Constricted Convection Cooling System for an Electronic Display

• US 20090244472A1
• Filed: 03/26/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• 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 8,854,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/161
• 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 1/133628 with cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20145 Means for directing air flow, e.g. ducts, deflectors, plenum or guides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20154 Heat dissipaters coupled to components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/202 Air circulating in closed loop within enclosure wherein heat is removed through heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20972 Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

Preferred embodiments provide a cooling system for an electronic display. A constricted convection channel is used to force cooling air against a posterior surface of the electronic display. Fans may be used to propel or pull air through the constricted convection channel in a substantially uniform manner. A refrigeration unit or thermoelectric module may be employed to cool or heat the air traveling through the constricted convection channel. Some embodiments include a closed loop which extracts heat (or adds heat) to the front display surface.

Claims

1. A system for thermally controlling an electronic display having a posterior display surface, the system comprising:

a constricted convection plate placed posterior to the posterior display surface;

two side panels placed adjacent to the constricted convection plate and the posterior display surface, defining a constricted convection channel having an entrance and an exit;

a plurality of fans placed across the exit and adapted to draw air in a substantially uniform flow through the constricted convection channel; and

a plurality of access apertures through the constricted convection plate.

2. The thermal control system from claim 1 further comprising:

an air conditioning unit in gaseous communication with the entrance to the constricted convection channel.

3. The thermal control system from claim 1 further comprising:

a thermoelectric unit in gaseous communication with the entrance to the constricted convection channel.

4. A liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising:

a liquid crystal stack;

a backlight assembly behind the liquid crystal stack and comprising;

a metal core printed circuit board (PCB) having front and back sides;

a plurality of LEDs mounted on the front side of the PCB;

a metallic surface on the rear side of the PCB;

a constricted convection plate placed behind the metallic surface of the PCB;

two side panels placed adjacent to the constricted convection plate and the posterior display surface, defining a constricted convection channel having an entrance and an exit; and

a means for drawing air in a substantially uniform flow through the constricted convection channel.

5. The LCD from claim 4 further comprising:

an air conditioning unit in gaseous communication with the entrance to the constricted convection channel.

6. The LCD from claim 4 further comprising:

a thermoelectric unit in gaseous communication with the entrance to the constricted convection channel.

7. The LCD from claim 4 wherein:

the means for drawing air through the constricted convection channel comprises a plurality of fans placed near the exit of the constricted convection channel.

8. The LCD from claim 4 further comprising:

a plurality of access apertures through the constricted convection plate.

9. A system for thermally controlling an electronic display comprising:

an electronic display comprising a front display surface and a posterior surface;

a constricted convection plate and a pair of sidewalls behind the posterior surface of the display, defining a constricted convection channel having an entrance and exit;

a gaseous closed loop traveling across the front display surface, behind the constricted convection plate, and returning to the front display surface;

a means for propelling gas around the closed loop;

a means for cooling the gas in the closed loop; and

a means for forcing air through the constricted convection channel.

10. The thermal control system from claim 9 further comprising:

a plurality of access apertures through the constricted convection plate.

11. The thermal control system from claim 9 wherein:

the means for cooling the gas in the closed loop comprises a refrigeration unit.

12. The thermal control system from claim 9 wherein:

the means for cooling the gas in the closed loop comprises a thermoelectric module.

13. The thermal control system from claim 9 wherein:

the means for propelling the gas around the closed loop comprises a plurality of fans within the closed loop.

14. The thermal control system from claim 12 wherein:

the means for propelling the gas around the closed loop comprises a plurality of fans within the thermoelectric module.

15. The thermal control system from claim 11 wherein:

the means for propelling the gas around the closed loop comprises a plurality of fans within the refrigeration unit.

16. The thermal control system from claim 9 wherein:

the means for forcing air through the constricted convection channel comprises a plurality of fans placed near the exit of the constricted convection channel.

17. The thermal control system from claim 9 further comprising:

a means for cooling the air being forced through the constricted convection channel.

18. The thermal control system from claim 9 wherein:

the electronic display comprises an LED backlight LCD display where the posterior surface is the rear surface of a backlight assembly.

19. The thermal control system from claim 11 further comprising:

an ambient air intake and exhaust within the refrigeration unit.

20. The thermal control system from claim 12 further comprising:

an ambient air intake and exhaust within the thermoelectric module.