Display device

Abstract

This display device comprises a first decorative layer that represents a decoration pattern, a translucent region that transmits light and is provided to the first decorative layer, a scattering layer that scatters light and is provided to the underside of the first decorative layer, a light source that irradiates the scattering layer with light and is provided to a side of the scattering layer, and a second decorative layer that represents a decoration pattern and is provided to the underside of the scattering layer at a position overlapping the translucent region.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a technology has been used in which a decorative sheet is attached to the surface of a part to be decorated having a three-dimensional shape, such as various vehicle parts (e.g., inner panels), using a molding method such as three-dimensional overlay molding (TOM (Three dimension Overlay Method) molding), thereby protecting the surface of the part to be decorated while decorating the surface with various decorative patterns (e.g., metal patterns, wood grain patterns, etc.).

[0003] Furthermore, with regard to such decorative sheets, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology in which light irradiated from a light source provided on the back side of the decorative sheet is transmitted through a translucent area having a predetermined design shape formed in a light-shielding layer, thereby enabling a light image having a predetermined design shape to be displayed on the surface of the decorative sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-11114 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional decorative sheet having such a configuration, since an optical image formed by the light transmitted through the decorative layer is displayed on the surface of the decorative sheet, the brightness of the optical image is attenuated by the decorative layer. On the other hand, if the transparency of the decorative layer is increased, the outline of the light-transmitting region becomes easily visible when the light source is turned off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A display device in one embodiment comprises a first decorative layer that represents a decorative pattern, a translucent region provided in the first decorative layer that transmits light, a scattering layer provided below the first decorative layer that scatters light, a light source provided to the side of the scattering layer that irradiates light onto the scattering layer, and a second decorative layer that represents the decorative pattern and is provided below the scattering layer at a position overlapping the translucent region. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the display device, the brightness of an optical image can be increased when a light source is turned on, and the contour of a light-transmitting region can be made less visible when the light source is turned off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic stacked structure of a display device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a laminated structure of a display device according to a modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a laminated structure of a display device according to a modified example of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Configuration of display device 10) Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a typical layered structure of the display device 10 according to an embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display device 10 includes a display panel 100, a substrate 111, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 112. The display panel 100 includes a substrate 111 and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 112. The substrate 111 includes a light emitting diode (LED).

[0012] The display panel 100 is a sheet-like or plate-like member having a decorative pattern (e.g., a wood grain pattern, a metal pattern, a leather pattern, etc.) on its surface. The display panel 100 is provided on the surface of any part to be decorated (e.g., an interior panel of an automobile, etc.) to decorate the surface of the part to be decorated.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the display panel 100 comprises, from the front side (upper side in the figure), a base layer 102, a first decorative layer 103, a first color tone adjusting layer 104, a scattering layer 105, a second decorative layer 106, and a second color tone adjusting layer 107.

[0014] The base layer 102 is a layer formed using a base material that serves as the base of the display panel 100. In other words, the display panel 100 is formed by laminating other layers on the base layer 102. For example, the base layer 102 is formed using a flexible, transparent, sheet-like or plate-like base material (e.g., PMMA (Poly Methyl Methacrylate), PC (Polycarbonate), urethane, ABS, glass, etc.).

[0015] The first decorative layer 103 represents a decorative pattern (e.g., a wood grain pattern, a metal pattern, etc.) presented by the display panel 100. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the first decorative layer 103 is formed on the rear surface (the lower surface in the figure) of the base layer 102. For example, the first decorative layer 103 is formed by printing a plurality of color inks (e.g., CMYK) on the rear surface of the base layer 102 in pixel units according to the pattern presented by the display panel 100.

[0016] The first decorative layer 103 partially transmits the light emitted from the LEDs 112, thereby displaying a light image of a predetermined design shape (e.g., characters, symbols, figures, etc.) on the surface of the display panel 100. For this purpose, a light-transmitting region 103A having an opening shape that is the same as the light image is formed in the first decorative layer 103. For example, the light-transmitting region 103A is formed by printing a translucent ink in a predetermined design shape on the back surface of the base layer 102.

[0017] The first color tone adjustment layer 104 is formed on the back surface (the surface on the lower side in the figure) of the first decorative layer 103. For example, the first color tone adjustment layer 104 is printed on the first decorative layer 103 to prevent light leakage from pinholes in the first decorative layer 103. For example, the first color tone adjustment layer 104 is formed in a single color and printed on the first decorative layer 103 to adjust the overall lightness, hue, and saturation of the first decorative layer 103. In addition, the first color tone adjustment layer 104 has a light-transmitting region 104A having an opening shape the same as that of the light-transmitting region 103A formed on the light-transmitting region 103A so that the light emitted from the LED 112 can pass through the light-transmitting region 103A. In addition, in this embodiment, the first decorative layer 103 and the first color tone adjustment layer 104 are formed on the base layer 102 by printing and are integrally formed.

[0018] The scattering layer 105 is provided below the first color tone adjusting layer 104 at a distance and at a position overlapping the light-transmitting region 103A in a plan view from above. The scattering layer 105 scatters the light emitted from the LEDs 112, causing the surface of the scattering layer 105 to emit light uniformly. As a result, the scattering layer 105 causes the light image transmitted through the light-transmitting region 103A and displayed on the surface of the display panel 100 to emit light uniformly.

[0019] The scattering layer 105 is formed in a plate shape by including scattering particles such as silica having light scattering properties in a transparent resin material such as an acrylic resin such as PMMA (Poly Methyl Methacrylate) or PC (Polycarbonate). This allows the scattering layer 105 to have high transparency when no light is incident from the LED 112, and to uniformly scatter the light when light is incident from the LED 112. Note that the scattering layer 105 is not limited to a plate shape and can be formed in a desired shape.

[0020] Moreover, the particle size of the scattering particles contained in the scattering layer 105 is preferably 1 μm or less. This makes it possible to make the scattering particles contained in the scattering layer 105 almost invisible from the front surface side of the display panel 100.

[0021] Moreover, it is preferable that the scattering layer 105 has a haze of 4% or less. This makes it possible to obtain high transparency of the scattering layer 105, and to improve the visibility of the second decorative layer 106 through the scattering layer 105 from the front surface side of the display panel 100.

[0022] The second decorative layer 106 is provided below the scattering layer 105. The second decorative layer 106 is a layer that does not form the transmissive region 103A with the same decorative pattern as the first decorative layer 103. For example, the second decorative layer 106 is formed by printing a plurality of color inks (e.g., CMYK) on the back surface of the scattering layer 105 in pixel units by thermal transfer printing using a thermal transfer printer.

[0023] The decorative pattern presented by the second decorative layer 106 has the same hue and saturation as the decorative pattern presented by the first decorative layer 103 , but has a different brightness from the decorative pattern presented by the first decorative layer 103 .

[0024] For example, when the decorative pattern presented by the first decorative layer 103 is a bright color (for example, brightness L1>50), the brightness L2 of the decorative pattern presented by the second decorative layer 106 is set higher than the brightness L1 of the decorative pattern presented by the first decorative layer 103.

[0025] Also, for example, when the decorative pattern presented by the first decorative layer 103 is a dark color (for example, brightness L1<50), the brightness L2 of the decorative pattern presented by the second decorative layer 106 is set lower than the brightness L1 of the decorative pattern presented by the first decorative layer 103.

[0026] The second color tone adjusting layer 107 is formed on the back surface (the lower surface in the figure) of the second decorative layer 106. For example, the second color tone adjusting layer 107 is printed over the second decorative layer 106 to prevent light leakage from pinholes or the like in the second decorative layer 106. Also, for example, the second color tone adjusting layer 107 is formed in a single color and printed over the second decorative layer 106 to adjust the overall lightness, hue, and saturation of the second decorative layer 106. Similarly to the relationship between the first decorative layer 103 and the second decorative layer 106 described above, if the first color tone adjustment layer 104 is a light color, the lightness of the second color tone adjustment layer 107 is set higher than the lightness of the first color tone adjustment layer 104, and if the first color tone adjustment layer 104 is a dark color, the lightness of the second color tone adjustment layer 107 is set lower than the lightness of the first color tone adjustment layer 104.

[0027] In this way, the second color tone adjustment layer 107 and the second decorative layer 106 are formed so that when a person looks at the display device 10 from above when the LED 112 is turned off, the second color tone adjustment layer 107 and the second decorative layer 106 are visually recognized as a decorative surface that is almost indistinguishable from the decorative surface provided by the first color tone adjustment layer 104 and the first decorative layer 103.

[0028] In this embodiment, the brightness of the first decorative layer 103 and the second decorative layer 106 are changed, but this is not necessarily required as long as the decorated surface provided by the first color tone adjustment layer 104 and the first decorative layer 103 and the decorated surface provided by the second color tone adjustment layer 107 and the second decorative layer 106 are visible as almost indistinguishable decorated surfaces when a person looks at the display device 10 from above with the LED 112 turned off.

[0029] In addition, in this embodiment, the first decorative layer 103 and the second decorative layer 106 have the same hue and saturation, but these may be adjusted as necessary so that when a person looks at the display device 10 from above while the LED 112 is turned off, the decorative surface provided by the first color tone adjustment layer 104 and the first decorative layer 103 and the decorative surface provided by the second color tone adjustment layer 107 and the second decorative layer 106 are visible as almost indistinguishable decorative surfaces.

[0030] In addition, in this embodiment, the second decorative layer 106 and the second color tone adjustment layer 107 are printed and integrally formed on the scattering layer 105, and are arranged spaced apart from the integrally formed base layer 102, first decorative layer 103, and first color tone adjustment layer 104 below, but they may be formed integrally without being spaced apart.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the first color tone adjusting layer 104 and the second color tone adjusting layer 107 are provided, but they are not necessarily required to be provided. The first decorative layer 103 or the second decorative layer 106 does not necessarily have to be formed of a single layer, but may be formed of multiple layers. When the first decorative layer 103 or the second decorative layer 106 is formed of multiple layers, the first decorative layer 103 or the second decorative layer 106 may be formed to include a color tone adjusting layer.

[0032] The substrate 111 and the LED 112 are provided on the side of the scattering layer 105. The substrate 111 is a flat plate-shaped member. For example, a PWB (Printed Wired Board), an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits), or the like can be used as the substrate 111. The LED 112 is an example of a "light source" and is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 111. The LED 112 irradiates light onto the side surface of the scattering layer 105 at a predetermined timing. The light emission timing of the LED 112 is controlled from outside.

[0033] (Functions and Effects of Display Device 10) The display device 10 according to an embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration, and by emitting light from the LEDs 112, the light emitted from the LEDs 112 can be irradiated onto the side surface of the scattering layer 105 and can be incident on the scattering layer 105 from the side surface of the scattering layer 105. The display device 10 according to an embodiment can scatter the light incident on the scattering layer 105 in the scattering layer 105 and transmit the light-transmitting region 103A having a predetermined design shape. This allows the display device 10 to display an optical image having a predetermined design shape on the surface of the display panel 100.

[0034] In addition, in the display device 10 according to the embodiment, when the LEDs 112 are not emitting light, no light image is displayed on the surface of the target part 110, and only the decoration pattern is visible.

[0035] In particular, the display device 10 of one embodiment comprises a first decorative layer 103 that represents a decorative pattern, a light-transmitting area 103A that is provided in the first decorative layer 103 and transmits light, a scattering layer 105 that is provided below the first decorative layer 103 and scatters light, an LED 112 that is provided to the side of the scattering layer 105 and irradiates light onto the scattering layer 105, and a second decorative layer 106 that represents the decorative pattern and is provided below the scattering layer 105 at a position overlapping the light-transmitting area 103A.

[0036] As a result, in the display device 10 of one embodiment, when the LED 112 is turned on, the light that enters the scattering layer 105 from the side of the scattering layer 105 and passes through the light-transmitting area 103A is not attenuated by the first decorative layer 103, thereby increasing the brightness of the light image displayed on the surface of the display panel 100 when the LED 112 is turned on.

[0037] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the display device 10, when the LED 112 is turned off, the LEDs and the like are not visible from the light-transmitting area 103A, but the decorative pattern of the second decorative layer 106 is visible, making it difficult to see the outline of the light-transmitting area 103A.

[0038] In addition, in the display device 10 according to one embodiment, by arranging the LED 112 to the side of the scattering layer 105, the entire device can be made thinner compared to a conventional configuration in which a light source is provided on the back side of the display panel 100.

[0039] In the display device 10 according to an embodiment, the scattering layer 105 is made of a transparent material containing scattering particles.

[0040] As a result, the display device 10 according to an embodiment can increase the transparency of the scattering layer 105 without making the scattering layer 105 cloudy, and can increase the light scattering property of the scattering layer 105. As a result, the display device 10 according to an embodiment can make the outline of the light-transmitting region 103A less visible when the LEDs 112 are turned off, and can increase the brightness of the optical image displayed on the surface of the display panel 100 when the LEDs 112 are turned on.

[0041] In the display device 10 according to the embodiment, the second decorative layer 106 has a decorative pattern different in brightness from that of the first decorative layer 103.

[0042] As a result, in one embodiment of the display device 10, when the LED 112 is turned off and the display panel 100 is viewed from the front side, the apparent brightness of the first decorative layer 103 and the second decorative layer 106 can be made approximately equal, thereby making the outline of the light-transmitting area 103A provided in the first decorative layer 103 less noticeable.

[0043] In the display device 10 according to one embodiment, both the first decorative layer 103 and the second decorative layer 106 may exhibit the decorative pattern in a black color.

[0044] As a result, in the display device 10 according to one embodiment, when the LED 112 is turned off, the outline of the light-transmitting area 103A provided in the first decorative layer 103 can be made inconspicuous when the display panel 100 is viewed from the front side.

[0045] In the display device 10 according to an embodiment, the scattering layer 105 may be provided with a reflective treatment for reflecting light on a surface perpendicular to or opposite to the incident surface of the light emitted from the LED 112. Examples of the reflective treatment include white paint, white tape, and mirror treatment.

[0046] As a result, the display device 10 of one embodiment can suppress leakage of light from a surface perpendicular to the incident surface of the scattering layer 105 or from the opposing surface when the LED 112 is lit, thereby increasing the brightness of the optical image displayed on the surface of the display panel 100.

[0047] In the display device 10 according to an embodiment, the scattering layer 105 may be subjected to an absorbing treatment for absorbing light on a surface facing the incident surface of the light emitted from the LED 112 or on the opposite surface. Examples of the absorbing treatment include black painting, black tape, and the like.

[0048] As a result, when the LED 112 is turned on, the display device 10 according to one embodiment can suppress leakage of light from a surface opposite to or perpendicular to the incident surface of the scattering layer 105. Therefore, for example, when a similar display device is present adjacent to the display device 10, the display device 10 according to one embodiment can suppress leakage of light incident on the scattering layer 105 from a surface opposite to or perpendicular to the incident surface of the scattering layer 105 to the adjacent display device.

[0049] (Modification) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a laminated structure of a display device 10-2 according to a modified example of the embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, display device 10-2 differs from display device 10 in that substrate 111 is extended to a position overlapping with light-transmitting region 103A, and second decorative layer 106 and second color tone adjustment layer 107 are formed on substrate 111, but is otherwise similar to display device 10.

[0051] The display device 10-2 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3 and can thus achieve the same effects as the display device 10 shown in FIGS.

[0052] In the display device 10-2, the surface of the substrate 111 on which the second decorative layer 106 and the second color tone adjusting layer 107 are formed may be further covered with a transparent or semi-transparent overcoat material.

[0053] In the display devices 10 and 10-2, the first decorated layer 103 and the second decorated layer 106 may be formed by the same manufacturing method or by different manufacturing methods.

[0054] In addition, in the display devices 10, 10-2, when the decorative pattern of the first decorative layer 103 and the decorative pattern of the second decorative layer 106 have a pattern (e.g., a lattice pattern), the decorative pattern of the second decorative layer 106 may be made larger than the decorative pattern of the first decorative layer 103, taking into account the difference in perspective when the display panel 100 is viewed from the front side.

[0055] As a result, when the display panel 100 is viewed from the front side while the LED 112 is turned off, the display device 10, 10-2 can make the size of the decorative pattern of the second decorative layer 106 and the size of the decorative pattern of the first decorative layer 103 appear approximately equal, thereby making the outline of the light-transmitting area 103A provided in the first decorative layer 103 less noticeable.

[0056] 4 is a diagram illustrating a laminated structure of a display device 10-3 according to a modified example of the embodiment. The display device 10-3 illustrated in FIG. 4 is different from the display device 10 in that it further includes an electrostatic sensor 120, an adhesive layer 122, and an FPC 121, but is otherwise similar to the display device 10.

[0057] The electrostatic sensor 120 is disposed between the first color tone adjustment layer 104 and the scattering layer 105. The electrostatic sensor 120 is composed of a base material 120A made of glass, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or the like, and a sensor electrode 120B formed on the base material 120A, made of ITO (indium tin oxide), or the like, and functioning as an electrostatic sensor electrode.

[0058] The adhesive layer 122 is made of OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive) or OCR (optical clear resin), and adheres the surface of the sensor electrode 120B of the electrostatic sensor 120 to the lower surface of the base layer 102 on which the first decorative layer 103 and the first color tone adjusting layer 104 are provided.

[0059] In addition, the base material 120A, the sensor electrode 120B, and the adhesive layer 122 are formed to be transparent, and do not substantially impede the light passing through the light-transmitting region 104A.

[0060] The sensor electrode 120B is connected to the FPC 121, the sensor electrode 120B is driven, and a detection signal is output.

[0061] The electrostatic sensor 120 can detect the contact position of an operating object (for example, an operator's finger) on the surface of the display device 10-3. This allows the display device 10-3 to receive an operation input according to the contact position of the operating object.

[0062] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0063] This international application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-032836, filed on March 3, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10,10-2,10-3 Display device 100 Display Panel 102 Base Layer 103 First decorative layer 103A Translucent area 104 1st tone adjustment layer 104A Translucent area 105 Scattering layer 106 Second decorative layer 107 2nd tone adjustment layer 111 Substrate 112 LED (light source) 120 Electrostatic Sensor 120A base material 120B Sensor electrode 121 FPC 122 Adhesive layer

Claims

1. a first decorative layer representing a decorative pattern; a light-transmitting region provided in the first decorative layer and transmitting light; A scattering layer provided under the first decorative layer and scattering the light; a light source provided on a side of the scattering layer and configured to irradiate the scattering layer with the light; a second decorative layer that is provided below the scattering layer and overlaps with the light-transmitting region and represents the decorative pattern; Equipped with The second decorative layer is The first decorative layer and the decorative pattern have different brightnesses. A display device comprising:

2. A first decorative layer representing a decorative pattern; a light-transmitting region provided in the first decorative layer and transmitting light; A scattering layer provided under the first decorative layer and scattering the light; a light source provided on a side of the scattering layer and configured to irradiate the scattering layer with the light; a second decorative layer that is provided below the scattering layer and overlaps with the light-transmitting region and represents the decorative pattern; Equipped with The second decorative layer is The decorative pattern is larger than the first decorative layer. A display device comprising:

3. The scattering layer is The transparent material is made of light-scattering fine particles.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

4. The first decorative layer and the second decorative layer are Both represent the black decorative pattern.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

5. The scattering layer is A surface perpendicular to the incident surface of the light emitted from the light source or a surface opposite the incident surface is provided with a reflective treatment for reflecting the light.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

6. The scattering layer is The surface opposite to the incident surface of the light emitted from the light source, or the surface perpendicular thereto, is subjected to an absorbing treatment for absorbing the light.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

Images