Electronic devices with thin-film masking layers

    公开(公告)号:US10482305B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-11-19

    申请号:US15170818

    申请日:2016-06-01

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An electronic device may have transparent structures. The transparent structures may include a transparent member such as a transparent button member. The transparent member may have an inner surface that is covered with an opaque masking layer. The opaque masking layer may be white and may include a white porous inorganic layer covered with an opaque layer that increases the optical density of the opaque masking layer. The white porous inorganic layer may be formed by depositing a metal or other material using physical vapor deposition followed by an annealing process in the presence of oxygen. The opaque layer may be an optically dense inorganic layer such as a metal oxide layer. The button member may be located within an opening in a display cover layer. A fingerprint sensor may be attached to the opaque layer on the button member.

    Co-molded ceramic and polymer structure

    公开(公告)号:US10463125B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-11-05

    申请号:US15694948

    申请日:2017-09-04

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a co-molded housing component for an electronic device is disclosed. A component formed from a ceramic material is placed in a mold. The mold comprises a first section defining a first cavity configured to receive the first component, and a second section defining a second cavity that is in communication with the first cavity when the mold is closed. The second cavity is in the shape of a feature that is to be joined to the ceramic material. A polymer material is injected into the second cavity, thereby forming the feature from the polymer material and bonding the feature to the ceramic material. The polymer material is cured. The first component and the feature together form the housing component for an electronic device.

    Electronic devices having transparent crystalline structures with antireflection coatings

    公开(公告)号:US10401535B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-09-03

    申请号:US15617706

    申请日:2017-06-08

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A graded index antireflection layer may be formed on a transparent crystalline member such as a sapphire member. The graded index layer may include aluminum oxide and silicon oxide. The graded index layer may extend from a first surface at the transparent member to a second surface. The fraction of aluminum oxide in the graded index layer may be at a maximum at the first surface so that the index of refraction of the graded index layer at the first surface matches the index of refraction of the transparent member and may be at a minimum at the second surface so the index of refraction of the graded index layer is minimized at the second surface. The graded index layer may be annealed to form aluminum oxide nanocrystals in the graded index layer and to form a polycrystalline aluminum oxide adhesion layer at the first surface.

    Interlocking ceramic and optical members

    公开(公告)号:US10200516B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-02-05

    申请号:US14472230

    申请日:2014-08-28

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Interlocking first member and optical members and methods of their manufacture. A component formed from an interlocking first member and optical member, where the first member includes a recess formed within a surface and the optical member is disposed in the recess. The recess of the first member may include a recess geometry and the optical member may include a member geometry that may correspond to the recess geometry. Additionally, the interlocking component formed from the first member and optical member may be formed by a coupling process. The coupling process may include sintering the first member and the optical member, bonding the optical member to the first member or providing a compression-load or fit between the first member and the optical member.

    Electronic devices with masking layers

    公开(公告)号:US10090876B1

    公开(公告)日:2018-10-02

    申请号:US15170631

    申请日:2016-06-01

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An electronic device may have transparent structures. The transparent structures may include a transparent member such as a transparent button member, a transparent member that serves as a display cover layer, a transparent member that covers a sensor such as a touch sensor, or other transparent member. The transparent member may have an inner surface that is covered with an opaque masking layer that is free of materials that discolor upon light exposure and that is formed from a layer of polymer and light-scattering inclusions such as solid particles, hollow microspheres, porous particles, and voids. A protective layer such as an inorganic layer may be formed over the polymer layer. A fingerprint sensor, touch sensor, or other structures may be attached to the opaque masking layer using a layer of adhesive.

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