HK1197760B - A device for displaying graphical symbols - Google Patents

Description

Device for displaying graphic symbols

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a display for displaying graphical symbols.

Background

More specifically, the display device is preferably used in a wall-mounted control apparatus of a home automation management system.

These wall-mounted control devices are generally connected to various household systems (heating, air conditioning, lighting, etc.), and the use of the display means allows the status of these systems to be displayed and managed.

Typically, the wall-mounted control device is installed in a housing provided (during construction) on a wall of, for example, an apartment. In more detail, the control device comprises an accommodation box inserted in the housing and having an open side and a bottom wall opposite to the open side. In other words, the containment box is substantially shaped to mate with the housing.

Furthermore, the display device is connected to the box at the open side, in such a way that the box is closed.

According to the prior art, the display devices used comprise a transparent screen (generally made of glass) on which at least one graphical symbol is depicted. Furthermore, the display device comprises two electronic cards: the first electronic card is placed in contact with the rear surface of the screen, and the second electronic card is connected to and spaced from the first electronic card. The first electronic card further comprises through holes, each through hole being located at a respective graphic symbol of the screen.

The second electronic card is equipped with illuminating bodies (preferably LEDs), each of which generates a light beam in the direction of a respective hole of the first card.

More specifically, the light beam passes through the holes, illuminating an area of the screen making the symbols depicted on this area visible on the screen. In more detail, the graphic symbol is visible by viewing the screen at the front visible surface (as opposed to the rear surface). Typically, symbols are depicted on the screen by xerography or adhesive films, and both represent word symbols (e.g., "C °", "F °", "Off" … …) and graphics (e.g., fan, thermometer … …).

In this context, moving the illuminating body away from or towards the respective aperture enlarges or reduces the illuminated area on the screen.

For this reason, in order to illuminate a sufficiently large graphic symbol (and thus ensure good visibility for the observer), it is necessary to have a sufficiently large illumination area at the respective graphic symbol.

Thus, the illumination body and, therefore, the second card, must be sufficiently spaced from the aperture.

More specifically, the distance between the two cards is preferably between 6 and 20 mm, depending on the angle of the light beam emitted by the illuminating body.

For this reason, the display device defines an operating area on the screen including all the illumination areas, according to the preset distance between the cards.

However, the prior art has several disadvantages.

In fact, the use of two mutually separated electronic cards creates a predetermined range in the box of the wall-mounted control device. Therefore, the illuminating body must be located in the central region of the box, where there is sufficient depth (measured from the open side to the bottom wall) to accommodate the two cards. In more detail, the depth of the box in the central zone must be at least greater than the distance between the two electronic cards.

The width of the screen operating area is therefore limited to the width of the box in the central area (measured on a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall). In other words, the width of the screen operating area is substantially limited by the size of the housing provided on the wall.

Furthermore, the use of two mutually separated electronic cards creates a predetermined range in the case of the wall-mounted control device, thus reducing the available volume of other electronic devices (for example thermometers, hygrometers, antennas, cables, etc.) located in the case. This drawback is highlighted by the fact that current control requires a greater number of electronic devices to be placed inside the containing box.

Disclosure of Invention

Under such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for displaying graphic symbols in which the width of the screen operation area is independent of the size of a housing provided on a wall.

Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a device for displaying graphical symbols, the size of which is smaller than the prior art.

The indicated objects are substantially achieved by means of a device for displaying graphic symbols as described in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device for displaying graphic symbols shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1a shows an exploded side view of a control device comprising means for displaying graphical symbols according to the present invention, some parts of which are shown in section;

FIG. 1b shows a side view of the combined control device shown in FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the control device shown in FIG. 1 b;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a first detail of the display device shown in FIG. 1a along the section line III-III;

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of a second detail of the display device shown in FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of a second detail of the display device shown in FIG. 4 with some components removed to better show other components; and

fig. 6 shows a front view of a third detail of the control device shown in fig. 1 b.

With reference to said figures, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a device for displaying graphic symbols 2 according to the invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The display device 1 comprises an at least partially transparent screen 3, on which screen 3 at least one graphic symbol 2 is depicted.

Preferably, the screen 3 is a glass panel. Furthermore, the graphic symbols 2 are depicted on the screen 3 by means of xerography and/or by means of pre-cut adhesive films. In detail, the outline of each graphic symbol 2 is drawn on the screen 3, in such a way as to define an image in the outline.

In more detail, the screen 3 is at least partially transparent only at the graphic symbols 2. In other words, the screen 3 is opaque where the graphic symbol 2 is not depicted. In other words, the screen 3 lets light pass only at the graphic symbol 2.

Furthermore, the screen 3 extends in a single plane and has a visible face 4a and a rear face 4b opposite the visible face 4 a. The visible face 4a is a face visible to the user. In addition, the rear face 4b defines a connection plane. Preferably, the visible face 4a and the rear face 4b are substantially parallel to each other.

The display device 1 further comprises a support panel 5 connected to the screen 3 and having a first surface 6a facing the screen 3 and a second surface 6b opposite to the first surface 6 a.

Preferably, the support panel 5 is flat and it is substantially parallel to the screen 3. In addition, the first surface 6a of the support panel 5 is substantially parallel to the second surface 6b of the support panel 5.

Further, the support panel 5 is connected to the screen 3 at the first surface 6 a. More specifically, the first surface 6a of the support panel 5 is connected to the rear face 4b of the screen 3 along a connection plane.

As shown in fig. 1a, the support panel 5 has a planar extension of a dimension smaller than that of the screen 3.

In addition, the support panel 5 is centrally positioned with respect to the screen 3. In other words, the screen 3 forms a strip 7 surrounding the support panel 5. The surrounding strip 7 is defined on the rear face 4b of the screen 3.

Preferably, the thickness of the screen 3, measured transversely to the plane of connection, is between 3 mm and 5 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the support panel 5, measured transversely to the plane of connection, is between 1 mm and 2.5 mm.

Furthermore, the support panel 5 has at least one hole 8 passing from the second surface 6b to the first surface 6 a. Fig. 5 shows an example of a support panel 5 with three through holes 8.

Preferably, each hole 8 defines a circle having a diameter of between 5 mm and 50 mm.

Furthermore, the display device 1 comprises at least one illuminating body 9 emitting a light beam 10 through the hole 8 to illuminate the graphic symbols 2 on the screen 3. In other words, the illuminating body 9 illuminates the screen 3 through the hole 8 to acquire the graphic symbol 2 of interest.

In more detail, the illuminating body 9 illuminates an illumination area 11 on the screen 3 at the graphic symbol 2. Thus, the light beam 10 is directed through the screen 3 in which it is at least partially transparent and the screen 3 is blocked in the other parts of the illumination area 11, so as to illuminate only the graphic symbol 2.

More specifically, the light beam 10 strikes the screen 3 at the rear face 4b of the screen 3 and illuminates the graphic symbol 2 at the visible face 4 a. In other words, the screen 3 filters the light beam 10 to highlight the graphic symbol 2 on the visible face 4 a.

It should be noted that the support panel 5 is interposed between the illuminating body 9 and the screen 3. In this way, the light beam 10 passing through the aperture 8 traces out the illuminated area 11 on the screen 3.

Preferably, the illuminating body 9 comprises an LED. More specifically, the lighting body 9 extends between its light emitting portion 12a and its power supply portion 12 b. It should be noted that the light emitting portion 12a of the illuminating body faces the associated hole 8 to emit the light beam 10 in the direction of the hole 8.

According to the invention, the lighting body 9 is connected to the support panel 5 at the hole 8.

More specifically, the second surface 6b of the support panel 5 forms a border area a located around the hole 8. The illuminating body 9 is connected to the border area a of the support panel 5.

Fig. 3 shows the border area a where the illuminating body 9 is connected to the support panel 5 at its power supply portion 12 b. More specifically, the light emitting portion 12a of the lighting body 9 faces the relative hole 8. More specifically, however, the light-emitting portion 12a of the lighting body 9 protrudes in cantilever fashion from the relative hole 8.

It should be noted that the lighting body 9 extends along the extension direction S from the light emitting portion 12a to the power feeding portion 12 b. The direction of extension S of the illuminating body 9 is preferably parallel to the connection plane.

Furthermore, the display device 1 preferably comprises a plurality of illuminating bodies 9 at the holes 8. In more detail, the illuminating bodies 9 are evenly distributed around the hole 8. For example, the display device 1 in fig. 5 comprises eight illuminating bodies 9 for each hole 8. Each illuminating body 9 emits its light beam 10 to produce a respective illumination area 11. The set of illumination areas 11 defines an operating area of the screen 3.

It should be noted that each illuminating body 9 emits a light beam 10 having a main propagation direction substantially parallel to the connection plane. In addition, the opening angle of the light beam covers at least a part of the hole 8. Furthermore, the support panel 5 has an annular surface 13 surrounding the hole 8 and positioned between the first surface 6a and the second surface 6 b. The opening angle of the light beam covers at least a part of the annular surface 13. In other words, the illuminating body 9 emits a light beam towards a portion of the annular surface 13.

The display device 1 according to the invention comprises a housing 14 at the aperture 8 and connected to the support panel 5. Preferably, the housing 14 is connected to the second surface 6b of the support panel 5.

The illuminating body 9 is interposed between the casing 14 and the support panel 5 in such a way that the casing 14 scatters and/or reflects the light beam 10 towards the hole 8 and therefore in the direction of the screen 4.

In other words, the illuminating body 9 emits a light beam 10, the first portion 15a of which passes directly through the hole 8, while the second portion 15b passes through the hole 8 by reflection on the casing 14 (fig. 3).

In addition, the housing 14 has an inner surface 16 facing the aperture 8. The inner surface 16 of the housing 14 is preferably light reflective.

In addition, the inner surface 16 of the housing 14 has microscopic irregularities that scatter light. In more detail, the size of the irregularities of the inner surface 16 of the housing 14 is comparable to the wavelength of the light rays constituting the light beam.

Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the housing 14 reflects and scatters light.

Preferably, the housing 14 extends at least for the entire width of the hole 8 and is located beside the second surface 6b of the support panel 5 in such a way that an inner space V is formed between the housing 14 and the hole 8.

In other words, the casing 14 closes the hole 8 at the second surface 6b of the support panel 5.

In more detail, the housing 14 is delimited by an outer edge. This edge of the housing 14 is connected to the second surface 6b of the support panel 5.

Further, the lighting body 9 operates in the inner space V. In other words, the lighting body 9 emits a light beam in the inner space V. In still other words, the light emitting portion 12a of the illuminating body 9 is located in the internal space V.

Preferably, the support panel 5 has a plurality of holes 8, each hole being located at a graphic symbol 2 of the screen 3. Each aperture 8 is associated with a respective housing 14.

Fig. 4 shows a plurality of housings 14, wherein each housing closes a respective hole 8 of the support panel 5 and the illuminating body 9 is located within each housing 14 (shown by a dashed line in fig. 4).

In more detail, fig. 3 shows that the housing 14 is connected to the power supply portion 12b at the lighting body 9.

Preferably, the support panel 5 comprises an electronic card. Further, the display device 1 includes a power supply device that supplies power to the illumination body 9. The power supply device is integrated in the electronic card of the support panel 5.

In an alternative embodiment, the screen 3 comprises touch selection means associated with the graphic symbol 2. In other words, the screen 3 is of the touch screen type. In that case, the electronic card supporting the panel 5 comprises a control unit for reading commands entered on the screen 3 and for sending the commands to the devices connectable to it.

The invention also relates to a control device 100 mounted on a wall 101 comprising a housing box 102, the housing box 102 having a front opening 103 and being insertable into a housing formed on the wall 101. The containment box 102 also has a bottom wall 104 opposite the front opening 103 and located, in use, inside the wall 101. In other words, the accommodation box 102 extends along the extending direction from the bottom wall 104 to the front opening 103. The housing box 102 extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 104 of the housing box 102.

Preferably, the containment box 102 is substantially shaped to match the housing of the wall 101.

Furthermore, the control device 100 comprises a front frame 111 connected to the containment box 102 at the front opening 103. In more detail, the front frame 111 extends around the front opening 103 and at least partially overlaps the wall 101 when it is in use.

In addition, the control device 100 comprises a display device 1 of the aforementioned type, in which the screen 3 is connected to the front frame 111 to close the front opening 103, in such a way as to cause the screen 3 to be displayed. In other words, the front frame 111 is interposed between the accommodation box 102 and the screen 3.

Furthermore, the front frame 111 comprises a front portion 108 extending outside the containment box 102 and the screen 3 is connected to the front portion 108.

According to the invention, the front frame 111 comprises a wide portion 105, extending from the front opening 103 towards the outside of the containment box 102 and resting on the wall 101 in use. In other words, the wide portion 105 extends perpendicular to the extending direction of the accommodation box 102. In other words, the wide portion 105 protrudes from the housing case 102.

The front frame 111 forms a peripheral housing 106 between the screen 3 and the wide portion 105 to accommodate at least a part of the illuminating body 9 of the display device 1. It should be noted that the perimeter housing 106 surrounds the front opening of the containment box 102.

Preferably, the wide portion 105 is located on a support surface substantially parallel to the bottom wall 104 of the containment box 102.

Preferably, the wide portion 105 has a dimension, measured parallel to the support surface, of between 5 mm and 20 mm.

Furthermore, the box comprises a peripheral panel 107 extending substantially perpendicular to the support surface, away from the bottom wall 104 of the containment box 102. The perimeter housing 106 is laterally bounded by a perimeter panel 107.

The perimeter panel 107 has a height, measured perpendicular to the support surface, preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm.

Further, the front portion 108 is positioned around the perimeter housing 106. In other words, the front portion 108 defines a frame around the housing 106.

It should be noted that the front 108 of the box is located on the attachment surface on which the screen 3 is attached. The connecting surface is substantially parallel to the support surface.

In other words, the accommodation box 102 internally defines a first housing space V1 between the bottom wall 104 and the support surface, and a second housing space V2 between the support surface and the connection surface (fig. 1 a). Further, the width of the second case space V2, measured parallel to the connecting surface along the predetermined direction, is larger than the width of the first case space V1, measured parallel to the supporting surface and parallel to the predetermined direction. In addition, the second casing space V2 includes the peripheral casing 106.

More specifically, the front portion 108 is spaced from the wide portion 105. More specifically, however, the peripheral panel 107 is interposed between the front portion 108 and the wide portion 105. In other words, the connecting surface is spaced from the support surface. Preferably, the distance between the connecting surface and the support surface is between 2 mm and 5 mm.

In other words, the distance between the rear face 4b of the screen 3 and the wide portion 105 is between 2 mm and 5 mm.

In practice, the peripheral housing 106 is contained between the wide portion 105, the connecting surface, and the peripheral panel 107.

Preferably, the support panel 5 and at least part of the casing 14 are located in the perimeter housing 106. In other words, the support panel 5, the lighting body 9 and the housing 14 are located in the second housing space V2 (fig. 1 b).

The control device 100 also comprises means 114 for connecting the front frame 111 to the wall 101. The connection means 114 comprise a support frame 115 substantially shaped to match the front frame 111 and fixable to the wall 101. More specifically, the support frame 115 is interposed between the front frame 111 and the wall 101. Further, the support frame 115 is fixed to the wall 101 by screws.

In addition, the connecting means 114 comprises a plurality of attachments 116 mounted on the front frame 111 and protruding from the direction of the support frame 115 for fixing the front frame 111 to the support frame 115. Furthermore, the connection device 114 has a slot 117 substantially shaped to match the appendage 116, the appendage 116 being fixed in the slot 117.

Advantageously, the supporting frame 115 is first fixed to the wall 101 and then the front frame 111 is fixed to the supporting frame 115.

The support frame 115 also comprises a connection portion 109 projecting towards the inside of the containment box 102. In other words, the connection portion 109 faces the front opening 103. Advantageously, the connection 109 is perforated and allows the support frame 115 to be screwed to the wall 101. Accordingly, the support panel 5 has lateral side portions 110 (fig. 4 and 5) substantially shaped to match the connecting portions 109 of the containment box 102.

Further, the front frame 111 includes a cover portion 112 that is substantially shaped to match the connection portion 109 and is positioned at the connection portion 109 to cover the connection portion 109.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, the display device 1 does not comprise a housing 14. In an alternative embodiment, the wide portion 105 of the front frame 111 has a reflective surface 113. More specifically, the reflective surface 113 of the front frame 111 faces the illuminating body 9 and reflects light emitted by the illuminating body 9 toward the screen 3. Preferably, the reflection surface 113 is formed by a reflection film (for example, painted white) or by a reflection paint applied to the wide portion 105.

The implementation of the invention can be deduced directly from the above description.

More specifically, the device 1 for displaying graphic symbols allows the graphic symbols 2 to be illuminated on the screen 3 by a light beam 10 emitted by the illuminating body 9.

In more detail, the illuminating body 9 emits a light beam 10, which partly passes directly through the hole 8 and partly reflects on the casing 14. Further, the housing 14 scatters light toward the hole 8.

In addition, the display device 1 is mounted on the housing box 102, and the housing box 102 has a peripheral housing 106 provided on the wall 101. The peripheral housing 106 houses at least one lighting body 9 with a respective outer casing 14.

Advantageously, the peripheral casing 106 allows the operating area of the screen 3 to be widened in order to depict more graphical symbols 2 on the screen than those depicted in the prior art. Furthermore, the widening of the operating area of the screen 3 allows a larger graphic symbol 2 to be depicted on the screen than those depicted in the prior art.

The present invention achieves the preset aims.

More specifically, the width of the screen operating area is substantially independent of the size of the housing provided on the wall. In fact, due to the small size of the display device, it is possible to provide the illuminating body in the area between the wall and the screen.

In more detail, since the illumination body is directly connected to the support panel, the display device is reduced in size compared to the related art.

It should also be noted that the present invention is relatively easy to produce and the costs associated with implementing the invention are not very high.

Claims (13)

1. Device (1) for displaying a graphical symbol (2), comprising:

-an at least partially transparent screen (3) on which at least one graphical symbol (2) is depicted; said screen (3) comprising touch selection means associated with said graphic symbols (2);

-a support panel (5) connected to the screen (3) and having a first surface (6a) facing the screen (3) and a second surface (6b) opposite to the first surface (6 a); the support panel (5) having at least one hole (8) passing from the second surface (6b) to the first surface (6 a); the second surface (6b) of the support panel (5) forming a border area (A) arranged around a hole (8); the support panel (5) comprises an electronic card; the electronic card of the support panel (5) comprises controls for reading commands entered on the screen (3);

-at least one illuminating body (9) emitting a light beam (10) through said hole (8) to illuminate said graphic symbol (2) on said screen (3); the lighting body (9) extending between its light emitting part (12a) and its power supply part (12 b);

-power supply means to power said lighting body (9); the power supply device is integrated in the electronic card;

characterized in that said lighting body (9) is connected at its power supply portion (12b) to said boundary area (A) of said support panel (5); the light emitting portion (12a) of the lighting body faces the associated hole (8) and the lighting body (9) extends along an extension direction (S) from the light emitting portion (12a) to the power supply portion (12 b).

2. Device (1) for displaying graphic symbols (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a casing (14) located at said hole (8) and connected to said support panel (5); the illuminating body (9) is interposed between the casing (14) and the support panel (5) in such a way that the casing (14) scatters and/or reflects the light beam (10) towards the aperture (8) and therefore the screen (3).

3. Device (1) for displaying graphic symbols (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that said casing (14) extends at least for the entire width of said hole (8) and it is located beside the second surface (6b) of said support panel (5) in such a way as to form an internal space (V) between said casing (14) and said hole (8); the lighting body (9) operates in an inner space (V).

4. Device (1) for displaying graphic symbols (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of illuminating bodies (9) located at the holes (8); the illuminating bodies (9) are evenly distributed around the aperture (8).

5. Device (1) for displaying graphic symbols (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that said illuminating body (9) comprises an LED.

6. A control device (100) mounted on a wall (101), comprising an accommodation box (102) having a front opening (103) and insertable in a housing formed on said wall (101); the control device (100) further comprises a front frame (111) connected to the containment box (102) at a front opening (103);

characterized in that it comprises a display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a screen (3) is connected to said front frame (111) to close said front opening (103) in such a way as to enable the display of the screen (3), said front frame (111) comprising a front portion (108) extending outside said containment box (102), and said screen (3) being connected to said front portion (108); the front portion (108) of the housing box is located on a connection surface to which the screen (3) is connected.

7. Control device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that said containment box (102) has a bottom wall (104) opposite said front opening (103) and located, in use, inside said wall (101); the containment box (102) extends along a direction of extension from the bottom wall (104) to the front opening (103); the direction of extension of the containment box (102) is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall (104) of the containment box (102).

8. The control device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said front frame (111) comprises a wide portion (105) extending from said front opening (103) towards the outside of said containment box (102) and arranged, in use, at least partially on a wall (101); the front frame (111) forms a peripheral housing (106) between the screen (3) and the wide portion (105) to accommodate at least a portion of the illuminating body (9) of the display device (1).

9. The control device (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that said wide portion (105) is located on a support surface substantially parallel to a bottom wall (104) of said containment box (102); the containment box (102) comprising a peripheral panel (107) extending substantially perpendicular to the support surface, away from the bottom wall (104) of the containment box (102); the peripheral housing (106) is laterally delimited by the peripheral panel (107) and is located between the wide portion (105) and the connection surface.

10. The control device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that said containment box (102) internally defines a first housing space (V1) between said bottom wall (104) and said support surface and a second housing space (V2) between said support surface and said connection surface; the second housing space (V2) comprises the peripheral housing (106).

11. The control apparatus (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the support panel (5), the illuminating body (9), and the housing (14) of the display device (1) are located in the second casing space (V2).

12. The control apparatus (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the support panel (5) and at least part of the housing (14) of the display device (1) are located in the peripheral housing (106).

13. Control device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises means (114) for connecting said front frame (111) to said wall (101); the connection means (114) comprise a support frame (115) substantially shaped to match said front frame (111) and fixable to said wall (101).