PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12210378-B2
Application Number: US-202318233362-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic devices with structural glass members

Abstract:
Electronic devices may be provided having internal components mounted to a structural glass support member. The structural glass support member may have a planar front surface that forms a front surface of the device. The structural glass support member may have bent portions that form sidewall surfaces of the device. Portions of the structural glass support member may form a transparent display cover layer. A rigid or flexible display may be mounted to the structural glass support member. Additional internal device components may be mounted to the display. A thin enclosure for enclosing the internal components in the device may be mounted to the structural glass support member. The thin enclosure may be mounted to the structural glass support member using a peripheral member. The thin enclosure may be free from attachments to internal components or may be adhesively bonded to one or more internal components.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a glass member defining:
 an exterior surface; 
 an interior surface; and 
 a peripheral surface that extends between the exterior surface and the interior surface; 
 
 a display positioned below the glass member; 
 a mounting feature coupled to the interior surface of the glass member; 
 a housing structure defining a rear surface of the electronic device; and 
 a molded peripheral member:
 formed from an electrically insulating material; 
 at least partially surrounding the display; and 
 coupled to the housing structure and to the mounting feature such that at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the glass member is exposed. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the display is coupled to a first region of the interior surface; and 
 the mounting feature is coupled to a second region of the interior surface. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting feature defines a flange. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing structure defines a plurality of mounting features; and 
 the molded peripheral member engages with the plurality of mounting features. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of mounting features defines a plurality of holes. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is a touch sensitive display. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the molded peripheral member exposes an entirety of the peripheral surface. 
     
     
       8. An electronic device comprising:
 a display; 
 a front cover assembly positioned over the display and comprising:
 a glass member defining a front surface of the electronic device and defining:
 a central portion positioned over the display; and 
 a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and defining an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface; and 
 
 a mounting structure coupled to the peripheral portion of the glass member, the mounting structure comprising:
 a mounting feature coupled to at least a portion of the interior surface of the peripheral portion; and 
 a peripheral member molded over the interior surface of the peripheral portion of the glass member and the mounting feature; and 
 
 
 a housing structure defining a rear surface of the electronic device and coupled to the front cover assembly. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the peripheral member is formed from an electrically insulating material; and 
 the peripheral member at least partially exposes the peripheral surface. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the electrically insulating material is a plastic material. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the electrically insulating material is a composite material. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the glass member defines:
 a front wall of the electronic device that defines the central portion of the glass member; and 
 a portion of a side wall of the electronic device that at least partially defines the peripheral portion of the glass member. 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the glass member further defines a curved transition between the front wall and the portion of the side wall; and 
 the display is a flexible display that extends under the curved transition. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the portion of the side wall is a first portion of the side wall; and 
 the housing structure defines a second portion of the side wall. 
 
     
     
       15. A mobile phone comprising:
 a glass member defining a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the front and the rear surfaces; 
 a display coupled to a first region of the rear surface that is positioned over the display; 
 a mounting feature coupled to the glass member in a second region of the rear surface that is coplanar with the first region of the rear surface; 
 a peripheral mounting structure formed of a molded material, the peripheral mounting structure:
 at least partially encapsulating the mounting feature without encapsulating the peripheral surface; and 
 at least partially surrounding the display; and 
 
 a housing structure coupled to the glass member and coupled to the peripheral mounting structure. 
 
     
     
       16. The mobile phone of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the glass member is a front glass member; and 
 the mobile phone further comprises a rear glass member. 
 
     
     
       17. The mobile phone of  claim 16 , wherein the rear glass member defines a planar region. 
     
     
       18. The mobile phone of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the mobile phone further comprises an internal component that produces a radio frequency signal; and 
 each of the front glass member and the rear glass member is radio-transparent. 
 
     
     
       19. The mobile phone of  claim 16 , wherein the second region of the rear surface of the front glass member at least partially surrounds the first region of the rear surface. 
     
     
       20. The mobile phone of  claim 15 , wherein the molded material is a polymer material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/748,958, filed May 19, 2022 and titled “Electronic Devices with Structural Glass Members,” which is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/886,532, filed May 28, 2020 and titled “Electronic Devices with Structural Glass Members,” now U.S. Pat. No. 11,340,653, which is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/138,913, filed Sep. 21, 2018 and titled “Electronic Devices with Structural Glass Members,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,712,774, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/840,913, filed Dec. 13, 2017 and titled “Electronic Devices with Structural Glass Members,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,691,165, which is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/310,409, filed Dec. 2, 2011 and titled “Electronic Devices with Structural Glass Members,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,864,403, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, to electronic devices having structural glass support members. 
     Electronic devices such as portable computers and cellular telephones are often provided with rigid housings made from plastic, metal or composite materials that serve as support structures for device components. A rigid housing commonly serves as the primary mounting structure onto which device components are assembled. Internal components such as batteries, printed circuit boards and displays are commonly mounted to the rigid housings. Transparent display cover layers made from plastic or glass are typically mounted to the rigid housing. Device components such as display cover layers are often mounted to rigid housings using adhesives or mechanical mounting members. 
     Mounting device components to rigid housing support structures puts various functional requirements such as requirements on rigidity, strength, and shape of the rigid housing. Mounting device components to rigid housing support structures may require additional mechanical components for mounting components to the rigid housing support structures. Functional requirements on rigid housing support structures and additional mechanical components mounted in the rigid housing may increase the volume, width, height, or depth of a device making the device less aesthetically pleasing and less desirable to consumers in a market that values lighter, thinner devices. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide improved electronic devices having simplified housing structures. 
     SUMMARY 
     Electronic devices may be provided with structural glass support members. A structural glass support member may be configured to form a planar front surface for the device. The structural glass support member may be configured to form planar rear and sidewall surfaces for the device. Internal device components may be mounted to the structural glass support members. The structural glass support members may function as a primary structural member for the device. 
     The electronic device may have a rigid or flexible display. The rigid or flexible display may be mounted on an internal surface of the structural glass support member. The structural glass support member may form a transparent cover layer for the flexible display so that the display is visible through the structural glass support member. The display may include multiple display layers attached to each other using adhesive. Adhesive bonds between display layers may be able to support mounting of device components to the display. Displays may include a touch-sensitive layer that allows a user to provide touch input to an electronic device. Display pixels on a display may be used to display visual information to the user through the structural glass support member. 
     The electronic device may have internal components such as batteries, printed circuit boards, rigid or flexible integrated circuits or other components. Internal components may be mounted to the display using adhesive materials or other mounting mechanisms. 
     The electronic device may have an enclosure attached to the structural glass support member. The enclosure may be a cosmetic covering that blocks internal components mounted to the structural glass support member from view. The enclosure may be provided with ergonomic features designed to enhance the feel of a device to a user. The enclosure may be exclusively mounted to the structural glass support member or may have portions mounted to one or more internal device components. The enclosure may have a thickness that is less than the thickness of the structural glass support member. The structural glass support member may be provided with one or more mounting features on or near an edge of the structural glass support member. Mounting features may include openings in the structural glass support member, surface features on a surface of the structural glass support member, or additional mounting components attached to the structural glass support member. The enclosure may be mounted to the structural glass support member using a peripheral member. The peripheral member may include molded portions formed in openings in the structural glass support member. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device with structural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded side view of an illustrative electronic device having a planar structural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device having a convex structural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device having a structural glass support member with bent portions that form sidewall structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device having multiple structural glass support members with bent portions that form sidewall structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device having a tubular structural glass support member with and a component insert in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device in the vicinity of an interface between an enclosure and a structural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device in the vicinity of an interface between an enclosure and a structural glass support member with a notch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device in the vicinity of an interface between an enclosure and a structural glass support member with a bent portion that forms a sidewall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device in the vicinity of a fastener at an interface between an enclosure and a structural glass support member with a bent portion that forms a sidewall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device in the vicinity of an interface between an enclosure and a structural glass support member that has mounting holes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  12    a top view of a portion of an illustrative structural glass support member that has mounting holes with protective members in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative structural glass support member that has a protective member on an edge of the structural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative structural glass support member that has a protective member on a flange of the structural glass support member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  15    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative structural glass support member that has surface features on peripheral edge of the structural glass support member for mounting a protective member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  16    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative structural glass support member that has surface features on a peripheral edge of the structural glass support member for mounting a protective member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative structural glass support member that has surface features on peripheral edge of the structural glass support member for mounting a protective member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative structural glass support member that has a protective member on peripheral edge of structural glass support member having mounting holes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device in the vicinity of a mounting member at an interface between an enclosure and a structural glass support member that has mounting holes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device in the vicinity of a mounting member at an interface between an enclosure having mounting holes and a structural glass support member that has mounting holes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  21    is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device in the vicinity of a mounting member at an interface between two structural glass support members that have mounting holes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An electronic device may be provided that has a structural glass support member. 
     An illustrative electronic device of the type that may be provided with a structural glass support member is shown in  FIG.  1   . Electronic device  10  may be a portable electronic device or other suitable electronic device. For example, electronic device  10  may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a somewhat smaller device such as a wrist-watch device, pendant device, or other wearable or miniature device, a cellular telephone, a media player, etc. 
     Device  10  may include a structural glass support member such as structural glass support member  20  (sometimes referred to herein as glass support member, glass member, or structural glass). Structural glass support member  20  may cover a portion, all, or substantially all of the outer surface of a display such as display  14 . Structural glass support member  20  may form a planar or curved front surface for device  10 . Structural glass support member  20  may form a planar or curved rear surface for device  10 . Structural glass support member  20  may form one or more planar or curved sidewall surfaces for device  10 . Structural glass support member  20  may be formed from a single piece of glass or may be formed from more than one separate pieces of glass. Buttons such as button  16  may pass through openings in structural glass support member  20 . Openings may also be formed in the structural glass support member  20  to form a speaker port such as speaker port  18 . Openings in enclosure  12  or structural glass support member  20  may be used to form input-output ports, microphone ports, speaker ports, button opening, etc. 
     Glass member  20  may include mounting features for mounting an enclosure such as enclosure  12  to glass member  20 . Mounting features may include surface features, holes, flanges, notches, cutouts, etc. Glass member  20  may be substantially planar, may have a convex or concave shape, may form a U-channel, may form a glass tube structure into which an insert having operational components is inserted, or may have any other shape. Glass member  20  may be bent, formed, cut, slumped, etched, cast, molded, machined or otherwise shaped during manufacturing of device  10  to form sidewall structures, rear enclosures, curved front surfaces, mounting features, openings, holes, notches, cutouts or other features. Glass member  20  may be a primary structural component of device  10 . Internal components, mounting members, device housings or other components of device  10  may be mounted to the primary structural member formed by glass member  20 . Glass member  20  may provide resistance to bending, squeezing, twisting or other forces that may deform device  10 . Glass member  20  may provide impact protection for device  10  in the event of a drop. Glass member  20  may have a thickness that allows glass member  20  to provide structural rigidity for device  10  such as a thickness from 0.6 mm to 1 mm, from 0.6 mm to 2 mm, from 0.8 mm to 1 mm, from 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm, more than 0.6 mm or less than 2 mm. 
     Device  10  may include a housing such as enclosure  12 . Enclosure  12 , (sometimes referred to as a case, thin enclosure, housing, housing structure, or thin housing), may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. In some situations, parts of enclosure  12  may be formed from dielectric or other low-conductivity material. In other situations, enclosure  12  or at least some of the structures that make up enclosure  12  may be formed from metal elements. Enclosure  12  may include a rear enclosure structure such as a planar glass member, plastic structures, metal structures, fiber-composite structures, or other structures. Enclosure  12  may also have sidewall structures. The sidewall structures may be formed from extended bent portions of the rear enclosure structure or may be formed from one or more separate members. Enclosure  12  may form a cosmetic covering for internal components of device  10 . Enclosure  12  may provide rear impact protection for device  10  in the event of a drop of device  10 . Enclosure  12  may form a fire enclosure for device  10 . Enclosure  12  may include one or more ergonomic features such as curved surfaces, plastic gripping members, or other features for improving the feel of a device in, for example, the hand of a user. Some or all of enclosure  12  may be radio-transparent, (i.e., may allow radio wavelength communications to pass) while other portions of enclosure  12  may block radio communications. Enclosure  12  may be mounted to glass support member  20 . Portions of enclosure  12  may be mounted to internal components of device  10 . Enclosure  12  may have a thickness that is less than the thickness of glass member  20 . Enclosure  12  may have a rigidity that is less resistive to bending, twisting, breaking or otherwise deforming of enclosure  12  than glass member  20  is resistive to bending, twisting, breaking or otherwise deforming of glass member  20 . Mounting enclosure  12  to glass member  20  may prevent enclosure  12  from deforming under typical bending, twisting, breaking, squeezing or other deforming forces exerted on enclosure  12  during normal use of device  10 . 
     A bezel or other peripheral member may partially or completely surround device  10  running along the interface between enclosure  12  and a structural glass support member such as structural glass support member  20 . The bezel may, for example, be formed from a conductive material. With the illustrative configuration shown in  FIG.  1   , enclosure  12  includes a peripheral member such as peripheral member  22 . Peripheral member  22  may have vertical sidewall structures, curved or angled sidewall structures, or other suitable shapes. Peripheral member  22  may be formed from stainless steel or other metals or other conductive or non-conductive materials such as plastics (e.g., polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), etc.), silicon, rubber, or other materials. In some configurations, peripheral member  22  may form a protective member that protects an edge, hole, flange or other feature of structural glass support member  20 . In some configurations, peripheral member  22  may form a mounting structure for mounting enclosure  12  to structural glass support member  20 . 
     Device  10  may have a flexible or rigid display such as display  14 . Display structures such as liquid crystal display components, organic light emitting diodes, indium tin oxide electrodes, color filters, polarizers, or other display structures may be covered by glass member  20 . Display  14  may be formed from multiple layers of material. These layers may include a touch sensor layer such as a layer on which a pattern of indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes or other suitable transparent electrodes have been deposited to form a capacitive touch sensor array. These layers may also include a layer that contains an array of display pixels. The touch sensor layer and the display layer may be formed using flexible sheets of polymer or other substrates having thicknesses of 10 microns to 0.5 mm or other suitable thicknesses (as an example). Display  14  may be mounted to glass member  20  of device  10  using adhesives such as Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA), foam-PSA laminate, liquid adhesive, or using discrete bonding members such as screws, snaps, fasteners, rivets or other mounting structures or adhesives. Layers of display  14  may be bonded to other layers of display  14  using transparent or opaque adhesives. Transparent or opaque adhesives used to bond touch-layers, display-layers and other layers of display  14  to each other may be formed so that adhesive bonds between layers are strong enough to withstand pulling, twisting, bending or other forces that may be exerted on display  14  by device members such as glass member  20  or internal components mounted on a side of display  14  opposing a side of display  14  that is mounted to glass member  20 . 
     The display pixel array may be, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) array. Other types of flexible or rigid display pixel arrays may also be formed (e.g., electronic ink displays, LCD displays, etc.). The use of OLED technology to form display  14  is sometimes described herein as an example. This is, however, merely illustrative. Display  14  may be formed using any suitable display technology that is able to withstand forces associated with mounting glass structures and components to opposing sides of the display. The use of flexible displays that are based on OLED technology is merely illustrative. 
     Device  10  may be provided with internal components such as logic boards, printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, memory and storage, batteries, input-output components, etc. Internal components may be mounted to other internal components, may be mounted to display  14 , or may be mounted to glass member  20 . Enclosure  12  may form a housing that surrounds internal components of device  10 . Enclosure  12  may be mounted exclusively or in part to internal components of device  10 . 
     An exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrative device  10  having a structural glass support member and internal components is shown in  FIG.  2   . In the example of  FIG.  2   , glass member  20  is substantially planar. Glass member  20  may be provided with mounting features for mounting an enclosure such as enclosure  12  to glass member  20 . Mounting features may include one or more holes  42  in glass member  20 , protrusions from a peripheral edge such as surface features  44 , ridges such as flanges  48  or other mounting features. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , device  10  may be provided with adhesive layers  34  for mounting device components to structural glass support member  20 . Device components such as display  14  may be attached to structural glass support member  20  using adhesive  34 . Adhesive  34  may be a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA), a foam-PSA laminate, a liquid adhesive, or other adhesive. Adhesive  34  may be a transparent (e.g., optically transmissive) or opaque adhesive. Device  10  may be provided with operational (electrical) components such as internal components  30 . Internal components  30  may include logic boards, printed circuit boards, rigid or flexible circuitry, integrated circuits, memory and storage, batteries, input-output components such as speakers, actuators, etc. or other components. Internal components  30  may be constructed so that internal components  30  are able to withstand loads (e.g., pressures, forces, heat loads, etc.) associated with other components  30 , display  14 , enclosure  12  or other device components that are attached to internal components  30 . For example, internal components  30  may include a battery cell or laminated package of battery cells laminated into a single structured battery pack so that, the battery is able to support other internal components  30 , display  14 , enclosure  12  or other device components that may be attached to the battery. Device  10  may be provided with a heat conducting member such as mid-plate  32 . Mid-plate  32  may be interposed between display  14  and other internal components  30 . Conductive mid-plate  30  may help prevent heat from accumulating in a particular portion of device  10 . Conductive mid-plate  30  may help conduct heat away from display  14  or components  30 . Mid-plate  30  may be mounted to display  14  using one of adhesive layers  34 . Other components may be mounted to mid-plate  30  using one of adhesive layers  34 . This is merely illustrative. Device  10  may be provided without a heat conducting mid-plate such as mid-plate  32 , if desired. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , enclosure  12  may have a rear portion  38  that forms a rear surface for device  10 . Enclosure  12  may have bent portions  36  that form sidewall surfaces for device  10 . Bent portions  36  and rear portion  38  of enclosure  12  may be formed from a single structure or may be formed from multiple joined structures. Enclosure  12  may be formed from plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. 
     Enclosure  12  may be attached to internal components  30  using one of adhesive layers  34 . If desired, device  10  may be provided with peripheral members  22 . Peripheral members  22  may be molded peripheral members that are molded to have a particular shape. Molded peripheral members may be molded into engagement with mounting features on glass member  20 . Peripheral members  22  may be formed from stainless steel or other metals or other conductive or non-conductive materials such as plastic, silicon, rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, or other materials. In some configurations, peripheral member  22  may form a protective member that protects a peripheral edge, a hole, a flange or any other feature of structural glass support member  20 . Portions of peripheral members  22  may be formed on edges, in holes  42 , around flanges  48 , over surface features  44  or on other portions of glass member  20 . Peripheral members  22  may help protect portions of glass member  20  that are particularly vulnerable to damage due to impacts, twisting, squeezing or other forces on glass member  20  during normal use of device  10 . In some configurations, peripheral member  22  may form a mounting structure for mounting enclosure  12  to structural glass support member  20 . Peripheral member  22  may be mounted to glass member  20  using holes  42 , flanges  48 , surface features  44  or other mounting features associated with glass member  20 . Enclosure  12  may be mounted to glass member  20  using peripheral members  22  and, if desired, mounting features such as holes  46  on enclosure  12 . Holes  46  may be formed on bent portions  36  of enclosure  12  or may be formed on other portions such as rear portion  38  of enclosure  12 . In some configurations, enclosure  12  may be formed without bent portions  36 . In configurations in which enclosure  12  is formed without bent portions  36 , holes  46  may be formed in rear portion  38  of enclosure  12 . The example of  FIG.  2    in which glass member  20  is substantially planar is merely illustrative. Glass member  20  may have other shapes. Glass member  20  may have an interior surface  86  interior to device  10  and an exterior surface  89  that forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of device  10 . 
     A cross-sectional side view showing how glass member  20  of device  10  may have a convex outer surface is shown in  FIG.  3   . As shown in  FIG.  3   , structural glass support member  20  may have a convex exterior (outer) surface  54  and an opposing concave interior (inner) surface  56 . In configurations in which glass member  20  has a concave inner surface, display  14  may be a flexible display that is attached to concave inner surface  56  of glass member  20  using adhesive layer  34 . In configurations in which display  14  is attached to concave inner surface  56  so that display  14  conforms to the concave shape of concave inner surface  56 , device  10  may be provided with spacing members such as spacers  52  that allow internal components  30  having planar surfaces to attach to a curved flexible display  14 . Spacers  52  may be attached to display  14  using one of adhesive layers  34 . Internal components  30  may be attached to spacers  52  using one of adhesive layers  34 . Enclosure  12  may be attached to glass member  20  using peripheral members and mounting features such as holes  46 . Enclosure  12  may be attached to glass member using adhesive attachments to internal components  30  interposed between enclosure  12  and glass member  20  using one or more of adhesive layers  34 . Glass member  20  may have a concave interior surface such as surface  56  and may be provided with mounting features such as holes  42 , flanges  48 , surface features  44  or other mounting features. Mounting features may be formed on interior surface  56 , exterior surface  54 , a peripheral edge of glass member  20 , may be formed partially inside and partially outside, wholly inside, or wholly outside, of glass member  20 . 
     A cross-sectional side view showing how glass member  20  of device  10  may have a planar front surface  60  and bent sidewall surfaces  62  forming a U-channel is shown in  FIG.  4   . Glass member  20  may have an interior surface  86  interior to device  10  and an exterior surface  89  that forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of device  10 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , in configurations in which glass member  20  has a planar front surface  60  and bent sidewall surfaces  62 , display  14  may be a flexible display having bent portions  64  that conform to sidewall surfaces  62  of glass member  20 . Sidewall portions  62  of glass member  20  may be provided with mounting features such as holes  42 , flanges  48 , surface features  44  or other mounting features. In order to provide additional protection against damage due to an impact of an external object to glass member  20 , glass member  20  may be provided with one or more bumper members such as bumpers  66 . Bumpers  66  may be formed from plastic, silicon, rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, or other materials. Bumpers  66  may be formed in notches or cutouts on an external surface of glass member  20 . 
     A cross-sectional side view showing how device  10  may be provided with glass member  20  that forms a front surface  60  and sidewall surfaces  62  may be combined with a second structural glass support member  62 ′ forming a rear surface  70  and sidewall portions  62 ′ is shown in  FIG.  5   . Glass member  20  may have an interior surface  86  interior to device  10  and an exterior surface  89  that forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of device  10 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , sidewall portions  62  of glass member  20  and sidewall portions  62 ′ of glass member  20 ′ may form, a sidewall for device  10 . Second structural glass support member  20 ′ may be attached to structural glass support member  20  using peripheral members  22 . Glass member  20  and glass member  20 ′ may be provided with mounting features such as holes  42 , surface features  44 , flanges  48  or other mounting features for attaching peripheral members  22  to glass members  20  and  20 ′. In configurations in which rear surface  70  and portions of device sidewall surfaces such as sidewall surfaces  62 ′ are formed from transparent glass, device  10  may be provided with an opaque mashing layer such as opaque masking layer  72 . Opaque masking layer  72  may be formed on an inner surface of glass member  20 ′. Opaque masking layer  72  may be formed from black ink, black plastic film, silver ink, silver plastic film or opaque masking material of another color. The example of  FIG.  5    in which multiple glass members (i.e., glass members  20  and  20 ′) form front, rear and sidewall surfaces for device  10  is merely illustrative. 
     If desired, glass front, rear, and sidewall surfaces may be formed from a hollow glass member as shown in  FIG.  6   . In the example of  FIG.  6   , structural glass support member  20  forms front surface  60 , rear surface  70  and sidewall surfaces  62  for device  10 . In this example, structural glass support member is a single, hollow, tubular glass structure. In configurations in which glass member  20  is a single tubular glass structure, display  14  may be attached to internal components  30  prior to insertion into the interior of glass member  20 . Display  14  and internal components  30  may be inserted as a single unit into glass member  20  during assembly of device  10 . In configurations in which rear surface  70  and portions of device sidewall surfaces  62  are formed from transparent glass, device  10  may be provided with an opaque masking layer such as opaque masking layer  72 . 
       FIGS.  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 , and  11    show illustrative embodiments of mounting structures associated with structural glass support member  20  for attaching enclosure  12  to glass member  20 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , glass member  20  may be provided with one or more protrusions from interior surface  86  of glass member such as flanges  48 . Portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be attached to structural glass support member  20  by attaching portion  78  to flange  48  using an adhesive such as adhesive  74 . Adhesive  74  may be a PSA, a foam-PSA laminate, a liquid adhesive, or other adhesive. Portion  76  of glass member  20  of  FIG.  7    may be a portion of top surface  60  or may be a portion of sidewall surface  62  of glass member  20 . In configurations in which portion  76  is a portion of top surface  60  of device  10 , portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be portion of bent portion  36  of enclosure  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ). In configurations in which portion  76  is a portion of sidewall surface  62  of device  10 , portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be portion of rear portion  38  of enclosure  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ). If desired, portion  78  may be attached to flange  48  using other attaching mechanisms such as fasteners, screws, welds, clips, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , mounting features of structural glass support member  20  may include a notch such as notch  80 . Notch  80  may be cut, etched, cast, molded, machined, or otherwise formed on glass member  20 . Portion  82  of thin enclosure  12  may be mounted to notch of glass member  20  using adhesive  74  or any other attaching mechanism. Glass member  20  may have an interior surface  86  interior to device  10  and an exterior surface  89  that forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of device  10 . Portion  76  of glass member  20  of  FIG.  8    may be a portion of top surface  60  or may be a portion of sidewall surface  62  of glass member  20 . In configurations in which portion  76  is a portion of top surface  60  of device  10 , portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be portion of bent portion  36  of enclosure  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ) and portion  82  may form a further bent portion of enclosure  12 . In configurations in which portion  76  is a portion of sidewall surface  62  of device  10 , portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be portion of rear portion  38  of enclosure  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ) and portion  82  may be a portion of bent portion  36  of enclosure  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , enclosure  12  may include a curved portion  84  for attaching enclosure  12  to bent sidewall portion  62  of structural glass support member  20  of device  10 . Curved portion  84  may be provided for attaching bent portion  36  of enclosure  12  to interior surface  86  of glass member  12 . Curved portion  84  may be attached to interior surface  86  using adhesive  74  or any other attaching mechanism. 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , device  10  may be provided with attachment members such as attachment member  87 . Attachment member  87  may be attached to interior surface  86  of glass member  20 . Attachment member may be attached to interior surface  86  of bent sidewall portion  62  of glass member  20  using an adhesive such as adhesive  74 . Housing  12  may be attached to glass member  20  using a fastener such as fastener  88 . Fastener  88  may pass through enclosure  12  and into attachment member  87 . Fastener  88  may be a screw or other fastener, clip, protrusion or other engagement feature for engaging attachment member  88 . Attachment member  87  may be mounted adjacent to sidewall portion  62  of glass member  20  so that sidewall portion  62  forms a sidewall for device  10  and enclosure  12  forms rear surface  70  of device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  11   , mounting features of structural glass support member  20  may include openings such as holes  42  in glass member  20 . Holes  42  in glass member  20  may be aligned with corresponding holes  90  in enclosure  12 . Openings such as holes  42  may extend from exterior surface  89  to interior surface  86  of glass member  20 . Holes  42  in glass member  20  and holes  90  in enclosure  12  may be used to attach portion  78  of enclosure  12  to portion  76  of glass member  20  using screws or other fasteners (e.g., by inserting fasteners such as fasteners  88  through holes  42  into holes  90 ), or using peripheral members  22  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ) by filling holes  42  and holes  90  with molded plastic or other material. In the example of  FIG.  11   , holes  42  and holes  90  are substantially linear holes. This is merely illustrative. Holes  42  and holes  90  may include bends or curves that provide openings in multiple surfaces of glass member  20  and enclosure  12 , respectively (e.g. holes  42  may extend from interior surface  86  to peripheral edge  94  of glass member  20 , if desired). Portion  76  of glass member  20  of  FIG.  11    may be a portion of top surface  60  or may be a portion of sidewall surface  62  of glass member  20 . In configurations in which portion  76  is a portion of top surface  60  of device  10 , portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be portion of bent portion  36  of enclosure  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ). In configurations in which portion  76  is a portion of sidewall surface  62  of device  10 , portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be portion of rear portion  38  of enclosure  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ). In the example of  FIG.  11   , glass member  20  may be substantially planar or may be curved as indicated by dashed lines  93 . 
     Providing electronic devices such as device  10  with structural glass support members with mounting features may produce portions of the glass (e.g., edges, holes, protrusions, flanges) that are relatively more vulnerable to failure or fracture due to pressures, impacts or other events during normal usage of device  10 . For this reason, portions of glass member  20  may be provided with protective members for protecting those portions from failure. Protective members may be formed from a portion of peripheral member  22  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ) or may be separate protective members. 
       FIGS.  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 , and  18    show embodiments of protective members attached to portions of structural glass support member  20 .  FIG.  12    is a top view of structural glass member  20  with holes  42  around at least a portion of the periphery of glass member  20 . Holes  42  in glass member  20  may be used for attaching enclosure  12  to glass member  20 . Holes  42  may be formed around a portion of the periphery of glass member  20  or may be formed around substantially all of the periphery of glass member  20 . As shown in  FIG.  12   , holes  42  may be partially filled with protective members  92 . Protective member  92  may be formed from metal, plastic, TPU, silicon, rubber, composite materials or other materials. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 , and  18   , protective members may be formed from a portion of a peripheral member such as peripheral member  22  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ). Peripheral member  22  may include a portion that covers a peripheral edge such as edge  94  of structural glass support member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  14   , peripheral member  22  may include portion that covers a mounting feature such as flange  48  of structural glass support member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  15 ,  16 , and  17   , edge  94  of structural glass support member  20  may be provided with mounting features (sometimes referred to herein as engagement features) such as surface features  44 . Surface features  44  may help attach a protective member such as peripheral member  22  to edge  94  of glass member  20 . Surface features  44  may be cut, etched, cast, molded, machined, or otherwise formed on edge  94  of glass member  20 . Peripheral members  22  may be attached to edge  94  of glass member  20  using adhesive, molding, or other attachment mechanisms. As an example, peripheral members  22  may be molded into engagement with surface features  44  of edge  94 . As shown in  FIG.  15   , surface features  44  may be smooth curves on edge  94  of glass member  20 . Smooth curve surface features may increase the surface area of edge  94  for attaching peripheral member  22  to glass member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  16   , surface features  44  may include surface roughness on edge  94  of glass member  20  that helps attach an edge protecting member such as peripheral member  22  to edge  94  of glass member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  17    surface features  44  may include patterned structural attachment features that provide multiple surfaces such as surfaces  96 ,  98  and  99  that help attach an edge protecting member such as peripheral member  22  to edge  94  of glass member  20 . Some surfaces such as surfaces  98  and  99  may be configured to form an acute angle such as angle  95  with peripheral edge  94  of glass member  20 . Angle  95  may be less than 90 degrees, less than 80 degrees, less than 70 degrees, less than 60 degrees, less than 50 degrees, less than 30 degrees, less than 20 degrees, less than 10 degrees or less than 5 degrees. Providing mounting features such as surface features  44  having multiple surfaces including surfaces that form acute angles with peripheral edge  94  of glass member  20  may help lock a molded protective member such as protective member  22  onto peripheral edge  94  of glass member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  18   , a protective member such as peripheral member  22  may be formed on edge  94  of glass member  20  by molding (e.g., injection molding) peripheral member onto edge  94  and into mounting features such as holes  42  in glass member  20 . Peripheral member  22  may be formed on one edge, two edges, three edges, four edges, or all edges of glass member  20 . Peripheral member  22  may cover a portion of an edge such as edge  94  or may cover substantially all of an edge such as edge  94 . 
       FIG.  19    is a perspective view of a portion of device  10  having a peripheral member  22  that protects edge  94  of structural glass support member  20  and attaches enclosure  12  to structural glass support member  20 . As shown in  FIG.  19   , structural glass support member  20  may include mounting features such as holes  42 . Enclosure  12  may include openings such as holes  46 . Peripheral member  22  may be attached to edge  94  of glass member  20  by molding peripheral member  22  into holes  42  in glass member  20  and holes  46  in enclosure  12 . Peripheral member  22  may be molded so that a portion of peripheral member  22  is formed in holes  42  and holes  46 . Portion  76  of glass member  20  of  FIG.  19    may be a portion of top surface  60  or may be a portion of sidewall surface  62  of glass member  20 . In configurations in which portion  76  is a portion of top surface  60  of device  10 , portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be portion of bent portion  36  of enclosure  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ). In configurations in which portion  76  is a portion of sidewall surface  62  of device  10 , portion  78  of enclosure  12  may be portion of rear portion  38  of enclosure  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  2   ). In the example of  FIG.  19   , holes  42  have a portion that is parallel to surface  76  of glass member  20  and a portion that is perpendicular to surface  76  of glass member  20 . This is merely illustrative. 
     If desired, holes  42  in glass member  20  may be substantially straight, as shown in FIG. As shown in  FIG.  20   , peripheral member  22  may help protect edge  94  of structural glass support member  20  and attach enclosure  12  to bent portion  62  of structural glass support member  20 . In the example of  FIG.  20   , structural glass support member  20  may include mounting features such as holes  42 . Enclosure  12  may include openings such as holes  46 . Peripheral member  22  may be attached to edge  94  of glass member  20  by molding peripheral member  22  into holes  42  in glass member  20  and holes  46  in enclosure  12 . Peripheral member  22  may be molded so that a portion of peripheral member  22  is formed in holes  42  and holes  46 . Providing device  10  with a peripheral member such as peripheral member  22  that attaches glass member  20  to enclosure  12  is merely illustrative. 
     If desired, peripheral member  22  may be used to attach structural glass support member to an additional glass member such as glass member  20 ′ as shown in  FIG.  21   . In the example of  FIG.  21   , a glass member  20  and glass member  20 ′ include mounting features such as holes  42  and  42 ′ respectively. Peripheral member  22  may be molded so that portions of peripheral member  22  are formed in holes  42  and  42 ′. Forming portions of peripheral member  22  in holes  42  and  42 ′ may form an attachment between glass members  20  and  20 ′ respectively. In configurations in which device  10  is provided with a front glass member such as glass member and a rear glass member such as rear glass member  20 ′, rear glass member  20 ′ be provided with an opaque masking layer such as opaque masking layer  72 . Opaque masking layer  72  may allow device  10  to have an outer surface that is substantially all glass while blocking internal components of device  10  from the view of a user of device  10 . 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20230814
Publication Date: 20250128
Grant Date: 20250128
Priority Date: 20111202
Inventors: FRANKLIN, JEREMY C.
ROTHKOPF, FLETCHER R.
TERNUS, JOHN P.
GIBBS, KEVIN D.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 48523485