JP7484918B2 - Vehicle display device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a display device for a vehicle such as an automobile, and is suitable, for example, for a vehicle instrument device having a circuit board.

As disclosed in Patent Document 1, conventional instrument devices are equipped with a security indicator (anti-theft device operation light) to notify the driver or a person attempting to steal the vehicle that the immobilizer (anti-theft device) is activated.

JP 2016-112953 A

However, because security indicators are displayed near the speedometer and tachometer in the instrument cluster so that they are primarily visible to the driver, they are difficult for would-be vehicle thieves to see from outside the vehicle except through the driver's side window, etc., and this poses the problem that they are not effective in deterring crime.

Therefore, the object of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and is to provide a display device for a vehicle having an indicator that is easily visible from outside the vehicle.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the display device for a vehicle disclosed herein comprises a display 2 that displays first vehicle information, a first display unit 13b that displays second vehicle information, a second display unit 41 that displays third vehicle information on the opposite side of the first display unit 13b, a circuit board 3 arranged approximately perpendicular to the display 2, and a light source 52 on the circuit board 3, and the second display unit 41 is characterized in that it emits light by the light source 52 .
The vehicle information display device also has a display 2 that displays first vehicle information, a first display unit 13b that displays second vehicle information, a second display unit 41 that displays third vehicle information on the opposite side of the first display unit 13b, a circuit board 3 that is arranged approximately perpendicular to the display 2, and a light source 52 that is arranged in a position opposite the second display unit 41 of the FPC 22, the FPC 22 being connected to the circuit board 3, and the second display unit 41 being illuminated by the light source 52.

The present disclosure can provide a display device for a vehicle having an indicator that is easily visible from outside the vehicle.

1 is a front view of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the display device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the display device shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the display device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a rear view of a display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9, however, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications are possible without departing from the present disclosure.

First Embodiment
A display device 100 for a vehicle according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The display device 100 is mounted on a vehicle (e.g., an automobile) and configured as an instrument device that displays a predetermined measurement quantity (such as vehicle speed).

In the following, in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the vehicle display device 100, the direction in which the user seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle is viewed from the vehicle display device 100 is referred to as the "front" and the opposite side is referred to as the "rear", and these are indicated by the arrows "Fr." and "Re." in the figures. In addition, "up," "down," "left," and "right" are appropriately explained as the arrows "To.", "Bo.", "L," and "R" in the figures.

The display device 100 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a rectangular display surface and a predetermined thickness, like the screen portion of a thin LCD television or the display portion of a notebook computer. The display device 100 has a front portion 101 which is the display surface, side portions 102 on both the left and right sides of the front portion 101, a top surface portion 103 on the upper side of the front portion 101, a bottom surface portion 104 on the opposite side of the top surface portion 103, and a back portion 105 on the opposite side of the front portion 101. The back portion 105 is on the windshield side of the vehicle.

The display device 100 is placed on the vehicle's instrument panel IMP, with the bottom surface 104 housed within the instrument panel IMP, and the front surface 101, side surface 102, top surface 103 and rear surface 105 arranged so as to be visible to the outside.

The display device 100 comprises a front case 1 at the forefront, a liquid crystal display (display) 2 arranged behind the front case 1 and serving as a display device, a circuit board 3 located on the rear side of the liquid crystal display 2, and a cover (cover portion) 4 arranged behind so as to cover the rear side of the front case 1, the liquid crystal display 2, and the circuit board 3.

The front case 1 is made of light-shielding synthetic resin and is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape with an opening on the back side. The front case 1 has a transparent section 11 arranged opposite the display section 21 of the liquid crystal display 2, and a frame section 12 that covers the periphery of the transparent section 11. The transparent section 11 is made of a light-transmitting, plate-shaped synthetic resin. The frame section 12 is made of a light-shielding synthetic resin, such as black. The transparent section 11 and the frame section 12 are integrally formed by insert molding. The front case 1 fits into the cover 4 and is fixed in place to prevent water and dust from entering the interior.

The transparent portion 11 has a light-shielding layer 13 on the back side. The light-shielding layer 13 is made of a layer printed with black ink and is formed on the outer periphery side of the transparent portion 11. The light-shielding layer 13 has a rectangular opening 13a and a first security indicator (first display portion) 13b with a circular design. The display device 100 allows the liquid crystal display 2 to be viewed through the opening 13a. The first security indicator 13b is disposed on the outer periphery side of the opening 13a and displays the operation status of the anti-theft device, which is vehicle information (second vehicle information).

The liquid crystal display 2 is called a liquid crystal module, and includes therein a TFT-type color liquid crystal display cell (not shown), a backlight device (not shown) consisting of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a transparent resin light guide plate, a liquid crystal control board (not shown), etc. The liquid crystal display 2 has a display unit 21, which displays various vehicle information on the front side.

The display unit 21 displays at least various vehicle information (first vehicle information), such as a speed display unit 21a that displays the vehicle's traveling speed using numbers, units and a pointer, and a fuel display unit 21b that displays the vehicle's remaining fuel using letters and a scale.

The liquid crystal display 2 is joined to the front case 1 by a transparent resin layer 7 which fills the gap formed between it and the transmissive portion 11.

The transparent resin layer 7 is made of an optical adhesive (e.g., a liquid silicone-based adhesive) filled in the gap formed between the transmissive portion 11 and the liquid crystal display 2, has a thickness of approximately 300 μm to 1000 μm, and has a refractive index that is approximately equal to that of the transmissive portion 11.

The circuit board 3 is a hard board whose base material is made of glass epoxy resin, has a rectangular shape, and is arranged behind the liquid crystal display 2 in parallel with the liquid crystal display 2. The circuit board 3 is equipped with a liquid crystal drive circuit and an inverter circuit to drive the liquid crystal display cell and backlight device of the liquid crystal display 2, and a plurality of electronic components including IC (Integrated circuit) chips that constitute the liquid crystal drive circuit and the inverter circuit are mounted on the front or back surface of the circuit board 3. The circuit board 3 also has a first light source 51 on the front side and a second light source (light source) 52 on the back side.

The circuit board 3 is formed with wiring (not shown) made of a conductor that electrically connects electronic components, etc. The circuit board 3 is fixed by a hook (not shown) of the case, similar to the liquid crystal display 2. The liquid crystal display 2 and the circuit board 3 are electrically connected by FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 22.

A first light guide 81 is disposed between the first security indicator 13b and the first light source 51. The first light guide 81 is made of a cylindrical transparent synthetic resin and guides the illumination light of the first light source 51 to the first security indicator 13b.

The cover 4 is made of a light-blocking synthetic resin and is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape with an opening on the front side. The cover 4 fits with the front case 1 to form a closed housing, and houses the liquid crystal display 2 and the circuit board 3 inside. The cover 4 has a second security indicator (second display unit) 41. The second security indicator 41 is formed in a position facing the light source 5. The second security indicator 41 displays the operation status of the anti-theft device, which is vehicle information (third vehicle information). In other words, the second security indicator 41 is displayed on the rear portion 105 opposite the first security indicator 13b.

The second security indicator 41 is made of a black synthetic resin (black smoke material) with a relatively low transmittance (e.g., 30-50% transmittance), is formed in a circular shape, and is integrally formed with the cover 4 by insert molding. In addition, in the rear portion 105, the cover 4 and the second security indicator 41 are formed to be flush with each other. Also, the visible surfaces of the cover 4 and the second security indicator 41 (the surfaces forming the external appearance of the rear portion 105) are textured.

The front case 1 and cover 4 are fixed together by screws 6. The screws 6 are inserted into the cover 4 from behind, pass through the circuit board 3, and are fastened to bosses (not shown) on the front case 1.

The first light source 51 and the second light source 52 are made of top-view type LEDs and emit red illumination light. The first security indicator 13b is illuminated by the first light source 51 and the first light guide 81 and emits light. The second security indicator 41 is illuminated by the second light source 52 and emits light. The first security indicator 13b and the second security indicator 41 function as anti-theft device operation lights, which are the same information.

Next, we will explain the flashing timing of the first security indicator 13b and the second security indicator 41.

The first security indicator 13b flashes, for example, when the driver turns off the vehicle by pressing the vehicle start switch or the like. The second security indicator 41 flashes when the vehicle doors are locked by remote control using a keyless entry system or the like while the first security indicator 13b is flashing.

However, the second security indicator 41 does not flash when the door is locked in an abnormal state, such as when the light is left off, the door is half-open (the door is not closed), the parking gear is not engaged, etc. When the door is locked in an abnormal state (abnormal state), the first security indicator 13b and the second security indicator 41 may flash earlier than when the door is locked in a normal state.

The second security indicator 41 turns off when the car door is unlocked using the remote control. The first security indicator 13b turns off when the vehicle is turned on.

By forming it in this manner, a second security indicator 41 that can emit light is provided on the rear portion 105, so that the second security indicator 41 can be easily seen from a wide area in front of the vehicle, and a sufficient crime deterrent effect can be expected.

In addition, if the door is locked in an abnormal state, the second security indicator 41 does not flash, thereby improving the ability of the vehicle driver, etc. to detect the abnormality.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The same parts and equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the first embodiment, the circuit board 3 was arranged behind and parallel to the LCD display 2, but in this embodiment, it is arranged below the LCD display 2 (towards the lower surface 104) so as to form a substantially right angle with the LCD display 2. The cover 4 has a protrusion 42 whose lower side protrudes to the rear. The protrusion 42 houses the circuit board 3 and is housed within the instrument panel IMP.

In the first embodiment, the second light source 52 was disposed on the rear surface of the circuit board 3, but in this embodiment, it is disposed in a position facing the second security indicator 41 of the FPC 22. The FPC 22 is attached to the liquid crystal display 2 with double-sided tape. The second security indicator 41 is illuminated by the second light source 52 and emits light.

By forming it in this manner, there is no longer a circuit board 3 between the cover 4 behind the liquid crystal display 2, so the distance from the front portion 101 to the rear portion 105 of the display device 100 can be reduced (in other words, the thickness of the display device 100 can be reduced).

Third embodiment
A third embodiment of the display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The same parts and equivalent parts as those of the first and second embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the second embodiment, the second light source 52 was disposed at a position facing the second security indicator 41 of the FPC 22, but in this embodiment, it is disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board 3. A second light guide (light guide member) 82 is disposed between the second security indicator 41 and the second light source 52. The second light guide 82 is made of a cylindrical transparent synthetic resin. The main part of the second light guide 82 is disposed between the cover 4 behind the liquid crystal display 2 and is fixed to the cover 4. The second light guide 82 has a reflecting portion 82a that reflects illumination light to the second security indicator 41. The second security indicator 41 is illuminated by the second light source 52 and the second light guide 82 and emits light.

By forming it in this manner, the distance from the front portion 101 to the rear portion 105 of the display device 100 can be reduced, and the second security indicator 41 can be set at a position on the cover 4 that does not face the FPC 22.

7, the second light guide 82 and the second security indicator 41 may be integrally formed by two-color molding or the like. In this case, the second light guide 82 is integrally formed with the cover 4 by insert molding.

7, the first light source 51 is also disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board 3. The first light guide 81 is disposed between the first security indicator 13b and the second light source 52, and its main portion is disposed parallel to the liquid crystal display 2. The first light guide 81 has a reflecting portion 81a that reflects the illumination light to the first security indicator 13b. The first security indicator 13b is illuminated by the first light source 51 and the first light guide 81 and emits light.

Fourth embodiment
A fourth embodiment of the display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The same parts and equivalent parts as those of the first, second and third embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the third embodiment, the cover 4 has a stand portion 43 whose lower part is inclined rearward as it approaches the instrument panel IMP side. The stand portion 43 is formed to connect the rear portion 105 and the protrusion 42. The second security indicator 41 is formed on the stand portion 43.

In addition, the second light guide 82 was previously disposed between the liquid crystal display 2 and the cover 4, but in this embodiment, it is disposed between the second security indicator 41 (or the stand portion 43) and the circuit board 3. The second security indicator 41 is illuminated by the second light source 52 and the second light guide 82 and emits light.

By forming it in this way, the second light guide 82 is not disposed between the cover 4 behind the liquid crystal display 2, so the distance from the front part 101 to the rear part 105 can be reduced.

Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display 2, which is the display means of the display device, may be an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) module.

The first security indicator 13b may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 2. The second security indicator 41 was formed integrally with the cover 4, but it may be formed by fixing to the cover 4 a dial having a design formed by printing ink on both sides of a transparent synthetic resin sheet material.

In addition, the second security indicator 41 is an anti-theft device operation light, but it may be another operation light, a warning light, or other luminous lighting. The flashing timing of the first security indicator 13b and the second security indicator 41 is set appropriately.

The present disclosure relates to a display device for a vehicle and can be applied to a display device for a vehicle mounted on a moving body such as an automobile, motorcycle, or agricultural or construction machine.

1 Front case 13b First security indicator (first display unit)
2 Liquid crystal display (display)
3 Circuit board 4 Cover (cover part)
41 Second security indicator (second display unit)
51 First light source 52 Second light source (light source)
6 Screw 7 Transparent resin layer 81 First light guide 82 Second light guide (light guide member)

Claims (6)

A display that displays the first vehicle information;
a first display unit that displays the second vehicle information;
a second display unit that displays third vehicle information on the opposite side of the first display unit;
a circuit board disposed substantially perpendicular to the display;
A light source is provided on the circuit board,
The second display portion is illuminated by the light source . A display that displays the first vehicle information;
a first display unit that displays the second vehicle information;
a second display unit that displays third vehicle information on the opposite side of the first display unit;
a circuit board disposed substantially perpendicular to the display;
a light source disposed at a position facing the second display unit of the FPC;
the FPC is connected to the circuit board,
The second display unit is configured to emit light from the light source. 3. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the second vehicle information and the third vehicle information are the same information. A display device for a vehicle as described in either claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second display unit displays the third vehicle information on the windshield side of the vehicle. A cover portion that covers the display from a rear surface ,
3. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the second display portion is formed on the cover portion. 2. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a light guide member between the light source and the second display portion, the light guide member guiding the light from the light source.

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