Display assembly

• US 8,872,997 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2011
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Hobson, Phillip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Won, Bumsuk
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, CHARLES S
• Application Number:
  US13/014,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20120050988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 349 58- 60
• US Class Current: 349/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0277 for a printed circuit board assembly

Abstract

A display assembly includes at least a protective cover layer, a display stack that includes a plurality of display components arranged in a plurality of interconnected layers, the display stack providing an imaging service, and a flat support chassis arranged to provide support for the display stack. In the described embodiment, the display stack is positioned between the protective cover layer and the flat support chassis. The display assembly can be disposed within a housing with sides sloping inwards where a portion the display assembly is proximate to the inward sloping sides. To allow the display assembly to fit closer to the edges of the housing, material can be removed from the flat support chassis. For example, edges of the flat support chassis can be chamfered.

Claims

1. A display assembly for a portable electronic device having a housing, comprising:

a protective cover layer;

a display stack including a plurality of display components arranged in a plurality of interconnected layers, the display stack providing an imaging service;

a flat support chassis arranged to provide support for the display stack, wherein the display stack is positioned between the protective cover layer and the flat support chassis, wherein the flat support chassis comprises at least one chamfered edge;

a support frame positioned within the housing, the support frame supporting the protective cover layer; and

an internal frame member positioned between the support chassis and the support frame, the internal frame member being generally flat.

2. The display assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the display assembly protective cover layer is attached to the support frame.

3. The display assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamfered edge has a size and shape in accordance with the support frame.

4. The display assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the support frame is attached to the housing of the electronic device.

5. The display assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the flat support chassis is attached to the support frame such that the display assembly is partially isolated from applied loads at the housing.

6. The display assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the flat support chassis is attached to a support frame wherein the support frame is configured to a) increase a stiffness of the flat support chassis, b) provide heat dissipation for the display assembly or c) combinations thereof.

7. A structural support system for a personal media device comprising:

a housing formed with a cavity for receiving at least a display assembly including a flat support chassis, the housing including sloped sides such that the housing is thinner near its outer perimeter and thicker near its center;

a first frame structure including a rim for supporting a protective cover layer, the protective cover layer configured to fit over the cavity and cover the display assembly wherein the first frame structure including a groove proximate to the outer perimeter of housing, the groove configured to receive an outer portion of the flat support chassis; and

a second frame structure disposed beneath the display assembly, the second frame structure at least thermally coupled to the flat support chassis to provide thermal dissipation of heat generated from the display assembly.

8. The structural support system of claim 7, wherein the first structure is integrally formed into the housing.

9. The structural support system of claim 7, wherein the outer portion of the flat support chassis is chamfered to allow the flat support chassis to be aligned with and fit within the groove of the first structure.

10. The structural support system of claim 7, wherein the display assembly is bonded to the display cover glass.

11. The structural support system of claim 7, wherein the second structure is a substantially flat sheet that spans across the cavity from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing wherein the flat support chassis is bonded to sheet to increase a stiffness of the display assembly.

12. A personal media device comprising:

a housing formed with a cavity;

a display assembly configured to fit within the cavity, the display assembly comprising;

a protective cover layer;

a display stack including a plurality of display components arranged in a plurality of interconnected layers, the display stack providing an imaging service;

a flat support chassis, the flat support chassis arranged to provide support for the display stack, wherein the display stack is positioned between the protective cover layer and the flat support chassis wherein the protective cover layer configured to fit over a top of the cavity such that the display stack, a main logic board, a memory and a battery are enclosed within a space formed by the protective cover layer and the cavity of the housing;

a first structure including a rim for supporting the protective cover layer; and

a substantially flat internal frame member disposed beneath the display assembly and coupled to the housing, the internal frame member coupled to the flat support chassis wherein the internal frame member is configured to increase a stiffness of the display assembly and dissipate heat generated by the display assembly.

13. The personal media device of claim 12, wherein the first structure is formed in the housing proximate to its outer perimeter.

14. The personal media device of claim 12, wherein the first structure includes a groove for receiving an outer portion of the flat support chassis.

15. The personal media device of claim 14, where the outer portion of the flat support chassis is chamfered.

16. A method of forming a personal media device comprising:

forming a display assembly including a flat support chassis, a protective cover layer and a display stack for providing imaging services disposed between the flat support chassis and the protective cover layer;

forming a housing including a cavity for receiving the display assembly such that the display stack fits within the cavity;

forming a structure including a rim for supporting an outer edge of the protective cover layer wherein the structure is coupled to the housing;

attaching the outer edge of the protective cover layer to the rim;

providing a substantially flat internal frame member disposed beneath the display assembly and coupled to the housing; and

coupling the internal frame member to the flat support chassis wherein the internal frame member is configured to increase a stiffness of the display assembly and dissipate heat generated by the display assembly.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

forming a groove in the structure for receiving an outer edge of the flat support chassis.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

chamfering the outer edge of the flat support chassis to help align and fit the outer edge within the groove.