Coated Member Color Stability via Interference Layer Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Housings of electronic devices face challenges in achieving stable and reproducible color finishes, particularly with colors like blue, purple, gold, and khaki, due to variables in composition, structure, and processing, leading to instability and difficulty in controlling the color of coated layers.
Innovation Solution
A coated member comprising a substrate with a chromium-based color layer and an aluminum-titanium-nitrogen interference layer, where the thickness of the interference layer is adjusted to interfere with light, allowing for a wider color range and improved color accuracy by altering the refraction and extinction coefficients, and incorporating silicon for enhanced crystal grain refinement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a coated layer is applied to provide color to the housing, then the housing gains aesthetic appearance, but the color stability and reproducibility deteriorate due to variables in composition, structure, and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The coating system is divided into two functional layers: a color layer (containing Cr, Si, C, N) and an interference layer (containing Al, Ti, N). This segmentation allows independent optimization of color properties and optical interference properties, improving both color stability and reproducibility while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures with specific element compositions (Cr-Si-C-N color layer and Al-Ti-N interference layer). The composite nature of these layers with controlled thickness ratios enables stable color reproduction through optical interference while maintaining manufacturing control
2Adaptability or versatility
If the thickness of the interference layer is adjusted to change the perceived color, then the color range and accuracy are improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the thickness of the interference layer within a specific range (50-150 nm) to achieve different perceived colors through optical interference. By defining precise thickness parameters and element composition ratios, the system achieves wide color adaptability while maintaining controllable manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The coating system allows dynamic adjustment of color properties by varying the interference layer thickness and element ratios. This enables flexible color customization for different applications while maintaining a systematic approach to manufacturing
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 solution enables the coated member to exhibit a wider color space with improved stability and reproducibility, presenting vivid and accurate colors by adjusting the thickness of the interference layer, which interferes with light to change the perceived color, effectively addressing the challenges of color consistency in electronic device housings.
Implementation Method 1
an aluminum-titanium-nitrogen interference layer, where the thickness of the interference layer is adjusted to interfere with light, allowing for a wider color range and improved color accuracy by altering the refraction and extinction coefficients
Data Source
AI summary
A coated member, an electronic device, and a method for manufacturing the coated member are provided. The coated member comprises a substrate, a color layer formed on a surface of the substrate, and an interference layer formed on a surface of the color layer. A coordinate L* corresponding to a color space presented by the color layer in a CIE LAB color system is within a preset range. When the coordinates of L* are within the preset range, the color of the coated member may be the same or may be different from the color of the color layer. Light passes through the interference layer and then enters the color layer. The color layer reflects and refracts the light. The reflected light enters the interference layer. The interference layer interferes with the reflected light, so that the coated member appears to be a target color.