Display

Abstract

This display includes a display unit that displays information related to a machine; and an enclosure unit that at least partially surrounds the periphery of the display unit. The enclosure unit has an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward one side or both sides of the display unit above the display unit.

Description

Display

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display.

[0002] Machines, such as motor drives, machine tools, and numerical control devices, are equipped with displays. The displays display information related to the machine, such as information indicating the status of devices installed inside the machine, in real time or non-real time. JP 2009-090392 A discloses that a display is provided on the control panel of a machine tool.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-090392

[0004] However, the display may be attached to a high place, a low place, or near an edge of the machine, and depending on the operator's working position, it may be difficult for the operator to recognize the displayed content of the display. Furthermore, if the machine is in a wet environment where liquid, such as cutting fluid, is splashed, the visibility of the display may be significantly reduced and the display may even fail.

[0005] Therefore, there is a demand for a display that can improve visibility while avoiding adhesion of liquid.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a display device comprising a display portion that displays information related to a machine, and an enclosure portion that at least partially surrounds the periphery of the display portion, wherein above the display portion, the enclosure portion has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward one or both sides of the display portion.

[0007] The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0008] 1 is a perspective view of a motor drive device including a display according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display according to a modified example. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display according to another modified example. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a display according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is another view of the display shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 6 is another view of the display shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 7 is a side view of another display according to a modified example. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a display according to a modified example. FIG. 9 is a side view of a display according to a modified example. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display according to a modified example.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding components are designated by common reference numerals throughout the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a motor drive device equipped with a display according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, a machine 1, for example, a motor drive device 1, includes a main body equipped with a motor control unit therein, a radiator 14 coupled to the main body, and a fan F arranged above the radiator 14.

[0010] A display 10a is attached to one side surface 11 of the machine 1. The display 10a includes a display portion 29. The display portion 29 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a CRT, a segment LED, or the like, and displays information related to the machine 1, for example, information indicating the status of devices arranged inside the machine 1, in real time or non-real time. If the machine 1 is a motor-driven device, the display portion 29 can display internal information of the motor-driven device. Alternatively, information transmitted from outside the machine 1 via wire or wirelessly may be displayed on the display portion 29.

[0011] In the present application, one side of the display portion 29 on which the above-described information should be displayed is referred to as the front side, and the other side of the display portion 29 is referred to as the rear side. Furthermore, the machine 1 may be a machine other than a motor-driven device, such as a machine tool or a numerical control device. Furthermore, the display 10a may be provided in a location other than the side surface 11 of the machine 1, such as the top surface 12 or bottom surface 13. In the following description, it is assumed that the display 10a and the like are provided on the side surface 11 of the machine 1.

[0012] 2A is a perspective view of a display device according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, a display device 10a mainly includes a display portion 29 and an enclosure portion 20 that at least partially surrounds the periphery of the display portion 29. The front surface of the enclosure portion 20 according to the first embodiment is parallel to or flush with the front surface of the display portion 29. Furthermore, the enclosure portion 20 according to the first embodiment is substantially rectangular except for its upper portion.

[0013] The enclosing part 20 may enclose the periphery and back side of the display part 29. When the enclosing part 20 encloses the back side of the display part 29, the enclosing part 20 is attached directly to the side surface 11 of the machine 1. Alternatively, only the display part 29 may be attached to the side surface 11 of the machine 1, and the enclosing part 20 may only partially enclose the periphery of the display part 29.

[0014] The enclosure 20 shown in Fig. 2A surrounds the entire periphery of the display portion 29. The enclosure 20 is preferably made of resin or metal in order to form the shape described below. In Fig. 2A, the upper portion of the enclosure 20 is composed of two inclined surfaces 21 and 22. These inclined surfaces 21 and 22 are arranged so that the upper portion of the enclosure 20 protrudes upward from the center line in the width direction of the display portion 29. The inclined surfaces 21 and 22 may engage with each other at a position spaced from approximately the center line in the width direction of the display portion 29.

[0015] Fig. 2B is a perspective view of a display in a modified example. In the display 10b shown in Fig. 2B, the upper portion of the enclosure 20 is composed of a single inclined surface 23. The inclined surface 23 shown in Fig. 2B is inclined downward from the left end to the right end of the enclosure 20, but the inclined surface 23 may also be inclined downward from the right end to the left end of the enclosure 20.

[0016] Furthermore, Fig. 2C is a perspective view of a display in another modified example. In the display 10c shown in Fig. 2C, the upper portion of the enclosure 20 is formed by a curved surface 24. The edge of the curved surface 24 is formed by a portion of the circumference, and the position of the apex of the curved surface 24 is located on approximately the center line in the width direction of the display portion 29. However, the edge of the curved surface 24 may be part of the periphery of an ellipse or part of the periphery of an oval. In addition, the apex of the curved surface 24 may be spaced apart from approximately the center line in the width direction of the display portion 29.

[0017] However, in the prior art, when a machine is used in a wet environment, such as an environment where cutting fluid splashes, liquid, such as cutting fluid, may adhere to the enclosure and drip from the upper and front surfaces of the enclosure toward the display. Such liquid may then remain as droplets on the display. Therefore, in the prior art, such droplets may reduce the visibility of the display or cause the display itself to malfunction.

[0018] In the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the top of the upper part of the enclosure 20 is located higher than the left and right ends of the enclosure 20. Therefore, in a wet environment, liquid, such as cutting fluid, adhering to the enclosure 20 flows to the side of the enclosure 20 along the inclined surfaces 21, 22, and 23 or the curved surface 24. This prevents the liquid from flowing toward the display portion 29 and prevents the liquid from remaining on the display portion 29 as droplets. Therefore, in the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the visibility of the display portion 29 and also prevent damage to the display portion 29 itself.

[0019] Although not shown in the drawings, the shape of the upper part of the enclosure 20 may be different from that described above, as long as the top of the upper part of the enclosure 20 is located higher than the left and right ends of the enclosure 20. For example, the upper part of the enclosure 20 may be formed by a combination of multiple curved surfaces, or by a combination of flat and curved surfaces.

[0020] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a display device according to a second embodiment. The enclosure 20 of the display device 10d shown in Fig. 3A has the same appearance as the enclosure 20 of the display device 10c described above. A shaft 32 extending in the width direction of the display portion 29 is provided at the rear portion of the enclosure 20 of the display device 10d.

[0021] A support part 31 is fixed to the side surface 11 of the machine 1. The support part 31 serves to rotatably support a shaft part 32 provided on the enclosing part 20. The support part 31 is fixed to the side surface 11 of the machine 1 by screwing, adhesive, or the like. Alternatively, an engaging member / engaged member that can engage with each other may be provided on the support part 31 and the side surface 11, and the support part 31 may be fixed to the side surface 11 by these members. Other embodiments that include the support part 31 and the shaft part 32 also have a similar configuration.

[0022] 3B and 3C are other views of the display shown in Fig. 3A. As shown in these drawings, the display portion 29 rotates integrally with the enclosure portion 20 around the shaft portion 32. Therefore, the support portion 31 and the shaft portion 32 serve as a rotation structure that rotates the display portion 29 and the enclosure portion 20 around the shaft portion 32. It is also possible for only the display portion 29 to be configured to rotate around the shaft portion 32.

[0023] 3A to 3C, the operator directly grasps the display portion 29 and rotates it around the shaft portion 32. However, as will be described later, the display portion 29 may be rotated from outside the display device using a dial or the like.

[0024] If the starting point of the worker's line of sight is below the display portion 29, the enclosure 20 is rotated so that the display portion 29 faces diagonally downward as shown in Fig. 3B. If the worker's line of sight is above the display portion 29, the enclosure 20 is rotated so that the display portion 29 faces diagonally upward as shown in Fig. 3C.

[0025] In this way, in the second embodiment, the visibility of the display 10d can be improved with a high degree of freedom by rotating the enclosure 20 about the shaft 32 according to the position of the operator's line of sight. Incidentally, as shown in Fig. 3B, orienting the display portion 29 obliquely downward has the additional advantage of making it less likely for liquid, such as cutting fluid, to adhere to the display portion 29. When the machine 1 is stopped, it is preferable to orient the display portion 29 obliquely downward.

[0026] Fig. 4A is a side view of another indicator according to the third embodiment. The indicator 10e shown in Fig. 4A includes a receiving portion 33 fixed to the side surface 11 of the machine 1 and a receiving portion 34 to be received in the receiving portion 33. As shown in the figure, the receiving portion 34 extends from the rear surface of the enclosure 20. The receiving portion 34 and the receiving portion 33 are typically a ball joint and a socket. The receiving portion 33 is fixed to the side surface 11 of the machine 1 by screws, adhesive, or the like.

[0027] 4B is a side view of another display device in a modified example. The display device 10f shown in FIG. 4B includes a flexible arm 35 that connects the side surface 11 of the machine 1 and the rear surface of the enclosure 20.

[0028] In the third embodiment, the combination of the receiving portion 33 and the received portion 34, or the flexible arm 35, functions as a rotation structure that rotates the display portion 29 and the enclosure portion 20 around the shaft portion 32. Such a rotation structure allows the display portion 29 of the enclosure portion 20 to be oriented in any direction. Therefore, the visibility of the displays 10e and 10f can be further improved with a high degree of freedom depending on the position of the worker's line of sight.

[0029] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a display according to a fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5A , the outer shape of the enclosure 20a in the fourth embodiment is circular. Therefore, the top of the upper portion of the enclosure 20a is located higher than the left and right ends of the enclosure 20a. The outer shape of the enclosure 20a may also be elliptical or oval. That is, the enclosure 20a at least partially protrudes radially outward from the center of the display portion 29. With this structure, in the fourth embodiment, as described above, liquid, such as cutting fluid, is prevented from flowing toward the display portion 29, and liquid does not remain on the display portion 29 as droplets.

[0030] Furthermore, Figure 5B is a perspective view of a display in a modified example. The enclosure 20b of the display 10h shown in Figure 5B has a rectangular shape with all four sides protruding outward. In other words, the outer periphery of the enclosure 20b is rounded outward. The apex of the upper part of the enclosure 20b shown in Figure 5B is located higher than the left and right ends of the enclosure 20b. In this case, too, the enclosure 20b at least partially protrudes radially outward from the center of the display portion 29. Therefore, the same effect as described above is achieved.

[0031] Furthermore, the front surface of the enclosure 20a of the display 10g shown in Fig. 5A is parallel to the front surface of the display portion 29. Furthermore, the front surface of the enclosure 20a included in the display 10g faces diagonally downward. Similarly, the front surface of the enclosure 20b of the display 10h shown in Fig. 5B is parallel to the front surface of the display portion 29. Furthermore, the front surface of the enclosure 20b included in the display 10h faces diagonally downward.

[0032] In other words, the distance of a portion 41 of the enclosures 20a, 20b, for example, the upper portion, in the direction from the front surface to the rear surface of the enclosures 20a, 20b is greater than the distance in the same direction of another portion 42, for example, the lower portion, that is located diametrically opposite the portion 41. For this reason, the configurations shown in Figures 5A and 5B are advantageous when the operator's line of sight is below the display portion 29.

[0033] 6A to 6C are front views of a display device according to a fifth embodiment. The display device 10h shown in these drawings has substantially the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 5B. As can be seen from these drawings, the display device 10h is configured to be rotatable about an axis passing through the front and rear surfaces of the display portion 29. In other words, although not shown in the drawings, the fifth embodiment also incorporates a rotation structure similar to that described above that rotates the display portion 29 and the enclosure portion 20 about the axis. The horizontal axis preferably passes through the center of the display portion 29.

[0034] 6A , the display portion 29 of the display 10h faces diagonally downward. As described above, the display 10h is rotatable. Therefore, regardless of the operator's line of sight relative to the display 10h, the operator can position the display 10h at a highly visible position that corresponds to the operator's line of sight simply by rotating the display 10h around its axis.

[0035] Specifically, when the worker is facing a specific direction relative to the display 10h, the display 10h can be rotated so that the portion 41 of the enclosure 20b is positioned farthest from the worker, thereby positioning the display 10h at a position with high visibility.

[0036] In order to smoothly rotate the display 10h, it is preferable that a cable (not shown) that supplies signals and power to the display portion 29 extend from the display portion 29 through the side of the enclosure 20 to the machine 1. Alternatively, power may be supplied to the display portion 29 by a battery (not shown) connected to the display portion 29, and signals may be transmitted and received wirelessly between a transceiver (not shown) separately connected to the display portion 29 and another transceiver (not shown) provided within the machine 1. In such a case, the battery and transceiver may be disposed inside the enclosure 20.

[0037] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a display device according to a sixth embodiment. The enclosure 20 of the display device 10i shown in Fig. 7A includes a first extension 25 that extends forward above the display portion 29. The enclosure 20 and the first extension 25 and / or second extensions 26 and 27 (described later) are preferably formed integrally.

[0038] The top of the first extension portion 25 is located higher than the left and right ends of the enclosure portion 20, similar to the inclined surfaces 21, 22, and 23 and the curved surface 24. The length of the first extension portion 25 extending forward relative to the display portion 29 is preferably sufficiently long, and may be longer than the height of the display portion 29, for example.

[0039] Therefore, the first extending portion 25 prevents liquid, for example, cutting fluid, from entering the display portion 29 from above, and as a result, it is possible to further prevent liquid from adhering to the display portion 29. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the visibility of the display portion 29.

[0040] Furthermore, the enclosure 20 includes second extensions 26, 27 that extend forward relative to the display portion 29. These second extensions 26, 27 extend from two side portions of the enclosure 20. As can be seen from Fig. 7A, the lengths of the second extensions 26, 27 are approximately equal to the length of the first extension 25 near the first extension 25. Preferably, the lengths of the second extensions 26, 27 decrease with increasing distance from the first extension 25. Alternatively, the second extensions 26, 27 may have the same constant length as the first extension 25.

[0041] Therefore, the second extending portions 26, 27 prevent liquid, for example, cutting fluid, from entering the display portion 29 from the side thereof toward the display portion 29, thereby further suppressing the liquid from adhering to the display portion 29. This further improves the visibility of the display portion 29. In the sixth embodiment, the front side of the display portion 29 is not covered by the extending portions 25 to 27.

[0042] 7A , the first extension portion 25 and / or the second extension portions 26, 27 are provided on the rectangular surrounding portion 20. However, the surrounding portion 20 may have another shape, for example, a circle. In that case, the thickness of the first extension portion 25 and / or the second extension portions 26, 27 may vary locally depending on the shape of the surrounding portion 20. Furthermore, the support portion 31 is fixed to the side surface 11 of the machine 1 as described above, and is rotatably engaged around the shaft portion 32 provided on the rear surface of the surrounding portion 20.

[0043] 7B and 7C are side views of the display shown in Fig. 7A. As shown in Figs. 7A to 7C, the operator rotates the display portion 29 together with the enclosure 20 around the shaft 32. At this time, the first extension 25 and the second extensions 26 and 27 also rotate around the shaft 32 together with the enclosure 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, the display 10i can be positioned in an optimal direction for the operator while preventing liquid, such as cutting fluid, from adhering to the display portion 29.

[0044] In an embodiment not shown, the support portion 31 and the shaft portion 32 may be eliminated, and the rear surface of the enclosing portion 20 may be directly fixed to the side surface 11 of the machine 1. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, the first extension portion 25 and / or the second extension portions 26, 27 may be bent inward at their front ends and extend to the vicinity of the inner periphery of the enclosing portion 20. It will be understood that such a case is still within the scope of the present disclosure, and further prevents liquid, for example, cutting fluid, from adhering to the display portion 29.

[0045] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a display in the seventh embodiment, and Fig. 8B is a side view of the display shown in Fig. 8A. As shown in Fig. 8A, in addition to the first extension portion 25 and the second extension portions 26 and 27, the display 10j includes a third extension portion 28 that is connected to the bottom of the enclosure portion 20 and the lower ends of the second extension portions 26 and 27 and extends forward relative to the display portion 29, and a front wall portion 38 that is connected to the front ends of the extension portions 25 to 28.

[0046] In the seventh embodiment, the extensions 25 to 28 and the front wall 38 are preferably integrally formed from a transparent material, such as transparent resin or glass. In this case, the extensions 25 to 28 and the front wall 38 serve as a cover that encloses the entire display portion 29. Therefore, liquid, such as cutting fluid, does not directly adhere to the display portion 29, thereby improving the visibility of the display portion 29.

[0047] 8B , the front end of the second extension 26 (27) and the front wall 38 are configured as a single straight line extending diagonally downward toward the side surface 11. The front end of the second extension 26 (27) terminates at the front end of the third extension 28. Therefore, even if liquid, such as cutting fluid, adheres to the front wall 38, the liquid flows along the front wall 38. This prevents the front wall 38 from being contaminated by the liquid, and further improves the visibility of the display portion 29.

[0048] 8C , which is a side view of a display in a modified example, the front end of the second extension portion 26 (27) and the front wall portion 38 of the display 10k are configured with a single curve extending diagonally downward toward the side surface 11. The display 10k does not include the third extension portion 28, and the front end of the second extension portion 26 (27) and the front wall portion 38 extend to the side surface 11. Therefore, in the configuration of FIG. 8C , liquid, such as cutting fluid, flows along the front end and front wall portion 38 of the second extension portion 26 (27) to the side surface 11 of the machine 1, thereby providing the additional effect of preventing contamination of the floor directly below the display 10k. Note that the front end and front wall portion 38 of the second extension portion 26 (27) may be configured with multiple straight lines or multiple curves, as long as they extend diagonally downward toward the side surface 11.

[0049] Fig. 9A is a perspective view of a display according to the eighth embodiment. The display 10m shown in Fig. 9A includes the extensions 25 to 28 and the front wall 38 similar to those described above. Furthermore, Figs. 9B and 9C are side views of the display shown in Fig. 9A. As shown in Figs. 9A to 9C, an opening 39 is formed in the extension 28. The opening 39 may be formed adjacent to the side surface 11 of the machine 1, or the opening 39 may be formed in the center of the third extension 28. The opening 39 preferably has a size suitable for an operator's hand to enter through.

[0050] In the eighth embodiment, a support portion 31 and a shaft portion 32 similar to those described above are provided. Therefore, an operator can grasp the enclosure portion 20 by passing his / her hand through the opening 39 and rotate the enclosure portion 20 around the shaft portion 32. In other words, it will be understood that an operator can easily rotate the enclosure portion 20 even when almost the entire enclosure portion 20 is covered with the cover described above.

[0051] Figure 9D is a side view of a display in a modified example. The display 10n shown in Figure 9D has extensions 25-28 and a front wall 38 made of a transparent material similar to those described above. Furthermore, a shaft 32 and a support 31 similar to those described above are arranged on the rear surface of the enclosure 20. Therefore, the enclosure 20 can rotate around the shaft 32.

[0052] The display 10n shown in Fig. 9D includes a dial 36 that partially protrudes from the side surface 11 of the machine 1. The rotation axis of the dial 36 shown in Fig. 9D extends horizontally and parallel to the side surface 11. The dial 36 is provided on the side surface 11 located outside the extensions 25-28 and the front wall 38. However, a mechanism (not shown) is provided between the dial 36 and the enclosure 20, which rotates the enclosure 20 about the shaft 32 in conjunction with the rotation of the dial 36. Although such a mechanism is preferably located inside the machine 1, the mechanism may also be provided on the side surface 11. The dial 36 and the mechanism (not shown) may be included in the rotating structure described above.

[0053] The third extension 28 of the display unit 10n does not have an opening 39. However, the operator can rotate the enclosure 20 to a desired orientation from outside the display unit 10n by operating the dial 36. Therefore, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[0054] Furthermore, in an embodiment not shown, the rotation axis of the dial 36 may be parallel to the side surface 11 and extend in the vertical direction, or the rotation axis of the dial 36 may extend perpendicular to the side surface 11. Alternatively, a slider (not shown) may be provided on the side surface 11, which rotates the enclosure 20 around the shaft 32 in conjunction with the reciprocating motion along a predetermined path. Such cases are also within the scope of the present disclosure, and the dial 36 and the slider serve as adjustment tools for adjusting the enclosure 20 to a desired orientation.

[0055] As an effect of at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a display device that can improve visibility while preventing adhesion of liquid.

[0056] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible to these embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention or the concept and spirit of the present invention derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, appropriate combinations of several of the above-described embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiments and variations. (Supplementary Note 1) A display comprising: a display portion that displays information related to a machine; and an enclosing portion that at least partially encloses the periphery of the display portion, wherein the enclosing portion has an inclined surface above the display portion that slopes downward toward one or both sides of the display portion. (Supplementary Note 2) The display according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the display portion slopes downward with respect to a vertical plane. (Supplementary Note 3) The display according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, comprising a rotation structure that rotates both the display portion and the enclosing portion, or only the display portion, about an axis. (Supplementary Note 4) The display according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the enclosing portion at least partially protrudes radially outward from the center of the display portion. (Supplementary Note 5) The display according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the enclosing portion includes a first extension portion above the display portion that extends forward relative to the display portion. (Supplementary Note 6) The display device according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the enclosing portion further includes a second extending portion that extends forward relative to the display portion at a side of the display portion, and the rotating structure portion can be operated from outside the second extending portion. (Supplementary Note 7) The display device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the machine is a motor-driven device, and the display portion displays internal information of the motor-driven device.

[0058] 1 Machine 10a to 10n Display 11 Side surface 12 Top surface 13 Bottom surface 20, 20a, 20b Surrounding portion 21, 22, 23 Inclined surface 25 First extension portion 26 Second extension portion 28 Third extension portion 29 Display portion 31 Support portion (rotation structure portion) 32 Shaft portion (rotation structure portion) 33 Receiving part (rotating structure) 34 Receiving part (rotating structure) 35 Flexible arm (rotating structure) 36 Dial (rotating structure) 38 Front wall 39 Opening

Claims

1. A display comprising: a display portion that displays information related to a machine; and an enclosure portion that at least partially surrounds the periphery of the display portion, wherein the enclosure portion above the display portion has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward one or both sides of the display portion.

2. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display portion is inclined downward relative to a vertical plane.

3. A display according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a rotation structure for rotating both the display portion and the surrounding portion, or only the display portion, about an axis.

4. The display according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surrounding portion at least partially projects radially outward from the center of the display portion.

5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the surrounding portion includes a first extending portion above the display portion and extending forward relative to the display portion.

6. A display device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the enclosure further includes a second extension portion that extends forward relative to the display portion on the side of the display portion, and the pivoting structure portion can be operated from outside the second extension portion.

7. The display of claim 1, wherein the machine is a motor-driven device, and the display portion displays internal information of the motor-driven device.

Images