Display device

Abstract

A display device (100) comprises a light emission part (10), a frame part (20), a display part (30), a mirror part (40), and a diffusion part (50). The light emission part (10) includes a plurality of first light-emitting bodies (11) that are arranged in a first direction (DR1). The frame part (20) has an opening (21) formed which allows the light from the first light-emitting bodies (11) to pass therethrough and which extends in the first direction (DR1), and the light emission part (10) is attached to the frame part (20). The display part (30) is attached to the side of the frame part (20) opposite from the light emission part (10) and is viewed by a user. The mirror part (40) is provided to the display part (30) and extends in the first direction (DR1). The diffusion part (50) is disposed between the frame part (20) and the display part (30) in such a manner as to overlap the entirety of the mirror part (40) and diffuses the light from the first light-emitting bodies (11). The opening (21) is provided in such a manner as to overlap only a part of the mirror part (40) in the first direction (DR1). The mirror part (40) transmits at least part of the light from the diffusion part (50).

Description

display device

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-129999 discloses a technology relating to a display unit in an information presentation device that displays information that should be recognized by an occupant.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-240228

[0004] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 can easily convey various information about the vehicle to the occupants by using the light-emitting pattern of the light-emitting unit, but if the light-emitting unit is not installed in the vehicle by default, the light-emitting unit will have to be brought into the vehicle and installed.

[0005] When display devices such as car stereos, display audio devices, and car navigation systems that include the above-mentioned light-emitting units are installed in positions that are easily visible to occupants, it is preferable that the display devices look good even when the light-emitting units are not emitting light.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve, for example, by providing a display device that looks good. Other examples of the problem that the present invention aims to solve can be extracted from the description, drawings, claims, and other statements that become self-evident.

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is a display device comprising: a light-emitting unit including a plurality of first light-emitting elements arranged in a first direction; a frame unit having an opening extending in the first direction to pass light from the first light-emitting elements and to which the light-emitting elements are attached; a display unit attached to the opposite side of the frame unit from the light-emitting elements and visible to a user; a mirror unit provided on the display unit and extending in the first direction; and a diffusion unit arranged between the frame unit and the display unit so as to overlap the entire mirror unit and to diffuse light from the first light-emitting elements, wherein the opening is arranged so as to overlap only a portion of the mirror unit in the first direction, and the mirror unit transmits at least a portion of the light from the diffusion unit.

[0008] 1 is a schematic diagram of a display device according to a first embodiment in a non-light-emitting state; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display device according to the first embodiment when disassembled; FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged view of region A shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a display device according to a first embodiment in a light-emitting state; and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a display device according to a second embodiment in a non-light-emitting state.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] <First embodiment> (Display device 100) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a display device 100 according to a first embodiment in a non-light-emitting state. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the display device 100 according to the first embodiment when disassembled. Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the display device 100 in a non-light-emitting state in which a light-emitting unit 10 (described later) does not emit light. The display device 100 will be described using Figs. 1 and 2.

[0011] In the first embodiment, the display device 100 may be a display audio. The display device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a light-emitting unit 10, and is configured to emit light from a part of the display device 100 in addition to outputting music.

[0012] (Light-emitting unit 10) The light-emitting unit 10 serves to convey various information about the vehicle (such as guidance for going straight or turning right or left) to the occupants, and to emit light in time with the music being output. As shown in FIG. 2 , the light-emitting unit 10 includes a plurality of first light-emitting bodies 11. The plurality of first light-emitting bodies 11 are arranged on a base 13 and lined up in a first direction DR1. In the first embodiment, the first direction DR1 is the width direction of the display device 100, the width direction of the vehicle, and the horizontal direction. In the first embodiment, the first light-emitting bodies 11 are LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors (for example, RGB colors).

[0013] In the first embodiment, the light-emitting unit 10 further includes a plurality of second light emitters 12. In the first embodiment, the second light emitters 12 are arranged below the first light emitters 11. In the first embodiment, the second light emitters 12 are LEDs that emit light in a single color (e.g., red). The second light emitters 12 have lower power consumption and lower brightness than the first light emitters 11. In addition, the number of second light emitters 12 is smaller than the number of first light emitters 11.

[0014] A button 2 is provided on the outer side of the light-emitting unit 10 in the first direction DR1. The button 2 has a function of adjusting the volume of the sound output from the display device 100, for example.

[0015] (Display unit 30) The display device 100 further includes a display unit 30. The display unit 30 is a part that constitutes the display of the display device 100, and in the first embodiment, the display unit 30 is a touch panel display. The display unit 30 is a part that is visually recognized by the user. The display unit 30 has a display area 33. Various contents are displayed in the display area 33. In the first embodiment, music-related contents are displayed in the display area 33.

[0016] (Mirror unit 40) The display device 100 further includes a mirror unit 40. The mirror unit 40 is a so-called half mirror, and is provided on the display unit 30. The mirror unit 40 extends in the first direction DR1. For example, when the light-emitting unit 10 is in a non-light-emitting state and an occupant looks at the display unit 30, the mirror unit 40 reflects the image of the occupant. The mirror unit 40 transmits at least a portion of the light from the diffusion unit 50 (described later). The transmittance of the mirror unit 40 is, for example, 25%. The mirror unit 40 is provided above the display unit 30. Details of the mirror unit 40 will be described later.

[0017] (Frame portion 20) As shown in FIG. 2 , the display device 100 further includes a frame portion 20 and a diffusion portion 50. The frame portion 20 functions like a housing for the display device 100. The frame portion 20 is a frame into which the display portion 30 is fitted. The display portion 30 is attached to the frame portion 20 on the opposite side from the light-emitting portion 10. The frame portion 20 is provided between the display portion 30 and the light-emitting portion 10. The light-emitting portion 10 is attached to the frame portion 20. The light-emitting portion 10 is provided on the back side of the frame portion 20.

[0018] (Opening 21) An opening 21 is formed in the frame 20. The opening 21 is a gap provided in the frame 20 and is a slit-shaped opening. The opening 21 extends in the first direction DR1 and allows light from the first light emitter 11 to pass through. Light emitted from the light emitter 10 passes through the opening 21 and then enters the mirror unit 40 provided in the display unit 30 via a diffusion unit 50 (described later). The opening 21 is arranged to overlap only a portion of the mirror unit 40 in the first direction DR1. The length L1 of the mirror unit 40 in the first direction DR1 is greater than the length L2 of the opening 21. The length L2 of the opening 21 in the first direction DR1 is shorter than the length L3 of the display area 33 in the first direction DR1. Furthermore, the length L1 of the mirror unit 40 in the first direction DR1 is shorter than the length L3 of the display area 33 in the first direction DR1.

[0019] (Diffusion unit 50) The diffusion unit 50 is disposed between the frame unit 20 and the display unit 30 so as to overlap the entire mirror unit 40. The diffusion unit 50 covers the entire mirror unit 40 in the first direction DR1 and may be larger than the mirror unit 40. In the first direction DR1, the length L4 of the diffusion unit 50 is larger than the length L1 of the mirror unit 40. The diffusion unit 50 diffuses light from the first light emitter 11 that has passed through the opening 21. At least a portion of the light diffused by the diffusion unit 50 is incident on the mirror unit 40.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged view of region A shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged view of the mirror section 40. The mirror section 40 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of conductor lines 31 of the display section 30. The conductor lines 31 are conductive lines provided in the display section 30. The conductor lines 31 extend in a first direction DR1. In the first embodiment, the conductor lines 31 do not transmit light. In the first embodiment, the conductor lines 31 contain silver or aluminum. The plurality of conductor lines 31 are arranged side by side with gaps 34 between them.

[0021] In the first embodiment, the touch panel included in the display unit 30 includes a detection electrode 61 (not shown) that can detect contact between a user and the display. The detection electrode 61 may be a mesh electrode based on silver or aluminum. A plurality of wirings 32 (not shown) based on silver or aluminum are connected to the detection electrode 61. The wirings 32 are wirings necessary for the touch panel included in the display unit 30 to function. In the first embodiment, the plurality of conductor lines 31 are located in the same layer as the plurality of wirings 32. In the first embodiment, the conductor lines 31 and the wirings 32 are made of the same material.

[0022] (Effects) The display device 100 according to the first embodiment described above comprises a light-emitting section 10, a frame section 20, a display section 30, a mirror section 40, and a diffusion section 50, and the opening 21 is arranged so as to overlap only a portion of the mirror section 40 in the first direction DR1, and the mirror section 40 transmits at least a portion of the light from the diffusion section 50.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the display device 100 according to the first embodiment in an emitting state. Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the display device 100 in an emitting state in which the light-emitting unit 10 is emitting light. As shown in Fig. 2, light emitted by the light-emitting unit 10 (first light emitter 11) passes through the opening 21 of the frame unit 20 and is diffused by the diffusion unit 50. At least a portion of the diffused light then passes through the mirror unit 40.

[0024] Returning to FIG. 4 , the mirror section 40 of the display unit 30 has a light-emitting region B and a non-light-emitting region C. The light-emitting region B is an area that appears to the user as luminous due to light passing through the opening 21 and diffused by the diffusion section 50 passing through the mirror section 40 and emitting. The light-emitting region B includes a portion of the mirror section 40 that overlaps with the opening 21. The non-light-emitting region C is an area that appears to the user as a mirror because light from the light-emitting section 10 is blocked by the frame section 20 and does not reach the non-light-emitting region C. The non-light-emitting region C includes a portion of the mirror section 40 that does not overlap with the opening 21. Furthermore, region D shown in FIG. 4 is an area located between the light-emitting region B and the non-light-emitting region C. This is a portion of the mirror section 40 that does not overlap with the opening 21, but because some of the light diffused by the diffusion section 50 reaches the non-light-emitting region, the non-light-emitting region C appears to the user as faintly luminous. The presence of region D blurs the boundary between the light-emitting region B and the non-light-emitting region C.

[0025] Since the length L1 of the mirror unit 40 in the first direction DR1 is greater than the length L2 of the opening 21, if the diffusion unit 50 were not present, the end of the opening 21 in the first direction DR1 would be visible when viewed from the display unit 30. In other words, the boundary between the light-emitting region B and the non-light-emitting region C would be visible, which would deteriorate the appearance of the display device 100.

[0026] However, by providing the diffusion section 50, which is longer than the mirror section 40, between the opening 21 and the mirror section 40, it is possible to prevent the end of the opening 21 in the first direction DR1 (the boundary between the light-emitting region B and the non-light-emitting region C) from being visible, thereby improving the appearance of the display device 100.

[0027] Furthermore, the mirror unit 40 according to the first embodiment includes the plurality of conductor lines 31 of the display unit 30, and the plurality of conductor lines 31 may be arranged side by side with gaps 34 between them. This makes it possible to easily configure a half mirror having a light-emitting function.

[0028] Furthermore, the conductor wire 31 may contain silver or aluminum, which allows the mirror section 40 to reflect light with high reflectance.

[0029] Furthermore, the plurality of conductor lines 31 are located in the same layer as the plurality of wirings 32 related to the function of the touch panel included in the display unit 30, and the conductor lines 31 and the wirings 32 are made of the same material. This allows them to be manufactured using the same process, and therefore the display device 100 can be manufactured efficiently.

[0030] Furthermore, the light-emitting unit 10 may include a second light-emitting body 12 that emits light in a single color. This allows light to be emitted in a different light-emitting pattern from that of the first light-emitting body 11. For example, the second light-emitting body 12 can emit red light with less power consumption than the first light-emitting body 11. This reduces power consumption and can, for example, alert people around the vehicle that the security function is operating during parking monitoring.

[0031] Furthermore, the mirror unit 40 may be provided above the display unit 30. By arranging the mirror unit 40 at a position close to the eye level of the occupant, the occupant can easily view the mirror unit 40.

[0032] Furthermore, the display unit 30 has a display area 33 where content is displayed, and the length L2 of the opening 21 in the first direction DR1 is shorter than the length L3 of the display area 33 in the first direction DR1. This makes it difficult for light from the light-emitting unit 10 to reach the vicinity of both upper corners of the display area 33 in the first direction DR1. Therefore, even when important information is output near the vicinity of both upper corners of the display area 33, it is possible to avoid impairing the visibility of the occupants.

[0033] 5 is a schematic diagram of a display device 100 according to a second embodiment in a non-light-emitting state. The display device 100 according to the second embodiment includes a touch sensor unit 60 and a light-emitting unit 10. The light-emitting unit 10 according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of first light emitters 11 aligned in a first direction DR1, similar to the first embodiment.

[0034] The touch sensor unit 60 has a detection electrode 61 (not shown), a wiring 32 (not shown) connected to the detection electrode 61, and a mirror unit 40. The mirror unit 40 according to the second embodiment also extends in the first direction DR1.

[0035] The detection electrode 61 (not shown) is provided in a contact detection area R1 where contact between the user and the display can be detected. The mirror unit 40 is provided in a non-contact detection area R2 outside the contact detection area R1. The non-contact detection area R2 is an area where contact between the user and the display cannot be detected.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the light-emitting unit 10 according to the second embodiment can irradiate light onto the mirror unit 40 from the back of the touch sensor unit 60 (corresponding to the display unit 30 in the first embodiment). The mirror unit 40 transmits a portion of light by arranging a plurality of conductor lines 31 that are not connected to the detection electrodes 61 side by side with a predetermined gap 34 therebetween (similar to Fig. 3). In the second embodiment, the wiring 32 and the conductor lines 31 are made of the same material. In the second embodiment, the wiring 32 and the conductor lines 31 do not transmit light.

[0037] 2, the display device 100 according to the second embodiment may further include a frame portion 20 and a diffusion portion 50. As in the first embodiment, the frame portion 20 according to the second embodiment has an opening 21 extending in a first direction DR1 through which light from the first light emitter 11 passes, and the light emitting portion 10 is attached to the frame portion 20.

[0038] The diffusion unit 50 according to the second embodiment is disposed between the frame unit 20 and the touch sensor unit 60 so as to overlap the entire mirror unit 40, and diffuses light from the first light emitter 11. The touch sensor unit 60 is attached to the opposite side of the frame unit 20 from the light emitter 10, and is visible to the user. As in the first embodiment, the opening 21 according to the second embodiment is also disposed so as to overlap only a portion of the mirror unit 40 in the first direction DR1. As in the first embodiment, the mirror unit 40 according to the second embodiment also transmits at least a portion of the light from the diffusion unit 50.

[0039] As described above, a half mirror having a light-emitting function can be easily configured in the display device 100 according to the second embodiment. Furthermore, since the wiring 32 and the conductor line 31 are made of the same material, the display device 100 can be manufactured efficiently.

[0040] Furthermore, the wiring 32 and the conductor line 31 may contain silver or aluminum, which allows the mirror section 40 to have a high reflectance.

[0041] Furthermore, the wiring 32 and the conductor line 31 may be located in the same layer, which allows them to be manufactured simultaneously in the same process, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0042] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0043] Examples of reference forms are listed below. 1. A display device comprising: a light-emitting unit including a plurality of first light-emitting elements lined up in a first direction; a frame unit in which an opening extending in the first direction is formed to allow light from the first light-emitting elements to pass and to which the light-emitting elements are attached; a display unit attached to the frame unit on the opposite side from the light-emitting elements and visible to a user; a mirror unit provided on the display unit and extending in the first direction; and a diffusion unit arranged between the frame unit and the display unit so as to overlap the entire mirror unit and to diffuse light from the first light-emitting elements, wherein the opening is arranged so as to overlap only a portion of the mirror unit in the first direction, and the mirror unit transmits at least a portion of the light from the diffusion unit. 2. The display device described in 1., wherein the mirror unit includes a plurality of conductor wires of the display unit, and the plurality of conductor wires are arranged side by side with gaps between them. 3. The display device described in 2., wherein the conductor wires include silver or aluminum. 4. 2. or 3. 5. The display device described in any one of 1. to 4., wherein the plurality of conductor lines are located in the same layer as a plurality of wirings related to the function of a touch panel included in the display unit, and the conductor lines and the wirings are made of the same material. 5. The display device described in any one of 1. to 4., wherein the light-emitting unit further includes a second light-emitting body that emits light in a single color. 6. The display device described in any one of 1. to 5., wherein the length of the mirror unit in the first direction is greater than the length of the opening. 7. The display device described in any one of 1. to 6., wherein the mirror unit is provided above the display unit. 8. The display device described in 7., wherein the display unit has a display area in which content is displayed, and the length of the opening in the first direction is shorter than the length of the display area in the first direction.

[0044] 2 Button 10 Light-emitting section 11 First light-emitting body 12 Second light-emitting body 13 Base 20 Frame section 21 Opening 30 Display section 31 Conductor line 32 Wiring 33 Display area 34 Gap 40 Mirror section 50 Diffusion section 60 Touch sensor section 61 Detection electrode 100 Display device B Light-emitting area C Non-light-emitting area DR1 First direction

Claims

1. A display device comprising: a light-emitting unit including a plurality of first light-emitting bodies arranged in a first direction; a frame portion in which an opening extending in the first direction through which light from the first light-emitting bodies passes is formed and to which the light-emitting unit is attached; a display portion attached to the opposite side of the frame portion with respect to the light-emitting unit and visible to a user; a mirror portion provided in the display portion and extending in the first direction; and a diffusion portion disposed between the frame portion and the display portion so as to overlap the entire mirror portion and diffusing the light from the first light-emitting bodies, wherein the opening is disposed so as to overlap only a part of the mirror portion in the first direction, and the mirror portion transmits at least a part of the light from the diffusion portion.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror portion includes a plurality of conductor lines of the display portion, and the plurality of conductor lines are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the conductor lines contain silver or aluminum.

4. The display device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of conductor lines are located in the same layer as a plurality of wirings related to the function of a touch panel included in the display portion, and the conductor lines and the wirings are made of the same material.

5. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light-emitting unit further includes a second light-emitting body that emits light in a single color.

6. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length of the mirror portion in the first direction is greater than the length of the opening.

7. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mirror portion is provided at the upper part of the display portion.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the display portion has a display area in which content is displayed, and the length of the opening in the first direction is shorter than the length of the display area in the first direction.

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