Electronic Paper Display Unit for Power-Off Device Information Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display units in automation devices lose displayed information during power shutdowns or failures, necessitating battery backup solutions that incur additional costs and maintenance, and existing power-off information is not reliably retained.
Innovation Solution
Employing electronic paper technology for the display unit, connected via a data interface to the processing unit, which maintains the last displayed information as a remnant image even without power, allowing cyclic updates and manual refresh.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If LCD or OLED display units are used in automation devices, then the display unit achieves a compact, space-saving and flat design, but the display unit requires continuous power supply and loses displayed information during power shutdowns or failures
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit pre-charges pixel electrodes with opposite polarities before power loss occurs. During normal operation, the display controller applies voltages to maintain the displayed image. When power is interrupted, the pre-charged pixel electrodes continue to hold the display state through their stored electrical charge, preventing information loss without requiring continuous power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies a curved or spherical electrode structure to the pixel electrodes in the electronic paper display. This curvature creates an inherent capacitance effect that enhances the charge storage capability of the pixel electrodes, allowing them to retain display information longer during power outages. The curved geometry naturally accumulates and holds electrical charge more effectively than flat electrodes.
2Loss of information
If a battery buffered concept is used to maintain display information during power loss, then the device information remains displayed on the display unit, but additional costs and maintenance requirements are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the battery component from the power supply system entirely. Instead of using a battery to maintain display information during power loss, the solution relies on the inherent electrical properties of the electronic paper display's pixel electrodes, which can retain charge and display state without requiring an external power storage device.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic paper display system serves itself by utilizing the natural capacitance and charge retention properties of its pixel electrodes. The display structure inherently maintains displayed information during power outages without requiring external assistance from batteries, memory units, or additional controllers, making the system self-sufficient for information retention.
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
Ensures reliable and cost-effective display of device information during power loss, simplifying commissioning and troubleshooting by providing essential data to users, reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
The display unit is set up to maintain a currently displayed device information as a remnant image when the power supply of the automation device is turned off and/or fails
Data Source
AI summary
To ensure a cost-efficient, energy-saving and reliable display of device information a display unit of an automation device, an automation device is proposed. The automation device comprises a display unit, which is set up to display device information transferred via the data interface, and which is furthermore set up to maintain a currently displayed device information as a remnant image, when the power supply of the automation device is turned off and/or fails.