JP2005148190A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display device wherein visual confirmation can be made possible in the optimum condition by making a viewing angle of each liquid crystal display variable. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal display device is provided with: a plurality of liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B vertically disposed in two steps; LCD driving circuits 17A and 17B for applying driving voltage for driving the respective liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B; driving voltage variation circuits 18A and 18B for changing and adjusting the driving voltage; operation parts 19A and 19B for changing the driving voltage; and a control part 20 for controlling the driving voltage variation circuits 18A and 18B according to the changing operation of the controlling parts 19A and 19B. The liquid crystal display device is further provided with a memory 21 for storing a set value of the driving voltage changed by the operation parts 19A and 19B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device that improves the visibility of a liquid crystal display mounted on a vehicle.

  In general, a display device using liquid crystal has a limited viewing angle due to its characteristics. In particular, when the amount of information to be displayed increases, the duty ratio is increased to cope with it, and the viewing angle tends to narrow as the duty ratio increases.

  And when used as a display in an in-vehicle electronic device such as an air conditioner, a car audio, a car navigation device, and a liquid crystal television mounted on the center cluster panel of the vehicle, depending on the specifications such as the mounting position of the vehicle, The viewing angle was preset. In particular, when a plurality of displays are arranged by mounting a plurality of devices, a so-called upper and lower two-stage arrangement is generally arranged in the height direction in terms of vehicle design and layout.

  When the liquid crystal displays arranged in two upper and lower stages are viewed from the driver, the viewing angles with respect to the liquid crystal displays are always different. In this case as well, the viewing angles that are suitable for everyone are set in advance so that a suitable viewing angle can be obtained for each liquid crystal display.

  And the setting of the viewing angle of each liquid crystal display responded by making the liquid crystal display itself.

  As described above, the viewing angle of each of the liquid crystal displays arranged in the upper and lower stages is set to a viewing angle that is suitable for everyone according to the specifications of the vehicle, but as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. When the seat height is different due to the difference in the physique of the drivers 1 and 2 sitting on the vehicle seat, the angles θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 of the viewpoints with respect to the liquid crystal displays 3A and 3B on the upper and lower stages of the drivers 1 and 2 are different However, since the respective displays 3A and 3B are not necessarily viewed from the same position, there is a problem that the respective displays 3A and B cannot be viewed in a preferable state when the preset permissible viewing angle is exceeded. there were.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device in which the viewing angle of each liquid crystal display can be changed and can be viewed in an optimum state.

  The technical means for solving the above-mentioned problems is a liquid crystal display device that is mounted on a vehicle and in which a plurality of liquid crystal displays are arranged in the height direction. LCD driving that applies a driving voltage for driving each liquid crystal display. A circuit, a drive voltage variable circuit capable of changing and adjusting the drive voltage, an operation unit for changing the drive voltage, and a control unit for controlling the drive voltage variable circuit according to the change operation of the operation unit It is in the point prepared.

  Moreover, the said operation part is good also as a structure which combines the operation switch mounted in the vehicle.

  Furthermore, it is good also as a structure provided with the memory which memorize | stores the setting value of the said drive voltage changed by the said operation part.

  The operation unit may be configured to be operable by simultaneous operation of a plurality of operation switches in a device mounted on the vehicle.

  Furthermore, the drive voltage of each liquid crystal display may be individually changeable and adjustable.

  In addition, a plurality of patterns of combinations of the driving voltages applied to the respective liquid crystal displays may be set, and a combination of driving voltages of the respective liquid crystal displays may be freely selected from the plurality of patterns by the operation unit. .

  According to the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, an LCD drive circuit for applying a drive voltage for driving each liquid crystal display, a drive voltage variable circuit capable of changing and adjusting the drive voltage, and an operation unit for changing the drive voltage And a control unit that controls the drive voltage variable circuit in accordance with the change operation of the operation unit, the viewing angle of each liquid crystal display can be increased or decreased by changing and adjusting the drive voltage as necessary. Therefore, the user can visually recognize in an optimal state, and the visibility can be improved.

  Further, if the operation unit has a structure that also functions as an operation switch mounted on the vehicle, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated switch separately.

  Further, if the structure is provided with a memory for storing the setting value of the drive voltage changed by the operation unit, the setting information of each person is stored in the memory, and stored in the memory as necessary. By calling up the recorded data, there is an advantage that it is possible to easily cope with the optimum viewing angle of each of a plurality of persons.

  In addition, if the operation unit has a structure that can be operated by simultaneous operation of a plurality of operation switches in a device mounted on the vehicle, an inadvertent erroneous operation can be effectively prevented.

  Further, if the driving voltage of each liquid crystal display can be individually changed and adjusted, the viewing angle of each liquid crystal display can be set separately, and there is an advantage that each can be set to an optimum viewing angle.

  In addition, a plurality of combinations of driving voltages applied to each liquid crystal display are set, and a combination of driving voltages for each liquid crystal display can be selected from the plurality of patterns by the operation unit. Further, by selecting a desired combination from a plurality of patterns, there is an advantage that the optimum viewing angle of each liquid crystal display corresponding to the viewpoint height of the user can be easily obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a dashboard 10 portion of a vehicle, and a center cluster panel 11 includes an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle, a car navigation device, and a car audio. Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) 12A and 12B in an in-vehicle electronic device such as an air conditioner operation switch 13 for operating them, a car navigation operation switch 14 and an audio operation switch 15 are arranged. Has been.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment for changing and adjusting the viewing angles of the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B, and applying driving voltages for driving the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B, respectively. The upper LCD drive circuit 17A and the lower LCD drive circuit 17B, the upper drive voltage variable circuit 18A and the lower drive voltage variable circuit 18B capable of changing and adjusting the drive voltages, and the upper operation for changing the drive voltages. 19A and lower stage operation unit 19B, control unit 20 composed of a microcomputer or the like for controlling each drive voltage variable circuit 18A, 18B according to the change operation of each operation unit 19A, 19B, and change operation by each operation unit 19A, 19B A memory 21 is provided for storing data such as a set value of the drive voltage.

  In the present embodiment, the upper stage operation unit 19A has a structure in which the air conditioner operation switch 13 is also used. The on / off switch in the air conditioner operation switch 13, the switches for adjusting the set temperature up and down, and the outlet setting The air conditioner operation switch 13 is set to be switched to the upper operation unit 19A in a state in which the viewing angle of the liquid crystal display device can be changed and adjusted by a hidden command by simultaneously pressing a plurality of operation switches in each of the switches. .

  Further, the lower operation unit 19B has a structure in which the audio operation switch 15 is also used. In the on / off switch in the audio operation switch 15, each switch for adjusting frequency and volume, each switch for tuning, and the like. The audio operation switch 15 is set to be switched to the lower operation unit 19B in a state in which the viewing angle of the liquid crystal display device can be changed and adjusted by a hidden command by simultaneously pressing a plurality of operation switches.

  It should be noted that although it is set so that it can be switched to each operation unit 19A, 19B by a hidden command by simultaneous pressing operation of a plurality of operation switches, the switching position of the ACC position and ON position in the ignition switch for starting the engine of the vehicle The structure may be switched to the operation units 19A and 19B in conjunction with each other.

  Therefore, normally, the control unit 20 drives and controls the air conditioner according to the operation signal by operating the air conditioner operation switch 13, and the control unit 20 drives the audio according to the operation signal by operating the audio operation switch 15. Configured to control. Also, the control unit 20 is configured to drive and control the car navigation device in accordance with the operation signal by operating the car navigation operation switch 14.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the driving voltage for driving each of the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B, the viewing angle, and the contrast. The driving voltage V1 at a predetermined set value indicated by a solid line is applied to the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B. When applied, the relationship between the angle of the viewing angle and the contrast has a tendency that the angle of the viewing angle is large, that is, the upward direction has a higher contrast, and the angle of the viewing angle is small, that is, the downward direction has a lower contrast.

  When a drive voltage V2 higher than the predetermined set value is applied to the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B, the relationship between the viewing angle and the contrast as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line is established, and the drive voltage is generally set higher. For example, the angle of the viewing angle at which a good contrast can be obtained tends to decrease, and when the driving voltage is lowered, the angle of the viewing angle at which a good contrast can be obtained tends to increase.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, first, when mounted on a vehicle, the viewing angles θA and θB of the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B that are suitable for everyone are set according to the vehicle specifications as indicated by the solid line. Install in the state. For a short person, if the drive voltage is increased, the angle of the viewing angle decreases, and the viewing angles θC and θD at which a contrast with good visibility as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line is obtained are obtained. In this case, if the drive voltage is lowered, the angle of the viewing angle is increased, and the viewing angles θE and θF at which a contrast with good visibility as shown by a two-dot chain line is obtained are obtained.

  When the drive voltage is raised or lowered, the upper liquid crystal display 12A first changes the drive voltage to the upper operation portion 19A that can change the drive voltage by simultaneously pressing a plurality of operation switches in the air conditioner operation switch 13. Switch. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, the temperature raising switch and the temperature lowering switch for adjusting the set temperature in the air conditioner operation switch 13 are set so as to correspond to the viewing angle raising switch and the viewing angle lowering switch. .

  When the upper driver 19A is operated to operate the upper liquid crystal display 12A, for example, if a short driver presses the viewing angle lowering switch, the controller 20 controls the pressing amount (for example, the number of times of pressing and the like) The upper drive voltage variable circuit 18A is controlled according to the pressing time and the like, and the drive voltage supplied to the upper LCD drive circuit 17A is gradually increased. Then, the upper liquid crystal display 12A is driven by the driving voltage, and the contrast peak region is gradually shifted downward, and the viewing angle is gradually shifted downward here.

  If the driver stops the operation at a position where the visibility of the upper liquid crystal display 12A is good, the state is maintained, and the upper liquid crystal display 12A can be visually recognized in an optimal contrast state, thereby improving the visibility.

  Conversely, in the case of a tall driver, if the viewing angle raising switch is pushed, the control unit 20 controls the upper drive voltage variable circuit 18A according to the push amount, and the upper LCD drive circuit 17A. The upper liquid crystal display 12A is driven by the drive voltage to gradually lower the contrast peak region upward, and the viewing angle is gradually shifted upward here. To go.

  If the driver stops the operation at a position where the visibility of the upper liquid crystal display 12A is good, the state is maintained, and the upper liquid crystal display 12A can be visually recognized in an optimal contrast state, thereby improving the visibility.

  Next, similarly in the lower liquid crystal display 12B, first, by simultaneously pressing a plurality of operation switches in the audio operation switch 15, switching to the lower operation unit 19B capable of changing the drive voltage is performed. For example, in the present embodiment, the volume increasing switch and the volume decreasing switch for adjusting the volume in the audio operation switch 15 are set to correspond to the viewing angle increasing switch and the viewing angle decreasing switch.

  When the lower driver 19B is operated to operate the lower liquid crystal display 12B, for example, if a short driver presses the viewing angle lowering switch, the controller 20 controls the pressing amount (for example, the number of times of pressing and the like) The lower drive voltage variable circuit 18B is controlled in accordance with the pressing time and the like, and the drive voltage supplied to the lower LCD drive circuit 17B is controlled to gradually increase. Then, the lower liquid crystal display 12B is driven by the driving voltage, and the contrast peak region is gradually shifted downward, and the viewing angle is gradually shifted downward.

  If the driver stops the operation at a position where the visibility of the lower liquid crystal display 12B is good, the state is maintained, and the lower liquid crystal display 12B can be visually recognized in an optimal contrast state, thereby improving the visibility.

  Conversely, in the case of a tall driver, if the viewing angle raising switch is pushed, the control unit 20 controls the lower drive voltage variable circuit 18B according to the pushing amount, and the lower LCD drive circuit 17B. The lower liquid crystal display 12B is driven by the drive voltage, and the peak region of contrast is gradually shifted upward, and the viewing angle is gradually shifted upward here. To go.

  If the driver stops the operation at a position where the visibility of the lower liquid crystal display 12B is good, the state is maintained, and the lower liquid crystal display 12B can be visually recognized in an optimal contrast state, thereby improving the visibility. Here, it is possible to set an optimal viewing angle according to each person without being affected by the height difference or the like for both liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B.

  In particular, since the driving voltages of the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B can be individually changed and adjusted, the viewing angles of the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B can be set separately, and each can be set to a desired optimum viewing angle. .

  In addition, any other operation switch in the air conditioner operation switch 13 or the audio operation switch 15 is a memory registration switch, another operation switch is a memory call switch, and another operation switch is a memory release switch. If the voltage values of the respective drive voltages adjusted as described above and the corresponding data for specifying a person are stored in the memory 21 by the memory registration switch, the memory call switch switches the memory 21 as necessary. The data stored in the liquid crystal display 12A, 12B can be called immediately, and based on the called data, the liquid crystal displays 12A, 12B are transmitted through the control unit 20, the drive voltage variable circuits 18A, 18B, and the LCD drive circuits 17A, 17B. It is easy to change the viewing angle setting of the Human data can be managed, there is a respective optimum field advantage easily cope with angles of a plurality of persons. Then, the data that is no longer necessary may be deleted from the memory 21 by the memory release switch.

  In order to return the operation units 19A and 19B to the original function of the air conditioner operation switch 13 and the function of the audio operation switch 15, the simultaneous operation of pressing the plurality of operation switches in the air conditioner operation switch 13 or the By simultaneously pressing the plurality of operation switches in the audio operation switch 15, the functions of the operation units 19 </ b> A and 19 </ b> B are canceled, and the original function of the air conditioner operation switch 13 and the function of the audio operation switch 15 are restored. It is configured.

  Further, each of the operation units 19A and 19B has a structure that also serves as an air conditioner operation switch 13 and an audio operation switch 15 mounted on the vehicle, and uses an existing switch mounted on the so-called vehicle. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a separate switch, and therefore there is an advantage that the design of the vehicle is not impaired and the parts can be shared.

  In addition, since the function of the air conditioner operation switch 13 or the function of the audio operation switch 15 and the function of the operation units 19A and 19B can be switched by simultaneously pressing a plurality of operation switches, inadvertent misoperation is effective. Can be prevented.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the structure which can set each viewing angle of each liquid crystal display 12A, 12B separately independently is shown, each liquid crystal display corresponding to the viewpoint height according to a height difference etc. is shown. A plurality of patterns of combinations of drive voltages that optimize the viewing angles of 12A and 12B are prepared and set in the memory 21, and the plurality of patterns of the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B are set by the operation unit 19A (or 19B). A configuration may be adopted in which a driving voltage combination pattern that seems to be optimal is selected and called out from among the driving voltage combinations.

  In this case, by selecting a desired combination from a plurality of preset patterns, there is an advantage that the viewing angles of the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B can be simultaneously and easily adapted to the optimum viewing angles.

  In the above embodiment, the structure using the air conditioner operation switch 13 as the upper stage operation unit 19A is shown. However, the structure using the car navigation operation switch 14 may be used, and the lower stage operation unit 19B may be an audio device. Although the structure using the operation switch 15 is shown, the air conditioner operation switch 13 may be also used as the lower operation section 19B.

  In addition, although a single control unit 20 and a single memory 21 are used for the upper liquid crystal display 12A and the lower liquid crystal display 12B, control is performed for each of the upper liquid crystal display 12A and the lower liquid crystal display 12B. The structure may be provided with individual units and memories.

  Furthermore, the operation unit 19 may be configured to have a dedicated switch separately and independently.

  In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B are arranged in two upper and lower stages.

  Furthermore, the higher the drive voltage, the lower the viewing angle at which a good contrast can be obtained, and the lower the driving voltage, the higher the viewing angle at which a good contrast can be obtained. Although the liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B having the above are shown, the driving voltage may be set according to the characteristics between the driving voltage and the viewing angle in the various liquid crystal displays 12A and 12B.

It is a principal part perspective view of the dashboard by which the liquid crystal display device concerning embodiment of this invention is mounted. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a drive voltage, a viewing angle, and contrast. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship of the viewing angle of a liquid crystal display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a tall person and a viewing angle. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a short person and a viewing angle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dashboard 11 Center cluster panel 12A Upper stage liquid crystal display 12B Lower stage liquid crystal display 13 Air conditioner operation switch 15 Audio operation switch 17A Upper stage LCD drive circuit 17B Lower stage LCD drive circuit 18A Upper stage drive voltage variable circuit 18B Lower stage drive voltage variable circuit 19A Upper stage operation Section 19B Lower operation section 20 Control section 21 Memory

Claims (6)

In a liquid crystal display device mounted on a vehicle and having a plurality of liquid crystal displays arranged in the height direction,
LCD driving circuit for applying a driving voltage for driving each liquid crystal display, a driving voltage variable circuit capable of changing and adjusting the driving voltage, an operating unit for changing the driving voltage, and a change of the operating unit A liquid crystal display device comprising: a control unit that controls a drive voltage variable circuit according to an operation. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.
The liquid crystal display device characterized in that the operation unit also serves as an operation switch mounted on a vehicle. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 or 2,
A liquid crystal display device comprising: a memory for storing a set value of the drive voltage changed by the operation unit. The liquid crystal display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The liquid crystal display device, wherein the operation unit can be operated by simultaneous operation of a plurality of operation switches in a device mounted on a vehicle. The liquid crystal display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A liquid crystal display device characterized in that the drive voltage of each liquid crystal display can be individually changed and adjusted. The liquid crystal display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A plurality of patterns of combinations of the driving voltages applied to the respective liquid crystal displays are set, and a combination of driving voltages of the respective liquid crystal displays can be freely selected from the plurality of patterns by the operation unit. Display device.

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