Cover glass with different textures

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover glass pane (10) configured to cover at least one display device, the cover glass pane having an outer pane face and an inner pane face, wherein the inner pane face faces the display device and comprises an opaque coating layer. The outer pane face comprises: a) at least one display area (1) allowing visualization of at least a portion of a screen of the display device, the display area having a perimeter P 显示器 b) at least one opaque region (2) corresponding to the opaque coating layer and directly surrounding at least 10% to 100% of the display perimeter, the opaque region having an opacity arithmetic amplitude Ra (op) The outer panel further comprises at least one textured area (3) covering between 0.5% and 99.5% of the opaque area, said textured area directly surrounding at least 5% of the display perimeter and having a texture arithmetic amplitude Ra (tex) The average surface roughness is defined as Ra. (op) With Ra (tex) The absolute difference between the (op) ‑Ra (tex) │≥25nm).

Description

1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover glass pane for display applications that exhibits excellent optical properties while being aesthetically pleasing. 2. Background Technology

[0002] It's well known that cover glass is used on displays to provide essential protection for the display device. In some display applications (e.g., displays for the automotive industry), it's common for the cover glass to be larger than the display device and specifically designed to fit within a specific location within the vehicle (e.g., dashboard, center armrest, door armrest, etc.). In such applications, the cover glass may even be significantly larger than the display device. Design and aesthetics in such applications are crucial to commercial success.

[0003] In order to maximize the functionality of the display device, the surface of the cover glass above the display device screen is usually textured to improve its optical properties, such as reducing glare and sparkle. A smooth, glossy and black appearance is usually desired on the remaining surface of the cover glass.

[0004] Therefore, such cover glass panes are larger than the display device to be protected and are partially textured to improve the functionality of the display device, which results in unacceptable rendering differences between the area of ​​the cover glass pane that covers the display device and the area that does not cover the display device, especially when the display is turned off. This appearance difference is even further increased when the area of ​​the cover glass pane that does not cover the display device is smooth and glossy for decorative purposes.

[0005] The present invention therefore solves the technical problem of harmonizing the rendering of a partially textured cover glass pane while maintaining its excellent optical properties. 3. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a cover glass plate configured to cover at least one display device. The cover glass plate has an outer panel surface and an inner panel surface, wherein the inner panel surface faces the display device and includes an opaque coating layer. The outer panel surface includes:

[0007] i. At least one display area allowing visualization of at least a portion of the screen of the display device, said display area having a perimeter P 显示器 ;

[0008] ii. At least one opaque region corresponding to the opaque coating layer and directly surrounding at least 10% to 100% of the display perimeter. The opaque region has an opacity arithmetic amplitude Ra (op) Define the average surface roughness.

[0009] The outer panel further comprises at least one textured area covering between 0.5% and 99.5% of the opaque area, said textured area directly surrounding at least 5% of the display perimeter and having a texture arithmetic amplitude Ra (tex) The average surface roughness is defined as Ra. (op) and (tex) The absolute difference between the values ​​of Ra (op) -Ra (tex) │≥25nm).

[0010] Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 4. Description of the Figures

[0011] Figure 1a A top view of a cover glass sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the opaque region completely surrounds the display region, and wherein the textured region within the opaque region completely surrounds the display region. Figure 1b A cross section along line AA' of a display unit is shown, the display unit comprising Figure 1a cover glass.

[0012] Figure 2 A top view of a cover glass sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the display device has a polyhedron shape, and wherein the opaque areas and corresponding textured areas differ in shape from the display areas.

[0013] Figure 3 A top view of a rectangular cover glass pane according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, comprising two opaque regions on two lateral sides of a rectangular display area. Each opaque region comprises a thin textured region adjacent to a lateral side of the display area.

[0014] Figure 4 A top view of a cover glass pane according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein an opaque paint layer defining corresponding opaque areas on an outer pane of the cover glass pane is added only to a portion of an inner pane of the cover glass pane.

[0015] Figure 5 A top view of a cover glass pane including a display region, an opaque region, and a textured region, as well as a secondary textured region, is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 6A top view of a cover glass pane according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the cover glass pane includes several display regions and corresponding textured region(s), and several secondary textured regions. 5. Specific implementation methods

[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover glass pane to be used in display applications, which cover glass pane offers excellent optical performance while maintaining excellent aesthetic properties.

[0018] The present invention addresses the technical problem of rendering differences between the display area (textured to achieve excellent optical properties) and the opaque area (preferably black and glossy). This is particularly noticeable when the display device is turned off. The present invention is therefore based on defining at least one third area (hereinafter referred to as the "textured area") on the outer surface of the cover glass sheet, which partially covers the opaque area and is positioned around the display area. This third area is textured so that its average surface roughness differs from that of the opaque area. The addition of such a textured area to the opaque area around the perimeter of the display significantly reduces the rendering differences and thus significantly improves the aesthetics of the cover glass sheet while maintaining excellent optical performance.

[0019] The display area on the outer surface of the cover glass allows for visualization of the display device. Therefore, the surface of the display area is typically textured to provide excellent optical properties, such as anti-glare and / or anti-glare properties. The display market is also increasingly demanding that cover glass anti-glare / anti-glare solutions be combined with a pleasingly smooth tactile feel (often referred to as satin, silk, or soft-touch). With the exception of the display area, the inner surface of the cover glass is typically fully or partially covered with an opaque layer to provide a dark appearance. This defines a corresponding opaque area on the outer surface of the cover glass. The opaque area typically has a smooth and glossy surface, particularly in automotive applications. When the display device is switched off, both the display area and the opaque area are dark in color and therefore absorb light radiation. However, the rendering between these two areas is very different. In fact, the opaque area significantly absorbs light radiation, while the display area absorbs but also reflects and diffuses light radiation. This difference in reflection causes rendering differences. This rendering difference becomes even more severe depending on the user's relative position to the display unit. In fact, the closer the user's field of view, the more problematic the rendering difference becomes. It has surprisingly been found that such rendering differences can be significantly mitigated by careful and specifically positioned texturing of the opaque areas. The present invention is based on the surprising technical discovery that such reflection differences between the opaque areas and the display area can be significantly reduced by texturing a portion of the opaque area around the perimeter of the display. The specific texture of such textured areas significantly increases the diffusion of reflections on the outer surface of the cover glass sheet. Differences in light interaction at the inner face are hidden, and thus it significantly mitigates the rendering differences while allowing the optical performance of the display area to be maintained, especially when viewed at a glancing angle. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to texture a portion of the opaque area differently depending on the relative position of the user to the display unit.

[0020] The present invention relates to a cover glass plate configured to cover one or more display devices. The cover glass plate has an outer plate surface and an inner plate surface, wherein the inner plate surface faces the display device(s).

[0021] For the avoidance of doubt, the term "surround" as used herein means "outwardly surrounding". Figure 1a As shown in FIG, the cover glass plate (10) comprises on its outer surface:

[0022] (a) At least one display area (1) , the at least one display area allows visualization of the screen of the corresponding display device. Each display area has a perimeter P 显示器The size and shape of the display area may correspond to the size and shape of the display device screen, or may be different, e.g. its size may be smaller and / or its shape may be of any shape, while the display can still be of a classic form; as long as it allows visualization of a portion or the entirety of the display device screen. In some cases, it may be more convenient and cost-effective to produce a circular or any other shaped display view by designing circular or any other shaped display area(s) on a classic rectangular display device.

[0023] (b) At least one opaque area (2) , the at least one opaque area corresponds to an opaque coating layer added to the inner panel surface. By definition, such an opaque coating layer is added to the inner panel surface (except for the display area). It can be added to all or part of the remaining inner panel surface. It directly surrounds from 10% to 100% of the display perimeter. If there are several opaque areas, all opaque areas preferably have the same opacity arithmetic amplitude Ra (op) A defined average surface roughness. In a preferred embodiment, the opaque coating layer directly surrounds at least 25%, at least 50%, preferably 75%, more preferably 90%, and even more preferably 100% of the display perimeter. For each display area there will correspond at least one opaque area. An opaque area is an area on the outer panel face of the cover glass pane that is defined by a corresponding area of ​​the inner panel face, in which area the opaque coating layer is added. This will not cover the display area. It may further cover all or only part of the remaining surface of the inner panel face. The outer panel face of the cover glass pane may have more than one opaque area, for example an opaque area on each lateral side of a rectangular display area, such as Figure 3 As described in .

[0024] (c) at least one textured region (3) , the at least one textured area covers between 0.5% and 99.5% of the opaque area. In one embodiment, the textured area preferably covers between 1% and 75% of the opaque area, more preferably between 2% and 60%, more preferably between 5% and 50% of the opaque area. In another embodiment, the textured area preferably covers between 80% and 99.5% of the opaque area, preferably between 90% and 98%, more preferably between 92% and 95% of the opaque area. The textured area is positioned around the perimeter of the display and directly contacts the perimeter of the display and thus directly surrounds at least 5%, more preferably 10% of the display perimeter, preferably 25%, more preferably 50%, even more preferably 75%, even more preferably 90%, and ideally 100% of the display perimeter. The average surface roughness of the textured area is determined by the texture arithmetic amplitude Ra (tex)Definition. The outer surface of the cover glass pane may have more than one textured area, such as Figure 3 As depicted in , where the opaque area encompasses a textured area on each lateral side of a rectangular display area. The textured area can have any shape and does not necessarily match the shape of the display area or the shape of the opaque area, as Figure 2 In some embodiments, it may happen that the textured area extends beyond the opaque area.

[0025] The cover glass of the present invention is characterized in that the opaque region has an opacity arithmetic amplitude Ra (op) The average surface roughness is defined by the textured area, and the textured area has a texture arithmetic amplitude Ra (tex) The average surface roughness is defined so that Ra (op) With Ra (tex) The absolute difference between the values ​​of Ra (op) -Ra (tex) │≥25nm), preferably at least 50nm (│Ra (op) -Ra (tex) │≥50nm), more preferably at least 100nm (│Ra (op) -Ra (tex) │≥100nm), even more preferably at least 200nm (│Ra (op) -Ra (tex) │≥200nm). For the avoidance of doubt, Ra (op) It is not measured in opaque areas that have been further textured to become textured areas. Typically, Ra (op) With Ra (tex) The absolute difference between them does not exceed 2 micrometers, preferably does not exceed 1 micrometer.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, for aesthetic reasons and / or ease of handling, the display area has an average surface roughness defined by the display arithmetic amplitude Rad that is equal to the average surface roughness Ra of the textured area. (tex) (Rad=Ra (tex) ).

[0027] The typical average surface roughness Ra(op) of the opaque area is from 0.1 nm to 5 nm, preferably from 0.1 nm to 3 nm. The typical average surface roughness Ra(tex) of the textured area is from 0.025 μm to 2 μm, preferably from 0.05 μm to 1 μm, more preferably from 0.1 μm to 1 μm. The typical average surface roughness Rad of the display area is from 0.05 μm to 2 μm, preferably from 0.1 μm to 1 μm.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover glass sheet may include at least one secondary textured region (4) that indirectly surrounds the perimeter of the display. The secondary textured region is contained within the opaque region but is not in direct contact with the perimeter of the display. The secondary textured region has a second texture arithmetic amplitude Ra2 (tex) The average surface roughness is defined as (op) With Ra2 (tex) The absolute difference between the values ​​of Ra (op) -Ra2 (tex) │≥25nm), more preferably at least 50nm (│Ra (op) -Ra2 (tex) │≥50nm), even more preferably at least 100nm (│Ra (op) -Ra2 (tex) │≥100nm), even better at least 200nm (│Ra (op) -Ra2 (tex) │≥200nm). It has been found that such secondary textured surface actively contributes to the overall aesthetic performance of the cover glass sheet and even further reduces rendering variability. Furthermore, it has been found that adding one or more such secondary textured areas can be used to provide guidance to the user's fingers to reach and activate functions on the display. In a preferred embodiment, the at least secondary textured area covers between 5% and 90% of the opaque area, preferably 5% to 75% of the opaque area, preferably between 5% and 60% of the opaque area, more preferably between 5% and 50% of the opaque area. In a preferred embodiment, for aesthetic reasons and / or for ease of handling, the average surface roughness Ra2 of the second textured area is 0.0147 W / m. (tex) Equal to the average surface roughness Ra1 of the textured area (tex) In another preferred embodiment, the second texturing arithmetic amplitude Ra2 (tex) Equal to the average surface roughness of the display Rad (Ra2 (tex) =Rad).

[0029] The cover glass of the present invention is configured to cover one or more display devices, each display device defining a corresponding display area (each with its own display perimeter). For each display area of ​​the outer panel surface of the cover glass, one or more opaque areas may correspond. For each opaque area of ​​the outer panel surface of the cover glass, one or more textured areas may correspond. The opaque areas may further include one or more secondary textured areas. Therefore, it will be understood that when referring to the technical features characterizing the display areas, opaque areas, textured areas and / or secondary textured areas, it does apply to all display areas, opaque areas, textured areas and / or secondary textured areas of the cover glass of the present invention.

[0030] Detailed description of the drawings

[0031] Figure 1a An embodiment of the present invention is presented in which a cover glass sheet (10) is configured to cover a rectangular display device and has a display area (1). An opaque area (2) is defined by an opaque coating applied to all interior surfaces of the cover glass sheet except the display area. The display area (1) is slightly smaller than the surface of the display screen. The opaque area (2) directly surrounds 100% of the display perimeter. The textured area (3) also directly surrounds 100% of the display perimeter and is entirely contained within the opaque area. Figure 1b A cross-sectional view along line AA' of a display unit (20) is shown, the display unit comprising Figure 1a The cover glass plate (10) and the display device (30) are provided. Figure 1b As depicted in FIG, the inner face (7) of the cover glass panel is covered with a layer of opaque paint (5), thereby defining an opaque region (2) on the corresponding surface on the outer face (6) of the cover glass panel. It can be seen that the opaque paint covers a small portion of the inner panel surface above the display screen, and therefore the display area is slightly smaller than the surface of the display screen. The textured region (3) directly surrounds the display perimeter and is entirely contained within the opaque region.

[0032] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1a A variant of an embodiment wherein the textured area (3) has a different shape than the display area (1).

[0033] Figure 3An embodiment of the present invention is presented in which a cover glass sheet (10) is configured to cover a rectangular display device and has a display area (1). An opaque coating is applied to all interior surfaces of the cover glass sheet except the display area and defines two opaque areas (2) that directly surround lateral sides of the display perimeter. Two textured areas (3) also directly surround lateral sides of the display perimeter, each textured area being entirely contained within the corresponding opaque area.

[0034] Figure 4 An embodiment of the present invention is presented in which a cover glass sheet (10) is configured to cover a rectangular display device and has a display area (1). An opaque area (2) is defined by an opaque coating added to only a portion of the remaining inner panel surface (excluding the display area). The opaque area directly surrounds three sides of the rectangular display perimeter. Two textured areas (3) directly surround the lateral sides of the display perimeter.

[0035] Figure 5 An embodiment of the present invention is presented wherein a cover glass sheet (10) is configured to cover a rectangular display device and has a display area (1). An opaque area (2) is defined by an opaque coating added to all inner panels of the cover glass sheet except the display area and directly surrounds 100% of the display perimeter. Two textured areas (3) directly surround lateral sides of the display perimeter and are entirely contained within the opaque area. The outer panel of the cover glass sheet further includes a plurality of secondary textured areas (4) contained within the opaque area.

[0036] Figure 6An embodiment of the present invention is presented in which a cover glass sheet (10) is configured to cover a number of display devices having respective display areas (1a), (1b), (1c) and (1d). An opaque area (2) is defined by an opaque coating added to only a portion of the remaining inner panel surface (excluding the display areas). In fact, a small portion of the inner panel surface at the top of the cover glass sheet is not covered by the opaque coating. The opaque area directly surrounds approximately 65% ​​of the display perimeter of display area (1b) and entirely surrounds the display perimeter of display areas (1a), (1c) and (1d). The textured area (3a) directly surrounds approximately 50% of its respective display perimeter and is entirely contained within the opaque area. The textured area (3b) directly surrounds approximately 65% ​​of its respective display perimeter and is entirely contained within the opaque area. The textured areas (3c) and (3d) directly surround 100% of the respective display perimeter and are entirely contained within the opaque area. The cover glass sheet further includes a plurality of secondary textured regions (4) that indirectly surround the perimeter of the display.

[0037] The present invention also relates to a display unit comprising a cover glass plate as described above and a display device positioned below a display area. Preferably, the display unit further comprises an optical bond between the display device and the inner panel of the cover glass plate.

[0038] The present invention relates to the use of a cover glass pane or a display unit for automotive interior applications, household appliances, and / or integrated interactive displays. The cover glass pane and display unit according to the invention are particularly suitable for interior vehicle glazing, such as consoles, instrument panels, exterior vehicle windows, and for decorative glass elements with increasingly complex shapes required by automotive manufacturers.

[0039] General description

[0040] For display applications, it is known that the outer surface of the cover glass plate is textured to provide anti-glare and / or anti-glare properties and a specific gentle touch. According to the present invention, the outer plate surface of the cover glass plate is textured. "Textured surface" means a surface that has been eroded mechanically or chemically to remove a certain amount of glass material and to provide a specific surface texture / roughness. When material removal occurs by chemical reaction / erosion (i.e., acid etching), we talk about chemically etched glass. When material removal occurs by mechanical reaction / erosion (i.e., sandblasting), we talk about mechanically etched glass. Chemical etching (i.e., using HF and / or fluoride compounds) is preferred because it allows reaching a roughness suitable for the target application and therefore reaches optical properties and aesthetics.

[0041] The textured surface of a glass sheet is generally characterized by its surface texture or roughness and in particular by the Ra value (expressed in micrometers or nm) defined in standard ISO 4287-1997. The texture / roughness is the result of the presence of surface irregularities / patterns. These irregularities consist of elevations called "peaks" and depressions called "valleys". In a section perpendicular to the textured surface, these peaks and valleys are distributed on either side of a "center line" (algebraic mean), also called the "bisector". In profile and for measurements along a fixed length (called the "evaluation length"): Ra (amplitude) corresponds to the average difference of the texture, meaning the arithmetic mean of the absolute values ​​of the differences between these peaks and valleys. Ra measures the distance between this average and the "line" and gives an indication of the height of the pattern on the textured surface;

[0042] The roughness value according to the present invention can be measured using a 2D profile with a profilometer (according to the ISO 4287 standard). Alternatively, a 3D profilometry technique (according to the ISO 25178 standard) can be used, but the 2D profile is separated, which then allows the parameters defined in the ISO 4287 standard to be obtained. According to the present invention, the roughness value is measured using a Gaussian filter, which is a long-wavelength filter, also known as the profile filter λc. It is used to separate the roughness / texture component from the undulation component of the profile. The evaluation length L according to the present invention is the profile length used to evaluate the roughness. The base length l is the part of this evaluation length used to identify irregularities that characterize the profile to be evaluated. The evaluation length L is divided / cut into n base lengths l, depending on the profile irregularity. The base length l corresponds to the "cut-off" wavelength (or limiting wavelength) of the Gaussian filter (l=λc). Typically, the evaluation length is at least five times the base length. In roughness measurement, a short-wavelength filter (profile filter λs) is also commonly used to eliminate the influence of very short wavelengths as background noise.

[0043] In order to generate a differential average surface roughness between the display area, the opaque area, the textured area, and / or the secondary textured area, a partial texture can be generated by any known method that allows for selective texturing of the glass surface and thereby generating (a plurality of) textured areas. For example, if it is considered to generate the texture according to the invention by chemical etching, a known method using a protective mask that is resistant to the chemical etching process can be used, so that only certain parts / areas of the surface of the glass can be exposed to the etching process, and then the protective mask can be removed. The etched texture area thus obtained on the glass surface corresponds to the negative of the mask previously applied.

[0044] The cover glass plate of the present invention can be manufactured from a larger mother glass substrate by the following method, which includes the following steps in order:

[0045] a) providing a partially textured mother glass substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to each other. The partial texture is typically present on the first major surface (and may also be present on the second major surface or on both surfaces),

[0046] b) irradiating at least a first main surface of the glass substrate with a laser to form at least one separation line on the first main surface that defines a contour line and extends from the first main surface to the second main surface in a depth direction, for separating at least one cover glass plate from the glass substrate, the cover glass plate having a size smaller than that of the mother glass substrate, and

[0047] c) separating the at least one partially textured cover glass sheet from the mother glass substrate according to the at least one separation line.

[0048] The above method may include the further step of chemically strengthening the mother glass substrate after the irradiation step b) and before the separation step c). This embodiment is advantageous because it allows the cover glass sheet(s) to be strengthened at their main surfaces but also at their edges. As a result, the cover glass sheets are more scratch-resistant and more resistant to mechanical stresses / loads. According to this embodiment, after chemically strengthening the mother glass substrate: (i) the potassium (or maximum intruding ion) level at the first and second main surfaces of the cover glass sheet(s) is higher than the potassium (or maximum intruding ion) level at the edges of the cover glass sheet(s), and (ii) the potassium level at the edges of the cover glass sheet(s) is higher than the potassium level in the bulk of the cover glass sheet. As the potassium level at the end faces of the cover glass sheet(s) increases during chemical strengthening, they are more resistant to external load stresses.

[0049] The conditions for chemical strengthening are not particularly limited. Chemical strengthening can be implemented, for example, by immersing the mother glass substrate in a molten salt at 380°C to 500°C for 1 minute to 72 hours. As a molten salt, a nitrate can be used. For example, when the lithium ions contained in the glass substrate are replaced by larger alkali metal ions, a molten salt containing at least one of sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, rubidium nitrate and cesium nitrate can be used. Further, in the case where the sodium ions contained in the glass substrate are replaced by larger alkali metal ions, a molten salt containing at least one of potassium nitrate, rubidium nitrate and cesium nitrate can be used. In addition, when the potassium ions contained in the glass substrate are replaced by larger alkali metal ions, a molten salt containing at least one of rubidium nitrate and cesium nitrate can be used. In addition, one or more salts (such as potassium carbonate) can be further added to the molten salt. In this case, a low-density layer with a thickness of 10nm to 1μm can be formed on the surface of the mother glass substrate.

[0050] By subjecting a mother glass substrate (on which the at least one separation line defines the outline of the at least one cover glass sheet) to a chemical strengthening treatment, a compressive stress layer can be formed on the first and second main surfaces of the glass substrate and at the edges of the glass article(s). The thickness of the compressive stress layer corresponds to the penetration depth of the alkali metal ions used for substitution. For example, when potassium nitrate is used to replace sodium ions with potassium ions, the thickness of the compressive stress layer of soda-lime glass can be 5 to 50 μm, and the thickness of the compressive stress layer of aluminosilicate glass can be 10 to 100 μm. In the case of aluminosilicate glass, the penetration depth of the alkali metal ions is preferably 10 μm or greater, more preferably 20 μm or greater.

[0051] The method may further comprise a cold bending step after the separation step c). Cold bending is particularly popular for bending glass products for interior and exterior glazing parts of automobiles, such as glass consoles, dashboards, door trim elements, pillars, windshields, side windows, rear windows, sunroofs, separating walls ... Cold bending is any assembly operation in which an initially flat thin glass element is deformed into a final non-flat configuration during assembly. The thin glass in the final assembly exhibits a permanent imbalance of surface stresses between its two main surfaces. The assembly operation may be any type of technology that allows the thin glass to be kept in a non-flat configuration: gluing, lamination, mechanical retainers (screws, rivets, housings ...), ..., which are applied to discontinuous places or to complete surfaces.

[0052] The cover glass sheet obtained by the method described above is characterized in that it has at least one edge that forms an angle with the first and second main surfaces equal to 90°+ / -7°, respectively. Furthermore, the cover glass sheet obtained by the method described above exhibits a potassium level at the first and second main surfaces of the glass article that is higher than the potassium level at the edge of the glass article, and the potassium level at the edge of the glass article is higher than the potassium level in the bulk of the cover glass sheet. As the potassium level at the edge of the article increases, the edge becomes more mechanically resistant.

[0053] The cover glass pane according to the present invention can have a thickness between 0.03 mm and 19 mm, preferably between 0.03 mm and 6 mm. Preferably, for weight reasons and to facilitate cold bending, the cover glass pane has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 2.2 mm, 0.5 mm to 2.1 mm. The cover glass pane typically covers a display device having a display diagonal of 8 cm to 25 cm, preferably 8 cm to 40 cm.

[0054] The opaque coating added to the inner panel surface of the cover glass panel may be an enamel compound, an epoxy-based compound or a polyurethane-based compound.

[0055] The cover glass according to the present invention is made of glass, the base composition of which is not particularly limited and can therefore belong to various types. The glass may be soda-lime silicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, alkali-free glass, borosilicate glass, or the like. Preferably, the glass according to the present invention is made of soda-lime glass or aluminosilicate glass.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the glass sheet has the following composition, which includes the following items in contents expressed as percentages of the total weight of the glass:

[0057]

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the glass sheet has a composition comprising the following items in amounts expressed as percentages of the total weight of the glass:

[0059]

[0060] In a more preferred embodiment, the glass sheet has a composition comprising the following items in amounts expressed as percentages of the total weight of the glass:

[0061]

[0062] In an alternative more preferred embodiment, the glass sheet has a composition comprising the following items in amounts expressed as percentages of the total weight of the glass:

[0063]

[0064] Ideally, according to these last two embodiments, the glass composition does not include B2O3 (meaning that it is not intentionally added, but may be present as an undesirable impurity in very low amounts). These two soda-lime base glass composition embodiments have the advantage of being cheap, even if they themselves are mechanically less resistant.

[0065] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with the previous embodiments regarding the base glass composition, the glass sheet has a composition comprising a total iron content (expressed as Fe2O3) ranging from 0.002% by weight to 0.06% by weight. A total iron content (expressed as Fe2O3) of less than or equal to 0.06% by weight makes it possible to obtain glass sheets with virtually no visible coloration and allows for a high degree of flexibility in aesthetic design (for example, when performing white screen printing of some glass elements of a smartphone without distortion). This minimum value makes it possible to avoid excessively compromising the cost of the glass, as such low iron values ​​often require expensive, very pure starting materials and also purification of these materials. Preferably, the composition comprises a total iron content (expressed as Fe2O3) ranging from 0.002% by weight to 0.04% by weight. More preferably, the composition comprises a total iron content (expressed as Fe2O3) ranging from 0.002% by weight to 0.02% by weight. In a most preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a total iron (expressed as Fe2O3) content ranging from 0.002 wt% to 0.015 wt%.

[0066] According to another embodiment of the present invention, which can be combined with the previous embodiment regarding the Fe2O3 content, the glass has a composition including chromium in a content expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the glass (e.g., 0.0001% ≤ Cr2O3 ≤ 0.06%). Preferably, the glass has a composition including chromium in a content (e.g., 0.002% ≤ Cr2O3 ≤ 0.06%). This chromium content allows for a glass with a higher IR transmittance and is therefore advantageous when the glass sheet is used in a touch panel using optical IR touch technology, such as, for example, planar scattered light detection (PSD) or frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) (or any other technology requiring high IR radiation transmittance), in order to detect the position of one or more objects (e.g., a finger or stylus) on the surface of the glass sheet.

[0067] The cover glass pane according to the present invention can advantageously be prestressed glass. Prestressed glass refers to heat-strengthened glass, heat-toughened glass, or chemically strengthened glass. Heat-strengthened glass is heat-treated using a controlled heating and cooling process that subjects the glass surface to compression and the glass core to tension. This heat treatment method delivers glass with a flexural strength greater than annealed glass but less than heat-toughened safety glass.

[0068] Heat-toughened safety glass is heat-treated using a controlled heating and cooling process that subjects the glass surface to compression and the glass core to tension. These stresses cause the glass to break into small, granular particles upon impact rather than splintering into jagged fragments.

[0069] Chemical strengthening of glass products is a heat-induced ion exchange that involves replacing smaller alkaline sodium ions in the surface layer of the glass with larger ions (e.g., alkaline potassium ions). As the larger ions "wedge" into the small sites formerly occupied by sodium ions, increased surface compressive stresses occur in the glass. Such chemical treatments are typically performed by immersing the glass in an ion exchange melt bath containing one or more molten salts of the larger ions, under precise control of temperature and time. Aluminosilicate-type glass compositions are also known (such as, for example, the product line from Asahi Glass Co. or from Corning Inc.'s product line Aluminosilicate glass compositions) are very efficient for chemical tempering.

[0070] The chemical strengthening and its resulting properties described above in the context of a preferred method for manufacturing the cover glass sheets of the present invention from a larger mother glass substrate are not intended to be limited to that manufacturing method, but can be applied to cover glass sheets independently of the manufacturing method used.

[0071] Depending on the desired application, intended use and / or properties, various layers can be deposited / treatments can be performed on the cover glass sheet according to the invention, on one side or on both sides of the cover glass sheet.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover glass plate can be coated with at least one transparent and electrically conductive thin layer. The transparent and electrically conductive thin layer according to the invention can, for example, be a layer based on SnO2:F, SnO2:Sb or ITO (indium tin oxide), ZnO:Al or also ZnO:Ga. According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover glass plate can be coated with at least one anti-reflection layer. This embodiment is advantageous when the cover glass plate of the invention is used as the front cover of a screen. The anti-reflection layer according to the invention can, for example, be a layer based on porous silicon with a low refractive index, or it can be composed of several layers (stacks), in particular a stack of alternating layers of dielectric materials with a low refractive index and a high refractive index, terminating with a layer with a low refractive index. According to yet another embodiment, the glass plate has at least one anti-fingerprint layer / treatment to reduce or prevent the recording of fingerprints. Advantageously, according to this embodiment, the glass plate has the anti-fingerprint layer / treatment on the second textured surface. Such a layer / treatment can be combined with a transparent and electrically conductive thin layer deposited on the opposite side. Such a layer / treatment can be combined with an anti-reflection layer deposited on the same side. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the glass sheet has an antimicrobial layer / treatment. Advantageously, according to this embodiment, the glass sheet has the antimicrobial layer / treatment on the second textured surface. For example, such an antimicrobial treatment may be silver ions that diffuse through the bulk of the glass sheet to near the outer surface.

[0073] The term “at least one” is intended herein to mean “one or more.” The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0074] Example 1

[0075] A cover glass sheet of the configuration of FIG1 has been designed in which the rectangular cover glass sheet has a total length of 300 mm and a total width of 150 mm. Its outer panel includes a rectangular display area having a length of 260 mm and a width of 120 mm, thereby forming a display perimeter of 760 mm. The opaque area is defined by an opaque coating added to all of the inner panel (except the display area) and surrounds 100% of the display perimeter. The display area covers 90% of the surface of the display screen. The rectangular textured area has a length of 270 mm and a width of 130 mm and surrounds 100% of the display perimeter. The textured area covers 28% of the opaque area.

[0076] <![CDATA[Ra (op) ]]> <![CDATA[Ra (tex) ]]> <![CDATA[│Ra (op) -Day (tex) │]]> Rad 2nm 300nm 298nm 250nm

[0077] Example 2

[0078] Designed Figure 5 A cover glass panel of a configuration, wherein the rectangular cover glass panel has a total length of 500 mm and a total width of 250 mm. Its outer panel surface includes a rectangular display area having a length of 150 mm and a width of 100 mm, thereby forming a display perimeter of 500 mm. The opaque area is defined by an opaque coating added to all of the inner panel surface (except the display area) and surrounds 100% of the display perimeter. Two textured areas are positioned directly to each width of the display area, each textured area having a length of 10 mm and a width of 100 mm and together surrounding 40% of the display perimeter. These textured areas together cover 1.8% of the opaque area. The surface of the secondary textured area covers approximately 4% of the opaque area.

[0079] <![CDATA[Ra (op) ]]> <![CDATA[Ra (tex) ]]> <![CDATA[│Ra (op) -Day (tex) │]]> Rad <![CDATA[Ra2 (tex) ]]> 1nm 28nm 27nm 28nm 50nm

[0080] Reference numeral # feature 10 Cover glass 20 Display unit 30 Display device 1 Display area 2 Opaque areas 3 Textured Area 4 Secondary texturing area 5 Opaque coating layer 6 Outside of the cover glass 7 Inner surface of cover glass

Claims

1. A cover glass plate (10) configured to cover at least one display device, the cover glass plate having an outer plate surface and an inner plate surface, wherein: The inner panel surface faces the display device and includes an opaque paint layer, and wherein the outer panel surface includes: a) at least one display area (1) allowing visualization of at least a portion of the screen of the display device, said display area having a perimeter P 显示器 ; b) at least one opaque area (2), corresponding to the opaque coating layer and directly surrounding at least 10% to 100% of the display perimeter, the opaque area having an opacity arithmetic amplitude Ra (op) Average surface roughness defined; Characterized in that the outer panel further comprises at least one textured area (3) covering between 0.5% and 99.5% of the opaque area, the textured area directly surrounding at least 5% of the display perimeter and having a texture arithmetic amplitude Ra (tex) Average surface roughness defined; And that is, Ra (op) With Ra (tex) The absolute difference between them is at least 25 nm.

2. The cover glass plate according to claim 1, wherein Ra (op) With Ra (tex) The absolute difference between them is at least 50 nm.

3. The cover glass plate according to claim 1, wherein: Ra (op) With Ra (tex) The absolute difference between them is at least 100 nm.

4. The cover glass plate according to claim 1, wherein Ra (op) With Ra (tex) The absolute difference between them is at least 200 nm.

5. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The display area has an average surface roughness defined by a display arithmetic amplitude Rad, which is equal to the average surface roughness Ra of the textured area. (tex) .

6. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The opaque coating layer directly surrounds at least 25% of the perimeter of the display.

7. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The opaque coating layer directly surrounds at least 50% of the perimeter of the display.

8. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The opaque coating layer directly surrounds at least 75% of the perimeter of the display.

9. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The opaque coating layer directly surrounds at least 90% of the perimeter of the display.

10. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The opaque paint layer directly surrounds 100% of the display perimeter.

11. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The textured area covers between 1% and 75% of the opaque area.

12. The cover glass according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The textured area covers between 2% and 60% of the opaque area.

13. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The textured area covers between 5% and 50% of the opaque area.

14. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The textured area covers between 80% and 99.5% of the opaque area.

15. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The textured area covers between 90% and 98% of the opaque area.

16. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The textured area covers between 92% and 95% of the opaque area.

17. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The at least one textured region directly surrounds at least 10% of the perimeter of the display.

18. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The at least one textured region directly surrounds at least 25% of the perimeter of the display.

19. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The at least one textured region directly surrounds at least 50% of the perimeter of the display.

20. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The at least one textured region directly surrounds at least 75% of the perimeter of the display.

21. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The at least one textured region directly surrounds at least 90% of the perimeter of the display.

22. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The at least one textured region directly surrounds 100% of the perimeter of the display.

23. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The outer panel further includes at least one secondary textured area, the at least one secondary textured area indirectly surrounding the display perimeter and having a second texture arithmetic amplitude Ra2 (tex) Define the average surface roughness.

24. The cover glass plate according to claim 23, wherein: Ra (op) With Ra2 (tex) The absolute difference between them is at least 25 nm.

25. The cover glass plate according to claim 23, wherein: Ra (op) With Ra2 (tex) The absolute difference between them is at least 50 nm.

26. The cover glass plate according to claim 23, wherein: Ra (op) With Ra2 (tex) The absolute difference between them is at least 100 nm.

27. The cover glass plate according to claim 23, wherein: Ra (op) With Ra2 (tex) The absolute difference between them is at least 200 nm.

28. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The cover glass plate is a heat-strengthened glass plate or a chemically-strengthened glass plate.

29. The cover glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The outer panel surface is coated with an anti-reflection layer.

30. The cover glass sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, obtained by a manufacturing method comprising the following steps in sequence: a) providing a partially textured mother glass substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to each other, b) irradiating at least the first main surface of the glass substrate with a laser to form at least one separation line on the first main surface that defines a contour line and extends from the first main surface to the second main surface in a depth direction, for separating at least one cover glass plate from the glass substrate, wherein the size of the cover glass plate is smaller than that of the mother glass substrate, and c) separating at least one partially textured cover glass sheet from the mother glass substrate according to the at least one separation line.

31. The cover glass sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, obtained by a manufacturing method comprising the following steps in sequence: a) providing a partially textured mother glass substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to each other, b) irradiating at least the first main surface of the glass substrate with a laser to form at least one separation line on the first main surface that defines a contour line and extends from the first main surface to the second main surface in a depth direction, so as to separate at least one cover glass plate from the glass substrate, wherein the size of the cover glass plate is smaller than that of the mother glass substrate, c) chemically strengthening the mother glass substrate, and d) separating at least one partially textured cover glass sheet from the mother glass substrate according to the at least one separation line.

32. The cover glass plate according to claim 30, wherein: The at least one separation line formed in step b) comprises a plurality of adjacent gaps forming a dot-cut line.

33. A display unit comprising a cover glass sheet according to any one of the preceding claims and a display device positioned below the display area.

34. The display unit of claim 33, further comprising an optical bond between the display device and an inner panel of the cover glass panel.

35. Use of a cover glass pane according to any one of claims 1 to 32 or a display unit according to any one of claims 33 to 34; the use being for automotive interior applications, household appliances and / or integrated interactive displays.

Images