Display Support Component Offset Fixing Hole Reduces Shadows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices with post members supporting optical sheets from the rear side suffer from light leakage through the post member's fixing protrusion and hole, leading to shadows near the display's distal end due to coaxial alignment of the main body, fixing protrusion, and fixing hole.

Innovation Solution

A display device design where the support component's main body portion, protruding portion, and holding portions are arranged such that the connected portion of the second holding portion and protruding portion is at a non-overlapping location relative to the main body portion, reducing light infiltration and leakage, and includes a reflector to enhance light reflection towards the display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the main body portion, fixing protrusion, and fixing hole are disposed coaxially to simplify the structure, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but light leakage occurs through the fixing hole causing shadows on the display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidshadow
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a coaxial configuration (one-dimensional alignment) to a non-coaxial configuration where the fixing hole is offset from the main body portion's projection. This dimensional repositioning in the plan view prevents light from traveling straight through the main body portion and fixing hole, thereby eliminating shadow formation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reflector as an intermediary element between the light source and the display. This reflector redirects light that would otherwise leak through the fixing hole, converting harmful light leakage into useful illumination that contributes to uniform display lighting while preventing shadow formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If the post member is formed from a translucent material to reduce shadows, then the illumination intensity is improved, but light still leaks through the coaxial fixing hole causing shadows near the distal end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidshadow
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent offsets the fixing hole from the coaxial alignment with the main body portion, changing the light path geometry. This prevents direct light transmission through the translucent main body portion and fixing hole, eliminating the shadow problem that persisted even with translucent materials while preserving the beneficial light diffusion effect.

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

3Illumination intensity

If a reflector is added to reflect light towards the display, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the reflector with the existing support component structure, combining multiple functions into a unified design. The reflector is positioned to work synergistically with the offset fixing hole configuration, creating a coordinated system that enhances illumination while minimizing the incremental complexity added to the overall device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 minimizes shadows near the display's distal end by reducing light leakage and increasing light reflection, resulting in a more even illumination and reduced shadowing.

Implementation Method 1

the reflector is disposed within the space formed between the housing and the main body portion, and is configured to reflect light from the light source component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3206080B1Display device
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 FUNAI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3206080B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3206080B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3206080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes a display, a light source, a housing, an optical component, and a support component. The light source is configured to emit light towards the display. The housing accommodates the light source, and includes a bottom portion that has a first holding portion and a side wall that extends towards the display from an outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion. The optical component is disposed between the display and the housing. The support component supports the optical component, and is held by the first holding portion. The support component includes a translucent main body portion that is disposed on the bottom portion and extends towards the optical component, a protruding portion that protrudes parallel to a main face of the display from the main body portion, and a second holding portion that is provided to the protruding portion and is held by the first holding portion.