Screen Assembly Notch Sound Outlet Channel Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing integration of devices in mobile phones leads to larger and bulkier designs, hindering the achievement of a light and thin form factor that meets user needs.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device design featuring a frame with a recessed second surface forming a notch that serves as a sound outlet channel, covered by a screen assembly, which allows sound signals to be transmitted externally while maintaining a visual appearance without visible receiver holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If more devices are integrated in a mobile phone to achieve more diverse functions, then the functionality of the terminal device is improved, but the body of the terminal device becomes bigger and bulkier

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidbody size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the receiver and speaker functions into a single integrated module, allowing sound to be transmitted through the screen assembly itself. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate sound outlets and reduces overall device volume while maintaining diverse functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The screen assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the sound transmission channel. By making the screen assembly multi-functional (serving as both display and acoustic outlet), the patent reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby reducing device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a receiver hole is provided for sound transmission, then the sound transmission function is improved, but the visual appearance is degraded due to visible holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound transmissionVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver and speaker are integrated into a single module where the sound transmission path is merged with the screen assembly structure. This allows sound to pass through the screen assembly without requiring separate visible holes, thus maintaining both sound transmission functionality and visual appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The screen assembly acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates sound transmission from the integrated receiver-speaker module to the external environment. The screen assembly material and structure serve as the medium through which sound waves propagate, eliminating the need for traditional visible receiver holes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 efficient sound transmission while providing a visually appealing, compact, and lightweight terminal device that integrates multiple functions without the perception of receiver holes.

Implementation Method 1

the notch of the frame forms the sound outlet channel for the sound signals of the receiver to pass through

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound transmission: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP3972231B1Screen assembly, middle frame, and terminal device
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3972231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3972231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3972231B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3a

AI summary

A terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a frame and a screen assembly. The frame has a front side surface and a fourth surface which is opposite to the front side surface. The front side surface has a first surface and a second surface adjacent to the first surface along a thickness direction of the frame, the second surface is recessed relative to the first surface, the first surface defines a groove, the second surface defines a notch extending through the bottom of the groove, and the notch of the frame forms a sound outlet channel for sound signals of a receiver to pass through. The screen assembly is disposed on the front side surface and is configured to cover the notch of the frame. In the terminal device, the screen assembly is configured to cover the notch, the groove is defined on the top of the frame, such that the sounds of the receiver can be transmitted to the outside. In addition, while a user is looking directly at the screen assembly (i.e., a user is looking at the screen assembly in a thickness direction of the terminal device), because the notch is covered by the screen assembly, a receiver hole for the receiver to transmit the sound signals to the outside is unable to be perceived, such that the terminal device has a visual effect that there is no receiver hole.