Display device and recording device

Abstract

There was a risk that the device would malfunction due to static electricity. [Solution] The display device comprises a display unit with terminals arranged at one end of a rectangle, a first case that supports the display unit, and a cover that covers the display unit. The first case has a groove into which one end of the display unit can be inserted, a mounting unit having a mounting surface for mounting the display unit, and a support unit having one side that supports the cover. The groove is defined by the other side, which is the opposite side of the support unit to the other side, and the mounting surface of the mounting unit that faces the other side. The terminals of the display unit inserted into the groove are covered by the other side of the groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0007]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and a recording device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, a device provided with a display operation unit as a display device considering miniaturization is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, while considering miniaturization, the above - mentioned device does not consider the electrostatic discharge to the display device, and there is a risk that the device may malfunction due to static electricity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The display device includes a display unit having terminals arranged at one end of a rectangle, a first case supporting the display unit, and a cover covering the display unit; the first case has a groove portion into which the one end of the display unit can be inserted, a mounting portion having a mounting surface on which the display unit is mounted, and a support portion having one surface supporting the cover; the groove portion is defined by the other surface on the opposite side of the one surface in the support portion and the mounting surface of the mounting portion facing the other surface; the terminals of the display unit inserted into the groove portion are covered by the other surface of the groove portion.

[0006] The recording device includes the display device and a recording unit that performs recording on a medium.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a recording device equipped with a display device. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view of the display device before the cover is attached, viewed from an oblique angle. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of the display device with the cover attached, viewed from an oblique angle. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing a display device in a horizontal position. [Figure 5] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the tilt mechanism of the display device shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing a display device for standing posture. [Figure 7] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the tilt mechanism of the display device shown in Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Directions in the drawings will be described using a three-dimensional coordinate system. For the sake of explanation, the positive direction of the Z axis will be referred to as the upward direction or simply up, and the negative direction as the downward direction or simply down; the positive direction of the X axis will be referred to as the right direction or simply right, and the negative direction as the left direction or simply left; and the positive direction of the Y axis will be referred to as the backward direction or simply backward, and the negative direction as the forward direction or simply forward.

[0009] 1. Recording device configuration As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 1 has a display device 10, an operation unit 4, and a mounting unit 3 on its upper part, and a recording unit 2 inside. The recording unit 2 includes a recording mechanism such as a head and transport rollers (neither of which are shown in the illustration), and performs recording on a medium. Examples of the medium include plain paper, synthetic paper, photographic paper, and film.

[0010] The head of the recording unit 2 is, for example, an inkjet type, and records by ejecting multiple colors of ink such as CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). The recorded medium is placed on the mounting unit 3. The head may also be a thermal type, electrophotographic type, etc. The recording unit 2 also houses a recording device control board (not shown). The recording device control board is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a processor that comprehensively controls all parts of the recording device 1, including the recording unit 2.

[0011] As described later, the display device 10 can change its orientation using the tilt mechanism 50. Figure 1 shows the display device 10 rising from a horizontal position along the top surface of the recording device 1 to an upright position, as described later. The display device 10 can display settings and menus for the recording device 1. The control unit 4 consists of buttons, a touch panel, etc., and allows the user to input settings and operation instructions for the recording device 1. The display device 10 and the operation unit 4 are the user interface for the user.

[0012] 2. Display device configuration Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the configuration of the display device 10 provided by the recording device 1 will be described. The display device 10 comprises an upper case 20, which is a first case that covers the device from above as a housing; a lower case 30, which is a second case that covers the device from below and is a different housing from the upper case 20; and a cover 40 that covers the LCD 11.

[0013] An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 11, which is a liquid crystal panel, is mounted on the upper part of the upper case 20. The LCD 11 has a rectangular plate shape. In the LCD 11, the right side of the rectangular plate shape is referred to as one end 11c, and the left side of the rectangular plate shape is referred to as the other end 11d. The upper case 20 has a mounting section 21 that is concave when viewed from above. The mounting section 21 has a mounting surface 21a capable of supporting the LCD 11 from below. The LCD 11 is supported by contacting the mounting surface 21a of the mounting section 21.

[0014] The substrate 12 can transmit a control signal to the LCD 11. The substrate 12 may be equipped with a processor for controlling the LCD 11. The LCD 11 can display predetermined information based on the control signal from the substrate 12. The substrate 12 is disposed below, on the opposite side of the upper LCD 11, sandwiching the mounting portion 21 of the upper case 20. The substrate 12 is attached to the mounting portion 21 of the upper case 20 from below. That is, the substrate 12 is attached to the mounting portion 21 on the surface opposite to the mounting surface 21a on which the LCD 11 is mounted. The LCD 11 and the substrate 12 are efficiently arranged in the limited space above and below the mounting portion 21 of the upper case 20. As a result, the size of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0015] The substrate 12 is fixed to the upper case 20 by a fixture 41 from below. In FIGS. 2 to 3, the substrate 12 is fixed by the fixture 41 at one location on the left side, but it may be fixed by the fixture 41 at one or more arbitrary locations. The fixture 41 is, for example, a metal screw or holder. The fixture 41 is preferably grounded with an earth wire or the like together with the ground terminal of the substrate 12 and the ground terminal of the LCD 11 so as to release the static electricity S described later. Note that the substrate 12 can be connected to the recording device control board of the recording device 1 by wiring (not shown) and can transmit and receive predetermined information.

[0016] The LCD 11 is connected to the lower substrate 12 by a wiring member 13 such as a FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) or FPC (Flexible printed circuits). On the upper surface 11a of one end 11c of the LCD 11, an LCD terminal 11e connected to the circuit in the LCD 11 is arranged and connected to the wiring 13. Hereinafter, the LCD terminal 11e is simply referred to as the terminal 11e. On the other hand, a substrate terminal 12a connected to the circuit in the substrate 12 is arranged on the upper surface on the right side of the substrate 12. Note that the terminal 11e of the LCD 11 may be soldered to the wiring 13 or may be connected by means such as crimping or pressure welding. The board terminal 12a may be connected to the wiring 13 via a connector (not shown) mounted on the board 12.

[0017] The hole portion 24, which is an insertion hole, is a rectangular hole formed vertically on the right side of the upper case 20. The hole portion 24 communicates with a groove portion 23 described later. The wiring 13 is wired by passing through the hole portion 24 and the groove portion 23 on the right side of the upper case 20. The wiring 13 can wrap around the mounting portion 21 of the upper case 20 and connect between the board 12 and the LCD 11 arranged above and below the mounting portion 21 respectively.

[0018] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the hole portion 24 is formed vertically with a part of the upper case 20 on the right side left open. The hole portion 24 may be formed without leaving a part of the upper case 20 open. In this case, the hole portion 24 is formed vertically between the mounting portion end 21b of the mounting portion 21 and the wall portion 20a of the upper case 20. Specifically, the left side of the hole portion 24 is defined by the mounting portion end 21b which is the right end of the mounting portion 21. The right side of the hole portion 24 is defined by the wall portion 20a which is the inner wall of the upper case 20 on the right side. In this way, the wiring 13 can be efficiently routed within the limited space in the upper case 20, and the size of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0019] A support portion 22 is formed on the upper part of the upper case 20. The support portion 22 is a recessed frame-shaped surface when viewed from above and has a surface 22a on one side capable of supporting the cover 40 from below. On the right side of the support portion 22, a surface 22b on the other side, which is the lower surface, is formed with respect to the surface 22a on one side which is the upper surface. Also, on the right side of the support portion 22, a protruding portion 22c is formed which extends and protrudes to the left side which is the inside of the upper case 20. The protruding portion 22c is also formed by the surface 22a and the surface 22b of the support portion 2 extending to the left side which is the inside of the upper case 20. The outer edge 22d of one side 22a of the support portion 22 can come into contact with the outer circumference 40a of the cover 40.

[0020] On the right side of the upper case 20, a groove 23 is formed, which is recessed to the right, into which one end 11c of the LCD 11 can be inserted. The upper part of the interior of the groove 23 is defined by the other surface 22b of the support portion 22. The lower part of the interior of the groove 23 is defined by the mounting surface 21a of the mounting portion 21, which is opposite the other surface 22b. The right side, which is the bottom of the groove 23, is defined by the wall portion 20a of the upper case 20, which is the abutment surface of the groove shape. The left side of the groove 23 is open. The groove 23 is connected to the aforementioned hole 24 at the lower right position, and together with the hole 24, the wiring 13 can be inserted through it.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, when assembling the display device 10, the LCD 11 is inserted into the upper case 20 in the direction to the right, as indicated by the arrow. Specifically, the LCD 11 is inserted into the groove 23 of the upper case 20 from the side of the end 11c where the terminal 11e is located. As the LCD 11 is mounted, one end 11c is inserted into the groove 23 while the other end 11d is mounted on the mounting section 21. The LCD 11 is fixed in place with its lower surface 11b in contact with the mounting surface 21a of the mounting section 21 and one end 11c fitted into the groove 23.

[0022] The LCD 11 inserted into the groove 23 has its terminals 11e covered by the support portion 22 of the upper case 20. Specifically, the terminals 11e located on the upper surface 11a of one end 11c of the LCD 11 are covered from above by the other surface 22b of the support portion 22, which constitutes part of the groove 23. It can also be said that the terminal 11e of the LCD 11 is covered by a protrusion 22c formed by the extension of the other surface 22b. Next, as shown in Figure 2, the cover 40 is attached to one side 22a of the support portion 22, pointing downwards as indicated by the arrow. The cover 40 is fixed to the one side 22a with adhesive or the like. As shown in Figure 3, the cover 40 can cover the LCD 11 from above.

[0023] As described above, when assembling the display device 10, the LCD 11 is inserted into the upper case 20 towards the groove 23 on the right, as indicated by the arrow. The cover 40 is attached to the upper case 20 from above the LCD 11, downwards, as indicated by the arrow. The circuit board 12 is fixed to the upper case 20 from below by the fixing device 41. This configuration reduces the number of components required to attach the cover 40, LCD 11, and circuit board 12. Furthermore, this configuration allows for smaller upper and lower cases 20 and 30, which secure the cover 40, LCD 11, and circuit board 12 and form the enclosure. As a result, the overall size of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0024] 3. Electrostatic discharge to the display device When a user uses the recording device 1, their hands or other body parts may come into contact with the display device 10. At this time, as shown in Figure 3, static electricity S charged on the user's body may discharge to the display device 10. When static electricity S is discharged to the LCD 11 and the substrate 12, the noise generated during the discharge may cause them to malfunction.

[0025] The upper case 20, lower case 30, and cover 40 are made of insulating material such as plastic. On the other hand, the LCD 11, wiring 13, and circuit board 12 are made up of conductors. Static electricity S discharges by taking a path through the gaps in the insulating material toward the conductors. When a charged user's body touches the display device 10, static electricity S is discharged from the gap between the insulating material cover 40 and the upper case 20, as shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the static electricity S is discharged from the gap between the edge 22d of the support portion 22 of the upper case 20 and the outer circumference 40a of the cover 40.

[0026] The static electricity S travels to the left through a first path R1 between the lower surface of the cover 40 and one side 22a of the support portion 22 of the upper case 20. Next, the static electricity S travels to the LCD 11 through a second path R2 that goes downward along the protrusion 22c. Among the parts of the LCD 11, the terminal 11e of the LCD 11 that is connected to the wiring 13 has low electrical resistance, and therefore the static electricity S discharges particularly easily there. As mentioned above, this terminal 11e is covered by a protrusion 22c that extends to the left and protrudes from the support portion 22 of the upper case 20. Furthermore, the static electricity S may also be directed towards the wiring 13 that is in contact with the other surface 22b of the support portion 22. In this case, the static electricity S will discharge to the substrate 12 through the wiring 13.

[0027] Thus, static electricity S can discharge to conductors such as the LCD 11, wiring 13, and substrate 12 through the shortest paths along the surfaces of insulating materials such as the upper case 20, lower case 30, and cover 40, namely the first path R1 and the second path R2. This shortest distance that static electricity S travels during discharge is called the creepage distance L, as shown in Figure 3.

[0028] In the case of the display device 10 shown in Figure 3, the creepage distance L can be approximated as the distance from the edge 22d of the support portion 22 of the upper case 20 to the protruding portion 22c. Alternatively, the creepage distance L can be approximated as the distance from the outer circumference 40a of the cover 40 to the protruding portion 22c. The creepage distance L is the distance extending in the left-right direction on the right-hand side of one face 22a of the support portion 22 of the upper case 20. In this case, the vertical thickness of the protrusion 22c and the thickness of the cover 40 are assumed to be sufficiently small with respect to the creepage distance L. Furthermore, if the thickness of the protrusion 22c and the thickness of the cover 40 are greater than the creepage distance L, these may be added to the creepage distance L.

[0029] Generally, it is considered that for every 1 mm of creepage distance L, the device can withstand electrostatic discharge S of approximately 1 kV. For example, in order for the display device 10 to withstand electrostatic discharge S up to approximately 10 kV, it is preferable to make the creepage distance L longer than 10 mm. In other words, in this case, the creepage distance L, which is the distance from the edge 22d of the support portion 22 of the upper case 20 and the outer circumference 40a of the cover 40 to the protruding portion 22c, is preferably longer than, for example, 10 mm. The LCD 11 including the terminals 11e, the wiring 13, and the substrate 12 can withstand electrostatic discharge S up to approximately 10 KV.

[0030] This configuration of the upper case 20, which ensures a creepage distance L, suppresses malfunctions caused by electrostatic discharge S to the LCD 11 and substrate 12, while reducing the number of components. Furthermore, the upper case 20 and lower case 30 covering the LCD 11 and substrate 12 can be made smaller. As a result, the size of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0031] 4. Tilt mechanism of the display device The tilt mechanism 50 of the display device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figures 4 and 5 show the display device 10A, which is the display device 10 in the first posture, the horizontal posture. Figures 6 and 7 show the display device 10B, which is the display device 10 in the second posture, the upright posture. In the following, unless the explanation specifically relates to the orientation of the display device 10, it will simply be referred to as "display device 10" and not as "display device 10A" or "display device 10B," etc. The same applies to the case 30 described below.

[0032] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the tilt mechanism 50 is composed of a lower case 30, which is a housing that covers the display device 10 from below, a shaft 43, and an operation unit case 4a, which is a housing for the operation unit 4. Note that the lower case 30 of the display device 10 is a separate part from the upper case 20 and should be considered as distinct components. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the display device 10 is rotatably supported between a horizontal position and an upright position by a tilt mechanism 50. Hereafter, the horizontal position of the display device 10 will also be referred to as the closed state, and the upright position as the open state. The user can grasp the display device 10 and change its position between the horizontal and upright positions.

[0033] Figure 5 shows the lower case 30 as lower case 30A when the display device 10A is in a horizontal position. Figure 7 shows the lower case 30 as lower case 30B when the display device 10B is in an upright position. The lower case 30 has a concave lower case recess 30a at the rear and a slanted lower case engaging portion 30b at the front on the surface formed downward. On the other hand, the operating case 4a of the operating unit 4 has an arm portion 4d that extends to the rear. On the surface formed on the upper side of the arm portion 4d, there is a convex operating case protrusion 4b at the front and a sloped operating case engaging portion 4c at the rear. The surface formed below the lower case 30 is configured to be slidable with respect to the surface formed above the arm portion 4d.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the tilt mechanism 50 is configured to allow the lower case 30 of the display device 10 to rotate relative to the control unit case 4a of the control unit 4. Specifically, in the tilt mechanism 50, the lower case 30 of the display device 10 is rotatably attached to the control unit case 4a of the control unit 4 via a shaft 43. The shaft 43 may be a rod-shaped metal or the like, which penetrates the lower case 30 from left to right and is supported by bearings at the left and right ends of the operating section case 4a. Alternatively, the shaft 43 may be a cylinder formed to protrude from the lower case 30 toward the left and right ends. In this case, the operating section case 4a is formed with receiving portions that rotatably fit these cylinders.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, in the horizontally positioned display device 10A, the lower case recess 30a of the lower case 30A stably engages with the operating unit case protrusion 4b of the operating unit case 4a of the operating unit 4, and can maintain a closed state. The user can view the horizontally positioned display device 10A.

[0036] When changing the orientation of the display device 10A from a horizontal position to an upright position 10B, the lower case 30A rotates counterclockwise around the axis 43, as shown in Figure 5. At this time, the lower case recess 30a overcomes the operating part case protrusion 4b of the operating part case 4a and disengages from the operating part case protrusion 4b.

[0037] Furthermore, as the lower case 30A rotates, it reaches the position of the lower case 30B shown in Figure 7. At this time, the lower case engaging portion 30b of the lower case 30B of the display device 10B is in a position where its surfaces stably contact the operating unit case engaging portion 4c of the operating unit case 4a of the operating unit 4. In other words, the lower case engaging portion 30b of the display device 10B engages with the operating unit case engaging portion 4c of the operating unit 4. As a result, the display device 10B can maintain its open state. Users can view the display device 10B in an upright position. Next, when the lower case 30B rotates clockwise around the axis 43, it returns to the position of the lower case 30A shown in Figure 5, and can return from the display device 10B shown in Figure 6 to the display device 10A shown in Figure 4.

[0038] This configuration of the tilt mechanism 50 using the lower case 30 allows the display device 10 to be positioned in a way that is easily visible to the user, while reducing the number of parts. The upper case 20 and the lower case 30 can be made smaller, and the size of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0039] As described above, the display device 10 comprises an LCD 11 with terminals 11e located at one end 11c of a rectangle, an upper case 20 that supports the LCD 11, and a cover 40 that covers the LCD 11. The upper case 20 has a groove 23 into which one end 11c of the LCD 11 can be inserted, a mounting portion 21 having a mounting surface 21a on which the LCD 11 is mounted, and a support portion 22 having one side 22a that supports the cover 40. The groove 23 is defined by the other surface 22b, which is the opposite surface 22a of the support portion 22, and the mounting surface 21a of the mounting portion 21, which faces the other surface 22b. The terminals 11e of the LCD 11 inserted into the groove 23 are covered by the other surface 22b of the groove 23.

[0040] This configuration of the display device 10 allows for a reduction in the number of components while suppressing the effects of malfunctions caused by electrostatic discharge S to the LCD 11 and circuit board 12. Furthermore, the upper case 20 and lower case 30 covering the LCD 11 and circuit board 12 can be made smaller. As a result, the overall size of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0041] Furthermore, the recording device 1 comprises the aforementioned display device 10 and a recording unit 2 that records data onto a medium. The recording device 1 equipped with the aforementioned display device 10 can also be made smaller in size while suppressing the effects of malfunctions caused by electrostatic discharge S.

[0042] Although embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may be modified, substituted, deleted, etc., as long as it does not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1...Recording device, 2...Recording unit, 4...Operation unit, 4a...Operation unit case, 4b...Protrusion on operation unit case, 4c...Engagement part on operation unit case, 4d...Arm, 10, 10A, 10B...Display device, 11...LCD, 11a...Top surface, 11b...Bottom surface, 11c...One end, 11d...Other end, 11e...Terminal, 12...Circuit board, 12a...Terminal for circuit board, 13...Wiring, 20...Upper case, 20a...Wall, 21... Mounting section, 21a...mounting surface, 21b...end of mounting section, 22...support section, 22a...one side, 22b...other side, 22c...protruding section, 22d...edge, 23...groove, 24...hole, 30, 30A, 30B...lower case, 30a...recess in lower case, 30b...engaging section in lower case, 40...cover, 40a...outer circumference, 41...fixing device, 43...shaft, 50...tilt mechanism, R1...first path, R2...second path.

Claims

1. A display unit with terminals located at one end of a rectangle, A first case supporting the display unit, The system comprises a cover that covers the display unit, The first case mentioned above is, The display unit has a groove into which one end can be inserted, A mounting section having a mounting surface on which the display unit is mounted, It has a support portion having one side that supports the cover, The groove is defined by the other surface of the support portion which is the surface opposite to the one surface, and the mounting surface of the mounting portion which faces the other surface. A display device in which the terminals of the display unit inserted into the groove are covered by the other surface of the groove.

2. The display unit is equipped with a wiring member connected to the terminals, The first case has an insertion hole that communicates with the groove, The display device according to claim 1, wherein the groove and the insertion hole are capable of allowing the wiring member to be inserted.

3. The circuit board is equipped with a circuit board capable of transmitting control signals to the display unit, The display device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is attached to the mounting surface on the mounting portion opposite to the mounting surface on which the display portion is mounted.

4. A display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A recording device comprising a recording unit that records data onto a medium.

5. An operating unit having an operating unit case, The display device is equipped with a tilt mechanism that allows it to rotate between a first and a second orientation, The aforementioned display device has a second case that is different from the first case, The recording device according to claim 4, wherein the tilt mechanism is configured such that the second case of the display device is rotatable relative to the operating unit case of the operating unit.

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