Colored Glass-Ceramic Enclosure for Lightweight Strong Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a challenge in designing enclosures for portable computing devices that are both lightweight and strong, as traditional materials either buckle due to flexibility or increase weight with added rigidity, potentially damaging internal components.

Innovation Solution

Development of colored and opaque glass-ceramics with β-spodumene solid solution and either pseudobrookite or vanadium-containing compounds, which can be ion-exchanged to create a compressively stressed layer for enhanced strength and rigidity while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If lighter materials are used for enclosures, then weight is reduced, but strength and rigidity deteriorate causing buckling and bowing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure weightVSAvoidenclosure strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses glass-ceramic composite material that combines the low density of glass with the high strength of ceramic phases. The specific composition includes beta-spodumene solid solution (40-70 wt%), pseudobrookite (10-30 wt%), and other phases that together provide both lightweight properties and exceptional mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the glass-ceramic material, specifically controlling the ratios of SiO2 (35-70 wt%), Al2O3 (15-30 wt%), Li2O (2-8 wt%), and other oxides to achieve optimal balance between weight and strength. The controlled formation of specific crystalline phases through composition adjustment enables simultaneous achievement of low weight and high strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If thicker structures are used for enclosures, then strength and rigidity are improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure strengthVSAvoidenclosure weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The glass-ceramic composite provides high strength-to-weight ratio through its multi-phase structure. The combination of beta-spodumene solid solution (lightweight phase) with pseudobrookite and other strengthening phases creates a material that achieves superior strength without requiring increased thickness, thus avoiding additional weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates localized crystalline phases within the glass matrix, where pseudobrookite and other crystalline phases are distributed throughout the glass-ceramic structure. This local reinforcement provides enhanced strength and rigidity at specific critical regions without requiring uniform thickness increase across the entire enclosure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If more fasteners are used in enclosures, then rigidity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure rigidityVSAvoidenclosure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental material parameter from conventional plastics or metals to glass-ceramic, which provides inherently superior strength and rigidity. This material property change allows for simplified enclosure designs with fewer fasteners and joints, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining or improving structural rigidity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The glass-ceramics provide improved mechanical properties, such as increased fracture toughness and compressive strength, while achieving aesthetically suitable black or gray colors, suitable for use in electronic device enclosures.

Implementation Method 1

ion-exchanged to create a compressively stressed layer for enhanced strength and rigidity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP2890652B1Colored and opaque glass-ceramic(s), associated colorable and ceramable glass(ES), and associated process(ES)

Publication Date: 2022.09.14 CORNING INC

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AI summary

Disclosed herein are glass ceramics having crystalline phases including β-spodumene ss and either (i) pseudobrookite or (ii) vanadium or vanadium containing compounds so as to be colored and opaque glass-ceramics having coordinates, determined from total reflectance -- specular included -- measurements, in the CIELAB color space of the following ranges: L* = from about 20 to about 45; a* = from about -2 to about +2; and b* = from about -12 to about +1. Such CIELAB color space coordinates can be substantially uniform throughout the glass-ceramics. In each of the proceeding, β-quartz ss can be substantially absent from the crystalline phases. If present, β-quartz ss can be less than about 20 wt% or, alternatively, less than about 15 wt% of the crystalline phases. Also Further crystalline phases might include spinel ss (e.g., hercynite and/or gahnite-hercynite ss), rutile, magnesium zinc phosphate, or spinel ss (e.g., hercynite and/or gahnite-hercynite ss) and rutile.