Display Panel Vibration for Front-Facing Sound Output

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices face reduced sound quality due to speakers being positioned on the lower surface or side, resulting in sound output from the back or side instead of the front, and there is a risk of damage to the display panel from vibrations.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates sound generators that vibrate the display panel to output sound from the front, using a sound generator and buffer members to prevent panel damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the speaker is disposed on the lower surface or side of the display panel to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the sound output direction deteriorates (sound is output from back or side instead of front)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidsound output direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the speaker function with the display panel by making the display panel itself vibrate as the sound output surface. The sound generator is disposed behind the display panel, and the panel vibrates to output sound from the front, combining the display function and sound output function into a single integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel serves multiple functions: it displays images and simultaneously acts as the sound output surface. By vibrating the display panel, it becomes a multi-functional component that performs both display and acoustic output tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the speaker is disposed on the lower surface or side of the display panel, then the device structure is simplified, but the sound quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidsound quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the display panel vibrates to output sound from the front, then the sound quality is improved, but the risk of panel damage from vibrations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound qualityVSAvoidpanel damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by disposing a buffer member between the sound generator and the display panel. This buffer member prevents direct contact and reduces the harmful vibrations transmitted to the panel, cushioning the panel against potential damage before the vibrations can cause harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer member acts as an intermediary between the sound generator and the display panel. It mediates the interaction by allowing sound transmission while filtering out harmful vibrations, protecting the panel from direct exposure to high-intensity vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a buffer member is disposed between the sound generator and display panel to prevent damage, then the panel protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel protectionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member serves multiple functions: it protects the display panel from vibration damage while simultaneously allowing sound transmission. This multi-functional design minimizes the need for additional components, offsetting the complexity increase with functional consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Improves sound quality by outputting sound from the front while preventing display panel damage during vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

a sound generator (210) disposed on a lower surface of the first substrate (111) of the display panel (110), wherein the sound generator (210) vibrates the display panel (110)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a first buffer member (190) which is spaced apart from the first substrate (111) by a gap, and prevents the first substrate (111) from being damaged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuffering: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3691289B1Display device

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A display device includes: a display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a light emitting element layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, where the light emitting element outputs light to the second substrate; a first sound generator disposed on a surface of the first substrate, where the first sound generator vibrates the display panel to output a sound; and a first buffer member disposed on the surface of the first substrate, where a height of the first buffer member is less than a height of the first sound generator.