Protective Member Step Portions for Electro-Optical Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information communication devices, such as cellular phones, require electro-optical devices with improved shock resistance, water resistance, and dust resistance while maintaining a compact size and high visibility, which existing technologies struggle to achieve effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical device design featuring a protective member with a light-transmitting substrate having thick and thin portions, step portions, and a holding member that fits into these step portions, bonded to the electro-optical panel with an adhesive layer, eliminating the need for additional components and preventing air gaps for enhanced visibility and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a protective member is added to improve shock resistance, then shock resistance is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member is integrated with the holding member into a single unified structure. The holding member contains fitting portions that fit into step portions formed on the protective member, eliminating the need for separate attachment components and reducing overall device size while maintaining protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member features varying thickness with thick portions providing enhanced protection and thin portions at the outer circumference reducing overall volume. This localized thickness variation allows the device to maintain shock resistance where needed while minimizing size elsewhere.
2Reliability
If additional components are used to attach the protective member, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member and protective member are designed as an integrated assembly where the holding member's fitting portions directly engage with the protective member's step portions. This merging eliminates the need for separate adhesives, fasteners, or mounting brackets, simplifying the structure while ensuring reliable attachment through the engineered fit.
3Ease of operation
If air gaps are formed between protective member and electro-optical panel, then ease of assembly is improved, but display visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An adhesive layer is applied between the protective member and electro-optical panel to create a thin, flexible bonding interface. This adhesive film eliminates air gaps that would scatter light and reduce visibility, while its flexible nature allows for practical assembly processes. The adhesive ensures optical clarity is maintained throughout the bonding interface.
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 enhances shock resistance, water resistance, and dust resistance while reducing the device's size and improving display visibility by directly bonding the protective member to the electro-optical panel, eliminating air gaps and the need for additional attachment components.
Implementation Method 1
The light-transmitting substrate and the electro-optical panel are bonded to each other with an adhesive layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optical device includes an electro-optical panel including a pair of substrates and an electro-optical layer between the pair of substrates, a protective member composed of a light-transmitting substrate mounted on at least one of the pair of substrates, and a holding member that holds the electro-optical panel. The protective member has a thick portion where the thickness of the light-transmitting substrate is large, thin portions where the thickness of the light-transmitting substrate is small, the thin portions being provided at the outer circumference of the light-transmitting substrate, and step portions provided between the thick and thin portions. The holding member has fitting portions that are nested into the step portions of the protective member. The light-transmitting substrate and the electro-optical panel are bonded to each other with an adhesive layer.