Display device and electronic device equipped therewith

Abstract

This method prevents unintended deformation and peeling of the protective sheet without compromising the ease of removing it from the display device. [Solution] The display device has a rectangular plane and comprises a display module that displays information in a display area within the plane, and a protective sheet that is attached to the plane, wherein the outer edge of the protective sheet is located on or inside the outer edge of the plane when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane, and the protective sheet has a cutout that is cut inward from the outer edge of the protective sheet when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and an electronic device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] A protective sheet is attached to the surface of a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel. An example of a protective sheet for a display device is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, an image forming apparatus or the like, which is an electronic device, includes an operation panel as a display device. The operation panel displays information on a rectangular plane. Further, the operation panel may include a touch panel in addition to the display panel. The touch panel is disposed on the surface of the display panel. In an initial state, a protective sheet may be attached to the surface of the display panel (or the surface of the touch panel).

[0005] When a user peels off the protective sheet from the operation panel, if the protective sheet is provided with a tab, the user can pinch the tab with a finger, which improves workability. However, if the protective sheet is provided with a tab, the user's body and external members may contact the tab before the peeling operation of the protective sheet is performed. In this case, there arises a disadvantage that deformation of the peripheral portion of the tab and lifting of the protective sheet due to peeling of the peripheral portion of the tab occur.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a display device and an electronic device equipped therewith that can suppress unintended deformation and peeling of a protective sheet without impairing the workability when peeling the protective sheet from a display device such as an operation panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A display device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a display module having a rectangular plane and displaying information in a display area within the plane, and a protective sheet attached to the plane. The outer edge of the protective sheet is located on or inside the outer edge of the plane when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane. The protective sheet has a cutout that extends inward from the outer edge of the protective sheet when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane.

[0008] An electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned display device. The display device displays information related to the electronic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The configuration of the present invention makes it possible to suppress unintended deformation and peeling of the protective sheet without impairing the workability when peeling the protective sheet from the display device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the control panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the control panel according to the embodiment, as seen from the direction of operation reception. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the cutout in the protective sheet and its surrounding area according to the embodiment, as seen from the direction of operation reception. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the cutout in the protective sheet and its surrounding area according to the embodiment (a cross-sectional view along line AA' in Figure 4). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <Configuration of an image forming apparatus> The image forming apparatus 1000 of this embodiment has the configuration shown in Figure 1. The image forming apparatus 1000 is an example of the "electronic device" of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1000 is capable of executing print jobs that print images on a sheet S. For example, the image forming apparatus 1000 is a monochrome multifunction printer. However, it is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 1000 may be a color printer. Also, the image forming apparatus 1000 may be a printer. Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to other electronic devices such as communication equipment and information processing equipment.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1000 is equipped with an operation panel 100. The operation panel 100 is an example of the "display device" of the present invention. The operation panel 100 displays information related to the image forming apparatus 1000. The operation panel 100 also accepts setting operations related to the image forming apparatus 1000 from the user of the image forming apparatus 1000. For example, the operation panel 100 accepts settings related to print jobs. Examples of setting items related to print jobs include the size of the sheet S to be used in the print job, the image density to be printed on the sheet S, the printing magnification, the number of sheets to print, and the number of copies to print. The operation panel 100 will be described in detail later.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a printing unit 200. The printing unit 200 constitutes the main body of the image forming apparatus 1000. For example, the printing method of the printing unit 200 is an electrophotographic method. However, it is not limited to this. The printing method of the printing unit 200 may be an inkjet method.

[0014] Figure 1 schematically shows the internal mechanism of the printing unit 200. In reality, the internal mechanism of the printing unit 200 is covered by an outer cover.

[0015] The printing unit 200 conveys the sheet S along the sheet conveyance path. In FIG. 1, the sheet conveyance path is indicated by a dashed line. The printing unit 200 prints an image on the sheet S being conveyed.

[0016] The printing unit 200 includes a paper feed roller 201. The paper feed roller 201 abuts against the sheet S housed in the sheet cassette CA and rotates in that state. Thereby, the paper feed roller 201 feeds the sheet S from the sheet cassette CA to the sheet conveyance path.

[0017] The printing unit 200 includes a photoreceptor drum 202 and a transfer roller 203. The photoreceptor drum 202 carries a toner image on its circumferential surface. The transfer roller 203 is in pressure contact with the photoreceptor drum 202 and rotates together with the photoreceptor drum 202. The transfer roller 203 forms a transfer nip with the photoreceptor drum 202. While conveying the sheet S that has entered the transfer nip, the printing unit 200 transfers the toner image to the sheet S.

[0018] Although not shown, the printing unit 200 further includes a charging device, an exposure device, and a developing device. The charging device charges the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 202. The exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 202. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 202 into a toner image.

[0019] The printing unit 200 includes a fixing roller pair 204. The fixing roller pair 204 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller has a heater. The pressure roller is in pressure contact with the heating roller and rotates together with the heating roller. The pressure roller forms a fixing nip with the heating roller. While conveying the sheet S that has entered the fixing nip, the fixing roller pair 204 fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet S to the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing nip is discharged to the discharge tray ET.

[0020] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1000 includes an image reading unit 300. The image reading unit 300 is disposed above the main body of the image forming apparatus 1000. In a job involving reading of the original document Ds, the original document Ds is set on the image reading unit 300. The image reading unit 300 reads the original document Ds set thereon and generates image data of the read original document Ds.

[0021] Note that the operation panel 100 is disposed in front of the image reading unit 300. However, it is not limited thereto. The operation panel 100 may be disposed in front of the apparatus main body (i.e., the printing unit 200) of the image forming apparatus 1000.

[0022] <Configuration of the operation panel> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation panel 100 of the present embodiment includes a touch screen 1. The touch screen 1 is composed of a display module having a touch panel 11. That is, the touch screen 1 is an example of the "display module" of the present invention. The display module may be a liquid crystal display module or an organic EL display module. The touch panel 11 is, for example, of a capacitance type. Note that as another example of the "display module" of the present invention, there is a display module that does not have the touch panel 11.

[0023] The display module displays various images such as button images. The touch panel 11 is disposed on the display surface of the display module. The touch panel 11 has translucency. Therefore, even when the touch panel 11 is disposed on the display surface of the display module, the display image of the display module is visible.

[0024] The touch screen 1 displays an image on the display module and receives a touch operation on the touch panel 11 from the user. While visually recognizing the display image, the user performs a touch operation on the display position of a desired image (such as a button image). The touch operation may be performed with the user's finger or a touch pen.

[0025] The touchscreen 1 is connected to a control unit (not shown) which includes a CPU and other components. The touchscreen 1 outputs a signal to the control unit indicating the location of a touch operation performed by the user. Based on this signal, the control unit detects the touch operation performed on the touchscreen 1 (i.e., the operation performed on the operation panel 100).

[0026] Furthermore, the touchscreen 1 is equipped with a bezel Bz. The bezel Bz forms the edge of the touchscreen 1.

[0027] The touchscreen 1 has a rectangular, flat transparent plate 10. The transparent plate 10 may be a glass plate or a resin plate. The transparent plate 10 is rectangular when viewed in the direction of its thickness. However, when viewed in the direction of its thickness, the four corners of the transparent plate 10 are rounded off. The transparent plate 10 is a component of the touch panel 11 and is placed on the uppermost layer of the touchscreen 1. That is, the touchscreen 1 has a rectangular plane (which is the surface of the transparent plate 10) as its uppermost surface.

[0028] The touchscreen 1 has a transparent plate 10 with a surface 1A (hereinafter referred to as the operation reception surface 1A) that receives touch operations from the user. In this configuration, when viewed from the thickness direction of the transparent plate 10, the operation reception surface 1A is a rectangular plane. The operation reception surface 1A corresponds to the "plane" in the present invention. The operation reception surface 1A is the surface of the touch panel 11. In other words, the transparent plate 10 is a component of the touch panel 11.

[0029] In the following explanation, for convenience, the direction perpendicular to the operation receiving surface 1A (the normal direction of the operation receiving surface 1A) will simply be referred to as the operation receiving direction. The operation receiving direction will be denoted by the symbol D. The operation receiving direction D is the thickness direction of the transparent plate 10 and corresponds to the "direction perpendicular to the plane" in this invention.

[0030] Furthermore, in the following explanation, "outside" when viewed from the operation reception direction D refers to the area outside the outer edge of the operation reception surface 1A (i.e., the out-of-plane region of the operation reception surface 1A). Also, "inside" when viewed from the operation reception direction D refers to the area inside the outer edge of the operation reception surface 1A (i.e., the in-plane region of the operation reception surface 1A).

[0031] The control panel 100 is equipped with a protective sheet 2. The protective sheet 2 is a transparent sheet. The protective sheet 2 is attached to the operation receiving surface 1A (i.e., the surface of the transparent plate 10). In this way, the protective sheet 2 protects the operation receiving surface 1A. By attaching the protective sheet 2 to the operation receiving surface 1A, the user's fingers and contact objects such as styluses do not come into direct contact with the operation receiving surface 1A, thus preventing problems such as damage to the operation receiving surface 1A. The material of the protective sheet 2 is not particularly limited, and any known sheet that can be used as a protective sheet 2 (such as a PET sheet) can be used.

[0032] The protective sheet 2 covers almost the entire surface of the operation receiving surface 1A. However, the protective sheet 2 does not extend beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10 when viewed from the operation receiving direction D. In other words, the protective sheet 2 is positioned inside the bezel Bz and does not extend beyond the bezel Bz.

[0033] Specifically, the protective sheet 2 is formed such that its area (shape) as viewed from the operation reception direction D is approximately the same as the area (shape) of the operation reception surface 1A as viewed from the operation reception direction D. That is, like the transparent plate 10, the protective sheet 2 is rectangular as viewed from the operation reception direction D, and its four corners are rounded. The outer edge of the protective sheet 2 is positioned on the outer edge of the transparent plate 10 as viewed from the operation reception direction D. As a result, as viewed from the operation reception direction D, the protective sheet 2 does not extend beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10, and approximately the entire surface of the operation reception surface 1A is covered by the protective sheet 2.

[0034] The touchscreen 1 has a display area DA and a frame area FA. In other words, the operation reception surface 1A is classified into a display area DA and a frame area FA. The display area DA is the central area of ​​the operation reception surface 1A when viewed from the operation reception direction D, and is a rectangular area. The frame area FA is the area surrounding the display area DA when viewed from the operation reception direction D. In Figure 3, the area enclosed by the dashed line is the display area DA, and the surrounding area is the frame area FA.

[0035] Touchscreen 1 displays an image in the display area DA. On the other hand, touchscreen 1 does not display an image in the frame area FA. However, touchscreen 1 accepts touch operations on the frame area FA. In other words, the frame area FA is an area where touch operations are performed, just like the display area DA.

[0036] For example, the frame area FA has a home button area. The home button area is marked with a predetermined symbolic image (not shown). When the operation panel 100 receives a touch operation on the home button area, it transitions the display screen of the touchscreen 1 to a predetermined home screen.

[0037] In this configuration, it is necessary to protect not only the display area DA but also the bezel area FA of the touchscreen 1. For this reason, a protective sheet 2 is applied to almost the entire surface of the operation reception surface 1A. As a result, when viewed from the operation reception direction D, the entire area of ​​both the display area DA and the bezel area FA is covered by the protective sheet 2.

[0038] The operation reception surface 1A can be well protected by covering almost the entire surface of the operation reception surface 1A with the protective sheet 2. However, it is not limited to this. The outer edge of the protective sheet 2 may be located inside the outer edge of the transparent plate 10. When viewed from the operation reception direction D, it is sufficient that the protective sheet 2 does not protrude beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10.

[0039] If a portion of the protective sheet 2 extends beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10 (in other words, the outer edge of the bezel Bz), the user's body and external components are more likely to come into contact with the protruding portion of the protective sheet 2. If the user's body and external components come into contact with the protruding portion of the protective sheet 2, the surrounding area may deform, peel, or lift up. In this case, air bubbles will form between the protective sheet 2 and the transparent plate 10. Air bubbles between the protective sheet 2 and the transparent plate 10 result in an unsightly appearance. Furthermore, the adhesive strength between the protective sheet 2 and the transparent plate 10 may decrease, potentially causing the protective sheet 2 to unintentionally peel off the transparent plate 10. For example, if tabs are provided on the protective sheet 2, these problems are more likely to occur.

[0040] On the other hand, if the protective sheet 2 does not extend beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10, the above-mentioned problems can be suppressed. In other words, it becomes less likely for air bubbles to form between the protective sheet 2 and the transparent plate 10. Also, it becomes less likely for the protective sheet 2 to peel off the transparent plate 10 unintentionally.

[0041] <Cuts in the protective sheet> When the protective sheet 2 attached to the touchscreen 1 (i.e., the transparent plate 10) becomes unnecessary, the protective sheet 2 is peeled off the touchscreen 1. For example, when the existing protective sheet 2 deteriorates, the deteriorated protective sheet 2 is peeled off and a new protective sheet 2 is attached to the touchscreen 1. In addition, some users may not need the protective sheet 2 regardless of its deterioration. In this case, the protective sheet 2 is peeled off the touchscreen 1 immediately after the image forming apparatus 1000 is delivered.

[0042] For example, in a configuration where a portion of the protective sheet 2 extends beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10, the protruding portion of the protective sheet 2 can function as a tab. In this configuration, the protective sheet 2 can be easily peeled off the transparent plate 10 by pinching the protruding portion of the protective sheet 2 with your fingers.

[0043] However, in a configuration where the protective sheet 2 does not extend beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10, it is difficult to grasp the protective sheet 2 with your fingers. In other words, it is difficult to peel the protective sheet 2 off the transparent plate 10.

[0044] Therefore, in this embodiment, a cut 20 is formed in the protective sheet 2. A plan view of the cut 20 and its surrounding surface is shown in Figure 4. An enlarged cross-sectional view of the cut 20 and its surroundings is shown in Figure 5.

[0045] The notch 20 is cut inward from the outer edge of the protective sheet 2 when viewed from the operation reception direction D. The notch 20 is an extremely thin slit that extends in a straight line when viewed from the operation reception direction D. The notch 20 has a width W of approximately 1 mm and a length L of approximately 10 mm.

[0046] In this embodiment, by forming a notch 20 in the protective sheet 2, it is possible to easily peel the protective sheet 2 from the transparent plate 10 without having to allow a part of the protective sheet 2 to protrude beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10 and function as a tab. Specifically, when peeling the protective sheet 2 from the transparent plate 10, first, by inserting a tool (for example, a spatula) and a fingernail between the protective sheet 2 and the transparent plate 10 through the notch 20, the portion of the protective sheet 2 around the notch 20 peels off from the transparent plate 10. After that, by pinching and pulling up the portion around the notch 20 with your fingers, the protective sheet 2 can be easily peeled off from the transparent plate 10.

[0047] In this embodiment, since the protective sheet 2 does not extend beyond the outer edge of the transparent plate 10, deformation and peeling of the protective sheet 2 can be suppressed. In other words, unintended deformation and peeling of the protective sheet can be suppressed without impairing the workability when peeling the protective sheet 2 from the touchscreen 1.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the notch 20 is positioned at the corner of the protective sheet 2 when viewed from the operation reception direction D. This makes the notch 20 less noticeable even when it is formed in the protective sheet 2.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the notch 20 is positioned within the range from the outer edge of the protective sheet 2 to the boundary between the frame area FA and the display area DA, as viewed from the operation reception direction D. This helps to prevent the image displayed on the touchscreen 1 from becoming difficult to see.

[0050] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and furthermore, all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1. Touchscreen (display module) 1A Operation reception surface (flat surface) 2 protective sheets 10 Transparent plate 11 Touch panel 20 cuts 100 Control Panel 1000 Image forming apparatus D Operation reception direction (direction) DA display area FA Picture Frame Area

Claims

1. A display module having a rectangular plane and displaying information in a display area within the plane, A protective sheet is attached to the aforementioned plane, The outer edge of the protective sheet, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane, is located on or inside the outer edge of the plane. The protective sheet has a cutout that extends inward from the outer edge of the protective sheet when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane.

2. The protective sheet is rectangular when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the notch is located at the corner of the protective sheet when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane.

3. The protective sheet, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane, covers the display area and the frame area surrounding the display area. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the notch is located within the range from the outer edge of the protective sheet to the boundary between the frame area and the display area, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane.

4. The display module has a touch panel, The aforementioned touch panel has an operation receiving surface for receiving operations, The display device according to claim 1, wherein the plane is the operation receiving surface.

5. The display device is provided according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The display device is an electronic device that displays information related to electronic devices.

6. The display device is provided as described in claim 4, The display device is an electronic device that accepts setting operations related to the electronic device.

Images