Waterproof display apparatus and method of assembling the same

A waterproof display apparatus includes an envelope, a display panel and an adhesive structure. The envelope includes an inner enclosing surface. The inner enclosing surface defines an accommodating space. The display panel is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space of the envelope. The envelope includes a light permeable portion that allows light from the display panel to travel out of the envelope. The adhesive structure is located in the accommodating space. The adhesive structure is adhered between the inner enclosing surface of the envelope and the display panel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 104133556, filed Oct. 13, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display apparatus. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a waterproof display apparatus and a method of assembling the same.

Description of Related Art

Since a display panel includes numerous electronic devices therein, it is prone to be affected or even damaged by moisture. In order to prevent the electronic devices from damaged by moisture, an upper waterproof film and a lower waterproof film are adhered to opposite sides of the display panel, and a waterproof glue is coated on a remaining exposed area of the display panel, so as to insulate the display panel from moisture.

In general, the waterproof glue is not only adhered to a side surface of the display panel, but it is also adhered to the lower waterproof film on the lower side of the display panel, so that the waterproof glue can be supported by the lower waterproof film. However, such a waterproof design requires a large space reserved on the waterproof film to benefit the coating process of the waterproof glue. Since such a large space is required, size of the frame of the display apparatus cannot be scaled down, which is disadvantageous to the narrow frame design of the display apparatus.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention discloses a waterproof display apparatus that is able to achieve both the waterproof ability and the narrow frame design.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a waterproof display apparatus includes an envelope, a display panel and an adhesive structure. The envelope includes an inner enclosing surface. The inner enclosing surface defines an accommodating space. The display panel is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space of the envelope. The envelope includes a light permeable portion that allows light from the display panel to travel out of the envelope. The adhesive structure is located in the accommodating space. The adhesive structure is adhered between the inner enclosing surface of the envelope and the display panel.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a waterproof display apparatus includes a display panel and an envelope. The display panel includes a display surface, a rear surface and a plurality of side surfaces. The display surface and the rear surface are respectively located on opposite sides of the display panel. The side surfaces are connected between the display surface and the rear surface. The envelope encloses the display surface, the rear surface and the side surfaces of the display panel. The envelope is joined to the display surface, the rear surface and the side surfaces in a waterproof manner. The envelope includes a light permeable portion that allows light to travel out of the envelope.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of assembling a waterproof display apparatus includes putting a display panel into an accommodating space of an envelope through an opening of the envelope, and joining the display panel to the envelope in a waterproof manner.

In the foregoing embodiments, the display panel can be adhered inside the envelope. Therefore, the envelope can insulate the moisture from invading into the display panel, thereby implementing the waterproof ability. Moreover, since the waterproof ability can be implemented as long as the display panel is enclosed inside the envelope, an additional waterproof film can be omitted, and a space on the waterproof film reserved for the waterproof glue can be omitted as well, which may benefit the narrow frame design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is an explosive view of a waterproof display apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a perspective view of an assembled waterproof display apparatus as shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the waterproof display apparatus includes an envelope100, an adhesive structure200and a display panel300. The envelope100includes an inner enclosing surface101and an outer enclosing surface102. The inner enclosing surface101and the outer enclosing surface102are opposite. The outer enclosing surface102is exposed or revealed. The inner enclosing surface101defines an accommodating space S. The display panel300is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space S of the envelope100. The adhesive structure200is located in the accommodating space S. The adhesive structure200is adhered between the inner enclosing surface101of the envelope100and the display panel300. Therefore, the envelope100can insulate the moisture from invading into the display panel300, thereby implementing the waterproof ability. Further, since the waterproof ability can be implemented as long as the display panel300is enclosed inside the envelope100, an additional waterproof film can be omitted, and a space on the waterproof film reserved for the waterproof glue can be omitted as well, which may benefit the narrow frame design.

In this embodiment, the envelope100includes a light permeable portion110. The light permeable portion110is light permeable or light transmissive, which can allow light from the display panel300to travel out of the envelope100. In a greater detail, the display panel300includes a display surface301. When the display panel300is accommodated in the accommodating space S of the envelope100, the light permeable portion110is present in front of the display surface301. In other words, the display surface301faces toward the light permeable portion110. As such, the light from the display surface301can sequentially travel through a portion of the inner enclosing surface101and a portion of the outer enclosing surface102located on the light permeable portion110, and can travel out of the envelope100, so that the user can see the displayed image of the display surface301from an exterior with respect to the envelope100. It is understood that the user can see the display panel300omnidirectionally when the whole envelope100is light permeable. In other words, the user may not only see the display surface301, but the user may also see surfaces of the display panel300other than the display surface301. For example, a material of the envelope100may be, but is not limiting to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or other suitable light permeable materials. In some embodiments, only the light permeable portion110of the envelope100in front of the display surface301is light permeable, and other portion of the envelope100is opaque. In some embodiments, the envelope100not only includes a light permeable portion110in front of the display surface301, but also includes another light permeable portion110in the rear of the display surface301. In other words, the both the front and rear surfaces of the envelope100are light permeable, which allows the user to see not only the display surface301but also other surfaces of the display panel300from the front and rear sides of the envelope100.

In some embodiments, the envelope100has an opening O and a sealed portion120before the envelope100encloses the display panel300. The sealed portion120is sealed, and the opening O is opened. The opening O and the sealed portion120are respectively located on two opposite sides of the accommodating space S. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the sealed portion120is located on a left side of the accommodating space S, and the opening O is located on a right side of the accommodating space S and is spatially communicated with the accommodating space S. As such, during a process of assembling the waterproof display apparatus, the display panel300can be put into the accommodating space S of the envelope100through the opening O of the envelope100along the direction A1as shown inFIG. 1. When the display panel300abuts against the sealed portion120of the envelope100, the opening O can be sealed to form the structure as shown inFIG. 2, thereby enclosing the display panel300inside the envelope100.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel300further includes a rear surface302. The display surface301and the rear surface302are respectively located on opposite sides of the display panel300. The display surface301and the rear surface302are adhered to the inner enclosing surface101of the envelope100by the adhesive structure200. In other words, a portion of the adhesive structure200is located between and adhered to the inner enclosing surface101of the envelope100and the display surface301of the display panel300. A portion of the adhesive structure200is located between the inner enclosing surface101of the envelope100and the rear surface302of the display panel300. As a result, the adhesive structure200can prevent the moisture from invading into the display panel300through the display surface301and/or the rear surface302.

In some embodiments, the display panel300can be partially exposed or revealed outside the envelope100. In some embodiments, the display panel300can be not exposed or revealed outside the envelope100, so as to further improve the waterproof ability. In other words, the display panel300can be completely enclosed inside the envelope100. Therefore, the envelope100may preferably insulate the moisture from the display panel300, thereby improving the waterproof ability, in a greater detail, reference can be made toFIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof display apparatus ofFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 3, the display panel300further includes a plurality of side surfaces303. The side surfaces303are connected between the display surface301and the rear surface302. The envelope100can enclose the display surface301, the rear surface302and the side surfaces303of the display panel300, thereby completely enclosing the display panel300. As a result, the envelope100can preferably insulate the moisture from the display panel300to improve the waterproof ability.

In some embodiments, the envelope100is joined to the display surface301, the rear surface302and the side surfaces303in a waterproof manner. “One element is joined to another element in a waterproof manner” in the context means that attachment strength of these element is strong enough to resist liquid or gas under normal pressure from flowing or penetrating from one element to another element. In particular, a material of the adhesive structure200can be a waterproof glue and can be adhered between the envelope100and the display surface301, the rear surface302and the side surface303of the display panel300. In other words, the adhesive structure200can be an annular structure. This annular structure surrounds and is adhered to the display panel300. Therefore, even though the moisture may invade into the envelope100in some cases, the adhesive structure200can prevent the moisture from further invading into the display panel300. In some embodiments, the adhesive structure200encloses the display panel300, and the adhesive structure200is adhered between all outer surfaces of the display panel300and the inner enclosing surface101of the envelope100, so as to benefit the envelope100and the display panel300joined in a waterproof manner. For example, a material of the adhesive structure200can be, but is not limiting to, a light-cured light permeable glue, a heat-cured light permeable glue or optical clearance adhesives having appropriate water tightness.

Take the light-cured light permeable glue as an example, during a process of joining the envelope100and the display panel300, the display panel300can be put into the accommodating space S of the envelope100through the opening O of the envelope100along the direction A1as shown inFIG. 1. Then, an adhesive material, such as the light-cured light permeable glue, between the envelope100and the display panel300can be cured in a light curing manner, thereby joining the display panel300into the envelope100in a waterproof manner. In the foregoing assembling process, since the light-cured light permeable glue is flowable before it is emitted by light within a particular wavelength range, the display panel300can be moved in the envelope100. When the display panel300is moved to a desired position, the light-cured light permeable glue can be emitted by the light within a particular wavelength range, so that the light-cured light permeable glue can be cured. Therefore, the display panel300can be joined inside the envelope100in a waterproof manner. For example, in some embodiments, the light-cured light permeable glue can be, but is not limiting to, a UV curing resin, which can be cured by emission of ultraviolet light, so as to join the display panel300and the envelope100.

Take the heat-cured light permeable glue as an example, during a process of joining the envelope100and the display panel300, the display panel300can be put into the accommodating space S of the envelope100through the opening O of the envelope100along the direction A1as shown inFIG. 1. Then, an adhesive material, such as the heat-cured light permeable glue, between the envelope100and the display panel300can be cured in a heat curing manner, thereby joining the display panel300within the envelope100in a waterproof manner. In the foregoing assembling process, since the heat-cured light permeable glue is flowable before it is heated, the display panel300can be moved with respect to the envelope100when it is accommodated in the envelope100. When the display panel300is moved to a desired position, the heat-cured light permeable glue can be heated, so that the heat-cured light permeable glue can be cured. Therefore, the display panel300can be joined inside the envelope100in a waterproof manner. For example, in some embodiments, the heat-cured light permeable glue can be, but is not limiting to, a thermosetting resin, which can be cured when it is heated to particular temperature, so as to join the display panel300and the envelope100.

In some embodiments, a thickness of the adhesive structure200ranges from 10 micron to 100 micron. The adhesive structure200having the thickness within the foregoing range is thick enough to prevent the moisture from invading into the display panel300. It is understood that “a parameter ranges from A to B” not only means that the parameter can be any value greater than A and less than B, but also means that the parameter can be equal to A or B. For example, “the adhesive structure200ranges from 10 micron to 100 micron” not only means that the thickness of the adhesive structure200can be any value greater than 10 micron and less than 100 micron, the thickness of the adhesive structure can be 10 micron or 100 micron as well.

In some embodiments, the envelope100is flexible. In other words, the envelope100is deformable when it endures an external force. Therefore, even though an original contour of the inner enclosing surface101does not conform to a contour of the display panel300, an assembler can exert a force to deform the envelope100, so that the contour of the inner enclosing surface101can conform to the contour of the display panel300. Therefore, the inner enclosing surface101can be tightly adhered to the display panel300, and the opening O can be sealed such that the envelope100can enclose the display panel300. In particular, when the display panel300is put into the accommodating space S of the envelope100along the direction A1shown inFIG. 1, a force may be exerted to the envelope100along the direction A2shown inFIG. 2to press against the envelope100and the display panel300, so that the inner enclosing surface101can tightly press against the display panel300. When the inner enclosing surface101tightly presses against the display panel300, the adhesive material therebetween can be cured to form the adhesive structure200, such that the attachment strength between the envelope100and the display panel300is strong enough to resist the flowing or penetrating liquid, thereby preventing moisture from invading into the display panel300.

In some embodiments, a material of the envelope100may be a waterproof material for preventing the moisture from invading into the envelope100, so as to further ensure that the display panel300will not be affected by the moisture. For example, the material of the envelope100can be, but is not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate (PC). In some embodiments, a light-permeable waterproof material is coated on the material of the envelope100to achieve light-permeable, flexible and waterproof ability. In some embodiments, when the material of the envelope100is the waterproof material, the material of the adhesive structure200may not be the waterproof glue. In other words, the waterproof ability of the waterproof display apparatus can be solely achieved by the envelope100. In some embodiments, when the material of the adhesive structure200is the waterproof glue, the material of the envelope100may be a non-waterproof material. In other words, the waterproof ability of the waterproof display apparatus can be solely achieved by the adhesive structure200. In some embodiments, the material of the envelope100is the waterproof material, and the material of the adhesive structure200is the waterproof glue. In other words, the waterproof ability of the waterproof display apparatus can be achieved by the envelope100and the adhesive structure200cooperatively; thereby preventing the moisture from invading into the display panel300more effectively.

In some embodiments, a thickness of the envelope100ranges from 10 micron to 100 micron. The envelope100having the thickness within the foregoing range is thick enough to prevent the moisture from invading into the adhesive structure200, thereby preventing the moisture from invading into the display panel300through the adhesive structure200. Moreover, the envelope100having the thickness within the foregoing range is thin enough such that the envelope100is flexible, which benefits the assembler to exert a force to the envelope100to deform the envelope100and therefore benefits the inner enclosing surface101to be tightly adhered to the display panel300, thereby sealing the opening O.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the waterproof display apparatus further includes a circuit board400. The circuit board400overlaps with the display panel300and is electrically connected to the display panel300. Therefore, the control devices on the circuit board400(not shown in the figure) can transmit control signals to the display panel300for controlling the display panel300to render images. In some embodiments, when the display panel300is accommodated in the accommodating space S of the envelope100, at least a portion of the circuit board400is located in the accommodating space5, and this portion of the circuit board400and the display panel300are adhered by the adhesive structure200(SeeFIG. 1). As a result, the adhesive structure200not only achieves waterproof ability, but it also benefits fastening the circuit board400and the display panel300. In some embodiments, another portion of the circuit board400is not adhered by the adhesive structure200and is located outside the envelope100, so as to electrically connect to the electrical devices outside the envelope100. In some embodiments, a waterproof glue can be coated on the another portion of the circuit board400, which is not adhered by the adhesive structure200, and the edge of the opening O (SeeFIG. 1) of the envelope100, so as to reduce the gap between the envelope100and the circuit board400, thereby improving the water tightness and the waterproof ability. For example, the circuit board400may be, but is not limited to, a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

In some embodiments, the display panel300may be, but is not limited to, an electrophoretic display (EPD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electro wetting display (EWD), or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the display panel300may be the electrophoretic display, which includes a driving substrate310, an electrophoretic display medium layer320and a light permeable cover330. The electrophoretic display medium layer320is located between the driving substrate310and the light permeable cover330. The driving substrate310can generate an electric field to control the electrophoretic display medium layer320to render an image. In a greater detail, the electrophoretic display medium layer320may include a plurality of microcapsules321. Each microcapsule321has a plurality of light-colored charged particles322and a plurality of deep-colored charged particles323therein. The light-colored charged particles322and the deep-colored charged particles323have charges of different types. For example, the light-colored charged particles322may have positive charges, and the deep-colored charged particles323may have negative charges. Therefore, the electric field generated by the driving substrate310can control locations of the light-colored and deep-colored charged particles322and323in each microcapsule321, thereby rendering a grayscale image. In some embodiments, the display panel300further includes a color filter to render a colored image. In some embodiments, the driving substrate310is a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate, which has a plurality of pixel electrodes (not shown) to individually control microcapsules321in different zones. In some embodiments, the light permeable cover330has a common electrode (not shown) proximal to the electrophoretic display medium layer320, so that the common electrode and the pixel electrodes of the driving substrate310can cooperatively control the microcapsules321in the electrophoretic display medium layer320.

In some embodiments, since the display panel300can be enclosed by the envelope100the envelope100can prevent the moisture from invading into the driving substrate310, the electrophoretic display medium layer320and/or the light permeable cover330, thereby preventing the devices in the driving substrate310, the electrophoretic display medium layer320and/or the light permeable cover330from being damaged by the moisture.

In some embodiments, after the display panel300is enclosed by the envelope100, a vacuum source (not shown) can be employed to suck gas between the envelope100and the display panel300such that the envelope100is tightly joined on the display panel300, thereby preventing invasion of the moisture more effectively. In another embodiment, after the display panel300is enclosed by the envelope100, a heat source can be employed to heat the envelope100such that the envelope100is tightly joined to the display panel300.