JP2001005399A - Display device having liquid crystal panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a device, which allows the miniaturization of a device body at carrying and at lighting of a backlight with the device, capable of changing over the irradiation of a liquid crystal panel with the back light and the irradiation of the liquid crystal panel with the light from the outside. SOLUTION: This device body 1 is internally provided with the liquid crystal panel 3 and the back light 2 for irradiating the liquid crystal panel 3 and is capable of changing over the irradiation of the liquid crystal panel 3 with the backlight 2 and the irradiation of the liquid crystal panel 3 with the light from the outside of the device body 1. The liquid crystal panel 3 is mounted at a cylindrical body 4, disposed rectractably at the device body 1 and faces the back light 2 attachably and detachably in the device body 1. The top of the cylindrical body 4 is bored with an opening 40 between the liquid crystal panel 3 and the backlight 2. The opening 40 is exposed at a position, where the cylindrical body 4 is drawn out of the device body 1. The liquid crystal panel 3 is irradiated with the light from the outside through the opening 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device having a liquid crystal panel, such as a video camera and a digital still camera, and more specifically, to irradiating a liquid crystal panel with a backlight and irradiating a liquid crystal panel with external light. And a device capable of switching between

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 5A and 5B are side sectional views of a conventional display device (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-79579). This relates to a viewfinder of a video camera, and a liquid crystal panel (3) for displaying a captured image is provided in the apparatus main body (1). The user looks at the image on the liquid crystal panel (3) through an eyepiece (66) provided on the front of the apparatus main body (1). By irradiating the liquid crystal panel (3) from behind the image display surface, the image is displayed. Is easier to see. This liquid crystal panel (3)
Irradiation of the backlight (2)
Although it is conceivable that (1) is due to external light, there is a device that switches between irradiation by the backlight (2) and irradiation by external light. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), a backlight (2) is provided inside the upper surface of the apparatus main body (1).
Is provided so that it can slide back and forth. The backlight
An opening (40) for taking in external light is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body (1) above (2). A mirror (65) for reflecting light from the backlight (2) or the opening (40) and a condenser lens (67) are provided on the optical axis of the liquid crystal panel (3) in the apparatus body (1). The mirror (6) is provided as shown in FIG.
The light reflected by 5) irradiates the liquid crystal panel 3 from behind the image display surface. A switch (SW) for turning on and off the backlight (2) is provided on the transition path of the backlight (2) at the back of the apparatus body (1).
When (2) moves backward and pushes the switch (SW), the switch
(SW) is turned off, and the backlight (2) is turned off. If the switch (SW) is ON while the backlight (2) is in the forward state, the backlight (2) is turned on.

When illuminating the liquid crystal panel (3) with the backlight (2), as shown in FIG.
(2) is advanced until it faces the opening (40). switch
(SW) is turned on, and the backlight (2) is turned on. Opening
Light from the outside passing through (40) is blocked by the backlight (2), and light from the backlight (2) is reflected by the mirror (65) to illuminate the liquid crystal panel (3). As shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the liquid crystal panel (3) is irradiated with external light, the backlight (2) is retracted and external light is taken in from the opening (40). Switch pushed into backlight (2)
(SW) is turned off, and the backlight (2) is turned off.
External light entering the device body (1) is reflected by a mirror (65).
And illuminate the liquid crystal panel (3).

[0004]

In the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the front and rear length of the apparatus main body (1) is the same as that of the backlight (2).
, The length of the front-rear slide increases, which leads to an increase in the size of the apparatus body (1). Such a display device is related to a video camera, and increasing the size of the device body (1) is inconvenient when it is carried. Further, in such a portable device, the backlight (2) is often turned on when viewing the liquid crystal panel (3). At this time, if the device is small, it is easy to use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of switching between irradiation of a liquid crystal panel by a backlight and irradiation of a liquid crystal panel by external light, wherein the apparatus can be miniaturized when being carried and when the backlight is turned on. It is in.

[0005]

The liquid crystal panel (3) is an apparatus main body.
It is attached to a cylindrical body (4) provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from (1), and is opposed to a backlight (2) in the apparatus body (1) so as to be able to approach and separate. An opening (40) is opened between the liquid crystal panel (3) and the backlight (2) on the cylinder (4).
The opening (40) is exposed at a position where the liquid crystal panel (3) is pulled out from the apparatus main body (1), and external light passes through the opening (40).
Is irradiated.

[0006]

[Operation and Effect] When the liquid crystal panel (3) is illuminated by the backlight (2) when illuminated by the backlight, the cylinder (4) is housed in the device body (1) and the liquid crystal panel is illuminated.
Bring (3) closer to the backlight (2). Backlight
The light of (2) irradiates the liquid crystal panel (3). Opening (4
0) is housed in the device body (1), and external light is
(4) Does not enter. When irradiating the liquid crystal panel (3) with external light,
The cylindrical body (4) is pulled out from the apparatus main body (1) to expose the opening (40). Light from outside passes through the aperture (40) and the liquid crystal panel
Irradiate (3). The liquid crystal panel (3) is illuminated by the backlight (2) by pulling out the tubular body (4) from the apparatus body (1) or housed in the apparatus body (1), and the liquid crystal panel (3) by external light. And irradiation. If the cylinder (4) is housed in the apparatus main body (1), the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced, which is convenient for carrying. Also, in this state,
By turning on the backlight (2), an image on the liquid crystal panel (3) can be viewed. That is, even when the backlight (2) is turned on, the entire device can be downsized.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment (Overall Configuration) An example of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
In this example, a digital still camera is exemplified as the electric device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body (1) as viewed from the back. A cylindrical body (4) is provided on the back surface of the apparatus body (1) so as to be able to protrude and retract, and a liquid crystal panel (3) for displaying an image is provided on a distal end surface of the cylindrical body (4). As is well known, by irradiating the liquid crystal panel (3) from the back side of the image display surface, the image can be easily viewed. On the apparatus body (1), a lower end of a plate-shaped Fresnel lens (5) is pivotally supported (50) above the transition path of the cylindrical body (4), and the Fresnel lens (5) is a well-known one. as,
The incident light is refracted and emitted. On the upper surface of the device body (1),
A shutter button (12) is provided. When not using the device body (1), retract the cylinder (4) into the device body (1),
Rotate the Fresnel lens (5) upward until it is in the upright posture. Since the cylindrical body (4) does not overhang from the apparatus main body (1), it is convenient to carry the apparatus main body (1).

FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are side sectional views of the apparatus main body (1). FIG. 3 (a) shows a position where the cylindrical body (4) is pulled out from the apparatus main body (1). Indicates a position where the cylinder (4) is retracted into the apparatus main body (1). An imaging lens (7) is provided on the front of the device body (1).
The image pickup device (70) for converting an image taken by the image pickup lens (7) into an electric signal and a circuit board (71) connected to the image pickup device (70) are provided in the apparatus main body (1). ing. On the back side of the device body (1), inside the cylinder (4), a liquid crystal panel
A backlight (2) opposed to (3) is provided, and the liquid crystal panel (3) approaches and separates from the backlight (2). The user turns on and off the backlight 2 manually by operating an operation button (not shown) on the apparatus main body 1. Also, cylindrical body
The haunting of (4) is also performed manually. The cylindrical body (4) fits into a groove (10) formed in the apparatus main body (1) and is guided to slide forward and backward. A stopper piece (41) projects outward from the periphery of the opening of the cylindrical body (4), and a contact piece (11) projects inward from the periphery of the opening of the concave groove (10) of the apparatus body (1). ing.

An opening (40) is provided on the upper surface of the irradiation cylinder (4) of the liquid crystal panel by external light , and as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the cylinder (4) is attached to the apparatus body (1). The opening (40) is exposed at the position where it is pulled out of the opening. Stopper piece (41)
In contact with (1), the cylinder (4) is prevented from falling out of the apparatus main body (1). In this state, the Fresnel lens (5) is turned downward by hand without turning on the backlight (2). The Fresnel lens (5) is in a horizontal posture covering the opening (40), and refracts light incident on the opening (40) from the outside of the device body (1) toward the liquid crystal panel (3). The liquid crystal panel (3) is irradiated with light from the outside, so that the user can see a bright image on the liquid crystal panel (3). In particular, when the outside of the apparatus main body (1) is bright, the backlight (2) is turned off, and the liquid crystal panel (3) is irradiated with the light from the outside, thereby providing a power saving effect.

[0010] When the outside of the main body (1) of the liquid crystal panel by the backlight is dark, the backlight (2)
Is turned on to irradiate the liquid crystal panel (3). As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the Fresnel lens (5) is turned upward by hand to the upright position, and then the cylinder (4) is inserted into the apparatus body (1) along the concave groove (10). Withdraw. LCD panel (3) and backlight
(2) approaches and the liquid crystal panel (3) is illuminated by the backlight (2). Since the liquid crystal panel (3) is close to the backlight (2), the light of the backlight (2) sufficiently illuminates the liquid crystal panel (3). Further, since most of the opening (40) is hidden in the apparatus main body (1), the amount of light of the backlight (2) leaking from the opening (40) is very small. In addition, the backlight is located at the back of the groove (10).
A switch (not shown) connected to (2) is provided, and when the cylinder (4) is stored, the cylinder (4) pushes the switch and the backlight
(2) may be turned on automatically. Further, when the opening (40) is sufficiently wide, even if the Fresnel lens (5) is not provided,
The liquid crystal panel (3) can be irradiated with external light. Further, the Fresnel lens (5) may be detachably fitted to the opening (40). In addition, the Fresnel lens (5) is pivoted (5
0) However, it may be provided to be slidable back and forth and left and right.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), an elongated hole (80) is formed at one end between the Fresnel lens (5) and the cylinder (4) as required. A connecting rod (8) may be provided, and the Fresnel lens (5) may be automatically rotated according to the forward and backward sliding of the cylinder (4). In this method, a shaft (49) projecting outward from the Fresnel lens (5) is fitted into the long hole (80), and the end opposite to the long hole (80) is pivotally connected to the cylinder (4) (81). I do. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), at the position where the cylindrical body (4) is housed in the apparatus main body (1), the shaft (49) is in contact with the edge of the elongated hole (80), and the Fresnel lens
(5) keep the standing posture. As shown in FIG.
When (4) is pulled out from the device body (1), the shaft (49) and the long hole (80)
Is released from contact with the edge. The Fresnel lens (5) rotates downward by its own weight around the pivot (50) and reaches a horizontal position.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are side sectional views of an apparatus main body (1) in another embodiment. In this example, the reflection prism (6) is detachably inserted into the cylindrical body (4) from the opening (40) without providing the Fresnel lens (5). As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the reflection prism (6) is attached to the frame (60) at an angle, and the frame (60) is provided with a through hole (19) on the surface facing the liquid crystal panel (3). ) Has been established. Note that the actual tilt angle of the reflecting prism 6 is about 45 degrees, and the light incident from above is reflected substantially horizontally outward.

Illumination by External Light When the liquid crystal panel (3) is irradiated with external light, FIG.
As shown in (a), the cylindrical body (4) is pulled out from the apparatus main body (1) to expose the opening (40), and the frame (60) is inserted into the cylindrical body (4) from the opening (40). I do. External light from the aperture (40)
The liquid crystal panel is reflected by the reflecting prism (6) in the frame (60).
Irradiate (3). Irradiation with backlight When illuminating the liquid crystal panel (3) with the backlight (2), after removing the frame (60) from the opening (40), FIG.
As shown in (1), the cylinder (4) is pushed in and housed in the apparatus body (1). The liquid crystal panel (3) approaches the backlight (2), and when the backlight (2) is turned on, the liquid crystal panel (3)
Is applied to the backlight (2).

In this embodiment, the cylindrical body (4) is connected to the apparatus main body (1).
By irradiating the liquid crystal panel 3 from the backlight 2 or by irradiating the liquid crystal panel 3 with external light, the liquid crystal panel 3 can be switched between irradiation of the liquid crystal panel 3 with the backlight 2.
If the cylinder (4) is housed in the apparatus main body (1), the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced, which is convenient for carrying. In this state, the backlight (2) is turned on and the liquid crystal panel is turned on.
You can see the image of (3). That is, the backlight
Even when (2) is turned on, the entire device can be downsized.

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the appended claims or reducing the scope thereof. Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus main body as viewed from the back.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views showing the operation of a connecting rod.
(a) shows the standing posture of the Fresnel lens, and (b) shows the horizontal posture.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side sectional views of an apparatus main body;
(a) shows the position where the cylinder is pulled out from the apparatus main body, and (b) shows the position where the cylinder is retracted into the apparatus main body.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side cross-sectional views of an apparatus main body according to another embodiment, where FIG. 4A shows a position where the cylinder is pulled out from the apparatus main body, and FIG. Shows the position where the is retracted into the apparatus body.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side sectional views of a conventional display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Main unit (2) Backlight (3) Liquid crystal panel (4) Cylindrical body (5) Fresnel lens (6) Reflecting prism (40) Opening

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/66 102 H04N 5/66 102Z // H04N 5/225 5/225 B

Claims (3)

[Claims] A liquid crystal panel (3) and a backlight (2) for irradiating the liquid crystal panel (3) are provided in an apparatus main body (1), and the backlight (2) irradiates the liquid crystal panel (3). Equipment body
In a display device capable of switching between irradiation of the liquid crystal panel (3) with light from the outside of (1), the liquid crystal panel (3) is a cylinder (4) provided so as to be able to protrude into and retract from the device body (1). It is attached to the backlight (2) in the device body (1) so as to be able to approach and separate from it. An opening is provided between the liquid crystal panel (3) and the backlight (2) on the cylinder (4). An opening (40) is provided at a position where the cylindrical body (4) is pulled out from the apparatus main body (1), and light from the outside passes through the opening (40) and the liquid crystal panel (3) is provided. A display device characterized by irradiating light. 2. An optical path changing means for irradiating light from the opening (40) toward the liquid crystal panel (3) on the apparatus main body (1),
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is provided to face the opening (40). 3. An optical path changing means, which is openably and closably provided above a transition path of the cylindrical body (4) and covers the opening (40), or a Fresnel lens (5) through the opening (40). 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the display device is a reflecting prism (6) detachably inserted in (1).