Mirror with top shell internally provided with multiple layers of steps and dripping liquid and manufacturing method of mirror
By incorporating a multi-layered stepped structure within the top shell of the mirror and injecting dripping liquid, the problem of a monotonous mirror appearance is solved, achieving a unique visual experience and decorative effect, and enhancing the mirror's aesthetic appeal and production efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511081956.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing mirrors have a monotonous appearance and lack unique visual effects, failing to meet people's personalized needs for mirror appearance.
The mirror's top shell incorporates a multi-tiered stepped structure and is infused with colored droplets of liquid, creating a unique visual effect through injection molding, surface treatment, and sealing techniques.
Mirrors offer a unique visual experience and decorative effect, enhancing their aesthetic appeal, while also boasting good production efficiency and a long service life.
Smart Images

Figure CN120863128A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of mirror manufacturing technology, specifically to a mirror with a top shell containing multiple layers of steps and dripping liquid, and its manufacturing method. Background Technology
[0002] As a common item in daily life, mirrors are mainly used for reflection. With the improvement of people's living standards, there are also higher requirements for the appearance and decoration of mirrors. At present, most mirrors on the market have a simple appearance and lack unique visual effects. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above problems by designing a mirror with a top shell containing multiple layers of steps and dripping liquid, and a method for manufacturing the mirror.
[0004] The first aspect of this invention provides a mirror with a top shell containing multiple layers of steps and dripping liquid, and a method for manufacturing the same, the method comprising the following steps: S1. Select the top shell material for the mirror and pre-treat the top shell material; S2. Determine the number of layers, the height and width of each layer of the multi-layered staircase, add the pre-treated top shell material into the injection molding machine, and complete the injection molding of the top shell according to the injection molding process parameters. S3. Perform surface treatment on the multi-layered stepped structure inside the injection-molded top shell. S4. Add pigment to the dripping liquid to adjust the liquid to obtain the desired color effect; S5. Inject the prepared liquid into the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell. After the liquid injection is completed, seal the top shell. S6. Assemble the sealed top shell with the mirror body to form a complete mirror structure.
[0005] Optionally, in the first implementation of the present invention, the top shell material is selected from polycarbonate or acrylic.
[0006] Optionally, in a second implementation of the present invention, the pretreatment in step S1 is carried out in a drying oven, with the drying temperature set at 80-120°C and the drying time at 3-5 hours.
[0007] Optionally, in the third implementation of the present invention, the injection temperature in step S2 is 180-300℃, the injection pressure is 50-100MPa, and the injection speed is 30-60mm / s.
[0008] Optionally, in the fourth implementation of the present invention, the surface treatment in step S3 includes grinding and polishing. Grinding is done with 180-240 grit sandpaper, and polishing is done with a wool wheel and polishing paste. The polishing time is 2-5 minutes.
[0009] Optionally, in the fifth implementation of the present invention, the dripping liquid in step S4 is silicone oil or mineral oil, the amount of pigment added is 0.1-0.5% of the mass of the dripping liquid, and the stirring time of the dripping liquid and pigment is 5-10 minutes.
[0010] Optionally, in the sixth implementation of the present invention, the injection volume of each step in step S5 is 0.3-0.8 ml, and the injection speed is 0.1-0.3 ml / s.
[0011] Optionally, in the seventh implementation of the present invention, the sealing process in step S5 is performed using sealant or ultrasonic welding.
[0012] Optionally, in the eighth implementation of the present invention, when the sealing method is a sealant, the thickness of the sealant application is 0.1-0.3 mm.
[0013] Optionally, in the ninth implementation of the present invention, when the sealing method is ultrasonic welding, the welding time is 0.5-2 seconds.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention, by incorporating multiple layers of steps and dripping liquid into the top shell of the mirror, allows the liquid to flow, adding a unique visual experience and decorative effect to the mirror, and satisfying people's personalized needs for the appearance of the mirror. 2. This invention uses a transparent top shell material and a suitable liquid to make the liquid flow effect more obvious and enhance the aesthetics of the mirror; 3. The manufacturing method of the present invention is simple, easy to achieve mass production, and has high production efficiency and low production cost; 4. This invention selects materials and liquids with good corrosion resistance, ensuring the service life and stability of the mirror. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention.
[0016] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of a mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0017] The present invention will now be described in detail through embodiments. It should be noted that the following embodiments are only for further illustration of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Non-essential improvements and adjustments made by those skilled in the art based on the above description of the present invention still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0018] For ease of understanding, the specific process of the embodiments of the present invention is described below. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 The flowchart of the manufacturing method of the mirror with multi-layered steps and dripping liquid built into the top shell provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: S1. Select the top shell material for the mirror and pre-treat the top shell material; S2. Determine the number of layers, the height and width of each layer of the multi-layered staircase, add the pre-treated top shell material into the injection molding machine, and complete the injection molding of the top shell according to the injection molding process parameters. S3. Perform surface treatment on the multi-layered stepped structure inside the injection-molded top shell. S4. Add pigment to the dripping liquid to adjust the liquid to obtain the desired color effect; S5. Inject the prepared liquid into the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell. After the liquid injection is completed, seal the top shell. S6. Assemble the sealed top shell with the mirror body to form a complete mirror structure.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the top shell material in step S1 is selected as polycarbonate or acrylic, and the pretreatment is carried out in a drying oven with the drying temperature set at 80-120℃ and the drying time at 3-5 hours.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the injection temperature in step S2 is 180-300℃, the injection pressure is 50-100MPa, and the injection speed is 30-60mm / s.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the surface treatment in step S3 includes grinding and polishing. Grinding is done with 180-240 grit sandpaper, and polishing is done with a wool wheel and polishing compound for 2-5 minutes.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the dripping liquid in step S4 is silicone oil or mineral oil, the amount of pigment added is 0.1-0.5% of the mass of the dripping liquid, and the stirring time of the dripping liquid and pigment is 5-10 minutes.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, in step S5, the injection volume of each step is 0.3-0.8 ml, the injection speed is 0.1-0.3 ml / s, and the sealing treatment is performed by sealant or ultrasonic welding. When the sealing method is sealant, the thickness of the sealant application is 0.1-0.3 mm. When the sealing method is ultrasonic welding, the welding time is 0.5-2 seconds.
[0024] Example 1 Step S1: Selection and Pretreatment of Top Shell Material Among the many materials that can be used to make the top shell of a mirror, polycarbonate (PC) was selected as the top shell material after comprehensive consideration of the material's transparency, strength, corrosion resistance, and other properties. Polycarbonate has excellent transparency, which can clearly show the internal liquid flow effect. At the same time, it has high strength, is not easily deformed or damaged, and its corrosion resistance can ensure that the mirror will not be corroded by contact with some chemicals during daily use. To ensure the quality of subsequent injection molding, the polycarbonate material needs to be pretreated. The polycarbonate material is placed in a drying oven, and the drying temperature is set to 120℃ for 4 hours. During the drying process, the temperature inside the drying oven is evenly distributed, allowing the moisture inside the material to evaporate fully. This pretreatment effectively removes moisture from the material, preventing defects such as bubbles and shrinkage in the top shell caused by the vaporization of moisture during injection molding, which would affect the appearance and performance of the product. Step S2: Top shell injection molding Based on the design requirements, the multi-layer stepped structure was determined to be 4 layers, each layer being 2mm high and 5mm wide. This stepped structure design has undergone multiple simulations and experimental verifications, ensuring that the liquid flows smoothly on the steps while also having a good visual effect. The pretreated polycarbonate material is added to the injection molding machine. The injection molding machine barrel needs to be preheated to ensure the material reaches a suitable molten state. The injection molding process parameters are set as follows: injection temperature is 280℃, determined after studying the melting characteristics of polycarbonate material to ensure complete melting without causing material decomposition due to excessive temperature; injection pressure is 80MPa, sufficient injection pressure allows the molten material to fill the mold cavity, ensuring the shape and dimensional accuracy of the top shell; injection speed is 50mm / s, a reasonable injection speed reduces the flow resistance of the material in the cavity, avoiding problems such as material shortages and weld lines. The injection molding machine is started, and molten polycarbonate material is injected into the mold cavity through the nozzle of the injection molding machine under injection pressure. During the injection process, the mold needs to maintain a certain temperature to control the cooling rate of the material. The mold temperature is generally set at about 80°C, which allows the material to cool slowly in the cavity, reducing the generation of internal stress and preventing deformation of the top shell. After a certain period of pressure holding and cooling in the cavity, the material solidifies and is formed. Finally, the ejection mechanism of the injection molding machine ejects the formed top shell from the mold, completing the injection molding of the top shell. After molding, the top shell is cooled and removed. Step S3: Stepped Surface Treatment Surface treatment of the multi-layered stepped structure inside the injection-molded top shell is a crucial step to ensure smooth liquid flow. First, 200-grit sandpaper is used for polishing. The 200-grit sandpaper has a moderate particle size, effectively removing burrs and unevenness from the stepped surface without causing excessive damage to the material. During polishing, the operator holds the sandpaper and polishes evenly along the direction of the steps to ensure that each step's surface is thoroughly treated. After sanding, polishing is performed using a wool wheel and polishing compound. The wool wheel's soft texture allows for full contact with the step surface, and combined with the abrasive action of the polishing compound, it further enhances the smoothness of the step surface. The polishing time is 3 minutes. During the polishing process, the angle and pressure of the wool wheel need to be continuously adjusted to ensure that the surface of each step achieves a mirror-like smoothness. This surface treatment minimizes the resistance encountered by liquids when flowing on the step surface, ensuring smooth and aesthetically pleasing liquid flow. Step S4: Preparation of drip solution Silicone oil was chosen as the dripping liquid because it has good fluidity and stability, is not easily volatilized or deteriorated, and can maintain good flow performance for a long time. 0.3% by weight of blue pigment was added to the silicone oil. Blue is a popular color that can add a unique visual effect to the mirror. Place the silicone oil and blue pigment into a stirrer, set the stirrer speed to 300 rpm, and stir for 8 minutes. During the stirring process, the stirrer blades rotate at high speed, so that the pigment can be evenly dispersed in the silicone oil. Through this thorough stirring, it can be ensured that the resulting blue droplet has a uniform color and that there is no pigment precipitation, thus ensuring a consistent visual effect of the liquid during the flow process. Step S5: Liquid Injection and Sealing The prepared blue silicone oil is injected into the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell using a specialized injection device. This device has precise metering and control functions, ensuring accurate injection volume and speed for each step. The injection volume for each step is 0.5 ml, and the injection speed is 0.2 ml / s. During the injection process, the needle of the injection device must be accurately aligned with the injection port of each step, and the liquid must be injected slowly to avoid splashing and air bubbles. After injection, sealant is applied for sealing. The sealant should be a product with good compatibility with polycarbonate materials to ensure a good seal. The sealant thickness is 0.2mm. Operators should use a dedicated application tool to evenly apply the sealant to the sealing edges of the top shell. During application, attention should be paid to the application area to ensure all possible leakage points are covered. After application, the top shell should be placed in a well-ventilated area to allow the sealant to cure naturally. The curing time is generally 24 hours. The cured sealant has good sealing and weather resistance, preventing liquid leakage and ensuring the normal use of the mirror. Step S6: Assemble the top shell and the mirror body. The sealed top shell is assembled with the mirror body using a snap-fit connection. The mirror body is the core part of the mirror, including the reflective layer and supporting structure. The snap-fit connection method has the advantages of convenient installation and structural stability. During the assembly process, the operator needs to align the snaps on the top shell with the slots on the mirror body and then press firmly to make the snaps securely snap into the slots. After assembly, the mirror needs to be inspected to ensure that the connection between the top shell and the mirror body is tight and there is no looseness. At the same time, check whether the flow of liquid on the steps is normal and whether there are any leaks. If everything is normal, a complete mirror structure is formed. This mirror not only has a practical mirror function, but also brings a unique visual experience to the user through the flow of internal liquid.
[0025] Example 2 Step S1: Selection and Pretreatment of Top Shell Material After comparing the performance of various materials and conducting market research, acrylic was selected as the top shell material. Acrylic has a transparency comparable to polycarbonate, while also having good processing performance and a relatively low price, which can meet the production requirements of mirror top shells. Place the acrylic material in a drying oven, set the drying temperature to 80℃, and the drying time to 5 hours. Acrylic material has a low glass transition temperature, so the drying temperature should not be too high to avoid deformation of the material. During the drying process, the temperature inside the drying oven needs to be strictly controlled to maintain a uniform temperature. Through 5 hours of drying, the moisture in the acrylic material can be fully removed, preparing it for subsequent injection molding. Step S2: Top shell injection molding The multi-tiered staircase was determined to have three tiers, each 1.5mm high and 4mm wide. This staircase design took into account the overall size of the mirror and the effect of liquid flow. After multiple optimizations, it was able to achieve a good visual effect within a limited space. Add the pretreated acrylic material to the injection molding machine and set the injection molding process parameters: injection temperature is 200℃, which is the optimal injection temperature range for acrylic material, ensuring that the material melts fully and does not decompose or discolor due to excessive temperature; injection pressure is 60MPa, and appropriate injection pressure allows the molten material to fill the mold cavity smoothly; injection speed is 40mm / s, and a slower injection speed reduces the flow resistance of the material in the cavity, avoiding defects such as flow marks. In the injection molding process, molten acrylic material is injected into the mold cavity under injection pressure. The mold temperature is set to 60°C. A lower mold temperature can accelerate the cooling rate of the material and improve production efficiency. After the material is held under pressure and cooled in the cavity, it solidifies and is molded. The ejection mechanism of the injection molding machine ejects the molded top shell, which is then removed after cooling. Step S3: Stepped Surface Treatment The surface of the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell is treated. First, the stepped surface is sanded with 180-grit sandpaper. The 180-grit sandpaper has coarse particles that can quickly remove burrs and larger imperfections from the stepped surface. During the sanding process, the operator needs to pay attention to the sanding force and direction to avoid causing excessive scratches on the material surface. After sanding, polish with a wool wheel and polishing compound for 2 minutes. Because acrylic material has low hardness, the polishing time should not be too long to avoid damaging the material surface with the wool wheel. Through short-time polishing, the stepped surface can achieve a certain smoothness to meet the requirements of liquid flow. Step S4: Preparation of drip solution Mineral oil is chosen as the dripping liquid because it has good fluidity and stability, and its price is relatively low, making it an economical choice. Adding 0.2% red pigment by weight to the mineral oil will make it bright and eye-catching, adding a strong visual impact to the mirror. Place the mineral oil and red pigment into a mixer, set the mixer speed to 250 rpm, and mix for 5 minutes. During the mixing process, ensure that the pigment is evenly dispersed in the mineral oil. Since the mineral oil has a low viscosity, the mixing time does not need to be too long; 5 minutes is sufficient to achieve a good dispersion effect. Step S5: Liquid Injection and Sealing Red mineral oil is injected into the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell using a specialized injection device. Each step has an injection volume of 0.4 ml and an injection speed of 0.1 ml / s. The slower injection speed reduces the number of air bubbles generated during the injection process, ensuring that the liquid is evenly distributed on the steps. After injection, ultrasonic welding is used for sealing. Ultrasonic welding is a highly efficient and reliable sealing method that can generate high temperatures instantly, melting and bonding the sealing edges of the top shell together. The welding time is 1 second. Within this 1 second, the transducer of the ultrasonic welding equipment converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, which is transmitted to the sealing edges of the top shell through the amplitude transformer, melting the material and forming a strong weld joint. After welding, the sealing performance of the top shell is effectively guaranteed, preventing liquid leakage. Step S6: Assemble the top shell and the mirror body. The sealed top shell is assembled with the mirror body by connecting them with screws. The screw connection method has the advantages of strong connection and disassembly, which facilitates subsequent maintenance and replacement. During the assembly process, the operator needs to drill holes in the top shell and the mirror body first, and then pass the screws through the holes and tighten them with a screwdriver. During the tightening process, care must be taken to control the tightening force to avoid excessive force that could deform the top shell or the main body of the mirror. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the tightening degree of each screw is consistent to ensure a tight connection between the top shell and the main body of the mirror. After assembly, check whether the overall structure of the mirror is stable and whether the liquid flow effect is normal to ensure that the mirror can be used normally.
[0026] Example 3 Step S1: Selection and Pretreatment of Top Shell Material Polycarbonate (PC) was chosen as the top shell material because of its excellent overall performance, which can meet the requirements of the mirror top shell for transparency, strength and corrosion resistance. The polycarbonate material was placed in a drying oven, and the drying temperature was set to 100℃ for 3 hours. This drying temperature and time setting was determined after testing the thermal stability and moisture content of the polycarbonate material. This ensures that the material is fully dried while preventing performance changes due to high temperature. During the drying process, the temperature sensor inside the drying oven monitors the temperature in real time to ensure that the temperature is controlled within the set range. Step S2: Top shell injection molding The multi-tiered design consists of 5 tiers, each 3mm high and 6mm wide. This taller and wider tiered structure allows the liquid to create a more distinct sense of layering and visual effect during flow, making it suitable for mirror products with high decorative requirements. The pretreated polycarbonate material is added to the injection molding machine, and the injection molding process parameters are set as follows: the injection temperature is 300℃, which is the highest injection temperature for polycarbonate material, ensuring that the material melts fully and fills the complex mold cavity; the injection pressure is 100MPa, which can overcome the flow resistance of the material in the cavity and ensure the shape and dimensional accuracy of the top shell; the injection speed is 60mm / s, which can improve production efficiency, but it is necessary to pay attention to controlling the flow state of the material to avoid defects such as jetting. In the injection molding process, molten polycarbonate material is injected into the mold cavity under high pressure and high speed. The mold temperature is set to 90°C. The higher mold temperature can slow down the cooling rate of the material, reduce the generation of internal stress, and prevent the top shell from deforming. After the material is held under pressure and cooled in the cavity, it solidifies and is molded. The ejection mechanism of the injection molding machine ejects the molded top shell, which is then removed after cooling. Step S3: Stepped Surface Treatment The surface of the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell is treated. First, the stepped surface is sanded with 240-grit sandpaper. The finer particles of 240-grit sandpaper can remove more subtle imperfections and make the stepped surface smoother. During the sanding process, the operator needs to patiently and meticulously handle the corners and edges of each step to ensure the uniformity of the surface treatment. After sanding, polish with a wool wheel and polishing compound for 5 minutes. A longer polishing time can make the stepped surface smoother, close to a mirror effect. During the polishing process, polishing compound needs to be added continuously to keep the wool wheel moist to improve the polishing effect. Through this fine surface treatment, liquids can flow on the stepped surface with almost no resistance, presenting a smooth and natural flow effect. Step S4: Preparation of drip solution Silicone oil was chosen as the dripping liquid because it has good chemical stability, excellent compatibility with polycarbonate materials, and can maintain good flow properties for a long time. Adding 0.5% green pigment by weight to the silicone oil gives it a fresh and natural look, providing a unique visual experience for the mirror. Place the silicone oil and green pigment into a stirrer, set the stirrer speed to 350 rpm, and stir for 10 minutes. High-speed stirring can fully disperse the pigment particles in the silicone oil to form a uniform green solution. During the stirring process, it is necessary to observe the color change of the solution to ensure that the pigment is completely dissolved and there is no precipitation or clumping. Step S5: Liquid Injection and Sealing Green silicone oil is injected into the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell using a specialized injection device. The injection volume for each step is 0.8 ml, and the injection speed is 0.3 ml / s. The large injection volume and fast injection speed require the injection device to have higher precision and stability to ensure that the liquid is evenly distributed on the steps. After injection, seal with sealant, applying a thickness of 0.3mm. A thicker sealant application enhances the sealing effect and prevents leakage during long-term use. When applying the sealant, use a professional applicator to evenly apply it to the sealing edges of the top shell, ensuring that the sealant covers all possible leakage points. After application, place the top shell in a dry and ventilated place to allow the sealant to cure naturally for 48 hours to ensure optimal sealing performance. Step S6: Assemble the top shell and the mirror body. Assemble the sealed top shell and the mirror body using a snap-fit connection. The snap-fit connection method is simple to operate and can be completed quickly. During the assembly process, align the snaps on the top shell with the slots on the mirror body, and then press firmly to make the snaps securely snap into the slots. After assembly, a comprehensive inspection of the mirror is conducted; check whether the connection between the top shell and the mirror body is tight and whether there is any looseness; check whether the liquid flows normally on the steps and whether there are any signs of leakage; check whether the mirror's reflective performance is good and whether there are any scratches or stains; if all the inspection items meet the requirements, a complete mirror structure is formed, and this mirror has a unique decorative effect and good performance.
[0027] Example 4 Step S1: Selection and Pretreatment of Top Shell Material Acrylic was chosen as the top shell material because it has high transparency and is easy to process, which can meet the manufacturing requirements of mirror top shells. The acrylic material was placed in a drying oven, and the drying temperature was set to 110℃ for 4 hours. This drying temperature and time setting was determined based on the characteristics of the acrylic material and experimental data. It can effectively remove moisture from the material without affecting its performance. During the drying process, the air circulation system in the drying oven maintains air circulation to ensure that the material dries evenly. Step S2: Top shell injection molding The multi-tiered staircase was determined to have four tiers, each 2.5mm high and 5mm wide. This staircase design combines aesthetics and practicality, ensuring the smooth flow of liquid while making the overall dimensions of the mirror more reasonable. Add the pretreated acrylic material to the injection molding machine and set the injection molding process parameters: injection temperature is 220℃, which is the suitable injection temperature for acrylic material, ensuring that the material melts fully while avoiding material decomposition; injection pressure is 70MPa, and appropriate injection pressure allows the material to fill the mold cavity smoothly; injection speed is 55mm / s, and a faster injection speed can improve production efficiency, but it is necessary to pay attention to controlling the flow state of the material to prevent defects. During injection molding, molten acrylic material is injected into the mold cavity under injection pressure. The mold temperature is set to 70°C, which allows the material to cool slowly in the cavity, reducing internal stress and improving the dimensional stability of the top shell. After being held under pressure and cooled in the cavity, the material solidifies and is molded. The ejection mechanism of the injection molding machine ejects the molded top shell, which is then removed after cooling. Step S3: Stepped Surface Treatment The surface of the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell is treated. First, the stepped surface is sanded with 220-grit sandpaper. The 220-grit sandpaper has a moderate particle size, which can effectively remove the imperfections on the stepped surface without causing excessive damage to the material surface. During the sanding process, the operator needs to pay attention to the direction and force of sanding to ensure that the surface of each step is treated evenly. After sanding, polish with a wool wheel and polishing compound for 4 minutes. This 4-minute polishing process will achieve a high degree of smoothness on the stepped surface, meeting the requirements for liquid flow. During the polishing process, the angle and pressure of the wool wheel need to be constantly adjusted to ensure that the surface of each step is fully polished. Step S4: Preparation of drip solution Mineral oil is an economical and practical choice as the dripping liquid because it is widely available and inexpensive. Adding 0.4% yellow pigment by weight to the mineral oil will give it a bright and vibrant appearance, adding life and vitality to the mirror. Place the mineral oil and yellow pigment into a mixer, set the mixer speed to 300 rpm, and mix for 9 minutes. During the mixing process, ensure that the pigment is evenly dispersed in the mineral oil. Due to the low viscosity of mineral oil, the mixing time needs to be appropriately extended to ensure sufficient dispersion of the pigment. Step S5: Liquid Injection and Sealing Yellow mineral oil is injected into the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell using a specialized injection device. Each step has an injection volume of 0.6 ml and an injection rate of 0.25 ml / s. This injection volume and rate setting has been verified through multiple experiments to ensure that the liquid forms an appropriate liquid layer thickness on the steps, preventing overflow due to excessive volume and ensuring proper flow even with insufficient volume. During the injection process, the control system of the injection device monitors the injection volume and rate in real time. If any abnormality is detected, the injection will be stopped immediately and an alarm will be issued so that the operator can handle the situation promptly. After injection, ultrasonic welding is used for sealing, with a welding time of 1.5 seconds. The power and frequency of the ultrasonic welding equipment are precisely adjusted to generate sufficient energy within 1.5 seconds to melt and firmly bond the sealing edge of the top shell. During the welding process, the equipment's clamps fix the top shell in the correct position to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the welding. After welding, the sealing performance of the top shell is effectively guaranteed, and it can withstand certain pressure and vibration to prevent liquid leakage. Step S6: Assemble the top shell and the mirror body. Assemble the sealed top shell and mirror body using screws; first, mark the positions of the screw holes on the top shell and mirror body, and then use a drilling machine to drill the holes; when drilling, pay attention to controlling the depth and diameter of the holes to ensure that the screws can be installed smoothly; Next, pass the screws through the screw holes in the top shell and the mirror body, and tighten them with a screwdriver. When tightening the screws, it is necessary to do so in a certain order, such as tightening diagonally, to ensure that the force between the top shell and the mirror body is even and to avoid deformation. At the same time, a torque wrench is needed to control the tightening force to ensure that the tightening torque of each screw is consistent, so as to ensure the stability and reliability of the connection. After assembly, a comprehensive inspection of the mirror is conducted. This includes checking the tightness of the connection between the top shell and the main body of the mirror, and whether there is any looseness; checking the normal flow of liquid on the steps and whether there are any signs of leakage; and checking the mirror's reflective performance and whether there are any scratches or stains. If all the inspection items meet the requirements, a complete mirror structure is formed. This mirror not only has a practical mirror function, but also provides users with a unique visual experience through the flow of internal liquid.
[0028] Example 5 Step S1: Selection and Pretreatment of Top Shell Material Polycarbonate (PC) was chosen as the top shell material because it has excellent transparency, strength and corrosion resistance, which can meet the various performance requirements of the mirror top shell. The polycarbonate material was placed in a drying oven, and the drying temperature was set to 90℃ for 4.5 hours. This drying temperature and time setting was determined after detailed testing of the thermal stability and moisture content of the polycarbonate material. This ensures that the material is fully dried while preventing performance changes due to high temperatures. During the drying process, the temperature control system inside the drying oven monitors the temperature in real time to ensure that temperature fluctuations are within ±2℃ to guarantee consistent drying results. Step S2: Top shell injection molding The multi-tiered staircase was determined to have three tiers, each with a height of 1.8mm and a width of 4.5mm. This staircase structure design takes into account both the overall aesthetics of the mirror and the actual effect of liquid flow. After multiple optimizations, it can achieve the best visual effect within a limited space. The pretreated polycarbonate material is added to the injection molding machine, and the injection molding process parameters are set as follows: the injection temperature is 250℃, which is the ideal injection temperature for polycarbonate material, ensuring that the material melts fully without decomposing due to excessive temperature; the injection pressure is 75MPa, which allows the molten material to smoothly fill the mold cavity, ensuring the shape and dimensional accuracy of the top shell; the injection speed is 45mm / s, which reduces the flow resistance of the material in the cavity while ensuring production efficiency, avoiding defects such as flow marks and shortness of material. In the injection molding process, molten polycarbonate material is injected into the mold cavity under injection pressure. The mold temperature is set to 75°C, which allows the material to cool slowly in the cavity, reducing internal stress and improving the dimensional stability and surface quality of the top shell. After being held under pressure and cooled in the cavity, the material solidifies and is molded. The ejection mechanism of the injection molding machine ejects the molded top shell, which is then removed after cooling. Step S3: Stepped Surface Treatment The surface of the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell is treated. First, the stepped surface is sanded with 210-grit sandpaper. The 210-grit sandpaper has a moderate particle size, which can effectively remove burrs and minor imperfections on the stepped surface without causing excessive scratches on the material surface. During the sanding process, the operator needs to hold the sandpaper and sand evenly along the direction of the steps to ensure that the surface of each step is fully treated. After sanding, polish with a wool wheel and polishing compound for 3.5 minutes. During polishing, the angle and pressure of the wool wheel need to be adjusted continuously to ensure that the surface of each step is in full contact with the wool wheel. At the same time, polishing compound needs to be added as needed to keep the wool wheel moist to improve the polishing effect. Through 3.5 minutes of polishing, the surface of the steps can achieve a high degree of smoothness to meet the requirements of liquid flow. Step S4: Preparation of drip solution Silicone oil was chosen as the dripping liquid because it has good chemical stability and fluidity, excellent compatibility with polycarbonate materials, and can maintain good flow performance for a long time. Adding 0.1% purple pigment by weight to the silicone oil, the mysterious and noble purple pigment can add a unique artistic touch to the mirror. Place silicone oil and purple pigment into a stirrer, set the stirrer speed to 280 rpm, and stir for 7 minutes. During the stirring process, the stirrer blades rotate at high speed, generating strong shear force, which allows the pigment particles to be evenly dispersed in the silicone oil. Stirring for 7 minutes ensures that the resulting purple droplet has a uniform color and no pigment precipitation, ensuring a consistent visual effect during the flow of the liquid. Step S5: Liquid Injection and Sealing Purple silicone oil is injected into the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell using a specialized injection device. The injection volume for each step is 0.3 ml, and the injection speed is 0.15 ml / s. This small-dose, slow-speed injection method can reduce the formation of air bubbles during the injection process and ensure that the liquid is evenly distributed on the steps. During the injection process, the needle of the injection device needs to be accurately aligned with the injection port of each step, and the liquid is injected slowly to avoid liquid splashing and air bubble formation. After injection, seal with a 0.1mm thick layer of sealant. A thinner sealant layer reduces the impact of the sealant on the appearance of the top shell while ensuring sufficient sealing performance. When applying the sealant, use a professional applicator to evenly apply it to the sealing edges of the top shell, ensuring that the sealant covers all possible leakage points. After application, place the top shell in a dry and ventilated place to allow the sealant to cure naturally for 24 hours to ensure optimal sealing performance. Step S6: Assemble the top shell and the mirror body. Assemble the sealed top shell and mirror body using a snap-fit connection. First, align the snaps on the top shell with the slots on the mirror body, then press firmly to secure the snaps into the slots. During the pressing process, be careful to control the pressing force to avoid excessive force that could deform the top shell or mirror body. After assembly, a comprehensive inspection of the mirror is conducted. This includes checking the tightness of the connection between the top shell and the main body of the mirror, and whether there are any loose parts. The flow of liquid on the steps is checked for normality and any signs of leakage. The mirror's reflectivity is also checked for scratches or stains. If all the inspection items meet the requirements, a complete mirror structure is formed. This mirror has a unique decorative effect and good performance, providing users with a brand-new visual experience.
[0029] Examples 1-5 were tested according to the above standards, and the test results are shown in Table 1.
[0030] Liquid flowability test procedure: Before the test, the mirror samples of the five embodiments were placed in a room temperature environment of 25°C and left to stand for 1 hour to ensure that the sample temperature was consistent with the ambient temperature. During the test, the mirror samples were tilted at 45° and a high-speed camera was started at a frame rate of 50fps to record the flow state of the liquid on the multi-layered steps. The observation time lasted for 5 minutes, focusing on whether the liquid could flow smoothly along the steps and whether there was any stagnation, accumulation or obvious uneven flow speed. For the occasional slight stagnation that occurred in Example 2, the stagnation position was confirmed by playing back the video to be the edge of the second step, the stagnation time was no more than 2 seconds, and it did not affect the overall flow path. The sealing test process consisted of two parts: a static test and a vibration test. During the static test, five samples were placed horizontally on the test bench, and white test paper was attached to the sealing edge of the top shell. After 24 hours of static testing, the test paper was observed for any traces of liquid seepage. The vibration test used an electromagnetic vibration table. The samples were fixed on the vibration table, and the vibration parameters were set to a sinusoidal vibration with a frequency of 5-50 Hz and an amplitude of 0.5 mm, lasting for one hour. After vibration, the fixing device was removed, and the sealing edge and test paper were checked again to confirm whether there was any liquid leakage. No leakage was observed in either of the five samples during either test, and the test paper remained dry. Top shell transparency test procedure: A transmittance meter with a measurement range of 0-100% and an accuracy of ±1% was used for testing. Before testing, the instrument was calibrated with a standard white board. The top shell of each sample was cut into a 10mm × 10mm square specimen to ensure that the surface of the specimen was free of scratches and stains. The specimen was placed close to the measuring window of the instrument, and each specimen was tested at 3 different positions. The average value was taken as the final result. The transmittance measurements of Examples 1-5 were 92%, 90%, 93%, 89%, and 91%, respectively, all of which met the qualified standard of ≥85%. Structural stability testing process: A pressure testing machine was used to apply pressure to the assembled mirror, with the test point being the connection between the top shell and the main body of the mirror. The pressure loading rate was set to 1 N / s, gradually increased to 10 N and held for 30 seconds. During this period, the displacement change of the connection part was monitored by a laser displacement sensor with an accuracy of 0.01 mm. After the test, the top shell and the main body were visually inspected for looseness, gaps, or deformation, and the connection strength of the screws or clips was checked with a torque wrench. None of the 5 samples showed displacement exceeding the tolerance (≤0.1 mm) during the test, and there was no looseness or deformation at the connection parts. Corrosion resistance test procedure: Prepare a 5% soap solution to simulate common cleaning agents. Wipe the top shell surface and liquid contact area of each sample evenly with a sponge soaked in soap solution. Then cover with plastic wrap to keep it moist and place it in an environment of 25°C for 24 hours. After 24 hours, remove the plastic wrap, rinse the sample surface with water and dry it. Observe whether the top shell has discoloration, cracking, or swelling. At the same time, check whether the liquid has become cloudy, separated, or changed color. The top shell and liquid of the 5 samples did not show any abnormalities and remained in their initial state. The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely preferred examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A mirror with a top shell containing multiple layers of steps and dripping liquid, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: S1. Select the top shell material for the mirror and pre-treat the top shell material; S2. Determine the number of layers, the height and width of each layer of the multi-layered staircase, add the pre-treated top shell material into the injection molding machine, and complete the injection molding of the top shell according to the injection molding process parameters. S3. Perform surface treatment on the multi-layered stepped structure inside the injection-molded top shell; S4. Add pigment to the dripping liquid to adjust the liquid to obtain the desired color effect; S5. Inject the prepared liquid into the multi-layered stepped structure inside the top shell. After the liquid injection is completed, seal the top shell. S6. Assemble the sealed top shell with the mirror body to form a complete mirror structure.
2. The mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 1, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that, The top shell material is selected from polycarbonate or acrylic.
3. The mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 1, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that... The pretreatment in step S1 is carried out in a drying oven, with the drying temperature set at 80-120℃ and the drying time at 3-5 hours.
4. The mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 1, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that... In step S2, the injection temperature is 180-300℃, the injection pressure is 50-100MPa, and the injection speed is 30-60mm / s.
5. The mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 1, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that, The surface treatment in step S3 includes grinding and polishing. Grinding is done with 180-240 grit sandpaper, and polishing is done with a wool wheel and polishing compound for 2-5 minutes.
6. The mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 1, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that, In step S4, the dripping liquid is silicone oil or mineral oil, the amount of pigment added is 0.1-0.5% of the mass of the dripping liquid, and the stirring time of the dripping liquid and pigment is 5-10 minutes.
7. The mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 1, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that, In step S5, the injection volume for each step of the liquid injection is 0.3-0.8 ml, and the injection rate is 0.1-0.3 ml / s.
8. The mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 1, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that, In step S5, the sealing process is performed using sealant or ultrasonic welding.
9. A mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 8, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that, When the sealing method is sealant, the thickness of the sealant application should be 0.1-0.3 mm.
10. A mirror with a multi-layered stepped top shell and dripping liquid as described in claim 8, and its manufacturing method, characterized in that, When the sealing method is ultrasonic welding, the welding time is 0.5-2 seconds.