Display panel storage structure, electronic device, and display panel storage method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to store a large-screen display panel in an exterior panel having a limited area while preventing interference between the display panel and a boss. This display panel storage structure comprises: an exterior panel (11) which houses a display panel (12), has a frame part (11Ab) covering the edge of the front surface of the display panel (12) on the front surface side, and has a right peripheral wall (11D) protruding to the back surface side so as to surround the outer periphery of the display panel (12) at the outer periphery of the frame part (11Ab); a back surface sheet metal (13) which is attached to the exterior panel (11) so as to cover the back surface of the display panel (12); a boss (11G) which is provided at a protruding back end of the right peripheral wall (11D) of the exterior panel (11D) and on the inner side surrounding the outer periphery of the display panel (12), and to which a screw (14) for fixing the back surface sheet metal (13) is fastened; and a gap part (11Gf) which is provided between the boss (11G) and the frame part (11Ab) in order to insert the display panel (12) therein.

Description

Display panel storage structure, electronic device, and display panel storage method

[0001] The present invention relates to a display panel storage structure, an electronic device, and a display panel storage method.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a display device for displaying images. This display device includes a display panel having a display surface on its front surface, a rear housing covering the rear surface of the display panel, a front housing covering the outer periphery of the display panel with a peripheral surface extending from a front surface covering the outer periphery of the display surface toward the rear housing, and screws fastening the rear housing and the front housing together. In this display device, the rear housing has through holes through which screws are inserted toward the front housing, and the front housing has bosses provided on the inner surface of the peripheral surface and through which the screws inserted into the through holes are fastened, and ribs provided on the inner surface of the peripheral surface and extending from the bosses toward the inner surface of the front housing.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-203707

[0004] For example, electronic devices employ a display panel storage structure in their display units, in which a metal plate is fixed to an exterior panel and a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel is stored between the exterior panel and the metal plate. The exterior panel is formed in a frame shape with an open back surface to accommodate the display panel. The metal plate is formed to cover the back side of the display panel and is fixed to the exterior panel from the outside with screws. However, in such a display panel storage structure, particularly in a thin frame in which the front frame of the exterior panel is thinned so as to store a large-screen display panel within an exterior panel with a limited area, if a structure is used in which screws are fastened at the frame position, there is a problem that bosses or ribs for fastening the screws may interfere with the display panel.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a display panel storage structure, electronic device, and display panel storage method that can store a large-screen display panel in an exterior panel with a limited area while preventing interference between the display panel and bosses.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a display panel storage structure of one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an appearance panel that houses a display panel and has a frame on the front side that covers the front edge of the display panel and has a peripheral wall that protrudes from the outer periphery of the frame toward the rear side so as to surround the outer periphery of the display panel; a back plate that is attached to the appearance panel so as to cover the back side of the display panel; a boss that is located at the protruding rear end of the peripheral wall of the appearance panel and is provided inside the periphery of the display panel and into which a screw that secures the back plate is fastened; and a gap that is provided between the boss and the frame for inserting the display panel.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided with the above-described display panel storage structure.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a display panel storage method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the steps of applying the above-described display panel storage structure, inserting the display panel into the gap of the appearance panel at an angle with respect to the frame portion, and then storing the display panel so that it is aligned with the frame portion, and tightening the screws into the bosses to attach the back panel to the appearance panel.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, interference between the display panel and the boss can be prevented, and a large-screen display panel can be housed within an exterior panel with a limited area.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a front view of an electronic device to which a display panel storage structure according to an embodiment is applied. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the display panel storage structure according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of an outer panel of the display panel storage structure according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the display panel storage structure according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the display panel storage structure according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a display panel storage method according to an embodiment.

[0011] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0012] The electronic device according to this embodiment is, for example, an AV (Audio Visual) integrated car navigation device that is mounted inside a vehicle.

[0013] In the following description, the "front" refers to the side viewed by the operator and corresponds to the front side of the electronic device shown in each drawing. In the case of a car navigation device, since it is disposed at the front of the vehicle, the side facing the rear of the vehicle is the "front" side. In addition, in describing the electronic device and the display panel storage structure in this embodiment, the upper, lower, right, and left sides are defined as viewed from the front, and the side opposite the "front" side is the "rear" side.

[0014] 1, an electronic device according to an embodiment has a display unit 10. Although not shown in the figure, the electronic device has a device housing on the rear side of the display unit 10, which houses a control board that controls the display unit 10. Therefore, the display unit 10 is electrically connected to and attached to the device housing.

[0015] The display unit 10 constitutes the display panel storage structure of the embodiment, and includes an outer panel 11, a display panel 12, and a rear metal plate 13 (rear plate), as shown in FIG.

[0016] The display panel 12 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. The display panel 12 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate.

[0017] The outer panel 11 and the rear metal plate 13 house the display panel 12 therebetween.

[0018] The exterior panel 11 is made of synthetic resin. The exterior panel 11 forms the exterior of the display panel 12, surrounding the front, upper, lower, right, and left sides. The exterior panel 11 has a rectangular opening 11F at the rear, a front panel 11A, and upper peripheral walls 11B, lower peripheral walls 11C, right peripheral walls 11D, and left peripheral walls 11E surrounding the front panel 11A. The upper peripheral walls 11B, lower peripheral walls 11C, right peripheral walls 11D, and left peripheral walls 11E are also simply referred to as peripheral walls. The upper peripheral wall 11B and lower peripheral wall 11C are located on relatively long sides of the overall rectangular shape of the exterior panel 11, while the right peripheral wall 11D and left peripheral wall 11E are located on relatively short sides. The front panel 11A has an opening 11Aa that exposes the front of the display panel 12, and a rectangular frame 11Ab around the opening 11Aa. The front of the display panel 12 viewed through the opening 11Aa is referred to as the display surface 12A. The peripheral walls 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E are provided on the outer periphery of the frame 11Ab, protruding toward the rear side. Therefore, the outer panel 11 covers the front edge of the display panel 12 with the frame 11Ab excluding the opening 11Aa of the front panel 11A, and the peripheral walls 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E surround the outer periphery of the display panel 12.

[0019] The rear sheet metal 13 is made of a metal material. The rear sheet metal 13 is formed in a rectangular plate shape so as to close the opening 11F of the appearance panel 11. The rear sheet metal 13 has an upper peripheral edge 13B, a lower peripheral edge 13C, a right peripheral edge 13D, and a left peripheral edge 13E, which are bent forward from the edges to surround the periphery of the rear sheet metal 13. The upper peripheral edge 13B, the lower peripheral edge 13C, the right peripheral edge 13D, and the left peripheral edge 13E are also simply referred to as "peripheries." The upper peripheral edge 13B and the lower peripheral edge 13C are located on relatively long sides of the overall rectangular shape of the rear sheet metal 13, while the right peripheral edge 13D and the left peripheral edge 13E are located on relatively short sides. The upper peripheral edge 13B, the lower peripheral edge 13C, the right peripheral edge 13D, and the left peripheral edge 13E function as strength portions of the rear sheet metal 13 through the bending process. The rear metal sheet 13 also has through holes 13G. The through holes 13G are formed in a total of four locations near the right peripheral edge 13D and the left peripheral edge 13E. The through holes 13G are portions through which screws 14 pass, and the screws 14 are fastened to bosses 11G of the appearance panel 11 to fix the rear metal sheet 13 to the appearance panel 11. The through holes 13G may be cutout-shaped.

[0020] The display panel storage structure of the embodiment is characterized by the boss 11G of the outer panel 11.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , the boss 11G is molded from a synthetic resin material together with the appearance panel 11. In this embodiment, the boss 11G is provided at the protruding rear end (end on the rear side) of the right peripheral wall 11D of the appearance panel 11. In this embodiment, the boss 11G is formed on the surface of the right peripheral wall 11D of the appearance panel 11 facing inward (inside the open portion 11F). The boss 11G is integrally provided to protrude from the inner side of the right peripheral wall 11D of the appearance panel 11. The boss 11G has a rear end 11Ga facing the rear side, a front end 11Gb facing the front side, and a screw hole 11Gc formed from the rear end 11Ga toward the front and opening to the rear at the rear end 11Ga. Therefore, a screw 14 is inserted into the screw hole 11Gc from the rear side (rear side).

[0022] The front end 11Gb of the boss 11G does not reach the frame portion 11Ab of the front plate 11A of the appearance panel 11 and is separated from the frame portion 11Ab, thereby forming a gap 11Gf between the front end 11Gb and the frame portion 11Ab. The gap 11Gf is a portion into which the periphery of the display panel 12 is inserted. The boss 11G is formed by an inclined surface such that the front end 11Gb moves away from the frame portion 11Ab toward the rear as it moves away from the right peripheral wall 11D toward the left. In other words, the gap 11Gf of the boss 11G is formed by the inclined surface of the front end 11Gb so that the gap 11Gf widens from the frame portion 11Ab toward the rear as it moves away from the right peripheral wall 11D toward the left.

[0023] The boss 11G is provided such that its rear end 11Ga is recessed forward of the rear end 11H (the end facing rearward) of the right peripheral wall 11D. Specifically, the boss 11G has a notch 11Gd formed in the rear end 11H of the right peripheral wall 11D, extending from the rear end 11H toward the front, and the rear end 11Ga is recessed forward of the rear end 11H via this notch 11Gd.

[0024] The boss 11G has a slit 11Ge formed along its periphery in the right peripheral wall 11D. One end of the slit 11Ge is open at a notch 11Gd, extends in the front-rear direction along the lower side (or upper side) of the boss 11G, bends upward (or downward) to fit along the front end 11Gb of the boss 11G, and is closed at the other end, forming an L-shape. This slit 11Ge allows the boss 11G to be provided on a rectangular plate portion with only one continuous side on the right peripheral wall 11D, and is provided so that it can move left and right due to elastic deformation of the plate portion.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4 , the boss 11G is configured to form the gap 11Gf, and the relationship between the protrusion dimension T1 of the front end 11Gb from the right peripheral wall 11D to the left and the protrusion dimension T2 of the frame portion 11Ab from the right peripheral wall 11D to the left is in the range of T2 / T1≦2.0. That is, the protrusion dimension T2 of the frame portion 11Ab from the right peripheral wall 11D to the left is less than or equal to twice the protrusion dimension T1 of the front end 11Gb from the right peripheral wall 11D to the left. Preferably, the boss 11G has a T2 / T1 ratio in the range of 1.5. Therefore, the display panel storage structure of this embodiment forms a thin frame in which the protrusion dimension T2 of the frame portion 11Ab is relatively small, allowing the display surface 12A of the display panel 12 to appear as large as possible.

[0026] The boss 11G configured in this manner may be provided on a portion other than the right peripheral wall 11D.

[0027] In the display panel storage structure of the embodiment, the screws 14 fastened to the screw holes 11Gc of the bosses 11G are formed to a length that does not penetrate the front end 11Gb as shown in Fig. 4. In other words, the screws 14 are formed to a length that does not reach the gaps 11Gf.

[0028] A display panel storage method for storing the display panel 12 using the display panel storage structure configured in this manner includes, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6 , a step of inserting the display panel 12 into the gap 11Gf at an angle relative to the frame portion 11Ab, and then accommodating the display panel 12 in the appearance panel 11 so that it is aligned with the frame portion 11Ab (step S1), and a step of tightening the screws 14 into the bosses 11G so as to attach the back metal sheet 13 to the appearance panel 11 (step S2).

[0029] 5 , in the process of accommodating the display panel 12 in the appearance panel 11 (step S1), the display panel 12 is accommodated in the appearance panel 11 by inserting the peripheral edge of the display panel 12 into the gap 11Gf. In this manner, the gap 11Gf is provided for inserting the display panel 12 between the boss 11G and the frame portion 11Ab. When inserting the display panel 12 into the gap 11Gf, the front end 11Gb of the boss 11G is formed as an inclined surface, which prevents the display panel 12 from hitting the boss 11G and allows the display panel 12 to be smoothly accommodated in the appearance panel 11.

[0030] Furthermore, when the rear metal sheet 13 is fixed to the exterior panel 11 with the screw 14, as shown in FIG. 4, the portion of the rear metal sheet 13 surrounding the through hole 13G through which the screw 14 passes is fitted into the cutout portion 11Gd, so that the head of the screw 14 does not protrude rearward from the rear end 11H of the right peripheral wall 11D.

[0031] Thus, the display panel storage structure of the embodiment includes an appearance panel 11 that houses the display panel 12 and has a frame portion 11Ab on the front side that covers the front edge of the display panel 12, and has a right-side peripheral wall 11D that protrudes toward the rear side around the outer periphery of the frame portion 11Ab so as to surround the outer periphery of the display panel 12; a back metal plate 13 that is attached to the appearance panel 11 so as to cover the back of the display panel 12; a boss 11G that is located at the protruding rear end of the right-side peripheral wall 11D of the appearance panel 11 and is provided inside the outer periphery of the display panel 12, and into which a screw 14 that fixes the back metal plate 13 is fastened; and a gap portion 11Gf that is provided for inserting the display panel 12 between the boss 11G and the frame portion 11Ab.

[0032] According to this display panel storage structure, the display panel 12 is inserted into the gap 11Gf, thereby minimizing the protrusion dimension T2 of the frame portion 11Ab, thereby creating a thin frame and providing space inside (rear of) the frame portion 11Ab for the periphery of the display panel 12 to fit within. Furthermore, by inserting the display panel 12 into the gap 11Gf, this display panel storage structure prevents interference between the display panel 12 and the bosses 11G used to secure the rear metal plate 13 to the appearance panel 11. Therefore, this display panel storage structure prevents interference between the display panel 12 and the bosses 11G, allowing a large-screen display panel 12 to be stored within the limited area of ​​the appearance panel 11. Furthermore, because this display panel storage structure secures the rear metal plate 13 to the appearance panel 11 with screws 14, it is possible to ensure assembly strength and prevent abnormal noise due to mutual vibration, compared to a configuration in which the rear metal plate 13 is attached to the appearance panel 11 by inserting or fitting.

[0033] In addition, in the display panel storage structure of the embodiment, a notch 11Gd is formed from the rear end 11H of the right peripheral wall 11D toward the front, and the boss 11G is recessed forward from the rear end 11H via the notch 11Gd.

[0034] With this display panel storage structure, when the rear metal sheet 13 is fixed to the appearance panel 11 with the screws 14 via the bosses 11G, the area around the through holes 13G in the rear metal sheet 13 through which the screws 14 pass and the heads of the screws 14 do not protrude rearward from the rear end 11H of the right peripheral wall 11D. Therefore, with this display panel storage structure, the rear metal sheet 13 and the screws 14 do not protrude, preventing interference with other components (for example, a device housing).

[0035] The display panel storage structure of the embodiment further includes a slit portion 11Ge that is disposed around the boss 11G in the right peripheral wall 11D and has one open end and the other closed end.

[0036] According to this display panel storage structure, the plate portion on which the boss 11G formed by the slit portion 11Ge is provided elastically deforms along with the boss 11G. Therefore, in this display panel storage structure, the boss 11G is provided so that its position can be moved by the elastic deformation of the plate portion, so that even if the display panel 12 comes into contact with the boss 11G when inserting the display panel 12 into the gap 11Gf, the insertion of the display panel 12 is not hindered. After the display panel 12 is inserted into the gap 11Gf, the boss 11G returns to its original position by the elastic deformation of the plate portion.

[0037] The electronic device of the embodiment is adapted to the display panel storage structure described above.

[0038] This electronic device prevents interference between the display panel 12 and the boss 11G, allowing the large-screen display panel 12 to be housed within the limited surface area of ​​the outer panel 11. Furthermore, this electronic device ensures the strength of the assembly between the rear metal plate 13 and the outer panel 11, and prevents abnormal noise caused by vibration between them.

[0039] Furthermore, the display panel storage method of the embodiment applies the display panel storage structure described above, and includes the steps of inserting the display panel 12 into the gap 11Gf at an angle relative to the frame portion 11Ab, and then storing the display panel 12 in the appearance panel 11 so as to fit along the frame portion 11Ab, and tightening the screws 14 into the bosses 11G so as to attach the back metal sheet 13 to the appearance panel 11.

[0040] This display panel storage method prevents interference between the display panel 12 and the boss 11G, making it possible to store the large-screen display panel 12 within the limited area of ​​the appearance panel 11. Furthermore, this display panel storage method ensures the strength of the assembly between the rear metal plate 13 and the appearance panel 11, and prevents the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration between them.

[0041] In the embodiment, the back metal plate 13 is attached to the appearance panel 11 so as to cover the back surface of the display panel 12, but instead of the back metal plate 13, a resin plate may be attached as the back panel.

[0042] The present disclosure prevents interference between the display panel and the boss, and allows a large-screen display panel to be housed within an exterior panel with a limited area.

[0043] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 Appearance panel 11D Right side peripheral wall 11Ab Frame portion 11G Boss 11Ga Rear end 11Gb Front end 11Gd Notch portion 11Ge Slit portion 11Gf Gap portion 11H Rear end 12 Display panel 13 Rear metal plate (rear plate) 14 Screw

Claims

1. an appearance panel that houses a display panel and has a frame portion on the front side that covers the front edge of the display panel, and a peripheral wall that protrudes from the outer periphery of the frame portion to the rear side so as to surround the outer periphery of the display panel; a back panel attached to the appearance panel so as to cover the back surface of the display panel; a boss provided at the rear end of the peripheral wall of the appearance panel, the boss being provided inside the outer periphery of the display panel and adapted to receive a screw for fastening the rear panel; a gap provided between the boss and the frame for inserting the display panel; a slit portion disposed around the boss in the peripheral wall, the slit portion having one open end and the other closed end; a display panel storage structure including:

2. 2. The display panel storage structure according to claim 1, wherein a notch is formed from the rear end of the peripheral wall toward the front, and the boss is recessed toward the front side from the rear end through the notch.

3. an appearance panel that houses a display panel and has a frame portion on the front side that surrounds the front edge of the display panel, and a peripheral wall that protrudes from the outer periphery of the frame portion to the rear side so as to surround the outer periphery of the display panel; a back panel attached to the appearance panel so as to cover the back surface of the display panel; a boss provided at the rear end of the peripheral wall of the appearance panel, the boss being provided inside the outer periphery of the display panel and adapted to receive a screw for fastening the rear panel; a gap provided between the boss and the frame for inserting the display panel; a slit portion disposed around the boss in the peripheral wall, the slit portion having one open end and the other closed end; and a display panel housing structure for housing a display panel including:

4. an appearance panel that houses a display panel and has a frame portion on the front side that surrounds the front edge of the display panel, and a peripheral wall that protrudes from the outer periphery of the frame portion to the rear side so as to surround the outer periphery of the display panel; a back panel attached to the appearance panel so as to cover the back surface of the display panel; a boss provided at the rear end of the peripheral wall of the appearance panel, the boss being provided inside the outer periphery of the display panel and adapted to receive a screw for fastening the rear panel; a gap provided between the boss and the frame for inserting the display panel; A display panel storage structure is applied, including: a step of inserting the display panel into the gap at an angle with respect to the frame portion, and then housing the display panel in the appearance panel so as to be aligned with the frame portion; fastening the screws to the bosses to attach the back panel to the appearance panel; A display panel storage method, including: