Bent Display Panel Routing Electrical Lines for Edge Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in accommodating sensors like fingerprint and proximity sensors within their limited space without increasing overall dimensions, while maintaining efficient electrical connections and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A display panel with bent portions that route electrical lines from sensors to a circuit board, allowing sensors to be mounted on the display panel's front or back, connected via flex conductors, which reduces the device's size and increases the display area without adding bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If sensors are mounted on the display panel to extend close to the edge, then the display area increases and device dimensions are reduced, but electrical connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is bent along a bend line to create a three-dimensional configuration, allowing electrical lines to be routed along the bent portion from the sensor at the edge to the circuit board, eliminating the need for complex lateral routing through the display plane
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel incorporates a bent portion with curved geometry that routes electrical lines from the sensor location near the edge back toward the circuit board, using the curvature to naturally guide signal paths without requiring additional connectors or complex wiring harnesses
2Length of moving object
If the display panel extends close to the edge to accommodate sensors, then device dimensions are reduced, but space for electrical connections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By bending the display panel out of its original plane, electrical connection space is created in the vertical dimension rather than competing for horizontal space, allowing the display to extend to the edge while maintaining adequate routing space for electrical lines
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical lines are routed through the bent portion of the display panel itself, nesting the connection pathway within the display structure rather than requiring separate external routing channels
3Reliability
If electrical lines are routed through the display panel, then sensor connection is achieved, but display integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection pathway is extracted from the active display region and routed through the bent non-display portion, separating the signal routing function from the display function to maintain display integrity while achieving sensor connection
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel is segmented into an active display region and a bent portion that serves as a dedicated electrical routing channel, allowing independent optimization of each region for its specific function
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including a display panel is provided. In some embodiments, the display panel includes an active display region and an electrical component. The electrical component is distinct from a touch sensor device that is adapted to receive touch input across the active display region of the display panel. An electrical conductor connects the electrical component to another component of the electronic device via the display panel, such as via a bent portion of the display panel.