JP2008268801A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device which makes it hard to recognize the presence of segment display parts not emitting light, when external light is made incident on the display device and can provide improved display quality by clear discriminative display when causing partial segment display parts to emit light. <P>SOLUTION: An air volume segment display device 1 includes a light emitting diode 13 and a print panel 15 and causes light from the light emitting diode 13 to pass through a segment display part 150 of the print panel 15 and be intercepted by a segment peripheral part 151 of the print panel 15 to perform segment light emission display when emitting light. The print panel 15 has a configuration where a gray color print layer 15b having a color tone equivalent to a color tone viewed in a state of incidence of external light on the segment display part 150 during non-emission of the light emitting diode is provided as a print layer of the segment peripheral part 151. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that performs segment light emission display by transmitting light from a light source through a segment display portion of a print panel and blocking a segment peripheral portion of the print panel during light emission.

Conventionally, as a display device that performs segment light emission display by transmitting light from a light source through a segment display portion and blocking the surrounding portion of the segment at the time of light emission, a diffusion sheet base material and the light source opposite side of the diffusion sheet base material A black ink layer printed only on the periphery of the segment on the surface, and a light black ink layer printed over the black ink layer on the entire surface on the opposite side of the light source of the diffusion sheet substrate (segment display portion + segment periphery) A display device using a diffusion sheet portion is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-119357 A

  However, in the conventional display device, a thin black ink layer is formed on the surface side of the diffusion sheet base to make it difficult to see the presence of the segment display portion. Depending on the presence or absence of the black ink layer formed on the surface side of the substrate, the reflected light differs, and the segment peripheral part appears black, while the segment display part appears whitish, indicating the presence of the segment display part when no light is emitted. There was a problem that it could be easily visually recognized.

  That is, the peripheral portion of the segment having the black ink layer becomes a light absorbing surface that absorbs most of the external light incident on the black ink layer, and appears black due to almost no reflected light. On the other hand, the segment display portion that does not have the black ink layer becomes a reflective surface that reflects a part of the external light incident on the thin black ink layer, and looks whitish due to the reflected light.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problem, and when external light is incident, it is difficult to recognize the presence of a segment display unit that does not emit light, and when a part of the segment display units is caused to emit light, it is clear. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device capable of achieving improvement in display quality by identification display.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a light source and a print panel. When light is emitted, the light from the light source is transmitted through the segment display portion of the print panel, and the segment peripheral portion of the print panel is blocked. In a display device that displays light emission,
The print panel includes an equivalent color print layer having a color tone equivalent to a color tone seen when external light is incident on the segment display unit when the light source is not emitting light as a print layer around the segment.

Therefore, in the display device of the present invention, when external light is incident, the color due to the reflected light around the segment having the same color print layer appears in a state where the external light is incident on the segment display portion when no light is emitted. Equivalent to the color tone.
That is, by setting the color around the segment to the same color tone as that of the segment display portion, the color tone assimilation effect is exhibited, and it becomes difficult to recognize the presence of the segment display portion that does not emit light.
Therefore, for example, when all the segment display parts are not emitting light, the entire display part looks the same color even if the entire display part is viewed, and it is impossible to identify which part is the segment display part and which part is the segment peripheral part. .
Further, for example, when a part of the plurality of segment display parts emits light and the other part does not emit light, the non-light-emitting segment display part is color-similar to the surrounding part of the segment, so that the light-emitting segment display part and the other parts 2 Clear division display divided into two. Thus, compared with the case where the display is divided into three sections, ie, the light-emitting segment display portion, the non-light-emitting segment display portion, and the segment peripheral portion, the display content is highly visible and distinguishable, and the display quality is improved. improves.
As a result, when external light is incident, it is difficult to recognize the presence of segment display portions that are not emitting light, and when some segment display portions are caused to emit light, display quality can be improved by clear identification display. it can.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for realizing the display device of the present invention will be described based on Example 1 shown in the drawings.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a centralized operation display unit U to which the air volume segment display device (an example of a display device) according to the first embodiment is applied.

  The centralized operation display unit U to which the air volume segment display device 1 of the first embodiment is applied is provided with a monitor on the instrument panel of the vehicle, and is operated by concentrating an auto air conditioner system, an audio system, a navigation system, an in-vehicle camera system, and the like. This unit is equipped with a switch and a display unit. And the air volume segment display apparatus 1 of Example 1 is applied to the operation display part of the automatic air conditioning system of the centralized operation display unit U.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation display unit of the automatic air conditioner system is disposed at the center of the centralized operation display unit U, and includes an air volume segment display device 1, an air conditioner switch 2, and an air volume adjustment dial 3. Yes. The air volume segment display device 1 segmentally displays the blower air volume automatically determined or the blower air volume manually operated by the air volume adjusting dial 3 when the air conditioner is operated with the air conditioner switch 2 turned on. .

  FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an example of a segment air volume display state in the air volume segment display device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a print panel of the air volume segment display device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air volume segment display device 1 of Example 1 includes a unit lower case 11, a reflect case 12, a light emitting diode 13 (light source), a diffusion sheet 14, a printing panel 15, a lens 16, It has.

  This air volume segment display device 1 has a light emitting diode 13 and a printing panel 15, and at the time of light emission, light from the light emitting diode 13 is transmitted through a segment display portion 150 of the printing panel 15 as shown in FIG. Segment light emission display is performed by blocking the segment peripheral portion 151 of the panel 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the segment display portion 150 is a portion having a light-transmitting configuration of the print panel 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the segment display portion 150 includes a fan display portion 150a for segment display of the fan shape, and seven pieces that are longer as the fan air volume is larger. This is composed of an air volume display portion 150b for segment display in a bar graph format.

  The segment peripheral portion 151 is a portion having a light-shielding configuration of the print panel 15 and includes a region obtained by removing the fan display portion 150a and the air volume display portion 150b from the entire display surface as shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the always-displayed mark serving as a guide for adjusting the fan air volume is set in the region of the segment peripheral portion 151 by the white portion printed layer 15 e.

The light emitting diode 13 is a semiconductor element that uses an electroluminescence (EL) effect as a light emission principle and emits light when a voltage is applied in the forward direction, and is also referred to as an LED (Light Emitting Diode).
As shown in FIG. 3, the light-emitting diode 13 includes a fan display portion 150a constituting the segment display portion 150 and a bottom surface position (unit) of the opening portion of the reflector case 12 in which a plurality of openings 12a surrounding each air volume display portion 150b are formed. The inner surface of the lower case 11 is provided respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the diffusion sheet 14 is set by being sandwiched between the reflect case 12 and the printing panel 15. The diffusion sheet 14 is a sheet having a function of controlling the brightness and color of light from the light emitting diode 13 which is a backlight of the segment display and adjusting each segment display to a uniform brightness.

  The lens 16 is set on the upper surface of the printing panel 15 as shown in FIG. The lens 16 has a function of protecting the print panel 15 and enlarging the size of each segment display from the actual size.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the printing panel 15 includes a panel substrate 15a, a gray printing layer 15b (equivalent color printing layer), a black printing layer 15c, a smoke color diffusion printing layer 15d, and a white partial printing layer. 15e.

  The panel base material 15a is made of a transparent polycarbonate resin material (PC material).

The gray print layer 15b is printed only on the segment peripheral portion 151 on the light source side rear surface of the panel base material 15a. That is, printing is performed except for the segment display portion 150.
The color tone of the gray print layer 15 b is equivalent to the color tone seen when external light is incident on the segment display portion 150 when the light emitting diode 13 is not emitting light. Specifically, the color tone of the segment display portion 150 when the light emitting diode 13 is not emitting light is measured with a measuring instrument such as a color difference meter, and the printed color having the same color tone based on the color tone measurement result (in the case of Example 1) Gray).

  The black print layer 15c is laminated and printed only on the segment peripheral portion 151 on the back surface of the gray color print layer 15b on the light source side. That is, printing is performed except for the segment display portion 150 as in the case of the gray print layer 15b. The black print layer 15c is set so that only the segment display portion 150 can transmit light without leaking light to the segment peripheral portion 151 when the light emitting diode 13 emits light.

  The smoke color diffusion printing layer 15d is printed on the entire surface of the panel base material 15a opposite to the light source. The smoke color diffusion printed layer 15d is set to clear the outlines of the segment display portion 150 and the segment peripheral portion 151 when the light emitting diode 13 emits light.

  The white partial print layer 15e is partially printed on the upper surface of the smoke color diffusion print layer 15d. Regardless of whether the light emitting diode 13 emits light or not, the white partial printed layer 15e is a mark that serves as a guide for adjusting the fan air volume (for example, a fan mark, a dial rotation direction mark “+” for increasing air volume, and a dial rotation for reducing air volume). The direction mark is set to always display "-" or the like.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2 showing a conventional air volume segment display device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a print panel of a conventional air volume segment display device. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a segment non-display state in the conventional air volume segment display device.

Here, the background art and the background to the present invention will be described before the description of the operation.
Currently, as shown in FIG. 5, an air volume segment display device that includes a unit lower case, a reflect case, a light emitting diode (LED), a printing panel, and a lens is employed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printing panel includes a transparent PC material, a black printed layer printed only on a peripheral portion of the segment on the surface opposite to the light source of the PC material, and the entire surface on the opposite side of the light source of the PC material. A smoke-colored diffusion printed layer that is overprinted on the black printed layer (segment display portion + segment peripheral portion).

  As described above, in the conventional air volume segment display device, the smoke-colored diffusion printed layer is formed on the back side of the PC material in order to make the presence of the segment display portion difficult to see. However, when external light is incident, the reflected light varies depending on the presence or absence of the black print layer formed on the back side of the PC material, and the segment display area appears whitish while the segment periphery appears black. Therefore, the presence of the segment display unit can be easily visually recognized when no light is emitted.

  That is, the peripheral portion of the segment having the black print layer becomes a light absorbing surface that absorbs most of the external light incident on the black print layer, and appears black due to almost no reflected light. On the other hand, the segment display portion that does not have the black print layer becomes a reflection surface that reflects a part of the external light that is incident on the smoke-colored diffusion print layer, and looks whitish due to the reflected light.

For example, when all the segment display parts are not emitting light, when the entire display part is viewed, as shown in FIG. 7, the segment display part that looks gray and the peripheral part of the segment that looks black can be easily identified.
In addition, for example, when a part of a plurality of segment display parts emits light and the other part does not emit light, a light-emitting segment display part bright by LED light emission, a non-light-emitting segment display part that appears gray, and a segment peripheral part that appears black Are displayed in three categories.

  On the other hand, if a common-sense method is used, the segment display part stands out from the surrounding part of the segment that becomes the background, so the color of the segment display part matches the color of the surrounding part of the segment. As a result, it becomes difficult to recognize the existence of the segment display part.

  However, in this case, since the color tone of the segment display portion needs to be close to the black color that is the background color, if the segment display portion is made black by increasing the color tone identity, the segment display portion is displayed during segment display by LED emission. Illuminance and brightness are greatly reduced. Therefore, if the blackish gray is compromised, the assimilation with respect to the background is inferior, and the illuminance and luminance of the segment display part cannot be avoided. That is, it is impossible to achieve both assimilation display of the segment display portion and ensuring of segment display quality.

  The inventor paid attention to the point that the display quality, which is an essential function, is impaired in the idea of matching the color tone of the segment display portion to the color tone of the segment peripheral portion in response to a request to make the segment display portion inconspicuous. Adopted a structure based on a change in the idea of matching the color tone of the color to the color tone of the segment display part. With this configuration, it is possible to meet the demand for making the segment display portion inconspicuous without impairing display quality.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a segment non-display state in the air volume segment display device 1 according to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the operation of the air volume segment display device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described by dividing it into “segment display operation when all light is not emitted” and “segment display operation when partial light emission”.

[Segment display when all light is off]
In the air volume segment display device 1 of the first embodiment, when external light is incident, the segment peripheral portion 151 having the gray print layer 15b reflects a part of the incident external light, and the reflected light visually The recognized color is equivalent to the color tone seen when external light is incident on the segment display portion 150 when no light is emitted.
That is, the color tone of the gray color printing layer 15b is equivalent to the color tone seen when external light is incident on the segment display portion 150 when the light emitting diode 13 does not emit light, and the segment peripheral portion 151 is equivalent to the segment display portion 150 in appearance. By setting the color tone to the color tone, it becomes difficult to recognize the presence of the segment display portion 150 that exhibits the color tone assimilation effect and does not emit light.

  Therefore, for example, when all the segment display portions 150 are not emitting light, as shown in FIG. 8, the entire display portion looks the same color (gray color) as shown in FIG. Which part is the segment peripheral part 151 cannot be identified.

[Segment display when partially emitting light]
For example, when the auto air conditioner is activated and one of the plurality of segment display parts 150 emits light and the other part does not emit light, as shown in FIG. In order to achieve color assimilation with the surrounding portion 151, the fan display portion 150a and the five air volume display portions 150b that emit light and the other portions (the segment surrounding portion 151 and the air volume display portion 150b at the right end of FIG. 2) It becomes clear division display to be classified.

  In this way, the display is divided into two sections, as compared to the case where the display is divided into three parts of the light emitting segment display part, the non-light emitting segment display part (gray color), and the segment peripheral part (black) as in the prior art. The visibility and discrimination of the content are improved, and the display quality is improved.

When a part of the plurality of segment display parts 150 emits light and the other part does not emit light, in Example 1, the black print layer 15c is laminated and printed only on the segment peripheral part 151 on the light source side rear surface of the gray print layer 15b. Yes. For this reason, when the light emitting diode 13 emits light, the setting of the black print layer 15c does not leak light to the segment peripheral portion 151, but only transmits the segment display portion 150, and the light emitting segment has a large brightness difference and clearly appears. Display can be made.
For example, if only the gray print layer is set on the print panel, when the light emitting diode emits light, some light leaks around the segment through the gray print layer, and the segment display part and segment peripheral part are equivalent to the light leak. The brightness difference of becomes smaller.

When a part of the plurality of segment display parts 150 emits light and the other part does not emit light, in Example 1, the smoke color diffusion printing layer 15d is printed on the entire surface of the panel base material 15a opposite to the light source. For this reason, when the light emitting diode 13 emits light, the brightness of the segment display portion that emits light is adjusted to be uniform by the setting of the smoke color diffusion printing layer 15d, and the segment display portion 150 and the segment peripheral portion 151 are adjusted. The outline can be cleared.
For example, if a smoke color diffusion printing layer is not set on the printing panel, the brightness controllability with respect to the incident light from the outside will be low, the luminance of the segment display part that emits light will be uneven, and the segment display part and the segment peripheral part The outline is blurred.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the air volume segment display device 1 of the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.

  (1) By having the light emitting diode 13 and the printing panel 15, when light is emitted, the light from the light emitting diode 13 is transmitted through the segment display portion 150 of the printing panel 15 and the segment peripheral portion 151 of the printing panel 15 is blocked. In the air volume segment display device 1 that performs segment light emission display, the print panel 15 has the same color tone as the print layer of the segment peripheral portion 151 that is visible when external light is incident on the segment display portion 150 when the light emitting diode 13 does not emit light. Since the gray color printed layer 15b has a color tone, it is difficult to recognize the presence of the segment display portion 150 that does not emit light when external light is incident, and when some of the segment display portions 150 emit light, a clear identification display is provided. As a result, the display quality can be improved.

  (2) The gray print layer 15b measures the color tone of the segment display portion 150 when the light emitting diode 13 is not emitting light with a measuring instrument, and determines a print color having an equivalent color tone based on the color tone measurement result. The high level color assimilation can make it difficult to recognize the presence of the segment display portion 150 that does not emit light.

  (3) The printing panel 15 includes a panel base material 15a, a gray color printed layer 15b printed only on the segment peripheral portion 151 on the light source side rear surface of the panel base material 15a, and a light source side rear surface of the gray color printed layer 15b. And the black printed layer 15c that is laminated and printed only on the segment peripheral portion 151, the light does not leak into the segment peripheral portion 151, and the brightness difference between the segment display portion 150 and the segment peripheral portion 151 is increased, so that the light emission clearly appears. Segment display can be performed.

  (4) Since the printing panel 15 has the smoke color diffusion printed layer 15d printed on the entire surface of the panel base material 15a opposite to the light source, the brightness of the light emitting segment display part is adjusted to be uniform. The outlines of the segment display part 150 and the segment peripheral part 151 can be cleared.

  (5) The light source is the light emitting diode 13 provided at the bottom of the opening of the reflector case 12 in which the opening 12a surrounding the segment display portion 150 is formed, and a diffusion sheet is provided between the reflector case 12 and the printing panel 15 Since 14 is set, the brightness and color of light from the light emitting diode 13 which is the backlight of the segment display can be controlled, and each segment display can be adjusted to a uniform brightness.

  As described above, the display device of the present invention has been described based on the first embodiment. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the first embodiment, and the gist of the invention according to each claim of the claims is described. Unless it deviates, design changes and additions are allowed.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which a light emitting diode is used as the light source has been described. However, in addition to the light emitting diode, any other light source may be used as long as it can be used as a light source for segment display, such as a laser diode.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which a gray color print layer is used as the equivalent color print layer has been described. However, any color other than the gray color may be used as long as the color tone can be seen in the state where external light is incident on the segment display unit when no light is emitted from the light source. It may be a printed layer.

  In Example 1, the print panel has a black print layer and a smoke color diffusion print layer, and a preferable example in which a diffusion sheet is set between the reflect case and the print panel is shown. , Smoke color diffusion printing layer, diffusion sheet) is not an essential component, but a part or all of them are omitted, a component that replaces them, or a component added in addition to these It is included in the present invention.

  In short, as long as the printing panel has an equivalent color printing layer with a color tone equivalent to the color tone seen when external light is incident on the segment display portion when the light source is not emitting light as a printing layer around the segment, the embodiment It is not limited to 1.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the display device of the present invention is applied to the air volume segment display device of the centralized operation display unit has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to various display devices that display segments of numbers, characters, figures, and the like. be able to. In short, any display device that has a light source and a print panel, transmits light from the light source through the segment display part of the print panel, and blocks the area around the segment of the print panel when emitting light. it can.

It is a perspective view which shows the concentration operation display unit U to which the air volume segment display apparatus (an example of a display apparatus) of Example 1 was applied. It is a front view which shows an example of the segment air volume display state in the air volume segment display apparatus 1 of Example 1. FIG. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 2 which shows the air volume segment display apparatus 1 of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a print panel of the air volume segment display device 1 according to the first embodiment. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 2 which shows the air volume segment display apparatus of a prior art example. It is sectional drawing which shows the printing panel of the air volume segment display apparatus of a prior art example. It is a front view which shows the segment non-display state in the air volume segment display apparatus of a prior art example. It is a front view which shows the segment non-display state in the air volume segment display apparatus 1 of Example 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

U Centralized operation display unit 1 Air volume segment display device (example of display device)
2 Air-conditioner switch 3 Air volume adjustment dial 11 Unit lower case 12 Reflect case 13 Light-emitting diode (light source)
14 Diffusion sheet 15 Printing panel
150 segment display
151 Segment peripheral portion 15a Panel base material 15b Gray printing layer (equivalent color printing layer)
15c Black printing layer 15d Smoke color diffusion printing layer 15e White partial printing layer 16 Lens

Claims (5)

In a display device that has a light source and a print panel, and emits light from the light source through the segment display portion of the print panel during light emission, and displays the segment light emission by blocking the peripheral portion of the segment of the print panel.
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the print panel has an equivalent color print layer having a color tone equivalent to a color tone seen when external light is incident on the segment display unit when the light source is not emitting light as a print layer around the segment. The display device according to claim 1,
The display device characterized in that the equivalent color print layer measures the color tone of the segment display unit when the light source does not emit light with a measuring instrument, and determines a print color having an equivalent color tone based on the color tone measurement result. The display device according to claim 1 or 2,
The printed panel was laminated and printed only on a panel base material, an equivalent color printed layer printed only on a segment peripheral portion on the light source side rear surface of the panel base material, and a segment peripheral portion on the light source side rear surface of the equivalent color printed layer And a black print layer. The display device according to claim 3,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the printing panel has a smoke color diffusion printing layer printed on the entire surface of the panel substrate opposite to the light source. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The light source is a light emitting diode provided at the bottom position of the opening of the reflect case in which the opening surrounding the segment display portion is formed,
A display device, wherein a diffusion sheet is set between the reflect case and the print panel.

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