Patent ID: 12193187

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as detailed configuration and components are merely provided to assist the overall understanding of these embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

FIG.1throughFIG.4illustrate an exemplary display assembly100. The assembly100may comprise a mounting structure102. The mounting structure102may be configured to accept one or more side assemblies104. The side assemblies104sometimes also being referred to electronic display assemblies104, or individually as an electronic display assembly104. In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, the mounting structure102may be configured to receive a first side assembly104A on a first side of the mounting structure102and a second side assembly104B on a second side of the mounting structure102, which may oppose the first side of the mounting structure102. However, the mounting structure102may be configured to accept any number of side assemblies104in any arrangement.

The mounting structure102may be configured to for connection to a surface, such as but not limited to, a ground surface, a sidewalk, parking lot, a street, a building wall, poles, electrical boxes, transformers, ceilings, floors, combinations thereof, or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, the electronic display assemblies104may be configured for mounting directly to a ground surface, a sidewalk, parking lot, a street, a building wall, poles, electrical boxes, transformers, ceilings, floors, combinations thereof, or the like, without the need for a dedicated mounting structure102, and/or such items may serve as part or all of the mounting structure102.

The mounting structure102may comprise one or more structural members formed into a frame. Any number, size, and/or shape of structural members formed into any size and/or shape frame may be utilized. The mounting structure102may comprise one or more cladding components, panels, combinations thereof, or the like. For example, without limitation, the cladding components, panels, or the like may be snap fitted, fastened, adhered, hung, and/or otherwise connected to the structural members to form at least part of a housing.

The mounting structure102may comprise one or more apertures or other features configured to accept fasteners, adhesives, structural members, combinations thereof, or the like, for connecting the mounting structure102to a surface. The mounting structure102may comprise one or more apertures, pass through devices, combinations thereof, or the like, for accepting electrical and/or communication network wires and/or cables, such as for connecting components to utility power and/or communications networks such as the world wide web.

In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, the mounting structure102may be configured to accept the side assemblies104in a manner which permits movement of the side assemblies104, such as between a closed position where the side assemblies104rest against, and/or are secured to, the mounting structure102and an opened position where the side assemblies104are moved away from the mounting structure102. Movement may be provided in a hinging manner or otherwise.

The mounting structure102may comprise, or be configured to accept, electric vehicle (“EV”) charging equipment110. In exemplary embodiments, the display assembly100may comprise a recessed compartment116which extends within a portion of the mounting structure102and which is configured to accept certain EV charging equipment110such as, but not limited to, cables, connectors, plugs, outlets, user interfaces, point of sale devices, pulleys, retractable coils, combinations thereof, or the like. In exemplary embodiments, a user facing portion of the EV charging equipment110may be located at, or within, external facing portions of the recessed compartment116while other components of the EV charging equipment110may be located at, or within, the mounting structure102.

The assembly100may comprise one or more intake areas106. In exemplary embodiments, the mounting structure102may comprise a first intake area106B and each of the side assemblies104may comprise an additional intake area106A,106C, though one or more common intakes106may be utilized. The intake areas106may comprise, for example, without limitation, one or more apertures, grates, filters, screens, combinations thereof, or the like. The intake areas106may be configured to accept ambient air from outside the assembly100. Alternatively, the mounting structure102may comprise the additional intake areas106A,106C which may be in fluid communication with the side assemblies104.

The mounting structure102and/or the side assemblies104may comprise one or more exhaust areas108. In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, one of the exhaust areas108A,108B may be associated with each of the side assemblies104A,104B. For example, without limitation, the exhaust areas108A,108B may be provided at a lower portion of the side assemblies104A,104B or at the mounting structure102along the lower edge of the side assemblies104A,104B. A first one of the exhaust areas108A may be associated with a first one of the side assemblies104A and located at a first side of the assembly100while a second one of the exhaust areas108B may be associated with a second one of the side assemblies104B and located at a second side of the assembly100in exemplary embodiments, without limitation. Each of the exhaust areas108A,108B may be in fluid communication with a respective one of the intake areas106A,106C, such that each of the airflows is kept separate, though such is not required. The exhaust areas108A,108B may be located elsewhere.

One or more additional exhaust areas108C,108D may be provided for the intake area106B associated with the mounting structure102. The additional exhaust areas108C,108D may be provided at a bottom portion of the mounting structure102in exemplary embodiments, without limitation. The additional exhaust areas108C,108D may be in fluid communication with the intake area106B. A first one of the additional exhaust areas108C may be provided at a first side of the assembly100and a second one of the additional exhaust areas108C may be provided at a second side of the assembly100, for example, without limitation. The additional exhaust areas108C,108D may be located elsewhere.

The exhaust areas108may comprise, for example, without limitation, one or more apertures, grates, filters, screens, combinations thereof, or the like. The exhaust areas108may be configured to exhaust the ambient air previously ingested through the intake areas106. In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, each of the exhaust areas108may be fluidly connected with just one of the intake areas106, though common intakes106and/or exhausts108may be utilized. In other exemplary embodiments, airflow through the assembly100may be reversed such that the items shown and/or described as intake areas106may serve as exhaust areas108and the items shown and/or described as exhaust areas108may serve as intake areas106.

The mounting structure102may be configured to interchangeably accept the electronic display assemblies104, blank covers, static poster holders, combinations thereof, or the like. The electronic display assemblies104, blank covers, and/or static poster holders may be removed for transportation such that a number of the electronic display assemblies104, blank covers, and/or static poster holders may be transported in their desired and/or proper orientation, such as with the mounting structure102. For example, without limitation, all such components may be placed within a single shipping crate in this fashion.

The mounting structure102, in exemplary embodiments, without limitation, may be first secured at an installation site, such as by passing one or more bolts into an adjacent surface. Power supplies and/or network connectivity wires may be passed into the mounting structure102, such as but not limited to, by way of one or more pass-through devices, holes, or the like. The electronic display assemblies104, blank covers, and/or static poster holders may thereafter be installed. The certain components of the assembly100may be connected to the power supplies, network connectivity wires, and/or other electronic components, directly or indirectly, as required for operation.

FIG.5illustrates the assembly100with certain cladding and/or panels removed so as to expose exemplary electronic equipment112installed within a lower cavity115of a lower area105. The lower area105may comprise an area located below the side assemblies104when installed at the mounting structure102. The lower area105and associated lower cavity115may be defined, at least in part, by the mounting structure102.

The electronic equipment112may comprise, for example without limitation, EV charging equipment110(e.g., power modules, transformers, power distribution modules, power controllers, bulk energy storage devices, AC/DC converters, wiring or cable, combinations thereof, or the like), and/or equipment for side assembly104and/or assembly100functionality, including but not limited to, power modules, transformers, video players, network connectivity equipment (e.g., wireless transmitters/receivers, routers, radios, antennae, combinations thereof, or the like), sensors (e.g., air quality, pressure, temperature, humidity, accelerometer, magnetometers, combinations thereof, or the like), cameras, microphones, location tracking devices, position measurement systems, communications equipment, electronic storage devices, processors, controllers, edge computing devices, user interfaces, tablet computers, touch screen controllers, point of sale devices, government and/or private equipment (e.g., parking meters, electric meters, utility power supply equipment, traffic controllers, communications network equipment) combinations thereof, or the like. Any type or kind of electronic equipment112may be provided. Various structure for accommodating the electronic equipment112, such as but not limited to, one or more plates, panels, rails, shelves, server racks, combinations thereof, or the like, may be provided within the lower cavity115.

FIG.6andFIG.7illustrates the mounting structure102with the side assemblies104removed. The recessed compartment116may be any size and/or shape. In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, the recessed compartment116may be sized such that external EV charging equipment110is fully recessed within the compartment116when properly stowed, though such is not required. The mounting structure102may at least partially define an upper cavity114. The upper cavity114, in exemplary embodiments without limitation, may be further defined by the side assemblies104, such as rear surfaces thereof, and the recessed compartment116. The upper cavity114may be located above the lower cavity115. A series of apertures118may extend between the upper cavity114and the lower cavity115in exemplary embodiments, without limitation. Some or all of the electronic equipment112may be located in the upper cavity114, though such is not required.

The intake area106B, the upper cavity114, the lower cavity115, and/or the exhaust areas108C and/or108D may, at least partially, define a central airflow pathway for ambient air. The central airflow pathway may provide a dedicated airflow of ambient air for thermal management of the electronic equipment112in exemplary embodiments, without limitation. The central airflow pathway may form an open loop within the assembly100. The central airflow pathway may be separate from other open loop airflow pathways, such as those provided at the side assemblies104, such as under various ingress protection (“IP”) standards. One or more fan assemblies107may be located at the intake area106B for moving ambient air through the central airflow pathway. Each of the fan assemblies107may comprise one or more fans, which may be axial type fans, centrifugal type fans, combinations thereof, or the like.

FIG.8andFIG.9illustrate one of the side assemblies104A, shown in isolation. Each of the side assemblies104may comprise the same, or substantially, the same components in the same, or substantially the same, arrangement, though such is not required. Illustration and/or discussion is sometimes made herein with regard to one of the side assemblies104A, though similar such components may be provided at other ones of the side assemblies104B with corresponding item numbers with the addition of a “B” (e.g.,124A to124B, etc.).

The side assembly104A may comprise one of the intake areas106A. The side assembly104A may comprise a rear cover124A. A series of side assembly exhausts122A may be located along a lower edge of the side assembly104A. The side assembly exhausts122A may be in fluid communication with the exhaust area108A. The side assembly104A may comprise a front cover120A. Additional details of the side assemblies104may be as further provided herein.

FIG.10AthroughFIG.11Billustrate various sectional views of the assembly100, including the side assemblies104. Each of the side assemblies104A,104B may comprise a cover layer120A,120B. The cover layers120may each comprise multiple layers which are transparent or translucent (e.g., glass, acrylic) and connected by an optically clear adhesive. However, a single layer may be utilized. One or more polarizers and/or anti-reflective films may be provided at forward or rear surfaces of any of the layers of the covers120. Each of the side assemblies104A,104B may comprise a display layer126A,126B. The display layers126may each comprise one or more liquid crystal cells, though any type or kind of electronic display may be utilized (e.g., plasma, OLED, projection, cathode ray tube, etc.). Each of the side assemblies104A,104B may comprise an illumination device130A,130B. The illumination device130may comprise one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) in exemplary embodiments, without limitation. For example, without limitation, multiple LEDs may be mounted to one or more printed circuit boards arranged to provide direct backlighting to the display layers126, though any type of lighting and/or arrangement (e.g., edge lighting) may be utilized. A corrugated layer146A,146B may extend between each of the illumination devices130and a second layer125A,125B.

A front channel128A,128B may extend between the cover layer120A,120B and the display layer126A,126B of each of the side assemblies104A,104B. A rear channel136A,136B may extend between the second layer124A,124B and the rear covers124A,124B. The front channels128may be fluidly connected to the rear channels136of the respective side assemblies104. In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, the front channels128and rear channels136may define a closed loop airflow pathway for circulating gas within a respective one of the side assemblies104. The closed loop airflow pathway may surround at least the display layer126and the illumination device125. Alternatively, or additionally, a backlight channel132A,132B may extend between the display layers126A,126B and the illumination devices130A,130B of the side assemblies104. The backlight channels132may be fluidly connected to the front and/or rear channels128,136and form part of the closed loop airflow pathway, though such is not required. A cooling channel148A,148B may be provided at each of the side assemblies104A,104B between the illumination devices130A,130B and the second layers124A,124B. The cooling channels148may be fluidly connected to one of the intakes106A,106C and may be configured to accept ambient air and form part of an open loop airflow pathway at each to the side assemblies104.

Each of the side assemblies104A,104B may comprise one or more fan assemblies148A,148B,123A,123B. Each of the fan assemblies148,123may comprise one or more fans, which may be axial type fans, centrifugal type fans, combinations thereof, or the like. One or more fan assemblies148may be placed within the closed loop airflow pathway of the respective one of the side assemblies104for moving circulating gas through the respective closed loop airflow pathway when operated. One or more fan assemblies123may be placed within the open loop airflow pathway of the respective one of the side assemblies104for moving ambient air through the respective one of the open loop airflow pathways, when operated.

A central airflow pathway may extend within the mounting structure102, such as between the side assemblies104in exemplary embodiments, without limitation. The central airflow pathway may comprise the intake area106B, the upper cavity114, the lower cavity115, and/or the exhaust areas108C and/or108D. The exhaust areas108C,108D may be common or separate, such as on each side of the mounting structure102. In this fashion, the central airflow pathway may extend through a middle portion of the display assembly100. This may provide dedicated cooling to the electronic components112, in exemplary embodiments. As a great number and/or more power intensive electronic equipment112is utilized, increased cooling may be required to optimize component performance and/or longevity. This may also raise the display portions of the side assemblies104, such as to a more ergonomic viewing height.

The side assemblies104A,104B may comprise additional electronic components142A,142B, such as for operating various components of the display assembly100and/or side assemblies104A,104B. The additional electronic components may be located within the rear channels136. The additional electronic components142may comprise, for example without limitation, power modules, transformers, video players, network connectivity equipment (e.g., wireless transmitters/receivers, routers, radios, antennae, combinations thereof, or the like), sensors (e.g., air quality, pressure, temperature, humidity, accelerometer, magnetometers, combinations thereof, or the like), cameras, microphones, location tracking devices, position measurement systems, communications equipment, electronic storage devices, processors, controllers, edge computing devices, combinations thereof, or the like.

The side assemblies104A,104B may comprise heat exchangers134A,134B. The heat exchangers134may comprise multiple layers, such as but not limited to, for accommodating ambient air as part of the open loop airflow pathways and circulating gas as part of the closed loop airflow pathways in an alternating, cross-flow arrangement. However, any type or kind of heat exchangers134may be utilized. The open loop portions of the heat exchangers134may be in fluid communication with the intakes area106and exhaust areas108, and the closed loop portions of the heat exchangers134may be in fluid communication with the front, rear, and/or backlight channels128,132, and/or136. The open loop portions of the heat exchangers134may be fluidly connected with the cooling channels148or separate therefrom.

The closed loop airflow pathways of the various side assemblies104may be separated from one another and/or open loop airflow pathways of the assembly100, such as by partitions, dividers, walls, panels, gaskets, heat exchangers, seals, combinations thereof, or the like. A complete (e.g., gas impermeable) separation or seal is not necessarily required. In exemplary embodiments, the separation may be sufficient to prevent solid and/or liquid particulate from passing therethrough and/or solid and/or liquid particulate above a given size from passing therethrough. For example, without limitation, such separation may be sufficient to meet certain ingress protection code (IPC) standards, such as but not limited to, IP65, IP66, IP67, or the like.

While EV charging equipment110is discussed in some places, any type or kind of equipment112may be provided at the display assembly100, such as but not limited to, within the lower portion105. Such equipment112may comprise, for example without limitation, power transformers, traffic control devices, parking meters, street lighting equipment, and/or other civil or government and/or privately owned equipment, combinations thereof, or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, the mounting structure102may be modified to accommodate such equipment112and/or other structures, including but not limited to, walls or other surfaces. The side assemblies104may be utilized independent of the mounting structure102, such as for direct mounting to walls, buildings, or other structures.

The side assemblies104may comprise one or more mounting devices117. The mounting devices117may comprise holes, pins, hooks, bars, protrusions, combinations thereof, or the like. The mounting devices117A,117B of the side assemblies104A,104B may be configured to mate with one or more mounting devices119A,119B of the mounting structure102. The mounting devices119of the mounting structure102may comprise holes, pins, hooks, bars, protrusions, combinations thereof, or the like. The mounting devices117and/or119may be configured to permit hanging or other mounting of the side assemblies104at the mounting structure102and/or another surface. Securing devices121A,121B may be provided at lower portions of the side assemblies104A,104B and/or mounting structure102for securing the side assemblies104to the mounting structure102or other surface, such as when the side assemblies104are in a closed position. The securing devices121may comprise one or more pins, locks, tabs, latches, fasteners, tie downs, combinations thereof, or the like.

Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention.

Certain operations described herein may be performed by one or more electronic devices. Each electronic device may comprise one or more processors, electronic storage devices, executable software instructions, combinations thereof, and the like configured to perform the operations described herein. The electronic devices may be general purpose computers or specialized computing devices. The electronic devices may comprise personal computers, smartphone, tablets, databases, servers, or the like. The electronic connections and transmissions described herein may be accomplished by wired or wireless means. The computerized hardware, software, components, systems, steps, methods, and/or processes described herein may serve to improve the speed of the computerized hardware, software, systems, steps, methods, and/or processes described herein.