JP2002072933A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a display means which can easily deal with a change of designs to be displayed. SOLUTION: A prescribed casing is internally provided with the display device 20 having light sources 27, a light shielding means 23 provided with light shielding patterns 23A to 23C consisting of the prescribed designs, and a light transmission means 21 for allowing designs to emit light by guiding the illumination light obtained from the light sources 27 and irradiating the light shielding patterns 23A to 23C with this light. The designs are made to emit light and are displayed through a casing shell 18A having light transparency.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device, and is suitably applied to, for example, a display device for displaying an operation state of a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a notebook personal computer) is provided with an indicator for displaying an operating state of the notebook personal computer such as a power-on state and a remaining battery level. I have.

In such an indicator, a mark stating the operation state to be displayed is printed on the housing, a display hole is provided near the mark, and the tip of the light guide is inserted into the display hole from the inside of the housing. Insert and expose on the housing surface.

[0004] In such an indicator,
An LED (Light Emulator) is located near the rear end of the light guide inside the housing.
A light source such as an itting diode is provided, and illumination light from the light source is guided to the outside of the housing by a light guide. The operating state is displayed by blinking the light source.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the indicator having such a structure, it is necessary to provide a number of display holes in the housing in accordance with the number of the indicators. Accordingly, it is necessary to change the number of the display holes accordingly, and there is a problem that the design of the housing itself must be changed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to propose a display means capable of easily responding to a change in display contents.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a light source, a light shielding means provided with a light shielding pattern having a predetermined pattern, and a light guide for guiding illumination light obtained from the light source. A display device having light guide means for emitting light by illuminating the pattern is provided in a predetermined housing, and the light is illuminated and displayed through a light-transmitting outer casing of the housing.

Since the design is illuminated and displayed through the light-transmitting casing, even if the number or shape of the design to be displayed changes, it is only necessary to change the light-shielding pattern of the light-shielding means. Can respond.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) to which the present invention is applied.
This is referred to as a notebook computer), and includes a main body 2 and a display unit 3 provided to be freely opened and closed with respect to the main body 2.

The main body 2 has a keyboard 4 composed of a plurality of operation keys for inputting various characters, symbols, numbers, and the like on its upper surface, two speakers 5, a touch pad 6 used for moving a mouse cursor, and a normal pad. Left-click button 7 and right-click button 8 corresponding to left and right buttons of a mouse, and push-button power switch 9
Is provided.

A claw 10 is provided near the right side of the touch pad 6 at the front end of the upper surface of the main body 2, and a hole 11 is provided at a predetermined position of the display unit 3 corresponding to the claw 10.
The claw 10 is fitted into the hole 11 and locked in a state where the display unit 3 is closed with respect to the main body 2, so that the display unit 3 is held in a closed state. I have.

Further, a slide lever 12 is provided on the front side surface of the main body 2. By sliding the slide lever 12, the lock of the claw 10 fitted in the hole 8 is released, and the display unit 3 is opened. Can be opened with respect to the main body 2.

On the other hand, the display unit 3 has a TFT-
LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Cryctal Displa
y) Liquid crystal display 1 using liquid crystal display panel
5 are provided.

On the periphery of the display section 3 except for the hinge section 16 with the main body 2, there is provided a periphery protection member 17 formed by molding a synthetic resin such as ABS into a bent round pipe shape. I have.

As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral edge protection member 17 has an outer periphery projecting more outward than the peripheral edge of the main body 2, so that the impact applied from the outside when the notebook personal computer 1 is carried or the like can be prevented. By receiving it, the main body 2 containing a precision device such as a hard disk drive is protected from impact.

The peripheral protective member 17 is formed so that the inside thereof is hollow throughout its entire length, so that its weight is reduced, and the peripheral protective member 17 is appropriately deformed in response to the received impact to absorb the impact. .

Here, in general, when manufacturing a bent pipe-shaped member such as the peripheral edge protection member 17, a plurality of pipe members 50A to 50C divided into a relatively simple shape as shown in FIG. It can be constructed by bonding, or
As shown in (B), it is conceivable that the upper and lower half members 51A and 51B having a U-shaped cross section are joined together.

However, in all of these manufacturing methods, it is necessary to join each member by a method such as bonding or welding, which causes a problem that the strength and appearance quality of the joined portion are reduced and the manufacturing process is complicated. There is.

In contrast, the notebook computer 1 of the present invention
In the above, the peripheral protective member 17 is injection-molded by using a hollow molding method called a gas assist molding method, whereby the peripheral protective member 17 can be integrally and hollowly formed without being divided. The strength and appearance quality of the material 17 can be improved.

FIG. 4 shows the principle of the gas-assist molding method. After the cavity 53 of the mold 52 is filled with a smaller amount of molten resin 54 from the injection nozzle 55 than the volume of the cavity 53 (FIG. )), A hollow portion 57 is formed inside the molded product 56 by injecting an inert gas such as a nitrogen gas (FIG. 4B).

Thus, in the notebook computer 1, the peripheral protective member 17, which is hollow and integrally formed by using the gas assist molding method, is provided around the display section 3 so as to protrude beyond the outer periphery of the main body 2. The main body 2 and the display unit 3 are reliably absorbed by the peripheral protection material 17 to absorb external impact.
To protect.

As shown in FIG. 5, an indicator 20 for displaying the operating state of the notebook computer 1 is housed inside the hinge cover 18 of the main body 2.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of the indicator section 20.
It comprises a light guide 21, a light shield 22 and a mask seal 23.

The light guide 21 as the light guide means is formed by connecting four square rod-shaped light guide members 21A formed in a substantially S-shape with a connection member 21B, and is made of an acrylic resin having a good light guide property. It is integrally molded. And the light guide 21 is the main body 2.
LED (Light Emitting Diod) as a light source disposed in four apertures 25A provided in the chassis 25 in the inside.
e) illuminating light emitted by 27 is applied to corresponding light guide member 21A.
The light is received by the light receiving surface 21C, is guided, and is emitted from the emission surface 21D.

The light shield 22 is made of a substantially trapezoidal cylindrical black plastic member corresponding to the outer shape of the light guide 21, and the light guide 21 is housed inside the light shield 21 except for the entrance surface 21C and the exit surface 21D. To prevent unnecessary light leakage.

Further, mounting claws 22A are provided on both left and right side surfaces of the light shielding body 22, and are fitted into the claw holes 25B of the chassis 25 so as to hold the housed light guide 21 at a predetermined position. I have.

The mask seal 23 as a light shielding means is made of a transparent sheet material such as vinyl chloride, and is attached so as to cover the opening 23 B of the light shielding body 22, and covers the emission surface 21 D of the light guide 21. One surface of the mask seal 23 has a power mark 23A indicating that the notebook computer 1 is powered on, and a battery mark 23 indicating the charged state of the battery.
B and the HDD access mark 23C indicating the access state to the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) are printed in black with white outlines.

The power supply mark 23A, the battery mark 23B, and the HDD access mark 23C are provided at positions corresponding to the emission surfaces 21D of the corresponding three light guide members 21A, and the illumination emitted from the emission surfaces 21D. By being illuminated with light, each design is illuminated and displayed.

On the other hand, the hinge portion cover 18 is formed of a transparent plastic material such as polycarbonate colored in deep purple, for example, and a thin-walled portion whose rear surface is cut into a rectangular shape is provided in a region facing the mask seal 23. 18A is provided, and the luminescent marks 23A to 23C are made visible through the thin portion 18A to the user. For this reason, in the notebook computer 1, only the emitting marks 23A to 23C are visually recognized through the hinge cover 18, and the unlit marks 23A to 23C and the light shield 22 are visually recognized by being shielded by the hinge cover 18. I can't get it.

Here, as the structure of the indicator section in the conventional notebook personal computer, the number of display holes corresponding to the mark to be displayed is provided in the housing, and the tip of the light guide is inserted into the display hole. In general, the display is exposed to the surface, and illumination light from a light source such as an LED provided inside the housing is guided to the outside of the housing by a light guide to display.

However, in the indicator section having such a structure, it is necessary to provide a number of display holes corresponding to the marks in the housing. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of display holes must be changed in accordance with the requirement, and the design of the housing itself must be changed.

In contrast, the notebook computer 1 of the present invention
In the above, the indicator portion 20 is provided inside the hinge portion cover 18, and the marks 23A to 23C are displayed through the hinge portion cover 18, so that the mask seal can be changed without changing the hinge portion cover 18. 2
The number and design of marks can be changed only by changing the print pattern of No. 3.

That is, the light guide 21 is composed of the four light guide members 2.
1A, three marks 23A to 23C are printed on the mask seal 23, and the light guide member 21A at the right end is unused.

When the number of marks to be displayed increases due to a change in the specifications of the notebook computer 1, the print pattern of the mask seal 23 is changed to change the light guide member 21A at the right end.
The specification change can be dealt with only by providing a new mark at a position corresponding to the specification. Similarly, even when the number of marks to be displayed is reduced, it is possible to cope with a specification change only by changing the print pattern of the mask seal 23.

When the number of marks to be displayed is increased to four due to a change in specifications such as providing a new interface in the notebook personal computer 1, the print pattern of the mask seal 23 is changed to change the light guide member on the right end. It is possible to cope with a specification change only by providing a new mark at a position corresponding to 21A. Similarly, even when the number of marks to be displayed is reduced, it is possible to cope with a specification change only by changing the print pattern of the mask seal 23.

Further, even when the housing of the main body 2 is shared between a plurality of types of notebook personal computers having different specifications and having different numbers of marks to be displayed, the mask seal 2 can be used.
By changing the print pattern of No. 3, it is possible to cope with different specifications without changing the housing of the main body 2.

In the structure of the indicator section of the conventional notebook personal computer, since the tip of the light guide is inserted into the display hole, the positioning of the light guide when assembling the notebook personal computer 1 becomes complicated. Since the structure of the indicator section 20 of the present invention is completed inside the hinge section cover 18, even if the relative position between the hinge section cover 18 and the indicator section 20 is slightly shifted, there is no problem in assembly. Accordingly, there is an advantage that the assembling of the notebook computer 1 becomes easy.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
On the back 1A of the USB, Universal Serial Bus (USB) or L
An input / output port unit 30 provided with various connectors such as an AN (Local Area Network) is provided, and a handle 31 made of a substantially arcuate columnar member is provided on the hinge unit 16 on the back surface 1A. The main body 2 is rotatably pivoted within a predetermined angle range. Here, the rotation axis of the display unit 3 and the rotation axis of the handle 31 are provided on the same axis (that is, the rotation axis B shown in FIG. 10), and the outer diameter of the peripheral edge protection member 17 and the handle 31 The outer diameter is the same, and the outer periphery protection member 17 and the handle 31 have a continuous outer shape as a whole.

In the handle 31, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9A, the notebook PC 1 can be used as a grip when carrying the notebook computer 1 by standing up in parallel with the main body 2 (this rotation position is set to this rotation position). Carrying position P1).

As for the handle 31, FIG.
By turning downward and folding as shown in FIG. 9B, the dimension in the depth direction of the notebook computer 1 is reduced, and as shown in FIG. With the notebook computer 1 placed on a desk or the like, the main body 2 is tilted and the keyboard 4
Can be used as a tilt stand for improving the operability of the camera (this rotation position is referred to as a tilt stand position P2).

Here, in the main body 2, as shown in FIG. 11, a handle storage groove 32 is provided at a position corresponding to the vertical portion 31B of the handle 31. At the tilt stand position P2, the vertical portion 31B is provided with the handle storage groove. 32, so that the handle 31 does not protrude from the back surface 1A of the notebook computer 1.

Thus, when the notebook computer 1 is carried, the handle 31 is raised to the carrying position P1 so that the grip portion 31A is sufficiently separated from the back surface 1A to improve the grip of the handle 31, and By folding the handle 31 to the tilt stand position P2 during use, the vertical portion 31B of the handle 31 is stored in the handle storage groove 32 to reduce the size of the notebook computer 1 in the depth direction, and to tilt the main body 2 The operability of the keyboard 4 can be improved.

Here, assuming that the inclination angle of the main body 2 when the handle 31 is rotated to the tilt stand position P2 in FIG. 10 is α, the rotation angle range of the handle 31 is in a state parallel to the main body 2 (that is, when the handle 31 is carried). From the position P1), it is set in a range of 90 ° + β (here, β> α), so that the handle 31 forms an obtuse angle (90 ° + β−α) with respect to the mounting surface A at the tilt stand position P2. .

As a result, the handle 31 is stabilized by receiving a force in the direction of arrow F by the weight of the notebook computer 1,
Thus, in the notebook computer 1, the handle 31 can be prevented from unexpectedly turning from the tilt stand position due to an external force.

In the notebook computer 1, since the handle 31 is provided above the input / output port 30, the input / output cable 33 is connected to the input / output port 30 while the handle 31 is in the carrying position P1. (FIG. 12
(A)) Then, when the handle 31 is to be turned to the tilt stand position P2, the handle 31 and the input / output cable 33 are in contact with each other, and the handle 31 cannot be turned to the tilt stand position P2. I / O port 3
0 and the input / output cable 33 may be damaged (FIG. 12B).

For this reason, in the notebook computer 1, the turning resistance of the handle 31 is set such that the handle 31 naturally turns downward by its own weight when the notebook computer 1 is positioned substantially horizontally. Thus, when the notebook computer 1 is placed on a table or the like, the handle 31 automatically rotates to the vicinity of the tilt stand position P2, and thus interference between the handle 31 and the input / output cable 33 is prevented. ing.

In the above configuration, in the notebook computer 1, in the indicator section 20 for displaying the operating state of the notebook computer 1, the illumination light emitted by the LED 27 is guided by the light guide member 21A, and the corresponding marks 23A to 23A.
By illuminating 23C from the back, the mark 23
A to 23C are displayed by light emission.

In the notebook computer 1, the indicator 20 is housed inside the hinge cover 18 made of a dark purple transparent plastic material, so that the unlit marks 23A to 23C and the light shield 22 are connected to the hinge cover. 18 which are not visible because they are shielded by 18 and are emitting light.
Only 23C is visible through the hinge cover 18.

Therefore, in the notebook computer 1, even when the number of marks to be displayed is increased or decreased due to a change in specifications or the like, the print pattern of the mask seal 23 can be easily changed without changing the hinge cover 18. You can change the number and design of the marks.

Further, in the notebook computer 1, since the structure of the indicator section 20 is completed inside the hinge section cover 18, even if the relative position between the hinge section cover 18 and the indicator section 20 is slightly shifted, the notebook computer 1 is not moved. It is no problem to assemble the notebook PC 1
Can be easily assembled.

Further, in the notebook computer 1, the hinge cover 18 is integrally formed of a dark purple transparent plastic material, and the thin portion 18A provided on the hinge cover 18 is formed.
, The marks 23A to 23C are displayed, so that there is no need to separately provide a display window for displaying the marks 23A to 23C, and the structure can be simplified.

Further, in the case of an indicator in a conventional notebook personal computer, since the light guide inserted into the display hole on the surface of the housing is illuminated from inside the housing to emit light, the indicator emits light. When the light guide is not in use, the light guide is visually recognized and the appearance is not good, and the display state of the indicator may be erroneously recognized due to the influence of external light.

On the other hand, in this notebook computer 1,
The light guide 21 is covered with a light shield 22 and a mask seal 23, the indicator unit 20 is housed inside the hinge cover 18, and the mark 23 is transmitted through the hinge cover 18.
Since the lights A to 23C are displayed by light emission, the turned-off marks 23A to 23C are not visually recognized, so that the appearance of the notebook computer 1 can be improved and the display mistake can be prevented. .

Further, in the notebook computer 1, even if the LED 27 and the light guide member 21A are additionally provided in anticipation of a future specification change, the extra unused light guide member 2 is provided.
1A is not visually recognized, whereby the appearance of the notebook computer 1 can be improved, and erroneous display can be prevented.

According to the above configuration, the indicator section 20 for displaying the operation state of the notebook computer 1 is housed inside the hinge section cover 18, and the light emitting marks 23A to 23C are emitted.
Is displayed through the hinge cover 18 so that there is no need to provide a separate display window on the hinge cover 18 and even if the number of marks to be displayed is increased or decreased, the print pattern of the mask seal 23 can be changed. By simply changing the number, the number and design of the marks can be easily changed.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the indicator for displaying the operation state of the notebook personal computer 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention may be applied to various electronic devices such as a DA (Personal Data Assistant) or a mobile phone.

In the above-described embodiment, an LED is used as a light source. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various other light emitters such as a light bulb and a fluorescent tube may be used as a light source.

Further, in the above embodiment, LE
Although four D27s and four light guides 21A are provided, the present invention is not limited to this, and according to the specifications of the notebook computer 1,
Two, three, five, or six LEDs 27 and light guides 21A may be provided.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, a light source,
A display means having a light-shielding means provided with a light-shielding pattern made of a predetermined pattern, and a light-guiding means for guiding illumination light obtained from a light source and irradiating the light-shielding pattern to emit a pattern is provided in the housing. By transmitting the light through the outer casing of the light-transmitting case,
Even if the content of the design to be displayed changes, it is possible to obtain a display device which can easily cope with it only by changing the light shielding pattern of the light shielding means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a notebook computer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a peripheral edge protection member and a main body.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a method for manufacturing a pipe-shaped member.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a gas assist molding method.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a relationship between a hinge cover and an indicator.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of an indicator unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the back surface of the notebook computer.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a turning state of a handle.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a turning state of a handle.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotation angle of a handle.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a handle storage groove.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an interference state between a handle and an input / output cable.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... notebook computer, 2 ... body, 3 ... display unit, 4
... keyboard, 5 ... speaker, 6 ... touch pad, 10 ... claw, 11 ... hole, 12 ... slide lever, 15 ... liquid crystal display, 16 ... hinge,
17 ... peripheral edge protection material, 18 ... hinge part cover, 20 ...
... indicator part, 21 ... light guide, 22 ... light shield,
23 ... mask seal, 25 ... chassis, 27 ... L
ED, 30 ... I / O port part, 31 ... Handle, 3
2 ... Handle groove.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shunichi Togo 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Kaoru Hayashi 6-35-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation F term (reference) 5C096 AA21 AA24 AA25 BA01 BB41 BC18 CA13 CA29 CA32 CB07 CC06 CD04 CD17 CD22 CJ02 EA01 FA12 FA17

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A predetermined light source, a light-shielding means provided with a light-shielding pattern having a predetermined design, and a light-emitting device that guides illumination light obtained from the light source and irradiates the light-shielding pattern with the light to emit light. A display device provided in a predetermined housing and transmitting light through the outer casing of the housing having a light-transmitting property. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin.