GB2437564A

GB2437564A - Rotating LED display

Info

Publication number: GB2437564A
Application number: GB0623595A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tsung-I Wang
Original assignee: Dynascan Technology Corp
Current assignee: Dynascan Technology Corp
Priority date: 2005-11-25
Filing date: 2006-11-27
Publication date: 2007-10-31
Also published as: CN1971675A; DE102006055925A1; GB0623595D0

Abstract

A screen display method and display system using an external-rotor motor (20) to directly drive a rotational member (30) is provided. The screen display system includes an axle member (10), an external-rotor motor (20) mounted along axle member, and a rotational member (30). The rotational member (30) is arranged with a light emitting array module (301) for achieving screen display. A base (50) is provided at end of the axle member (10). The external-rotor motor (20) is mounted on the elongated body of the axle member (10). The rotational member (30) is rotatably mounted on the axle member (10). When the motor spins, the rotational member is rotated around the axle member. One or more Light emitting arrays (301) are provided along the surface of the rotational member (30). During rotation, signals controlling when and where the light emitting array module signals are turned on and off are transmitted through rotary connector (60). Power is supplied through rotary connector (70). Using the light emitting array module, a cylindrical image is produced on surface of the rotational member.

Description

SCREEN DISPLAY METHOD AND DISPLAY SYSTEM THEREOF

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

100011 The present invention generally relates to a screen display method and display system, and more particularly to a screen display method and display system using an external-rotor motor for driving a rotational member and using rotary connectors.

2. The Prior Arts

10002] Conventional large display devices for advertisement usually have planar screens with uniformly distributed lighting units. Most of these devices have a limited viewing angle, meaning that the projected image can only be perceived only when an observer stands substantially in the front of the display screen.

[00031 To achieve 360-degree viewing angle, there are products being developed to have a cylindrical screen. As the number of lighting units required to cover the cylindrical surface and therefore the cost are too high, some of the cylindrical-screen display system have a number of vertical arrays of lighting units evenly spaced along the cylindrical surface of the display screen and, by rotating these arrays of lighting units and due to human's visual persistence, cylindrical images are produced by the screen display system.

Usually high-powered light emitting diodes (LEDs) of various colors are used as the lighting units so as to produce vivid and colorful images.

100041 Usually the arrays of LEDs are provided on a rotational member which is driven by an internal-rotor motor (i.e., the rotor is surrounded by stators) via a transmission mechanism. This configuration requires quite some parts and therefore is more complicated in assembly and more demanding in terms of space. Especially, the driving to the rotational member via the transmission mechanism is less stable, causing irregular rotational speed and thereby blurred images and color distortions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00051 To obviate the foregoing problems of conventional cylindrical-screen display system, a major characteristic of the present invention lies in the adoption of an external-rotor motor for directly driving the rotational member. As such, a screen display method and display system thereof according to the present invention enjoys various benefits such as lower cost, less space, high rotational steadiness, and superior display quality.

[0006] The method for signal transmission of the present invention is achieved using a signal rotary connector. The delivery of power is provided using a power rotary connector.

Or perhaps the aforementioned signal rotary connector and power rotary connector can be combined into a single unit as a signallpower rotary connector, for providing the transmission of display signals and power at the same time.

100071 The present invention can also use a single signal line to transmit a display signal to a light emitting array module, to receive and reset using the first light emitting module of the light emitting array module, and then to transmit the reset display signal to the second light emitting module. And finally, the display signal is to be transmitted to the last light emitting module of the light emitting array module.

10008J The screen display system of the present invention contains an axle member, a motor, a rotational member, a protection member, and a rotary connector. The motor is an external-rotor motor and is fixedly mounted at an appropriate location along the elongated body of the axle member. The rotational member houses the motor inside, and is mounted rotatably on the axle member. The rotational member is fixedly attached to the motor and, when the motor spins, the rotational member is therefore rotated around the axle member as well. A number of light emitting arrays are provided vertically across the cylindrical surface of the rotational member. The protection member is fixedly mounted on the axle member and houses the spinning rotational member inside for safety sake. As the rotational member is directly driven by the external-rotor motor, the unstable rotation resulted from the indirect driving of the internal-rotor motor found in the prior arts is effectively solved by the present invention.

(00091 Another major characteristic of the screen display system of the present invention lies in the use of the rotary connector for the distribution of power and signal to the light emitting arrays on the rotational member. There can be separate rotary connectors for the delivery of power and signal separately, or a single rotary connector can be employed, through which both the power and signal are delivered. The rotational member contains a static piece and a rotational piece. The static piece is fixedly installed at an end of the axle ember or on the protection member and the rotational piece, which is, on one hand, attached to the rotational member and, on the other hand, is rotatably joined to the static piece. When the rotational member spins, appropriate electrical contacts are maintained between the static and the rotational pieces so that the power andior signal are reliably passed to the rotational member. In addition, the transmission of signal is achieved via a non-mechanical contact means between the static piece and rotational piece using medium such as visible or non-visible lights, far infrared, laser, electromagnetic waves, or other appropriate means. As such, the use of power and signal cables can be avoided and the problem of cables being twisted together from the rotation of the rotational member is thereby resolved. In addition, the non-mechanical contact of the rotary connector ensures high transmission reliability and long operation life.

[00101 To strengthen the reliability and steadiness of the rotational member for a larger-sized screen display system without adding much weight, a number of diagonal a brackets are extended from bearings at appropriate locations along the axle member to the inner surface of the rotational member. With the diagonal brackets, a large rotational member carrying a large number of lighting units can be employed without adding much weight. Alternatively, the diagonal brackets can be extended from the motor to the upper and lower rims of the inner surface of rotational member, respectively. Therefore, the configuration of the diagonal brackets could vary in accordance with a number of factors such as the dimension of the rotational member and the location of the motor.

100111 A number of ventilation holes can be configured on the protection member so that, when the rotational member spins, the heat produced by the motor and the light emitting arrays can be effectively expelled as well for superior heat dissipation. To further enhance the heat dissipation performance, blades can be provided on the surface of the rotational member, or air ducts can be provided around the ventilation holes so as to improve the convection of hot air.

100121 The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00131 FlU 1 is a perspective view showing the screen display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[00141 FIG 2 is a sectional view showing the screen display system of FIG 1.

[00151 FIG 3 is a schematic view showing the rotary connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[00161 FIG 4 is a perspective view showing the screen display system according to another embodiment of the present invention. d

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

E00171 The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way.

Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

100181 FIG I is a perspective view showing the display system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which contains an axle member 10, a motor 20, a rotational member 30, a protection member 40, and rotary connectors 60 and 70. The motor is fixedly mounted at an appropriate location close to an end (hereinafter, the first end) of the elongated body of the axle member 10. The rotational member 30 is also mounted rotatably on the axle member 10. The rotational member 30 has a cylindrical body housing the motor 20 inside. The rotational member 30 and the motor 20 are physically engaged together so that, when the motor 20 spins, the rotational member 30 is rotated around the axle member 10 as well. The protection member 40 is fixedly mounted on the axle member and houses the rotational member 30 inside.

100191 As illustrated in FIG 1, a number of light emitting arrays 301 are provided vertically (i.e., parallel to the axle member 10) along the cylindrical surface of the rotational member 30 with appropriate lateral spacing therebetween. Each of the light emitting arrays 301 contains an appropriate number of lighting units (e.g., LEDs). By appropriately controlling when and where the light emitting arrays 301 are turned on and off when they are rotated, a 360-degree, cylindrical image is produced on the surface of the rotational member 30 through human's visual persistence. There is no specific requirement I. on the number of light emitting arrays; even a single array 301 will suffice as long as the rotational member 30 spins fast enough. A base 50 can be provided at an end (hereinafter, the second end) of the axle member 10 so as to support the display system of the present embodiment on a surface (i.e., ground) steadily. Alternatively, the base 50 can be affixed to the ceiling so that the display system of the present embodiment is hung upside down (i.e., the second end on the top).

[00201 FIG 2 is a sectional view of the present embodiment. As shown, the axle member 10 is a cylindrical rodwhose second end, as mentioned, is configured with the base and whose first end has the rotary connector 70 for the delivery of power.

(00211 The motor 20 is an external-rotor motor (i.e., the rotors surround the stators) with the axle member 10 as its axle. The rotor of the motor 20 therefore can spin around the axle member 10.

[0022] To support the rotational member 30 around the axle member 10, a first bearing 31 and a second bearing 32 are provided along the axle member 10 at appropriate locations sandwiching the motor 20 in between. Then, a number of first beams 33, third beams 34, and second beams 35 are extended laterally and radially from the first bearing 31, the motor 20, and the second bearing 32, respectively. A cylindrical wall 36 is fixedly jointed to and supported by the outer ends of the first, second, and third beams 33, 34, and 35. The light emitting arrays 301 are arranged on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 36.

To further strengthen the reliability of steadiness of the rotational member 30, a number of first diagonal brackets 37 and second diagonal brackets 38 are extended from the first and second bearings 31 and 32 respectively. The outer end of each first diagonal bracket 37 is joined with the outer end of a second diagonal bracket 38 at an appropriate location on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 36, thereby forming a'<' shape. The diagonal brackets 37 and 38 do not add significant weight to the present embodiment, but could enhance the strength of the overall structure dramatically. The rotational member 30 therefore can have a larger diameter and supports more light emitting arrays 301.

10023] The diagonal brackets 37 and 38 can be, but are not limited to, steel wires.

There are various other ways of providing the diagonal brackets 37 and 38. For one example, the diagonal brackets 37 and 38 can be extended from the two ends of the motor 20, thereby forming a > shape, to the upper and lower rims of the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 36, respectively. For another example, only the first or the second diagonal brackets 37 and 38 are provided. Therefore, the configuration of the diagonal brackets 37 and 38 could vaiy in accordance with a number of factors such as the dimension of the rotational member 30 and the location of the motor 20.

10024] In the present embodiment, the protection member 40 also has a hollow cylindrical body having a circular cross-section. In alternative embodiments, the cross-section of the protection member 40 can also be rectangular, oval, triangular, or any appropriate shape. The protection member 40 contains a first cover 42, a second cover 43, and a cylindrical side wall 41 supported between the first and second covers 42 and 43. The protection member 40 houses the spinning rotational member 30 inside for safety sake. The side wall 41 is usually made of a transparent material so as to reveal the cylindrical images produced by the rotational member 30.

(00251 The motor 20 and the light emitting arrays 301 all requires electricity and the light emitting array 301 further requires video signals for controlling its lighting units so as to form the cylindrical image, the supply of power and signal are achieved through a signal rotary connector 60 and a power rotary connector 70, as shown in FIG 3.

(0026] The signal rotary connector 60 contains a first static piece 61 and a first rotational piece 62. The first static piece 61 is fixedly attached to the protection member 40 while the first rotational piece 62 is supported on a frame 39 positioned on the first beams 33. The first static piece 61 is connected to a first signal cable 63 while the first rotational piece 62 is connected to a second signal cable 64. A non-mechanical type of contact is established between the first static and rotational pieces 61 and 62, which relies on means such as visible light, far infrared, laser, or electromagnetic wave for the transmission of electrical signal across. What is described and shown in the diagram are only exemplary; the first static and rotational pieces 61 and 62 could have other appropriate types of interaction such as pin joint.

OO27J The power rotary connector 70 contains a second static piece 71 and a second rotational piece 72. The second static piece 71 is embedded inside the first end of the axle ember 10 and the second rotational piece 72 is rotatably mounted on the static piece 71 and is connected to the first beams 33. The second static piece 71 is connected to a first power cable 73 while the second rotational piece 72 is connected to a second power cable 74.

There are appropriate electrical contacts between the second static and rotational pieces 71 and 72 such as carbon or mercury brushes so that the power from the first power cable 73 is reliably passed to the second power cable 74. The second power signal and power cables 64 and 74 are connected to the rotational member 30 so that electrical power and video/control signals are fed to the lighting units and related circuits of the rotational member 30. Please note that the interaction of the second static and rotational pieces 71 and 72 shown and described is exemplary. Other similar and appropriate mechanism can be adopted as well.

In an alternative embodiment, the locations of the power and signal rotary connectors 70 and 60 can be switched so that the first static piece 61 is installed at the first end of the axle member 10 and the second static piece 71 is installed on the protection member 40. The first and second rotational pieces 62 and 72 are, on the other hand, attached to the rotational member 30.

100281 In the present embodiment, the distribution of power and signal is conducted via separate rotary connectors. In alternative embodiments, a single rotary connector can be used for the distribution of power and signal together. The configuration and means of interaction of the static and rotational pieces are similar to those described above. The static piece can be installed on the protection member 40 or at the first end of the axle member 10.

The rotational piece is, on the other hand, attached to the rotational member 30.

[0029J The light emitting arrays of the display system according to the present invention are formed of a plurality of light emitting diodes; and a light emitting array module is formed by having a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in serial. And using a display signal controller, a display signal containing a plurality of display data is transmitted to a first light emitting diode of the light emitting array module, wherein the first light emitting diode of each light emitting array module contains a device for receiving the first set of display data of the display signal. Later, the first set of display data is resetted, and the reset display signal is transmitted to the next adjacent light emitting module coupled in serial, thus allowing the logic circuit of each light emitting diode to be able to read the corresponding display data within a display cycle to produce pulse width modulation (PWM) data for driving the light source for displaying the images.

[0030] FIG 4 is a perspective view showing the display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. As large amount of heat would be produced by the motor 20, light emitting arrays, and other electrical components, a number of ventilation holes can be provided on the protection member 40. As illustrated, a number of ventilation holes 411 can be provided around the top and bottom portion of the side wall 41. As such, the wind induced by the spin of the rotational member 30 is able to expel the heat out through the ventilation holes 411. To further enhance the heat dissipation performance, additional ventilation holes 421 and 422 can be provided around the circumference and near the center of the first cover 42, respectively, so as to increase the convection of hot air.

Further more, a number of blades 302 can be provided on the surface of the rotational member 30 so that the rotational member 30, when spinning, behaves likes a fan to produce stronger wind, or air ducts (not shown) can be provided around the ventilation holes to guide the wind out through the ventilation holes. In an alternative embodiment, an air refreshing device is installed at an appropriate location (e.g., covering the exit of one or more ventilation holes) to process the expelled hot air for purification and filtering. The air refreshing device can be, but is not limited to, a negative-ion generator, an ozone generator, an oxygen generator, or an air filter.

E00311 Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A screen display method, comprising: having an

axle member; fixedly mounting a motor at an appropriate location along said axle member close to a first end; coupling a rotational member to said motor; arranging said rotational member with a light emitting array module for achieving screen display; coupling said rotational member to said motor, rotating of said motor on said axle member for driving said rotational member; controlling when and where said light emitting array module is turned on and off during rotating; using said light emitting array module for producing a cylindrical image on the surface of said rotational member; transmitting of when and where for emitting light for producing a cylindrical display signal by using a signal rotary connector, and delivering of power for said light emitting array module provided by a power rotary connector.

2. A screen display system, comprising: an axle member; a base, provided at a second end of said axle member for supporting said screen display system; an external-rotor motor, mounted at an appropriate location along said axle member close to a first end; and a rotational member, rotatably mounted on said axle member housing said motor inside; said rotational member having at least a light emitting array arranged on the outer surface of said rotational member.

3. The screen display system according to claim 2, wherein a protection member is fixedly mounted around said axle member and housing said rotational member inside.

4. The screen display system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of first diagonal brackets are provided connecting said motor and an upper portion of the inner surface of said rotational member closer to said first end.

5. The screen display system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein a plurality of second diagonal brackets are provided connecting said motor and a lower portion of the inner surface of said rotational member closer to said second end.

6. The screen display system according to claim 2, wherein an upper bearing is provided along said axle member between said first end and said motor; and a plurality of first diagonal brackets are provided connecting said upper bearing and appropriate locations on the inner surface of said rotational member.

7. The screen display system according to claim 2 or 6, wherein a lower bearing is provided along said axle member between said second end and said motor; and a plurality of second diagonal brackets are provided connecting said lower bearing and appropriate locations on the inner surface of said rotational member.

8. The screen display system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of ventilation holes are provided on said protection member.

9. The screen display system according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of blades are provided on the outer surface of said rotational member.

10. The screen display system according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of air ducts are provided around at least one of said ventilation holes.

11. The screen display system according to claim 8 or 10, wherein an air refreshing device is provided to cover at least one of said ventilation holes.

12. A screen display system, comprising: an axle member; a base, provided at a second end of said axle member for supporting said screen display system; an external-rotor motor, mounted at an appropriate location along said axle member close to a first end; a rotational member rotatably mounted on said axle member housing said motor inside, said rotational member having at least a light emitting array arranged on the outer surface of said rotational member; a protection member, fixedly mounted around said axle member and housing said rotational member inside; a signal rotary connector, having a first static piece and a first rotational piece; said first static piece being joined to said protection member; said first rotational piece being joined to said rotational member; and a power rotary connector, having a second static piece and a second rotational piece; said second static piece being joined to said first end of said axle member, and said second rotational piece being joined to said rotational member.

13. The screen display system according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of ventilation holes are provided on said protection member.

14. The screen display system according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of blades are provided on the outer surface of said rotational member.

15. The screen display system according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of air ducts are provided around at least one of said ventilation holes.

16. The screen display system according to claim 13 or 15, wherein an air refreshing device is provided to cover at least one of said ventilation holes.

17. The screen display system according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of first diagonal brackets are provided connecting said motor and an upper portion of the inner surface of said rotational member closer to said first end.

18. The screen display system according to claim 12 or 17, wherein a plurality of second diagonal brackets are provided connecting said motor and a lower portion of the inner surface of said rotational member closer to said second end.

19. The screen display system according to claim 12, wherein an upper bearing is provided along said axle member between said first end and said motor; and a plurality of first diagonal brackets are provided connecting said upper bearing and appropriate locations on the inner surface of said rotational member.

20. The screen display system according to claim 12 or 19, wherein a lower bearing is provided along said axle member between said second end and said motor; and a plurality of second diagonal brackets are provided connecting said lower bearing and appropriate locations on the inner surface of said rotational member.

21. A screen display system, comprising: an axle member; a base, provided at a second end of said axle member for supporting said screen display system; an external-rotor motor, mounted at an appropriate location along said axle member close to a first end; a rotational member, rotatably mounted on said axle member housing said motor inside; said rotational member having at least a light emitting array arranged on the outer surface of said rotational member; Is a protection member, fixedly mounted around said axle member and housing said rotational member inside; and a signallpower rotary connector, having a static piece and a rotational piece; said static piece being joined to said protection member; and said rotational piece being joined to said rotational member.

22. The screen display system according to claim 21, wherein a plurality of ventilation holes are provided on said protection member.

23. The screen display system according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of blades are provided on the outer surface of said rotational member.

24. The screen display system according to claim 23, wherein a plurality of air ducts are provided around at least one of said ventilation holes.

25. The screen display system according to claim 22 or 24, wherein an air refreshing device is further provided to cover at least one of said ventilation holes.

26. The screen display system according to claim 21, wherein a plurality of first diagonal brackets are provided connecting said motor and an upper portion of the inner surface of said rotational member closer to said first end.

27. The screen display system according to claim 21 or 26, wherein a plurality of second diagonal brackets are provided connecting said motor and a lower portion of the inner surface of said rotational member closer to said second end.

28. The screen display system according to claim 21, wherein an upper bearing is provided along said axle member between said first end and said motor; and a plurality of first diagonal brackets are provided connecting said upper bearing and appropriate locations on the inner surface of said rotational member.

29. The screen display system according to claim 21 or 28, wherein a lower bearing is provided along said axle member between said second end and said motor; and a plurality of second diagonal brackets are provided connecting said lower bearing and appropriate locations on the inner surface of said rotational member.

30. A screen display system, comprising: an axle member; a base, provided at a second end of said axle member for supporting said screen display system; an external-rotor motor, mounted at an appropriate location along said axle member close to a first end; a rotational member, rotatably mounted on said axle member housing said motor inside, said rotational member having at least a light emitting array arranged on the outer surface of said rotational member; a protection member, fixedly mounted around said axle member and housing said rotational member inside; and a signal/power rotary connector, having a static piece and a rotational piece, said static piece being joined to said first end of said axle member, said rotational piece being joined to said rotational member.

31. The screen display system according to claim 30, wherein a plurality of ventilation holes are provided on said protection member.

32. The screen display system according to claim 31, wherein a plurality of blades are provided on the outer surface of said rotational member.

33. The screen display system according to claim 32, wherein a plurality of air ducts are provided around at least one of said ventilation holes.

34. The screen display system according to claim 31 or 33, wherein an air refreshing device is provided to cover at least one of said ventilation holes.

35. The screen display system according to claim 30, wherein a plurality of first diagonal brackets are provided connecting said motor and an upper portion of the inner surface of said rotational member closer to said first end.

36. The screen display system according to claim 30 or 35, wherein a plurality of second diagonal brackets are provided connecting said motor and a lower portion of the inner surface of said rotational member closer to said second end.

37. The screen display system according to claim 30, wherein an upper bearing is provided along said axle member between said first end and said motor; and a plurality of first diagonal brackets are provided connecting said upper bearing and appropriate locations on the inner surface of said rotational member.

38. The screen display system according to claim 30 and 37, wherein a lower bearing is provided along said axle member between said second end and said motor; and a plurality of second diagonal brackets are provided connecting said lower bearing and appropriate locations on the inner surface of said rotational member.