Plastic Housing Micro-Nano Texture for Dynamic Dazzling Effect

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current plastic mobile phone housings face challenges in achieving a dynamic dazzling effect and sufficient surface properties such as wear resistance, with traditional methods increasing manufacturing costs and being unsuitable for 3D curved surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A plastic article comprising a thermoplastic resin base layer with a micro-nano texture structure, an inorganic material layer with a thickness of 10 to 150 nm, and a protective layer, where the inorganic material layer enhances the dazzling effect and the protective layer ensures scratch resistance, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional methods (toners, masterbatches, dyes) are used to impart color to plastic housing, then manufacturing cost increases and additional additives/procedures are required, but the color achieved is static and cannot produce a dynamic dazzling effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddynamic dazzling effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a micro-nano texture structure on the surface of the plastic housing that interacts with light to produce a dynamic dazzling effect. The micro-nano structures (with dimensions of 1-100 nm) create optical interference and scattering effects that cause the surface to exhibit iridescent color changes depending on the viewing angle and light incidence, replacing static dye-based coloring with dynamic optical color effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the surface structure by introducing micro-nano scale textures rather than relying on chemical additives. This parameter change from chemical composition to physical structure enables the dynamic dazzling effect while avoiding the need for additional additives and complex coloring procedures, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If in-mold decoration with flexible plastic film and transparent plastic is used to achieve multi-color housing, then color pattern can be printed, but the composite housing fractures due to different thermal expansion coefficients under temperature cycling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-color housingVSAvoidfracture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the micro-nano texture structure directly to the plastic housing material itself rather than using a separate flexible film layer. This eliminates the interface between dissimilar materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, removing the source of fracture under temperature cycling while maintaining the multi-color dazzling effect through optical interference in the bulk material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure within the plastic matrix by incorporating micro-nano scale features that provide both the desired optical effects and thermal stability. The micro-nano textured plastic forms an integrated composite that combines the structural integrity of the base plastic with the optical properties needed for multi-color effects, avoiding delamination and fracture issues of layered constructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If spray coating or masterbatch injection molding is used to improve plastic housing quality, then single-color housing can be achieved, but multi-color housing requires printing which is unsuitable for 3D curved surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface color qualityVSAvoidmulti-color capability on 3D surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The micro-nano texture structure embedded in the plastic housing creates angle-dependent optical interference effects that produce multi-color dazzling appearances on 3D curved surfaces. This approach eliminates the need for printing processes that cannot conform to complex geometries, as the color effect is inherent to the material structure itself and can be molded directly into the housing shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The micro-nano texture structure is incorporated into the plastic housing during the molding process itself, before the housing is assembled or finished. This preliminary incorporation of the optical structure ensures that the multi-color effect is uniformly distributed throughout the housing material and can accommodate any 3D surface geometry without requiring subsequent printing or coating operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional coloring methods are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but surface properties such as wear resistance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure where the micro-nano textured plastic surface is combined with a protective coating layer. The micro-nano structure provides the dazzling optical effect while the protective coating layer (applied over the textured surface) provides enhanced wear resistance, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance. This composite approach maintains the simplicity of the molding process while significantly improving surface durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent assigns different functions to different layers of the housing surface: the micro-nano textured plastic layer provides the optical dazzling effect, while an outer protective coating layer provides mechanical protection against wear and chemical exposure. This functional differentiation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution achieves a dynamic dazzling effect and improved surface properties like scratch resistance and chemical resistance while maintaining low manufacturing costs and being suitable for mass production.

Implementation Method 1

wherein at least one of the surfaces has a micro-nano texture structure so that when the base layer is viewed at an angle of 10 to 80 degrees, it exhibits a color ranging from purple to red in visible spectrum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

the inorganic material layer has a visible light transmittance of less than 30%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4050062A1Plastic article, method for preparing the same, and product comprising the same
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
  • EP4050062A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~4(c)
  • EP4050062A1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~7(f)
  • EP4050062A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a plastic article, a method for preparing the same, and a product comprising the same. The plastic article comprises: i) a thermoplastic resin base layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, wherein at least one of the surfaces has a micro-nano texture structure so that when the base layer is viewed at an angle of 10 to 80 degrees, it exhibits a color ranging from purple to red in visible spectrum; ii) an inorganic material layer on the surface of the thermoplastic resin base layer having the micro-nano texture structure, with a thickness of 10 to 150 nm; and iii) a protective layer. The plastic article exhibits a dynamic dazzling effect and has good surface properties.