Sealed Transparent LCD Assembly with Inert Gas and Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display cases lack effective point-of-sale advertising, which can limit product awareness and sales, as they do not utilize advanced technologies to enhance visual presentation and thermal management.
Innovation Solution
A sealed transparent LCD assembly is integrated into a display case, featuring a light guide sandwiched between front and rear glass with LEDs along the edges, allowing light to exit both surfaces, and thermal plates for heat dissipation, while accommodating thermal expansion with flexible brackets, and sealed with an inert gas to prevent gas exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If LEDs are placed in thermal communication with thermal plates for heat dissipation, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal plates are introduced as intermediary components between the LEDs and the surrounding environment. These plates conduct heat away from the LEDs, serving as a mediator to transfer thermal energy efficiently without requiring direct complex thermal management structures integrated into each LED assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management function is extracted from the LED components themselves and separated into dedicated thermal plates. This allows the LEDs to focus on light emission while the thermal plates handle heat dissipation independently, simplifying the overall system architecture despite adding separate components.
2Reliability
If the light guide is permitted to float to account for thermal expansion/contraction, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide assembly is designed with floating mounting that allows dynamic adjustment and movement. This dynamic design enables the light guide to expand and contract freely with temperature changes without creating stress or distortion, maintaining optical quality and preventing damage while accommodating manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating mounting provides localized freedom of movement specifically where thermal expansion occurs, while maintaining fixed positioning elsewhere. This selective freedom allows thermal dimension changes without affecting the overall assembly precision or optical alignment critical areas.
3Reliability
If the display is sealed with inert gas to prevent gas exchange, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display enclosure is sealed and filled with inert gas to create a stable, non-reactive internal environment. This protects the LCD and other sensitive components from degradation due to moisture, oxygen, or other reactive gases, significantly improving long-term reliability and preventing condensation or chemical degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and gas filling are combined into a single manufacturing step where the enclosure is sealed and evacuated or filled with inert gas before final assembly. This integrated approach reduces the number of separate operations needed compared to sealing after assembly, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the added sealing requirement.
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 enhances product visibility and awareness by providing a bright, thermally stable, and sealed transparent display that maintains clarity and functionality, thereby increasing sales through improved advertising at the point of sale.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide which permits the light to exit both the front and rear surface of the light guide
Implementation Method 2
a light guide which permits the light to exit both the front and rear surface of the light guide
Implementation Method 3
The top LEDs are preferably placed in thermal communication with a top thermal plate which is placed in conductive thermal communication with the rear glass
Implementation Method 4
Sealed transparent liquid crystal display assembly
Implementation Method 5
sealed with an inert gas to prevent gas exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A sealed, transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly is disclosed. The assembly preferably contains a front and a rear glass panel. The assembly also preferably has a spacer element that is positioned around a perimeter of, and sandwiched between, the front and rear glass panels, thereby providing a gaseous seal. The LCD panel is positioned between the front and rear glass panels. In an exemplary embodiment, a two way light guide would be used within the assembly.