GB2545199A

GB2545199A - Video display apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2545199A
Application number: GB1521607.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rees Ian
Original assignee: ESC Digital Media Ltd
Current assignee: ESC Digital Media Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-08
Filing date: 2015-12-08
Publication date: 2017-06-14
Also published as: GB201521607D0; WO2017098195A1; EP3387511A1

Abstract

A video display apparatus, is disclosed and comprises a television, monitor or Video Display Unit (VDU) and frame 6. The VDU comprises a screen, panel or display for the display of video images, surrounded by edges. At least one of the edges has a heat conducting member on its exterior. The frame 6 comprises frame sections formed of a heat conducting material connected to a respective edge of the VDU and at least one frame section being connected to the at least one heat conducting member. The frame section preferably has fins 15 that form a heat sink and the VDU is preferably edge-lit with LEDs. The inner wall of the or each frame section, behind the VDU, may include a means 41 for removably mounting one or more wireless transducers (e.g. speakers). The apparatus may also include a rear cover to seal in a substantially watertight manner.

Description

Video Display Apparatus Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a video display apparatus, particularly, though not exclusively, for outdoor use.

Background of the Invention

Video display apparatuses include televisions and monitors for displaying images, video and computer output.

It is known to provide such displays for outdoor or semi-outdoor use, for example outside of offices, shops, at amusements parks, in pub gardens and on boats. Such displays can be subject to a wide range of weather conditions and temperatures. To avoid overheating of the internal electronics and the structure, external fans or refrigeration is or are required because internal fans require ventilation slots or holes, which make the display unsuitable for outdoor use as the unit will not be particularly well sealed from rain and humidity etc. Such internal fans also make the overall unit bulky.

Further, the screen of such displays often produces reflections when outdoors, making it hard for people to see the output well.

Summary of the Invention A first aspect of the invention provides a video display apparatus, comprising: a video display unit (VDU) comprising a screen surrounded by a plurality of edges, at least one of the edges carrying a heat conducting member on its exterior for transferring heat from within the interior of the video display unit to the exterior; and a frame comprising a plurality of frame sections formed of a heat conducting material, each arranged to connect to a respective edge of the VDU, at least one of the frame sections being mechanically connected to the heat conducting member of the video display unit.

The or each frame section may be connected to an exterior heat conducting member which carries a plurality of fins providing a heat sink.

Each frame section may carry a plurality of fins (or blades) providing a heat sink.

Typically, four orthogonal frame sections are provided. They may connect around the VDU so that each section is connected to two others so as to distribute heat around the frame.

The fins may be arranged on an external wall of the frame section, the fins extending generally parallel to the plane of the VDU screen. The external wall may be one which extends back to front relative to the VDU.

Each frame section may comprise a front wall extending generally outwards from the direction of the screen behind which the heat sink fins are substantially concealed. The front wall is typically that which is seen from the front of the VDU screen, and can be decorative or ornate.

The frame sections are preferably metallic.

The VDU is preferably an edge-lit unit having one or more backlighting sources arranged internally along the edge carrying the external heat conducting member, and mounted such that heat generated by said source(s) transfers thermally to said heat conducting member.

The VDU can be an LCD or LED unit, but the backlighting is typically done using a strip of edge-mounted Light Emitting Diodes or the like.

In this regard, the backlighting source(s) may comprise a strip of LEDs mounted on a circuit board connected to the corresponding external heat conducting member through the edge of the unit.

First and second sets of backlighting sources may be provided, arranged internally along opposed edges of the unit, e.g. top and bottom, each connected to a respective external heat conducting member.

The or each external heat conducting member is preferably a longitudinal strip of metal extending along, and parallel with, the majority of its corresponding edge, and which locates within a longitudinal slot extending along the corresponding frame section. The connection or engagement can be a dovetail type connection.

The apparatus may further comprising a rear cover attached to, or adjacent, the rear edge of the frame sections in a substantially watertight manner.

The apparatus may further comprise an anti-reflective and transparent cover, optically bonded over the entire screen of the video display unit.

The apparatus may further comprise, on the internal wall of the or each frame section, behind the video display unit, a means for removably mounting one or more wireless transducers, e.g. speakers, for receiving signals wirelessly from the video display unit. The mounting means may be slots or recesses and the transducers may be shaped so as to removably locate therewithin. A second aspect of the invention provides a video display apparatus, comprising: a video display unit (VDU) comprising a screen for the display of video images surrounded by four edges, in which the display is in use backlit using one or more internal, edge-mounted light sources, each of which is thermally coupled through the unit's edge to a respective external heat conducting strip extending along the corresponding side; and a frame comprising four metallic sides, each mechanically connected to a respective edge of the video display unit, and at least one of which connects to the external heat conducting strip and which carries a plurality of fins on an exterior wall, for use as a heat sink, and which are substantially concealed in use behind a front wall of the frame, wherein the screen is entirely covered by a non-reflective, transparent sheet, optically bonded thereto and which extends to the interior edges of the frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figures la and lb are perspective views of a first embodiment video display apparatus according to the invention;

Figures 2a and 2b are schematic front and sectional views of a television of the Figure 1 apparatus;

Figure 3 is a perspective, cutaway view of the Figure 1 apparatus;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a frame section of the Figure 1 apparatus;

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the Figure 1 apparatus from behind;

Figure 6 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the Figure 1 apparatus taken along plane Z-Z shown in Figure 3; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment video display apparatus according to the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments herein relate to a video display apparatus for outdoor use in pub gardens, shopping centres, on boats or the like, but are equally applicable to any indoor or outdoor use.

Referring to Figures la and lb, a first embodiment apparatus 1 is shown, comprised of a television 3 having a screen 4 surrounded on all four sides by a frame 5 formed of four longitudinal frame sections 6, 7, 8, 9, mitred at their ends 10 and joined. As seen more clearly in Figure lb, each frame section 6, 7, 8, 9 comprises a metal extrusion having a proximal wall 11 which extends outwardly from the plane of the screen 4 and which is therefore visible from the viewing direction indicated by the arrow X.

Concealed behind the proximal wall 11 is a perpendicular distal wall 13. The distal wall 13 carries on its outer surface a heat sink or heat exchanger formed of a plurality of ribs or blades 15 which provide an increased metallic surface area to remove and radiate heat energy from the television 3, as will be described below.

Each frame section 6, 7, 8, 9 is mechanically joined to its two adjacent sections so that heat can be transferred from one section to another section.

Referring to the schematic of Figure 2a, the television 3 is an edge-lit LED television having four sides 20, 21, 22, 23 and which employs for the purposes of backlighting two strips 24, 25 of LEDs at the opposed upper and lower edges. Referring to Figure 2b, which is a cross-section viewed along plane Y-Y, the LED strips 24, 25 in use direct light behind the screen 4, generally parallel therewith, which light is reflected or guided using a guide plane 26 at right angles towards the back of the screen 4. This provides backlighting through one or more other layers 27, including for example an LCD layer.

Edge-lit backlighting is itself known, and enables the television 3 to be thinner than those employing full screen backlighting. A metal frame 30 covers the rear surface of the television 3, and extends around each of the sides 20, 21, 22, 23 and terminates just beyond the front edge, adjacent the screen 4. The two strips 24, 25 of LEDs are mounted inside, and close to, the metal frame 30 at the upper and lower edges 20, 22 and hence heat generated by the LEDs in use is transferred to the frame 30. Similarly, other electronics such as a power unit and processing circuitry for, e.g. smart TV operation, which is housed within the frame 30, will also generate heat which is transferred to the frame.

As will now be described, the heat generated within the television 3 is transferred to the perimeter frame 5 to remove and radiate it away from the television using the heat exchanging ribs 13. This is by means of the metal frame 30 of the television 3 being attached to the extruded sections 6, 7, 8, 9 by metal, or other thermally conductive fixtures. In this way, no other cooling components, such as internal or external fans or refrigeration units are required.

Referring to Figure 3, the apparatus 1 is shown with part of the frame 5 cut away. The television 3 has on each external edge 20, 21, 22, 23 of the metal frame 30 a longitudinal metal strip 35 extending along the majority of said edge. Each strip 35 is connected to the metal frame 30 by screws, bolts or rivets, which may even pass through the metal frame. Heat from within the television 3 is therefore transferred to each strip 35, particularly at the top and bottom edges 20, 22 where the LED strips 24 and 25 are situated. Each strip 35 is slightly raised from the underlying television to have a generally T-shaped profile which enables it to slot within a like-shaped recess of the corresponding frame section 6, 7, 8, 9.

Referring to Figure 4, a cross section of one frame section 6 is shown.

The frame section extrusion 6 is in this case aluminium, but can be any thermally conductive material. The distal wall 13 carries on its outer edge the above-mentioned heat sink ribs 15 and, on its inner edge, are formed first and second T-shaped recesses or slots 40, 41. The slot 40 closest to the proximal wall 11 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the metal strip 35 described above, and so (i) fixes the frame section 6 to the television 3 and (ii) transfers heat from the metal strip 35 to the extrusion 6 for removing and radiating it away from the television 3.

The other slot 41 which in use is exposed behind the television 3 can be used for attaching other components, such as wireless speakers, which locate within said slot in a similar manner using an appropriately shaped projection.

The proximal wall 11, as can be seen, extends forwardly and then backwards in a curvilinear manner to provide both a decorative effect whilst also substantially concealing the heat sink ribs 15 behind the viewing direction X. The proximal wall 11 can be of any reasonable shape, whether narrow, wide, moulded and so on, depending on preference or application. A front inner edge 42 defines the termination of the frame section 6 when viewed from the front.

The same structure and attachment mechanism described above is also employed for the frame sections 7, 8 and 9. In theory, an exterior metal strip 35 may only be needed for the top and bottom edges 20, 22 of the television 3, because the heat transferred to their associated frame sections 6, 8 will transfer to the frame sections 7, 9 through their mutual connections. In this case, however, each frame section 6, 7, 8, 9 is attached in this manner .

Referring to Figure 5, the manner of attaching the television 3 to one frame section 6 is indicated, whereby it can be seen how the exterior metal strip 35 locates within slot 40 by insertion from one end and sliding. It will also be seen how the slot 41 is exposed behind the television 3 for receiving other components, such as speakers. The frame section 6 will be mitred at 45 degrees and the other frame sections 7, 8, 9 connected in the same manner.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 1 along plane Z-Z.

Advantageously, an anti-reflective sheet 50 of transparent glass or plastics material is optically bonded to the screen 4, covering the entire exposed surface of said screen between the inner edge 42 of each frame section. This gives a near perfect transfer of light, making video images highly visible even in sunlight, and there is no space between the sheet 50 and the screen 4 which might otherwise result in condensation and/or dust particles. Optical bonding typically employs an adhesive, such as silicone, epoxy or polyurethane, or other optical-grade glue .

Also shown is a pair of speakers 52 located using T-shaped projections within the rear slots 41. The speakers 52 can be connected to the television 3 using wires or may be wireless, e.g. Bluetooth. Other components can be connected in this way.

Also shown is a rear waterproof cover 54 connected within slots 55 provided on the rear edge of the frame sections 6, 8. The rear waterproof cover 54 can additionally, or alternatively, screwed, riveted or otherwise sealed using a sealant to the rear of the frame.

Cables from the television 3 may extend from the metal frame 30 in a watertight manner, and a waterproof seal may be provided around the rear cover 54 for additional protection. Any sockets, such as USB sockets or the like, may be covered with rubberised covers or bungs .

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment apparatus 60, in which the frame proximal wall is different, being less elaborate and resulting in a more simple design.

In summary, there have been described video apparatuses for use outdoors, utilising an edge-lit LCD television surrounded by a heat exchanging frame formed of connected extrusions carrying radiating elements on an exterior wall. The same principles could be employed with other forms of television, not necessarily edge-lit, with similar advantage, although edge-lit systems tend to provide a thinner end product. In terms of the radiating elements, any known arrangement and number of fins can be employed to provide effective radiation. Although metal, particularly aluminium, is described as the preferable material for the extruded frame sections, any thermally conductive material can be employed.

The television itself can have any technical specification, but is preferably a 21" - 65" LED screen with super high brightness, will a full high definition 1080P high contrast screen. It may be a smart television, employing Wi Fi connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, e.g. to speakers, can incorporate SD card slots, USB ports, HDMI ports, RS232, UART, Reverse IR in and out, and be IPTV enabled.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present application or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/or combination of such features.

Claims

1. A video display apparatus, comprising: a video display unit comprising a screen surrounded by a plurality of edges, at least one of the edges carrying a heat conducting member on its exterior for transferring heat from within the interior of the video display unit to the exterior; and a frame comprising a plurality of frame sections formed of a heat conducting material, each arranged to connect to a respective edge of the video display unit, at least one of the frame sections being mechanically connected to the heat conducting member of the video display unit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each frame section which is connected to an exterior heat conducting member carries a plurality of fins providing a heat sink.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each frame section carries a plurality of fins providing a heat sink.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the fins are arranged on an external wall of the frame section, extending generally parallel to the plane of the video display unit's screen.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein each frame section comprises a front wall extending generally outwards from the direction of the screen behind which the heat sink fins are substantially concealed.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame sections are metallic.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the video display unit is an edge-lit unit having one or more backlighting sources arranged internally along the edge carrying the external heat conducting member, and mounted such that heat generated by said source(s) transfers thermally to said heat conducting member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the backlighting source(s) comprise a strip of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) mounted on a circuit board connected to the corresponding external heat conducting member through the edge of the unit.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein first and second sets of backlighting sources are provided arranged internally along opposed edges of the unit, each connected to a respective external heat conducting member.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each external heat conducting member is a longitudinal strip of metal extending along, and parallel with, the majority of its corresponding edge, and which locates within a longitudinal slot extending along the corresponding frame section.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a rear cover attached to, or adjacent, the rear edge of the frame sections in a substantially watertight manner.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an anti-reflective and transparent cover, optically bonded over the entire screen of the video display unit.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising, on the internal wall of the or each frame section, behind the video display unit, a means for removably mounting one or more wireless transducers, e.g. speakers, for receiving signals wirelessly from the video display unit.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the mounting means are slots or recesses and the transducers are shaped so as to removably locate therewithin.

15. A video display apparatus, comprising: a video display unit, comprising a screen for the display of video images surrounded by four edges, in which the display is in use backlit using one or more internal, edge-mounted light sources, each of which is thermally coupled through the unit's edge to a respective external heat conducting strip extending along the corresponding side; and a frame comprising four metallic sides, each mechanically connected to a respective edge of the video display unit, and at least one of which connects to the external heat conducting strip and which carries a plurality of fins on an exterior wall, for use as a heat sink, and which are substantially concealed in use behind a front wall of the frame, wherein the screen is entirely covered by a non-reflective, transparent sheet, optically bonded thereto and which extends to the interior edges of the frame.