Light Irradiation Processing for Selective Paint Coating Evaporation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processing systems struggle to effectively process objects by adjusting the thickness of paint coatings without affecting the underlying substrate, particularly when using invisible light sources like infrared or ultraviolet light.

Innovation Solution

A processing system that uses a light irradiation apparatus to selectively evaporate parts of the paint coating using controlled energy levels and patterns, forming concave structures while ensuring the underlying object is not affected, combined with a driving system to move the light source for precise processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If invisible light sources (infrared or ultraviolet) are used to process paint coatings, then processing capability is improved, but control precision deteriorates because the light is invisible and cannot be directly observed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts invisible light (infrared or ultraviolet) into visible light through wavelength conversion materials. The processing light source emits invisible light that excites the wavelength conversion material, which then emits visible light. This allows operators to see the light pattern and precisely control the processing area while maintaining the chemical effectiveness of the original invisible light on the paint coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Productivity

If high energy light is used to evaporate paint coating, then processing efficiency is improved, but harmful effects increase on the underlying substrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses wavelength conversion materials with specific properties tailored to the paint coating material. The conversion material is selected or designed to emit light at wavelengths that are optimally absorbed by the paint coating for evaporation, while the underlying substrate does not absorb this wavelength range. This creates localized effectiveness - the paint coating receives high energy at the right wavelength for efficient evaporation, while the substrate remains unaffected because it doesn't absorb the converted light wavelength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If continuous light irradiation is used to process large areas, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pulsed light emission instead of continuous irradiation. The light source emits light in periodic pulses, where each pulse processes a specific area of the paint coating. Between pulses, the system can move to the next area or allow heat dissipation. This periodic action maintains high productivity by continuously processing different areas while reducing total energy consumption compared to continuous irradiation of the entire large area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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 system efficiently adjusts paint thickness and forms concave structures on the coating surface without damaging the underlying object, improving processing accuracy and throughput.

Implementation Method 1

a processing system that uses a light irradiation apparatus to selectively evaporate parts of a paint coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

A US4,994,639B (Patent Literature 1) discloses, as a processing system that is configured to process an object, a processing system that forms a structure by irradiating a surface of an object with processing light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight irradiation: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3960365B1Processing system and inspection system
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 NIKON CORP
  • EP3960365B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3960365B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3960365B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A processing system is a processing system that processes an object by processing light, and is provided with: an inspection apparatus that performs an extraneous substance inspection in an inspection target area on a surface of the object; and an irradiation apparatus that irradiates the inspection target area with the processing light.