Anodic Oxide Pore Cleaning via Bubble Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contaminants trapped between metal and non-metal sections during manufacturing processes can interfere with the anodic oxide coating coloring process, leading to non-uniform coloring and cosmetic defects in electronic device enclosures.
Innovation Solution
Generating a flow of bubbles within the anodic oxide coating pores to flush out contaminants, using techniques such as electrolytic, ultrasonic, or low-pressure cycling methods, during or after the anodizing process, to ensure uniform dye uptake and prevent defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If surface finishing operations are performed after metal sections are secured to non-metal sections, then the manufacturing process sequence is maintained, but contaminants become trapped within gaps and leach into the anodic oxide coating causing non-uniform coloring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the pore cleaning operation during or immediately after the anodizing process, before the coloring step. Gas bubbles are generated within the pores to flush out contaminants that have leached from gaps between metal and non-metal sections. This preliminary cleaning ensures that when coloring is applied afterward, the pores are free of contaminants, resulting in uniform color distribution across the anodic oxide coating.
2Stability of the object's composition
If contaminants are present within the anodic oxide coating pores, then the coating structure remains intact, but the coloring process becomes non-uniform and produces cosmetic defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing contaminants from within the anodic oxide coating pores through gas bubble generation. The bubbles form inside the pores and rise to the surface, carrying trapped contaminants with them. This extraction process occurs while maintaining the integrity of the anodic oxide coating structure itself, separating the contaminants from the coating without damaging the coating's fundamental structure, thereby enabling subsequent uniform coloring.
3Manufacturing precision
If a cleaning process is applied to remove contaminants from pores, then coloring uniformity is improved, but additional process steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the cleaning function with the existing anodizing process. Gas bubbles are generated within the pores during or immediately after anodizing, integrating the contaminant removal mechanism into the already-required anodizing step. This approach adds minimal process complexity compared to implementing a completely separate cleaning operation, as the cleaning action is achieved through the same processing window when the anodic oxide coating is being formed.
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 bubble generation effectively cleans the anodic oxide coating, resulting in a cosmetically appealing and uniformly colored finish for electronic device enclosures by removing trapped contaminants and improving the adhesive bonding to porous structures.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogen gas is generated within the anodic oxide during the cathodic polarization cycles
Implementation Method 2
The method also includes generating a flow of bubbles from within pores of the anodic oxide coating and out of the pores. The flow of bubbles force contaminants residing within the pores out of the pores.
Data Source
AI summary
Processes for cleaning anodic film pore structures are described. The processes employ methods for gas generation within the pores to flush out contamination within the anodic film. The pore cleaning processes can eliminate cosmetic defects related to anodic pore contamination during the manufacturing process. For example, an anodic film that is adjacent to a polymer piece can experience contamination originating from a gap between the anodic film and polymer piece, which can inhibit colorant uptake of the anodic film in areas proximate the polymer piece. In some cases, an alternating current anodizing process or a separate operation of cathodic polarization is implemented to generate hydrogen gas that bubbles out of the pores, forcing the contaminates out of the anodic film.