Indication device

Abstract

The present invention provides a display device that can change its appearance. [Solution] The display device 100 includes a display panel 1, a first light guide 2 having a first cover portion 21 that guides the first light La from the first light source 6a into the interior and covers the display panel 1 from the front, a first decorative layer 3 provided on the rear surface of the first cover portion 21, a second light guide 4 having a second cover portion 41 that guides the second light Lb from the second light source 6b into the interior and covers the first cover portion 21 from the front, and a second decorative layer 5 provided on the rear surface of the second cover portion 41. The first decorative layer 3 and the second decorative layer 5 are decorated with different patterns. A first reflective portion 21a is formed on the front surface of the first cover portion 21 to reflect the first light La towards the first decorative layer 3. A second reflective portion 41a is formed on the front surface of the second cover portion 41 to reflect the second light Lb towards the second decorative layer 5.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a display device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a display device configured such that the front surface of a display for displaying an image is covered with a screen having a wood grain pattern with light transmissivity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, since the appearance pattern of the display device is fixed to a wood grain pattern, it is difficult to reflect the preferences of the user.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a display device capable of changing the appearance pattern.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the display device according to this disclosure includes a display panel for displaying an image, a first light-receiving unit that receives first light, and a first light guide having a first light-covering unit that guides the first light incident on the first light-receiving unit inside and covers the display panel from the front, a first light source that emits the first light toward the first light-receiving unit, and a first decorative layer provided on the rear surface of the first light-covering unit and having light transmissivity. A second light guide has a second light receiving section that receives a second light, and a second cover section that guides the second light incident on the second light receiving section into the interior and covers the first cover section from the front, A second light source that emits the second light toward the second light receiving unit, The second decorative layer, which is provided on the rear surface of the second covering portion and has light-transmitting properties, is provided, The first decorative layer and the second decorative layer are each decorated with different patterns. A first reflective portion is formed on the front surface of the first covering portion, which reflects the first light towards the first decorative layer. A second reflective portion is formed on the front surface of the second covering portion, which reflects the second light towards the second decorative layer. The first light source and the second light source are controlled to be in a state where both are off, a state where one is on and the other is off, and a state where both are on. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, a display device capable of changing its appearance pattern can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A front view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of the display device along line II shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The display device 100 shown in Figure 1 is mounted, for example, on the dashboard (including the instrument panel) of a vehicle and displays various information about the vehicle. In this paper, the direction from the user (a passenger in the vehicle, mainly the driver) to the display device 100 is referred to as "forward," and the opposite direction is referred to as "rear." In Figure 2, the front of the display device 100 is represented as "F," and the rear as "B." Also, the left, right, up, and down directions refer to the direction from the passenger's perspective.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the display device 100 includes a display panel 1, a first light guide 2, a first decorative layer 3, a second light guide 4, a second decorative layer 5, a circuit board 6, a case 7, and a cover panel 8. The circuit board 6 is equipped with a first light source 6a that emits first light La, a second light source 6b that emits second light Lb, and a control unit 6c.

[0012] Display panel 1 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, etc., and displays an image facing forward. Display panel 1 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1.

[0013] The first light guide 2 is molded from a resin such as PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) or PC (Polycarbonate) and is light-transmitting. The first light guide 2 includes a first light-receiving section 20 that receives the first light La, and a first covering section 21 that guides the first light La incident on the first light-receiving section 20 into the interior and covers the display panel 1 from the front.

[0014] The first light-receiving unit 20 is positioned so as not to face the display panel 1 in the front-to-back direction, and in this example, it is located below the first cover portion 21. The first light-receiving unit 20 has a roughly L-shape that is bent in cross-section, and has a first light-receiving surface 20a that faces the first light source 6a, and a first inclined surface 20b that reflects the first light La incident on the first light-receiving surface 20a toward the first cover portion 21. One end of the first light-receiving unit 20 is the first light-receiving surface 20a, and the other end is connected to the first cover portion 21.

[0015] The first light La incident on the first light-receiving portion 20 from the first light-receiving surface 20a is reflected by the inclined surface 20b and travels toward the first covering portion 21. The first light La reflected by the inclined surface 20b travels upward and is guided into the first covering portion 21. The first light-receiving surface 20a may be formed as a lens surface so that the incident first light La can be taken into the first light-receiving portion 20 as parallel light with respect to the optical axis of the first light source 6a.

[0016] As described above, the first covering portion 21 guides the first light La incident on the first light-receiving portion 20 inside. The first covering portion 21 is formed in a plate shape that covers the display panel 1 from the front. For example, the first covering portion 21 forms a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the display panel 1 when viewed from the front.

[0017] On the front surface of the first covering portion 21, a first reflecting portion 21a that reflects the first light La toward the first decorative layer 3 is formed. The first reflecting portion 21a is a collection of fine recesses formed over the entire front surface of the first covering portion 21. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which the cross-sectional shape of the recesses constituting the first reflecting portion 21a is V-shaped, but the shape of the recesses is arbitrary as long as the incident first light La can be reflected backward. For example, the recesses constituting the first reflecting portion 21a may have a shape that reflects only light in a certain direction (for example, the first light La traveling upward in the first covering portion 21) backward.

[0018] In addition, the plurality of recesses constituting the first reflecting portion 21a may have a configuration (hereinafter, an illumination unevenness reduction configuration of the first reflecting portion 21a) that can illuminate the first decorative layer 3 evenly with the first light La. As the illumination unevenness reduction configuration of the first reflecting portion 21a, a configuration in which the density of the recesses gradually increases from the side (lower side) of the first covering portion 21 close to the first light-receiving portion 20 toward the side (upper side) far from it, a configuration in which the recesses gradually become larger, etc. can be adopted. That is, the illumination unevenness reduction configuration of the first reflecting portion 21a may be a configuration that increases the reflection efficiency by the recesses at a position farther from the first light source 6a in consideration of the first light La that attenuates as it travels through the first covering portion 21.

[0019] The first decorative layer 3 is provided on the rear surface of the first covering portion 21 and has light transmissivity. For example, the first decorative layer 3 is a printed layer formed by printing patterns such as wood grain, metallic, or fabric patterns (including patterns) on the rear surface of the first covering portion 21.

[0020] The first decorative layer 3 contains pearl pigments and metal flakes that significantly reflect light in a certain direction. When illuminated by the first light La reflected by the first reflecting portion 21a, the patterns such as wood grain, metallic, or fabric patterns applied to the first decorative layer 3 become visible. On the other hand, only the light representing the image from the display panel 1 (light from the rear) makes the pearl pigments and metal flakes form shadows, and the patterns such as wood grain, metallic, or fabric patterns applied to the first decorative layer 3 are almost invisible. Note that the first decorative layer 3 may be a printed layer formed on a transparent sheet bonded to the rear surface of the first covering portion 21.

[0021] The second light guide body 4 is formed of a resin such as PMMA or PC and has light transmissivity. The second light guide body 4 includes a second light receiving portion 40 that receives the second light Lb and a second covering portion 41 that guides the second light Lb incident on the second light receiving portion 40 inside and covers the first covering portion 21 from the front.

[0022] The second light receiving portion 40 is provided at a position that does not face the display panel 1 in the front-rear direction and is located above the second covering portion 41 in this example. The second light receiving portion 40 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section that is bent and includes a second light receiving surface 40a facing the second light source 6b and a second inclined surface 40b that reflects the second light Lb incident on the second light receiving surface 40a toward the second covering portion 41. One end of the second light receiving portion 40 is the second light receiving surface 40a, and the other end is connected to the second covering portion 41.

[0023] The second light Lb incident on the second light receiving portion 40 from the second light receiving surface 40a is reflected by the inclined surface 40b and travels toward the second covering portion 41. The second light Lb reflected by the inclined surface 40b travels downward and is guided inside the second covering portion 41. Note that the second light receiving surface 40a may be formed as a lens surface so that the incident second light Lb can be taken into the second light receiving portion 40 as parallel light with respect to the optical axis of the second light source 6b.

[0024] As described above, the second cover portion 41 guides the second light Lb incident on the second light receiving portion 40 into its interior. The second cover portion 41 is formed in a plate shape that covers the first cover portion 21 from the front. For example, when viewed from the front, the second cover portion 41 has a rectangular shape similar to that of the first cover portion 21.

[0025] A second reflective portion 41a is formed on the front surface of the second covering portion 41, which reflects the second light Lb towards the second decorative layer 5. The second reflective portion 41a is a collection of fine recesses formed over the entire front surface of the second covering portion 41. In Figure 2, an example is shown in which the cross-sectional shape of the recesses constituting the second reflective portion 41a is V-shaped, but the shape of the recesses can be arbitrary as long as they can reflect the arriving second light Lb toward the rear. For example, the recesses constituting the second reflective portion 41a may be shaped to reflect only light from a certain direction (for example, the second light Lb traveling downwards on the second covering portion 41) toward the rear.

[0026] Furthermore, the multiple recesses constituting the second reflective section 41a may be configured such that the second decorative layer 5 can be evenly illuminated by the second light Lb (hereinafter referred to as the illumination unevenness reduction configuration of the second reflective section 41a). As an illumination unevenness reduction configuration of the second reflective section 41a, a configuration in which the density of recesses gradually increases from the side closer to the second light receiving section 40 (upper side) to the side further away (lower side) of the second covering section 41, or a configuration in which the recesses gradually become larger, can be adopted. In other words, the illumination unevenness reduction configuration of the second reflective section 41a should be configured to further increase the reflection efficiency by the recesses at a position further away from the second light source 6b, taking into account the second light Lb that progresses and attenuates in the second covering section 41.

[0027] The second decorative layer 5 is provided on the rear surface of the second covering portion 41 and is light-transmitting. For example, the second decorative layer 5 is a printed layer formed by printing a pattern (including designs) such as wood grain, metallic, or woven fabric onto the rear surface of the second covering portion 41. However, the second decorative layer 5 has a different pattern than the first decorative layer.

[0028] The second decorative layer 5 contains pearl pigments and metal flakes that significantly reflect light from a certain direction. When illuminated by the second light Lb reflected by the second reflective section 41a, the wood grain, metallic, or woven fabric patterns applied to the second decorative layer 5 become visible. On the other hand, with only the light representing the image from the display panel 1 (light from the rear), the pearl pigments and metal flakes cast shadows, and the wood grain, metallic, or woven fabric patterns applied to the second decorative layer 5 become almost invisible. The second decorative layer 5 may also be a printed layer formed on a transparent sheet laminated to the rear surface of the second cover section 41.

[0029] The circuit board 6 is a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) with a first light source 6a and a second light source Lb mounted on its front and a control unit 6c mounted on its rear. The circuit board 6 is located behind the display panel 1 and is electrically connected to the display panel 1 by an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) or the like (not shown).

[0030] The first light source 6a and the second light source 6b are each composed of, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The first light source 6a emits a first light, La, toward the first light-receiving surface 20a of the first light-receiving unit 20. The second light source 6b emits a second light, Lb, toward the second light-receiving surface 40a of the second light-receiving unit 40. The first light source 6a is located on the upper side of the display panel 1, and the second light source 6b is located on the lower side of the display panel 1. In other words, the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b are located on opposite sides of the display panel 1. This arrangement makes it possible to suppress (i) the first light, La, from the first light source 6a for illuminating the first decorative layer 3 from entering the second light guide 4 and unintentionally making the pattern of the second decorative layer 5 visible, and (ii) the second light, Lb, from the second light source 6b for illuminating the second decorative layer 5 from entering the first light guide 2 and unintentionally making the pattern of the first decorative layer 3 visible. The first light source 6a and the second light source 6b may each be arranged in a row in the left-right direction of the display device 100 (corresponding to the depth direction of the paper in Figure 2).

[0031] The control unit 6c is composed of, for example, a microcontroller and controls the operation of the display panel 1, the first light source 6a, and the second light source 6b. The control unit 6c communicates with the vehicle's ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and displays images showing various vehicle information on the display panel 1 at a predetermined display brightness. The control unit 6c can be placed anywhere as long as it is electrically connected to the circuit board 6 and can control the operation of the display panel 1, the first light source 6a, and the second light source 6b, and does not have to be directly mounted on the circuit board 6.

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit 6c controls the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b to one of the following states: (i) both are off (both off state), (ii) the first light source 6a is on and the second light source 6b is off (first on state), (iii) the second light source 6b is on and the first light source 6a is off (second on state), or (iv) both are on (both on state).

[0033] (i) When both lights are off, the patterns of both the first decorative layer 3 and the second decorative layer 5 are barely visible, and the display image of the display panel 1 is visible. (ii) In the first illuminated state, the pattern of the first decorative layer 3 is superimposed on the display image of the display panel 1 and is visible. (iii) In the second illuminated state, the pattern of the second decorative layer 5 is superimposed on the display image of the display panel 1 and is visible. (iv) In the dual illuminated state, the pattern created by the overlapping of the patterns of both the first decorative layer 3 and the second decorative layer 5 is superimposed on the display image of the display panel 1 and is visible. In this way, the display device 100 can change its appearance pattern. Switching between these states is performed in response to user operations via input devices (not shown) such as touchpads, touch panels, buttons, and switches. Therefore, the display device 100 can display an appearance pattern according to the user's preference.

[0034] Furthermore, the control unit 6c controls the display brightness of the display panel 1 when it displays an image to be higher when the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b are lit, or when both are lit, compared to when both are off. In other words, the display brightness of the display panel 1 when it displays an image is higher when at least one of the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b is lit than when both are off. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the display image on the display panel 1 when at least one of the first decorative layer 3 and the second decorative layer 5 is illuminated.

[0035] Furthermore, the control unit 6c may increase the display brightness when the display panel 1 displays an image when both lights are on compared to when only the first or second light is on. Also, the control unit 6c may make the display brightness when the display panel 1 displays an image different when the first light is on and when the second light is on, taking into consideration the patterns and light transmittances of the first decorative layer 3 and the second decorative layer 5, respectively.

[0036] Case 7 is box-shaped with an open front and houses the aforementioned display panel 1, first light guide 2, first decorative layer 3, second light guide 4, second decorative layer 5, and circuit board 6 inside. The material of Case 7 is not limited, but it is formed from a dark-colored resin such as PP (Polypropylene) or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

[0037] The cover panel 8 is provided in the opening portion of the case 7 and is located in front of the second light guide 4. The cover panel 8 comprises a light-transmitting substrate 8a and a light-shielding layer 8b.

[0038] The light-transmitting substrate 8a is formed in a plate shape from PMMA, soda-lime glass, or the like. Preferably, the light-transmitting substrate 8a is colored (for example, with a smoke-like coloring) to reduce light transmittance so that the presence of the second light guide 4 located behind it is not noticeable. The light-transmitting substrate 8a may be flat or may have a curved shape according to the shape of the instrument panel.

[0039] The light-shielding layer 8b is a light-shielding printed layer provided on the rear surface of the light-transmitting substrate 8a, and hides from the user the area of ​​the display panel 1 other than the area where the image is displayed. Alternatively, the light-shielding layer 8b may be a light-shielding film laminated to the rear surface of the light-transmitting substrate 8a.

[0040] The present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings described above. Modifications (including the deletion of components) can be made as appropriate without altering the essence of the invention.

[0041] The example described above, in which the first light source 6a is located above the display panel 1 and the second light source 6b is located below the display panel 1, is not the only possible arrangement. It is preferable that the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b are located on opposite sides of the display panel 1. For example, other arrangements of the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b include, with respect to the display panel 1, (i) one of the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b is located on the left side and the other on the right side, or (ii) one of the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b is located on either the top or bottom side and the other on either the left or right side. The first light receiving section 20 of the first light guide 2 and the second light receiving section 40 of the second light guide 4 should be provided in accordance with these arrangements of the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b.

[0042] The first light source 6a and the second light source 6b may, for example, both be located on one of the sides (up, down, left, or right) relative to the display panel 1, or on the same side relative to the display panel 1. In this arrangement, it is preferable to take measures to prevent stray light so that the first light La does not enter the second light guide 4, and the second light Lb does not enter the first light guide 2. As measures to prevent stray light, (i) a configuration in which the positions of the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b are offset from each other, and the positions of the first light receiving surface 20a and the second light receiving surface 40a corresponding to the first light source 6a and the second light source 6b are offset from each other, or (ii) a configuration in which a light-shielding wall is provided between the first light guide 2 and the second light guide 4 at a position that does not interfere with the image display by the display panel 1.

[0043] Furthermore, by providing a first light source 6a on a light source substrate (not shown) standing in front of the circuit board 6, the first light source 6a may emit a first light La from the outer periphery of the first cover portion 21 toward the first cover portion 21. In this case, the first light receiving portion 20 provided between the first cover portion 21 and the first light source 6a in the first light guide 2 does not need to have a bent shape; it is sufficient that the first light receiving surface 20a is formed facing the first light source 6a. Similarly, by providing a second light source 6b on a light source substrate (not shown) standing in front of the circuit board 6, the second light source 6b may emit a second light Lb from the outer periphery of the second cover portion 41 toward the second cover portion 41. In this case, the second light receiving portion 40 provided between the second cover portion 41 and the second light source 6b in the second light guide 4 does not need to have a bent shape; it is sufficient that the second light receiving surface 40a is formed facing the second light source 6b.

[0044] Furthermore, the display device 100 may also be provided with a third light source, a third light guide, and a third decorative layer, or a fourth light source, a fourth light guide, and a fourth decorative layer, all having the same configuration as the first light source 6a, the first light guide 2, and the first decorative layer 3, and the second light source 6b, the second light guide 4, and the second decorative layer 5. When such a configuration is adopted, these light guides are arranged in a superimposed manner in the front-to-back direction, and each of these decorative layers may have a different pattern. In other words, the display device 100 may have three or more sets of predetermined light sources and light guides and decorative layers corresponding to those predetermined light sources. This would broaden the range of choices for the appearance pattern that the user can select.

[0045] The above example shows the display device 100 mounted on the vehicle's dashboard, but the display device 100 may also be installed in the rear seat of the vehicle. Furthermore, the display device 100 may be mounted on a vehicle other than a vehicle.

[0046] In the above explanation, explanations of publicly known technical matters have been omitted where appropriate to facilitate understanding of this disclosure.

[0047] This invention allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention. In other words, the scope of this invention is indicated not by the embodiments, but by the claims. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent scope of the meaning of the invention are considered to be within the scope of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100…Display device 1…Display panel 2…First light guide 20...first light receiving section, 20a...first light receiving surface, 20b...first inclined surface 21...First covering part, 21a...First reflecting part 3…First decorative layer 4…Second light guide 40...Second light receiving section, 40a...Second light receiving surface, 40b...Second inclined surface 41...Second covering section, 41a...Second reflecting section 5…Second decorative layer 6…Circuit board 6a...First light source, La...First light 6b...Second light source, Lb...Second light 6c... Control Unit 7…cases 8...Cover panel, 8a...Light-transmitting substrate, 8b...Light-shielding layer

Claims

1. A display panel that displays images, A first light guide has a first light receiving section that receives a first light, and a first covering section that guides the first light incident on the first light receiving section into the interior and covers the display panel from the front, A first light source that emits the first light toward the first light receiving unit, A first decorative layer having light transmittance is provided on the rear surface of the first covering portion, A second light guide has a second light receiving section that receives a second light, and a second cover section that guides the second light incident on the second light receiving section into the interior and covers the first cover section from the front, A second light source that emits the second light toward the second light receiving unit, The second decorative layer, which is provided on the rear surface of the second covering portion and has light-transmitting properties, is provided, The first decorative layer and the second decorative layer are each decorated with different patterns. A first reflective portion is formed on the front surface of the first covering portion, which reflects the first light towards the first decorative layer. A second reflective portion is formed on the front surface of the second covering portion, which reflects the second light towards the second decorative layer. The first light source and the second light source are controlled to be in a state where both are off, a state where one is on and the other is off, and a state where both are on. Display device.

2. The first light source and the second light source are located on opposite sides of the display panel. The display device according to claim 1.

3. The display brightness when the display panel displays the image is higher when at least one of the first and second light sources is lit than when both the first and second light sources are off. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images