CN218497751U

CN218497751U - Display device for household appliance, human-computer interaction equipment and household appliance

Info

Publication number: CN218497751U
Application number: CN202222820520.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李忠科
Original assignee: Diehl Abuck Fund Co ltd
Current assignee: Diehl Abuck Fund Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-25
Filing date: 2022-10-25
Publication date: 2023-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-25
Also published as: DE202023105897U1

Abstract

The utility model relates to a display device for domestic appliance, display device is including the top lighting module group that is used for showing the icon, the top lighting module group includes the icon display layer and is used for lighting up the first light source of icon in the icon display layer, wherein, display device still includes one or more side lighting module group that are used for showing the background, the side lighting module group superpose is in top lighting module group top, the side lighting module group includes: one or more second light sources; a light guide layer, the light guide layer receiving light emitted by the second light source with its side; and the background display layer is provided with a background image and is arranged on the light guide layer, wherein the light guide layer and the background display layer are at least semitransparent in the area corresponding to the icon in the icon display layer. Furthermore, the utility model relates to a human-computer interaction equipment and domestic appliance for domestic appliance.

Description

Display device for household appliance, human-computer interaction equipment and household appliance

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a display device, a man-machine interaction equipment and domestic appliance for domestic appliance.

Background

In a conventional home appliance, a display device or a human-computer interaction device having a top emission module in which each icon in an icon display layer overlaid thereon is individually illuminated with an LED is generally used. However, in such cost-effective display devices or human-computer interaction apparatuses, the display contents are limited and monotonous. If expensive display screens (such as TFT display screens, OLED display screens or dot matrix LED display screens) are not used, the background lighting effect is difficult to present, and the visual impression cannot be improved.

Therefore, how to realize the background light effect in a display device or a human-computer interaction device with a top light emitting module at a high cost and with a simple structure becomes an urgent technical problem to be solved.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The task of the utility model is to provide a display device for domestic appliance, a human-computer interaction equipment and a domestic appliance for domestic appliance, it can add background light efficiency and promote the vision impression with low costs and simple structure for display device or human-computer interaction equipment that have top light emitting module group, and not use the display screen that the cost is high.

A first aspect of the utility model relates to a display device for domestic appliance, display device is including the top lighting module group that is used for showing the icon, the top lighting module group includes the icon display layer and is used for illuminating the first light source of icon in the icon display layer, display device still includes one or more side lighting module group that are used for showing the background, the side lighting module group superpose is in top lighting module group top, the side lighting module group includes:

one or more second light sources;

a light guide layer, the light guide layer receiving light emitted by the second light source with its side; and

a background display layer having a background image, the background display layer disposed on the light guide layer,

wherein the light guide layer and the background display layer are at least semi-transparent in the area corresponding to the icon in the icon display layer.

The utility model discloses an in the category, the top is sent out optical module and is referred to and to be lighted up the luminous module that covers in the icon display layer of first light source top with the top surface of first light source orientation luminous module. Here, the icon display layer has a light-transmitting area or a hollow-out area corresponding to the content of the icon. The light-transmissive regions are regions which are formed to be light-transmissive on the substrate of the display layer, and which may also be colored or colored in particular; the hollow-out area is a hollow-out area in the substrate of the icon display layer. The light-transmitting or hollowed-out areas may transmit the light emitted by the first light source and present characters and/or patterns conforming to the content of the icon, which may include, for example, letters, numbers, logos, symbols, and the like. Thereby, when the first light source is lighted, the characters and/or patterns can be displayed to the user through the icon display layer, so that the prompt of the state and/or operation of the household appliance is provided to the user.

According to the utility model discloses the regulation sets up one or more side luminescence module that are used for showing the background on traditional top luminescence module that is used for showing the icon additional. The side light-emitting module comprises one or more second light sources, a light guide layer and a background display layer which is positioned above the light guide layer and is provided with a display image. The light emitted by the second light source is incident into the side of the light-conducting layer and is at least partially scattered or refracted by the light-conducting layer onto the background display layer, so that the background image of the background display layer is at least partially illuminated. Illustratively, the background image may be monochromatic or polychromatic. The background image may, for example, cover the entire surface of the display device or occupy only a partial area of the entire surface of the display device. The background image may particularly relate to decorative drawings, such as sea water, sunlight, starry sky, clouds, grasslands, mountains, continuous patterns, portraits, abstract patterns, caricature elements, etc., to convey artistic conception, to enhance texture, or to add interest. Without being limited thereto, the background image may also relate to a theme painting, such as a sign, a status diagram, a usage step diagram, and the like; but also a plain text layout, such as text identifying the type, purpose or introduction of the operation of the household appliance, may be considered, thereby providing useful information to the user of the household appliance. In order not to produce adverse effect to the demonstration of the icon in the icon display layer, the utility model discloses still stipulate: the light guide layer and the background display layer are at least semi-transparent in the area corresponding to the icon in the icon display layer, so that the icon in the icon display layer can still be well observed by a user.

Through such a mode, through the favourable and simple structure's of cost side luminescence module can add gorgeous background light efficiency for traditional top luminescence module in display device, richenes display content, produces the visual experience of attracting to build the atmosphere that is rich in the design and feels. It should be mentioned in particular that by illuminating the background display layer with the display image in the side-emitting module, a display effect similar to that of an expensive display screen, in particular a TFT display screen, can be exhibited without significantly increasing the manufacturing cost and the thickness of the display device.

It should also be mentioned that, since the side light-emitting modules are stacked on the top light-emitting module such that the light guide layer and the icon display layer are attached to each other, it is possible to illuminate the outline of the transparent area or the hollow area of the icon through the light guide layer without illuminating the icon. It is thus also possible to observe the outline of the icon without the icon being lit and thereby indicate to the user that the corresponding state or function is not active.

In addition, because the light illuminating the icon in the top light module needs to penetrate through the light guide layer, the icon display may be softened, and the peripheral outline of the icon is blurred, so that a unique display effect is presented.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plurality of side lighting modules for displaying a background can be arranged side by side in a plane and/or one above the other. This means the following three cases.

In the first case, the plurality of side light emitting modules may be regionally distributed in one plane, that is, the plurality of side light emitting modules are arranged coplanar above the top light emitting module. Preferably, adjacent sides of each light guiding layer of the plurality of side-emitting modules are disconnected from each other or are separated or connected by an opaque or reflective material, so that the second light source of each side-emitting module can only illuminate its own light guiding layer and background display layer when illuminated. In the first case, the display of the background pattern partition can be realized, and the controllability of background display is increased. In order to achieve surface flatness of the display device, it is preferable that the plurality of background display layers are formed as the same background display film or are printed on the same base film and attached to the respective light guide layers.

In the second case, the plurality of side light emitting modules may be arranged to overlap in a vertical direction of the display device. In the case of such a stacked plurality of side light emitting modules, one set of the light guide layer and the background display layer is stacked on the other set of the light guide layer and the background display layer. And respectively displaying different background images by respectively lightening the second light sources matched with the side light-emitting modules. Preferably, the background images belonging to the different side lighting modules are preferably arranged offset to each other in the vertical direction, so that different background images can be observed when the different side lighting modules are lit. However, it is also possible that the background image of the side light-emitting module at the upper layer (i.e. close to the surface of the display device) partially covers the background image of the side light-emitting module at the lower layer to present a laminated or misplaced background display effect, so that the background display is more delicate and rich in a sense of hierarchy.

In a third case, a plurality of side light emitting modules are disposed in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the display device, i.e., there may be a plurality of side light emitting modules side by side in the same plane, and another one or more side light emitting modules are stacked above or below the side light emitting modules. Through the utility model discloses a this embodiment can make displayable background image more abundant, especially presents diversified and the background image that is rich in the stereovision through the independent control to every side light emitting module.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching, color and/or brightness of the one or more second light sources is adjustable. Firstly, when one side light-emitting module only has one second light source, whether a background is displayed in the display device is determined by changing the on-off state of the second light source; when one side light-emitting module is provided with a plurality of second light sources arranged on the side edge of the light guide layer, different illumination layouts can be realized by adjusting the on-off of the second light sources, so that the displayed background image is in different light and shade states. In particular, the switching of the second light sources can be dynamically adjusted, i.e. the second light sources can be lit up in a certain sequence, for example, a plurality of second light sources arranged on one side of the light guide layer can be lit up in a running light manner; lighting a plurality of second light sources circularly arranged on four sides of the light guide layer in a horse race lamp type; causing all or part of the plurality of second light sources to blink together; or different or, in particular, second light sources adjacent to each other are illuminated in a temporally offset manner, so that a shading effect with alternating light and shade is present in the displayed background image. Secondly, the color of the one or more second light sources may be adjusted, e.g. the color of the second light sources may change from yellow to red or from warm yellow to cool white, thereby changing the hue of the background image. Thirdly, the brightness of the one or more second light sources can be adjusted, for example, the second light sources are lighted in a breathing lamp type, so that the finer brightness change can be presented. It may also be preferred that the adjustment of the switching on, switching off, color and/or brightness of the one or more second light sources is adapted to the iconic display of the top lighting module. For example, in association with the display of a certain icon in the top lighting module, the color of the second light source in the side lighting module is changed or the brightness of the relevant area in the side lighting module is correspondingly reduced so as to highlight the display of the icon. The background image can be made to present a dynamically changing effect by such adjustment.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first light source may be configured as an inorganic Light Emitting Diode (LED), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a Polymer Light Emitting Diode (PLED), or a nixie tube; and/or the second light source may be configured as an inorganic light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode or a polymer light emitting diode. In this case, a common form of light-emitting element, such as the above-mentioned LED, OLED or PLED, can be used for the first light source and the second light source. In order to display relevant parameters of the household appliance, the first light source can also be a nixie tube. The nixie tube is especially a segment type LED nixie tube. Correspondingly, a light-transmitting area or a hollow-out area in the shape of a number 8 is provided in the icon display layer.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first light source and the second light source can be arranged on the same or different circuit boards; and/or the first light source and/or the second light source may be provided with a light limiting holder. That is, the first light source and the second light source may be located on the same circuit board together. However, it is also possible for the first light source and the second light source to be arranged on different circuit boards. Needless to say, a driver circuit and wiring for the display device may be further provided on the circuit board. In addition, in order to interfere with one another in the case of a plurality of light sources, in particular in the case of a plurality of first light sources or a plurality of second light sources, or to limit the illumination range of the second light sources, it is advantageous to provide these light sources with light-limiting brackets. The light-limiting support on the one hand forms a light-limiting structure of the light source, so that the light emitted by the light source is irradiated according to a specified direction, for example, the light source is accommodated in the center of the bottom of the horn-shaped light-limiting structure, so that the light emitted by the light source is limited in the horn-shaped spatial extension range. On the other hand, the light-limiting holder may also serve to support the various layer structures of the display device and to space the light source and the layer structures from each other.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first light source and the second light source can be arranged on a circuit board with a bend or on a flexible circuit board; or the second light source may direct light to the side of the light guiding layer by means of a light guiding post. For arranging the first light source and the second light source on the same circuit board, it is conceivable to use a circuit board with a bend, in particular a 90-degree bend, or a flexible circuit board (FPC). Furthermore, it is also possible for the first light source and the second light source to be arranged together on a flat circuit board, while the light emitted by the second light source is guided via a light guide, in particular a right-angled light guide, to the side of the light guide layer.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light-conducting layer is produced from a plastic sheet which is doped with a turbid material for scattering light and/or which is provided with microstructures for reflecting light incident from the side edges to the top surface. The plastic sheet is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin polymer (COP). The plastic sheet can be configured as a flat plate and a wedge plate. In order to guide light incident from the side of the light guide layer to the top surface of the light guide layer or the surface of the display device, i.e. the surface facing the user, it may be considered to incorporate a clouding material for scattering or to provide microstructures for refraction in the plastic sheet, for example, to provide a sparse clouding material and/or microstructures in the light guide layer at the positions corresponding to the icons, or to provide no clouding material and/or microstructures directly, as long as it is ensured that the icons in the icon display layer can still be well observed by the user.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the turbid material and/or the microstructures avoid the icons in the icon display layer. This means that the haze and/or the microstructures in the light guiding layer of the side-emitting module do not vertically coincide with the icons in the icon display layer in the top-emitting module. Therefore, the display of the top light-emitting module below the side light-emitting module is reliably ensured not to be influenced by the side light-emitting module.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display device comprises a plurality of side lighting modules for displaying the background, which are arranged one above the other, wherein the locations of the plastic sheet, which are doped with the turbid material and/or provided with microstructures, differ in the different side lighting modules. In order to ensure that the displays of a plurality of side light modules do not influence one another when they are stacked on one another, it is further advantageously provided that the haze and/or the microstructures in the light-conducting layer of the individual side light modules do not overlap one another in the vertical direction.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the microstructures are light-conducting dots printed onto the bottom surface of the plastic sheet; or the microstructure is a line groove or a concave point processed on the bottom surface of the plastic sheet in a carving, etching or injection molding mode. In this case, the light-conducting dots are formed by regularly printing inks having a highly reflective and/or refractive effect on the plastic sheet. Laser engraving, precision mechanical engraving, chemical etching or compression molding are particularly suitable for machining the grooves or depressions on the bottom side of the plastic sheet, i.e. on the side of the plastic sheet facing away from the user.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the top surface of the plastic sheet may be surface treated to enhance the light efficiency. In order to enable the side light-emitting module to present more personalized light effects, such as alternately bright and dark ripples, frosting effect, metallic luster and the like, the top surface of the plastic sheet can be subjected to treatments such as wire drawing, grinding, film coating, polishing and the like.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the icon display layer and/or the background display layer can be colored. Therefore, colorful display contents can be presented only by using a monochromatic light source in the top light-emitting module and/or the side light-emitting module, and the manufacturing cost is further reduced.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the background display layer can be formed as a film that can be applied to the light guide layer; and/or the background display layer may be printed onto the light guide layer. Here, the background display layer may be configured as a separate film, which may be laminated or bonded to the light guide layer; on the other hand, the light guide layer can also be directly printed on the top surface of the light guide layer.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the icon display layer is formed as a film that can be applied to the light guide layer and/or the light limiting support; and/or the icon display layer is printed onto the light guide layer. Here, the icon display layer may be configured as a separate film that may be laminated or bonded to the light guide layer and/or the light limiting support, or may be directly printed on the bottom surface of the light guide layer.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the icon display layer and the background display layer are integrated, and the icon is configured as a transparent area or a hollow-out area on the background display layer. Here, the icon display layer and the background display layer are integrated into one film.

The utility model discloses a first aspect relates to a human-computer interaction device for domestic appliance, human-computer interaction device includes: according to the display device of the utility model; and touch and/or proximity sensing devices.

According to the utility model discloses a human-computer interaction equipment can also provide the human-computer interaction function when adding background light efficiency and promoting the vision impression to can realize utilizing human-computer interaction equipment to control domestic appliance and provide visual feedback.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the touch and/or proximity sensing means may be a touch sensitive layer, which is applied or printed on the display device background display layer and/or icon display layer. Here, the touch sensing layer may be, for example, a touch sensing film or a touch printed circuit for detecting a touch operation of a user. The touch sensing film or the touch control printed circuit can be particularly arranged on any side of a background display layer of the display device, or can be arranged on any side of an icon display layer of the display device, or is partially arranged on any side of the background display layer, and is partially arranged on any side of the icon display layer. When a finger of a user contacts the touch sensing film or the touch printed circuit, a coupling capacitor is formed between the finger and a conductor layer in the touch sensing film or the printed circuit, so that the position of the finger of the user can be determined by detecting the change of the capacitor, and further the touch operation of the user can be determined. The touch sensitive film, for example, contains conductive electrodes embedded in a transparent dielectric material. These conductive electrodes are themselves very thin and made of an almost completely transparent material, and therefore have a high light transmission, and thus do not affect the display of icons and/or background images.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the touch and/or proximity sensor device can be embodied as an infrared sensor device, a capacitive sensor device, a resistive sensor device, an inductive sensor device, a pressure sensor device or an acoustic wave sensor device. In this case, these touch and/or proximity sensing means can be arranged outside or inside the display device, in particular integrated in a circuit board of the display device. For example, in a highly integrated embodiment, an infrared type sensing device including an infrared transmitting tube and an infrared receiving tube may be integrated in a circuit board for a top emission light module in order to detect a user's finger touching or approaching a surface of a display device. It goes without saying that the layers of the display device above the infrared-type sensor means are to be made transparent to infrared light, and that a detection circuit for the infrared-type sensor means is to be assigned to the circuit board.

The third aspect of the utility model relates to a household appliance, household appliance includes according to the utility model discloses a display device or according to the utility model discloses a human-computer interaction equipment.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance is an air conditioner, a range hood, a stove, a water heater, a refrigerator, an oven, a dishwasher, a food processor, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, a stereo, a television, an intelligent faucet, or an intelligent toilet.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description. All the features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and also features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description and/or shown in the figures individually can be used not only in the respectively given combination but also in other combinations or in isolation.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a cut-away exploded view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention;

fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention;

fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention;

fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention;

fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention;

fig. 7 shows a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a layer structure in a display device according to the invention;

fig. 8 shows a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a layer structure in a display device according to the invention;

figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a human-computer interaction device according to the invention; and

figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a human-computer interaction device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

It is first pointed out that in different embodiments substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals or the same component names. In the drawings, various components thereof are not shown to scale and/or in larger and/or smaller scale in order to facilitate understanding of the structure of the display device and the human-computer interaction device.

Fig. 1 shows a cut-away exploded view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention. In fig. 1, a display device 10 for a home appliance includes a top emission module 20 for displaying an icon 6. The top lighting module 20 includes an icon display layer 1 and a first light source 2 for illuminating icons 6 in the icon display layer 1. In the present invention, it is advantageously provided that the display device 10 for a domestic appliance further comprises a side lighting module 30 for displaying a background. The side light emitting module 30 is stacked above the top light emitting module 20. The side light module 30 includes: a second light source 3, a light guiding layer 4 and a background display layer 5 with a background image. The light guiding layer 4 receives light emitted by the second light source 3 with its side S. The background display layer 5 is disposed on the light guide layer 4. The light guide layer 4 and the background display layer 5 are at least semi-transparent in the area corresponding to the icon 6 on the icon display layer 1.

In the display device 10, the first light source 2 in the top light module 20 can illuminate the icon 6 in the icon display layer 1 covering the first light source 2. The icon 6 may be configured as a light-transmitting or hollow-out area corresponding to the content of the icon. The light-transmitting or hollowed-out areas may transmit the light emitted by the first light source 2 and present characters and/or patterns conforming to the content of the icon, which may include, for example, letters, numbers, logos, symbols, etc.

In order to add background light effect to the display device 10 having the top emission module 20 and improve visual appearance with a low cost and a simple structure, a side emission module 30 for displaying a background is additionally provided above the top emission module 20. In this side-emitting module 30, the light emitted by the second light source 3 is incident into the side S of the light-guiding layer 4 and is at least partially scattered or refracted by the light-guiding layer 4 onto the background display layer 5, so that the background image of the background display layer 5 is at least partially illuminated. Therefore, gorgeous background lighting effect can be added to the top lighting module 20, display content is enriched, attractive visual experience is generated, and the use atmosphere rich in design sense is created. In particular, a display effect similar to that of an expensive display panel, particularly a TFT display panel, can be exhibited without significantly increasing the manufacturing cost and the thickness of the display device.

Particularly preferably, the icon display layer 1 and/or the background display layer 5 are colored.

Preferably, the first light source 2 may be configured as an inorganic light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, a polymer light emitting diode, or a nixie tube.

Preferably, the second light source 3 may be configured as an inorganic light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, or a polymer light emitting diode.

In addition, as also shown in fig. 1, in the top lighting module 20, the first light sources 2 may be disposed on the circuit board 7, and each of the first light sources 2 may be provided with a light limiting bracket 8. Of course, the first light source 2 can also be arranged on the circuit board in other ways, for example laterally or downwardly, it being only necessary to reflect the light upwardly by means of a reflective element, and the second light source 3 can also be arranged on a further circuit board, not shown. It goes without saying that corresponding driver circuits and wiring are also provided on the circuit board 7 and the further circuit board.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of a display device according to the present invention. Here, the side light emitting module 30 includes a plurality of second light sources 3. The second light sources 3 are arranged in a row at the side of the light guiding layer 4 of the side light emitting module 30.

Fig. 2 now schematically shows the display effect when viewed from above the display device 10 when both the first light source 2 and the second light source 3 are lit. At this time, the user can see the lighted background image 9 in the background display layer 5. The background image 9 is here schematically shown as grid lines. Without being limited thereto, the background image 9 may also relate to: decorative drawings such as sea water, sunlight, starry sky, clouds, grasslands, mountains, continuous patterns, portraits, abstract patterns, caricature elements, and the like; themed drawings such as signage, state diagrams, usage step diagrams, and the like; and/or a plain text layout, such as text identifying the type, purpose, or introduction of the operation of the home appliance. In fig. 2, four black-filled icons 6 indicate that the first light sources 2, each of which is currently being lit, are respectively provided.

It is particularly advantageously provided that the switching, color and/or brightness of the one or more second light sources 3 is adjustable. For example, different illumination layouts may be achieved by switching eight second light sources 3 on and off. Exemplarily, the eight second light sources 3 may be respectively lit in a certain order. These second light sources 3 are arranged to be lit, for example, in a running light manner, so that the background image 9 is lit up gradually in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, it is also possible to flash these second light sources 3 jointly or in groups. In addition to this, the color and/or brightness of the respective second light sources 3 may be adjusted. The background image 9 can be made to present a rich dynamic change effect by such adjustment.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention. The various components of the display device 10 are shown in an assembled state. Unlike the case shown in fig. 1, the display device 10 here includes two side-emitting modules 30 arranged side by side in one plane. As such, the two side light emitting modules 30 are regionally distributed on the surface of the display device 10 when viewed from above the display device 10. The side light modules 30 each have a second light source 3, a light guide layer 4, and a background display layer 5 having a background image. As shown, the adjacent sides of the two light guide layers 4 are disconnected from each other or separated or connected by opaque or reflective material, so that the second light source 3 of each side light module 30 can only illuminate its own light guide layer and background display layer when illuminated. The embodiment of the display device 10 enables non-interfering partition control of the background display.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention. The various components of the display device 10 are shown in an assembled state. Unlike the situation shown in fig. 3, the display device 10 here comprises two side-emitting modules arranged one above the other: a first side light emitting module 30' and a second side light emitting module 30 ″. The first side light emitting module 30 'includes a first second light source 3', a first light guide layer 4 'and a first background display layer 5', and the second side light emitting module 30 ″ includes a second light source 3", a second light guide layer 4" and a second background display layer 5". The first side light emitting module 30' and the second side light emitting module 30 ″ are arranged to overlap in a vertical direction of the display device 10. And the second light sources which are respectively matched with the side light-emitting modules are respectively lightened to realize the respective display of different background images. Preferably, the background images belonging to the different side light modules are preferably arranged offset to each other in the vertical direction, so that different background images can be observed when the different side light modules are lit. However, it is also conceivable that the background image on the upper layer partially covers the background image on the lower layer, so that the combined or overlapped background images appear when the first side light-emitting module 30' and the second side light-emitting module 30 ″ are simultaneously lighted, thereby making the background display more delicate and layered.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention. The various components of the display device 10 are shown in an assembled state. Here, the display device 10 includes three side light emitting modules: a first side light emitting module 30', a second side light emitting module 30", and a third side light emitting module 30'". The three side light-emitting modules comprise a second light source, a light guide layer and a background display layer. Here, the first side light emitting module 30 'and the third side light emitting module 30' ″ are disposed side by side in one plane, and the first side light emitting module 30 'and the third side light emitting module 30' ″ are disposed to be overlapped with the second side light emitting module 30 ″ up and down. The second side light emitting module 30 ″ advantageously covers the sum of the areas of the first side light emitting module 30' and the third side light emitting module 30 ″. With this embodiment, the display device 10 can realize a combined effect of diversification of the background images, which can realize not only the divisional control but also the superimposition of the background images in the vertical direction. In this way, a variety of background images with a rich hierarchical feeling can be presented.

It should be noted that the embodiments shown in fig. 3 to 5 can be combined with the adjustable second light source, thereby presenting more varied light and image effects.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention. Fig. 6 additionally schematically shows a specific arrangement of the light guiding layer 4 compared to the situation shown in fig. 1. The light guide layer 4 is formed as a plastic sheet 11. The plastic sheet can be made of, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin polymer (COP). In addition to the illustrated plastic sheet, which is designed as a flat plate, a wedge plate can also be used as the light-guiding layer 4. In order to guide the light incident from the side S of the light guide layer 4 to the top surface T of the light guide layer 4 or to the surface of the display device, i.e. the surface facing the user, the plastic sheet 11 is provided with microstructures 12 for reflecting the light incident from the side S to the top surface T. The microstructures 12 schematically represented in fig. 6 can be seen, for example, as line grooves or pits on the bottom side B of the plastic sheet 11. The line grooves here are, for example, grooves which extend in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in the plastic sheet 11 and which are recessed into the bottom B of the plastic sheet 11, whereas the depressions are depressions which are distributed in the form of dots on the bottom B of the plastic sheet 11. These grooves or pits can refract light incident into the interior of the plastic sheet 11 from the second light source 3 in the direction of the top surface T. The microstructures 12 are worked into the plastic sheet 11, for example by engraving (in particular laser engraving or precision mechanical engraving), etching (in particular chemical etching) or injection molding (in particular compression molding). In addition, the microstructures can also be formed as light-conducting dots printed onto the base surface B of the plastic sheet 11, which is particularly advantageous in terms of processing. Such light-guiding dots are formed by regularly printing inks having a high reflection and/or refraction effect onto the bottom surface B of the plastic sheet 11.

In order not to affect the icon display of the top emission module 20, the microstructures 12 in the plastic sheet 11 may particularly advantageously avoid the icons 6 in the icon display layer 1. As shown in fig. 6, the microstructures 12 are not disposed above the icons 6 in the icon display layer 1, but of course, the microstructures 12 in the plastic sheet 11 may be disposed in a smaller density in other embodiments as long as the icons 6 in the icon display layer 1 can still be well observed by the user.

Fig. 6 also shows that the first light source 2 and the second light source 3 are arranged jointly on the same flat printed circuit board 7. The light emitted by the second light source 3 is guided by the light guide 13, here a right-angled light guide, to the side S of the light guide layer 4.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a layer structure in a display device according to the invention. The layer structure mentioned here refers to the icon display layer 1, the side light-emitting layer 4, and the background display layer 5 in the display device 10. In this embodiment, a plurality of line grooves 12a for refracting light incident from the side of the light guide layer 4 to the top surface T of the light guide layer 4 are provided on the bottom surface B of the plastic sheet 11 of the side light emitting layer 4. These grooves 12a can be introduced on the bottom surface B of the plastic sheet 11 by engraving, etching or injection molding.

In particular, fig. 7 shows an exploded view of the microstructure 12, here a line groove 12a, which is offset from the icon 6 in the icon display layer 1.

As shown in fig. 7, the icon display layer 1 is screen-printed or inkjet-printed over substantially the entire surface with opaque ink 14, wherein a hollow-out or light-transmitting region, in particular a colored light-transmitting region, is formed in accordance with the icon 6. Thereby, when the first light source 2 is irradiated to the icon display layer 1, only the icon 6 is illuminated, thereby displaying the icon 6 to the user. In the case shown in fig. 7, four icons 6 are provided in the upper half of the icon display layer 1. In particular, it should be mentioned that the two central icons are configured as numerical icons in the shape of the number 8. Correspondingly, a nixie tube, in particular a two-segment LED nixie tube, is used as the first light source 2 below it. In this way, the display device 10 can display two digits of data ranging from 00 to 99 so as to represent digital information of power, temperature, operation time, remaining time, etc. of the home appliance.

In order to avoid the position of the icon 6, in the side light-emitting layer 4, the line grooves 12a for refracting light are provided only in the lower half of the plastic sheet 11. Thus, the line groove 12a, which affects the light to see through from bottom to top, does not coincide with the icon 6 in the icon display layer 1 in the top emission module 20 in the vertical direction, thereby ensuring that the display of the top emission module 20 is not affected by the side emission module 30 in the display device 10.

Fig. 7 also shows that the background image 9 in the background display layer 5 is preferably configured as a dark image in the lower half corresponding to the line groove 12a, and is preferably configured as a light image (the light image is illustrated in blank) in the upper half, and more preferably, the background image 9 is configured as a gradient image that is gradually rendered from the non-icon display area to the icon display area, so that the image of the gradient rendering type can exhibit a rich and varied light and shadow effect, and the background of the light image makes the icon 6 have both visibility and a light and shadow background.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a layer structure in a display device according to the invention. Unlike the embodiment shown in fig. 7, a plurality of concave points 12B for refracting light incident from side S of light guide layer 4 to top surface T of light guide layer 4 are provided on bottom surface B of plastic sheet 11 of side light-emitting layer 4. These pits 12B can be introduced into the bottom surface B of the plastic sheet 11 by engraving, etching or injection molding. Here, the plurality of concave points 12B are uniformly distributed in a dot shape on the bottom surface B of the plastic sheet 11. However, without being limited thereto, the plurality of pits 12b may also be correspondingly distributed according to the specific contour position of the background image 9.

In fig. 8, the concave dots 12b in the plastic sheet 11 also avoid the icons 6 in the icon display layer 1.

Fig. 8 also shows, in particular, that the top surface T of the plastic sheet 11 is surface-treated to enhance the light efficiency. Here, the surface treatment portion 15 is shown as a hatched area with a horizontal line. The surface treatment portion 15 may be a wire drawing treatment portion, a grinding treatment portion, a plating treatment portion, a polishing treatment portion, or the like, thereby advantageously exhibiting alternately bright and dark ripples, a frosting effect, a metallic luster, or the like. The surface treatment 15 may be provided on the top surface T of the plastic sheet 11 over the entire surface or only partially. However, the surface treatment unit 15 may preferably avoid the icon 6 in the icon display layer 1 so as not to affect the display of the icon.

Although the icon display layer 1 and the background display layer 5 are illustrated as rectangular frames or rectangular parallelepipeds in the respective drawings, the icon display layer 1 and the background display layer 5 may be advantageously configured as films. In particular, the background display layer 9 is configured as a film that can be applied to the light guide layer 4, in particular to the top surface T thereof, while the icon display layer 1 is configured as a film that can be applied to the light guide layer 4, in particular to the bottom surface B thereof and/or to the light-limiting support 8. In a particularly highly integrated embodiment, the background display layer 9 may also be printed onto the light guiding layer 4. Particularly preferably, the icon display layer 1 can also be printed onto the light guide layer 4.

Note that, although the icon display layers 1, the icons 6, the background display layer 5, the background images 9, and the like are shown in the drawings as blank lines, hatched solid lines, and the like, the icon display layer 1 and/or the background display layer 5 are preferably colored, and in particular, are formed as a color film.

In addition to the embodiments shown in fig. 6 to 8, it is also conceivable to incorporate a clouding material for scattering light into the plastic sheet 11 of the light-guiding layer 4 in order to scatter the light emitted by the second light source 3 at least locally onto the background display layer 5, so that the background image 9 of the background display layer 5 is illuminated at least locally.

Furthermore, when the display device 10 comprises a plurality of side-emitting light modules 30 for displaying a background arranged one above the other (see the embodiment shown in fig. 4 and 5 for this), wherein the locations of the plastic sheet 11 in the side-emitting light modules 30, which are doped with cloudiness and/or provided with microstructures 12 (such as line grooves 12a or pits 12 b), may be different in different side-emitting light modules 30. This means that the haze in the light guiding layer 4 of each side-emitting module 30 and/or the microstructures 12 do not overlap each other in the vertical direction.

Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a human-computer interaction device according to the invention. Here, the human-computer interaction device 100 includes the display apparatus 10 and the touch sensing device as described above. The human-computer interaction device 100 can provide a human-computer interaction function while adding a background light effect and improving a visual appearance, thereby enabling control of home appliances and providing visual feedback using the human-computer interaction device 100.

Here, the touch sensing device is configured as a touch sensing layer 16. The touch sensing layer 16 may be, for example, a touch sensing film or a touch printed circuit for detecting a touch operation of a user, and may be attached to or printed on the outermost background display layer 5 of the display device. Here, in order to protect the touch sensing layer 16, it is preferably disposed below the outermost background display layer 5 of the display device 10, i.e., on the side of the background display layer 5 facing away from the user.

Fig. 9 also shows that the second light source 3 is arranged on a printed circuit board 7' with a bend together with the first light source 2. In addition, it is also conceivable to arrange the second light source 3 together with the first light source 2 on a flexible printed circuit.

Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a human interaction device according to the invention. Unlike fig. 9, fig. 10 shows a human-computer interaction device 100 comprising a display device 10 as described previously and touch and/or proximity sensing means. The touch and/or proximity sensing device is constructed as an infrared type sensing device and includes an infrared transmitting tube 17 and an infrared receiving tube 18. The infrared emission tube 17 is capable of emitting infrared light, which may have a wavelength of between 770nm and 1mm, for example. The infrared light can be reflected and received by the infrared receiving tube 18 when an object, such as a user's hand, approaches and/or touches the human interaction device 100. In response thereto, the human-computer interaction device 100 may transmit a control signal to the home appliance, thereby implementing a human-computer interaction function. It goes without saying that the layers of the display device 10 above the infrared-type sensor elements (i.e. the icon display layer 1, the light guide layer 4 and the background display layer 5) are to be infrared-transparent, and that detection circuits for the infrared-type sensor elements are to be assigned to the circuit boards.

Not limited to the exemplary illustration, it is also conceivable to provide a plurality of infrared emission tubes 17 and/or a plurality of infrared reception tubes 18 in the human-computer interaction device 100. These infrared transmitting tubes 17 and infrared receiving tubes can in particular be matched to different icons 6. It is also possible that these infrared transmitting tubes 17 and infrared receiving tubes 18 are alternately arranged along one extending direction, thereby further realizing a plurality of different operation functions or gesture operation functions.

Without being limited thereto, the touch and/or proximity sensing device may be configured as a capacitive sensing device, a resistive sensing device, an inductive sensing device, a pressure sensing device, an acoustic wave sensing device, or the like. These touch and/or proximity sensing means may be integrated with the display device 10 as shown in fig. 9 and 10, but may also be provided outside the display device 10.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown but includes or extends to all technical equivalents that may fall within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. The positional references selected in the description, such as, for example, upper, lower, left, right, etc., refer to the direct description and to the illustrated drawings and can be transferred to new positions in the event of a change in position.

The features disclosed in the present document can be essential for the implementation of the embodiments in terms of different embodiments and can be implemented both individually and in any combination.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any person skilled in the art can use the above-mentioned method and technical contents to make possible changes and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, therefore, any simple modification, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments by the technical substance of the present invention all belong to the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device (10) for a household appliance, the display device comprising a top lighting module (20) for displaying icons, the top lighting module comprising an icon display layer (1) and a first light source (2) for illuminating icons (6) in the icon display layer (1),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the display device (10) further comprises one or more side light modules (30) for displaying a background, the side light modules being stacked above the top light module (20), the side light modules (30) comprising:

one or more second light sources (3);

a light-guiding layer (4) which receives, with its side edges, the light emitted by the second light source (3); and

a background display layer (5) with a background image (9), the background display layer being arranged on the light guiding layer (4),

wherein the light guiding layer (4) and the background display layer (5) are at least semi-transparent in the area corresponding to the icon (6) on the icon display layer (1).

2. The display apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of side-emitting modules (30) for displaying a background are arranged side by side in a plane and/or on top of each other.

3. A display device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching, color and/or brightness of the one or more second light sources (3) is adjustable.

4. Display device (10) according to claim 1 or 2,

the first light source (2) is formed by an inorganic light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, a polymer light emitting diode or a nixie tube; and/or

The second light source (3) is designed as an inorganic light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode or a polymer light-emitting diode.

5. Display device (10) according to claim 1 or 2,

the first light source (2) and the second light source (3) are arranged on the same or different circuit boards; and/or

The first light source (2) and/or the second light source (3) are/is provided with a light-limiting holder (8).

6. A display device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the first light source (2) and the second light source (3) are arranged on a circuit board (7') with bends or a flexible circuit board; or the second light source guides light onto the side (S) of the light guiding layer (4) by means of a light guiding column (13).

7. A display device (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light-guiding layer (4) is made of a plastic sheet (11), the plastic sheet (11) being doped with a haze for scattering light and/or the plastic sheet (11) being provided with microstructures (12) for refracting light incident from the side to the top surface.

8. A display device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the turbid material and/or the microstructures (12) are avoided from the icons (6) in the icon display layer (1).

9. A display device (10) as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the display device (10) comprises a plurality of side light modules for displaying a background arranged one above the other, wherein the locations of the plastic sheet which is doped with haze and/or provided with microstructures (12) differ in different side light modules.

10. The display device (10) of claim 7 wherein the microstructures are light directing dots printed onto the bottom surface of the plastic sheet; or the microstructure (12) is a line groove (12 a) or a concave point (12 b) processed on the bottom surface of the plastic sheet by carving, etching or injection molding.

11. A display device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the top surface (T) of the plastic sheet (11) is surface treated to enhance light efficiency.

12. A display device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said icon display layer (1) and/or said background display layer (5) are colored.

13. A display device (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the background display layer (5) is configured as a film which can be applied to the light-conducting layer (4); and/or the background display layer (5) is printed onto the light guiding layer (4).

14. A display device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the icon display layer (1) is configured as a film that can be applied to the light guiding layer (4) and/or the light limiting support (8); and/or the icon display layer (1) is printed on the light guide layer (4).

15. The display device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the icon display layer (1) and the background display layer (5) are integrated, and the icons (6) are configured as transparent or hollowed-out areas on the background display layer (5).

16. A human-computer interaction device (100) for a household appliance, characterized in that said human-computer interaction device (100) comprises:

display device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14; and

touch and/or proximity sensing devices.

17. A human-computer interaction device (100) according to claim 16,

the touch and/or proximity sensing means is a touch sensing layer (16) which is laminated or printed on the background display layer (5) and/or icon display layer (1) of the display device (10); and/or

The touch and/or proximity sensing device is an infrared sensing device, a capacitive sensing device, a resistive sensing device, an inductive sensing device, a pressure sensing device or an acoustic wave sensing device.

18. A household appliance, characterized in that it comprises a display device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 15 or a human-computer interaction device (100) according to claim 16 or 17.

19. The household appliance of claim 18, wherein the household appliance is an air conditioner, a range hood, a stove, a water heater, a refrigerator, an oven, a dishwasher, a food processor, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, a stereo, a television, an intelligent faucet, or an intelligent toilet.