Light-emitting display device

Abstract

The present invention provides a light-emitting display device that illuminates an interior panel using light from a backlight, and that can efficiently utilize the light emitted from the backlight. [Solution] The present invention provides a light-emitting display device 1 comprising an interior panel 10, a film-type solar cell module 11 provided on the back of the interior panel 10 and superimposed on the interior panel 10, and a backlight 12 provided on the back of the solar cell module 11, wherein the interior panel 10 has a light-emitting display unit 100 that emits light by transmitting light L1 emitted from the backlight 12, and the solar cell module 11 absorbs at least a portion of the light emitted from the backlight 12 that does not pass through the light-emitting display unit 100 to generate electricity and supply it to the backlight 12.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a device that irradiates light from a backlight from the back side onto a transparent panel or film provided with a light-shielding portion by printing, and emits light to display characters or the like (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). According to the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the backlight is turned on, a display with high design properties different from when it is not lit can be performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, according to the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, much of the light emitted from the backlight is adsorbed by the light-shielding portion provided on the transparent panel or film, so there is a large energy loss.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting display device that performs light-emitting display on an interior panel by light from a backlight, and that can efficiently utilize the light emitted from the backlight.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides the following light-emitting display device in order to achieve the above object.

[0007] [1] A light-emitting display device comprising an interior panel, a film-type solar cell module provided on the back of the interior panel in overlap with the interior panel, and a backlight provided on the back of the solar cell module, wherein the interior panel has a light-emitting display section that transmits light emitted from the backlight to display light, and the solar cell module absorbs at least a portion of the light emitted from the backlight that does not pass through the light-emitting display section to generate electricity and supply it to the backlight. [2] The light-emitting display device according to [1] above, wherein the solar cell module also absorbs light from the front side of the interior panel to generate electricity and supplies it to the backlight. [3] The light-emitting display device according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the portion of the solar cell module that does not transmit light emitted from the backlight is used as at least a part of the light-shielding portion of the light-emitting display unit. [4] The light-emitting display device according to [1] or [2] above, wherein a liquid crystal panel is provided between the interior panel and the backlight, in a position that overlaps with the light-emitting display unit. [5] The light-emitting display device according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the solar cell module includes a perovskite solar cell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light-emitting display device that displays light on an interior panel using light from a backlight, and that can efficiently utilize the light emitted from the backlight. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light-emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a plan view of an example of a solar cell module. Figure 2(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the solar cell module cut along the cutting line AA shown in Figure 2(a). [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the interior panel with the illuminated display unit in operation. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the illuminated display section of an interior panel. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a light-emitting display device when a liquid crystal panel is used. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a light-emitting display device when a touch sensor is used. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light-emitting display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The light-emitting display device 1 is a device used in the interior of a vehicle.

[0011] The light-emitting display device 1 comprises an interior panel 10, a film-type solar cell module 11 mounted on the back of the interior panel 10 and superimposed on the interior panel 10, and a backlight 12 provided on the back of the solar cell module 11. Here, the back side refers to the back side when viewed from the front side of the interior panel 10 (the passenger compartment side of the vehicle interior).

[0012] The interior panel 10 is a panel used in the interior of a vehicle's cabin, and is used, for example, as part of the instrument panel.

[0013] The interior panel 10 is made of a transparent resin that transmits light (visible light) L1 emitted from the backlight 12, such as polycarbonate (PC) resin or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin.

[0014] The interior panel 10 is preferably a decorative panel decorated with light-transmitting ink or the like. In that case, the interior panel 10 has a decorative pattern that is visible from the surface side when light L2 is irradiated from the surface side (the passenger space side of the vehicle interior), such as a wood grain pattern or a fabric pattern that is applied to the entire panel.

[0015] The interior panel 10 has a light-emitting display unit 100 that emits a light-emitting display by transmitting the light L1 emitted from the backlight 12. The light-emitting display unit 100 emits a light-emitting display of characters, figures, patterns, etc. Specifically, for example, information such as time, weather, vehicle speed, etc., and icons such as operation buttons of an air conditioner can be emitted for display.

[0016] The solar cell module 11 absorbs at least a part of the light L1 emitted from the backlight 12 that does not pass through the light-emitting display unit 100 and generates electricity, and supplies it to the backlight 12. Therefore, the energy of the light that is originally not used for light-emitting display and is converted into heat or the like and lost can be reused as the power source of the backlight 12.

[0017] Further, the solar cell module 11 may also absorb the light L2 from the front side of the interior panel 10, generate electricity, and supply it to the backlight 12.

[0018] The solar cell module 11 is a film-type solar cell module excellent in flexibility using an organic solar cell or the like. In particular, it is preferable that the solar cell module 11 uses a perovskite solar cell excellent in conversion efficiency to electrical energy among organic solar cells.

[0019] FIG. 2(a) is a plan view of an example of the solar cell module 11. FIG. 2(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the solar cell module 11 cut along the cutting line A-A shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0020] In the solar cell module 11, solar cells 110 that convert light energy into electrical energy are arranged on a film substrate 111 and sealed with a sealing material 112.

[0021] Typically, as shown in Figure 2(a), multiple solar cells 110 are arranged on a film substrate 111 and sealed with a encapsulant 112. In the examples shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the multiple solar cells 110 are connected in series, and the generated power can be supplied to the backlight 12 via electrodes 113 and 114 connected to both ends of them.

[0022] The solar cell 110 includes a photoelectric conversion unit 115 that generates electrical energy by absorbing light and causing charge separation, an electrode 116 provided on the side of the photoelectric conversion unit 115 facing the film substrate 111, and an electrode 117 provided on the side of the photoelectric conversion unit 115 opposite to the film substrate 111.

[0023] The solar cell 110 can convert the energy of the light (visible light) L1 emitted by the backlight 12 into electrical energy. In addition to visible light, it may also be able to convert ultraviolet light into electrical energy.

[0024] The photoelectric conversion unit 115 can take on various known configurations depending on the type of solar cell 110.

[0025] For example, if the solar cell 110 is a perovskite solar cell, the photoelectric conversion unit 115 consists of a perovskite layer where charge separation occurs due to light absorption, and an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer sandwiching it. Electrons generated by charge separation in the perovskite layer flow to the electrode on the electron transport layer side of electrode 116 and electrode 117, and holes generated by charge separation in the perovskite layer flow to the electrode on the hole transport layer side of electrode 116 and electrode 117.

[0026] In the solar cell module 11, the components on the backlight 12 side are made of a transparent material so as not to obstruct the light emitted from the backlight 12 and entering the solar cell 110. For example, if the solar cell module 11 is arranged so that the film substrate 111 faces the backlight 12 side, the solar cell module 11, the electrode 116, and the electrode 113 are made of a transparent material.

[0027] Furthermore, if the solar cell module 11 also absorbs light L2 from the front side of the interior panel 10 to generate electricity, the components on the interior panel 10 side are also made of transparent material. For example, if the solar cell module 11 is positioned so that the film substrate 111 faces the backlight 12 side, the encapsulant 112 and electrodes 117 are also made of transparent material.

[0028] Furthermore, the solar cells 110 of the solar cell module 11, and the electrodes 116 or 117 if they are made of metal, do not transmit light. Therefore, at least a portion of the light-emitting display unit 100 does not overlap with the portion of the solar cell module 11 that does not transmit light.

[0029] Typically, as shown in Figure 2(a), holes 118 or notches are provided in the portion of the solar cell module 11 that overlaps with the light-emitting display unit 100. However, if the light-emitting display unit 100 is to be illuminated using only light of wavelengths transmitted by the solar cell 110, transparent electrodes can be used for electrodes 116 and 117 without providing holes 118 or notches. Alternatively, instead of providing holes 118 or notches in the solar cell module 11, multiple relatively small solar cell modules 11 may be arranged around the light-emitting display unit 100.

[0030] The solar cell module 11 is connected to the backlight 12 via wiring 13 connected to electrodes 114.

[0031] The backlight 12 is a light-emitting device that has, for example, multiple LEDs arranged according to the shape of the light-emitting display unit 100 as a light source. Power is supplied to the backlight 12 from both a power source such as an onboard battery and a solar cell module 11.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the light-emitting display device 1 may include a back panel 14 that is mounted on the back of the solar cell module 11 and superimposed on the solar cell module 11. Alternatively, the back panel 14 may be provided integrally with the interior panel 10. The back panel 14, like the interior panel 10, is made of a material that transmits light L1 emitted from the backlight 12, such as a transparent resin.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the interior panel 10 with the light-emitting display unit 100 displaying an illuminated image. In the example shown in Figure 3, the interior panel 10 is a decorative panel with a wood grain pattern, and the time and weather are displayed as display content 102 on the light-emitting display unit 100.

[0034] The interior panel 10 can also take a curved shape to match the shape of the panel to which it is applied, such as an instrument panel. As mentioned above, since the solar cell module 11 is a deformable film-type solar cell module, it can be curved to match the curved shape of the interior panel 10.

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of the light-emitting display unit 100 of the interior panel 10. The light-emitting display unit 100 has a light-shielding section 101 for forming characters, figures, patterns, etc. to be displayed with light.

[0036] The light-shielding portion 101 is, for example, a coating film formed by printing on the surface of the interior panel 10 (for example, the surface on the backlight 12 side). The light-shielding portion 101 blocks the visible light emitted from the backlight 12, so the light-emitting display portion 100 displays characters, figures, patterns, etc., according to the pattern of the light-shielding portion 101. The light-shielding portion 101 is used to display marks that do not change shape, such as seat belt or door ajar warning indicators.

[0037] Furthermore, portions of the solar cell module 11 that do not transmit light L1 emitted from the backlight 12, such as the solar cell 110, or electrodes 116 or 117 if they are made of metal, may be used as at least a part of the light shielding portion 101. For example, the coating and portions of the solar cell module 11 that do not transmit light L1 may be used as the light shielding portion 101.

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of the light-emitting display device 1 when a liquid crystal panel 15 is used. The liquid crystal panel 15 is installed between the interior panel 10 and the backlight 12 (in the same layer as the solar cell module 11 in the example shown in Figure 5), in a position that overlaps with the light-emitting display unit 100.

[0039] The liquid crystal panel 15 can freely form areas that transmit light L1 and areas that do not transmit light L1 by applying a voltage to each region of the liquid crystal layer using transparent electrodes that sandwich the liquid crystal layer. The pattern of the areas that transmit and do not transmit light L1 in the liquid crystal panel 15 is controlled, for example, by an in-vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0040] By using the liquid crystal panel 15, the characters, figures, patterns, etc., displayed on the light-emitting display unit 100 can be changed. For example, when displaying information that changes according to the situation, such as time and vehicle speed, on the light-emitting display unit 100, the liquid crystal panel 15 is used. In addition, the liquid crystal panel 15 and the light shielding unit 101 may be used together in the light-emitting display device 1.

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of the light-emitting display device 1 when a touch sensor 16 is used. The touch sensor 16 is used to detect touch operations on icons, such as air conditioner operation buttons, when the light-emitting display unit 100 illuminates and displays those icons.

[0042] The touch sensor 16 has the property of transmitting light L1 emitted from the backlight 12 and is provided in a position that overlaps with the light-emitting display unit 100 (in the example shown in Figure 4, on the back side of the solar cell module 11). The touch sensor 16 is, for example, a capacitive touch sensor, but it may be any other known type of touch sensor.

[0043] For example, if the icons for the air conditioner's control buttons are illuminated on the illuminated display unit 100, when a touch operation on the icon is detected by the touch sensor 16, the in-vehicle ECU controls the operation of the air conditioner to perform an action corresponding to the content of the control button.

[0044] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the light-emitting display device 1 of the above embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the light L1 emitted from the backlight 12 that does not pass through the light-emitting display unit 100 can be absorbed by the solar cell module 11 to generate electricity and supply it to the backlight 12. This makes it possible to efficiently utilize the light L1 emitted from the backlight 12.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, the above embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. It should also be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Light-emitting display device 10 Interior Panels 11 Solar cell modules 12 Backlight 15 LCD panel

Claims

1. Interior panels and A film-type solar cell module is provided on the back side of the interior panel, overlapping the interior panel, A backlight provided on the back of the aforementioned solar cell module, Equipped with, The interior panel has a light-emitting display section that emits light by transmitting light emitted from the backlight, The solar cell module absorbs at least a portion of the light emitted from the backlight that does not pass through the light-emitting display unit, generates electricity, and supplies it to the backlight. Light-emitting display device.

2. The solar cell module also absorbs light from the front side of the interior panel to generate electricity and supplies it to the backlight. The light-emitting display device according to claim 1.

3. The portion of the solar cell module that does not transmit light emitted from the backlight is used as at least a part of the light shielding portion of the light-emitting display unit. The light-emitting display device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A liquid crystal panel is provided between the interior panel and the backlight, in a position that overlaps with the light-emitting display unit. The light-emitting display device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned solar cell module includes a perovskite solar cell. The light-emitting display device according to claim 1 or 2.

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