JPH0420990A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the uneveness of display to display a vivid picture by combining fluorescent plates and optical fibers. CONSTITUTION:In a sunlight condenser 1, many condenser lenses 10 are attached to the outside of a semispherical body, and optical fiber bundles 3 are so connected that center points X of their branch terminal parts coincide with focuses of condenser lenses 10. In the daytime, the sunlight made incident of the condenser 1 is guided by optical fiber bundles 3 connected to focuses X of plural lenses 10 and is made incident on one side faces 2b of fluorescent plates 2 arranged in a display device main body B, and phosphors in fluorescent plates 2 emit light to obtain the vivid display on a display parts 2a in the front of a display device A. At night, the light emitted from an artificial light source 4 is condensed by the condenser and is guided by optical fiber bundles 3' and is made incident on the other side faces 2'b of fluorescent plates 2, and photosphors in fluorescent plates emit light to the same vivid fluorescent display as daytime on the display part 2n in the feonr of the display device A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a display device that uses a fluorescent screen and an optical fiber and can be used day and night, and particularly relates to an all-weather display device that uses sunlight.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, displays provided with an internal light source have been widely used as display devices for advertisements, road displays, and various guidance displays. Such display devices display characters, symbols, etc. in a highlighted manner by irradiating light from a light source onto a display plate on which display portions for characters, symbols, etc. are formed. As light sources, fluorescent lamps, high-intensity lamps such as halogen lamps, neon tubes, and recently, combinations of multiple light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) are widely used.

Further, a device for guiding sunlight to a display panel through an optical fiber to display display contents is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 60-56083.

On the other hand, since a fluorescent screen emits fluorescence from its edges due to the light it receives, a device used as a light concentrating and transmitting device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-266502. The fluorescent light emitted from the end is used to display various advertisements.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] By the way, fluorescent lamps, halogen lamps, neon tubes, and LEDs
Conventional display devices that use 3D display devices generally have a clear readable display at night, but during the daytime, even if the brightness is increased, reflections from sunlight make it difficult to read the display, especially for traffic lights and direction display boards. There are many cases where it is difficult to distinguish.

In addition, in the device disclosed in Utility Model Application No. 60-56083, the display becomes brighter by letting sunlight enter the display panel, but it is difficult to distinguish the display compared to devices using other light sources. Moreover, it cannot be displayed on cloudy days or at night.

In addition, display devices using fluorescent screens utilize sunlight that is guided directly into the display device on sunny days, so it is difficult to guide sunlight to every corner of the display device, making it difficult to efficiently generate fluorescence. This often causes unevenness at the edges of the display, making it impossible to provide a satisfactory fluorescent display with no overall unevenness. Also, it cannot be used on cloudy days or at night.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a display device that can display a clear display without display unevenness by combining a fluorescent screen and an optical fiber. shall be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can be used day and night by using sunlight during the day and using an artificial light source at night.

In addition, the present invention uses sunlight as a light source during the daytime, making it possible to save energy.Furthermore, by using an optical sensor, it responds to the amount of sunlight and uses sunlight when it is sufficient for fluorescent display. It is an object of the present invention to provide an all-weather display device capable of supplementing display with an artificial light source when the light is not sufficient for display.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display device that can be installed even in a place where sunlight cannot be directly illuminated, and the installation location is not limited.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A display device of the present invention to achieve such an object includes a fluorescent screen whose end face forms a display portion, and a sunlight concentrator for concentrating sunlight and causing the fluorescent screen to emit light. a device, preferably an artificial light source, and an optical fiber bundle for transmitting light from the sunlight concentrator and the artificial light source to the fluorescent screen, respectively, and more preferably for detecting the amount of sunlight. optical sensor;
The device is equipped with a drive unit that drives an artificial light source using a signal from this optical sensor.

[Operation] During the day, or when the light sensor detects that the amount of sunlight is sufficient for the fluorescent display, the artificial light source is turned off and only the sunlight concentrated by the solar concentrator The light is transmitted to the fluorescent screen through the optical fiber bundle, whereby fluorescence is emitted from the end surface of the fluorescent screen, and a predetermined display area formed by the end surface of the fluorescent screen is displayed as fluorescent light. here,
Since sunlight is efficiently transmitted to the fluorescent screen by the optical fiber bundle, an even and clear fluorescent display can be performed.

At night, or when the light sensor detects that the amount of sunlight is insufficient for fluorescent display, the artificial light source is driven by the signal from the light sensor, and the light from the artificial light source or the optical fiber is activated. The light passes through the bundle and is sent to the fluorescent screen. As a result, fluorescent display is performed from the end surface of the fluorescent screen, similar to sunlight. That is, the display can be clearly displayed even at night or in bad weather.

[Example] Hereinafter, a display device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display device A of the present invention includes:
An optical fiber connects a solar light concentrator 1, a fluorescent screen 2 arranged on an end surface 2a serving as a display section on the front surface of the display device A, and one side 2b of the solar light concentrator 1 and the fluorescent screen 2. The optical fiber bundle 3' connects an artificial light source 4 provided at the rear of the display device A to the other side surface 2'b of the fluorescent screen 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the solar light concentrator 1 has a large number of condensing lenses 10 attached to the outside of a hemispherical body made of light metal such as aluminum, plastic, etc. They are connected so that the center point X of the terminal portion coincides with the focal point of each condenser lens 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the solar light condensing device 1 is placed so as to be buried in the upper part of the display body B, but it is not placed in another part of the display body B or separate from the main body B. It may also be placed. For example, in places such as subway stations where it is difficult or insufficient to concentrate sunlight, the sunlight concentrator 1 may be attached to the side of the display body B, or the sunlight concentrator 1 may be attached to the side of the display body B. It is also possible to install the display body B only in a place where sunlight can be collected, and to install the display main body B in another place.

The condensing lens 10 may be a Fresnel lens, a convex lens, a reflecting mirror, or the like, but is not particularly limited.

In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sunlight condensing device 1 has been explained as a hemispherical body made up of a large number of condensing lenses 10, but it is also possible to use a single condensing lens instead of multiple condensing lenses. In that case, the lower part may be equipped with a simple fixed solar tracking device. Solar tracking devices include those that use sensors to constantly track the sun's activation, and those that are set in advance in the direction of the sun at the vernal or autumnal equinox, and that use an electric motor to adjust to daily deviations in the sun's orbit. A known device such as the above can be used.

The fluorescent screen 2 is a plate-like body made of a phosphor that emits fluorescence from at least its end face when exposed to light, and is molded into a predetermined shape so that the end face forms a predetermined display portion (for example, “ When displaying the character "S", it is a plate-shaped body bent into an S-shape, and when displaying "," it is a rod-shaped body).

As such a fluorescent screen 2, a thermoplastic resin in which a fluorescent substance is uniformly dispersed is usually used.

Thermoplastic resins include urethane resin, butyral resin, acrylic resin, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer, polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, Teflon resin, natural rubber, polyester resin, alkyd resin, polyamide resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, Melamine resins, styrene resins, acetal resins, nylon resins, polyolefin resins, cellulose resins, polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene, polyacrylamide, etc. are used, and are not particularly limited to weather resistance and durability when the display device is installed outdoors. A material with high properties is desirable, and urethane resins, acrylic resins, and polycarbonate resins are suitable.

As the fluorescent substance, a fluorescent pigment, fluorescent paint, or the like whose fluorescence wavelength range is in the visible region is used.

Fluorescent pigments include Ca, Ba, and Mg5Zn.

The main components are oxides such as Cd, sulfides, silicates, phosphates, tungsten salts, etc., and 1 to 0.01% of MnSAg, Cu, 5bSPb, etc. are added as activators, and 700 to 1300 Inorganic fluorescent pigments obtained by baking at ℃ for several hours, fluorescent dyes such as aminostilbene dyes, fluorescein, thioflavin, eosin, rhodamine B, etc. are treated at a concentration that maximizes the fluorescence intensity, so that ultraviolet rays can be transmitted well and have no effect on the above dyes. Organic fluorescent pigments are used, which are obtained by dissolving in a solvent together with a synthetic resin (for example, an initial polymer of urea resin), polymerizing and solidifying the pigment, and then pulverizing the pigment to about 2 to 3 microns.

As the fluorescent dye, eosin derivatives, fluorescein, rhodamines such as rhodamine B10-damine G10-damine 6G, rhodamine F4G, and rhodamine 5G are used.

The fluorescent screen 2 using these fluorescent materials is particularly suitable for light-harvesting plastics (product name: "LISA") using light-harvesting dyes.
” = Bayer products, etc.), and fluorescent dyes (Fluor)
Fluorescent plates (product name: "Fluorescent Solar Collector Plate", manufactured by BASF, etc.) are made by adding fluorescein (e.g., BASF products) to transparent plastics such as polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, and polystyrene under certain restrictive conditions. Suitably used.

In the display device of the present invention, the color (
It goes without saying that the display portion can be formed by appropriately combining blue, blue-green, green, yellow, orange, red, dark red, violet, etc.).

Such a fluorescent screen 2 is arranged in the display device A so that its end surface 2a forms a display section, and as shown in FIG. (The figure shows only the state in which it is joined to both side surfaces 2b). The above optical fiber bundle 3
A light diffuser 5 may be provided at the joint between the fluorescent screen 2 and the one surface 2b of the fluorescent screen 2. Note that the optical fiber bundle 3 may be bonded to the surface of the fluorescent screen 2 that faces the end surface 2a instead of the side surface.

When the light diffuser 5 is provided on the joint surface, the end portion 2a of the fluorescent screen 2
The fluorescence emitted from the display has a more even and uniform illuminance, resulting in an easy-to-read display. Further, the fluorescent screen 2 has an end surface 2a thereof.
The optical fibers are shielded from light by plating or vapor-depositing them with aluminum, silver, etc., except for the 3.3° joint portion to prevent light from leaking.

As the optical fiber 3.3', a known optical fiber consisting of a cladding and a core can be used, but it is desirable that the refractive index of the cladding is lower than that of the core, and the refractive index of the cladding is equal to the refractive index of the core. It is desirable that it is lower by 2 to 3% or more.

In addition to inorganic materials such as quartz and multicomponent glass, various polymers are used as materials for the cladding and core. Materials for the cladding polymer and core polymer include polymethyl methacrylate, polymethylpentene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinylidene fluoride/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, and trifluoroethylene. Ethylene vinylidene fluoride copolymer, (meth)acrylic acid fluorinated ester polymer, polytrifluoroethyl methacrylate, polyhexafluoro-2-propyl methacrylate, polyperfluoro-t-butyl methacrylate,
Perfluoroisobyl methacrylate, fluorinated alkyl methacrylate, etc. are used, and although not particularly limited, those with excellent heat resistance are preferred. For example, fluorine-based polymers are preferred as polymers for cladding, and polymers other than fluorine-based polymers are used as polymers for cladding. When used as a core polymer, it is desirable to use polystyrene as the core polymer.

One end of one optical fiber bundle 3 is connected to the solar light collector 1 as described above, and one end of the other optical fiber bundle 3' is connected to an artificial light source 4. Here display device A
In order to prevent the interior from deteriorating due to the heat of sunlight, the center point X of the branch terminal part of the optical fiber bundle 3 and the sunlight concentrator 1
It is preferable to provide a heat ray cut filter at the joint between the two. Further, it is preferable to provide a condensing device 6 such as a convex lens at the junction between the artificial light source 4 and the optical fiber bundle 3', as shown in FIG.

The artificial light source 4 is used when display is required at night or in bad weather, and can be provided at the rear of the display device A, for example, as shown in FIG.

Alternatively, it may be provided separately from the main body B by extending the optical fiber bundle 3'.

As the artificial light source 4, various light sources such as a fluorescent lamp, a high-intensity lamp such as a halogen lamp, a cold cathode tube, a hot cathode tube, and an LED can be used, and the artificial light source 4 is not particularly limited.

If the display device is small, a battery may be used as the power source for the artificial light source 4, but if the display device is large, a commercial power source (
AC power). Furthermore, as a power source for the artificial light source 4,
A combination of a photoelectric conversion panel that photoelectrically converts sunlight and a rechargeable battery can be used. In this case, during the day, sunlight is photoelectrically converted by a solar cell panel, which is a photoelectric conversion panel, and the generated electromotive force is stored in a rechargeable battery, and at night this rechargeable battery is used as a power source to operate an artificial light source. However, in the case of a large display device, it is necessary to use it in conjunction with another power source.

In the display device configured as described above, sunlight that enters the sunlight concentrator 1 during the day is guided to the optical fiber bundle 3 connected to the focal point X of the plurality of condensing lenses 10, and The light enters one side 2b of the fluorescent screen 2 arranged inside, and the phosphor emits light within the fluorescent screen 2, resulting in a clearer display than the display section 2a on the front side of the display device A.

On the other hand, at night, the light generated by the artificial light source 4 is collected by the condensing device 6, guided through the optical fiber bundle 3', and incident on the other side surface 2'b of the fluorescent screen 2. The phosphor emits light within the display unit A, and a clear fluorescent display can be obtained on the display section 2a of the front part of the display device A, as in the daytime.

In this embodiment, a display device including both a sunlight concentrator 1 and an artificial light source 4 has been described. However, in the case of a simple display device that is used only during the day, the artificial light source 4
is not necessarily necessary.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

This preferred embodiment includes an optical sensor that detects the amount of sunlight and a drive unit that controls the power supply of the artificial light source 4 based on the output of the optical sensor, so that when the sunlight is weak even during the daytime, such as on cloudy days, the fluorescent display is not displayed. Even when the amount of sunlight is insufficient, the optical sensor detects the insufficient amount of sunlight, and a fluorescent display is performed using the artificial light source 4.

When the display apparatus is placed under sunlight, the optical sensor 8 is integrally provided on the upper part of the display apparatus A as shown in FIG. Further, if the display device is not placed under sunlight, it is provided integrally with the sunlight condensing device 1 or in the vicinity thereof. The optical sensor 8 is electrically connected to the drive unit 7 of the artificial light source, detects the amount of sunlight, and sends a signal corresponding to the amount of sunlight to the drive unit 7.
Send to. The artificial light source driving section 7 is disposed, for example, in the rear part of the inside of the display body B, and controls the power of the artificial light source 4 based on a signal corresponding to the amount of sunlight from the optical sensor 8. For example, when the optical sensor 8 detects that the amount of sunlight is above a predetermined value, the drive unit 7 does not operate and the artificial light source 4 does not emit light.

When the amount of sunlight detected by the optical sensor 8 is less than a predetermined value, the drive unit 7 is activated and the artificial light source 4 is set to emit light. The power source may be controlled by such on/off control, but it is also possible to control the light amount of the artificial light source 4 to change in response to changes in the light amount.

In the display device configured in this way, when there is sufficient sunlight during the day, the fluorescent screen 2 emits light only from the light from the sunlight concentrator 1, similar to the display device shown in FIG. When the optical sensor 8 detects that sunlight has decreased in the evening or in the evening, the artificial light source 4 is automatically activated by a signal from the optical sensor 8, so that clear display can be maintained at all times.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above embodiments, the display device of the present invention uses optical fibers, so it has good light transmission efficiency and clear display without unevenness. It only needs to be installed in a place where it can receive sunlight, and it can be installed underground, inside a building, or any other place, and the installation location is not limited.

Further, the display device of the present invention uses sunlight during the day and an artificial light source at night, so it can save energy and can be used day and night. In particular, when a combination of a photoelectric conversion panel that converts sunlight into electricity and a rechargeable battery is used as an artificial light source, the solar energy is fully utilized, so no electricity is consumed or the electricity consumption is reduced. It can be made extremely small.

Furthermore, by being equipped with a light sensor, the display device of the present invention can use an artificial light source in response to the amount of sunlight even when there is little sunlight, and can provide a clear display regardless of whether it is a sunny day or a cloudy day. . In addition, the display device of the present invention can be applied as a replacement for currently used neon signs and illumination advertisements, etc., and has much lower energy consumption than those, so it is suitable for industrial use in today's energy crisis. High value.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the display device of the present invention as seen from the front side, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the joining state of the sunlight concentrator and the optical fiber bundle, and Fig. 3 is a fluorescent screen and the optical fiber bundle. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the state of bonding between the artificial light source and the optical fiber bundle, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the display device of the present invention viewed from the rear. 1......Solar light concentrator 2......Fluorescent screen 2a...End face (display part) 3.3'...... Optical fiber bundle 4... Artificial light source 7... Drive section 8... Optical sensor A... Display Equipment diagram

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A fluorescent screen whose end face forms a display part, a sunlight concentrator for concentrating sunlight and causing the fluorescent screen to emit light, and a solar light concentrator for transmitting sunlight collected by the sunlight concentrator to the fluorescent screen. A display device comprising: an optical fiber bundle. 2. A fluorescent screen whose end face forms a display part, a sunlight concentrator for concentrating sunlight and causing the fluorescent screen to emit light, an artificial light source, sunlight collected by the sunlight concentrator and the artificial light source. and two sets of optical fiber bundles for respectively transmitting the light of the fluorescent screen to the fluorescent screen. 3. 3. The display device according to claim 2, further comprising: a sensor that detects the amount of sunlight; and a drive section that drives the artificial light source based on a signal from the sensor. 4. 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the power source of the artificial light source includes a photoelectric conversion panel that photoelectrically converts sunlight and a rechargeable battery that is charged by the photoelectric conversion panel.