Mobile Terminal Under-Display Sensor Hole Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for mobile terminals to achieve a full front display while incorporating sensors underneath the display unit, which requires innovative design solutions to accommodate both the display and sensing components effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal design featuring a housing with a cover window that transmits light, a display unit with a hole to allow sensor access, and a sensing unit positioned under the display unit to sense light through this hole, utilizing a manufacturing process that includes forming a plastic substrate, disposing a transistor film, an organic light emitting layer, and a polarizing plate with a hole, and applying a protective film to shield the light emitting elements from moisture and oxygen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hole is provided in the display unit to implement a sensor underneath, then the sensor can sense light through the cover window, but the display area is reduced due to the hole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor from the traditional side-mounted position and relocates it underneath the display unit, allowing it to access light through a hole in the display. This extraction enables the sensor to function while maintaining a full front display appearance, as the hole is positioned at the edge or corner rather than occupying central display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the sensor from a lateral position (side of the device) to a vertical position (underneath the display unit), utilizing the thickness dimension of the device. This dimensional change allows the sensor to be positioned below the display while still accessing light through the cover window, effectively using the Z-axis to resolve the spatial conflict between sensor placement and display area.
2Area of stationary object
If the organic light emitting layer is extended to the edge to maximize display area, then the display becomes more compact, but the light emitting elements become vulnerable to moisture and oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the encapsulation film to the organic light emitting layer before completing the full display structure, creating a protective barrier in advance. This preliminary protective action ensures that even when the light emitting elements are extended to the edge for maximum display area, they remain shielded from moisture and oxygen throughout the device assembly process and during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of the organic light emitting layer combined with an encapsulation film that provides chemical protection. This composite material approach allows the display to achieve both maximum area coverage and resistance to harmful environmental factors, as the encapsulation film forms a protective barrier while the organic layer provides light emission functionality.
3Area of stationary object
If a full front display is implemented without holes, then the display area is maximized, but sensors cannot be positioned underneath the display unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific localized hole at the edge or corner of the display unit, rather than throughout the entire display area. This localized modification allows the sensor to be positioned underneath while maintaining a full display appearance for the majority of the front surface, thus preserving overall display area while enabling sensor integration capability.
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 design enables a full front display expansion while protecting the organic light emitting elements from moisture and oxygen, allowing for precise light sensing and improved display functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a step for disposing an organic light emitting layer on the transistor film, the organic light emitting layer comprising spontaneous light emitting elements configured to emit preset colors by the flow of the currents controlled by the thin film transistor
Implementation Method 2
a cover window configured to transmit light and disposed on one surface
Implementation Method 3
a sensing unit provided under the display unit and configured to sense the light transmitting the cover window via the hole
Implementation Method 4
a step for disposing a film configured to shut off the spontaneous light emitting elements from oxygen or moisture on the organic light emitting layer
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal includes a housing having a front side, a rear side and lateral sides; a cover window disposed on the front side of the housing and comprising a display area and a bezel area. Further, the bezel area includes printed color under an edge of the cover window; an OLED display unit disposed between the cover window and the front side of the housing; and a sensing unit disposed under the OLED display unit. In addition, the OLED display unit includes a substrate having a hole below the display area of the cover window; a transistor layer including thin film transistors and being disposed on the substrate and having a hole corresponding to the hole of the substrate; an organic light emitting layer disposed on the transistor layer and having a hole corresponding to the hole of the transistor layer; and an encapsulation layer disposed on the organic light emitting layer and having a hole corresponding to the hole of the organic light emitting layer. Further, the sensing unit senses a light transmitted through the holes.