Liquid Crystal Panel Heat Dissipation via Segmented Heat Sinks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices, such as vehicular head-up displays, fail to sufficiently reduce the influence of heat on liquid crystal panels, particularly when exposed to sunlight or increased brightness and output power, leading to heat accumulation and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A display device configuration that includes a first heat sink with an opening for light passage and a diffusion plate, where the non-effective display area of the liquid crystal panel is in contact with the heat sink, along with a second heat sink and a retaining member with lower thermal conductivity, to efficiently dissipate heat away from the panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heat sink is provided at the light source to reduce heat influence, then heat dissipation is improved, but the heat influence on the liquid crystal panel cannot be sufficiently reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidheat influence on liquid crystal panel
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heat management function into two separate heat sinks: a first heat sink for dissipating heat from the light source, and a second heat sink for dissipating heat from the liquid crystal panel. This segmentation allows each heat sink to independently address specific heat sources, thereby sufficiently reducing the heat influence on the liquid crystal panel while maintaining effective overall heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a retaining member with lower thermal conductivity as an intermediary between the first and second heat sinks. This intermediary blocks the transmission of heat from the first heat sink to the second heat sink, preventing heat generated by the light source from reaching the liquid crystal panel through the heat sink structure, thereby further reducing heat influence on the panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If brightness and output power are increased to maintain display performance under sunlight, then display performance is improved, but heat accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoidheat accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heat dissipation system into two independent pathways: one for the light source and one for the liquid crystal panel. This allows the system to increase brightness and output power for sunlight visibility while the dedicated second heat sink continuously dissipates heat from the panel, preventing heat accumulation even under high-brightness operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces heat influence on the liquid crystal panel by allowing non-display area heat dissipation and minimizing heat conduction from the second heat sink, thereby maintaining panel performance even under increased brightness and sunlight exposure.

Implementation Method 1

the portion of the liquid crystal panel excluding an effective display area that is irradiated with light by the light source is in contact with a first heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a retaining member with lower thermal conductivity, to efficiently dissipate heat away from the panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3370109B1Display device
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3370109B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3370109B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3370109B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A display device includes a light source, an optical system, a liquid crystal panel, and a first heat sink. The optical system converts light emitted from the light source into irradiation light that is to be an irradiation area having a predetermined width. The liquid crystal panel receives the irradiation light. The first heat sink includes an opening through which the irradiation light passes, and supports the liquid crystal panel. The first heat sink is in contact with the liquid crystal panel.