Automobile Exterior Surface Decoration for Precise Laser-Etched Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laser engraving technologies for automobile exterior surfaces struggle to achieve accurate post-decoration in laser engraved areas due to difficulties in masking non-engraved regions, limiting the diversity and complexity of patterns that can be applied.

Innovation Solution

A compound treatment process involving a protection layer application, laser etching, secondary surface decoration, and varnish spraying, allowing for precise exposure and decoration of laser engraved grooves, with options for PVD, ink printing, or traditional masking to achieve multi-colored or process-based effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If laser engraving is used to etch the paint layer, then decorative effects are achieved, but accurate post-decoration in the engraved areas cannot be achieved due to masking difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoration capabilityVSAvoidmasking precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A protection layer is applied to the substrate surface before laser engraving. This preliminary action creates a defined boundary that allows subsequent masking to precisely cover only the non-engraved areas, enabling accurate post-decoration in the laser engraved grooves without affecting surrounding regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surface treatment process is segmented into distinct stages: protection layer application, laser engraving, masking of non-engraved areas, and selective post-decoration. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, particularly enabling precise masking to be applied only where needed rather than requiring complete surface masking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional masking is used for laser engraved areas, then decoration can be applied, but the complexity of masking irregular shapes increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern diversityVSAvoidmasking complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection layer is applied conformally to the entire substrate surface before engraving, including irregular areas. This preliminary conformal coating simplifies subsequent masking operations because the protection layer already follows the substrate's geometry, reducing the complexity of creating custom masks for irregular shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Masking is applied locally only to the non-engraved areas rather than the entire surface. The protection layer provides a uniform base, allowing masking material to be applied selectively and simply to specific regions, thereby reducing overall masking complexity while maintaining pattern diversity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the same decoration process is applied to the entire surface, then manufacturing is simple, but multiple appearance requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidappearance variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The surface is segmented into decorated and non-decorated regions through selective masking. This allows different appearance treatments to be applied to different areas while using the same basic decoration process, thereby maintaining process simplicity while achieving appearance variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different decorative appearances are applied locally to different regions of the substrate. The protection layer and masking system enable simple application of various decorations (PVD, ink printing, spraying) to specific areas, achieving multiple appearance requirements without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the attainment of varied and complex decorative effects by ensuring only the laser engraved grooves are decorated, enhancing the aesthetic appeal with integrated lighting and metal appearance effects, while reducing the complexity of the laser engraving process.

Implementation Method 1

performing laser etching on the protected product to form at least one groove

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

the secondary surface decoration treatment is aluminium, chromium, or indium plating by PVD process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP4450174A1An automobile exterior surface and its compound treatment process

Publication Date: 2024.10.23 YANFENG PLASTIC OMNIUM AUTOMOTIVE EXTERIOR SYST CO LTD

Figure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an automobile exterior surface and its compound treatment process. The process includes the following steps: (1) applying a protection layer on a substrate to form a protected product; (2) performing laser etching on the protected product to form at least one groove; (3) performing a secondary surface decoration treatment on the protected product after being laser etched; (4) removing the protection layer before spraying a layer of varnish on the surface for surface protection.