Vehicle Interior Plating for Durable Backlit Symbol Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emission control knobs for vehicles face issues with discolored or delaminated light blocking layers due to user interaction, leading to reduced visibility and limited design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing interior vehicle parts that involves forming a first plating layer on an injection molded product through electroless plating, printing a symbol part on the plating layer, partially removing the plating layer to expose the rear surface, and forming a second plating layer through electroplating to create a light emission display window without disconnecting the symbol part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light blocking layer is formed on a light emission control knob through painting or deposition, then the knob can emit light through symbol parts, but the light blocking layer becomes discolored or delaminated upon rubbing caused by direct contact with a user's finger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the plating layer into multiple segments: a first plating layer that is partially removed to create light emission windows, and a second plating layer that is formed selectively on remaining portions. This segmentation allows the light blocking function to be distributed across multiple layers, preventing the delamination issues of single-layer approaches while maintaining light emission capability through the removed first plating layer areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the first plating layer completely across the surface before selectively removing portions to create light emission windows. This preliminary plating ensures uniform coverage and adhesion, and the subsequent selective removal creates precise light emission areas without compromising the integrity of the remaining light blocking portions.
2Ease of manufacture
If a light emission control knob uses a single color design, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but it does not satisfy various users' design preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming the second plating layer selectively only on specific portions of the surface where light blocking is needed, while leaving other areas (where the first plating layer was removed) as light emission windows. This localized plating approach enables multi-color or patterned designs by controlling where the second plating layer is deposited, thereby satisfying diverse design preferences while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through selective surface treatment.
3Ease of manufacture
If symbol parts are formed by disconnecting or separating them from the knob body, then manufacturing becomes easier, but visibility and aesthetic continuity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating the light emission window pattern through selective removal of the first plating layer, which replicates the desired symbol or letter pattern. This copying approach allows precise symbol formation without physical disconnection, maintaining the aesthetic continuity of the knob surface while enabling light emission through the patterned areas. The symbol pattern is effectively copied onto the plating layer structure through the removal 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
This method enhances visibility by allowing light to be emitted through the removed symbol part area, reduces production costs by eliminating the need for expensive molds, and offers design flexibility by enabling various symbol configurations without mold re-manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
forming a first plating layer on a surface of an injection molded product through electroless plating
Implementation Method 2
forming a second plating layer on the first plating layer through electroplating
Implementation Method 3
the symbol part and the first plating layer may be removed from the surface of the injection molded product through laser processing
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing interior parts for a vehicle includes: forming a first plating layer on a surface of an injection molded product through electroless plating; printing a symbol part on the first plating layer; partially removing the first plating layer to a size corresponding to the symbol part from a rear surface of the injection molded product; forming a second plating layer on the first plating layer; and removing the symbol part and the first plating layer from the surface of the injection molded product on which the second plating layer is formed.