Laser-Grooved Metal Marking for Higher Code Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming identification codes on metal products, such as stacked rotor cores, face challenges in achieving high readability due to insufficient contrast between the marking and the base region.
Innovation Solution
The formation of an identification code on a metal product involves creating a combination of a base region and a black marking, where the black marking is formed by irradiating specific cells with a marking laser beam, ensuring that the filling ratio of each black cell is sufficient to enhance contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a marking is formed on a metal surface by laser oxidation, then an identification code is created, but the contrast between the marking and base region is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions with different surface properties: a base region with uniform oxidation and marking cells with deeper laser grooves and different oxidation states. This local differentiation enhances the visual contrast between marking and base region, directly resolving the contradiction between readability and contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the laser groove depth and width between marking cells and the base region. The marking cells have deeper and/or wider grooves compared to the base region, creating an asymmetric surface structure that significantly improves contrast and readability of the identification code.
2Reliability
If the filling ratio of black cells is increased to enhance contrast, then readability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by adjusting laser processing parameters (power, speed, pulse duration) to achieve different oxidation states and groove depths. By controlling these parameters, the filling ratio of black cells is optimized to enhance contrast and reading success rate without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
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 approach significantly improves the contrast between the black marking and the base region, leading to enhanced readability of the identification code, with a reading success rate of at least 30% when the filling ratio is 50% or more.
Implementation Method 1
forming a black marking having a predetermined pattern by repeating the process of irradiating a surface of a metal member with a laser beam to oxidize metal
Implementation Method 2
irradiating a surface of a metal member with a laser beam to oxidize metal and printing circular dots on the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A metal product comprises a metal member, and a marking formed on a surface of the metal member. The marking is configured with a combination of cells each having a square shape. One or more of the cells comprise multiple rows of laser grooves extending along a predetermined direction. At least one of the laser grooves comprises pulse marks that are arranged at a feed pitch equal to or smaller than a spot diameter in the predetermined direction. The marking satisfies the formulab×n/a≥0.5where parameters a, b, and n are defined as:a: a length of one side of each of the one or more cells;b: a diameter of the pulse mark; andn: a number of the laser grooves per each of the one or more cells.