Tiled Display Panel Roller-Rail Alignment Under Thermal Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large-scale display devices configured by tiling multiple panels, thermal expansion causes misalignment and changes in the distance between panels, making it difficult to maintain the original position and alignment, especially when panels deform and restore.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a roller and rail system between panels, where the roller moves along the rail's guide surfaces to adjust and restore the distance between panels, ensuring alignment and minimizing interference due to thermal expansion and contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple display panels are tiled to create a large-scale display device, then the display area is increased, but thermal expansion causes misalignment and distance changes between panels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidpanel alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism using rollers and rails that allow display panels to move and self-align during thermal expansion and contraction. The rollers can rotate along the rails, enabling the panels to dynamically adjust their positions and maintain proper alignment despite temperature changes, resolving the contradiction between large display area and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the connection structure by introducing movable rollers instead of fixed connections. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to thermal expansion by changing the positional parameters of panels dynamically, maintaining alignment precision while preserving the large display area achieved through tiling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If display panels are rigidly fixed to maintain position, then alignment is maintained, but thermal expansion causes stress and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel positionVSAvoidthermal stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible connection mechanism using rollers that can move along rails, creating a compliant joint between rigid display panels. This flexible connection allows the panels to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction without generating excessive stress, while still maintaining proper alignment through the guiding action of the rails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

By transitioning from a static rigid fixation to a dynamic roller-rail system, the patent allows the panels to move freely during thermal cycles. The rollers can rotate and slide along the rails, absorbing thermal stress while maintaining positional accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining position and preventing thermal stress damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for easy restoration of panel distances and alignment, maintaining image quality by minimizing seam areas and maintaining the original display configuration even after thermal deformation.

Implementation Method 1

a distance between the display panels may be changed due to heating caused by driving the display panels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS20240365484A1Display device
Publication Date: 2024.10.31 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US20240365484A1 patent drawing
  • US20240365484A1 patent drawing
  • US20240365484A1 patent drawing

AI summary

According to some embodiments of the present specification, a display device may include a display panel including a display area where a plurality of sub-pixels are disposed and a non-display area, a back cover disposed under the display panel, and a roller and a rail disposed between the display panel and the back cover, wherein the rail may be disposed between two display panels, and the roller may be disposed on each of two side surfaces of each rail.