Flexible Tiled Display Assembly with Edge-to-Edge Conducting Tracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional large tiled LED displays are cumbersome due to heavy, rigid structures and complex cabling, which affects stability, maintenance, and visual uniformity, and are limited in flexibility and modularity, making them impractical for outdoor use and large-scale deployments.

Innovation Solution

A flexible tiled display system using modular, flexible substrates with conducting tracks that extend from one edge to the opposite edge, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance, with power, data, and control signals provided through separate conductive tracks, and the use of push pins and conductive glue for connections, enabling flexible deployment and redundancy in signal delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional rigid support structures are used to support display tiles, then structural stability is improved, but device weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid support structures with flexible substrates that have mechanical properties similar to human skin. The display tiles are mounted directly on these flexible substrates, eliminating the need for heavy metallic support structures while maintaining structural stability through the flexibility and tensile strength of the substrate material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the display into modular flexible tiles that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each tile contains its own flexible substrate with conducting tracks, allowing for simplified assembly without requiring complex rigid support structures to hold multiple tiles in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional cabling systems are used to provide power and signals to display tiles, then electrical connections are established, but device complexity and cable management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidcabling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrical connection function into the mechanical assembly process. Conducting tracks are printed directly on the flexible substrate, and electrical contacts are made through conductive adhesive or pressure contacts when tiles are assembled, eliminating the need for separate cabling systems and connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical cabling systems with printed conducting tracks on flexible substrates. Electrical signals and power are transmitted through these printed tracks rather than through physical cables, significantly reducing complexity and improving reliability by eliminating connection points that could fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If display tiles are assembled with visible seams between them, then manufacturing is simplified, but visual uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidvisual uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate allows the display tiles to conform and bond closely together, minimizing gaps and seams. The flexibility enables the tiles to be pressed together with uniform pressure, creating tight joints that are less visible and improve overall visual uniformity while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3063755B1Method of assembling a tiled display
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 BARCO NV
  • EP3063755B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3063755B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3063755B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The invention concerns a tiled display comprising discrete luminous sources distributed over at least two adjacent flexible display tiles (30, 40), each being configured to drive the discrete luminous sources on it when connected to a power supply and when receiving data and control signals; wherein the power, data and control signals are provided to the tiles trough conducting tracks (20) formed on a carrier substrate (10), wherein at least one of the conducting tracks extends from one edge of the carrier substrate to the opposite edge of the carrier substrate.