This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-105520 filed on May 17, 2013. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-105520 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a heat sink. This invention also relates to a display device with a heat sink.
2. Background Information
Display devices having a backlight that emits light toward the rear face of a display panel, such as in a liquid crystal television set, are well-known in the art (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2007-311461 (Patent Literature 1), for example). The housing of this display device includes a plastic front cabinet provided on the display panel side, and a plastic rear cabinet provided on the backlight side. A rear frame is provided between the front cabinet and the rear cabinet. The backlight has a heat sink, a wiring board attached to the heat sink, and a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) mounted on the wiring board. The heat sink is fastened to the rear frame by screws.
Another type of heat sink is also known in the art (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2012-129379 (Patent Literature 2), for example)
However, with the heat sink disclosed in Patent Literature 2, for example, the spread-out surface area of the heat sink is increased, or the overall sheet thickness of the heat sink is increased in order to improve the heat dissipation effect in the heat sink. Thus, the heat sink ends up being larger. It has been discovered that a larger heat sink makes it difficult to lay out the internal parts other than the heat sink that are provided to the display device. Furthermore, it has also been discovered that making the heat sink larger requires a corresponding increase in material expense. Therefore, it ends up being linked to higher cost.
One aspect is to provide a heat sink with which heat dissipation effect can be improved without increasing the size. Another aspect is to provide a display device with a heat sink.
In view of the state of the known technology, a heat sink is provided that includes a main component, and an attachment component to which a light source is configured to be attached. The attachment component is disposed at one end of the main component such that the heat sink is configured to dissipate heat generated by the light source. A first region of the heat sink defined by the attachment component and the one end of the main component has a surface area per unit of volume that is smaller than that of a second region of the heat sink defined by the other end of the main component.
Also other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses embodiments of the heat sink and the display device.
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Specifically, the numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, layout and connection of the constituent elements, and so forth described in the following embodiments are provided all just for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention. The invention is merely defined by the appended claims. Of the constituent elements in the following embodiments, those not discussed in an independent claim are not necessarily required, but will be described for understanding of the embodiments.
Referring through
As shown in
The display panel 3 is disposed inside the housing 4. The light source 8 and the heat sink 9 are also disposed inside the housing 4. The housing 4 is formed by putting together the front cabinet 5 and the rear frame 6.
The front cabinet 5 is disposed on the front side of the display device 2 (i.e., the front side of the display panel 3). As shown in
The display panel 3 is supported by the front cabinet 5 along with a diffusing plate (not shown) and so forth, via a cell guide (not shown). The rear face of the display panel 3 is irradiated with light from the light source 8 (discussed below), causing an image to be displayed on the display panel 3.
The rear frame 6 is formed from plastic or another such material, and is disposed on the rear side of the display device 2 (i.e., the rear side of the display panel 3). As shown in
As shown in
The convex component 7 is provided to the outer face of the rear frame 6. The convex component 7 positions the rear cover 10 (discussed below) with respect to the rear frame 6. As shown in
The rear cover 10 is formed from plastic or the like, and is attached to the outer face of the rear frame 6. The outer peripheral part of the rear cover 10 contacts with the inner peripheral part of the convex component 7, and is thereby positioning with respect to the rear frame 6.
The stand 11 is attached to the lower end of the rear cover 10, and supports the housing 4 from below.
The light source 8 is an edge-type LED backlight, for example, and is formed in a long, slender shape. The light source 8 shines light on the rear face of the display panel 3 when power is supplied from the above-mentioned power supply board. The light source 8 is attached to the heat sink 9. When the heat sink 9 is fastened to the rear frame 6, the light source 8 is disposed on the right edge of the display device 2 as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
More specifically, as shown in
In this embodiment, the attachment component 92 is formed by hemming the one end of the heat sink 9 by stamping. More specifically, as shown in
As shown in
The pitch in the direction along the attachment component 92 can instead decrease as moving away from the attachment component 92, in the order of the punchings 91C, the punchings 91B, and the punchings 91A. The punchings can also be such that the pitch decreases in the directions that intersect and follow the attachment component 92. Doing this allows the surface area of the heat sink 9 to increase moving away from the attachment component 92, so heat generated by the light source 8 can be more efficiently dissipated.
The punchings 91 can also be half-punchings formed by stamping. In other words, the punchings 91 can be recesses or protrusions formed by stamping, instead of through-holes.
As discussed above, the heat sink 9 has the attachment component 92 formed by hemming the one end of the heat sink 9. Thus, the volume of the heat sink 9 in the region X (e.g., the second region) that includes the other end will be less than the volume of the heat sink 9 in the region Y (e.g., the first region) that includes the one end. Also, the heat sink 9 has the punchings 91 formed in the region X. Thus, the surface area of the heat sink 9 in the region X is greater than the surface area of the heat sink 9 in the region Y. In other words, the region Y of the heat sink 9 has a surface area per unit of volume that is smaller than that of the region X of the heat sink 9.
With the heat sink 9 in this embodiment, the thermal capacity of the region Y (e.g., the first region) of the heat sink 9, which is the portion nearer the light source 8 (heat source), is increased. This promotes the absorption of heat generated from the light source 8. This also promotes the dissipation of heat in the region X (e.g., the second region) of the heat sink 9, which is the portion farther away from the light source 8 (heat source). This means that the heat dissipation effect of the heat sink 9 can be enhanced without increasing the size.
Also, because the heat dissipation effect of the heat sink 9 can be enhanced by the above configuration, a given heat dissipation effect can be maintained even if the size of the heat sink 9 is reduced. The effect of this is that the size of the heat sink 9 (the volume of its parts) can be kept to a minimum.
In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in
Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the attachment component 92 is formed by hemming in which the one end of the heat sink 9 is folded outward of the heat sink 9. However, this is not the only option.
Referring now to
In the first embodiment, the heat sink 9 includes the attachment component 92 and the punchings 91 formed by stamping. However, this is not the only option. In this embodiment, a different heat sink shape from that in the first embodiment will now be described through reference to the drawings.
As shown in
More specifically, as shown in
More specifically, the attachment component 93 is formed at the one end of the heat sink 9A in the region Y, just as in the first embodiment. Also, the attachment component 93 is formed thicker (with a greater volume) than the rest of the heat sink 9A other than the attachment component 93.
In this embodiment, the attachment component 93 is formed by extrusion molding. Since the attachment component 93 can thus be formed using extrusion molding, the volume of the heat sink 9A can be easily increased in the portion (e.g., the region Y) nearer to the light source 8 (heat source). As shown in
Also, the plurality of fins 94 are formed in the region X that includes the other end of the heat sink 9A. The fins 94 are formed by extrusion molding. With this configuration, the fins 94 can be easily formed using extrusion molding, so the surface area of the heat sink 9A can be easily increased in the portion (the region X) farther away from the light source 8 (heat source).
Here, the surface area of the heat sink 9A in the region X increases as moving away from the attachment component 93. Specifically, the pitch of the fins 94 is reduced as moving away from the attachment component 93, as shown in
As discussed above, the heat sink 9A has the attachment component 93 that is formed thicker by extrusion molding. Thus, the volume of the heat sink 9A in the region X (e.g., the second region) that includes the other end can be smaller than the volume of the heat sink 9A in the region Y (e.g., the first region) that includes the one end. Also, the heat sink 9A has the fins 94 formed in the region X. As a result, the surface area of the heat sink 9A in the region X is greater than the surface area of the heat sink 9A in the region Y. In other words, the region Y of the heat sink 9A has a surface area per unit of volume that is smaller than that of the region X of the heat sink 9A.
With the heat sink 9A in this embodiment, the thermal capacity of the region Y (e.g., the first region) of the heat sink 9A, which is the portion nearer the light source 8 (heat source), is increased. This promotes the absorption of heat generated from the light source 8. This also promotes the dissipation of heat in the region X (e.g., the second region) of the heat sink 9A, which is the portion farther away from the light source 8 (heat source). This means that the heat dissipation effect of the heat sink 9A can be enhanced without increasing the size.
Also, because the heat dissipation effect of the heat sink 9A can be enhanced by the above configuration, a given heat dissipation effect can be maintained even if the size of the heat sink 9A is reduced. The effect of this is that the size of the heat sink 9A (the volume of its parts) can be kept to a minimum.
Furthermore, the fins 94 can be formed by the same method (extrusion molding) as the attachment component 93. Thus, the above configuration can be easily formed.
The heat sink 9A is not limited to being produced by the method discussed above. The attachment component 93 of the heat sink 9A can be formed so as to provide a thicker part by using a bulge produced by casting (heading). In this case, the fins 94 should be formed by flattening by casting (heading).
In the second embodiment, the shape of the fins 94 is rectangular as shown in
As discussed above, the present application provides a heat sink with which the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced without an increase in size. Also, the present application provides a display device with this heat sink. More specifically, with the heat sink and the display device with this heat sink, the thermal capacity of the first region of the heat sink is increased in the portion closer to the light source (heat source), which promotes the absorption of heat generated from the light source, and also promotes heat dissipation in the second region of the heat sink in the portion farther away from the light source (heat source). Consequently, a heat sink can be obtained with which the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced without an increase in size.
The heat sink and the display device with this heat sink in accordance with the above-described embodiments are provided for illustration only, not for the purpose of limiting the invention. The above embodiments and modification examples can be variously combined as needed and/or desired.
For instance, the light source 8 described above is an edge-type LED backlight. However, a directly-under type of LED backlight can be used instead.
The present invention can be applied to heat sinks and display devices with the heat sinks. The present invention can also be applied to organic monitors and liquid crystal monitors used for computers, television sets equipped with organic panels, liquid crystal panels, etc., and the like.
The heat sink in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes the main component, and the attachment component to which the light source is configured to be attached. The attachment component is disposed at one end of the main component such that the heat sink is configured to dissipate heat generated by the light source. The first region of the heat sink defined by the attachment component and the one end of the main component has a surface area per unit of volume that is smaller than that of the second region of the heat sink defined by the other end of the main component.
With this configuration, the thermal capacity of the first region of the heat sink in a portion near the light source (heat source) is increased. This can promote the absorption of heat generated by the light source. This also can promote heat dissipation in the second region of the heat sink in a portion farther away from the light source (heat source). Consequently, a heat sink can be obtained in which the heat dissipation effect is improved without increasing the size.
With this configuration, the heat dissipation effect can be improved. In other words, the heat dissipation effect can be maintained even if the size is reduced. This has the effect of allowing the size of the heat sink (the volume of the parts) to be kept to a minimum.
With the heat sink, the surface area per unit of volume of the second region increases as moving away from the attachment component.
With this configuration, the heat dissipation of the heat sink can be improved in proportion to the distance from the light source (heat source).
With the heat sink, the attachment component can have the hemming part formed by stamping the one end of the main component.
With this configuration, stamping can be used to easily increase the volume of the heat sink in the first region, which is the portion nearer to the light source (heat source).
With the heat sink, the attachment component can have the hemming part formed by inwardly folding the one end of the main component.
With this configuration, even if the attachment component is formed by hemming at the one end of the main component, a radius will be formed at a different sheet portion from the sheet portion where the light source is attached, out of the two sheet portions forming the hemming part. This has the effect that the radius does not interfere when the light source is attached to the attachment component.
With the heat sink, the main component can include a plurality of punchings in the second region of the heat sink.
With this configuration, the surface area of the second region of the heat sink can be easily increased in the portion farther away from the light source (heat source).
With the heat sink, the punchings can be spaced apart from each other with the pitch that decreases as moving away from the attachment component.
With this configuration, the surface area of the heat sink can be increased as moving away from the attachment component. Thus, the heat generated by the light source can be more efficiently dissipated.
With the heat sink, the attachment component can have a molding part formed by extrusion molding.
With this configuration, the attachment component can be formed using extrusion molding. Thus, the volume of the heat sink can be easily increased in the first region in the portion nearer to the light source (heat source).
With the heat sink, the main component can include a plurality of fins disposed on the second region of the heat sink.
With this configuration, the fins can be easily formed using extrusion molding. Thus, the surface area of the heat sink in the second region can be easily increased in the portion farther away from the light source (heat source).
With the heat sink, the fins are spaced apart from each other with the pitch that decreases as moving away from the attachment component.
With this configuration, the surface area of the heat sink can be increased as moving away from the attachment component. Thus, the heat generated by the light source can be more efficiently dissipated.
With the heat sink, the light source can include an edge-type LED backlight.
With the heat sink, the attachment component has a thickness that is greater than that of the one end of the main component.
With the heat sink, the attachment component perpendicularly extends from the one end of the main component with respect to the main component.
The display device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes the light source and the heat sink. The light source includes a board and a plurality of light emitting elements disposed on the board. The heat sink includes the main component and the attachment component to which the light source is attached. The attachment component is disposed at one end of the main component such that the heat sink dissipates the heat generated by the light source. The first region of the heat sink defined by the attachment component and the one end of the main component has a surface area per unit of volume that is smaller than that of the second region of the heat sink defined by the other end of the main component.
The present invention provides the heat sink with which the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced even though the size is reduced, as well as the display device with this heat sink.
In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts unless otherwise stated.
As used herein, the following directional terms “forward”, “rearward”, “front”, “rear”, “up”, “down”, “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “perpendicular” and “transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a display device in an upright position. Accordingly, these directional terms, as utilized to describe the heat sink or the display device should be interpreted relative to a display device in an upright position on a horizontal surface.
Also it will be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various components these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, for example, a first component discussed above could be termed a second component and vice-a-versa without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The term “attached” or “attaching”, as used herein, encompasses configurations in which an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to the intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with another element, i.e. one element is essentially part of the other element. This definition also applies to words of similar meaning, for example, “joined”, “connected”, “coupled”, “mounted”, “bonded”, “fixed” and their derivatives. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean an amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.
While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. Unless specifically stated otherwise, components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2013-105520 | May 2013 | JP | national |