GB2362019A - An illuminated display panel. - Google Patents

An illuminated display panel. Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2362019A
GB2362019A GB0006061A GB0006061A GB2362019A GB 2362019 A GB2362019 A GB 2362019A GB 0006061 A GB0006061 A GB 0006061A GB 0006061 A GB0006061 A GB 0006061A GB 2362019 A GB2362019 A GB 2362019A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
display panel
illuminated display
substantially transparent
transparent panel
disposed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0006061A
Other versions
GB0006061D0 (en
Inventor
Francis Brian Caswell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Porter Lancastrian Ltd
Original Assignee
Porter Lancastrian Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Porter Lancastrian Ltd filed Critical Porter Lancastrian Ltd
Priority to GB0006061A priority Critical patent/GB2362019A/en
Publication of GB0006061D0 publication Critical patent/GB0006061D0/en
Publication of GB2362019A publication Critical patent/GB2362019A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
    • G02B6/0015—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/002—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
    • G02B6/0021—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0035—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/004—Scattering dots or dot-like elements, e.g. microbeads, scattering particles, nanoparticles
    • G02B6/0041—Scattering dots or dot-like elements, e.g. microbeads, scattering particles, nanoparticles provided in the bulk of the light guide
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
    • G09F19/12—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for using special optical effects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
    • G02B6/0068—Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

An illuminated display panel comprises a substantially transparent panel 34 with a peripheral groove in one of either its front or rear surfaces, an image portion 40 and an LED light source 36 disposed in the peripheral groove. The LED light source may comprise a printed circuit board having a plurality of LEDs disposed thereon. The image portion may be disposed on a separate sheet 38, which may be positioned in front of the substantially transparent panel or may be disposed on either of the front or rear surfaces of the substantially transparent panel. The substantially transparent panel may be formed from a material that diffuses the light emitted by the LEDs, such a material being an acrylic material. The illuminated display panel may further comprise a casing 32 formed from sheet material that substantially conforms to the shape of the substantially transparent panel. In use, the illuminated display panel is particularly, but not exclusively adapted for advertising, such as advertising beverages. Other applications include use in illuminated display/control panels in automobiles and/or gambling machines.

Description

2362019 Improved Illuminated Display Panels This invention relates to
illuminated display panels, in particular to improvements in the design of such panels, with particular, but by no means exclusive, reference to display panels used for advertising, such as advertising beverages.
Illuminated displays are commonly used for advertising purposes or for providing information in a number of applications. Examples of application areas include control panels - for example, in automobiles - gaming machines and signs for the beverage industry, particularly the alcoholic beverage industry, where it is common practise to provide illuminated displays which indicate brand of alcoholic beverage on sale.
Traditionally, such panels are either back-lit or edge-lit by light sources such as fluorescent tubes, although the use of LEDs for backlighting is known. Fluorescent tubes have the disadvantage of being rather unwieldy. In an edge-lit application, the bulk of the fluorescent tube source prevents the provision of slim display panels.
British patent application GB 2 316 216 discloses a display panel in which simultaneous edge lighting and back lighting is performed. The back lighting is achieved with LEDs, whereas the edge lighting employs fluorescent tubes.
British patent application GB 2 303 830 discloses a complicated display arrangement, primarily intended for the display panel of a vehicle, in which simultaneous edge lighting and back lighting is achieved using LEDs.
The present applicants have commercialised edge lit display panels which employ LED light sources. As illustrated in Figure 1, the LED 10 are disposed in a groove 12 which is formed in the edge of a transparent sheet 14. There are problems associated with this arrangement. Firstly, it is difficult to securely mount the LEDs in the groove, since the LEDs are easily pulled or dislodged from the groove. Secondly, unless the sheet is circular, it is difficult, expensive and time consuming to produce the groove in the edge of the sheet. It should be appreciated firstly that the overall shape of the display panel dictates the shape of the sheet, and secondly that the shape of the display panel is necessarily non-circular in many instances. For example, in the beverage industry, the shape of the display panel is one of its distinguishing features, and many complicated shapes are commonly used. It is a very complicated procedure to machine an edge groove of the type shown in Figure 1 for a complicated, many sided sheet.
The present invention overcomes the aforesaid problems.
According to the invention there is provided an illuminated display panel comprising:
a substantially transparent panel having front and rear surfaces, and having a peripheral groove formed in one of said surfaces; an image portion; and a LED light source disposed in the peripheral groove so as to illuminate the image portion by edge lighting.
The provision of a groove in the face of the substantially transparent panel, rather than in its edge, is a far easier task. The groove can be formed relatively easily by milling or routing, even if a complicated display panel shape is required. Furthermore, the LED light source is securely stored in the "face formed" groove, and is not easily dislodged therefrom.
"Front" in the present context merely means the side from which the illuminated image is intended to be viewed, "back" being the oppositely opposed side.
The peripheral groove may be Banned in the front surface of the panel.
The LED light source may comprise flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of LEDs disposed thereon, and in electrical connection with, said board.
The image portion may be disposed on an image sheet which may be positioned in front of said substantially transparent panel. It is also possible to dispose the image sheet behind the substantially transparent panel, or to dispose the image portion on the front or rear surface of the substantially transparent panel itself.
The substantially transparent panel may be formed from a material that diffuses the light emitted by the LED light source. This improves the quality of the light which emanates from the front of the display thus improving the quality of the illuminated display. The substantially transparent panel may be formed from an acrylic material.
The illuminated display panel may comprise a casing fon-ned from sheet material and substantially conforming, to the shape of the substantially transparent panel, wherein the substantially transparent panel is disposed within said casing. Such a design is suited to applications, in for example, the beverage industry, where such a display panel can be conveniently attached to a pump, serving tap, brass font or like serving point.
Illuminated display panels in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a prior art edge lit LED arrangement;
Figure 2 shows a transparent panel with LEDs disposed therein; and Figure 3 shows a) an illuminated display panel of the invention and b) an exploded view of a).
Figure 2 shows a substantially transparent panel 20 having a front surface 20 with a peripheral groove 22 formed therein. The groove 22 is formed slightly inboard of the edge of the front surface 20a, typically 3 to 6nun inboard, although the invention is not limited in this regard.
An LED light source 24 is disposed in the peripheral groove.
A cut away portion 26 enables electrical connection to be made to the LED light source 24.
It is preferable that the substantially transparent panel 20 is formed from a material that diffuses the light emitted by the LED light source 24, since this improves the quality of the illumination. A preferred material is a modified acrylic, such as that M manufactured by BW, of Offingham, Germany under the tradename "satellite". This acrylic material has additives therein which enhance the diffusion of incipient light, even though the material is transparent to the eye. The panel 20 can be a sheet or sheet-like, enabling the production of a slim display panel.
The LED light source 24 preferably comprises a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of LEDs disposed thereon, and in electrical connection with, the circuit board. The printed circuit board is of a sheet material (which can be flexible or more rigid), and the combined height of the circuit board and LED disposed on the circuit can be as little as 2mm.
Figure 3 shows an illuminated display panel 30. The display panel 30 comprises a casing 32 which substantially conforms to the shape of the substantially transparent panel 34. The back face of the casing 32 has apertures 35 formed therein to allow electrical connection to as LED light source 36. The display panel 30 further comprises an image sheet 36 having an image portion 40.
The display 30 is conveniently assembled by locating the substantially transparent panel 34 in the casing 32. A sealant may be provided on, for example, the back face of the casing 32. The image sheet 3 8 is the positioned in the casing 32 and is maintained in place by a friction fit.
Many other configurations and assembly schemes would be apparent to the skilled person, and the invention is certainly not limited by the example of Figure 3. However, this embodiment does possess the advantage of simplicity. The display panel is easy to produce, and the quality of the illumination is excellent.
6-

Claims (10)

1. An illuminated display panel comprising:
a substantially transparent panel having front and rear surfaces, and having a peripheral groove formed in one of said surfaces; an image portion; and a LED light source disposed in the peripheral groove so as to illuminate the image portion by edge lighting.
2. An illuminated display panel according to claim I in which the peripheral groove is formed in the front surface of the panel.
3. An illuminated display panel according to claim I or claim 2 in which the LED light source comprises a printed circuit board having a plurality of LEDs disposed thereon, and in electrical connection with, said board.
4. An illuminated display panel according to any previous claim in which the image portion is disposed on an image sheet.
5. An illuminated display panel according to claim 4 in which the image sheet is positioned in front of said substantially transparent panel.
6. An illuminated display panel according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the image portion is disposed on the front or rear surface of the substantially transparent panel.
7. An illuminated display panel according to any previous claim in which the substantial transparent panel is formed from a material that diffuses the light emitted by the LED light source.
8. An illuminated display panel according to claim 7 in which the substantially transparent panel is formed from an acrylic material.
9. An illuminated display panel according to any previous claim comprising a casing formed from sheet material and substantially conforming to the shape of the substantially transparent panel, wherein the substantially transparent panel is disposed within said casing.
10. An illuminated display panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
GB0006061A 2000-03-14 2000-03-14 An illuminated display panel. Withdrawn GB2362019A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0006061A GB2362019A (en) 2000-03-14 2000-03-14 An illuminated display panel.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0006061A GB2362019A (en) 2000-03-14 2000-03-14 An illuminated display panel.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0006061D0 GB0006061D0 (en) 2000-05-03
GB2362019A true GB2362019A (en) 2001-11-07

Family

ID=9887550

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0006061A Withdrawn GB2362019A (en) 2000-03-14 2000-03-14 An illuminated display panel.

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2362019A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2385190A (en) * 2002-02-07 2003-08-13 W M Sign Consultants Ltd Illuminated display
EP1380239A1 (en) * 2002-07-08 2004-01-14 Gerd J. W. Hess Method for displaying articles and device for carrying out the method
DE10336937A1 (en) * 2003-08-07 2005-03-03 Gecco-Design Gmbh Flat surface light has flat light transmissive plate with recesses for light sources at a distance from its edge
CN109863548A (en) * 2016-10-19 2019-06-07 玩具奇观股份有限公司 Backlight display component

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1990013885A1 (en) * 1989-05-02 1990-11-15 Lydia Wustlich Vertrieb Elektronischer Bauteile Surface display for illuminating background surfaces
EP0603706A1 (en) * 1992-12-19 1994-06-29 Röhm GmbH Light guide plate for illuminating changeable information
DE4311018A1 (en) * 1993-03-31 1994-10-06 Osa Elektronik Gmbh Illuminated display unit, in particular name-plate, house number, street sign and traffic sign, information panel and the like
JPH07239419A (en) * 1994-02-28 1995-09-12 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp Illuminator, back light device and liquid crystal display device
WO1997030431A2 (en) * 1996-02-20 1997-08-21 Thomas Leibe Lighting device for display of graphic characters

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1990013885A1 (en) * 1989-05-02 1990-11-15 Lydia Wustlich Vertrieb Elektronischer Bauteile Surface display for illuminating background surfaces
EP0603706A1 (en) * 1992-12-19 1994-06-29 Röhm GmbH Light guide plate for illuminating changeable information
DE4311018A1 (en) * 1993-03-31 1994-10-06 Osa Elektronik Gmbh Illuminated display unit, in particular name-plate, house number, street sign and traffic sign, information panel and the like
JPH07239419A (en) * 1994-02-28 1995-09-12 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp Illuminator, back light device and liquid crystal display device
WO1997030431A2 (en) * 1996-02-20 1997-08-21 Thomas Leibe Lighting device for display of graphic characters
US6079839A (en) * 1996-02-20 2000-06-27 Leibe; Thomas Lighting device for display of graphic characters

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2385190A (en) * 2002-02-07 2003-08-13 W M Sign Consultants Ltd Illuminated display
EP1380239A1 (en) * 2002-07-08 2004-01-14 Gerd J. W. Hess Method for displaying articles and device for carrying out the method
DE10336937A1 (en) * 2003-08-07 2005-03-03 Gecco-Design Gmbh Flat surface light has flat light transmissive plate with recesses for light sources at a distance from its edge
CN109863548A (en) * 2016-10-19 2019-06-07 玩具奇观股份有限公司 Backlight display component

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0006061D0 (en) 2000-05-03

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)