Modular display panel

• US 9,990,869 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2018
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC (Ultravision International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC (Ultravision International Inc.)
• Inventors: Hall, William Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): JUNGE, KRISTINA N S
• Application Number:
  US15/880,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20180151094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 131 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/90 Methods of manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/188 Mounting of power supply units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/60 Memory management
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/3023 Segmented electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/026 Video wall, i.e. juxtaposition of a plurality of screens to create a display screen of bigger dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/04 : Structural and physical details of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/029 : by monitoring one or more pixels in the display panel, e.g. by monitoring a fixed reference pixel
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 : Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/045 : Protection against panel overheating
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/10 : Dealing with defective pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/04 : Display device controller operating with a plurality of display units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/006 : Electronic inspection or testing of displays and display drivers, e.g. of LED or LCD displays testing individual LED's G01R31/2635; testing lamps G01R31/44; testing of optical features of LCD displays G02F1/1309
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/32 : semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 : Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/02 : Cables with twisted pairs or quads
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/2825 : using a water impermeable sheath
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 9/003 : including electrical control or communication wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/00 : Television systems details H04N3/00, H04N5/00; methods or arrangements, for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/00; selective content distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/181 : associated with surface mounted components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/066 : Heatsink mounted on the surface of the PCB heatsink inserted in the PCB H05K2201/10416
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10106 : Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10128 : Display
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/1028 : Thin metal strips as connectors or conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/32 : electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 : Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0256 : of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 : Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/06 : Hermetically-sealed casings specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1422 : Printed circuit boards receptacles, e.g. stacked structures, electronic circuit modules or box like frames
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1427 : Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20 : Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
• 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 7/2039 : characterised by the heat transfer by conduction from the heat generating element to a dissipating body arrangements for increasing/decreasing heat-transfer, e.g. fins details, F28F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20954 : for display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20963 : Heat transfer by conduction from internal heat source to heat radiating structure H05K7/20972 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to integrated modular display panels. In one embodiment, modular display panel includes a shell with a first thermally conductive material, a printed circuit board disposed in the shell, and a plurality of LEDs attached to a first side of the printed circuit board. A driver circuit is disposed in the shell and coupled to the plurality of LEDs from a second side of the printed circuit board. The panel further includes a power supply unit for powering the LEDs. The printed circuit board are disposed between the power supply unit and the plurality of LEDs. A second thermally conductive material is disposed between the power supply unit and an outer back side of the panel. A protective structure is disposed over the first side of the printed circuit board, where a display side of the panel, opposite the outer back side, is waterproof.

Claims

1. A modular display panel comprising:

a casing comprising plastic sidewalls, the casing being part of an outer surface of the modular display panel that is exposed to an external environment, the casing configured to be attached with other modular display panels to form a multi-panel modular display;

a printed circuit board attached to the casing;

a plurality of LEDs attached to a first side of the printed circuit board;

a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs attached to a second side of the printed circuit board, the second side being opposite to the first side, wherein the circuit is disposed within the casing;

a power supply for powering the plurality of LEDs, the power supply comprising a power converter for converting ac power to dc power;

a thermally conductive material disposed between the power supply and a back surface of the casing, wherein the back surface of the casing comprises the part of the outer surface of the modular display panel;

a framework of louvers disposed over the printed circuit board, the framework of louvers disposed between rows of the plurality of LEDs; and

wherein the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof.

2. The panel of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises aluminum.

3. The panel of claim 1, further comprising a potting material disposed at the first side of the printed circuit board.

4. The panel of claim 3, wherein the panel is completely waterproof against submersion in up to 3 feet of water.

5. The panel of claim 3, wherein the panel comprises an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP 65.

6. The panel of claim 3, wherein the panel comprises an ingress protection (IP) rating of or IP 66.

7. The panel of claim 3, wherein the panel comprises an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP 67 or IP 68.

8. The panel of claim 1, wherein the power supply is mounted over the casing.

9. The panel of claim 1, wherein the power supply is disposed within the casing.

10. The panel of claim 1, wherein the casing is configured to be attached with other modular display panels using interlocking features.

11. The panel of claim 1, wherein the casing is configured to be indirectly attached with other modular display panels.

12. The panel of claim 11, wherein the casing comprising connections for attaching located in each of four corner regions of the panel, wherein one or more connections are configured to mount a corner plate that is configured to mount to corresponding connections of three adjacent panels.

13. The panel of claim 11, wherein the casing comprising connections for attaching located in each of four corner regions of the panel, wherein the connections are configured to be attached to a mechanical support structure.

14. A modular multi-panel display system comprising:

a mechanical support structure; and

a plurality of LED display panels mounted to the mechanical support structure so as to form an integrated display panel;

wherein each LED display panel includes a casing comprising plastic sidewalls, the casing being part of an outer surface of the modular multi-panel display system that is exposed to external environment, wherein the casing is attached with other modular display panels to form the integrated display panel;

wherein each LED display panel also includes;

a printed circuit board attached to the casing,

a plurality of LEDs attached to a first side of the printed circuit board,

a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs attached to a second side of the printed circuit board, the second side being opposite to the first side, wherein the circuit is disposed within the casing,

a power supply for powering the plurality of LEDs, the power supply comprising a power converter for converting ac power to dc power, and

a thermally conductive material disposed between the power supply and a back surface of the casing, wherein the back surface of the casing comprises the part of the outer surface of the modular multi-panel display system;

wherein each LED display panel with the casing is sealed to be waterproof and exposed to an external environment without a protective waterproof enclosure; and

wherein the modular multi-panel display system is cooled passively and includes no air conditioning, fans, or heating units.

15. The display system of claim 14, wherein each LED display panel further comprises a heat sink.

16. The display system of claim 14, wherein each LED display panel further comprises a framework of louvers disposed over the printed circuit board, the framework of louvers exposing LEDs of the plurality of LED display panels.

17. The display system of claim 14, further comprising a data receiver box mounted to the mechanical support structure, the data receiver box configured to provide power, data, and communication to the LED display panels.

18. The display system of claim 14, wherein none of the LED display panels includes a data receiver card.

19. A modular display panel comprising:

a plastic casing comprising a first side and an opposite second side,

wherein the first side of the plastic casing includes a surface that is part of an outer surface of the modular display panel;

a printed circuit board attached to the plastic casing;

a plurality of LEDs attached to a first side of the printed circuit board;

a potting compound overlying the first side of the printed circuit board;

a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs attached to a second side of the printed circuit board, the second side being opposite to the first side, wherein the circuit is disposed within the plastic casing;

a power supply mounted outside the plastic casing, the power supply comprising a power converter for converting ac power to dc power; and

a thermally conductive material to extract heat disposed proximate to the power supply, wherein the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof.

20. The panel of claim 19, further comprising:

a first integrated data and power cable connector electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the power supply; and

a second integrated data and power cable connector electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the power supply.

21. The panel of claim 19, further comprising a framework of louvers disposed over first side of the printed circuit board, the framework of louvers disposed between rows of the LEDs.

22. The panel of claim 19, wherein the panel is completely waterproof against submersion in up to 3 feet of water.

23. The panel of claim 19, wherein the panel comprises an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP 65.

24. The panel of claim 19, wherein the panel comprises an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP 66.

25. The panel of claim 19, wherein the panel comprises an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP 67 or IP 68.

26. The panel of claim 21, wherein the modular display panel comprises only one printed circuit board.

27. A modular multi-panel display system comprising:

a mechanical support structure;

a plurality of modular display panels mounted to the mechanical support structure so as to form an integrated display panel;

wherein the mechanical support structure comprises a plurality of beams;

wherein each of the plurality of modular display panels is attached to a beam of the plurality of beams without being enclosed in any additional enclosures; and

wherein each modular display panel comprises

a plastic casing comprising a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the first side of the plastic casing includes a surface that is part of an outer surface of the modular display panel,

a printed circuit board attached to the plastic casing,

a plurality of LEDs attached to a front side of the printed circuit board,

a potting compound overlying the first side of the printed circuit board,

a driver circuit attached to the printed circuit board, wherein the driver circuit is disposed within the plastic casing,

a power supply mounted outside the plastic casing, and

wherein the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof to have an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP 67 or IP 68.

28. The display system of claim 27, wherein each of the plurality of modular display panels comprises an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP 67.

29. The display system of claim 27, wherein each of the plurality of modular display panels comprises an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP 68.

30. The display system of claim 27, further comprising a thermally conductive material disposed proximate to the power supply.