JP5426328B2 - Display body and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display body such as an operation panel and an operation knob used for an in-vehicle air conditioner and the like, and a manufacturing method thereof.

  In general, a display body such as an in-vehicle operation panel or an operation knob is provided with a display section showing its function and a display section showing an on / off switching operation. It is illuminated by light from a light source arranged on the side. In this type of display body, since it is necessary to brightly illuminate the display part, conventionally, a thin part is provided in a part of a resin base that is injection-molded using a molding die, and the display part is printed in advance. There is known an operation knob (display body) configured such that an insert film is laminated and integrated on the surface of a resin base so that light from a light source is transmitted through a thin portion and irradiated to a display portion (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP-A-9-97026

  However, in the conventional operation knob described above, the light from the light source passes through the thin portion of the resin base and is irradiated on the display portion of the insert film. In the case where the display unit is formed, there is a problem that the light amount is likely to be insufficient at the time of illumination in the smaller display unit. In the above-described conventional operation knob, the unevenness formed in advance on the molding die is transferred to the resin base, so that the back surface (back surface) of the resin base including the thin wall portion is subjected to a light diffusion texture. Although the thing of a structure is illustrated, since the outer surface of the insert film which covers a resin base is smooth and tends to become a light reflective surface, there also existed a problem that the designability of an operation knob worsened. There are similar problems with other display bodies such as an operation panel.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a state of the art, and its purpose is to brightly illuminate even a display area with a small area and to suppress design of light reflection on the outer surface. The object is to provide an enhanced display.

In order to achieve the above object, a display body according to the present invention includes a resin base that is a molded product, a tip portion that is in close contact with the resin base in a penetrating manner, and a tip surface that faces the outer surface of the resin base A light guide disposed on the resin base and an insert film that is attached to the outer surface of the resin base and covers a front end surface of the light guide, and the base of the light guide is disposed on the back side of the resin base. A first display portion and a second display portion that are projected and illuminated by a light source are provided on the insert film , and a region corresponding to the first display portion on the outer surface of the insert film Is subjected to embossing by applying a clamping force of the resin-based molding die through the light guide , and the region corresponding to the second display portion has the resin Depending on the injection pressure when molding the base And the configuration of grain processing is given.

In the display body configured as described above, the light guide is penetrated through the resin base so that both are integrated, and the first display is illuminated by the light source on the insert film attached to the outer surface of the resin base. Part and a second display part are provided, and the part corresponding to the first display part of the insert film covers the tip surface of the light guide, so that the light of the light source is inserted through the light guide. It is possible to efficiently lead to the first display portion of the film. Therefore, even the first display portion with a small display area can be illuminated brightly with a normal light source. Further, the base portion of the light guide projects to the back side of the resin base, and the region corresponding to the first display portion on the outer surface of the insert film when the resin base is injection molded using a molding die Since a mold clamping force is applied through the light guide body, and an injection pressure of the molten resin is applied to the region corresponding to the second display portion , a desired embossing process is applied to the entire outer surface of the insert film. Can be applied. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain a display body with improved design by suppressing light reflection on the outer surface.

  In order to achieve the above object, a method for manufacturing a display body according to the present invention includes a first mold that holds a base portion of a light guide body and projects a tip portion, and a fine wall surface facing a cavity. Clamping applied via the light guide by clamping the first and second molds with the insert film sandwiched between the second mold provided with irregularities. The embossing process is performed to transfer the unevenness to a part of the insert film by force, and then the molten resin is injected and filled into the cavity, and the unevenness is transferred to the other part of the insert film by the injection pressure. In addition to processing, the molten resin was solidified to form a resin base.

  In the manufacturing method of the display body according to the present invention, when the insert film is sandwiched between the first mold and the second mold and the molds are clamped, the tip surface of the light guide body is pressed against the insert film. Since the clamping force is applied to the part to be performed, the texture (unevenness) of the second mold can be transferred to the outer surface of the part. In addition, the resin base is molded by injecting and filling the molten resin into the cavity in a state where the mold is clamped. At that time, since the insert film is applied with the injection pressure of the molten resin to the part facing the cavity, the part concerned The texture of the second mold can be transferred to the outer surface of the plate. That is, when the resin base with the insert film applied thereto is injection-molded by such a manufacturing method, the outer surface of the resin base and the front end surface of the light guide are covered with the insert film whose outer surface is subjected to the embossing process. Therefore, a display body with improved design by suppressing light reflection on the outer surface can be easily obtained. Further, in the display body manufactured in this way, the light of the light source can be efficiently guided to the predetermined display portion of the insert film through the light guide, so that even a display portion with a small display area is a normal light source Can be brightly illuminated.

In the display body of the present invention, the light guide body penetrates the resin base and both are integrated, and the first display section and the first display section illuminated by the light source on the insert film attached to the outer surface of the resin base . 2 is provided, and the portion corresponding to the first display portion of the insert film covers the front end surface of the light guide, so that the light of the light source is transmitted through the light guide to the first of the insert film . can be guided efficiently to the first display portion, even in the first display portion small display area can be brightly illuminated by the ordinary light source. Further, the base portion of the light guide projects to the back side of the resin base, and the region corresponding to the first display portion on the outer surface of the insert film when the resin base is injection molded using a molding die Since a mold clamping force is applied through the light guide body, and an injection pressure of the molten resin is applied to the region corresponding to the second display portion , a desired embossing process is applied to the entire outer surface of the insert film. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain a display body with improved design by suppressing light reflection on the outer surface.

  The display body manufacturing method according to the present invention is held by the first mold when the molds are clamped with the insert film sandwiched between the first mold and the second mold. In order to press the tip end surface of the light guide through the cavity and press-contact with the insert film, a clamping force is applied to the portion of the insert film covering the tip end surface of the light guide through the light guide. Since the injection pressure of the molten resin is applied to the portion of the insert film that faces the cavity, the texture can be transferred. As a result, the outer surface of the resin base and the front end surface of the light guide are covered with an insert film having a textured finish on the entire outer surface, thereby improving the design by suppressing light reflection on the outer surface. The display body can be easily manufactured. Further, in the display body manufactured in this way, the light of the light source can be efficiently guided to the predetermined display portion of the insert film through the light guide, so that even a display portion with a small display area is a normal light source Can be brightly illuminated.

It is a top view of the display body which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing process of the display body which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing process of the display body which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing process of the display body which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the display body which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the display body which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an operation knob 1 as a display body according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a manufacturing method thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation knob (display body) 1 according to this embodiment is integrated with a resin base 2 formed by injection-molding a light-transmitting resin, and the resin base 2. The light guide 3 in which the tip 3a penetrates the resin base 2, and a part of the light guide 3 are attached to the outer surface of the resin base 2 to cover the front end surface of the light guide 3 (the upper end surface of the tip 3a). The first and second display portions 4a and 4b are printed on the back surface of the insert film 4.

  The resin base 2 is a colorless and transparent molded product made of a light transmissive resin (for example, polycarbonate). A tip portion 3 a of the light guide 3 is tightly joined to one side of the resin base 2 in a penetrating state, and the front end surface of the light guide 3 is disposed flush with the top surface of the resin base 2. . As shown in FIG. 2, a light source 6 such as a lamp or LED is disposed behind the top plate portion 2 a of the resin base 2, and the light from the light source 6 passes through the top plate portion 2 a and the second of the insert film 4. The display unit 4b is irradiated.

  The light guide 3 is also a colorless and transparent molded product made of a light transmissive resin (for example, polycarbonate). The tip 3 a of the light guide 3 is integrated through the resin base 2, but the base 3 b of the light guide 3 is suspended from the resin base 2. As shown in FIG. 2, a light source 5 such as a lamp or an LED is disposed behind the base end surface (the lower end surface in the drawing) of the light guide 3, and the light from the light source 5 is guided by the light guide 3 to be an insert film. The first display unit 4a is irradiated with four.

  The insert film 4 is formed by printing the first and second display portions 4a and 4b and the light shielding layer 4c on one side of the colorless and transparent sheet made of polycarbonate, PMMA, or the like (the back side facing the top surface of the resin base 2). It is the film body formed. Here, the light-shielding layer 4c is formed by printing a light-shielding paint such as black on the entire back surface of the insert film 4 except for both display portions 4a and 4b. As shown in FIG. 2, since the insert film 4 is attached to the entire outer surface of the resin base 2, a part of the insert film 4 covers the front end surface (upper end surface in the drawing) of the light guide 3. That is, the first display portion 4 a provided on the back surface of the insert film 4 is arranged on the front end surface of the light guide 3, and the second display portion 4 b is on the top plate portion 2 a of the resin base 2. The remaining area where the insert film 4 is laminated is covered with the light shielding layer 4c. In addition, on the outer surface of the insert film 4, a texture (unevenness) such as a satin or a hairline is transferred to the entire surface by a texture process described later. Specifically, the embossing for the display unit is transferred to the region A1 corresponding to the first display unit 4a and the region A2 corresponding to the second display unit 4b on the outer surface of the insert film 4, and the light shielding is performed. The non-display area texture is transferred to the remaining area A3 corresponding to the layer 4c. The wrinkles for the display part and the wrinkles for the non-display part may be the same or different, and these are appropriately adjusted in order to improve the design.

  In the present embodiment example, the operation knob 1 is provided on the operation panel of the on-vehicle air conditioner, and the first display section 4a of the insert film 4 indicates an operation display section indicating the on / off switching operation of the operation knob 1. The second display unit 4b corresponds to a function display unit indicating the function of the operation knob 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a substantially circular mark is printed on the first display portion 4a, and the first light is emitted from the light source 5 guided from the base 3b to the front portion 3a of the light guide 3. The display unit 4a can be illuminated. Instead of printing the mark on the insert film 4 to form the first display portion 4a, the light shielding layer 4c is partially removed to form a non-printing portion having a desired shape. It is also possible to use the display unit 4a. The second display unit 4b is printed with a picture showing a function of switching between the air circulation inside and the outside air introduction, and the second display unit 4b is illuminated with light from the light source 6 that passes through the top panel 2a. Can do. However, since the back surface of the insert film 4 is provided with the light shielding layer 4c in the entire region except the first and second display portions 4a and 4b, the light from the light sources 5 and 6 cannot pass through the light shielding layer 4c. When the operation knob 1 is viewed from the outside, only the areas A1 and A2 corresponding to both the display portions 4a and 4b are illuminated areas. Further, since the front end surface of the light guide 3 is in close contact with the first display unit 4a, the amount of light during illumination can be increased even in the first display unit 4a having a small display area. The part 4a can be illuminated brightly.

  Next, a manufacturing method of the operation knob 1 as a display body configured as described above will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, a molding die 9 comprising a male die 7 as a fixed die and a female die 8 as a movable die is prepared, and the male die 7 and the female die 8 are opened. To do. The male mold 7 has a convex portion 7a and a concave portion 7b. By clamping the male mold 7 and the female mold 8, a cavity C is formed between both molds 7 and 8, as shown in FIG. However, in the mold open state shown in FIG. 4, the light guide 3 is mounted on the male mold 7 and molded so that the tip 3 a of the light guide 3 can be used as a part of the male mold 7. The film 4 is mounted on the female mold 8 so that the insert film 4 is attached to the outer surface of the resin base 2. That is, by fitting the base portion 3b of the light guide 3 into the concave portion 7b of the male die 7 in the mold open state, the light guide 3 is held by the male die 7, and the front portion 3a of the light guide 3 is the cavity C. Keep it protruding to the side. Further, the female mold 8 is provided with fine irregularities on the wall surface 8a (see FIG. 3) facing the cavity C as a texture, and the wall surface 8a of the female mold 8 in the mold open state with the insert film 4 formed in a predetermined shape in advance. Put it on.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the male mold 7 and the female mold 8 are clamped to press-contact the tip surface 3c (see FIG. 4) of the tip 3a of the light guide 3 that penetrates the cavity C to the insert film 4. In this state, the resin base 2 is molded by injecting and filling the molten resin 10 into the cavity C through a gate (not shown) provided in the male mold 7 and cooling and solidifying the molten resin 10. In such a molding process, the clamping force of the molding die 9 is applied to the region A1 of the outer surface of the insert film 4 via the light guide 3, so that the region A1 is provided on the wall surface 8a of the female mold 8. The embossed (unevenness) is transferred. In addition, since the injection pressure of the molten resin 10 is applied to the regions A2 and A3, which are the remaining regions on the outer surface of the insert film 4, the texture of the female mold 8 is transferred to the regions A2 and A3. As described above, the display area texture is transferred to the areas A1 and A2, and the non-display area texture is transferred to the area A3. Then, after the molten resin 10 is cooled and solidified, the male mold 7 and the female mold 8 are opened, and the resin base 2 is released from the male mold 7 by using an eject pin (not shown), so that FIG. 2 is obtained.

  In the operation knob 1 manufactured by such a method, the light guide 3 passes through the resin base 2 and the two and 3 are integrated, and the insert film 4 is attached to the outer surface of the resin base 2. Since part of the surface covers the front end surface 3 c of the light guide 3, the light from the light source 5 can be efficiently guided to the first display portion 4 a of the insert film 4 through the light guide 3. Therefore, even the first display unit 4a having a small display area can be brightly illuminated with a normal light source.

  Further, when the resin base 2 of the operation knob 1 is molded, the male mold 7 with the light guide 3 and the female mold 8 with the insert film 4 are clamped. At this time, the insert film 4 Since the clamping force is applied to the portion where the tip surface 3c of the light guide 3 is in pressure contact, a desired embossing process can be applied to the region A1 on the outer surface of the insert film 4. After that, when the molten resin 10 is injected and filled into the cavity C, the injection pressure of the molten resin 10 is applied to the portion of the insert film 4 facing the cavity C. Each of the regions A2 and A3 can be subjected to desired embossing. That is, when the resin base 2 to which the insert film 4 is attached is injection-molded, the outer surface of the resin base 2 and the front end surface 3c of the light guide 3 are covered with the insert film 4 that has been subjected to the embossing process on the entire outer surface. Therefore, the operation knob 1 with improved design by suppressing light reflection on the outer surface can be easily obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the operation knob 1 in which the insert film 4 is attached to the entire outer surface of the resin base 2 has been described. However, the operation knob in which the insert film 4 is attached only to the top surface of the resin base 2. In that case, the operation knob can be manufactured by setting the insert film 4 that is not formed on the parting surface between the male mold 7 and the female mold 8 and clamping the mold.

  In the above embodiment, after the light guide 3 molded using a dedicated molding die is attached to the male mold 7, the male base 7 is combined with the female mold 8 to mold the resin base 2. The two-color molding technique is adopted in which the light guide 3 is molded using the concave portion 7b of the male mold 7 as a part of the cavity, and then the resin base 2 is molded by combining the male mold 7 with the female mold 8. It is also possible to do.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operation knob 11 as a display body according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and portions corresponding to those in FIG. The operation knob 11 according to this embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in the shape of the resin base 2. Also, the operation knob 11 is different from the first embodiment in that the resin base 2 is colored and is opaque except for the top plate portion 2a, and the light shielding layer is omitted from the back surface of the insert film 4 accordingly. Yes.

  That is, the resin base 2 of the operation knob 11 according to the present embodiment is a molded product called smoke, and is formed by injection molding a light transmissive resin colored with a dye or the like. Since the resin base 2 hardly transmits light above a certain thickness, the light from the light sources 5 and 6 toward the thick portion of the resin base 2 excluding the top plate portion 2a hardly leaks to the outside. Therefore, it is only necessary to provide the first and second display portions 4a and 4b on the back surface of the insert film 4, and it is not necessary to print and form a light-shielding layer in a region excluding both display portions 4a and 4b. . Further, since the top plate portion 2a of the resin base 2 of the operation knob 11 is formed with a very thin plate thickness, the light from the light source 6 is not blocked by the thin top plate portion 2a so much. 2 is irradiated to the display unit 4b. Therefore, a sufficient amount of light can be given to the second display portion 4b having a relatively large display area to brightly illuminate. Note that also in this embodiment example, the entire outer surface of the insert film 4 is subjected to graining in the same manner as in the first embodiment example.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operation knob 12 as a display body according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and portions corresponding to those in FIG. The operation knob 12 according to this embodiment includes a resin base 2 provided with a through hole 2b facing the second display portion 4b of the insert film 4, and the resin base 2 is a light-shielding resin (for example, ABS). This is different from the second embodiment described above in that it is a molded product. However, also in this embodiment example, the light shielding layer is not provided on the back surface of the insert film 4 as in the second embodiment example.

  That is, in the operation knob 12 according to the present embodiment example, the second display portion 4b of the insert film 4 is located at the opening end of the through hole 2b of the resin base 2, so that the second display portion 4b is placed on the back side. Can be brightly illuminated with light from a light source (not shown). Further, in this operation knob 12, since there is no possibility that light from the light source leaks to an area other than the first and second display parts 4a and 4b during illumination, it is easy to make each display part 4a and 4b stand out.

  Further, in this third embodiment, when the resin base 2 is injection-molded using a molding die, a portion of the insert film 4 where the tip surface of the light guide 3 is in pressure contact with the die for the through hole 2b. A clamping force is applied to the portion where the convex portion is pressed, and an injection pressure of molten resin (light-shielding resin) is applied to the remaining portion of the insert film 4. Therefore, the entire outer surface of the insert film 4 can be textured, and the operation knob 12 with improved design by suppressing light reflection on the outer surface can be easily manufactured.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the display body in which the first display unit 4a of the insert film 4 is the operation display unit and the second display unit 4b is the function display unit has been described. The first display unit 4a that covers the distal end surface of the body 3 may be a function display unit. Further, the present invention is applicable even if the insert film is a display body having only one of the function display unit and the operation display unit. In addition to the above-described operation knob, an operation panel having a illuminated display unit can be applied as the display body, and the use is not limited to an air conditioner operation device, for example, an audio device, a mobile phone, and portable music. An operation panel such as a player, an operation knob, or the like can be applied.

1, 11, 12 Operation knob (display)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Resin base 2a Top plate part 3 Light guide 3a Tip part 3b Base part 3c Front end surface 4 Insert film 4a 1st display part 4b 2nd display part 4c Light shielding layer 5, 6 Light source 7 Male type | mold (1st metal mold | die) )
7a Convex 7b Concave 8 Female mold (second mold)
8a Wall surface 9 Mold 10 Molded resin C Cavity

Claims (2)

A resin base which is a molded product, a light guide body in which a tip portion is tightly bonded to the resin base in a penetrating manner and a front end surface thereof is flush with the outer surface of the resin base, and an outer surface of the resin base And an insert film that covers the distal end surface of the light guide , and projects a base portion of the light guide toward the back side of the resin base and is illuminated by a light source on the insert film. A display part and a second display part are provided, and in the region corresponding to the first display part on the outer surface of the insert film, the clamping force of the resin-based molding die is light guide embossing has been performed by granted via, wherein the second region corresponding to the display portion of, the embossing is applied by injection pressure during molding of the resin base Display body characterized by   A state in which an insert film is sandwiched between a first mold that holds the base of the light guide and projects the tip and a second mold that has fine irregularities on the wall facing the cavity. Then, the first and second molds are clamped to perform a crimping process to transfer the irregularities to a part of the insert film by a clamping force applied through the light guide. The molten resin is injected and filled into the cavity, the embossing process is performed to transfer the irregularities to the other part of the insert film by the injection pressure, and the molten resin is solidified to form a resin base. A manufacturing method of a display body characterized by the above.

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