JP2000057874A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relatively easily enhance the appearance of a display surface part and the appearance of a display device when it emits light. SOLUTION: In this device, the display surface part 16 of a display member 13 is of a two-layered structure comprising first and second transmissive members 14, 15 laid one on the other, and the transmissive part 25 of a control member 22 is also of a two-layered structure comprising transmissive first and second transmissive members 23, 24 laid one on to other. When a lamp 11 is turned on, the back of the display member 13 is illuminated by light emitted by the lamp 11 and light reflected by a reflector 12, so that the overall surfaces of the display surface part 16 and the transmissive part 25 emit light. The display surface part 16 and the transmissive part 25 are formed by combination of a plurality of members differing in color and light transmission, whereby deep colors and light emission that could not be achieved with a single member can be produced relatively easily.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device in which a display surface is illuminated from behind by light emitted from a light emitting means so that substantially the entire display surface is illuminated.

[0002]

For example, a switch device for air-conditioning of an automobile has been proposed in which the entire display surface for displaying the operation mode of the switch is illuminated for nighttime display. . In this one,
On the back side of the display surface portion configured to have translucency, a lamp as a light emitting means and a reflector for reflecting light emitted by the lamp are provided, and the light emitted from the lamp and the light reflected by the reflector are used. By illuminating the back side of the display surface, the entire surface of the display surface is configured to emit light.

However, in the conventional configuration, since the display surface is composed of only one member, the appearance of the display surface and the state of the light emitting state are relatively simple, and the appearance of the display surface and the state of the light emitting state are relatively simple. Even if you try to improve the appearance,
There was a disadvantage that the degree of freedom was small.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of relatively easily improving the appearance of a display surface or the appearance in a light emitting state. .

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention illuminates the display surface from behind with light emitted by the light emitting means, so that almost the entire surface of the display surface emits light. In the display device to be configured, the display surface portion has a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of light-transmitting layers are stacked in a thickness direction.

According to the above-described means, by forming the display surface portion by combining a plurality of layers having different colors and light transmittances, it is possible to relatively easily change a deep color or a light emitting state which cannot be achieved by one member. You can make it. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily improve the appearance of the display surface portion and the appearance in the light emitting state.

In the present invention, a push button can be provided in the display surface. Further, a frame-shaped light-transmitting portion is provided around the display surface portion so as to surround the display surface portion, and the light-transmitting portion is formed by thickening a plurality of light-transmitting layers similarly to the display surface portion. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the light-transmitting portion is also in a light-emitting state by illuminating the light-transmitting portion from behind with light emitted by the light-emitting means.

Further, the respective layers on the surface side of the display surface portion and the light transmitting portion may be a half mirror layer or a non-reflection layer.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a switch device of an automobile will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in FIGS. 2 to 4 showing the overall configuration, a switch body 1 includes a mode changeover switch 2 for selecting an air blowing direction in order from the left,
A temperature setting switch 3 for setting the temperature inside the vehicle and a blower switch 4 for setting the wind intensity are provided, and an air conditioner switch 5 is provided on the right side of the blower switch 4.
And a circulation switch 6 are provided vertically, and a printed wiring board 7 is provided on the back side.
A mode change switch 2 among the switches 2 to 6;
Each of the temperature setting switch 3 and the blower switch 4 has a circular shape.

The blower switch 4 among the switches 2 to 6 will be described with reference to FIG. In a portion of the switch body 1 where the blower switch 4 is provided, a circular switch installation portion 10 is formed.
On the printed wiring board 7, a lamp 11 which constitutes a light emitting means is provided at a portion corresponding to a central portion of the switch installation portion 10.
A mortar-shaped reflector 12 having an inner surface serving as a reflection surface is fixedly mounted around the lamp 11.

A circular display member 13 is mounted on the opening side of the reflector 12 so as to cover the lamp 11. The display member 13 includes a first member 14 made of a light-transmitting material, and a second member 1 made of a light-transmitting material provided on the back side of the first member 14.
5 and the first member 1
The portion where the fourth member 15 and the second member 15 overlap is formed as a circular display surface portion 16. Therefore, the display surface section 16 has a two-layer structure in which the first member 14 constituting the first layer and the second member 15 constituting the second layer are superposed in the thickness direction. .

In this case, the display member 13 uses a transparent resin containing a light diffusing agent for the first member 14 and a milky white resin for the second member 15 in order to obtain a frosted glass appearance. It is made by these two-color molding. The second layer 15 includes a cylindrical portion 15 outside the display surface 16.
a is integrally formed, and this cylindrical portion 15 a is engaged with the reflector 12. On the surface of the display surface section 16,
As shown in FIG. 2, a display unit 17a such as "OFF" or "AUTO" is provided by printing.

A rotor 18 is provided on the outer peripheral portion on the back side of the reflector 12 so as to be rotatable with respect to the reflector 12. As shown in FIG. 4, a moderating ball 19 and a spring 2 are provided between the rotor 18 and the reflector 12.
0 is provided. Further, a switch element 21 that is switched with the rotation of the rotor 18 is provided between the rotor 18 and the printed wiring board 7.

A circular frame-shaped operation member 22 is arranged around the display member 13 so as to surround the display surface portion 16, and the operation member 22 rotates integrally with the rotor 18. As described above.
Similarly to the display member 13, the operation member 22 includes a first member 23 made of a light-transmitting material and a second member 23 provided inside the first member 23 and made of a light-transmitting material. The first member 23 and the second member 24 overlap each other to form a circular frame-shaped portion as a light transmitting portion 25. Therefore, the light-transmitting portion 25 also has a two-layer structure in which the first member 23 forming the first layer and the second member 24 forming the second layer are overlapped in the thickness direction. .

The light transmitting portion 25 is also made of a transparent resin containing a light diffusing agent for the first member 23 and a milky white resin for the second member 24 in order to obtain a frosted glass effect. And it is made by these two-color molding. A pointer 26 for displaying the rotational position of the operation member 22 is provided at one position on the outer peripheral portion of the operation member 22. In this case, the pointer 26 is made of a non-translucent resin. ing. The operation member 22 is configured such that the pointer 26 can rotate within a range corresponding to “OFF” to “HI” of the display unit 17a.

Next, the temperature setting switch 3 will be described. The temperature setting switch 3 is connected to the blower switch 4
The same components as those of the blower switch 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different components will be described. That is, the display section 17b provided on the surface of the display surface section 16 of the temperature setting switch 3 indicates "20", "25",
"30" and the like are displayed. Also, switch element 2
1a (see FIG. 4) is composed of a volume. The operation member 22 can rotate the pointer 26 within a range corresponding to “20” to “30” of the display unit 17b.

Next, regarding the mode changeover switch 2,
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The mode changeover switch 2 also has basically the same configuration as the blower switch 4. The same parts as those of the blower switch 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Will be described only. That is, the reflector 27 has two cylindrical portions 28 and 29 sandwiching the lamp 11 therebetween.
And a concave portion 30 is formed around the cylindrical portions 28 and 29.

The display surface portion 1 of the display member 13
A push button 32 for defogger is provided at the center portion of 6 through a holder 31 so as to be vertically movable in FIGS. 4 and 5. The push button 32 is provided with a pressing projection 33 movably inserted into the cylindrical portion 28 at a portion corresponding to the one cylindrical portion 28 and a portion corresponding to the other cylindrical portion 29. Is provided with a lens 34 for ON display.
A display unit 3 for defogger is provided at a portion corresponding to the lamp 11.
5 are provided.

In this case, the push button 32 is a lens 34
The display unit 35 has a light-transmitting property, but the other parts are non-light-transmitting. On the display unit 17c provided on the surface of the display surface unit 16 of the mode changeover switch 2, a picture indicating the blowing direction of the wind is displayed. The operation member 22 of the mode changeover switch 2 can rotate endlessly in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.

On the printed wiring board 7 side, a rubber contact 37 pressed by a pressing projection 33 is provided at a portion corresponding to the one cylindrical portion 28, and a rubber contact 37 corresponding to the other cylindrical portion 29 is provided. A light emitting diode 38 that illuminates the lens 34 is provided at the portion where the light is emitted. In this case, when the push button 32 is pressed, the rubber contact 37 is formed by the pressing projection 33.
When the pressing operation is released and the pressing operation is released, the push button 32 is returned to the original position via the pressing projection 33 by the return force of the rubber contact 37.

Next, the air conditioner switch 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In switch body 1,
A switch installation portion 40 is formed in a portion where the air conditioner switch 5 is provided. A push button 41 is provided on the switch installation section 40 so as to be vertically movable in FIG. The push button 41 is provided with a pressing convex part 42, a light-transmitting display part 43, and a lens 44. This push button 41
The portion other than the display section 43 and the lens 44 is made of a non-translucent resin.

On the printed wiring board 7 side, the pressing projection 4
2, a rubber contact 45 is provided at a portion corresponding to the lens 44, and a light emitting diode 46 is provided at a portion corresponding to the lens 44. Further, the air conditioner switch 5 and the The switch 6 is provided with a common lamp 47 (see FIG. 4). When the lamp 47 is turned on, the light is illuminated on the display unit 43 from below through the light guide 48.

Further, a circulating switch 6
Has basically the same configuration as that of the air conditioner switch 5. The air conditioner switch 5 is a push button 4
9 and the display shape of the display unit 50 are different. When the lamp 47 is turned on, the display unit 50 is also illuminated from below via the light guide 48.

In the above arrangement, when a light switch (not shown) of the vehicle is turned on,
The lamps 11 and 47 of the switches 2 to 6 are turned on.
Of these, each display member 13 is illuminated from the back by the light emitted from each lamp 11 and the light reflected by the corresponding reflectors 12 and 27. Along with this, the entire surface of each display surface portion 16 becomes a light emitting state, and the light passing through the cylindrical portion 15a of the display member 13 illuminates the light transmitting portion 25 of each operation member 22 from the inside to become a light emitting state ( Display surface 1
6 and a portion where the light transmitting portion 25 emits light is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7).

At this time, each of the display surfaces 16 in the light emitting state
The light transmitting part 25 includes a first member 14 made of a transparent resin containing a light diffusing agent and a second member 15 made of a milky resin.
Since the two-layer structure is adopted, light transmitted through these two members can be seen in a fused state.

In this case, in the mode changeover switch 2, the display section 35 of the push button 32 is illuminated by the lamp 11 to emit light. Here, in this mode changeover switch 2, since two cylindrical portions 28 and 29 are provided so as to sandwich the lamp 11 on the reflector 27,
There is a possibility that a shadow may be formed on the opposite side of the tube portions 28 and 29 from the lamp 11. In this regard, in this embodiment, the reflector 27 is provided with the cylindrical portions 28 and 2.
9, the light emitted from the lamp 11 emits light as shown by the arrow H in FIG.
It hits the back wall of the cylindrical portions 28 and 29 by hitting the 0 wall 30a, and the shadow of the cylindrical portions 28 and 29 can be prevented from being formed as much as possible.

On the other hand, when the lamp 47 is turned on, the light is transmitted by the light guide 48 to the display unit 43 of the push button 41 of the air conditioner switch 5 as described above.
Is illuminated and the switch for circulation 6
The display unit 50 of the push button 49 is illuminated.

In the first embodiment, as described above, when each lamp 11 is turned on, each display member 13 is turned on.
Is illuminated from the back side, and accordingly, the entire surface of each display surface portion 16 is turned on, and the cylindrical portion 15 of the display member 13 is illuminated.
The light transmitting portion 25 of each operation member 22 is illuminated from the inside by the light passing through “a” to be in a light emitting state.

At this time, each display surface portion 16 which is in a light emitting state is set.
The light transmitting portion 25 has a two-layer structure of first members 14 and 23 made of a transparent resin containing a light diffusing agent and second members 15 and 24 made of a milky white resin. The transmitted light becomes visible in a fused state. Therefore, the display surface portion 16 and the light transmitting portion 25 can be relatively easily formed in a state that cannot be expressed when the display surface portion 16 and the light transmitting portion 25 are configured by only one member (only one layer).

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, for example, in the blower switch 4, the display member 5
5 is a base member 56 made of a translucent material.
And a translucent half mirror layer 57 provided on the surface of the base member 56. A portion where the base member 56 and the half mirror layer 57 overlap each other is formed as a display surface portion 58. ing. Therefore, the display surface portion 58 also has a two-layer structure in which the base member 56 and the half mirror layer 57 are overlapped in the thickness direction. In this case, the half mirror layer 57 is provided by, for example, vapor deposition of a chromium alloy.

An operation member 59 provided around the display member 55 is also provided with a base member 60 made of a light-transmitting material and a surface member of the base member 60, similarly to the display member 55. And a half mirror layer 61 having a light-transmitting property.
A portion where the and the half mirror layer 61 overlap is configured as a light transmitting portion 62. Therefore, the light transmitting portion 62 also has a two-layer structure in which the base member 60 and the half mirror layer 61 are overlapped in the thickness direction.

In the case of such a configuration, the display surface portion 58
Since the surfaces of the light transmitting portion 62 and the half mirror layers 57 and 61 are formed, the display surface portion 58 and the light transmitting portion 62
, The surface looks like a metal surface, and the entire surface is seen to emit light.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the following points. That is, the layer on the surface side of the display surface portion 58 of the display member 55 is the non-reflective layer 65,
The layer on the surface side of the light transmitting portion 62 of the operation member 59 is also a non-reflection layer 66. In this case, the non-reflection layers 65 and 66
Is provided by matte coating, for example.

In the case of such a configuration, the display surface portion 58
Since the non-reflection layers 65 and 66 are provided on the surfaces of the light-transmitting portion 62 and the display surface portion 58 and the light-transmitting portion 62, respectively, even if the display surface portion 58 and the light-transmitting portion 62 are made to emit light by the lamp 11, the display surface portion 58 and the light-transmitting portion 62 are formed. However, for example, reflection on a windshield of a vehicle can be prevented as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display surface portion 58 and the light transmitting portion 62 from being reflected on the windshield and obstructing the driver as much as possible. Further, even when sunlight directly hits the display surface portion 58 and the light transmitting portion 62, the surfaces of the display surface portion 58 and the light transmitting portion 62 hardly reflect.
It is possible to prevent the parts displayed on them from becoming invisible as much as possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows. The display surface portions 16 and 58 and the light transmitting portions 25 and 62
The number of layers is not limited to two, but may be three or four.

The display surface section 16 and the light transmitting section 23 are not limited to providing the first member 14 and the second member 15 by two-color molding, and the first member 14 and the second member 15 are bonded to each other. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which The pointer 26 of the operation member 22 may be made of a translucent resin,
It may be displayed by printing.

[0037]

According to the display device of the first aspect, by combining a plurality of layers having different colors and light transmittances on the display surface portion, it is possible to relatively easily realize a deep color and a light emitting state which cannot be achieved by a single layer. You can make it. Therefore,
It is possible to relatively easily improve the appearance of the display surface portion and the appearance in a light emitting state.

According to the display device of the second aspect, the area around the push button can be made to emit light. According to the display device of the third aspect, the periphery of the display surface can also be in a light emitting state.

According to the display device of the fourth aspect, the entire surface of the display surface portion can be made to emit light as if the surface were like a metal surface.

According to the display device of the fifth aspect, the light transmitting portion is
The entire surface can be made to emit light as if the surface were like a metal surface.

According to the display device of the sixth aspect, even when the display surface is in a light emitting state, it can be prevented from being annoying to the user as much as possible, and even if external light is directly applied to the display surface, This makes it possible to prevent the display on the display surface from becoming invisible as much as possible.

According to the display device of the seventh aspect, even when the light transmitting portion is in the light emitting state, it can be prevented as much as possible to obstruct the user, and the light from the outside directly hits the light transmitting portion. In addition, it is possible to prevent the display on the translucent portion from becoming invisible as much as possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged vertical sectional side view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the entire switch device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view taken along line CC in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional front view taken along line DD in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional side view taken along line EE in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a light emitting state of a display surface portion and a light transmitting portion.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 is a mode switch, 3 is a temperature setting switch, 4
Denotes a blower switch, 11 denotes a lamp (light emitting means), 12 denotes a reflector, 13 denotes a display member, 14 denotes a first member (layer), 15 denotes a second member (layer), 16 denotes a display surface portion,
2 is an operation member, 23 is a first member (layer), 24 is a second member (layer), 25 is a light transmitting part, 26 is a pointer, 27 is a reflector, 32 is a push button, 55 is a display member, and 56 is a display member. A base member (layer), 57 is a half mirror layer, 58 is a display surface portion,
Reference numeral 59 denotes an operation member, 60 denotes a base member (layer), 61 denotes a half mirror layer, 62 denotes a light transmitting portion, and 65 and 66 denote non-reflection layers.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshiki Akita 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-machi, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside Tokai Rika Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Takamatsu 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Corporation F-term (reference) 5G006 AZ09 JA01 JB01 JC01 JF27 5G052 AA21 BB01 JA02 JA08 JB03 JC10

Claims (7)

[Claims] 2. A display device comprising: a light-emitting unit that illuminates a display surface from behind with light emitted from the light-emitting means so that substantially the entire surface of the display is in a light-emitting state; A display device having a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of layers are stacked in a thickness direction. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a push button is provided in the display surface portion. 3. A frame-shaped light-transmitting portion provided around the display surface portion so as to surround the display surface portion, and the light-transmitting portion is formed by forming a plurality of light-transmitting layers each having a thickness. 2. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting portion is in a light-emitting state by illuminating the light-transmitting portion from behind with light emitted by the light-emitting means. The display device according to the above. 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the layer on the surface side of the display surface portion is a half mirror layer. 5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein a layer on the surface side of the light transmitting portion is a half mirror layer. 6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the layer on the surface side of the display surface portion is a non-reflection layer. 7. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the layer on the surface side of the light transmitting portion is a non-reflective layer.