System for Using Constricted Convection with Closed Loop Plenum As the Convection Plate

• US 20100296245A1
• Filed: 11/17/2009
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William
• Granted Patent: US 8,274,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/695
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133385 with cooling means, e.g. fans
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/36 Airflow channels, e.g. constructional arrangements facilitating the flow of air
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20127 Natural convection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20136 Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans H05K7/202 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20145 Means for directing air flow, e.g. ducts, deflectors, plenum or guides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20163 the components being isolated from air flow, e.g. hollow heat sinks, wind tunnels or funnels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/202 Air circulating in closed loop within enclosure wherein heat is removed through heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20209 Thermal management, e.g. fan control
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20954 for display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20972 Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

A cooling system and a method for cooling an electronic display. A preferred embodiment utilizes a closed loop cooling system in a constricted convection cooling setup to remove heat from the backlight of a display assembly. Cooling air can be pulled or pushed through a gap between the display (or backlight) and a rear cooling chamber. The resulting warm air can then be exhausted out of the display housing. The cooling air may be air conditioned or may be exposed to a thermoelectric device. A thermostat may be used so that cooling fans are only energized when the temperature reaches a predetermined point.

Claims

1. A system for cooling a display comprising:

a closed-loop cooling system surrounding the display, the cooling system having a rear cooling chamber placed posterior to the display, the space between the rear cooling chamber and the display defining a gap; and

a means for directing cooling air through the gap.

2. The system from claim 1 further comprising:

a metallic layer bonded to the posterior surface of the display.

3. The system from claim 1 wherein:

the means for directing air comprises a fan which is mounted above the gap and adapted to draw cooling air through the gap.

4. The system from claim 1 wherein:

the means for directing air comprises a fan which is mounted below the gap and adapted to push cooling air through the gap.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said display is an LED-backlit LCD.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said gap is between one-third inch and three inches wide.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a fan placed below the rear cooling chamber and adapted to draw in ambient air; and

an air directing device placed between the rear cooling chamber and the fan.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the display is an OLED display.

9. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a temperature sensor mounted near the display;

a switch in electrical communication with said temperature sensor and the fan; and

wherein the switch allows the fan to energize when a threshold temperature is reached.

10. A display assembly comprising:

an electronic display;

a closed-loop cooling system surrounding the display, the cooling system having a rear cooling chamber placed near the display posterior, the space between the rear cooling chamber and the display defining a gap;

a first fan below the rear cooling chamber and adapted to ingest ambient air; and

a second fan adapted to force air through the gap.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein:

the electronic display is an LCD display with an LED backlight.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a directing device between the first fan and the gap.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein:

the gap is between one-third inch and three inches wide.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a metallic surface attached to the posterior of the LED backlight where the metallic surface faces the gap.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein:

said electronic display is an OLED display.

16. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a temperature sensor mounted near the LED backlight;

a microcontroller in electrical communication with said temperature sensor and the second fan; and

wherein the microcontroller directs the second fan to energize when a threshold temperature is reached.

17. A display assembly comprising:

a housing;

an LCD stack within the housing;

an LED backlight placed behind the LED stack and having a posterior surface;

a closed-loop cooling system surrounding the LCD stack and LED backlight, the cooling system having a rear cooling chamber placed near the posterior surface of the LED backlight, the space between the rear cooling chamber and the posterior surface of the LED backlight defining a gap;

a first fan below the rear cooling chamber and adapted to ingest ambient air into the housing;

a second fan adapted to force air through the gap; and

an exhaust aperture adapted to exhaust air that has passed through the gap.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein:

the gap is between one-third inch and three inches wide.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein:

the LED backlight comprises a metal core printed circuit board and the posterior surface is metallic.

20. The system of claim 17 further comprising:

a temperature sensor mounted near the LED backlight;

a microcontroller in electrical communication with said temperature sensor and the second fan; and

wherein the microcontroller directs the second fan to energize when a threshold temperature is reached.