Colored Glass Cover Components for Wireless Charging Enclosures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern portable electronic devices lack enclosure components that provide aesthetic appeal, optical, electrical, and mechanical properties suitable for wireless communication and charging systems while maintaining durability and resistance to breakage and scratches.

Innovation Solution

The use of colored glass-based materials for enclosure components, which include colored glass or glass ceramic materials, providing specific optical, electrical, and mechanical properties, such as varying optical properties between thinner and thicker portions, dielectric and magnetic properties, and chemical strengthening for durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If traditional enclosure materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but aesthetic appeal and optical properties are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs colored glass-based composite materials that integrate multiple functional properties (optical, mechanical, electrical) into a single material system. The glass composition includes specific metal oxides (e.g., cobalt oxide for blue color, copper oxide for green color) combined with base glass formers, creating a material that simultaneously provides aesthetic coloration, structural integrity, and compatibility with wireless charging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If glass-based materials are used for enclosure components, then aesthetic appeal and optical properties are improved, but resistance to breakage and scratches deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidresistance to breakage and scratches

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the glass material by incorporating specific ratios of metal oxides (e.g., 0.1-5.0 wt% cobalt oxide, 0.1-5.0 wt% copper oxide) and adjusting the glass matrix composition to optimize both optical properties and mechanical strength. This parameter optimization allows the glass to maintain aesthetic coloration while achieving enhanced durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If colored glass materials are used, then color and aesthetic appeal are enhanced, but compatibility with wireless communication and charging systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecolorVSAvoidcompatibility with wireless systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different glass compositions to different regions or functional zones of the enclosure. Areas requiring wireless communication compatibility use glass formulations with specific dielectric properties, while other regions may prioritize aesthetic coloration. The glass material is also engineered with controlled thickness variations to optimize RF signal transmission in critical areas while maintaining color intensity in visible areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If uniform thickness is used for enclosure component, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but optical property variation needed for aesthetic effect is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidoptical property variation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements variable thickness profiling in the glass enclosure component, where specific regions have different thicknesses to create desired optical effects. For example, central regions may be thinner to allow greater light transmission for display visibility, while peripheral regions are thicker to provide structural strength and enhance color saturation. This localized thickness variation is achieved through precision molding or grinding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 colored glass-based materials enhance the aesthetic appeal and functional performance of electronic devices by offering desired colors, high light transmission, resistance to breakage and scratches, and compatibility with wireless communication and charging systems.

Implementation Method 1

a rear cover member formed from a glass material including metal nanoparticles configured to impart color to the glass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a coating disposed along an interior surface of the rear cover member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the colored glass-based material may be chemically strengthened to produce a compressive stress layer along one or more surfaces of the enclosure component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical strengthening:

Data Source

PatentUS12538437B2Electronic devices including colored glass-based components

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 APPLE INC

AI summary

Components formed from colored glass-based materials are disclosed. A cover member formed from a colored glass-based material may be positioned over one or more device components such as a component of a wireless communication or charging system. The cover member may have optical properties, electrical properties, magnetic properties, and/or mechanical properties compatible with the requirements of the one or more device components. In some cases, different portions of the cover member may be configured to have different optical and/or electrical properties.