Display Chassis Structures for Compact Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Incorporating displays into electronic device housings poses challenges such as bulkiness, light reflections, and susceptibility to damage, due to considerations like size, weight, and aesthetics, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

The use of a display chassis structure that combines a metal and plastic chassis with flex promotion features, along with a light source and encapsulant, to support and protect the display layers and backlight structures, ensuring robustness and light-tightness while minimizing mechanical stress and enhancing aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bulky display with large borders is used to accommodate the display, then the display can be integrated into the housing, but the size and weight of the housing are enlarged and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay integrationVSAvoidhousing weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: display layers, backlight structures, light guide plate, and chassis structures. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall bulk while maintaining functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where display layers are mounted on the chassis, backlight structures are integrated within the chassis, and the entire assembly is housed within the housing. The bent portion of the chassis surrounds the light source, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes housing dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a bulky display with large borders is used to accommodate the display, then the display can be integrated into the housing, but the size and weight of the housing are enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay integrationVSAvoidhousing dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis transitions from a planar structure to a three-dimensional structure with a bent portion that surrounds the light source. This dimensional change allows the chassis to enclose the light source within its structure, reducing the overall housing dimensions required to accommodate the display assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the display is made robust to prevent damage during drop events, then the display can withstand mechanical stress, but the housing size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay robustnessVSAvoidhousing weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulant is applied beforehand to the light source and display components, providing protective cushioning before final assembly. This pre-protection approach ensures robustness without requiring additional heavy protective housings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures including the combination of metal and plastic chassis materials, and the encapsulant material that provides both structural support and protection. These composite structures achieve robustness with minimized weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Duration of action of moving object

If openings are provided in the bent portion for flexibility, then the chassis can flex around flex axes, but light may pass through the openings causing reflections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis flexibilityVSAvoidlight reflections

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An opaque film is introduced as an intermediary element that covers the openings in the bent portion of the chassis. This film acts as a mediator that allows the chassis to maintain its flexibility and openings for movement while simultaneously blocking light from passing through the openings, thereby preventing light reflections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9400349B2Electronic device with display chassis structures

Publication Date: 2016.07.26 APPLE INC

AI summary

Electronic devices may include displays. A display may include backlight components that provide backlight illumination for the display. Backlight components may include a light guide plate that distributes light from a light source across the display. Display chassis structures may be used to support display layers and backlight components. A metal chassis may include a portion that partially surrounds the light source. Openings or perforations in the metal chassis may allow the portion that surrounds the light source to flex about a flex axis. A portion of a display layer may be mounted to a plastic chassis. The plastic chassis may be insert molded over a light source, may form part of a package for a light source, may be adhered to a light source, or may wrap around the light source. An encapsulant may be formed over the light source to protect the light source from vibrations and contaminants.