Sapphire Crystal Thermal Conduction for Self-Service Display Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-service terminal displays face issues with temperature rise due to solar radiation, leading to display clearing, which traditional cooling methods using air gaps introduce parallax, reflections, contamination, and space constraints, while also allowing moisture to freeze at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A thin layer of highly conductive material, such as sapphire crystal, is optically bonded to the LCD panel to conduct thermal energy away from the display, eliminating the need for air gaps and associated issues, using a heatsink for effective heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional cooling methods using air gaps are used, then temperature control is achieved, but parallax, reflections, contamination, and space constraints are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
A thin layer of highly conductive transparent material (such as sapphire crystal with thermal conductivity of 34.6-40 W/m·K) is introduced as an intermediary between the LCD panel and the external environment. This material serves as both a thermal conductor to manage heat and an optical transparent medium that eliminates air gaps, thereby removing parallax and reflection issues while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical air gap cooling system with a thermal conduction-based cooling system using a highly conductive transparent material layer. This substitution eliminates the need for physical air gaps and associated mechanical complexities, achieving temperature control through thermal conduction while eliminating optical defects.
2Temperature
If air gaps are used for cooling, then heat dissipation is achieved, but moisture freezing occurs at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The highly conductive transparent material acts as a thermal intermediary that conducts heat away from the LCD panel efficiently. This continuous thermal conduction path prevents moisture condensation and freezing on the panel surface, as heat is actively managed through the material layer rather than being trapped in air gaps.
3Temperature
If highly conductive transparent material is used, then thermal energy conduction is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the material layer from that of standard glass (1.05 W/m·K) to highly conductive transparent materials like sapphire crystal (34.6-40 W/m·K). This parameter change enables effective thermal conduction while maintaining optical transparency, achieving superior heat management with minimal impact on manufacturing processes.
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 solution successfully reduces LCD surface temperature from 94.24°C to 72.30°C under maximum solar load, preventing display clearing and improving image quality by eliminating reflections and contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
The second transparent material may have a second thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity may be greater than the first thermal conductivity.
Implementation Method 2
using a heatsink for effective heat dissipation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are display systems for self-service terminals. The display systems may include a display panel, a first transparent material and a second transparent material. The second transparent material may be located in between the first transparent material and the display panel. The first transparent material may have a first thermal conductivity and the second transparent material may have a second thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity may be greater than the first thermal conductivity.