Transparent Showcase Panel Layout to Reduce Product Shadowing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Showcases with traditional glass fronts often suffer from shadowing issues, which can obscure the visibility of products and reduce effective advertisement and display quality.

Innovation Solution

A showcase design featuring a transparent liquid crystal panel at the front, combined with an obliquely arranged light source unit between the front and upper frames, and a downhill bottom surface, which minimizes shadowing by ensuring uniform light distribution and three-dimensional perception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional glass front is used in the showcase, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but shadowing occurs that obscures product visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidshadowing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light source from the traditional front glass structure and relocates it to the upper frame area. By separating the illumination function from the front display surface, the design eliminates shadowing while maintaining structural simplicity. The light source is positioned to illuminate products from above without creating obstructing shadows on the glass front.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional front-facing illumination to top-down illumination by positioning the light source in the upper frame. This dimensional change in lighting direction eliminates shadowing issues on the front glass while maintaining ease of manufacture. The vertical repositioning of the light source creates a new lighting dimension that resolves the shadowing problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a transparent display panel is added to the front frame, then product advertisement effects are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadvertisement capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the showcase, houses the transparent display panel for product advertisement, and integrates with the overall frame structure. By making the front frame multi-functional, the patent adds advertisement capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the display panel integration with the existing front frame structure. Rather than adding a completely separate display system, the transparent display panel is incorporated into the front frame assembly, combining structural and display functions. This integration approach enhances advertisement capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the light source is positioned directly in front of the showcase, then illumination is straightforward, but shadowing of products occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight source positioningVSAvoidproduct shadowing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the light source in the upper frame area, rather than symmetric or direct front positioning. This asymmetric placement optimizes illumination angles to minimize shadowing on products while maintaining ease of manufacture. The light source is positioned at an angle and elevation that prevents direct shadow casting on the displayed items.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the illumination dimension from horizontal (front-facing) to vertical (top-down) by positioning the light source in the upper frame. This dimensional shift in lighting approach eliminates shadowing while keeping the light source positioning straightforward and manufacturable. The vertical illumination angle prevents shadows from blocking product visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration enhances product advertisement by reducing shadowing, allowing for improved visibility and stereoscopic viewing of products, while also allowing for easy product arrangement and display stand adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

a transparent display panel placed at the front frame among the frames, the transparent display panel displaying an image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal display: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

a light source unit configured to emit light into the showroom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2777441B1Showcase including transparent display panel, and showcase system including same
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2777441B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2777441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2777441B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a showcase including a transparent display panel. The showcase according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: frames which form a showroom; a transparent display panel which is disposed on a front surface frame of the frames and displays an image; and a light source unit which provides light to the inside of the showroom, and is disposed to incline in a direction from the front surface frame to an upper surface frame of the frames. Accordingly, the shadow on a product disposed in the showcase can be reduced.