Illuminated Display Borders Using Edge Illuminators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with displays often have opaque borders that can create bulk and detract from their visual appearance due to signal routing lines and other non-emissive components, which are not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an edge illuminator around the pixel array, utilizing crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diodes or other components, to provide illumination to pixel-free border areas, which can be flexible to accommodate curved edges and surfaces, and may include light guides, diffusers, and substrates for efficient light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If opaque borders are used to house signal routing lines and non-emissive components, then device functionality is ensured, but visual appearance and device bulk are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the border illumination function with the existing display structure by integrating light-emitting diodes into the pixel-free border areas. The edge illuminator is combined with the display assembly, sharing common structural elements and mounting substrates, thereby achieving illumination without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The display border areas, which traditionally serve only as structural housings for non-emissive components, are given a dual function: they continue to house signal routing lines and circuits while simultaneously serving as light-emitting regions through the integrated edge illuminator. This multi-functionality transforms previously wasted space into a useful illumination source
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible substrates are used to accommodate curved edges, then adaptability to device shapes is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible substrates, specifically elastomeric mesh-shaped substrates, to mount the light-emitting diodes in the edge illuminator. These flexible substrates can be conformally attached to curved and compound curved surfaces, enabling the display to accommodate various device shapes and edge geometries while maintaining proper positioning of illumination elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifically addresses curved and compound curved surfaces by designing the edge illuminator mounting system to follow these curvatures. The flexible substrates and conformal attachment methods enable the illumination elements to be properly positioned on non-planar surfaces, transforming the manufacturing challenge of curved surfaces into a design feature
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 solution enhances the appearance of electronic devices by illuminating previously unlit border areas, reducing bulk and improving aesthetics while maintaining functionality, and can be adapted to various device shapes and materials.
Implementation Method 1
The edge illuminator may have crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diode dies
Implementation Method 2
Fresnel lenses and diffusers may be used to help obscure a boundary between a pixel array that is displaying an image for a user and adjacent light-emitting diodes in an edge illuminator
Implementation Method 3
Light from the edge illuminator may be diffused
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have a display mounted in a housing. The display may be mounted on a front side of the device and the housing may have a housing wall on the rear side of the device. The display may be formed from an array of pixels configured to display an image for a user. Pixel-free border areas that run along the edges of the array of pixels may be provided with an edge illuminator. The edge illuminator may provide illumination to the border areas during operation of the device. The edge illuminator may have crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diode dies, backlit liquid crystal devices or electrophoretic display components, or may have a light guide that is supplied with illumination from a light-emitting diode.