Abstract:
A display housing for a digital display screen, in one embodiment comprising a display screen enclosure adapted to receive a display screen and a computer housing arranged to receive a computer associated with the display screen for providing display content thereto. The computer housing has at least one air intake arranged at a first surface thereof and at least one air outlet arranged at a second surface thereof to define an airflow path between the at least one air intake and the at least one air outlet. The computer housing is adapted to receive the computer at a location in the airflow path and the display screen enclosure is arranged relative to the computer housing such that a fan disposed in a rear portion of a display screen received in the display screen enclosure is located adjacent the at least one air outlet of the computer housing during use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Australian patent application number 2015903862 filed Sep. 22, 2015, and claims the benefit thereof, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0002]    Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a display housing for a digital display screen. 
         [0004]    Background 
         [0005]    Digital displays are increasingly used for the purpose of advertising and/or providing information to consumers in a digital format. Known digital displays comprise display screens that are housed in or on a display housing which may be wall mounted or which may be floor or ground mounted depending on the specific circumstances in which the display is required. For example, a wall mounted display may be used in a shop or at a train station platform whereas a floor or ground mounted housing may be used outside a shop or restaurant. 
         [0006]    The display content is provided by a computer that is operatively associated with the display screen to provide a continuous display feed to the display screen. The computer is housed within the display housing. The computer must remain cool enough during operation that it does not overheat and fail, as this would lead to a disruption in the continuous operation of the display output. The requirement for cooling is amplified when the digital display housing is used outdoors, particularly in circumstances in which the computer may be subjected to high environmental temperatures. 
         [0007]    Known display housings utilise electronic airflow devices such as fans or thermostatically controlled environmental enclosures with air conditioning units for the purpose of keeping the computer at a desired temperature. Whilst such systems can be effective at maintaining the temperature of the computer, they are subject to servicing and potential failure over time, since the components required to cool the computer require regular maintenance. The components add additional cost both at the time of installation and during the lifetime of the display housing. 
       Summary of Invention 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above described disadvantages. There is disclosed herein an embodiment of a display housing for a digital display screen, the display housing comprising a display screen enclosure adapted to receive a display screen and a computer housing arranged to receive a computer associated with the display screen for providing display content thereto, the computer housing having at least one air intake arranged at a first surface thereof and at least one air outlet arranged at a second surface thereof so as to define an airflow path between the at least one air intake and the at least one air outlet, the computer housing being adapted to receive the computer at a location in the airflow path; and wherein the display screen enclosure is arranged relative to the computer housing such that a fan disposed in a rear portion of a display screen received in the display screen enclosure is located adjacent the at least one air outlet of the computer housing during use. 
         [0009]    The display housing in the above described embodiment utilises a fan built into the rear of the display screen to cool the computer by drawing warm air in the computer housing that has been heated by the computer through the air outlet and into the fan via the display screen enclosure. This action in turn causes air to be drawn into the computer housing at the air intake such that, whilst the fan is operational, a constant airflow stream passes through the computer housing. The computer is located between the air inlet and the air outlet such that the airflow cools the computer as it is drawn through the computer housing without the need for additional electronic components, air conditioning units or other equipment, thereby saving installation and maintenance costs. This in turn allows the housing to have a small footprint that can be installed into a greater range of areas when compared with known devices that require further fans and/or air conditioning units. 
         [0010]    The at least one air outlet in the described embodiment may comprise a ventilation port having an inlet in fluid communication with an interior of the computer housing and an outlet arranged to direct air away from the computer housing and into the display screen enclosure. 
         [0011]    The outlet end of the ventilation port may also be arranged to direct air generally horizontally away from the computer housing and into the display screen enclosure. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the ventilation port comprises an angled conduit having a first generally vertical portion with a lower inlet arranged in fluid communication with an interior of the computer housing and a second generally horizontal portion arranged at an angle to the first generally vertical portion and having an inlet in fluid communication with the first generally vertical portion, and an outlet end that is arranged in fluid communication with the display screen enclosure. 
         [0013]    The outlet end of the second generally horizontal portion may be angled at a slight downward angle relative to the inlet thereof. 
         [0014]    In this embodiment, airflow can be directed away from the computer in the interior of the computer housing and into the display screen fan via the display screen enclosure. Angling the second portion of the ventilation conduit at a slight downward angle can prevent the ingress of rain into the conduit, thereby protecting the computer and other electrical components such as wiring, power supply and a circuit breaker that are also housed within the computer housing. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the computer housing includes a computer mounting for receiving a computer thereon. In another embodiment, the computer housing includes a plurality of computer mountings for receiving a plurality of computers thereon. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the computer housing includes a plurality of air intakes and at least one air outlet for each computer housed within the computer housing. 
         [0017]    The at least one air intake may be located in a surface or wall of the computer housing at a height position that is lower than the height position of the computer mounting. The at least one air outlet may be located in a surface or wall of the computer housing at a height position that is higher than the height position of the computer housing. In this arrangement, as the air temperature in the computer housing increases, it rises and flows over a computer mounted in or on the computer mounting and towards the at least one air outlet, to be replaced by cooler air entering the housing from below. 
         [0018]    The display screen enclosure may include at least one ventilation aperture for the ventilation of warm air generated by the display screen during use. Also, the display screen enclosure may include a plurality of ventilation apertures configured to distribute warm air away from the display screen and out of the display screen enclosure. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the display screen enclosure is adapted to receive at least one display screen therein. In another embodiment, the display screen enclosure is adapted for receiving two or more display screens therein. Removable fixtures may be provided in the computer housing for accommodating different sizes and shapes of computers. 
         [0020]    Embodiments of the display housing are therefore flexible and can be adapted to accommodate numerous types and numbers of computers and display screens. 
         [0021]    Advantageously, a mesh filter may be included at the at least one air outlet for the prevention of dust ingress. 
         [0022]    There is also disclosed herein a system for displaying a digital display, the system comprising the display housing for a digital display screen defined above, a digital display screen housed within the display screen enclosure and a computer housed within the computer housing, the computer being operatively associated with the digital display screen and being programmed to provide digital content thereto. 
         [0023]    There is further disclosed in an embodiment of the invention, a method of cooling a computer housed in a display housing for a digital display screen, the computer being operatively associated with a digital display screen for providing digital content thereto, the display housing comprising a display screen enclosure adapted to receive a display screen and a computer housing arranged to receive the computer, the computer housing having at least one air intake arranged at a first surface thereof and at least one air outlet arranged at a second surface thereof so as to define an airflow path between the air intake and the air outlet, the computer housing being adapted to receive the computer at a location in the airflow path, the display screen enclosure being arranged relative to the computer housing such that a fan disposed in a rear portion of a display screen received in the display screen enclosure is located adjacent the at least one air outlet of the computer housing during use, the method comprising operating the fan such that it draws air flow through the air intake, over and/or around the computer, through the air outlet and into the display screen enclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a display housing according to a first embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the display housing of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a partial schematic side view of the upper compartment of the computer housing of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a partial schematic rear view of the computer housing of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a partial schematic perspective view of the computer housing of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , showing an airflow path there through; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a second embodiment of a display housing; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the display housing of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a schematic side view of an upper compartment of the computer housing of the display housing of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a schematic rear view of the computer housing of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a schematic rear view of the computer housing of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , showing the airflow path there through. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]      FIGS. 1 to 5  show a first embodiment of a display housing  1  for receiving a display screen  30  therein for the display of digital content to consumers in an outdoor environment, for example, outside a restaurant. The display housing  1  is made of steel and aluminium and comprises an elongate base  5  upon which a display screen enclosure  10  is mounted. The display housing  1  further includes an elongate computer housing  20 . 
         [0036]    The display screen enclosure  10  is designed to closely fit around the display screen  30  such that the viewing portion of the screen can be seen by a consumer whilst the rest of the screen is protected by the enclosure  10 . It comprises an elongate rectangular unit having a rear panel  12  that is approximately the size of the display screen, left and right side panels  14  that are of a depth sufficient to accommodate the depth of the display screen and an upper panel  16  to protect an upper surface of the display screen  30 . The display screen  30  is mounted on an upper panel  8  of the base  5 . The base  5  generally comprises an elongate rectangular unit, inside of which is housed electrical wires and componentry for the display screen  30 . The base  5  includes an elongate panel  6 , left and right side panels  7  of the same depth as the side panels  14  of the display screen enclosure  10 , a rear panel  9  and the upper panel  8  upon which the display screen  30  is attached. 
         [0037]    The computer housing  20  also comprises an elongate rectangular unit of the same depth and width as the base  5  and the display screen enclosure  10 . The computer housing  20  is arranged adjacent to the base  5  on a floor panel  35  that accommodates both the computer housing  20  and the base  5 . The rear panel  9  of the base S lays face to face with the front panel  24  of the computer housing  20 . The computer housing  20  is taller than the base  5  such that it can be attached at an upper end thereof to both the base  5  and the display screen enclosure  10  and includes a rear panel  22 , side panels  26  and an upper panel  28 . The base  5 , display screen enclosure  10  and computer housing  20  are each folded and then welded together. 
         [0038]    The computer housing  20  is divided into an upper compartment  44  and a lower compartment  45  by a partition wall  42 . A computer  40  that is programmed to provide the digital content to the display screen  30  is housed in the upper compartment  44 . Removable offset plates (not shown) are provided to accommodate various sizes and shapes of computer  40 . The computer  40  is electronically connected to the display screen  30  by wires (not shown). An access panel  41  is arranged in the rear face panel  22  of the computer housing  20  for ease of access to the computer  40  for the purpose of servicing and replacement and is secured to the computer housing  20  by removable fasteners (not shown) such as screws or bolts. Electrical wires and a power supply associated with the computer  40  are housed in the lower compartment  45 . 
         [0039]    A primary air intake comprises an air intake conduit  46  attached to a side panel  26  of the computer housing for admitting ambient air into an inlet of the upper compartment  44 . A secondary air intake conduit  48  is located in the partition  42  for admitting air from the lower part  45  of the computer housing  20  into the upper compartment  44 . The upper panel  28  of the computer housing includes a ventilation port  50  located thereon through which warm air generated by the computer  40  can exit the upper compartment  44 . The ventilation port  50  is an angled conduit having a generally vertical lower portion  52  that is arranged in fluid communication with the upper compartment  44  of the computer housing  20  and a generally horizontal upper portion  54  that faces rearwardly towards the display screen enclosure  10 . The generally horizontal upper portion  54  terminates at an outlet  56  that faces the display screen enclosure. An air flow path  60  through the computer housing  20  is depicted by the arrows in  FIGS. 3 and 5  in particular and extends from the primary air intake conduit  46 , secondary air intake conduit  48 , upwardly through the computer housing  20  to the ventilation port  50 . 
         [0040]    The display screen  30  includes a pair of fans  32  disposed one above the other in a central part of a rear face thereof for cooling the electronic components of the display screen  30 . The outlet  56  of the ventilation port  50  is positioned adjacent a fan  32  of the display screen  30 , in fluid communication therewith. 
         [0041]    The display screen  30  includes a wire covering over each of the fans  32  along a rear surface of the display screen  30  and ventilation apertures  34  located in a rear surface thereof that are located either side of the fans  32 . The rear face  12  of the display screen enclosure includes a plurality of ventilation apertures  38  positioned such that when the display screen  30  is housed in the display screen enclosure  10 , warm air generated by the display screen  30  can exit the screen via its ventilation apertures  34  and then through the ventilation apertures  38  to cool the display screen  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16  of the display screen enclosure, panels  6 ,  7  of the base panels, panels  22  and  26  of the computer housing and the access panel  41  includes ventilation apertures  39  through which warm air generated by the computer  40  and/or the display screen  30  may exit the display housing  1 . 
         [0042]    An exemplary operation of the display housing  1  is as follows. When the display screen  30  is operational, its fans  32  rotate to cool the display screen  30 . The rotation of the lower fan  32  draws air through the ventilation port  50  of the computer housing  20 , which in turn causes air to be drawn into the upper compartment  44  of the computer housing  20  via the primary air intake  46  and the secondary air intake  48 . Since the air flowing into the primary and secondary air intakes  46 ,  48  flows over and around the computer  40  towards the ventilation port  50 , the computer  40  is thereby cooled. The warm air flowing through the fan  32  is then dispelled from the display screen through the ventilation apertures  34  in the screen and  38  in the display screen enclosure  10 . 
         [0043]    The display housing  1  is particularly useful for use in an outdoor environment since as the display screen  30  increases in temperature, the fans  32  increase in rotational speed, which in turn draws airflow through the ventilation port  50  faster and results in an increased airflow through the upper compartment  44  of the computer housing  20 . The ventilation port  50  is of an inverted L-shape in order to protect the air outlet  56  from the ingress of rain water. To this end, the generally horizontal portion  54  of the ventilation port  50  is angled at a slight downward angle as shown in  FIG. 3  to ensure that no rain water falls through the ventilation port  50  and into the computer housing  20 . A mesh filter may be installed at the air outlet  56  or at any of the other ventilation apertures  38 ,  39  as deemed necessary in the specific environment in which the display housing  1  is to be installed. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the display housing computer cooling system does not rely on additional componentry that may itself overheat in an outdoor environment and which may also require regular servicing and maintenance in order to function in an outdoor environment. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6 to 10  show a second embodiment of a display housing  101 . The display housing  101  has many similarities with that of the display housing  1 , however it is adapted for use with two display screens  130  that are mounted adjacent one another on a base  105 . The similarities and differences between the display housing  1  and the display housing  101  will be described below. 
         [0045]    The computer housing  120  of the display housing  101  is taller than that of the computer housing  20  of the display housing  1  and reaches almost to the top of the display screens  130 . As with the computer housing  20 , the computer housing  120  is partitioned towards an upper end thereof into an upper compartment  144  and a lower compartment  145  by a partition  142 . Inside of the upper compartment  144  are housed a pair of computers  140 , each of which is programmed to provide digital content to the display screen  130  behind which it is mounted. An access cover  141  is provided over the upper compartment  144  for ease of access to the computers  140  housed in the upper compartment  144  for servicing and/or replacement thereof. Electrical wires and power supplies associated with the computers  140  are housed in the lower compartment  145 . 
         [0046]    The upper compartment  144  of the computer housing  120  includes a pair of primary air intakes  146  located in the partition  142 , each primary air intake  146  being located beneath one of the computers  140  so that ambient air admitted into the compartment  144  can flow over the computer  140  in its path. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the upper compartment  144  also includes a plurality of secondary air intakes  148  located in the partition  142  for the admission of further air into the upper compartment  144 . 
         [0047]    The upper compartment  144  further includes a pair of ventilation ports  150  attached to a front panel of the computer housing  120  at an upper end thereof. The ventilation ports  150  are short conduits having an inlet that is in fluid communication with the upper compartment  144  and an outlet that is located adjacent to a fan  132  of the display screen  130  behind which the ventilation conduit is located. The ventilation ports  150  are sheltered from the elements by the access cover  141  whilst providing a direct airflow to the fan  132  from the upper compartment  144 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , operation of the second embodiment of the display housing  101  is very similar to that of the display housing  1 . When the display screens  130  are operating and in use, the fans  132  of the display screen  130  will rotate in order to keep the display screen cool. The ventilation port  150  arranged adjacent each of the fans  132  provides a pathway for air in the upper compartment  144  to be drawn through the ventilation conduit  150  and into the display enclosure  110  via the fans  132 . This in turn causes cooler air to be drawn through the primary air intakes  146  and the secondary air intakes  148 . The cooler air passes over each of the computers  140  in its path towards the ventilation ports  150 , thereby cooling the computers  140 . 
         [0049]    As with the display housing  1 , the display screen enclosure  110  includes a series of ventilation apertures  138  in a rear surface thereof for the dispersion of warm air away from the display screen  130  and the display screen enclosure  110 . In this manner, as the outside air temperature increases, and the fans increase in rotation in order to maintain the temperature of the displays screens  130 , a corresponding increased flow of air passes through the upper compartment  144  of the computer housing  120  to cool the computers  140 . The panels forming the display screen enclosure  110 , the base  105  and the computer housing  120  each include a number of ventilation apertures  139  through which warm air may exit the display housing  101 . The access cover  141  includes further ventilation apertures  136  through which relatively cool air may be admitted into the upper compartment  44  for cooling the computers  140 . 
         [0050]    The display housing further provides cooling of the computer(s) in a variety of ambient temperatures without the use of additional components and targets the hottest points of the computer and housing, drawing air away from these areas. 
         [0051]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.