GB2336236A

GB2336236A - Shield plate for displays

Info

Publication number: GB2336236A
Application number: GB9913028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yoshio Yamashita
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1997-10-31
Filing date: 1998-10-29
Publication date: 1999-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-29
Also published as: GB2336236B; JPH11133896A; DE19881834B4; GB9913028D0; DE19881834T1; JP3304853B2; WO1999023633A1

Abstract

A shield plate (2) provided in an opposed state with respect to a display (1) and formed of a transparent or translucent plate type member (21) as a base, wherein the plate type member (21) is provided on the surface thereof which is opposed to the display (1) with a fine recess- and projection-carrying portion (22), a vapor deposition layer (23) and a transparent color printed layer (24), the fine recess- and protection-carrying portion (22) comprising fine recesses and projections formed on the display-opposed surface, the vapor deposition layer (23) comprising an alumininum layer vapor deposited on the fine recesses and projections, the transparent color printed layer (24) comprising a transparent printed layer of a required color formed on the vapor deposition layer (23), the aluminum being vapor deposited so that a reflectance of the light passing through the shield plate (2) is in the range of 35-65 %, the transparent color printed layer (24) forming a rear surface of the shield plate (2) flat.

Description

SPECIFICATION

SHIELD FOR DISPLAY DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shield, and more particularly, to a shield used f or a display device f or displaying information utilizing light from a light emitting element.

BACKGROUND ART

The above-mentioned display device may, in some cases, be used f or an audio equipment. Fig. 5 (a) is a diagram in a case where the audio equipment is viewed f rom the f ront. Fig - 5 (b) is a diagram in a case where a cross section along a line A - A' shown in Fig. 5 (a) is viewed in a direction as indicated by an arrow B. First, in Fig. 5 (a), a front panel 51 and a display device 52 are provided on the front surface of the main body of the audio equipment. The front panel 51 is constituted by a member 53 made of resin and a coating layer 54 formed on the surface of the member 53, as shown in Fig. 5 (b). The display device 52 is arranged opposite to a shield 55 composed of colored transparent resin, and contains a light emitting element 56 such as a fluorescent displaytube. The light emission of the light emitting element 56 is controlled by the display device 52 such that information 1 to be provided to a user (the name of a tune, play time, etc.) is displayed. Light from the light emitting element 56 is transmitted by the shield 55, and is visually identified as information by the user.

When the shield 55 is transparent, the vicinity of the display device 52, and particularly the light emitting element 56 is viewed by the user. Therefore, the shield 55 is tinted with orangish-color.

Conventionally, the color of the audio equipment has been solid black in many cases, that is, the black coating layer 54 has been f ormed. When the color of the f ront panel 51 is black, the orangish-colored shield 55 has not been noticeable.

In recent years, an audio equipment having an appearance full of a metallic feeling has been required from a market. In order to realize such a metallic feeling, the coating layer 54 constituting the front panel 51 has a metallic color, and may include metallic particles in some cases. However, the metallic color of the front panel 51 and the orangish color of the shield 55 have entirely different color feelings. As a result, the problem that the appearance of the audio equipment lacks unity has revealed.

The front surface of the main body of the conventional audio equipment has been constituted by the front panel 51 and the shield 55. As a result, the cost of the audio equipment itself and the fabrication cost thereof have been increased.

2 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a shield realizing the representation of a metallic feeling and the reduction of the cost.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect is directed to a shield used together with a display device for displaying information utilizing light from a light emitting element, comprising:

a plate-shaped member. being transparent or translucent, arranged opposite to the light emitting element; an uneven portion composed of microscopic asperities which are formed on a surface opposite to the light emitting element in the plate-shaped member; an evaporated layer which is a layer made of aluminum. evaporated over the uneven portion; and a transparent printing layer which is a layer formed by transparent printing on the evaporated layer.

According to the first aspect, the shield comprises a combination of the plate-shaped member, the uneven portion, the evaporated layer, and the transparent printing layer, so that information provided by the display device can be accurately transmitted and visually identified by a user while maintaining a state similar to that of coating having a metallic feeling in appearance. Further, when the shield is applied to various types of equipments, it is possible to realize a design which has not 3 been conventionally made.

A second aspect is dependent on the first aspect, wherein the microscopic asperities are formed by printing.

According to the second aspect, the microscopic asperities can be realized by a conventionally known technique, so that the shield can be simply produced.

A third aspect is dependent on the first aspect, wherein the aluminum is evaporated such that the reflectance of the light from the light emitting element is in the range of 35 % to 65 %.

A fourth aspect is dependent on the second aspect, wherein the aluminum. is evaporated such that the reflectance of the light f rom the light emitting element is in the range of 35 % to 65 %.

According to the third and fourth aspects, the reflectance of the light is set in the above-mentioned range, so that information provided by the display device can be accurately transmitted and visually identified by the user.

A fifth aspect is dependent on the first aspect, wherein case where the light emitting element is arranged on surface of an eauinment, in a the front the shield also serves as a front panel of the equipment. A sixth aspect is dependent on the second aspect, wherein in a case where the light emitting element is arranged on the front surface of an equipment, 4 the shield also serves as a f ront panel of the equipment. A seventh aspect is dependent on the third aspect, wherein in a case where the light emitting element is arranged on the front surface of an equipment, the shield also serves as a front panel of the equipment.

An eighth aspect is dependent on the fourth aspect, wherein in a case where the light emitting element is arranged on the front surface of the equipment, the shield also serves as a f ront panel of the equipment.

According to the f if th to eighth aspects, the f ront panel of the equipment can be constituted by one component referred to as a shield, so that the cost of the equipment itself and the fabrication cost thereof can be kept down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an audio equipment to which a shield 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an audio equipment in a case where the shield 2 shown in Fig. 1 is removed f rom a cabinet 6; Fig. 3 is a diagram in a case where a cross section along a line A - A' of the audio equipment shown in Fig. 1 is viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow B; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view for explaining more preferred construction of the shield 2 shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional audio equipment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an audio equipment to which a shield 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an audio equipment in a case where a cross section along a line A A' shown in Fig. 1 is viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow B. In Figs. 1 and 2, a case for defining the appearance (the outline) of the audio equipment contains a display device 1 on its front surface, and is constructed by attaching to a cabinet 6 the shield 2, a roof plate 3, trims 4 on both its sides, and a trim on its front surface 5. The case has an operation portion 7 including a switch, a dial, a push button, and so f orth which are to be operated by a user on its front surface.

The display device 1 includes a light emitting element 8, a printed circuit board 9, and a holding member 10, as shown in Fig. 2. The light emitting element 8 is composed of a fluorescent display tube, a light emitting diode, and so f orth, and is attached to the printed circuit board 9 held in the cabinet 6 by the holding member 10. Further, the light emitting element 8 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 9. The display device 1 is exposed when the shield 2 is detached from the audio equipment, and is arranged on the front surf ace of the cabinet 6, as shown 6 in Fig. 3. The display device 1 utilizes the light emission of the light emitting element 8, to display information (characters, symbols, etc.) toward a user of the audio equipment.

The shield 2 is attached to the trim 5 and the cabinet 6 so as to be opposite to the display device 1, as shown in Fig. 2. The shield 2 uses a plate-shaped member 21, being transparent or translucent, as a basis. Specifically, resin or glass is selected as the plate-shaped member 21. A microscopic uneven portion 22, an evaporated layer 23, a transparent colored printing layer 24 (see a dotted area), and a black printing layer 25 (see a solid black area) are f ormed on a surf ace opposite to the display device 1 in the plate-shaped member 21. The microscopic uneven portion 22 is formed by subjecting the opposite surface to printing having microscopic asperities and processing the opposite surface itself into asperities. It is preferable that the microscopic asperities are asperities having a pitch of approximately five microns. The evaporated layer 23 is a layer made of aluminum evaporated over the microscopic uneven portion 22. The transparent colored printing layer 24 is a layer formed by subjecting the evaporated layer 23 to transparent colored printing in a color as required. The transparent colored printing layer 24 fills in the asperities of the evaporated layer 23, to make the reverse surface of the shield 2 (the surface opposite to the display device 1) flat. The black printing layer 25 is a layer formed by subjecting the evaporated layer 23 to black 7 printing. The transparent colored printing layer 24 and the black printing layer 2 5 are respectively formed in predetermined areas on the surface of the evaporated layer 23, as described later. The aluminum is evaporated such that the reflectance of light passing through the shield 2 is in the range of 35%to65%. The above-mentioned shield 2 transmits the light from the light emitting element 8. Consequently, the user of the audio equipment can visually identify the information displayed by the display device 1 from the exterior (in a direction indicated by an arrow C in Figs. 1 and 2).

Fig. 3 shows how the shield 2 is detached f rom the cabinet 6 and the like, as described above. Fig. 3 illustrates the transparent colored printing layer 24 and the black printing layer 2 5 which are opposite to the f ront surf aces of the display device 1 and the cabinet 6. Description is now made of the abovementioned predetermined areas. The transparent colored printing layer 24 is f ormed in at least a portion opposite to the display device 1 when the shield 2 is attached. The black printing layer 25 is f ormed in an area other than the transparent colored printing layer 24.

Referring now to Fig. 4, description is made of more preferred construction of the shield 2. Fig. 4 (a) illustrates a case where a microscopic uneven portion 22a is f ormed by printing, and Fig. 4 (b) particularly illustrates a case where a microscopic uneven portion 22b is directly formed on the above-mentioned

8 opposite surface. Silica oxide (SiO) is evaporated over the microscopic uneven portions 22a and 22b to a thickness of approximately 50 A, to form a first silica oxide layer 26. It is more preferable that a portion between the microscopic uneven layers 22a and 22b and the f irst silica oxide layer 26 is subjected to hard coating processing in order to improve adhesive properties therebetween. The evaporated layer 23 is evaporated over the silica oxide layer 26 such that the aluminum has a thickness of 200 to 300 A. Silica oxide (SiO) is evaporated over the evaporated layer 23 to a thickness of approximately 200 A, to f orm a second silica oxide layer 27. The transparent colored printing layer 24 and the black colored printing layer 25, described above, are printed on the second silica oxide layer 27.

As described in the foregoing, the shield 2 according to the present embodiment brings the appearance of the audio equipment into a state similar to that of coating having a metallic feeling as a whole by a combination of constituent elements, that is, the microscopic uneven portion 22, the evaporated layer 23 and the transparent colored printing layer 24 f ormed on the surface opposite to the plate-shaped member 21, thereby making it possible to achieve unity of the appearance. When any of the constituent elements is missing, an object of the present invention cannot be attained. Specif ically, if it is assumed that there is no microscopic uneven portion 22, the shield 2 becomes a mere mirror, so that a metallic f eeling cannot be obtained. That 9 is, the microscopic uneven portion 22 decreases the luster of the evaporated aluminum, to give a mat feeling like a metallic color. If it is assumed that there is no evaporated layer 23, the shield 2 does not naturally give a metallic feeling. Further, if it is assumed that there is no transparent colored printing layer 24, information relating to the display device 1 is not seen from the exterior. In such a case, the shield 2 is merely f ormed on the microscopic uneven portion 22, so that the reverse surface of the shield 2 becomes uneven. Therefore, the light from the light emitting element 8 is irregularly reflected from the reverse surface, so that the information relating to the display device 1 is not correctly transmitted to the user. As described in the foregoing, the transparent colored printing layer 24 is formed in order to make the reverse surface of the shield 2 flat to correctly transmit the light as information.

Furthermore, in the shield 2 shown in Fig. 4, the evaporated layer 23 is interposed between the first silica oxide layer 26 and the second silica oxide layer 27. Consequently, the evaporated layer 23 composed of the aluminum is prevented from rushing away.

The shield 2 according to the present embodiment covers the front surface of the audio equipment, and also serves as a front panel of the audio equipment. The front surface of the audio equipment has been conventionally constituted by two independent components which are referred to as a shield and a front panel.

If the shield 2 according to the present embodiment is applied to the audio equipment, however, its front surf ace can be constituted by a single component. Consequently, the cost of the audio equipment itself and the fabrication cost thereof can be kept down.

In the present embodiment, description was made of a case where the shield 2 is applied to the audio equipment. However, the shield 2 produces the above-mentioned effect if it is used together with the display device 1. That is, the shield 2 is applicable to any equipment, provided that the display device 1 is applicable to the equipment. Consequently, the technical scope of the present application is not limited to the audio equipment.

Although in the present embodiment, the transparent colored printing layer 24 is colored as required, it need not be colored, provided that it uses the color of the light f rom the light emitting element 8 as it is.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is used f or an equipment to which a display device for displaying information utilizing light from a light emitting element is applied.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A shield used together with a display device f or displaying information utilizing light from a light emitting element, comprising:

a plate-shaped member, being transparent or translucent, arranged opposite to said light emitting element; an uneven portion composed of microscopic asperities which are formed on a surface opposite to said light emitting element in said plate-shaped member; an evaporated layer which is a layer made of aluminum evaporated over said uneven portion; and a transparent printing layer which is a layer formed by transparent printing on said evaporated layer.

2. The shield according to claim 1, wherein said microscopic asperities are formed by printing.

3. The shield according to claim 1, wherein said aluminum is evaporated such that the reflectance of the light from said light emitting element is in the range of 35 % to 65

4. The shield according to claim 2, wherein said aluminum is evaporated such that the reflectance of the light from said light emitting element is in the range of 35 % to 65 %.

5. The shield according to claim 1, wherein in a case where said light emitting element is arranged on the front surface of an equipment, 12 the shield also serves as a f ront panel of said equipment.

6. The shield according to claim 2, wherein in a case where said light emitting element is arranged on the front surface of an equipment, the shield also serves as a f ront panel of said equipment.

7. The shield according to claim 3, wherein in a case where said light emitting element is arranged on the front surf ace of an equipment, the shield also serves as a front panel of said equipment.

8. The shield according to clalm 4, wherein in a case where said light emitting element is arranged on the front surf ace of an equipment, the shield also serves as a f ront panel of said equipment.

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