JP5728698B2 - Automotive electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted electronic device such as a navigation device, a microwave detector, or an ETC that is mounted on a vehicle and has a function of allowing a user to visually observe visual information.

  For example, an in-vehicle electronic device such as a navigation device or a microwave detector processes visual information that can be reported to a user as voice information from a speaker device by processing position information related to driving acquired by a built-in receiving device, or can be visually observed. It is trying to display as. As a display mode of the visual information, there is a case where detailed visual information such as a navigation device that includes a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display and displays a map screen on the display surface is provided to the user. For example, Patent Document 1 is cited as a prior art of a vehicle information display device including a display unit capable of displaying such visual information. As shown in FIG. 1, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle device 10 equipped with a GPS receiver and a microwave detection device, and the in-vehicle device 10 displays a display panel 15 to display the obtained visual information. It has.

JP 2009-286307 A

However, an in-vehicle electronic device including a device that visualizes and displays detailed information such as the display panel 15 of Patent Document 1 naturally increases the cost. Actually, however, the information is not so detailed. For example, when the vehicle speed measuring device installed on the side of the road is approached, if it is only necessary to know that the vehicle is close, detailed visual information is not necessary. Therefore, a means for displaying visual information more easily in an in-vehicle electronic device has been demanded.
Moreover, although the vehicle equipment 10 of the said patent document 1 takes out the power supply from the socket of the cigarette lighter with which the vehicle is equipped, in recent years, the model provided with the solar panel has also increased. In such a model, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display with a backlight may consume too much power and become insufficiently charged, so a model with a display that does not use a backlight is provided. There is a need. However, in that case, it becomes difficult to use at night or in a dark place. Therefore, there has been a demand for a visual information display means that can be used at night or in a dark place without using a backlight. In addition, if a backlight is added to these displays, the cost is increased. Therefore, a visual information display means that can be used at night or in a dark place is required at a low price.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle electronic device capable of displaying visual information more easily. The purpose is to provide an in-vehicle electronic device that can visually check visual information even at night or in a dark place while reducing power consumption.

In order to achieve the above object, the first means includes a main body having a light-transmitting cover plate attached to the front surface of the housing, and visual information displayed in a display area of the cover plate according to an operating situation. In the in-vehicle electronic device in which the user visually observes, a transparent plate is disposed on the back surface side of the cover plate so as to overlap with the cover plate, and the end surface of the transparent plate is positioned in the internal direction from the end surface of the transparent plate. One or a plurality of light sources that irradiate light toward the surface are arranged, and the irradiation light from the light source is formed on the reflection surface of the irradiation light receiving unit formed in a cutout shape on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the transparent plate. The gist is that the reflected light itself is recognized as visual information from the surface direction of the cover plate.
In such a configuration, the irradiation light irradiated from the light source toward the inside of the transparent plate at the end face of the transparent plate once exits from the transparent plate at the irradiation light receiving unit and is reflected by the reflection surface of the irradiation light receiving unit to reflect the cover plate. It will be recognized from the surface direction. This recognized light can be used as visual information. Since the light source is arranged facing the end face of the transparent plate, the on-vehicle electronic device is not bulky, and an arbitrary number of irradiation light receiving units are provided at arbitrary positions in a wide range of the transparent plate to provide visual information. Even with a simple structure, sufficient visual information can be provided to the user.
Here, the light source may be one color or multiple colors. When multiple colors are used as the light source, even if there is only one irradiation light receiving unit, it is possible to give visual information having different meanings depending on the color. The light source is most preferably an LED that can obtain high brightness with low power, but other light sources can also be used.
The irradiation light receiving part is formed in a cutout shape on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the transparent plate, and the light emitted from the transparent plate is reflected on the interface with the air and directed toward the cover plate If it has, it is not what requires the exact | strict shape so much. However, if the reflecting surface is a mirror surface and the angle of the reflecting surface is about 45 degrees with respect to the surface direction of the transparent plate, the reflected light is refracted 90 degrees in the cover plate direction and directed intensively. It is preferable that high brightness light can be obtained. The reflecting surface may be a mirror surface or a white scattering surface having a fine uneven shape, that is, a white turbid surface that irregularly reflects. The irradiation light receiving part may be formed by cutting or may be formed by molding as a molded product.

In the second means, in addition to the first means, at least a region of the cover plate overlapping with the transparent plate is a half mirror region in which a half mirror layer is formed, and a mirror is provided on the back surface of the transparent plate. The gist is that the layers are disposed.
With this configuration, part of the reflected light refracted in the cover plate direction is reflected by the half mirror layer and transmitted through the transparent plate, and the mirror layer disposed on the back surface of the transparent plate causes the cover plate direction. Will be totally reflected. The reflected light is reflected again between the half mirror layer and the mirror layer so that the reflected light is partially reflected again by the half mirror layer. This creates a chain of reflections, giving the viewer the illusion that it is very deep, and the decorative effect is increased. When such an effect is taken into consideration, if the reflection surface of the irradiated light receiving unit is a mirror surface and the angle is about 45 degrees with respect to the surface direction of the transparent plate, high brightness light directed in the cover plate direction is obtained. This is more preferable because the amount of reflected light increases.
The half mirror layer is a film body capable of separating visible light into transmitted light and reflected light, and the transmittance can be set as appropriate, but preferably has a reflectance such that the internal mechanism cannot be seen through. That is, in the absence of light irradiation from the light source, at least the half mirror region of the cover plate preferably functions simply as a mirror from the surface.
The half mirror layer only needs to be formed in an area overlapping at least the transparent plate of the cover plate, and is not necessarily formed over the entire cover plate. The half mirror layer is composed of, for example, a metal oxide film or a dielectric multilayer film, and is generally formed by vapor deposition or sputtering, but the film formation method is not particularly limited. The mirror layer is formed, for example, by depositing a metal or metal oxide by vapor deposition or sputtering.

The gist of the third means is that, in addition to the second means, the mirror layer is disposed at a rear position separated from the transparent plate.
In other words, the interval between the half mirror layer and the mirror layer is set wide, and this increases the interval between the chained lights, thereby increasing the sense of depth. Since the half mirror layer is fixed on the cover plate side, it is preferable to structurally separate the mirror layer from the transparent plate. Moreover, there is also a meaning of preventing the mirror layer from being deteriorated due to conduction heat from the transparent plate by not being in close contact with the transparent plate.

In the fourth means, in addition to any one of the first to third means, the color of the irradiation light of the light source is changed based on the difference in the type of position information obtained according to the driving situation of the vehicle. The gist.
With such a configuration, the light viewed from the surface of the cover plate changes based on the difference in the type of position information. Therefore, by using the light of the color according to the importance of the position information, the position information is displayed to the user. The importance can be easily known at a low cost.

In the fifth means, in addition to any one of the first to fourth means, the transparent plate is divided into a plurality of divided plates and arranged adjacent to each other in the end surface direction, and the light source and the irradiation light are provided for each divided plate. A light receiving portion is formed and a separator that blocks light transmission is disposed between the adjacent divided plates, and the irradiation light receiving portion of one of the divided plates is separated from the light source of the other divided plate. The gist is that the irradiation light is not irradiated.
As a result, each divided plate displays light on the surface of the cover plate in an independent state that is not affected by the light of the other divided plates. Therefore, even if different light sources are turned on simultaneously, light from different divided plates is covered. There is no mixing on the surface of the plate with one irradiation light receiving part, and since it can be turned on and off for each area of the divided plate, the amount of information that can be expressed increases. Information can be provided.

In the sixth means, in addition to any one of the first to fifth means, the transparent plate is divided into a plurality of divided plates and arranged adjacent to each other in the thickness direction, and the different light sources are arranged for each divided plate. The gist of this is
Also in this case, each divided plate displays light on the cover plate surface in an independent state unaffected by the light of the other divided plates. Therefore, even if different light sources are turned on simultaneously, each divided plate is formed on each divided plate. The irradiation light receiving unit does not receive the light from the light sources of different divided plates (however, if the positions of the irradiation light receiving units formed on the plurality of divided plates are coincident in the viewing direction, In order to avoid this, it is necessary to form the light receiving portions of the divided plates so that they do not overlap each other), and it is also possible to turn on and off each divided plate area. Therefore, since the amount of information that can be expressed increases, various information can be provided to the user by changing the pattern.

The seventh means includes a main body disposed in the vehicle and having a light-transmitting cover plate attached to the front surface of the housing, and the visual information displayed in the display area of the cover plate according to driving conditions is displayed by the user. In the in-vehicle electronic device that is visually inspected, a transparent plate is disposed on the back surface side of the cover plate so as to overlap with the cover plate, and the end surface of the transparent plate faces inward from the end surface of the transparent plate. One or a plurality of light sources for irradiating light are arranged, and the light emitted from the light source is reflected on the reflection surface of the irradiation light receiving portion formed in a cutout shape on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the transparent plate. The gist is that the visual information display unit is illuminated by the reflected light so as to be recognized from the surface direction of the cover plate.
In such a configuration, the irradiation light irradiated from the light source toward the inside of the transparent plate at the end surface of the transparent plate once exits from the transparent plate at the irradiation light receiving unit, and is reflected by the reflection surface of the irradiation light receiving unit, and the reflected light. As a result, the visual information display unit is illuminated, so that the visual information can be visually observed. Since the light source is arranged facing the end face of the transparent plate, the on-vehicle electronic device is not bulky, and sufficient power saving of the illumination for the visual information display unit can be achieved.
Here, the visual information display section refers to an area where characters of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display as a device are displayed. Here, it is also assumed that the transparent plate in the first to sixth means is illuminated as a visual information display unit.

The eighth means is characterized in that, in addition to the seventh means, the irradiation light receiving part is formed so as to surround the visual information display part.
As a result, the visual information display unit can be illuminated uniformly from the surroundings. In this case, it is preferable that the light sources are arranged at intervals of two or more so that the light sources are uniformly illuminated from the entire periphery of the ring-shaped irradiation light receiving unit.

The ninth means is characterized in that, in addition to the seventh or eighth means, the irradiation light receiving part is shielded from the surface side by a shielding member.
This makes it difficult for the irradiated light receiving portion to be seen through the cover plate.

The gist of the tenth means is that, in addition to any one of the seventh to ninth means, the reflecting surface of the irradiation light receiving part is formed as a white scattering surface having a fine uneven shape.
This is because the light used for illuminating the visual information display unit is preferably such a white scattering surface that reflects irregularly without directivity as the reflection surface of the irradiation light receiving unit.

In the eleventh means, in addition to any of the seventh to tenth means, the visual information display unit is constituted by a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and at least a region of the cover plate overlapping with the transparent plate is a half mirror. The visual information display unit has a mirror layer disposed on the back surface of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.
With this configuration, a part of the reflected light refracted in the cover plate direction is reflected by the half mirror layer and transmitted through the transparent plate and the liquid crystal display (or organic EL display), and the liquid crystal display (or organic display). The light is totally reflected in the direction of the cover plate by the mirror layer disposed on the back surface of the EL display. The reflected light is reflected again between the half mirror layer and the mirror layer so that the reflected light is partially reflected again by the half mirror layer. This creates a chain of reflections, giving the viewer the illusion that it is very deep, and the decorative effect is increased. The definitions of the half mirror layer and the mirror layer are the same as described above.

According to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, since the light source is arranged facing the end surface of the transparent plate, the in-vehicle electronic device is not bulky, and any number of the light source is disposed at an arbitrary position in a wide range of the transparent plate. The irradiation light receiving unit can be provided as visual information, and sufficient visual information can be provided to the user even with a simple structure.
According to the seventh to eleventh aspects of the present invention, since the light source is arranged facing the end surface of the transparent plate, the in-vehicle electronic device is not bulky and the visual information display section is brightly illuminated without using a backlight. As a result, visual information can be provided to the user even in a dark environment.

(A) of the room mirror apparatus of Examples 1-3 concerning this invention is a perspective view, (b) is a side view. The plane exploded view explaining the schematic structure of the room mirror device of Examples 1-3. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the room mirror device according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the recessed part of Examples 1-3. (A) And (b) is a top view of the character as an example drawn by the recessed part of Examples 1-3. Explanatory drawing explaining that the reflection of light arises by the reflection between mirrors in Examples 1-3. The principal part enlarged plan view of the room mirror apparatus of Example 2. FIG. The principal part enlarged front view of the room mirror apparatus of Example 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a room mirror device according to a fourth embodiment. The principal part enlarged plan view of the room mirror apparatus of Example 4. FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged explanatory view for explaining the shape of a groove in the fourth embodiment. The principal part enlarged plan view of the room mirror apparatus of another Example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments in which the present invention is embodied as a room mirror type microwave detector will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Example 1
First, a schematic configuration of a room mirror type microwave detector (hereinafter referred to as a room mirror device) 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
A rearview mirror device 1 as an on-vehicle electronic device includes a thin rectangular rear case 2, a front frame 3 having a rectangular outer shape attached to the front surface of the rear case 2, and a front frame 3 attached to the front surface of the front frame 3. The main body is constituted by a cover plate 4 having a rectangular outer shape. The cover plate 4 is a transparent flat plate made of plastic (in this embodiment, for example, polycarbonate), and a half mirror film 5 as a half mirror layer is deposited on the entire back surface.
On the rear surface of the rear case 2, a fixing clamp 7 is provided for fixing the rearview mirror device 1 to a rearview mirror that is provided as standard on the vehicle. A speaker device 8, a GPS module 9, and a main board 10 are disposed adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction on the inner surface position of the rear case 2.

A transparent plate 11 is disposed at a lateral position of the front frame 3 in the left-right direction. The transparent plate 11 is made of a plate material having a transparent and flat rectangular outer shape, which is also made of plastic (in the first embodiment, for example, made of polycarbonate). An LED control board 12 is disposed in a position near the center in the front frame 3 and adjacent to the transparent plate 11. A plurality of LEDs 13 are arranged at a position facing the side end face 11a of the transparent plate 11 on the LED control board 12 side. In the first embodiment, the number of LEDs 13 is five. However, the number and arrangement positions of the LEDs 13 can be appropriately changed depending on the number and formation positions of concave portions 17 described later. The LED 13 is connected to the LED control board 12. The LEDs 13 are arranged facing each other so that the central axis of the light emitting portion is orthogonal to the side end face 11a. The LED 13 of the first embodiment is a two-color LED composed of chips of two colors, red and green, and can emit two colors of red light and green light.
The main board 10 has a built-in microwave detection circuit and an antenna, and determines the necessity of an alarm based on the microwave detected together with the position information acquired by the GPS module 9, and the LED control board 12 To control. The traffic information to be detected (the position of the vehicle speed measuring device, etc.) is stored in advance with a light weight depending on the importance, and the main board 10 displays green (on the control board 12 in accordance with the importance of the detected position information ( A control signal that lights either red (caution) or red (caution) is output. The LED control board 12 executes light emission control of the LED 13 based on the control signal.
In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the power supply of the room mirror apparatus 1 of the present Example 1 shall be acquired from a solar generator (solar panel).

Next, the configuration around the transparent plate 11 of the room mirror device 1 having such a basic configuration will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIG. 3, the transparent plate 11 is supported by a side frame 15 provided in the front frame 3 with a slight gap from the back surface of the cover plate 4. A plurality of concave portions 17 are formed on the back surface side (rear case 2 side) of the transparent plate 11 as an irradiation light receiving portion formed in a notch shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the concave portion 17 is recessed with respect to the back surface of the transparent plate 11 in a shape obtained by rolling a triangular prism having a right-and-left triangular top and bottom facing surface, and the reflecting surface 17 a corresponding to the inclined surface of the triangular prism is a transparent plate. An angle of 45 degrees with respect to the front and back surfaces of 11. The reflecting surface 17a is a mirror surface. The direction of each concave portion 17 is unified, and in the first embodiment, the reflecting surface 17a faces the direction of the side end surface 11a on the LED control board 12 side of the transparent plate 11 (that is, the light emitted from the LED 13). Is oriented in the direction of the reflecting surface 17a). In the first embodiment, the recesses 17 are arranged at equal intervals so as to be read as “WARNING” from the surface side (the cover plate 4 side) as shown in FIG.
A mirror sheet 18 as a mirror layer is disposed on the back surface of the transparent plate 11. The mirror sheet 18 is supported by the side frame 15 with a slight gap between the mirror sheet 18 and the transparent plate 11.

Next, the operation of the room mirror device 1 configured as described above will be described.
It is assumed that the vehicle is traveling with the room mirror device 1 attached to a vehicle rear-equipped room mirror. In particular, when there is no information to be notified to the user regarding traffic, the LED 13 is not turned on, and the user uses the room mirror device 1 only as a mirror having a function equivalent to a room mirror equipped as a standard vehicle. In this state, for example, when the vehicle number automatic reading device (so-called N system) is approached, the green lamp of the LED 13 is turned on and “WARNING” and green light are displayed on the cover plate 4 and the speaker at the same time. A voice guidance “N system is installed nearby” is given from the device.
Here, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 6, when the LED 13 is turned on, the irradiation light enters from the side end surface 11 a of the transparent plate 11, is reflected by the reflecting surface 17 a of the concave portion 17, and is 90 in the direction of the cover plate 4. Refracted. A part of the light is transmitted to the front side of the cover plate 4 as transmitted light, and a part of the reflected light is reflected. As a result, reflection is repeatedly performed between the half mirror film 5 and the mirror sheet 18. When viewed from the direction of the plate 4, a chain of reflections of green light having a depth is generated.
When the radar-type vehicle speed measuring device detects the microwave, the red lamp of the LED 13 is turned on, and “WARNING” and red light are displayed on the cover plate 4. At the same time, the speaker device gives a voice guidance “A speed control device is installed nearby”. The red “WARNING” character also has a red light reflection chain having a depth similar to the above.

The room mirror device 1 according to the first embodiment configured as described above has the following effects.
(1) By turning on the LED 13, the user can sufficiently recognize traffic information as visual information appropriately without relying on a liquid crystal display or the like, so there is no inconvenience, and no display-related equipment is required, so the cost of the room mirror device 1 is reduced. it can.
(2) When the LED 13 is turned on, not only the visual information of the character is displayed on the cover plate 4, but also the light constituting the character is repeatedly reflected and reflected so as to have a depth. As the effect increases, the user's attention is greatly increased, and the visual recognition function is improved.
(3) The LED 13 is disposed at the position of the side end surface 11a of the transparent plate 11, so that the irradiation light is reflected by the reflection surface 17a of the concave portion 17 through the inside of the transparent plate 11 and bent 90 degrees to reach the surface. Since it is a simple structure, it does not require much distance in the front-rear direction and is not bulky.
(4) Since the color of the light of the LED 13 that is turned on is changed according to the importance of the traffic information, the user can easily recognize the difference in importance by the difference in color.

(Example 2)
Next, Example 2 will be described. In the second embodiment, only the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the same configuration, operation and effect as the first embodiment will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 7, the transparent plate 21 of the room mirror device 1 according to the second embodiment is divided into two parts, a first and second divided plates 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B, which are adjacently arranged in the thickness direction.
A plurality of concave portions 17 are formed in each of the divided plates 21A and 21B so that the reflecting surface 17a faces the same direction. A plurality of LEDs 23 are arranged at the position of the end surface 21a in the direction facing the reflecting surface 17a of the first divided plate 21A, and a plurality of LEDs are arranged at the position of the end surface 21a in the direction facing the reflecting surface 17a of the second divided plate 21B. An LED 24 is provided. In the second embodiment, the LED 23 arranged on the first divided plate 21A side is a chip that emits red with a single color, and the LED 24 arranged on the second divided plate 21B side is a chip that emits blue with a single color. It is.

As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the concave portions 17 on the first divided plate 21A side are arranged at equal intervals so as to be read as “WARNING” from the surface side, as shown in FIG. 5 (b). The concave portions 17 on the second divided plate 21B side are arranged at equal intervals so as to be read as “CAUTION”.
In the second embodiment, the main board 10 outputs a control signal that causes the control board 12 to turn on either the red LED 23 (attention required) or the blue LED 24 (attention) according to the importance of the detected position information. Shall. The LED control board 12 executes light emission control of the LED 13 based on the control signal.
In the room mirror device 1 having such a configuration, when the vehicle is traveling, for example, when the vehicle number automatic reading device (so-called N system) is approached, the blue lamp of the LED 24 is lit and “WARNING” is displayed in blue. Light is displayed, and at the same time, a voice guidance “N system is installed nearby” is given from the speaker device. On the other hand, when the microwave of the radar type vehicle speed measuring device is detected, the red lamp of the LED 23 is turned on and “CAUTION” and red light are displayed. At the same time, the speaker device gives a voice guidance “A speed control device is installed nearby”. In any case, light is repeatedly reflected between the half mirror film 5 and the mirror sheet 18 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the light reflection chain has a depth when viewed from the direction of the cover plate 4. Will occur. It is preferable to shift the positions of the concave portions 17 of the divided plates 21A and 21B so that the light does not mix as much as possible in the concave portions 17 of the divided plates 21A and 21B. Thus, it becomes advantageous in terms of space by overlappingly arranging the divided plates 21A and 21B.

(Example 3)
Next, Example 3 will be described. In the third embodiment, only the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the same configuration, operation and effect as the first embodiment will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 8, the transparent plate 31 of Example 2 is divided into two parts, a first and a second divided plate 31 </ b> A, 31 </ b> B, and is arranged adjacent to each other in the end face direction via a separator 32. A plurality of concave portions 17 are formed in each of the divided plates 31A and 31B so that the reflecting surface 17a faces the same direction. A plurality of LEDs 33 are arranged at the position of the end surface 31a in the direction facing the reflecting surface 17a of the first divided plate 31A, and a plurality of LEDs are arranged at the position of the end surface 31a in the direction facing the reflecting surface 17a of the second divided plate 31B. An LED 34 is provided. In the third embodiment, the LED 33 arranged on the first divided plate 31A side is a chip that emits red with a single color, and the LED 34 arranged on the second divided plate 31B side is a chip that emits blue with a single color. .
By arranging the separator 32 in this way, even if the two LEDs 33 and 34 are caused to emit light at the same time, the light from the LED 33 reaches the reflecting surface 17a of the concave portion 17 of the second divided plate 31B, for example. In other words, it is possible to display visual information (here, characters) of colors that are clearly distinguished for each of the different divided plates 31A and 31B on the same plane. In addition, if the direction of the reflecting surface 17a of the concave portion 17 formed in the two divided plates 31A and 31B is different, such a separator 42 is unnecessary, but in this case, the LEDs 33 and 34 cannot be arranged in the same direction. That is, it is advantageous even when the irradiation direction of the two LEDs 33 and 34 cannot be changed due to space or wiring.

Example 4
Next, Example 4 will be described. In the fourth embodiment, only the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the same configuration, operation and effect as the first embodiment will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 9, the room mirror device 1 of the fourth embodiment includes a liquid crystal display 42 having no backlight function on the back surface of the transparent plate 41 as a configuration different from that of the first embodiment. The transparent plate 41 is made of a plate material having a transparent and flat rectangular outer shape made of plastic (in this embodiment, for example, acrylic), and the side of the front frame 3 in the left-right direction as in the first embodiment. Placed in position. The liquid crystal display 42 is a device having a configuration in which liquid crystal is sealed between two glass plates, and is a plate material having a rectangular outer shape. It is preferable to use so-called reflective liquid crystal or memory liquid crystal.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a groove portion 45 as an irradiation light receiving portion is formed on the surface side of the transparent plate 41. The groove portion 45 has a V-shaped cross section, and the groove surface is blasted so that the reflecting surface 45a is a cloudy glassy cloudy surface. In the fourth embodiment, the irradiation light is diffusely reflected by the groove 45, so that both opposing surfaces constituting the groove 45 function as the reflection surface 45a. The outline of the groove 45 is a similar rectangular shape slightly larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal display 42, and is arranged so as to surround the liquid crystal display 42.
The half mirror film 5 of Example 1 is deposited on the back surface of the cover plate 4 of Example 3. The half mirror film 5 is provided with a window portion 5a that is not vapor-deposited so that the liquid crystal display 42 can be seen. The outer shape of the window 5 a is a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the outer shape of the liquid crystal display 42. In the fourth embodiment, the cover plate 4 is in close contact with the transparent plate 41. A mirror sheet 18 is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display 42. The mirror sheet 18 is supported by the side frame 15 with a slight gap between the mirror sheet 18 and the liquid crystal display 42.

  White LEDs 47 are arranged at the positions facing the four end surfaces 41a of the transparent plate 41 so that the central axis of the light emitting portion is orthogonal to the end surface 41a. In the third embodiment, the white LED 47 is caused to emit light by an ON / OFF operation of an LED switch (not shown). When the white LED 47 is turned on, the irradiated light is incident from the four end faces 41 a of the transparent plate 41, diffusely reflected on the reflecting surface 45 a of the groove 45, and illuminates the liquid crystal display 42. At that time, in the region where the half mirror film 5 around the liquid crystal display 42 is present, a part of the reflected light is transmitted as transmitted light to the front side of the cover plate 4 and a part of the reflected light is reflected. Reflection is repeatedly performed between the half mirror film 5 and the mirror sheet 18, and when viewed from the direction of the cover plate 4, a chain of reflections of white light having a depth is generated.

With this configuration, the room mirror apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment has the following unique effects.
(1) To provide a room mirror device 1 that does not consume much power and is low in cost because the liquid crystal display 42 can be viewed using a white LED 47 at night or in a dark place without a backlight function. Is possible.
(2) Since the groove 45 is shielded so as not to be exposed by a shielding member (here, the half mirror film 5 is equivalent), it is difficult to see from the surface side when the groove 45 is not used as illumination, A functionally unnecessary portion is preferable because it is not visible to the user. At this time, since there is no gap between the transparent plate 41 and the cover plate 4 in particular, the groove 45 is shielded by the half mirror film 5 so that it is difficult to see from the window 5a side in terms of angle.
(3) When the white LED 47 is turned on, a white light reflection chain with a depth around the liquid crystal display 42 is generated, and the decorative effect is increased and the attention of the user is greatly increased. Recognition function is improved.

The present invention may be embodied in the following manner.
- dividing plates 21A adjacent using Example 2 In the separator 32, has been to prevent the leakage of light to 21B direction, but the separator 32 by changing the facing direction of the reflecting surface 17a as shown in FIG. 12 It is also possible to reflect the two colors on the reflection plane 17a so as not to interfere with each other on the same plane without using them.
-The formation surface of the recessed part 17 and the groove part 45 formed in the transparent plates 11, 31, and 41 may be the surface side, and may be formed on both surfaces. The shape and position can be changed as appropriate.
The material of the transparent plates 11, 31, 41 is not limited to the above as long as it is transparent and transparent so that light is not easily attenuated.
In the second and third embodiments, the number of divided plates 21A, 21B, 31A, 31B can be changed as appropriate.
-Combine Example 2 and 3. In other words, the divided plates 21A, 21B, 31A, 31B may be arranged adjacent to each other in both the thickness direction and the end surface direction.
In the fourth embodiment, an organic EL display can be used instead of the liquid crystal display 42. In that case, it is preferable to use a transmissive or transflective display.
-In Example 4, when the depth effect is not calculated | required, you may make it provide the normal mirror layer which totally reflects instead of the half mirror film 5. FIG.
-In Example 4, it is not necessary to make the white LED 47 face the end face 31a so strictly. This is because the light of the white LED 47 is diffusely reflected on the reflecting surface 45a of the groove 45, and so much directivity is not required.
In the fourth embodiment, the glass constituting the liquid crystal display 42 can be used as a transparent plate instead of the transparent plate 41.
In the fourth embodiment, the liquid crystal display 42 has been described as a visual information display unit. However, a display that displays light itself as information, such as the transparent plate 11 of the first embodiment, is further illuminated from the surroundings as a visual information display unit. May be. As a result, the decoration effect is improved in addition to the lighting effect.
-In Example 4, when light reflection is not performed, it is preferable to print a black printing surface instead of the half mirror film 5 so that the inside of the cover plate 4 is not transparent.
-It is also possible to apply to vehicle-mounted electronic devices other than the room mirror apparatus 1. FIG. For example, it is assumed that the present invention is applied to a navigation device, a microwave detector, an ETC, a drive recorder, a vehicle security device, and the like.
In addition, the present invention can be freely implemented in a modified form without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Room mirror apparatus, 2 ... Rear case which forms a part of housing | casing, 3 ... Front frame which forms a part of housing | casing, 4 ... Cover plate, 11, 31, 41 ... Transparent plate, 13, 23, 24, 33, 34, 47... LED as a light source, 17... Recessed portion as an irradiation light receiving portion, 45... Groove portion as an irradiation light receiving portion, 17a, 45a.

Claims (9)

One or a plurality of light sources that irradiate light from the end surface of the transparent plate toward the inner direction are arranged at the end surface position of the transparent plate, and the irradiation light from the light source is cut to at least one of the front and back surfaces of the transparent plate. In an electronic device that is reflected on the reflecting surface of the irradiation light receiving unit formed in a notch shape, and the visual information display unit is illuminated by the reflected light to be recognized from a predetermined surface direction,
The irradiation light receiving unit is arranged outside the outline of the visual information display unit, and a shielding member for shielding the irradiation light receiving unit is provided so that the irradiation light receiving unit is not exposed in the predetermined surface direction. Electronic equipment characterized by The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the irradiation light receiving unit is formed so as to surround the visual information display unit. The shielding member, electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that than the outline of the visual information display portion provided up to the inner side. The shielding member, electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that is brought into close contact with the transparent plate. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the reflection surface of the irradiation light receiving unit is formed as a white scattering surface having a fine uneven shape. The visual information display unit is composed of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and the shielding member is a half mirror region in which a half mirror layer is formed, and a mirror layer is disposed on the back of the liquid crystal display or EL display. the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that based on the type of difference in the positional information obtained in accordance with the operating condition of the vehicle and to change the color of illumination light of the light source. It has a main body with a light-transmitting cover plate attached to the front of the housing,
According to the driving situation, the visual information displayed in the display area of the cover plate is made to be seen by the user,
A transparent plate is arranged on the back side of the cover plate so as to overlap the cover plate,
The region overlapping at least the transparent plate of the cover plate is a half mirror region in which a half mirror layer is formed, and a mirror layer is disposed on the back surface of the transparent plate. Item 8. The electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 7 . The irradiation light receiving unit, an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that formed on both surfaces of the transparent plate.

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