Chassis and electronic equipment

Abstract

This disclosure relates to the field of electronic equipment technology, and more particularly to a chassis and electronic equipment. The chassis provided in this disclosure includes: a housing with a cavity formed within it; at least one side panel, the side panel forming at least a portion of the structure of the housing, the side panel including a liquid crystal display component and an electrochromic device, the electrochromic device being located within the cavity and the liquid crystal display component being located outside the cavity; and a control module connected to both the liquid crystal display component and the electrochromic device, for controlling the signal output of the liquid crystal display component and the light transmission state of the electrochromic device. The chassis provided in this disclosure can be upgraded from a simple hardware carrier to an interactive desktop visual terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of electronic equipment technology, and more particularly to a chassis and electronic equipment. Background Technology

[0002] With the improvement of computer hardware performance and the growth of personalized demands, computer cases are no longer limited to simply housing hardware. Traditional case side panels often use fixed materials (such as tempered glass or metal plates), which can only passively display the lighting effects of the internal hardware and cannot meet users' pursuit of personalization. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a chassis and electronic device to at least solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] The first aspect of this disclosure provides a chassis, including: The housing has a cavity formed inside it; At least one side panel, the side panel being at least a partial structure forming the housing, the side panel including a liquid crystal display component and an electrochromic device, the electrochromic device being located within the accommodating cavity, and the liquid crystal display component being located outside the accommodating cavity; The control module is connected to the liquid crystal display component and the electrochromic device respectively, and is used to control the signal output of the liquid crystal display component and the light transmission state of the electrochromic device.

[0005] Furthermore, the electrochromic device includes a substrate layer and a functional layer, wherein the functional layer is used to change the light transmittance under the action of an electrical signal, so that the electrochromic device switches between transparent and non-transparent operating states.

[0006] Furthermore, the electrochromic device includes a first transparent electrode, an ion storage layer, an ion conduction layer, an electrochromic layer, a second transparent electrode, and a glass substrate stacked together, wherein the transparent electrode is electrically connected to the control module to receive a driving voltage.

[0007] Furthermore, the side panel also includes a protective layer disposed on the side of the liquid crystal display component opposite to the electrochromic device, and the protective layer is made of a transparent material.

[0008] Furthermore, including: A signal processing unit, connected to the liquid crystal display component and an external processor, is used to receive external video signals and convert them into driving signals adapted to the liquid crystal display component; A status detection component, connected to the control module, is used to collect chassis operating parameters and feed them back to the control module. The control module adjusts the output content of the liquid crystal display component based on the operating parameters.

[0009] Furthermore, the signal processing unit includes a protocol conversion module that supports converting input signals in eDP, DP, or HDMI formats into drive signal formats compatible with the liquid crystal display component.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a backlight module, which is disposed within the accommodating cavity and connected to the control module. The control module is used to adjust the brightness parameters of the backlight module according to the working state of the electrochromic device.

[0011] Furthermore, the backlight module includes at least one set of light sources and optical diffusers. The light source is an LED bead, an OLED light strip, or a laser module, and the optical diffuser is used to make the light emitted by the light source form a uniform surface light source.

[0012] Furthermore, the control module includes: The main controller communicates with an external processor to obtain control commands. The driving circuit is connected to the main controller, the liquid crystal display component and the electrochromic device respectively, and is used to convert the instructions of the main controller into driving signals; The power management submodule is used to provide an adaptation voltage for the liquid crystal display component, the electrochromic device, and the backlight module.

[0013] A second aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device including the chassis described in the first aspect.

[0014] The technical solution provided in this disclosure has the following advantages compared with the prior art: The chassis provided in this embodiment includes a housing, at least one side panel, and a control module. A cavity is formed within the housing. The side panel forms at least a portion of the housing structure and includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) component and an electrochromic device. The electrochromic device is located within the cavity, while the LCD component is located outside the cavity. The control module is connected to both the LCD component and the electrochromic device, and is used to control the signal output of the LCD component and the light transmission state of the electrochromic device. The LCD component can actively output dynamic video or personalized images. Combined with the real-time switching of the light transmission state of the electrochromic device (such as precise control of transparency / opaqueness), the chassis is successfully upgraded from a simple hardware carrier to an interactive desktop visual terminal. Its flexible adaptability can meet diverse needs such as immersive lighting effects in gaming scenarios and dynamic content presentation in personalized displays, providing users with a user experience that combines functionality and visual impact.

[0015] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which: In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a chassis provided in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown; Figure 2 A control logic diagram of a chassis provided in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown; Figure 3 Another control logic diagram of the chassis provided in this disclosure embodiment is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the electrochromic device in the chassis provided in this embodiment is shown; Figure 5 Another control logic diagram of the chassis provided in this disclosure embodiment is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the side panel in the chassis provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0018] The following are the labels in the diagram: 1. Housing; 11. Side panel; 111. Liquid crystal display component; 112. Electrochromic device; 113. Protective layer; 21. First transparent electrode; 22. Ion storage layer; 23. Ion conduction layer; 24. Electrochromic layer; 25. Second transparent electrode; 26. Glass substrate; 3. Control module. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0020] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the chassis provided in this embodiment includes a housing 1, at least one side panel 11, and a control module 3. A cavity is formed within the housing 1. The side panel 11 forms at least a portion of the structure of the housing 1, and includes a liquid crystal display component 111 and an electrochromic device 112. The electrochromic device 112 is located within the cavity, while the liquid crystal display component 111 is located outside the cavity. The control module 3 is connected to both the liquid crystal display component 111 and the electrochromic device 112, and is used to coordinate the signal output of the liquid crystal display component 111 and the light transmission state of the electrochromic device 112. The liquid crystal display component 111 can actively output dynamic video or personalized images, and in conjunction with the real-time switching of the light transmission state of the electrochromic device 112 (such as precise control of transparent / non-transparent), successfully upgrades the chassis from a simple hardware carrier to an interactive desktop visual terminal. Its flexible adaptability can meet diverse needs such as immersive lighting effects in game scenarios and dynamic content presentation in personalized displays, bringing users a user experience that combines functionality and visual impact.

[0021] In this embodiment, through the collaborative logic of control module 3, the display scheme can be automatically matched according to user needs or system status. For example, when the electrochromic device 112 is in a transparent state, the liquid crystal display component 111 can be synchronously controlled to turn off, and the liquid crystal display component 111 displays nothing, just like a normal chassis; when the electrochromic device 112 is in a transparent state, the liquid crystal display component 111 can be synchronously controlled to display, and can be linked with software to be used as a dynamic wallpaper screen, creating a "naked-eye 3D" visual experience; when the electrochromic device 112 switches to an opaque state, the liquid crystal display component 111 is synchronously driven to work at full load, using the internal LED light strip of the chassis as backlight to realize the function of an independent secondary screen. This can solve the problems of single display function and poor scene adaptability of traditional chassis.

[0022] Optionally, the control module 3 can intelligently adjust the working mode of the electrochromic device 112 based on the video signal transmission status: when receiving an external video signal, it automatically triggers the electrochromic device 112 to switch to an opaque state to enhance the display contrast; when there is no signal input, it controls it to remain in a transparent state and turns off the power supply to the liquid crystal display component 111.

[0023] Optional, combined Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, control module 3 includes a core control unit, signal and power supply links, and linkage execution components. The core control unit includes: MCU / CPU, which serves as the initiator of control logic, receives video signals through the DDI interface, interacts with the PCH via the DESPI protocol, and is the decision-making center for control commands; PCH (Platform Control Hub), which bridges the gap through the DESPI-ESPI protocol and transmits control commands from the MCU / CPU, serving as the intermediate hub for command transmission; and EC (Embedded Controller), which receives ESPI commands from the PCH and outputs an EN (enable) signal to control the LED light source and the secondary screen power supply module, acting as the execution controller that directly drives the execution components.

[0024] The signal and power supply link includes a signal conversion section and a power supply control section. The video signal is input to the MCU / CPU via DDI and output to the LVDS adapter board via HDMI / DP interfaces, realizing the input, conversion, and adaptation of the video signal. For CPUs with integrated graphics, the output can be adapted via SCALAR (scaling / adaptation function, implicit in the signal link); for CPUs without integrated graphics, a separate GFX (graphics processing) signal input is required. The flowchart shows the complete link as video signal → DDI → MCU / CPU.

[0025] The power supply control section includes a secondary screen power supply module and a switching / adaptation logic. The secondary screen power supply module receives the EN signal from the EC and outputs VCC voltage to drive the EC electrochromic glass, acting as the "power supply actuator" for the electrochromic device 112. The switching / adaptation logic converts the eDP signal into a driving format compatible with the liquid crystal display component 111 (liquid crystal glass) via an LVDS adapter board, serving as a signal adaptation conversion bridge.

[0026] The backlight module (LED light source) receives the EN signal from the EC to control its on / off state, and adjusts the backlight effect in conjunction with the light transmission state of the electrochromic device 112.

[0027] The electrochromic device 112 and the liquid crystal display unit 111 receive power supply (VCC) and signal (eDP) to achieve coordinated control of light transmission state and display content, and are the execution terminal of control function.

[0028] Optionally, the liquid crystal display component 111 can be a liquid crystal display screen, and the electrochromic device 112 can be electrochromic glass.

[0029] This embodiment of the disclosure combines a liquid crystal display component 111 and an electrochromic device 112 to achieve multi-functional reuse of the chassis side panel 11. An EC electrochromic glass (electrochromic device 112) of the same size is installed approximately 1 cm behind the protective layer 113. The liquid crystal glass (liquid crystal display component 111) is placed between the electrochromic device 112 and the protective layer 113 as a display module. The rear electrochromic device 112 serves as a backlight panel, which can switch between transparent and opaque modes. An internal LED light strip serves as the backlight source, making the displayed content clearer.

[0030] After the display signal is routed from the CPU to the driver board, the eDP signal is converted to an LVDS signal, or an external connection can be made from the graphics card / onboard. Connecting to the LCD LVDS driver board via DP & HDMI protocols enables video signal output. The electrochromic glass can switch between transparent and opaque states via a +3V DC voltage. When no voltage is applied, the glass remains opaque; when voltage is applied, the glass becomes translucent, illuminating the internal LED strip to provide backlighting for clear display. The motherboard EC controls the power supply modules of each section, enabling independent control of each module. Depending on the needs, this design offers three states: Electrochromic device 112 is transparent, and the LCD component 111 is not displayed, similar to a standard chassis; Electrochromic device 112 is transparent, and the LCD component 111 is displayed, which can be used in conjunction with software as a dynamic wallpaper screen to create a "naked-eye 3D" visual experience; Electrochromic device 112 is opaque, and the LCD component 111 is displayed, allowing direct use as a display screen.

[0031] In some specific embodiments, the electrochromic device 112 includes a substrate layer and a functional layer. The functional layer is used to change the light transmittance under the action of an electrical signal, so that the electrochromic device 112 switches between transparent and non-transparent operating states. The functional layer can switch to a transparent state under the drive of a DC voltage and remain opaque when there is no voltage.

[0032] When the functional layer is transparent, it can work with the LCD display component 111 to achieve a "quasi-holographic" dynamic wallpaper effect without obstructing the internal lighting effects of the chassis. When the functional layer switches to a non-transparent state, it can serve as a backlight carrier, reflecting light from the internal LED strips to make the content of the LCD display component 111 clearer, meeting the independent display needs of the secondary screen. When no display is required, the transparent state of the functional layer can be restored to that of ordinary side glass, maintaining the hardware display function of a traditional chassis. This solves the problem of traditional side covers having fixed functions and being unable to dynamically adapt to different scenarios.

[0033] The functional layer's transmittance can be directly controlled via electrical signals, eliminating the need for additional mechanical structures or complex optical adjustment devices. It can be driven solely by a low-voltage DC signal controlled by the motherboard's EC (Electronic Control Unit). This simplifies the internal power supply chain of the chassis, reduces hardware integration costs, and minimizes the risk of failures caused by the coordination of multiple components. The change in the functional layer's light transmittance is based on the redox reaction of the electrochromic layer 24.

[0034] In some specific implementation methods, such as Figure 4 As shown, the electrochromic device 112 includes a first transparent electrode 21, an ion storage layer 22, an ion conduction layer 23, an electrochromic layer 24, a second transparent electrode 25, and a glass substrate 26 stacked together. The transparent electrode is electrically connected to the control module 3 to receive the driving voltage. The transparent electrode is responsible for conducting the driving voltage (such as +3V DC voltage) output by the control module 3. The electrochromic layer 24, as the core reaction layer, undergoes an oxidation-reduction reaction under the action of an electric field to change the light transmittance. The ion conduction layer 23 ensures the directional movement of ions between the electrochromic layer 24 and the ion storage layer 22. The ion storage layer 22 is used to replenish the ions required for the reaction to maintain long-term stability. The transparent electrode is directly connected to the control module 3 and can receive the low-voltage DC driving signal output by the motherboard EC, without the need for an additional high-voltage power supply module. The glass substrate 26 serves as the basic carrier, ensuring that the device as a whole has sufficient structural strength and light transmittance. The transparent electrode can be made of a high-transmittance material such as ITO to avoid blocking the light from the liquid crystal display component 111 or the internal lighting effects of the chassis.

[0035] In some specific embodiments, the side panel 11 further includes a protective layer 113, which is disposed on the side of the liquid crystal display component 111 facing away from the electrochromic device 112. The protective layer 113 is made of a transparent material. As an outer barrier, the protective layer 113 can effectively resist external physical impacts, dust adhesion, and liquid splashes, avoiding screen scratches and display malfunctions caused by direct exposure of the liquid crystal display component 111. The transparent material can be tempered glass, high-transmittance acrylic, etc., which provides protection without affecting the visibility of the liquid crystal display content, thus extending the service life of the display function of the side panel 11.

[0036] In some specific implementations, a signal processing unit and a status detection component are included; the signal processing unit is connected to the liquid crystal display component 111 and an external processor, and is used to receive external video signals and convert them into driving signals adapted to the liquid crystal display component 111; the status detection component is connected to the control module 3, and is used to collect the chassis operating parameters and feed them back to the control module 3, and the control module 3 adjusts the output content of the liquid crystal display component 111 based on the operating parameters.

[0037] As the translation hub for video signals, the signal processing unit is compatible with various signal formats (such as eDP, DP, HDMI, etc.) output by external processors such as CPU integrated graphics or discrete graphics cards, and converts them into drive signals that the LCD display component 111 can directly recognize. This adaptability breaks through the limitation of traditional chassis display modules that only support a single signal source, allowing the LCD display component 111 to flexibly connect to different hardware configurations (compatible with or without a discrete graphics card), while avoiding display delays or distortions caused by incompatible signal formats, ensuring smooth and stable image output.

[0038] The status detection component can collect the chassis operating parameters in real time and convert them into output commands for the liquid crystal display component 111 through the control module 3. Based on the adjustment logic of the operating parameters, the control module 3 can realize automatic switching of the display content. The signal processing unit and the status detection component form a closed loop through the control module 3. The signal processing unit ensures the display quality, and the status detection component provides the adjustment basis. The two work together to make the coordination of the working state switching of the electrochromic device 112, the content output of the liquid crystal display component 111, and the brightness adjustment of the backlight module more precise.

[0039] In some specific implementations, the signal processing unit includes a protocol conversion module that supports converting input signals in eDP, DP, or HDMI formats into a drive signal format compatible with the liquid crystal display component 111.

[0040] The protocol conversion module's compatibility with multiple signal formats allows the LCD display unit 111 on the side glass of the chassis to flexibly connect to different signal sources. It supports eDP signals output by the CPU integrated graphics, adapts to DP / HDMI signals from discrete graphics cards, and is also compatible with various video outputs from the motherboard's onboard interfaces. Regardless of whether the host uses integrated graphics, discrete graphics, or a hybrid configuration, it can stably drive the LCD display unit 111, significantly expanding the chassis's hardware compatibility.

[0041] In some specific embodiments, a backlight module is also included. The backlight module is disposed within the accommodating cavity and connected to the control module 3. The control module 3 is used to adjust the brightness parameters of the backlight module according to the working state of the electrochromic device 112. When the electrochromic device 112 is in a transparent state, the backlight module operates at low brightness to avoid overexposure of the image caused by strong light penetrating the transparent layer. At the same time, it forms a soft superposition with the internal hardware lighting effects of the chassis, enhancing the sense of "quasi-holographic" layering. When the electrochromic device 112 switches to a non-transparent state, the backlight module automatically increases its brightness to ensure that light fully passes through the liquid crystal display component 111, offsetting the light-blocking effect of the non-transparent layer. This makes text, images, and other content clear and sharp, solving the problem of traditional fixed backlights being too bright and glaring or too dark and blurry in different display modes, ensuring that the display effect is always adapted to the current scene.

[0042] In some specific implementations, the backlight module includes at least one set of light sources and optical diffusers. The light source is an LED chip, an OLED strip, or a laser module, and the optical diffuser is used to form a uniform surface light source from the light emitted by the light source. By refracting and scattering the light from the light source, the optical diffuser can transform a point light source (such as an LED chip) or a line light source (such as an OLED strip) into a uniform surface light source, avoiding the problems of light spots and bright spots caused by direct light. When the electrochromic device 112 is in a transparent state, the uniform backlight allows the display content of the liquid crystal display component 111 to blend naturally with the internal hardware lighting effects of the chassis, enhancing the sense of "quasi-holographic" layering. When it is in a non-transparent state, the uniform light ensures that the display of the liquid crystal display component 111 has consistent colors and clear edges, solving the problems of color difference or local overexposure caused by uneven light distribution in traditional direct light sources.

[0043] In some specific embodiments, the control module 3 includes a main controller, a drive circuit, and a power management submodule; the main controller is communicatively connected to an external processor to obtain control commands; the drive circuit is connected to the main controller, the liquid crystal display component 111, and the electrochromic device 112 respectively, and is used to convert the commands of the main controller into drive signals; the power management submodule is used to provide adaptation voltages for the liquid crystal display component 111, the electrochromic device 112, and the backlight module.

[0044] The main controller obtains control commands (such as user mode switching commands and hardware status linkage commands) through communication with external processors (such as CPU and motherboard EC), and converts them into targeted drive signals through the drive circuit. For example, it outputs display timing signals to the liquid crystal display unit 111 and outputs state switching voltage (such as +3V transparent drive signal) to the electrochromic device 112.

[0045] The driving circuit can customize the signal output according to the characteristics of different modules. Low-voltage differential signals (such as Lvds) are used for the liquid crystal display component 111 to match its display timing. A stable DC voltage is output for the electrochromic device 112 to ensure the transmittance adjustment accuracy. A PWM dimming signal is output for the backlight module to achieve stepless brightness adjustment.

[0046] The power management submodule can provide adaptive power according to the voltage requirements of each component, such as the LCD display component 111 requiring a 5V operating voltage, the electrochromic device 112 requiring a 3V driving voltage, and the backlight module requiring a 12V power supply. Compared with the traditional shared power supply design, the power management submodule reduces overall power consumption while improving hardware operation safety.

[0047] In some specific implementations, the power management submodule is used to output a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage is used to drive the electrochromic device 112 to switch its operating state, and the second voltage is used to power the liquid crystal display component 111 and the backlight module. The first voltage addresses the low-voltage driving requirements of the electrochromic device 112, ensuring its oxidation-reduction reaction is stable and avoiding material aging due to excessively high voltage or state switching failure due to excessively low voltage. The second voltage adapts to the driving logic of the liquid crystal display component 111 and the brightness adjustment requirements of the backlight module, ensuring distortion-free display signal transmission and linearly controllable backlight brightness adjustment.

[0048] The electronic device provided in this disclosure includes the chassis provided in this disclosure. Since the electronic device and the chassis provided in this disclosure have the same advantages, they will not be described again here.

[0049] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this invention disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution of this disclosure can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0050] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0051] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this patent is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A chassis, characterized in that, include: The housing has a cavity formed inside it; At least one side panel, the side panel being at least a partial structure forming the housing, the side panel including a liquid crystal display component and an electrochromic device, the electrochromic device being located within the accommodating cavity, and the liquid crystal display component being located outside the accommodating cavity; The control module is connected to the liquid crystal display component and the electrochromic device respectively, and is used to control the signal output of the liquid crystal display component and the light transmission state of the electrochromic device.

2. The chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that, An electrochromic device includes a substrate layer and a functional layer. The functional layer is used to change the light transmittance under the action of an electrical signal, so that the electrochromic device switches between transparent and non-transparent operating states.

3. The chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrochromic device includes a first transparent electrode, an ion storage layer, an ion conduction layer, an electrochromic layer, and a glass substrate stacked together. The transparent electrode is electrically connected to the control module to receive a driving voltage.

4. The chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side panel also includes a protective layer disposed on the side of the liquid crystal display component away from the electrochromic device, and the protective layer is made of a transparent material.

5. The chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: A signal processing unit, connected to the liquid crystal display component and an external processor, is used to receive external video signals and convert them into driving signals adapted to the liquid crystal display component; A status detection component, connected to the control module, is used to collect chassis operating parameters and feed them back to the control module. The control module adjusts the output content of the liquid crystal display component based on the operating parameters.

6. The chassis according to claim 5, characterized in that, The signal processing unit includes a protocol conversion module that supports converting input signals in eDP, DP, or HDMI formats into drive signal formats compatible with the liquid crystal display component.

7. The chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a backlight module, which is disposed within the accommodating cavity and connected to the control module. The control module is used to adjust the brightness parameters of the backlight module according to the working state of the electrochromic device.

8. The chassis according to claim 7, characterized in that, The backlight module includes at least one set of light sources and optical diffusers. The light source is an LED light bead, an OLED light strip, or a laser module. The optical diffuser is used to make the light emitted by the light source form a uniform surface light source.

9. The chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module includes: The main controller communicates with an external processor to obtain control commands. The driving circuit is connected to the main controller, the liquid crystal display component and the electrochromic device respectively, and is used to convert the instructions of the main controller into driving signals; The power management submodule is used to provide an adaptation voltage for the liquid crystal display component, the electrochromic device, and the backlight module.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the chassis as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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