JP2001217557A - Electronic apparatus and control panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus whose appearance can be changed into that of high quality or that with visibility in accordance with a using scene. SOLUTION: When a lamp 32 stored in the control panel 20 is turned off, light with which the control panel 20 is irradiated from outside is reflected on the surface of the control panel 20 on which prescribed metallic coating is painted as shown in (a). Then, the reflected light of metallic coating is made incident on the eyes of a user. Thus, the control panel 20 shows prescribed metallic gloss and displays the appearance having texture and high quality. When the lamp 32 is lighted at night, irradiated light emitted from the lamp 32 and reflected light reflected inside the control panel 20 leak from the whole control panel 20 and they are made incident on the eyes of the user as shown in (b). Thus, the control panel 20 emits light and shows the appearance where inner structure can be viewed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an operation panel which can be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance according to a use scene.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, products of a type in which the internal structure can be visually recognized by using a member such as a transparent resin or a translucent resin for a housing (case) (so-called "skeleton type") have been gradually adopted. . Such a skeleton type product not only gives the user visual interest but also differentiates it from the conventional product, and effectively stimulates the consumer's willingness to purchase.

[0003] Recently, even in electronic equipment for vehicles, etc.,
Skeleton-type products are being manufactured, albeit little by little. In the skeleton type vehicle-mounted electronic device, for example, at the time of use at night or the like, for example, an operation panel or the like is illuminated with a light-emitting element in a predetermined luminescent color to improve the visibility of an operation portion. In addition, the aesthetics of the interior decoration have been improved, and passengers and the like have an effective interest.

[0004]

Such a skeleton-type electronic device mounted on a vehicle can visually recognize the internal structure through a casing made of a translucent resin or the like even when the electronic device is not illuminated when used in the daytime or the like. It has interesting fun. However, at this time, since the color of the translucent resin or the like becomes the appearance color as it is, a relatively inexpensive impression is given to many users and the like, and the luxury feeling inherent in the in-vehicle electronic device is dispelled. Become. For this reason, in many cases, the interior of the vehicle cannot be unified with other high-class interiors, and the current situation is that further expansion of sales cannot be expected due to the limited number of consumers.

[0005] In addition, when skeleton type products become common in home appliances and the like, the visual interest becomes poor, and not only users but also passengers and the like are not surprised or interested. Would. As a result, there is a problem that only a relatively inexpensive impression remains.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an electronic apparatus and an operation panel that can be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance according to a use scene. Aim.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, an electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an electronic device having a housing formed of a light-transmitting member, A light emitting element is provided at a predetermined position in the housing, the housing reflects external light when the light emitting element is turned off,
It is characterized in that the light-emitting element is formed so as to be covered with a metal thin film that transmits irradiation light when the light-emitting element is turned on.

According to the present invention, for example, a light emitting element such as a filament tube is provided at a predetermined position inside a housing formed of a member having light transmittance.
It is formed by covering with a metal thin film that reflects external light when the light emitting element is turned off and transmits irradiation light when the light emitting element is turned on. For this reason, when the light emitting element is turned off, external light is reflected by the metal thin film to give a metallic luster, and when the light emitting element is turned on, irradiation light is transmitted from the metal thin film to allow the inside of the housing to be visually recognized. As a result, the appearance can be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance according to the use scene.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention is an electronic device having a housing formed of a light-transmitting member, wherein the electronic device is provided at a predetermined position in the housing. A light emitting element is provided, and on a surface of the housing,
A metal paint that reflects external light when the light emitting element is turned off and transmits irradiation light when the light emitting element is turned on is applied.

According to the present invention, the light emitting element is provided at a predetermined position inside the housing formed of a member having light transmissivity, and external light is provided on the surface of the housing when the light emitting element is turned off. A metal paint that reflects light and transmits irradiation light when the light emitting element is turned on is applied. Therefore, when the light emitting element is turned off, external light is reflected by the metal paint to give a metallic luster, and when the light emitting element is turned on, irradiation light is transmitted from the metal paint to allow the inside of the housing to be visually recognized. As a result, the appearance can be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance according to the use scene.

In order to achieve the object, an operation panel according to a third aspect of the present invention is an operation panel in which at least a part of a housing is formed of a transparent resin having a light transmitting property. A light emitting lamp is provided at a predetermined location of
The housing is covered with a metal thin film having a predetermined thickness, and when the light-emitting lamp is turned off, external light is reflected by the metal thin film to give a metallic luster. When the light-emitting lamp is turned on, a transparent resin and a metal thin film are used. Illuminating light is transmitted therethrough to allow the inside of the housing to be visually recognized.

According to the present invention, for example, a plurality of light-emitting lamps are provided at a predetermined location inside the housing at least partially formed of transparent resin, and the housing is made of a metal having a predetermined thickness. It is covered with a thin film, and when the light-emitting lamp is turned off, the external light is reflected by the metal thin film to give a metallic luster. The appearance to make it appear. As a result, the appearance can be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance according to the use scene.

In order to achieve the above object, an operation panel according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an operation panel in which at least a part of a casing is formed of a transparent resin having a light transmitting property. A light-emitting lamp is provided at a predetermined position in the body, a metal paint is applied on the surface of the housing with a predetermined thickness, and the housing is exposed to external light with a metal paint when the light-emitting lamp is turned off. It is characterized in that it has an appearance that reflects light to show a metallic luster, and that, when the light-emitting lamp is turned on, it allows the irradiation light to pass through the transparent resin and the metal coating to make the inside of the housing visible.

According to the present invention, for example, a plurality of light-emitting lamps are provided at a predetermined position inside the housing at least partially formed of a transparent resin, and the surface of the housing is coated with a metallic paint. Painted with a predetermined film thickness, and the casing has the appearance of reflecting the external light with a metal coating when the light emitting lamp is turned off to show a metallic luster, and when the light emitting lamp is turned on, it is made of transparent resin and metal coating. It has the appearance of transmitting the irradiation light and making the inside of the housing visible. As a result, the appearance can be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance according to the use scene.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle-mounted electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle-mounted electronic device applied to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle electronic device 1 includes a device main body 10 and an operation panel 20. A power supply unit (not shown), a recording medium reproducing mechanism, an amplifier, and the like are stored in the device body 10.

On the front surface of the operation panel 20, a plurality of rotary switches 21, a plurality of push button switches 22, a display unit 23 and the like are arranged. The rotary switch 21 and the push button switch 22 are operated by the user, generate a predetermined instruction signal according to the operation, and supply the generated signal to the device body 10. The display unit 23 is formed of a fluorescent display tube or the like, and displays predetermined character information or the like indicating an operation state of the vehicle-mounted electronic device 1 or the like.

The operation panel 20 is formed of a transparent resin or a translucent resin having a predetermined light transmittance. The surface of the operation panel 20 is coated with a predetermined metal paint.

The metal paint to be coated includes, for example, a resin component (about 1%), a quick-drying solvent component (about 96%),
It is composed of aluminum fine powder (about 3%). This metal paint is applied to the surface of the operation panel 20, for example, from 1 μm to
It is coated with a thickness of 3 μm. That is, the operation panel 20 is formed by applying a thin metal paint to the surface of the transparent resin. In addition, a paint (such as a two-component paint or a UV paint) called a “top coat” for protection may be further applied to the surface of the painted metal paint.

The operation panel 20 reflects the external light with almost no transmission by the metallic paint applied on the surface thereof, and has an appearance showing a predetermined metallic luster. That is, the operation panel 20 has a high-grade appearance with a texture by the metallic paint applied to the surface. In addition, since the thickness of the painted metal paint is thin, an operation panel 2 described later is used.
When the lamp provided in the lamp 0 is turned on, the irradiation light from the lamp and the reflected light inside the operation panel 20 pass through the metal paint.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electronic device 1 mounted on the vehicle shown in FIG.
It is -A sectional drawing. As shown in FIG. 2, the on-vehicle electronic device 1 includes a printed circuit board 31 in the operation panel 20 described above.
, A lamp 32, a light guiding member 33, and a reflecting member 34. The printed board 31 is a board on which a predetermined circuit pattern is printed, and the lamp 3 is provided at a predetermined position.
Electronic components such as 2 are mounted.

The lamp 32 is, for example, a light emitting element such as a small light bulb using a filament, and emits a predetermined amount of light when turned on. The lamp 32 is turned on and off, for example, according to the operation of a predetermined push button switch 22. The light guide member 33 guides the light emitted from the lamp 32 to the vicinity of the back surface of the push button switch 22 and the like. The reflecting member 34 is arranged near the lamp 32 and
The light emitted by 2 is reflected and emitted toward the back surface of the push button switch 22 or the like.

FIG. 3 is a front view for explaining the arrangement of each component in the operation panel 20. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of lamps 32 are arranged at predetermined positions in the operation panel 20. The number of lamps 32 and
The arrangement positions are not limited to the positions and numbers shown in FIG. Further, in the operation panel 20, switch terminals 21a for inputting the operation of the rotary switch 21 and the push button switch 22 by the user as electric signals are provided.
22a and the like are provided. When the user operates the push button switch 22 or the like, a predetermined instruction signal is supplied to the device main body 10 via the switch terminal 22a or the like.

Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle-mounted electronic device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing reflection of external light when the lamp 32 in the operation panel 20 is turned off.
FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing transmission of irradiation light and the like when the lamp 32 is turned on.

In the state where the lamp 32 is turned off during daytime use, as shown in FIG.
The light irradiated to 0 is reflected on the surface of the operation panel 20. That is, since the surface of the operation panel 20 is coated with the above-described metal paint, light reflected by the metal paint enters the eyes of the user. For this reason, the operation panel 20 exhibits a predetermined metallic luster and exhibits a high-quality appearance with a texture.

On the other hand, at the time of night use, when the user turns on the lamp 32 by pressing a predetermined push button switch 22, for example, as shown in FIG. The light reflected inside 20 leaks from the entire operation panel 20 and enters the eyes of the user. For this reason, the operation panel 20 has an appearance in which the internal structure can be visually recognized together with the emission of the lamp 32. At this time, not only the visibility of the push button switch 22 and the like can be improved, but also the aesthetics of the interior decoration can be improved.

Further, even during daytime use, when the user turns on the lamp 32, light similarly leaks from the entire operation panel 20 to give an appearance in which the internal structure of the operation panel 20 can be visually recognized. For this reason, the appearance of the operation panel 20 showing the metallic luster can be changed to an appearance in which the internal structure can be visually recognized, and it is possible to excite the passengers and the like with unexpectedness and interest. Then, when the user turns off the lamp 32,
The operation panel 20 exhibits a predetermined metallic luster and returns to a high-quality appearance with a texture.

As described above, the in-vehicle electronic device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance in accordance with the use scene.

In the above embodiment, the operation panel 20 is entirely formed of one type of resin such as a transparent resin, but the type of resin for forming the operation panel 20 is arbitrary. For example, even when using an operation panel formed of two kinds of resins, that is, an opaque resin and a transparent resin, the appearance can be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance depending on the use scene. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle-mounted electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The operation panel 40 of the in-vehicle electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 5 is formed of two kinds of resins, a transparent resin having a predetermined light transmitting property and an opaque resin having a predetermined light shielding property.

The operation panel 40 is formed such that the transparent resin is disposed only at the position indicated by B in the figure, and the opaque resin is disposed at the remaining positions. That is, the transparent resin is disposed only at a position (B in the figure) surrounding the display unit 23 and the like. The surface of the operation panel 40 is coated with the same metal paint as the operation panel 20 described above. For this reason, the operation panel 40 exhibits a predetermined metallic luster by reflecting the external light from the painted metal paint, and presents a high-quality appearance with a texture. The rotary switch 21, the push button switch 22, the display unit 23, and the like disposed on the front of the operation panel 40 have the same configuration as the operation panel 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the A of the on-vehicle electronic device 1 shown in FIG.
It is -A sectional drawing. As shown in FIG.
Is a printed circuit board 31 similar to the operation panel 20 described above.
, A lamp 32, a light guide member 33, and a reflection member 34. When the lamp 32 disposed inside is turned on, the operation panel 40 leaks light only through B in the figure made of a transparent resin and transmits the metal paint coated on its surface. That is, if the user
When the lamp 2 is turned on, an external appearance is provided in which the internal structure of the operation panel 40 can be visually recognized from a portion (B in the figure) formed of the transparent resin.

For example, when the user uses the lamp 3 during daytime use,
When the lamp 2 is turned on, light leaks through the transparent resin portion forming the operation panel 40, and the internal structure of the operation panel 40 can be visually recognized therefrom. The appearance which shows. That is, in this case, when the user turns on the lamp 32, a part of the appearance showing the metallic luster changes to an appearance in which the internal structure of the operation panel 40 can be visually recognized.

As described above, the on-vehicle electronic device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention can also be changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance according to the use scene.

In the above embodiment, the lamp 32 is provided as a light emitting element inside the operation panel 20 or the like, and the lamp 3
Although the operation panel 20 and the like are changed to a high-grade appearance or a visible appearance by turning on / off the light emitting element 2, the light emitting element is not limited to the lamp 32 and is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, instead of the lamp 32, an LED (light emitting diode) 41 may be provided inside the operation panel 20 or the like.

In this case, the number of LEDs 41 to be arranged is greater than the number of lamps 32 shown in FIG. However, unlike the lamp 32 which consumes a large amount of power, the power consumption of the LED 41 is small, so that no excessive load is imposed on the power supply. Also, unlike the lamp 32 which generates a large amount of heat, the operation panel 20 and the like do not cause thermal deformation or the like.

When the lamp 32 is used, the light guide member 33 and the like are also used. However, in this structure, the colors are mixed by the light guide member 33, so that the light emission is limited to monochromatic light.
On the other hand, when the LEDs 41 are used instead of the lamps 32, it is possible to cause each LED 41 to emit light of multiple colors. That is, by using elements having different emission colors for each LED 41 and making the color such as the irradiation light transmitted from the operation panel 20 a multicolor light, not only the visibility of the push button switch 22 and the like can be further improved, but also the interior of the vehicle can be improved. Aesthetics as decoration can be further improved.

In the above embodiment, the lamp 32 or the like is turned on or off according to the operation of the push button switch 22 or the like by the user. However, the mechanism for turning on or off the lamp 32 or the like is arbitrary. For example, the lamp 32 or the like may be automatically turned on at night by detecting the external brightness of the operation panel 20 or the like with a predetermined light receiving element.

In the above embodiment, the in-vehicle electronic device has been described as an example, but the present invention is applicable to various electronic devices. For example, the present invention can be appropriately applied to telephone equipment, audio equipment, interior equipment, toys, and the like.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Depending on the scene of use, the appearance can be changed to a luxurious appearance or a visible appearance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle-mounted electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the on-vehicle electronic device taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining an arrangement of lamps and the like in an operation panel.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining changes in the appearance of the on-vehicle electronic device, wherein FIG. 4A is a diagram showing reflection of external light when the lamp is turned off, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle-mounted electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the on-vehicle electronic device taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the arrangement of LEDs and the like in the operation panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-vehicle electronic device 10 Device main body 20, 40 Operation panel 21 Rotation switch 22 Push button switch 23 Display unit 31 Printed circuit board 32 Lamp 33 Light guide member 34 Reflection member

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic apparatus comprising a housing formed of a member having light transmissivity, wherein a light emitting element is provided at a predetermined position in the housing, and the housing is configured to be turned off when the light emitting element is turned off. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a metal thin film that reflects external light and transmits irradiation light when the light emitting element is turned on. 2. An electronic apparatus comprising a housing formed of a member having light transmissivity, wherein a light emitting element is provided at a predetermined position in the housing, and the light emitting element is provided on a surface of the housing. An electronic apparatus, wherein a metal paint that reflects external light when the light emitting element is turned off and transmits irradiation light when the light emitting element is turned on is applied. 3. An operation panel in which at least a part of a housing is formed of a transparent resin having a light transmitting property, wherein a light emitting lamp is provided at a predetermined position in the housing, When the light-emitting lamp is turned off, the external light is reflected by the metal thin film to give a metallic luster appearance, and when the light-emitting lamp is turned on, the irradiation light is transmitted from the transparent resin and the metal thin film. An operation panel having the appearance of allowing the inside of a housing to be visually recognized. 4. An operation panel in which at least a part of a housing is formed of a transparent resin having a light transmitting property, wherein a light emitting lamp is disposed at a predetermined position in the housing, and a light emitting lamp is provided on a surface of the housing. A metal paint is applied with a predetermined film thickness, the housing has an appearance in which the external light is reflected by the metal coating to show a metallic luster when the light-emitting lamp is turned off, and a transparent resin is provided when the light-emitting lamp is turned on. An operation panel having an appearance in which irradiation light is transmitted from a metal coating to allow the inside of the housing to be visually recognized.