JP2006349811A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase an area ratio of an aperture part of an edge plate to an outside shape of a matrix type display device by working in a pixel shape of the matrix type display device that a display apparatus is provided with. <P>SOLUTION: The shapes of pixels 21A corresponding to a portion of pixels positioned on the outermost periphery of a display region 2a are made to be shapes each formed by expanding each pixel 21S positioned on the side inner than the outermost periphery of the display region 2a, to put it concretely, rectangular shapes each formed by extending the pixel 21S in an external direction. Thereby, the distance from an aperture window 41 to the outer periphery of the matrix type liquid crystal display device 2 can be made shorter than conventional one while the defect that an outer peripheral region 2b of the matrix type liquid crystal display device 2 is visually confirmed via the aperture window 41 to spoil beauty is prevented. As a result, the area ratio of the aperture window 41 of the edge plate to the outside shape of the matrix type liquid crystal display device 2 can be increased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that displays various types of information using a matrix type liquid crystal display, and is particularly suitable for use in automobiles and the like.

  In recent years, for example, a matrix type liquid crystal display is used as one of display means provided in a display device mounted on an automobile.

  As such a display device, for example, there is a display device in which a matrix type liquid crystal display is arranged in a central portion of the pointer meter while making a part of the pointer and scale of the pointer meter visible (see Patent Document 1).

The matrix type liquid crystal display provided in the above-described conventional display device includes a glass substrate on which a number of row electrodes are formed and a glass substrate on which a number of column electrodes are formed so that the electrodes face each other. Liquid crystal is injected between the electrodes and the outer peripheral side is sealed. Both glass substrates are arranged so that the row electrode and the column electrode are orthogonal to each other, and a pixel is formed at the intersection of the row electrode and the column electrode. In the glass substrate, a portion where a plurality of pixels are arranged in a grid pattern is a display area where an image is formed by the pixels. On the other hand, electrical wiring for electrically connecting each electrode to the outside is installed in the outer peripheral area where the pixel located between the outermost pixel of the display area and the end face of the glass substrate is not formed. Has been.
JP 2000-108722 A

  In the conventional display device, in order to improve the appearance of the display device, that is, the display region of the matrix type liquid crystal display, an opening smaller than the shape of the display region is formed on the front side of the matrix type liquid crystal display. A method has been adopted in which an edge plate having a gap is arranged and the outer peripheral region is hidden behind the edge plate so as to be invisible to the viewer.

  In this case, the shape of the opening of the edge plate is set so that the outer peripheral region is reliably covered with the edge plate even if the positional relationship between the matrix type liquid crystal display and the edge plate slightly varies. In other words, the pixels forming the display area are always hidden behind the edge plate. For example, the opening shape of the edge plate is set so that at least one pixel is hidden outside the opening.

  In combination meters, which are display devices provided in automobiles, the outline shape of the opening in the visible region is enlarged without changing the outer shape of the matrix type liquid crystal display, that is, the outer shape of the glass substrate, in order to improve the design. There is a strong demand for.

  In order to enlarge the outline shape of the opening, which is a part that contributes to information display in the display area without changing the outer shape of the glass substrate, the display area, which is a part where pixels are formed, must be enlarged. In addition, the outer peripheral region, which is the region between the outermost peripheral pixel and the end surface of the glass substrate, becomes small.

  Since the outer peripheral area of the glass substrate is used as an installation space for electrical wiring to the electrode, if the display area is enlarged without changing the outer shape of the glass substrate, there arises a problem that the wiring space for the electrode cannot be secured.

  As a method for solving this problem, it is conceivable to enlarge the opening window of the edge plate to reduce the number of pixels hidden behind the edge plate, and to improve the positional relationship accuracy between the matrix type display and the edge plate. . However, if this method is adopted, the cost of the display device will increase significantly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and devised the pixel shape of the matrix type display provided in the display device to determine the area ratio occupied by the opening of the edge plate with respect to the outer shape of the matrix type display. An object is to provide a display device that can be increased.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means.

  A display device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a matrix type display having a display area composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a grid pattern, a case for accommodating the matrix type display, and an opening window. A display device for visually recognizing a display area through an opening of the edge plate, and at least of pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display area. It is characterized in that a part of the shape is enlarged from the pixel shape located inside the outermost periphery of the display area.

  In the conventional display device, the edge plate is arranged so that at least one pixel exists outside the opening of the edge plate with respect to the matrix type display. That is, when the outline of the opening extends over a certain pixel, there is another pixel outside the opening. Therefore, if the outline shape of the opening, which is a part that contributes to information display in the display area, is enlarged without changing the outer shape of the glass substrate, the outer peripheral area, which is the area between the outermost pixel and the end face of the glass substrate, becomes smaller. Therefore, there arises a problem that it becomes impossible to secure an electric wiring space to the electrode. Therefore, it has been difficult to enlarge the contour shape of the opening without changing the outer shape of the glass substrate.

  On the other hand, in the display device according to claim 1 of the present invention, the shape of at least a part of the pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display region of the matrix type display is located on the inner side of the outermost periphery of the display region. It is larger than the pixel shape.

  In this case, in the state where the outline of the opening of the edge plate is hung on the pixel located on the outermost periphery of the display area, the opening to the pixel is caused by variation in the size of the opening shape of the edge plate or variation in the assembly position of the edge plate. Even if the position varies, the outermost pixel shape is set so that the outline of the opening of the edge plate is always on the pixel located at the outermost periphery of the display area.

  As a result, the distance from the contour line of the opening of the edge plate to the outer periphery of the display area can be made smaller than in the case of the matrix type display in the conventional display device.

  Therefore, even if the outer shape of the glass substrate of the matrix type display is the same, the opening shape of the edge plate can be enlarged as compared with the case of the conventional matrix type display. It is possible to provide a display device capable of increasing the area ratio occupied by the contour shape of the opening.

  The display device according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the shape of at least a part of the pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display region is a rectangle extending outward from the display region.

  In this case, it is possible to cope with such an easy means that the width dimension of the electrode corresponding to the outermost peripheral position of the display region is larger than the width dimension of the other electrodes.

  Therefore, in the matrix type display, the area ratio occupied by the contour shape of the opening with respect to the outer shape can be increased while suppressing an increase in cost.

  The display device according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that the shape of at least a part of the pixel located at the outermost periphery of the display region is a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a quadrangle into a chamfered shape.

  In response to the demand for improved design of the display device, the contour shape of the opening is changed from a simple rectangle to a more complicated shape. For example, it has a shape obtained by cutting a part of a circle with a straight line.

  In this case, in the circular portion, that is, the curved portion, the outline of the opening of the edge plate is inclined with respect to the row electrode group and the column electrode group of the edge plate matrix type display.

  In the case of a matrix type display of a conventional display device, the outermost peripheral position pixels are formed in a staircase shape corresponding to the oblique opening outline. For this reason, the number of pixels located outside the outline of the opening is large, in other words, the number of pixels not involved in information display increases, and the area ratio occupied by the outline of the opening with respect to the outline of the matrix type display is reduced. It was.

  On the other hand, in the display device according to claim 3 of the present invention, at least a part of the pixel located at the outermost periphery of the display region is formed by cutting out a part of the quadrilateral in a chamfered shape.

  As a result, the pixel located outside the outline of the opening, in other words, while realizing the situation that the outer peripheral region is reliably covered with the edge plate even if the positional relationship between the matrix type liquid crystal display and the edge plate varies. The number of pixels that are not involved in information display can be set to the minimum necessary level.

  Therefore, even in a matrix display having a complicated shape, the area ratio occupied by the contour shape of the opening with respect to the outer shape can be increased.

  In this case, as in the display device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the contour shape of the opening is composed of a straight portion and a curved portion, and the portion corresponding to the straight portion of the contour shape of the opening has a display area. The shape of the pixel located on the outermost periphery is a rectangle extending outward from the display area, and the shape of the pixel located on the outermost periphery of the display area is a part of a rectangle in the portion corresponding to the curved portion of the contour shape of the opening. If the chamfered shape is used, the outer edge area is reliably covered with the edge plate even if the positional relationship between the matrix type liquid crystal display and the edge plate varies. It is easy to achieve the necessary minimum number of pixels located outside the line, in other words, the number of pixels not involved in information display.

  Therefore, even in a matrix-type display having a complicated shape, the area ratio occupied by the contour shape of the opening with respect to the outer shape can be reliably increased.

  A display device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a matrix type display having a display area composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a grid pattern, a case for housing the matrix type display, and an opening window. A display device for visually recognizing a display area through an opening of the edge plate, and at least of pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display area. It is characterized in that a part of the shape is formed by chamfering a part of the shape of the pixel located inside the outermost periphery of the display area.

  According to such a configuration, in particular, in a display device in which the contour shape of the opening is a curve, the outer peripheral region is reliably covered with the edge plate even if the positional relationship between the matrix type liquid crystal display and the edge plate varies. It is possible to easily achieve the necessary minimum number of pixels located outside the opening outline, in other words, the number of pixels not involved in information display.

  The display device according to claim 6 of the present invention includes a dial on which a display design is formed and a pointer instrument having a pointer that rotates along the surface of the outer dial, and the pointer instrument is a case as viewed from the viewer. It is characterized in that a part of the pointer and the display design are visually recognized behind the case.

  In this case, the shape of the matrix display, that is, the contour of the opening is harmonized with the design design of the pointer instrument behind, and the appearance of the display device is made novel, and the opening of the matrix with respect to the outer shape of the matrix display The area ratio occupied by the contour shape can be increased.

  The display device according to claim 7 of the present invention is characterized in that the matrix type display is a matrix type liquid crystal display.

  Since the matrix type liquid crystal display is abundant in types and widely used, it is possible to provide a display device with excellent visibility and a novel appearance while suppressing an increase in cost.

  Hereinafter, a case where the display device according to the present invention is applied to a combination meter 1 mounted on an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a combination meter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. In FIG. 2, the right side is the driver's seat side, and the combination meter 1 is visually recognized from the right side of FIG.

  3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion IV in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion V in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the electric circuit configuration of the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The combination meter 1 is disposed at a position that is visible from the driver in front of the driver's seat of the automobile, and displays various information related to the automobile. In the combination meter 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a speedometer A that indicates the travel speed of the automobile, a distance meter B that indicates the cumulative travel distance and section travel distance of the automobile, and the automobile The door indicator C which instruct | indicates the open / close state of this door is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the distance meter B and the door indicator C are displayed on the display screen of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2, and the speedometer A is configured by a pointer instrument and is behind the matrix type liquid crystal display 2. Has been placed.

  First, the configuration of the speedometer A will be described.

  The speedometer A is configured as a pointer instrument that indicates the speed by the rotation angle of the pointer 13. The speedometer A includes a dial 7 for allowing the driver to visually recognize the rotational position of the pointer 13.

  The dial 7 is made of a translucent material, for example, a thin plate such as transparent polycarbonate. As shown in FIG. 1, the dial 7 is formed with a scale 71, characters 72, and numbers 73, which are display designs. These scales 71, characters 72, and numbers 73 are formed by printing or hot stamping the front surface 7a (the left surface in FIG. 2) or the back surface 7b (the right surface in FIG. 2) of the dial 7. Yes. That is, a non-transparent colored layer or a semi-transparent colored layer is provided in a portion other than the scale 71, the character 72, and the numeral 73, and the numeral 21 is kept transparent, or a semi-transparent colored layer is provided. Has been processed. In the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the scale 71, the characters 72, and the numbers 73 are semi-translucent yellow, and the portions other than the scale 71, the characters 72, and the numbers 73 are semi-translucent dark blue. Each is colored. Therefore, when a light emitting diode 8 which is a light source disposed on the back side of the dial 7 to be described later is turned on, the dial 7 is transmitted and illuminated by the light emitted from the light emitting diode 8, and the scale 71 and the character are displayed in a dark blue background. 72 and numeral 73 are displayed in yellow. These scales 71, characters 72, and numbers 73 are for indicating the engine rotational speed of the automobile together with the pointer 13 described later, and are respectively on an arc and concentric with the pointer shaft 12, as shown in FIG. Has been placed. Further, the dial 7 is provided with a through hole 7c as shown in FIG. The through hole 7c is for extending the pointer shaft 12 of the movement 11 disposed on the back side (right side in FIG. 2) of the dial 7 to the front side (left side in FIG. 2) of the dial 7.

  A printed circuit board 10 is disposed on the back side of the dial 7 (right side in FIG. 2). The printed board 10 is made of, for example, a glass epoxy board or the like, and forms an electric circuit portion of the combination meter 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a light emitting diode 8 that is a light source for transmitting and illuminating the dial 7 and a light emitting diode 9 that is a light source for causing a pointer 13 to be described later to emit light are mounted on the printed board 10. . In the combination meter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, white light emitting diodes are used as the light emitting diodes 8 and 4.

  A movement 11 is mounted on the printed circuit board 10. The movement 11 includes an electric actuator such as a stepping motor or a cross coil type rotating machine, and has a pointer shaft by an angle corresponding to an electric signal from the outside (in the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, an automobile speed signal). 12 is rotated. The pointer shaft 12 of the movement 11 extends outward (rightward in FIG. 2) through the through hole 7c of the dial 7, and the pointer 13 is fixed to the tip thereof. The pointer 13 is formed of a translucent material such as acrylic resin, and is lit and displayed by light emitted from the light emitting diode 9 mounted on the printed circuit board 10. The travel speed of the vehicle is instructed by the pointer 13 and the scale 71, the character 72, and the number 73, which are display designs on the dial 7.

  The printed circuit board 10 is mounted with a controller 14 that controls turning on / off the light emitting diodes 8, 4 and driving the movement 11. The controller 14 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. The controller 14 drives a matrix type liquid crystal display 2 described later to display a distance meter B and a door indicator C in the display area 2a.

  The dial 7 and the printed circuit board 10 described above are accommodated and held in a housing 15 formed from a resin material, as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a substantially frame-shaped facing plate 16 is mounted on the front side of the dial 7, and a transparent cover 17 is mounted on the tip of the facing plate 16. The facing plate 16 is made of, for example, a resin material. The transparent cover 17 is formed of a transparent resin thin plate or glass. The facing plate 16 and the transparent cover 17 prepare the appearance of the combination meter 1 and at the same time prevent entry of dust, moisture and the like into the combination meter 1.

  Next, the configuration of the distance meter B and the door indicator C will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the distance meter B and the door indicator C are each formed as an image in the display area 2a of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 which is a matrix type display.

  The matrix type liquid crystal display 2 has a glass substrate on which a number of row electrodes are formed and a glass substrate on which a number of column electrodes are formed so that the electrodes face each other, and liquid crystal is injected between the glass electrodes. The outer peripheral side is sealed. Both glass substrates are arranged so that the row electrode and the column electrode are orthogonal to each other, and a pixel is formed at the intersection of the row electrode and the column electrode. That is, the portion where the row electrode and the column electrode overlap is a pixel.

  In the matrix type liquid crystal display 2, the extending directions of a large number of row electrodes R and a large number of column electrodes F for forming the pixels 21 are directions indicated by arrows in FIG. That is, the row electrode R extends in the left-right direction in FIG. 3, the column electrode F extends in the up-down direction in FIG. 3, and they are orthogonal to each other.

  In the matrix type liquid crystal display 2, the area where the pixels 21 are formed is the display area 2a. On the other hand, the portion between the pixel located on the outermost periphery of the display region and the end face of the glass substrate, that is, the portion where the pixel 21 is not formed is the outer peripheral region 2b, and the outer peripheral region 2b is as shown in FIG. Electrical wirings 22 are provided for electrically connecting the above-described many row electrodes and many column electrodes to the outside.

  The distance meter B and the door indicator C are formed as an image composed of a large number of pixels 21 on the display area 2a.

  On the front side of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 (left side in FIG. 2), a decorative board 4 which is an edge plate is arranged.

  The decorative plate 4 is formed of, for example, a resin material or a metal material such as aluminum. As shown in FIG. 2, the decorative plate 4 covers the outer peripheral portion of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 and the outer peripheral side surface of the case 3 by bonding to the case 3 or the like. It is fixed. As shown in FIG. 2, the decorative plate 4 is provided with an opening window 41 that is an opening for visually recognizing the distance meter B and the door indicator C on the matrix type liquid crystal display 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the contour shape of the opening window 41 is a shape obtained by cutting a part of a circle with a straight line. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the contour shape of the opening window 41 is composed of a straight portion 41a and a circular arc portion 41b that is a curved portion.

  The decorative board 4 blocks the outer peripheral area 2b of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 from the driver's line of sight so that the distance meter B and the door indicator C look good, and the opening window 41 has the distance meter B and the door indicator. A contour line of C is formed to make the two stand out from the surroundings, thereby improving the visibility.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the display area 2 a of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is substantially similar to the contour shape of the opening window 41 and corresponds to the contour shape of the opening window 41. Slightly larger.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of light emitting diodes 5 as backlights that transmit and illuminate the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 are arranged behind the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 (on the left side in FIG. 2). These light emitting diodes 5 are mounted on a printed circuit board 6 as shown in FIG. Further, the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the printed circuit board 6 is electrically connected to a printed circuit board 10 forming an electric circuit of the speedometer A through a flexible substrate 18. That is, one end side of the flexible substrate 18 is connected to the printed circuit board 6 and the other end side is connected to the connector 19 as shown in FIG. The connector 19 is coupled to the connector 20 mounted on the printed circuit board 10.

  The matrix type liquid crystal display 2 and the printed board 6 are accommodated and held in the case 3. Case 3 is formed of, for example, a resin material. The case 3 is provided with a support arm portion 32 for holding the distance meter B and the door indicator C on the front surface side of the speedometer A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the support arm portion 32 is integrally molded at the time of resin molding of the case 3 so as to extend from the back side of the case 3 toward the dial 7 side (left side in FIG. 2). Yes. As shown in FIG. 2, the support arm portion 32 is in contact with the printed circuit board 10 through the through hole 7 d of the dial 7, and is fixed to the printed circuit board 10 by tightening the bolts 51. The support arm portion 32 is provided with a tunnel portion 33 that communicates the support arm portion 32 with the printed circuit board 10 side and the printed circuit board 6 side. As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible substrate 18 is inserted through the tunnel portion 33.

  Next, the electric circuit configuration of the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the electric circuit configuration diagram of FIG. 4, electric power is constantly supplied from the battery 53 to the controller 14. In addition, the controller 14 is connected to the ignition switch 52 so that its operating state (ON or OFF) can be detected.

  In addition, various types of sensors are connected to the controller 14 so that detection signals can be input, and various functional parts that are driven by the controller 14 based on detection signals from the various types of sensors are connected.

  The various sensors include a speed sensor 54 that detects the traveling speed of the automobile and a door sensor 55 that detects the half-door state of each door of the automobile. The half-door state is a state where the door is not in the normal closed position, that is, the door locking mechanism is not in the complete locking position. Further, the door sensor 55 is provided for each door of the automobile, and the automobile equipped with the combination meter according to the embodiment of the present invention includes four doors as shown in FIG. Correspondingly, four door sensors 55 are also provided.

  On the other hand, as various functional parts, there are a movement 11 of the speedometer A, a matrix type liquid crystal display 2 and a light emitting diode 5 which is a backlight thereof, a dial 7 and light emitting diodes 8 and 9 for lighting a pointer 13.

  Next, the operation of the combination meter 1 configured as described above according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  (1) When the ignition switch 40 is turned on.

  When the ignition switch 52 is turned on by the driver, the controller 14 detects that the ignition switch 52 is turned on and starts display control of the combination meter 1.

  First, the light emitting diodes 8 and 9 and the light emitting diode 5 are turned on. As a result, the dial 7 and the hands 13 of the speedometer A are lit and displayed, and the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is transmitted and illuminated.

  At the same time, the controller 14 calculates the traveling speed of the vehicle based on the detection signal from the speed sensor 54 and drives the movement 11 to rotate the pointer shaft 12 to a predetermined angle, that is, an angle indicating the traveling speed of the vehicle. Move.

  At the same time, the controller 14 calculates the travel distance of the automobile based on the detection signal from the speed sensor 54 and drives the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 to display the travel distance of the automobile on the distance meter B section.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the speed sensor 54 detects the rotation speed of the propeller shaft that is the output shaft of the transmission of the automobile, and the controller 14 is based on the detection signal. Both the driving speed and driving distance of the car are calculated. That is, one sensor is commonly used for calculating the traveling speed and the traveling distance of the automobile.

  At the same time, the controller 14 confirms the closed state of each door of the vehicle based on the detection signal from the door sensor 55 and drives the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 to display the closed state of each door on the door indicator C section. To do.

  (2) When the ignition switch 52 is turned off.

  When the ignition switch 52 is turned off by the driver, the controller 14 detects that the ignition switch 52 is turned off and turns off the light emitting diodes 8 and 9 and the light emitting diode 5. At the same time, the controller 14 stops driving the movement 11 and the matrix type liquid crystal display 2.

  Next, the characteristics of the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, that is, the configuration of the pixel 21 in the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 will be described while comparing the positional relationship between the display region 2a and the opening window 41 of the decorative plate 4. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the display area 2 a of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is substantially similar to the contour shape of the opening window 41 and slightly smaller than the contour shape of the opening window 41, corresponding to the contour shape of the opening window 41. It is greatly formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the opening window 41 includes a straight portion 41 a and a circular arc portion 41 b that is a curved portion.

  (1) The straight part 41a.

  In a portion corresponding to the straight line portion 41a of the opening window 41 of the display area 2a of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 (that is, a V portion in FIG. 5), the pixel 21 is configured as shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the pixel located inside the outermost periphery of the display region 2a is a square pixel 21S, and the pixel located on the outermost periphery of the display region 2a is an enlarged shape of the pixel 21S. The pixel 21S is a rectangular pixel 21A that extends outward (downward in FIG. 5) from the display area 2a.

  Here, the pixel 21A has a width dimension of the row electrode R positioned at the lower end in FIG. 5, that is, the width of the row electrode R other than the end, among the many row electrodes R provided in the matrix type liquid crystal display 2. It is formed by setting it larger than the dimension.

  (2) Arc portion 41b.

  In a portion where the inclination of the arc portion 41b, that is, the tangential inclination direction of the arc portion 41b is inclined with respect to both the row electrode R and the column electrode F (that is, the VI portion in FIG. 3), the pixel 21 The configuration is as shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, among the pixels 21 corresponding to the arc portion 41b, a pixel located inside the outermost periphery of the display region 2a is a square pixel 21S, and a pixel located at the outermost periphery of the display region 2a is A pixel 21B having a shape obtained by cutting off a part of the quadrilateral in a chamfered shape is used. In FIG. 6, the chamfered portion of each pixel 21 </ b> B is indicated by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 6, each pixel 21 </ b> B is arranged so that the oblique sides that are the cut-off sides are smoothly continuous with each other. The area connecting the oblique sides of each pixel 21B is located inside the display area 2a with respect to the area connecting the vertices of the shape before clipping of each pixel 21B (the portion indicated by the broken line in FIG. 6).

  Here, the pixel 21B is formed by making the end portions of a large number of row electrodes R included in the matrix-type liquid crystal display 2 have the same shape as the chamfered cut portions of the corresponding pixel 21B.

  (3) Arc portion 41b.

  A portion where the inclination of the arc portion 41b, that is, the tangential inclination direction of the arc portion 41b is substantially the same as the extending direction of the column electrode F, that is, the vertical direction in FIG. 3 (ie, the VII portion in FIG. 3) and its vicinity In FIG. 7, the pixel 21 is configured as shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the pixel located inside the outermost periphery of the display area 2a among the pixels 21 corresponding to the arc portion 41b is a square pixel 21S.

  Among the pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display area 2a, pixels whose inclination direction of the tangent line of the arc portion 41b corresponds to the extending direction of the column electrode F, that is, substantially the same as the vertical direction in FIG. In addition, the pixel 21S is enlarged, specifically, the pixel 21S is a rectangular pixel 21C that extends outward (to the left in FIG. 7) from the display area 2a.

  Further, among the pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display area 2a, pixels corresponding to the part where the inclination direction of the tangent line of the arc part 41b is far from the extending direction of the column electrode F, that is, substantially the same as the vertical direction in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the pixel located at the outermost periphery of the display area 2a is a pixel 21B having a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a square in a chamfered shape.

  Note that some of the pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display area 2a are square pixels 21S as shown in FIG. 6 because of the positional relationship with the arc portion 41b.

  Here, the pixel 21 </ b> C has a width dimension of the column electrode F positioned at the end, that is, the right end in FIG. 7, among the many column electrodes F included in the matrix type liquid crystal display 2. It is formed by setting it larger than the dimension.

  Further, the pixel 21B is formed by making the end portions of a large number of row electrodes R included in the matrix-type liquid crystal display 2 have the same shape as the chamfered cut portions of the corresponding pixel 21B.

  (4) Arc portion 41b.

  A portion where the inclination of the arc portion 41b, that is, the inclination direction of the tangent line of the arc portion 41b is substantially the same as the extending direction of the row electrode R, that is, the horizontal direction in FIG. 3 (that is, the VIII portion in FIG. 3) and its vicinity. In FIG. 8, the pixel 21 is configured as shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the pixel located inside the outermost periphery of the display area 2a among the pixels 21 corresponding to the arc portion 41b is a square pixel 21S.

  Of the pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display area 2a, the pixels in which the inclination direction of the tangent line of the arc portion 41b corresponds to the extending direction of the row electrode R, that is, substantially the same as the horizontal direction in FIG. In addition, the pixel 21S is enlarged, and more specifically, the pixel 21S is a rectangular pixel 21A extending outward (upward in FIG. 8) from the display area 2a.

  Further, among the pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display area 2a, pixels corresponding to portions where the inclination direction of the tangent line of the arc portion 41b is far from the extending direction of the row electrode R, that is, substantially the same as the horizontal direction in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the pixel located at the outermost periphery of the display area 2a is a pixel 21B having a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a square in a chamfered shape.

  Here, the pixel 21 </ b> A has a width dimension of the row electrode R positioned at the upper end in FIG. 8, that is, the width of the row electrode R other than the end among the many row electrodes R included in the matrix type liquid crystal display 2. It is formed by setting it larger than the dimension.

  Next, the function and effect of the configuration of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2, that is, the configuration of the pixel 21 forming the display region 2a, which is the feature of the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, will be described.

  First, in the conventional display device, the edge plate is arranged so that at least one pixel exists outside the opening of the edge plate with respect to the matrix type display. That is, when the outline of the opening is on a certain pixel, another pixel is arranged outside the pixel. That is, the outer shape of the pixel and the outer shape of the matrix type display in the conventional display device are as shown by broken lines in FIG.

  In the conventional display device, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance from the opening of the edge plate to the outer periphery of the display device, that is, the outer periphery of the case for housing the matrix type display increases, and the display area of the display device becomes effective. The area ratio of the opening of the edge plate, which is the display range, to the outer shape of the matrix display is small. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a novel appearance by arranging other instruments or the like behind the display device.

  On the other hand, in the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 of the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a part of the pixels 21 located on the outermost periphery of the display area 2a, specifically, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the pixel 21A located in the linear portion of the display region 2a is an enlarged shape of the pixel 21S located inside the outermost periphery of the display region 2a. Specifically, the pixel 21S is displayed in the display region. The rectangular shape extends outward 2a (downward in FIG. 5). The long side length of the pixel 21 </ b> A is determined when the position of the opening window 41 with respect to the pixel 21 </ b> A varies due to variations in the size of the shape of the opening window 41 of the decorative plate 4, variations in the assembly position of the decorative plate 4, etc. When the display area 2a moves outward (downward in FIG. 5), the opening window 41 is always set on the pixel 21A.

  Thereby, the distance from the opening window 41 to the outer periphery of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is prevented while preventing the problem that the outer peripheral region 2b of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is visually recognized through the opening window 41 and the appearance is deteriorated. Can be made smaller than in the case of the conventional display device. Specifically, as shown in FIG. In other words, when the outer shape of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is the same, the opening window 41 can be enlarged as compared with the conventional display device.

  Therefore, the area ratio occupied by the display region 2a with respect to the outer shape of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 can be increased.

  Further, in the conventional display device, when the contour of the aperture window is composed of straight lines and curves, pixels corresponding to the curved portion of the aperture window in the display area of the matrix type display are arranged in a staircase pattern. . From the viewpoint of securing electrical wiring space, the outline of the display area is a line connecting the outer vertices of each outermost pixel, and the inside of the display area outline has no pixels, in other words, displays various information. There are parts that do not contribute. For this reason, in order to secure the electric wiring space in the outer peripheral area and to prevent the problem that the outer peripheral area 2b of the matrix type display device is visually recognized through the opening of the edge plate and the appearance is deteriorated, The effective area that can be used for various information displays must be reduced.

  In other words, in order to make the effective area that can be used for displaying various information in the display area equal, the outer shape of the matrix display must be enlarged. In this case, the electrode shape of the matrix type display and the outer shape of the matrix type display are as shown by the broken lines in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display area 2a has a portion corresponding to the arc portion 41b that is the curved portion of the opening window 41 of the display area 2a of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the pixel 21 </ b> B having a shape obtained by cutting off a part of the quadrilateral in a chamfered shape is disposed on the outermost periphery. As shown in FIG. 6, each pixel 21 </ b> B is arranged so that the oblique sides that are the cut-off sides are smoothly continuous with each other.

  In this case, the boundary line between the display area 2a and the outer peripheral area 2b is an outline formed by connecting the oblique sides of the respective pixels 21B. This is because the boundary line between the display area and the outer peripheral area in the conventional matrix type display is based on the contour line formed by connecting the vertices of the shape before cutting out each pixel 21B (the portion indicated by the broken line in FIG. 4). Is clearly located inside the display area 2a.

  Therefore, in the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the shape of the opening window 41 is the same, the distance from the opening window 41 to the outer peripheral region 2b can be shortened compared to the case of the conventional matrix display. Can do. In other words, when the outer shape of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is the same, the opening window 41 can be enlarged as compared with the conventional display device.

  Therefore, the area ratio occupied by the display region 2a with respect to the outer shape of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 can be increased.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the pointer instrument is the speedometer A, but it is not limited to the speedometer A, and other pointer instruments, for example, the engine of the automobile. It is good also as a tachometer etc. which instruct | indicate the rotational speed of this.

  Further, in the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the information displayed on the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is the distance meter B and the door indicator C. However, it is necessary to limit to these. Instead, other information such as vehicle interior temperature, outside air temperature, engine coolant temperature, remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank, battery voltage, etc. may be replaced or added.

  Further, in the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the shape of the display region 2a of the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a circle with a straight line. It is not necessary to be limited to other shapes, and other shapes such as a complete circle, a rectangle, a square, a trapezoid, an ellipse and the like may be used.

  In addition, the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above includes one pointer meter, but includes two pointer meters, and a matrix type liquid crystal display on the viewer side of each pointer meter. 2 may be arranged.

  Further, in the combination meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the matrix type liquid crystal display 2 is used as the matrix type display. However, the present invention is not limited to the matrix type liquid crystal display 2, and other combinations are possible. Various types of matrix type display, for example, a matrix type organic EL display may be used.

It is a partial front view of the combination meter 1 by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a mimetic diagram explaining the electric circuit composition of combination meter 1 by one embodiment of the present invention. It is the V section enlarged view in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion VI in FIG. 3. It is the VII part enlarged view in FIG. It is a VIII section enlarged view in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Combination meter (display device)
2 Matrix type liquid crystal display (matrix type display)
2a Display area 2b Outer peripheral area 21 pixel 21A pixel 21B pixel 21C pixel 21S pixel 22 electrode 3 case 31 receiving chamber 32 support arm part 33 tunnel part 4 decorative board (edge board)
41 Opening window (opening)
41a Straight part 41b Arc part (curved part)
5 Light-emitting diode 6 Printed circuit board 7 Dial (pointer instrument)
7a Front surface 7b Back surface 7c Through hole 7d Through hole 71 Scale (display design)
72 characters (display design)
73 Numbers (Display design)
8 Light-emitting diode (pointer instrument)
9 Light-emitting diode (pointer meter)
10 Printed circuit board (pointer instrument)
11 Movement (pointer instrument)
12 Pointer shaft (pointer instrument)
13 Pointer (Guideline meter)
14 Controller 15 Casing 16 Turn plate 17 Transparent cover 18 Flexible board 19 Connector 20 Connector 51 Male screw 52 Ignition switch 53 Battery 54 Speed sensor 55 Door sensor A Speedometer (pointer instrument)
B Distance meter C Door indicator F Column electrode L Dimension R Row electrode

Claims (7)

A matrix type display having a display region composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a grid pattern;
A case for housing the matrix type display;
An opening window and an edge plate disposed on the front side of the matrix display,
The viewer is a display device that visually recognizes the display area through the opening of the edge plate,
A display device, wherein a shape of at least a part of a pixel located on the outermost periphery of the display region is enlarged from a pixel shape located on the inner side of the outermost periphery of the display region.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of at least a part of the pixels located on the outermost periphery of the display area is a rectangle extending outward from the display area.   3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of a pixel located at an outermost periphery of the display area is formed by cutting a part of a quadrilateral into a chamfered shape. 4. The contour shape of the opening is composed of a straight portion and a curved portion,
In the portion corresponding to the linear portion of the display area, the shape of the pixel located on the outermost periphery of the display area is a rectangle extending outward from the display area,
4. The display according to claim 3, wherein, in a portion corresponding to the curved portion of the display area, the shape of a pixel located on the outermost periphery of the display area is a shape obtained by cutting off a part of a square in a chamfered shape. apparatus. A matrix type display having a display region composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a grid pattern;
A case for housing the matrix type display;
An opening window and an edge plate disposed on the front side of the matrix display,
The viewer is a display device that visually recognizes the display area through the opening of the edge plate,
The shape of at least a part of the pixel located on the outermost periphery of the display area is a shape obtained by cutting a part of the pixel located on the inner side of the outermost periphery of the display area into a chamfered shape. Display device. A dial instrument having a dial on which a display design is formed and a pointer that rotates along the surface of the outer dial,
6. The pointer instrument according to claim 1, wherein a part of the pointer and the display design are visually recognized outside the case behind the case when viewed from a viewer. The display apparatus in any one.   7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the matrix type display is a matrix type liquid crystal display.

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