Modular Backlight Reflector Layout for Thermal Expansion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As display devices increase in size, the production and handling of reflectors become complicated, and thermal expansion during operation negatively impacts optical performance, leading to unilluminated areas and stress-related deformations.
Innovation Solution
A modular reflector design with individually manufactured modules, each containing a circuit board with light sources and a reflector element, allowing for thermal expansion compensation through gaps and elastic connecting elements, and using a compensating element to complement adjacent modules, ensuring homogeneous illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large-sized reflector is used to illuminate larger display devices, then the illumination area is improved, but the production complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple modular units, each containing a subset of light sources and a corresponding reflector section. These modules can be manufactured separately using standard tools and then assembled to form the complete reflector structure, making production and handling easier while maintaining the ability to illuminate large display areas.
2Area of stationary object
If a large-sized reflector is used to illuminate larger display devices, then the illumination area is improved, but the handling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple modular units that can be handled, transported, and installed separately. Each module is of manageable size and weight, facilitating easier handling operations compared to a single large reflector, while the modules can be assembled to cover the required illumination area.
3Reliability
If a continuous reflector structure is used, then the optical performance is maintained, but thermal expansion causes deformations and unilluminated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is segmented into multiple independent modules with gaps between them, allowing each module to expand or contract independently in response to thermal changes without causing deformations in the overall structure. This prevents the formation of unilluminated areas while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the reflector modules is allowed to change with temperature variations through the provision of gaps and elastic connecting elements. The modules can expand or contract within these gaps, accommodating thermal expansion without compromising the structural integrity or optical performance of the complete reflector system.
4Ease of manufacture
If modular reflector design is used, then production and handling are simplified, but the uniformity of illumination may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into standardized modular units with consistent geometric parameters and optical properties. Each module is designed to be functionally equivalent to others, ensuring that when assembled, they produce uniform illumination across the display surface while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design employs universal module configurations that can be used in various positions and arrangements within the complete reflector structure. This universality ensures consistent optical performance and uniform illumination across different display sizes and configurations, while the standardized modules simplify the manufacturing process.
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
The modular design facilitates easier production and handling, reduces stress-related deformations, and ensures uniform illumination across the display panel, even with temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector consisting of a plurality of modules with a plurality of reflectively designed cavities
Implementation Method 2
a possibility for thermal expansion of the modules is provided between adjacent modules
Implementation Method 3
elastic connecting elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a display device (1) and a means of transportation with such a display device (1). The display device (1) comprises a display panel (2) and a backlight (3) for the display panel (2). The backlight (3) comprises a reflector (30) consisting of a plurality of modules (300) with a plurality of reflectively designed cavities (31) and a plurality of light sources (32) arranged in the cavities (31). A space is provided between adjacent modules (300) to allow for thermal expansion of the modules (300).