JP2004212860A - Electronic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic appliance with multi-layered liquid crystal panels which is a thin type and is easily assembled owing to a small number of parts and, moreover, can fix the liquid crystal panels without damaging liquid crystal panel glass and adversely affecting the display. <P>SOLUTION: An EL panel 2 with a shield plate, a lower side liquid crystal panel 3, a cushion member 4 and an upper side liquid crystal panel 5 are arranged in piles in this order from under in a panel frame 1 which fixes the liquid crystal panels of an electronic watch. A gap is formed with the cushion member 4 between respective panel glasses of the lower side liquid crystal panel 3 and upper side liquid crystal panel 5 which are opposed to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel fixing device for fixing a liquid crystal panel, an electronic device and an electronic timepiece provided with the liquid crystal panel fixing device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Electronic devices having a liquid crystal panel include electronic watches, portable game devices, portable information terminals, and the like. Such an electronic device includes a movement unit having a liquid crystal panel and a circuit block for driving and controlling the liquid crystal panel, a battery mounting unit to which a battery for driving the movement unit is detachably mounted, a movement unit, It is generally required to have a configuration that includes a case for accommodating a battery mounting portion, and that is thin, has a small number of parts, and is easy to assemble.
[0003]
The structure of such a conventional electronic device having a liquid crystal panel will be described. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional electronic device, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 7 after assembly. Referring to these drawings, a printed wiring board 102 is mounted in a module case 101. The ceramic wiring board 103 is provided on the printed wiring board 102, and the through holes 104 and 105 provided in the ceramic wiring board 103 are guided to the ends of the connector pins 106 and the ends of the prismatic connectors 107 of the printed wiring board 102, respectively. Positioned. The ceramic wiring board 103 positioned on the printed wiring board 102 is locked and fixed by the claw 108 provided on the module case 101. A zebra connector 110 is arranged on the terminal 109 of the ceramic wiring board 103. When the liquid crystal panel 111 is pushed into the module case 101 with the upper glass 112 facing upward, the segment terminals (not shown) of the liquid crystal panel 111 and the terminals 109 of the ceramic wiring board 103 are electrically connected by the conductive zebra rubber 110. And the claw 114 locks the edge of the liquid crystal panel 111 (see, for example, JP-A-52-89353).
[0004]
In addition, as described above, the electronic device has a configuration including two circuit boards (the printed wiring board 102 and the ceramic wiring board 103). And JP-A-56-14978).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-52-89353 (page 7, lower left column, FIG. 10, FIG. 13)
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-56-14978 (page 2, upper right column, FIG. 1)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In addition, in an electronic device having a liquid crystal panel, a method of displaying a multi-layer liquid crystal display surface is known. For example, in a liquid crystal panel of an electronic timepiece, an independent liquid crystal panel including a normal portable clock mainly including hours, minutes, and seconds and a calendar clock mainly including a calendar for displaying, for example, one to 31 days of a month. (For example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-45169).
[0008]
When the liquid crystal panels are arranged in this way, the segment terminals of each liquid crystal panel are fixed to the rubber connector on the circuit board in a state where the stacked liquid crystal panels are pressed down from the upper side and fixed to the liquid crystal panel glass. When deformation such as minute warpage or undulation occurs, stress is applied to the liquid crystal panel, and color unevenness or Newton rings may occur.
[0009]
Further, when the liquid crystal panels are arranged directly on top of each other, there is a problem that the liquid crystal panel glass is broken by an impact such as dropping, or the liquid crystal panel glass is rubbed by minute vibration or the like, resulting in a display defect.
[0010]
As one of the countermeasures, a method of framing each of the liquid crystal panels to be stacked and then stacking the liquid crystal panels can be considered. However, the number of parts is large, the assemblability is deteriorated, and the cost is increased. Also, when trying to reduce the thickness, the shape of the frame member may be complicated.
[0011]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal panel with a configuration in which liquid crystal panels are stacked and assembled in multiple layers in consideration of the above-described conventional technology, while satisfying the requirements of being thin, having a small number of parts, and being easy to assemble, while damaging the liquid crystal panel glass, An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device having a structure in which a liquid crystal panel can be fixed so as not to adversely affect display.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention includes a first liquid crystal panel, a second liquid crystal panel overlaid on the first liquid crystal panel, the first liquid crystal panel, and the second liquid crystal panel. A cushion member arranged to form a gap between opposing surfaces of the liquid crystal panel, and a panel frame forming a recess for accommodating the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel via the cushion member An elastic connector installed at the bottom of the concave portion in the panel frame and in contact with each electrode of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel; and the first liquid crystal in the panel frame. And a pressing member for pressing the second liquid crystal panel, which is stacked on the panel via the cushion member, to a bottom side of the recess in the panel frame. The electronic device may further include a circuit block electrically connected to the connector.
[0013]
In the electronic device having such a configuration, since the cushion member is arranged between the stacked liquid crystal panels, a gap is formed between the opposing liquid crystal panel glasses. However, when the liquid crystal panel, which is assembled in the panel frame, is pressed down by the pressing spring, the liquid crystal panel does not have color unevenness or Newton's ring. Further, the presence of the gap prevents the liquid crystal panel glass from breaking due to an impact such as dropping or rubbing between the liquid crystal panel glasses due to minute vibration or the like, so that good display can be maintained.
[0014]
In addition, since the liquid crystal panels can be stacked and assembled in one panel frame, the thickness of the liquid crystal panels in the stacking direction can be reduced. Further, since only one panel frame is required, the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the incorporation can be improved.
[0015]
Further, in the electronic device described above, one of two opposing surfaces on the side surface of the concave portion in the panel frame is a contact portion where an end of the first liquid crystal panel abuts, and the contact portion is located near the other. It is preferable that a spring for biasing the first liquid crystal panel is provided at the butting portion. Further, one of the two surfaces opposite to the two opposing surfaces is an abutting portion against which an end of the second liquid crystal panel abuts, and the second liquid crystal is provided near the other abutting portion. Preferably, a spring for biasing the panel is provided. The abutting portion is a bumping surface having a planar shape, a bumping projection formed in a projection shape, or the like.
[0016]
According to this configuration, it is possible to move each liquid crystal panel to its abutting portion and eliminate backlash of each liquid crystal panel in the panel frame, and at the same time, position the display center of each liquid crystal panel at the center of the panel frame. .
[0017]
Further, each electrode of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel is disposed at each end of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel, respectively, and It is preferable that a non-conductive connector having the same shape and the same height as the connector is arranged at an end of the panel and the second liquid crystal panel opposite to the end.
[0018]
According to this configuration, when the liquid crystal panel is pressed by the pressing member, the electrode at one end of each liquid crystal panel comes into contact with the connector, and at the same time, the end opposite to the electrode also comes into contact with the non-conductive connector. The bias of each liquid crystal panel can be prevented.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a liquid crystal panel fixing structure of an electronic timepiece according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid crystal panel shown in FIG. 1 after assembly, and FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the panel frame shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the panel frame shown in FIG.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, an EL panel 2 with a shield plate, a lower liquid crystal panel 3, a cushion member 4, and an upper liquid crystal panel 5 are arranged in order from the bottom in a panel frame 1 for fixing a liquid crystal panel of an electronic timepiece. Are placed one on top of the other.
[0022]
When incorporating into the concave storage portion formed by the panel frame 1, first, the EL panel 2, the lower liquid crystal panel 3, the cushion member 4, and the upper liquid crystal panel 5 are stacked in the panel frame 1 in order from the bottom. It is temporarily fixed to the panel frame 1 by the pressing spring 6. Next, conductive rubber connectors 12, 13, and 14 to be brought into contact with the respective electrodes of the lower liquid crystal panel 3 and the upper liquid crystal panel 5 are assembled from the side of the panel frame 1 opposite to the side where the liquid crystal panel is incorporated. 7 is fixed. Thereafter, by pressing the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the upper liquid crystal panel 5 toward the panel frame 1 with the pressing spring 6, the entire components incorporated in the panel frame 1 are lowered while utilizing the elasticity of the rubber connectors 12, 13, 14. Then, the pressing spring 6 is hooked on the claw 1a on the side surface of the panel frame 1 and fixed. The EL panel 2 as a backlight may not have a shield plate. Although the connectors 12 and 14 of this example use conductive rubber connectors such as zebra connectors, coil springs made of a conductive member may be used as connectors.
[0023]
The lower liquid crystal panel 3 has a configuration in which a liquid crystal cell is disposed between an upper glass sheet and a lower glass sheet, and a polarizing plate is attached to the surfaces of the upper glass sheet and the lower glass sheet, respectively. In this configuration, a liquid crystal cell is disposed therebetween, and a polarizing plate is attached to the surface of the upper glass plate.
[0024]
A cushion member 4 is disposed between the outer peripheral portions of the lower liquid crystal panel 3 and the upper liquid crystal panel 5, and a gap is provided between the upper glass surface of the lower liquid crystal panel 3 and the lower glass surface of the upper liquid crystal panel 5. Is formed. By providing the gap between the liquid crystal panels in this manner, even if the liquid crystal panel glass is deformed such as warpage, color unevenness and Newton rings do not occur in the liquid crystal panel when pressed by the presser spring 6. Further, the presence of the gap prevents the liquid crystal panel glass from breaking due to an impact such as dropping or rubbing between the liquid crystal panel glasses due to minute vibration or the like, so that good display can be maintained. It should be noted that the cushion member 4 may be formed of a single ring-shaped part, or may be attached at several places using a plurality of adhesive sheets or the like. Further, the material of the cushion member 4 may be an elastic member such as a foam material or rubber, and for example, silicon rubber is conceivable.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the EL panel 2, the lower liquid crystal panel 3, the cushion member 4, and the upper liquid crystal panel 5 each have a hexagonal outer shape. As can be seen from FIGS. The panel frame 1 is formed with a hexagonal outer peripheral concave portion. In a direction parallel to the bottom surface of the concave portion formed by the panel frame 1, a gap is formed between the side surface of the concave portion and the outer periphery of each component.
[0026]
One of two opposite sides of the concave portion formed by the panel frame 1 in the X direction (12 o'clock and 6 o'clock of the clock) in FIG. An abutment protrusion 11 against which one side abuts is provided, and a lower liquid crystal panel pressing spring 8 for pressing one side of the lower liquid crystal panel 3 against the abutment protrusion 11 is provided on the other side surface. (FIG. 3). With this configuration, the lower liquid crystal panel 3 is abutted against the abutting projection 11 to eliminate backlash of the lower liquid crystal panel 3 in the panel frame 1 and, at the same time, the display center of the lower liquid crystal panel 3 is centered on the panel frame 1. Is coming.
[0027]
Further, one of two side surfaces of the concave portion formed by the panel frame 1 facing each other in the Y direction in FIG. 5 (a direction orthogonal to the X direction on the same plane, the 3 o'clock direction and the 9 o'clock direction). One side of the hexagonal upper liquid crystal panel 5 abuts on one side of the upper liquid crystal panel 5, and the other side has an upper liquid crystal that presses one side of the upper liquid crystal panel 5 against the abutment projection 10. A panel pressing spring 9 is provided (FIG. 4). With this configuration, the upper liquid crystal panel 5 is brought closer to the butting projection 10 to eliminate the play of the upper liquid crystal panel 5 in the panel frame 1 and at the same time, to the center of the panel frame 1 and the butting projection 11 of the panel frame 1. The display center of the upper liquid crystal panel 5 comes to the center of the upper liquid crystal panel 5 to which the upper liquid crystal panel 5 comes into contact.
[0028]
Further, lower liquid crystal panel connector insertion holes 15 and 16 are formed in the vicinity of the respective side surfaces of the concave portion formed by the panel frame 1 facing each other in the Y direction in FIG. The lower liquid crystal panel connector 12 such as a zebra connector made of a conductive rubber member is inserted into the lower liquid crystal panel connector insertion hole 15. The lower liquid crystal panel connector 12 is electrically connected to the circuit block 7 and contacts an electrode (not shown) at one end of the lower liquid crystal panel 3 housed in the panel frame 1 (FIG. 4). On the other hand, a non-conductive dummy connector 13 is inserted into the connector insertion hole 16 for the lower liquid crystal panel, and an end opposite to an electrode (not shown) at one end of the lower liquid crystal panel 3 incorporated in the panel frame 1. (FIG. 4). The non-conductive dummy connector 13 has the same shape and the same height as the lower liquid crystal panel connector 12. As described above, when the lower liquid crystal panel 3 takes an electrode in either the 3 o'clock direction or the 9 o'clock direction of the timepiece, a non-conductive connector is incorporated as a dummy in the other direction where no electrode is taken, so that the holding spring is provided. 6 prevents the lower liquid crystal panel 3 from being biased when pressed down.
[0029]
Further, an upper liquid crystal panel connector insertion hole 17 is formed in the vicinity of one of the two side surfaces facing each other in the X direction in FIG. 5 of the recess formed by the panel frame 1. An upper liquid crystal panel connector 14 such as a zebra connector made of a conductive rubber member is inserted into the upper liquid crystal panel connector insertion hole 17. The upper liquid crystal panel connector 14 is electrically connected to the circuit block 7 and contacts an electrode (not shown) at one end of the upper liquid crystal panel 5 incorporated in the panel frame 1 (FIG. 3). Although not shown in FIG. 3, when the upper liquid crystal panel 5 takes an electrode in either the 12 o'clock direction or the 6 o'clock direction of the timepiece as in this example, the upper liquid crystal when pressed by the pressing spring 6 is used. In order to prevent the panel 5 from being biased, it is preferable to incorporate a non-conductive connector having the same shape and the same height as the upper liquid crystal panel connector 14 as a dummy in the other direction where no electrodes are formed.
[0030]
As described above, this embodiment shows a method of fixing the upper and lower two-layer liquid crystal panels. However, an electronic device incorporating two or more layers of liquid crystal panels may be used. In addition to the electronic timepiece, a portable game device, a portable information terminal, and the like can be considered.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides an electronic device having a multi-layer liquid crystal panel, in which a cushion member is arranged between liquid crystal panels to be stacked, and a gap is formed between opposing liquid crystal panel glasses. Even if there is a deformation such as warpage, when the liquid crystal panel, which has been assembled in the panel frame, is pressed down by the pressing spring, color unevenness and Newton rings do not occur on the liquid crystal panel. Further, the presence of the gap prevents the liquid crystal panel glass from breaking due to an impact such as dropping or rubbing between the liquid crystal panel glasses due to minute vibration or the like, so that good display can be maintained.
[0032]
In addition, since the liquid crystal panels can be stacked and assembled in one panel frame, the thickness of the liquid crystal panels in the stacking direction can be reduced. Furthermore, since only one panel frame is required, the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the incorporation can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a liquid crystal panel of an electronic timepiece according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the liquid crystal panel shown in FIG. 1 after assembly.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the panel frame shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the panel frame shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a liquid crystal panel fixing structure of a conventional electronic device.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal panel fixing structure of a conventional electronic device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Panel frame 1a Claw 2 EL panel 3 Lower liquid crystal panel 4 Cushion member 5 Upper liquid crystal panel 6 Pressing spring 7 Circuit block 8 Lower liquid crystal panel pressing spring 9 Upper liquid crystal panel pressing spring 10, 11 Butt projection 12 Lower liquid crystal panel Connector 13 Non-conductive dummy connector 14 Upper LCD panel connectors 15, 16 Lower LCD panel connector insertion hole 17 Upper LCD panel connector insertion hole

Claims (4)

A first liquid crystal panel;
A second liquid crystal panel superimposed on the first liquid crystal panel;
A cushion member arranged to form a gap between opposing surfaces of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel;
A panel frame forming a recess for accommodating the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel via the cushion member;
An elastic connector that is installed at the bottom of the recess in the panel frame and contacts each electrode of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel;
A pressing member for pressing the second liquid crystal panel stacked on the first liquid crystal panel via the cushion member in the panel frame to a bottom side of the concave portion in the panel frame;
Electronic equipment with. In the side surface of the concave portion in the panel frame, one of the two opposing surfaces is a contact portion against which an end of the first liquid crystal panel abuts, and the first contact portion is provided near the other portion near the other end. A spring for biasing the liquid crystal panel is provided,
Further, one of the two surfaces opposite to the two opposing surfaces is an abutting portion against which an end of the second liquid crystal panel abuts, and the second liquid crystal is provided near the other abutting portion. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a spring that biases the panel is provided. Each electrode of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel is disposed at each end of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel,
The non-conductive connector having the same shape and the same height as the connector is arranged at an end of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel opposite to the end. 3. The electronic device according to 2. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit block electrically connected to the connector.

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