Light transmissive injection molded article
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for achieving a metallic texture on light transmissive plastic home appliances through light reflection are costly and require additional surface treatments, such as metal deposition, which complicates recycling and increases expenses.
Innovation Solution
A light transmissive injection molded article with a back surface featuring a light reflection pattern composed of inclined surfaces that sequentially and reversely reflect light, allowing for metallic texture simulation without hot stamping, using glass or polymethyl methacrylate as molding materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If metal deposition is used to achieve metallic texture, then the metallic texture is enhanced, but additional costs are required and recycling becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical process of metal deposition with an optical phenomenon (light interference) created by micropatterns on the plastic surface. The micropatterns with specific pitch and width cause constructive interference of reflected light, producing metallic texture without any metal materials or deposition processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of metallic appearance through optical interference patterns rather than using actual metal. The micropatterned surface copies the visual effect of metallic reflection and texture, achieving the desired aesthetic without the physical material or complex surface treatment.
2Illumination intensity
If micropattern pitch and width are increased to reflect visible light, then the product surface appears white gloss, but almost all refracted light is lost at the back surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses light loss by transitioning from a two-dimensional surface reflection problem to a three-dimensional optical path control. By designing specific micropattern geometries with controlled pitch and width, the invention directs refracted light paths to return to the front surface, effectively utilizing the third dimension (depth) to recover lost light energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The micropattern design creates an optical feedback mechanism where light refracted into the plastic is guided back to the front surface. The specific pitch and width dimensions ensure that reflected light from the back surface returns through the micropatterns to the observer, creating a feedback loop that recovers energy that would otherwise be lost.
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
Enables recycling while maintaining a metallic texture through light reflection, ensuring constant luminance and reducing material costs by eliminating the need for expensive hot stamping processes.
Implementation Method 1
When light advancing in air is incident upon a micropattern, a part of the light is reflected, and another part of the light is refracted... When light beams respectively reflected in different steps in this case have the same phase, constructive interference is generated.
Implementation Method 2
When light advancing in air is incident upon a micropattern, a part of the light is reflected, and another part of the light is refracted.
Implementation Method 3
Light exhibits an interference phenomenon as characteristics of waves. When light beams respectively reflected in different steps in this case have the same phase, constructive interference is generated. When the light beams have different phases, destructive interference is generated.
Data Source
AI summary
A light transmissive injection molded article is disclosed. In the light transmissive injection molded article of the present invention, one or more planes are formed at a front surface and a back surface. The planes of the back surface form a light reflection pattern configured to reflect light passing through the front surface toward the front surface. The planes of the back surface include a first inclined surface, a second inclined surface, and a third inclined surface. The first inclined surface is a plane inclined with respect to a normal direction of the front surface. The second inclined surface is a plane gradually approximating to the front surface as the second inclined surface extends far from the first inclined surface. The third inclined surface is a plane gradually approximating to the front surface as the third inclined surface extends far from the second inclined surface.