Display device including protruding plate

A display device including a protruding-plate includes the protruding-plate, a thin-film-layer, a transparent-base-material, a first-concealing-layer, a light-diffusion-layer, a light-color-toning-layer, and a second-concealing-layer. The first-concealing-layer is disposed closer to the protruding-plate than the second-concealing-layer and the light-color-toning-layer to the protruding-plate. The protruding-plate, the transparent-base-material, the thin-film-layer, and the second-concealing-layer include a greater thickness in this order. The second-concealing-layer, the first-concealing-layer, and the light-diffusion-layer have a same thickness. The light-diffusion-layer is thicker than the light-color-toning-layer. The transparent-base-material and the thin-film-layer have a same light transmittance. The thin-film-layer, the protruding-plate, the light-diffusion-layer, the light-color-toning-layer, the first-concealing-layer, and the second-concealing-layer have a higher light transmittance in this order.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

the present disclosure relates to a display device having a decorating technique with lighting including a protruding plate.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, in a decorating method of a surface of an exterior component, a panel, or the like in a field of an exterior of a household electric appliance, an interior of an automobile, or the like, with diversification of customer orientation and recent genuine orientation, and high quality orientation, wide range of design expressions and high-quality designability needs have been increased. Among them, as one of the decorating methods expressing a high-quality feeling, there is a need for a method having a high designability by combining a protruding plate of natural wood with light. Here, the term of the protruding plate means a sheet-like plate material which is obtained by thinly slicing a wood material.

As the decorating method using the protruding plate, in addition to a method of expressing an appearance with a wood material by sticking the protruding plate itself to a casing, a method of embossing a wood grain of the protruding plate or a picture such as a character or a pattern provided on a back surface of the protruding plate by light transmitting the protruding plate by providing a light source on the back surface of the protruding plate is generally known. Particularly, with respect to the latter, it is possible to express higher designability.

A wood decorative molded article, in which an integrated base material bonded on a back surface of the protruding plate is provided and a design layer is disposed on the back surface thereof, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2001-341106. The configuration is illustrated inFIG. 4.

Wood decorative molded article101ofFIG. 4is constituted of protruding plate102, base material103, design layer105, and a top coat paint film layer which is omitted inFIG. 4and is provided on a surface of protruding plate102. Since protruding plate102is formed to be as thin as substantially 2 mm in thickness, protruding plate102has a certain degree of transparency and base material103having transparency by injection molding is bonded and integrated on a back surface of protruding plate102. Design layer105can be provided on either a front surface side or a back surface side of base material103. Although not illustrated, a display material for displaying predetermined information can be provided on the back surface of the wood decorative molded article, a light source for illumination, or the surface of protruding plate102.

In the wood decorative molded article, since protruding plate102and base material103have transparency, design layer105appears through the surface in a transparent manner and is viewed to be complex with protruding plate102, so that it is possible to change the design of protruding plate102. Design of design layer105can be optionally selected, such as colored, patterned, or texted, and the designability can be freely changed. It is also possible to change a color tone or brightness of the protruding plate by combining with the light source. Furthermore, in a case where the display material is provided on the surface of protruding plate102, the light source provided on the back surface of the wood decorative molded article is turned on, so that information displayed thereon can be confirmed even in a dark place.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a display device including a protruding plate, including the protruding plate, a thin film layer, a transparent base material, a first concealing layer, a light diffusion layer, a light color toning layer, and a second concealing layer.

The protruding plate has a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, and is made of natural wood.

The thin film layer is disposed on the first surface of the protruding plate.

The transparent base material, the first concealing layer, the light diffusion layer, the light color toning layer, and the second concealing layer are disposed on a side of the second surface of the protruding plate.

The first concealing layer has a dispositional relationship in which the first concealing layer is disposed closer to the protruding plate than the second concealing layer and the light color toning layer to the protruding plate.

The transparent base material, the first concealing layer, the light diffusion layer, the light color toning layer, and the second concealing layer are disposed in an arbitrary order except for the dispositional relationship.

The protruding plate, the transparent base material, the thin film layer, and the second concealing layer include a greater thickness in this order.

The second concealing layer, the first concealing layer, and the light diffusion layer have a same thickness.

The light diffusion layer is thicker than the light color toning layer.

In light transmittance measured when light from a light source is radiated from the side of the second surface to a side of the first surface of the protruding plate, the transparent base material and the thin film layer have a same light transmittance. The thin film layer, the protruding plate, the light diffusion layer, the light color toning layer, the first concealing layer, and the second concealing layer have a higher light transmittance in this order.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

In the related art, when the light source is turned off, only the wood grain or the color tone of the protruding plate itself can be visually recognized. Therefore, when the light source is turned on, it is difficult to produce a light expression with excellent designability, in which light indicating an arbitrary character, mark, or the like is embossed, on a part of the surface of the protruding plate. In the related art, since protruding plate102and base material103having transparency are used, the design of design layer105is displayed on the surface of protruding plate102via base material103. Therefore, even when the light source is turned off, an arbitrary design of design layer105can be viewed through on the surface of the protruding plate. Furthermore, in a case where there is an arbitrary character or a mark portion to be displayed by transmitting light only when the light source is turned on, apart from display, it is necessary to provide a concealing layer with high concealing property, for example, a layer constituted of black ink or the like with many pigment components. However, in the related art, since the color tone itself is color-transparent on the surface of protruding plate102, the color tone of protruding plate102itself becomes dark.

A color-transparent problem of the layer provided on the back surface of the protruding plate which is described above is considered to be solved by further adding the layer between protruding plate102and base material103. However, in addition to a light diffusion property of the added layer, since the protruding plate itself of natural wood has numerous voids, the light tends to be diffused. In other words, when an arbitrary character or mark is displayed on the surface of the protruding plate, there is also a problem that an outline portion thereof is blurred and unclearly displayed. Such a problem can be a fatal problem in a field in which a line width used for an in-vehicle base material or the like is small and clear display is required. Therefore, in the design expression based on the combination of the protruding plate and the light when the light source is turned on, it is very important to appropriately select a layer configuration of the back surface of the protruding plate.

Display device80is constituted of resin component31having protruding plate1as a constitutional requirement and light source10for backlight.

Resin component31includes at least protruding plate1, thin film layer2, transparent base material3, first concealing layer (metallic concealing layer4), light diffusion layer5, light color toning layer6, and second concealing layer7. Resin component31is constituted as follows.

Protruding plate1refers to a sheet-like plate material obtained by thinly slicing a wood material and is constituted of, for example, natural wood. Thin film layer2is formed on a surface (that is, a first surface) that is one surface of protruding plate1.

A plurality of members are disposed on a back surface (that is, a second surface) that is the other surface of protruding plate1. For example, transparent base material3is formed on the back surface that is the other surface of protruding plate1. For example, metallic concealing layer4as the first concealing layer, light diffusion layer5, light color toning layer6, and second concealing layer7are formed in order on the back surface of transparent base material3. Furthermore, reinforcing layer9is bonded to the back surface of second concealing layer7via adhesive layer8.

The order of constitution of each member on the back surface of protruding plate1is not limited to the order described above but may be any. However, metallic concealing layer4is provided closer to a protruding plate1side than light color toning layer6and second concealing layer7.

The surface of protruding plate1is made of natural wood, protruding plate1is a sheet-like sliced plate material of which a light transmissivity is 5% or more and 30% or less, and a plate thickness is 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The surface thereof has irregularities derived from wood itself. If the plate thickness of protruding plate1is less than 0.1 mm, it is too thin causing to be easily broken and handling is difficult. On the other hand, if the plate thickness exceeds 0.6 mm, it is too thick causing light to be difficult to pass through. Although it depends on a use, for example, an organic resin having a molecular weight of 100 or more and 50,000 or less as a molecular weight range of commonly used resin, for example, polyethylene glycol, phenol resin, or the like is impregnated into an inside of protruding plate1. Impregnation treatment improves a mechanical strength of protruding plate1and further enhances the light transmittance of the projecting plate1itself as compared with before the impregnation to improve the transparency of protruding plate1itself. Therefore, the light-transmitting property can be enhanced. In addition to the organic resin, optional addition of a pigment, a phosphorescent paint, a dye, a flame retardant, or the like to protruding plate1can improve an appearance or functionality of protruding plate1together with the mechanical strength. Not only a sheet of natural wood but also sheets of a plurality of natural woods, for example, is laminated on “protruding plate”1, and a processed sheet-like wood board which is sliced to a plate thickness of 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less is also included.

Thin film layer2has a film thickness of 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less and is formed on the surface (first surface) of protruding plate1. A layer configuration of thin film layer2is one layer or two layers and can be changed according to a reliability standard of a target product. In this case, a minimum thickness is 5 μm. Thin film layer2has transparency and the color tone or the wood grain of protruding plate1appears on the surface of thin film layer2. A typical thick film clear coat has a thickness exceeding 50 μm. Therefore, the protruding plate, on which the thick film clear coat is formed, feels a sense of depth. On the other hand, since thin film layer2has a film thicknesses of 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, a distance between the surface of thin film layer2and protruding plate1becomes short and a texture of the protruding plate itself can be felt.

In addition, arbitrary irregularities can be imparted to the surface of thin film layer2by mold embossing, an embossed plate, and an embossed film, by adding a filler, or the like. Therefore, it is possible to freely change the appearance, tactile sensation, glossiness, or the like of the surface.

Transparent base material3has a film thicknesses of 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and is formed of, for example, a light transmissive material such as polycarbonate resin or acrylic resin. Protruding plate1is reinforced and becomes strong against cracking, bending, or the like by forming transparent base material3on a back surface side of protruding plate1. If the film thicknesses of transparent base material3is less than 20 μm, it is too thin causing handling to be difficult, whereas if the film thicknesses exceeds 200 μm, when the film is stuck on protruding plate1, it is too thick and protruding plate1is easily curled and handling is difficult.

Metallic concealing layer4(first concealing layer) has light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11c(first light transmitting portion) of shape13of an arbitrary character, mark, or pattern on a part of the layer. Positions and shapes of light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11care substantially coincident with positions and shapes of light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12c(second light transmitting portion) of second concealing layer7as viewed from the surface of protruding plate1on thin film layer2side. Here, outer peripheries of outlines of light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11care formed larger than those of light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12cof second concealing layer7. That is, centers of light transmitting portion11aand light transmitting portion12aare coincident with each other as viewed from the surface of protruding plate1on thin film layer2side. Centers of light transmitting portion11band light transmitting portion12bare coincident with each other. Centers of light transmitting portion11cand light transmitting portion12care coincident with each other. The outer periphery of light transmitting portion11ais larger than the outer periphery of light transmitting portion12a. The outer periphery of light transmitting portion11bis larger than the outer periphery of light transmitting portion12b. The outer periphery of light transmitting portion11cis larger than the outer periphery of light transmitting portion12c. Specifically, assuming that respective widths of light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12cof second concealing layer7are W1, and respective widths of light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11cof metallic concealing layer4are W2, it satisfies W1×1.1≤W2≤W1×2.0. Therefore, when light is emitted from light source10, the light transmitted through light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12cof second concealing layer7can transmit light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11cof metallic concealing layer4without shifting the positions thereof. In addition, an area of light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11cof metallic concealing layer4in a plane parallel to a display surface is considerably smaller than that of a portion without light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11c, and the light is reflected and scattered by a filler contained in metallic concealing layer4. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a phenomenon that the layer on the back surface of metallic concealing layer4is color-transparent on the surface of protruding plate1and the color tone of protruding plate1becomes dark. Therefore, for example, even in a case where a dark color tone is used for second concealing layer7, an original color tone of protruding plate1itself can be maintained without reducing the original color tone.

Light diffusion layer5has an effect of uniformly diffusing the light emitted from light source10and transmitting the light. Therefore, even in a case where a light source that emits a point light such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) is used as light source10, regardless of a size of a distance from the light source, shape13of an arbitrary character, mark, or pattern, which is uniformly emitted light on the surface of protruding plate,1can be visually recognized.

Each thickness of second concealing layer7, metallic concealing layer4, and light diffusion layer5is 3.5 μm or more. Each thickness of second concealing layer7and metallic concealing layer4is set to 3.5 μm or more, so that it is possible to enhance the concealing property. In addition, the thickness of light diffusion layer5is set to 3.5 μm or more, so that an incident light is diffused more uniformly in the layer.

Light color toning layer6is made of a material that transmits light, for example, a process ink, a color film, or the like. When light is emitted from light source10, not only a color of warm color-based light derived from the protruding plate but also an arbitrary color of light desired by a user can be expressed on the surface of the protruding plate by providing light color toning layer6between protruding plate1and light source10. For example, in a case where the white light source LED is used as light source10with respect to white-based protruding plate1, in a case where the white light is desired to be expressed on the surface of the protruding plate, in the chromaticity values in the X and Y chromaticity diagram of light color toning layer6, X is set to 0.2800 or more and less than 0.3300, and Y is set to 0.2800 or more and less than 0.3300. In addition, in a case where the blue light is desired to be expressed on the surface of the protruding plate, in chromaticity values X and Y of light color toning layer6, X is set to 0.1700 or more and less than 0.2300, and Y is set to 0.0190 or more and less than 0.2310. In addition, in a case where the green light is desired to be expressed on the surface of the protruding plate, in chromaticity values X and Y of light color toning layer6, X is set to 0.1290 or more and less than 0.3510, and Y is set to 0.4970 or more and less than 0.6400. In addition, in a case where the red light is desired to be expressed on the surface of the protruding plate, in chromaticity values X and Y of light color toning layer6, X is set to 0.4800 or more and less than 0.5600, and Y is set to 0.2900 or more and less than 0.3270. With such a configuration, it is possible to control the color of the light that the user desires to express on the surface of the protruding plate and freely express the color of the light by using the chromaticity values. The thickness of light color toning layer6is less than 3.5 μm. This is because if the thickness of light color toning layer6is increased to 3.5 μm or more, a transmitting amount of light decreases and luminance when the light is visually recognized from the surface decreases.

Similar to metallic concealing layer4, second concealing layer7has light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12chaving shape13of an arbitrary character, mark, or pattern, and is formed of a light-shielding material that does not transmit light except for light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12c.

Adhesive layer8is formed of a light transmissive adhesive material such as an acrylic-based or epoxy-based adhesive.

Reinforcing layer9is formed of a light transmissive transparent resin. The color of reinforcing layer9can be freely selected by the user as long as it only transmits light. An example of reinforcing layer9will be described later.

Light source10such as the light emitting diode (LED) is disposed at an arbitrary distance from the reinforcing layer on the surface of reinforcing layer9on the side opposite to adhesive layer8. Light source10can easily control a color change or the like by using a light-emitting diode chip having three primary colors of light of blue, red, and green in a single package, thereby expressing full color. As another example of light source10, it is also possible to use another light source other than the LED as a backlight. Light source10can be embedded in the surface of reinforcing layer9on adhesive layer8side or in an inside of reinforcing layer9, and can be freely designed according to a situation used by the user. It is also possible to perform finer color matching by combining the color of the light of light source10and the color tones of light color toning layer6and reinforcing layer9.

When light source10is turned off, only a light reflected from the surface of protruding plate1can be visually recognized by the external light by each member configuration of the back surface of protruding plate1, so that even if it is used for an exterior portion of a household electric appliance, an interior of an automobile, or the like, only a part thereof can be recognized.

Since the organic resin is impregnated into the inside of protruding plate1having a plate thickness of 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less, even in a case of dark color tree species which are usually hard to transmit light, a design using the light transmission can be expressed. Therefore, when light source10is turned on, it is possible to display shape13of an arbitrary character, mark, or pattern which uniformly emits light to the color selected by the user on the surface of protruding plate1by the light transmission.

A state where reinforcing layer9illustrated inFIG. 1Bis made of resin by insert molding is illustrated. However, as long as members have both light transmittance and strength such as a resin plate or a glass plate, they may be used. Resin that can be used as the resin material of reinforcing layer9is a general-purpose molding resin such as polymethylmethacrylate resin (PMMA resin), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS resin), polystyrene resin (PS resin), or polycarbonate resin (PC resin). In addition thereto, as the resin material of reinforcing layer9, it is also possible to deal with resin requiring molding at a high temperature, such as resin for optical applications, super engineering resin, or the like. Therefore, display device80using the protruding plate can also be used for a lamp cover or the like. Even if the general purpose molding resin such as the PMMA resin, the ABS resin, the PS resin, or the PC resin, resin for the optical use, or the super engineering resin is used for the resin base material of reinforcing layer9, similar to the above case, when light source10is turned off, only the reflected light of protruding plate1can be viewed by the external light. When light source10is turned on, it is possible to visually recognize shape13of an arbitrary character, mark, or pattern which uniformly emits the light to an arbitrary color on the surface of protruding plate1.

With these configurations, when light source10is turned off, that is, in a state where the surface of protruding plate1is visually recognized only by the external light, color transparency onto the surface of protruding plate1by second concealing layer7and light color toning layer6is suppressed by metallic concealing layer4, so that only the color tone or the wood grain derived from protruding plate1can be visually recognized.

On the other hand, when light source10is turned on, in a state where light is transmitted through the back surface of protruding plate1and the surface of protruding plate1is visually recognized by the external light, light transmits light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11cof metallic concealing layer4, and light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12cof second concealing layer7. Therefore, the light display of an arbitrary character, mark, or pattern having the same shapes as light transmitting portions11a,11b,11c,12a,12b, and12ccan be visually recognized on the surface of protruding plate1. In addition to the display, metallic concealing layer4and second concealing layer7do not transmit light from the back surface of protruding plate1, and only the color tone or the wood grain derived from protruding plate1can be visually recognized similar to the state where the surface of protruding plate1is visually recognized by the external light.

Furthermore, even when the light source is turned off, the color tone of the layer formed on the back surface of the protruding plate is not color-transparent on the surface of the protruding plate and when the light source is turned on, it is possible to display a clear outline with less blurring, and control in an arbitrary manner the color of the transmitted light to be taken out by the layer configuration of the back surface of the protruding plate. That is, it is possible to provide display device80using the protruding plate having the decorating technique with a small line width by lighting using the protruding plate, and excellent in the designability of a clear display.

As a result, it is possible to produce light expressions with excellent designability in accordance with turning on and off of light source10provided on the back surface of protruding plate1.

In Exemplary embodiment 2, the same reference numerals are given to configuration elements having the same operations as those of Exemplary embodiment 1 and the description thereof will be omitted.

Exemplary embodiment 2 is constituted as display device81in which contact input type input device25is provided on a back surface of protruding plate1in addition to the configuration of resin component31of display device80of Exemplary embodiment 1. Light sources14a,14b, and14care substitute members of light source10.

Input device25is constituted of light sources14a,14b, and14c, and board15, and detects a contact or approach of a finger or the like to thin film layer2on a surface side of resin component31to detect an input operation.

InFIGS. 2A and 2B, as input device25, board15on which light sources14a,14b, and14care mounted is disposed on a surface of reinforcing layer9on a side opposite to adhesive layer8. Board15can be embedded in the surface of reinforcing layer9on adhesive layer8side or in inside of reinforcing layer9, and can be freely designed according to a situation used by the user.

Light sources14a,14b, and14cmay be mounted at positions where the light can be transmitted through light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11cof metallic concealing layer4, and light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12cof second concealing layer7. That is, light sources14a,14b, and14care not necessarily mounted right under light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11cof metallic concealing layer4, and light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12cof second concealing layer7. For example, when light source14ais turned on, light from light source14atransmits reinforcing layer9, adhesive layer8, light transmitting portion12aof second concealing layer7, light color toning layer6, light diffusion layer5, light transmitting portion11aof metallic concealing layer4, transparent base material3, protruding plate1, and thin film layer2, and mark16aindicating a display region is displayed on a surface of thin film layer2. Shapes of light transmitting portions11aand12aare displayed as the shape of mark16a.

When light source14bis turned on, light from light source14btransmits reinforcing layer9, adhesive layer8, light transmitting portion12bof second concealing layer7, light color toning layer6, light diffusion layer5, light transmitting portion11bof metallic concealing layer4, transparent base material3, protruding plate1, and thin film layer2, and mark16bindicating a display region is displayed on the surface of thin film layer2. Shapes of light transmitting portions11band12bare displayed as the shape of mark16b.

In addition, when light source14cis turned on, light from light source14ctransmits reinforcing layer9, adhesive layer8, light transmitting portion12cof second concealing layer7, light color toning layer6, light diffusion layer5, light transmitting portion11cof metallic concealing layer4, transparent base material3, protruding plate1, and thin film layer2, and mark16cindicating a display region is displayed on the surface of thin film layer2. Shapes of light transmitting portions11cand12care displayed as the shape of mark16c.

The design such as the shape, size, number, or display position of marks16a,16b, and16ccan be set in an arbitrary manner by the user. The display is not limited to marks16a,16b, and16c, but a display format such as characters or numerals represented by 7 segments is also possible, and the user can set in an arbitrary manner.

As light sources14a,14b, and14c, similar to Exemplary embodiment 1, light emitting diode chips of blue, red, and green (three primary colors of light) are embedded in a single package, so that color change or the like is easily controlled to express full color. As another example of light sources14a,14b, and14c, other light sources other than the LED can be used as a backlight. Light sources14a,14b, and14ccan be embedded in the surface of reinforcing layer9on adhesive layer8side or in the inside of reinforcing layer9, and can be freely designed according to a situation used by the user. It is also possible to perform finer color matching by combining the colors of the light of light sources14a,14b, and14c, and the color tones of light color toning layer6and reinforcing layer9.

As input device25, for example, when a contact detecting type input device is used, in a case where the user comes into contact with the operation input unit displayed on the surface of thin film layer2with the finger, at least an electrode pattern along the operation input unit is required so that position coordinates where the finger of the user approaches can be detected.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation input unit will be described. InFIGS. 2C and 2D, as the operation input unit, annular recess portion grooves17are formed around marks16a,16b, and16c. Recess portion grooves17are formed by shaping shapes of annular recess portions18a,18b, and18cfrom above using a press or the like with respect to thin film layer2formed on the surface of protruding plate1. Each material and light transmittance of thin film layer2and protruding plate1are the same as those of Exemplary embodiment 1.

With the configuration described above, the user operates the finger to move along annular recess portion groove17that is the operation input unit, so that the input operation by input device25can be detected by an amount by which the finger is moved.

In a case where the user operates the operation input unit with the finger, a depth of annular recess portion groove17from outermost surface SF of display device82is 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and width W of recess portion groove17is suitably 3 mm or more and 30 mm or less. Within the range, the user can freely design. In Exemplary embodiment 2, as an example, diameter D of recess portion groove17is 40 mm, width W of recess portion groove17is 8 mm, and the depth of recess portion groove17is 2 mm. When the depth of recess portion groove17is 1 mm or more, the user can easily feel the recess portion of recess portion groove17. On the other hand, when the depth of recess portion groove17is 20 mm or more, it is too deep and it is difficult for the user to trace with the finger.

In Exemplary embodiment 2, recess portion groove17is provided in the annular shape, but not only an input of a rotation operation but also a slide type linear operation is possible by providing an annular recess portion groove or using an arcuate, or linear recess portion groove having an arbitrary length. Specifically, similar to the above description, the depth from outermost surface SF of display device82is 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and the width of the recess portion groove is 3 mm or more and 30 mm or less. Here, when the width of the recess portion groove is 3 mm or more, the user can also be traced with the fingertip, and when the width of the recess portion groove exceeds 30 mm, a bottom portion of the recess portion groove is regarded as a plane rather than the recess portion of the recess portion groove.

As described above, it is possible to improve operability to a place where the finger of the user is to slide in a contact state by providing recess portion groove17. Furthermore, in Exemplary embodiment 2, it is possible to provide display device82having an expression that the display appears completely when the light source is turned on and gives a surprise to the user by constituting display device82by combining resin component31and contact detecting type input device25, in addition to the improvement of designability of the surface of the protruding plate described in Exemplary embodiment 1.

Contact detecting type input device25may be any type of detection methods such as a capacitive method or a pressure sensitive method, as long as it can detect the contact of the finger with the touch panel.

With the configuration described above, the user operates the finger to slide along annular recess portion groove17which is the operation input unit of display devices81and82, so that the input operation by input device25can be detected by the amount by which the finger is slid. As a result, for example, it is possible to increase or decrease an output sound volume, a temperature, or the like of a sound device. Further, display devices81and82are constituted by combining resin component31of display device80using the light described in Exemplary embodiment 1 and input device25, so that it is possible to provide a user interface having excellent designability that only a part of the exterior portion of the household electric appliance, the interior of the automobile, or the like can be recognized when the light source is turned off, and input device25emitting light in an arbitrary shape appears when the light source is turned on.

In Exemplary embodiment 3, the same reference numerals are given to configuration elements having the same operations as those of Exemplary embodiment 1 and Exemplary embodiment 2, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In Exemplary embodiment 3, in addition to the configurations of Exemplary embodiment 1 and Exemplary embodiment 2, display device83is configured such that light guides19are disposed between light sources14a,14b, and14c, and reinforcing layer9, and peripheries of light sources14a,14b, and14c, and light guides19are surrounded by light-shielding materials20.

With these configurations, light from light sources14a,14b, and14ccan be efficiently transmitted to resin component31, so that a decrease in luminance of the light when the light transmits each member can be reduced. That is, it is possible to increase a life span of light sources14a,14b, and14c, or decrease power consumption, and reduce a heating amount.

When light source14ais turned on, light transmitting light guide19transmits reinforcing layer9, adhesive layer8, light transmitting portion12aof second concealing layer7, light color toning layer6, light diffusion layer5, light transmitting portion11aof metallic concealing layer4, transparent base material3, protruding plate1, and thin film layer2, and mark16aindicating a display region is displayed on a surface of thin film layer2. Shapes of light transmitting portions11aand12aare displayed as the shape of mark16a.

In addition, when light source14bis turned on, light transmitting light guide19transmits reinforcing layer9, adhesive layer8, light transmitting portion12bof second concealing layer7, light color toning layer6, light diffusion layer5, light transmitting portion11bof metallic concealing layer4, transparent base material3, protruding plate1, and thin film layer2, and mark16bindicating a display region is displayed on the surface of thin film layer2. Shapes of light transmitting portions11band12bare displayed as the shape of mark16b.

In addition, when light source14cis turned on, light transmitting light guide19transmits reinforcing layer9, adhesive layer8, light transmitting portion12cof second concealing layer7, light color toning layer6, light diffusion layer5, light transmitting portion11cof metallic concealing layer4, transparent base material3, protruding plate1, and thin film layer2, and mark16cindicating a display region is displayed on the surface of thin film layer2. Shapes of light transmitting portions11cand12care displayed as the shape of mark16c.

Therefore, with these configurations, light from light sources14a,14b, and14ccan be efficiently transmitted to resin component31, so that a decrease in luminance of the light when the light transmits each member can be reduced.

The film thicknesses are as follows from thicker one.

The protruding plate>the transparent base material>the thin film layer>the concealing layer=the metallic concealing layer=the light diffusion layer>the light color toning layer

In addition, the light transmittances are as follows from higher one.

The transparent base material=the thin film layer>the protruding plate>the light diffusion layer>the light color toning layer>the metallic concealing layer>the concealing layer

There is an effect of improving the concealing property other than the light transmitting portion. That is, it is possible to prevent the color transparency of any member or layer disposed on the back surface of protruding plate1onto the surface of protruding plate1when the light source is turned off, and to display a clear outline with less blurring when the light source is turned on. Similar to Exemplary embodiment 2, also in Exemplary embodiment 3, it is possible to constitute display device83by combining resin component31and contact detecting type input device25.

According to the configurations of Exemplary embodiments 1 to 3, in a state where the surface of protruding plate1is visually recognized only by the external light, since the color transparency to the surface of protruding plate1by second concealing layer7and light color toning layer6is suppressed by metallic concealing layer4, only the color tone or the wood grain derived from protruding plate1can be visually recognized. On the other hand, in a state where light is transmitted through the back surface of protruding plate1and the surface of protruding plate1is visually recognized by the external light, the light transmits light transmitting portions12a,12b, and12cof second concealing layer7, and light transmitting portions11a,11b, and11cof metallic concealing layer4. Therefore, the light display of an arbitrary character, mark, or pattern of the same shape as that of the transmitting portion can be visually recognized on the surface of protruding plate1, metallic concealing layer4and second concealing layer7other than the display do not transmit light from the back surface to the surface of protruding plate1, and only the color tone or the wood grain derived from protruding plate1can be visually recognized similar to the state where the surface of protruding plate1is visually recognized by the external light.

Furthermore, as described above, since the light transmission is suppressed in portions other than the light transmitting portion, it is possible to provide a display device with transmitted light in which an outline with less blurring is clearly expressed in detail. In addition, since light transmits light color toning layer6and light diffusion layer5in the configuration, it is possible to provide a display device having a color desired by the user on the surface of protruding plate1and uniformly emitting light.

Embodiments or modification examples of the above-described various Exemplary embodiments or modification examples are suitably combined, so that it is possible to achieve the respective effects possessed by them. Combinations of the Exemplary embodiments, combinations of the examples, or combinations of the Exemplary embodiments and the examples are possible, and combinations of features in different embodiments or examples are also possible.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, when the light source is turned off, the color tone of the layer constituted on the back surface of the protruding plate is not color-transparent on the surface of the protruding plate, and only the wood grain or the color tone of the protruding plate itself can be visually recognized. In addition, when the light source is turned on, the light in which an arbitrary character, mark, or the like is displayed on a part of the surface of the protruding plate can be visually recognized. Therefore, it is possible to provide a display device using the protruding plate which enables production of light expression having excellent designability.

That is, according to the present disclosure, in a state where the first surface of the protruding plate is visually recognized only by the external light, since the color transparency to the first surface of the protruding plate by the concealing layer and the light color toning layer is suppressed by the metallic concealing layer, only the color tone or the wood grain derived from the protruding plate can be visually recognized. On the other hand, in a state where light is transmitted from the second surface of the protruding plate and the first surface of the protruding plate is visually recognized by the external light, since the light transmits the transmitting portion of the concealing layer and the transmitting portion of the metallic concealing layer, the light display of an arbitrary character, mark, or pattern of the same shape as the transmitting portion can be visually recognized on the first surface of the protruding plate. Furthermore, the metallic concealing layer and the concealing layer other than the display do not transmit light from the second surface to the first surface of the protruding plate, and only the color tone or the wood grain derived from the protruding plate similar to a state where the first surface of the protruding plate is visually recognized by the external light can be visually recognized.

In addition, since the light transmission is suppressed in portions other than the light transmitting portion, it is possible to provide a display device with transmitted light in which an outline with less blurring is clearly expressed in detail. In addition, since light transmits the light color toning layer and the light diffusion layer in the configuration, it is possible to provide a display device having a color desired by the user on the first surface of the protruding plate and uniformly emitting light.

In the display device using the protruding plate of the present disclosure, a texture of the protruding plate itself can be visually recognized when the light source is turned off. On the other hand, when the light source is turned on, a display having a color of the light desired by the user and embossing a character, a mark, or the like of a clear outline with less blurring can be provided. Therefore, it is possible to provide a decorating technique by lighting of the protruding plate having excellent designability, thereby contributing to higher function and higher design of the exteriors of various household electric products, the interior of the automobile, or the like.