CN111986569B - polymorphic image display - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-state image display has a wall member with an array of fixtures and a plurality of cantilevered supports in a corresponding array. Each cantilevered support is mounted on the wall member and engages a corresponding one of the fixtures. The multi-state image display also includes surface topography elements, each surface topography element being supported for movement along a corresponding cantilevered support. Each surface topography element has an illumination device disposed thereon. The multi-state image display further includes linear actuators, each linear actuator being coupled to a corresponding surface topography element for reciprocating the surface topography element along a corresponding cantilevered support. Each cantilevered support includes an elongated channel member having a proximal end secured to a wall member. The channel member has a channel shape with an opening. The opening faces downward and receives a linear actuator. The illumination of the illumination means and the movement of the linear actuator are controlled by a control system for displaying the polymorphic image.

Description

Multi-state image display

Technical Field

The present invention relates to polymorphic image displays, ie displays having image-bearing display surfaces capable of presenting various forms.

Background technique

A multi-state image display has a matrix of computer-adjustable surface topography elements that together form a physical display surface capable of assuming a variety of temporary and/or permanent topographic shapes. They can be used to represent three-dimensional information, or to enhance images formed on display surfaces with rich textures and topographies.

WO2014144956A2 describes a multi-state image display for advertising, which includes an upright matrix of surface-shaped elements that are substantially linear and horizontally reciprocating in a cantilevered manner. It should be understood that in such a display, a high degree of precision and reliability is required. Large gaps between surface-shaped elements reduce the visual effect of the display, but the required close spacing requires precise alignment and control of travel and deflection. Although it is a huge assembly of reciprocating elements, if one of the elements cannot move when commanded, it will have a significant detrimental effect. The difficulty in achieving the necessary reliability is increased by the fact that such a display is installed outdoors and is therefore continuously exposed to various factors. The purpose of the present invention is to address the above needs, or more generally, to provide an improved multi-state image display.

Contents of the invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, a multi-state image display is provided, including:

a wall member having an array of fasteners;

a plurality of cantilevered supports in a corresponding array, each cantilevered support being mounted on the wall member and engaged with a corresponding one of the fixing members;

a plurality of surface morphing elements, each surface morphing element being supported for movement along a corresponding one of said cantilevered supports;

a lighting device provided on each surface forming element;

a plurality of linear actuators, each linear actuator being connected to a corresponding surface topography element to cause the surface topography element to reciprocate along a corresponding one of the cantilevered supports;

Wherein, the illumination of the lighting device and the movement of the linear actuator are controlled by a control system; and

Each cantilever support member includes an elongated channel member, a proximal end of which is fixed to the wall member, the channel member has a channel shape with an opening, the opening is downward, and the linear actuator is accommodated in the opening.

Preferably, said wall member includes a wall panel and said array of fasteners is integral with one side of said wall panel, each fastener having an alignment surface adapted to abut a corresponding one of said wall panels. cantilevered supports, thereby positioning each cantilevered support precisely in the plane of the wall panel.

Preferably, the array of fasteners is rectangular and the alignment surface is formed on one of a linear rib and a groove in the wall panel, wherein the linear rib and the groove in the One includes a first rib or groove and a second rib or groove that are orthogonal to each other.

Preferably, each cantilevered support further includes a positioning plate having opposite inner and outer sides connected to opposite inner and outer sides of the proximal end and the wall panel, respectively, wherein the The outer side includes linear grooves or ribs complementary to the linear ribs or grooves in the wall panel, wherein the linear ribs or grooves of the outer side include at least one first rib or groove that are substantially orthogonal to each other. groove and at least one second rib or groove.

Preferably, the inner side of the positioning plate further includes lugs, each lug having a surface for abutting the channel member, wherein a fastener passes through the lugs to connect the positioning plate to the Channel components. Preferably, said lugs comprise a pair of opposed flange abutting lugs for abutting said flange and a web abutting lug for abutting said web.

Preferably, the channel member has an upright central plane of symmetry, with flanges connected by transverse webs on opposite sides of the central plane of symmetry, and the opening extends between the flanges. Optionally, the channel member may also include one or more integral inner walls, which cooperate with the webs to form one or more hollow portions on the web side of the channel member.

Preferably, the channel member has a substantially constant cross-section throughout its length.

Preferably, each cantilevered support further comprises a rail fixed to the channel member and a bracket supported on the rail, and the surface shaping element is supported by the bracket during its reciprocal movement.

Preferably, the track is fixed inside the opening, and the driving part of the linear actuator is arranged outside the opening.

Preferably, the luminaire comprises a rectangular luminaire panel and the surface shaping element comprises a rectangular prismatic frame, the rectangular luminaire panel being mounted on one side of the rectangular prismatic frame.

Preferably, the distal end of each cantilevered support is received within said rectangular prismatic frame in the retracted state of said surface shaping elements.

The present invention provides a multi-state image display that is effective and efficient in delivering multi-state visual effects. The multi-state image display is less prone to malfunction and damage and is therefore more reliable, as the cantilever support effectively protects the linear actuator from above, thereby reducing the exposure of the linear actuator to the environment (e.g., in outdoor applications, rain, snow, etc.). The cost and time associated with maintenance and servicing can be reduced. Downtime required for maintenance and repairs can also be reduced.

Description of drawings

Preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a multi-state image display according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a subassembly of the multi-state image display of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the module of the subassembly of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the module of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the channel member of the module of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the positioning plate of the module of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the wall panel of the module of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a high-level schematic diagram of the control system of the multi-state image display of Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the control system of Figure 8 for controlling a linear actuator.

Detailed ways

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the multi-state image display 10 of the present invention has an upright structure, including an array of surface configuring elements 11, which may be in the form of a rectangular prism, each surface configuring element being operable in a retracted position and an extended position. move independently to allow the display surface to be arranged in a variety of forms, such as the wave structure of Figure 1. The outer end of each surface configuring element 11 carries a lighting panel 12, in particular an LED panel, and can provide the colored pixels of the display 10, which are controlled so as to produce, in a known manner, static and dynamic images, which are enhanced by polymorphic effects. Enhanced, the polymorphic effects are static and dynamic textures and configurations that are the result of extension and retraction of surface configuring elements 11 .

Display 10 is assembled from an array of subassemblies 16 , each of which in turn includes an array of modules 19 . Subassembly 16 may be a 5x5 array of modules 19 (only two of which are shown in Figure 2). Structural support for the display 10 may be provided by an upright structure 13, which may include an upright rectangular wall frame 15 to one side of which the rectangular wall panels 14 of the subassembly 16 are secured. The wall panel 14 may be a one-piece metal panel mounting a 5×5 array of modules 19 . The wall panels 14 serve as the base for each module 19 and when arranged across the upright structure 13, the wall panels 14 may abut each other edgewise. The outside of the wall panel 14 includes fasteners 17 arranged in a 5x5 array and will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 7, where each fastener 17 is used to position a module 19, in each module 19, a The surface shaping elements 11 are mounted for movement along corresponding cantilevered supports 18 .

Referring to Figures 2 to 7, each surface shaping element 11 is connected to a corresponding linear actuator 20 supported by a cantilevered support 18 for longitudinal reciprocal movement between a retracted position and an extended position (in Figure 2, One module 19 is shown in the retracted position and the other in the extended position). Similar to the display panel 12, the linear actuators 20 may be motorized and are connected to the computer control system, such as via power and data cables (not shown in Figures 3 and 4). The control system controls the movement of all linear actuators 20 and the content displayed on the display panel 12 to synchronize the two.

The cantilevered support 18 includes a positioning plate 21 whose inner side 22 is secured adjacent the proximal end 23 of the elongated channel member 24 . The channel member 24 has a substantially constant cross-section throughout its length, such as by extrusion. The two flanges 25, 26 of the channel member 24 are connected by a transverse web 27, and the opening 28 of the channel member 24 extends between the flanges 25, 26 and downwards. The channel member 24 has an upright central plane of symmetry with the flanges 25, 26 located on opposite sides of the central plane of symmetry. The linear actuator 20 is housed in an opening 28 protected from rain and water ingress while still being accessible from below for inspection and maintenance. The channel member 24 may also include an integral inner wall 29 that cooperates with the web 27 to form two longitudinal hollow portions 30 , 31 on the web sides of the channel member 24 and includes a face 32 parallel to the web 27 .

The opposite outer side 23 of the positioning plate 21 may have a planar transverse face 35 from which ribs 36, 37, 38 project, sized and arranged to engage grooves in corresponding fasteners 17 of the wall panel 14. The ribs 36 and 37 may be parallel and intersect the rib 38 orthogonal thereto, thereby forming two cross-shaped protrusions 39,40. The ribs 36, 37, 38 may be of similar shape, each having opposing faces 41, 42, 43 which taper to each other from a transverse face 35 towards a coplanar face 43.

The inner side 22 of the positioning plate 21 also includes lugs 44-47, each lug having a surface for abutting the channel member 24, with fasteners (not shown) connecting the positioning plate 21 to the lugs 44-47. Channel member 24. The lugs 44-47 may include a pair of opposing flange abutment lugs 44, 45 for abutting the flanges 25, 26, and web abutment lugs 46, 47 for abutting the web 27.

The linear actuator 20 may be of the well-known helical type, including an elongated track 49 axially aligned and parallel to an elongated lead screw 50 . The carriage 57 for carrying the surface shaping element 11 is driven by a lead screw 50 mounted for sliding along the track 49 by linear bearings (not shown). An internally threaded screw (not shown) on bracket 57 engages lead screw 50 . The linear actuator 20 may include fixed mounting brackets 51, 52 proximate each end of the track 49, which brackets are disposed against the surface 32 and are thereby fixed by fasteners (not shown) in the openings 28 as in the case of rotation. Driver 72 extends through cavity 30 as well. The linear actuator 20 may be powered by a rotary drive 72 that provides torque to the lead screw 50 and is mounted at one longitudinal end of the linear actuator 20 . A recess 48 may be provided in the positioning plate 21 generally aligned with the opening 28 to allow the rotary drive 72 to extend therethrough.

An elongated tray 53 may be externally secured to one of the flanges 25, 26 of the channel member 24 to carry one end of a drag chain 54 which supports the power cables for the display 22 during extension and retraction movements. (not shown). A bracket 55 connects the other end of the drag chain 54 to the surface shaping element 11 .

The surface texturing element 11 may include a T-shaped connector 56 secured at one end to a bracket 57 and extending laterally for connection between the side panel assemblies 58 , 59 on opposite sides forming the frame of the surface texturing element 11 between. The upper side of the surface shaping element 11 is closed by a top plate 60 opposite the bottom plate 61 , while a panel mounting plate 62 at the front of the surface shaping element 11 provides support for the lighting panel 12 .

The wall panel 14 may include a 5 x 5 rectangular array of fasteners 17 disposed on one side of the wall panel 14, each fastener including a planar outer surface 63 indented by grooves 64, 65, 66. , 66 are complementary to the ribs 52, 53, 54 in the positioning plate 21. Grooves 64 and 65 may be parallel and intersect orthogonal groove 66 thereby forming two cross-shaped grooves 67,68. The grooves 64, 65, 66 may be of similar shape, each groove having opposing faces 69, 70 that taper to each other from the planar outer surface 63 towards the coplanar face 71. The parallel grooves 64 and 65 of the fasteners 17 in each column of the array may be coaxial and extend from the top to the bottom of the wall panel 14, while the grooves 66 of the fasteners 17 in each row of the array may be are coaxial and extend between opposite sides of the wall panels 14, allowing them to be accurately and cost-effectively formed, such as by CNC milling. The mutual abutment between the orthogonal tapered alignment surfaces 69, 70 accurately positions each positioning plate 21, and therefore each connected cantilevered support 18, in the plane of the wall panel 14 middle.

8 and 9 schematically illustrate the network automation system of the multi-state image display 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 . The system includes a main server 73 that uses separate video and motion control files to control the images displayed by the display panel 12 and for the movement of the linear actuator 20 . The main server 73 communicates via a router 74 with a plurality of industrial controllers 75 , which may be CANopen devices, each industrial controller 75 being connected for controlling a set of linear actuators 76 , 77 , an LED display controller 78 Control all display panels 12. It will be appreciated that such an automated system can be easily scaled for different projects depending on the size of the multi-state image display 10.

The control of the displayed image and the control of the movement of the linear actuator are based on pre-processed and pre-synchronized independent video and motion files. When operation begins, the video and motion files are played or applied independently and simultaneously to affect the displayed image and the position of the display panel. The video and motion files have the same run time and can be looped to create a multi-state image display for continuous operation. In this case, the computer system 73 can periodically synchronize the start time of the two files (once every 5 cycles) to avoid accumulating any small lags or advances in the timing coordination between the displayed image and the movement of the display panel.

Aspects of the invention have been described by way of example only, and it is to be understood that modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A multi-state image display, comprising:

a wall member having an array of fixtures;

a plurality of cantilevered supports, the plurality of cantilevered supports corresponding arrays, each cantilevered support mounted to the wall member and engaged with a corresponding one of the fixtures;

a plurality of surface contour elements, each surface contour element being supported for movement along a corresponding one of the cantilevered supports;

an illumination panel disposed on each surface topography element;

a plurality of linear actuators, each linear actuator being connected to a corresponding surface contour element for reciprocating the surface contour element along a corresponding one of the cantilevered supports;

wherein the illumination of the illumination panel and the movement of the linear actuator are controlled by a control system, and

wherein each cantilevered support comprises an elongate channel member having a proximal end secured to the wall member, the channel member having a channel shape with an opening facing downward, and the linear actuator being received in the opening.

2. The multi-state image display of claim 1, wherein the wall member comprises a wall plate, the array of fixtures being integral with one side of the wall plate, each fixture having an alignment face adapted to abut a corresponding one of the cantilevered supports to accurately position each cantilevered support in the plane of the wall plate.

3. The multi-state image display of claim 2, wherein the array of fixtures is rectangular and the alignment surface is formed on one of a linear rib and a groove in the wall plate, wherein the one of a linear rib and a groove comprises a first rib or groove and a second rib or groove that are orthogonal to each other.

4. A multi-state image display according to claim 3, wherein each cantilevered support further comprises a positioning plate having opposite inner and outer sides respectively connected to the proximal end and the wall plate, wherein the outer side comprises a linear rib or groove complementary to the linear rib or groove in the wall plate, wherein the outer side linear rib or groove comprises at least one first rib or groove and at least one second rib or groove substantially orthogonal to each other.

5. The multi-state image display of claim 4, wherein the inner side of the positioning plate further comprises lugs, each lug having a surface for abutting the channel member, wherein fasteners pass through the lugs to connect the positioning plate to the channel member.

6. The multi-state image display of claim 5, wherein the channel member has an upstanding central symmetry plane with flanges on opposite sides of the central symmetry plane connected by a transverse web, the opening extending between the flanges, the lugs including a pair of opposed flange abutment lugs for abutment with the flanges and a web abutment lug for abutment with the web.

7. A multi-state image display according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the channel member has an upstanding central plane of symmetry with flanges connected by transverse webs on opposite sides of the central plane of symmetry, the opening extending between the flanges.

8. The multi-state image display of claim 7, wherein the channel member further comprises one or more integral inner walls that cooperate with the web to form one or more hollows in the web side of the channel member.

9. A multi-state image display according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the channel member has a substantially constant cross-section throughout its length.

10. The multi-state image display of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each cantilevered support further comprises a rail fixed to the channel member and a bracket supported on the rail, and the surface-contoured element is supported by the bracket during its reciprocation.

11. The multi-state image display of claim 10, wherein the rail is fixed inside the opening, and the driving portion of the linear actuator is disposed outside the opening.

12. The multi-state image display of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the illumination panel comprises a rectangular illumination panel and the surface topography element comprises a rectangular prismatic frame, the rectangular illumination panel being mounted on one side of the rectangular prismatic frame.

13. The multi-state image display of claim 12, wherein in the retracted state of the surface topography element, a distal end of each cantilevered support is received in the rectangular prism frame.

14. The multi-state image display of any one of claims 1-6, further comprising the control system.