Ultra-thin Display Assembly with Edge-Bonded Laminate Cover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-thin LCD/touch assemblies in portable information handling systems face challenges in achieving sufficient structural integrity, leading to excessive deflection and potential cracking of the surface glass, which disables touch functionality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves edge bonding a fiber-strengthened laminate cover to a rear surface of an LCD module, direct bonding the front surface of the LCD module to a cover glass with an optically clear adhesive, and applying a transparent conductive electrode layer, along with a smart polymer layer at the edges to enhance mechanical loading resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of LCD assemblies is reduced to achieve ultra-thin design, then the weight and thickness of the display assembly are decreased, but the structural integrity becomes insufficient leading to excessive deflection and cracking risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by bonding a fiber-strengthened laminate cover to the LCD module. The laminate cover comprises multiple layers including glass fiber mats and polymer resin, creating a composite structure that provides high strength and stiffness while maintaining thin profile. This composite construction allows the ultra-thin display assembly to achieve sufficient structural integrity without increasing thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the structural reinforcement function into a separate laminate cover component that is bonded to the LCD module. Rather than thickening the LCD assembly itself, the structural support is provided by an attached laminate layer, separating the display function from the structural support function. This allows the LCD module to remain thin while gaining strength from the laminate.
2Weight of moving object
If the thickness of LCD assemblies is reduced to achieve ultra-thin design, then the weight of the display assembly is decreased, but excessive deflection occurs under mechanical loads
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-strengthened laminate cover creates a composite structure with high stiffness-to-weight ratio. The glass fiber reinforcement within the polymer matrix provides exceptional rigidity that resists deflection under mechanical loads, while the overall thin design keeps the weight low. This composite approach delivers both lightweight properties and deflection resistance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses deflection resistance by adding structural strength in the through-thickness direction through the laminate cover, rather than increasing the lateral dimensions. The laminate layers are oriented to provide stiffness perpendicular to the display surface, counteracting bending and deflection forces without increasing the footprint or overall thickness of the assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional bonding methods are used for ultra-thin assemblies, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but sufficient bonding strength cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs edge bonding methodology that changes the bonding parameters by distributing adhesive application along the perimeter edges rather than across the entire surface. This edge bonding approach uses localized adhesive application with controlled thickness to achieve strong bonds while maintaining the ultra-thin profile. The process balances manufacturing simplicity with adequate bonding strength for the thin assembly.
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 approach results in an ultra-thin display assembly with high structural integrity and low deflection, ensuring reliable operation and touch functionality, even under mechanical loads, by maintaining the assembly's stiffness and preventing significant deformation.
Implementation Method 1
direct bonding a front surface of the LCD module to a cover glass using an optically clear adhesive
Implementation Method 2
applying a smart polymer layer at the edges to enhance mechanical loading resistance, wherein the smart polymer hardens under mechanical loading
Implementation Method 3
bonding a transparent conductive layer supporting touch functionality to the cover glass
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for manufacturing an ultra-thin display assembly with integrated touch functionality may include edge bonding a laminate layer to a backlight portion of an LCD module. A display portion of the LCD module may be direct bonded to a cover glass including a transparent conductive electrode layer. The cover glass may be manufactured from a large glass sheet and may have an edge polymer deposited on edges of the cover glass, a conductive polymer layer over the transparent conductive electrode layer, and a smart polymer at the edges of the cover glass.