Interior Material Light Emission via Laser-Etched Grooves and Transparent Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing interior materials with light-emitting logo patterns face issues such as reduced transmittance due to dust accumulation in hollow lighting grooves, weak durability, difficulty in forming various logo patterns, and challenges in precise injection molding of island portions without adequate support.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a blocking layer with a hot-melt interlayer, support tape for island support, laser-etched lighting grooves, and a transparent film binder, followed by injection molding at high temperature to fill grooves and prevent foreign material entry, ensuring clear light emission and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If hollow lighting grooves are formed under the real wood layer, then light can pass through the logo portion, but dust accumulates in the hollow portion reducing transmittance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmittance through logoVSAvoidtransmittance stability due to dust accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent film is introduced as an intermediary material to fill the lighting grooves. This transparent film serves as a mediator between the light source and the external environment, allowing light to pass through while preventing dust accumulation, thus resolving the contradiction between light transmittance and transmittance stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a transparent film (thin film) to fill and seal the lighting grooves. This thin film structure allows light transmission while creating a closed environment that prevents dust entry, solving the problem of dust accumulation in hollow grooves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If the molded article is made with simple structure, then manufacturing is easier, but durability is weak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of multiple layers including real wood layer, adhesive layer, transparent film, and light-blocking layer. This composite material structure enhances durability while maintaining manufacturability, as each layer serves a specific function and can be processed using standard manufacturing techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If various logo patterns are required, then aesthetic expression is improved, but it becomes difficult to form diverse patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelogo pattern varietyVSAvoidpattern formation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different logo patterns to be formed in specific regions of the transparent film. The light-blocking layer can be selectively positioned and shaped in different areas to create various logo patterns, while the overall manufacturing process remains consistent, enabling pattern diversity without complicating production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If the island portion is not supported during injection molding, then the structure is simpler, but precise injection molding becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structure complexityVSAvoidinjection molding precision of island portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support tape is attached to the upper surface of the real wood layer before the injection molding process. This preliminary action provides necessary support for the island portion during molding, ensuring precise injection molding without requiring complex support structures in the mold itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enables clear and durable light emission through various logo patterns by preventing dust entry and enhancing structural integrity, allowing for precise molding and cost-effective production.

Implementation Method 1

bonding a blocking layer for blocking the transmission of light below a material layer with a hot-melt layer interposed therebetween

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot-melt bonding: Melting

Implementation Method 2

forming lighting grooves, through which light passes, by laser-etching a predetermined portion from the blocking layer to the material layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser etching: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 3

the injection molding process is performed at high temperature such that the transparent film is melted and stretched to fill the lighting grooves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-temperature melting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3647055B1Method of manufacturing interior material having composite layer structure capable of light emission through various logo patterns
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 INTOPS
  • EP3647055B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3647055B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3a
  • EP3647055B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3e

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an interior material, which can implement various and distinct light emission effects by disposing a light-blocking layer configured to block light emitted from a light source on a wood layer or transparent film and then allowing the component of the transparent film to fill lighting grooves formed by laser-etching. Since a tape configured to support an island is employed, stable manufacturing is possible throughout an overall process.