# US 7,466,546 B2 · Flat display device and cooling apparatus for the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,466,546 B2 - Document ID: US7466546B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/505,825 - Filed: 2006-08-18 - Published: 2007-05-10 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2005-11-04 - Assignees: LG Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Sang Don Park - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7466546B2 ## CPC - H05K 7/20972: {Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components} - Y10S 345/905: Display device with housing structure - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract There is provided a cooling apparatus for a flat display device. The cooling apparatus includes a flat display module, a cover for protecting an exterior of the flat display module, an air inlet formed on one side of the cover, for introducing external air, an air outlet formed in the other side of the cover, for discharging high temperature air contained inside the cover, and a shield for selectively closing the air outlet to prevent inflow of foreign substances. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cooling apparatus for a flat display device, comprising: a flat display module; a cover that protects the flat display module; an air inlet formed on one side of the cover that introduces external air into the cover; an air outlet formed on the other side of the cover that discharges high temperature air contained inside the cover; a fan that forcibly directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet; a shield positioned adjacent to the air outlet that selectively closes the air outlet to prevent inflow of foreign substances; and a housing for the fan wherein the housing comprises a scroll disposed adjacent one side of the fan and a stabilizer disposed on another side of the fan. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a filter that prevents foreign substances from being introduced into the cover through the air inlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cooling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the filter is mounted inside the air inlet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter is formed on a lower peripheral portion of the cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to move in a direction parallel with respect to the air outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet is formed on an upper peripheral portion of the cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fan is positioned adjacent to the air outlet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cooling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the fan is a cross-flow fan. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The cooling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shield is configured to open the air outlet when the fan operates, and close the air outlet when the fan does not operate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shield operates automatically. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to move horizontally. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shield includes a rack formed on a surface of the shield, a pinion engaged with the rack, and a driving motor connected with the pinion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cooling apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the pinion and the motor are fixed at a predetermined location on the cover. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shield guide configured to guide movement of the shield. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flat display module comprises one of an LCD, a FED, a PDP, or an EL. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air outlet comprises a plurality of slits provided in the cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein a predetermined gap is provided between the flat display module and an inner surface of the cover to allow air received in through the air inlet to flow through the gap and be exhausted through the air outlet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air inlet is formed in a lower portion of the back cover and the air outlet is formed in an upper portion of the cover. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are formed on inclined portions of the cover. ### Claim 20 A flat display device, comprising: a flat display module; a cover that protects the flat display module; an air inlet formed on one side of the cover that introduces external air into the cover; an air outlet formed on another side of the cover that discharges air contained inside the cover; a fan positioned adjacent to the air outlet that forcibly directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet; a filter that filters foreign substances contained in air flowing through the air inlet; and a housing for the fan, wherein the housing comprises a scroll disposed adjacent one side of the fan and a stabilizer disposed on another side of the fan. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The flat display device according to claim 20, wherein the filter is positioned adjacent to the air inlet. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The flat display device according to claim 20, wherein the filter is positioned on an inner surface of the air inlet. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The flat display device according to claim 20, wherein the filter is provided as part of a filter assembly coupled at an outside of the air inlet. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The flat display device according to claim 20, further comprising a shield that selectively closes the air outlet. ### Claim 25 A cooling apparatus for a flat display device, comprising: a flat display module; a cover that protects the flat display module; an air inlet formed on one side of the cover that introduces external air into the cover; an air outlet formed on the other side of the cover that discharges high temperature air contained inside the cover; a fan positioned adjacent to the air outlet that allows external air to be introduced through the air inlet and forcibly directs high temperature internal air within the cover to the air outlet; a filter positioned adjacent to the air inlet that filters foreign substances flowing through the air inlet; and a housing for the fan, wherein the housing comprises a scroll disposed adjacent one side of the fan and a stabilizer disposed on another side of the fan; and wherein the air outlet is opened when the fan operates and closed when the fan stops. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The cooling apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the air outlet is selectively opened by a shield that operates automatically. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The cooling apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the filter is positioned on the inner surface of the air inlet. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The cooling apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the filter is provided as part of a filter assembly coupled at an outside of the air inlet.