Resilient Channel Frame for Mobile Display Drop Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reducing the side borders of mobile devices to maximize display size weakens the mechanical connection between the device housing and the display assembly, making the display susceptible to damage when dropped, as the adhesive area is reduced, and direct adhesion to structural components can lead to de-lamination of the OLED layer.
Innovation Solution
A C or E shaped resilient channel frame is attached to each side of the display assembly, which carries impact forces and maintains a strong mechanical connection by allowing the LOCA layer to cure and avoiding contact with the OLED's squared edges, while adhesive is used between the channel frame and a structural component to absorb forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If side borders are reduced to maximize display size, then display area increases, but mechanical connection strength between housing and display assembly weakens
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient channel frame is introduced as an intermediary component between the display assembly and housing. This channel frame absorbs shock forces during drops, protecting the display while maintaining strong mechanical connection. The channel frame acts as a mediator that decouples the direct force transmission path, allowing the display to be securely mounted without requiring large border areas for adhesive bonding.
2Area of stationary object
If adhesive area is reduced due to smaller side borders, then device footprint is minimized, but shock force absorption capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mechanical properties of the connection system by introducing a resilient channel frame with specific elasticity characteristics. This allows the system to absorb shock forces through elastic deformation rather than relying solely on adhesive bond area. The channel frame's resilient properties enable effective shock absorption with minimal adhesive area, thus maintaining small device footprint while ensuring drop protection.
3Strength
If OLED display is adhered directly to structural component, then mechanical connection is strengthened, but frit border lamination becomes susceptible to de-lamination from pull forces
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient channel frame serves as an intermediary that prevents direct adhesion between the OLED display and structural components. By positioning the channel frame between these elements, shock forces are absorbed by the resilient material rather than being transmitted directly to the frit border lamination. This protects the OLED's squared edges and prevents de-lamination while maintaining overall mechanical connection strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A channel frame (400) is disclosed for use with a mobile device display (204) having an upper substrate (212) with an upper surface (220), a lower substrate (210) with a lower surface (304), and an OLED layer (216) sealed between the upper substrate (212) and the lower substrate (210). The channel frame (400) includes an upper wall (502) having a lower contact surface (512), a lower wall (504) having an upper contact surface (522), and a central wall (506) connected between the upper wall (502) and the lower wall (504). The channel frame (400) forms an elongated channel having a relaxed state from which the upper wall (502) and the lower wall (504) may be flexed to permit the channel frame (400) to be coupled to a side edge of the display (204). When the channel frame (400) is adhered to a structural component of the mobile device (100), it carries the impact forces resulting from dropping the device (100) and thereby protects the display (204) from damage.