IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,618,321
Granted Patent B2
US 11,618,321 · App. 17/388,952 · Granted Apr 4, 2023

Panel device

Inventors: Yusuke Nomura (Aichi, JP); Akito Ishihara (Aichi, JP); Yuki Sakai (Aichi, JP)
Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
B60K35/00B60K37/04B60K37/06B60K2370/139B60K2370/16B60K2370/332B60K2370/34B60K2370/345G09F13/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,618,321
App. No.
17/388,952
Granted
Apr 4, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A panel device includes a panel unit, a light-blocking layer, and an indicator light projector. The light-blocking layer is located between the panel unit and the indicator light projector, specifically, on a rear surface of the panel unit. The indicator light projector is located relatively close to the light-blocking layer. When indicators displayed on the panel unit are viewed from the outer side, representations provided by the indicator light projector are visually recognizable even when viewed from an angled position.

Claims (22)

1. A panel device, comprising:

a panel unit that is light-transmissive and one of colored or colorless;

a light-blocking layer including an indicator opening that is shaped in correspondence with an indicator to indicate when a device is activated; and

an indicator light projector that emits light from a rear side of the panel unit, the indicator light projector including a lens that transmits the emitted light to the panel unit to display the indicator on the panel unit with the light passing through the indicator opening,

wherein a front surface shape of the lens is larger than an opening shape of the indicator opening, and

wherein the light-blocking layer is located between the panel unit and the indicator light projector.

2. The panel device according to claim 1 , wherein the light-blocking layer is arranged on a rear surface of the panel unit.

3. The panel device according to claim 1 , wherein the panel unit includes a black background corresponding to a color of the light-blocking layer.

4. The panel device according to claim 1 , comprising:

an indicator portion that includes

the indicator opening, and

the indicator light projector that emits light from the rear side of the panel unit to the indicator opening to display the indicator, which is shaped in correspondence with the indicator opening, on the panel unit.

5. The panel device according to claim 4 , wherein the indicator portion is one of multiple indicator portions, and the multiple indicator portions are arranged adjacent to one another.

6. The panel device according to claim 1 , comprising:

a display that includes

a window frame arranged in the light-blocking layer, and

an image displaying unit that projects an image from the rear side of the panel unit through the window frame onto the panel unit to display the image on the panel unit.

7. The panel device according to claim 1 , comprising:

a symbol portion that includes

a mark opening arranged in the light-blocking layer,

a mark light projector that emits light from the rear side of the panel unit to the mark opening to display a mark, which is shaped in correspondence with the mark opening, on the panel unit, and

a detector arranged inward from the mark opening to detect when the panel unit is touched at the mark.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2021
From: NOMURA, YUSUKE; ISHIHARA, AKITO; SAKAI, YUKI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
Reel/Frame 057025/0914 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2020-131706 · Aug 3, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220032772A1 · Feb 3, 2022