Display Device Heat Insulating Frame Backlight Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid crystal display devices with direct backlight units, the high temperature generated by the illuminator poses a risk of malfunction or damage to the control substrate, as conventional heat dissipation methods, such as air flow, are insufficient due to increased power demands and illuminance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a housing with a heat insulating frame between the illuminator and the control substrate, incorporating a heat insulating layer and a fan system to exhaust heat generated from the illuminator to the outside, preventing heat transfer to the control substrate and enhancing heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the control substrate is arranged on the backside of the backlight unit to control both the display panel and illuminator, then the device structure is simplified and control is centralized, but the control substrate is directly exposed to heat generated from the backlight unit, causing risk of malfunction or damage to electronic parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidheat exposure to control substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the internal space of the housing into distinct regions using partition walls. The control substrate is placed in a separate control substrate accommodating space that is thermally isolated from the backlight unit's heat-generating region, while still maintaining centralized control functionality. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing simplified control architecture without direct heat exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air as a thermal intermediary by creating an air gap between the backlight unit and the control substrate through the partition wall structure. This air layer acts as a thermal barrier that prevents direct heat transfer to the control substrate, allowing the control substrate to be positioned on the backside for simplified control while protecting it from harmful heat effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a blower is provided on the backside of the backlight unit to forcibly expel heat, then heat dissipation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases and sufficient heat dissipation effect cannot be obtained due to increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation effectVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs natural convection and radiation for heat dissipation by designing the partition wall structure to allow hot air to rise and escape naturally from the backlight unit region. The control substrate accommodating space is thermally isolated, allowing the backlight unit to self-regulate its temperature through passive heat dissipation mechanisms, eliminating the need for active blowers and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional direct contact heat transfer to three-dimensional thermal management by creating a volumetric air gap through partition walls. This spatial dimensioning allows heat to dissipate in multiple directions (convection currents, radiation) rather than being confined to direct contact paths, enhancing heat dissipation without requiring additional active cooling components.

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

3Illumination intensity

If electric power supplied to the backlight unit is increased to meet higher illuminance demands, then display illuminance is improved, but heat generation increases, causing adverse influences on electronic parts on the control substrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay illuminanceVSAvoidheat impact on electronic parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the housing interior into thermally isolated zones using partition walls. The control substrate is housed in a separate space that is thermally decoupled from the backlight unit, allowing high power consumption for improved illuminance without proportionally increasing heat impact on electronic parts. The partition wall creates independent thermal management zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air gaps and partition wall structures as thermal intermediaries between the high-power backlight unit and the heat-sensitive control substrate. These intermediaries allow the backlight unit to operate at high power for improved illuminance while the thermal barrier prevents excessive heat transfer to the electronic parts, protecting them from adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration effectively prevents heat from adversely affecting the control substrate, ensuring stable display operation by reducing heat transfer and efficiently dissipating heat away from the control substrate.

Implementation Method 1

a heat insulating layer, and a fan which exhausts the air in the space to the outside; wherein the heat insulating layer is formed by a frame between the illuminator and the control substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a fan which exhausts the air in the space to the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9335579B2Display device
Publication Date: 2016.05.10 SHARP KK
  • US9335579B2 patent drawing
  • US9335579B2 patent drawing
  • US9335579B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A liquid crystal display device 1 comprises a liquid crystal display panel 4, a backlight unit 20 emitting light toward the liquid crystal display panel 4, control substrates 9 for controlling the liquid crystal display panel 4 and the backlight unit 20, and an outer cover 2 containing the liquid crystal display panel 4, the backlight unit 20, and the control substrates 9. The control substrates 9 are arranged on the side opposite to the side including the display panel 4 with respect to the backlight unit 20, and the liquid crystal display device 1 further comprises a heat insulating frame 6, which is disposed between the backlight unit 20 and the control substrates 9, and which forms a space covering one surface of the backlight unit 20 on the side facing toward the control substrates 9.