Indication device

Abstract

To improve the decorative aspect of the display state in a display device that illuminates a predetermined icon. [Solution] The display device 1 includes a first light source 10 positioned in front of the base 5, an icon portion 22a that transmits light from the first light source 10, and a light-shielding portion 22b that prevents light from the first light source 10 from being transmitted. It also includes a transparent layer 20 positioned in front of the first light source 10, a second light source 11 positioned in front of the transparent layer 20 and outside the transparent layer 20 when viewed from the front, and a display layer 25 positioned on top of the transparent layer 20, which is capable of transmitting light from the first light source 10 that has passed through the icon portion 22a, and is capable of diffusing light from the second light source 11 and transmitting a portion of it to the front.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a display device in which a circuit including a light source and a display substrate are packaged with resin. In this display device, a light-shielding printing layer is formed around an icon portion having translucency on the display substrate.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the display device of Patent Document 1, only the icon is lit by the light of the light source, and the periphery of the icon has the design of the display substrate itself. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the decorativeness of the display state of the display device of Patent Document 1.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the decorativeness of a display state in a display device that lights a predetermined icon.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides a display device comprising: a substrate; a first light source disposed in front of the substrate; an icon portion that transmits light from the first light source; a light-shielding portion that prevents the transmission of light from the first light source; a transparent layer disposed in front of the first light source; a second light source disposed in front of the transparent layer and outside the transparent layer when viewed from the front; and a display layer disposed on top of the transparent layer, with the second light source positioned on the outer periphery when viewed from the front, capable of transmitting light from the first light source that has passed through the icon portion, and capable of diffusing light from the second light source and transmitting a portion of it to the front.

[0007] The display device comprises a transparent layer and a display layer. The transparent layer has an icon portion that transmits light from a first light source and a light-shielding portion that blocks the transmission of light from the first light source. The display layer is capable of transmitting light from the first light source that has passed through the icon portion, and is capable of diffusing light from a second light source, allowing a portion of it to pass through to the front. As a result, the display layer can display light from the first light source that has passed through the icon portion within diffuse illumination from the second light source. In this way, icons can be displayed on a fully illuminated display layer without providing unlit areas, thus improving the decorative aspect of the display. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention can improve the decorative aspect of the display state in a display device that lights up a predetermined icon. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A front view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Block diagram of a display device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figures 1 to 3 show a display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the display device 1 viewed directly, Figure 2 shows a first embodiment obtained by cutting Figure 1 along line II-II, and Figure 3 shows a second embodiment obtained by cutting Figure 1 along line III-III.

[0012] Display device 1 is mounted on the vehicle's dashboard and displays the operating status of the vehicle's air conditioning system. However, display device 1 may also be configured to display the operating status of equipment other than the air conditioning system installed in the vehicle. Furthermore, display device 1 may be used for equipment other than vehicles, such as household electrical appliances, and its application can be changed as needed.

[0013] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the display device 1 comprises a case (base) 5, multiple types of LEDs 10, 11, 12, a panel base 15, a transparent layer 20, and a display unit (display layer) 25.

[0014] One of the multiple types of LEDs is an icon LED (first light source) 10, and the other is an illumination LED (second light source) 11. The illumination LED 11 optically illuminates the entire display unit 25, and the icon LED 10 displays icons 2a~2k, 2m, and 2n on the illuminated display unit 25. This improves the decorative appearance of the display state of the display unit 25.

[0015] Of the multiple types of LEDs, the remaining one is the illumination LED 12. The illumination LED 12 illuminates the interior of the vehicle through the illumination window 3 provided by the display unit 25. By illuminating the interior of the vehicle in this way, user convenience is improved.

[0016] The configuration of the display device 1 will be described in detail below.

[0017] First, the first aspect shown in FIG. 2 and the second aspect shown in FIG. 3 differ in the arrangement of the icon LEDs 10 and the structure of the panel base 15. The first aspect shown in FIG. 2 is a so-called top view in which the illumination LED 11 is arranged directly behind the icon section 22a, which will be described in detail later. The second aspect shown in FIG. 3 is a so-called side view in which the illumination LED 11 is arranged adjacent to the outside of the icon section 22a. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the left side is the front side when the user views the display section 25 straight ahead. In the following description, this front side may be referred to as the front side, and the back side, which is the right side in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be referred to as the back side in the following description.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the case 5 includes a base 6 and a protrusion 7, and is attached so as to be embedded in the dashboard in the vehicle interior. The case 5 is formed of an opaque resin having light-shielding properties, and constitutes a circuit board by insert molding of a pattern circuit (not shown). In addition to the LEDs 10 to 12, other electronic components (not shown) for controlling these are arranged in the case 5.

[0019] The base 6 is generally square and flat plate-shaped, is located at the rearmost side, and extends in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The protrusion 7 is generally square pyramid-shaped and protrudes forward from the outer peripheral portion of the base 6, expanding outward from the rear side to the front side. The protrusion 7 includes a flange portion 8 at the front end. The flange portion 8 protrudes outward in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the icon LED 10 is a configuration for causing the icons 2a to 2k, 2m, 2n shown in FIG. 1 to appear on the display section 25. In the following description, the icon LEDs 10a to 10k, 10m, 10n may be referred to corresponding to the icons 2a to 2k, 2m, 2n shown in FIG. 1. Also, the reference numeral 2 may be used to comprehensively refer to all of the icons 2a to 2k, 2m, 2n.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the icon LEDs 10a to 10i are arranged on the front side of the base 6 of the case 5 so as to be located directly behind the icons 2a to 2i when viewed from the front (top view). The icon LED 10a is composed of a white LED. The icon LEDs 10b and 10c are composed of a white LED and a yellow LED. The icon LED 10d is composed of a blue LED. The icon LEDs 10e to 10i are composed of a blue LED and a red LED.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the icon LEDs 10j, 10k, 10m, and 10n are arranged on the front side of the base 6 of the case 5 so as to be adjacent to and located above the rear of the icons 2j, 2k, 2m, and 2n when viewed from the front (side view). However, the icon LEDs 10j, 10k, 10m, and 10n may be arranged at any portion on the outer side of the rear as long as they are not directly behind the icons 2j, 2k, 2m, and 2n. The icon LED 10j is composed of a white LED. The icon LEDs 10k, 10m, and 10n are composed of a three-color LED including a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED. The three-color LED can individually change the brightness of the light by the amount of current supplied to each LED, and can change the overall emission color to any color by changing the mixing ratio of the colors of the light.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the illumination LED 11 is configured to illuminate the entire display portion 25. The illumination LED 11 is arranged on the front side of the flange portion 8 provided on the protruding portion 7 of the case 5 so as to be located outside the transmissive layer 20 when viewed from the front (side view). In the portion of the display portion 25 located on the front side of the flange portion 8, neither the icon 2 nor the irradiation window 3 is provided. The illumination LED 11 includes a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED, and is composed of a three-color LED capable of changing the overall emission color to any color. In this embodiment, a plurality of illumination LEDs 11 are arranged at intervals.

[0024] Multiple lighting LEDs 11 are arranged in the upper part of the flange portion 8 of the case 5. However, the multiple lighting LEDs 11 may also be arranged in the lower part or on either the left or right side, as long as they are located on the front side of the flange portion 8. Furthermore, the lighting LEDs 11 may be arranged in two or more of the four parts of the flange portion 8 (top, bottom, left, and right).

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the illumination LED 12 is configured to illuminate the interior of the vehicle through the illumination window 3 of the display unit 25. The illumination LED 12 is positioned on the front side of the base 6 of the case 5 so as to be adjacent to the rear upper side of the illumination window 3 when viewed from the front (side view). However, the illumination LED 12 may be positioned anywhere on the rear outer side other than directly behind the illumination window 3. The illumination LED 12 is made of white LEDs. In this embodiment, multiple illumination LEDs 12 are arranged at intervals.

[0026] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the panel base 15 is positioned on top of the front side of the base 6 of the case 5. The panel base 15 comprises an opaque portion 16 which is the base body, and a plurality of transparent portions 17 provided within the opaque portion 16.

[0027] The opaque portion 16 is made of a light-shielding opaque resin and prevents the transmission of light emitted by the icon LED 10. The opaque portion 16 has an outer surface that runs along the front surface of the base 6 and the inner surface of the protruding portion 7. The thickness of the opaque portion 16 in the front-to-back direction from the rear surface to the front surface is thinner than the dimension from the front surface of the base 6 to the front surface of the flange portion 8. Of the opaque portion 16, the portion located behind the icon portion 22a, which will be described in detail later, is provided with a hole 16a that surrounds the icon portion 22a.

[0028] The transparent portion 17 is made of a light-transmitting clear resin and is capable of transmitting light emitted by the icon LED 10. The transparent portion 17 is provided in the hole 16a of the non-transmitting portion 16 so as to be located behind the icon portion 22a. The front surface of the transparent portion 17 is flush with the front surface of the non-transmitting portion 16. The transparent portion 17 is integrally formed with the non-transmitting portion 16 by two-color molding. The transparent portion 17 may be provided separately from the non-transmitting portion 16 and attached by fitting it into the hole 16a. A light-transmitting film layer 18 is provided on the front surface of the transparent portion 17 by screen printing using white ink.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2, the hole 16a of the opaque portion 16 in the first embodiment, which is a top view, penetrates in the front-to-back direction and surrounds the outer circumference of the transparent portion 17. The transparent portion 17 in the first embodiment is block-shaped and extends in the front-to-back direction, and has a recess 17a at its rear end for housing the icon LED 10. The recess 17a has a shape corresponding to the icon LED 10 and is recessed from the rear side to the front of the transparent portion 17. The transparent portion 17 allows light emitted by the icon LED 10 to pass through to the front.

[0030] Referring to Figure 3, the opaque portion 16 of the second embodiment, which is a side view, has a recess 16b at its rear end for housing the icon LED 10. The recess 16b has a shape corresponding to the icon LED 10 and is recessed from the rear side of the opaque portion 16 toward the front. One end of the recess 16b is open at the outer circumference of the hole 16a. The hole 16a of the second embodiment is recessed from the front side of the opaque portion 16 toward the rear and surrounds the outer surface of the transparent portion 17 except for the front end surface. A reflective surface 16c is formed in the portion of the hole 16a facing the icon LED 10. The reflective surface 16c is curved toward the front as it moves away from the icon LED 10 and reflects the light emitted by the icon LED 10 toward the front. The transparent portion 17 of the second embodiment is block-shaped extending in the front-rear direction and has a curved surface 17b corresponding to the reflective surface 16c of the hole 16a. The transmissive portion 17 allows light from the icon LED 10 reflected by the reflective surface 16c to pass through to the front. The structure of the part where the illumination LED 12 is attached is the same as in the second embodiment of Figure 3.

[0031] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the transparent layer 20 is configured to display the icon 2 shown in Figure 1 on the display unit 25. The transparent layer 20 is placed on top of the front of the panel base 15, which is located in front of the icon LED 10. The transparent layer 20 comprises a resin film (light-transmitting layer) 21 which is the base material, an icon-forming layer 22 is provided on the rear surface of the resin film (first resin film) 21, and a front layer 23 is provided on the front surface of the resin film 21.

[0032] The resin film 21 is laminated to the front side of the panel base 15 via the icon-forming layer 22. The resin film 21 is made of a sheet (e.g., a polycarbonate sheet) that is light-transmitting and has excellent heat resistance and impact resistance. The resin film 21 allows light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the icon-forming layer 22 to be transmitted.

[0033] The icon-forming layer 22 is laminated on the front surface of the panel base 15 by the placement of the transparent layer 20 inside the case 5. The icon-forming layer 22 is provided in a laminated state on the rear surface of the resin film 21 by screen printing using black ink. The icon-forming layer 22 comprises an icon portion 22a formed by masking during screen printing and a light-shielding portion 22b formed by the unmasked portion. The icon portion 22a is provided in front of the transparent portion 17 and allows the light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the transparent portion 17 to pass through. The shape of the icon portion 22a corresponds to the shape of icon 2 shown in Figure 1. The light-shielding portion 22b is provided in front of the non-transparent portion 16 and surrounds the icon portion 22a, preventing the light from passing through the icon LED 10. The light-shielding portion 22b is also partially provided in front of the transparent portion 17 to correspond to the shape of icon 2 shown in Figure 1.

[0034] The front layer 23 is laminated across the entire front surface of the resin film 21 by printing with white ink. The front surface of the front layer 23 is flush with the front surface of the flange portion 8 of the case 5. In other words, the thickness from the front surface of the transparent layer 20 to the rear surface of the panel base 15 is the same as the depth from the front surface of the flange portion 8 of the case 5 to the front surface of the base 6. The front layer 23 allows light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the resin film 21 to pass through, while reflecting light emitted by the illumination LED 11. This light transmission and reflection will be described in detail later.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the display unit 25 is positioned in front of the icon LED 10 via the transparent unit 17 and the transparent layer 20, and is configured such that the illumination LED 11 is located on the outer periphery when viewed from the front. The display unit 25 diffuses the light from the illumination LED 11 and transmits a portion of it to the front for illumination, while allowing the light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the icon unit 22a to pass through. The display unit 25 is composed of a clear layer 26 and a decorative sheet 27, and is placed on top of the transparent layer 20 and exposed inside the vehicle.

[0036] The clear layer 26 is made of a light-transmitting resin and is laminated on the front side of the transparent layer 20. A recess 26a for housing the illumination LED 11 is provided on the upper part of the clear layer 26. The recess 26a is shaped to correspond to the illumination LED 11, and is recessed from the rear side of the clear layer 26 to the front, surrounding the illumination LED 11. The clear layer 26 allows light emitted by the illumination LED 11 and the icon LED 10 to pass through.

[0037] The decorative sheet 27 comprises a resin film (surface layer) 28 which is a base material, and a decorative layer 29 is provided on the rear side surface of the resin film (second resin film) 28.

[0038] The resin film 28 is laminated in front of the transparent layer 20 via the decorative layer 29 and is located at the foremost position in the display device 1. The resin film 28 is made of a sheet (e.g., a polycarbonate sheet) that is light-transmitting and has excellent heat resistance and impact resistance. The resin film 28 allows light from the illumination LED 11 and icon LED 10 that has passed through the decorative layer 29 to pass through.

[0039] The decorative layer 29 is formed in a laminated state on the rear surface of the resin film 28 by printing onto the resin film 28, and is laminated on the front surface of the clear layer 26. The decorative layer 29 allows light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the clear layer 26 to pass through, and also allows some of the light emitted by the illumination LED 11 to pass through. On the other hand, when the icon LED 10 and the illumination LED 11 are not emitting light, the decorative layer 29 obscures the boundary between the icon portion 22a and the light-shielding portion 22b located on the clear layer 26 side, making it impossible to see.

[0040] For the decorative layer 29, for example, Galalit® manufactured by Nakanuma Art Screen Co., Ltd., which can change and display two patterns by switching the light on and off, can be used. This decorative layer 29 includes an RGB printed layer printed using interference pigments and a CMYK printed layer printed using color pigments, displaying the pattern of the RGB printed layer with reflected light and the pattern of the CMYK printed layer with transmitted light. In this embodiment, the two printed layers are patternless. Therefore, when the icon LED 10 and the illumination LED 11 are emitting light, a portion of the diffused light from the illumination LED 11 and the icon 2 from the icon LED 10 are displayed. The RGB printed layer displayed when the icon LED 10 and the illumination LED 11 are not emitting light may have a predetermined pattern or logo.

[0041] Next, we will explain the transmission and reflection (diffusion) of light in the display unit 25.

[0042] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the light from the illumination LED 11 is irradiated from top to bottom along the extension direction of the clear layer 26, and is incident obliquely on the front layer 23 and the decorative layer 29. As a result, a difference in refractive index of light occurs at the interface between the front layer 23 and the clear layer 26, and at the interface between the decorative layer 29 and the clear layer 26, causing the front layer 23 and the decorative layer 29 to reflect the light from the illumination LED 11, respectively. Consequently, the light from the illumination LED 11 diffuses within the clear layer 26. On the other hand, the decorative layer 29 has a predetermined transmittance (e.g., a transmittance of 20%). Therefore, some of the light from the illumination LED 11 passes through the decorative layer 29 to the inside of the vehicle. Through this diffusion and transmission of light, the entire display section 25 is optically illuminated by the illumination LED 11.

[0043] The light from the icon LED 10 is incident in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the front layer 23. This minimizes the reflectivity of light at the interface between the front layer 23 and the resin film 21, allowing the light from the icon LED 10 to pass through. As a result, the light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the front layer 23 is irradiated onto the clear layer 26. In the clear layer 26, the light from the icon LED 10 is also incident in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the decorative layer 29. This minimizes the reflectivity of light at the interface between the decorative layer 29 and the clear layer 26, allowing the light from the icon LED 10 to pass through. As a result, the light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the decorative layer 29 is transmitted to the inside of the vehicle. Consequently, the design of icon 2 from the icon LED 10 is displayed on the illumination status display unit 25 by the illumination LED 11. The same applies to the light from the illumination LED 12.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4, the display device 1 is connected to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 consists of one or more microcomputers and other electronic devices, and controls the vehicle's air conditioning system (not shown) and the display device 1 according to steps instructed by a pre-stored program. The control unit 32 is located in the case 5 of the display device 1, similar to the LEDs 10-12. The control unit 32 may be located elsewhere than the case 5 of the display device 1. Alternatively, the control unit 32 may be composed of an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted in the vehicle.

[0045] The control unit 32 is connected to an input unit 33 for operating the air conditioning system. The input unit 33 is composed of multiple switches. These switches are, for example, capacitive touch sensors and are located in the case 5 of the display device 1. Alternatively, the switches may be arranged on the dashboard so as to be located below the display device 1.

[0046] The control unit 32 individually controls the icon LEDs 10a~10k, 10m, 10n, multiple illumination LEDs 11, and multiple light-emitting LEDs 12 based on signals from the input unit 33. More specifically, when the control unit 32 lights up one or more of the icon LEDs 10a~10k, 10m, 10n, it supplies a larger current to the icon LEDs 10 than to the illumination LEDs 11 so that the brightness on the display unit 25 is higher than the brightness of the illumination LEDs 11. This causes the icon 2 generated by the icon LEDs 10 to appear on the display unit 25 showing the illumination status by the illumination LEDs 11. The control of the light-emitting LEDs 12 is similar.

[0047] The display device 1 configured as described above has the following features.

[0048] The display device 1 comprises a transparent layer 20 and a display unit 25. The transparent layer 20 has an icon section 22a that transmits light from the icon LED 10 and a light-shielding section 22b that blocks the transmission of light from the icon LED 10. The display unit 25 is capable of transmitting light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the icon section 22a, and is also capable of diffusing the light from the illumination LED 11, allowing a portion of it to pass through to the front. As a result, the display unit 25 can display the light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the icon section 22a within diffuse illumination of a predetermined color scheme by the illumination LED 11. In this way, icons 2 can be displayed on the fully illuminated display unit 25 without providing a non-illuminated area, thus improving the decorative aspect of the display state.

[0049] The brightness of the icon LED 10 in the display unit 25 is higher than the brightness of the illumination LED 11. This ensures that the icon 2, illuminated by the light from the icon LED 10 that has passed through the icon unit 22a, is reliably displayed on the display unit 25, which is illuminated by the light from the illumination LED 11.

[0050] The transparent layer 20 includes an icon-forming layer 22, a resin film 21, and a front layer 23. The icon-forming layer 22 has an icon portion 22a and a light-shielding portion 22b. The resin film 21 transmits light that has passed through the icon-forming layer 22. The front layer 23 is capable of transmitting light that has passed through the resin film 21 and reflecting light from the illumination LED 11. This allows the front layer 23 to diffuse the light from the illumination LED 11 through reflection, ensuring that the icon 2 is reliably displayed in the diffusely illuminated display section 25 using the light from the icon LED 10.

[0051] The icon-forming layer 22 and the front layer 23 are formed by printing onto the resin film 21. This allows a thin, transparent layer 20 to be provided with a simple structure.

[0052] The front surface of the flange portion 8 on the protruding portion 7 of case 5 is flush with the front surface of the transparent layer 20. This suppresses unintended mixing of the light from the icon LED 10 and the light from the illumination LED 11, while uniformly diffusing the light from the illumination LED 11 in the display section 25.

[0053] The base 6 of case 5 is equipped with a panel base 15 having an opaque portion 16 with a hole 16a surrounding the icon portion 22a, and a transparent portion 17 provided in the hole 16a to correspond to the icon portion 22a. This ensures that the light from the icon LED 10 is reliably directed only to the icon portion 22a of the transparent layer 20, excluding the light-shielding portion 22b.

[0054] The display unit 25 is made of a light-transmitting resin and includes a clear layer 26 laminated in front of the transparent layer 20, surrounding the illumination LED 11. This allows the display unit 25, including the illumination LED 11, to be packaged, thereby suppressing variations in illumination.

[0055] The display unit 25 includes a decorative layer 29 laminated in front of the clear layer 26. As a result, a difference in the refractive index of light occurs at the interface between the clear resin and the decorative layer 29, allowing the decorative layer 29 to reflect light. Furthermore, the decorative layer 29 allows some of the light emitted by the icon LED 10 and the illumination LED 11 to pass through, while completely obscuring the clear layer 26 when the icon LED 10 and the illumination LED 11 are not emitting light. This prevents the display device 1 from appearing unnatural due to the boundary (pattern) of the icon portion 22a of the transparent layer 20 being visible when the icon LED 10 and the illumination LED 11 are not emitting light.

[0056] A decorative layer 29 is formed by printing onto the resin film 28. This allows for the creation of a thin decorative sheet 27, including the resin film 28 and the decorative layer 29, with a simple structure.

[0057] Case 5 is composed of a circuit board equipped with a pattern circuit. This allows other electronic components for controlling the icon LED 10 and the illumination LED 11 to be placed on the same plane as the icon LED 10 and the illumination LED 11. Thus, the workability when assembling the display device 1 can be improved.

[0058] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0059] For example, if the display unit 25 illuminated by the light from the illumination LED 11 can display an icon 2 illuminated by the light from the icon LED 10 transmitted through the icon unit 22a, then the brightness of the icon LED 10 on the display unit 25 may be lower than the brightness of the illumination LED 11, and this value can be changed as needed.

[0060] The transparent layer 20 can be modified as needed, as long as it includes an icon-forming layer 22 having an icon portion 22a and a light-shielding portion 22b. In other words, the transparent layer 20 may not include the resin film 21. Also, the front layer 23 may be included in the display portion 25.

[0061] If the light from the illumination LED 11 can be uniformly diffused in the display unit 25, the front surface of the protruding portion 7 of the case 5 and the front surface of the transparent layer 20 may be positioned with a gap between them.

[0062] The configuration of the panel base 15 can be changed as needed, as long as the light from the icon LED 10 can illuminate only the corresponding icon portion 22a of the transparent layer 20. For example, the panel base 15 may have a configuration that does not include the transparent portion 17.

[0063] The display unit 25 may be constructed by leaving empty space in the area where the clear layer 26 is provided in Figures 2 and 3, without using a clear layer 26 made of a translucent resin.

[0064] If the icon LED 10 and illumination LED 11 are not emitting light and the design of the icon portion 22a of the transparent layer 20 is difficult to see, the display portion 25 may be configured without the decorative layer 29, or without the decorative sheet 27.

[0065] A dedicated circuit board may be placed in case 5 without providing a pattern circuit in case 5. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 Display device 2,2a~2k,2m,2n icons 3. Irradiation window 5 cases (bases) 6 base 7 Protrusion 8 Flange section 10, 10a~10k, 10m, 10n LED for icons (first light source) 11 LED for lighting (second light source) 12 LED for illumination 15 Panel Base 16 Non-transparent part 16a Hole 16b recess 16c reflective surface 17 Transparent part 17a Recess 17b Curved surface 18. Coating layer 20 Transparent layer 21. Resin film (first resin film, light-transmitting layer) 22 Icon-forming layer 22a Icon section 22b Light shielding part 23 Anterior layer 25 Display section (display layer) 26 Clear Layers 26a Recess 27 Decorative Sheet 28. Resin film (second resin film, surface layer) 29 Decorative layer 32 Control Unit 33 Input section

Claims

1. Substrate and, A first light source is positioned on the front side of the substrate, A transparent layer having an icon portion that transmits light from the first light source and a light-shielding portion that prevents light from the first light source from transmitting, and positioned in front of the first light source, A second light source is positioned in front of the aforementioned transparent layer and outside the transparent layer when viewed from the front, A display layer is arranged on top of the front of the transparent layer, with the second light source positioned on the outer periphery when viewed from the front, and capable of transmitting light from the first light source that has passed through the icon portion, and diffusing light from the second light source so that a portion of it is transmitted to the front. A display device equipped with the following features.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the brightness of the first light source in the display layer is higher than the brightness of the second light source.

3. The aforementioned transparent layer is An icon-forming layer having the icon portion and the light-shielding portion, A light-transmitting layer is laminated in front of the icon-forming layer and transmits light that has passed through the icon-forming layer, A front layer is laminated in front of the light-transmitting layer, which is capable of transmitting light that has passed through the light-transmitting layer and reflecting light from the second light source. A display device according to claim 1 or 2, including the following:

4. The light-transmitting layer is composed of a first resin film that is light-transmitting, The display device according to claim 3, wherein the icon-forming layer and the front layer are each formed by printing onto the first resin film.

5. The substrate has a base portion on which the first light source is arranged, and a protruding portion projecting forward from the base portion on which the second light source is arranged. The display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front surface of the protruding portion is flush with the front surface of the transparent layer.

6. A panel base is positioned on the aforementioned base. The aforementioned panel base is The icon portion has a hole surrounding it, and the non-transparent portion prevents the light from the first light source from passing through, A transparent portion is provided in the hole so as to correspond to the icon portion, and transmits light from the first light source, The display device according to claim 5, having the following features.

7. The display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display layer is made of a light-transmitting resin and includes a clear layer laminated in front of the transparent layer and surrounding the second light source.

8. The aforementioned display layer is A decorative layer is laminated in front of the clear layer, allowing some of the light emitted by the first and second light sources to pass through, while obscuring the clear layer side from view when the first and second light sources are not emitting light. A surface layer is laminated in front of the decorative layer and transmits light that has passed through the decorative layer. The display device according to claim 7, including the following:

9. The surface layer is composed of a second resin film that is translucent. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the decorative layer is formed by printing onto the second resin film.

10. The display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the substrate is composed of a circuit board equipped with a circuit.

Images