Mobile display encapsulation to improve robustness and water resistance

{
  "publication_number": "US11800649B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Mobile display encapsulation to improve robustness and water resistance",
  "abstract": "An electronic device including a housing defining an aperture, a display component positioned in the aperture, and a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component. The filler material can contact the display component and a portion of the housing defining the aperture.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An electronic device comprising: a frame defining an aperture; a display component positioned in the aperture and configured to present visual information, the display component defining a bend region; a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component, the filler material contacting the bend region and contacting a portion of the frame defining the aperture.",
    "2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the filler material comprises epoxy.",
    "3. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a housing at least partially defining an internal volume, wherein the frame is secured to the housing and the filler material defines a seal between an ambient environment and the internal volume.",
    "4. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a housing at least partially defining an internal volume, wherein the frame is secured to the housing and the filler material defines a tortuous leak path between an ambient environment and the internal volume.",
    "5. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a parylene coating covering at least one of the display component or the filler material.",
    "6. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a housing at least partially surrounding and secured to the frame.",
    "7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the frame defines ports for injecting the filler material between the frame and the display component.",
    "8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the filler material is curable.",
    "9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the bend region defines a curved surface; and the filler material comprises a potting material that is positioned in the bend region and in contact with the curved surface.",
    "10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the filler material has a modulus of about 10 megapascals to about 20 megapascals.",
    "11. A display assembly, comprising; a frame comprising sidewalls that define ports and an aperture; a display component defining a bend region, the display component configured to display information and positioned in the aperture, the display component and the frame at least partially defining a volume; a flowable filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component and positioned in the volume, the filler material contacting the bend region and contacting one of the sidewalls.",
    "12. The display assembly of claim 11, wherein the filler material has a non-uniform thickness.",
    "13. The display assembly of claim 11, wherein the filler material adheres to the frame.",
    "14. The display assembly of claim 11, wherein the filler material occupies substantially all of the volume.",
    "15. The display assembly of claim 11, wherein the filler material is non-reactive to moisture."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The described embodiments relate generally to improved robustness and water resistance of electronic devices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to filler materials that improves the robustness and water resistance of a mobile display.\n\nIn use, modern electronic devices are subject to a wide range of hazardous conditions such as forces from drop and fall events or stresses caused by compression. Further, electronic device can be subjected to physical contamination, corrosive chemicals, and/or water. These considerations can be particularly relevant to portable electronic and mobile device applications, where sensitive control and display components may be commonly exposed to stress events and undesirable environmental conditions.\n\nA number of alternatives have been advanced to address these concerns, but these solutions typically involve bulky seals and isolation components that can drastically increase the size of a device and may negatively impact device performance and user experience. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved robustness of advanced consumer electronics and other digital device applications that do not undesirably increase the size of the device or impact performance. In particular, there is a need for increased impact protection and resistance to environmental exposure suitable for modern electronic devices.\n\nAccording to some aspects of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a frame defining an aperture, a display component positioned in the aperture, and a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component.",
  "cpc": [
    "H05K 3/284",
    "G06F 1/1626",
    "G06F 1/163",
    "G06F 1/1656",
    "H04M 1/0266",
    "H04M 1/18",
    "H05K 5/0017",
    "H05K 5/03",
    "H10K 59/12",
    "H10K 59/40",
    "H10K 59/872",
    "H10K 59/8722",
    "H10K 59/873"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23Q 3/08",
    "G06F 1/16",
    "H05K 3/28",
    "H05K 5/00",
    "H05K 5/03"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Apple Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Kodiak D. Burke",
    "John J. Baker",
    "Tyler B. CATER",
    "Christopher J. DURNING",
    "Benjamin J. Pope",
    "Richard H. Dinh"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-08-19",
  "publication_date": "2023-10-24",
  "grant_date": "2023-10-24",
  "priority_date": "2020-08-19",
  "application_number": "US-202016997753-A",
  "family_id": "80269061",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
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}