Image Transport Layer for Seamless Curved Display Hiding Seams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices often face challenges in achieving a desired appearance and functionality due to inadequate housing structures that fail to accommodate electrical components effectively, leading to difficulties in image display and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The integration of image transport layers formed from coherent fiber bundles or Anderson localization material, which receive images from display layers and transport them to output surfaces, covering the device with a displayed image while hiding seams and mechanical structures, and providing a desired shape and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional housing structures are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the device cannot achieve desired appearance and cannot accommodate electrical components effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple segments including a display cover layer, image transport layer, display layer, and support structure. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the housing to achieve complex shapes and accommodate components while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested structures where the image transport layer is positioned between the display cover layer and display layer, and electrical components are housed within cavities in the support structure. This nesting allows multiple functional layers to be integrated in a compact arrangement, achieving desired appearance without excessive complexity
2Loss of information
If display layers are used to show images, then information display is enabled, but display seams and mechanical structures become visible
Solution Approach 1:
The image transport layer acts as an intermediary between the display layer and the external environment. It receives images from the display layer and transports them to the display cover layer, effectively hiding the display seams and mechanical structures while maintaining continuous image display across the entire visible surface
Solution Approach 2:
The image transport layer extends the display functionality from the two-dimensional display layer into the third dimension by transporting images through a volumetric layer to the display cover. This dimensional transition allows images to be displayed on curved or irregular surfaces while hiding the underlying display structure
3Loss of information
If image transport layers are added to achieve seamless display, then display continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image transport layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transports images from the display layer to the cover, hides display seams and mechanical structures, provides structural support, and enables curved surface displays. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If housing structures are designed to accommodate components, then component integration is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into modular components (display cover layer, image transport layer, support structure with cavities) that can be manufactured separately using different processes and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing requirements while maintaining overall component accommodation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates local variations in geometry, such as cavities and protrusions, that are specifically designed to accommodate electrical components. These localized structural features are integrated into the overall housing design, allowing component accommodation without requiring complete redesign of the entire housing structure
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 aesthetics and performance of electronic devices by ensuring seamless image display over curved surfaces, hiding display seams, and reducing border widths, thereby improving user experience and device appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The image transport layer may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle or a layer of Anderson localization material
Implementation Method 2
The image transport layer may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have pixels. The pixels may form one or more displays. The displays may be flexible organic light-emitting diode displays or other displays. The electronic device may have first and second display layers that face away from each other and display images in different directions. Image transport layers may overlap the display layers and may have curved edges that overlap a sidewall portion of the electronic device. Image transport layers receive images at input surfaces and transport the received images to corresponding output surfaces. Image transport layers may be provided with hemispherical shapes and other shapes having output surfaces of compound curvature. A folding device may have first and second displays that are overlapped by respective first and second image transport layers that join over a hinge to block the hinge from view. A wristwatch device may have links or other structures with an image transport layer.