Mobile Terminal Vibration Receiver for Full Display Waterproofing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile terminals face challenges in minimizing the size of components on the front surface to maximize the display area while ensuring waterproofing, particularly due to the need to accommodate a receiver or home button, which also compromises the waterproof function.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design that utilizes a vibration receiver on the display unit to transmit sounds via vibration instead of a traditional dynamic receiver, allowing for a larger display area and enhanced waterproofing by minimizing holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a traditional dynamic receiver is used to transmit sounds via air, then sound transmission is achieved, but the display area is reduced and waterproofing is compromised due to the need for a physical receiver hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidwaterproof function
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional dynamic receiver and its associated hole from the front surface of the mobile terminal. Instead, it uses a vibration receiver attached to the rear surface of the display unit, which transmits sound through vibration of the display itself, eliminating the need for a physical receiver opening and thereby maintaining both full display area and waterproof integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the acoustic field-based dynamic receiver with a vibration-based receiver that uses mechanical vibration of the display unit to transmit sound. This substitution allows sound transmission without requiring an opening in the front surface, thus resolving the contradiction between display area and waterproofing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If a receiver or home button is provided in the front surface, then functionality is maintained, but the display area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidreceiver functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the receiver from the front surface (2D plane) to the rear surface of the display unit, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) of the device. The vibration receiver is attached to the rear surface and transmits vibration through the display unit, allowing full utilization of the front surface for display purposes while maintaining receiver functionality

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple holes are formed in the case for various components, then functionality is enhanced, but waterproofing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidwaterproof function
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the receiver component from the front surface assembly, eliminating the need for a hole in the front case. By attaching the vibration receiver to the rear surface of the display unit, the design removes one of the critical holes that would compromise waterproofing, while maintaining all necessary functionalities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The vibration receiver enhances the waterproof function and enlarges the display area by eliminating the need for a physical receiver, providing optimal sound quality through selective or simultaneous operation with a speaker, and reducing discomfort from vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration receiver attached to a rear surface of the display unit... configured to vibrate the display unit according to an audio signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3442206B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3442206B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3442206B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3442206B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

There is disclosed a mobile terminal comprising a body; a display unit disposed on a front surface of the body and having elasticity; a vibration receiver attached to a rear surface of the display unit; a speaker having a higher output than the vibration receiver and configured to transmit sound to a distant location; and a controller configured to vibrate the display unit by driving the vibration receiver according to an audio signal.