Apparatus and method for impact resistant touchscreen display module

1. A touchscreen display module for use in a graphical user interface of a mobile device comprising:

a touchscreen panel having a generally planar disposition, the touchscreen panel comprising a touch-sensitive region surrounded by a non-touch sensitive periphery, the touch-sensitive region comprising a substantial portion of the touchscreen panel;

a rigid spacer having a continuous perimeter shaped to underlay only the non-touch sensitive periphery of the touchscreen panel, the rigid spacer securely attached only to the non-touch sensitive periphery of the touchscreen panel by an adhesive layer such that any portion of the rigid spacer is prevented from underlaying the touch-sensitive region;

a compliant layer having a continuous perimeter underlaying the rigid spacer, the compliant layer disposed in contact with the rigid spacer;

a display screen underlaying the compliant layer, the display screen having a generally planar display portion provided to directly underlay the touch-sensitive region of the touchscreen; and

a touchscreen housing assembly comprising a base bezel portion, a top bezel portion and a module frame, the touchscreen housing assembly adapted to securely frame the display screen, the compliant layer, the rigid spacer, and the touchscreen panel.

2. The touchscreen display module of claim 1 further comprising a sealing layer interposed between the non-touch sensitive periphery of the touchscreen panel and the top bezel portion.

3. The touchscreen display module of claim 1 wherein the compliant layer is a selected from the group of materials consisting of closed celled foam, a gel, a silicone or silicone-like material or a thermo-plastic elastomer.

4. The touchscreen display module of claim 1 further including a spring member acting between the display screen and the base bezel portion to bias the display screen towards the top bezel portion.

5. The touchscreen display module of claim 4 wherein the spring member is made of a conductive material to inhibit electromagnetic interference between the touchscreen module and the surrounding environment.

6. A mobile device comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory memory coupled to the processor having instructions stored therein for execution by the processor; and

a touchscreen display module for displaying graphical images, the touchscreen display module further comprising:

a touchscreen panel having a generally planar disposition, the touchscreen panel comprising a touch-sensitive region surrounded by a non-touch sensitive peripheral region, the touch-sensitive region comprising a substantial portion of the touchscreen panel;

a rigid spacer having a continuous perimeter shaped to underlay only the non-touch sensitive peripheral region of the touchscreen panel, the rigid spacer securely attached only to the non-touch sensitive periphery of the touchscreen panel by an adhesive layer such that any portion of the rigid spacer is prevented from underlaying the touch-sensitive region;

a compliant layer having a continuous perimeter underlaying the rigid spacer, the compliant layer disposed in contact with the rigid spacer;

a display screen underlaying the compliant layer, the display screen having a generally planar display portion provided to directly underlay the touch sensitive region of the touchscreen; and

a touchscreen housing assembly comprising a base bezel portion, a top bezel portion and a module frame, the touchscreen housing assembly adapted to securely frame the display screen, the compliant layer, the rigid spacer, and the touchscreen panel.

7. The mobile device of claim 6 further comprising a sealing layer interposed between the non-touch sensitive periphery of the touchscreen panel and the top bezel portion.

8. The mobile device of claim 6 wherein the touchscreen display module further comprises a spring member acting between the display screen and the base bezel portion to bias the display screen towards the top bezel portion.

9. The mobile device of claim 8 wherein the spring member is made of a conductive material to inhibit electromagnetic interference between the touchscreen module and the processor and memory of the mobile device.

10. A method for assembling a touchscreen display module comprising:

providing a touchscreen panel having a generally planar disposition, the touchscreen panel comprising a touch-sensitive region surrounded by a non-touch sensitive periphery, the touch-sensitive region comprising a substantial portion of the touchscreen panel;

providing a rigid spacer having a continuous perimeter shaped to underlay only the nontouch sensitive periphery of the touchscreen panel, the rigid spacer securely attached only to the non-touch sensitive periphery of the touchscreen panel by an adhesive layer such that any portion of the rigid spacer is prevented from underlaying the touch-sensitive region;

providing a compliant layer having a continuous perimeter underlaying the rigid spacer, the compliant layer disposed in contact with the rigid spacer;

providing a display screen underlaying the compliant layer, the display screen having a generally planar display portion provided to directly underlay the touch sensitive region of the touchscreen; and

providing a touchscreen housing assembly comprising a base bezel portion, a top bezel portion and a module frame, the touchscreen housing assembly adapted to securely frame the display screen, the compliant layer, the rigid spacer, and the touchscreen panel.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a sealing layer interposed between the non-touch sensitive periphery of the touchscreen panel and the top bezel portion.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a spring member acting between the base bezel portion and the display screen to bias the display screen towards the top bezel portion.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the spring member is formed of an electrically conductive material and is connected to an electrical ground.