Gradient Color Enclosure Coating for Mobile Terminal Rear Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile phone rear covers typically have a monotonous appearance due to the difficulty and low yield rate of multi-color coating technologies, resulting in a lack of visual appeal.
Innovation Solution
A gradient-colored enclosure for mobile terminals is achieved through a composite film layer with varying thicknesses along specific directions, utilizing a sputter coating apparatus with baffle plates to create a thin, rainbow-colored effect that enhances sensory appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional multi-color coating technology is used, then the enclosure can present multiple colors, but the manufacturing difficulty increases and yield rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a composite film layer with spatially varying thickness distribution. The film thickness changes gradually from one region to another, producing different colors at different locations on the enclosure surface. This eliminates the need for multiple separate coating layers while achieving multi-color effects, thereby simplifying manufacturing and improving yield rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the thickness of the composite film layer to vary continuously across the enclosure surface. By adjusting the film thickness parameter from 300-400nm in one region to 0-100nm in another region, the optical interference effects produce gradient color transitions. This single-parameter control approach replaces complex multi-layer coating processes.
2Illumination intensity
If the composite film layer thickness difference is large, then the color variation is more pronounced, but the appearance change becomes abrupt and less natural
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a gradual, continuous transition in film thickness rather than abrupt changes. The thickness varies dynamically across the surface following a controlled gradient, creating smooth color transitions that appear natural. This dynamic thickness distribution eliminates sharp boundaries between different color zones.
3Device complexity
If a single-layer coating is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the color effect and sensory appeal are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by using a multi-layer composite film structure consisting of alternating high-refractive-index and low-refractive-index layers. This composite structure enhances optical interference effects, producing vibrant rainbow colors and improved sensory appeal. The composite nature of the film layer allows for superior color effects compared to single-layer coatings while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
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 more visually appealing and durable mobile terminal enclosure with a natural, gradual color change, meeting customer color experience requirements and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a sputter coating apparatus with baffle plates to create a thin, rainbow-colored effect
Implementation Method 2
The TiO 2 film varies in thickness to produce multilevel color variations through the effect of light refraction
Implementation Method 3
The baffle comprises at least one shielding unit, the different parts of the shielding unit are different in width, and the shielding unit is used for conducting uneven shielding on the coating material sent by the coating source so that an optical film with the thickness linearly changing can be formed on the first surface
Data Source
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AI summary
An enclosure (200) is provided. The enclosure (200) includes a substrate (1) and composite film layer (2) coated onto the substrate (1). A thickness of the composite film layer (2) gradually decreases or increases along a first direction (X), and a difference between film thicknesses of any two regions arranged along the first direction (X) on the composite film layer (2) is less than or equal to 350 nanometers, so that the enclosure (200) presents a gradient color of a wavelength ranging from 400 nanometers to 760 nanometers. A mobile terminal (100) having the enclosure (200) and a sputter coating apparatus (300) are further disclosed.