Cover Surface Structure for Sharper Embossed and Engraved Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

The formation of embossed and engraved patterns on electronic device covers results in reduced sharpness due to over-polishing during the polishing process, leading to indistinct borders between these features.

Innovation Solution

The cover design includes protrusions at the periphery of the embossed parts and recesses at the periphery of the engraved parts, with inclined surfaces extending from these features to enhance pattern sharpness and maintain clarity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polishing process is performed to eliminate surface defects due to applied heat and pressure, then surface defects are reduced, but the sharpness of the pattern becomes lower and borders become indistinct

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidpattern sharpness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a release agent to the mold surface before forming the cover. This preliminary action prevents excessive adhesion between the cover and mold during the forming process, thereby eliminating the need for aggressive polishing that would compromise pattern sharpness. The release agent creates a protective barrier that allows for gentle post-forming finishing while maintaining embossed and engraved pattern definition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If heat and pressure are applied to form embossed and engraved patterns, then the desired pattern is created, but over-polishing occurs at corner portions and borders appear torn down

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern formationVSAvoidborder clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a release agent as an intermediary substance between the mold and the cover during the forming process. This intermediary layer controls the adhesion characteristics, allowing heat and pressure to effectively form embossed and engraved patterns while preventing excessive bonding that would cause border degradation during subsequent polishing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the cover is formed by applying to a mold with corresponding shape, then the pattern is created, but edge effect causes overly polished corner portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern creationVSAvoidcorner sharpness
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The release agent serves as an intermediary that uniformly distributes across the mold surface, including corner areas. This prevents localized excessive adhesion at corners during forming, which would otherwise require aggressive polishing and result in lost corner sharpness. The intermediary layer enables gentle finishing while preserving corner geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4333571B1Electronic device comprising cover
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4333571B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4333571B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4333571B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device includes a cover having a front surface defining one surface of the electronic device and a rear surface that is an opposite surface to the front surface, the front surface of the cover includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inclined surface extending from a periphery of the upper surface to a periphery of the lower surface toward the rear surface, the cover includes at least one protrusion at least partially formed at the periphery of the upper surface by partially recessing the upper surface in a direction that faces the rear surface, the inclined surface includes a first inclined surface extending substantially flat from the at least one protrusion to a first section of the periphery of the lower surface. Other various embodiments recognized through the specification are possible.