Patent ID: 12202342

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

For explaining the structure and the design,FIGS.1,2, and3schematically illustrate different manufacturing phases of respective embodiment variants of an electronic device, with each ofFIGS.1,2, and3depicting a chronological sequence from top to bottom. InFIGS.1,2, and3, parts having the same or equivalent function or effect, including different embodiments, have been designated with the same reference numerals.

FIG.1illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the electronic device. The electronic device includes a display carrier1. Display carrier1is manufactured, preferably by injection molding, in a first step. A display4is to be arranged on display carrier1. Display carrier1includes an aperture or an opening2. Aperture2is slightly smaller than display4. An adhesive3with which display4is adhesively bonded to display carrier1is applied in the periphery of aperture2in a defined manner. This results in an aperture chamber12, which is open toward an outer side13of display carrier1, through aperture2and the attached display4at the display carrier.

After this operation is completed, display carrier1together with display4is mounted in a flooding mold. After the mold is closed, display carrier1is flooded with a polymer material5in a vertical orientation from bottom to top and cured. As the result of which, aperture chamber12is also completely filled with polymer material5. The result is a surface which is closed toward the user, and which provides additional protection of both display4and outer side13of display carrier1by polymer material5. A polyurethane may preferably be used as a suitable polymer material5.

Due to display4already being mounted on display carrier1during the flooding operation, polymer material5rests seamlessly on display surface14of the display after the flooding.

FIG.2illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the electronic device. This variant likewise provides that a window-like aperture2is situated in display carrier1. A shoulder6is provided in display carrier1at the edge of aperture2. Shoulder6protrudes into aperture2in such a way that display4may submerge into the aperture and be supported on the shoulder.

Outer side13of display carrier1is flooded in an injection mold (not shown). Suitably shaped cores in the injection mold tool ensure that polymer material5is either not introduced into aperture2or is introduced only slightly into the aperture.

In the next step, display carrier1is horizontally oriented. After polymer material5has cured (hardened), in the area of aperture2a liquid optical adhesive8is applied to the side of the cured polymer material5facing the aperture. Display4is subsequently attached to shoulder6and joined to polymer material5and display carrier1by use of the liquid optical adhesive8. Display4is thereby mounted horizontally in aperture2.

In comparison to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.1, the second exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.2allows display4to be installed after display carrier1is coated with polymer material5.

FIG.3illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of the electronic device. The third embodiment variant provides that, in a first step, display carrier1is shaped by injection molding in such a way that a projection9parallel to outer side13of display carrier1is formed.

Display carrier1thus forms an aperture chamber12that is open toward outer side13of the display carrier. The depth of aperture chamber12corresponds to the height of display4to be attached. Display4has an electrical connection7, explicitly illustrated inFIG.3, made up of multiple schematically depicted connecting lines.

Situated inside projection9is an opening10through which electrical connection7of display4may be led. A seal11that is made up of a stamped adhesive frame or a liquid adhesive is situated around opening10.

In the subsequent step, display4is inserted into aperture chamber12with connection7being led through opening10.

Lastly, flooding is carried out over and around display carrier1and display4in a vertical position to avoid air being trapped.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1display carrier (or display support)2aperture (or panel opening)3(glue) adhesive4display5(transparent castable) polymer material6recess7electrical connection8liquid optical adhesive9projection (or molding)10opening11seal12aperture chamber13outer side (of the display carrier)14display surface

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the present invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the present invention.