Adjustable Curvature Backlight Module via Thermal Bimetal Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat-LCD TVs suffer from image and color distortion due to increased distances between the panel edges and human eyes, which is mitigated by curving the panel, but existing curved designs have a fixed curvature that cannot be adjusted, limiting user experience.
Innovation Solution
A backlight module with a thermobimetal back plate comprising a passive and active layer with different coefficients of heat expansion, coupled with a heating device that adjusts the curvature by controlling the heating temperature, allowing for adjustable curvature to optimize viewing experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed curvature backlight module is manufactured using conventional methods, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the curvature cannot be adjusted to optimize viewing experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the back plate by controlling temperature parameters. The back plate transitions from a flat state at room temperature to a curved state when heated, allowing curvature adjustment without mechanical components. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability through parameter control while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thermal expansion differences in bimetallic layers to achieve curvature adjustment. When heated, the bimetallic back plate expands at different rates in different layers, causing it to bend into a curved shape. This physical effect enables curvature adjustability without adding complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bimetallic back plate with heating device is used to enable curvature adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the back plate structure with the heating function by integrating the heating device directly into the back plate assembly. The bimetallic layers themselves serve as both the structural component and the thermal response element, merging multiple functions into a single integrated component that simplifies manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses bimetallic composite material for the back plate, combining two different metals with different thermal expansion coefficients. This composite structure enables the curvature adjustment function while maintaining a simple single-piece construction that is easier to manufacture than assembled mechanical curvature mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the back plate is heated to adjust curvature, then viewing experience is optimized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device operates periodically or intermittently to achieve the desired curvature rather than continuous heating. The system can heat the back plate to the required temperature, maintain it until the curvature is achieved, then reduce or stop heating, thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining the adaptive curvature function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables dynamic adjustment of the curvature of the backlight module, liquid crystal display, and OLED display devices, improving image quality and user experience by maintaining consistent viewing performance across different distances.
Implementation Method 1
a back plate comprising a passive layer and an active layer adhered below the passive layer, wherein a coefficient of heat expansion of the active layer is greater than that of the passive layer
Implementation Method 2
the back plate is made by thermobimetal material
Implementation Method 3
a heating device configured for controlling a heating temperature of the back plate
Implementation Method 4
a heating sheet being adhered to a down surface of the active layer or an up surface of the passive layer to heat up the back plate
Data Source
AI summary
A backlight module including a back plate and a heating device is disclosed. The back plate includes a passive layer and an active layer adhered below the passive layer, wherein a coefficient of heat expansion of the active layer is greater than that of the passive layer. The heating device is configured for controlling a heating temperature of the back plate so as to adjust a rate of curvature of the back plate toward a liquid crystal panel. In addition, a LCD and an OLED display device are also disclosed. The rates of curvature of the backlight module, the LCD, and the OLED display device may be adjusted accordingly.