Multi-Tone Vehicle Paint Using UV-Cured Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle paint schemes, particularly two-tone schemes, require more time and energy to apply compared to single-tone schemes, and they often necessitate complex masking and curing processes.

Innovation Solution

A method for applying a multi-tone paint scheme to a vehicle body using a combination of oven-cured and ultraviolet (UV)-cured paints, where a first paint is applied and oven-cured, followed by the application of UV-curable second and third paints, which are cured using UV light without the need for atomization or masking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a two-tone paint scheme is applied to a vehicle body, then the visual appearance and design complexity are improved, but the painting time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepainting process simplicityVSAvoidpainting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the painting process into distinct zones: a first zone painted with oven-cured paint and a second zone painted with UV-cured paint. This segmentation allows different curing methods to be applied to different areas, enabling multi-tone designs while reducing overall painting time and eliminating the need for sequential processing of entire vehicle surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the curing parameter from thermal (oven-cured) to photonic (UV-cured) for the second paint zone. UV-cured paint cures rapidly upon exposure to ultraviolet light without requiring high-temperature oven curing, thereby reducing energy consumption and painting time while enabling complex multi-tone designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional oven-curing is used for all paint layers, then the paint durability is ensured, but the energy consumption and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaint durabilityVSAvoidcuring energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal curing system (oven heating) with a photonic curing system (UV light exposure) for the second paint zone. This substitution eliminates the need for high-temperature thermal processing, reducing energy consumption while maintaining paint durability through effective UV-cured bonding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If masking processes are used to achieve clean paint boundaries, then the painting precision is improved, but the process complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaint boundary accuracyVSAvoidmasking process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical masking system with a photonic curing system. By using UV light to cure the second paint zone immediately after application, the patent achieves clean paint boundaries without requiring physical masks, thereby reducing process complexity and eliminating masking-related time consumption while maintaining painting precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces UV light as an intermediary curing mechanism that enables precise paint boundary formation without physical masking. The UV light acts as a mediator that cures the paint in the second zone immediately, creating sharp boundaries between paint zones without the need for masking materials or complex masking procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces the time and energy required for painting by eliminating the need for separate curing chambers and masking processes, while also allowing for more complex and visually appealing multi-tone designs.

Implementation Method 1

oven-curing the first paint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOven-curing: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 2

curing the second paint by exposing the second paint to ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250050378A1Vehicle including multi-tone paint scheme

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method for painting a body of a vehicle with a multi-tone paint scheme. The method includes: applying a first paint of a first color to the body; oven-curing the first paint; applying a second paint of a second color to the body, the second paint configured to be cured by ultraviolet light, the second color is different from the first color, and curing the second paint by exposing the second paint to ultraviolet light.