Multi-layer transparent structures for electronic device housings

• US 9,516,149 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2011
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Wright, Derek W., Wodrich, Justin R., Rappoport, Benjamin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rojas, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US13/249,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20130083506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,895 Days
• Field of Search: 361/600, 361/679.01, 361/728, 361/729, 361/730, 156/60, 156/332
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10018 comprising only one glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10137 Chemical strengthening
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/1077 containing polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/202 LCD, i.e. liquid crystal displays
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

Transparent structures for portions of electronic device housings are disclosed. The transparent structures are formed from multiple layers of transparent (optically clear) materials. The multiple layers can include at least an outer glass layer and one or more other transparent layers that can be either glass or polymer layers. The multiple layers can be bonded together with one or more lamination layers. Accordingly, multi-layer transparent structures that are formed from multiple layers bonded together are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong and resistant to damage. The multi-layer transparent structures are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices).

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

an outer housing for the electronic device, at least a portion of the outer housing includes at least a multi-layer housing structure, the multi-layer housing structure including a first layer, a lamination layer, and a second layer, wherein the first layer and second layer are laminated together via the lamination layer; and

a plurality of electrical components provided within the outer housing, the plurality of electrical components including at least a display screen assembly,

wherein the first layer and the second layer being laminated together are similarly sized in length and width, and

wherein the multi-layer housing structure is cover glass that has an exposed outer surface and where the exposed outer surface of the multi-layer housing structure is not covered by any other portion of the outer housing for the electronic device, and where the exposed outer surface is provided over and distinct from the display screen assembly including at least a touch sensing layer provided within the outer housing.

2. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first layer is a glass layer.

3. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second layer is a glass layer.

4. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second layer is a polymer-based layer.

5. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least once laminated together, the lamination layer is transparent.

6. An electronic device as recited in claim 1,

wherein the first layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm, and

wherein the second layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm.

7. An electronic device as recited in claim 6, wherein the lamination layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm.

8. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are fused together via the lamination layer.

9. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the multi-layer housing structure is shatter resistant.

10. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer being laminated together form a sandwich structure for the multi-layer housing structure.

11. An electronic device, comprising:

an outer housing for the electronic device; and

a plurality of electrical components provided within the outer housing,

wherein at least a portion of the outer housing includes at least a multi-layer housing structure, the multi-layer housing structure including a first layer, a lamination layer, and a second layer, and wherein the first layer and second layer are laminated together via the lamination layer,

wherein the first layer is a glass layer,

wherein the second layer is a glass layer,

wherein the first layer is chemically strengthened to a first level,

wherein the second layer is chemically strengthened to a second level, the second level being different than the first level, and

wherein the multi-layer housing structure is cover glass that has an exposed outer surface and where the exposed outer surface of the multi-layer housing structure is not covered by any other portion of the outer housing for the electronic device, and where the exposed outer surface is provided over and distinct from a display screen assembly provided within the outer housing.

12. An electronic device as recited in claim 11,

wherein the first layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm, and

wherein the second layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm.

13. An electronic device as recited in claim 11, wherein the lamination layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm.

14. An electronic device as recited in claim 11, wherein the first layer and the second layer are fused together via the lamination layer.

16. An electronic device as recited in claim 11, wherein the multi-layer housing structure is shatter resistant.

15. A consumer electronic product, comprising:

a housing having a front surface, a back surface and side surfaces;

electrical components provided at least partially internal to the housing, the electrical components including at least a controller, a memory, and a display, the display being provided at or adjacent the front surface of the housing; and

a multi-layer cover structure provided at, over or in the front surface of the housing such that it is provided over the display, the multi-layer cover structure including a first layer, a lamination layer and a second layer, and wherein the first layer and second layer are laminated together via the lamination layer,

wherein the first layer is a glass layer, and the lamination layer is a non-adhesive polymer-based layer, and

wherein the multi-layer cover structure provides a cover glass that has an exposed outer surface and where the exposed outer surface of the multi-layer housing structure is not covered by any other portion of the outer housing for the electronic device, and where the exposed outer surface is provided over and is distinct from the display provided within the housing.

17. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 15, wherein the first layer, the second layer and the lamination layer are at least substantially optically clear.

18. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 15,

wherein the second layer is a glass layer, and

wherein the first layer and the second layer are chemically strengthened to different depths of layer.

19. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 15, wherein the second layer is a polymer-based layer.

20. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 19, wherein the second layer is a glass layer.

21. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 15, wherein at least once laminated together, the lamination layer is transparent.

22. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 15,

wherein the first layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm, and

wherein the second layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm.

23. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 22, wherein the lamination layer has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm.

24. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 15, wherein the first layer and the second layer are fused together via the lamination layer.

25. A consumer electronic product as recited in claim 15, wherein the multi-layer housing structure is shatter resistant.

26. A consumer electronic product, comprising:

a housing having a front surface, a back surface and side surfaces;

electrical components provided at least partially internal to the housing, the electrical components including at least a controller, a memory, and a display, the display being provided at or adjacent the front surface of the housing; and

a multi-layer cover structure provided at, over or in the front surface of the housing such that it is provided over the display, the multi-layer cover structure including a first layer, a lamination layer and a second layer, and wherein the first layer and second layer are laminated together via the lamination layer,

wherein the first layer is a glass layer and the second layer is a glass layer,

wherein the first layer is chemically strengthened to a first level,

wherein the second layer is chemically strengthened to a second level, the second level being different than the first level, and

wherein the multi-layer cover structure provides a cover glass that has an exposed outer surface and where the exposed outer surface of the multi-layer housing structure is not covered by any other portion of the outer housing for the electronic device, and where the exposed outer surface is provided over and is distinct from the display provided within the housing, the display being a display assembly that includes at least a touch sensing layer.