Patent Description:
In the case of display windows included in most current electronic devices, in order to prevent exposure of internal objects (displays, FPCBs, etc.), shield print may be applied on a border area except for the visually necessary light emitting screen. The ink used for shield print may have a color similar to or the same as the display, and the shield print may be applied through various printing methods such as silk printing.

In order to prevent abrasion or damage of a printed paint film due to frequent contact by the user, shield print is applied on the rear surface of the window with reference to the user. However, since various internal component and/or external fixtures are attached to the rear surface of the window, the shield print area requires high bonding strength in order to fix such internal/external components. In addition, it is necessary for the shield print area to be able to protect the internal/external components from water and dust entering from the outside (e.g., waterproof and dustproof). <CIT> discloses an electronic device having a conventionally designed board with two printed layers stacked, where one layer is stacked over another.

The print area of the display window may generally be configured in a multi-layer structure. That is, since it is difficult to implement a sufficient printing thickness to secure functions such as color implementation, shielding, and paint film durability with a single paint film, a multi-printing process may be applied to the print area.

However, a dye or a pigment added to a printing resin to implement a color may act as a factor in reducing a bonding property to a printing object (i.e., an adherend member). In particular, the use of a first printing layer (first ink layer) to be directly attached to a display window may be limited due to a problem in bonding strength. In addition, there is a problem in that the commercial value of the electronic device may be damaged because a print peeling phenomenon due to an external impact (e.g., drop impact) may easily occur due to a decrease in bonding strength.

In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device that improve the bonding strength of a printed paint film through a stack structure of printed layers of a display window improved in bonding strength.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may include: a housing configuring at least a portion of an exterior of the electronic device; a display module mounted on the housing; a transparent plate configuring at least a portion of a front surface of the electronic device and fixed to the housing; and a paint film covering a partial area including an edge of the transparent plate. The transparent plate may include a first surface facing the front surface, a second surface facing an opposite direction to the first surface, and a third surface interconnecting the first surface and the second surface and surrounding the transparent plate. The paint film may include: a first printed layer covering a first region of the second surface and at least a portion of the third surface of the transparent plate; a second printed layer stacked on the first printed layer, the second printed layer covering a second area of the second surface that is wider than the first area; and a third printed layer stacked on the second printed layer, the third printed layer covering a third area of the second surface narrower than the second area.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by the embodiments mentioned in the dependent claims.

According to various embodiments disclosed herein, by reducing the content of a dye or a pigment contained in the first printed layer of a print area of a display window, it is possible to improve the bonding strength of the print area and the durability of the paint film.

According to various embodiments disclosed herein, in the structure in which a plurality of printed layers are stacked in a display window, by performing printing such that the area in which the second printed layer covers the window is wider than the area in which the first printed layer covers the window, it is possible to solve problems such as poor exterior and a vision recognition error caused by reducing the content of a dye or a pigment contained in the first printed layer, and to implement the color of the entire print area.

In addition to this, various effects identified directly or indirectly through this document may be provided.

The invention is described hereinafter in more detail and in an exemplary manner using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The described embodiments are only possible configurations in which, however, the individual features as describes above can be provided independent of one another or can be omitted in the drawings:.

For elements of an exemplary embodiment, which correspond in form and/or function to elements of another exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are used.

In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar components may be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

Hereinafter, various embodiments disclosed herein will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The sizes of elements illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced for the convenience of description, and the disclosure is not necessarily limited by the illustrated sizes.

The electronic device according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic device according to embodiments of the disclosure is not limited to those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or alternatives for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similar or relevant elements. A singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as "a first", "a second", "the first", and "the second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding element from another, and does not limit the elements in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with/to" or "connected with/to" another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled/connected with/to the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used herein, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be interchangeably used with other terms, for example, "logic," "logic block," "component," or "circuit". The "module" may be a minimum unit of a single integrated component adapted to perform one or more functions, or a part thereof. For example, according to an embodiment, the "module" may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., Play StoreTM), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly.

According to various embodiments, each element (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described elements may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separately disposed in any other element. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described elements may be omitted, or one or more other elements may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of elements (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single element. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated element may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of elements in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of elements before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another element may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

<FIG> is a front side perspective view of a mobile electronic device according to an embodiment, <FIG> is a rear side perspective view of the electronic device of <FIG>, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include: a housing <NUM> including a first surface (or a front surface) 110A, a second surface (or a rear surface) 110B, and a side surface 110C surrounding a space between the first surface 110A and the second surface 110B. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the housing may refer to a structure providing some of the first surface 110A, the second surface 110B, and the side surface 110C of <FIG>. According to an embodiment, the first surface 110A may be at least partially configured with a substantially transparent front plate <NUM> (e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate including various coating layers). The second surface 110B may be configured with a substantially opaque rear surface plate <NUM>. The rear surface plate <NUM> may be made of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of two or more of these materials. The side surface 110C may be configured with a side surface bezel structure (or a "side surface member") <NUM> coupled to the front surface plate <NUM> and the rear surface plate <NUM> and including metal and/or polymer. In some embodiments, the rear surface plate <NUM> and the side surface bezel structure <NUM> may be integrally configured, and may include the same material (e.g., a metal material such as aluminum).

In the illustrated embodiment, the front surface plate <NUM> may include two first areas 110D, which are bent from the first surface 110A toward the rear surface plate <NUM> and extend seamlessly, at the long opposite side edges thereof. In the illustrated embodiment (see <FIG>), the rear surface plate <NUM> may include two second areas 110E, which are bent from the second surface 110B toward the front surface plate <NUM> and extend seamlessly, at the long opposite side edges thereof. In some embodiments, the front surface plate <NUM> (or the rear surface plate <NUM>) may include only one of the first areas 110D (or the second areas 110E). In another embodiment, some of the first areas 110D or the second areas 110E may not be included. In the above-described embodiments, when viewed from a side of the electronic device <NUM>, the side surface bezel structure <NUM> may have a first thickness (or width) on the side in which the first areas 110D or the second areas 110E are not included, and may have a second thickness, which is thinner than the first thickness, on the side in which the first areas 110D or the second areas 110E are included.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include one or more of a display <NUM>, audio modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, key input devices <NUM>, a light-emitting element <NUM>, a pen input device <NUM>, and connector holes <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the key input devices <NUM> or the light-emitting elements <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or the electronic device <NUM> may additionally include other components.

The display <NUM> may be exposed through, for example, a substantial portion of the front surface plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the display <NUM> may be exposed through the front surface plate <NUM> providing the first surface 110A and the first areas 110D of the side surface 110C. In some embodiments, the edges of the display <NUM> may be formed to be substantially the same as the shape the periphery of the front surface plate <NUM> adjacent thereto. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the distance between the periphery of the display <NUM> and the periphery of the front surface plate <NUM> may be substantially constant in order to enlarge the exposed area of the display <NUM>.

In another embodiment (not illustrated), recesses or openings may be provided in a portion of a screen display area of the display <NUM>, and at least one of an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, and a light-emitting element <NUM>, which are aligned with the recesses or the openings, may be included. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the rear surface of the screen display area of the display <NUM> may include at least one of the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and the light-emitting element <NUM>. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the display <NUM> may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch-sensitive circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring a touch intensity (pressure), and/or a digitizer configured to detect an electromagnetic field-type stylus pen. In some embodiments, at least some of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> and/or at least some of the key input devices <NUM> may be disposed in the first areas 110D and/or the second areas 110E.

The audio modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a microphone hole <NUM> and speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>. The microphone hole <NUM> may 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 holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include an external speaker hole <NUM> and a call receiver hole <NUM>. In some embodiments, the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> and the microphone hole <NUM> may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker may be included without the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., a piezo speaker).

The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may generate electrical signals or data values corresponding to the internal operating state or the external environmental state of the electronic device <NUM>. The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include, for example, a first sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or a second sensor module (not illustrated) (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM>, and/or a third sensor module <NUM> (e.g., an HRM sensor) and/or a fourth sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed not only on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM> (e.g., the display <NUM>), but also on the second surface 110B. The electronic device <NUM> may 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.

The camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a first camera device <NUM> disposed on the first surface 110A of the electronic device <NUM>, and a second camera device <NUM> and/or a flash <NUM> disposed on the second surface 110B of the electronic device <NUM>. The camera devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash <NUM> may 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 surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

The key input devices <NUM> may be disposed on the side surface 110C of the housing <NUM>. In another embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may not include some or all of the above-mentioned key input devices <NUM>, and a key input device <NUM>, which is not included, may be implemented in another form, such as a soft key, on the display <NUM>. In some embodiments, the key input devices may include a sensor module <NUM> disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing <NUM>.

The light-emitting element <NUM> may be disposed, for example, on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM>. The light-emitting elements <NUM> may provide, for example, the state information of the electronic device <NUM> in an optical form. In another embodiment, the light-emitting element <NUM> may provide a light source that is interlocked with, for example, the operation of the camera module <NUM>. The light-emitting elements <NUM> may include, for example, an LED, an IR LED, and a xenon lamp.

The connector holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first connector hole <NUM>, which is capable of accommodating a connector (e.g., a USB connector) for transmitting/receiving power and/or data to/from an external electronic device, and/or a second connector hole (e.g., an earphone jack) <NUM>, which is capable of accommodating a connector for transmitting/receiving an audio signal to/from an external electronic device.

The pen input device <NUM> (e.g., a stylus pen) may be guided to be inserted into or detached from the inside of the housing <NUM> through a hole <NUM> provided in the side surface of the housing <NUM>, and may include a button for facilitating the detachment. The pen input device <NUM> may include a separate resonance circuit therein to be interlocked with an electromagnetic induction panel <NUM> (e.g., a digitizer) included in the electronic device <NUM>. The pen input device <NUM> may include an electromagnetic resonance (EMR) scheme, an active electrical stylus (AES) scheme, and an electric coupled resonance (ECR) scheme.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a side surface bezel structure <NUM>, a first support member <NUM> (e.g., a bracket), a front surface plate <NUM>, a display <NUM>, an electromagnetic induction panel <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a second support member <NUM> (e.g., a rear case), an antenna <NUM>, a pen input device <NUM>, and a rear surface plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the first support member <NUM> or the second support member <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or other components may be additionally included in the electronic device <NUM>. At least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG>, and a redundant description thereof is omitted below.

The electromagnetic induction panel <NUM> (e.g., a digitizer) may be a panel configured to detect the input of the pen input device <NUM>. For example, the electromagnetic induction panel <NUM> may include a printed circuit board (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB)) and a shield sheet. The shield sheet is capable of preventing interference between components (e.g., a display module, a printed circuit board, an electromagnetic induction panel, etc.) included in the electronic device <NUM> due to electromagnetic fields generated from the components. By blocking the electromagnetic fields generated from the components, the shield sheet is capable of causing an input from the pen input device <NUM> to be accurately transmitted to a coil included in the electromagnetic induction panel <NUM>. The electromagnetic induction panel <NUM> according to various embodiments may include an opening provided in at least an area corresponding to a biometric sensor mounted on the electronic device <NUM>.

The first support member <NUM> may be disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> to be connected to the side surface bezel structure <NUM>, or may be configured integrally with the side surface bezel structure <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> may be formed of, for example, a metal material and/or a non-metal (e.g., polymer) material. The first support member <NUM> may have one surface to which the display <NUM> is coupled, and the other surface to which the printed circuit board <NUM> is coupled. A processor, memory, and/or interface may be mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The processor may include one or more of, for example, a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

The memory may include, for example, volatile memory or non-volatile memory.

The interface may include, for example, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface. For example, the interface may electrically or physically connect the electronic device <NUM> with an external electronic device, and may include a USB connector, an SD card/MMC connector, or an audio connector.

The battery <NUM> is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM>, and may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. At least a portion of the battery <NUM> may be disposed on substantially the same plane as, for example, the printed circuit board <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be integrally disposed inside the electronic device <NUM>, or may be detachably disposed on the electronic device <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> may be disposed between the rear surface plate <NUM> and the battery <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> may include, for example, a near-field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. For example, the antenna <NUM> may execute short-range communication with an external 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 configured by a portion of the side surface bezel structure <NUM> and/or the first support member <NUM>, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> illustrates the structure of a transparent plate <NUM> on the front surface of an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) according to an embodiment and a peeling phenomenon of a print area <NUM> caused by an external impact.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment includes a housing <NUM> configuring at least a portion of the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>, a display module <NUM> seated on the housing <NUM>, and a transparent plate <NUM> configuring at least a portion of the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> and fixed by the housing <NUM>, and various circuits <NUM> required for driving the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed inside the housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. The circuits <NUM> may include, for example, a processor, memory, a sensor module, an antenna module, and the like, which may be disposed on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and electrically connected to each other.

According to an embodiment, the display module <NUM> may visually provide various contents output from the electronic device <NUM> to the user. A transparent plate <NUM> (or a window for a display) is disposed on the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> to prevent internal components of the electronic device <NUM> (including the display module <NUM>) from being exposed to the outside, and the transparent plate <NUM> disposed on the front surface may be made of a transparent material so as not to disturb a screen output from the display. According to an embodiment, as the transparent material, a material having sufficient strength to protect the display module <NUM> and the circuits <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, such as tempered glass, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), may be used.

According to an embodiment, an adhesive member <NUM> may be used to fix the transparent plate <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, and an optical adhesive member <NUM> may be used to fix the transparent plate <NUM> to the display module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, as the adhesive member <NUM>, tape or bond may be used, and as the optical adhesive member <NUM>, an optically clear adhesive (OCA) and/or an optically clear resin (OCR) may be used. However, without being limited thereto, various materials having an adhesive property may be used.

According to an embodiment, in order to prevent unnecessary exposure of the internal components of the electronic device <NUM> to the outside and to ensure aesthetic appearance, shield print may be applied to the edge area of the transparent plate <NUM>. That is, the shield print may be applied to the border area of the display module <NUM> except for the light-emitting screen that is visually necessary, and the area to which the shield print has been applied may be referred to as a print area <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the print area <NUM> may be coated with an ink color-matched to be the same as or similar to the color of the display module <NUM>. The print area <NUM> according to an embodiment may be printed through a plurality of (e.g., three) printing processes in order to implement the color of the print area <NUM> and secure durability of the paint film. Accordingly, the print area <NUM> may include a plurality of printed layers.

According to an embodiment, in order to prevent abrasion or damage of the printed paint film due to frequent contact by the user, shield print may be applied to the rear surface of the transparent plate <NUM> (that is, the surface facing the opposite direction to the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>) with reference to the user's gaze. According to an embodiment, the shield printing may be applied to the rear surface of the transparent plate <NUM> and a portion of the side surface of the transparent plate <NUM> connected to the rear surface. Since the print area <NUM> may be peeled off due to an external impact, sufficient bonding strength to the transparent plate <NUM> may be required to prevent peeling and secure commercial value.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the print area <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the transparent plate <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM> facing the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>, a second surface <NUM> facing the opposite direction to the first surface <NUM>, and a third surface <NUM> surrounding the transparent plate <NUM> while connecting the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the transparent plate <NUM> may further include a surface <NUM> interconnecting the first surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> and/or a surface <NUM> interconnecting the second surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM>. However, the shape of the transparent plate <NUM> is not limited thereto. <FIG> illustrates that the first surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, and the surface <NUM> interconnecting the first surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> are connected to each other while forming an angle to each other, and the second surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, and the surface <NUM> interconnecting the second surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> are connected to each other while forming an angle to each other. However, the shape of the transparent plate <NUM> is not limited thereto, and the above-mentioned surfaces may be connected to each other in a round shape without forming an angle.

According to an embodiment, light emitted from the display module <NUM> may be reflected inside the transparent plate <NUM> and leaked to the third surface <NUM> (i.e., the side surface) of the transparent plate <NUM>, which may deteriorate the aesthetics of the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, in order to prevent light emission (or light leakage) from the side surface, shield print may be applied not only to the edge area of the transparent plate <NUM>, but also to a partial area of the third surface <NUM> connected to the edge. Accordingly, the print area <NUM> may include a printed paint film in the edge area of the second surface <NUM> for preventing exposure of internal components and a printed paint film in the partial area of the third surface <NUM> connected to the edge area.

In the case of the print area <NUM>, in particular, in the case of the area printed on the third surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM>, sufficient bonding strength to the transparent plate <NUM> is required since the area may be peeled off due to friction with the housing <NUM> during the assembly of the electronic device <NUM>, and may be peeled off by an external impact or by an external foreign substance after the assembly of the electronic device <NUM>. However, in the conventional case, since a dye or a pigment contained in the ink used for printing reduces the adhesiveness of a printed layer, a first printed layer <NUM> of the print area <NUM> may be printed only on the second surface <NUM> and printing of the first printed layer <NUM> on the third surface <NUM> may be limited. Hereinafter, a stack structure and a material content ratio of printed layers of the disclosure for improving the bonding strength of the print area <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a design view illustrating a structure in which a plurality of printed layers are stacked in the print area <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the print area <NUM> includes a first printed layer (first ink layer) <NUM> directly covering the transparent plate <NUM>, a second printed layer <NUM> (second ink layer) stacked on the first printed layer <NUM>, and a third printed layer <NUM> (third ink layer) stacked on the second printed layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the first printed layer <NUM> overlaps a first area a of the first surface <NUM> when viewing the transparent plate <NUM> from the front side, the second printed layer <NUM> overlaps a second area b wider than the first area a of the first surface <NUM> when viewing the transparent plate <NUM> from the front side, and the third printed layer <NUM> overlaps a third area c narrower than the second area b of the first surface <NUM> when viewing the transparent plate <NUM> from the front side. Preferably, the third area c of the first surface <NUM> may be narrower than the first area a.

According to an embodiment, the length of the width of the second printed layer <NUM> applied on the transparent plate <NUM> may be longer than the length of the width of the first printed layer <NUM> applied on the transparent plate <NUM>. In addition, the length of the width of the third printed layer <NUM> applied on the transparent plate <NUM> may be shorter than the length of the width of the first printed layer <NUM> applied on the transparent plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first printed layer <NUM>, the second printed layer <NUM>, and the third printed layer <NUM> (or the inks used for the first printed layer <NUM>, the second printed layer <NUM>, and the third printed layer <NUM>) may include at least one of a resin, a dye, a pigment, and various additives. According to an embodiment, a dye and/or a pigment may implement the color of the printed layers, and generally a black dye and/or a black pigment may be used. However, without being limited thereto, a dye and/or a pigment having a color corresponding to the color of the display module <NUM> may be used. According to an embodiment, an additive may prevent the aggregation of dye or pigment and improve the degree of application of ink to an adherend surface.

According to an embodiment, a dye, a pigment, and/or an additive included in the resin may reduce the bonding strength of a printed layer to a print target (i.e., an adherend member). Accordingly, in the present disclosure, when the first printed layer <NUM> is directly printed on the transparent plate <NUM> having poor bonding strength, the content of a dye and/or a pigment contained in the resin may be reduced.

However, when a dye and/or a pigment are completely excluded from the first printed layer <NUM>, it may be difficult to recognize the first printed layer <NUM> in an automatic inspection machine that inspects the dimension or exterior of a printed layer by using a vision recognition (or an image recognition and vision inspection) function. That is, when the first printed layer <NUM> is completely transparent, it is impossible to identify whether printing is suitable in the inspection process performed using the vision recognition function, and even if there is splashing of ink, the splashing is not be found, so a defect may occur after display lamination. Accordingly, the content of the dye and/or the pigment contained in the first printed layer <NUM> may be reduced as much as possible, but the minimum amount of the dye and/or the pigment sufficient to identify whether printing is defective may be used. According to an embodiment, the first printed layer <NUM> may be translucent, and the mixing ratio of a color ink including the dye and/or the pigment contained in the first printed layer <NUM> may be <NUM>% to <NUM>%. Preferably, the mixing ratio of the color ink including the dye and/or the pigment contained in the first printed layer <NUM> may be <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

<FIG> is a graph showing a change in optical density according to the content ratio of a black pigment.

Referring to <FIG>, higher the content ratio of the black pigment, higher the optical density (O. Here, the optical density is a negative common logarithmic value of the rate at which light passes through a sample when light is flashed on the sample. When the optical density is <NUM>, the color is completely transparent, and the higher the optical density, the darker the color.

According to an embodiment, in the case of the first printed layer <NUM>, a color ink containing a dye and/or a pigment having a mixing ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>%, and preferably, a color ink containing a dye and/or a pigment having a mixing ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>%, may be used. Referring to the graph of <FIG>, when the mixing ratio of the colored ink including a dye and/or a pigment is <NUM> to <NUM>%, the optical density value may be <NUM> to <NUM>, and when the optical density is <NUM> to <NUM>, the optical density may be at a level that is minimally recognizable by vision recognition equipment. That is, when the first printed layer <NUM> is printed by using a color ink containing a dye and/or a pigment having a mixing ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>%, it may be possible to secure the minimum visibility that is capable of being recognized by vision recognition equipment.

According to an embodiment, the mixing ratio (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>%) of the color ink containing a dye and/or a pigment contained in the first printed layer <NUM> may be lower than the mixing ratio (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>%) of the color link containing a dye and/or a pigment contained in the second printed layer <NUM> or the third printed layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the first printed layer <NUM> may have higher bonding strength than the second printed layer <NUM> and/or the third printed layer <NUM>, and may be printed on the third surface <NUM> as well as the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the second printed layer <NUM> is stacked on the first printed layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, an area larger than the area covered with the first printed layer <NUM> on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> is covered with the second printed layer <NUM>. That is, the second printed layer <NUM> may be printed so as to cause the first printed layer <NUM> to be reversely offset-printed beyond the area of the transparent plate <NUM> covered by the first printed layer <NUM>. When the area printed with the second printed layer <NUM> on the transparent plate <NUM> is designed to be smaller than the area printed with the first printed layer <NUM> (i.e., a positive offset), the first printed layer <NUM> may be visible outside the second printed layer <NUM>. Thus, a band shape may occur on the front surface of the transparent plate <NUM>, and the aesthetics of the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> may be impaired. In addition, when the first printed layer <NUM> is visible outside the second printed layer <NUM>, misrecognition may be caused in vision recognition equipment due to a difference in optical density between the first printed layer <NUM> and the second printed layer <NUM>. Therefore, when an area larger than the area printed with the first printed layer <NUM> on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> is printed with the second printed layer <NUM>, it is possible to solve the above-described problems and to make the opaque (or faint) first printed layer <NUM> invisible on the front surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a third printed layer <NUM> is stacked on the second printed layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, an area narrower than the area covered with the second printed layer <NUM> on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> is covered with the third printed layer <NUM>. That is, in order to prevent the second printed layer <NUM> from being printed beyond the area covering the transparent plate <NUM>, the third printed layer <NUM> may be positively offset-printed in a step pattern.

According to an embodiment, the first printed layer <NUM> initially printed on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> may implement a primer function and improve a bonding property so that the second printed layer <NUM> may be smoothly printed. According to an embodiment, the second printed layer <NUM> stacked on the first printed layer <NUM> may have a color implementation function, and may implement a color corresponding to the color of the display module <NUM> by adjusting the mixing ratio of the color ink containing a dye and/or a pigment contained in the second printed layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the third printed layer <NUM> stacked on the second printed layer <NUM> may implement bonding performance to adherend components (e.g., the housing <NUM> and the display module <NUM>) to be attached to the print area <NUM>.

An actual structure in which the first printed layer <NUM>, the second printed layer <NUM>, and the third printed layer <NUM> are stacked in the print area <NUM> and specific dimensions thereof will be described with reference to <FIG> below.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a structure in which a plurality of printed layers are actually stacked in a print area <NUM> of a transparent plate <NUM> of an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, when a stack structure of the print area <NUM> (or the first to third printed layers <NUM> to <NUM>) is designed and actually printed on the transparent plate <NUM>, the stack structure in <FIG> may be obtained. That is, when the first to third printed layers <NUM> to <NUM> are actually printed, both end portions of each printed layer may be printed to be thinner than the thickness of the central portion (or initially intended printing thickness).

According to an embodiment, due to the characteristics of the printed structure of the second printed layer <NUM> that is reversely offset-printed, air traps may be easily generated or burst to generate air bubbles at the end portions of the second printed layer <NUM> located on the second surface <NUM>, but this problem may be solved by improving process conditions. For example, this problem may be solved by adjusting the viscosity of the ink used in the printed layers or adjusting the printing speed.

According to an embodiment, due to a characteristic of the print structure of the second printed layer <NUM> which is reversely offset-printed, it is difficult for the end portions of the second printed layer <NUM> located on the second side <NUM> and the adjacent portions thereof to secure a print thickness, which may cause a problem in the durability of the print area <NUM>, but this problem may be solved by attaching the optical adhesive member <NUM>. That is, since the end portions of the second printed layer <NUM> located on the second surface <NUM> are areas that are laminated with the display module <NUM>, even when the print thickness of the second printed layer is relatively thin, the second printed layer may secure durability by being supported by the bonding strength of the thick optical adhesive member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the optical adhesive member <NUM>, which bonds the transparent plate <NUM> to the display module <NUM> may be bonded to at least a portion of the second printed layer <NUM> and the third printed layer <NUM>. Alternatively, the optical adhesive member <NUM> may be bonded only to at least a portion of the second printed layer <NUM> without being bonded to the third printed layer <NUM>. The thickness h<NUM> of the optical adhesive member <NUM> may be greater than the thickness h<NUM> of the print area <NUM>. For example, the thickness h<NUM> of the print area <NUM> in which the first printed layer <NUM>, the second printed layer <NUM>, and the third printed layer <NUM> are stacked may be <NUM> to <NUM>, and the thickness h<NUM> of the optical adhesive member <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the width b of the second printed layer <NUM> printed on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> may be longer than the width a of the first printed layer <NUM> printed on the second surface <NUM>. For example, the width b of the second printed layer <NUM> printed on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> may be longer than the width a of the first printed layer <NUM> printed on the second surface <NUM> by <NUM> to <NUM> from the edge of the transparent plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the width c of the third printed layer <NUM> printed on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> may be shorter than the width b of the second printed layer <NUM> printed on the second surface <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the width c of the third printed layer <NUM> printed on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> may be shorter than the width a of the first printed layer <NUM> printed on the second surface <NUM>.

<FIG> are design views each illustrating a structure in which a plurality of printed layers are stacked on a side surface portion of the transparent plate <NUM> according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the printed form of the first to third printed layers <NUM> to <NUM> on the side surface (i.e., the third surface <NUM>) of the transparent plate <NUM> may vary. <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which the second printed layer <NUM> and the third printed layer <NUM> are printed inside the first printed layer <NUM> in a positive offset form, <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which the second printed layer <NUM> and the third printed layer <NUM> are printed outside the first printed layer <NUM> in a reverse offset form, and <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which the second printed layer <NUM> and the third printed layer <NUM> are printed such that the ends thereof are aligned with the end of the first printed layer <NUM> without offset.

That is, the form in which the first to third printed layers <NUM> to <NUM> are printed on the third surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> is not limited to any of the above-mentioned ones, and may be applied in various ways. According to another embodiment, the second printed layer <NUM> and/or the third printed layer <NUM> may be printed not only on the third surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM>, but also up to a corner portion near the first surface <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the structure of the transparent plate <NUM> and the print area <NUM> printed on the transparent plate <NUM> will be described once again from the viewpoint of the entire electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the transparent plate <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> and internal/external components bonded to the transparent plate <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> configures at least a portion of the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>, and the transparent plate <NUM> (or the display window) of the electronic device <NUM> configures at least a portion of a front surface of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the transparent plate <NUM> may be seated on the housing <NUM>, and a display module <NUM> and various circuit components <NUM> may be disposed in an inner empty space of the electronic device <NUM> surrounded by the housing <NUM> and the transparent plate <NUM>. For example, the display module <NUM> may be located adjacent to the transparent plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a print layer <NUM> printed with an ink containing a resin, a dye, a pigment, and/or an additive may be located in an edge area of the rear surface of the transparent plate <NUM> (that is, an area adjacent to the housing <NUM>), and the print area <NUM> includes a plurality of printed layers.

According to an embodiment, the first printed layer <NUM> may directly cover portions of the second surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the second printed layer <NUM> is stacked on the first printed layer <NUM> to cover portions of the second surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM>. The second printed layer <NUM> is printed over a wider area including the area in which the first printed layer <NUM> is printed on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the third printed layer <NUM> is stacked on the second printed layer <NUM> to cover portions of the second surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM>. The third printed layer <NUM> is printed to be narrower than the area in which the second printed layer <NUM> is printed on the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the adhesive member <NUM> may bond the transparent plate <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, and may be bonded to at least a portion of the third printed layer <NUM> in the vicinity of one end of the third printed layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the optical adhesive member <NUM> may bond the transparent plate <NUM> to the display module <NUM>, and may be bonded to at least portions of the second printed layer <NUM> and the third printed layer <NUM> in the vicinity of the end opposite to the one end of the third printed layer <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the adhesive member <NUM> may be bonded to the third printed layer <NUM> and may not be directly bonded to the transparent plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the optical adhesive member <NUM> may be directly bonded not only to the second printed layer <NUM> and the third printed layer <NUM>, but also to at least a portion of the second surface <NUM> of the transparent plate <NUM> adjacent to an end of the second printed layer <NUM>. The optical adhesive member <NUM> may completely cover end portions of the first printed layer <NUM>, the second printed layer <NUM>, and the third printed layer <NUM> that are thinly printed. That is, the optical adhesive member <NUM> may be bonded to the print area <NUM> to exceed an end portion of the thin print area <NUM>.

As described above, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) according to an embodiment may include: a housing configuring at least a portion of an exterior of the electronic device; a display module mounted on the housing; a transparent plate configuring at least a portion of a front surface of the electronic device and fixed to the housing; and a paint film covering a partial area including an edge of the transparent plate. The transparent plate may include a first surface facing the front surface, a second surface facing an opposite direction to the first surface, and a third surface interconnecting the first surface and the second surface and surrounding the transparent plate. The paint film may include: a first printed layer covering a first area of the second surface and at least a portion of the third surface of the transparent plate; a second printed layer stacked on the first printed layer, the second printed layer covering a second area of the second surface that is wider than the first area; and a third printed layer stacked on the second printed layer, the third printed layer covering a third area of the second surface narrower than the second area.

According to an embodiment, the first printed layer may have higher bonding strength than the second printed layer and the third printed layer.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include a first adhesive member configured to bond the transparent plate to the housing, and the first adhesive member may be bonded to at least a portion of the third printed layer.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include a second adhesive member configured to bond the transparent plate to the display module, and the second adhesive member may be bonded to at least a portion of the second printed layer and the third printed layer.

According to an embodiment, the first printed layer, the second printed layer, and the third printed layer may include at least one of a resin, a dye, a pigment, and an additive.

According to an embodiment, the first printed layer is translucent, and the content of the dye or the pigment contained in the first printed layer may be <NUM> to <NUM>%.

According to an embodiment, the width of the second area may be longer than the width of the first area by <NUM> to <NUM> from the edge of the transparent plate.

According to an embodiment, the third area may be narrower than the first area.

According to an embodiment, the color of the second printed layer or the third printed layer corresponds to the color of the display module.

According to an embodiment, the second printed layer and the third printed layer may cover a portion of the second surface and at least a portion of the third surface.

According to an embodiment, the second printed layer and the third printed layer may block light emitted from the third surface of the transparent plate.

According to an embodiment, the first printed layer may include a primer function, the second printed layer may include a color implementation function, and the third printed layer may include a bonding function.

According to an embodiment, the stacked thickness of the first printed layer, the second printed layer, and the third printed layer is <NUM> to <NUM>.

As described above, a display window (e.g., the transparent plate <NUM> in <FIG> ) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) according to an embodiment configures at least a portion of the front surface of the electronic device, and may include a first surface facing the front surface, a second surface facing the opposite direction to the first surface, and a third surface interconnecting the first surface and the second surface and surrounding the display window. A partial area including an edge of the display window may be covered with a plurality of printed layers, and the plurality of printed layers may include: a first printed layer covering a portion of the second surface and a portion of the third surface of the display window, the first printed layer overlapping a first area of the first surface when viewing the display window from a front side; a second printed layer stacked on the first printed layer, the second printed layer overlapping a second area of the first surface wider than the first area when viewing the display window from the front side; and a third printed layer stacked on the second printed layer, the third printed layer overlapping a third area of the first surface narrower than the second area when viewing the display window from the front side.

According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the second printed layer or the third printed layer may be bonded to a housing or the display module of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the first printed layer, the second printed layer, and the third printed layer may include at least one of a resin, a dye, a pigment, and an additive, and the content of the dye or the pigment contained in the first printed layer may be <NUM> to <NUM>%.

According to an embodiment, the width of the second area may be longer than the width of the first area by <NUM> to <NUM> from the edge of the display window.

According to an embodiment, the second printed layer and the third printed layer may cover a portion of the second surface and a portion of the third surface, and the second printed layer and the third printed layer may block light emitted from the third surface of the display window.

Claim 1:
An electronic device comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) configuring at least a portion of an exterior of the electronic device;
a display module (<NUM>) mounted on the housing (<NUM>);
a transparent plate (<NUM>) configuring at least a portion of a front surface of the electronic device and fixed to the housing (<NUM>); and
a paint film (<NUM>) covering a partial area comprising an edge of the transparent plate,
wherein the transparent plate (<NUM>) comprises a first surface (<NUM>) facing the front surface, a second surface (<NUM>) facing an opposite direction to the first surface, and a third surface (<NUM>) interconnecting the first surface (<NUM>) and the second surface (<NUM>) and surrounding the transparent plate, and
wherein the paint film (<NUM>) comprises:
a first printed layer (<NUM>) covering a first area (a) of the second surface (<NUM>) and at least a portion of the third surface (<NUM>) of the transparent plate (<NUM>); and
a second printed layer (<NUM>) stacked on the first printed layer (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
the second printed layer (<NUM>) covers a second area (b) of the second surface (<NUM>) that is wider than the first area (a); and
a third printed layer (<NUM>) is stacked on the second printed layer (<NUM>), the third printed layer (<NUM>) covering a third area (c) of the second surface (<NUM>) narrower than the second area (b).