JP2003075807A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device capable of suppressing its cost increase. SOLUTION: The display device is provided with a liquid crystal panel (a first display panel) 5, liquid crystal panels (second liquid crystal panels) 6 and 7 disposed in the rear of the liquid crystal panel 5 in a layered state, a light source 2 illuminating these liquid crystal panels 5-7 as a backlight and a case 1 housing the light source 2. The liquid crystal panels 5-7 can be attached to the case 1 without enlarging the panel sizes of the liquid crystal panels 5-7, in this case the panel sizes of the liquid crystal panels 6 and 7 disposed in the rear of the liquid crystal panel 5, more than needed and can be made low in cost and light in weight by forming the liquid crystal panels 6 and 7 so that each size is smaller than that of the liquid crystal panel 5 and providing a holder 4 holding the liquid crystal panels 5-7 in the layered state and consisting of a light transmissive material between the case 1 and the respective liquid crystal panels 5-7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device mounted on a vehicle for displaying various information such as measured values through a liquid crystal panel, and more particularly, a display device in which a plurality of liquid crystal panels are stacked in the plate thickness direction. Regarding the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electric signal (applied voltage) is used as a display device for measuring instruments for vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles.
There is a display device using a liquid crystal panel that controls the transmission / non-transmission of light by changing the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules due to, and displays a symbol such as a predetermined figure or character according to the electrode shape (for example, JP-A-62-31883). JP-A-62-31530).

In this type of display device, for example, when the types of liquid crystal molecules are different according to the required display specifications, or when a liquid crystal panel is used as a color switching element (color shutter), the opening side of the case is used. A plurality of liquid crystal panels are stacked and arranged, and a backlight is illuminated by a light source housed in these liquid crystal panels.

[0004]

However, in such a display device in which a plurality of liquid crystal panels are laminated, the outer size of each liquid crystal panel is formed to be equal in order to support each liquid crystal panel in a laminated state by a case. And for this reason
The size of the liquid crystal panel is unnecessarily increased, resulting in an increase in cost and weight.

Therefore, the present invention provides a display device capable of suppressing the cost increase by optimizing the panel size of the liquid crystal panel.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a first liquid crystal panel and a second liquid crystal panel arranged behind the first liquid crystal panel in a laminated state.
A light source for backlighting the first and second liquid crystal panels and a case for housing the light source are provided.
Is formed smaller than the panel size of the first liquid crystal panel, and the first and second liquid crystal panels are held in a laminated state between the case and the first and second liquid crystal panels. It is characterized in that a holder made of a translucent material is provided.

The present invention is also characterized in that the holder has a first recess for accommodating the first liquid crystal panel and a second recess for accommodating the second liquid crystal panel.

The present invention is also characterized in that the holder has a light control section for adjusting light from a light source reaching the first and second liquid crystal panels.

According to the present invention, the first liquid crystal panel has a first display section for displaying first predetermined information, and
A second liquid crystal panel for displaying a second predetermined information;
And the first and second liquid crystal panels are stacked so that the first display portion and the second display portion do not overlap each other.

Further, according to the present invention, the first liquid crystal panel has a display portion for displaying predetermined information, and the second liquid crystal panel is arranged at a position corresponding to at least the display portion, and the second liquid crystal is provided. A plurality of color polarizing plates are laminated and arranged between the panel and the light source, and the second liquid crystal panel switches the illumination color of the display unit by rotating the polarization axis of transmitted light according to an electric signal. Is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the light source has the first and second light sources.
It is characterized by comprising a single linear light source for illuminating the liquid crystal panel.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The display device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a front view of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of a liquid crystal panel peripheral portion including a holder, and FIG. It is a front view shown.

1 and 2, the display device has a case 1 made of synthetic resin, and a light source 2 and a reflector 3 are housed in the case 1. Case 1 is
It is composed of a bottomed frame body that is closed on the back side and opens on the front side, and a holder 4 corresponding to the front external shape of the display device itself is arranged on the opening side, and a large liquid crystal panel (first One liquid crystal panel 5 and small liquid crystal panels (second liquid crystal panels) 6 and 7 are respectively held.
The light source 2 is composed of a single cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube that corresponds to the size of the liquid crystal panel 5 in the longitudinal direction.
Not only the liquid crystal panels 6 and 7 are illuminated.

The liquid crystal panel 5 is, for example, a well-known TN type liquid crystal panel in which TN type liquid crystal molecules are enclosed between a pair of glass substrates, and has a panel size substantially corresponding to the front external shape of the display device itself. There is. This liquid crystal panel 5
For example, a black mask layer having a light shielding property is provided on the facing surface of the glass substrate, and a measurement value display unit (first display unit) that displays various measurement values in a region where the mask layer is partially removed. ) 51-53 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, film-shaped polarizing plates 55 and 56 are attached to the liquid crystal panel 5, and the opening 5 corresponding to the liquid crystal panel 6 is formed in the polarizing plate 56.
6a is formed.

In FIG. 1, the numbers "1-6", "rp"
The characters "m", "km / h", "E", and "F" are light-transmissive fixed display portions formed by excluding the mask printing, and the fixed display portions are the measured value display portions 51. ~ 5
Unlike 3, the backlight illumination is performed without changing the shape (design).

Of the measured value display units 51 to 53, the measured value display unit 51 is composed of a segment display unit combined in a so-called "day" shape, displays the traveling speed of the vehicle, and displays the measured value display unit 52. , 53 each consist of a segment (bar graph) display unit combined in a "U" shape, and by switching the transmission / non-transmission state of the segment according to an electric signal, the engine speed of the vehicle and the fuel remaining amount. Can be displayed, and when the segment is in the transparent state,
Backlight illumination is performed through the light source 2 in the illumination color described later.

The liquid crystal panel 6 is, for example, a TN type liquid crystal panel similar to the liquid crystal panel 5, but has a smaller panel size than the liquid crystal panel 5, and covers at least the display range of the measurement value display section 52 of the liquid crystal panel 5. It is formed in a size that allows it. Behind the liquid crystal panel 6, a blue first color polarizing plate (may be a film) 61 and a yellow second color polarizing plate (may be a film) 62 are stuck in a laminated state. Polarizing plates 61, 62
Are combined such that their polarization axes are orthogonal to each other. The light emitted from the light source 2 illuminates the liquid crystal panel 6 through the first and second color polarizing plates 61 and 62. The liquid crystal panel 6 receives the switching signal (electrical signal) and the polarization axis of the transmitted light. Is rotated from 0 degree to 90 degrees, whereby the color of the light reaching the measurement value display section 52 is switched to blue or yellow, and the measurement value display section 52 can be illuminated in blue or yellow.

Unlike the liquid crystal panels 5 and 6, the liquid crystal panel 7 is, for example, a well-known STN type liquid crystal panel in which STN type liquid crystal molecules are enclosed between a pair of glass substrates, and has a panel size further than that of the liquid crystal panel 6. It is formed small. The liquid crystal panel 7 has a dot matrix type display unit (second display unit) 71, and various character information and graphic information including the traveling distance of the vehicle are displayed on the display unit 71 according to an electric signal. Can be displayed.
A pair of polarizing plates 72 and 73 are attached to the liquid crystal panel 7. Further, in the liquid crystal panel 5 region corresponding to the display portion 71 of the liquid crystal panel 7, the mask layer is removed to form a light transmissive window portion 5a, and the display portion 71 can be visually recognized through the window portion 5a. Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel 7 is superposed on the liquid crystal panel 5 so that the display unit 71 does not overlap the measurement value display units 51 to 53 of the liquid crystal panel 5.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 57 and 58 denote a blue third color polarizing plate (which may be a film) and a yellow fourth color polarizing plate (which may also be a film). , 58 are the same as the color polarizing plates 61, 62 attached to the liquid crystal panel 6, and are attached to the region corresponding to the measured value display portion 53 of the liquid crystal panel 5. In the case of this example, since the illumination color (transmission color) of the measured value display section 53 is always blue, it is originally possible to use the blue color polarizing plate 57 or the blue coloring filter. Is a blue tone,
The yellow fourth color polarizing plate 58 is used in combination with the blue third color polarizing plate 57 so that the color tone of the illumination color of the measurement value display section 51 that is switched between blue and yellow is substantially the same. With this, the color tone of the illumination color of the measurement value display unit 51 and the color tone of the illumination color of the measurement value display unit 53 can be matched.

That is, since the first measurement value display unit 51 switches the illumination color by the first and second color polarizing plates 61 and 62 and the liquid crystal panel 6, the measurement value display unit 53.
When only the blue color polarizing plate 57 is provided on the side, even if the same blue color is used, the color tone may differ between the illumination color based on the switching of the liquid crystal panel 6 and the illumination color of only the color polarizing plate 57. In this example, each measured value display unit 5
In order to match the illumination color tones of 1,53, the measured value display section 5
Blue and yellow color polarizing plates 57 and 58 are arranged so as to overlap each other on the third side. Since the liquid crystal panel 6 for color change like the liquid crystal panel 6 is not arranged on the measured value display section 53 side, only blue light is transmitted.

Each liquid crystal panel 5 to 7 thus constructed
Is positioned on the opening side of the case 1 while being positioned and held by the holder 4. The holder 4 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and has a first recess 41 for positioning and storing the large liquid crystal panel 5, and a second recess 41 for positioning and storing the liquid crystal panels 6 and 7 each having a small panel size with respect to the liquid crystal panel 5. Recess 42
The liquid crystal panels 5 to 7 are positioned and housed in the first and second recesses 41 and 42 via the diffusion plate 8.

The first and second recesses 41 and 42 are provided with a peripheral wall portion 43 corresponding to the outer size (panel) size of each liquid crystal panel 5 to 7, and each liquid crystal panel 5 to 7 via a diffusion plate 8.
Is formed on the back surface of the bottom wall portion 44 corresponding to the light source 2, and a dimming portion including a grain processing portion 45 (not shown) is formed. The light in the area is attenuated and the lighting balance is adjusted.

As described above, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal panel (first display panel) 5 and the liquid crystal panels (second liquid crystal panel) 6, 7 arranged behind the liquid crystal panel 5 in a laminated state. And a case 1 for housing the light source 2 for backlighting the liquid crystal panels 5 to 7, and the liquid crystal panels 6 and 7 are formed to be smaller than the panel size of the liquid crystal panel 5. 1 and each liquid crystal panel 5
The liquid crystal panels 5 to 7, in this case, are arranged behind the liquid crystal panel 5 by providing the holder 4 made of a translucent material for holding the liquid crystal panels 5 to 7 in a laminated state. The liquid crystal panels 5 to 7 can be attached to the case 1 without increasing the panel size of the liquid crystal panels 6 and 7 more than necessary, and cost reduction and weight reduction can be achieved.

Further, in this embodiment, the holder 4 has the first concave portion 41 for accommodating the liquid crystal panel 5 and the second concave portion 42 for accommodating the liquid crystal panels 6 and 7, so that the liquid crystal panels 5 to 7 are stabilized. It can be stored and held effectively, and the assembling workability can be improved.

Further, in this embodiment, the holder 4 has the light control section 45 for adjusting the light from the light source 2 reaching the liquid crystal panels 5 to 7, so that the uneven illumination can be reduced. It should be noted that such a light control section 45 can be provided at an appropriate position of the holder 45, and the light control section 45 is not limited to the embossed section as in the present embodiment, but may be, for example, halftone dot printing or semi-transmissive layer printing. It may be a printed layer such as.

Further, in the present embodiment, the large liquid crystal panel (first liquid crystal panel) 5 has the display portions (first display portion for displaying the first predetermined information) 51 to 53 and the small liquid crystal panel. The (second liquid crystal panel) 7 has a display unit (second display unit for displaying second predetermined information) 71, and is a large liquid crystal panel so that the display units 51 to 53 and the display unit 71 do not overlap each other. 5 and the small liquid crystal panel 7 are arranged in an overlapping manner, and thus the large liquid crystal panel 5 having the display portions 51 to 53 and the small liquid crystal panel 7 having the display portion 71 are arranged in a laminated state. The present invention is suitable.

Further, in this embodiment, the large liquid crystal panel (first liquid crystal panel) 5 displays the predetermined information on the display unit 5.
1 and a small liquid crystal panel (second liquid crystal panel) 6 is arranged at least at a position corresponding to the display section 51,
A plurality of (two) color polarizing plates 61 and 62 are laminated and arranged between the liquid crystal panel 6 and the light source 2, and the liquid crystal panel 6 rotates the polarization axis of the transmitted light in accordance with an electric signal to display the display unit 51. The illumination color is switched, and the present invention is suitable when the illumination color of the display unit 51 of the large liquid crystal panel 5 is switched through the small liquid crystal panel 6 as described above.

In the present embodiment, the light source 2 is composed of one linear light source that illuminates the liquid crystal panels 5 to 7,
The structure of the case 1 can be simplified.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a light transmitting region 5b is formed in a predetermined region of the liquid crystal panel 5 except for the mask layer,
Behind this light transmitting area 5b (behind the liquid crystal panel 5),
An indicator display plate 9 on which a light-transmissive indicator display unit (various alarm information, notification information) formed of predetermined marks or figures is formed is arranged, and the indicator display unit 9 is illuminated behind the indicator display plate 9. Lighting bulb B
And a partition wall 11 for partitioning each lighting bulb B is provided in the case 1.

The holder 4 is formed with an extension portion 46 extending corresponding to the light transmitting region 5b, and a depression portion 47 corresponding to the indicator display plate 9 is formed in the extension portion 46, and an indicator display is provided in the depression portion 47. A plate 9 is positioned and arranged.

Then, when the respective illumination bulbs B are turned on, the indicator display portion is illuminated and displayed, and the entire indicator display portion is illuminated by the light from the light source 2 (not shown here) guided through the extension portion 46. can do.

According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be expected, and the entire indicator display portion can be illuminated by the extension portion 46 of the holder 4, and the entire indicator display portion can be illuminated. Therefore, a dedicated lighting structure is unnecessary, and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide the display device which can achieve the initial object and can suppress the cost increase.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel peripheral portion including a holder.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a holder.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 case 2 light sources 3 reflector 4 holder 5 Liquid crystal panel (first liquid crystal panel) 5a window 5b light transmission area 6 Liquid crystal panel (second liquid crystal panel) 7 Liquid crystal panel (second liquid crystal panel) 8 diffuser 9 Indicator display board 11 partition walls 41 First recess 42 Second recess 43 Peripheral wall 44 Bottom wall 45 Textured part (light control part) 46 Extension 47 recess 51-53 Measurement value display section (first display section) 55,56 Polarizer 56a opening 57 Third Color Polarizing Plate 58 Fourth Color Polarizing Plate 61 First Color Polarizing Plate 62 Second Color Polarizing Plate 71 display unit (second display unit) 72,73 Polarizer B lighting bulb

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G09F 9/00 336 G09F 9/00 336F 350 350Z 9/35 9/35 9/46 9/46 A F term (Reference) 2H089 HA31 HA40 QA16 RA05 TA01 TA18 2H091 FA09X FA09Z FA41Z GA01 HA07 LA30 5C094 AA44 BA07 BA43 DA03 DA08 DA11 ED14 5G435 AA00 BB12 BB15 CC12 CC13 DD01 DD09 EE05 EE13 EE26 FF05 GG24 LL17

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first liquid crystal panel, a second liquid crystal panel arranged behind the first liquid crystal panel in a laminated state, and a light source for illuminating the first and second liquid crystal panels with backlight. A case for accommodating the light source, the second liquid crystal panel is formed smaller than the panel size of the first liquid crystal panel, and the case is provided between the case and the first and second liquid crystal panels. A display device comprising a holder made of a translucent material for holding the first and second liquid crystal panels in a laminated state. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a first recess for accommodating the first liquid crystal panel and a second recess for accommodating the second liquid crystal panel. . 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a dimming unit that adjusts light from a light source reaching the first and second liquid crystal panels. 4. The first liquid crystal panel has a first display section for displaying first predetermined information, and the second liquid crystal panel has a second display section for displaying second predetermined information. The first and second liquid crystal panels are stacked so that the first display unit and the second display unit do not overlap each other. The display device according to one. 5. The first liquid crystal panel has a display section for displaying predetermined information, the second liquid crystal panel is arranged at a position corresponding to at least the display section, and the second liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel are provided. 4. A plurality of color polarizing plates are laminated and arranged between the light source and the light source, and the second liquid crystal panel switches the illumination color of the display unit according to an electric signal. The display device according to any one of claims. 6. The display according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a single linear light source that illuminates the first and second liquid crystal panels. apparatus.