PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9575507-B1
Application Number: US-201514843962-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Crack mitigation in an optically transparent exterior of a portable electronic device

Abstract:
A cover glass including a center region and an outer region abutting the center region at an interface. The interface inhibits crack propagation from the outer region to the center region and vice versa. In another embodiment the cover glass may include mitigation voids introduced into the cover glass to inhibit crack propagation. The interface may be formed from the mitigation voids.

Claims:
We claim: 
     
       1. A cover glass of an electronic device, comprising:
 a center region formed of a first material having a first index of refraction; and 
 an outer region formed of a second material having a second index of refraction approximately equal to the first index of refraction; wherein 
 the center region abuts the outer region at an interface; and 
 the interface is operative to stop propagation of a crack either from the outer region to the inner region, or from the inner region to the outer region. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first and second materials are the same; and 
 the first and second materials are optically transparent. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second materials are each selected from glass, sapphire, ceramic, or polymer. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface comprises a set of mitigation voids in the cover glass. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer region is bonded to the center region by one of adhesive, diffusion bonding, direct casting, injection molding, or brazing. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface permits movement of the outer region relative to the center region when a force is exerted on at least one of the outer and center regions. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the outer region is formed from a compliant material. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the outer and center regions cooperatively form a face of the cover glass; and 
 the interface is perpendicular to the face. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the outer and center regions cooperatively form a face of the cover glass; and 
 the interface extends at a non-right angle from the face. 
 
     
     
       10. A portable electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a display at least partially within the housing; 
 a cover glass overlying the display and affixed to the housing, the cover glass defining at least one mitigation void therein, the at least one mitigation void part of a pattern within the cover glass operative to inhibit crack propagation. 
 
     
     
       11. The portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the pattern is a broken line extending between a top face and a bottom face of the cover glass. 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one mitigation void is operative to redirect a crack propagating through the cover glass. 
     
     
       13. The portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one mitigation void is no greater than 100 microns in any dimension. 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the cover glass is formed from sapphire. 
     
     
       15. A method for making a cover glass for a portable electronic device, comprising:
 forming a pane of a cover glass from sapphire; 
 forming a frame of a cover glass from sapphire; and 
 arranging the pane and the frame to abut at an interface configured to permit the frame and the pane to move with respect to one another under an induced stress. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the frame and pane are formed from a unitary cover glass. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the operations of forming the pane and forming the frame are done at the same time by creating a set of mitigation voids in the sapphire, thereby defining the pane and the frame. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the pane moves with respect to the frame by slipping; and 
 the induced stress results from an impact. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the frame is thicker than the pane. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the interface comprises at least one mitigation void.

Description:
FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate to preventing crack propagation in a material, and more particularly to mitigating cracks in a portion of an exterior of a portable electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable electronic device use has become ubiquitous in modern society. Users have come to depend upon these devices to provide information, entertainment and to communicate with other individuals or entities. Thus, devices such as smartphones, laptop computers, tablets, watches and other devices are carried about by users as they proceed through their daily activities. 
     This ubiquitous use exposes such devices to the possibility of damage near-constantly. Certain portions of a device, such as a cover glass, may be especially susceptible to damage in the form of cracks or other types of breakage. For example, breakage may occur from drops or other impacts on (or to) the cover glass or another part of the portable electronic device. These impact events, as well as other stress and/or strain forces exerted on the cover glass, may result in the generation and propagation of cracks that may deleteriously affect the user&#39;s experience and appreciation of the visual display provided by the portable electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment described herein may take the form of a cover glass of an electronic device, comprising: a center region formed of a first material having a first index of refraction; and an outer region formed of a second material having a second index of refraction approximately equal to the first index of refraction; wherein the center region abuts the outer region at an interface; and the interface is operative to stop propagation of a crack between the frame and the pane. 
     Another embodiment may take the form of a portable electronic device comprising: a housing; a display at least partially within the housing; a cover glass overlying the display and affixed to the housing, the cover glass defining at least one mitigation void therein, the at least one mitigation void part of a pattern within the cover glass operative to inhibit crack propagation. 
     Yet another embodiment takes the form of a method for making a cover glass for a portable electronic device comprising: forming a pane of a cover glass from sapphire; forming a frame of a cover glass from sapphire; and attaching the pane to the frame at an interface configured to prevent crack propagation between the frame and the pane. 
     The various embodiments generally include or define a cover glass that is resistant to and inhibits crack propagation. In one embodiment, an outer region and a center region are bonded together at an interface between the two. The outer region and center region may be the same material in one embodiment, while in another embodiment they may be comprised of different materials. In some embodiments, they are formed from different materials having the same (or similar) index of refraction, which makes the two pieces appear as one. The interface between the portions provides a crack inhibiting boundary and may prevent crack propagation across the face of the cover glass on the portable electronic device. 
     The interface may be implemented with varying interface orientations. In one embodiment the interface is angular while in another embodiment the interface is perpendicular to the face of the cover glass. The bonding of the center region and the outer region may be accomplished by diffusion bonding or other suitable methods. 
     In another embodiment, micro-voids or other mitigation voids are introduced into the cover glass to inhibit crack propagation. For example, the mitigation voids may be located near a perimeter of the cover glass where most impacts occur and thus where most cracks begin. In one embodiment, the mitigation voids may be made by laser ablation. These mitigation voids may stop or otherwise re-direct the propagation of the crack across the face of the cover glass. In another embodiment, the mitigation voids may be introduced in a pattern within the cover glass to localize any cracks within a portion of the pattern. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a portable electronic device; 
         FIG. 2  shows a portable electronic device with a crack in the cover glass; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a cover glass with edge frame; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a sample cover glass and frame with a crack in the frame; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a sample cover glass and frame with a crack in the cover glass; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of one sample cover glass through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 , showing one version of an interface; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of edge of another sample cover glass through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 , showing another version of an interface; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of edge of still another sample cover glass through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 , showing another version of an interface; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cover glass, showing an object and the cover glass after impact of the object on the cover glass; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the cover glass of  FIG. 9 , showing damage resulting from the impact; 
         FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of a cover glass illustrating the effect of an impact on a frame of the cover glass; 
         FIG. 12  is a side cross-sectional view of a cover glass including mitigation voids in the material structure; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 12  showing crack propagation across an mitigation void pattern; and 
         FIG. 14A  shows a cover glass including mitigation voids forming a pattern in the cover glass; 
         FIG. 14B  shows a cover glass having a second sample pattern formed from mitigation voids; 
         FIG. 15  is a flow diagram of one method for making a cover glass; and 
         FIG. 16  is a flow diagram of an alternate method for making a cover glass. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like structure throughout each of the various figures. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-16 . 
     Generally, embodiments described herein may relate or take the form of a cover glass or other portion of a housing that is configured to stop, redirect, or reduce propagation of cracks. The cover glass (or portion of the housing) may be optically transparent or translucent, although this is not necessary. In embodiments, an outer region may fully or partially surround or otherwise be adjacent to a center region. The outer region and center region may abut one another at an interface. Cracks originating in the outer region may stop or be redirected by the interface in order to prevent the crack from extending into the center region, and vice versa. 
       FIG. 1  shows a portable electronic device  101 . Portable electronic device  101  includes a housing  102  and a cover glass  103 . A display (not shown) is contained within housing  102  and may be visible to a user through cover glass  103 . Housing  102  includes corners  104  and side edges  105 . Various materials may be used to make cover glass  103 , including sapphire, silicon glass, various plastics, and polymers, each of which is often brittle, and thus susceptible to fractures. In addition to impacts directly on cover glass  103 , corners  104  and edges  105  of housing  102  are susceptible to impact events which may cause cracking of cover glass  103  adjacent to those corners  104  and edges  105 . In particular, cracking may occur if impacts on housing  102  generate stress on cover glass  103  where it is attached to housing  102  around its periphery. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , portable electronic device  201  may include a cover glass  202  contained in a housing  203 . The cover glass  202  typically includes a top face  205 , a bottom face opposite the top face, and at least one side surface or side face connecting the two. The top and bottom faces may be substantially planar and formed by a combination of the center and outer regions, although this is not necessary. In other embodiments, the top face, bottom face, and/or side surface(s) may be non-planar, including forming a curved surface. A crack  204  is shown across the top face  205  of cover glass  202 ; in some cases the crack  204  may extend entirely through the cover glass  202  to a bottom face opposite the top face. Crack  204  may start adjacent an impact point, such as a direct impact on the top face  205  of cover glass  202  or a corresponding part of a side surface. Crack  204  can propagate across top face  205  of cover glass  202  due to environmental conditions, such as fluctuating temperature, or due to additional mechanical stress, such as flexing of top face  205 , which can enable and/or accelerate the propagation of crack  204  through top face  205  and/or the entirety of the cover glass  202 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front view of one sample cover glass  301  having a center region  302  formed from a substantially optically transparent material and an outer region  303  also of a substantially optically transparent material; the outer region is typically positioned around the periphery of the center region. The sample cover glass is shown as a rectangle but may have any suitable shape including, for example, rounded corners as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The center region and outer region may be formed in any of a variety of shapes and dimensions. Typically, the center and outer regions contact one another, and are affixed to one another, at an interface. In many embodiments, the center and outer regions may be affixed to one another along an entirety of the interface, while in others they may be affixed to each other only at portions or parts of the interface. 
     The center region  302  is also referred to herein as a “pane” and the outer region  303  is also referred to herein as a “frame.” Further, it should be appreciated that the center region  302  need not be a center of the cover glass  301  or housing portion, just as the outer region  303  need not extend fully or partially around the center region in all embodiments. 
     In one embodiment, frame  303  and pane  302  may be formed from the same material such as silicon glass, sapphire glass, polymers or other suitable materials. In other embodiments, frame  303  and pane  302  may be formed from different materials. As one example, frame  303  and pane  302  may be made from different materials having approximately the same index of refraction such that the human eye may not discern any break or separation line between the frame and pane, or such separation may be difficult to see. Alternately, one or both of the frame  303  and pane  302  may have one or more coatings to modify the index of refraction of the particular piece in order to more closely match the indices. The frame and pane may have identical thicknesses, or one may be thicker than the other. For example, the frame may be thicker than the pane since many impacts occur at an edge of the frame; by thickening the frame relative to the pane, crack propagation may be less likely to occur in the frame. 
     In some embodiments, pane  302  may be silicon glass while frame  303  may be formed from sapphire glass, polymers, ceramics and transparent ceramics, or other suitable material. In other embodiments, pane  302  may be made from sapphire glass while frame  303  may be formed from silicon glass or any of various polymers. Either of both of pane  302  and frame  303  may be formed from sapphire having a particular crystallographic plane orientation, such that a particular crystallographic plane (e.g., A-plane, C-plane, M-plane and so on) forms a particular part of the frame and/or pane. For example, frame  303  may have a first plane defining its top surface while pane  302  has a second plane defining its top surface. The crystallographic planes may be the same or different. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , pane  302  and adjacent frame  303  meet, abut, and/or are adjacent at an interface  304 . Interface  304  alternately may be (or may incorporate or utilize) a bond between pane and frame and may be created by (or may utilize) diffusion bonding, epoxy gluing, brazing, laser bonding, frit bonding, injection molding, extruding, and/or casting of frame  303  directly onto or around pane  302 , in order to bond the frame and pane. Interface  304  typically is made as indistinguishable as possible such that a user may view the top face of cover glass without seeing interface  304 . A near-seamless interface  304  also enhances the cosmetic appearance of cover glass  301  and thus the overall cosmetic appearance of any associated portable electronic device. Further, any adhesive or the like at or forming the interface  304  may be index-matched (e.g., have the same or similar index of refraction) to one or both of the pane  302  and frame  303  in order to create a seamless or near-seamless appearance. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a cover glass  401  having an outer region or frame  403  surrounding the periphery of a center region or pane  402  with an interface  404  therebetween, similar to the cover glass  301  of  FIG. 3 . Here, however, frame  403  includes a crack  405 . The crack  405  may propagate across frame  403  but does not propagate past interface  404  or into pane  402 , since the pane  402  and frame  403  are separate pieces. That is, crack  405  in cover glass  401  stops at interface  404  due to the change in materials. Further, the interface  404  generally disperses at least some of the energy of the crack  405 . Crack  405  thus may be limited to the frame  403  such that the pane  402  remains undamaged. 
       FIG. 5  shows a front view of a cover glass  501  with an outer region or frame  503  surrounding a center (or inner) region or pane  502  at an interface  504 , as with the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Here, however, pane  502  has a crack  505  as opposed to the crack in frame  403  in  FIG. 4 . As shown, the crack  505  does not extend into frame  503  but stops at interface  504 . Crack  505  in cover glass  501  stops at interface  504  for the same reasons as discussed previously herein. For example, the interface may prevent crack propagation and/or may disperse some energy of the crack rather than passing that energy to the pane from the frame. 
     The interface between the pane and the frame may be implemented at various angles to provide both manufacturing advantages and strength improvement. For example, in some embodiments, strength of the bond between the pane and frame may be improved by providing an angled interface as will be explained below. In other embodiments, a perpendicular interface may be employed. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sample cover glass  601 , taken through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  and showing the frame  602  attached to the pane  603  at interface  604 . In this embodiment, interface  604  is approximately perpendicular to the top face  605  of pane  603 . Top face  605  is the face seen by a user of a portable electronic device, while a bottom face of the cover glass is typically the surface of the glass within the associated electronic device and/or opposite top face. A side surface or side face may extend from the top face to the bottom face. In many embodiments, the outer region/frame and center region/pane cooperate to form the top and bottom faces; the side surface(s) may be formed solely by the frame or may be formed by both the frame and center region. Frame  602  is rounded at the portion adjacent top face  605  but may be straight or angled in other embodiments. Rounded corners may be less prone to cracking or chipping in certain embodiments and/or uses. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another sample cover glass  701  and taken through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 , showing the frame  702  attached to pane  703  at angular interface  704 . In this embodiment, interface  704  is a non-right angle with respect to the top face  705  of pane  703 . This non-right angle may provide a longer interface and thus more bond surface. Further, the non-right angle may help in resisting disconnection of pane and frame due to an impact. Additionally, the non-right angle of the interface  704  may improve the cosmetic appearance of the interface. 
     In this embodiment, angular interface  704  is shown extending inwardly from the top face  705  of pane  703  to the bottom face  706 , which is adjacent to a display when the cover glass  701  is used in an electronic device. As with the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , frame  702  is shown with rounded corners at the portion adjacent face  705 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of yet another sample cover glass  801 , again taken through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  and showing the frame  802  attached to pane  803  at an angular (e.g., non-right) interface  804 . In this embodiment, angular interface  804  extends outwardly from top face  805  toward bottom face  806 , which may be adjacent or above a display when the cover glass  801  is used as part of an electronic device. 
     The strength of the interface between the frame  802  and pane  803  enhances the structural integrity of the cover glass and may stop crack propagation between a pane and frame. For example, the interface may dissipate some or all energy that would otherwise propagate a crack between frame and pane (or vice versa) by redirecting that energy along the interface. The bond between frame and pane may be easier to break than the material of either the frame or pane, for example. Likewise, the interface may permit the frame and pane to slip with respect to one another, thereby absorbing or dissipating energy that may otherwise cause or extend a crack or other discontinuity. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional view of a partial cover glass  901  illustrates the effect of an impact on top face  903  from an object  902  which impacts the surface of the portable electronic device. (In the figure, the object is shown spaced apart from the cover glass to more clearly illustrate the impact effects.) The impact as shown is due to the object hitting the cover glass from the direction shown by arrow  907 . Similar damage may be caused by the portable electronic device being dropped and the cover glass impacting an object when it hits the ground. When object  902  impacts top face  903  of cover glass  901 , top face  903  is deformed at  904  and bottom face  905  also deformed. The glass material  906  between surfaces  904  and  905  may be crushed and pulverized between surfaces  904  and  905  or otherwise damaged. In some situations, only a portion of the glass material adjacent surface  904  may be damaged. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a top view of a cover glass  1001  is shown and illustrates dame resulting from impact of a rock  902 , similar to the impact in  FIG. 9 . The impact area  1002  is pulverized or otherwise damaged adjacent surface  904  such that cracks  1003  emanate from the impact area and may propagate across the surface of, and/or through, cover glass  1001 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a cover glass  1101  showing a deformation resulting from an impact, such as described with respect to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The impact may occur on pane  1102  or frame  1103  of cover glass  1101 . If the impact occurs on frame  1103  such as for example, at point  1104 , a slight bulge in pane may be induced at point  1105  due to the stress exerted by impact  1104 . This bulge  1105  may result in a stress fracture in the area of  1105  and, ultimately, crack propagation in pane  1102 . 
     In order to alleviate the stress induced at point  1105 , interface  1106  may permit the frame and/or pane to slip with respect to one another. While interfaces, in some embodiments, have been described above as utilizing a bonding technique such as epoxy glue, diffusion bonding, brazing, casting or other such attachment systems, in some embodiments, interface  1106  could utilize a pliable adhesive between the center region and inner region (e.g., pane  1102  and frame  1103 ). In such embodiments, interface  1106  could be allowed to slip or move to relieve tension between frame  1103  and pane  1102  of the cover glass  1101 , such as in response to a sufficient force exerted on either frame or pane. In some embodiments, the frame  1103  may be allowed to pull away from the pane  1102 , thus inhibiting or confining crack propagation to either the frame  1103  or the pane  1102  depending upon where the crack was initiated. In other embodiments, the frame and pane may move laterally relative to one another in one or more dimensions. In effect, an adhesive failure could be engineered to occur to prevent the impact on one portion of cover glass  1101  such as frame  1103  from inducing a crack in pane  1102 . 
     In other embodiments, frame  1103  could be made from a compliant material so that a crack would either not be initiated in the frame  1103  or propagation would be contained within the frame. In these embodiments, pane  1102  may still be a brittle glass material but the frames  1103  could be made from a compliant material. In other embodiments, panes  1102  could be made from a compliant material and frame could be made from a brittle material while in other embodiments, both panes  1102  and frames  1103  could be made from a compliant material to reduce crack propagation in either or both of pane and frames of the cover glass. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a cross-sectional view of a cover glass  1201  is shown with one or more mitigation voids  1202  introduced therein. The mitigation voids  1202  may inhibit crack propagation throughout the cover glass, as described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 13 . 
     In this embodiment, cover glass  1201  may be subjected to laser beam ablation to vaporize material to form one or more voids  1202  or otherwise introduce voids into cover glass  1201 . While laser ablation is used in one embodiment, it should be understood that any suitable method may be used for introducing mitigation voids  1202  into cover glass  1201 . For example, multiple layers may be used to form the cover glass; a portion of each void may be formed on mating surfaces of each layer, such that the voids are formed when the layers are placed next to one another and/or bonded to one another. 
     In some embodiments, mitigation voids  1202  may be micro-voids introduced into the material. In this embodiment, mitigation voids  1202  are introduced in a broken line approximately perpendicular to face  1203  of cover glass  1201  (e.g., extending from a top face to a bottom face of the cover glass). However, in other embodiments, other patterns of mitigation voids  1202  may be used such as arcuate, circular or other geometric patterns, including arrays of geometric shapes (e.g., squares, circles, and the like). These introduced mitigation voids typically are small (on the order of no more than approximately 100 microns in any given dimension) so as to be substantially invisible to a viewer, although other embodiments may use larger mitigation voids that may be visible to the naked eye, albeit difficult to see. 
     In some embodiments the mitigation voids  1202  may form the interface between the frame and pane; the mitigation voids may be generally aligned in a pattern that mimics the afore-described interface but does not necessarily totally separate the frame and pane. In other words, in this embodiment the frame and pane may be formed from a substantially solid or unitary material and the interface may be formed from a set or series of one or more mitigation voids  1202 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 12  is shown with mitigation voids  1302  illustrated in a cover glass  1301 . In this embodiment, an impact has occurred at point  1303 , which has initiated cracks  1304  in cover glass  1301 . Cracks  1304  propagate through cover glass  1301  but, upon encountering mitigation voids  1302 , cracks  1304  may be either stopped at point  1305  or redirected in another direction, for example to another mitigation void as shown by second crack  1306 . In either instance, cracks  1304  are prevented from propagating further into cover glass  1301 . Mitigation voids  1302  may be void spaces or they may be partially melted spaces in cover glass material  1301 . The crystalline structure of the cover glass material has been altered by laser ablation or other means to create mitigation voids  1302 . These mitigation voids may expand or otherwise absorb energy that might otherwise propagate a crack, thereby preventing or inhibiting one or more cracks from spreading through the structure of cover glass  1301 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14A , in another embodiment, a cover glass  1401  is shown which may include localized regions  1402  created by a mitigation void pattern throughout cover glass  1401 . That is, mitigation voids  1404  are introduced into cover glass  1401  as discussed above but in this embodiment, mitigation voids  1404  are in a pattern adjacent the entire face  1405  of cover glass  1401 . The pattern defines a set of localized regions  1402 . Any impact at a point on face  1405  of cover glass  1401  which generates cracks in cover glass  1401  may be confined within the localized region  1402  of impact, since the mitigation voids may redirect or stop crack propagation. 
       FIG. 14B  illustrates another sample cover glass  1410 , or other portion of an electronic device housing, having localized corner areas  1408 . The corner areas  1408  are bounded by mitigation voids  1404 , similar to the cover glass of  FIG. 14A . Here, however, the mitigation voids  1404  set off areas  1408  around each corner, rather than defining a grid-like pattern. Insofar as many electronic devices are especially susceptible to cracking at or near the corners, the illustrated pattern of mitigation voids  1404  may prevent expansion of cracks, or redirect cracks, away from a portion of the cover glass  1410  covering, overlying or otherwise adjacent a visible display. Further, the relatively minimal pattern of mitigation voids shown in  FIG. 14B  (as compared to that of  FIG. 14A ) may reduce any visual impact on the cover glass  1410  as a whole and particularly on display regions of the cover glass. Further, it should be appreciated that the pattern shown in  FIG. 14B  need not be formed by mitigation voids  1404  but instead may represent a number of interfaces between different outer regions and a center region, as generally described elsewhere herein. 
     For example, in this embodiment, mitigation voids  1404  define a block pattern throughout the upper portion of cover glass  1401  adjacent face  1405 . Thus, cracks  1407  generated by an impact occurring at point  1406  on cover glass face  1405  will be confined by mitigation voids  1404  to a particular block in which the impact occurred. Mitigation voids  1404  are made small enough so as to not interfere with a user&#39;s view of a display  1408  through cover glass  1401 . For example, in one embodiment mitigation voids  1404  may each be about 100 microns in diameter or largest dimension (if the voids are not circular). The overall pattern of voids may define or separate various portions  1402  of cover glass  1401 . The propagation of cracks  1407  is thus inhibited across the face  1405  of cover glass  1401 , thereby enhancing the user experience and satisfaction in viewing displays on a portable electronic device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , a flow diagram of one embodiment  1500  of a method for making a cover glass for a portable electronic device is disclosed. In operation  1501 , a pane of a cover glass is formed. In operation  1502 , a frame of a cover glass is formed and in operation  1503 , the frame is affixed to the pane. The affixation operation  1503  may be accomplished by using an adhesive, laser bonding, casting the frame directly on the pane, or other suitable methods. In operation  1504 , the resulting cover glass structure may be incorporated into a housing of a portable electronic device and adjacent or overlying a display. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , an alternate embodiment  1600  of a method for making a cover glass for a portable electronic device is disclosed. In operation  1601 , a cover glass is formed. In operation  1602 , mitigation voids may be introduced into the cover glass by laser ablation or other suitable means for crystallizing or eliminating portions of the cover glass material. In one embodiment, the mitigation voids are introduced in a row substantially perpendicular to the face of the cover glass around the periphery of the cover glass. In another embodiment, the mitigation voids are introduced into the cover glass in a pattern within and below the entire surface adjacent to the face of the cover glass. In operation  1603 , the resulting cover glass structure may be incorporated into a housing of a portable electronic device and positioned adjacent or overlying a display. 
     While various materials have been disclosed for the frame and panes of a cover glass, it should be understood that the selection of these materials may be altered from the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. The response to temperatures of some materials may change over time as they age and some materials may also change their modulus of elasticity over time. Other material property changes may be accounted for in selecting the most appropriate materials for the various layer embodiments. 
     Likewise, embodiments have been discussed herein with respect to a cover glass of an electronic device. It should be appreciated that the various embodiments, methods and apparatuses may be used in different applications or as different structures. For example, a window or lens of a camera may be formed in accordance with the teachings herein, as may an appliance, a window for a dwelling or vehicle, an input mechanism of an electronic device, and so on. 
     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 target 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: 20150902
Publication Date: 20170221
Grant Date: 20170221
Priority Date: 20150902
Inventors: JONES CHRISTOPHER D.
WILLIAMS ALEXANDER W.
MEMERING DALE N.
ROGERS MATTHEW S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 58017672