Cover Panel Hole for Sensor Placement in Display Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in minimizing occupied space while maintaining effective light receiving and emitting performances for sensors, as these components often interfere with the display when trying to occupy the entire front plate area.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a housing with a display panel and a cover panel, where the sensor's light receiving portion is positioned at a rear surface of the display panel, and the light emitting portion is placed in an area beyond the display panel's edge, utilizing a configuration that includes a hole in the cover panel to minimize space occupation and reduce signal interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the display occupies substantially the entire area of the front plate, then the display area is maximized, but the sensor components interfere with the display and occupy additional space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcomponent interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor components are positioned in the black mask area, which is a different spatial dimension or zone within the display structure. This allows the display to occupy the main viewing area while sensors are accommodated in the non-display region, eliminating interference and maximizing both display area and sensor functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the sensor is positioned within the display area, then space is minimized, but light receiving performance deteriorates due to signal crosstalk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupied spaceVSAvoidlight receiving performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cover panel is divided into different functional areas: the display area and the black mask area. The sensor is specifically positioned in the black mask area, which is segmented from the display area. This segmentation allows the sensor to be close to the display (minimizing overall space) while being in a distinct zone that prevents signal crosstalk and maintains light receiving performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If electromagnetic shielding layer is applied to the entire cover panel, then signal interference is reduced, but light receiving performance is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal interferenceVSAvoidlight receiving performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic shielding layer is applied selectively only to specific regions of the cover panel where interference protection is needed, while leaving the black mask area (where the sensor is positioned) without shielding. This local application of shielding maintains signal interference reduction in the display area while preserving light receiving performance in the sensor area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3681135B1Electronic device including display assembly
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3681135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681135B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3681135B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing comprising a front plate facing a first direction, a rear plate facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side member configured to enclose a space between the front plate and the rear plate, a display panel having a first surface viewed through the front plate, a cover panel coupled to a second surface of the display panel and positioned at an inner area of the display panel, the cover panel comprising a hole formed adjacent to a first edge of the display panel, and a sensor comprising a light receiving portion positioned to correspond to a position of the hole of the cover panel, and a light emitting portion positioned at an outer area of the display panel.