Polymeric (Meth)Acrylic Composition for High Gloss Lighting Covers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymeric compositions for lighting applications struggle to achieve a balance between light transmission, diffusing properties, and a glossy surface appearance, while also hiding the light source and maintaining this effect across different lighting conditions.

Innovation Solution

A polymeric composition comprising a (meth)acrylic polymer, polymeric particles with a weight average particle diameter between 0.5µm and 20µm, and a mixture of colorants, which when blended, provides sufficient hiding power, homogeneous light diffusion, and a highly glossy surface suitable for lighting applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If scattering particles are added to increase light diffusion and hiding power, then light transmission and diffusing properties are improved, but surface glossiness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight diffusionVSAvoidsurface glossiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter to a specific range (0.5-20 µm) and uses a blend of different particle sizes to achieve optimal light diffusion while maintaining surface glossiness. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the right balance point where both light diffusion and surface finish are satisfactory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polymeric composition containing multiple components: (meth)acrylic polymer matrix, polymeric particles for light scattering, and inorganic particles for enhanced diffusion. This composite structure allows the material to achieve both good light diffusion properties and surface glossiness through the synergistic effect of different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If polymeric particles are added to hide the light source and diffuse light, then hiding power and light diffusion are improved, but light transmission across the visible spectrum deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehiding powerVSAvoidlight transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameter within 0.5-20 µm range and controls the particle content at 1-50 phr to achieve the right balance between hiding power and light transmission. The specific particle size distribution allows sufficient light diffusion while maintaining adequate transmission across the visible spectrum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a blend of particles with different sizes (0.5-20 µm range) where smaller particles provide hiding power and larger particles enhance light diffusion. This local quality differentiation within the particle system allows simultaneous achievement of hiding power and light transmission without compromising either property significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If a single colorant is used to achieve color effect, then color intensity is improved, but hiding power and light diffusion deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor intensityVSAvoidlight diffusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the colorant into a mixture of multiple colorants (yellow, blue, red) instead of using a single colorant. This segmentation allows each colorant to contribute differently to the overall optical properties, achieving good hiding power and light diffusion while maintaining acceptable color intensity through the combined effect of multiple pigments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 composition effectively hides the light source while transmitting and diffusing light across the visible spectrum, maintaining a highly glossy surface and achieving the desired balance of light transmission and diffusing properties.

Implementation Method 1

The diffusion of light which increases the relative diffusion power and the hiding power is usually increased by adding scattering particles to the composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

the lighting device comprising said composition as cover can transmit light over the whole range of wavelength of visible light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3870631B1A polymer composition suitable for injection moulding comprising particles and colorant, its method of preparation and its use
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 TRINSEO EURO GMBH
  • EP3870631B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A polymer composition suitable for injection moulding comprising particles and colorant, its method of preparation and its use The present invention relates to a polymeric composition suitable for injection molding comprising polymeric particles and a colorant. In particular the present invention relates to a polymeric (meth)acrylic composition comprising polymeric particles and a mixture of colorants suitable for injection moulded compounds with high gloss. The present invention concerns also the use of such a polymeric composition or polymeric (meth)acrylic composition comprising polymeric particles and a mixture of colorants in lightning applications and in injection molding. The present invention concerns also a process for making a polymeric composition or (meth)acrylic composition comprising polymeric particles and a mixture of colorants suitable for injection moulded compounds with high gloss surface.