Dual-Loop Heat Exchanger for Electronic Display Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic displays used in outdoor environments or high-ambient-temperature settings face challenges with heat management and contamination from ambient air, leading to performance and lifespan issues due to radiative heat transfer and exposure to dust, dirt, and other contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A dual-flow path cooling system for electronic displays, comprising a closed loop and an open loop gas flow path, utilizing a heat exchanger to transfer heat from circulating gas to ambient gas, with the option of forcing ambient gas behind the image assembly to cool both the image and backlight assemblies, and employing a cross-flow heat exchanger design to prevent gas mixing and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ambient air is drawn through the display for cooling, then heat removal efficiency is improved, but contamination from dust, dirt, and other contaminants enters the display interior
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary component between the ambient air and the display interior. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the ambient air to a cooling fluid circulating within the display, allowing heat removal without direct contact between ambient contaminants and the display interior components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into separate flow paths: an open loop for ambient air intake and a closed loop for clean cooling fluid circulation. The heat exchanger serves as a thermal coupling interface between these segmented systems, enabling thermal energy transfer while maintaining physical separation and preventing contamination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a closed loop cooling system is used, then contamination is prevented, but heat removal efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both open and closed loop systems by integrating them into a hybrid configuration. The closed loop provides contamination-free cooling fluid circulation, while the open loop enables efficient heat extraction from the ambient environment through the heat exchanger, achieving both contamination prevention and effective heat removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger acts as a thermal intermediary that couples the closed loop cooling fluid with the open loop ambient air flow. This allows the closed loop system to access the high heat transfer coefficients available in the open loop ambient air without direct mixing, maintaining both contamination prevention and heat removal efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If display size is increased, then market demand is met, but heat generation and heat transmission into the display increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed with universal applicability across different display sizes through the use of a heat exchanger with adjustable surface area and configurable flow paths. The system can be scaled to match the thermal load of displays ranging from small to large formats, making it adaptable to various market requirements without proportionally increasing complexity.
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
Effectively manages heat buildup in electronic displays, maintaining performance and extending lifespan by efficiently transferring heat away from the display components while preventing contamination from ambient air, suitable for large screen sizes and outdoor applications.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a heat exchanger to transfer heat from circulating gas to ambient gas
Implementation Method 2
The closed loop path forces circulating gas across the front surface of the image assembly, continues behind the image assembly where it may enter a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
heat exchanger to transfer heat from the circulating gas to the ambient gas
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling assembly for a dual electronic image assembly having an open and closed gaseous loop. A closed gaseous loop allows circulating gas to travel across the front surface of a pair of electronic image assemblies and through a heat exchanger. An open loop allows ambient gas to pass through the heat exchanger and extract heat from the circulating gas. An optional additional open loop may be used to cool the back portion of the electronic image assembly (optionally a backlight). The cooling assembly can be used with any type of electronic assembly for producing an image. Some embodiments use cross-flow heat exchangers comprised of corrugated plastic.