Display assembly having LCD and seal captured between interlocking lens cover and lightpipe

• US 5,940,153 A
• Filed: 04/03/1998
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goodwin, Thomas A., Brookes, Gregory A., Castaneda, Julio C., Hafen, Benjamin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOWDHURY, TARIFUR RASHID
• Application Number:
  US09/054,563
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 349/58, 349/60, 349/65, 361/679, 361/681, 361/814, 345/87, 200/343
• US Class Current: 349/58
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/027 including magnifying means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials

Abstract

A display module (100) includes a light pipe (140), a liquid crystal display (LCD) module (130), a lens cover (110), and a gasket (120), which are mated together to form a sealed assembly. The LCD module (130) and gasket (120) are captured between the lens cover(110) and light pipe (140), such that the gasket (120) provides a seal between the lens cover (110) and the LCD module (130). Preferably, the gasket (120) has at least one integrally formed button (122) that protrudes through a buttonhole (112) on the lens cover (110) to provide for external actuation of a switch (152) within the display module assembly (100).

Claims

1. A display module, comprising:

a light pipe;

a liquid crystal display mounted on the light pipe;

a gasket overlaying the liquid crystal display, the gasket having an integrated button protruding therefrom, the button and gasket having a single-piece construction; and

a lens cover having a transparent portion and a buttonhole corresponding to the button on the gasket, the lens cover being positioned over the gasket such that the button protrudes through the buttonhole;

wherein the light pipe, liquid crystal display, gasket, and lens cover are fitted together in a self-contained functional assembly.

2. The display module of claim 1, wherein the light pipe and lens cover have complementary retainer elements that are engaged such that the liquid crystal display and gasket are captured therebetween.

3. The display module of claim 2, wherein the retainer elements comprise a snap integrally formed on the light pipe and protruding therefrom, and a snap retainer integrally formed on the lens cover.

4. The display module of claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible circuit substrate interconnecting the liquid crystal display and the light pipe;

a light emitting diode carried by the flexible circuit substrate and positioned beside the light pipe; and

a popple switch carried by the flexible circuit substrate and positioned for actuation by the button.

5. A display module, comprising:

a light pipe having first and second surfaces that oppose each other;

a liquid crystal display module mounted on the light pipe alongside the first surface;

a gasket overlaying the liquid crystal display module, the gasket having an integrated button protruding therefrom, the button and gasket having a single-piece construction;

a circuit substrate electrically interconnected to the liquid crystal display module, and comprising;

a light emitting diode positioned beside the light pipe;

a set of contacts positioned along the second surface of the light pipe;

a popple switch aligned with the button; and

a lens cover having a transparent portion and a buttonhole corresponding to the button on the gasket, the lens cover being positioned over the gasket such that the button protrudes through the buttonhole;

wherein the light pipe and lens cover have complementary retainer elements that are engaged to secure the light pipe and lens cover together, and to capture the gasket and the liquid crystal display module, therebetween.

6. An electronic device having a self-contained display module, the display module comprising a light pipe, a liquid crystal display, a lens cover, and a gasket, wherein the light pipe and lens cover are mated together in a snap fit arrangement that captures the liquid crystal display and the gasket, such that the gasket provides a seal therebetween, wherein the lens cover has a buttonhole, and the gasket has an integrally formed button that protrudes through the buttonhole.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, further comprising:

a flexible substrate electrically interconnected to the liquid crystal display module, and carrying circuitry comprising;

a light source positioned beside the light pipe;

a set of contacts buttressed by the light pipe; and

a switch aligned with the button.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the lens cover has snap hooks protruding therefrom for securing the display module to a support structure.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the light pipe has a catch portion extending therefrom and the lens cover has a hook portion that engages the catch portion to secure the lens cover and light pipe together.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the light pipe has a back surface and a reflective backer disposed along the back surface.