Frame for auto interior display panel

A method of manufacturing an automotive display module, the method comprising:

• forming a frame member that is a component of a frame that defines an opening through the thickness of the frame, wherein a second moment of area of the frame member is between about 18 millimeters quartic to about 200 millimeters quartic;
• applying an adhesive to a front side of the frame member, wherein the opening extends from a front surface of the frame to a rear surface of the frame;
• securing a cover substrate to the front side of the frame member using the adhesive, wherein the cover substrate is a glass article having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm;
• positioning a display panel adjacent to a back side of the cover substrate in the opening, wherein the frame member substantially surrounds a periphery of the display panel and the securing the cover substrate to the front side of the frame member can occur before the positioning of the display panel;
• securing a housing to the frame, wherein the housing encloses a back side of the cover substrate;
• securing one or more ribs to a backside of the frame member to reinforce the frame member, wherein the one or more ribs are positioned around a periphery of the housing;
• and
• securing the frame, the display panel, and the cover substrate to a component of an automobile.

An automotive display module comprising:

• a mounting bracket securable to a component of an automobile;
• a display panel including a front side and an opposite back side, the display panel coupled to the mounting bracket;
• a cover substrate including a front side and a back side, the back side adjacent to the front side of the display panel, wherein the cover substrate is a glass article having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm;
• a means for connecting the cover substrate and the display panel to the mounting bracket, the means comprising a frame member having a front-to-back thickness between 0.5 millimeters and 7.5 millimeters, wherein the frame member is a component of a frame that defines an opening through a thickness of the frame extending from a front surface of the frame to a rear surface of the frame, so that the display panel can be positioned in the opening after the frame is attached to the cover substrate, the frame member substantially surrounding a periphery of the display panel, wherein a second moment of area of the frame member is between about 18 millimeters quartic to about 200 millimeters quartic;
• a housing enclosing the back side of the cover substrate and secured to the frame;
• and
• one or more ribs securable to a backside of the frame member to reinforce the frame member, wherein the one or more ribs are positioned around a periphery of the housing.