Integrated Display Keypad Board Eliminates FPCB Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile terminals with display units are thick due to the inclusion of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) that connects the display and keypad, increasing the overall thickness and fabrication costs.
Innovation Solution
The display and keypad are integrally formed as a single assembly, eliminating the need for an FPCB, with switches mounted on the board and light guidance from the display to illuminate key buttons, reducing thickness and fabrication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an FPCB is used to connect the display and keypad assembly, then the display unit can be assembled from separate components, but the thickness of the display unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display and keypad assembly are merged into a single integral structure where the keypad board extends directly from the display board. This eliminates the need for separate FPCB connection, reducing the overall thickness while maintaining functional connectivity between display and keypad components.
2Reliability
If an FPCB and multiple connectors are used to connect display components, then component connectivity is achieved, but fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate components (display board, keypad board, FPCB, and connectors) are merged into a single integrated board structure. This reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing fabrication costs while maintaining reliable connectivity through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The FPCB and intermediate connectors are extracted/removed from the assembly. The display and keypad are directly connected through the integral board structure, eliminating the need for expensive flexible circuit boards and multiple connector components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (display, FPCB, connectors, keypad board) are used, then functional modularity is achieved, but the overall thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display and keypad functionalities are merged into a single integrated board assembly. The keypad board extends from the display board as one continuous structure, maintaining functional separation while achieving physical integration that reduces thickness.
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 results in a thinner mobile terminal with reduced fabrication costs and simplified assembly, while maintaining functionality through integrated signal input and illumination.
Implementation Method 1
A light guide plate may be installed below the key buttons and configured to direct light from the display toward the key buttons
Data Source
AI summary
A display unit includes a display having a first surface, a second surface and a side surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, and a board configured to extend from the side surface in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto. Because a component for connecting the display and a keypad is omitted, a fabrication cost can be reduced, and the thickness of the display unit, and a mobile terminal having such a display unit, can be reduced.