JP2013095178A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device capable of facilitating operation and allowing a display part to be easily viewed by reducing the distance of a switch operation part for changing over display information of the display part, while keeping electrical wiring between a display part of a display panel and a circuit board well by a flexible printed wiring board.SOLUTION: This display device D includes: a circuit board 3 for driving a display panel 1; a flexible printed wiring board 4 for connecting the display panel 1 to the circuit board 3; and a switch operation part 6 mounted on the circuit board 3 for changing over a display setting of the display panel 1 and the like. In the display device D, the switch operation part 6 is arranged at a position adjacent to the display panel 1, an opening 40 is formed on the flexible printed wiring board 4 in accordance with the arrangement position of the switch operation part 6, and the switch operation part 6 is arranged to be operable through the opening 40.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device using liquid crystal or organic EL, and more particularly to a display device in which a display panel of a display device and a circuit board are electrically connected by a flexible printed wiring board.

  As this type of display device, for example, a display device using a liquid crystal panel as a display panel is widely known. In many of such display devices, a display panel is supported through a case called a light box, and a circuit board is disposed and supported on the back side of the case, and is displayed by a light source (LED) mounted on the circuit board. The panel is backlit. In addition, the display panel and the circuit board are electrically connected to the electrode terminals provided on the display panel and the circuit pattern provided on the circuit board by a connecting member as appropriate, and supply a drive signal to the display panel through the circuit board. A predetermined display is performed on the panel.

  As a display panel and a circuit board, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a plurality of metal lead frames are used, and as shown in Patent Document 2, for example, a rubber connector (conductive rubber) is used. ). These are practical when the electrode terminal pitch interval is relatively wide or when the number of electrode terminals is small, but the number of electrode terminals is large and the pitch interval is large, for example, in a display panel that requires high resolution. Not suitable for narrow cases. Further, for example, as shown in Patent Document 3, there is also known one using a flexible circuit board (FPC or flexible printed wiring board), and one using a flexible printed wiring board is an electrode terminal. Even when the interval is extremely small, the connection is easy, and there is an advantage that the display panel can be reduced in size and resolution.

  In addition, such a display device may be provided with a switch operation unit for switching display settings of the display panel in addition to a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-177155 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-305202 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-47920

  However, if the arrangement of the switch operation unit for switching between the display unit region of the display panel described in Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3 described above and the display setting of the display panel is separated, the display on the display unit is displayed. When the user presses the switch operation unit that is the operation location while grasping the information, the switch operation unit may be erroneously operated.

  For this reason, it is desirable to arrange the position of the display part of the display panel and the switch operation part close to each other. In such a case, the switch operation part is used while using a flexible printed wiring board that can be easily routed. When trying to mount on the circuit board, the switch operation part must be arranged avoiding the area where the flexible printed wiring board connecting the display panel made of liquid crystal panel and the circuit board is routed, There is a problem that the position of the switch operation unit cannot be brought close to the display panel, and there is a difficulty in promoting the downsizing of the display device including the switch operation unit.

  Therefore, the present invention pays attention to the above-described problems, and performs switch operation for switching display information on the display unit while maintaining good electrical routing between the display unit of the display panel and the circuit board by the flexible printed wiring board. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device that can make the display unit closer to each other so that the display unit can be easily viewed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a display panel, a circuit board for driving the display panel, a flexible printed wiring board that connects the display panel and the circuit board, and A switch operation unit mounted on a circuit board for switching display settings of the display panel, etc., wherein the switch operation unit is disposed at a position adjacent to the display panel, and the switch The display device is characterized in that an opening is provided in the flexible printed wiring board in accordance with an arrangement position of the operation unit, and the switch operation unit is arranged to be operable through the opening.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to provide an opening in the flexible printed wiring board and to arrange the switch operation unit in this opening, so it becomes possible to downsize the entire display device including the switch operation unit, Since at least a part of the area of the flexible printed wiring board can be used, the distance between the display area of the display panel and the switch operation section can be reduced, which makes it easy to operate and make the display section easy to see. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the first aspect, the switch operation unit includes a push button switch mounted on the circuit board and a key top unit that transmits an operating force from an operator. It is characterized by.

  By comprising in this way, the length of a key top part is adjusted (setting) by comprising a switch operation part by the pushbutton switch mounted on the circuit board, and the key top part which transmits the operating force from an operator. By doing so, it is possible to set the distance from the circuit board to the key top part to an arbitrary length without changing the length of the push button switch which is a standard product, and thus the operation by pressing is performed favorably. be able to.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the first or second aspect, the flexible printed wiring board connecting connector mounted on the circuit board is a surface of the circuit board on which the display panel is disposed. It is characterized by being arranged on the same plane.

  By configuring in this way, a display panel, a switch operation unit, or a connector for connecting a flexible printed wiring board, which is a component to be assembled on a circuit board, can be assembled on a circuit board facing the same side. It is easy to perform the assembly, and it is possible to easily perform the assembling work.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the first or second aspect, the flexible printed wiring board connecting connector mounted on the circuit board is a surface of the circuit board on the side where the display panel is disposed. It is arrange | positioned on the surface on the opposite side to.

  By configuring in this way, the flexible printed wiring board connector mounted on the circuit board is disposed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the display panel of the circuit board is disposed. The guide can be routed and guided along the covering case, thereby further reducing the size of the case.

  According to claim 5, in the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the display device is housed in a case composed of an upper case and a lower case, and the push button switch is mounted. Further, an abutment convex portion integrally projecting from the lower case is disposed on the back surface portion of the circuit board.

  With this configuration, even if the pressing force that is likely to be generated when the operator operates the switch operation unit is directly applied, the lower side of the circuit board is formed by the abutting convex portion provided integrally from the lower case. By receiving, it is possible to prevent the circuit board from being bent and deformed, and to prevent damage to the circuit board.

  Further, in the display device according to claim 5, in the display device according to claim 5, an elastic pressing operation unit is provided on the front surface side of the key top unit, and the upper operation case covers the pressing operation unit on the front surface side of the display panel. It is characterized by being attached and fixed to.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent contact from the outside by housing the display device in the case, it is possible to protect, and the front side of the key top portion provided in the switch operation unit By providing a pressing operation unit having elasticity and attaching and fixing the pressing operation unit to the upper case, it is possible to prevent intrusion of dust or water droplets from the outside of the case.

  In the present invention, the display panel, a circuit board for driving the display panel, a flexible printed wiring board for connecting the display panel and the circuit board, and a display on the display panel are mounted on the circuit board. A switch operation unit for switching settings and the like, wherein the switch operation unit is arranged at a position adjacent to the display panel, and the flexible print is arranged in accordance with an arrangement position of the switch operation unit. Since the display device is characterized in that an opening is provided in the wiring board and the switch operation part is arranged to be operable through the opening, the switch operation part is provided in the opening provided in the flexible printed wiring board. The entire display device can be downsized, and at least part of the flexible printed wiring board Since the area can be used, the distance between the display area of the display panel and the setting changeover switch operation section can be reduced, which makes it easier to operate and easier to see the display section. The intended purpose can be achieved.

It is a front view which shows the state which assembled | attached the display apparatus which consists of a liquid crystal display element which is embodiment of this invention to indicator instruments, such as a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a state before the display panel and the switch operation unit are assembled in the display device of FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the display device assembled to the indicating instrument showing the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part showing a state before the display panel and the switch operation unit are assembled in the display device of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. For example, a display device using liquid crystal incorporated in an analog indicating instrument in accordance with an indication of a pointer mounted on a vehicle instrument will be described as an example.

  The vehicle instrument device according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a combination meter mounted on a dashboard of an automobile. As shown in FIG. 1, a case C as an exterior member has a speedometer (speedometer). An analog indicating instrument M, which is a known pointer-type instrument that is a display member for displaying information such as an engine tachometer, is housed and fixed, and a flat display panel is formed between the indicating instruments M. A display device D using liquid crystal is arranged. In this case, a display board P is attached and fixed to the front side of an instrument body (not shown) constituting each indicating instrument M, and a scale on which the indication of the pointer S provided on the indicating instrument M is applied to the display board P. In contrast with the display part P1 of characters and characters. In addition, the display plate P is provided with an opening window P2 at a central portion so that the display form (vehicle display information) of the display device D by liquid crystal can be read through the opening window P2.

  The display device D includes a rectangular display panel 1 made of a transmissive liquid crystal display element, a holder 2 made of a synthetic resin material that is disposed on the back side of the display panel 1 and holds the display panel 1, A circuit board 3 made of a hard material, which is arranged behind and on which electronic components for driving the display panel 1 are mounted, and flexible printed wiring for electrically connecting the circuit board 3 side and the display panel 1 side A board 4, a flexible printed wiring board connector 5 provided on the circuit board 3 connected to the end of the flexible printed wiring board 4, and a display part of the display panel 1 mounted on the circuit board 3. A switch operation unit 6 for switching display information, and a light emitting diode 7 as a light source for illuminating the display panel 1 mounted on the circuit board 3 and including a liquid crystal display element from behind. These mount components are constructed is accommodated in the case C consisting of the lower case 8 and the upper case 9.

  The display panel 1 in the display device D is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal molecules are sealed between a pair of glass substrates, and a plurality of electrode terminals (not shown) connected to the flexible printed wiring board 4 at the ends thereof. Is provided.

  The holder 2 is made of white synthetic resin, and is provided with a frame-shaped side peripheral wall portion 20 and a placement portion 21 that extends in the horizontal direction on the upper end side of the side peripheral wall portion 20 and on which the display panel 1 is placed. . For example, when the light emitting diode 7 that emits white light is turned on at a position deeper from the mounting portion 21, irradiation light from the light emitting diode 7 side is transmitted and illuminated from behind the display panel 1. In this case, although not shown, a diffusion plate for diffusing light or a light guide plate for introducing light from the light emitting diode 7 may be provided between the light emitting diode 7 and the display panel 1.

  The circuit board 3 is formed of, for example, a hard board made of a glass epoxy material, and is electrically connected to each electrode terminal (not shown) of the display panel 1 via a flexible printed wiring board 4 at a predetermined position thereof. The At this time, a plurality of circuit patterns (not shown) for supplying drive signals to the display panel 1 are provided on the circuit board 3, and a plurality of electrode terminals and circuits formed by drawing out from the circuit patterns on the circuit board 3. A flexible printed wiring board connector 5 mounted on the substrate 3 is electrically connected, and is connected to an electrode terminal (not shown) of the flexible printed wiring board 4 via the connector 5. .

  The flexible printed wiring board 4 is obtained by forming a desired conductive circuit pattern on a resin film made of a synthetic resin. In this case, the flexible printed wiring board 4 is routed on an electrode terminal (not shown) provided on the display panel 1 and the circuit board 3. An electrode terminal (not shown) side provided in the formed circuit pattern (not shown) is appropriately connected by a connecting member, and a drive signal is supplied to the display panel 1 through the circuit board 3. To display a predetermined display.

  The flexible printed wiring board connector 5 is mounted on the circuit board 3, and in this embodiment, the flexible printed wiring board connector 5 is disposed on the same surface as the surface on which the display panel 1 is disposed. It is provided so as to be electrically connected to an electrode terminal (not shown) provided on the end side of the flexible printed wiring board 4.

  The switch operation unit 6 includes a push button switch 60 including a tact switch mounted on the circuit board 3 and a key top unit 61 that transmits an operating force due to a pressing pressure from an operator.

  In the present embodiment, the switch operation unit 6 is disposed at a position adjacent to the display panel 1, and the central portion of the flexible printed wiring board 4 is located at the switch operation unit in accordance with the position of the switch operation unit 6. An opening 40 is provided so that the six key tops 61 can be inserted, and the switch operation unit 6 is arranged to be operable through the opening 40. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion indicated by the broken line of the flexible printed wiring board 4 corresponds to the opening 40. In FIG. 3, the central portion of the flexible printed wiring board 4 is notched and wired on both sides. An opening 40 is provided so that the flexible printed wiring board 4 is routed around the pattern.

  Further, the front end portion of the key top portion 61 provided in the switch operation portion 6 for switching display information on the display portion of the display panel 1 is connected to the front side of the upper case 9 through the insertion hole 90 provided in the upper case 9. Is provided so as to protrude upward.

  The display device D is housed in a case C composed of an upper case 9 and a lower case 8, and an abutting convex portion 80 that protrudes integrally from the lower case 8 on the back surface of the circuit board 3 on which the pushbutton switch 60 is mounted. Are arranged.

  The display device D according to the present embodiment configured as described above includes the switch operation unit 6 because the flexible printed wiring board 4 is provided with the opening 40 and the switch operation unit 6 can be disposed in the opening 40. The entire display device D can be reduced in size, and at least a part of the flexible printed wiring board 4 can be used, so that the distance between the display area of the display panel 1 and the switch operation section 6 can be reduced. This makes it easy to operate and to make the display portion easy to see.

  Further, the display panel 1, the push button switch 60 of the switch operation unit 6, or the flexible printed wiring board connector 5 that is a component assembled on the circuit board 3 can be assembled on the circuit board 3 facing the same side. The parts can be easily set and the assembling work can be easily performed.

  Further, the length of the key top portion 61 is adjusted (set) by configuring the switch operation portion 6 with the push button switch 60 mounted on the circuit board 3 and the key top portion 61 for transmitting the operating force from the operator. As a result, the distance from the circuit board 3 to the key top portion 61 can be set to an arbitrary length without changing the length of the push button switch 60 (tact switch), which is mainly a standard product. The operation can be performed satisfactorily on the front side of case C (upper case 9).

  Further, the display device D is housed in a case C composed of an upper case 9 and a lower case 8, and an abutting convex portion 80 protruding integrally from the lower case 8 is provided on the back surface of the circuit board 3 on which the push button switch 60 is mounted. Even if a pressing force that is likely to be generated when the operator operates the switch operation unit 6 is directly applied, the circuit board 3 is provided by the abutment convex portion 80 provided integrally from the lower case 8. By receiving the lower side, it is possible to prevent the circuit board 3 from being bent and deformed, and to prevent the circuit board 3 from being damaged.

  4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Like the first embodiment described above, a speedometer and an engine tachometer are provided inside the case C. FIG. An analog indicating instrument M composed of a well-known pointer-type instrument, which is a display member for displaying information such as (tachometer), is housed and fixed, and a liquid crystal display device serving as a flat display panel is provided between the indicating instruments M D is arranged. In this case, a display board P is attached and fixed to the front side of an instrument body (not shown) constituting each indicating instrument M, and a scale on which the indication of the pointer S provided on the indicating instrument M is applied to the display board P. In contrast with the display part P1 of characters and characters. In addition, the display plate P is provided with an opening window P2 at a central portion so that the display form (vehicle display information) of the display device D by liquid crystal can be read through the opening window P2.

  Similarly to the first embodiment described above, the display device D also has a rectangular display panel 1 made of a transmissive liquid crystal display element and a composite that is disposed on the back side of the display panel 1 and holds the display panel 1. A holder 2 made of a resin material, a circuit board 3 made of a hard material on which electronic components for driving the display panel 1 are mounted, and the circuit board 3 side and the display panel 1 side. A flexible printed wiring board 4 that is electrically connected to each other, a flexible printed wiring board connector 5 provided on the circuit board 3 connected to the end of the flexible printed wiring board 4, and a circuit board 3 is a switch operation unit 6 for switching display information on the display unit 1 mounted on the display panel 1 and a display panel 1 mounted on the circuit board 3 and made of a liquid crystal display element. A light emitting diode 7 serving as an illumination light source, these mounting components are configured to be housed in the case C consisting of the lower case 8 and the upper case 9.

  The switch operation unit 6 includes a push button switch 60 composed of a tact switch and the like mounted on the circuit board 3 and a key top unit for transmitting an operating force due to the pressing force from the operator, in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment. 61.

  Further, the front end portion of the key top portion 61 provided in the switch operation portion 6 for switching display information on the display portion of the display panel 1 is connected to the front side of the upper case 9 through the insertion hole 90 provided in the upper case 9. Is provided so as to protrude upward.

  In the second embodiment, the switch operation unit 6 is disposed at a position adjacent to the display panel 1, and the central portion of the folded region of the flexible printed wiring board 4 is aligned with the position of the switch operation unit 6. Is provided with an opening 40 so that the key top portion 61 of the switch operation unit 6 is arranged close to the switch operation unit 6, and the switch operation unit 6 is arranged to be operable through the opening 40. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the folded flexible printed wiring board 4 shown by the broken line of the flexible printed wiring board 4 corresponds to the opening 40, and in FIG. 6, the central part of the flexible printed wiring board 4 is A notch is formed, and the portion where the notch is formed is formed as an opening 40 of the flexible printed wiring board 4, and the opening 40 region is provided while being folded back.

  In the second embodiment, the flexible printed wiring board connector 5 mounted on the circuit board 3 is arranged on the surface of the circuit board 3 opposite to the surface on which the display panel 1 is arranged. Is provided.

  The flexible printed wiring board 4 is connected to the display panel 1 side from one end of the flexible printed wiring board 4 in accordance with the positional relationship of the flexible printed wiring board connecting connector 5 disposed on the back side of the circuit board 3. The printed circuit board 3 is disposed around the periphery of the circuit board 3 from the front surface side to the back surface side. The flexible printed circuit board connector 5 is electrically connected to the circuit board 3 mounted on the back surface side. It is provided to be.

  By configuring in this way, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, the flexible printed wiring board connector 5 mounted on the circuit board 3 is arranged on the side on which the display panel 1 of the circuit board 3 is disposed. By disposing it on the surface opposite to the surface, it becomes possible to guide it along the side wall of the case C (the lower case 8 and the upper case 9) covering the circuit board 3, and thereby the space of the display device D It is possible to further reduce the size of the instrument device including the case C.

  FIG. 7 shows a modification of the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, a pressing operation unit 62 having elasticity is provided on the front surface side of the key top unit 61, and the pressing operation unit 62 is provided. The display panel 1 is attached and fixed to an insertion hole 90 provided in the upper case 9 covering the front side of the display panel 1 so as to keep watertight.

  With this configuration, the display device D can be protected by being housed in the case C, and the pressing operation unit has elasticity on the front side of the key top portion 61 provided in the switch operation unit 6. 62 is provided, and this pressing operation part 62 is attached and fixed to the insertion hole 90 of the upper case 9 in a watertight state, whereby entry of dust or water droplets from the outside of the case C can be prevented in advance. For example, intrusion of rainwater can be prevented even under use conditions that are easily exposed to rain or seawater in an external atmosphere such as a motorcycle or a ship.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in each embodiment, the circuit board 3 for mounting the display device D and the analog indicator instrument M is integrally formed. However, the circuit boards 3 are individually provided in a separated state. In each embodiment, as the switch operation unit 6, a push button switch 60 including a tact switch mounted on the circuit board 3 and an operating force due to a pressing pressure from an operator are transmitted. The key top portion 61 is configured, but it may be configured by a switch operation unit such as a rubber switch. The shape and size of the opening 40 formed in the flexible printed wiring board 4 are as follows. What is necessary is just to set suitably by the number of the wiring patterns etc. which are electrically drawn out and wired, the length of the flexible printed wiring board 4, a width dimension, etc.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display panel 1 is described by using a liquid crystal display panel as an example, but the same effect can be obtained even in a display device having a display panel structure such as an EL display panel. The present invention can be applied not only to a vehicle but also to a marine instrument or an indicating instrument such as an agricultural machine or a construction machine, and similar effects can be obtained.

C case D display device M indicator instrument P display board P1 display part P2 opening window part S pointer 1 display panel 2 holder 3 circuit board 4 flexible printed wiring board 5 connector for flexible printed wiring board 6 switch operation part 7 light emitting diode (light source) )
8 Lower case 9 Upper case 20 Side peripheral wall portion 21 Placement portion 40 Opening portion 60 Push button switch 61 Key top portion 62 Press operation portion 80 Abutment convex portion 90 Insertion hole

Claims (6)

  A display panel, a circuit board for driving the display panel, a flexible printed wiring board for connecting the display panel and the circuit board, and mounted on the circuit board to switch display settings of the display panel A switch operation unit for disposing the switch operation unit at a position adjacent to the display panel and opening the flexible printed wiring board in accordance with the position of the switch operation unit. A display device, wherein the switch operation unit is arranged to be operable through the opening.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the switch operation unit includes a push button switch mounted on the circuit board and a key top unit that transmits an operating force from an operator.   3. The flexible printed wiring board connecting connector mounted on the circuit board is disposed on the same surface as the surface of the circuit board on which the display panel is disposed. The display device described in 1.   The connector for connecting a flexible printed wiring board mounted on the circuit board is disposed on a surface of the circuit board opposite to a surface on which the display panel is disposed. 2. The display device according to 2.   The display device is housed in a case composed of an upper case and a lower case, and an abutting convex portion that integrally protrudes from the lower case is disposed at a back surface portion of the circuit board on which the pushbutton switch is mounted. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. A pressing operation part having elasticity is provided on the front side of the key top part, and the pressing operation part is attached and fixed to the upper case covering the front side of the display panel. Display device.

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