Structurally Colored Glass Enclosure for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional enclosure components for electronic devices face challenges in achieving durable, iridescent colors without increasing the dielectric constant and often rely on coatings that may not be as effective or durable.
Innovation Solution
Structurally colored enclosure components formed from modified glass-based materials with a surface region having a lower refractive index than the substrate, creating an iridescent effect through interference and diffraction, and potentially incorporating a coloring agent for enhanced color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coating including a coloring agent is applied to the enclosure component, then the enclosure component can be colored, but the color durability and effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional coating-based coloration (mechanical/chemical application) with structural coloration achieved through surface modification of the glass material itself. The surface region is treated to create a porous structure with lower refractive index, producing iridescent colors through optical interference rather than pigments. This substitution eliminates coating durability issues while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established glass treatment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure within the glass enclosure component by forming a surface region with different properties than the bulk material. The surface region contains pores filled with air or low-refractive-index material, creating a composite of glass and air pockets that produces the desired optical effects. This composite approach enables durable structural coloration integrated into the base material.
2Reliability
If a coloring agent is included in the enclosure component material, then the enclosure component can be colored, but the dielectric constant increases undesirably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous surface region structure where air pockets (low dielectric constant) are distributed within the glass matrix. This porous architecture provides structural coloration through refractive index differences while actually reducing or maintaining low dielectric constant properties, as air has a dielectric constant of approximately 1.0 compared to glass materials. The pore sizes are controlled to produce the desired optical interference effects without compromising electrical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and optical parameters of the glass surface by creating a porous structure with specific pore sizes, shapes, and distributions. This structural modification alters the refractive index profile to produce iridescent colors while simultaneously controlling the dielectric constant through the air-filled pore structure. The surface region parameters are optimized to achieve both optical and electrical performance requirements.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional coatings are applied to achieve iridescent colors, then color effects can be obtained, but the durability and effectiveness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coloration function directly into the enclosure component's base glass material through surface modification. Rather than applying a separate coating layer that can deteriorate, the iridescent color effect is created by modifying the glass surface structure itself, integrating the optical function into the structural material. This merging ensures that the color effect durability matches the durability of the glass component itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes conventional coating-based coloration with structural coloration through surface porous structure formation. The mechanical/chemical process of applying and adhering coatings is replaced with physical-chemical surface treatment that creates permanent structural features within the glass. This substitution eliminates the interface between coating and substrate that is prone to failure, achieving superior durability while maintaining vibrant iridescent effects.
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 solution provides durable, iridescent colors that vary with viewing angle, maintaining low dielectric constant and incorporating additional effects like luster, enhancing aesthetic appeal while maintaining functional properties.
Implementation Method 1
the surface region of the enclosure component defines a thin film that can produce an optical effect through interference of light reflected from the surface of the surface region and light reflected from interface between the surface region and the underlying substrate
Implementation Method 2
the modified glass-based material may include structural features such pores, crystals, a phase separated structure, or the like that are not present in the unmodified glass-based material or that are present in the unmodified glass-based material in a different form and/or amount
Data Source
AI summary
A structurally colored enclosure component for an electronic device is disclosed. The structurally colored enclosure component may be a cover member for the electronic device and in some cases may display iridescence. A surface region of the enclosure component may include a modified glass-based material and the structural color of the enclosure component may be due at least in part to the surface region. Enclosures and electronic devices including the structurally colored enclosure components are also described herein,