JP2005050680A - Information display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information display device prevented from direct influence of operation force added to a switch main body through an operation button. <P>SOLUTION: A lower side frame part 25a, out of frame parts 25 of a case 20 housing a liquid crystal display device 11 at its inside, is formed by widening a width thereof while securing a gap between the liquid crystal display device 11 and itself, and a tact switch 42, switching contents of display displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11, is supported by the lower side frame part 25a, whereby, pressing force acting on the tact switch 42 is received by the case 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display device, and more particularly to an improvement of an information display device such as a liquid crystal display device suitable for mounting on a construction machine, a vehicle, or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a monitor device (information display device) that displays the status of equipment equipment by numerical values, symbols, patterns, or the like is provided in the interior of a vehicle such as an automobile. The status of the equipment is, for example, the set temperature of the air conditioner, the selection status of the air outlet, the switching status of the inside and outside air, etc., and these are mainly displayed graphically. In addition, an information display device is provided in the operation room of a construction machine such as a crane or an excavator in the same manner as in the interior of an automobile.

  Some of these information display devices are provided with operation buttons for switching display of various information to be displayed and inputting operations related to the information. For example, the input using the operation buttons includes a set temperature for the air conditioner, a boom angle / extension operation, or information display switching.

  Such an information display device includes, for example, a display device such as a TFT liquid crystal display device, a case (housing) in which the display device is housed and a portion corresponding to the display surface of the display device is opened, and a switch body And an operation button for transmitting an input operation to the switch body, and the operation button is formed transparently and arranged on the front side of the display surface so as to cover a part of the display surface (Patent Document) 1).

  Then, on the part of the display surface covered with the transparent operation button, the explanation of this operation button, characters, symbols, or patterns representing the operation content are displayed. Thus, the operator can see through the screen.

The switch body is directly fixed to the display device. When an operator applies an operation force to the operation button, the operation force is transmitted from the operation button to the switch body to cause the switch body to function, or the display surface. The display content is switched (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-356902 (FIG. 2 etc.)

  By the way, for example, a display device using TFT liquid crystal or the like is relatively weak in vibration resistance, and thus is supported on the casing by a vibration isolation structure via a vibration absorbing member or the like. For this reason, when the switch body is supported on the display device side, when the operation force applied to the operation button is transmitted from the operation button to the switch body, the operation force is absorbed by the vibration absorbing member, and thus to the operator. There is a problem that it is difficult to obtain an appropriate operational feeling.

  Furthermore, if a tactile switch with a high moderation feeling is used as the switch body in order to obtain a feeling of operation, an excessive pressing force acts on the display device via this tactile switch, which is not appropriate from the viewpoint of strength of the display device.

  Such a problem is not limited to the case where the display device is a TFT liquid crystal display device, but also applies to other types of liquid crystal (STN liquid crystal and DSTN liquid crystal) display devices, and EL (electroluminescence). ) This problem is common to plate-type display devices such as display devices and plasma displays.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information display device capable of preventing an operation force acting on a switch body via an operation button from directly acting on a display device. It is what.

  An information display device according to the present invention includes a display device, a housing that accommodates the display device therein and has an opening corresponding to a display surface of the display device, a switch body, and an input to the switch body. A transparent operation button for transmitting an operation, and the operation button is disposed on a front side of the display surface so as to cover a part of the display surface, and the display button is covered with the operation button. In the information display device in which information relating to the operation button displayed on the surface portion can be seen through from the outside through the operation button, the switch body is connected to the display surface via a gap. It is supported on the body side.

  Here, as the display device, various plate-shaped display devices can be applied. For example, various liquid crystal display devices such as TFT, STN, and DSTN, EL display devices, and plasma displays can be applied. As the TFT liquid crystal display device, for example, a full dot full color device can be used, and as the STN liquid crystal display device, for example, a full dot 256 color device can be applied. In particular, plate-type display devices such as various liquid crystal display devices, EL display devices, and plasma displays have a minute electronic circuit corresponding to each display pixel incorporated within an extremely shallow depth from the display surface. When an excessive pressing force is input to the circuit, the influence on these internal circuits and the like is large, and the effect of the present invention becomes more remarkable from this viewpoint.

  As the switch body, it is preferable to apply a tact switch that can obtain an appropriate moderation feeling (click feeling) when an operation force is applied, but is not necessarily limited to a tact switch.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the display device is housed in a vibration-proof manner with respect to the housing. When the display device is rigidly supported with respect to the housing, vibrations when the vehicle is running and vibrations when the construction machine is working are directly input to the display device. This is because a low display device may cause a failure, whereas a vibration-supported configuration can reduce vibration applied to the display device.

  According to the information display device according to the present invention configured as described above, since the switch body is supported by the housing, even if the operation force is applied to the switch body via the operation button, the operation force is displayed. Direct action on the device can be prevented.

  In the information display device according to the present invention, the frame portion forming the opening of the housing is widened so as to cover a part of the display surface with a gap between the display surface and the frame. A window that allows a part of the covered display surface to be visually recognized is formed in the widened part of the part, and the operation buttons are arranged on the front side of the window so as to face the window. It is preferable that the switch body is attached to the widened portion, and the switch body is supported by a portion other than the window among the widened portion of the frame portion.

  According to the information display device according to the present invention configured as described above, since the switch body and the operation button are supported by the widened frame portion that covers a part of the display surface, the operation force acting on the operation button is Since it can receive with this widened frame part, it can prevent that operating force acts on a display device.

  In addition, a part of the display surface is covered by the widened part of the frame part, but since a window is formed in the part corresponding to the operation button, the display information is visually recognized through this window and the transparent operation button. be able to.

  Further, it is preferable that a peripheral wall extending toward the operation button side is erected on the peripheral edge portion of the window formed in the widened portion of the frame portion.

  According to the information display device according to the present invention configured as described above, the outer region of the peripheral wall can be shielded when the transparent operation button is observed from an external oblique direction, and the appearance quality is improved. Can be improved.

  In addition, by setting the peripheral wall standing height appropriately, even if excessive operation force is applied to the operation button, the back of the operation button hits the upper end surface of the peripheral wall, and the operation button adds operation force. Excessive displacement in the direction can be prevented.

  In the information display device according to the present invention, the switch body and the operation button are integrally formed in advance as a switch assembly, and the switch assembly is attached to the widened portion of the frame portion. Is preferred.

  According to the information display device according to the present invention configured as described above, since the switch body and the operation button are integrally formed in advance, the switch body and the operation to the widened portion of the frame portion of the housing The button can be installed easily.

  In the information display device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the display device is a plate-type display device in which a fine electronic circuit corresponding to each display pixel is incorporated.

  According to the information display device according to the present invention configured as described above, when an excessive pressing force is input to the display surface, the influence exerted on a circuit or the like incorporated therein is large. This is because the above effect can be exhibited more remarkably.

  According to the information display device of the present invention, since the switch body is supported by the casing, even if an operating force acts on the switch body via the operation buttons, the operating force acts directly on the display device. Can be prevented.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of an information display device according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in a cabin (operating box) 100 provided in a hydraulic excavator that is an example of a construction machine, and an information display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in the cabin 100. For example, it is provided at the lower portion of the right front pillar 90 so that an operator sitting in the driver's seat 91 can easily see and operate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information display device 10 displays various conditions such as the engine oil level of the hydraulic excavator (construction machine main body) using graphics, numerical values, symbols, and the like. Further, by switching to the display of these situations and the like, surrounding images taken by a camera (not shown) may be displayed.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the information display device 10 includes a TFT liquid crystal display device (display device) 11 and a portion corresponding to the display surface 13 of the liquid crystal display device 11 while accommodating the liquid crystal display device 11 therein. And a switch assembly 40 having a switch main body 42 and a transparent operation button 41 for transmitting an input operation to the switch main body 42. The information regarding the operation button 41 displayed on the display area 13b of the display surface 13 that is disposed on the front side of the display surface 13 so as to cover a part of the display surface 13 and is covered with the operation button 41 is displayed via the operation button 41. The switch body 42 is supported by the case 20 through a gap between the display surface 13 and the switch body 42 while being visible from the outside.

  Here, the case 20 includes a base case 21 that covers the back side of the liquid crystal display device 11 and an upper case 22 that wraps around the display surface side of the liquid crystal display device 11. The base case 21 is liquid crystal via a frame 12 to be described later. The display device 11 is supported for vibration isolation. Further, the upper case 22 is joined to the base case 21 by fitting and is formed so as not to contact the liquid crystal display device 11.

  As described above, the display surface 13 of the liquid crystal display device 11 is partitioned into a first display area 13a for displaying various situations and a second display area 13b for displaying a pattern 13c representing the type of the operation button 41. When the operation button 41 corresponding to the specific pattern 13c displayed in the second display area 13b is operated, the switch body 42 provided corresponding to the operation button 41 is pressed, and the first display area The content displayed on 13 a is configured to be switched to detailed information corresponding to the type of the operation button 41.

  In the present embodiment, the information displayed in the first display area 13a includes, for example, engine oil temperature, fuel remaining amount, engine oil level, and the like.

  Further, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the frame 12 is elastically attached to the back side of the liquid crystal display device 11 via an elastic member made of an elastic material such as rubber. That is, the through-hole 12a shown in FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B is formed in the vicinity of, for example, the four corners of the frame 12, and this through-hole 12a is formed in a cylindrical shape by an elastic material such as rubber. Grommets (elastic support members) 12b are inserted. Here, a sleeve S for preventing the grommet 12b from being excessively crushed in the axial direction is fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the grommet 12b, and an annular groove 12c extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the grommet 12b. Yes.

  Then, the edge adjacent to the through hole 12a of the frame 12 is fitted into the annular groove 12c of the grommet 12b, while the end surface of the grommet 12b is in contact with the back surface of the liquid crystal display device 11 and the sleeve S The grommet 12b shown in FIG. 4A and the liquid crystal display device 11 are pressed into contact with each other by the fixing screw 12d inserted through the frame 12 so that the frame 12 is elastically attached to the liquid crystal display device 11.

  In addition, in order to prevent the end face of the grommet 12b from being recessed between the head 12e of the fixing screw 12d and the grommet 12b and the sleeve S due to screwing of the fixing screw 12d, the tightening force is reduced. A washer W is interposed.

  Further, instead of providing the sleeve S on the grommet 12d, as shown in FIG. 4B, the outer diameter is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the grommet 12d, the axial length of the grommet 12d, and the thickness of the washer W. A stepped screw having a large diameter portion 12f having a length substantially equal to the total length may be used as the fixing screw 12d. In this case, the large diameter portion 12f of the stepped screw exhibits the function of the sleeve S.

  On the other hand, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the frame 12 is in contact with the end surface of the boss 21 a formed on the inner surface side of the base case 21, and the fixing screw is inserted into the boss 21 a from the outside of the base case 21. The base case 21 is rigidly fixed to the base case 21 by screwing with 21b.

  With the above configuration, the liquid crystal display device 11 is in a state of being supported in an anti-vibration manner with respect to the case 20 via the grommet 12d. Vibration that is significantly absorbed and transmitted to the liquid crystal display device 11 is reduced.

  As described above, the upper case 22 has the opening 23 corresponding to the display surface 13 of the liquid crystal display device 11. The display of the liquid crystal display device 11 that faces the outside through the opening 23 is provided in the opening 23. A glass plate 24 for protecting the surface 13 is attached.

  In addition, the frame portion 25 that wraps around the display surface 13 side of the liquid crystal display device 11 in the upper case 22 is formed to have a narrow width because it has a narrow frame, but the lower frame portion 25a is a second display. The second display area 13b is widened so as to cover the area 13b through a gap.

  The lower frame portion 25a is formed with a window 25b through which a pattern 13c displayed in the covered second display area 13b can be seen through. Further, a peripheral portion of the window 25b has a cylinder. A peripheral wall 25c is erected.

  In the present embodiment, since the pattern 13c is displayed at eight different places in the second display area 13b, eight windows 25b facing each of these eight places are formed. The information display device is not limited to this form, and the number of windows 25b can be changed as appropriate according to the number and contents of information displayed in the second display area 13b.

  The switch assembly 40 is mounted on the surface of the lower frame portion 25a. As shown in FIG. 6, the switch assembly 40 includes a switch board SB on which a tact switch as a switch body 42 is mounted, an operation button. 41, a button assembly 43 including a button holder BH for holding these operation buttons 41, and a PET sheet PS that is a waterproof sheet are integrated.

  Eight holes B corresponding to the windows 25b of the upper case 22 are formed in the switch board SB. Each hole B is formed in a size that surrounds the peripheral wall 25c formed in each window 25b of the upper case from the outer peripheral side. Further, a tact switch 42 corresponding to each hole B is provided in the substrate portion in the vicinity of each hole B.

  The button holder BH has eight seesaw button arrangement holes H corresponding to the windows 25b of the upper case 22 and the holes B of the switch board SB. Correspondingly, a pair of upper and lower bearings 43a, 43a are respectively formed.

  In each seesaw button disposition hole H, a seesaw button that is an operation button 41 formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape by a transparent resin is disposed. In this seesaw button 41, shafts 41a and 41a that are pivotally supported by bearings 43a and 43a of the button holder BH are provided on one vertical side portion so as to project in the vertical direction. These shafts 41a and 41a are supported by the bearings 43a and 43a. By being pivotally supported by 43a, an operation button 41 is formed which can be rotated in a plane orthogonal to the extending direction of the shafts 41a and 41a.

  Further, a substantially rectangular tongue piece 41b is formed to protrude from the vertical side of the seesaw button 41 opposite to the shaft 41a. The tongue piece 41b is formed so as to press the tact switch 42 mounted on the switch board SB when the seesaw button 41 is rotated around the shafts 41a and 41a. Note that the switch board SB and the button assembly 43 are integrally assembled by screws 44 as shown in FIG.

  Further, a flexible PET sheet PS is bonded to the entire surface of the button assembly 43. This adhesion is performed by applying paste printing to the back surface of the PET sheet PS in advance and sticking the back surface of the PET sheet PS so as to be in close contact with the button holder BH, thereby preventing water from entering the tact switch 42. Yes.

  Then, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, the pattern 13c corresponding to the switch displayed in the second display area 13b of the liquid crystal display device 11 includes each window 25b of the upper case 22 and each hole B of the switch substrate SB. The transparent seesaw button 41 and the transparent PET sheet PS are transmitted to be visible to the operator, and when the seesaw button 41 is pressed through the PET sheet PS, the seesaw button 41 is pressed in the direction about the axis 41a. The tongue 41b presses the tact switch 42, and the display content is switched to information corresponding to the pressed seesaw button 41 in the first display area 13a by the switching operation of the tact switch 42. It is done.

  As shown in FIG. 8, since a gap L is secured between the second display region 13b of the liquid crystal display device 11 and the lower frame portion 25a, the tact switch 42 and the liquid crystal display device 11 A gap longer than the gap L is secured also between the second display area 13 b and the tact switch 42 is supported by the upper case 22.

  According to the information display device 10 of the embodiment configured as described above, the pattern 13c corresponding to the information on each situation displayed in the second display area 13b of the liquid crystal display device 11 is displayed on each window of the upper case 22. 25b, each hole B of the switch board SB, the transparent seesaw button 41, and the transparent PET sheet PS are visible to the operator so that the operator can use the pattern 13c corresponding to the desired display content. The seesaw button 41 can be selected by visual recognition.

  When the selected seesaw button 41 is pressed, the seesaw button 41 rotates about the shafts 41a and 41a, and the tongue piece 41b formed on the seesaw button 41 has a tact corresponding to the seesaw button 41. The switch 42 is pressed.

  As a result, the tact switch 42 performs a predetermined switching operation. At this time, the click feeling of the tact switch 42 acts on the seesaw button 41 as a reaction and is transmitted to the operator's finger. Can be surely completed.

  Further, the tact switch 42 is not provided on the liquid crystal display device 11 but is supported by the case 20 with a gap L secured to the liquid crystal display device 11, so that such a click feeling is obtained. Even if a considerable pressing force required for the operation is applied, it is possible to prevent the pressing force from acting on the liquid crystal display device 11 and to prevent the liquid crystal display device 11 from being damaged by the pressing force for the switch operation. be able to.

  Further, the tact switch 42 is supported by the case 20 having high rigidity, and the amount of bending that occurs in the case 20 due to the applied pressing force is the liquid crystal display device 11 that occurs when the tact switch 42 is supported by the liquid crystal display device 11. Therefore, the feeling of rigidity as a tactile sensation when a pressing force is applied is high, and a good operational feeling can be obtained from this viewpoint.

  In particular, in the information display device 10 of the present embodiment, since the liquid crystal display device 11 is supported in a vibration-proof manner with respect to the case 20, when the tact switch 42 is supported by the liquid crystal display device 11, the pressing force is Since it is absorbed by the grommet 12b interposed between the liquid crystal display device 11 and the case 20 and has a soft operational feeling, the difference in effect is extremely large.

  Further, the seesaw button 41 comes into contact with the end surface of the peripheral wall 25c formed at the periphery of the window 25b of the lower frame portion 25a in the rotation position when the tongue piece 41b of the seesaw button 41 operates the tact switch 42. Thus, by setting the height of the peripheral wall 25c, even if an excessive pressing force is applied to the seesaw button 41, the back surface of the seesaw button 41 hits the end surface of the peripheral wall 25c, and the seesaw button 41 is displaced further. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tact switch 42 from being damaged due to an excessive stroke of the seesaw button 41.

  Further, when the inside is observed from the oblique direction outside through the transparent seesaw button 41, the outer wall of the peripheral wall 25c can be shielded by the peripheral wall 25c, so that the appearance quality can be improved.

  Note that the switch substrate SB may have a configuration in which a portion corresponding to each hole B is formed transparently and the hole B is not formed. As described above, in the information display device having a configuration in which the portion corresponding to each hole B is simply formed transparent, the peripheral wall 25c of the upper case 22 cannot be fitted into the switch board SB, and thus the peripheral wall 25c is removed. The configuration may be such that the relief shape is formed on the switch substrate SB by the amount of protrusion of the peripheral wall 25c. If the switch substrate SB has a configuration in which a portion corresponding to the hole B is formed transparently instead of the hole B, the arrangement of the circuit connected to the tact switch 42 can be simplified.

  Furthermore, the tact switch 42 and the seesaw button 41 are integrally formed in advance as a switch assembly 40, and the switch assembly 40 is attached to the lower frame portion 25a. When attaching the seesaw button 41, it is not necessary to pay attention to the relative positional relationship between the two, so that the assembly workability can be improved.

  The information display device 10 of the present embodiment supports the tact switch 42 on the outer surface of the lower frame portion 25a. However, as long as the switch substrate SB is such a rigid substrate, the liquid crystal display device 11 is used. The switch board SB may be supported on the inner side surface of the lower frame portion 25a under the condition of securing an appropriate gap between them and the same operations and effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained. .

  Further, in the configuration in which the tact switch 42 is supported by the outer surface of the lower frame portion 25a as in the present embodiment, the switch substrate SB does not need to be a rigid substrate, and the above embodiment may be a flexible substrate. The same actions and effects can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a TFT liquid crystal display device is applied as a display device. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, various liquid crystal display devices such as STN and DSTN, and EL display devices. Various plate-shaped display devices such as a plasma display can be applied. In particular, plate-type display devices such as various liquid crystal display devices, EL display devices, and plasma displays have minute electronic circuits in which each display corresponds to a layer inside a very shallow depth from the display surface. When an excessive pressing force is input to the surface, the influence on the internal circuit and the like is large, and the effect of the present invention becomes more remarkable from this viewpoint.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode in the cabin provided in the hydraulic shovel. It is a figure which shows the example of an information display of the information display apparatus installed in the cabin. It is a disassembled perspective view of the information display apparatus shown in FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the cross section of the direction along the A1-A1 line | wire in FIG. 3, which shows the detail of the connection part of the back surface and flame | frame of a liquid crystal display device. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the cross section of the direction along the A2-A2 line | wire in FIG. 3, which shows the detail of the connection part of a flame | frame and a base case. It is a disassembled perspective view of a switch assembly. It is a fragmentary sectional view of a switch assembly. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the cross section of the direction along the A3-A3 line in FIG. 7, which shows the positional relationship of a liquid crystal display device (2nd display area) and a tact switch.

Explanation of symbols

10 Information Display Device 11 Liquid Crystal Display Device (Display Device)
12 Frame 13 Display surface 13a First display area 13b Second display area 20 Case (housing)
21 Base case 22 Upper case 23 Opening 24 Glass plate 25 Frame portion 25a Lower frame portion 40 Switch assembly 41 Seesaw button (operation button)
42 Tact Switch (Switch body)

Claims (4)

A display device, a housing that accommodates the display device therein and has an opening corresponding to a display surface of the display device, a switch body, and a transparent operation button that transmits an input operation to the switch body; The operation button is disposed on the front side of the display surface so as to cover a part of the display surface, and the operation button displayed on a display surface portion covered with the operation button of the display surface In the information display device that is transparently visible from the outside via the operation buttons,
The information display device, wherein the switch body is supported on the housing side through a gap between the switch body and the display surface.   The frame part forming the opening of the housing is widened so as to cover a part of the display surface through a gap between the display surface and the widened part of the frame part, A window that allows a part of the covered display surface to be visually recognized is formed, and the operation button is attached to a widened portion of the frame portion so as to be disposed on the front side of the window so as to face the window. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the switch body is supported by a portion other than the window among the widened portion of the frame portion.   The information display device according to claim 2, wherein a peripheral wall extending toward the operation button side is erected on a peripheral portion of a window formed in the widened portion of the frame portion.   The switch body and the operation button are integrally formed in advance as a switch assembly, and the switch assembly is attached to a widened portion of the frame portion. The information display device described.

Images