JP2003098986A - Led indicator visible in many directions - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To resolve such a problem that, by a conventional method dependent upon an indicator fulfilling a light guiding function, the visibility in a sufficiently wide range cannot be obtained in a display device for informing a user of the state of an electronic apparatus or the like. SOLUTION: A V-shaped groove 4 is provided in an indicator 3, and light is reflected by the V-shaped groove 4 to improve the visibility. By making the V-shaped groove have a curved surface or many faces, to the visibility in a wide range can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device having a light emitting display unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, electronic devices such as portable personal computers, video cameras, and mobile phones have been prosperous. It is preferably used. The structure of this display device includes one in which an element itself serving as a light source is arranged on the surface of the device, and one in which the element serving as a light source is provided inside the device and another component (indicator) is used to guide light to the surface of the device to emit light. .

[0003]

In the former case, the light source itself emits light on the surface of the device, so the visibility is very good, but on the other hand, in order to keep the cost down, there is no choice but to use a general-purpose product. It was difficult to realize. On the other hand, the latter has a structure in which an indicator for catching the light emitted from the light source is used to guide the light to the surface of the device, so that only light emitted in a specific direction of the light source can be used. Therefore, there is a problem that the visibility is good on the optical axis, but the visibility is extremely deteriorated at a position away from the optical axis.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and by devising a part of the shape of the indicator, the light is guided even if it is not on the optical axis, and sufficient visibility is obtained. The purpose is to

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the indicator of the present invention has a V-shaped groove for reflecting light therein.

As a result, it is possible to guide the light that is directed in the original optical axis direction and the light that is reflected by the V-shaped groove portion and is directed in a direction different from the optical axis direction. Further, since the inside of the V-shaped groove is simply a space, light traveling in the optical axis direction only passes through the space, and light in the optical axis direction is not blocked.

As a result, it is possible to realize an indicator which has a unique design and can be improved in visibility.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2, although there are structural and electrical differences, the same numbers are assigned to the same parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram in which the present invention is applied to a battery pack charger. In FIG. 1, 1 is an upper case, 2
Is a lower case, 3 is an indicator according to the present invention, and has a V-shaped groove 4 for reflecting light. Reference numeral 5 denotes an LED, which serves as a light source.

The operation of the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the LED 5 is turned on and the light 6 is emitted. The light 6 from the LED 5 enters the indicator 3 arranged in the optical axis direction. Here, when the light 6 hits the V-shaped groove 4, a light 7 transmitted in the same direction and a light 8 reflected at a certain angle by the V-shaped groove are generated.

[0011]

As is apparent from the above-described embodiments, according to the present invention, even when an indicator is used, it has excellent visibility not only in one direction but also in design. A display device can be realized.

Further, in the above embodiment, the reflecting surface is a flat surface and the reflection angle is limited to one direction. However, the reflecting surface corresponding to the V-shaped groove is not a flat surface but a curved surface or a multifaceted surface, so that a wide range can be obtained. The visibility can be complemented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram in which the present invention is applied to a battery pack charger.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a state where an LED 5 of a light source is turned on and light 6 is emitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 charger upper case 2 charger bottom case 3 indicators 4 V-shaped groove 5 LED 6 light 7 transmitted light 8 reflected light

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An indicator, which is a light-emitting type display unit attached to an electronic device, and has a shape that reflects light. 2. An indicator comprising a light emitting display unit, which is visible not only in the optical axis direction of a light emitting light source but also at a certain angle with respect to the optical axis.