LCD Backlight PWM Control for Smooth Temperature Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display devices experience sudden changes in brightness due to temperature fluctuations, leading to discomfort for users and potential phase transitions of liquid crystals.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal display device equipped with a temperature sensor and control circuit that adjusts the duty ratio of a pulse width modulation signal for light sources in a stepwise manner to maintain consistent brightness, preventing sudden changes in luminance and protecting the liquid crystal material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the duty ratio of the PWM signal is reduced when temperature reaches a certain level, then liquid crystal phase transition is prevented, but the brightness of the display screen drops suddenly causing user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid crystal stabilityVSAvoiddisplay brightness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the duty ratio based on temperature changes. Instead of a fixed threshold-based reduction, the system continuously monitors temperature and dynamically adjusts the PWM duty ratio to maintain liquid crystal stability while minimizing brightness fluctuations. This is achieved by updating the duty ratio in a stepwise manner rather than making abrupt changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic temperature monitoring and stepwise duty ratio updates. The control circuit periodically checks the temperature sensor readings and adjusts the PWM signal duty ratio in incremental steps rather than single abrupt changes. This periodic adjustment mechanism allows the system to maintain liquid crystal stability while reducing sudden brightness drops that cause user discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the duty ratio is adjusted abruptly to control temperature, then liquid crystal properties are protected, but the brightness changes suddenly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid crystal propertiesVSAvoidbrightness transition smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the duty ratio adjustment process into multiple smaller steps rather than a single abrupt change. When temperature control is needed, the control circuit reduces the duty ratio in incremental steps over multiple update cycles. This segmentation of the adjustment process protects liquid crystal properties while ensuring smooth brightness transitions that maintain ease of operation and user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a cushioning mechanism by preparing intermediate duty ratio values before making the final adjustment. When temperature control is required, the system calculates intermediate duty ratio steps and transitions through them sequentially, cushioning the impact of the full adjustment. This beforehand cushioning prevents sudden brightness changes while still achieving the necessary temperature control for liquid crystal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution effectively stabilizes the liquid crystal properties by gradually adjusting the duty ratio of the PWM signal, ensuring a smooth transition in brightness and preventing sudden drops, thus enhancing user experience and maintaining display quality across temperature variations.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature in the liquid crystal display device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

control lighting of the plurality of light sources by adjusting a duty ratio of a driving signal obtained by pulse width modulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse width modulation:

Data Source

PatentUS10935824B2Liquid crystal display device having a temperature sensor
Publication Date: 2021.03.02 SHARP KK
  • US10935824B2 patent drawing
  • US10935824B2 patent drawing
  • US10935824B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal panel; light sources provided on a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel; a temperature sensor configured to detect an in-device temperature and provided on a rear surface side of the liquid crystal panel; and a control circuit configured to control lighting of the light sources by adjusting a duty ratio of a driving signal by pulse width modulation on the basis of the in-device temperature detected by the temperature sensor. When the in-device temperature is within a predetermined temperature range, the control circuit updates a current duty ratio of the driving signal in such a manner that the difference between the current duty ratio for each unit time and a target duty ratio preset for the in-device temperature is reduced in a stepwise manner.