direction parallel to the optical axis AX1 in a vertical cross section along one direction including the optical axis, and the reflecting portion 10 has a plurality of reflecting surfaces 9a provided to face each of the plurality of incidence surfaces 10a. The emitting portion 11 includes the emitting surface 11a provided to face the plurality of reflecting surfaces 10a, the diameters φ 1, φ 2, and φ 3 of the plurality of incident surfaces 9a in the one direction sequentially decrease from the rear surface side toward the front surface side of the light guiding portion 8, and the angles θ 1, θ 2, and θ 3 of the plurality of reflecting surfaces 10a with respect to the optical axis AX1 sequentially decrease from the proximal end side toward the distal end side of the light guiding portion 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a light-emitting display device mounted on a vehicle is known that combines a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) with a light guide such as an inner lens (light guide lens).

[0003] Some vehicles are equipped with a light-emitting display device that is mounted on the back gate or trunk lid at the rear of the vehicle and that displays brand names such as the vehicle name and manufacturer name, logo marks, etc., as light-emitting display patterns.

[0004] Incidentally, with the recent spread of electric vehicles, light-emitting display devices have been proposed that use vehicle communication lamps, logo lamps, etc. to illuminate display patterns to indicate the remaining battery charge of the vehicle or the charging state during power supply.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a technology that includes a communication lamp that allows light emitted from multiple LEDs to merge into a single light guide rod via a branching section, thereby enabling each section of the light guide rod to emit light, and that displays the charge level of the battery while controlling the lighting of each LED of the communication lamp so that the light-emitting area of ​​the light guide rod changes depending on the charge level of the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 159828 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the conventional light-emitting display devices described above, the charging speed may decrease when the battery temperature changes, or the charging speed may slow down as the battery is charged, and the charging characteristics of the electric vehicle may change.

[0008] In this case, there is a problem that the end user, the driver of the electric vehicle, cannot easily determine whether charging is being performed at a normal charging rate just by looking at the lamp display.

[0009] Furthermore, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the light emitted from multiple LEDs is converged into the light guide rod via a branching section, which results in uneven light emission brightness for each section of the light guide rod. In other words, differences in the distance from the light source to each light-emitting area can cause differences in brightness between the light-emitting areas, which can reduce visibility and appearance.

[0010] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and has an object to provide a light-emitting display device that is capable of performing light-emitting display with good visibility and appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A plurality of light sources arranged in a line in one direction and emitting light in the same direction; a light guide that guides the light emitted from the plurality of light sources, The light guide body includes a light guide portion extending in a direction along the optical axis of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources; an incident portion located on a side of the light guiding portion facing the plurality of light sources and configured to allow the light emitted from the plurality of light sources to enter the light guiding portion; a reflecting portion located on a rear side of the light guiding portion and reflecting light incident on the rear side of the light guiding portion toward a front side of the light guiding portion; an emission section located on a front side of the light guide section and configured to emit the light reflected by the reflection section to the outside, the light guide portion has a shape inclined from the rear side toward the front side, the incident portion has a plurality of incident surfaces that refract the light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources in a vertical cross section along the one direction including the optical axis, and through which the light enters the inside of the light guiding portion while refracting the light in a direction parallel to the optical axis, the reflecting section has a plurality of reflecting surfaces provided opposite to the plurality of incident surfaces, the emission section has an emission surface provided opposite to the plurality of reflecting surfaces, The diameters of the plurality of incident surfaces in the one direction gradually decrease from the rear side to the front side of the light guiding section, and A light-emitting display device, characterized in that the angles of inclination of the plurality of reflecting surfaces with respect to the optical axis gradually decrease from the base end side to the tip end side of the light-guiding section. [2] The light exit surface includes a plurality of light emitting areas provided opposite to each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces, The light-emitting display device according to [1], wherein the plurality of light-emitting areas have the same dimensions in the direction in which the plurality of reflective surfaces are arranged. [3] The light-emitting display device according to [2], characterized in that the light-emitting areas are selectively illuminated by switching on and off the light sources. [4] A lens member is provided facing the front side of the light guide portion, The light-emitting display device described in [2] above, characterized in that the lens member has a light-emitting display section that emits light to display a specific display pattern in an area that overlaps with the multiple light-emitting areas when viewed from the front. [5] The light-emitting display device according to [4], wherein a bezel that covers the periphery of the light-emitting display unit is provided on the front side of the lens member. [6] The light-emitting display device according to [1], wherein the plurality of incident surfaces have a lens shape that is curved outwardly convexly in the vertical cross section. [7] The light-emitting display device according to [1], wherein the plurality of reflecting surfaces are curved inwardly concavely in the vertical cross section. [8] The light-emitting display device according to [1], wherein a plurality of reflection cuts are provided on the plurality of reflection surfaces. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, according to the present invention, a light emitting display device is provided that is capable of performing light emitting display with good visibility and good appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B show the configuration of a light-emitting display device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a front view and (B) is a cross-sectional view. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B show the light-emitting state of the display pattern of the light-emitting display device shown in FIG. 1, where (A) is a schematic diagram for explaining the light-emitting state of the first light-emitting unit, and (B) is a schematic diagram for explaining the light-emitting state of the second light-emitting unit. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram for explaining a method for displaying the remaining amount and charging state of a battery using the light emitting display device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales to make them easier to see, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0015] (Light-emitting display device) First, as one embodiment of the present invention, a light emitting display device 1 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. Fig. 1(A) is a front view showing the configuration of the light emitting display device 1. Fig. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light emitting display device 1 taken along line AA shown in Fig. 1(A). Fig. 2(A) is a schematic diagram for explaining the light emitting state of a display pattern P by a first light emitting unit 4A. Fig. 2(B) is a schematic diagram for explaining the light emitting state of a display pattern P by a second light emitting unit 4B.

[0016] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set, and the X-axis direction is the front-to-back direction (thickness direction) of the light-emitting display device 1, the Y-axis direction is the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the light-emitting display device 1, and the Z-axis direction is the up-to-down direction (height direction) of the light-emitting display device 1.

[0017] The light-emitting display device 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on, for example, the back gate or trunk lid at the rear of the vehicle, and is used as part of a logo lamp that illuminates a brand name such as the vehicle name or manufacturer name as a display pattern, and illuminates an "E" display pattern P as shown in Fig. 1(A) as an indicator that displays the remaining battery charge of an electric vehicle or the charging state during power supply. That is, the light-emitting display device 1 has a function as a battery indicator in addition to its function as a logo lamp.

[0018] The display pattern P may include, but is not limited to, letters, numbers, logos, characters, etc. The luminous color of the display pattern P is also not particularly limited, and can be selected appropriately depending on the display pattern P.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1(B), the light-emitting display device 1 of this embodiment has a first light-emitting unit 4A including a plurality (three in this embodiment) of first light sources 2A and first light guides 3A, a second light-emitting unit 4B including one second light source 2B and a second light guide 3B, and a lens member 5, which are arranged in a lamp body (not shown).

[0020] The lamp body is composed of a housing (not shown) that is open on the front side and a transparent outer lens 6 that covers the opening of this housing. The shape of the lamp body can be changed as needed to match the design of the logo lamp, etc.

[0021] In the light-emitting display device 1 of this embodiment, a first light-emitting unit 4A located on the rear side of the lamp body and a second light-emitting unit 4B located on the front side of the lamp body are arranged to overlap in the front-to-rear direction. The lens member 5 is arranged between the front side of the second light-emitting unit 4B and the rear side of the outer lens 6.

[0022] In the first light-emitting unit 4A, the plurality of first light sources 2A are composed of light-emitting elements such as LEDs that emit green light (hereinafter referred to as "first light") L1. The plurality of first light sources 2A are arranged side by side in one direction (in this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction of the light-emitting display device 1) on one surface (in this embodiment, the upper surface) of the circuit board 7. As a result, the plurality of first light sources 2A radially emit the first light L1 in the same direction (upward in this embodiment).

[0023] The first light guide 3A is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass. The first light guide 3A has a plate-shaped first light guide section 8 extending in a direction (vertical direction in this embodiment) along the optical axis AX1 of the first light L1 emitted from the multiple first light sources 2A, a first incident section 9 located on the side of the first light guide section 8 facing the multiple first light sources 2A (the bottom side), a first reflecting section 10 located on the back side of the first light guide section 8, and a first exit section 11 located on the front side of the first light guide section 8.

[0024] The first light guiding section 8 has a shape inclined from its rear side toward its front side so that the thickness gradually decreases from its base end side (lower end side in this embodiment) toward its tip end side (upper end side in this embodiment) in a vertical cross section along one direction including the optical axis AX1. Meanwhile, the first light guiding section 8 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front.

[0025] The first incident section 9 has a plurality of first incident surfaces 9a provided to face the respective first light sources 2 A. That is, the plurality of first incident surfaces 9a are positioned on the side (lower surface side) of the first light guiding section 8 facing the plurality of first light sources 2 A, and are provided side by side in one direction (front-rear direction).

[0026] Each first incident surface 9a has a lens shape that is curved outwardly convexly in the thickness direction of the first light guiding section 8, and is provided to extend in the width direction of the first light guiding section 8. In the first incident section 9, the optical axis AX1 of the first light L1 emitted from each first light source 2A coincides with the central axis of each first incident surface 9a in the thickness direction of the first light guiding section 8.

[0027] In the first light-emitting unit 4A, a plurality of first light sources 2A may be arranged in the direction in which the first incident surface 9a extends, in accordance with the dimension of the first light guide section 8 in the width direction.

[0028] Each first incident surface 9a refracts the first light L1 emitted from each first light source 2A in a direction parallel to the optical axis AX1 in the thickness direction of the first light guide section 8, and causes the first light L1 to enter the inside of the first light guide section 8.

[0029] As a result, the first light L1 incident from the plurality of first incident surfaces 9a is guided toward the tip side of the first light guiding section 8 while being parallelized (collimated) to each other in the thickness direction of the first light guiding section 8. On the other hand, the first light L1 incident from the plurality of first incident surfaces 9a is guided toward the tip side of the first light guiding section 8 while being diffused to each other in the width direction of the first light guiding section 8.

[0030] In addition, in the first incident section 9, the diameters φ1, φ2, and φ3 in one direction (front-to-back direction) of the multiple first incident surfaces 9a gradually decrease from the back side to the front side of the first light-guiding section 8 (φ1>φ2>φ3).

[0031] That is, among the multiple first incident surfaces 9a, the diameter φ2 of the first incident surface 9a located in the middle is smaller than the diameter φ1 of the first incident surface 9a located on the back side, and the diameter φ3 of the first incident surface 9a located on the front side is smaller than the diameter φ2 of the first incident surface 9a located in the middle.

[0032] As a result, the amount of first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 9a located in the middle is smaller than the amount of first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 9a located on the back side, and the amount of first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 9a located on the front side is smaller than the amount of first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 9a located in the middle.

[0033] First reflecting section 10 has a plurality of first reflecting surfaces 10a provided corresponding to the plurality of first incident surfaces 9a, respectively. That is, these plurality of first reflecting surfaces 10a are located on the back surface side of first light guiding section 8 and are provided side by side from the base end (lower end) side to the tip end (upper end) side of first light guiding section 8.

[0034] Furthermore, each first reflecting surface 10a is provided with a plurality of first reflection cuts 10b. The plurality of first reflection cuts 10b are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, etc., as long as they reflect the first light L1 incident on each first reflecting surface 10a at an angle at which the first light L1 is emitted (transmitted) from the front side of the first light guiding section 8 to the outside.

[0035] For example, in this embodiment, the multiple first reflection cuts 10b are formed by groove portions with approximately triangular cross sections that cut out each first reflection surface 10a in the width direction of the first light guiding section 8 and are lined up in the height direction of the first light guiding section 8.

[0036] Furthermore, in order to more uniformly illuminate a plurality of light-emitting areas E1, E2, E3 (described later), the intervals between adjacent grooves forming first reflection cuts 10b on each first reflection surface 10a may gradually narrow from the base end side toward the tip end side of first light guiding section 8. Alternatively, the depth of the grooves forming first reflection cuts 10b may gradually deepen.

[0037] In the first reflecting section 10, the first light L1 incident on the multiple first reflecting surfaces 10a is reflected by the multiple first reflection cuts 10b toward the first exit section 11 on the front side of the first light guiding section 8.

[0038] Each first reflecting surface 10a has an inwardly concave curved shape in the vertical cross section of the first light guiding unit 8. As a result, the first light L1 incident on each first reflecting surface 10a is reflected toward the front side of the first light guiding unit 8 while being refracted in the diffusion direction.

[0039] In addition, in the first reflecting section 10, the angles θ1, θ2, θ3 of inclination of the multiple first reflecting surfaces 10a with respect to the optical axis AX1 gradually decrease from the base end side to the tip end side of the first light guiding section 8 (θ1>θ2>θ3) so that the heights H1, H2, H3 of the multiple first reflecting surfaces 10a when viewed from the front of the first light guiding section 8 have the same dimensions (H1=H2=H3).

[0040] That is, among the multiple first reflecting surfaces 10a, the angle θ2 of the first reflecting surface 10a located in the middle is smaller than the angle θ1 of the first reflecting surface 10a located on the base end side, and the angle θ3 of the first reflecting surface 10a located on the tip end side is smaller than the angle θ2 of the first reflecting surface 10a located in the middle.

[0041] As a result, in the first reflecting section 10, when the first light guiding section 8 is viewed from the front, the height H1 of the first reflecting surface 10a located on the lower side, the height H2 of the first reflecting surface 10a located on the middle side, and the height H3 of the first reflecting surface 10a located on the upper side are all the same dimensions.

[0042] Furthermore, in the first reflecting section 10, when the first light L1 incident on each first reflecting surface 10a is reflected while being refracted in the diffusion direction, the angles α1, α2, α3 by which the first light L1 reflected by the multiple first reflecting surfaces 10a spreads in the diffusion direction gradually increase from the base end side to the tip end side of the first light guiding section 8 (α1<α2<α3).

[0043] That is, among the multiple first reflecting surfaces 10a, the angle of expansion α2 of the first light L1 reflected by the first reflecting surface 10a located at the intermediate position is larger than the angle of expansion α1 of the first light L1 reflected by the first reflecting surface 10a located at the base end, and the angle of expansion α3 of the first light L1 reflected by the first reflecting surface 10a located at the tip end is larger than the angle of expansion α2 of the first light L1 reflected by the first reflecting surface 10a located at the intermediate position.

[0044] The first emission unit 11 has a first emission surface 11a facing the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 10a. The first emission surface 11a is formed of a flat surface parallel to the optical axis AX1 of the first light L1 emitted from the plurality of first light sources 2A.

[0045] Furthermore, first emission surface 11a is provided on the front side of first light guide section 8 in a range overlapping with a plurality of first reflection surfaces 10a in a front view.

[0046] In the first exit section 11, the first light L1 reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 10a is emitted to the outside of the first light guide section 8 from the first exit surface 11a.

[0047] The first light exit surface 11a is divided into a plurality of (three in this embodiment) light emitting areas E1, E2, E3 facing the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 10a, respectively. The plurality of light emitting areas E1, E2, E3 have the same dimension (height) on the first light exit surface 11a in the direction in which the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 10a are arranged (height direction).

[0048] That is, in the first light-emitting section 11, when the first light-emitting surface 11a is viewed from the front, the height H1 of the light-emitting area E1 located on the lower side, the height H2 of the light-emitting area E2 located on the middle side, and the height H3 of the light-emitting area located on the upper side are all the same dimensions (H1=H2=H3).

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first reflecting section 10, the angles α1, α2, α3 at which the first light L1 reflected by the multiple first reflecting surfaces 10a spreads in the diffusion direction gradually increase from the base end side to the tip end side of the first light-guiding section 8, while the distances to the respective light-emitting areas E1, E2, E3 gradually decrease.

[0050] This makes it possible to make the first light L1 reflected by each first reflecting surface 10a incident on each light-emitting area E1, E2, E3 of the first exit surface 11a, in accordance with multiple light-emitting areas E1, E2, E3 having the same dimension (height) in the vertical direction.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first incident section 9, the diameters φ1, φ2, φ3 in one direction (front-to-back direction) of the multiple first incident surfaces 9a gradually become smaller from the back side to the front side of the first light guide section 8, so that the amount of first light L1 incident from each first incident surface 9a gradually becomes smaller.

[0052] In contrast, the optical path length of the first light L1 incident from each first incident surface 9a to each light-emitting area E1, E2, E3 (first exit surface 11a) is longer inversely to the amount of light of the first light L1 incident from each first incident surface 9a.

[0053] That is, the optical path length from the first incident surface 9a located on the rear side to the light-emitting area E1 is longer than the optical path length from the first incident surface 9a located in the middle to the light-emitting area E2. Accordingly, the amount of first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 9a located on the rear side is greater than the amount of first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 9a located in the middle.

[0054] On the other hand, the optical path length from the first incident surface 9a located in the middle to the light-emitting area E2 is longer than the optical path length from the first incident surface 9a located on the front side to the light-emitting area E3. Accordingly, the amount of first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 9a located in the middle is greater than the amount of first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 9a located on the front side.

[0055] This makes it possible to adjust the amount of light of the first light L1 incident from each first incident surface 9a in accordance with the difference in the optical path length of the first light L1 incident from each first incident surface 9a to each light-emitting area E1, E2, E3, and to uniformize the amount of light of the first light L1 incident on each light-emitting area E1, E2, E3.

[0056] The first light-emitting unit 4A irradiates the first light L1 emitted from the first emission surface 11a toward the lens member 5 in front of it. That is, the first light L1 emitted from the first emission surface 11a is transmitted through the second light guide 3B in front of it, and then irradiated toward the lens member 5.

[0057] In the second light-emitting unit 4B, the second light source 2B is formed of a light-emitting element such as an LED that emits red light (hereinafter referred to as "second light") L2. The second light source 2B, together with the above-mentioned plurality of first light sources 2A, are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction on the upper surface of the circuit board 7. As a result, the second light source 2B radially emits the second light L2 upward.

[0058] The second light guide 3B is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass. The second light guide 3B has a plate-shaped second light guide portion 12 extending in a direction (vertical direction in this embodiment) along the optical axis AX2 of the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 2B, a second incident portion 13 located on the side of the second light guide portion 12 facing the second light source 2B (the lower surface side), a second reflecting portion 14 located on the back side of the second light guide portion 12, and a second exit portion 15 located on the front side of the second light guide portion 12.

[0059] In a vertical cross section along a direction including the optical axis AX2, the second light guiding section 12 has a shape inclined from its rear side toward its front side so that the thickness gradually decreases from its base end side (lower end side in this embodiment) toward its tip end side (upper end side in this embodiment). Meanwhile, the second light guiding section 12 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front.

[0060] Second incident section 13 has second incident surface 13a provided facing second light source 2B. Second incident surface 13a has a lens shape that is curved convexly outward in the thickness direction of second light guiding section 12, and is provided to extend in the width direction of second light guiding section 12. Furthermore, in second incident section 13, an optical axis AX2 of second light L2 emitted from second light source 2B and a central axis of second incident surface 13a coincide with each other in the thickness direction of second light guiding section 12.

[0061] In addition, second light-emitting unit 4B may be configured such that a plurality of second light sources 2B are arranged in the direction in which second incident surface 13a extends, in accordance with the dimension of second light-guiding section 12 in the width direction.

[0062] The second incident surface 13a refracts the second light L2 emitted from each second light source 2B in a direction parallel to the optical axis AX2 in the thickness direction of the second light guide section 12, and causes the second light L2 to enter the inside of the second light guide section 12.

[0063] As a result, second light L2 incident from second incident surface 13a is guided toward the tip side of second light guiding section 12 while being collimated in the thickness direction of second light guiding section 12. On the other hand, second light L2 incident from second incident surface 13a is guided toward the tip side of second light guiding section 12 while being diffused in the width direction of second light guiding section 12.

[0064] The second reflecting section 14 has a second reflecting surface 14a provided corresponding to the second incident surface 13a. In addition, the second reflecting surface 14a is provided with a plurality of second reflection cuts 14b. The plurality of second reflection cuts 14b are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, etc., as long as they reflect the second light L2 incident on the second reflecting surface 14a at an angle at which the second light L2 is emitted (transmitted) from the front side of the second light guiding section 12 to the outside.

[0065] For example, in this embodiment, the multiple second reflection cuts 14b are formed by groove portions with approximately triangular cross sections that cut out the second reflection surface 14a in the width direction of the second light-guiding section 12 and are lined up in the height direction of the second light-guiding section 12.

[0066] Furthermore, in order to make the above-mentioned light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3 emit light more uniformly, the intervals between adjacent grooves forming second reflection cuts 14b on second reflection surface 14a may gradually become narrower from the base end side toward the tip end side of second light guiding section 12. Alternatively, the depths of the grooves forming second reflection cuts 14b may gradually become deeper.

[0067] In the second reflecting section 14, the second light L2 incident on the second reflecting surface 14a is reflected by the plurality of second reflection cuts 14b toward the second exit section 15 on the front side of the second light guiding section 12.

[0068] Second reflecting surface 14a has an inwardly concave curved shape in the vertical cross section of second light guiding unit 12. As a result, second light L2 incident on second reflecting surface 14a is reflected toward the front side of second light guiding unit 12 while being refracted in the diffusion direction.

[0069] The second light emitting unit 15 has a second light emitting surface 15a facing the second reflecting surface 14a. The second light emitting surface 15a is formed of a flat surface parallel to the optical axis AX2 of the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 2B.

[0070] Second emission surface 15a is provided on the front side of second light guide section 12 in a range overlapping with second reflection surface 14a in a front view.

[0071] In second exit section 15, second light L2 reflected by second reflecting surface 14a is emitted to the outside of second light guide section 12 from second exit surface 15a.

[0072] The second light emitting unit 4B irradiates the second light L2 emitted from the second light emitting surface 15a toward the lens member 5 in front of it.

[0073] Lens member 5 is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass. Lens member 5 has light-emitting display section 16 that illuminates and displays a specific ("E" in this embodiment) display pattern P in an area that overlaps with the above-mentioned plurality of light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3 in a front view.

[0074] Specifically, the lens member 5 has a flat base portion 5a and a protrusion 5b that protrudes from the front side of the base portion 5a in a shape corresponding to the display pattern P. The light-emitting display portion 16 is formed by the tip surface of the protrusion 5b.

[0075] In addition, a bezel 17 is provided on the front side of the lens member 5 to cover the periphery of the light-emitting display unit 16. The bezel 17 is made of a colored (e.g., black) light-blocking member and is provided to cover the front side of the base portion 5a excluding the protrusion 5b. As a result, the bezel 17 blocks the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from parts other than the light-emitting display unit 16.

[0076] An entrance-side light-shielding portion 18a for blocking light between adjacent first incident surfaces 9a is provided between the plurality of first light sources 2A and the first light guide 3A. The entrance-side light-shielding portion 18a is made of a colored (e.g., black) light-shielding member and is provided so as to partition the space between adjacent first light sources 2A and first incident surfaces 9a.

[0077] Furthermore, an intermediate light-shielding portion 18b for blocking light therebetween is provided between the first light guide 3A and the second light guide 3B. The intermediate light-shielding portion 18b is made of a colored (e.g., black) light-shielding member, and is provided so as to cover the front side of the first light guide 8 except for the first emission surface 11a.

[0078] Furthermore, an exit-side light-shielding portion 18c for blocking light between adjacent light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3 is provided between the first light guide 3A and the second light guide 3B. The exit-side light-shielding portion 18c is made of a colored (e.g., black) light-shielding member and is provided between the first light guide 3A and the second light guide 3B so as to partition the space between adjacent light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3.

[0079] In the light-emitting display device 1 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 2(A), by sequentially lighting up the multiple first light sources 2A in the first light-emitting unit 4A, it is possible to sequentially emit green light in the multiple light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3 that overlap with the display pattern P in a front view using the first light L1.

[0080] That is, in the first light-emitting unit 4A, by switching on and off the first light sources 2A, it is possible to selectively make the light-emitting areas E1, E2, E3 emit green light.

[0081] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2(B), in the second light-emitting unit 4B, by turning on the second light source 2B, it is possible to simultaneously emit red light in multiple light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3 that overlap with the display pattern P when viewed from the front using the second light L2.

[0082] As a result, the light emitting display device 1 of this embodiment can display the display pattern P by switching the light emitting state as an indicator for displaying the remaining battery charge of the electric vehicle or the charging state during power supply.

[0083] In the light-emitting display device 1 of this embodiment, the first light-emitting unit 4A has multiple light-emitting areas E1, E2, E3 that have the same dimensions in the height direction (heights H1, H2, H3), and the diameters φ1, φ2, φ3 of each of the above-mentioned first incident surfaces 9a, the inclination angles θ1, θ2, θ3 of each of the first reflecting surfaces 10a, and the spreading angles α1, α2, α3 of the first light L1 reflected by each of the first reflecting surfaces 10a are adjusted to match the differences in the optical path lengths of the first light L1 incident from each of the first incident surfaces 9a to each of the light-emitting areas E1, E2, E3.

[0084] This makes it possible to make the multiple light-emitting areas E1, E2, E3, which have the same dimensions in the height direction (heights H1, H2, H3), emit light with more uniform brightness, regardless of differences in the optical path length of the first light L1 incident from each first incident surface 9a to each light-emitting area E1, E2, E3.

[0085] Therefore, in the light emitting display device 1 of this embodiment, by causing the above-mentioned plurality of light emitting areas E1, E2, E3 to emit light with uniform brightness, it is possible to perform light emitting display of the display pattern P with good visibility and good appearance.

[0086] (Battery status display method) Next, a method for displaying the remaining capacity and charging state of a battery using the light emitting display device 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a method for displaying the remaining amount and charging state of a battery using the light emitting display device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 3, an electric vehicle has a battery 102 charged by a charger 101 at a charging station. At this time, an ECU 103 of the vehicle acquires information such as the charge amount and current value. Furthermore, based on the information acquired by the ECU 103 of the vehicle, an ECU 104 of a logo lamp (light-emitting display device 1) controls the lighting of the logo lamp according to the charge speed and charge amount.

[0088] Specifically, in the light-emitting display device 1, for example, when charging is being performed at a normal charging rate, the display pattern P is illuminated in green. On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the charging rate due to some influence, the display pattern P is illuminated in flashing red. This makes it possible to visually notify the driver outside the vehicle of the charging state of the battery in an easy-to-understand manner while the battery is being charged.

[0089] Furthermore, the remaining battery power is displayed as a scale using the plurality of light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3 of the display pattern P. For example, as shown in Fig. 2(A), when the lower light-emitting area E1 is illuminated, the remaining battery power can be displayed as "10% to 30%," when the lower and middle light-emitting areas E1 and E2 are illuminated, the remaining battery power can be displayed as "40% to 60%," and when the lower, middle, and upper light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3 are illuminated, the remaining battery power can be displayed as "70% to 100%." ​​On the other hand, when the remaining battery power is "0%,," the display pattern P can be illuminated or flashed in red, as shown in Fig. 2(B).

[0090] On the other hand, if there is a limit to the charging time at the charging stand, such as within 30 minutes, it is also possible to display the charging time as a scale, such as "10 minutes have passed" when the lower light-emitting area E1 is illuminated, "20 minutes have passed" when the lower and middle light-emitting areas E1 and E2 are illuminated, or "30 minutes have passed" when the lower, middle and upper light-emitting areas E1, E2 and E3 are illuminated.

[0091] Furthermore, by flashing the light-emitting areas E1, E2, and E3 of the display pattern P while charging, and constantly emitting light while the vehicle is running, it is possible to display the battery's state of charge and the remaining battery power differently.

[0092] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0093] For example, in the above embodiment, an example is given of a case where the display pattern P is illuminated as an indicator that displays the remaining battery charge of an electric vehicle or the charging state during power supply in a part of the logo lamp mounted on the back gate or trunk lid at the rear of the vehicle as described above, but the present invention can also be applied to a light-emitting display device mounted on the front side of the vehicle, such as the front grille.

[0094] Furthermore, the light-emitting display device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the light-emitting display device mounted on the vehicle described above, but the light-emitting display device of the present invention can be widely applied to applications to which the light-emitting display device of the present invention is applicable.

[0095] Furthermore, the specific uses of the light-emitting display device to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the indicator that displays the battery status described above, but can be widely used for a variety of purposes, such as vehicle lighting fixtures, in-vehicle lighting, lighting for gaming machines, lighting for toys, signboard lighting, and general lighting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...light-emitting display device 2A...first light source 2B...second light source 3A...first light guide 3B...second light guide 4A...first light-emitting unit 4B...second light-emitting unit 5...lens member 8...first light-guiding section 9...first incident section 10...first reflecting section 11...first exit section 12...second light-guiding section 13...second incident section 14...second reflecting section 15...second exit section 16...light-emitting display section 17...bezel E1, E2, E3...light-emitting area L1...first light L2...second light P...display pattern

Claims

1. a plurality of light sources arranged side by side in one direction and emitting light in the same direction; a light guide that guides the light emitted from the plurality of light sources, The light guide body includes a light guide portion extending in a direction along the optical axis of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources; an incident portion located on a side of the light guiding portion facing the plurality of light sources and configured to allow the light emitted from the plurality of light sources to enter the light guiding portion; a reflecting portion located on a rear side of the light guiding portion and reflecting light incident on the rear side of the light guiding portion toward a front side of the light guiding portion; an emission section located on a front side of the light guide section and configured to emit the light reflected by the reflection section to the outside, the light guide portion has a shape inclined from the rear side toward the front side, the incident portion has a plurality of incident surfaces that refract the light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources in a vertical cross section along the one direction including the optical axis, and through which the light enters the inside of the light guiding portion while refracting the light in a direction parallel to the optical axis, the reflecting section has a plurality of reflecting surfaces provided opposite to the plurality of incident surfaces, the emission section has an emission surface provided opposite to the plurality of reflecting surfaces, The diameters of the plurality of incident surfaces in the one direction gradually decrease from the rear side to the front side of the light guiding section, and A light-emitting display device, characterized in that the angles of inclination of the plurality of reflecting surfaces with respect to the optical axis gradually decrease from the base end side to the tip end side of the light-guiding section.

2. the light exit surface includes a plurality of light emitting areas provided opposite to each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces, 2. The light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light-emitting areas have the same dimensions in the direction in which the plurality of reflective surfaces are arranged.

3. 3. The light-emitting display device according to claim 2, wherein the light-emitting areas are selectively illuminated by switching on and off the light sources.

4. a lens member disposed opposite to a front side of the light guide portion, 3. The light-emitting display device according to claim 2, wherein the lens member has a light-emitting display portion that emits light to display a specific display pattern in an area that overlaps with the plurality of light-emitting areas in a front view.

5. 5. The light-emitting display device according to claim 4, wherein a bezel is provided on the front side of the lens member to cover the periphery of the light-emitting display unit.

6. 2. The light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of incident surfaces have a lens shape that is curved outwardly convexly in the vertical cross section.

7. 2. The light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of reflecting surfaces are curved inwardly concavely in the vertical cross section.

8. 2. The light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of reflection cuts are provided on the plurality of reflective surfaces.

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