Light Guide Plate Support Member for Thermal Expansion Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face issues with thermal expansion of the light guide plate leading to deformation, scratching, or breakage, resulting in defective images and increased material costs and manufacturing steps due to complex assembly structures.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a support member with a support groove and protruding end portions that securely couple to the cover bottom, absorbing thermal expansion and reducing assembly complexity, while using a top case and fastening members for simplified coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the light guide plate is secured rigidly to prevent movement, then positioning stability is improved, but thermal expansion causes deformation, scratching, or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible support member with elastic properties that can deform to accommodate thermal expansion of the light guide plate. The support member includes a support groove that holds the light guide plate and can elastically deform when the plate expands due to heat, preventing rigid constraints that would cause breakage while maintaining positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed with specific elastic parameters and deformation capabilities that allow it to adapt to thermal expansion. By changing the physical state from rigid to elastic-flexible, the system can absorb thermal expansion forces without causing damage to the light guide plate.
2Strength
If separate fastening members are used to couple cover bottom and top case, then assembly strength is improved, but material cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fastening function directly into the support member structure. The support member serves dual purposes: supporting the light guide plate and fastening the cover bottom to the top case. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate fastening members, reducing part count and assembly complexity while maintaining assembly strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support for the light guide plate, accommodates thermal expansion, and serves as a fastening element to couple the cover bottom and top case. This universal design reduces the total number of components needed in the assembly.
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
Prevents deformation and breakage of the light guide plate during thermal expansion, reducing material costs and manufacturing steps, and simplifying assembly while maintaining the display device's structural integrity and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
when the light guide plate is thermally expanded
Implementation Method 2
the support member includes a support groove in which an end portion of the light guide plate is seated, and a protruding end portion protruding toward a rear surface of the cover bottom and inserted into a fastening hole of the rear portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A display device includes a display panel (200) arranged on a backlight. The backlight comprises: a light guide plate (201) that provides light from an LED source to the rear side of the display panel (200); a bottom cover (205) which has a rear portion (205b) on which the rear surface of the light guide plate (201) is arranged as well as a side portion (205a) which extends upwards towards the panel (200) from one end of the rear portion (205b). It also comprises a support member (210) coupled to the bottom cover (205) and arranged to position and protect the light guide plate (201) from damage by accommodating the lateral thermal expansion of the light guide plate (201). The support member (210) is arranged next to one of the ends of the light guide plate (201), between it and the side portion (205a) of the bottom cover (205).