3D Translucent Surface Coating for Intuitive Illuminated Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for 3D surface-structured workpieces lack effective, adaptable optical structuring and operability, particularly in complex systems like vehicle control interfaces, where intuitive interaction is hindered by insufficient visual and haptic feedback.
Innovation Solution
A 3D surface-structured workpiece with location-specific coating material application correlating to surface height, combined with an illumination source that couples light into the workpiece, enhancing optical and haptic feedback for improved operability and adaptability to ambient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If 3D surface structuring is applied to workpieces, then visual and haptic feedback is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different coating material amounts to different locations on the workpiece surface based on the local height of the 3D structure. This creates location-specific optical properties that enhance visual feedback without requiring the entire surface to be uniformly complex, thereby improving operability while managing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a coating thickness dimension to the existing 3D surface structure. By varying the coating material amount in the vertical dimension according to surface height, it creates an additional layer of information that enhances visual and haptic feedback without fundamentally redesigning the base surface structure.
2Illumination intensity
If location-specific coating material application is used, then optical feedback is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the amount of coating material applied as a continuous parameter based on the local height of the surface structure. This parameter change approach allows for graduated optical effects that are more robust to manufacturing tolerances compared to discrete coating variations, enhancing optical feedback while managing precision requirements.
3Loss of information
If illumination sources are added to couple light into the workpiece, then visual feedback is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the workpiece's own 3D surface structure and translucent properties to guide and modulate light internally. The structure itself serves as the optical element, reducing the need for additional complex illumination systems while maintaining enhanced visual feedback with lower energy consumption.
4Illumination intensity
If the workpiece surface is made translucent, then optical effects are enhanced, but material selection and manufacturing options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines translucent base materials with coating materials to create a composite structure. This allows the workpiece to benefit from the optical properties of translucent materials while the coating layer provides additional design flexibility and can compensate for limitations in base material selection, thereby maintaining material adaptability.
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 arrangement provides enhanced visual and haptic feedback, reducing operating errors and facilitating intuitive operation of complex devices by clearly highlighting surface functionalities and adapting to environmental changes, particularly beneficial for modern transportation systems.
Implementation Method 1
the 3-dimensionally structured workpiece surface is at least partially translucent and the illumination source is arranged to couple light either laterally and/or at the rear and/or at the front into the workpiece surface
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement of a workpiece which is 3-dimensionally structured at least in partial surface regions, at least having a decoration applied above and/or below the structured workpiece surface, and at least one illumination source is described. The decoration comprises at least one coating material, wherein the amount of the coating material applied to the workpiece in a location-specific manner correlates with the height of the 3-dimensionally structured surface of the workpiece at this location, wherein the 3-dimensionally structured workpiece surface is at least partially translucent and the illumination source is arranged to couple light either laterally and/or at the rear and/or at the front into the workpiece surface. Furthermore, a method for coating 3-dimensionally surface-structured workpieces is presented.