Multi-layer transparent structures for electronic device housings

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9516149-B2
Application number	US-201113249038-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2011
Priority date	Sep 29, 2011
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

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).

First claim

What is claimed is:

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.

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.

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

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 pr

Assignees

• Wright Derek W
• Wodrich Justin R
• Rappoport Benjamin M
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Wright Derek W
• Wodrich Justin R
• Rappoport Benjamin M

Classifications

• H04M1/0266

  for a display module assembly · CPC title

• B32B17/10761

  containing vinyl acetal · CPC title

• H04M1/0249 Primary

  Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly · CPC title

• B32B17/10137

  Chemical strengthening · CPC title

• B32B17/1077

  containing polyurethane · CPC title