Lighting system for transparent liquid crystal display

• US 9,519,185 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2014
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William, Presley, Harry, Brown, Mike, Tran, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, THOI V
• Application Number:
  US14/230,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20140211454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 349/62, 349/65, 349/63, 349/1, 349/61, 349/64, 349/66, 349/67, 349/95, 349/58, 362/612, 362/84, 362/335, 362/249.02, 362/296.02, 362/311.02, 362/311.03, 362/373, 362/600, 362/603, 362/97.1, 362/97.2, 362/97.3, 345/39
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments provide a lighting system for a transparent LCD having opposing vertical edges, the system having a mullion lighting assembly positioned adjacent to each vertical edge of the transparent LCD, each mullion lighting assembly having sidewalls defining a center channel. A plurality of LEDs are positioned along the sidewall of each mullion assembly and on a side of the sidewall that opposes the center channel. The LEDs are preferably placed in conductive thermal communication with the sidewall and preferably have a quantum dot film positioned over each LED. A fan is preferably positioned to draw cooling air through the center channel.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a transparent LCD having opposing vertical edges, the system comprising:

a mullion lighting assembly positioned adjacent to each vertical edge of the transparent LCD, each mullion lighting assembly having sidewalls defining a center channel and;

a plurality of LEDs positioned along the sidewall of each mullion lighting assembly and on a side of the sidewall that opposes the center channel, each LED having a central axis that is directed away from the transparent LCD; and

a quantum dot film placed over the plurality of LEDs; and

a thermal fin extending substantially normal from a sidewall into the center channel.

2. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

a fan positioned to draw cooling air through the center channel.

3. The lighting system of claim 2 further comprising:

a dividing element positioned near a mid-point of the center channel, which divides the center channel into a first and a second portion; and

a plurality of apertures in the sidewall which allow cooling air to enter and exit the center channel;

wherein the fan is positioned to draw cooling air through the first portion and a second fan is positioned to draw cooling air through the second portion.

4. The lighting system of claim 2 further comprising:

an aperture within the sidewall which allows cooling air to pass over the power supply for driving the LEDs.

5. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

a lens positioned adjacent to the LEDs.

6. The lighting system of claim 5 further comprising:

collimating elements within the lens and positioned adjacent to each LED.

7. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

a flange extending from a sidewall adjacent to the LEDs and positioned at an acute angle relative to the transparent LCD.

8. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

a vertical louver position on each side of the LED and angled away from the LCD.

9. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

a means for directing the light emitted from the LEDs away from the LCD.

10. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

vertical louvers positioned adjacent to the LEDs and adapted to prevent headlighting through the LCD.

11. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

a flange extending from the LEDs and adapted to prevent headlighting through the LCD.

12. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

a power supply in electrical communication with the LEDs and placed in conductive thermal communication with the sidewall.

13. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein:

the thermal fin is located between the LEDs.

14. A lighting system for a first and second transparent LCD positioned side-by-side, the system comprising:

a mullion lighting assembly positioned between the first and second LCDs and having sidewalls defining a center channel where a first portion of the sidewall is adjacent to the first LCD and a second portion of the sidewall is adjacent to the second LCD;

a first plurality of LEDs positioned along the first portion of the sidewall and having a central axis that is angled away from the first LCD;

a second plurality of LEDs positioned along the second portion of the sidewall and having a central axis that is angled away from the second LCD;

a first quantum dot film placed directly atop the first plurality of LEDs;

a second quantum dot film placed directly atop the second plurality of LEDs; and

a lens positioned adjacent to the first and second plurality of LEDs, wherein said lens comprises collimating elements.

15. The lighting system of claim 14 wherein:

the first plurality of LEDs are in conductive thermal communication with the first portion of the sidewall; and

the second plurality of LEDs are in conductive thermal communication with the second portion of the sidewall.

16. The lighting system of claim 14 further comprising:

a fan positioned to draw cooling air through the center channel.

17. The lighting system of claim 16 further comprising:

a dividing element positioned near a mid-point of the center channel, which divides the center channel into a first and a second portion; and

a plurality of apertures in the sidewall which allow cooling air to enter and exit the center channel;

wherein the fan is positioned to draw cooling air through the first portion and a second fan is positioned to draw cooling air through the second portion.

18. The lighting system of claim 14 further comprising:

a thermal fin positioned within the center channel and in conductive thermal communication with a sidewall.

19. The lighting system of claim 18 wherein:

the thermal fin extends substantially normal from a sidewall into the center channel.

20. A lighting system for the door of a display case containing several retail products, the door having a transparent LCD positioned behind a front glass where the LCD has a pair of vertical edges, the system comprising:

a mullion lighting assembly positioned adjacent to each vertical edge of the transparent LCD, each mullion lighting assembly having sidewalls defining a center channel;

a plurality of LEDs positioned along a sidewall of each mullion lighting assembly and on a side of the sidewall that opposes the center channel, each LED is placed in conductive thermal communication with the sidewall and has a central axis aimed towards the retail products;

a quantum dot film placed between the LEDs and the retail products; and

a louver positioned over top of the plurality of LEDs, wherein the louver extends vertically along the mullion lighting assembly.