Electronic Display Cooling via Conductive Thermal Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic displays used outdoors face thermal-regulatory issues due to high ambient temperatures and solar loading, which can cause heat buildup, potentially damaging the electrical components and affecting the display's performance, especially in environments with contaminants in the ambient air.
Innovation Solution
A thermal plate with an optional cooling loop that transfers heat from the image assembly to the display housing and into the ambient air through convection, using a transparent plate assembly with a narrow channel for cooling air and apertures to facilitate convective heat transfer, allowing for effective cooling without requiring ambient air intake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the display is placed in direct sunlight to increase visibility and brightness, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the temperature of the display increases dramatically due to solar loading
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal management system is introduced as an intermediary between the display and the ambient environment. This system includes heat dissipation structures (such as heat sinks or thermal conduction paths) that actively manage the thermal load, allowing the display to maintain high brightness in sunlight while preventing excessive temperature buildup that would damage components or degrade performance
Solution Approach 2:
The solar radiation that causes harmful heating is partially converted into a beneficial effect. The display utilizes the solar loading to maintain its brightness and visibility in outdoor conditions, while the thermal management system captures and dissipates the excess heat energy, effectively converting the harmful thermal effect into a controlled thermal management process that sustains operation without damage
2Reliability
If the display is sealed to protect from contaminants, then the reliability is improved, but the heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal management system is introduced as an intermediary between the display and the ambient environment. This system includes heat dissipation structures (such as heat sinks or thermal conduction paths) that actively manage the thermal load, allowing the display to maintain high brightness in sunlight while preventing excessive temperature buildup that would damage components or degrade performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system may incorporate sealed enclosures with integrated thermal management channels or heat transfer fluids that circulate within the sealed environment, enabling heat removal without requiring open pathways that would allow contaminant ingress. This could include thermal conduction through sealed housings or controlled thermal exchange mechanisms
3Illumination intensity
If the display generates high levels of illumination to overcome ambient light, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the heat generated by the image assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal management system is introduced as an intermediary between the display and the ambient environment. This system includes heat dissipation structures (such as heat sinks or thermal conduction paths) that actively manage the thermal load, allowing the display to maintain high brightness in sunlight while preventing excessive temperature buildup that would damage components or degrade performance
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management approach applies localized heat dissipation measures specifically at the image assembly and backlight regions where heat is generated. This may include targeted heat sinks, thermal vias, or conductive pathways positioned directly at heat-generating components, allowing high illumination output while managing local thermal conditions to prevent degradation
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
The solution effectively dissipates heat generated by the display, maintaining component integrity and performance, even in high-temperature and high-ambient-light conditions, while keeping the display sealed from contaminants, thus preventing damage and ensuring consistent image quality.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal plate with an optional cooling loop that transfers heat from the image assembly to the display housing
Implementation Method 2
transfers heat from the image assembly to the display housing and into the ambient air through convection
Implementation Method 3
The cooling air can also pass over the thermal plate in order to aid in cooling the thermal plate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an electronic display assembly having a thermally conductive housing and an image assembly. The image assembly is positioned within the thermally conductive housing and behind a transparent plate assembly. An inlet opening and outlet opening are formed by gaps located between opposing edges of the image assembly and the housing. A space between the image assembly and the plate assembly forms a channel. A thermally conductive plate extends from near the image assembly within each of the inlet opening and outlet opening to contact the housing. Heat from the image assembly is conductively transferred to the housing by the thermally conductive plates. A fan may be positioned to circulate cooling air through the channel via the inlet and outlet openings and apertures in the thermally conductive plates.