JP7336675B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to display devices.

FIG. 12 shows an information display device 100 described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. The information display device 100 has a rectangular hole formed in a housing 101 constituting the outermost surface and having a size equal to or smaller than the display range of the liquid crystal panel 102, so that the information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 102 can be visually recognized from the outside. It is a configuration that can be used.

JP 2010-261978 A

The information display device of Patent Literature 1 still has room for improvement in terms of improving designability.

A display device of the present disclosure includes a display unit provided on a surface of a main body case for displaying information, a heat source layer laminated on the display unit, and a design layer laminated on the heat source layer, wherein the design The layer contains a material whose light transmittance changes with temperature changes, and has a light transmittance changing region whose light transmittance changes following the temperature change of the heat source layer, and a light transmittance changing region along the periphery of the light transmittance changing region. , and a gradation area in which the light transmittance changes in a gradation manner.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a display device with improved design.

1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a display device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing design layers of the display device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a heat source layer of the display device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of the display device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of the display device of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a heat source layer of the display device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing design layers of the display device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a fourth embodiment; It is a figure which shows the information display apparatus of the patent document 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the conventional display apparatus.

(Circumstances leading to this disclosure)
Due to the diversification of customer tastes, a wide range of design expressions are required, and designs with high design quality are required.

However, in the information display device 100 of Patent Literature 1, the housing 101 and the liquid crystal panel 102 are composed of separate parts, so regardless of whether the liquid crystal panel 102 is lit or not, the boundary between them is easily recognized from the outside. put away. As a result, there is a problem that designability is deteriorated.

Further, the conventional information display device 200 shown in FIG. It has a boundary portion 203 between it and the decorative portion 202 . By applying a gradation that gradually becomes transparent from an arbitrary color to the boundary part 203, when information is displayed in the information display range 201, the boundary between the information display range 201 and the decoration part 202 is displayed in a gradation pattern. . In this manner, when information is displayed in the information display range 201 in the information display device 200, the surroundings are expressed in a gradation pattern. However, when no information is displayed in the information display range 201, the presence of the information display range 201 is easily recognized because the design of the information display range 201 and the decorative portion 202 are different. As a result, there is a problem that designability is deteriorated.

There are also information display devices using natural materials such as natural wood. However, in the case of designs using natural materials, it is difficult to express the boundary between the information display part such as the liquid crystal panel and the natural material in a gradation pattern, and the boundary between the information display part and the natural material is easily recognized from the outside. end up

For example, these information display devices may be installed in vehicles as in-vehicle equipment. When the driver moves his/her line of sight, even if no information is displayed in the information display range, the presence of the information is easily recognized by the driver, so the driver may pay attention to the information display range. be. As a result, the driver's safety confirmation may be delayed.

Accordingly, the present inventors studied a display device for solving these problems, and devised the following configuration.

A display device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a display unit provided on a surface of a main body case for displaying information, a heat source layer laminated on the display unit, and a design layer laminated on the heat source layer. The design layer includes a material whose light transmittance changes with changes in temperature, a light transmittance change area whose light transmittance changes in accordance with the temperature change of the heat source layer, and the light transmittance change area. A gradation area in which the light transmittance changes in a gradation manner is formed along the outer periphery.

With such a configuration, designability can be improved.

The substance whose light transmittance changes according to the temperature change may include a thermochromic material.

With such a configuration, it is possible to select display/non-display of information by changing the light transmittance according to a change in temperature. can be done.

The material whose light transmittance changes according to the temperature change may be included in the design layer at a rate of more than 5% and less than 80% of the volume of the design layer.

With such a configuration, it is possible to change the light transmittance following temperature changes without impairing the design of the design layer.

The heat source layer has a temperature change portion that generates a temperature change, and a temperature gradual change portion that is provided along the outer periphery of the temperature change portion and gradually changes in temperature, and in the light transmittance change region, The light transmittance may change following the temperature change of the temperature change section, and the light transmittance may change following the temperature change of the temperature gradual change section in the gradation area.

With such a configuration, the light transmittance can be changed stepwise, so that the design can be improved.

The heat source layer may have a plurality of temperature change sections and a plurality of temperature gradual change sections.

With such a configuration, a plurality of pieces of information can be displayed.

Furthermore, a contact-type or non-contact-type temperature change control device may be provided for controlling the plurality of temperature change units.

With such a configuration, information can be displayed at an arbitrary location.

The design layer may have a natural material layer containing at least one of natural materials such as wood, stone, cork, cloth, paper, and leather.

With such a configuration, it is possible to further improve the designability.

A surface of the design layer facing the heat source layer may be provided with a transmitted light adjusting layer for adjusting the amount of light or the diffusion of light from the display unit.

With such a configuration, the amount of light or diffusion of light can be adjusted, and good image quality of the information display section can be obtained.

The natural material layer may contain wood, and the natural material layer may be impregnated with an organic resin having a molecular weight of 100 or more and 50000 or less.

With such a configuration, new functionality can be imparted.

The natural material layer may contain wood, cork, or leather, and the natural material layer may be decolorized by removing some components of the natural material layer.

With such a configuration, new functionality and appearance can be imparted.

The natural material layer may contain wood, and a material such as a coloring pigment, a dye, a flame retardant, or a fluorescent paint may be added inside or on the surface of the natural material layer.

With such a configuration, new functionality and appearance can be imparted.

The design layer may have a touch-type operation control device, and the operation control device may control the display unit.

With such a configuration, it is possible to control the display unit by inputting a signal from the outside.

The design layer may have a non-contact operation control device, and the operation control device may control the display unit.

With such a configuration, it is possible to control the display unit by inputting a signal from the outside.

The design layer has a contact-type first operation control device and a non-contact-type second operation control device, and the first operation control device and the second control device respectively control operations on the display unit. may be assigned.

With such a configuration, it is possible to control the display unit by inputting a signal from the outside.

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a display device 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA when cutting from the design layer 2 in FIG. 1 toward the body case 5. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of design layer 2 of FIG. 4 is a plan view of the heat source layer of FIG. 2. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this display device 1 includes a design layer 2, a heat source layer 3, a display unit 4, and a body case 5. FIG. A display unit 4 , a heat source layer 3 and a design layer 2 are laminated in this order on a body case 5 . The design layer 2 and the heat source layer 3 are in close contact with each other or bonded with an adhesive material having a high thermal conductivity, and the heat generated in the heat source layer 3 is efficiently conducted to the design layer 2 .

The design layer 2 contains a substance whose light transmittance changes according to temperature changes from the outside. Substances whose light transmittance changes in response to external temperature changes include, for example, bianthrons, spirooxazines, spiropyrans, salicyldenanilines, and metal inorganic materials such as vanadium dioxide. Chromic materials can be used. Substances whose light transmittance changes in response to temperature changes from the outside are mixed with water, polymer resins such as polyethylene glycol, or solvents such as organic solvents, and are mixed with a general method such as coating or impregnation. It can be contained in the design layer 2.

The design layer 2 is formed with an information display portion 6 that displays information from the display unit 4 by changing the light transmittance following the temperature change of the heat source layer 3 . For example, when the heat source layer 3 raises the temperature, the information display section 6 displays information from the display unit 4 . The information display section 6 is provided to display the information displayed on the display unit 4 on the design layer 2 so as to be visible from the outside.

It is preferable that the material whose light transmittance changes according to the temperature change from the outside is contained in the design layer 2 at a rate of more than 5% and less than 80% of the volume of the design layer 2 . When the volume of the material whose light transmittance changes in response to temperature changes from the outside is 5% or less of the volume of the design layer 2, the change in light transmittance with respect to temperature changes is small, and the information display section 6 displays It is difficult to visibly display the information from the unit 4 . Further, when the volume of the material whose light transmittance changes in response to temperature changes from the outside is 80% or more of the volume of the design layer 2, the material whose light transmittance changes in response to temperature changes is the design layer. There is a possibility that the texture of the material used for 2 will be spoiled.

Moreover, the design layer 2 has an exterior design 7, which is a decoration visible from the outside, on its front surface or back surface, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the design layer 2 has a wood grain pattern as the exterior design 7 . Note that the exterior design 7 is not limited to the wood grain pattern, and various designs can be adopted.

In the design layer 2, a decorative gradation portion 11 in which the light transmittance changes in a gradation manner is formed along the outer circumference of the information display portion. The decorative gradation part 11 follows the temperature change of the heat source layer 3 and the light transmittance changes in gradation.

The information display portion 6 corresponds to the "light transmittance changing area" in claim 1 of the present disclosure, and the decorative gradation portion 11 corresponds to the "gradation area" in claim 1 of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the heat source layer 3 includes an outer peripheral portion 8 , a temperature changing portion 9 and a temperature gradually changing portion 10 . The temperature changing section 9 changes the temperature by generating heat. Also, the temperature change section 9 can be formed by, for example, arranging a transparent heater on the heat source layer 3 . Also, the temperature change portion 9 can be formed by heating with near infrared rays or far infrared rays. In order to conduct heat efficiently, a layer having optimal high thermal conductivity or heat retaining function may be provided on the rear surface of the design layer 2 .

The outer peripheral portion 8 is provided around the temperature changing portion 9 . The outer peripheral portion 8 is made of a material to which the heat of the temperature changing portion 9 is difficult to conduct.

The temperature gradual change portion 10 is provided between the temperature change portion 9 and the outer peripheral portion 8 . Specifically, the temperature gradual change portion 10 is provided along the outer periphery of the temperature change portion 9 . The temperature gradual change portion 10 is formed of a member whose thermal conductivity changes from the temperature change portion 9 toward the outer peripheral portion 8 .

The temperature gradual change section 10 undergoes a temperature change as the heat generated in the temperature change section 9 is conducted. Specifically, the temperature gradual change section 10 generates a temperature change such that the temperature on the temperature change section 9 side gradually increases or decreases due to the heat generated in the temperature change section 9 . That is, in the temperature gradual change portion 10, there is a temperature change such that the temperature increases or decreases stepwise or continuously from the inner peripheral end portion 10a of the temperature gradual change portion 10 toward the outer peripheral end portion 10b. Occur. By generating a temperature change such that the temperature near the inner peripheral end 10a of the temperature gradually changing portion 10 is close to the temperature of the temperature changing portion 9, and the temperature near the outer peripheral end 10b is close to the temperature of the outer peripheral portion 8, The temperature distribution from the temperature changing portion 9 to the outer peripheral portion 8 becomes gradation. Since the temperature gradual change section 10 is provided, when the temperature change occurs in the temperature change section 9, as shown in FIG. A decorative gradation portion 11 having a low light transmittance is formed at the end.

When the temperature of the heat source layer 3 does not change, the light transmittance of the design layer 2 is 0%, and the information displayed by the display unit 4 is blocked by the exterior design 7 of the design layer 2 and is not visible from the outside. , only the exterior design 7 applied to the design layer 2 is visible. On the other hand, for example, when heat is generated in the heat source layer 3 to cause a temperature change, the generated heat is conducted to the design layer 2, and the light in the area of the design layer 2 overlapping the area where the temperature change of the heat source layer 3 occurs. Increases transmittance. As a result, the information displayed on the display unit 4 is transmitted through the design layer 2, so that the information can be visually recognized from the outside. That is, when heat is generated in the heat source layer 3 , the light transmittance of a portion of the design layer 2 increases, and the information displayed on the display unit 4 is displayed on the information display section 6 .

By adjusting the heat of the heat source layer 3, it is possible to arbitrarily select whether to display the exterior design 7 or to display information on the information display section 6 by the display unit 4 when viewed from the outside.

The display unit 4 can employ, for example, an LED light pattern, 1seg, liquid crystal, OLED, or the like. The main body case 5 is made of resin, for example, and is a case that houses the design layer 2 , the heat source layer 3 , and the display unit 4 .

The positions and sizes of the temperature changing section 9 and the temperature gradually changing section 10 can be changed arbitrarily. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a small temperature change section 9 may be arranged near the edge of the heat source layer 3 . In this way, as shown in FIG. 6, the size of the information display portion 6 formed in the design layer 2 is smaller than the size of the design layer 2, and the wood grain design can be made more conspicuous. can.

According to the display device 1 of the present disclosure, when information is displayed on the information display section 6, the information display section 6 and the surrounding exterior design 7 are expressed in a gradation manner, and the information display section 6 and the exterior design By improving the sense of unity with 7, high designability can be realized. Further, when information is not displayed on the information display portion 6, the information display portion 6 can be hidden by the design layer 2. - 特許庁

(Modification)
7 and 8 show a modification of this embodiment. The heat source layer 31 has two temperature change portions 19
and two temperature gradual change sections 20 . Therefore, two information display portions 16 and two decorative gradation portions 17 are formed in the design layer 21 . Note that the temperature changing section 19 and the temperature gradually changing section 20 may be provided in any shape, size, position, and number. A decorative gradation portion 17 is formed on the outer circumference of the information display portion 16 of the design layer 21 by providing the temperature gradually changing portion 20 on the outer circumference of each temperature changing portion 19 .

At this time, each temperature change section 19 can be individually heated by providing a temperature change control device. By doing so, the information display portion 16 is formed at a position interlocked with the distribution of the heated temperature change portion 19 of the design layer 21, and at a position interlocked with the unheated temperature change portion 19 of the design layer 21 , the information display section 16 is hidden and the exterior design 7 is displayed.

A contact type or non-contact type temperature change control device, such as a transparent film heater or a near-infrared sheet, can be employed. The temperature change control device controls each temperature change section 19 to generate individual temperature changes. By interlocking the distribution of the information display units 16 and the layout of the information displayed on the display unit 4, it is possible to display a plurality of pieces of information at arbitrary locations. In this way, it is possible to display only the necessary information at the necessary place, and by expressing it in combination with the gradation effect of the outer circumference of the information display section 16, it is possible to obtain a more luxurious feeling. Furthermore, safety can be improved.

(Embodiment 2)
A display device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that in the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or equivalent configurations as in the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, the description overlapping with the first embodiment is omitted.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the display device 1a of the present disclosure.

The display device 1a of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the design layer 22 includes the natural material sheet 12 and the transmitted light adjusting layer 14 .

As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the design layer 22 includes a natural material sheet 12, a transparent base layer 13, and a transmitted light adjusting layer .

The design layer 22 is formed by providing the natural material sheet 12 on the upper surface of the transparent base layer 13 made of resin or glass.

The natural material sheet 12 is made of a material including at least one of natural materials such as wood, stone, cork, cloth, paper (Japanese paper), and leather. When no temperature change occurs in the heat source layer 3, the color and appearance derived from natural materials can be visually recognized. In addition, in the present embodiment, the natural material sheet corresponds to the "natural material layer" of the present disclosure.

The transparent base layer 13 is for transmitting light from the display unit 4 to form an information display portion on the natural material sheet 12 .

The transmitted light adjusting layer 14 is provided on the surface of the design layer 22 facing the heat source layer 3, and adjusts light transmittance or light diffusion. That is, the transmitted light adjusting layer 14 adjusts the amount of light or diffusion of light from the display unit 4 .

Note that the natural material sheet 12 may be arranged on the lower surface of the transparent base layer 13 . Also, the transmitted light adjusting layer 14 may be arranged on the lower surface of the natural material sheet 12 . Also, the transmitted light adjusting layer 14 may not be provided.

The natural material may be impregnated with an organic resin having a molecular weight of 100 to 50000. For example, when the natural material sheet 12 contains wood, the natural material sheet 12 may be impregnated with an organic resin having a molecular weight of 100 or more and 50,000 or less. Further, for example, if the natural material sheet 12 contains wood, cork, or leather and is a material that is difficult to impregnate, the natural material sheet 12 may be decolorized by removing some components. The organic resin can be impregnated by decorating with a coloring pigment or dye after the decolorization treatment. Further, for example, when the natural material sheet 12 contains wood, a coloring pigment, a dye, a flame retardant, a fluorescent paint, or the like may be added inside or on the surface of the natural material sheet 12 .

According to the display device 1a of the present disclosure, it is possible to impart an appearance derived from natural materials. In addition, by impregnating the natural material sheet 12 with an organic resin, the light transmittance of the natural material sheet 12 can be increased, and the natural material sheet 12 can be made water-repellent or hydrophilic. In addition, by adding coloring pigments, dyes, flame retardants, fluorescent paints, etc., flame retardancy can be improved, and new appearances not found in natural materials such as fluorescent colors or primary colors can be given. , irregularities, colors, patterns, etc. can be made closer to natural materials. In this way, new functions can also be added. Further, by providing the transmitted light adjusting layer 14, the amount of light emitted from the display unit and the diffusion of the light can be adjusted to adjust the brightness and uniformity of the light emitted from the information display section 6, thereby improving the appearance. and image quality.

(Embodiment 3)
A display device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that in the third embodiment, differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or equivalent configurations as in the second embodiment. Moreover, in the third embodiment, the description overlapping with that in the second embodiment is omitted.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the display device 1b of the present disclosure.

The display device 1b of the third embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in that the design layer 23 has an operation control device 15. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the design layer 23 is provided with a contact-type operation control device 15 using capacitance or the like, or a non-contact-type operation control device 15 using a distance image sensor or the like. In this embodiment, the operation control device 15 is arranged between the natural material sheet 12 of the design layer 23 and the transparent base layer 13 . The operation control device 15 controls the display unit 4 so that the user can input signals from the outside.

Note that, as in the display device 1c shown in FIG. 11, the operation control device 15 may be arranged on the surface of the transmitted light adjustment layer 14 of the design layer 24 on the heat source layer 3 side.

In addition, in the display devices 1b and 1c, a contact operation control device (corresponding to the "first operation control device" of the present disclosure) and a non-contact operation control device (corresponding to the "second operation control device" of the present disclosure equivalent) can be provided together. Each of the contact-type operation control device and the non-contact-type operation control device can be assigned to control the operation of the display unit 4, so that control can be performed according to the user's usage.

According to the display devices 1b and 1c of the present disclosure, by providing the operation control device 15, for example, by directly touching the surface of the information display unit, volume control such as "adjustment of brightness" and "adjustment of volume" can be performed. becomes possible. That is, the operation control device 15 can control the display unit 4 . In addition, depending on the purpose of use, the information display portion can be arbitrarily moved, enlarged/reduced, increased/reduced, etc. by touching the user's finger, and the size and position of the temperature changing portion of the heat source layer 3 can be controlled. The size, position, etc. of the information display section can be changed.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the light transmittance of the design layer 2 changes from low to high as the temperature changes from low to high. , the light transmittance may increase from small to large. Even with such a configuration, the effects of the display device described above can be obtained.

The present disclosure contributes to high-class design of the exterior of various home electric appliances and the interior of vehicles.

Reference Signs List 1, 1a to 1c display device 2, 21 to 24 design layer 3, 31 heat source layer 4 display unit 5 body case 6, 16 information display section 8 outer peripheral section 9, 19 temperature change section 10, 20 temperature gradual change section 11, 17 Decorative gradation part 12 Natural material sheet (natural material layer)
14 transmitted light adjusting layer 15 operation control device

Claims (14)

a display unit provided on the surface of the main body case for displaying information;
a heat source layer laminated on the display unit;
a design layer laminated on the heat source layer;
with
The design layer is
Containing substances whose light transmittance changes with temperature changes,
A light transmittance changing region in which the light transmittance changes in accordance with the temperature change of the heat source layer, and a gradation region in which the light transmittance changes in a gradation along the outer circumference of the light transmittance changing region are formed. do,
display device. The substance whose light transmittance changes with temperature change includes a thermochromic material,
The display device according to claim 1. The material whose light transmittance changes with temperature change is contained in the design layer at a rate of more than 5% and less than 80% of the volume of the design layer.
3. The display device according to claim 1 or 2. The heat source layer is
a temperature change unit that generates a temperature change;
a temperature gradual change section provided along the outer periphery of the temperature change section and gradually changing temperature;
has
In the light transmittance changing region, the light transmittance changes following the temperature change of the temperature changing part,
In the gradation area, the light transmittance changes following the temperature change of the temperature gradual change part.
4. The display device according to claim 1. The heat source layer has a plurality of the temperature change sections and a plurality of the temperature gradual change sections,
The display device according to claim 4. moreover,
Having a contact or non-contact temperature change control device that controls the plurality of temperature change units,
The display device according to claim 5. A transmitted light adjustment layer for adjusting the amount of light or the diffusion of light from the display unit is provided on the surface of the design layer facing the heat source layer.
The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The design layer has a natural material layer containing at least one of natural materials such as wood, stone, cork, cloth, paper, and leather.
A display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The natural material layer contains wood, and the natural material layer is impregnated with an organic resin having a molecular weight of 100 or more and 50000 or less.
The display device according to claim 8. The natural material layer contains wood, cork, or leather, and is decolorized by removing a part of the components of the natural material layer.
The display device according to claim 8. The natural material layer contains wood, and a material such as a coloring pigment, a dye, a flame retardant, or a fluorescent paint is added inside or on the surface of the natural material layer.
The display device according to claim 8. The design layer has a touch-type operation control device,
The operation control device controls the display unit,
12. A display device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The design layer has a non-contact operating control,
The operation control device controls the display unit,
12. A display device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. the design layer has a first contact control and a second non-contact control;
wherein the first operation control device and the second operation control device are each assigned control of operations on the display unit;
12. A display device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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