3D Cover Glass Patch Member Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile communication devices with three-dimensional cover glass are prone to cracking, shattering, or splitting upon impact due to their thin structure and rounded edges, which existing designs fail to adequately protect.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a patch member made of materials like ABS plastic, nylon, or glass with a Young's modulus between 10 MPa and 100,000 MPa, positioned between the bended cover glass and the housing, to absorb and distribute impact forces, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the cover glass is made thin to reduce device thickness, then the overall device thickness is reduced, but the cover glass becomes more susceptible to cracking and shattering upon impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover glass thicknessVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the thin cover glass with a patch member made of different materials (glass, ceramic, or polymer) to create a composite structure. This composite design allows the cover glass to remain thin while the patch member provides enhanced impact resistance at critical locations such as corners and edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patch member is positioned at specific locations on the cover glass where stress concentration occurs during impact, such as corners and edges. This localized reinforcement provides targeted protection without requiring the entire cover glass to be thicker, thus maintaining overall thinness while improving impact resistance at vulnerable points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If the cover glass has rounded edges and corners to achieve three-dimensional shape, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the rounded portions become more prone to cracking and splitting upon impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverounded edges and cornersVSAvoidcracking and splitting susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patch member is specifically positioned at rounded corners and edges where the three-dimensional shape creates stress concentration points during impact. This localized reinforcement protects the aesthetically important rounded portions without altering their shape, preventing cracking and splitting at these vulnerable locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patch member is pre-installed on the cover glass before the device is used, providing beforehand protection at critical locations. When impact occurs, the patch member absorbs and distributes the stress, preventing the rounded edges and corners from cracking or splitting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If no patch member is used to maintain device simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cover glass is not protected against impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcover glass durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is segmented into a modular patch member that can be independently designed, manufactured, and installed. This segmentation allows the patch member to be added as a separate component rather than integrating protection into the entire cover glass structure, thus maintaining relative simplicity while improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The patch member effectively decreases the likelihood of cover glass damage by reducing maximum principal stress during impact, with significant reduction achieved when the patch member material has a Young's modulus greater than 1,000 MPa, especially when integrally formed with the cover glass.

Implementation Method 1

the patch member is positioned in a gap between the bended portion of the cover glass and the housing... to prevent or help prevent damage to the cover glass (e.g., cracking, shattering, splitting, or otherwise) upon impact onto the cover glass by an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force distribution: Force

Implementation Method 2

The patch member effectively decreases the likelihood of cover glass damage by reducing maximum principal stress during impact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStress reduction: Stress Relaxation

Implementation Method 3

the patch member includes a material having a Young's modulus between 10 MPa and 100,000 MPa... the Young's modulus is greater than 1,000 MPa

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic modulus resistance: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11480999B2Mobile communication device cover glass

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A mobile communication device includes a frame; a three-dimensional cover glass that includes a perimeter portion and an interior portion, the perimeter portion including a bended portion that extends under at least a portion of the frame; a housing positioned adjacent the frame and the cover glass; and a patch member positioned in a gap between the bended portion of the cover glass and the housing.