Bezel-Free Display Assembly Aperture Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electronic device components and assembly methods limit the active display area, performance, and aesthetic appeal by incorporating unnecessary bezels and structural features that inhibit performance and dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a housing with a display assembly featuring a transparent cover, a backlight unit, and a frame that defines an aperture, allowing for a bezel-free or minimally bezelled display with secure retention and thermal management, using a reworkable adhesive and multi-layer reflective coatings for efficient illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If traditional housing structures and assembly methods are used, then structural support and protection are provided, but the active display area is limited and device dimensions are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive display areaVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes traditional bezel structures and redundant housing components that previously limited display area. The display assembly is extracted and positioned to extend closer to the housing edges, eliminating the need for thick bezels while maintaining structural integrity through optimized support features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the Z-dimension (thickness) by incorporating support features within the housing structure that provide structural reinforcement without increasing the device's length or width. This allows the display to extend to the edges in the X-Y plane while maintaining adequate support through strategically placed internal features.

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

2Length of stationary object

If traditional assembly methods with multiple components are used, then structural support is provided, but device dimensions and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice lengthVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The housing structure incorporates both structural support and display retention features in a unified design, eliminating the need for separate bezel assemblies and mounting brackets. The support features are integrated directly into the housing rather than being separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides structural protection, retains the display assembly, manages thermal characteristics, and defines the device aesthetic. The support features perform both structural reinforcement and display positioning functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of moving object

If bezels and structural features are included, then structural integrity is maintained, but active display area and aesthetic appeal are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive display areaVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies structural reinforcement only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire housing. Support features are strategically positioned at critical locations to provide local strengthening that maintains overall structural integrity while allowing the display to extend to the edges in non-critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction combining materials with different properties to achieve both structural strength and thin profile. The housing and support features use material compositions that provide high strength-to-weight ratios, enabling reduced structural mass while maintaining integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This configuration maximizes the active display area while maintaining performance and aesthetic appeal, allowing for disassembly without damage, improved thermal management, and efficient illumination with reduced component size and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive can include a reworkable pressure sensitive adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

multi-layer reflective coatings for efficient illumination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3974941B1Electronic device display assembly
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 APPLE INC
  • EP3974941B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974941B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974941B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device can include a housing that at least partially defines an exterior surface and an internal volume of the electronic device, and a display assembly at least partially disposed in the internal volume. The display assembly can include a transparent cover that at least partially defines the exterior surface of the electronic device, a backlight unit disposed between the cover and the housing, a frame coupling the cover to the backlight unit, a portion of the frame at least partially defining an aperture, and an electronic component disposed in the internal volume and extending through the aperture.