Electro-optical Display Frame Design for Vignetting Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electro-optical displays, such as liquid-crystal displays or OLEDs, face representation impairments due to pressure from unintentional touching, which causes vignetting, especially when a transparent cover is present, as the bonding material fails to effectively distribute external forces without distorting the display's appearance.
Innovation Solution
A trough design where the transparent cover is part of the frame, encasing the electro-optical display with a form fit, allowing forces to be directed onto the side surfaces or base, using a bonding material with refractive indices matching the cover to minimize optical transitions and prevent air gaps, enabling flexible assembly and reduced reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a transparent cover with bonding material is used to protect the electro-optical display, then the visual appearance is improved by hiding the gap, but the representation is impaired by vignetting when external pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protective structure into separate functional components: a frame structure that handles mechanical pressure and a transparent cover that provides optical protection. The frame is segmented from the cover, allowing each to perform its specialized function without interfering with the other's performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary bonding material with specific refractive index properties that optically couples the frame to the transparent cover. This intermediary layer prevents air gaps while maintaining optical clarity, and structurally transfers pressure away from the display surface to the frame structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transparent cover is made curved to fit round shapes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the curved transparent cover from the frame structure, allowing the cover to be manufactured as a standalone curved component using optimized processes like glass molding or plastic forming. The frame provides the structural support while the curved cover is attached, dividing the manufacturing challenges into manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the refractive index parameter of the bonding material to match the optical properties of the curved transparent cover. This parameter optimization reduces optical distortions and reflections at the interface, making curved designs optically viable without excessive manufacturing complexity.
3Device complexity
If the bonding material is used primarily for adhesive bonding, then the assembly is simplified, but air gaps remain causing optical transitions to be visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the refractive index parameter of the bonding material to closely match both the frame and transparent cover materials. This parameter matching minimizes optical reflections and makes the bonding layer optically invisible, while the material maintains sufficient adhesive properties for assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides adhesive bonding between components, fills gaps to prevent air pockets, and acts as an optical coupling medium with matched refractive index. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall assembly while achieving both mechanical and optical goals.
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 protects the electro-optical display from external pressure, maintains undistorted representation, and allows for versatile integration with curved surfaces, enhanced touch-screen functionality, and a 'black-screen' effect without excessive brightness, while ensuring the display's legibility and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The transparent bonding material has less the purpose of adhesively bonding the transparent cover to the surface of the electro-optical display, but mainly the purpose of preventing the air gap between the transparent cover and the surface of the electro-optical display. Since the materials of the transparent cover and of the transparent bonding material are selected in such a way that their refractive indices are almost identical, the optical transitions between the individual materials are not visible.
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optical display device with a transparent cover and a display, a transparent bonding material being present between the electro-optical display and the transparent cover, the transparent cover being part of a tray, the sides of the tray being designed as a frame, the lateral surfaces of the electro-optical display being surrounded by the frame in a form-fitting manner and the electro-optical display being connected to the frame.