Reflective Marker Uniform Coating via Pellet Embedding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing reflective or retro-reflective markers struggle to achieve uniform reflective properties across three-dimensional surfaces, often resulting in discontinuities and inadequate performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a liquid reflective substance containing granular or granulated materials and reflective components, applied through spraying, coating, or immersion, which forms a uniform reflective or retro-reflective covering around a three-dimensional inner body, with pellets embedded halfway in the covering to ensure consistent reflective properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional manufacturing methods are used for reflective markers, then the production process is simpler, but the reflective properties are non-uniform across the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the embedding depth of pellets to be approximately half their diameter, and by adjusting the liquid reflective substance composition and application parameters (spray pressure, coating thickness) to achieve uniform reflective properties across the three-dimensional surface. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing physical parameters rather than simplifying the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining transparent or translucent pellets (glass, plastic) with liquid reflective substance containing metallic particles (aluminum, silver). This composite structure creates uniform retro-reflective properties across the marker surface, resolving the uniformity issue while maintaining a manageable manufacturing process.
2Manufacturing precision
If a liquid reflective substance with granular material is applied to form a uniform covering, then the reflective uniformity is improved, but the manufacturing time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing the liquid reflective substance with granular or pellet material before application. This preparation ensures uniform distribution of reflective particles throughout the coating material, allowing for rapid application that achieves uniform coverage in a single step, thereby reducing overall manufacturing time despite the enhanced coating process.
3Reliability
If pellets are embedded halfway in the covering, then the reflective properties are maintained after sterilization, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the embedding depth parameter to be approximately half the pellet diameter. This optimal depth ensures that pellets remain partially exposed to maintain reflective properties while being sufficiently embedded to withstand sterilization processes. The liquid reflective substance acts as a binding medium that secures pellets at this critical depth, resolving the contradiction between reliability and process complexity.
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 method enables the production of markers with uniform reflective properties at every point, suitable for various shapes and sizes, ensuring high sterility and quality by embedding pellets halfway in the covering, which maintains reflective properties even after sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid reflective substance can be applied, preferably directly to the inner body... The liquid reflective substance can be applied to the inner body in various ways. For example, the liquid reflective substance containing, for example, the granular or granulated material... can be sprayed onto the inner body
Implementation Method 2
The liquid reflective substance can be applied to the inner body by immersing the inner body in an immersion bath that includes the liquid reflective substance... The liquid reflective substance can be applied to the inner body by coating
Implementation Method 3
Light beams incident to the marker can be refracted by the surface of the pellets, penetrate the preferably transparent pellets, hit the surface of the reflective covering and reflect off of the covering
Implementation Method 4
Light beams incident to the marker can be refracted by the surface of the pellets, penetrate the preferably transparent pellets, hit the surface of the reflective covering and reflect off of the covering. After penetrating the pellets, the light beam can be refracted by the surface of the pellets such that the light beam can be emitted in a similar direction to that from which it was incident
Implementation Method 5
The reflective or retro-reflective properties result from a special surface coating or surface structure... exhibit retro-reflect a ray of light back along its own incident path, when impinged by grazing light on a part-spherical portion of its surface
Data Source
AI summary
A reflective marker and method for manufacturing reflective marker, wherein the reflective marker includes an inner body and a reflective covering, and a reflective substance is applied to the inner body and forms the reflective covering together with pellets contained in the substance or applied after the substance has been applied.