WO2011070286A1 - Device for displaying a video image on an edifice fitted with several glazing panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The element (8), in particular for an edifice, comprises: at least three glazing panels (9, 10, 12) extending one in front of the other and forming two chambers (68, 70) between them; and at least one electronic circuit comprising light-emitting diodes and at least one driver able to control the diodes independently of one another so that the element displays at least one portion of an animated image. The circuit or circuits lie within just one of the chambers, the diodes and the driver of each circuit lying within the chamber.

Description

 Device for displaying a video image on a building with multiple windows

The invention relates to light-emitting diode display panels, in particular large panels extending over all or part of the facade of a building.

 It is known to form on the facade of a building a video image display device in which the display is performed by means of light emitting diodes or LEDs. The device can have very large dimensions to cover an area of several hundred or several thousand square meters. Such a display has many advantages. First, it is embedded in the architecture. Thus, it is the building that supports the display, the latter taking advantage of the presence of the building to extend on a great height. The diodes consume relatively little energy. However, they produce an image with pronounced contrast and perfectly visible even in daylight and in full sun. The diodes allow the display of a fast succession of images or a film with a very satisfactory rendering. Last but not least, the diodes and the electronic circuit that carries them on the facade of the building can be placed without obstructing it for the occupants of the building. Indeed, the diodes can be arranged on supports widely spaced from each other that preserve most of the view for the occupants and let in all the natural light desired.

 Thus, it is common to have the circuit inside the building facing windows forming the facade. The lighting emitted by the diodes is transmitted directly to the outside. The resulting image is visible to people outside the building. In this arrangement, the electronic circuit carrying the diodes is protected from bad weather and moisture in particular.

 An object of the invention is to provide an improved display device. For this purpose, there is provided according to the invention an element, in particular for a building, which comprises:

 at least three windows extending one after the other forming two chambers between them, and

at least one electronic circuit comprising light-emitting diodes and at least one driver adapted to control the diodes independently of each other so that the element displays at least a portion of a moving image, the circuit or circuits extending in a single of the chambers, diodes and driver of each circuit extending into the chamber.

In one embodiment, the chamber receiving the circuit or circuits is a rear chamber.

 Indeed, a facade is often exposed to the sun's rays, which in the aforementioned prior art can result in a greenhouse effect a rise in temperature on the side of the window where the diodes and the circuit are located, which rise can be detrimental to their proper functioning or integrity. The temperature for example can go up to 80 ° C. In the present embodiment of the invention, the chamber which does not receive the diodes or the circuits, here called the front or outer chamber, is interposed between the external environment and the chamber receiving diodes and circuits, here called back or internal chamber. . The front chamber therefore receives first solar radiation and can rise in temperature. Disposed behind, the rear chamber receives only slightly solar radiation and has a much lower temperature rise that remains bearable by the diodes and circuits. Despite the presence of two panes between the diodes and the external environment, this arrangement does not significantly affect the transmission to the outside of the light emitted by the diodes.

 In addition, each of the outer faces of the element can be easily cleaned. In addition, the backlighting effect that can occur by reflection of the light rays on the inner face of the outer pane is very attenuated or suppressed due to the presence of the inner pane. In addition, these advantages are achieved without putting the circuit in contact with the weather. The circuit is on the contrary perfectly protected from shocks and dirt by being received in one of the rooms.

 In another embodiment, the chamber receiving the circuit or circuits is a front chamber.

In the aforementioned prior art, it is indeed possible that a small fraction of the light emitted by the diodes is reflected on the glass and is therefore perceived by the occupants of the building. This parasitic backlight is at best unsightly and at worst annoying or inconvenient for the occupants. In addition, the backlight effect was particularly pronounced in the context of the aforementioned known display when the circuit was inside the building facing a double glazing. In the present embodiment of the invention, only one of the windows is now facing the light emitted by the device, which helps to reduce or even eliminate this effect. The other two windows are interposed between the diodes and the interior of the building and form so many filters for parasitic reflections.

 Advantageously, the chamber receiving the circuit or circuits is closed, preferably both chambers.

 The or each circuit is thus protected including moisture and aggression.

 Preferably, the element has a face coated with a material capable of reflecting at least part of the sun's rays.

 Thus, it reduces the temperature rise that solar radiation can generate on the side of this face.

 Advantageously, the or each circuit comprises a separate support windows.

 The circuits are thus made independently of the windows.

 Preferably, the circuit consists, in an area of the windows visible from at least one main external face of the element, in elongated units without connection to each other opposite the visible zone.

 This limits the obstruction of the gaze through the element, for example for the occupants of the building when the element is part of a facade. They are thus provided with a great comfort of vision. Indeed, the lack of connection household large ranges of vision without the eye meets one of the elongated units.

 Advantageously, the circuit comprises a support, for example semi-transparent, and on a side opposite to the support, a layer of a protective material.

 This layer protects the circuit components against soiling, especially during assembly of the constituents of the element. It is also through it that the circuit can be supported on one of the windows, the bearing surface is thus made uniform and large area.

 Preferably, the image is a video image.

 It can be expected that in the visible area, the circuit is in contact with each of the two panes.

Thus, the circuit is closely held in place and in position between the two panes. In particular, it avoids any risk of the circuit being deformed, for example bending or warping, as can happen with certain devices of the prior art under the effect of temperature variations experienced by the circuit because of its operation. and climatic hazards, and its exposure to the sun's rays. We thus perpetuate the dimensional characteristics of the device. Preferably, the circuit comprises at least one connector not extending opposite a visible area of the panes and connecting together parts of the circuit extending opposite the visible area.

 Thus, the connector is housed in a part of the element hidden from view. For example, it will be a window amount if the window is the element. This feature further enhances the architectural integration of the device within the building.

 There is also provided according to the invention a display device which comprises several elements according to the invention.

 It is further provided according to the invention a building wall which comprises at least one display device according to the invention.

 It can be provided that, the chamber receiving the or each circuit being a rear chamber, the other chamber is interposed between an outer face of the building and the rear chamber.

 It can also be provided that the room receiving the or each circuit is a front chamber and is interposed between an outer face of the building and the other chamber.

 Finally, there is provided according to the invention a building which comprises at least one wall according to the invention.

 Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of two embodiments given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

 - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building in its environment and whose facade comprises a display device according to one embodiment of the invention;

 - Figure 2 is a view showing a portion of the facade as seen from inside the building of Figure 1;

 - Figure 3a is a partial vertical sectional view of the facade of the building of Figure 1;

 FIG. 3b is an enlarged view of detail C of the previous figure;

 - Figure 3c is a view similar to Figure 3b showing another embodiment of the facade;

 FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the electronic circuit of the facade of FIG. 3a;

- Figure 5 is an elevational view of part of the facade of the building of Figure 1; FIG. 6 is a view on a larger scale of the detail D of FIG. 5 showing the arrangement of the diodes; and

 - Figures 7 to 14 illustrate respective steps of the method of manufacturing an element of the facade of the building of Figure 1 and the establishment of this element on the building.

 The building 2 illustrated in Figure 1 has on its respective sides several facades which are here four in number. One of them, the facade 4, is a facade according to the invention insofar as it comprises a video image display device. This device 6 is visible in particular in Figures 2, 3a and 5.

 The facade includes several building elements which are here formed by windows 8. These windows extend from top to bottom depending on the height of the facade of the building and from one side to the other side of the facade along its width. The windows extend in the extension of each other in both directions and for example in the same plane for most of them, even for all if the facade is flat. Each window 8 comprises three panes 9, 10, 12, particularly visible in FIGS. 3a and 3b. By "window" is meant in this case a transparent panel made of organic glass or mineral. But it can realize such a window in a material other than glass and for example a synthetic material such as plastic.

 The three panes 9, 10, 12 are flat and identical to each other. They each extend in a vertical plane, following each other, parallel to each other. The windows following the succession are opposite and at a distance from each other. Their contours are in coincidence.

 The windows here have a rectangular shape as shown in Figure 5. On the latter, it is observed that the facade may have windows 8 of at least two types having in particular different dimensions. Thus, in the present example, the facade is formed geometrically by the reproduction of a rectangular mesh comprising in the upper part a low height window and in the lower part a high height window. The two windows of the mesh have the same width which is in this case about 2 meters. The height of the small window is in this case of 1, 05 meter while the height of the large window is in this case of 3.05 meters. The total height of the mesh is 4.10 meters in the present example. These dimensions are given by way of example and are not limiting.

The window 9 extends in contact with the external environment and will be designated here as the outer pane or front pane. The window 12 extends in contact with inside the building and will be referred to here as the inner pane or rear pane. The window 10 extends between the two preceding and will be called here intermediate window. We distinguish the front 61 and rear 62 of the front window 9, the front 63 and rear 64 of the intermediate pane 10 and the front 65 and rear 66 of the rear window 12.

 The faces 62 and 63 delimit between them a chamber or enclosure before 68, and the faces 64 and 65 delimit between them a chamber or rear enclosure 70. In this case, each of these two chambers is closed and sealed. The element 8 thus comprises triple glazing.

 Between the two panes 10, 12 of each window 8, in the rear chamber

70, extends an electronic circuit 13 comprising units such as the unit 14 shown in part in Figure 4. These units have in this example the form of straight elongate bars identical to each other. The bars 14 are here arranged horizontally in the same vertical plane, being all parallel to each other and at a distance from each other. The bars, as they appear in the visible zone of the window as shown in FIG. 2 (that is to say, facing the visible part of the windows), are devoid of any connection or electrical connection between them. in this visible area. As will be seen below, the electronic circuit 13 associated with each window 8 comprises a member interconnecting the bars 14 and which is housed in a portion of the window concealed from view. For each pair of consecutive bars 14 in the succession, the space delimited between these two bars is thus left entirely free. It is delimited at its ends only by uprights 16 of the window.

 Each bar 14 comprises identical diodes 18 and regularly spaced from each other. In the present example, the center distance e, illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, and designating the distance between the axes of the successive diodes, is 5 centimeters. This spacing will preferably be chosen so that it is large compared to the actual dimensions of the diodes. Thus, if the diameter of each diode is less than 1 centimeter, it is seen that this center distance is equal to five times the diameter of the diodes. We can freely choose the value of the between-axis (pixel pitch in English) depending on the circumstances (especially depending on the orientation of the facade with respect to the sun), knowing that the closer the diodes are some of the other, the brightness of the device increases.

The bar 14 comprises a support 20 or substrate to which the diodes are fixed, this support being distinct from the panes 9, 10, 12 and, in the present example, semi-transparent. Each bar 14 also carries electronic components 22, 24 known in themselves and which serve to display the image by the diodes 18. These components include in particular processors forming drivers 22 each able to control several of the diodes 18 individually to each other and to control each diode successively differently to allow the element 8 to display several different images successively, for example an animated video image.

 As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 5 and 6, the diodes thus form an array of pixels and each constitute one of the elements of the image to be displayed. Preferably, the diodes are SMD (Surface Mount Device) type. Each diode is surmounted by a primary optical element 26 of lens type that directs the light emitted by the diode to the preferred areas for the vision of the screen. In this case, it is to send the light in opposite directions to that of the building and also not to send the light to the sky. As illustrated in FIG. 3b, each diode emits a light beam 41 having a principal direction perpendicular to the plane of the faces 61 to 66 so that it passes through the intermediate pane 10, the front chamber 68 and then the front pane 9 and leaves the window. building by the outer face 61.

 It may be provided to replace each diode 18 with a set of three or more diodes capable of emitting beams of respective colors red, green and blue. The overall beam produced by this group can therefore take various colors depending on the command sent to each of the three diodes. This is a RGB type display (red, green and blue). Each of the bars 14 can therefore emit several light beams of different colors.

 In this embodiment, all the bars 14 of the element 8, with their diodes and their drivers 22 in particular, are received in the rear chamber 70. They are thus protected from the high temperatures that can prevail in the front chamber 68. The diodes 18 are oriented towards the front towards the other chamber.

 As seen in particular in Figure 9b, the circuit 13 incorporates a layer 30 of a transparent material which is in this case flexible silicone. This protective layer extends on the side of the circuit opposite to the support 20. It therefore extends on the external side with reference to the position of the circuit when it is in place on the facade, namely between the support 20 and the window intermediate 10.

Alternatively, bars with their protective layer may be contact with the two faces 64 and 65, as illustrated in Figure 3b, or in contact with the single face 64, or even with the single face 65.

 It is provided here that the face 62 is coated with a protective material 72 with respect to sunlight, able to reflect a significant portion of this radiation, as shown in Figure 3b. This material is set up in the form of a layer or a film. The temperature in the front chamber 68 is thus lower, and it is the same for the rear chamber 70.

 The layer 72 may be constituted and made in different ways.

 It may be a pyrolytic hard layer. In this case, the layer comprises metal oxides. The glass covered with such a layer is for example the one marketed under the name "Stopsol" by AGC. The metal oxide layer is deposited there by pyrolysis.

 The layer may be a vacuum deposited layer such as a metal layer. A window covered with such a layer is for example the one marketed under the name "Stopray" by AGC.

 It can also be provided that the material 72 is deposited by screen printing on the face 62 and is constituted for example by an enamel, before a quenching operation of the glass 9. This is the case for example of the glass marketed under the name "Arlite" by AGC. In the case of the screen printing production, reserves are made by means of members on the areas of the face 62 of the pane 9 which must not be covered with the material 72. The material is then applied by screen printing which is deposited on the entire face concerned, except where the reserves have been planned.

 It can also be provided that the material 72 is printed on the glass before the quenching of the latter.

 The material 72 may be deposited on the face 62 in a fluid form, for example a liquid or pasty form, before curing.

 It can be provided that the material 72 is deposited in the form of a flexible solid film such as a film comprising polyester and a vaporized metal. For example, films sold by the 3M company under the name "solar film". Such a film provides protection against the penetration of ultraviolet rays by preventing their passage to 99%. This film also provides filtration against infrared radiation.

 Solar films marketed by Sun Protect can also be used.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3c, the element 8 is identical to that of FIG. 3b except that the material 72 is absent and that the bars 14, with diodes 18 and drivers 22, this time all extend into the front chamber 68, the diodes 18 remaining oriented forward. Thus, the possible parasitic reflections of the diode light towards the rear, towards the interior of the building, are greatly reduced. This embodiment can be envisaged, especially if a moderate or zero temperature increase is anticipated in the front chamber 68.

 We will now present the steps of the manufacture of the element 8 of Figure 3b and its implementation on the building to form the facade. The manufacture of the element of Figure 3c is similar.

 Referring to Figure 7, the window 12 is arranged in a horizontal position.

With reference to FIGS. 8a and 8b, the bars 14 with the support 20 in contact and resting on the pane 12 are installed on the pane 12. The diodes 18 extend on the side of the support 20 opposite the pane 12. The bars 14 are installed in the position they are intended to have on the glass. Thus the bars 14 extend parallel to each other and at a distance from each other.

 Referring to Figures 9a and 9b, is placed on each of the bars 14 the flexible protective layer 30.

 Referring to Figure 10, is installed on all the joints 34 of the triple glazing intended to extend between the two panes 10 and 12. These joints form a continuous contour covering the rectangular perimeter of the window 12 and therefore the four sides of the latter. The seal extends facing the inner face 65 of the window receiving the circuit 13.

 With reference to FIGS. 11a and 11b, the second pane 10 is then installed on the assembly. The upper pane 10 bears on the seal 34 and on the layers 30 of the bars 14. It thus closes the space defined between the two panes and between each pair of bars. This closure is achieved through the seal formed with the aforementioned seal 34 and the layers 30. The components of the window are of course firmly fixed to each other in a suitable manner. In this position, as can be seen in FIG. 11b, the support 20 of the bars 14 in this case makes a surface contact with the face 65 of the rear window 12. At the same time, the protective layer 30 carries out a surface contact by its outer face with the inner face 64 of the intermediate pane 10. Each bar 14 is sandwiched and held firmly between the two panes 10 and 12.

 Likewise, a joint associated with the front chamber 68 and then the front window 9, already fitted with the material 72, are put in place.

We can then choose to carry out a partial or total vacuum in at least one of the chambers 68, 70. This vacuum, which involves lowering the gas pressure in this chamber below atmospheric pressure, is obtained according to a conventional technique in itself and which will not be described here. Otherwise this space can be filled with a predetermined gas such as a rare gas such as argon. Otherwise, we can still maintain the content of the rooms.

 Referring to Figure 12, is put in place a connector 40 which connects them to the ends 32 of the bars which are located on the same side of the window, here the left side. All the bars 14 of the window are therefore connected to the same connector 40. This connection allows them to be powered and driven for the display of the video image. The connector does not extend opposite the visible area of the windows.

 With reference to FIG. 13, the edge zone of the stack thus constituted is then covered by a frame 42, here of rectangular shape, which covers the stack on the outer face 61 of the window 9, on the internal face 66 of the window 12 and on the edge of the stack. This frame forms the two uprights 16 left and right of the window. The connector 40 is hidden from view by being housed in the left upright.

 We can then mount the window in its frame 48. This assembly can be done before implementation of the assembly on the facade or, if the frame 48 is already installed on the facade, directly on the latter as illustrated in the Figure 14. The window occupies its location. As illustrated in FIG. 3a, the window with its frame 48 is carried by the structure of the building and in particular its beams, floors 51, etc. and suitably connected to this structure.

 Once the facade has been made, the electronic circuits 13 of the various windows 8 are connected to a central control unit 52 which will control the display on the device of the desired contents: still image, animated image, text, ... for example from a video signal.

 It is furthermore preferably provided that each window 8 has an intermediate control member such as a control card 50 which makes it possible to control for the window, bar 14 by bar 14, the image fraction to be displayed. These control cards 50 are themselves controlled by the central member 52 for displaying the image as a whole. Preferably, the control card 50 is accessible from outside the window (with reference to the window) and from inside the building or from the outside to allow maintenance.

Such a display device forms a very large screen and can operate from a video signal of different types, sent for example by a computer or a video player. The video signal may have an analog or digital format. The device can present color images. The diodes in effect can each take several colors to choose from. Depending on the size of the building and the facade, you can give the screen the desired dimensions. The latter may cover the entire facade or, on the contrary, only a part of it. The spacing between the diodes makes it possible to define the resolution of the display device as well as the level of transparency desired for the observation of the exterior by the occupants of the building. Similarly, the sizing of the bars 14 and their spacing can be chosen to give the desired level of brightness inside the building through the entry of daylight and sunlight. From inside the building, the display device with its bars 14 has an aspect reminiscent of that of a blind.

 The protective layer 30 of silicone is thermally neutral. It makes it possible to seal the circuit it covers with water and air.

 It may be provided that the distance between the two panes forming each chamber is between 6 and 20 millimeters, and is for example 12 millimeters.

 Of course, we can bring to the invention many changes without departing from the scope thereof.

 The basic element 8 used to constitute the display device may be a bay window, a French window or a window. It may be a roof element. The wall may be an external facade, or a facade or inner wall opening for example on a patio.

 We can consider using the invention independently of the presence of a building.

 Element 8 may serve as an interior design element or decoration.

 The invention is applicable to buildings erected on the ground, as well as to vehicles and vehicles.

Claims

Element (8), in particular for a building (2), characterized in that it comprises:  at least three windows (9, 10, 12) extending one after the other forming two chambers (68, 70) between them, and  at least one electronic circuit (13) comprising light-emitting diodes (18) and at least one driver (22) able to control the diodes independently of each other so that the element displays at least a portion of an animated image,  the circuit or circuits (13) extending in only one of the chambers, the diodes and the driver of each circuit extending into the chamber.  2. Element according to the preceding claim wherein the chamber receiving the circuit or circuits (13) is a rear chamber (70).  3. Element according to claim 1 wherein the chamber receiving the circuit or circuits (13) is a front chamber (68).  4. Element according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein the chamber receiving the circuits (13) is closed, preferably the two chambers (68, 70).  5. Element according to at least one of the preceding claims, which has a face (62) coated with a material (72) capable of reflecting at least part of the sun's rays.  6. Element according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein the or each circuit comprises a support (20) separate from the panes.  Element according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the circuit (13) consists, in an area of the windows visible from at least one main external face (61) of the element, in elongate units (14). without a link between them opposite the visible area.  An element according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein the circuit (13) comprises a support (20) and, on a side opposite the support, a layer (30) of a protective material.  An element according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein the image is a video image.  10. Display device (6) characterized in that it comprises a plurality of elements (8) according to at least one of the preceding claims. 11. Building wall (2), in particular a facade (4), characterized in that comprises at least one device according to the preceding claim.  12. Wall according to the preceding claim, wherein, the chamber receiving the or each circuit being a rear chamber (70), the other chamber (68) is interposed between an outer face (61) of the building and the rear chamber. .  13. Wall according to claim 11, wherein the chamber receiving the or each circuit is a front chamber (68) and is interposed between an outer face (61) of the building and the other chamber (70).  14. Building (2) characterized in that it comprises at least one wall (4) according to at least one of claims 11 to 13.