JP7454966B2 - indicator device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an indicator device that includes a display panel having a display section including a light-transmitting section and a non-light-transmitting section, and a case that holds the display panel on the front side.

This type of indicator device, for example, as in Patent Document 1, includes a plate-shaped display panel, a lampshade made of a resin molded product, a circuit board provided with a light emitting diode, and a case covering the lampshade. Generally, it is composed of four or more parts.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-140944

However, conventional indicator devices have a large number of parts, which increases cost and weight. In particular, lamp shades and the like have problems in that they need to be thick and have limited installation space.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and its purpose is to reduce the number of parts, reduce weight, reduce cost, and save space.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an electronic circuit is provided on the back side of the display panel, and a reflecting plate section consisting of a recessed part and its outer periphery is integrally provided in the case on the back side.

Specifically, in the first invention,
a display panel having a display section consisting of a transparent section and a non-transparent section;
An indicator device comprising a case that holds the display panel on the front side,
A light-emitting LED and an electronic circuit for causing the light-emitting LED to emit light are provided on the back side of the non-light-transmitting part of the display panel,
In the above case,
a recessed part that covers the light-transmitting part and the light-emitting LED of the display panel at intervals;
A reflection plate portion, which is formed of an outer circumferential portion of the recessed portion that abuts the non-light-transmitting portion of the display panel, is integrally provided so as to face the display portion.

According to the above configuration, the electronic circuit is provided on the back side of the display panel, and the case that holds the display panel having the display section on the front side is also provided with a reflective plate section that reflects the light emitted from the light emitting LED. , the number of parts is reduced, the weight is reduced, and costs and space can be saved.

In the second invention, in the first invention,
The display panel includes a display panel body made of a transparent or semi-transparent plate-like body,
The display section is formed on a decorative layer printed on the back surface of the plate-shaped body,
The above electronic circuit is
an electronic circuit pattern printed on the decorative layer;
and electronic circuit components mounted on the electronic circuit pattern using a conductive adhesive.

According to the above configuration, by printing an electronic circuit pattern to form an electronic circuit, the overall thickness can be reduced and space can be saved. In addition, since the electronic circuit pattern is a thin printed layer with almost no irregularities, the back surface of the display panel that contacts the case can be formed flat, and the outer periphery of the recessed part of the case can be brought into contact with the non-transparent part of the display panel without any gaps. I can do it. Therefore, light leakage from the light emitting LED can be easily prevented.

In the third invention, in the second invention,
The electronic circuit component includes a connector,
The connector has an abutted portion that abuts an abutment portion formed on an inner circumferential wall of a connector through hole provided in the case, and is held by the case.

According to the above configuration, the connector can be firmly fixed to the connector through-hole of the case, and the rigidity around the connector to which force is easily applied when inserting or removing the terminal of the mating connector can be increased and damage can be prevented.

In a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions,
The case is integrally formed with the interior panel.

According to the above configuration, the case can also be integrally molded when molding the interior panel, which reduces the number of parts and facilitates assembly. Here, the interior panel includes not only an instrument panel, a rear console panel, and a door trim inside the vehicle, but also various panels inside the vehicle, such as an operating section of a toilet seat.

As explained above, according to the present invention, the number of parts of the indicator device can be reduced, and weight reduction, cost reduction, and space saving can be achieved.

1 is a perspective view showing a rear console having an indicator device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; It is a perspective view which expands and shows a shift lever panel and its surroundings. It is an exploded perspective view showing an indicator device. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the display panel on which electronic circuit components are mounted, seen from the back side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view sequentially showing the assembly procedure of the indicator device. FIG. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5A. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the connector portion and its surroundings seen from the back side of the indicator device. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of a connector part and its surroundings. FIG. 7 is a front view showing an instrument panel having an indicator device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a rear console 1 installed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a driver's seat and a passenger's seat in the cabin of an automobile. This rear console 1 includes a rear console main body 3, which forms the main body, and this rear console main body 3 is made of a resin molded product or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, a shift lever panel body 5 serving as an interior panel is provided around the shift lever 4 near its front end. An indicator device 10 is attached to the shift lever panel main body 5 to indicate the state of the shift lever 4 with light as the shift lever 4 is operated.

As shown enlarged in FIGS. 2 to 4, the indicator device 10 includes a display panel 7 having a display section 8c consisting of a light-transmitting section 8a and a non-light-transmitting section 8b. The display panel 7 has a display panel main body 7a made of a transparent or translucent plate-like body such as a resin molded product such as polycarbonate (PC). The display panel main body 7a is provided with a single plane so that the back surface thereof can be easily printed. Further, a flange portion 7b for fitting may be provided around the periphery, or an opening 7c for attaching parts may be provided. The display section 8c consists of a decorative layer printed on the back surface of a plate-shaped body. Note that in FIGS. 5A to 6, the display panel 7 is depicted as a simplified rectangular plate for convenience, but in this embodiment, it has an uneven shape having a flange portion 7b and the like. Note that the display panel main body 7a may be made of glass or a transparent resin film as long as it has a flat shape without irregularities, such as a rectangular plate shape.

The display panel 7 is mounted on the case 9 with its flange portion 7b fitted into the opening 5a of the shift lever panel body 5 while being held on the front side of the case 9 made of a resin molded product or the like. It is fixed using a flange 9e or the like.

On the back side of the non-transparent part 8b of the display panel 7, a light emitting LED 11 as an electronic circuit component and an electronic circuit 13 for causing the light emitting LED 11 to emit light are provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the case 9 includes a recess 15 that covers the light-transmitting portion 8a of the display panel 7 and the light-emitting LEDs 11 at intervals, and a recess 15 that abuts the non-light-transmitting portion 8b of the display panel 7. A reflecting plate section 17 consisting of an outer peripheral section 15a is integrally provided so as to face the display section 8c. Further, a plurality of the recessed portions 15 are individually provided corresponding to the light-transmitting portions 8a to be lit.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the electronic circuit 13 includes an electronic circuit pattern 19 printed on the back side of the decorative layer (display section 8c) when viewed from the entire display panel 7, and a conductive adhesive applied to the electronic circuit pattern 19. 23 (shown in FIG. 6) as electronic circuit components, a light emitting LED 11, a connector 21, resistors R1 to R3, and a diode D1.

The electronic circuit pattern 19 is formed into a thin film by printing on the decorative layer, as will be described later. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, wiring for connecting the light emitting LED 11, the connector 21, the resistors R1 to R3, etc. as electronic circuit components are printed in the region of the non-transparent part 8b. The electronic circuit pattern 19 includes, for example, a light-emitting LED 11 (first to fourth LED) that is always lit during driving, a light-emitting LED 11 (fifth to ninth LED) that is lit when the shift lever is operated, resistors R1 to R3, a diode D1, etc. It is formed by printing so that the

The light-transmitting portion 8a is formed in the shape of a letter or rectangle that indicates the state of the shift lever 4 provided near the light-emitting LED 11 provided at a position facing each recess 15, and transmits the light of the corresponding light-emitting LED 11. It is configured to be transparent.

As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic circuit pattern 19 is protected by a protective film layer 19a, and the decorative layer (display section 8c), the electronic circuit pattern 19, and the protective film layer 19a constitute a thin printed layer 8. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the connector 21 is held in the case 9 while being in contact with the inner circumferential wall of the connector through hole 9a provided in the case 9. As shown in FIGS. The connector 21 has a plurality of terminal connection holes 21a arranged in parallel to which terminals of a mating connector (not shown) are connected, and one side surface has a pair of groove-shaped fittings into which the mating connector is fitted. A step difference 21b is provided. An inclined surface 21d serving as an abutted portion is formed on the bottom surface of the groove-like recess 21c between the pair of fitting steps 21b. On the other hand, a rectangular frame-shaped inner peripheral wall 9b that is formed higher than the periphery is provided at the periphery of the connector through hole 9a. Each of the pair of opposing sides of the inner circumferential wall 9b is provided with a contact portion 9c made of a pair of protrusions and a hook-shaped contact portion 9d having elasticity that engages with the inclined surface 21d. . The opposite side surface 21e opposite to the side surface on which the inclined surface 21d is formed constitutes an abutted part that abuts on the pair of abutting parts 9c.

As a result, when the connector 21 is inserted into the connector through hole 9a, the opposite side surface 21e is pressed by one pair of contact parts 9c, and the other contact part 9d engages with the inclined surface 21d and comes out. It's about to be stopped. By firmly fixing the connector 21 to the connector through hole 9a in this manner, it is possible to increase the rigidity around the connector 21, which is likely to be subjected to force when it is inserted or removed, and to prevent damage.

Next, a manufacturing procedure of the indicator device 10 according to this embodiment will be explained.

First, as shown in FIG. 5B, a plate-shaped display panel body 7a is prepared. In FIG. 5B, components such as the display panel main body 7a are depicted in a simplified manner, but they actually have a shape as shown in FIG. 3.

Next, a decorative portion having a display portion 8c including a transparent portion 8a and a non-transparent portion 8b is printed on the back surface of the display panel main body 7a.

Next, the electronic circuit pattern 19 and its protective film layer 19a (see FIG. 6) are printed at a predetermined position on the front side (the back side when looking at the entire display panel 7) of the non-transparent part 8b.

The above-mentioned printing of the decorative portion, the electronic circuit pattern 19, and the protective film layer 19a is performed by screen printing, inkjet printing, offset printing, gravure printing, flexo printing, or the like.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the light-emitting LED 11, the connector 21, and the resistors R1 to R3 are bonded to the electronic circuit pattern 19 so as to be electrically connected and fixed using the conductive adhesive 23.

Next, the indicator device 10 is completed by attaching the display panel 7 to the case 9 integrally equipped with the reflector portion 17 via a rectangular frame-shaped double-sided tape 25.

As shown in FIG. 2, this indicator device 10 is fitted into the opening 5a of the shift lever panel main body 5, and necessary wiring is provided.

In this way, in this embodiment, since the electronic circuit is provided on the back side of the display panel, there is no need for a board for providing the electronic circuit separately from the display panel, the number of parts is reduced, the weight is reduced, Cost reduction and space saving can be achieved. Furthermore, by configuring the electronic circuit 13 with a printed film-like electronic circuit pattern 19, the overall thickness can be reduced and space can be saved.

Furthermore, since thin film printing is used, the back surface of the display panel 7 that contacts the case 9 can be formed flat, and the outer circumferential portion 15a of the recess 15 of the case 9 can be brought into contact with the non-transparent portion 8b of the display panel 7 without any gaps. I can do it. Therefore, light leakage from the light emitting LEDs 11 in the corresponding recesses 15 and the surrounding light emitting LEDs 11 can be easily prevented.

Furthermore, since the reflective plate part 17 is integrally provided with the case 9 that holds the display panel 7 having the display part 8c on the front side, there is no need to construct it as a separate member, and the number of parts is reduced and the weight is reduced. , cost reduction and space saving can be achieved.

Therefore, according to the indicator device 10 according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, reduce weight, reduce cost, and save space.

(Embodiment 2)
10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that an indicator device 110 is provided on an instrument panel 101. FIG. In this embodiment, the same parts as in FIGS. 1 to 9 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The case in this embodiment is integrally formed with an instrument panel main body 103 made of resin and serving as an interior panel. The display panel 107 is attached to the instrument panel main body 103 with double-sided tape or the like, and its surface is curved continuously with the curved shape of the instrument panel main body 1, and its height is the same as the height of the surrounding area, and the display panel 107 is attached to the instrument panel main body 103 with double-sided tape or the like. It is located so that the lighting status can be seen from the passenger seat. Also, the back side is provided in a single plane for easy printing.

Note that the recessed portion 15 of the case formed integrally with the instrument panel body 103 may be painted white or silver in order to make it easier to reflect the light of the light emitting LED 11.

In this embodiment, the case 9 can also be molded when the instrument panel 101 is molded, which further reduces the number of parts and facilitates assembly.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention may have the following configuration for the above embodiment.

That is, in the first embodiment, the shift lever panel main body 5 and the case 9 are provided separately, but the case 9 may be provided integrally with the shift lever panel main body 5 as in the second embodiment.

The interior panel is not limited to the instrument panel 101 inside the vehicle as in the second embodiment, but may also be a door trim or various interior panels, such as a switch part of a toilet seat, etc. A display panel may be provided separately from the interior panel. or may be provided integrally.

Note that the above embodiments are essentially preferable examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or uses.

1 Rear console
3 Rear console body
4 Shift lever
5 Shift lever panel body (interior panel)
5a opening
7 Display panel
7a Display panel body
7b Flange part
7c opening
8 Printing layer
8a Translucent part
8b Non-transparent part
8c Display section
9 cases
9a Connector through hole
9b Inner peripheral wall
9c Contact part
9d Contact part
9e Mounting flange
10 Indicator device
11 Light emitting LED (electronic circuit component)
13 Electronic circuit
15 Recess
15a outer periphery
17 Reflector section
19 Electronic circuit pattern
19a Protective film layer
21 Connector (electronic circuit component)
21a Terminal connection hole
21b Fitting step
21c Groove-shaped recess
21d Inclined surface (abutted part)
21e Opposite side surface (abutted part)
23 Conductive adhesive
25 Double-sided tape 101 Instrument panel 101 Interior panel 103 Instrument panel body (interior panel)
107 Display panel 110 Indicator device

Claims (2)

a display panel (7) having a display section (8c) consisting of a transparent section (8a) and a non-transparent section (8b);
An indicator device (10) comprising a case (9) that holds the display panel (7) on the front side,
A light-emitting LED (11) and an electronic circuit (13) for causing the light-emitting LED (11) to emit light are provided on the back side of the non-transparent part (8b) of the display panel (7),
In the above case (9),
a recessed part (15) that covers the light-transmitting part (8a) and the light-emitting LED (11) of the display panel (7) at intervals;
A reflection plate portion (17) consisting of an outer peripheral portion (15a) of the recessed portion (15) that abuts the non-transparent portion (8b) of the display panel (7) faces the display portion (8c). It is integrated,
The display panel (7) includes a display panel body made of a transparent or semi-transparent plate-like body,
The display portion (8c) is formed on a decorative layer printed on the back surface of the plate-shaped body,
The electronic circuit (13) is
an electronic circuit pattern (19) printed on the decorative layer;
and electronic circuit components (11, 21) mounted on the electronic circuit pattern (19) with a conductive adhesive (23),
The electronic circuit component includes a connector (21),
The connector (21) has abutted portions (21d, 21e) that abut abutment portions (9c, 9d) formed on the inner peripheral wall (9b) of the connector through hole (9a) provided in the case (9). ) and is held in the case (9) above.
An indicator device characterized by: The indicator device according to claim 1 ,
The indicator device is characterized in that the case (9) is integrally formed with an interior panel (101).

Images