JPH09258678A - Display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display unit which surely maintains display colors, is small in size and simple in constitution, is usable in spite of nonavailability of the electric power supply from an external electric power source and enables the assurance of a sufficient display light quantity. SOLUTION: Fluorescent materials are incorporated into fluorescent acrylic plates 2, 3 and inscribed grooves 15 are formed on the inner flanks 2a, 3a of these fluorescent acrylic plates 2, 3. A solar battery 4 is disposed between the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 and the light received therein is converted to electric power, which is stored into a battery. When the sunshine and the light of fluorescent lights are introduced to the fluorescent acrylic plates 2, 3, this light is reflected and refracted by the inscribed grooves 15 and is optically displayed on the outer side. When the sunshine and the light of the fluorescent lights are no longer given, the light sensor in an LED(light emitting diode) holder 7 detects the same and triggers the LED 8 to emit light. The LED 8 emits light by receiving the supply of the electric power stored thus far in the battery.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a display unit, and in particular, it can surely maintain a display color, is small in size and has a simple structure, and can be used even when it cannot receive power from an external power source. Also, the present invention relates to a structure of a display unit capable of ensuring a sufficient amount of display light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a signboard or the like, a fluorescent lamp or a light bulb is provided above the signboard for nighttime display outdoors, and light is emitted toward the signboard. Further, there is also one in which a fluorescent lamp is provided on the back side of a translucent display plate and the display is performed by turning on the fluorescent lamp. Further, there is a display unit in which a plurality of LEDs and plasma are arranged in a dot matrix.

As another conventional example, Japanese Utility Model Application No. 56-11.
There is a signboard related to No. 8058 (No. 58-23379). The configuration of this signboard will be described based on FIG. 5A which is a side sectional view. The transparent resin plate 70 is provided with a V-shaped engraved portion 71 for displaying characters, patterns and the like.

The light source 7 is provided on each end face of the transparent resin plate 70.
2 is provided, and the inside of the transparent resin plate 70 is irradiated with light. The irradiated light is reflected by the engraved portion 71, and an optical display is performed. In addition, it is shown that a luminescent paint may be applied to the engraved characters and patterns.

Further, there is a light emitting sign board described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-37437. The configuration of this light emitting sign board will be described based on FIG. 5B which is a side view. A plurality of light emitters 82 are arranged around the transparent plate 80.
Are provided so as not to face each other.

A mark 81 is formed on the transparent plate 80 by V-shaped groove processing. The light from the light-emitting body 82 provided around the transparent plate 80 is refracted by the V-shaped groove of the sign 81, so that an optical display is performed. Further, a luminescent marking plate is also shown which applies fluorescent paint along the marking 81 portion to emit light.

[0007]

The conventional display unit described above has the following problems. In the conventional example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when a luminescent coating material is applied to the engraved portion 71 and the marking 81 portion, the coating material may peel off due to aging. In addition, unevenness of light is generated on the displayed characters due to the distribution of the luminescent coating material.

Further, in each conventional example, it is necessary to receive power supply from an external power source for optical display, and if this power supply cannot be received, there is a problem that it cannot be used. Further, a fluorescent lamp or a light from a light bulb emitted from the upper part of the signboard or a fluorescent lamp provided on the back side of the display plate for optical display has a problem that the entire display device becomes large.

In addition, the arrangement of LEDs and plasmas arranged in a dot matrix for display requires a complicated structure and high product cost. In particular, the application to a display unit that performs invariant display is rather inappropriate.

Further, in the conventional example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a sufficient amount of light cannot be secured, and clear display is difficult.
Therefore, when the amount of light emitted from the light source 72 or the light emitting body 82 is increased, there arises a problem that power consumption increases.

Therefore, the present invention surely maintains the display color,
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display unit that is small in size, has a simple configuration, can be used even when it cannot receive power from an external power supply, and can secure a sufficient amount of display light.

[0012]

A display unit according to claim 1 contains a fluorescent material and is provided along an inner surface of the light transmitting plate having a display recess formed on the inner surface thereof. A light-shielding member, a reflecting member provided along the end surface of the light-transmitting plate, and a light source provided on at least one end surface of the light-transmitting plate, which emits light from the end surface of the light-transmitting plate toward the inside. It is characterized by having a light source for irradiating.

The display unit according to claim 2 is
A translucent plate containing a fluorescent material and having a display concave portion formed on the inner side surface thereof, a conversion section which is provided along the inner side surface of the translucent plate, and which converts the received light into electric power, A reflecting member provided along an end face of the plate, a light source provided on at least one end face of the light transmitting plate, the light source irradiating light from the end face of the light transmitting plate toward the inside, the light transmitting plate A power storage unit provided on at least one end surface of the power storage unit for storing the power converted by the conversion unit, wherein the light source receives the power stored in the power storage unit and emits light. Is emitted.

[0014]

In the display unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, the translucent plate contains the fluorescent material, and the display recess is formed on the inner side surface. A light source is provided on at least one end surface of the transparent plate, and light is emitted from the end surface of the transparent plate toward the inside.

Therefore, a part of the light from the light source or the light (light of the first wavelength) given from the external power source is refracted as it is in the concave portion of the display and diverged toward the outer side surface, and the rest of the light of the first wavelength is left. The second wavelength longer than the first wavelength due to the fluorescent material
Light of a wavelength is generated, refracted in the display concave portion, and diverged toward the outer surface. That is, display is performed from the outer surface of the light-transmitting plate with light of a color determined by the combination of the first wavelength and the second wavelength.

As described above, by selecting the wavelengths from the light source and the fluorescent material, it is possible to perform optical display of an arbitrary color, and since the fluorescent material is contained in the light-transmitting plate, it can be aged. There is no risk of the fluorescent material peeling off. Further, since the fluorescent material is not applied, unevenness of light does not occur due to the application distribution.

Further, the light source is provided on the end face of the light transmitting plate and radiates light toward the inside of the light transmitting plate. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a small-sized display unit having a simple structure.

Further, a light shielding member is provided along the inner side surface of the transparent plate. Therefore, it is possible to block the emission of light from the inner side surface and efficiently perform optical display toward the outer side surface.

A reflecting member is provided along the end surface of the transparent plate. Therefore, the emission of light from the end face can be blocked, and the light can be further guided to the inside of the transparent plate by reflection. Therefore, a sufficient amount of display light can be secured.

In the display unit according to the second aspect, the translucent plate contains the fluorescent material, and the display recess is formed on the inner side surface. A light source is provided on at least one end surface of the transparent plate, and light is emitted from the end surface of the transparent plate toward the inside.

Therefore, a part of the light from the light source or the light (light of the first wavelength) given from the external power source is refracted as it is in the display concave portion and diverged toward the outer side surface, and the rest of the light of the first wavelength is left. The second wavelength longer than the first wavelength due to the fluorescent material
Light of a wavelength is generated, refracted in the display concave portion, and diverged toward the outer surface. That is, display is performed from the outer surface of the light-transmitting plate with light of a color determined by the combination of the first wavelength and the second wavelength.

As described above, by selecting the wavelengths from the light source and the fluorescent material, it is possible to perform optical display of an arbitrary color, and since the fluorescent material is contained in the light-transmitting plate, it can be aged. There is no risk of the fluorescent material peeling off. Further, since the fluorescent material is not applied, unevenness of light does not occur due to the application distribution.

Further, the light source is provided on the end surface of the transparent plate, and irradiates the light toward the inside of the transparent plate. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a small-sized display unit having a simple structure.

Further, a conversion portion is provided along the inner side surface of the transparent plate. Therefore, the conversion section can block the emission of light from the inner side surface, and can efficiently perform optical display toward the outer side surface.

The converter converts the received light into electric power, and the power storage unit stores the power converted by the converter. Then, the light source receives the electric power stored in the power storage unit and emits light. Therefore, it can be used even when the power supply from the external power source cannot be received. Further, the power storage unit is located on at least one end surface of the translucent plate. Therefore, the power storage unit does not obstruct the display, and the device can be downsized.

A reflecting member is provided along the end surface of the transparent plate. Therefore, the emission of light from the end face can be blocked, and the light can be further guided to the inside of the transparent plate by reflection. Therefore, a sufficient amount of display light can be secured.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

1. First Embodiment (1) Overall Configuration of Display Unit A first embodiment of the display unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display unit in this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a II-II shown in FIG.
FIG.

A solar cell 4 as a conversion unit is located between the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 which are translucent plates, and the waterproof frames 11, 12, 13 are provided around the solar cells 4 in a state of being superposed on each other.
14 is attached and fixed. The fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 are configured to contain a fluorescent material. In addition, a thin battery 6, which is a power storage unit, is housed in the waterproof frame 12.

Inner side surfaces 2a, 3a of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2, 3
The solar cell 4 provided along the line converts the received light such as sunlight into electric power. Solar cell 4 and thin battery 6
Are electrically connected to each other, and the electric power converted by the solar cell 4 is stored in the thin battery 6. In this embodiment, a silicon solar cell is used as the solar cell 4. Further, as the thin battery 6, for example, a nickel hydrogen battery, a nicad battery, or a lead storage battery is used.

As shown in FIG. 2, fluorescent acrylic plates 2, 3
Engraved grooves 15 which are display recesses are formed on the inner side surfaces 2a, 3a. The engraved groove 15 represents the display 5 of FIG. In the present embodiment, the groove angle 15R of the engraved groove 15 is formed to be about 90 degrees, and both slopes of the engraved groove 15 are positioned at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the outer surface. Has become.

A plurality of irradiation holes 20 are formed in the waterproof frame 11. Then, the LED holder 7 is further attached from the upper part of the waterproof frame 11. As shown in FIG. 2, a printed circuit board 9 is provided in the LED holder 7, and the printed circuit board 9 has an LED as a light source.
A plurality of (light emitting diodes) 8 are arranged.
When the LED holder 7 is attached from the upper part of the waterproof frame 11, each LED 8 is positioned so as to face the irradiation hole 20. In the present embodiment,
The blue LED 8 is used.

Each LED 8 receives the electric power stored in the thin battery 6 to emit light, and the fluorescent acrylic plate 2,
Irradiate 3 with light. That is, the LED 8 emits light from the end faces of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 toward the inside. In this embodiment, the LED 8 is one of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3.
LED 8 is provided on two or more end faces, and the fluorescent acrylic plate 2 is provided from two or more different directions.
You may make it irradiate light toward the inside of 3. An optical sensor (not shown) is provided in the LED holder 7, and the optical sensor recognizes a decrease in the amount of light received at night or the like and causes the LED 8 to emit light.

Anti-slopes (reflection members) 11M, 12M, 13M and 14M of waterproof frames 11, 12, 13 and 14 are positioned in contact with the end faces of fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 and solar cell 4, respectively. As a result, the light applied to the inside of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 does not radiate from the end face, and the anti-slope 11
The light is reflected by M, 12M, 13M, and 14M, and is further guided into the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3.

Further, the solar cell 4 also has a function as a light shielding member in the present embodiment, and blocks the light applied to the inside of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 from radiating from the inner side surfaces 2a and 3a. are doing. Thus, the anti-slope 11
By M, 12M, 13M, 14M and the solar cell 4, optical display is efficiently performed toward the outer surface, and a sufficient display light amount can be secured. In this embodiment, two fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 are provided for double-sided display, but one fluorescent acrylic plate may be provided for single-sided display.

The anti-slopes 11M, 12M, 13M, 1
Instead of 4M, a reflection seal may be adopted as a reflection member, and this reflection seal may be attached to reflect light on the end faces of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 and the solar cell 4. Further, it is also possible to attach a light-shielding seal as a light-shielding member to the inner side surfaces 2a, 3a to block the emission of light from the inner side surfaces 2a, 3a.

Further, in this embodiment, the thin battery 6 is provided only in the waterproof frame 12, but the waterproof frames 13 and 14 are provided.
A plurality of thin batteries 6 may be housed inside and provided with a plurality of thin batteries 6. In addition, the thin battery 6 is attached to the LED holder 7
Can also be provided.

(2) Display by LED 8 For example, when it is no longer possible to give external light to the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3, such as when it is outdoors at night or when the fluorescent lamp is turned off indoors, the LED holder 7 The above-mentioned optical sensor provided inside detects this. Then, the electric power stored in the thin battery 6 is LE
It is supplied to D8 to cause LED8 to emit light. In this case, LE
The light from D8 is emitted from the end faces of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 through the irradiation hole 20 of the waterproof frame 11 toward the inside.

Here, the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 contain the fluorescent material as described above, and receive a part of the light of the first wavelength from the LED 8 to excite the fluorescent material. And
When returning from the excited state to the ground state, light of a second wavelength, which is longer than the first wavelength, is emitted.
It is refracted at and diverges toward the outer surface. In addition, LED8
The rest of the light of the first wavelength from is refracted as it is in the engraved groove 15 and diverged toward the outer surface.

That is, from the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3,
Display is performed with light of a color determined by the combination of the first wavelength and the second wavelength. Thus, L
By selecting the wavelength of light from the ED 8 and the type of fluorescent material, it is possible to perform optical display in any color. Moreover, since the fluorescent material is contained in the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3, there is no fear that the fluorescent material will peel off due to aging or the like. Further, since the fluorescent material is not applied, unevenness of light does not occur due to the application distribution.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the blue emission L
The ED 8 is used, and the fluorescent material contained in the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 is used to display with green light. That is, the display 5 portion shown in FIG. 1 is displayed by green light. Since blue has a short wavelength and high energy, when the fluorescent material receives the first wavelength of blue, the wavelength change of the second wavelength is large. For this reason,
When the blue light emitting LED 8 is used, various optical displays can be performed depending on the kind of the fluorescent material.

The light from the LED 8 provided in the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 is protected by the waterproof frames 11, 12, 13, and 14.
The anti-slopes 11M, 12M, 13M, 14M and the like are irregularly reflected, and the irregularly reflected light is refracted by the engraved groove 15. For this reason,
The display light reflected by the engraved groove 15 is displayed to the outside at various angles, and the optical display does not have strength or weakness depending on the viewing angle. Further, since the groove angle 15R of the engraved groove 15 is formed to be about 90 degrees as described above, it is optically displayed at a uniform angle.

As described above, since the LED 8 is caused to emit light by using the electric power stored in the thin battery 6 by the solar cell 4, it is not necessary to receive the electric power from the external power source.
Further, since the thin battery 6 is located between the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3, the solar cell 4 and the waterproof frame 12, the thin battery 6 does not interfere with the optical display, and the device can be downsized. Can be planned.

In the present embodiment, the blue LED 8 is used and the fluorescent material that displays the green color by receiving the wavelength of the blue color is used, but other colors may be used.

(3) Optical display that receives sunlight, etc. When sunlight is received outdoors or the light of a fluorescent lamp in the room is received,
An optical sensor provided in the LED holder 7 detects this and stops the light emission of the LED 8. In this case, optical display is performed based on the received sunlight or the light of the fluorescent lamp.

That is, as in the case where the light from the LED 8 is received, the sunlight or the light of the fluorescent lamp is reflected and refracted by the engraving groove 15 and displayed toward the outside, and this display color depends on the fluorescent material. It is displayed as a different color depending on the wavelength change.
Thus, the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 containing the fluorescent material
The optical display of any color can be done by
Moreover, since the fluorescent material is contained in the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3, there is no fear that the fluorescent material will peel off due to aging or the like. Further, since the fluorescent material is not applied, unevenness of light does not occur due to the application distribution.

2. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the display unit according to the present invention will be described. In the display unit according to the present embodiment as well, the plurality of LEDs 8 are arranged in the LED holder 27, and light is emitted from the end faces of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 toward the inside. The fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 also contain a fluorescent material as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the LED 8 is caused to emit light by receiving the power supply from the external power source. An outlet 28 is formed in the LED holder 27, and a plug 29 is connected to the outlet 28 to take in electric power from an external power source. Therefore, since the solar cell 4 shown in the first embodiment is not necessary, a fluorescent acrylic plate 24 as a light shielding member is provided between the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 instead. Also, the thin battery 6 is not provided.

Transparent acrylic plates 25 and 26 are provided outside the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 to protect the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3. This transparent acrylic plate 25, 26
May be provided in the display unit shown in the first embodiment.

The display unit in this embodiment is used in a place where it cannot receive sufficient light such as sunlight or fluorescent light. Then, the LED 8 emits light in response to the power supply from the external power source, is reflected by the engraved groove 15, is refracted, and is displayed outward. This display color is displayed as a different color depending on the wavelength change due to the fluorescent material.

3. Third Embodiment A display unit according to the third embodiment is shown in FIG. This display unit has both the configuration of the first embodiment and the configuration of the second embodiment.

That is, a plurality of LEDs 8 are arranged in the LED holder 30, and light is emitted from the end faces of the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 toward the inside. The fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 contain a fluorescent material. A solar cell 4 is provided between the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3, and the electric power converted by the solar cell 4 is stored in a thin battery 6 housed in a waterproof frame 12.

When sunlight or fluorescent light is received, it is reflected by the engraved groove 15 in the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 and is refracted to be displayed outward. This display color is displayed as a different color depending on the wavelength change due to the fluorescent material. Further, when sunlight or the like is no longer applied, the optical sensor in the LED holder 30 detects this and causes the LED 8 to emit light, thereby optically displaying the display 5.

In this embodiment, the LED holder 3
0 has an outlet 31 formed here, and plug 3
2 is connected so that power can be taken in from an external power source. And the power from this external power source is LED
8 and an optical display is made. The switch 33 controls ON / OFF of the light emission of the LED 8.

The display unit according to the present embodiment can select the power supply mode according to the installation situation. When sufficient supply of sunlight or fluorescent light can be expected, optical display is performed based on these lights (similar to the first embodiment), and sunlight or fluorescent light cannot be expected. Receives an electric power from an external power source to perform optical display (similar to the second embodiment).

4. Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to those shown in the above embodiments. For example, although the fluorescent acrylic plates 2 and 3 have been illustrated as the translucent plate, other shapes and structures may be adopted as long as they contain a fluorescent material and have a display concave portion formed therein. Further, the engraved groove 15 is illustrated as the display recess, but the present invention is not limited to this shape.

Although the LED 8 is illustrated as the light source,
Other light sources may be used as long as they irradiate light from the end surface of the transparent plate toward the inside. Further, other than the solar cell 4 and the thin battery 6 can be adopted as the conversion unit and the power storage unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a display unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a display unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of a display unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a conventional display unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2, 3 Fluorescent acrylic plate 4 Solar cell 6 Thin battery 8 LED 15 Engraved groove 24 Light blocking Acrylic plate

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A light-transmitting plate containing a fluorescent material and having a display recess formed on the inner side surface thereof, a light-shielding member provided along the inner side surface of the light-transmitting plate, and an end face of the light-transmitting plate. A reflection member provided as a light source, and a light source provided on at least one end surface of the light transmitting plate, the light source irradiating light from the end surface of the light transmitting plate toward the inside thereof. unit. 2. A translucent plate containing a fluorescent material and having a display concave portion formed on the inner side surface thereof; and a conversion member provided along the inner side surface of the translucent plate for converting received light into electric power. A light source provided on at least one end surface of the light transmitting plate, the light source irradiating light from the end surface of the light transmitting plate toward the inside. A power storage unit provided on at least one end surface of the light-transmitting plate, the power storage unit storing the power converted by the conversion unit, wherein the light source is configured to store the power stored in the power storage unit. A display unit, which emits light when supplied.