Vending Machine Display Bracket Airflow for Tempered-Glass Heat Buildup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vending machine display units with tempered glass on the front surface can malfunction or degrade due to heat insulation, leading to reduced lifespan, as heat generated by the display panel and circuit board is trapped and not effectively emitted.

Innovation Solution

A display unit design featuring a board bracket with inlet and outlet holes for air flow, incorporating blowing fans to guide external air through the receiving section, allowing heat to be absorbed and exhausted, thus cooling the display panel and circuit board, even when tempered glass is installed on the front surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If tempered glass is installed on the front surface of the display panel to prevent breaking, then the strength and durability of the display panel is improved, but heat generated from the display panel and circuit board cannot be emitted to the outside, causing the display unit to malfunction or degrade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of display panelVSAvoidheat emission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple heat dissipation channels including first heat dissipation holes in the front surface, second heat dissipation holes in the rear surface, and side heat dissipation holes. This segmentation allows heat to be dissipated through multiple pathways simultaneously, effectively removing heat while maintaining the tempered glass protection on the front surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Heat dissipation is not limited to the front surface but extends to multiple dimensions including the rear surface and side surfaces of the housing. By creating heat dissipation holes in different spatial dimensions (front, rear, sides), the patent enables three-dimensional heat evacuation pathways, allowing effective heat removal without compromising the front glass protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If tempered glass is installed on the front surface of the display panel to prevent breaking, then the reliability of the display unit is improved, but the lifespan of the display unit is shortened due to heat accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of display unitVSAvoidlifespan of display unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation system is segmented into multiple independent channels distributed across different surfaces of the housing. This segmentation ensures that heat is removed efficiently through multiple pathways, preventing heat accumulation that would otherwise reduce the lifespan of the display unit while maintaining the reliability benefits of tempered glass protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure acts as an intermediary heat dissipation system between the display panel and the external environment. By incorporating multiple heat dissipation holes in the housing, the patent creates intermediary pathways that facilitate heat transfer from the internal components to the external environment, thereby protecting the display unit from heat-related degradation while maintaining glass protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If heat is trapped inside the display unit due to tempered glass insulation, then the protective function of tempered glass is maintained, but the display panel and circuit board malfunction or degrade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from external impactVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation system is segmented into multiple channels located on different surfaces of the housing. This segmentation allows heat to be evacuated through multiple independent pathways, effectively removing the harmful heat generated by the display panel and circuit board while maintaining the protective function of the tempered glass on the front surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful heat generated by the display components into a manageable thermal flow by creating dedicated heat dissipation pathways. The heat that would otherwise cause malfunction is redirected through the heat dissipation holes to the external environment, transforming a harmful effect into a controlled thermal management process while maintaining glass protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This solution effectively prevents malfunction and degradation of the display unit by ensuring heat is dissipated, maintaining the unit's lifespan and functionality even with tempered glass protection.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of blowing fans may be installed in the inlet and outlet holes to guide the external air into and out of the receiving section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

allow external air to flow through the receiving section... to allow heat to be absorbed and dissipated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

allow external air to flow through the receiving section... to allow heat to be absorbed and dissipated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20090277604A1Display unit and vending machine having the same
Publication Date: 2009.11.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US20090277604A1 patent drawing
  • US20090277604A1 patent drawing
  • US20090277604A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A display unit and a vending machine having the same. The display unit includes a display panel to display an image, a circuit board to control the display panel, a board bracket installed at a rear of the display panel and formed with a receiving section to receive the circuit board, and a plurality of inlet holes and a plurality of outlet holes formed in opposite surfaces of the board bracket to allow external air to flow through the receiving section. The air travels through the inlet and outlet holes and passes through the receiving section in one direction to cool the display panel and the circuit board. Thus, the display unit is prevented from malfunctioning and the display panel is prevented from being degraded by heat even if tempered glass is installed at a front of the display panel.