Coloring Pattern Structure for Metallic Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for coloring metallic surfaces, such as painting, coating, anodization, and alloying, fail to maintain metal gloss and are limited in expressing various colors, especially for materials like aluminum and titanium, which are prone to color fading under UV radiation.
Innovation Solution
A coloring pattern structure comprising a substrate with a light-transmitting dielectric layer and a composite material layer formed by co-depositing a metal and a first material that does not form a thermodynamically stable solid solution, allowing for selective patterning of the metal on the surface to achieve interference colors, using metals like silver, gold, and carbon or silicon, and controlling the thickness and shape of the dielectric and metal layers to manipulate wavelength absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If painting is used to color metal surfaces, then a variety of colors can be realized, but metal gloss cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a dielectric layer and a metal layer with specific thickness ratios. This composite material approach enables the metal surface to exhibit interference colors through light reflection and refraction, achieving color variety while preserving the inherent metallic gloss without requiring traditional painting methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes optical interference effects to produce color changes on metal surfaces. By controlling the thickness of the dielectric and metal layers, different wavelengths of light are constructively or destructively interfered, creating various colors while maintaining the metallic appearance and gloss
2Reliability
If nitride, carbide, or carbonitride coating is applied to metal surface, then durability and color are provided, but various colors cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters (thickness, refractive index) of the coating layers to achieve color variety. By adjusting the thickness of the dielectric and metal layers within specific ranges, different interference colors are produced while maintaining the protective function and durability of the coating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite coating structure with multiple layers (dielectric layer and metal layer) that work together to provide both durability and color variety. This composite approach overcomes the limitation of single-material coatings that can only provide one color
3Adaptability or versatility
If anodization is used for coloring, then color can be expressed on aluminum and titanium, but metal gloss cannot be maintained and color fades under UV radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin metal layer (5-50 nm) that acts as a sacrificial or semi-sacrificial layer. This thin metal layer provides the necessary optical interference effect for color expression while being thin enough to allow the underlying metal substrate to maintain its gloss. The structure is designed to be durable and resistant to UV fading
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where the dielectric layer and thin metal layer work together to provide color expression through interference effects, while the underlying metal substrate maintains the glossy appearance. This composite approach solves the problem of color fading by using materials and structures that are inherently more UV-resistant than traditional anodization dyes
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
This method allows for the creation of metallic surfaces with various interference colors while maintaining the glossy appearance, enabling infinite utilization by controlling the thickness and composition of the dielectric and metal layers, thus overcoming the limitations of existing coloring techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a pattern capable of expressing various interference colors by light on at least one surface thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a coloring pattern structure. The coloring pattern structure includes: a substrate; a light-transmitting dielectric layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate; and a composite material layer disposed on an upper surface of the light-transmitting dielectric layer and formed of a metal and a first material not having a thermodynamic solid solubility in the metal, wherein the metal included in the composite material layer has a pattern coated only on portions of the upper surface of the light-transmitting dielectric layer, and the first material is coated on the remaining area where the metal is not coated.