Display module with integrated thermal management structure

An electronic device comprising:

• a display module having a backlight unit, the backlight unit comprising a light guide, at least part of the backlight unit comprising a thermal management structure, the thermal management structure comprising a cavity containing a material configured to change phase within a temperature range of about 30 degrees Celsius (° C.) to about 110° C.;
• and
• a heat generating component disposed on a logic board behind the display module, the heat generating component being attached to a rear external surface of the thermal management structure of the display module,
• wherein the thermal management structure further comprises one or more retainers disposed at a perimeter of a front external surface of the thermal management structure, the one or more retainers protruding in a direction away from the front external surface of the thermal management structure, wherein the front external surface of the thermal management structure and the one or more retainers define a recess in which the light guide of the backlight unit is disposed.

A method of manufacturing a display module for use in an electronic device, the method comprising:

• providing a cover lens;
• providing a display layer behind a rear surface of the cover lens;
• forming a sheet of heat conducting material, wherein forming the sheet of heat conducting material comprises forming the sheet having one or more retainers, the one or more retainers protruding in a direction away from a surface of the sheet;
• creating a first recess at an interior region of a surface of the sheet of heat conducting material;
• introducing, within the first recess, a material configured to change phase within a temperature range of about 30 degrees Celsius (° C.) to about 110° C.;
• applying a layer of the heat conducting material over the first recess to enclose the first recess and to create a thermal management structure having a cavity that contains the material;
• providing a backlight unit within a second recess of the thermal management structure, such that a light guide of the backlight unit is disposed within the second recess, the second recess of the thermal management structure being formed by the one or more retainers;
• and
• providing the thermal management structure behind a rear surface of the display layer.