Infrared-Transparent Colored Optical Layer for Vehicle Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating infrared-transparent structures into systems like vehicles and electronic devices is challenging due to the difficulty in achieving desired appearances while blocking visible light and transmitting infrared light effectively.
Innovation Solution
A visible-light-reflecting-and-infrared-light-transmitting layer is created using a polymer layer with plasmonic nanoparticles and colorants, which allows for the adjustment of absorption and scattering spectrums to reflect white light and impart desired colors, ensuring infrared transparency and aesthetic coordination with surrounding structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a layer blocks visible light to hide infrared components, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the layer may appear dark or black which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies colorants to the infrared-transparent layer to change its visible appearance from dark/black to desired colors (e.g., blue, green, red). The colorants are specifically selected to be transparent at infrared wavelengths while providing desired visible colors, thus resolving the contradiction between visible light blocking and aesthetic appearance.
2Shape
If colorants are added to the polymer layer to provide desired color, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the infrared transparency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses colorants with specific spectral properties that provide color in the visible range while maintaining transparency in the infrared range. This local quality approach selects materials that have different optical properties at different wavelengths, achieving both aesthetic appearance and infrared transparency simultaneously.
3Shape
If the polymer layer reflects white light to provide a light appearance, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the visible light blocking capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses colorants that absorb specific wavelengths of visible light while transmitting others, creating colored reflections rather than pure white light reflection. This selective absorption and reflection maintains visible light blocking capability while providing aesthetically pleasing colored appearances.
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 solution effectively blocks visible light while allowing infrared light to pass through, providing a visually appealing and functional layer that hides infrared components from view while maintaining high infrared transparency and low wavefront distortion.
Implementation Method 1
Nanoparticles of several different types may be incorporated into a visible-light-reflecting-and-infrared-light-transmitting layer to supply the layer with the ability to reflect white light
Implementation Method 2
Nanoparticle dimensions may be varied to adjust the absorption and scattering spectrums of the nanoparticles
Implementation Method 3
A visible-light-reflecting-and-infrared-light-transmitting layer may overlap an infrared optical component. Visible light may be blocked by this layer while infrared light that is emitted or detected by the infrared optical component may pass through the layer
Implementation Method 4
Colorant such as colored dye or pigment may be incorporated into the polymer layer or into an additional polymer coating to impart a desired color to the reflected white light
Data Source
AI summary
A system such as a vehicle system, building, or electrical equipment may be provided with one or more optical components. The optical components may include a near-infrared camera or other components that operate at near-infrared wavelengths. A visible-light-reflecting-and-infrared-light-transmitting layer may overlap the optical component. The visible-light-reflecting-and-infrared-light-transmitting layer may have an infrared-transparent substrate. A polymer layer may be formed on the substrate and may contain plasmonic nanoparticles that reflect white light. Colorant may be incorporated into the polymer layer or into an additional polymer coating to impart a desired color to the reflected white light and thereby provide the visible-light-reflecting-and-infrared-light-transmitting layer with a desired appearance.