WO2008131705A1

WO2008131705A1 - Optical display

Info

Publication number: WO2008131705A1
Application number: PCT/DE2007/000777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markus Meier; Rudolf Zimmermann
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2007-04-30
Filing date: 2007-04-30
Publication date: 2008-11-06
Also published as: DE112007003590A5; EP2143120A1; EP2143120B1; EP2482271B1; EP2482271A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical display (5, 6) having a housing (10, 11), at least one display element (30, 31), and an adapter (40, 60). The adapter (40, 60) is provided for electrically connecting at least one external conductor (55, 56) to at least one internal conductor (20, 21) which is electrically connected conductively to the display element (30, 31). The invention should clarify how to implement an optical display which is cost-effective and reliable, which can be integrated, and which provides space for additional components, or supports an optimal miniaturization. For this purpose, the internal conductors (20, 21), which consist of conductive plastic in particular, are formed at least in part by the housing (10, 11). Consequently, the internal conductors (29, 21) are to some extent located in the wall of the housing (10, 11) and/or in the body thereof.

Description

description

Optical display

The invention relates to a visual display, comprising a housing, at least one display element and an adapter, wherein the adapter for electrically connecting at least one external conductor is provided with at least one internal conductor, wherein the internal conductor is electrically conductively connected to the display element.

A visual display serves as a visual interface between an operator and a device for communicating information. On a housing or a manual control unit of a device are usually optical displays, such as a light indicator attached. If necessary, these visual displays form symbols, text or abstract representation possibilities, as they can be realized today with customary or feasible visual means.

The complexity of the optical display depends on the complexity of the information to be transmitted, which includes, for example, with a simple light display on seven-segment displays to a high-resolution color screen a variety of technical design options. The complexity in the production or realization of the known displays has the disadvantage that even with the simplest requirements, the cost factor plays a decisive role in more or less freely variable representations, especially as the costs arise on two levels. These include on the one hand the presentation problem ("presentation level") as well as the supply problem ("feed level") of the visual display. The representation level concerns all optically active elements that are used for the

Information transfer be used (eg a screen). The feed level is more concerned with the supply of the active elements, which is usually implemented using a multi-cable or bus and the corresponding electronics. At the same time the mechanical and / or electrical / electromagnetic robustness should be ensured in addition to the most cost-effective realization of the two levels / problems.

From G 8222568.0 a command switch with indicator lights is known, which consists of a rosette, is held in a lamp and a switch associated with the connector part is provided for the lamp. The state of a switch integrated in the command switch is indicated by the lamp.

The invention has for its object to provide a visual display that is inexpensive, reliable and easy to integrate.

This object is achieved in an optical display of the type mentioned in that the housing at least partially forms the internal conductor.

According to the invention, the optical display has a housing which at least partially forms internal conductors. In this case, the internal conductors are enclosed in such a way by the housing or its material, so that unwanted contact between the internal conductors and also with other contacts or foreign bodies can be excluded. This affects both the inside and the outside of the housing. The layer covering the internal conductor serves, so to speak, as an insulation layer.

Although the internal conductors run within, for example, a housing wall or housing molding, they reach a display element, from which the user receives one or more information, and also the adapter which is in contact with contacts or conductors, in particular cables, outside of the optical display , is provided. It is advantageous that the internal conductors, which for example consist wholly or partly of a conductive plastic, consume no space within the optical display and thus more space for other components Make available or miniaturization or integration of the optical display in, for example, an electrical and / or mechanical device, in particular computer, consumer electronics devices, measuring devices, power supplies, chargers, household appliances, or similar devices allow.

In an advantageous embodiment, the conductive plastic is at least partially an intrinsically conductive plastic. An intrinsically conductive plastic is a polymer such as acetylene, polypyrrole or polythiophene. As a rule, these substances are injected as a thin layer, in order then to be used as conductive foil or conductive segments. Its electrical conductivity is about 5 to 6 orders of magnitude lower than the conductivity of metallic conductors.

In an advantageous embodiment, the conductive plastic is at least partially a compound. A compound is a composite of a (non-conductive) plastic and conductive elements, such as metallic conductors,

Soot particles or carbon fibers. The actual shape of the conductive elements may vary depending on the material and its use. For example, fibers, substantially spherical particles or beads can be used.

In an advantageous embodiment, the optical display is combined with or integrated into a handle and / or an operating lever, whereby specific information for the handle or lever is forwarded to the user. For example, an information in the sense of "not operable" or a "countdown" when needed to the respective handle or lever can be displayed to indicate a status or function.

Advantageously, the adapter and / or the display element is at least partially integrated into the housing. The integration adds to the stability, especially since wiring is mainly or entirely via the adapter. Advantageously, the adapter is suitable for electrical connection to a data bus, in particular an ASI bus (actuator-sensor interface), which ensures both the power supply and the supply of data to be displayed.

Advantageously, the display element has a luminous element, a liquid crystal display or an electrochromic display or a combination of these elements. The information that is made available to the user here can be realized, for example, via interchangeable symbols / texts or even running images, wherein, for example, a low-cost display can be formed from a large number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs or optionally organic LEDs). When using a so-called electrochromic display, it is possible to generate different colors or shades when electrical voltage is applied.

Advantageously, new aspects result from the use of conductive plastics as internal conductors, optical displays can also be used for luminous garments and electrified toys without cable mess.

Advantageously, the visual display is attached to a garment to indicate an operating condition of an entertainment electronics or communication technology device with which the user interacts. For example, could by a visual indicator on a shirt sleeve (in

User's field of view), a call coming in on the mobile phone will be displayed if an acoustic signal has no effect due to noise.

Advantageously, the optical display as a status indicator on, for example, a mixer, whisk, vacuum cleaner, tools, especially dangerous tools such as drills or chainsaws, can be used wisely. Advantageously, the optical display with a command device can be used or integrated into the same. As an example, the illuminated pushbutton may be mentioned, which thus provides its own internal space to the command device virtually unimpaired for other tasks. For example, the arrangement of a plunger for coupled switching elements is difficult to perform, especially since no internal conductor, in the form of cables and contacts hinder the positive locking when actuated.

Further advantageous embodiments and preferred developments of the invention can be taken from the description of the figures and / or the dependent claims.

In the following the invention will be described and explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures.

Show it:

1 shows a sectional view of an optical display,

2 shows a view of the optical display from FIG. 1 with partially cut housing,

3 shows a partially sectioned view of an adapter of the optical display of FIG. 1 and FIG

4 shows a partially sectioned view of an optical display.

1 shows a sectional view of an optical display 5. The optical display 5 has an adapter 40, with which the outer conductor 56, which are designed here as a ribbon cable, and by means of a plug 50 are electrically connected to the adapter 40. The adapter 40 has the function of an interface that connects the outer conductors 56 to the internal conductors 20. The internal conductors 20 are embodied as line strands which, in the housing 10, which is designed as a light indicator housing, similar to how integrated in a multi-cable.

In addition to its multiple cable function of the housing 10, this also has mechanical properties, such as a special rigidity, which protects the internal conductors 20 from short-circuiting with externally applied parts. The production process also proves to be advantageous in terms of process technology, since the housing 10 and the internal conductors 20 can be injected in a very cost-effective manner as conductive plastic.

Advantageously, the internal conductors 20 simultaneously transmit a data flow which proceeds from the display element 30, which is designed as a light-indicator cap, back to, for example, a control panel or a central unit via the adapter 40. Thus, the data flow is bidirectional with respect to the internal conductors 20 in the housing 10, the power supply unidirectionally from the so-called "wiring side" to the "operator side" passes.

The connecting elements 32 ensure electrical contact between the internal conductors 20 with the local conductors of the display element 30. These are arranged according to the arrangement of the internal conductors 20 in a ring shape under the display element 30, which optionally shows an illuminable sign / symbol or text 31. When using an electrochromic display can be used as a symbol 31, for example, an arrow is used, which defines in its boundaries such a display. This allows the arrow to assume different manifestations in different states.

Advantageously, the optical display 5 is designed as a command device, whereby an additionally usable interior of the device is available in its entirety and thus the free space for example, a push button on one side and a plunger for coupled switching elements on the other side. Advantageously, almost all conventional types of attachment for the optical display 5 are conceivable, especially since no special restriction on the part of the integrated lines, in the form of the internal conductor 20, and almost any type of known solutions such as ring nut or locked holder with pressure screws, etc. can be easily used ,

2 shows a view of the optical display 5 from FIG. 1 with partially cut housing 10 from a different perspective.

The plug 50 may take a variety of different forms, which is either the design of the adapter 40 or the outer conductors 56 profitable.

3 shows a partially sectioned view of the adapter 40 for the optical display 5 of FIG. 1. The adapter 40 has contact pins 41 for ribbon plugs, which are arranged centrally on the adapter 40. On the plug 50 opposite side of the base plate 43, a plurality of connection contacts 42 are arranged radially, so that the electrical line from the central position of the adapter 40 to the edge, or be continued in the housing wall.

Advantageously, one can perceive with the adapter 40 different connection options by different Kotaktzuordnungen between the connection contacts 42 and the inner conductors 20 can be implemented by a corresponding rotational movement.

4 shows a partially sectioned view of an optical display 6. Similar to the previous figures, the optical display 6, which can also be embodied as a command device, has a plurality of internal conductors 21 which are arranged inside the housing material.

Advantageously, the adapter is designed as a data bus terminal 60, which is the implementation of data to be displayed, for example, for their multiplexing or demultiplexing in the sense of a parallel-serial conversion is provided. According favorable then the forwarding of the data, for example, by an ASI bus, which operates with a two-wire line.

The connection of the ASI bus can, as shown in FIG. 4, be accomplished by means of a two-wire cable 55, which is pressed into two cone-shaped contact elements 71 and clamped by a cover-like fixing part, which is not shown in FIG. When pressing the two-wire cable 55, the insulation of the same through the tips of the cone-shaped contacting elements 71 is broken and made the connection to the ASI bus.

Of course, the connections to an ASI or other bus may take other forms, such as a snap or plug connection.

In one embodiment, similar to the previous embodiment, electrochromic displays can be advantageously used, especially as colors can be varied with electrical voltage, which can represent, for example, signal colors, in particular warning colors and indicate a status of the command device or a technical system.

Advantageously, the display element is additionally or alternatively equipped with so-called organic LEDs, which also symbols and letters and possibly marquee or running images can be displayed.

In summary, the invention relates to a visual display, comprising a housing, at least one display element and an adapter, wherein the adapter for electrically connecting at least one external conductor is provided with at least one internal conductor, wherein the internal conductor is electrically conductively connected to the luminous element , It will be clarified how a cost-effective, reliable and inno- can be implemented, which provides construction space for additional components or optimally supports miniaturization. For this purpose, the internal conductors, which consist in particular of conductive plastic, at least partially formed by the housing. Thus, the internal conductors are virtually in the wall of the housing and / or in the body.

Claims

claims

Optical display (5, 6), comprising a housing (10, 11), at least one display element (30, 31) and an adapter (40, 60), wherein the adapter (40, 60) for electrical connection of at least one external Conductor (55, 56) is provided with at least one internal conductor (20, 21), wherein the internal conductor (20, 21) is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the display element (30, 31), since it shows that the housing (10, 11) at least partially forms the internal conductors (20, 21).

2. An optical display (5,6) according to claim 1, wherein the internal conductor (20, 21) at least partially a conductive plastic, in particular an intrinsically conductive plastic or a compound is.

3. Optical display (5,6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (40, 60) and / or the Anzeigeele- element (30, 31) at least partially integrated in the housing (10, 11) is / is.

4. Optical display (5, 6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (40, 60) for electrical connection düng to a data bus, in particular an ASI bus, is provided.

5. An optical display (5, 6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display element (30, 31) comprises a luminous element, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an electrochromic display.