TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a panel assembly for an electronic device, the panel assembly comprising a display module and a support structure.

BACKGROUND

The size of mobile electronic devices, such as tablets and mobile phones, is an important consideration when designing electronic devices. Displays become larger and larger, making the space available for other components very limited.

One way of increasing the space available is to fit the electronic device with magnet actuators which generate audio and haptic waves by vibrating other components of the electronic device, i.e. components other than speakers, microphones etc. This reduces the number of components, since there is no longer a need for separate speakers, microphones etc., making more space available for other components.

A magnet actuator comprises two magnets which either attract or repulse each other. Initially, the magnets are in force equilibrium, but in order to generate audio and haptic waves the attractive or repulsive force between the magnets is changed by means of an electric current, causing at least one of the magnets to move such that the distance between the magnets decreases or increases, and hence audio or haptic waves to be generated. SUMMARY

It is an object to provide an improved panel assembly. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a panel assembly for an electronic device comprising at least one panel module, a support structure, and a suspension arrangement configured to allow displacement of the panel module with respect to the support structure along an actuation axis perpendicular to a main plane of the panel module, in response to vibrations generated within the electronic device, a first fixation element being configured to attach the panel module to the suspension arrangement, and a second fixation element being configured to attach the suspension arrangement to the support structure.

The suspension arrangement allows the entire panel module to move, i.e. not only the center portion of the panel module can be vibrated, but also the edge portions thereof. As a result, the bending of the panel module is minimized, minimizing the stress that the panel module is subjected to, and vibrating an as large area as possible of the panel module, improving the quality of the audio generated by means of vibrations.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the suspension arrangement is arranged along at least a part of a peripheral edge of the panel module, allowing displacement, along the actuation axis, of a panel module area, which panel module area extends adjacent, and/or includes, the peripheral edge.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the panel module is one of a back cover module and a display module comprising a display panel and a cover layer.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first fixation element and the second fixation element are adhesives. In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the suspension arrangement comprises a responsive element and a drive element, the responsive element being configured to undergo a reversible change in response to at least one stimulus induced by the drive element.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the reversible change comprises deformation of the responsive element at least along the actuation axis, the deformation generating the displacement of the panel module. By executing at least the main part of the deformation along the actuation axis, the deformation along the actuation axis, and hence the amplitude of the vibrations, can be maximized.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the responsive element comprises a material configured to undergo a reversible change in material properties in response to the stimulus. This allows the displacement of the panel module to be executed and steered very easily and only in response to specific stimulus directly interacting with the responsive element.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the at least one stimulus comprises at least one of electric, magnetic, temperature, or stress stimulus.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the stimulus induction is synchronized with the vibrations, allowing the peripheral portions of the panel module to be vibrated simultaneously, and by the same frequency, as the central portion of the panel module.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the material is a shape memory material or a piezo material such as piezo ceramic or piezo polymer.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the material is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic waves, allowing e.g. antennas arranged along the peripheral edge of the electronic device to remain unaffected. In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the support structure comprises a steering structure configured to limit the deformation of the responsive element to directions along the actuation axis, preventing the deformation from inhibiting the displacement of the panel module by coming into contact with other components.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the support structure comprises at least one of a plate section, extending in parallel with the main plane of the panel module, and a rim section, extending adjacent the peripheral edge of the panel module, the cover layer being fixed to the plate section and/or the rim section by means of the suspension arrangement, allowing not only the panel module and suspension arrangement but also other device components, such as actuators, to be supported and/or carried by the one and the same component.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the cover layer comprises one of glass or polymer material.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an electronic device comprising a frame, the panel assembly according to the above, at least one actuator arranged between the frame and the panel module of the panel assembly, and an audio-signal generator configured to actuate the actuator by means of audio signals, the actuator being configured to generate vibrations displacing the panel module with respect to the frame, along actuation axis, such that audio waves are transmitted by the panel module. By allowing the entire panel module to move, i.e. not only the center portion of the panel module can be vibrated, but also the edge portions thereof, bending of the panel module, in response to actuation of the actuator, is minimized, and the quality of the audio generated by means of the actuation is improved.

In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the actuator is a dual-direction actuator, preferably a voice coil actuator.

In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the audio-signal generator is operably connected to the drive element of the panel assembly, such that the audio signals induce displacement of the panel module with respect to the support structure of the panel assembly, the displacement of the panel module with respect to the support structure being synchronized with the displacement of the panel module with respect to the frame. By connecting the audio-signal generator to the drive element, the synchronization is easily achieved by means of the same electrical signals.

In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the audio signals induce deformation of the responsive element of the panel assembly along the actuation axis, the deformation generating the displacement of the panel module with respect to the support structure.

In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the actuator is arranged at a central portion of the electronic device, and wherein the suspension arrangement of the panel assembly is arranged along a peripheral edge of the electronic device, allowing the entire panel module to be vibrated simultaneously and bending of the panel module minimized.

This and other aspects will be apparent from and the embodiments described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a prior art an electronic device;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of an audio-signal generator and suspension arrangement of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional side view of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional top view of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6a shows a further partial cross-sectional top view of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6b shows a partial cross-sectional side view of a panel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a prior art electronic device 2 comprising a panel module 12, a frame, also called device chassis, 9, and an actuator 10. The panel module 12 may be one of a back cover module 13 and a display module 3 comprising a display panel 3 a and a cover layer 3b. The actuator 10 is arranged between the panel module 12 and the frame 9. The panel module 12 is moved relative to the frame 9 in response to movement of the actuator 10 along the actuation axis A, the movement being such that the panel module 12 vibrates at audio generating frequencies. As an example, the actuator 10 may be a voice coil actuator wherein one magnet and the coil are fixed to the frame 9, while another magnet is fixed to the panel module 12. As the actuator 10 is actuated, and the other magnet moves, the panel module 12 moves along with it.

Fig. 2 shows an electronic device 2 according to the present invention, also comprising a panel module 12, a frame 9, and at least one actuator 10 arranged between the frame 9 and the panel module 12 The panel module 12 is part of a panel assembly 1, described in further detail below.

The actuator 10 is arranged between the frame 9 and the panel module 12, and the electronic device 2 further comprises an audio-signal generator 11 configured to actuate the actuator 10 by means of audio signals. The actuator 10 is configured to generate vibrations displacing the panel module 12 with respect to the frame 9, along actuation axis A, such that audio waves are transmitted by the panel module 12. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6a, the electronic device 2 may comprise two actuators 20 arranged such that they are separated, preferably by the same distance, from opposing short sides of the electronic device 2, and aligned at a central portion between the long sides of the device, however, any suitable number and placement of actuators 10 is possible.

The actuator may be any kind of suitable actuator, but is preferably a dual-direction actuator 10, such as a voice coil actuator.

The panel assembly 1 is shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 6b, and comprises the above-mentioned panel module 12, a support structure 4, and a suspension arrangement 5.

The suspension arrangement 5 is configured to allow displacement of the panel module 12 with respect to the support structure 4 along an actuation axis A which extends perpendicular to a main plane of the panel module 12, in response to vibrations generated within the electronic device 2. The suspension arrangement 5 is preferably arranged along at least a part of a peripheral edge of the panel module 12, as shown in Fig. 5, which allows displacement of a display module area extending adjacent, and/or including, the peripheral edge along the actuation axis A. Hence, displacement of the panel module 12 is not limited to only the central portion of the panel module 12, but most of the panel module 12, if not all, can be displaced along actuation axis A.

As mentioned above, the display module 3 comprises a display panel 3a and a cover layer 3b. The cover layer 3b may comprise one of glass or polymer material. The display panel 3 a comprises all other necessary layers forming the display, including LED or OLED panels and support plates, such as aluminium plates, adding stiffness to the display panel 3a and preventing the panel module 12 from failing as it is being displaced by the actuator 10

The support structure 4 may comprise at least one of a plate section 4a, extending in parallel with the main plane of the panel module 12, and a rim section 4b, extending adjacent the peripheral edge of the panel module 12, the cover layer 3b being fixed to the plate section 4a and/or the rim section 4b by means of the suspension arrangement 5.

The suspension arrangement 5 is attached to the panel module 12 by means of a first fixation element 6 and to the support structure 4 by means of a second fixation element 7. The first fixation element 6 and the second fixation element 7 may be an adhesive such as glue, preferably a somewhat elastic adhesive. Other fixation elements are also possible, e.g. the fixation elements 6, 7 may be rigid bonding elements generated by means of soldering.

The suspension arrangement 5 may comprise a responsive element 5a and a drive element 5b, the responsive element 5 a being configured to undergoing a reversible change in response to at least one stimulus induced by the drive element 5b. The change may be fully reversible such that the responsive element 5a returns to its original configuration when there is no stimulus applied onto it.

The reversible change may comprise deformation of the responsive element 5a at least along the actuation axis A, the deformation generating the displacement of the panel module 12. The deformation of the responsive element 5a may also be along other axes, but preferably at least the main part of the deformation is executed along the actuation axis A. To that effect, support structure 4 may comprise a steering structure 8, as shown in Fig. 6b, limiting the deformation of the responsive element to opposite directions along the actuation axis A. The responsive element 5a may comprise a material configured to undergo a reversible change in material properties in response to stimulus induced by the drive element 5b. The material may be an active material such as a shape memory material, e.g. a shape memory alloy or a shape memory polymer, or a piezo material, e.g. piezo ceramic or piezo polymer. The material 5a may be at least partially transparent to electromagnetic waves, such that e.g. radiation transmitted or received by any antennas arranged along the peripheral edge of the electronic device 2 remain unaffected.

Furthermore, the responsive element 5 a may be arranged with interruptions along the peripheral edge of the electronic device 2, allowing antennas and other similar functions to be arranged in gaps between sections of responsive elements/materials 5a, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6a.

The stimulus induced by the drive element 5b is preferably electric, but may also be magnetic, temperature, or stress stimulus. The stimulus induction is preferably synchronized with the vibrations, such that the deformation of the responsive element 5 a is synchronized with the movement of the panel module 12.

The audio-signal generator 11 may be operably connected to the drive element 5b, as illustrated by Fig. 3, such that the audio signals induce displacement of the panel module 12 with respect to the support structure 4 of the panel assembly 1, and the displacement of the panel module 12 with respect to the support structure 4 is synchronized with the displacement of the panel module 12 with respect to the frame 9. The audio signals may induce deformation of the responsive element 5a of the panel assembly 1 along the actuation axis A, such that the deformation generates the displacement of the panel module 12 with respect to the support structure 4.

The electric stimuli, in this case, is applied by the audio-signal generator 11 in the form of audio signals, the audio signals actuating the actuator 10, which, in turn, generates vibrations and corresponding sound waves. The actuator 10 may be arranged at a central portion of the electronic device 2, and the suspension arrangement 5 of the panel assembly 1 may be arranged along a peripheral edge of the electronic device 2, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6a.

The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this disclosure. As used in the description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.