PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12065372-B2
Application Number: US-202117553228-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Fluid forming a glass component for a portable electronic device

Abstract:
Techniques for making glass components for electronic devices are disclosed. The techniques disclosed can be used to shape a glass workpiece to form a three-dimensional glass component, such as a glass cover member. Glass components and enclosures and electronic devices including the glass components are also disclosed.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for making a glass component for an electronic device, the method comprising:
 heating each of a first and a second mold tool to a first temperature; 
 positioning a glass workpiece between the first mold tool and the second mold tool, the second mold tool defining an opening positioned over the glass workpiece and the first mold tool defining a recess feature positioned below the glass workpiece; 
 securing the first mold tool with the second mold tool to form a sealed interface at a parting line between the first mold tool and the second mold tool; 
 introducing a forming liquid at a second temperature into the opening; 
 pressurizing the forming liquid causing the glass workpiece to deform into the recess feature and against an undercut portion of the first mold tool that partly defines the recess feature, the second temperature being greater than the first temperature; 
 depressurizing and removing the forming liquid from the opening; 
 separating the first mold tool and the second mold tool and removing a molded glass workpiece, an interior surface of the molded glass workpiece defining a cavity and including an undercut region; and 
 finishing the molded glass workpiece to produce the glass component. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the forming liquid comprises molten tin; and 
 the operation of pressurizing the forming liquid comprises introducing a pressurized gas to a region of the forming liquid, the pressurized gas introduced at a pressure ranging from 0.25 MPa to 0.75 MPa. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operation of securing the first mold tool with the second mold tool further comprises slidably sealing the glass workpiece to the second mold tool. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operation of securing the first mold tool with the second mold tool further comprises providing a sealing element between the first mold tool and the second mold tool. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glass component defines an internal undercut portion defined at least in part by the undercut region of the molded glass workpiece. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first temperature is in a range from a strain point to a softening point of the glass workpiece; 
 the second temperature is in a range from greater than or equal to a working point to less than a melting point of the glass workpiece; and 
 each of the first mold tool and the second mold tool is heated to a temperature less than or equal to a glass transition temperature of the glass workpiece. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operation of finishing the molded glass workpiece comprises trimming a peripheral portion of the molded glass workpiece. 
     
     
       8. A method for making a glass component for an electronic device, the method comprising:
 heating a first mold tool and a second mold tool of a mold to a first temperature, an interior surface of the first mold tool defining a recess feature; 
 positioning a glass workpiece within the mold, a portion of the glass workpiece at least partially defining a fluid seal between the first mold tool and the second mold tool; 
 introducing a heated fluid into the mold, the heated fluid in contact with a first surface of the glass workpiece, the heated fluid at a second temperature, greater than the first temperature; 
 pressurizing the heated fluid thereby causing a second surface of the glass workpiece opposite to the first surface to deform into the recess feature and against an undercut region of the interior surface of the first mold tool of the second meld tool, thereby forming a molded glass workpiece that defines an interior cavity and that comprises an undercut portion; 
 depressurizing and draining the heated fluid from the mold; 
 removing the molded glass workpiece from the mold; and 
 finishing the molded glass workpiece to produce the glass component. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the heated fluid is one or more of: a molten tin or a molten salt. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first mold tool contacts the second mold tool along a seal interface surrounding the glass workpiece. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the heated fluid is pressurized to a pressure less than or equal to 1 MPa above atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the operation of positioning the glass workpiece within the mold further comprises including a sealing element between the glass workpiece and the second mold tool to form the fluid seal. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the operation of positioning the glass workpiece within the mold further comprises pressing the second mold tool against the glass workpiece to form the fluid seal. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the glass workpiece is a sheet of an aluminosilicate glass and the sheet has a thickness from 300 microns to about 2 mm.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a nonprovisional application of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/154,159, filed Feb. 26, 2021 and titled “Fluid Forming a Glass Component for a Portable Electronic Device,” and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/126,906, filed Dec. 17, 2020 and titled “Fluid Forming a Glass Component for a Portable Electronic Device,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to techniques for making glass components for electronic devices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to techniques in which a fluid such as a liquid metal or a molten salt is used to shape a glass workpiece. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditional electronic devices include glass parts such as cover sheets and the like. Some glasses used for cover sheets are hard and resist scratching. However, these glasses can also have high molding temperatures. Therefore, mechanical techniques such as grinding and polishing have traditionally been used to shape the cover sheets formed from these glasses. 
     SUMMARY 
     Techniques for forming glass components for electronic devices are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the techniques disclosed herein can be used to form a glass workpiece to produce a three-dimensional glass component, such as a glass cover member. The disclosure also relates to glass components and enclosures and electronic devices including the glass components. 
     In some examples, the shape of the glass workpiece is modified using a forming technique in which a portion of the glass workpiece is molded between a mold tool and a heated fluid such as a molten metal or a molten salt. The resulting molded glass workpiece may then be finished to produce the glass component. 
     The glass workpiece may be assembled with a first mold tool and a second mold tool to form an assembly comprising a fluid seal. A first region of the glass workpiece may be molded between the first mold tool and the heated fluid. In some cases, the fluid seal is formed between the second mold tool and a second region of the glass workpiece. The first region of the glass workpiece may be a central region of the glass workpiece and the second region of the glass workpiece may be a peripheral region of the glass workpiece. 
     The forming techniques disclosed herein can enable production of glass components whose shape defines an undercut. The forming techniques disclosed herein can be especially useful for molding glasses which become soft enough to be molded only at relatively high temperatures. For example, the molding techniques disclosed herein can be useful for aluminosilicate glasses and borosilicate glasses. 
     The disclosure provides a method for making a glass component for an electronic device, the method comprising heating each of a first and a second mold tool to a first temperature. The method further comprises positioning a glass workpiece between the first mold tool and the second mold tool, the second mold tool defining an opening positioned over the glass workpiece. The method also comprises securing the first mold tool with the second mold tool to form a sealed interface at a parting line between the first mold tool and the second mold tool. The method additionally comprises introducing a forming liquid at a second temperature into the opening and pressurizing the forming liquid causing the glass workpiece to deform into a recess feature of the first mold tool, the second temperature being greater than the first temperature. The method further comprises depressurizing and removing the forming liquid from the opening, separating the first mold tool and the second mold tool and removing a molded glass workpiece, and finishing the molded glass workpiece to produce the glass component. 
     The disclosure also provides a method for making a glass component for an electronic device, the method comprising heating a first mold tool and a second mold tool of a mold to a first temperature and positioning a glass workpiece within the first mold tool and the second mold tool, a portion of the glass workpiece defining a fluid seal between the first mold tool and the second mold tool. The method further comprises introducing a heated fluid into the mold, the heated fluid in contact with a first surface of the glass workpiece, the heated fluid at a second temperature, greater than the first temperature, and pressurizing the heated fluid thereby causing a second surface of the glass workpiece opposite to the first surface to deform into a recess feature of the second mold tool, thereby forming a molded glass workpiece. In addition, the method comprises depressurizing and draining the heated fluid from the mold, removing the molded glass workpiece from the mold, and finishing the molded glass workpiece to produce the glass component. 
     In addition, the disclosure provides a glass component for an electronic device, the glass component defining a planar rear portion and a curved side portion extending from the planar rear portion. The curved side portion defines an undercut and an opening to the glass component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements. 
         FIG.  1 A  depicts an example electronic device. 
         FIG.  1 B  depicts another example electronic device. 
         FIG.  2    shows a simplified cross-section view of an example glass component made using a forming technique. 
         FIG.  3    shows a flowchart of a forming process for making a glass component. 
         FIG.  4    schematically shows an operation of positioning a glass workpiece between two mold tools. 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  show partial cross-section views of stages in a process for making the glass component. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  show partial cross-section views of sealing configurations. 
         FIG.  7    shows a partial cross-section view of another sealing configuration. 
         FIG.  8    schematically shows an operation of removing a molded glass workpiece from two mold tools. 
         FIG.  9    shows an example of a glass component defining an undercut. 
         FIG.  10    shows an example of a molded glass workpiece in a portion of a mold tool. 
         FIG.  11    shows a block diagram of a sample electronic device that can incorporate a glass component. 
     
    
    
     The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred implementation. To the contrary, the described embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to techniques for making glass components for electronic devices. In embodiments, the techniques disclosed herein can be used to shape a glass workpiece to produce a three-dimensional glass component. By the way of example, the three-dimensional glass component may be a glass cover member or a glass housing. 
     In some examples, the shape of the glass workpiece is modified using a forming technique in which a portion of the glass workpiece is molded between a mold tool and a heated fluid such as a molten metal or a molten salt. This heated fluid may also be referred to herein as a forming fluid or a forming liquid. The resulting molded glass workpiece may then be finished to produce the glass component. 
     In some cases, the glass workpiece may be assembled with a first mold tool and a second mold tool. The first mold tool may define a recess feature and the second mold tool may define an opening which is positioned over the glass workpiece, an example of which is shown in  FIG.  4   . The opening provides a conduit for the heated fluid to enter the upper mold tool during the operation of forming the glass workpiece as described in further detail below with respect to  FIG.  3   . 
     The glass workpiece may be assembled with the first mold tool and the second mold tool to form an assembly comprising a fluid seal. A first region of the glass workpiece may be molded between the first mold tool and the heated fluid. In some examples, the fluid seal is formed between the second mold tool and a second region of the glass workpiece. This example is not limiting, and alternate seal configurations are described below. The first region of the glass workpiece may be a central region of the glass workpiece and the second region of the glass workpiece may be a peripheral region of the glass workpiece. 
     The molding techniques disclosed herein can be especially useful for molding glasses which become soft enough to be molded only at relatively high temperatures. For example, the molding techniques disclosed herein can be useful for aluminosilicate glasses and borosilicate glasses. 
     The disclosure also relates to glass components and enclosures and electronic devices including the glass components. The molding techniques disclosed herein can enable formation of glass components whose shapes define an undercut. Such shapes can be difficult to achieve with other techniques such as sagging a glass sheet into a mold or forming a glass sheet between a core mold and a cavity mold. The techniques described herein can be used to produce a variety of glass components, such as glass cover members and other types of glass enclosure components. Although the following description provides examples of glass components which can be used as cover members and housings for electronic devices, the techniques described herein are generally applicable to glass components for electronic devices. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 11   . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG.  1 A  depicts an example electronic device  100 . In embodiments, the electronic device  100  has an enclosure  110  that includes a glass cover member or other glass component produced by a technique as described herein. In some embodiments, the electronic device  100  may be a digital media player, a portable media player, and/or a home control device. In additional embodiments, the electronic device  100  may be a computing device (e.g., a desktop, notebook, laptop, or tablet computing device), a mobile telephone (also referred to as a mobile phone), an input device, or another type of portable electronic device. As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the electronic device  100  has a form factor in which the height of the device is greater than both the width and the length of the top face. In addition, the width and the length of the top face of the electronic device  100  are depicted as similar in size. The form factor shown in the example of  FIG.  1 A  is exemplary rather than limiting and in additional examples the height may be less than the width and/or the length, the width and the length of the top face may differ, or both. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the electronic device  100  comprises an enclosure  110  including an enclosure component  112  and a cover  122 . The cover  122  may define at least a portion of a front surface  102  of the electronic device and may be referred to as a front cover. In some examples, the enclosure further includes another cover which defines at least a portion of a rear surface  104  of the electronic device and which may be referred to as a rear cover. In embodiments, the cover  122  includes a glass component produced by a technique as described herein. In additional examples, a cover may define another external surface of the electronic device, such as a rear surface, a side surface, or two or more of front, rear, and side surfaces of the electronic device. 
     In some embodiments, a cover of the electronic device  100 , such as the cover  122 , is three-dimensional (e.g., non-planar) or defines a contoured profile. For example, the cover  122  may define a peripheral portion that is not coplanar with respect to a central portion. An example of a three-dimensional shape defining a generally planar central portion and a peripheral portion extending out of the plane defined by the central portion is shown in  FIG.  2   . The peripheral portion may, for example, define a side wall of an electronic device enclosure, while the central portion defines a front surface (which may define a transparent window that overlies a display). As an additional example, a cover may define a surface protrusion (an example of which is shown in  FIG.  1 B ), a surface recess, and/or one or more curved surfaces. A glass component such as a glass cover member  132  may be shaped similarly to its respective cover. 
     In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the cover  122  is positioned over a display  144  that is at least partially enclosed or surrounded by the enclosure component  112  of the enclosure  110 . The cover  122  may define a transparent region for viewing the display. Alternately or additionally, the cover  122  may be integrated with or coupled to a touch sensor that is configured to detect or estimate a location of a touch along the exterior surface of the cover  122 . The touch sensor may include an array of capacitive electrodes that are positioned below the cover  122  and, in some instances, may be integrated with the display. In additional examples, the cover  122  may be integrated with or coupled to an electronic device component which provides an alternate or an additional functional characteristic. Capacitive and/or other functional characteristics may be associated with planar and/or non-planar regions of the cover  122 . The additional description of displays and sensors provided with respect to  FIG.  11    is generally applicable herein and is not repeated here. 
     The cover  122  includes a cover member  132 , which may be referred to as a front cover member. The cover member  132  may extend laterally across the cover  122 , such as substantially across the width and the length of the cover  122 . The cover member  132  may have a thickness from about 0.3 mm to about 0.75 mm or from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm. In some embodiments the cover member  132  is a glass component (a glass cover member), which may be produced by a technique as described herein. The additional description of glass components provided herein, including the description provided with respect to  FIGS.  2 ,  3 A,  3 B,  9 , and  10   , is generally applicable herein. In additional embodiments, the cover member  132  may be formed of one or more materials other than glass, and in some cases may be a glass ceramic cover member. In some embodiments, the cover  122  may define one or more holes extending though its thickness, with the hole positioned over another device component such as a microphone, speaker, an optical camera or sensor component, or the like. 
     The cover  122  may include one or more coatings applied to the cover member. For example, an anti-reflection and/or smudge-resistant coating may be applied to an exterior surface of the cover member. As an additional example, a coating designed to produce a visual effect, such as an opaque mask coating, may be applied to an interior surface of the cover member. In a further example, the cover  122  may include a laminate material (e.g., in sheet form) applied along an interior surface of the cover  122  to provide structural support/reinforcement, an electrical function, a thermal function, and/or a visual effect. The laminate material may conform to a three-dimensional portion of the cover. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the enclosure  110  further includes an enclosure member  112 , which for simplicity may also be referred to herein as a housing. The cover  122  may be coupled to the enclosure member  112 . For example, the cover  122  may be coupled to the enclosure member with an adhesive, a fastener, an engagement feature, or a combination thereof. 
     In embodiments, the enclosure member  112  at least partially defines a side surface  106  of the electronic device  100 . In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the enclosure member  112  defines all four sides of the electronic device  100 . The enclosure member  112  of  FIG.  1 A  also defines corner regions  108 .  FIG.  1 A  includes vertical lines to indicate approximate boundaries of the corner regions  108 . One or more of the corner regions may define a compound curvature. In additional embodiments, an enclosure member  112  may be positioned internal to the electronic device  100  and one or more of a front cover  122  or a rear cover may define all or most of the side surface of the electronic device. In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the electronic device  100  includes an input device  152 , which may be a button or any other input device described with respect to  FIG.  11   . The enclosure component  112  may define an opening to accommodate the input device. In additional examples, an enclosure component may define one or more openings in a side surface to allow (audio) input or output from a device component such as a microphone or speaker, to provide a window for transmission and/or receipt of a wireless signal, and/or to accommodate an electrical port or connection. 
     In some embodiments, the enclosure component  112  may be formed from a single material, and may be a monolithic component. For example, the enclosure component  112  may be formed from a glass material, a metal material, a ceramic material, a glass ceramic material, or a polymer material. In some cases, the enclosure component is a glass component as described herein. In additional embodiments, an enclosure component may include multiple members. For example, the enclosure component may include one or more metal members, one or more glass members, or one or more glass ceramic members. In some cases, one or more of the glass members may be a glass component as described herein. In some cases, an enclosure member is formed from a series of metal segments that are separated by dielectric segments that provide electrical isolation between adjacent metal segments. For example, a dielectric segment may be provided between a pair of adjacent metal segments. One or more of the metal segments may be coupled to internal circuitry of the electronic device  100  and may function as an antenna for sending and receiving wireless communication. The dielectric segments may be formed from one or more dielectric materials such as a polymer, a glass, or a ceramic material. As referred to herein, a component or member formed from a particular material, such as a glass or a metal material, may also include a relatively thin coating of a different material along one or more surfaces, such as an anodization layer, a physical vapor deposited coating, a paint coating, a primer coating (which may include a coupling agent), or the like. 
     In addition to a display and/or a touch screen, the electronic device  100  may include additional components. These additional components may comprise one or more of a processing unit, control circuitry, memory, an input/output device, a power source (e.g., a battery), a charging assembly (e.g., a wireless charging assembly), a network communication interface, an accessory, a sensor, or another component that is part of a wireless communication system (e.g., an antenna, a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, or the like). Components of a sample electronic device are discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG.  11    and the description provided with respect to  FIG.  11    is generally applicable herein. 
       FIG.  1 B  shows another example of an electronic device  101 . In embodiments, the electronic device  101  has an enclosure  111  that includes a glass cover member or other glass component produced by a technique as described herein. The electronic device  101  may be any of the electronic devices previously described with respect to the electronic device  100  and may have any of the form factors previously described with respect to that device. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the enclosure  111  includes a cover  123 . The cover  123  includes a cover member  133 . The cover member  133  may define at least a portion of a front surface  103  of the electronic device and may be referred to as a front cover member. The cover member  133  may extend laterally across the cover  123 , such as substantially across the width and the length of the cover  123 . In some embodiments the cover member  133  is a glass component (a glass cover member), which may be produced by a technique as described herein. In additional embodiments, the cover member  133  may be formed of one or more materials other than glass, and in some cases may be a glass ceramic cover member. The glass cover member  133  may be shaped similarly to the cover  123 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  1 B , the cover  123  defines a protruding portion  127  which protrudes with respect to another portion  126  of the cover. The protruding portion  127  may also be referred to herein as a protruding feature or simply as a feature. More generally, a glass component such as the cover member  133  may define one or more features which vary in elevation with respect to a neighboring portion or region of the glass component. A feature which is formed to a different elevation than a neighboring portion of the glass component may define a protrusion or a recess in some embodiments. In some cases, a device component such as a sensor assembly, a camera assembly, and the like may be provided under a protruding feature. The size of the feature  127  may depend at least in part on the size of a device component underlying the protruding feature. In some embodiments, a lateral dimension (e.g., a width) of the protruding feature may be from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, from about 5 mm to about 30 mm, from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, or from about 15 mm to 30 mm. 
     In the example of  FIG.  1 B , the protruding feature  127  is shown as generally curved or rounded in shape. However, this example is not limiting and in other examples a protruding feature may define a substantially plateau-shaped top. The plateau-shaped top may be substantially parallel to an exterior surface defined by an adjacent portion of the cover. The amount of protrusion or offset between the top of the protruding portion  127  and exterior surface of the adjacent portion of the cover may be from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm or from about 0.75 mm to about 2 mm. 
     When the glass cover member  133  is shaped similarly to the cover  123 , the glass cover member  133  may also define a protruding feature. In some examples, a cover member  133  that defines a protruding feature has substantially the same thickness as a neighboring portion of the cover member. In some cases, the cover member  133  is produced by reshaping a glass workpiece of substantially uniform thickness to form a protruding feature. In some examples, the resulting protruding feature may be convex on the exterior and concave on the interior of the cover member. In examples, the thickness of the cover member may be greater than about 0.3 mm and less than about 0.75 mm or greater than about 0.5 mm and less than about 1 mm in both portion  127  and portion  126  of the cover  123 . 
     In additional examples, the cover member  133  varies in thickness. In some cases, the cover member  133  may have a greater thickness in a protruding portion than in an adjacent portion. In embodiments, the cover member  133  may have a thickness in the protruding portion  127  that is at least 10%, 25%, or 50% and up to about 250% greater than a thickness of the cover member in the portion  126  of the cover  123 . In some cases, the thickness of the thicker portion of the cover  123  (including the protruding feature) is greater than about 1 mm and less than or equal to about 2 mm or about 2.5 mm. The thickness of the portion  126  of the cover  123  may be greater than about 0.3 mm and less than about 0.75 mm or greater than about 0.5 mm and less than about 1 mm. 
     In some embodiments, the cover  123  may define one or more holes extending though its thickness, also referred to herein as through-holes. The one or more holes may facilitate positioning of one or more device components, such as a speaker or an optical module of a camera assembly or sensor assembly. In some cases, a hole may be formed into the protruding feature  127  and a device component may extend at least partially into the hole in the protruding feature. By the way of example, the electronic device may include one or more optical modules selected from a camera module, an optical sensor module, an illumination module, and a (non-optical) sensor. In some examples, a window may be provided over the hole to protect the underlying device component. When the glass cover member  133  is shaped similarly to the cover  123 , the glass cover member may also define one or more through-holes. 
     In some cases, the cover  123  may be integrated with or coupled to a touch sensor or another electronic device component which provides a functional characteristic to the cover. The cover  123  may include one or more coatings applied to the cover member and these coatings may be similar to the coatings previously described with respect to the cover  122 . In some examples, the cover  123  may include a laminate material applied along an interior surface of the cover  123  in a similar fashion as described with respect to  FIG.  1 A . 
     The enclosure  111  of the electronic device  101  also includes an enclosure component  113 . The enclosure member  113  at least partially defines a side surface  107  of the electronic device  100 . In the example of  FIG.  1 B , the enclosure member  113  defines all four sides of the electronic device  101 . The enclosure member  113  of  FIG.  1 B  also defines corner regions  109 . The enclosure member may be similar in construction and materials to the enclosure member  112  and those details are not repeated here. 
     In addition to a display and a camera assembly, the electronic device  101  may include additional components. For example, the electronic device may include one or more sensor assemblies and/or camera assemblies. As additional examples, the electronic device may comprise one or more of a processing unit, control circuitry, memory, an input/output device, a power source (e.g., battery), a charging assembly (e.g., a wireless charging assembly), a network communication interface, an accessory, and a sensor. Components of a sample electronic device are discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG.  11    and the description provided with respect to  FIG.  11    is generally applicable herein. 
       FIG.  2    shows a simplified cross-section view of an example glass component  232 . The glass component  232  defines a three-dimensional shape and may be an example of the glass cover member  132  of  FIG.  1 A . The cross-section view may be along A-A in  FIG.  1 A . The three-dimensional shape shown in  FIG.  2    is exemplary rather than limiting and the techniques described herein can be used to produce a variety of three-dimensional shapes. 
     The glass component  232  may be described as defining a generally planar central portion and a peripheral portion extending from the generally planar central portion. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the glass component  232  includes a central portion  292  and a peripheral portion  294  which extends out of the plane defined by the central portion  292 . The central portion  292  and the peripheral portion  294  are contiguous. The peripheral portion  294  shown in  FIG.  2    defines an angle with respect to the generally planar central portion  292  (as seen in the cross-section view). The peripheral portion  294  may therefore be referred to herein as an angled portion. In the example of  FIG.  2   , the peripheral portion  294  defines an obtuse angle with respect to the generally planar central portion, but this example is not limiting, and, in some embodiments, a peripheral portion may define a ninety-degree angle or an acute angle with respect to a central portion. The three-dimensional shape shown in  FIG.  2    is exemplary rather than limiting and the techniques described herein can be used to produce a variety of three-dimensional shapes, including shapes where the central portion is curved rather than planar and shapes where both the central portion and the peripheral portion are curved. 
     In the example of  FIG.  2   , the glass component  232  defines interior and exterior surfaces ( 242 ,  244 ) which are generally planar in a central portion of the cover and curved in a peripheral portion of the cover. As shown, the interior and exterior surfaces in the peripheral portion generally curve towards the interior of the electronic device. In other words, the curve defined by the interior and exterior surfaces in the peripheral portion is concave with respect to an interior of the electronic device. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the central portion  292  includes the central exterior surface  244   a  and the central interior surface  242   a . The peripheral portion  294  includes the peripheral exterior surface  24   b , the transitional interior surface  242   b , and the peripheral interior surface  242   c . The peripheral interior surface  242   c  is offset from the central interior surface  242   a ; the transitional interior surface  242   b  provides a transition between the peripheral interior surface  242   c  and the central interior surface  242   a . The curvature and/or the curve length of the peripheral exterior surface  244   b  and of the transitional interior surface  242   b  is not limited to the example of  FIG.  2    and may have a greater or lesser curvature and/or curve length. In some cases, the glass component has a wall thickness in a range from 300 microns to 2 mm. 
     In some cases, the glass component has a smooth surface. When the roughness of the glass component is measured by an arithmetical mean height (e.g., R a  or S a ), one or more surfaces of the glass component may have a surface roughness greater than zero and less than about 250 nm, 150 nm, 100 nm, 50 nm, 25 nm, or 10 nm. The glass component may also have a transmittance and clarity sufficiently high enough that high resolution graphics produced by a display are not distorted. 
     Typically, a glass cover member or other glass component is formed from a silica-based glass material. The glass material may have a network structure, such as a silicate-based network structure. As referred to herein, a “glass cover member,” a “glass component,” a “glass workpiece,” a “molded glass workpiece,” a “glass sheet,” a “glass layer,” and/or a “glass piece” may include some relatively small amount of impurities or crystalline material, such as 1% or less, 2% or less, or 5% or less by weight of the member. 
     In some embodiments, the glass material includes an aluminosilicate glass. As used herein, an aluminosilicate glass includes the elements aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, but may further include other elements. Typically, the glass material includes an ion-exchangeable glass material, such as an alkali metal aluminosilicate glass (e.g., a lithium aluminosilicate glass). An ion-exchangeable aluminosilicate glass may include monovalent or divalent ions that compensate for charges due to replacement of silicon ions by aluminum ions. Suitable monovalent ions include, but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Li + , Na + , or K + . Suitable divalent ions include alkaline earth ions such as Ca 2+  or Mg 2+ . In some embodiments, the glass material includes a crystallizable glass. In some cases, a small amount of tin or other element(s) present in the forming fluid may be introduced near a surface of the glass component during the forming process. 
       FIG.  3    shows a flowchart of a forming process for making a glass component by forming a glass workpiece. As described below, a forming operation changes a shape of the glass workpiece to produce a molded glass workpiece. In some cases, one or more operations, such as a finishing operation, are used to produce the glass component from the molded glass workpiece. 
     In some cases, the glass workpiece (which may also be referred to herein as a blank or a preform) may be a sheet of glass which is substantially flat and of substantially uniform thickness. In some examples the glass workpiece may have a thickness from about 300 microns to about 2 mm, from about 300 microns to about 1 mm, about 0.3 mm to about 0.75 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. In additional cases, the glass workpiece may have a non-uniform thickness and/or may have a shape other than a flat shape. For example, the shape of the glass workpiece may be engineered to facilitate the forming process. The glass workpiece may have lateral dimensions larger than those of the glass component to allow a peripheral portion of the glass workpiece to be inserted between the mold tools and to serve as a flange, as described in more detail below. The glass workpiece may be formed from any of the glass materials previously described with respect to  FIG.  2   . In some examples the glass workpiece may be cleaned and/or may be treated with one or more surface treatments such as etching and plasma treatment prior to placement in the mold tools. 
     The process  300  includes an operation  302  of heating each of the first and the second mold tools prior to positioning the glass workpiece between the first and the second mold tools. The first and the second mold tools may be preheated to a first temperature before the glass workpiece is assembled with the mold tools. In some examples, each of the first and the second mold tools may be heated to a temperature within about 75° C., 50° C., or 25° C. of the glass transition temperature for the glass workpiece. In some cases, the first and the second mold tools may be heated to a temperature from 500° C. to 600° C. In some cases, at least a portion of the first and/or the second mold tools is maintained at a temperature in this range during the forming process. 
     The first and the second mold tools are typically configured to withstand elevated temperatures. As examples, the first and the second mold tools may be formed from one or more materials such as high purity chromium (e.g., a purity of a least 99.95%), noble metals (e.g., Pt, Rd, Ir, or alloys thereof such as Pt—Ir), or ceramic materials such as tungsten carbide, alumina, zirconia, and the like. For example, a mold tool may be formed from chromium or a ceramic material. In some cases, a noble metal or ceramic coating is applied to the bulk chromium or ceramic of the mold tool. Examples of suitable coatings include, but are not limited to, coatings of one or more of noble metals and noble metal alloys such as Pt—Ir, oxides such as aluminum oxide, nitrides such as titanium nitride or titanium aluminum nitride, carbonitrides such as titanium carbonitride, and the like. 
     In some cases, the first mold tool, the second mold tool, or both are multipart mold tools. For example, the second mold tool may include a mold insert as well as a holder for the mold insert, as shown in the example of  FIG.  4   . In some cases, the mold insert may be separable into two or more parts to facilitate removal of the molded glass workpiece from the mold insert as schematically shown in  FIG.  10   . More generally, the mold tool can include two or more separable parts. A parting line of a multi-part mold tool may be located at a position where the draft of the part changes. In some examples, a parting line of the mold insert or mold tool may be located along a diagonal of a molded portion of the molded glass workpiece. 
     The process  300  includes an operation  304  of positioning the glass workpiece with a first mold tool and a second mold tool. Alternately or additionally, the glass workpiece may be positioned between the first mold tool and the second mold tool. When the glass workpiece has a horizontal orientation the first mold tool may be a lower mold tool and the second mold tool may be an upper mold tool. 
     In some cases, the first mold tool may define a recess feature and the second mold tool may define an opening which is positioned over the glass workpiece.  FIG.  4    shows an example of an operation of positioning a glass workpiece between two mold tools having these features. The opening provides a conduit for the heated fluid to enter the upper mold tool during the operation of forming the glass workpiece as described in further detail below with respect to the operation  308 . 
     The process  300  includes an operation  306  of securing the first mold tool with the second mold tool. The operation  306  may form an assembly comprising the glass workpiece, the first mold tool, and the second mold tool. In some cases, the operation  306  forms a sealed interface at a parting line between the first mold tool and the second mold tool. In additional cases, a portion of the glass workpiece may at least partially define a fluid seal between the first mold tool and the second mold tool. The glass workpiece and/or an additional sealing element may define one or more seal interfaces through which the first mold tool contacts the second mold tool. 
     The operation of securing the first mold tool with the second mold tool may comprise sealing the glass workpiece to the second mold tool. For example, the second mold tool may be compressed against the glass workpiece to limit intrusion of heated fluid between the glass workpiece and the second mold tool, as shown in the example of  FIG.  7   . 
     In additional examples, the assembly may further comprise a sealing element. Such a sealing element may be placed between the first mold tool and the second mold tool as shown in the example of  FIG.  6 A . The first mold tool may contact the second mold tool (through the sealing element) along a seal interface surrounding the glass workpiece. Alternately or additionally, a sealing element may be placed between the glass workpiece and the second mold tool as shown in the example of  FIG.  6 B . Sealing elements may be formed of a variety of materials including carbon or graphite. In some embodiments the sealing element slidably seals the assembly from intrusion of the heated fluid. A seal formed to limit or prevent intrusion of the heated fluid may also be referred to herein as a fluid seal. 
     The process  300  further includes an operation  308  of introducing a heated fluid into the mold. During the operation  308  the heated fluid may enter the second mold tool and contact the glass workpiece, as illustrated in the cross-section view of  FIG.  5 B . The heated fluid may be introduced in an opening in the second mold tool to mold at least a portion of the glass workpiece into a recess feature of the first mold tool. 
     The heated fluid is at an elevated temperature, greater than a temperature of the mold tools and the glass workpiece, when it enters the second mold tool. The heated fluid can thus heat and soften the glass workpiece. In some cases, the heated fluid when it enters the assembly may be at a temperature from a softening point to a working point of the glass workpiece or at a temperature from a working point of the glass workpiece to a melting point of the glass workpiece. 
     The process  300  further includes an operation  310  of pressurizing the heated fluid and forming at least a portion of the glass workpiece using a heated fluid. The operation  310  produces a molded glass workpiece having a formed or molded portion. The forming portion of the operation  310  may also be referred to herein as a reforming operation, a thermoforming operation, a molding operation, or a shaping operation and the molded glass workpiece may also be referred to herein as a reformed or a reshaped glass workpiece. In particular, the portion of the glass workpiece may be deformed between the heated fluid and the recess feature of the first mold tool. The heated fluid may contact a first surface (also referred to as a first face) of the glass workpiece and a second surface of the glass workpiece (also referred to as a second face), generally opposite the first surface, may be pressed against the recess feature of the first mold tool. The glass workpiece may be deformed by bending, by stretching, by flow, or in some cases by combinations of these deformation modes. The forming process may be completed quickly, such as in 30 seconds or less or from about 5 to about 25 seconds. 
     Heating the glass workpiece to a temperature about equal to a softening point of the glass workpiece may be useful when the change in shape during forming of the glass workpiece is achieved largely by bending. Heating the glass workpiece to a temperature about equal to a working point of the glass workpiece may be useful when the change in shape during forming of the glass workpiece is achieved largely by stretching but the glass workpiece retains substantially uniform thickness. Heating the glass workpiece to temperatures in a range from a working point to a melting point of the glass workpiece may be useful when the change in shape during forming of the glass workpiece is achieved largely at least in part by flow of the glass material of the glass workpiece. In cases where high shear rates cause shear thinning, adequate viscous flow may occur at lower temperatures than are otherwise possible. In some cases, the glass workpiece may be heated to a temperature from about 800° C. to about 1000° C. 
     The heated fluid may be pressurized to help deform the glass workpiece against the first mold tool. As examples, the heated fluid is pressurized to a pressure less than or equal to 1 MPa, less than or equal to 0.75 MPa, less than or equal to 0.5 MPa, or from 0.25 MPa to 0.75 MPa above atmospheric pressure. Suitable heated fluids include fluids which are substantially incompressible. Therefore, the heated fluid is other than a heated gas. The heated fluid may be a heated liquid capable of remaining in the liquid state at the forming temperature(s). Typically, the heated liquid is other than a conventional hydroforming fluid (e.g., other than a conventional aqueous hydroforming fluid). In some examples, the heated fluid is a molten metal material such as molten tin, a molten tin alloy or another molten alloy. In additional examples the heated fluid is a molten salt, such as a mixture of potassium nitrate, sodium nitrite, and sodium nitrate (e.g., HITEC salt), or a mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate (e.g., binary solar salt). 
     In some cases, a pressurized gas may be used to apply pressure to the heated fluid. For example, a pressurized gas may be introduced to a region of the heated fluid causing the glass workpiece to deform. In other cases, a tool such as a plunger may be used to apply pressure to the heated fluid. In additional embodiments, the heated fluid may be pressurized when it is introduced (so that operations  308  and  310  occur simultaneously). 
     In some cases, a peripheral portion of the glass workpiece may tend to move between the mold tools during the forming operation. In embodiments, movement of the peripheral portion of the glass workpiece within the mold tools is controlled at least in part by the technique used to seal the assembly against intrusion of the heated fluid between the second mold tool and the glass workpiece. In additional examples, movement of the peripheral portion of the workpiece may be influenced by modification of a surface of one or more of the mold tools and/or modification of a surface of the glass workpiece. The modifications may include one or more of a temporary or permanent coating, a texture, a gaseous cushion/slip plane, or the like. For example, a coating may be applied to all or part of a glass workpiece surface to lower the friction between the glass workpiece surface and the mold tool surface. Suitable coatings include, but are not limited to, graphite or boron nitride powder coatings or vaporizable coatings that produce a gaseous cushion between the glass workpiece surface and the mold tool surface. As an additional example, the mold tool surface may be coated to lower the friction or textured to increase the friction between the mold tool surface and the glass workpiece. 
     For silicate glasses, plots of viscosity versus temperature can be used to identify temperatures relevant to deformation of the glass. For example, the strain point (viscosity of about 10 14.5  Poise) is the temperature at which internal stress in the glass is relieved in hours. The annealing point (viscosity of about 10 13.2  to 10 13.4  Poise) is the temperature at which internal stress in the glass is relieved in minutes. The glass transition temperature (viscosity of about 10 12  to 10 13  Poise) is the temperature at which glass transitions from a super-cooled liquid to a glassy state. The dilatometric softening point is defined by a viscosity of about 10 9  to 10 11  Poise while the Littleton softening point is defined by a viscosity of about 10 7.6  Poise; a “softening point” as referred to herein may refer to either of these temperatures. The working point is defined by a viscosity of about 10 4  Poise. The melting range may be defined by a viscosity of about 10 1.5  Poise to about 10 2.5  Poise. 
     As an example, the strain point of an aluminosilicate glass such as an alkali aluminosilicate glass may be from about 525° C. to about 575° C.; the annealing point of the aluminosilicate glass may be from about 600° C. to about 650° C., and the working point may be greater than 1000° C., such as from about 1100° C. to about 1300° C. The glass transition temperature may be from about 575° C. to about 625° C. As an additional example, the aluminosilicate glass may be configured to have a lower working temperature and glass transition temperature, such as a working temperature from about 900° C. to about 1100° C. and a glass transition temperature from about 500° C. to about 550° C. 
     The process  300  further includes an operation  312  of depressurizing and removing the heated fluid. The depressurizing and removing of the heating fluid may occur sequentially or simultaneously. In some cases, the heated fluid may be removed from the opening of the second mold tool. For example, the heated fluid may be removed by draining the heated fluid from the assembly of the glass workpiece and the mold tools. The operation of removing the heated fluid can help to cool the molded glass workpiece so that it can be removed from the mold tools without losing its shape. In addition, the process  300  includes an operation  314  of removing the molded glass workpiece from the first and the second mold tools. 
     The process  300  also includes an operation  316  of cooling the molded glass workpiece after the operation  314 . The operation  316  may cool the molded glass workpiece to an ambient temperature (e.g., room temperature, about 25° C.), an ambient temperature range, or a temperature range sufficiently below a transition temperature of the glass component (e.g., a strain point or a glass transition point). The operation  316  may include one or more stages. 
     In some embodiments, the process  300  may include one or more additional operations which produce the glass component from the molded glass workpiece. For example, the process  300  may include one or more operations of finishing the molded glass workpiece to produce the glass component. In some cases, the one or more finishing operations include a trimming operation. In some embodiments, the molded glass workpiece includes a peripheral portion positioned between the first and the second mold tools at the end of the forming operation. During the finishing operation, at least some of this peripheral portion of the molded glass workpiece may be removed (trimmed) to achieve the desired shape of the glass component. If desired, the molded glass workpiece may also be trimmed inward of this peripheral portion. Any suitable separation techniques may be used during the trimming operation, such as a laser separation process, a mechanical separation process, or a combination thereof. The one or more finishing operations may optionally include an operation of creating a through-hole through the glass component. The operation of creating the through-hole can employ a mechanical process, a laser-based process, or a combination thereof. In additional examples, the one or more finishing operations may include cleaning, texturing, and/or polishing operations. 
     The process  300  may further include an annealing operation to relieve residual thermal stresses from the heating and forming operations. The annealing operation may take place after the molded glass workpiece is removed from the mold tools. 
     In additional examples, the process  300  may include a chemical strengthening operation. The glass component may be chemically strengthened by one or more ion exchange operations. An ion exchange operation may be included in the operations  308  and/or  310  when the heated fluid includes a suitable source of ions and/or a suitable source of ions is introduced into the cavity mold. Alternately or additionally, an ion exchange operation may take place following removal of the glass workpiece from the first and the second mold tools. During the ion exchange operation, ions present in the glass component can be exchanged for larger ions in a region extending from a surface of the glass component. The ion exchange may form a compressive stress layer (or region) extending from a surface of the glass component. In some embodiments, a compressive stress layer is formed at each of the exterior surface and the interior surface of the glass component. A tensile stress layer may be formed between these compressive stress layers. 
       FIG.  4    schematically shows an operation of positioning a glass workpiece between two mold tools. The glass workpiece  452  has a horizontal orientation and is positioned between a lower mold tool  492  and an upper mold tool  498 . The mold tools  492  and  498  may be formed of similar materials to those previously described with respect to  FIG.  3    and that description is not repeated here. The mold tool  492  may be referred to as a first mold tool and the mold tool  498  may be referred to as a second mold tool in some examples described herein. 
     The mold tool  492  is positioned below the glass workpiece  452 . In the example of  FIG.  4   , the mold tool  492  includes an insert  494 . The insert  494  of the mold tool  492  defines a recess  495 . The recess  495  may be defined by a substantially planar recessed surface  496  and a wall surface  497  extending from the planar recessed surface. When the glass workpiece is molded against a recess  495  having this shape the molded glass workpiece may include a first portion which is a generally planar central portion and a second portion which extends from the first portion and is at least partially out of the plane defined by the first portion. For example, the second portion may be angled with respect to the generally planar central portion as previously described with respect to  FIG.  2   . The molded glass workpiece may also include a third portion which defines a peripheral portion of the molded glass workpiece, also referred to herein as a flange. An example of this shape, which may also be referred to as a “dish” shape, is shown in  FIG.  2    and the description provided with respect to  FIG.  2    is generally applicable herein. The recess shape of the mold tool  492  is exemplary rather than limiting and, in additional examples, the recess may be shaped to define a curved central portion, a protruding feature (as shown in  FIG.  1 B ), or any of a variety of shapes of the molded glass workpiece. 
     The mold tool  498  is positioned above the glass workpiece  452 . The mold tool  498  defines an opening  499 . The opening  499  may be positioned over the glass workpiece, as shown in the cross-section views of  FIGS.  5 A through  7   . The opening provides a conduit for the heated fluid to enter the mold tool  498  and contact the glass workpiece  452 , as illustrated in the cross-section view of  FIG.  5 B . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  show partial cross-section views of stages in a process for making a glass component.  FIG.  5 A  shows the glass workpiece  552  assembled with the mold tool  592  and the mold tool  598  prior to a forming operation. The glass workpiece  552  has a horizontal orientation and is positioned between the mold tool  592  and the mold tool  598 . The mold tool  592  defines a recess  595 . In the example of  FIG.  5 A , a second region  556  of the glass workpiece  552  is positioned between the mold tool  592  and the mold tool  598  and a first region  554  is positioned over the recess  595 . A small gap  571  is formed between the glass workpiece  552  and the mold tool  598 . This gap may allow the glass workpiece  552  to draw inwards during the forming operation. 
       FIG.  5 B  shows a molded glass workpiece  553  after the forming operation. The heated fluid  560  has deformed the glass workpiece  552  of  FIG.  5 A  to form the molded glass workpiece  553 . The molded glass workpiece  553  conforms to the recess  595  of the mold tool  592 . The molded glass workpiece  553  includes a central first portion  562 , a second portion  564  that is angled with respect to the first portion  562 , and a third portion  566  which serves as a flange. A transition  563  between the first portion  562  and the second portion  564  and a transition  565  between the second portion  564  and the third portion  566  are also shown in  FIG.  5 B . 
     In the example of  FIG.  5 B , the heated fluid  560  fills the opening  599  previously shown in  FIG.  5 A . However, this example is not limiting and a tool such a plunger used to pressurize the heated fluid can also be present within the opening. In some cases, the gap  571  may be small enough to limit intrusion of the heated fluid  560  between the molded glass workpiece  553  and the mold tool  598  and thus slidably seal the assembly of the glass workpiece and the mold tools. In additional cases a sealing element may be provided to limit intrusion of the heated fluid  560 , as shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B . 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  show partial cross-section views of sealing configurations.  FIG.  6 A  shows an example of a sealing element  672  placed between the first mold tool  692  and the second mold tool  698 . When this type of sealing element is used, the glass workpiece  652  is free to draw inwards during the forming process. Some movement of the glass workpiece  652  in the z direction (a vertical direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the first or second mold tools) may also occur. As shown in  FIG.  6 A , a small gap  671  is formed between the glass workpiece  652  and the second mold tool  698  and the first mold tool  692  defines a recess  695 . 
       FIG.  6 B  shows an example of a sealing element  673  placed between the glass workpiece  652  and the second mold tool  698 . With this type of sealing element, the glass workpiece  652  may have some ability to draw inwards during the forming process while movement in the z direction may be restricted. The sealing element  673  of  FIG.  6 B  may be thin and, in some cases, may be formed of a foil such as a graphite foil. As shown in  FIG.  6 B , a small gap  671  is formed between the glass workpiece  652  and the second mold tool  698  and the first mold tool  692  defines a recess  695 . 
       FIG.  7    shows a partial cross-section view of another sealing configuration. For example, the second mold tool  798  may be compressed against the glass workpiece  752  to limit intrusion of heated fluid between the glass workpiece  752  and the second mold tool  798 . Compression of the second mold tool  798  against the glass workpiece  752  may also restrict movement of the glass workpiece  752  in the horizontal (x, y) and vertical (z) directions. As shown in  FIG.  7   , the first mold tool  792  defines a recess  795 . 
       FIG.  8    schematically shows an operation of removing a molded glass workpiece  553  from two mold tools  492 ,  498 . In the example of  FIG.  8   , the molded glass workpiece  553  defines a central first portion  562  which is generally planar and a second portion  564  extending at an obtuse angle with respect to the central first portion, an example of which was previously shown in  FIG.  2   . A peripheral third portion  566  of the molded glass workpiece extends from the second portion  564  and may serve as a flange. At least part of this peripheral third portion  566  was positioned between the first and the second mold tools at the end of the forming operation. This peripheral third portion may be trimmed as desired to produce the desired shape of the glass component. 
       FIG.  9    shows an example of a glass component  934  defining a three-dimensional shape having an undercut. The glass component  934  may be an example of a housing for an electronic device. The glass component  934  defines a substantially planar rear portion  944  and a curved side portion  946  extending from the rear surface and defining an undercut. The undercut may be formed, in part, by deforming the glass workpiece into an appropriately shaped recess of a mold tool. 
     In the example of  FIG.  9   , the curved side portion  946  extends around a periphery of the planar rear portion  944  and defines a side wall of the glass component. The substantially planar rear portion  944  and the curved side portion  946  together define a cavity  948  and the curved side portion defines an opening  947  to the cavity. The curved side portion  946  is shaped so that the interior surface of the side wall defines an undercut (e.g., a recessed portion) with respect to the opening  947 . The curved side portion  946  may also, in a cross-section along a width of the glass component  934 , define a concave curvature. The curved side portion  946  shown in  FIG.  9    is shaped so that the exterior surface of the side wall, in a cross-section along a width of the glass component  934 , defines a convex curvature. The glass component may have a wall thickness in a range from 300 microns to 2 mm in some embodiments. 
       FIG.  10    shows an example of a molded glass workpiece  1054  in a mold tool  1072   a . The molded glass workpiece  1054  of  FIG.  10    may be trimmed to obtain the glass component  934  as previously described with respect to  FIGS.  3  and  8   . In particular, a peripheral portion  1066  of the molded glass workpiece may be removed to produce a glass component having an undercut, such as previously described with respect to  FIG.  9   . The shape of the molded glass workpiece  1054  may be produced by using a two-part mold insert for the lower mold tool.  FIG.  10    shows one part  1072   a  of such a two-part mold insert. 
     In some cases, the molded glass workpiece  1054  is formed by deforming a glass workpiece so that stretching of the glass workpiece occurs. To facilitate stretching of the glass workpiece, a peripheral portion of the glass workpiece may be secured between the first and the second mold tools so that the sliding of the glass workpiece between the mold tools is limited. In some cases, the glass workpiece may be sized to allow for thickness reduction during stretching. To produce a shape having undercut features similar to the shape of the molded glass workpiece  1054 , a thickness of the glass workpiece prior to the forming operation may be from about 1 mm to about 3 mm or from about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm. The temperature of the portion of the glass being formed may be about equal to the working point. The thickness of the molded portion of the molded glass workpiece may be substantially uniform or may vary in thickness as desired. 
       FIG.  11    shows a block diagram of a sample electronic device that can incorporate a glass component as described herein. The schematic representation depicted in  FIG.  11    may correspond to devices depicted in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . However,  FIG.  11    may also more generally represent other types of electronic devices with glass components as described herein. 
     In embodiments, an electronic device  1100  may include sensors  1120  to provide information regarding configuration and/or orientation of the electronic device in order to control the output of the display. For example, a portion of the display  1108  may be turned off, disabled, or put in a low energy state when all or part of the viewable area of the display  1108  is blocked or substantially obscured. As another example, the display  1108  may be adapted to rotate the display of graphical output based on changes in orientation of the device  1100  (e.g., 90 degrees or 180 degrees) in response to the device  1100  being rotated. 
     The electronic device  1100  also includes a processor  1106  operably connected with a computer-readable memory  1102 . The processor  1106  may be operatively connected to the memory  1102  component via an electronic bus or bridge. The processor  1106  may be implemented as one or more computer processors or microcontrollers configured to perform operations in response to computer-readable instructions. The processor  1106  may include a central processing unit (CPU) of the device  1100 . Additionally, and/or alternatively, the processor  1106  may include other electronic circuitry within the device  1100  including application specific integrated chips (ASIC) and other microcontroller devices. The processor  1106  may be configured to perform functionality described in the examples above. 
     The memory  1102  may include a variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, including, for example, read access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), or flash memory. The memory  1102  is configured to store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and other persistent software elements. 
     The electronic device  1100  may include control circuitry  1110 . The control circuitry  1110  may be implemented in a single control unit and not necessarily as distinct electrical circuit elements. As used herein, “control unit” will be used synonymously with “control circuitry.” The control circuitry  1110  may receive signals from the processor  1106  or from other elements of the electronic device  1100 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  11   , the electronic device  1100  includes a battery  1114  that is configured to provide electrical power to the components of the electronic device  1100 . The battery  1114  may include one or more power storage cells that are linked together to provide an internal supply of electrical power. The battery  1114  may be operatively coupled to power management circuitry that is configured to provide appropriate voltage and power levels for individual components or groups of components within the electronic device  1100 . The battery  1114 , via power management circuitry, may be configured to receive power from an external source, such as an alternating current power outlet. The battery  1114  may store received power so that the electronic device  1100  may operate without connection to an external power source for an extended period of time, which may range from several hours to several days. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device  1100  includes one or more input devices  1118 . The input device  1118  is a device that is configured to receive input from a user or the environment. The input device  1118  may include, for example, a push button, a touch-activated button, a capacitive touch sensor, a touch screen (e.g., a touch-sensitive display or a force-sensitive display), a capacitive touch button, a dial, a crown, or the like. In some embodiments, the input device  1118  may provide a dedicated or primary function, including, for example, a power button, volume buttons, home buttons, scroll wheels, and camera buttons. 
     The device  1100  may also include one or more sensors or sensor modules  1120 , such as a force sensor, a capacitive sensor, an accelerometer, a barometer, a gyroscope, a proximity sensor, a light sensor, or the like. In some cases, the device  1100  includes a sensor array (also referred to as a sensing array) which includes multiple sensors  1120 . For example, a sensor array associated with a protruding feature of a cover member may include an ambient light sensor, a Lidar sensor, and a microphone. As previously discussed with respect to  FIG.  1 B , one or more camera modules may also be associated with the protruding feature. The sensors  1120  may be operably coupled to processing circuitry. In some embodiments, the sensors  1120  may detect deformation and/or changes in configuration of the electronic device and be operably coupled to processing circuitry that controls the display based on the sensor signals. In some implementations, output from the sensors  1120  is used to reconfigure the display output to correspond to an orientation or folded/unfolded configuration or state of the device. Example sensors  1120  for this purpose include accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and other similar types of position/orientation sensing devices. In additional examples, the sensors  1120  may include a microphone, an acoustic sensor, a light sensor (including ambient light, infrared (IR) light, and ultraviolet (UV) light), an optical facial recognition sensor, a depth measuring sensor (e.g., a time of flight sensor), a health monitoring sensor (e.g., an electrocardiogram (ERG) sensor, a heart rate sensor, a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor, and/or a pulse oximeter), a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor), or other types of sensing device. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device  1100  includes one or more output devices  1104  configured to provide output to a user. The output device  1104  may include a display  1108  that renders visual information generated by the processor  1106 . The output device  1104  may also include one or more speakers to provide audio output. The output device  1104  may also include one or more haptic devices that are configured to produce a haptic or tactile output along an exterior surface of the device  1100 . 
     The display  1108  may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an LED-backlit LCD display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an active layer organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display, an organic electroluminescent (EL) display, an electrophoretic ink display, or the like. If the display  1108  is a liquid-crystal display or an electrophoretic ink display, the display  1108  may also include a backlight component that can be controlled to provide variable levels of display brightness. If the display  1108  is an organic light-emitting diode or an organic electroluminescent-type display, the brightness of the display  1108  may be controlled by modifying the electrical signals that are provided to display elements. In addition, information regarding configuration and/or orientation of the electronic device may be used to control the output of the display as described with respect to input devices  1118 . In some cases, the display is integrated with a touch and/or force sensor in order to detect touches and/or forces applied along an exterior surface of the device  1100 . 
     The electronic device  1100  may also include a communication port  1112  that is configured to transmit and/or receive signals or electrical communication from an external or separate device. The communication port  1112  may be configured to couple to an external device via a cable, adaptor, or other type of electrical connector. In some embodiments, the communication port  1112  may be used to couple the electronic device  1100  to a host computer. 
     The electronic device  1100  may also include at least one accessory  1116 , such as a camera, a flash for the camera, or other such device. The camera may be part of a camera assembly that may be connected to other parts of the electronic device  1100  such as the control circuitry  1110 . 
     As used herein, the phrase “one or more of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “one or more of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “one or more of A, B, and C” or “one or more of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. In addition, as used herein the phrase “one or more of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” separating the items, does not require selection of one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided. 
     As used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” “generally,” “similar,” and the like are used to account for relatively small variations, such as a variation of +/−10%, +/−5%, +/−2%, or +/−1%. In addition, use of the term “about” in reference to the endpoint of a range may signify a variation of +/−10%, +/−5%, +/−2%, or +/−1% of the endpoint value. In addition, disclosure of a range in which at least one endpoint is described as being “about” a specified value includes disclosure of the range in which the endpoint is equal to the specified value. 
     The following discussion applies to the electronic devices described herein to the extent that these devices may be used to obtain personally identifiable information data. It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20211216
Publication Date: 20240820
Grant Date: 20240820
Priority Date: 20201217
Inventors: MESCHKE, ANDREW J.
JOHANNESSEN, THOMAS
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "C03B23/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03B23/0302", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03B23/0305", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03B23/0302", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 79686849