Decorative Glass Panel With Backlit Noble-Material Patterns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite glass/noble material laminates for automotive interior glazings are thick, heavy, costly, and lack flexibility in manufacturing, and do not allow visualization of illuminated signs/patterns due to opacity.
Innovation Solution
A glass panel with a transparent glass sheet, a continuous decorative layer mimicking a noble material, and a discontinuous opaque top layer creating semi-transparent zones for illuminated visualization, manufactured using inkjet printing and laser cutting processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a glass sheet is laminated with a sheet of noble material like wood or stone, then the appearance of the noble material is achieved, but the thickness and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies digital printing technology to create a decorative layer that copies the appearance of noble materials on a thin glass substrate. Instead of laminating actual noble material sheets, the invention uses printed images that replicate the visual characteristics of wood, stone, marble, or other noble materials, achieving the desired aesthetic without the associated weight and thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin glass sheet (0.1-6 mm) as the substrate, which is significantly thinner than traditional laminate structures. The decorative layer is applied as a thin printed coating on this slender glass, creating a lightweight structure that maintains structural integrity while achieving the noble material appearance
2Strength
If a glass sheet is laminated with a sheet of noble material, then mechanical resistance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-material lamination processes with a simplified digital printing approach. The decorative layer is applied directly to the glass substrate using inkjet or similar printing technologies, eliminating the need for separate noble material sheets, adhesives, and complex lamination equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from physical assembly of multiple materials to a chemical/depositional process where the decorative layer is applied as a coating. This parameter change from mechanical lamination to surface deposition simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces production complexity
3Shape
If a noble material sheet is used in laminate form, then the appearance is achieved, but the flexibility and adaptability for different materials are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal manufacturing platform where the same thin glass substrate and digital printing process can produce the appearance of any noble material (wood, stone, marble, leather, etc.). The system is highly adaptable because changing the printed design allows switching between different material appearances without changing the underlying structure or manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital printing technology that allows easy modification of print designs through software. This enables rapid adaptation to different noble material appearances by simply changing the digital image file, providing high versatility without requiring different physical materials or manufacturing lines
4Shape
If a noble material sheet is used in laminate form, then the appearance is achieved, but the cost increases due to material and manufacturing expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive noble materials with inexpensive printed reproductions. The decorative layer uses standard printing inks on a thin glass substrate, eliminating the need to purchase and process actual noble materials like marble slabs or wood veneers, which are costly both in material and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin, disposable glass substrate with a printed decorative layer that can be mass-produced at low cost. The thin glass sheet (0.1-6 mm) is inexpensive compared to noble materials, and the digital printing process allows for cost-effective production of decorative surfaces
5Shape
If a noble material sheet is used in laminate form, then the appearance is achieved, but the ability to visualize illuminated signs or patterns when backlit is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the decorative layer selectively on the glass substrate, leaving certain areas transparent or with reduced decorative coverage. This allows specific zones to transmit light effectively for displaying illuminated signs, logos, or patterns, while other areas maintain the noble material appearance for aesthetic purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the glass surface into functional zones: decorative areas that provide the noble material appearance and transparent/light-transmitting areas that allow illumination. This segmentation enables the panel to simultaneously achieve aesthetic appearance and light transmission functionality for backlit displays
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 provides a lightweight, mechanically resistant, cost-effective, and customizable glass panel that allows clear visualization of illuminated signs/patterns, suitable for mass production and automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
a glass sheet (2) having a luminous transmission LTD of at least 85%
Data Source
AI summary
A glass panel having a noble material appearance, including in order: a glass sheet having a luminous transmission LTD of at least 85% and having a thickness in a range of 0.1 mm to 6 mm, a decorative layer having a noble material pattern and where the decorative layer is continuous, an opaque top layer where the opaque top layer is discontinuous. The glass panel thereby has opaque zones defined by an optical density OD>1.5, and semi-transparent zones that correspond to one or several patterns and defined by a luminous transmission LTD of from 3 to 80%.