Curved glass comprising anti-reflection and anti-scratch coating layer and electronic device

Disclosed is an electronic device. An electronic device according to various embodiments includes: a housing; a first glass plate attached to the housing and forming a portion of an external surface of the electronic device, wherein the first glass plate includes a flat portion, a curved portion extending from an edge of the flat portion, a first surface facing outwardly from the electronic device, and a second surface facing inwardly towards the electronic device; and a coating layer formed on the first surface of the first glass plate, wherein the coating layer includes a first layer having a first refractive index and containing at least one first material, and includes a second layer disposed further from the first surface than the first layer, containing at least one second material, and having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase Entry of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2019/007565, which was filed on Jun. 24, 2019, and claims a priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0089402, which was filed on Jul. 31, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to a curved glass including an anti-reflection and anti-scratch coating layer and an electronic device.

BACKGROUND ART

Not only a function an electronic device provides to a user but also an appearance design and materials recognized with sight, etc. can be factors significant for user's selecting the electronic device.

In more and more cases, an outward appearance of the electronic device employs a curved design in order to enhance aesthetic appreciation. The electronic device can include a glass plate constructing an outer surface of the electronic device, to forward a light emitted from a display outside, and can utilize the same for an appearance design. For the sake of the performance of electronic equipment, a user convenience, and a design differentiation, the outer surface of the electronic device can be formed to have a curved surface.

To increase a visibility of the light emitted from the display and protect a glass attached to a display surface, the appearance of the electronic device can apply anti-reflection coating and anti-scratch coating.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In case of forming, in a curved region, an anti-reflection and anti-scratch coating layer, a flat portion, and a curved portion, of the glass plate of the electronic device can have mutually different reflectance spectrums. If there is a difference of the reflection spectrums, colors of the flat portion and the curved portion recognized with sight can be different from each other. Accordingly, a way for solving this is requested.

Solution to Problem

An electronic device of an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a first glass plate attached to the housing and forming a portion of an external surface of the electronic device, wherein the first glass plate includes a flat portion and a curved portion extending from an edge of the flat portion, and includes a first surface facing outwardly from the electronic device and a second surface facing inwardly towards the electronic device, and a coating layer formed on the first surface of the first glass plate. The coating layer can include a first layer having a first refractive index and containing at least one first material, and a second layer disposed further from the first surface than the first layer, and containing at least one second material, and having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. A combination of the first glass plate and the coating layer can have a transmittance of 91% to 99%. With respect to a light having a wavelength of 700 nm to 900 nm, a difference between a minimum reflectance and a maximum reflectance can be 3% or less.

A curved glass of an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a glass plate including a flat portion and a curved portion extending from an edge of the flat portion, and a coating layer laminated on a surface having a swollen curved portion of the glass plate. The coating layer can include an anti-scratch layer, a plurality of low refractive layers formed in at least one surface of the anti-scratch layer, and high refractive layers arranged to cross with the plurality of low refractive layers. A combination of the flat portion of the first glass plate and the coating layer can have a visible ray transmittance of 91% to 99%. With respect to a visible ray and a near infrared ray, a difference between a maximum reflectance and a minimum reflectance can be 3% or less.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

A curved glass including an anti-reflection and anti-scratch coating layer of an embodiment and an electronic device can minimize a reflection spectrum difference between a curved portion and a flat portion to reduce a difference of colors recognized with sight.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG.1is a front side perspective view illustrating an electronic device100according to various embodiments.FIG.2is a rear side perspective view illustrating the electronic device100according to various embodiments. Referring toFIGS.1and2, the electronic device100according to an embodiment may include a housing110including a first face (or a front face)110A, a second face (or a rear face)110B, and a side face110C surrounding the space between the first face110A and the second face110B. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the term “housing” may refer to a structure forming some of the first face110A, the second face110B, and the side face110C ofFIG.1. According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the first face110A may be formed of a substantially transparent front plate102(e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate including various coating layers). The second face110B may be formed by a substantially opaque rear plate111. The rear plate111may be formed of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of two or more of these materials. The side face110C may be formed by a side bezel structure118(or a “side member”) coupled to the front plate102and the rear plate111and including a metal and/or a polymer. In some embodiments, the rear plate111and the side bezel structure118may be integrally formed, and may include the same material (e.g., a metal material such as aluminum).

In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate102may include, at the long opposite side edges thereof, two first areas110D, which are bent from the first face110A towards the rear plate111and extend seamlessly. In the illustrated embodiment (seeFIG.2), the rear plate111may include, at the long opposite side edges thereof, two second areas110E, which are bent from the second face110B towards the front plate102and extend seamlessly. In some embodiments, the front plate102(or the rear plate111) may include only one of the first areas110D (or the second areas110E). In another embodiment, some of the first areas110D and the second areas110E may not be included. In the embodiments described above, when viewed from a side of the electronic device100, the side bezel structure118may have a first thickness (or width) on the side faces, which do not include the first areas110D or the second areas110E, and may have a second thickness (or width), which is smaller than the first thickness, on the side faces, which include the first areas110D or the second areas110E.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device100may include at least one of a display101, audio modules103,107, and114, sensor modules104,116, and119, camera modules105,112, and113, key input devices117, light-emitting elements106, and connector holes108and109. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the key input devices117or the light-emitting elements106) may be omitted from the electronic device100, or the electronic device100may additionally include other components.

According to an embodiment, the display101may be exposed through a large portion of, for example, the front plate102. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the display101may be exposed through the front plate102forming the first face110A and the first areas110D of the side faces110C. In some embodiments, the edges of the display101may be formed to be substantially the same as the shape of the periphery of the front plate102adjacent thereto. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the distance between the periphery of the display101and the periphery of the front plate102may be substantially constant in order to enlarge the exposed area of the display101.

In another embodiment (not illustrated), a recess or an opening may be formed in a portion of the screen display area of the display101, and at least one of the audio module114, the sensor module104, the camera module105, and the light-emitting elements106may be aligned with the recess or the opening. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the rear face of the screen display area of the display101may include at least one of the audio module114, the sensor module104, the camera module105, the fingerprint sensor116, and the light-emitting elements106. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the display101may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch-sensitive circuit, a pressure sensor that is capable of measuring a touch intensity (pressure), and/or a digitizer that detects a magnetic-field-type stylus pen. In some embodiments, at least some of the sensor modules104and119and/or at least some of the key input devices117may be disposed in the first areas110D and/or the second areas110E.

According to an embodiment, the audio modules103,107, and114may include a microphone hole103and speaker holes107and114. The microphone hole103may include a microphone disposed therein so as to acquire external sound, and in some embodiments, multiple microphones may be disposed therein so as to detect the direction of sound. The speaker holes107and114may include an external speaker hole107and a phone call receiver hole114. In some embodiments, the speaker holes107and114and the microphone hole103may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker may be included without the speaker holes107and114(e.g., a piezo speaker).

According to an embodiment, the sensor modules104,116, and119may generate an electrical signal or a data value corresponding to the internal operating state or the external environmental state of the electronic device100. The sensor modules104,116, and119may include, for example, a first sensor module104(e.g., a proximity sensor), a second sensor module (not illustrated) (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the first face110A of the housing110, a third sensor module119(e.g., an HRM sensor), and/or a fourth sensor module116(e.g., a finger print sensor) disposed on the second face110B of the housing110. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed not only on the first face110A of the housing110(e.g., the display101), but also on the second face110B. The electronic device100may further include at least one of sensor modules (not illustrated) such as a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

According to an embodiment, the camera modules105,112, and113may include, for example, a first camera device105disposed on the first face110A of the electronic device100and a second camera device112and/or a flash113disposed on the second face110B of the electronic device100. The camera modules105and112may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash113may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. In some embodiments, two or more lenses (e.g., an infrared camera lens, a wide-angle lens, and a telephoto lens) and image sensors may be disposed on one face of the electronic device100.

According to an embodiment, the key input devices117may be disposed on the side face110C of the housing110. In another embodiment, the electronic device100may not include some or all of the above-mentioned key input devices117, and a key input device117, which is not included in the electronic device100, may be implemented in another form, such as that of a soft key or the like, on the display101. In some embodiments, the key input devices may include a sensor module116disposed on the second face110B of the housing110.

According to an embodiment, the light-emitting element106may be disposed on, for example, the first face110A of the housing110. The light-emitting element106may provide, for example, information about the state of the electronic device100in an optical form. In another embodiment, the light-emitting element106may provide a light source that is interlocked with, for example, the operation of the camera module105. The light-emitting element106may include, for example, an LED, an IR LED, and a xenon lamp.

The connector holes108and109may include a first connector hole108that is capable of accommodating a connector (e.g., a USB connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from an external electronic device, and/or a second connector hole109that is capable of receiving a connector (e.g., an earphone jack) for transmitting and receiving an audio signal to and from an electronic device.

Referring toFIG.3, an electronic device300(e.g., the electronic device100inFIG.1) may include a side bezel structure310, a first support member311(e.g., a bracket), a front plate320, a display330, a printed circuit board340, a battery350, a second support member360(e.g., a rear case), an antenna370, and a rear plate380. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the first support member311or the second support member360) may be omitted from the electronic device300, or the electronic device100may additionally include other components. At least one of the components of the electronic device300may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the electronic device100ofFIG.1or2, and a redundant description thereof is omitted below.

According to an embodiment, the first support member311may be disposed inside the electronic device300so as to be connected to the side bezel structure310, or the first support member311may be integrally formed with the side bezel structure310. The first support member311may be formed of, for example, a metal material and/or a non-metal material (e.g., a polymer). The display330may be coupled to one face of the first support member311, and the printed circuit board340may be coupled to the other face of the first support member32. On the printed circuit board340, a processor, memory, and/or an interface may be mounted. The processor may include at least one of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

According to an embodiment, the memory may include, for example, volatile memory or nonvolatile memory.

According to an embodiment, the battery350is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device300, and may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. At least a portion of the battery350may be disposed on substantially the same plane as, for example, the printed circuit board340. The battery350may be integrally disposed within the electronic device300, or may be detachably mounted on the electronic device300.

According to an embodiment, the antenna370may be disposed between the rear plate380and the battery350. The antenna370may include, for example, a nearfield communication (NEC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The antenna370may perform short-range communication with, for example, an external electronic device, or may transmit/receive power required for charging to/from the external device in a wireless manner. In another embodiment, an antenna structure may be formed by the side bezel structure310, a portion of the first support member311, or a combination thereof.

FIG.4Ais a perspective view of a curved glass according to an embodiment.FIG.4Bis a cross section of an electronic device according to an embodiment.FIG.4Cis a cross section of an electronic device according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4A, the curved glass401can include a glass plate410(e.g., the front plate102ofFIG.1and/or the back plate111ofFIG.2) and a coating layer420.

According to an embodiment, the glass plate410can be arranged in a surface which a panel of a display (e.g., the display330ofFIG.3) faces towards, and forward a light emitted from the display330outside, so a user can recognize information displayed in the display330.

According to an embodiment, the glass plate410can form at least a portion of a region which needs a curved surface of the electronic device. The glass plate410can form one surface of a housing formed by the curved surface of the electronic device, and can form a glass cover of a curved display in a wearable device, and can be used as a curved lens part of an augmented reality device.

According to an embodiment, the glass plate410can be formed of at least one material among polymer materials such as polycarbonate (PC) of polymer materials, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene terephthalate (PPT), etc., or a glass. According to an embodiment, the glass plate410can include a multi-layer structure of various materials. According to an embodiment, the glass plate410can have a thickness of 2 mm or less.

According to an embodiment, the curved glass401can include a flat portion401aand a curved portion401b. The flat portion401aindicates a flatten surface of the transparent glass401, and can be a surface not processed in the curved glass401. The curved portion401bcan be formed by a curved surface which faces towards an edge of the back plate (111ofFIG.2) which is arranged to face from a long edge of the flat portion401aof the curved glass401. According to various embodiments, the curved glass401can include a curved portion401cin a short edge region of the flat portion401a.

According to an embodiment, the display330can be arranged beneath the curved portion401bformed in the long edge, and a light emitted from the display330can transmit the curved portion401band be forwarded outside. According to various embodiments, the display can be arranged even below the curved portion401cformed in the short edge, and a light emitted from the display can transmit the curved portion401cand be forwarded outside.

According to an embodiment, it is formed on a surface425of the glass plate410which includes a swollen surface of the curved portion401bof the glass plate410. The coating layer420can prevent a scratch formed by scratching the glass plate410, and perform a function of protecting the glass plate410, and perform a function of preventing a light reflected from the glass plate410. The coating layer420can include an anti-scratch coating and anti-reflection coating layer. According to an embodiment, a visible ray transmittance, in which a light emitted from the display transmits the glass plate410and the coating layer420, can be 91% or more.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer420can be formed in the front plate102and the back plate111. Even the back plate111can be formed by a glass plate having a curved surface, and can laminate the coating layer420to perform an anti-scratch function. According to various embodiments, the coating layer420can be formed in an outer surface of a housing which forms an appearance of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device100ofFIG.1).

Referring toFIG.4BandFIG.4C, the electronic device400can include a glass plate410or450, an optical coating layer420, and a side member430.

According to an embodiment, the front glass plate410forming a front surface of the electronic device400and the back glass plate450forming a rear surface can be arranged to face each other. The side member430can form a side surface of the electronic device400, and separate the front glass plate410and the back glass plate450to provide an internal space490.

According to an embodiment, the internal space490can mount electronic components of the electronic device400. The electronic components mounted in the internal space490can be protected from the external by a housing which is formed by the front glass plate410, the back glass plate450and the side member430.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer420can be deposited on a front surface of the front glass plate410, and a display can be arranged in a rear surface. The curved portion401bof the front glass plate410can have the same thickness, and be extended from the flat portion401ato be combined with the side member430.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer420can be deposited on a front surface of the back glass plate450, and a thickness of the curved portion401bof the back glass plate450can get thinner as it goes to an edge. The back glass plate450can be arranged to face the front glass plate410with the side member430interposed therebetween.

According to various embodiments, the curved portion401bof the front glass plate410can, as in the back glass plate450, be formed in a shape of getting thinner as it goes to an edge, and the curved portion401bof the back glass plate450can be formed to have a predetermined thickness.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer420can be formed to have a thinner thickness (tR) in the curved portion401bthan a thickness (tP) in the flat portion401c. The coating layer420can be laminated on the glass plate410or450in a deposition process. The glass plate410or450includes the curved portion401b, so a distance between a target used for the deposition process and the flat portion401aor curved portion401bcan be mutually different. An amount of particles reaching the glass plate410or450after emitted from a target containing a material of a deposited layer can be different, so the thickness of the coating layer420deposited on the glass plate410or450can be different according to the distance with the target. The thickness of the coating layer420formed in the curved portion401bcan be formed thinly.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer420can include at least one or more high refractive layers and at least one or more low refractive layers. The high refractive layer and the low refractive layer can have mutually different refractive indexes. The respective high refractive layer and low refractive layer can be mutually crossed and arranged to form the coating layer420. The high refractive layer can have a high hardness, so the high refractive layer can perform a function of an optical coating layer or anti-scratch layer, and can be comprised of a complicated coating layer having all the two functions. In response to a plurality of refractive layers being laminated and thus a destructed wavelength becoming more, it can decrease a reflectance of a region having a broadband such as a visible ray region.

According to an embodiment, in response to the thicknesses of the flat portion401aand the curved portion401bbeing different, although the coating layer420whose low reflectance is low in the flat portion401ais formed, a user can recognize that there is a change of color in the curved portion401b. Because the curved portion401bhas a thinner thickness than the flat portion401a, a reflection spectrum the coating layer420of the flat portion401ahas can be moved to a short wavelength in the coating layer420of the curved portion401b.

According to an embodiment, to minimize a color difference between the flat portion401a, and the curved portion401b, of the glass plate410, the flat portion401acan be formed by a coating layer having a reflectance difference of 3% or less at 700 nm to 900 nm among visible ray and near infrared ray regions. In response to the reflectance difference in the flat portion exceeding 3% at 700 nm to 900 nm, a change of color in the flat portion and the curved portion can be sensed. So, there can be, in the flat portion and the curved portion, a difference between a color of a light emitted from the display and a reflection color of a film attached to a rear surface of the glass plate and/or deposited paints and materials. A color recognized through the curved glass can be recognized differently from the original color.

A movement of a reflectance spectrum dependent on a thickness of a coating layer and a way capable of decreasing a reflectance of a visible ray in a curved portion are described with reference toFIG.5,FIG.6, andFIG.7.

FIG.5is a diagram illustrating a reflection path of light in a housing of an electronic device of an embodiment.FIG.6is a diagram illustrating a destructive interference of a reflected light in a housing of an electronic device of an embodiment.FIGS.7A and7Bare diagrams illustrating a variation of a reflectance dependent on a thickness of a coating layer in an electronic device of an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.5, a plurality of coating layers520can be laminated on one surface of a glass plate510.FIG.5illustrates an embodiment for explaining a function of an anti-reflection coating layer.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer520can include an anti-reflection function, and can include a first coating layer521and a second coating layer522. The first coating layer521and the second coating layer522can have mutually different refractive indexes. According to an embodiment, a refractive index (n1) of the first coating layer521can be less than a refractive index (n2) of the second coating layer522, and be greater than a refractive index (n0) of air. According to various embodiments, the coating layer520for reflection prevention can form more coating layers than the coating layer shown inFIG.5. An anti-reflection coating layer formed as a single layer can form a reflectance of almost 0 for one wavelength, but the coating layer for reflection prevention of a broadband such as the whole visible ray region can be formed as a plurality of layers.

Referring toFIG.6, a single coating layer620can be laminated on one surface of the glass plate610.FIG.6illustrates an embodiment for explaining that a light of a single wavelength provided in the single coating layer is destructed.

According to an embodiment, the single coating layer620can decrease a reflectance of a light having one wavelength. A portion of an incident light670incident toward the coating layer620can be reflected from an outer surface of the single coating layer620, and a reflected light can travel along a light path (a). A portion transmits the single coating layer620and travels to the glass plate610. A light having transmitted the single coating layer620can be reflected from a surface of the glass plate610, and transmit the coating layer620and be reflected. The reflected light can travel along a light path (b).

According to an embodiment, a light reflected from an outer surface of the coating layer620and traveling along the light path (a), and a light reflected from a surface of the glass plate610and traveling along the light path (b) can be destructively interfered. Because the coating layer620corresponds to a medium having a greater refractive index than air (when the coating layer is a denser medium than air), fixed end reflection takes place, and a reflected light is phase varied by 180 degrees with respect to the incident light and be reflected. In response to a refractive index of the coating layer620being less than a refractive index of the glass plate610(when the coating layer is a looser medium than the glass plate), fixed end reflection takes place on a surface of the glass plate610, and a light reflected from the surface of the glass plate610can be phase varied by 180 degrees with respect to the incident light and be reflected.

The reflected light reflected from the outer surface of the coating layer620and traveling along the light path (a) can be varied in phase and travel at a first wavelength676. The reflected light reflected from the surface of the glass plate610and traveling along the light path (b) can be varied in phase with respect to the incident light670and travel at a second wavelength677. In response to amplitudes of the first wavelength676and the second wavelength677being identical, phases of the first wavelength676and the second wavelength677can be mutually destructed by a difference of 180 degrees, so the reflected light can be eliminated.

In this case, to eliminate the reflected light by the destructive interference in the single coating layer, a wavelength of the incident light can be λc in the coating layer, and a thickness (Tc) of the single coating layer can be 1/4λc. In response to the thickness (Tc) of the single coating layer being 1/4λc, because a light path from being reflected from the surface of the glass plate610to being again forwarded to air is 1/2λc, a phase difference between the first wavelength676and the second wavelength677traveling along the light path (a) and the light path (b) can be 180 degrees, so a destructive interference can take place. Because the reflected light is destructive interfered, the reflected light may not be recognized by a user.

A condition in which destructive interference can occur with regard to anti-reflective coating can be given as in Equation below.

The tccan be a thickness of the coating layer620, and the λ can denote a wavelength of light, and the n can denote a refractive index of the coating layer. Even in response to the thickness of the coating layer of an embodiment being formed as 3/2λc, 5/2λc, or 7/2λc, etc., a reflected light can be destructive interfered with respect to a corresponding wavelength.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer620can be formed to have a thin thickness in a curved portion. According to the above-described Equation, the thickness (tc) of the coating layer and the wavelength (λ) of light are in direct proportional relation, so in response to the thickness of the coating layer being thin, the wavelength of light at which destructive interference occurs can become short.

Referring toFIG.7A, a movement of a reflection spectrum at thickness decrease in the single coating layer is illustrated. Graph (a) represents a reflectance of the coating film whose thickness is about 100 nm on a glass having a refractive index of 1.8, and whose refractive index is about 1.38. Graph (b) represents a reflectance of the coating film whose thickness is about 90 nm. A reflectance for each wavelength can be appreciated by determining an intensity, and a phase difference, of a reflected light dependent on a refractive index of each medium.

According to an embodiment, if introducing into

2tc=(m+12)⁢λn
and determining, it can be appreciated that a wavelength at which a destructive interference occurs in the coating layer corresponding to graph (a) is 550 nm. In graph (a), it can be identified that a reflectance is formed as 0% before and after about 550 nm. It can be appreciated that, if determining using the above Equation, a wavelength at which a destructive interference occurs in the coating layer corresponding to graph (b) is 500 nm. In graph (b), it can be identified that a reflectance is formed as 0% before and after about 500 nm. It can be appreciated that, if the thickness of the coating film gets thin, a reflectance spectrum is moved to a short wavelength. It can be appreciated that this matches with a description made inFIG.6.

Referring toFIG.7B, a coating layer formed by a plurality of layers can be made to have a reflectance of a predetermined level or less even at a broadband wavelength. In response to including the plurality of coating layers, a wavelength at which a destructive interference occurs by each coating layer can be formed variously, and can include a region at which a change of a reflectance is less at a broadband. The plurality of coating layers can maintain a reflectance of a predetermined range at a band where a visible ray region is positioned.

According to an embodiment, thicknesses of the plurality of coating layers in a region satisfying a design have almost no reflectance difference in the visible ray region, but in response to the thickness of the coating layer getting thin, a reflectance spectrum in a visible ray and near infrared ray region can move, similarly toFIG.7A, to a visible ray region being a short-wavelength region. The reflectance difference exceeds a predetermined range, and a color change can be recognized with user's sight.

According to an embodiment, in response to forming the coating layer by using a deposition process, the coating layer of a curved portion is formed to have a thin thickness, so a user can differently recognize colors of the curved portion and a flat portion and thus, can apply a coating layer decreasing a reflectance difference in a visible ray and near infrared ray region (700 nm to 3000 nm). In response to the coating layer having a less reflectance difference dependent on a wavelength in the visible ray and near infrared ray region, even if a thickness is less formed in the curved portion, a reflectance difference in the visible ray region can be decreased. According to various embodiments, in response to there being a difference of a reflectance at a wavelength of 700 nm to 900 nm of the visible ray and near infrared ray region (region A), the color of the curved portion can be recognized visually differently. In order that there is no color change of the curved portion, the coating layer can be formed to have a reflectance difference of 3% or less in the visible ray and near infrared ray region (region A) of 700 nm to 900 nm.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating a structure of a coating layer of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.8, a curved glass (e.g., the curved glass401ofFIG.4) can include a glass plate810, a plurality of coating layers821a,821b,821c,821d,822a,822b, and822c, laminated on the glass plate, and a surface modification layer825.

According to an embodiment, the glass plate810can be a front plate (e.g., the front plate102ofFIG.1) arranged on a display (e.g., the display330ofFIG.3), and can be a back plate (e.g., the back plate111ofFIG.2). The glass plate810used as the front plate102can include a glass, or a polymer member, of transparent materials. The glass plate810used as the back plate111can include a glass of transparent materials, a colored glass, a ceramic, polymers, and/or a metal.

According to an embodiment, owing to a refractive index difference between the glass plate810and air, the reflection of a visible ray can take place in a surface of the glass plate810. To mutually destruct light reflected from a contact surface between the coating layers820and air and a contact surface between the coating layers820and the glass plate810for the purpose of decreasing a reflectance, the plurality of coating layers820having a suitable thickness can be laminated on the glass plate810.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of coating layers820can be formed by first layers821a,821b,821cand821dand second layers822a,822band822c. The first layers821a,821b,821cand821dcan be high refractive layers of high refractive indexes, and the second layers822a,822band822ccan be low refractive layers of refractive indexes lower than those of the first layers821a,821b,821cand821d. The plurality of first layers821a,821b,821cand821dand second layers822a,822band822ccan be each formed to have a different thickness. The thicknesses of the first layers821a,821b,821cand821dand the second layers822a,822band822ccan be suitably selected to destruct light reflected from higher layers, and lower layers, of the coating layers820.

According to an embodiment, the first layers821a,821b,821cand821dand the second layers822a,822band822ccan be arranged to cross mutually. In each surface of the first layers821a,821b,821cand821dand the second layers822a,822band822carranged to cross mutually, light can transmit and be reflected, and a reflectance can be maintained at a predetermined level or less in various wavelength regions by a destructive interference of light reflected from surfaces of the coating layers. A sequence of lamination of the coating layers820laminated on the glass plate810is changeable. According to an embodiment, the coating layers820can first laminate the first layers821a,821b,821cand821dbeing the high refractive layers, and alternately laminate, on the high refractive layers, the second layers822a,822band822cbeing the low refractive layers. According to various embodiments, the coating layers820can first laminate the second layers822a,822band822cbeing the low refractive layers and then, alternately laminate the first layers821a,821b,821cand821dbeing the high refractive layers.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the first layers821a,821b,821cand821dcorresponding to the high refractive layers can be an anti-scratch layer821chaving a high hardness, and can be formed to have a predetermined thickness or more. The anti-scratch layer821ccan be arranged between laminated structures of the plurality of coating layers820. To secure an anti-scratch function, the anti-scratch layer821ccan be formed to have a thickness of 200 nm or more. A hardness of the glass plate810on which the coating layers820have been laminated can be 11 GPa or more at an indentation depth of 200 nm when measuring with the nanoindenter (Oliver and Pharr measurement method, Berkovich tip).

According to an embodiment, the first layers821a,821b,821cand821dand the second layers822a,822band822ccan be deposited in one surface of the glass plate810through a deposition process. The glass plate810includes a curved portion (e.g., the curved portion401bofFIG.4B) and a flat portion (e.g., the flat portion401aofFIG.4B), so a distance from a target emitting a deposition material is different and thus thicknesses of the coating layers820deposited on the curved portion (e.g., the curved portion401bofFIG.4B) can be formed thinner than the coating layers820of the flat portion (e.g., the flat portion401aofFIG.4B). According to various embodiments, although the coating layers820are formed to be different in thickness, a reflectance of a visible ray and near infrared ray region of the coating layers can be optimized in order to minimize a color change. In detail, the coating layers can form a reflectance difference of a wavelength of 700 nm to 900 nm within 3%.

According to an embodiment, a total thickness of the high refractive layers can be formed as 200 nm to 1500 nm, and a thickness of the whole coating layers820can be formed as 500 nm to 3000 nm. The thickness of the high refractive layers can be formed by the percentage of 60% or more of the thickness of the whole coating layers820. The anti-scratch layer821ccan be formed as 200 nm or more.

According to an embodiment, the thickness of the coating layers820formed in the curved portion801bis thin and a reflection spectrum (referring toFIG.7B) is moved to a short wavelength, so a reflection spectrum of an infrared ray region having a relatively high reflectance can invade a visible ray region. A user can recognize a color change with the spectrum of the near infrared ray region having the relatively high reflectance, and the user can recognize the color change in the curved portion801bbecause a reflectance difference is 3% or more in the visible ray and near infrared ray region being 700 nm to 900 nm. According to various embodiments, the coating layers820whose maximum reflectance difference is within 3% in the visible ray and near infrared ray region of 700 nm to 900 nm being incident on the coating layers820can be laminated on the glass plate810.

The surface modification layer825formed by a coating layer increasing a water contact angle or decreasing a friction coefficient can be included on the coating layers820. The surface modification layer825can be formed in a wet spray method, and can be formed in a deposition method. The surface modification layer can be formed to have a thickness of 10 nm or less.

FIG.9is a diagram illustrating a structure of a coating layer of an electronic device according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.9, a curved glass (e.g., the curved glass401ofFIG.4) can include a glass plate910, a plurality of coating layers921a,921b,921n,922a,922band922nlaminated on the glass plate, and a surface modification layer925.

According to an embodiment, the first layers921a,921band921ncan be formed as high refractive layers, and the second layers922a,922band922ncan be formed as low refractive layers. The plurality of first layers921a,921band921nand second layers922a,922band922ncan be each formed to have a different thickness. Thicknesses of the first layers921a,921band921nand the second layers922a,922band922ncan be suitably selected to destruct light reflected from higher layers, and lower layers, of the coating layers920.

According to an embodiment, the first layers921a,921band921nand the second layers922a,922band922ncan be arranged to cross mutually. In each surface of the first layers921a,921band921nand the second layers922a,922band922narranged to cross mutually, light can transmit and be reflected, and a reflectance can be maintained at a predetermined level or less in various wavelength regions by a destructive interference of light reflected from surfaces of the coating layers. A sequence of lamination of the coating layers920laminated on the glass plate910is changeable. According to an embodiment, the coating layers920can first laminate the first layers921a,821band921nbeing the high refractive layers, and alternately laminate, on the high refractive layers, the second layers922a,922band922nbeing the low refractive layers. According to various embodiments, the coating layers820can first laminate the second layers922a,922band922nbeing the low refractive layers and then, can alternately laminate the first layers921a,921band921nbeing the high refractive layers.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the first layers921a,921band921ncorresponding to the high refractive layers can be an anti-scratch layer921nhaving a high hardness for protecting the glass plate910, and can be formed to have a predetermined thickness or more. The anti-scratch layer921ncan be arranged in the uppermost layer of the plurality of coating layers920. To secure an anti-scratch function, the anti-scratch layer921ncan be formed to have a thickness of 200 nm or more. A hardness of the glass plate910on which the coating layers920have been laminated can be 11 GPa or more at an indentation depth of 200 nm when measuring with the nanoindenter.

According to various embodiments, to secure an anti-scratch function of a surface of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device400ofFIG.4), a thickness of the anti-scratch layer821cor921ncan be 200 nm or more, and the percentage of the first layers821a,821b,821c,821d,821a,821band821nbeing the high refractive layers can be 60% or more among the whole coating layers820or920.

According to various embodiments, the first layers821a,821b,821c,821d,921a,921band921nbeing the high refractive layers can include at least one of SiNx, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2or TiO2. The second layers822a,822b,822c,922a,922band922nbeing the low refractive layers can include at least one of SiOx, AlN, AlOxNy, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2or TiO2. The high refractive layers and the low refractive layers can have mutually different refractive indexes, and be laminated to cross mutually.

Referring toFIG.8andFIG.9, the coating layers820or920can be formed as in the following embodiments. The coating layers of various embodiments and a comparative example are described below.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of coating layers820and920can be arranged such that the first layers821a,821b,821c,821d,921a,921band921cbeing the high refractive layers consisting of SiNx and the second layers822a,822b,822c,922a,922band922cbeing the low refractive layers consisting of SiOx are crossed with each other. According to various embodiments, the first layers821a,821b,821c,821d,921a,921band921cand the second layers822a,822b,822c,922a,922band922ccan have mutually different thicknesses.

According to various embodiments, the coating layers can have a total thickness of 400 nm to 1200 nm of the high refractive layers consisting of SiNx. The total thickness of the coating layers can be formed as 500 nm or more. The thickness of the high refractive layers can be formed by 60% or more of the total thickness of the coating layers.

The coating layers820or920of various embodiments can be a technology for a coating film having an anti-scratch function suitable to a curved glass (e.g., the curved glass401ofFIG.4). The curved glass (e.g., the curved glass401ofFIG.4) can have a hardness of 11 GPa or more which is a sufficient hardness capable of protecting a surface of a portable electronic equipment. The curved glass (e.g., the curved glass401ofFIG.4) can maintain a transmittance of 91% or more of light of a visible ray band, and be used as a display cover. According to various embodiments, the curved glass (e.g., the curved glass401ofFIG.4) can have a maximum reflectance difference of 3% or less at a wavelength of 700 nm to 900 nm, so the curved glass can minimize a color change even if the coating layers820or920are deposited on a curved portion of the glass plate810or910formed by a curved surface. The electronic device (e.g., the electronic device400ofFIG.4) or the curved glass (e.g., the curved glass401ofFIG.4) of various embodiments can provide aesthetic appreciation to a user.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating a process of forming a coating layer of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.10, a curved glass (e.g., the curved glass401ofFIG.4A) assembled to the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device400ofFIG.4A) can be formed through an operation of, for the sake of anti-scratch and anti-reflection, laminating a coating layer (e.g., the coating layer420ofFIG.4A) on a glass plate (e.g., the glass plate410ofFIG.4A) having a flat portion and a curved portion.

In operation1010, the glass plate410can be prepared. The glass plate410can be a 3D glass having the curved portion at an edge portion, and can have a thickness of 2 mm or less. Before a deposition process is performed, the existence or non-existence of foreign materials in the glass plate410can be identified, and failure or non-failure can be identified, so the glass plate410capable of suffering from the deposition process can be selected. A washing process can perform chemical processing on a surface of the glass plate410which will be selected, or use an ultrasonic wave. In response to there not being a failure among the glass plate410, or it being possible to eliminate, through washing, foreign materials existing in the surface of the glass plate410, the glass plate410can be prepared by keeping the surface in a clean state.

In operation1020, the glass plate410prepared in the surface clean state can be loaded into a vacuum chamber for the sake of coating layer deposition. Because the glass plate410can be a 3D glass including the curved portion, there can be a difference between a thickness of a coating layer deposited on the flat portion and a thickness of a coating layer deposited on the curved portion. According to various embodiments, to decrease a thickness difference between the coating layers of the glass plate410, the coating layers can be deposited on the glass plate410within a deposition device including a rotating device.

In operation1030, an optical coating layer can be laminated on the glass plate410loaded to the deposition device. The loaded glass plate410is rotated through revolution or rotation within the vacuum chamber, and deposition materials emitted from a target are deposited on the glass plate410. The glass plate410can rotate and thus distance differences of the curved portion and the flat portion from the target can be decreased, and a thickness difference between the coating layers deposited on the curved portion and the flat portion can be minimized.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer can include at least one of SiNx, Al2O3, SiOx, AlN, AlOxNy, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2or TiO2. The coating layer can be comprised of a high refractive layer and a low refractive layer. The high refractive layer and the low refractive layer can be crossed and repeated and be laminated. The high refractive layer can include at least one of SiNx, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2or TiO2. The low refractive layer can include SiNx, AlN, AlOxNy, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2or TiO2. Each high refractive layer can have the same refractive index and contain the same material, and each low refractive layer can have the same refractive index and contain the same material.

According to an embodiment, the optical coating layer can be formed as thirty coating layers or less. The optical coating layer can be formed by a suitable count and a suitable each coating layer thickness, in compliance with a wavelength zone needing anti-reflection.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the high refractive layers can be formed as a high hardness layer. The high hardness layer can have a thickness of 200 nm or more for the sake of anti-scratch. The high hardness layer can be arranged between the coating layers, and can form a surface of the glass plate or the outermost surface of the optical coating layer. The whole percentage of the high refractive layers among the coating layers can be formed by 60% or more. A hardness of the glass plate on which the optical coating layer is deposited can be a hardness of 11 GP or more in an indentation depth of 200 nm, when measuring with the nanoindenter.

According to an embodiment, the whole optical coating layer deposited on the glass plate can be formed to have the performance of a transmittance of a visible ray region of 91% or more and a maximum reflectance difference of 3% or less at a wavelength of 700 nm to 900 nm. The optical-coated glass plate can secure, by a transmittance of 91% or more, a visibility of a light emitted from a display, and decrease a maximum reflectance difference at a wavelength of 700 nm to 900 nm to minimize a change of color.

According to an embodiment, each of a plurality of coating layers can have a mutually different thickness, and can properly select the percentage of the high refractive layer, the number of the coating layers, and a thickness of each layer, so as to secure the above-described performance.

In operation1040, a surface modification coating layer can be laminated on the coating layer. According to an embodiment, the surface modification coating layer can have a thickness of 10 nm, and be formed on the optical coating layer. The surface modification coating layer can be deposited on the optical coating layer through a deposition process, and can be coated through spray jetting.

According to an embodiment, in response to the surface modification coating layer being formed, the performance check, and color change or non-change, of the coating layer are determined, and a curved glass usable for a product is selected.

In operation1050, a protection film can be attached on the surface modification coating layer. The protection film can protect the coating layer, and can prevent anti-reflection performance from being deteriorated because a thickness of the coating layer gets thin. In operation1060, a display and a decoration film can be attached. The display can be attached to a dent surface (a rear surface) of the curved glass, and the decoration film can be attached along a peripheral portion of the display. In operation1070, the curved glass to which the display is attached can be attached to a housing of the electronic device, and the product can be assembled and completed.

An electronic device of various embodiments described above can include a housing (e.g., the housing430ofFIG.4B), a first glass plate (e.g., the glass plate ofFIG.4B) attached to the housing and forming a portion of an external surface of the electronic device, wherein the first glass plate includes a flat portion (e.g., the flat portion401aofFIG.4B) and a curved portion (e.g., the curved portion401bofFIG.4B) extending from an edge of the flat portion, and includes a first surface (e.g., the surface425ofFIG.4A) facing outwardly from the electronic device and a second surface facing inwardly towards the electronic device, and a coating layer formed on the first surface of the first glass plate. The coating layer can include a first layer having a first refractive index and containing at least one first material, and a second layer disposed further from the first surface than the first layer, and containing at least one second material, and having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. A combination of the first glass plate and the coating layer can have a transmittance of 91% to 99%. With respect to a light having a wavelength of 700 nm to 900 nm, a difference between a minimum reflectance and a maximum reflectance can be 3% or less.

In various embodiments, the first glass plate can have a thickness of 0.3 mm to 2 mm.

In various embodiments, with respect to a total thickness of the coating layer, the percentage of a total thickness of at least one layer containing the first material can be 60% to 99%.

In various embodiments, a thickness of the first layer can be 200 nm to 1500 nm.

In various embodiments, a thickness of the coating layer can be 500 nm to 3000 nm.

In various embodiments, the first material can include at least one of SiNx, AlN, AlOxNy, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, or TiO2.

In various embodiments, the second material can include at least one of SiOx, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, or TiO2, and contain a material different from that of the first layer.

In various embodiments, the first layer can have a thinner thickness than the second layer.

In various embodiments, the coating layer can include five to thirty laminated layers, and each of the layers can contain at least one material selected among SiOx, SiNx, AlN, AlOxNy, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, or TiO2, and mutually adjacent layers among the layers can contain mutually different materials.

In various embodiments, the second material can have a lower hardness than the first material.

A curved glass (e.g., the curved glass410ofFIG.4B) of various embodiments can include a glass plate (e.g., the glass plate410ofFIG.4B) including a flat portion (e.g., the flat portion401aofFIG.4B) and a curved portion (e.g., the curved portion401bofFIG.4B) extending from an edge of the flat portion, and a coating layer laminated on a surface (e.g., the surface425ofFIG.4A) having a swollen curved portion of the glass plate. The coating layer can include an anti-scratch layer (e.g., the anti-scratch layer821cofFIG.8or the anti-scratch layer921nofFIG.9), a plurality of low refractive layers (e.g., the second layers822a,822band822c) formed in at least one surface of the anti-scratch layer, and high refractive layers (e.g., the first layers821a,821b,821cand821dofFIG.8) arranged to cross with the plurality of low refractive layers. A combination of the flat portion of the first glass plate and the coating layer can have a visible ray transmittance of 91% to 99%. With respect to a visible ray and a near infrared ray, a difference between a maximum reflectance and a minimum reflectance can be 3% or less.

In various embodiments, the visible ray and near infrared ray can be a wavelength of a 700 nm to 900 nm range.

In various embodiments, the anti-scratch layer can be arranged between the plurality of low refractive layers.

In various embodiments, a thickness of the anti-scratch layer can be 200 nm to 1200 nm.

In various embodiments, the anti-scratch layer and the high refractive layers can include at least one of SiNx, AlN, AlOxNy, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, or TiO2.

In various embodiments, the anti-scratch layer and the high refractive layers are formed of the same material.

In various embodiments, a sum of thicknesses of the anti-scratch layer and the high refractive layers can be 60% to 99% of a total thickness of the coating layer.

In various embodiments, materials of the low refractive layers can include at least one of SiOx, GeO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, or TiO2, and can be materials having lower refractive indexes than those of the high refractive layers.

In various embodiments, thicknesses of the coating layers formed in the flat portion and the curved portion can be mutually different, and a combination of the curved portion of the glass plate and the coating layer can have a transmittance of 91% to 99%.

In various embodiments, a hardness of the coating layer can be 11 GPa to 18 GPs.

In the above-described concrete embodiments of the present disclosure, components included in the disclosure have been expressed in the singular form or plural form according to a proposed concrete embodiment. But, the expression of the singular form or plural form is selected suitable to a given situation for description convenience's sake, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components. Even a component expressed in the plural form can be constructed in the singular form, or even a component expressed in the singular form can be constructed in the plural form.

On the other hand, in a detailed description of the present disclosure, a concrete embodiment has been described, but it is undoubted that various modifications are available without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to and defined by the described embodiment and should be defined by not only claims mentioned below but also equivalents to these claims.