DE102004056247B4 - Display device for an electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

Display device for an electronic device (1), in which a plurality of light emitting diodes LED (2) are used for display purposes, wherein - an optical waveguide arrangement (3) is used in which a plurality of light-conducting elements (4.1, 4.2) are integrated, - the light-conducting elements ( 4.1, 4.2) each having at least one light entry surface (5) for light supply by an LED (2) and a light exit surface forming a light display point (6), characterized in that - light-conducting elements (4.2) are used, each having two light entry surfaces ( 5), and - a first part of the inserted LED (2) respectively on the front side (7) of one of a plurality of printed circuits (8) and a second part of the inserted LED (2) respectively on the back side (9) of the printed circuits (8) is arranged, wherein in the case of the light-conducting elements (4.2) with two light entry surfaces (5) in each case one on the front side (7) of the printed S circuits (8) arranged LED (2) and one on the back (9) of an adjacent ...

Description

The invention relates to a display device for electronic devices, in particular in the field of automation technology and also in the field of switching and control technology.

Automation systems or devices often have a modular structure, with some device modules having display devices on their front. In addition to displays of different types and other means of display also LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used. LEDs are z. B. is used to display operating or fault conditions, and it is common to make clear the importance of such a light on a front panel device by a text arranged next to the LED.

In the DE4331682 an electrical device is shown with a display device by means of light emitting diodes and light guide elements, wherein the light guide elements are inserted from the display side in recesses of the housing cover and engage with this.

The EP 365 698 A1 shows a display device in which are mounted on the circuit board behind a printed circuit board connection element light-emitting diodes, whose light with the aid of adapter parts of light-conducting material, which are placed on the back of the printed circuit board connection elements, are directed to a visually perceptible place.

In the DE10016714 a light guide is shown with arranged on the front and back LEDs. The LEDs are positively mounted directly in the holes provided within the light guide.

The DE19630734 discloses an LED display device with LEDs arranged on a printed circuit, which is used as a speedometer in motor vehicles. A lens or glass row is provided for guiding the light of the light emitting diodes to radiate the light in a certain direction to the front side of the display device.

The DE19957611 relates to a lighting arrangement consisting of a light guide and light-emitting diodes, wherein the light guide is arranged in a holder.

Due to a general trend towards ever more compact design of electronic devices, often only a comparatively small front surface is available for a large number of messages. The possibility of arranging lamps with associated explanatory text is limited.

In addition, a robust mechanical design is sought for devices for industrial use, which - also for cost reasons - the wiring is to be kept as small as possible.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a display device for electronic devices, in particular automation devices, which allows a variety of light indicators on a relatively small device front surface.

This object is achieved by a display device having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in further claims.

The invention accordingly proposes a display device in which an optical waveguide arrangement is used in order to make the light of light-emitting diodes LEDs, which are used in an electronic device, visible on the front side of the electronic device. It is therefore an alternative to a direct LED display on the front of an electronic device.

• – Es ist keine Verdrahtung zwischen gedruckten Platinen (PCB) und Leuchtdioden erforderlich, die im Fall einer LED-Anordnung an einer Gerätefront notwendig wäre.
• – Es ist ein robuster Aufbau gegeben, der die Einrichtung für einen industriellen Einsatz besonders geeignet macht.
• – Da durch entsprechende Gestaltung der Lichtleiterelemente der Lichtleiteranordnung eine kleine Lichtaustrittsfläche an der Frontseite geschaffen werden kann, ist auch bei kleiner verfügbarer Frontfläche eine Vielzahl von Leuchtmeldungen möglich.
• – Gemäß einer bevorzugten Gestaltung der Lichtleiterelemente, nämlich mit zwei Lichteintrittsflächen und einer gemeinsamen Lichtaustrittsfläche, ist eine abwechselnde oder gleichzeitige Einspeisung von z. B. unterschiedlich farbigem Licht von Leuchtdioden möglich, die sich auf unterschiedlichen Platinen befinden. Dadurch kann die Anzahl von Leuchtanzeigepunkten an der Grätefrontseite verringert werden, oder die Anzahl möglicher Leuchtmeldungen erhöht werden.

The display device according to the invention has a number of advantages:

• No wiring between printed circuit boards (PCB) and LEDs is required, which would be necessary in the case of an LED array on a front panel.
• - It is given a robust design, which makes the device particularly suitable for industrial use.
• - Since a small light exit surface on the front can be created by appropriate design of the light guide elements of the light guide assembly, a large number of light signals is possible even with a small available front surface.
• - According to a preferred embodiment of the light guide elements, namely with two light entry surfaces and a common light exit surface, an alternating or simultaneous feed of z. B. different colored light from LEDs possible, which are located on different boards. As a result, the number of illuminated display points on the ridge front side can be reduced, or the number of possible illuminated messages can be increased.

A further explanation of the invention and its advantages will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to drawing figures.

Show it

1 a section through an electronic device with a display device according to the invention,

2 a top view of an optical fiber assembly having a plurality of optical fiber elements,

3 a holder for fixing the light guide assembly under a front surface of an electronic device, and

4 a plan view of the front surface of an electronic device.

1 shows in a simplified representation of a section through a part of an electronic device 1 with a front panel 10 , The front panel 10 has recesses 17 on, in the formations 14 at first and second photoconductive elements 4.1 and 4.2 protrude. The formations 14 each form a light indicator point 6 that is flush with the outside of the front panel 10 concludes. The first photoconductive elements 4.1 have only one light entry surface 5 on, the second photoconductive elements 4.2 have two light entry surfaces 5 passing through element parts 12 . 13 are formed. The light-conducting elements 4.1 . 4.2 are common in a light guide assembly 3 integrated. In the light entry surfaces 5 feed LEDs LED 2 Light on. The LED 2 are each on the front 7 and the back 9 of printed circuit boards (PCB) 8th , also called printed circuit, arranged. The boards 8th are perpendicular to the light guide assembly 3 arranged. The light guide arrangement 3 is by means of a holder 11 at the bottom of the front panel 10 attached. With 18 is one on the front panel 10 molded edge called. In the case of the light-conducting elements 4.2 with two light entry surfaces 5 LED light feeds on two different boards 8th are located. As a result, are with a light indicator point 6 z. B. by different color different messages possible.

2 shows a plan view of a portion of the plate-shaped in principle light guide assembly 3 with the light-conducting elements 4.1 . 4.2 arranged in rows and columns.

3 shows a view of the underside of the front panel 10 with inserted holder 11 , In the illustration, for reasons of better recognizability of the holder 11 in a complete display between front panel 10 and holder 11 used light guide assembly 3 (Comp. 1 ) omitted. To the holder 11 are at least two locking elements 20 molded, with the help of the holder 11 in openings 19 in the front panel edge 18 locks. The holder 11 has shielding walls 15 on, in a completely mounted display device between light-conducting elements 4.1 . 4.2 are located. The shielding walls 15 prevent light scattering in adjacent photoconductive elements 4.1 . 4.2 , In addition, the shielding walls form 15 together with other bridges 22 of the owner 11 receiving slots 16 , in the boards 8th can be used, as in 1 is shown.

4 shows a view of a part of the front of the front panel 10 with the recesses 17 for the luminous dots 6 (S. 1 ). Next to the recesses 17 are each fields with labels 21 attached to explain the meaning of each light indicator.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

electronic device

2

LED

3

Optical fiber arrangement

4.1

first photoconductive element

4.2

second photoconductive element

5

Light entry surface

6

Light display point

7

front

8th

Circuit board, printed circuit

9

back

10

front panel

11

holder

12, 13

elements parts

14

conformation

15

shielding

16

receiving slot

17

recess

18

edge

19

opening

20

locking element

21

labeling

22

web

Claims (8)

Display device for an electronic device ( 1 ) into which a plurality of light emitting diodes LED ( 2 ) are used for display purposes, wherein - a light guide arrangement ( 3 ), in which several light-conducting elements ( 4.1 . 4.2 ), - the light-conducting elements ( 4.1 . 4.2 ) at least one light entry surface ( 5 ) for light supply by an LED ( 2 ) and a light exit surface having a luminous display point ( 6 ), characterized in that - light-conducting elements ( 4.2 ), each having two light entry surfaces ( 5 ), and - a first part of the inserted LED ( 2 ) each on the front ( 7 ) one of several printed circuits ( 8th ) and a second part of the inserted LED ( 2 ) each on the back ( 9 ) of the printed circuits ( 8th ) is arranged, wherein in the case of the light-conducting elements ( 4.2 ) with two light entry surfaces ( 5 ) one on the front ( 7 ) one of the printed circuits ( 8th ) LED ( 2 ) and one on the back ( 9 ) of an adjacent printed circuit ( 8th ) Feeds light. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light guide arrangement ( 3 ) approximately plate-shaped with element parts ( 12 . 13 ) for the formation of light entry surfaces ( 5 ) and moldings ( 14 ) for the formation of illuminated display points ( 6 ) is executed. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide arrangement ( 3 ) between a front panel ( 10 ) of the electronic device ( 1 ) and a holder ( 11 ) is arranged. Display device according to claim 3, characterized in that the holder ( 11 ) Shielding walls ( 15 ) to avoid light couplings between light-conducting elements ( 4 ) having. Display device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the holder ( 11 ) with receiving slots ( 16 ) for printed circuits ( 8th ) is provided. Display device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the front panel ( 10 ) Recesses ( 17 ), by the respective projections ( 14 ) for forming the illuminated display points ( 6 ) are guided. Display device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the front panel ( 10 ) an integrally formed edge ( 18 ) with openings ( 19 ) for latching locking elements ( 20 ) of the holder ( 11 ) having. Display device according to claim 6, characterized in that on the outside of the front panel ( 10 ) next to each of the recesses ( 17 ) Labels ( 21 ) are present to explain the meaning of the respective light indicator.

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