JP4867296B2 - LED display and front panel of LED display - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a surface panel of the LED display and LED indicators, for example, to a shape of the shape and the surface panel of the LED indicator of the light guide member.

  Generally, a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as an LED (Light Emitting Diode)) is a display unit or an instruction unit of various cases (the LED is a display unit or an instruction unit mounted on a printed board constituting the case). (For example, adapted to an instrument panel of an automobile), and is turned on or off according to the purpose of use of the casing.

  As means for making the user of the housing (for example, a car driver) confirm (viewing etc.) the LED on and off according to the purpose of use, for example, FIG. 9 and FIG. As shown, a member for guiding light emitted from the LED to the outer peripheral side of the casing (hereinafter referred to as a light guide member), and a display panel through which light guided by the light guide member is transmitted. A means for constituting the LED display by an object that guides the light (hereinafter referred to as a light guide) is employed.

  First, in FIG. 9A (front view; a view from the direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the display panel) and B (cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 9A), reference numeral 100 denotes an LED display. The light guide member 2 for guiding the light emitted from the LED 1 mounted on the printed board 5 to the outer peripheral side of the casing (the casing constituting the printed board 5) (guided in the direction of arrow A in the figure). And a display panel 3 through which the light guided by the light guide member 2 is transmitted.

  The light guide member 2 is formed in accordance with the shape, number, and arrangement position of the LED 1 (in FIG. 9, two LEDs are formed), and is substantially cylindrical (in FIG. 9A) through which light emitted from the LED 1 passes. A member (hereinafter referred to as a light-shielding member) for shielding light so that the light emission of the LED does not interfere with each other at least between each light-guiding hole 2c and a hole (hereinafter referred to as a light-guiding hole) 2c having a substantially rectangular cross section. 2d).

  The display panel 3 includes a member having a high light transmittance (for example, a transparent or translucent member that transmits light emitted from the LED 1), and one end side of each light guide hole 2c in the light guide member 2. The outer peripheral edge of the display panel 3 is covered by the surface panel 4 which is a part of the housing (for example, the display panel 3 is inserted into a hole formed in the surface panel 4). The front panel 4 is, for example, an LED turned on or off guided by the LED display 100 and a function name (a character string indicating the function; printed on the front panel or attached as a nameplate). , Used to display.

  In the LED display 100, a part of each LED 1 (in FIG. 9, the light emitting portion 1a of the LED 1) is inserted into one end side (in FIG. 9, the printed board 5 side) of each light guide hole 2c. The center axis of each light guide hole 2c (the axis in the light guiding direction) and the optical axis of each LED 1 (the center axis of light emission) coincide with each other, and the light emission from each LED 1 is the other end side of each light guide hole 1a. It is comprised so that it can guide to (the outer peripheral side of a housing | casing).

  Next, in FIG. 10A (front view; a view from a direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the display panel) and B (a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 10A), reference numeral 101 denotes an LED display. The light guide member 2 and the display panel 3 are configured in the same manner as in FIG. 9, and light incident from the outside of the LED display (LED1) is shown. Other than natural light, fluorescent light, etc .; hereinafter referred to as external light) and a light guide provided with an auxiliary light shielding member 6 for preventing mutual interference of light emission of each LED 1.

  In the light guide member 2 of FIG. 10, a light guide hole (a hole having a circular cross section) having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the LED light emitting portion 1a is formed. A light guide hole 2c having a shape in which the diameter of the hole gradually increases from the light receiving side toward the outer peripheral side of the housing is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The auxiliary light shielding member 6 is formed on one end side (the printed board 5 side in FIG. 10) of the light guide member 2 according to the number and shape of the LEDs 1 (two LEDs are formed in FIG. 10), and the LED array It arrange | positions so that the light of a direction can be shielded (for example, refer patent document 2 and patent document 3).

  Compared with the LED display 100 in FIG. 9, the LED display 101 in FIG. 10 has a larger distance between the light source LED 1 and the light guide member 2, and mutual interference of light emission of each LED 1 is likely to occur. However, the interference is prevented by providing the auxiliary light shielding member 6 on the light guide member 2.

Further, it can be seen that the light shielding member 2d in FIG. 10 is formed thicker than the light shielding member 2d in FIG. This is because, in FIG. 10, the LED 1 is positioned outside each light guide hole 2c as described above, and the light shielding member 2d can be made thicker than in FIG. 9, and the light shielding member 2d is made thicker. As a result, it is possible to obtain an effect of further attenuating light that is about to pass through the inside of the light shielding member 2d.
JP 2002-11154 (paragraphs [0043] to [0044] and the like). JP-A-5-66722 (paragraphs [0013] to [0015] and the like). JP 2001-242808 (paragraphs [0015] to [0017] etc.)

  In the LED display as described above, for example, since it is necessary to consider the formation, thickness, and LED position of the auxiliary light shielding member, the assembly time of the LED display becomes long, which may increase the manufacturing cost. was there.

  Further, the LED display as described above needs to be formed in conformity with the surface panel or printed board of the target product, and the use of a die suitable for each type of product further increases the manufacturing cost. There was a fear. Furthermore, even if the LED display as described above is manufactured by mechanical (for example, engraving machine) processing, the configuration of the LED display becomes more complicated than that of a general LED display, resulting in high costs. Was inevitable. Such an increase in manufacturing cost is particularly noticeable in small-volume production.

An object of the present invention is to simplify the configuration of an LED display, an LED display and an LED display capable of reducing manufacturing costs without producing a mold for forming the LED display for each small-scale production. It is to provide a surface panel .

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is an LED display, which is provided with a plurality of LEDs and correspondingly spaced apart from each other, and emits light from the LEDs. A light guide that guides light, and the light guide is a transparent or translucent member that transmits light from the LED and is orthogonal to the light guide direction that guides light from the LED. The first light guide member and the second light guide member having a comb-shaped cross section are used, and the comb-shaped protrusion and comb-tooth groove portion of the first light-guide member are respectively connected to the comb-tooth groove portion and comb of the second light-guide member. The occlusal member is formed by occlusal engagement with the tooth protrusion, and the refractive index between the occlusal surface of the first light guide member and the occlusal surface of the second light guide member is smaller than that of the first light guide member. and, by interposing a small medium refractive index than the second light guide member, the first light guide member and the second light guide With respect to one end surface of each comb-teeth protruding portion orthogonal to the light guide direction so that one end surface orthogonal to the light guide direction of each comb tooth protruding portion of the material and the light emitting portion of the LED face each other The LED is provided .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the first light guide member and the second light guide member are end surfaces of the comb protrusions facing the LEDs, A light-receiving surface that receives light from the LED, and a display surface that projects light guided from the light-receiving surface located on the side facing the light-receiving surface in each of the comb tooth protrusions, The occlusal surface in each comb-teeth protruding portion is a light shielding surface in which the incident angle of light guided from the light receiving surface to the first and second light guide members is equal to or greater than a critical angle. .

The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the occlusal surface has a light-shielding surface subjected to surface treatment.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light guide is configured by combining two or more of the occlusion members.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the light receiving surface of the first light guide member and the second light guide member facing the light emitting portion of the LED. A cylindrical protrusion having a surface is provided .

Invention of Claim 6 is a surface panel installed in the display surface of the LED indicator in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5, Comprising: The hole which can visually recognize the light of LED through the said LED indicator is provided. The hole is formed at a position where the central axis of the hole coincides with the optical axis of the LED, and covers at least the occlusal line exposed on the display surface.

  And according to invention of said 1st, the said light guide can be permeate | transmitted and the light from LED can be guided. In addition, in the light incident from the light guide member to the boundary surface formed by the occlusal surface and the medium, light having an incident angle that is a critical angle or more can be totally reflected.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light of the LED is guided through the light receiving surface of each comb-teeth protruding portion into the light guide member, and guided to the display surface facing the light receiving surface. Projected light can be projected. Further, even if light from the LED spreads radially in the light guide member and light reaches the occlusal surface having a light shielding effect, much of the light can be diffusely reflected and attenuated.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light reaching the light shielding surface can be irregularly reflected.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, more light from the LEDs can be guided through the light guide.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the light of the LED is received from the light receiving surface of the protrusion projecting on the LED side, and the amount of light guided into the light guide member is adjusted. The received light (light beam) can be converged or diverged.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even when the occlusal line exposed on the display surface of the occlusal member is covered, the light of the LED can be visually recognized. In addition, it is possible to block external light incident on a portion where the light of the LED reaches on the display surface. Furthermore, the light of the LED projected on the display surface can be guided in the hole formed in the front panel.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the light shielding surface or the light shielding plate formed on the occlusal surface of the occlusal member replaces the light shielding member, reduces the number of parts constituting the LED display, and the LED display. The configuration of can be simplified. Furthermore, as described above, the configuration in which light is transmitted through the member to guide the light has an effect of reducing the display panel from the configuration of the LED display and simplifying the configuration of the entire LED display. Due to these simplifications, it is not necessary to create a mold for each small production volume project, and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the combination of the biting members facilitates the configuration of the LED display having more light emitting units. In addition, the protrusions projecting on the LED side of the comb tooth protrusions project light on the display surface according to the shape of the protrusions. And the said surface panel can make the light of LED projected on the display surface stand out. These can contribute to the field of LED displays.

  Hereinafter, LED displays according to first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, light is guided through a member having a high light transmittance (light transmittance enough to transmit the light of the LED), and light reception by the light guide member. Providing a protrusion on the side and applying light amount control (a diaphragm for the amount of light from the LED) and light flux control (convergence or divergence of the light from the LED) according to the shape of the protrusion The LED display.

  11A (front view; view from a direction in which light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the light guide member) and B (cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 11A) are the LED display according to the present embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the principle of a light guide. Reference numeral 2 in FIG. 11 denotes a surface (hereinafter referred to as a light receiving surface) 10 that receives light emitted from the LED 1 and a surface that projects light incident from the light receiving surface 10 into the light guide member 2 (hereinafter referred to as a light receiving surface). (Referred to as a display surface) 9, and the light receiving surface 10 is disposed so as to face the light emitting portion of the LED 1. The light emitted from the LED 1 (point light source) is received by the light receiving surface 10 (for example, the light receiving surface 10 is a surface formed perpendicular to the light guide direction (arrow A direction in FIG. 11B)). Although the light is guided to the inside of the light guide member 2, since the LED 1 is a point light source, the guided light emission spreads radially (without going straight with directivity). For this reason, not all of the light emitted from the LED 1 is incident on the inside of the light guide member 2, and there is light that is irregularly reflected (symbol α in FIG. 11B).

  In the case of FIG. 11, light that has entered the light guide member 2 from the LED 1 passes through the light guide member 2 and faces the light receiving surface 10 (for example, with respect to the light receiving surface 10). And the light reaching the side surface of the light guide member 2 due to the spread of the light. The light reaching the display surface 9 is projected onto the display surface 9 to brighten the display surface 9.

  On the other hand, light that has passed through the inside of the light guide member 2 and reached the side surface of the light guide member 2 travels from a medium having a high refractive index (the light guide member 2) to a medium having a low refractive index (air). Therefore, light whose incident angle is greater than the critical angle is reflected into the light guide member 2 at the boundary surface (the boundary surface formed by the light guide member 2 and the air around the light guide member 2). The light whose incident angle is smaller than the critical angle passes through the boundary surface and is emitted out of the light guide member 2. Therefore, depending on the relationship between the incident angle and the critical angle, the light emitted to the outside of the light guide member 2 (symbol γ1 in FIG. 11B) and the light attenuated while being irregularly reflected inside the light guide member 2 (in FIG. 11B). Γ2), and most of the light indicated by γ2 is diffusely reflected and attenuated. That is, the surface of the light guide member 2 where the incident angle of light is equal to or greater than the critical angle functions as a surface having a light shielding effect (reference numeral 7 in FIG. 11B; hereinafter referred to as a light shielding surface).

  Next, the principle of light quantity control and light flux control in the LED display of this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 12A (front view; view from the direction in which the light emission of the LED can be seen through the light guide member), B (FIG. 12A). Will be described based on a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. Detailed descriptions of the same components as those in FIG. 11 are omitted. A projection 2g for controlling the light flux from the LED 1 is provided on the light receiving side of the light guide member 2 in FIG. 12, and the light receiving surface 10 is formed on the tip surface of the projection 2g. Yes.

  As in FIG. 11, the light from the LED 1 is received by the light receiving surface 10 and guided to the inside of the light guide member 2. Depending on the size of the area of the light receiving surface 10, The amount of light incident on the light guide surface is adjusted (that is, the light receiving surface 10 has a function of reducing the amount of light incident on the light guide member 2). Furthermore, the light from the LED 1 converges or diverges according to the shape of the protrusion 2g and is projected on the display surface 9. For example, since the protrusion 2g in FIG. 12 is cylindrical, light is focused in a circular shape that is the shape of the bottom surface of the cylindrical shape, and a path (hereinafter referred to as a light guide path) through which the light is guided is cylindrical. It is formed (formed at the portion between the three-dot chain lines indicated by reference numeral 8 in FIG. 12). Further, when the light receiving surface 10 is formed as a curved surface having a convex lens shape on one side, the light beam is converged in a conical shape, and a conical light guide path 8 ′ is formed (a portion between the three-dot chain lines indicated by reference numeral 8 ′ in FIG. 12). May be formed).

  On the other hand, out of the light guided from the LED 1 in FIG. 12 through the air (air between the LED 1 and the light receiving surface 10) and guided into the protrusion 2g, the surface indicated by reference numeral 7a in FIG. The light that has reached the surface other than the light receiving surface 10 on the light receiving side of the optical member 2 is reflected and attenuated because the surface 7a is formed at an angle that reflects light incident from the light guide direction. That is, the surface 7a in FIG. 12 also functions as a light shielding surface. In addition, when a surface treatment is performed such that fine irregularities are formed on the surface of the surface 7a (a large number of irregularities with a small wavelength of light are formed on the light-shielding surface), irregular reflection of light reaching the light-shielding surface is caused. It is also possible to increase the light shielding effect. In addition, since the surface shown by the code | symbol 7b is the same light shielding surface as the surface 7 in FIG. 11 with respect to the light which permeate | transmits the said light guide member 2 and reaches | attains this surface 7b, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

The first to fourth embodiments of the present invention are based on the principle as described above, and FIG. 1A (front view; view from the direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through each light guide member), B ( Front view: Drawing of occlusal member engaged with each light guide member), C (transverse cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 1B), a light guide for guiding the light of LED 1 is provided. The light guide is a transparent or translucent member that can transmit light from the LED 1 and has a comb-like cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the light guide direction (direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1). Using the formed light guide member 2a and light guide member 2b, the comb-like protrusions (hereinafter referred to as comb-teeth protrusions) 2aa of the light guide member 2a, the comb-like grooves (hereinafter referred to as combs) A bite formed by mutually engaging 2ab, the comb tooth groove part 2bb of the light guide member 2b, and the comb tooth protrusion part 2ba. Relates LED indicator, characterized in that it is constituted by a member 2e (resulting in occlusion line 2f as in FIG. 1B). In the LED display, the front panel covers at least the occlusal line 2f of the occlusal member 2e.

[First Embodiment]
2A (front view; view from a direction in which light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the light guide member), B (cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2A), C (light guide member 2a in FIG. 2B) Or the side view of 2b) is the schematic for demonstrating the LED indicator which is an example of this 1st Embodiment. In FIG. 2B, the light guide direction is the direction from the light source toward the outer periphery of the housing (the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2B). Further, in FIG. 2C, a light guide path from the light receiving surface toward the display surface of the light guide member (drawn by a perpendicular line from the outer peripheral edge of the light receiving surface to the display surface of the light guide member (the outer peripheral surface is drawn). The optical path is indicated by reference numeral 8 (the portion between the three-dot chain lines in FIG. 2C). Further, reference numeral 1 denotes an LED (six LEDs in FIG. 2), and reference numeral 5 denotes a printed board, which is the same as that shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.

  Reference numeral 102 in FIG. 2 indicates an LED display, and a light guide is constituted by an occlusion member 2e formed by occlusion of the light guide members 2a and 2b. Further, the outer peripheral edge of the LED display 102 is covered with the surface panel 4 which is a part of the housing (for example, the LED display 102 is fitted into a hole formed in the surface panel 4).

The light guide members 2a and 2b in FIG. 2 are made of a material having a high light transmittance as described in FIG. 1, and the cross section perpendicular to the light guide direction is formed in a comb-teeth shape (in FIG. 2). Is formed in a rectangular comb-like shape, and the light emitted from the LED 1 is guided to the outer peripheral side of the casing (the casing constituting the printed board 5 in FIG. 2) (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2B). To guide light). For example, the comb-teeth protrusions 2aa and 2ba of the light guide members 2a and 2b are formed in the same shape, and the total number of the comb-teeth protrusions 2aa and 2ba is equal to the number of LEDs 1. To. Further, the total number of the comb-teeth protruding portions 2aa and 2ba is 2N (N is a natural number).

  The light receiving surface 10 in FIG. 2 is formed on the light receiving side of the comb-teeth protruding portions 2aa and 2ba, and is formed, for example, so that the surface is substantially flat and perpendicular to the light guide direction. . A display surface 9 substantially parallel to the light receiving surface 10 is formed on the opposite side of the light receiving surface 10 in each of the light guide members 2a and 2b.

  In the light guide members 2a and 2b in FIG. 2, the occlusal surface 11 of each comb-teeth protruding portion 2aa and 2ba has an incident angle of light guided from the light receiving surface 10 to the light guide members 2a and 2b. Is a surface having a critical angle or more, and has a light shielding effect (light shielding surface) capable of preventing mutual interference of light between adjacent light guide paths 8. In addition, when the surface treatment which forms fine unevenness | corrugation in the surface of the occlusal surface 11 (a lot of small unevenness | corrugation about the wavelength of light is formed in a light shielding surface) is performed, the irregular reflection regarding the light which reaches the light shielding surface It is also possible to increase the light shielding effect.

  In general, the light of the LED 1 does not simply pass through the light guide members 2a and 2b along the light guide path 8 and go straight in the direction of the display surface 9, but radially toward the display surface 9. Progress while spreading. For this reason, when the light guide member without the light shielding surface is configured, light interference may occur between the adjacent light guide paths 8.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the light guide is formed so that the incident angle of light reaching the occlusal surface 11 of the light guide members 2a and 2b is equal to or greater than the critical angle, and the occlusion of the light guide member 2a Between the surface 11 and the occlusal surface 11 of the light guide member 2b, a medium (air in this embodiment) having a refractive index smaller than that of the light guide member 2a and smaller than that of the light guide member 2b is interposed. Thus, the occlusal surface 11 can function as a light shielding surface. Thereby, as described above, even if light from the LED spreads radially in the light guide member and reaches the occlusal surface 11, much of the light is diffusely reflected and attenuated.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, unlike the LED display as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the light of the light guide member itself can be obtained without forming the light guide hole in the light guide member. The light is guided by transmitting light emitted from the LED to the inside of the light guide member using transparency. Further, since the occlusal surface functions as a light blocking surface, mutual interference of light emission of LEDs can be prevented without forming a light blocking member or an auxiliary light blocking member on the light guide member. Further, the number of parts is reduced compared with the LED display as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (the display panel is compared with the LED display 100 in FIG. 9, and the display panel and the auxiliary are compared with the LED display 101 in FIG. 10). The amount of the light shielding member is reduced), and the configuration of the LED display can be simplified.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the LED display as an example of the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3A (front view; a view from the direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the light guide member), B (CC line in FIG. 3A). ), And C (side view of the light guide member 2a or 2b in FIG. 3B). In FIG. 3B, the light guide direction is the direction from the light source toward the outer periphery of the housing (the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3B). In FIG. 3C, the light guide is a portion drawn by a three-dot chain line indicated by reference numeral 8. Reference numeral 1 denotes an LED (six LEDs in FIG. 3), which are the same as those shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.

  Reference numeral 103 in FIG. 3 denotes an LED display. Like the LED display 102, a light guide is constituted by an occlusal member 2e formed by engaging comb-shaped light guide members 2a and 2b. It is a thing. Further, the outer peripheral edge of the LED display 103 is covered with a surface panel 4 which is a part of the casing.

  A cylindrical protrusion 2g protrudes from the light receiving side of each of the comb-teeth protrusions 2aa and 2ba of the light guide members 2a and 2b in FIG. A surface 10 is formed. The cylindrical protrusion 2g is formed, for example, such that the total number of the cylindrical protrusions 2g in the light guide members 2a and 2b is equal to the number of LEDs 1, and the light guide members 2a and 2b have the same shape. In this case, the number of the cylindrical protrusions 2g is 2N (N is a natural number). On the opposite side of the light receiving surface 10 formed on the light guide members 2a and 2b, a display surface 9 substantially parallel to the light receiving surface 10 is formed. And the surface (surface shown by the code | symbol 7a in FIG. 3C) except the said light-receiving surface 10 in the light-receiving side of the said light guide members 2a and 2b, and the occlusal surface 11 in the said light guide members 2a and 2b function as a light-shielding surface. To do.

  In FIG. 3, the surface of the light receiving surface 10 is substantially flat and perpendicular to the light guide direction, and the center of each light receiving surface 10 and each LED. The light emitting portions 1a are formed so that the optical axis directions thereof coincide with each other. The diameter of each light receiving surface 10 is preferably set to be the same length as the diameter of the light emitting portion 1a of each LED.

  A surface (side surface 7) functioning as a light shielding surface in the light guide members 2a and 2b in FIG. 3 passes through a space (air in this embodiment) and the light receiving surface 10 on the light receiving side of the light guide members 2a and 2b. A surface 7a for preventing interference between the light of the LED 1 incident on the surface except the light and the light transmitted through the light guide members 2a and 2b, and a surface for preventing mutual interference of light between the adjacent light guide paths 8 (the comb And the occlusal surfaces 11) of the tooth protrusions 2aa and 2ba. As described above, the light guide member having the surface 7a functioning as the light shielding surface and the occlusal surface 11 has the light from the LED 1 radially spread inside and outside the light guide members 2a and 2b as described above. Even if light reaching the occlusal surface 11 is generated, most of the light is diffusely reflected and attenuated.

  In the printed board 5 in FIG. 3, a hole having the same diameter as the light emitting portion 1 a of the LED (reference numeral 5 a in FIG. 3B; the hole is referred to as an LED hole) is formed between the LED 1 and the LED display 103. The same number of LEDs 1 are drilled with respect to the position between them. The printed circuit board 5 has a light receiving side surface of the printed circuit board 5 perpendicular to the light guide direction, the center axis of the LED hole 5a formed in the printed circuit board 5, and the optical axis of the LED 1. Is placed at the position where they match. In the LED hole 5a, a transparent or translucent plate-like member having the same shape as the LED hole 5a may be inserted.

  Next, regarding the front panel for improving the design of the LED display 103, FIG. 4A (front view; view from the direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the light guide member), B (CC in FIG. 4A) A cross-sectional view taken along the line will be described. Detailed descriptions of the same components as those in FIG. 3 are omitted.

  The surface panel 4 in FIG. 4 has a hole (hereinafter referred to as LED display hole) 4a having a diameter larger than the diameter of the light emitting portion 1a, and the center axis of the LED display hole 4a is the optical axis of the light emitting portion 1a. For example, the same number as the number of the LEDs 1 is drilled. The front panel 4 has an occlusal line 2f (broken rectangular wave shape in FIG. 4A) exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing in the occlusal member 2e in FIG. 4 (indicated by a broken rectangle in FIG. 4A). It is installed to cover.

  As described above, in the light guide member according to the second embodiment, the light incident from the light receiving surface 10 is narrowed by the cylindrical protrusion 2g, so that each of the light guide members is displayed on the display surface 9. It is possible to project substantially circular light corresponding to the LED 1 (near the broken circle in FIG. 3A).

  In addition, unlike the printed boards in FIGS. 9 and 10, the printed board in the second embodiment is not fitted with the LED on the board surface, and the central axis of the printed board is the LED. A light guide member having a light shielding function (ie, the printed board forms a light shielding plate) is formed by disposing a hole having a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the light receiving surface at a predetermined distance from the LED. LED light reaching other than the light receiving surface is reduced. Thus, providing the printed board with a light-shielding function is also a factor in reducing the number of components.

  And since the surface panel in FIG. 4 in this 2nd Embodiment blocks external light, it can make the light of LED projected on the display surface stand out. Furthermore, the light of the LED projected on the display surface is guided in the hole formed in the front panel, and the light of the LED can be made more prominent.

  Moreover, since the surface panel in FIG. 4 covers the occlusion line exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing in the occlusion member, the design property equivalent to the LED display in FIG. 9 (so that the occlusion line is not visually recognized). Design).

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an LED display as an example of the third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5A (front view; a view from a direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the light guide member), B (CC line in FIG. 5A). Will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 is an LED (12 LEDs in FIG. 5), and reference numeral 5 is a printed board (printed board having 12 LED holes 5a in FIG. 5). Since they are the same, detailed description is omitted.

  The LED display 104 in FIG. 5 is configured to occlude two sets of light guide members 2a and 2b to form two occlusion members 2e, and the two occlusion members 2e constitute a light guide. . Furthermore, each said occlusal member 2e is comprised so that the light-receiving surface 10 of those each occlusal member 2e may be located in 1 linear form.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, it is possible to easily configure an LED display having a larger number of LED light emitting portions 1a than the LED displays in FIGS.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, the LED display as an example of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A (front view; a view from the direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the light guide member) and B (CC line in FIG. 6A). Will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 is an LED (three LEDs in FIG. 6), and reference numeral 5 is a printed board (printed board in which three LED holes 5a are formed in FIG. 6). Since they are the same, detailed description is omitted.

  In the LED display 106 in FIG. 6, the light guide member 2a and the light guide member 2b formed in different shapes are engaged to form an occlusion member 2e, and the occlusion member constitutes a light guide. is there. The light guide member 2a has one light receiving surface 10 and the light guide member 2b has two light receiving surfaces 10. When the occlusal surface 2e is formed, the light guide member 10 has three light receiving surfaces 10 (that is, odd numbers). A light body is formed.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to easily configure an odd-numbered LED display with LED light emitting portions.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail only for the specific examples described above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Such variations and modifications are naturally within the scope of the claims.

For example, FIG. 7A (a front view; a view from the direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the light guide member) and B (cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. 7A), which are modifications of the second embodiment. Like the LED display 103 ′ shown in the figure), the light guide members 2′a and 2 ′ having a comb-teeth shape having a sine waveform (reference numeral 2′f in FIG. 7) in a cross section perpendicular to the light guide direction . You may comprise by b. Even when the light guide members 2'a and 2'b are used, the occlusion member 2'e can be formed by occlusion, and the comb teeth protrusions of the light guide members 2'a and 2'b can be formed. Light incident from the tip surface (light receiving surface 10 ′) of the cylindrical protrusion 2 ′ g formed on 2 ′ aa and 2 ′ ba can be projected onto the display surface 9. Note that reference numerals 1 and 5 in FIG. 7 are the same as those in FIG.

  Furthermore, FIG. 8A (front view; a view from the direction in which the light emission of the LED can be visually recognized through the light guide member) and B (along line CC in FIG. 8A), which are other modifications of the second embodiment. As in the LED display 105 constituted by the light guide members 2'a and 2'b shown in the cross-sectional view), it has the same shape as the cylindrical protrusion 2g in FIG. Even when the cylindrical protrusion 2′g having the light receiving surface 10 ′ is protruded, the light beam from the LED 1 can be converged by the light receiving surface 10 ′ and displayed on the display surface 9. That is, by converging the light flux as described above, a conical light guide path 8 ′ (a portion between the three-dot chain lines in FIG. 8B) is formed inside the light guide members 2′a and 2′b. . Note that reference numerals 1, 5, and 9 in FIG. 8 are the same as those in FIG.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the refractive index between the occlusal surface 11 of the light guide member 2a and the occlusal surface 11 of the light guide member 2b as shown in FIG. 1 is smaller than that of the light guide member 2a, and The occlusal surface 11 can also function as a light shielding surface by interposing an adhesive having a refractive index smaller than that of the light guide member 2b as a medium.

  In addition, as a material to which the light guide member described in this embodiment is applied, various materials (for example, plastic resins) may be used as appropriate as long as desired transmittance, refractive index, and the like can be imparted. good.

Schematic which shows an example of the light guide member in this Embodiment. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the LED display in this 1st Embodiment. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the LED display in this 2nd Embodiment. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the surface panel in this 2nd Embodiment. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the LED display in this 3rd Embodiment. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the LED display in this 4th Embodiment. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the LED display in this 2nd Embodiment. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows the other modification of the LED display in this 2nd Embodiment. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of a general LED display. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a general LED indicator. The principle figure of the light guide in the LED display of this Embodiment. The principle figure of control of the light quantity in the LED display of this Embodiment, and control of a light beam.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a ... LED light emission part 2, 2a, 2b, 2'a, 2'b ... Light guide member 2aa, 2ba, 2'aa, 2'ba ... Comb protrusion part 2ab, 2bb ... Comb groove part 2c ... Light guide Hole 2d: Shading member 2e, 2'e ... Occlusion member 2f, 2'f ... Occlusion line 2g, 2'g ... Projection 3 ... Display panel 4 ... Front panel 4a ... LED display hole 5 ... Print board 5a ... LED Hole 6 ... Auxiliary light shielding member 7, 7a, 7b ... Light shielding surface 8, 8 '... Light guide 9 ... Display surface 10, 10' ... Light receiving surface 11 ... Occlusal surface 100, 101, 102, 103, 103 ', 104, 105, 106 ... LED display α, β, γ1, γ2 ... Light

Claims (6)

A plurality of LEDs;
A light guide that is provided correspondingly to the LED and guides light from the LED , and
The light guide is a transparent or translucent member through which light from the LED is transmitted, and a first light guide having a comb-teeth shape in a cross section perpendicular to the light guide direction for guiding the light from the LED. A member and a second light guide member are used, and the first light guide member is configured by an occlusal member formed by engaging the comb tooth protruding portion and the comb tooth groove portion with the comb light groove portion and the comb tooth protruding portion of the second light guide member, respectively. And
Between the occlusal surface of the first light guide member and the occlusal surface of the second light guide member, the refractive index is smaller than that of the first light guide member and the refractive index is smaller than that of the second light guide member. Through the medium ,
The one end surface of each comb tooth protrusion of each of the first light guide member and the second light guide member orthogonal to the light guide direction and the light emitting part of the LED face each other. The LED display, wherein each of the LEDs is provided on one end surface orthogonal to the light guide direction . The first light guide member and the second light guide member are end surfaces of the comb-tooth projecting portions facing the LEDs, and a light-receiving surface that receives light from the LEDs , and the comb teeth. And a display surface that projects light guided from the light receiving surface located on the side of the protruding portion facing the light receiving surface,
The occlusal surface in each of the comb tooth protrusions is a light shielding surface in which the incident angle of light guided from the light receiving surface to the first and second light guide members is greater than or equal to a critical angle. The LED display according to claim 1. The LED display according to claim 1 , wherein the occlusal surface has a light-shielding surface subjected to surface treatment. 4. The LED display according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is configured by combining two or more of the occlusion members. 5. A cylindrical protrusion having a light receiving surface facing the light emitting portion of the LED is provided on the light receiving surfaces of the first light guide member and the second light guide member.
The LED display according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein It is a surface panel installed in the display surface of the LED display in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5 , Comprising: The hole which can visually recognize the light of LED through the said LED display is the center axis | shaft of this hole A surface panel of an LED display, which is formed at a position coinciding with an optical axis of the LED and covers at least an occlusal line exposed on the display surface.

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