Glass Ceramic Haptic Coating Using Particle-Based Layer Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating haptic surfaces on glass or glass ceramic substrates, such as those used in household appliances and displays, face challenges with temperature resistance, mechanical stability, and the complexity of production processes like etching and printing, which often result in layers that are either fragile or have limited haptic variability.
Innovation Solution
A coated glass or glass ceramic substrate with a layer featuring inorganic and/or polysiloxane-based particles coated with a layer-forming material, where the particles can protrude from the layer to create tactile structures, offering improved durability and ease of production compared to etched surfaces, and can be applied using simpler processes like screen printing or sol-gel methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical processes like polishing or sandblasting are used to create haptic structures, then haptic properties are achieved, but production cost increases and surface damage occurs reducing strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical processes (polishing, sandblasting) with a chemical deposition process where a layer-forming material is applied to the glass surface and fired to create haptic structures. This substitution eliminates mechanical surface damage while maintaining production efficiency and reducing costs compared to mechanical methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the glass surface by applying a layer-forming material containing inorganic and/or organic compounds that undergo chemical transformation during firing. This creates haptic structures through chemical deposition rather than mechanical removal, preserving surface integrity and strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If printing processes are used to apply haptic layers, then production cost decreases and ease of manufacture improves, but temperature resistance and mechanical stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite layer-forming materials containing inorganic compounds (such as metal oxides, glass powders) combined with organic binders. During the firing process, the organic component burns off and the inorganic components form a stable, heat-resistant haptic layer that maintains both low production cost and high temperature resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the layer material through thermal processing parameters. The layer-forming material is applied at room temperature and then fired at elevated temperatures (typically 200-500°C), causing chemical changes that create a heat-resistant structure while maintaining the benefits of the printing application process.
3Reliability
If etching processes are used to structure glass surfaces, then haptic properties are achieved, but process complexity increases and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-step etching processes with a simpler deposition and firing process. Instead of using hydrofluoric acid etching with masking and multiple processing steps, the invention applies a layer-forming material directly to the surface and fires it, significantly reducing process complexity while achieving stable haptic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential haptic structuring function from the complex etching process and achieves it through a simplified deposition-firing sequence. By removing the need for masking, multiple etching steps, and complex chemical handling, the invention maintains haptic stability while reducing overall process complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If polyurethane layers are printed on glass ceramic hobs, then haptic properties are achieved, but mechanical stability deteriorates due to poor connection to substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite layer-forming materials that include inorganic compounds capable of forming strong chemical bonds with the glass ceramic substrate. The inorganic components (metal oxides, glass powders) create a chemically bonded interface that significantly improves mechanical connection strength while maintaining the ease of printing application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions during the firing process to improve layer-substrate connection. The layer-forming material undergoes melting, sintering, and chemical reaction phases during heating, creating a metallurgical-like bond between the layer and substrate that dramatically enhances mechanical stability and connection strength.
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 temperature-stable, mechanically robust, and easily producible haptic surface with adjustable haptic properties, reducing sensitivity to fingerprints and enhancing process control, suitable for various applications including kitchen surfaces and display sectors.
Implementation Method 1
the layer has inorganic and/or polysiloxane-based particles which are coated with a layer-forming material and are fixed on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a glass frit for producing temperature-resistant layers which can be applied to the surfaces of substrates
Implementation Method 3
The layer-forming material can be an organic and/or inorganic and/or polysiloxane-based and/or and/or silazane-based and/or glass-based layer-forming matrix
Data Source
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AI summary
A coated glass or glass-ceramic substrate has a layer (r1) comprising haptic or tactile structure. The layer (r1) includes inorganic and/or polysiloxane-based particles fixed with a layer-forming material on a substrate. The particles produces projections on layer (r1) to form haptic or tactile structure.