OLED Display Device with Recessed Magnetic Coupling Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in achieving a sleek, compact design while ensuring secure attachment to a surface without protrusions, as they often require bulky components like backlights and complex mounting systems that compromise aesthetics and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a magnetic coupling unit and a back cover with integrated adhesive sheets, allowing for a thin, lightweight OLED display device that attaches securely to a surface without visible protrusions, using a bracket to reinforce the coupling holes and prevent damage, and a housing that connects via flexible cables or wireless signals to maintain a clean appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a magnetic coupling unit is used to attach the display device to a surface, then the attachment strength is improved, but the device thickness increases due to the protruding coupling unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic coupling unit is embedded within a recess formed in the back cover of the display device. The recess has a bottom surface and side surfaces that define a cavity, into which the magnetic coupling unit is inserted. This nesting arrangement allows the magnetic coupling unit to protrude from the back cover surface only to the extent needed for magnetic attachment, while the bulk of the coupling unit is hidden within the recess, thereby reducing the overall device thickness while maintaining attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the magnetic coupling unit protrude perpendicular to the back cover surface (Z-direction), the invention utilizes the recess structure to redistribute the coupling unit's volume in the X and Y directions (parallel to the back cover surface). The recess creates a three-dimensional space that accommodates the coupling unit, effectively moving part of the attachment mechanism from the thickness dimension to the lateral dimensions, thus reducing device thickness while preserving attachment functionality.

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

2Reliability

If the magnetic coupling unit protrudes from the back cover, then the attachment functionality is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible protrusions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment functionalityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic coupling unit is nested within a recess in the back cover, with only a portion of the coupling unit exposed at the back cover surface. The recess structure allows the coupling unit to be partially hidden, creating a flush or near-flush appearance that maintains aesthetic appeal while preserving the magnetic attachment functionality of the exposed portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The back cover is designed with a localized recess structure only at the specific location where the magnetic coupling unit is positioned. This localized modification allows the coupling unit to be concealed where needed while maintaining the smooth, continuous surface appearance of the rest of the back cover, thus preserving overall aesthetic appearance while enabling attachment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If a bracket is added to reinforce the coupling holes, then the structural integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket structure is merged with the back cover by forming the recess directly in the back cover material. The bracket serves dual functions: it reinforces the coupling holes to prevent damage and provides the recess structure that conceals the magnetic coupling unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate reinforcement components, thereby improving structural integrity while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it reinforces the coupling holes against damage, provides the recess for concealing the magnetic coupling unit, and maintains the overall structural rigidity of the back cover. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, improving structural integrity without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

This solution enables a thinner, more aesthetically pleasing display device with enhanced structural integrity and simplified manufacturing, reducing costs and complexity while ensuring strong attachment to a surface without compromising the display's performance or appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a back cover with integrated adhesive sheets, allowing for a thin, lightweight OLED display device that attaches securely to a surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The design incorporates a magnetic coupling unit and a back cover with integrated adhesive sheets, allowing for a thin, lightweight OLED display device that attaches securely to a surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3608708B1Display device
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3608708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3608708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3608708B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel including a transparent substrate, an upper electrode, an image forming layer, and a lower electrode, a back cover placed in the back surface of the display panel, and a coupling unit placed in an area between the back cover and the display panel. The display device can be closely coupled to a to-be-attached surface.