Display unit and display device

Abstract

The objective of this disclosure is to improve the workability when attaching a display panel to a panel case. [Solution] The display panel 1 has a front surface 100 and a pair of side surfaces 110 flanking the front surface 100. The panel case 2 supports the display panel 1 so as to expose at least a portion of the front surface 100. The panel case 2 has a rear wall 20 facing the rear surface 101 of the display panel 1, and a pair of side walls 21 projecting forward from the rear wall 20 so as to face the pair of side surfaces 110. The display panel 1 has a projection 13 on at least one of the pair of side surfaces 110 that protrudes from the side surface 110. The pair of side walls 21 have groove-shaped holding portions 23 that hold the projection 13. The position of the display panel 1 relative to the panel case 2 is restricted by holding the projection 13 in the holding portions 23.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display unit and a display device, and more particularly, to a display unit having a display panel and a display device including the display unit.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional example, a display device described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified. The display device described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as a conventional example) includes a housing, a panel unit (display unit) attached to the front side of the housing, and a light source unit disposed on the front side of the housing so as to face the side end surface of the panel unit and emitting light to the side end surface. The panel unit includes a light guide plate, a translucent display panel located in front of the light guide plate, and a panel case that holds the light guide plate and the display panel so that the front surface of the display panel is exposed.

[0003] The panel case includes a rear wall, a pair of left and right side walls protruding forward from the left and right end portions of the rear wall, and a bottom wall protruding forward from the lower end portion of the rear wall, and is formed in a rectangular box shape with an open upper surface and front surface. Longitudinal concave grooves are provided on the inner surfaces in the left-right direction of each of the pair of left and right side walls. The concave grooves accommodate protruding ridges provided on both left and right side surfaces of the display panel.

[0004] In the above conventional example, the panel unit is assembled by inserting the protruding ridges at both left and right ends of the display panel into the pair of concave grooves through the opening on the upper surface of the panel case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in the conventional example described above, there is a need for improved workability when attaching the display panel to the panel case.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a display unit and a display device that can improve the workability when attaching a display panel to a panel case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A display unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a display panel having a front surface and a pair of sides flanking the front surface, and a panel case that supports the display panel such that at least a portion of the front surface is exposed. The panel case has a rear wall facing the rear surface of the display panel, and a pair of side walls projecting forward from the rear wall so as to face the pair of sides. The display panel has a projection on at least one of the pair of sides that projects from the side. The pair of side walls have groove-shaped retaining portions that hold the projection. The position of the display panel relative to the panel case is restricted by holding the projection with the retaining portions.

[0009] A display device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a display unit, a light source unit that irradiates illumination light onto the display panel of the display unit, and a main body that holds the display unit and the light source unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The display unit and display device disclosed herein have the effect of improving workability when mounting a display panel to a panel case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same display device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a display unit according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a right side view of the same display unit. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same display unit, excluding the light guide plate. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the display unit shown above. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a top view of the main part of the display unit shown above. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the main part of the panel case in the display unit shown above. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the display unit shown above, excluding the light guide plate. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the display unit shown above, excluding the light guide plate. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the display unit shown above, excluding the light guide plate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] A display unit and a display device according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the figures described in the embodiments below are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. The configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of this disclosure. This disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of this disclosure can be achieved.

[0013] (1) Overview The display unit A1 according to this embodiment comprises a display panel 1 and a panel case 2 (see Figure 3).

[0014] The display panel 1 has a front surface 100 and a pair of side surfaces 110 sandwiching the front surface 100. The panel case 2 supports the display panel 1 so as to expose at least a part of the front surface 100 of the display panel 1 (see FIG. 2). Further, the panel case 2 has a rear wall 20 facing the rear surface 101 of the display panel 1, and a pair of side walls 21 protruding forward from the rear wall 20 so as to face the pair of side surfaces 110 (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

[0015] The display panel 1 has a protrusion 13 protruding from the side surface 110 on at least one of the pair of side surfaces 110. The pair of side walls 21 of the panel case 2 have groove-shaped holding portions 23 for holding the protrusion 13. The display panel 1 is held by the holding portion 23 of the protrusion 13, and the position with respect to the panel case 2 is restricted.

[0016] Thus, the display unit A1 according to the embodiment restricts the position of the display panel 1 with respect to the panel case 2 by holding the protrusion 13 protruding from the side surface 110 of the display panel 1 in the holding portion 23 of the panel case 2. Therefore, compared with the conventional example having no position restricting configuration, the workability when attaching the display panel 1 to the panel case 2 can be improved.

[0017] Further, the display device D1 according to the embodiment includes the display unit A1 according to the embodiment, a light source unit B1 that irradiates illumination light to the display panel 1 of the display unit A1 according to the embodiment, and a main body C1 that holds the display unit A1 and the light source unit B1 according to the embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0018] Thus, the display device D1 according to the embodiment includes the display unit A1 according to the embodiment, so that the workability when attaching the display panel 1 to the panel case 2 can be improved.

[0019] (2) Details Hereinafter, the display unit A1 according to the embodiment (hereinafter abbreviated as the display unit A​​ (2-1) Display device configuration Display device D1 is an emergency exit sign installed in an emergency exit or passageway to an emergency exit in a building such as an office or store. However, the display device is not limited to an emergency exit sign and may be used for purposes such as indicating a specific location within a building (such as a restroom). In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the up and down, front and back, and left and right directions indicated by arrows in Figure 1 are defined as the up and down, front and back, and left and right directions of the display device D1 (including display unit A1).

[0021] The display device D1 includes a display unit A1, a light source unit B1, a main body C1, and the like (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0022] The light source unit B1 includes an LED as a light source, a light guide that guides the light (illumination light) emitted from the LED, and a lamp case 50 that houses the LED and the light guide (see Figure 2). The light source unit B1 is configured to guide the illumination light emitted from the LED through the light guide and emit it downward from an opening on the bottom surface of the lamp case 50.

[0023] The main body C1 is formed from a synthetic resin material into a rectangular box shape with an opening on the front (see Figure 2). The main body C1 houses a power supply 40 for emitting light from the LED of the light source unit B1, a battery unit 41 with a secondary battery, a terminal block 42, a mounting plate 43, and the like.

[0024] The power supply unit 40 uses the normal power supplied from the regular power source (for example, the commercial power grid) to illuminate the LEDs of the light source unit B1 and also charges the secondary battery of the battery unit 41. In the event of a power outage in the power grid, the power supply unit 40 uses the emergency power supplied from the secondary battery of the battery unit 41 to illuminate the LEDs of the light source unit B1.

[0025] The mounting plate 43 is formed in a flat shape from a metal material (see Figure 2). The mounting plate 43 is screwed to the inner bottom surface of the main body C1. The power supply unit 40 and the terminal block 42 are screwed to the mounting plate 43 and housed inside the main body C1. The battery unit 41 is detachably attached to the mounting plate 43.

[0026] The light source unit B1 is mounted on the upper part of the opening of the main body C1 (see Figure 1). The display unit A1 is mounted on the main body C1 so as to cover the remaining part of the opening of the main body C1, excluding the upper part where the light source unit B1 is mounted (see Figure 1).

[0027] (2-2) Display Unit Configuration The display unit A1 comprises a display panel 1, a panel case 2, and a light guide plate 3 (see Figure 3).

[0028] The light guide plate 3 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate from a light-transmitting synthetic resin material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin (see Figure 3). However, the thickness (width in the front-to-back direction) of the light guide plate 3 gradually decreases from the top end to the bottom end.

[0029] The display panel 1 has a main part 10 formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate, and a pair of side parts 11 that protrude backward from both the left and right ends of the main part 10 (see Figures 3-5). The main part 10 and the pair of side parts 11 are integrally formed from a translucent synthetic resin material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin. However, it is preferable that the main part 10 and the pair of side parts 11 are formed in a milky white color by mixing a filler into the synthetic resin material in order to diffuse light.

[0030] The front surface 100 of the main section 10 is marked with a pictogram for evacuation guidance. Each of the pair of side sections 11 is formed in a trapezoidal shape, gradually narrowing in width (width in the front-to-back direction) from the top to the bottom (see Figure 4).

[0031] The display panel 1 also has a pair of left and right protrusions 13. The left protrusion 13 protrudes outward (to the left) from the left side surface 110 of the left side portion 11. The right protrusion 13 protrudes outward (to the right) from the right side surface 110 of the right side portion 11. Each protrusion 13 is oriented vertically as its longitudinal direction and is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped parallel to the front surface 100 of the main portion 10 (see Figures 3 and 4). A prismatic projection 12 protrudes downward from the center of the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) on the lower surface of the main portion 10 (see Figure 4).

[0032] The panel case 2 has a rectangular, flat rear wall 20, a pair of side walls 21 projecting forward from both the left and right ends of the rear wall 20, and a bottom wall 22 projecting forward from the lower end of the rear wall 20 (see Figure 3). The rear wall 20, the pair of side walls 21, and the bottom wall 22 are integrally formed from a synthetic resin material.

[0033] Furthermore, the pair of side walls 21 have groove-shaped retaining portions 23 for holding the protruding portion 13 (see Figures 3 and 5). The retaining portion 23 has a recess 230 provided on each of the pair of side walls 21 into which the protruding portion 13 is inserted, and a ridge portion 231 provided within the recess 230. The recess 230 is formed in an inverted trapezoid shape when viewed from the left and right directions (see Figure 5). An insertion opening 234 is provided at the upper end of the recess 230 (see Figures 3 and 5). In other words, the protruding portion 13 is inserted into the recess 230 through the insertion opening 234.

[0034] The protruding portion 231 is formed to be parallel to the projection 13 inserted into the recess 230 (see Figure 6). Here, "formed to be parallel" means that the protruding portion 231 is inclined from top to bottom, approaching the rear wall 20, so that the distance between the front inner wall surface of the recess 230 and the front surface of the projection 13 is uniform.

[0035] The left and right ends of the lower wall 22 are connected to the lower ends of a pair of side walls 21 (see Figures 2 and 3). In addition, a groove 220 with an open top surface is provided in the center of the lower wall 22 in the left-right direction (see Figures 3 and 5). This groove 220 engages with a projection 12 that protrudes from the lower surface of the main part 10 of the display panel 1.

[0036] (2-3) Assembly procedure for the display unit Next, we will explain the assembly procedure for display unit A1. However, the order of some of the assembly steps described below may be reversed.

[0037] First, the person performing the assembly work (hereinafter referred to as the worker) inserts the display panel 1 into the recess 230 through the insertion opening 234 of the panel case 2. At this time, the worker inserts the protrusions 13 on both the left and right sides of the panel case 2 into the space between the front inner wall surface of the recess 230 and the protruding portion 231 within the recess 230. The upper end of the protruding portion 231 (the end facing the insertion opening 234) is inclined upwards towards the rear wall 20 (see Figure 5). In other words, the recess 230 expands in diameter towards the insertion opening 234. Therefore, when the worker inserts the protruding portion 231 into the space between the front inner wall surface of the recess 230 and the protruding portion 231, they can insert it smoothly through the expanded insertion opening 234. Then, by fitting the projection 12 of the display panel 1 into the groove 220 of the lower wall 22 of the panel case 2, the display panel 1 is attached to the panel case 2. Here, the width of the display panel 1 in the left-right direction (width of the main section 10) is slightly narrower than the left-right distance between the pair of side walls 21 in the panel case 2. Therefore, when the display panel 1 is mounted on the panel case 2, it is housed in the space enclosed by the rear wall 20, the pair of side walls 21, and the bottom wall 22 (see Figures 2 and 7).

[0038] Next, the worker inserts the light guide plate 3 from the top surface of the panel case 2, and places the light guide plate 3 in the space between the display panel 1 and the rear wall 20 of the panel case 2 (see Figure 7). This completes the assembly of the display unit A1.

[0039] (2-4) Advantages of the Embodiment As described above, the display unit A1 holds the protruding portion 13 in the holding portion 23 to regulate the position of the display panel 1 relative to the panel case 2 (see Figure 7). In other words, the display unit A1 inserts the protruding portion 13 into the groove-shaped holding portion 23 (specifically, the protruding portion 231 and the recess 230 located in front of the protruding portion 231), and the holding portion 23 regulates the position of the display panel 1 (the left-right position of the display panel 1 relative to the panel case 2). As a result, the display unit A1 can improve the workability when attaching the display panel 1 to the panel case 2 compared to conventional examples that do not have a position-regulating configuration.

[0040] Furthermore, the display unit A1 has a recess 230 and a protruding portion 231 provided in the panel case 2 as part of the holding portion 23. The recess 230 is provided in the side wall 21 of the panel case 2, into which the protruding portion 13 of the display panel 1 is inserted. The protruding portion 231 is formed within the recess 230 so as to be parallel to the protruding portion 13 inserted into the recess 230. That is, within the recess 230, the display unit A1 sandwiches the protruding portion 231 from the front-rear direction between the front wall of the recess 230 and the protruding portion 231 (see Figure 6). Therefore, the display unit A1 can restrict the position of the display panel 1 relative to the front-rear direction of the panel case 2 by the holding portion 23, thereby further improving the workability when attaching the display panel 1 to the panel case 2.

[0041] Incidentally, when the display panel 1 is formed to the maximum dimensions within the dimensional tolerance, the lower end portion 111 of the side portion 11 may enter the recess 230 of the panel case 2 during the process of inserting the protrusion 13 into the recess 230 (see Figure 9). If the lower end portion 111 of the side portion 11 enters the recess 230, the lower end portion 111 will hit the lower wall of the recess 230, making it impossible to accommodate the display panel 1 in the panel case 2.

[0042] Therefore, the display unit A1 is provided with a chamfered portion 232 on the side wall 21 at the portion facing the ridge portion 231 with the projection 13 in between, which is inclined outwards from the projection 13 (ridge portion 231) (forward direction) (see Figures 5 and 8). More specifically, the chamfered portion 232 is formed such that the corner of the front side wall surface of the recess 230 on the side wall 21 is chamfered (see Figure 8). Furthermore, the chamfered portion 232 has an inclined surface 2320 at its lower end that is inclined downward toward the front (see Figure 9).

[0043] Here, the effect of the chamfered portion 232 will be explained with reference to Figures 9-11. Assume that in the process of inserting the projection 13 into the recess 230 of the panel case 2, the lower end portion 111 of the side portion 11 enters the recess 230 (see Figure 9). As the display panel 1 moves downward relative to the panel case 2, the lower end portion 111 of the side portion 11 is pushed by the inclined surface 2320 of the lower end portion of the chamfered portion 232, displacing it away from the side wall 21 (see Figure 10), and finally the lower end portion 111 of the side portion 11 is pushed out of the recess 230 (see Figure 11). Therefore, even if the lower end portion 111 of the side portion 11 enters the recess 230 of the panel case 2 during the process of inserting the projection 13 into the recess 230 of the panel case 2, the chamfered portion 232 can expel the side portion 11 from the recess 230. As a result, the display unit A1 can further improve the workability when attaching the display panel 1 to the panel case 2.

[0044] Furthermore, since the display unit A1 has an enlarged recess 230 toward the insertion opening 234 into which the protruding portion 13 is inserted, the protruding portion 231 can be smoothly inserted through the enlarged insertion opening 234 when inserting it into the recess 230. Therefore, the display unit A1 can further improve the workability when attaching the display panel 1 to the panel case 2.

[0045] Incidentally, the display unit A1 further includes a light guide plate 3 positioned between the rear surface 101 of the display panel 1 and the rear wall 20 of the panel case 2. The light guide plate 3 is configured to guide the illumination light (light emitted from the LED of the light source unit B1) entering from the upper surface of the light guide plate 3 and emit it forward to illuminate the display panel 1. Therefore, the display unit A1 can reduce its thickness in the front-to-back direction compared to the case where the light source is positioned behind the display panel 1.

[0046] Furthermore, the display device D1 includes a display unit A1, a light source unit B1 that illuminates the display panel 1 of the display unit A1 with illumination light, and a main body C1 that holds the display unit A1 and the light source unit B1 (see Figures 1 and 2). In other words, since the display device D1 includes a display unit A1, it is possible to improve the workability when attaching the display panel 1 to the panel case 2.

[0047] (3) Summary A display unit (A1) according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a display panel (1) and a panel case (2). The display panel (1) has a front surface (100) and a pair of side surfaces (110) flanking the front surface (100). The panel case (2) supports the display panel (1) such that at least a portion of the front surface (100) is exposed. The panel case (2) has a rear wall (20) facing the rear surface (101) of the display panel (1), and a pair of side walls (21) projecting forward from the rear wall (20) so as to face the pair of side surfaces (110). The display panel (1) has a projection (13) on at least one of the pair of side surfaces (110) that projects from the side surface (110). The pair of side walls (21) have groove-shaped retaining portions (23) that hold the projection (13). The display panel (1) has its protruding portion (13) held by the holding portion (23), thereby restricting its position relative to the panel case (2).

[0048] In the first embodiment, the display unit (A1) inserts the protruding part (13) into the groove-shaped holding part (23), and the holding part (23) restricts the position of the display panel (1). Compared to conventional examples that do not have a position-restricting configuration, this improves the workability when attaching the display panel (1) to the panel case (2).

[0049] A display unit (A1) according to a second aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining it with the first aspect. In the display unit (A1) according to the second aspect, the holding portion (23) preferably has a recess (230) provided in the side wall (21) into which a projection (13) is inserted, and a protruding portion (231) provided within the recess (230). The protruding portion (231) preferably is formed parallel to the projection (13) inserted into the recess (230).

[0050] In the second embodiment, the display unit (A1) can restrict the position of the display panel (1) relative to the front-rear direction of the panel case (2) by the holding part (23), thereby further improving the workability when attaching the display panel (1) to the panel case (2).

[0051] A display unit (A1) according to a third aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining it with the second aspect. In the display unit (A1) according to the third aspect, the side wall (21) preferably has a chamfered portion (232) in the portion facing the ridged portion (231) across the protrusion (13), which is inclined outwards from the recess (230) and away from the protrusion (13).

[0052] In the third embodiment of the display unit (A1), even if the side portion (11) enters the recess (230) during the process of inserting the protruding portion (13) into the recess (230) of the panel case (2), the chamfered portion (232) can expel the side portion (11) from the recess (230). As a result, the display unit (A1) in the third embodiment can further improve the workability when attaching the display panel (1) to the panel case (2).

[0053] A display unit (A1) according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining it with a second or third aspect. In the display unit (A1) according to the fourth aspect, the recess (230) preferably has an insertion opening (234) into which the protrusion (13) is inserted, and the recess is wider in diameter toward the insertion opening (234).

[0054] In the fourth embodiment of the display unit (A1), when inserting the protruding portion (231) into the recess (230), it can be smoothly inserted through the enlarged insertion opening (234). As a result, the display unit (A1) in the fourth embodiment can further improve the workability when attaching the display panel (1) to the panel case (2).

[0055] A display unit (A1) according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized in combination with any of the first to fourth aspects. Preferably, the display unit (A1) according to the fifth aspect further comprises a light guide plate (3) disposed between the rear surface (101) of the display panel (1) and the rear wall (20) of the panel case (2). Preferably, the light guide plate (3) guides illumination light incident from the side surface (top surface) of the light guide plate (3) and emits it forward to illuminate the display panel (1).

[0056] The display unit (A1) according to the fifth embodiment can reduce the thickness in the front-to-back direction compared to the case where the light source is placed behind the display panel (1).

[0057] A display device (D1) according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a display unit (A1) according to any of the first to fifth aspects, a light source unit (B1) that irradiates illumination light onto the display panel (1) of the display unit (A1), and a main body (C1) that holds the display unit (A1) and the light source unit (B1).

[0058] The display device (D1) according to the sixth embodiment can improve workability when attaching the display panel (1) to the panel case (2) compared to the conventional example which does not have a position-restricting configuration.

[0059] A display device (D1) according to a seventh aspect of this disclosure can be realized by combining it with a sixth aspect. In the display device (D1) according to the seventh aspect, the display unit (A1) preferably further comprises a light guide plate (3) disposed between the rear surface (101) of the display panel (1) and the rear wall (20) of the panel case (2). The light guide plate (3) preferably guides illumination light incident from the side (top) and emits it forward to irradiate the display panel (1) with illumination light.

[0060] The display device (D1) according to the seventh embodiment can reduce the thickness in the front-to-back direction compared to the case where the light source is placed behind the display panel (1). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] A1 Display Unit B1 Light source unit C1 Main Unit D1 display device 1 Display Panel 2-Panel Case 3 Light guide plate 10 Main body 11 Side 12 protrusions 13 Protrusion 20 Back wall 21 Side wall 23 Holding part 100 front 101 Rear 110 Side view 230 recess 231 Projection part 232 Chamfered section 234 Insertion port

Claims

1. A display panel having a front surface and a pair of sides flanking the front surface, A panel case that supports the display panel such that at least a portion of the front surface is exposed, Equipped with, The aforementioned panel case is The rear wall facing the rear surface of the aforementioned display panel, A pair of side walls projecting forward from the rear wall so as to face the pair of sides, It has, The display panel has a projection on at least one of the pair of sides that protrudes from the side, The pair of side walls have groove-shaped retaining portions for holding the protruding portion, The display panel's position relative to the panel case is restricted by holding the protruding portion with the holding portion. Display unit.

2. The retaining portion has a recess provided in the side wall into which the protruding portion is inserted, and a ridge provided within the recess, The aforementioned protruding portion is formed to be parallel to the aforementioned projection inserted into the aforementioned recess. The display unit according to claim 1.

3. The side wall has a chamfered portion on the portion facing the protruding portion across the protruding portion, which is inclined toward the outside of the recess and away from the protruding portion. The display unit according to claim 2.

4. The recess has an insertion opening into which the protrusion is inserted, and its diameter widens toward the insertion opening. The display unit according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The system further comprises a light guide plate positioned between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear wall of the panel case, The light guide plate guides the illumination light incident from its side and emits it forward to irradiate the display panel with the illumination light. A display unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A display unit according to any one of claims 1-3, A light source unit that illuminates the display panel of the display unit with illumination light, A main body that holds the display unit and the light source unit, Equipped with, Display device.

7. The display unit further comprises a light guide plate positioned between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear wall of the panel case, The light guide plate guides the illumination light incident from its side and emits it forward to irradiate the display panel with the illumination light. The display device according to claim 6.

Images