DISPLAY COVER

Abstract

 A display cover which is attached to a display including a body portion and a display unit disposed on a front surface of the body portion, the display cover includes: a cylindrical cover body which is disposed on the front surface of the body portion, is formed to surround the display unit in a front view in which the display cover is viewed from the front, and has an open front end; and a transparent heating element which is configured to block the front end and to form a cover inner space with the display and the cover body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a display cover.

[0002] Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-203399, filed September 14, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Conventionally, a display in which a display unit is disposed on the front surface of a body portion as described in, for example, PTL 1 is known. The display is provided with an awning which protrudes forward from the body portion to cover the display unit from above. The awning is provided with a heater for melting snow.

[0004] In the display, by operating the heater, snow accumulation on the awning is suppressed.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H09-245291

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

PROBLEM TO SOLVED BY INVENTION

[0006] However, in the display according to the related art, for example, when snow adheres onto the display unit from the front due to a snowstorm or the like, it is difficult to secure the visibility of the display unit.

[0007] In addition, in the display according to the related art, particularly in heavy snowfall areas, snow accumulation on the awning is not suppressed and snow lumps may be formed on the awning. In this case, snow lumps grow and cover the display unit from the front, and thus it is also difficult to secure the visibility of the display unit. In order to suppress snow accumulation on the awning, increasing the heating value of the heater may be considered. However, in this case, a large amount of energy is consumed.

[0008] In addition, when the visibility of the display unit cannot be secured, snow removal by human power is needed, and extensive effort is necessary.

[0009] The present invention has been made taking the foregoing circumstances into consideration, and an object thereof is to provide a display cover capable of more reliably securing the visibility of a display unit while suppressing energy consumption.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] In order to accomplish the object, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display cover which is attached to a display including a body portion and a display unit disposed on a front surface of the body portion, the display cover including: a cylindrical cover body which is disposed on the front surface of the body portion, is formed to surround the display unit in a front view in which the display cover is viewed from the front, and has an open front end; and a transparent heating element which is configured to block the front end and to form a cover inner space with the display and the cover body.

[0011] In the aspect of the present invention, the display unit of the display is visible through the transparent heating element from the front.

[0012] Here, since the display unit is covered with the cover body and the transparent heating element, snow accumulation on the display unit can be suppressed. In addition, by heating the transparent heating element, snow accumulation on the transparent heating element can also be suppressed. At this time, the air in the inner space of the cover body is also heated by the transparent heating element. Therefore, the transparent heating element can also heat the cover body via the air in the inner space of the cover body, and thus snow accumulation on the cover body can also be suppressed. Furthermore, at this time, the air heated in the inner space of the cover body rises in the inner space of the cover body and heats an upper wall section in the cover body, and thus snow accumulation on the upper wall section can be effectively suppressed.

[0013] As described above, in the display cover according to the aspect of the present invention, snow accumulation on the display unit and the transparent heating element can be suppressed.

[0014] In addition, since snow accumulation on the cover body can be suppressed, snow lumps on the cover body can be prevented from growing and covering the display unit.

[0015] From the above description, in the display cover according to the aspect of the present invention, the visibility of the display unit can be reliably secured. Furthermore, by heating the transparent heating element, both of snow accumulation on the transparent heating element and snow accumulation on the cover body can be suppressed, and thus energy consumption can also be suppressed.

[0016] In addition, the transparent heating element may include a substrate portion fitted to the front end of the cover body, and a film portion which is laminated on the substrate portion and has at least a portion forming a heating region.

[0017] In this case, since the transparent heating element is provided with the substrate portion and the film portion and the heating region of the film portion is provided over a wide range of the substrate portion, the transparent heating element can be easily heated in a wide range without unevenness. Therefore, snow accumulation on the transparent heating element can be reliably suppressed.

[0018] In addition, when the above configuration is used, the transparent heating element can be easily heated in a wide range without unevenness. Therefore, compared to, for example, a configuration in which a heating wire as a heat source is disposed in a substrate portion, the substrate portion can be prevented from locally having a high temperature. Accordingly, restrictions on heat resistance conditions required of the material forming the substrate portion can be relaxed and thus various materials can be employed as the material forming the substrate portion.

[0019] The display cover according to the aspect of the present invention may further include an end portion heating element which heats a front end surface formed at a front end edge of the cover body.

[0020] In this case, since the end portion heating element which heats the front end surface of the cover body is provided, even when snow lumps on the cover body grow in a direction toward the transparent heating element, the growth of snow lumps on the front end surface of the cover body can be easily prevented by the end portion heating element. Accordingly, snow lumps on the cover body can be reliably prevented from growing and covering the display unit, and thus the visibility of the display unit can be more reliably secured.

[0021] In addition, in a case where the end portion heating element heats the front end surface of the cover body over the entire periphery of the front end surface, for example, when a layer of snow which covers the entirety of the cover body and the transparent heating element from the front is formed on the display cover, the end portion heating element heats the front end surface of the cover body and thus the outer peripheral edge portion of the layer of snow can be melted over the entire periphery. Accordingly, the layer of snow can be removed from the display cover and thus the visibility of the display unit can be more reliably secured.

[0022] In addition, the front end of the cover body may be open obliquely downward in a forward direction, and the transparent heating element may extend to be gradually directed toward a rear side moving downward from above.

[0023] In this case, the front end opening of the cover body is open obliquely downward in the forward direction and the transparent heating element extends rearward moving downward from above. Therefore, even when snow accumulation on the transparent heating element occurs, the snow moves downward along the front surface of the transparent heating element or falls from the transparent heating element, for example, under its own weight, and thus the visibility of the display unit can be more reliably secured.

[0024] Moreover, since the transparent heating element gradually extends rearward downward from above, for example, compared to a case where the transparent heating element straightly extends downward from above, the upper wall section of the cover body can be reliably heated by the air in the inner space of the cover body heated by the transparent heating element, and thus snow accumulation on the upper wall section can further be effectively suppressed.

[0025] In addition, the cover body may further include a front flange portion which is provided in the front end and protrudes inward in a radial direction of the cover body in the front view, the transparent heating element may be formed in a plate shape and has an outer peripheral edge portion, the outer peripheral edge portion being fixed to the front flange portion by a sealing material, a cutout portion having a cutout surface may be formed at a position close to the front flange portion on a front side of the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element, and the sealing material may be disposed to be buried in the cutout portion between the cutout surface and the front flange portion.

[0026] In this case, since the cutout portion in which the front flange portion is disposed is formed in the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element, while holding the transparent heating element by supporting the cutout surface with the front flange portion from the front, the front end surface of the cover body can be prevented from significantly protruding from the front surface of the transparent heating element. Accordingly, a large stepped portion can be prevented from being formed between the front surface of the transparent heating element and the front end surface of the cover body, and snow accumulation on the display cover can be effectively suppressed.

[0027] In addition, since the sealing material is disposed to be buried between the cutout surface of the cutout portion and the front flange portion, the sealing material can be prevented from being swollen forward from the front end surface of the cover body while the cutout surface and the front flange portion are firmly fixed to each other by the sealing material. Accordingly, a large stepped portion can be prevented from being formed between the sealing material and the front end surface of the cover body, and thus snow accumulation on the display cover can be more effectively suppressed.

[0028] In addition, the display cover according to the aspect of the present invention may further include an upper wall heating element disposed in an upper wall section of the cover body.

[0029] In this case, since the upper wall heating element disposed in the upper wall section of the cover body is provided, by heating the upper wall heating element, snow accumulation on the upper wall section of the cover body can be reliably suppressed.

[0030] In addition, as described above, since the heating of the transparent heating element can also suppress snow accumulation on the upper wall section, snow accumulation on the upper wall section can be reliably suppressed while also suppressing energy consumed by the upper wall heating element.

[0031] In addition, since the upper wall heating element disposed in the upper wall section of the cover body is provided, even when snow lumps on the upper wall section of the cover body grow downward, the body portions of the snow lumps positioned on the upper wall section can be melted by the upper wall heating element, and grown portions of the snow lumps growing from the body portions can be caused to fall from the cover body. Therefore, the visibility of the display unit can be more reliably secured.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] According to the aspect of the present invention, the visibility of the display unit can be reliably secured while suppressing energy consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] 

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display device including a display cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the display device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the display device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow A-A shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow B-B shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow C-C shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a transparent heating element included in the display device shown in FIG. 1.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, a display device including a display cover according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a display device 10 includes a signal device (display) 20 and a signal device cover (display cover) 30.

[0036] The signal device 20 is used as, for example, a railway traffic signal. The signal device 20 displays information whose contents are changed. The signal device 20 includes a body portion 21 and a display unit 22 disposed on the front surface of the body portion 21.

[0037] The body portion 21 is elongated in the vertical direction, and the size of the body portion 21 in the vertical direction is greater than any of the size of the body portion 21 in the forward and rearward directions and the size of the body portion 21 in the left and right directions. The front end portion of the body portion 21 is provided with a collar portion 21a which extends over the entire periphery of the body portion 21 and protrudes outward from the front end portion. The display unit 22 includes signal lights 22a which can be lit on and off. A plurality of the signal lights 22a are arranged in the vertical direction. The colors of light emitted by the signal lights 22a vary with the signal lights 22a. The display unit 22 is visible through a transparent heating element 32, which will be described later, of the signal device cover 30 from the front.

[0038] In addition, in the embodiment according to the present invention, upper side (upward) indicates the upper side in the vertical direction, lower side (downward) indicates the lower side in the vertical direction, front side (forward) indicates a side where the signal lights are visible, and rear side (rearward) indicates the side opposite to the side where the signal lights are visible. In addition, the left and right directions indicate the lateral direction of the display device 10 when the display device 10 is viewed from the side where the signal lights are visible.

[0039] The signal device cover 30 is attached to the signal device 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the signal device cover 30 includes a cover body 31, the transparent heating element 32, an end portion heating element 33, and an upper wall heating element 34.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the cover body 31 is disposed on the front surface of the body portion 21 of the signal device 20 and is formed in a cylindrical shape to surround the display unit 22 in a front view in which the signal device cover 30 is viewed from the front, and the front end thereof is open. The cover body 31 surrounds the display unit 22 so that all of the plurality of signal lights 22a are disposed on the inside of the cover body 31 in the front view.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover body 31 protrudes forward from the body portion 21 of the signal device 20. The rear end opening portion of the cover body 31 is blocked by the body portion 21.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, on the inner peripheral surface of the cover body 31, fixed pieces 35 are provided to protrude toward the inside of the cover body. The fixed pieces 35 are disposed at positions that avoid the signal lights 22a (positions that do not overlap the signal lights 22a) in the front view. In the fixed pieces 35, screw holes which are open rearward are formed. Bolts (not shown) which are inserted into the collar portion 21a from the rear side are screwed to the screw holes. Accordingly, the signal device cover 30 is detachably attached to the signal device 20.

[0043] An upper wall section 36 of the cover body 31 extends to be gradually directed toward the lower side moving toward the outside from the center portion of the left and right directions. The upper wall section 36 is curved to be convex upward in the front view. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear end portion of the upper wall section 36 is depressed downward from the section that is positioned closer to the front side than the rear end portion of the upper wall section 36, and on the rear end portion of the upper wall section 36, a depressed portion 36a which is open upward is provided. The depressed portion 36a has a rectangular shape in a side view in which the signal device cover 30 is viewed from the side (the left and right directions).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the side of a bottom wall section 37 of the cover body 31 in the left and right directions is the same as the size of the upper wall section 36 in the left and right directions. The bottom wall section 37 straightly extends in the left and right directions in the front view. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the front end portion of the bottom wall section 37 protrudes downward from a base wall portion 37a which is positioned closer to the rear side than the front end portion in the bottom wall section 37. The front end portion of the bottom wall section 37 includes an end wall portion 37b positioned closer to the lower side than the base wall portion 37a and a connection wall portion 37c which connects the end wall portion 37b to the base wall portion 37a.

[0045] The base wall portion 37a and the end wall portion 37b are parallel to each other.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, in the front end portion of the cover body 31, a front flange portion 38 and a rear flange portion 39 which protrude inward in the radial direction of the cover body 31 are provided.

[0047] The front flange portion 38 is formed at the front end edge of the cover body 31 in an annular shape. A surface of the front flange portion 38 which is directed toward the front side forms a front end surface 31a of the cover body 31.

[0048] The rear flange portion 39 is positioned closer to the rear side than the front flange portion 38. The protruding amount of the rear flange portion 39 is larger than the protruding amount of the front flange portion 38. The rear flange portion 39 is parallel to the front flange portion 38. The rear flange portion 39 is provided to have an inverted-U shape in the front view.

[0049] The rear flange portion 39 is disposed at the upper wall section 36 and a pair of side wall sections 40 of the cover body 31. The lower end of the rear flange portion 39 is connected to the connection wall portion 37c of the bottom wall section 37 of the cover body 31.

[0050] In the front end portion of the cover body 31, an annular groove 41 is provided. The annular groove 41 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the cover body 31. The annular groove 41 is formed over the entire periphery of the cover body 31. The annular groove 41 is formed between the front flange portion 38, and the rear flange portion 39 or the connection wall portion 37c.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, a front end opening 31b which is an open front end of the cover body 31 is open obliquely downward on the front side. The front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 extends to be gradually directed toward the rear side moving downward from above in the side view.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper wall heating element 34 which heats the upper wall is disposed in the upper wall section 36 of the cover body 31. The upper wall heating element 34 is disposed in a plate shape along the inner peripheral portion of the upper wall section 36 of the cover body 31. The upper wall heating element 34 is curved to be convex upward in the front view.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper wall heating element 34 is disposed closer to the front side than the depressed portion 36a in the upper wall section 36. The upper wall heating element 34 is supported against the upper wall section 36 by a support member provided in the inner peripheral surface of the cover body 31. In addition, as the upper wall heating element 34, for example, a configuration in which a heating wire is embedded in a heat transfer substrate may be employed. As the material of the heating wire, for example, a nichrome wire (registered trademark) may be employed.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the end portion heating element 33 heats the front end surface 31a (the front flange portion 38) formed in the cover body 31 in an annular shape. The end portion heating element 33 heats the front end surface 31a (the front flange portion 38) of the cover body 31 over the entire periphery thereof. The end portion heating element 33 is formed over the entire periphery of the cover body 31. The end portion heating element 33 is disposed on the rear side of the front flange portion 38 of the cover body 31 and is fitted in the annular groove 41. As the end portion heating element 33, for example, a heating wire or the like coated with a tubular insulating member may be employed.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6, the transparent heating element 32 blocks the front end opening 31b of the cover body 31. The transparent heating element 32 extends to be gradually directed toward the rear side moving downward from above. The transparent heating element 32 extends in a straight line shape in the side view and is inclined with respect to the collar portion 21a of the signal device 20. The transparent heating element 32 is disposed so as not to protrude forward from the front end opening 31b of the cover body 31. The lower end portion of the transparent heating element 32 is disposed closer to the lower side than the base wall portion 37a of the bottom wall section 37 of the cover body 31.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the transparent heating element 32 is formed in a plate shape and the outer peripheral edge portion thereof is fixed to the front flange portion 38, the rear flange portion 39, and the connection wall portion 37c by a sealing material S.

[0057] The outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element 32 is supported by the front flange portion 38 of the cover body 31 from the front and is supported by the rear flange portion 39 and the connection wall portion 37c from the rear. The outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element 32 is connected to the cover body 31 over the entire periphery of the cover body 31 by the sealing material S. The transparent heating element 32, the signal device 20, and the cover body 31 form a cover inner space 42.

[0058] A cutout portion 32b is formed at a position close to the front flange portion 38 on the front side of the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element 32. The cutout portion 32b is formed over the entire periphery of the outer peripheral edge portion. A cutout surface 32c of the cutout portion 32b is formed by connecting a first surface which faces the front side and a second surface which faces the outside in the radial direction via an angular portion. At a position close to the cutout portion 32b, the inner peripheral edge portion of the front flange portion 38 is disposed.

[0059] The sealing material S is disposed to be buried between the cutout surface 32c and the upper wall heating element 38 in the cutout portion 32b. The sealing material S is not swollen forward from the front end surface 31 a of the cover body 31. In addition, the sealing material S is disposed to be buried between the outer peripheral edge portion of the rear surface of the transparent heating element 32 and the rear flange portion 39.

[0060] In addition, a front surface 32a of the transparent heating element 32 and the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 are positioned to be on substantially the same plane. In the shown example, the front surface 32a of the transparent heating element 32 is positioned slightly rearward from the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31.

[0061] The transparent heating element 32 includes a substrate portion 43 fitted in the front end opening 31b of the cover body 31, and a film portion 44 laminated on one surface of the substrate portion 43. The substrate portion 43 may be formed of, for example, a resin material. Examples of the resin material include a polycarbonate resin. In addition, on the surface of the substrate portion 43, a coating layer (not shown) which protects the substrate portion 43 and a primer layer (not shown) which increases the adhesion between the coating layer and the substrate portion 43 may also be formed.

[0062] The film portion 44 is formed on the rear surface of the substrate portion 43 over the entire surface of the rear surface thereof. The film portion 44 has a laminated structure. The film portion 44 is formed by laminating a buffer layer, a conductive film, and a protection layer (not shown) on the rear surface of the substrate portion 43 in this order.

[0063] The conductive film is supplied with power and generates heat. The conductive film may be formed of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO). The buffer layer is disposed between the substrate portion 43 and the conductive film. The buffer layer absorbs differences of thermal expansion and contraction between the substrate portion 43 and the conductive film. The buffer layer may be formed of, for example, titanium oxide (TiO₂), niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅), or a material including the two. The protection layer is formed on the rear surface of the conductive film and protects the conductive film. The protection layer may be formed of, for example, an acrylic silicone resin, an acrylic urethane resin, or a material including the two.

[0064] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, at end portions of the film portion 44 in the left and right directions, a pair of electrodes 45 which supply power to the conductive film are disposed at an interval in the left and right directions. Both of the electrodes 45 are provided between the conductive film and the protection film. Both of the electrodes 45 are disposed on the conductive film and are covered by the protection layer to be protected. In addition, in the film portion 44, a section (region) positioned between the two electrodes 45 forms a heating region 44a.

[0065] The heating region 44a is disposed at a position (on the front side of the display unit 22) that overlaps the display unit 22 of the signal device 20 in the film portion 44 in the front view. The heating region 44a is disposed to cover the entirety of the display unit 22 (in the shown example, all of the signal lights 22a). The lower end of the heating region 44a is positioned closer to the lower side than the display unit 22 and is positioned closer to the lower side than the base wall portion 37a of the bottom wall section 37 of the cover body 31. In addition, the upper end of the heating region 44a is positioned closer to the upper side than the display unit 22 and is positioned closer to the upper side than the lower end of the upper wall heating element 34. The heating region 44a is disposed closer to the inside than the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element 32.

[0066] In addition, the transparent heating element 32 has a sufficiently high light beam transmittance to secure visibility. That is, the transparent heating element 32 has transparency at a degree such that the display unit 22 is visible through the transparent heating element 32 when the signal device cover 30 is viewed from the front. As this type of transparent heating element 32, for example, a heating resin substrate described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2008-41343 may be employed.

[0067] The heating temperatures of the transparent heating element 32, the end portion heating element 33, and the upper wall heating element 34 can be adjusted. The transparent heating element 32, the end portion heating element 33, and the upper wall heating element 34 are supplied with power from a power source (not shown) and generate heat. The power source is controlled by a power source controller (not shown). The power source controller may be provided with, for example, a thermostat and may control power supply depending on the outside air temperature, the temperature of the cover inner space 42, and the like.

[0068] The signal device 20 may be supplied with power from the power source or may be supplied with power from a different power source from the power source.

[0069] As described above, in the signal device cover 30 according to this embodiment, since the display unit 22 is covered with the cover body 31 and the transparent heating element 32, snow accumulation on the display unit 22 can be suppressed. In addition, by heating the transparent heating element 32, snow accumulation on the transparent heating element 32 can also be suppressed. Moreover, at this time, since the air in the cover inner space 42 is heated by the transparent heating element 32, the transparent heating element 32 can also heat the cover body 31 via the air in the cover inner space 42, and thus snow accumulation on the cover body 31 can also be suppressed. Furthermore, at this time, the air heated in the cover inner space 42 rises in the cover inner space 42 and heats the upper wall section 36 in the cover body 31, and thus snow accumulation on the upper wall section 36 can be effectively suppressed.

[0070] As described above, in the signal device cover 30 according to this embodiment, snow accumulation on the display unit 22 and the transparent heating element 32 can be suppressed.

[0071] In addition, since snow accumulation on the cover body 31 can be suppressed, snow lumps on the cover body 31 can be prevented from growing and covering the display unit 22.

[0072] From the above description, the visibility of the display unit 22 can be more reliably secured. Furthermore, by heating the transparent heating element 32, both of snow accumulation on the transparent heating element 32 and snow accumulation on the cover body 31 can be suppressed, and thus energy consumption can also be suppressed.

[0073] In addition, since the transparent heating element 32 is provided with the substrate portion 43 and the film portion 44 and the heating region 44a of the film portion 44 is provided over a wide range of the substrate portion 43, the transparent heating element 32 can be heated in a wide range without unevenness, and thus snow accumulation on the transparent heating element 32 can be reliably suppressed.

[0074] In addition, as described above, since the transparent heating element 32 can be heated in a wide range without unevenness, compared to, for example, a configuration in which a heating wire as a heat source is disposed in a substrate portion, the substrate portion 43 can be prevented from locally having a high temperature. Accordingly, restrictions on heat resistance conditions required of the material forming the substrate portion 43 can be relaxed and thus various materials can be employed as the material forming the substrate portion 43.

[0075] Furthermore, since the upper wall heating element 34 disposed in the upper wall section 36 of the cover body 31 is provided, by heating the upper wall heating element 34, snow accumulation on the upper wall section 36 of the cover body 31 can be reliably suppressed.

[0076] In addition, as described above, since the heating of the transparent heating element 32 can also suppress snow accumulation on the upper wall section 36, snow accumulation on the upper wall section 36 can be reliably suppressed while suppressing energy consumed by the upper wall heating element 34.

[0077] In addition, since the upper wall heating element 34 disposed in the upper wall section 36 of the cover body 31 is provided, even when snow lumps on the upper wall section 36 of the cover body 31 grow downward, the body portions of the snow lumps positioned on the upper wall section 36 can be melted by the upper wall heating element 34. Therefore, the snow lumps formed to protrude from the wall section 36 can be caused to fall from the cover body 31, and thus the visibility of the display unit 22 can be more reliably secured.

[0078] In addition, since the end portion heating element 33 which heats the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 is provided, even when snow lumps on the cover body 31 are formed to protrude toward the transparent heating element 32, formation of snow lumps on the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 can be easily prevented by the end portion heating element 33. Accordingly, snow lumps on the cover body 31 can be prevented from growing and covering the display unit 22, and thus the visibility of the display unit 22 can be more reliably secured.

[0079] As in this embodiment, in a case where the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 is heated over the entire periphery of the front end surface 31a, for example, when a layer of snow which covers the entirety of the cover body 31 and the transparent heating element 32 from the front is formed on the signal device cover 30, the end portion heating element 33 heats the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 and thus the outer peripheral edge portion of the layer of snow can be melted over the entire periphery. Accordingly, the layer of snow can be removed from the signal device cover 30 and thus the visibility of the display unit 22 can be more reliably secured.

[0080] Furthermore, since the front end opening 31b of the cover body 31 is open obliquely downward in the forward direction and the transparent heating element 32 extends rearward moving downward from above, even when snow accumulation on the transparent heating element 32 occurs, the snow moves downward along the front surface 32a of the transparent heating element 32 or falls from the transparent heating element 32, for example, under its own weight, and thus the visibility of the display unit 22 can be more reliably secured.

[0081] Moreover, in this embodiment, since the lower end portion of the transparent heating element 32 is positioned closer to the lower side than the base wall portion 37a, even when snow that moves downward along the front surface 32a of the transparent heating element 32 does not fall from the lower end portion of the transparent heating element 32, an effect of the snow that remains on the lower end portion on the visibility of the display unit 22 can be suppressed, and thus the visibility can further be secured.

[0082] In addition, since the transparent heating element 32 extends rearward moving downward from above, for example, compared to a case where the transparent heating element 32 straightly extends downward from above, the upper wall section 36 of the cover body 31 can be reliably heated by the air in the cover inner space 42 heated by the transparent heating element 32, and thus snow accumulation on the upper wall section 36 can further be effectively suppressed.

[0083] In addition, since the cutout portion 32b is formed in the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element 32, while holding the transparent heating element 32 by supporting the cutout surface 32c with the front flange portion 38 from the front, the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 can be prevented from largely protruding from the front surface 32a of the transparent heating element 32. Accordingly, a large stepped portion can be prevented from being formed in the vicinity of the boundary between the front surface 32a of the transparent heating element 32 and the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31, and snow accumulation on the signal device cover 30 can be effectively suppressed.

[0084] In addition, since the sealing material S is disposed to be buried between the cutout surface 32c of the cutout portion 32b and the front flange portion 38, the sealing material S can be prevented from being swollen forward from the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 while the cutout surface 32c and the front flange portion 38 are firmly fixed to each other by the sealing material S. Accordingly, a large stepped portion can be prevented from being formed in the vicinity of the boundary between the sealing material S and the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31, and thus snow accumulation on the signal device cover 30 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0085] In addition, in a case where the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element protrudes outward in the radial direction from the cover body, a protrusion that protrudes outward in the radial direction from the cover body is formed by the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element, and thus snow lumps are easily formed between the protrusion and the cover body. On the contrary, in this embodiment, since the transparent heating element 32 is disposed in the front end opening 31b of the cover body 31 (the front surface 32a of the transparent heating element 32 and the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 are positioned on substantially the same plane), for example, the transparent heating element can effectively suppress snow accumulation on the signal device cover 30.

[0086] In addition, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0087] For example, the upper wall heating element 34 may not be provided.

[0088] In addition, the heating region 44a of the film portion 44 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and at least a portion of the film portion may be formed as the heating region. Otherwise, for example, the heating region may be provided over the entire surface of the film portion.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the film portion 44 is formed on the rear surface of the substrate portion 43. However, the film portion 44 is not limited thereto and may be formed on, for example, the front surface of the substrate portion. Furthermore, the transparent heating element may also employ a configuration in which the film portion is interposed between a pair of the substrate portions.

[0090]  In the above-described embodiment, the transparent heating element 32 is provided with the substrate portion 43 and the film portion 44 formed on the substrate portion 43 but is not limited thereto. For example, the transparent heating element may have a configuration in which a heating wire in a lattice pattern is interposed between a pair of transparent substrates.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the cutout portion 32b is formed in the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element 32. However, the cutout portion 32b may not be provided.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the front end opening 31b of the cover body 31 is open obliquely downward in the forward direction but is not limited thereto. For example, the front end opening of the cover body may also be open in a direction parallel to the forward and rearward directions.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the annular groove 41 is formed between the front flange portion 38, and the rear flange portion 39 or the connection wall portion 37c, but is not limited thereto. For example, the annular groove may be formed by allowing the inner peripheral surface of the cover body to be depressed.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the end portion heating element 33 heats the front end surface 31a of the cover body 31 over the entire periphery of the front end surface 31a but is not limited thereto. For example, the end portion heating element may restrictively heat only a portion of the front end surface of the cover body.

[0095] Otherwise, the end portion heating element 33 may not be provided.

[0096]  In the above-described embodiment, the transparent heating element 32 is disposed in the front end opening 31b of the cover body 31, but is not limited thereto. For example, the transparent heating element may be positioned closer to the front side than the cover body and the transparent heating element may be fixed to the front end surface of the cover body.

[0097] In the above-described embodiment, the cover body 31 surrounds all of the plurality of signal lights 22a in the front view but is not limited thereto. For example, the cover body may individually surround the plurality of signal lights in the front view.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of signal lights 22a may be arranged in the vertical direction. However, the plurality of signal lights 22a are not limited thereto and may be arranged in the left and right directions.

[0099] In the above-described embodiment, the signal device cover 30 is attached to the signal device 20 by screwing the bolts to the screw holes of the fixed pieces 35 but is not limited thereto. For example, bolts are provided to protrude rearward from the fixed pieces, the bolts are inserted into insertion holes formed in the display, and nuts are fastened to the protruding end portions of the bolts, thereby attaching the signal device cover to the signal device. Otherwise, they may be appropriately attached to each other by other methods.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the display according to the present invention employs the signal device 20 but is not limited thereto. For example, as the display, a traffic information board displaying congestion information or accident information on a road for vehicles may be employed. Otherwise, for example, as the display, a configuration that displays information whose contents are fixed, such as an indicator on a road for vehicles may also be employed.

[0101] In addition, the constituent elements in the above-described embodiment can be appropriately substituted with well-known constituent elements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described modification examples may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMBER

[0102] 

20

signal device (display)

21

body portion

22

display unit

22a

signal light

30

signal device cover (display cover)

31

cover body

31a

front end surface

31b

front end opening

32

transparent heating element

32b

cutout portion

32c

cutout surface

33

end portion heating element

34

upper wall heating element

36

upper wall section

38

front flange portion

42

cover inner space

43

substrate portion

44

film portion

44a

heating region

S

sealing material

Claims

1. A display cover which is attached to a display including a body portion and a display unit disposed on a front surface of the body portion, the display cover comprising:

a cylindrical cover body which is disposed on the front surface of the body portion, is formed to surround the display unit in a front view in which the display cover is viewed from the front, and has an open front end; and

a transparent heating element which is configured to block the front end and to form a cover inner space with the display and the cover body.

2. The display cover according to claim 1,
wherein the transparent heating element includes
a substrate portion which is fitted to the front end of the cover body, and
a film portion which is laminated on the substrate portion and has at least a portion thereof forming a heating region.

3. The display cover according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

an end portion heating element which heats a front end surface formed at a front end edge of the cover body.

4. The display cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the front end of the cover body is open obliquely downward in a forward direction, and
the transparent heating element extends to be gradually directed toward a rear side moving downward from above.

5. The display cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the cover body further includes a front flange portion which is provided in the front end and protrudes inward in a radial direction of the cover body in the front view,
the transparent heating element is formed in a plate shape and has an outer peripheral edge portion, the outer peripheral edge portion being fixed to the front flange portion by a sealing material,
a cutout portion having a cutout surface is formed at a position close to the front flange portion on a front side of the outer peripheral edge portion of the transparent heating element, and
the sealing material is disposed to be buried in the cutout portion between the cutout surface and the front flange portion.

6. The display cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

an upper wall heating element disposed in an upper wall section of the cover body.

Drawing