The present invention relates generally to structures for enclosing display devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to enclosures for protecting flat-panel display devices from ambient conditions encountered in a viewing location.
This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
In recent years, flat panel televisions have become enormously popular in both commercial and residential sectors. As the prices for plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) flat panel displays have continued to fall, and the quality for the same devices have improved, more and more businesses and individuals have purchased such devices for both home and business purposes.
The advantages of flat panel displays has also led to expanded application and placement of display devices, including locating display devices in new and challenging and environments. For example, display devices might be located outdoors in various residential and commercial settings for entertainment or marketing purposes, potentially exposing the display device to damaging rain, snow, debris, and other elements. Display devices might also be located in indoor environments such as restrooms, kitchens, and industrial settings for various entertainment, marketing, and informational purposes. As with outdoor applications, liquids and other potential contaminants may be near or come into contact with the mounted display device, potentially damaging or degrading the performance of the display device. It is desirable to protect the display device, which is often quite expensive, from exposure to environmental and other potential contaminants. Accordingly, various, sometimes bulky, environmental enclosures have been developed that are intended to protect a display device from the elements and other containments to permit locating such displays outdoors and in other potentially inhospitable environments.
In one embodiment, an enclosure for enclosing a flat panel display that is substantially sealed and resistant to liquid ingress is disclosed. The enclosure comprises a bezel, a substantially transparent front cover, and a rear cover. The bezel defines a perimeter surface defining an enclosure area having a display opening and a rear opening and includes an assembly of a plurality of frame members having beveled ends. The substantially transparent front cover is operatively connected to the bezel and covers the display opening. The rear cover assembly is operatively connected to the bezel and covers the rear opening.
In another embodiment, a method of preparing a substantially sealed enclosure that is impervious to ingress of liquid for enclosing a flat panel display device is disclosed. The method comprises assembling a bezel by joining beveled ends of a plurality of frame members to each other so as to form a rectangle. The bezel is characterized by a display opening, a rear opening, and an outer peripheral surface of the enclosure. The method further comprises attaching a rear cover, covering at least a portion of the rear opening. The method further comprises placing a flat panel display device within the enclosure through the display opening and coupling the flat panel display device to the bezel, the flat panel display device including a display area viewable through the front cover. The method further comprises attaching a front cover to the bezel, the front cover covering the display opening.
In yet another embodiment, an enclosure for enclosing a flat panel display that is substantially sealed and resistant to liquid ingress is disclosed. The enclosure comprises a bezel, a substantially transparent front cover, and a rear cover assembly. The bezel defines a front opening and a rear opening and comprises a plurality of frame members, each of the plurality of frame members having an outer surface and an inner edge, the outer surface being longer than the inner edge, the plurality of frame members joined to each other at a plurality of mitered joints formed by angled ends at the end of each of the plurality of frame members. The substantially transparent front cover is operatively connected to the bezel and covers the display opening. The rear cover assembly is operatively connected to the bezel and covers the rear opening.
These and other features, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure.
The display enclosure 10 is constructed so that the display device 20 may be located in an outdoor viewing environment or in other environments where the display device 20 requires or may benefit from protection from ambient conditions. Accordingly, the display enclosure 10 is constructed to resist and substantially prevent ingress of various liquids that may be encountered in the viewing location, including precipitation when the display enclosure 10 is mounted for outdoor viewing of the display device 20. In various embodiments, the display enclosure 10 is constructed to prevent ingress of rain, snow, splashing liquid, and various atmospheric particulates. In a particular embodiment, the display enclosure 10 is constructed to prevent ingress of liquid at a submersed depth of up to five feet of water, which may correspond to a modified rating of the IP68 standard (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).
As described in detail below, the display enclosure 10 may be provided with features that enable or enhance performance and operation under various ambient conditions, while protecting the display device 20 from adverse conditions such as liquids and/or various particulates present in the atmosphere that may come into contact with the display enclosure 10. The bezel 100, for example, may be constructed to provide the display enclosure 10 with a narrow periphery, or a low profile, that closely surrounds the display opening 111 through which the display area of the display device 20 is visible. Thus, the outer periphery of the bezel 100 defines an enclosure area and the display opening 111 defines a display opening area. In this configuration, the distance between an inner edge of the bezel 100 and the periphery of the bezel 100, the bezel thickness, is minimized. In a particular embodiment, the bezel thickness is less than about 50 mm, and in a further embodiment, the bezel thickness is less than about 25 mm. In further embodiments, the bezel thickness may fall between about 25 mm and about 50 mm.
The low profile of the bezel 100 permits the display area of the display device 20 to closely approach the periphery of the bezel 100. For example, the display opening area is maximized relative to the enclosure area. In a particular embodiment, the display opening area is at least about 85 percent of the enclosure area, and in another embodiment, the display area opening is at least about 92 percent of the enclosure area. In further embodiments, the display opening area may fall between about 85 percent and about 92 percent of the enclosure area. The above described configurations offer a clean, low profile look where the edge of the display area of the display device 20 is in proximity to the periphery of the display enclosure 10. These configurations permit, for example, a plurality of enclosures 10, each with a display device 20, to be arranged in a video wall such that the respective display devices 20 are in close proximity to one another, thereby enhancing the presentation of the image or images displayed on the display devices 20.
The display enclosure 10 may also include thermal modulation features. Such thermal modulation features may be active and/or passive and provide temperature control within the display enclosure 10 to assist in maintaining an internal temperature within the display enclosure 10 that is within an operating range of the display device 20. Still further, the display enclosure 10 may include various additional features that, for example, sense ambient light conditions and communicate with the display device 20 to adjust the brightness of the display to enhance viewability of the display device 20 under various light conditions.
With reference to
As illustrated in
As depicted in
Once the plurality of frame members 105 are joined to form the perimeter of the bezel 100, the bezel 100 may undergo a treatment or plurality of treatments. These treatments can include, for example, applying an organic coating and/or sealant to the bezel 100, which may be utilized to enhance resistance to environmental effects, strengthen the bezel, and/or provide a decorative coating. Various treatments can include polyurea coatings, urethane coatings, polyurethane coatings, epoxy coatings, powder coating, painting, anodizing, and combinations thereof. The material utilized in a particular treatment may be characterized as being adherable to the bezel 100 or an intermediate material disposed on the bezel and durable under various environmental conditions. Additionally, it may be desirable for the treatment to be characterized by one or more cosmetic attributes such as an ability to conceal surface imperfections in the bezel 100, including seams between the frame members 105, as well as providing a color, texture, and finish suitable for an outdoor display enclosure.
In an embodiment, the bezel 100 is treated with a polyurea coating. The polyurea coating may be applied as a liquid to portions of the bezel 100, such as the external surfaces or selected surfaces, or may be applied to the entire bezel 100. Selected surfaces of the bezel 100 may be coated by masking or other techniques. Application of the polyurea coating may be accomplished by a spray process. In various embodiments, the polyurea coating comprises a two-component system that includes a catalyst to effectuate curing of the polyurea on the bezel 100 at room temperature and without the need for a subsequent heat treating operation. In a particular embodiment, the two-component polyurea has the product designation UL XT 66 and is available from Ultimate Linings, LTD, of Houston, Tex. After curing, the polyurea coating provides a weatherproof seal or surface over the applied portions of the bezel.
Various processes may be used to apply the organic coating to the bezel 100, including by pumping the material to a spraying device. Proportioning valves achieve the desired ratio of the two-components, which are mixed into a blended flow prior to discharge from the spaying device onto the bezel. Prior to application, the viscosity of the polyurea may lowered by heating the material in order to improve pumping efficiency and spraying. In a particular embodiment, the components of a two-component polyurea system are heated to about 150° F. In a particular embodiment, the components are proportioned and heated using a Reactor™ proportioning and heating system from Graco Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn.
Two-component polyurea provides a highly durable and weatherproof coating over the bezel 100. In addition to durability, the polyurea can provide an aesthetic finish that does not require a subsequent painting or coating step or a post-application heat treatment step to cure the coating. For example, where the bezel 100 includes external seams between the frame members 105, the polyurea coating can be applied and cured to form a surface that effectively conceals the seams to provide a finish with a uniform surface appearance on the bezel 100. The amount of material applied may be varied to achieve the desired thickness of the coating. In a particular embodiment, a finished polyurea coating of about 0.060 inches is utilized. Accordingly, a two-component polyurea system can enhance manufacturability and efficiency relative to conventional multi-step finishing processes.
With reference to
The bezel 100 is constructed such that the thickness of the bezel, i.e., the perpendicular distance between the inner edge 107 and the peripheral surface 108, the portion visible when viewing the display enclosure 10 from the front, is minimized. That is, the bezel 100 has a low profile surrounding the display opening 111. For example, in a particular embodiment, the distance between inner edge 107 and the peripheral surface 108 of the display enclosure 10 is less than about 25 mm. In other words, the area of the display opening 111 is maximized relative to the area of the display enclosure 10 defined by the peripheral surface 108 of the display enclosure 10. For example, in a particular embodiment, the area of the display opening 111 is at least about 85 percent of the area of the display enclosure 10. In another particular embodiment, the area of the display opening 111 is at least about 92 percent of the area of the display enclosure 10. The low peripheral profile of the bezel 100 may enhance the overall look of the display enclosure 10, as well as minimize the space needed in a mounting location for installation of an enclosed display device 20. In multiple screen arrangements, where several displays are positioned horizontally and/or vertically adjacent one another, the low profile of the bezel 100 may provide an enhanced seamless appearance of the displayed image(s) on the multiple display devices 20.
The display opening 111 is covered by the front cover 200. As shown in
The display enclosure 10 may include internal supports disposed within the display enclosure 10. As depicted in
In various embodiments, the display enclosure 10 is constructed by assembling the plurality of frame members 105 to form the bezel 100 as described above. As illustrated in
As shown in
Various thermal control devices may be disposed within or at least partially within the display enclosure 10, to assist in maintaining the internal temperature of the display enclosure 10. Thermal control may be accomplished by including devices intended to add and/or remove heat from the display enclosure 10 depending on ambient conditions and/or the operating conduction of the display device 20. The various thermal control devices may work independently or in concert to assist in modulating the temperature inside the display enclosure 10 within the operating temperature range and/or storage temperature range of the display device 20 under various ambient conditions. In a particular embodiment, the display enclosure 10 is capable of maintaining the internal temperature inside the enclosure within the operating range of the display device 20 for an ambient temperature range of between about 1 degrees Celsius and about 60 degrees Celsius. The thermal control devices within the display enclosure 10 may comprise passive and/or active devices.
One of the thermal control devices within the display enclosure 10 may comprise a heat pipe assembly 400. The display enclosure 10 may include a plurality of heat pipe assemblies 400. With reference to
The display enclosure 10 may also include an internal fan 410 located within the display enclosure 10. The internal fan 410 circulates air within the display enclosure 10, mitigating thermal gradients or hot spots on, for example, a surface of the display device 20 and regions within the display enclosure 10. The internal fan 410 is electrically coupled to a power source to provide operating power. In an embodiment, described more fully below, a power supply 500 may be included within the display enclosure 10 to provide direct or indirect power to the internal fan 410 and other devices within the display enclosure 10. The internal fan 410 may also be electrically coupled to a thermal control unit 510. In an embodiment, the thermal control unit 510 may comprise a thermostat that is capable of detecting a temperature within the display enclosure 10 and/or on the display device 20. In a particular embodiment, a dual temperature integrated circuit sensor is mounted to the thermal control unit 510. The thermal control unit 510 may be equipped with one or more temperature set points. The thermal control unit 510 may activate the internal fan 410 (or other thermal control device) when a first temperature set point is detected, for example, 30 degrees Celsius. The internal fan 410 then operates, mixing the air within the display enclosure 10, for a predetermined period, until the detected internal temperature falls below the first temperature set point, or the thermal control unit 510 otherwise shuts off the internal fan 410.
With reference to
As noted above, the power supply 500 may be mounted within the display enclosure 10. The power supply 500 is electrically coupled to a power source, for example, directly or indirectly to a conventional power grid or other source. As shown in
In addition to the devices already described, a display controller 520 that controls the display device 20 may be mounted within display enclosure 10. Alternatively, the display controller 520 may be integral with the display device 20. As shown in
The display enclosure 10 may also be provided with an ambient light sensor 540. The ambient light sensor 540 senses the light level outside the display enclosure 10 and may be mounted to the bezel 100 or beneath the front cover 200. The ambient light sensor 540 is electrically coupled to the power supply 500 and the display controller 520. The display controller 520 receives input from the ambient light sensor 540 and, based on the input signal, may be configured to adjust the displayed image, for example, the brightness and/or contrast, generated by the display device 20. For instance, under relatively low ambient light conditions, such as at night when the display enclosure 10 is located outdoors, the display controller 520 may be configured to automatically decrease the brightness of the display device 20 based on the input from the ambient light sensor 540.
The display enclosure 10 may also be provided with features that enable communication between the display device 20 and a remote control device configured to control and the display device 20. The display enclosure 10 may include a remote control input 550. The remote control input 550 comprises an infrared sensor in a particular embodiment. The remote control input 550 is electrically coupled to the display controller 520 and may be mounted to the bezel 100 or located beneath the front cover 200 to receive input from a separate remote control device configured to control the operation of the display device 20.
The construction and arrangements of the display enclosure, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.