(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0043091A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 6, 2003
`Takeuchi et al.
`
`US 2003.0043091A1
`
`(54) DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH COOLING DEVICE
`(75) Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Nishikamo-Gun
`(JP); Tsutomu Nanataki, Toyoake City
`(JP); Iwao Ohwada, Nagoya City (JP);
`Isao Shikata, Kasugai City (JP); Kei
`Sato, Tokai City (JP)
`Correspondence Address:
`BURR & BROWN
`PO BOX 7068
`SYRACUSE, NY 13261-7068 (US)
`(73) Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Nagoya-City (JP)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/234,730
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 4, 2002
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Sep. 6, 2001 (JP)...................................... 2001-269997
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G09G 3/34
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 345/84
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A display System includes a light guide plate for transmitting
`light therethrough, and a panel portion arranged opposite to
`a back of Said light guide plate. The panel portion includes
`a driving portion provided with actuators of the number
`corresponding to that of a number of pixels. The panel
`portion causes a Video image to be displayed on the light
`guide plate according to an inputted image Signal, by intro
`ducing light into the light guide plate and controlling dis
`placement operations in contact and Separation directions of
`the actuators with respect to the light guide plate according
`to properties of the image Signal, and thereby controlling
`leakage light in a predetermined region of the light guide
`plate. The display System further includes a cooling device
`for controlling flow of a fluid in contact with the back of the
`light guide plate, to cool the light guide plate from its
`backside.
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.001
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 6, 2003 Sheet 1 of 7
`FIG. 1
`
`US 2003/0043091 A1
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.002
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 6, 2003 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 2003/0043091 A1
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.003
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 6, 2003 Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 2003/0043091 A1
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.004
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 6, 2003. Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 2003/0043091 A1
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.005
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 6, 2003 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2003/0043091 A1
`
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.006
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 6, 2003. Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 2003/0043091 A1
`
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.007
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 6, 2003 Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 2003/0043091 A1
`
`FIG. 7
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`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.008
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`US 2003/0043091 A1
`
`Mar. 6, 2003
`
`DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH COOLING DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001) 1. Field of the Invention
`0002 The present invention relates to a display system
`and, more particularly, to an improved display System that
`includes a novel cooling device.
`0003 2. Description of Related Art
`0004. There has been proposed a unique display system
`that includes a light guide plate for transmitting light there
`through, and a driving portion arranged opposite to one plate
`Surface of the light guide plate, wherein the driving portion
`is provided with actuators, the number of which corresponds
`to that of a number of pixels. The driving portion is operated
`So as to display Video image on the light guide plate
`according to an inputted image Signal, by introducing light
`into the light guide plate and controlling displacement
`operations of the actuators in contact and Separation direc
`tions relative to the light guide plate according to properties
`of the image Signal, and thereby controlling leakage light in
`a predetermined region of the light guide plate. Such a
`display system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,072 or
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,275, for example, any may be referred
`to as “display System of the type specified’ hereinafter.
`0005 The display system of the type specified differs
`from known liquid crystal display (LCD) or plasma display
`(PDP) in that it does not basically require a seal structure.
`Thus, it is possible to realize a display System having a
`divided panel Structure that is highly Suitable for upsizing
`and reduction in thickness of the panel without particular
`difficulties. Also, Since the display System of the type
`Specified belongs to direct viewing type, it is possible readily
`to achieve high contrast and Satisfactory resistance to color
`fading even when irradiated by external light, beside that a
`more excellent viewing angle can be obtained even in
`comparison with cathode ray tube (CRT).
`0006 When the display system of the type specified is
`used to implement a practical large-size display, in order to
`eliminate unfavorable influence due to heat generation from
`the light Source, it would be appropriate to cool the vicinity
`of the light Source by cooling fan, etc., as disclosed in the
`applicants co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`10/075,101 filed Feb. 12, 2002. This is due to the desirability
`of mitigating limitations in flexibility of material Selection
`from the Viewpoint of heat resistance, for each portion of the
`display System, particularly the actuators in the light guide
`plate or the driving portion.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0007. It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`display System of the type specified, which includes a
`cooling device for properly cooling the display System, So as
`to positively mitigate requirements imposed on component
`materials of each portion of the display System in terms of
`heat resistance, and to achieve improved operating reliabil
`ity of the display System even under Severe use conditions to
`thereby effectively utilize the above-mentioned functional
`advantages of the display System.
`0008. The inventors conducted thorough research and
`investigations Seeking for Solution of the abovementioned
`
`object, and found that heat generation occurs in the display
`System of the type specified, even by displacement opera
`tions in contact and Separation directions of the actuators
`relative to the light guide plate, that this type of heat
`generation becomes significant with the upsizing of the
`display System, and that it would be highly desirable to cool
`the light guide plate and the driving portion including the
`actuators as a whole, besides the above-mentioned cooling
`of the vicinity of the light source.
`0009 Based on Such novel recognition, the present
`invention provides a display System comprising a light guide
`plate for transmitting light therethrough, and a panel portion
`arranged opposite to a back of Said light guide plate, Said
`panel portion comprising a driving portion provided with
`actuators of the number corresponding to that of a number
`of pixels, Said panel portion causing a Video image to be
`displayed on the light guide plate according to an inputted
`image Signal, by introducing light into the light guide plate
`and controlling displacement operations in contact and Sepa
`ration directions of the actuators with respect to the light
`guide plate according to properties of the image Signal, and
`thereby controlling leakage light in a predetermined region
`of the light guide plate, Said display System further com
`prising a cooling device for controlling flow of a fluid in
`contact with the back of the light guide plate, to thereby cool
`Said light guide plate from its backside.
`0010 With the display system according to the present
`invention, the cooling device Serves to control the flow of
`fluid in contact with the back of the light guide plate and to
`cool the light guide plate from the back Side. Therefore, even
`in the case of upsizing the display System of the type
`Specified, all of the actuators and the light guide plate are
`effectively cooled despite heat generation due to displace
`ment in contact and Separation directions of the actuators
`with respect to the light guide plate. Therefore, requirements
`imposed on component materials. Such as the light guide
`plate or the actuators in the driving portion mainly from the
`Viewpoint of heat resistance can be relaxed and operating
`reliability of the display System can be improved even under
`Severe use conditions, while allowing effectively utilization
`of the above-mentioned advantageous functional character
`istics. Also, by effectively cooling the actuators and the light
`guide plate as a whole, it is readily possible to maintain the
`display System at uniform temperature So as to avoid local
`fluctuations in the operating characteristics of the display
`System.
`0011. The cooling device may comprise a partition plate
`for forming a flow path of the fluid in contact with the back
`of the light guide plate at least in a region adjacent to the
`back of the light guide plate. The flow path may be formed
`as a circulation flow path. A blower means for controlling a
`flow speed of the fluid, Such as a Sirocco fan, may be
`arranged in the flow path. The flow path may be formed into
`a configuration having a cross-sectional area Smaller than
`that of an upstream Side in a downstream Side in the region
`adjacent to the back of the light guide plate. In this instance,
`it is preferred that blower means for controlling a flow speed
`of the fluid is arranged on the downstream side of the flow
`path.
`0012. When the flow path of the fluid in contact with the
`back of the light guide plate is formed as a circulation flow
`path, it is preferred that a radiating portion comprising
`
`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.009
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`US 2003/0043091 A1
`
`Mar. 6, 2003
`
`radiating fins or the like is provided in the partition plate at
`least in the downstream side of the flow path.
`0013 Also, when the partition plate for limiting the flow
`path of the fluid in contact with the back of the light guide
`plate has a contact Surface with ambient air, a radiating
`portion comprising radiating fins or the like is preferably
`provided in the partition plate at least in the contact Surface.
`0.014.
`It is preferred that the partition plate is formed of
`a material with enriched thermal conductivity, Such as
`aluminum or the like metal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0015 The present invention will now be described below
`in further detail with reference to illustrated embodiments
`shown in the accompanying drawings.
`0016 FIG. 1 is a front view of a display system of the
`type specified, to which the present invention can be Suitably
`applied.
`0017 FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the
`line 2-2 in FIG. 1.
`0.018
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a
`main portion of the display System.
`0.019
`FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a first embodi
`ment of the cooling device according to the present inven
`tion.
`0020 FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a second
`embodiment of the cooling device according to the present
`invention.
`0021
`FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a modification
`of the second embodiment.
`0022 FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a third embodi
`ment of the cooling device according to the present inven
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`0023 FIGS. 1 to 3 show one example of the display
`System of the type specified, to which the present invention
`can be Suitably applied. The display System comprises a
`light guide plate 1, through which light introduced from each
`Side can be transmitted, a panel portion 2 formed of a
`plurality of panels arranged as a matrix, a frame 3 for
`preventing light leakage at the periphery of the panel portion
`2 and also for achieving positioning of the panels during
`mounting, light sources 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
`provided for respective Sides of the light guide plate 1,
`reflectors 8, 9, 10, 11 having reflection surfaces which
`respectively surround the light sources 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a,
`6b; 7a, 7b and the sides of the light guide plate for reflecting
`light from the corresponding light sources 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a,
`6b; 7a, 7b, as well as cooling fans 12a, 12b; 13a, 13b, 14a,
`14b. 15a, 15b secured to the respective sides of the reflectors
`8, 9, 10, 11. Such a display system may be installed, for
`example, on a vertical wall of public facility.
`0024. The light to be introduced into the light guide plate
`1 may be within any one of ultraViolet range, visible range
`and infrared range. The light guide plate 1 has Such a light
`refractive index that light introduced into the inside of the
`
`light guide plate 1 totally reflects without penetrating the
`outside of the plate in the front and back Sides, and requires
`that transmittance in the wavelength range of the light
`introduced is uniform and high. AS long as requirement for
`Such properties is Satisfied, the material is not limited in
`particular. Thus, for example, the light guide plate 1 may
`comprise glass, quartz, acrylic resin, translucent plastics
`Such as polycarbonate, translucent ceramics, or multi-layer
`structural body of materials that are different in refractive
`index, or other Suitable material having an appropriate
`Surface coating layer, etc.
`0025 The light guide plate 1 has a thickness that is
`approximately not less than one-hundredth but not more
`than one-tenth of the diagonal length of the rectangular light
`guide plate 1. By this, the light introduced into a side of the
`light guide plate 1 readily propagates Straight toward an
`opposite Side of the light guide plate 1.
`0026. As shown in FIG. 2 showing a section taken along
`line 2-2 in FIG. 1, the panel portion 2 comprises panels 16,
`17 each having a glass plate 16-1, 17-1 as a light guide plate,
`a printed board 16-2, 17-2 on which a driver IC is mounted
`opposite to the glass plate, and a display element 16-3, 17-3
`with a predetermined number of pixels sandwiched between
`the glass plate 16-1, 17-1 and the printed board 16-2, 17-2.
`0027. The details of the panel 16 will be described with
`reference to FIG. 3, though that the following description
`applies to the panel 17, as well. The display element 16-3 of
`the panel 16 has a driving portion 19 that is arranged
`opposite to one Surface of the glass plate 16-1, i.e., the light
`guide plate 1, and provided with actuators 18a, 18b of the
`number corresponding to a number of pixels. The driving
`portion 19 of the panel 16 can be operated so as to display
`Video image on the light guide plate 1 corresponding to an
`image Signal inputted to the display System, by controlling
`displacement operation in contact and Separation directions
`of the actuators 18a, 18b relative to the glass plate 16-1 as
`part of the light guide plate 1 according to properties of the
`inputted image Signal, and thereby controlling leakage light
`in a predetermined region of the light guide plate 1.
`0028. The actuators 18a, 18b each has a structure in
`which a Substrate 20 made of ceramics, Such as Zirconia, is
`provided with a thin-wall portion 21a, 21b, and a piezoelec
`tric/electrostrictive layer or anti-ferroelectric Substance layer
`22a, 22b having electrode films on its upper and lower
`Surfaces, as well as a white Scattering body layer 23a, 23b,
`a color light emission body layer 24a, 24b and a contact
`layer 25a, 25b are sequentially formed on the thin-wall
`portion 21a, 21b. The glass plate 16-1 is supported by the
`substrate 20 through plural posts 26a, 26b, 26c, and is
`arranged in close contact with the light guide plate 1, e.g.,
`through silicon oil 33. Incidentally, reflectors or light
`absorption layers 28a, 28b, 28c are arranged between the
`posts 26a, 26b, 26c and the glass plate 16-1.
`0029. The actuator 18a shown on the left side of FIG. 3
`corresponds to the case of light emission of the display
`element 16-3, wherein the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
`layer or the anti-ferroelectric Substance layer 22a and the
`thin-wall portion 21a protrude upward So that the contact
`layer 25a is in contact with the glass plate 16-1. Therefore,
`the light that has been introduced into the light guide plate
`1 and totally reflected between an inner surface on the front
`Side of the light guide plate 1 and an inner Surface on the
`
`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.010
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`US 2003/0043091 A1
`
`Mar. 6, 2003
`
`back Side of the glass plate 16-1 in close contact with the
`light guide plate 1, is now transmitted to the Surface of the
`color light emission body layer 24a through the contact layer
`25a, and passed through the glass plate 16-1 to be emitted
`from the front Side of the light guide plate 1 as Scattered light
`of a color corresponding to that of the color light emission
`body layer 24a.
`0030. On the other hand, the actuator 18b shown on the
`right side of FIG. 3 corresponds to the case of non-light
`emission of the display element 16-3, wherein the piezo
`electric/electroStrictive layer or the anti-ferroelectric Sub
`stance layer 22b and the thin-wall portion 21b are retracted
`downward and the contact layer 25b Separates from the glass
`plate 16-1. Therefore, the light introduced into the light
`guide plate 1 and totally reflected between the inner Surface
`of the light guide plate 1 and the inner Surface of the glass
`plate 16-1 propagates toward the other Side, without being
`emitted from the front side of the light guide plate 1.
`0.031
`Referring back to FIG. 2, the frame 3 has a glass
`plate 3-1 and a black-coated glass plate 3-2 arranged oppo
`site to the glass plate 3-1. An air layer 3-3 is formed between
`the glass plates 3-1 and the black-coated glass plate 3-2.
`0032. By mounting the frame 3 before mounting the
`panels 16, 17, it is possible to prevent light leakage of the
`periphery of the panel portion 2 and also to facilitate
`positioning of the panels 16, 17.
`0033. The light guide plate 1, the frame 3 and the panels
`16, 17 are connected by gaskets 29, 30, 31, 32, respectively,
`and Space Surrounded by the light guide plate 1, the frame
`3, the panels 16, 17 and the gaskets 29, 30, 31, 32 is filled
`with silicon oil 33 having a refractive index relatively close
`to that of the light guide plate 1 and the glass plates 3-1,
`16-1, 17-1.
`0034 Since the above-mentioned basic structure and
`function of the display System of the type specified, to which
`the present invention is applied, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,636,072 or the applicants co-pending U.S. patent appli
`cation Ser. No. 10/075,101, a more detailed description is
`omitted for the Sake of Simplicity. It is noted, however, that
`the disclosures of these patent documents are herein incor
`porated by reference.
`0035. According to the present invention, the display
`System of the type specified having the above-mentioned
`Structure further includes a cooling device for controlling
`flow of a fluid in contact with the back of the light guide
`plate 1, to cool the light guide plate 1 from its backside. A
`first embodiment of the cooling device denoted as a whole
`by reference numeral 40 will be described below with
`reference to FIG. 4.
`0.036 AS described above, cooling fans are secured to the
`respective sides of the reflectors corresponding to the light
`Sources of the Specified display System. Among these cool
`ing fans, only the cooling fans 13a, 13b. 15a, 15b on the
`upper and lower sides are shown in FIG. 4. In the cooling
`device 40 according to the present embodiment, the back
`sides of the light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17 are
`completely covered by a rear cover 41. Thermal insulating
`materials 42 are applied to the inner Surface portions of the
`rear cover 41 in its upper and lower regions adjacent to the
`light sources and the cooling fans 13a, 13b. 15a, 15b. A
`partition plate 43 of generally flat shape is placed between
`
`the rear cover 41 and the back Sides of the light guide plate
`1 and the panels 16, 17. The partition plate 43 is inclined
`with respect to a vertical plane So that the distance between
`the light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17, on one hand,
`and the partition plate 43, on the other hand, is gradually
`decreased from the lower side toward the upper side. The
`partition plate 43 defines a cooling chamber on the back
`Sides of the light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17, and is
`advantageously formed of material with a high thermal
`conductivity, for example, aluminum or the like metal
`material. An intake vent provided with a coarse filter 44
`therein is arranged in the lower portion of the rear cover 41.
`A further intake vent provided with a fine filter 45 is
`arranged in the lower portion of the partition plate 43 at its
`region opposite to the coarse filter 44 of the rear cover 41.
`A receSS portion 46 inwardly protruding toward the light
`guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17 is provided in the upper
`portion of the rear cover 41. An exhaust vent and a blower
`47 are provided in the upper portion of the partition plate 43
`at a position corresponding to the receSS portion 46. The
`blower 47 may be comprised of a Sirocco fan, for example.
`0037. The blower 47 of the cooling device 40 is operated
`during the operation of the display System of the type
`Specified, So as to introduce ambient air into the cooling
`chamber defined by the partition plate 43 through the filters
`44, 45 while removing foreign matters in the ambient air,
`Such as dust. The ambient air introduced into the cooling
`chamber flows from the lower side toward the upper side of
`the chamber, cooling the light guide plate 1 and the panels
`16, 17 from the back sides, and is Sucked from the exhaust
`vent in the upper portion of the partition plate 43 into the
`blower 47 and then exhausted from the recess portion 46 of
`the rear cover 41 to outside. As a result, the light guide plate
`1 and the panels 16, 17 can be effectively cooled from the
`back Sides during operation of the display System. Since the
`distance between the light guide plate 1 and the panels 16,
`17, on one hand, and the partition plate 43, on the other hand,
`gradually decreases from the lower Side toward the upper
`Side of the cooling chamber, the Speed of the air flow
`gradually increases from the lower Side toward the upper
`Side, to achieve Substantially uniform cooling even when the
`temperature of the air flow increases gradually from the
`lower side toward the upper side of the chamber.
`0038. With the cooling device according to the embodi
`ment shown in FIG. 4, even when the display system of the
`type specified is upsized and considerable heat is generated
`due to displacement operation in contact and Separation
`directions of the actuators 18a, 18b relative to the light guide
`plate 1, the actuators 18a, 18b and the light guide plate 1 as
`a whole can be cooled from back sides effectively. There
`fore, it is possible to mitigate requirements imposed on
`component materials of the display System of the type
`Specified, Such as materials for the light guide plate 1 or the
`actuators 18a, 18b in the driving portion mainly from the
`Viewpoint of heat resistance, and provide improved operat
`ing reliability of the display System even under Severe use
`conditions, while effectively utilizing advantageous func
`tional characteristics unique to the display System of the type
`Specified. Also, it is possible effectively to maintain the
`display System at a Substantially uniform temperature, and
`avoid local fluctuation in the operating characteristics of the
`display System. Incidentally, the cooling capability of the
`cooling device 40 can be readily adjusted by properly
`adjusting the operating Speed of the blower 47 and thereby
`
`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.011
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`US 2003/0043091 A1
`
`Mar. 6, 2003
`
`controlling the Speed of the air flow along the back Sides of
`the light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17.
`0.039 A second embodiment of the cooling device
`according to the present invention will be explained with
`reference to FIG. 5.
`0040. In the cooling device according to the present
`embodiment, which as a whole is denoted by reference
`numeral 50, the back sides of the light guide plate 1 and the
`panels 16, 17 are completely covered by a rear cover 51.
`Thermal insulating materials 52 are applied to the inner
`Surface portions of the rear cover 51 in its upper and lower
`regions adjacent to the light Sources and cooling fans 13a,
`13b. 15a, 15b. A partition plate 53 of generally flat shape is
`placed between the rear cover 51 and the back sides of the
`light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17. The partition plate
`53 is arranged in parallel with a vertical plane So that the
`distance between the light guide plate 1 and the panels 16,
`17, on one hand, and the partition plate 53, on the other hand,
`is kept constant as Seen in the height direction. The partition
`plate 53 defines a cooling chamber on the back sides of the
`light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17, and is advanta
`geously formed of metal material Such as aluminum. An
`intake vent provided with a coarse filter 54 is arranged in the
`lower portion of the rear cover 51. Further intake vents
`provided with fine filters 55a, 55b are arranged in the lower
`portion and middle portion of the partition plate 53, respec
`tively, at its regions opposite to the coarse filter 54 of the rear
`cover 51. A recess portion 56 inwardly protruding toward the
`light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17 is provided in the
`upper portion of the rear cover 51. An exhaust vent and a
`blower 57 are provided in the upper portion of the partition
`plate 53 at a position corresponding to the receSS portion 56.
`The blower 57 may be comprised of a sirocco fan, for
`example.
`0041) The blower 57 of the cooling device 50 is operated
`during the operation of the display System of the type
`Specified, So as to introduce ambient air into the cooling
`chamber defined by the partition plate 53 through the filters
`54, 55a, 55b while removing foreign matters in the ambient
`air, Such as dust. The ambient air introduced into the cooling
`chamber flows from the lower side toward the upper side of
`the chamber, cooling the light guide plate 1 and the panels
`16, 17 from the back sides, and is Sucked from the exhaust
`vent in the upper portion of the partition plate 53 into the
`blower 57, and then exhausted from the recess portion 56 of
`the rear cover 51 to outside. As a result, the light guide plate
`1 and the panels 16, 17 can be effectively cooled from the
`back Sides during operation of the display System. Inciden
`tally, the ambient air introduced into the cooling chamber
`from the fine filter 55a in the lower portion of the partition
`plate 53 has a temperature that increases with cooling while
`flowing toward the upper portion. However, Since the addi
`tional intake vent with the fine filter 55b is arranged in the
`middle portion of the partition plate 53 and fresh ambient air
`is Supplied, it is possible to cool the back Sides of the light
`guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17 substantially uniformly.
`0042. In the points other than the above, the cooling
`device according to the Second embodiment functions essen
`tially in the same manner as the first embodiment.
`0.043 A modified example of the above-mentioned sec
`ond embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 6.
`0044) In the present example, the inner surface of the
`partition plate 53 in its region upper than the filter 55b in the
`
`cooling device 50 according to the Second embodiment is
`provided with ridges 53a, 53b, 53c protruding toward the
`light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17 with gradually
`increasing protruding height. These ridges 53a, 53b, 53c
`function as baffles for agitating the air flow along the back
`sides of the light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17, to
`thereby promote the cooling action.
`0045. In the points other than the above, the cooling
`device according to the present example functions essen
`tially in the same manner as the Second embodiment.
`0046. A third embodiment of the cooling device accord
`ing to the present invention will be explained with reference
`to FIG 7.
`0047. In the cooling device according to the present
`embodiment, which as a whole is denoted by reference
`numeral 60, the back Sides of a light guide plate 1 and panels
`16, 17 are completely covered by a rear cover 61. Thermal
`insulating materials 62 are applied to the inner Surface
`portions of the rear cover 61 in its upper and lower regions
`adjacent to light Sources and cooling fans 13a, 13b. 15a,
`15b. A partition plate 63 of generally flat shape is placed
`between the rear cover 61 and the back sides of the light
`guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17. The partition plate 63 is
`arranged in parallel with a vertical plane So that the distance
`between the light guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17, on one
`hand, and the partition plate 63, on the other hand, is kept
`constant as Seen in the height direction. The partition plate
`63 defines a cooling chamber on the back sides of the light
`guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17, and is advantageously
`formed of metal material Such as aluminum. A heat
`eXchanger 64 is arranged in the lower portion of the rear
`cover 61. An intake vent 65 is provided in the lower portion
`of the partition plate 63, at a region opposite to the heat
`exchanger 64. An exhaust vent and a blower 67a are
`arranged in the upper portion of the partition plate 63. The
`blower 67a may be comprised of a Sirocco fan, for example.
`The heat exchanger 64 in the lower portion of the rear cover
`61 is covered by a shroud 68. A second blower 67b is
`arranged in the upper portion of the Shroud 68.
`0048. The blowers 67a, 67b of the cooling device 60 are
`operated during the operation of display System of the type
`specified, so that ambient air is sucked into the blower 67b
`through the inside of the heat eXchanger 64 and the Shroud
`68, and exhausted to outside. At the same time, air flow is
`caused by the blower 67a to circulate along a closed path
`formed by the rear cover 61 and the partition plate 63,
`thereby effectively cooling the light guide plate 1 and the
`panels 16, 17 from the back sides. The circulating air flow
`is cooled to Sufficiently low temperature by exchanging heat
`with the ambient air at the heat exchanger 64.
`0049 According to the present embodiment, by causing
`a fluid flow that is isolated from the ambient air and
`circulating the fluid flow along the back Sides of the light
`guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17, the driving portion
`having a precise Structure can be definitely protected from
`dust or the like foreign matters included in the ambient air,
`without requiring regular maintenance operations, Such as
`periodical replacement of the filters. Also, it is possible to
`use a liquid or gaseous heat transfer medium having proper
`temperature characteristics, as the fluid for cooling the light
`guide plate 1 and the panels 16, 17 from the back sides.
`
`SEC et al. v. MRI
`SEC Exhibit 1004.012
`IPR 2023-00199
`
`

`

`US 2003/0043091 A1
`
`Mar. 6, 2003
`
`0050. In the points other than the above, the cooling
`device according to the present example functions essen
`tially in the same manner as the previous embod