Rubber Article Digital Coding via Reflectivity Contrast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rubber article marking technologies face limitations in providing durable and efficient identification methods that are decoupled from the manufacturing process, often relying on adhesive labels or temporary markings.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for generating a digital code pattern directly in cured polymer materials, utilizing electromagnetic radiation to create surface structures with distinct optical reflectivities, allowing for permanent and unique identification of rubber articles within batches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive labels or temporary markings are used for identification, then the marking process is simple and can be applied during manufacturing, but the identification is not durable and requires additional materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of identificationVSAvoidsimplicity of marking process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the identification marking directly with the rubber article surface by generating digital code patterns through electromagnetic radiation treatment of the cured polymer material itself, eliminating the need for separate adhesive labels or temporary markings while ensuring permanent durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical adhesive labeling systems with electromagnetic radiation-based direct surface modification, using electromagnetic energy to create permanent digital code patterns directly on the rubber article surface, thereby eliminating the need for physical label application processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If digital code pattern is generated in cured polymer material using electromagnetic radiation, then permanent identification is achieved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepermanence of identificationVSAvoidcomplexity of marking device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in the physical parameters of cured polymer material through electromagnetic radiation treatment, where controlled exposure to electromagnetic energy modifies the material's optical properties to create permanent digital code patterns with distinct optical reflectivities, achieving permanence through parameter transformation rather than complex mechanical processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If digital code pattern with distinct optical reflectivities is created, then identification accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing process speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic electromagnetic radiation treatment to generate digital code patterns, where controlled pulses of electromagnetic energy are applied to create distinct optical reflectivity regions, allowing for precise identification marking while maintaining process efficiency through rhythmic, controlled energy delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 durable, permanent identification of rubber articles with improved optical reflectivity differences, enhancing tracking and inventory management by decoupling the marking process from manufacturing, and eliminating the need for adhesive labels.

Implementation Method 1

generating a digital code pattern in the cured polymer material of the rubber article, the digital code pattern comprising a first surface portion and a second surface portion having different optical reflectivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

utilizing electromagnetic radiation to create surface structures with distinct optical reflectivities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the digital code pattern comprising a first surface portion and a second surface portion having different optical reflectivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3284586B1Rubber articles with digital coding and identification of the digital coding

Publication Date: 2020.04.08 4 JET TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a rubber article (100) comprises a cured polymer material (104) forming a surface of the rubber article (100), the surface comprising: a first surface portion (106); a second surface portion (108); the first surface portion (106) and the second surface portion (108) forming at least a part of a digital code pattern (102); the first surface portion (106) having a first optical reflectivity; the second surface portion (108) having a second optical reflectivity which is lower than the first optical reflectivity and a surface structure (112) in the second surface portion (108), wherein the surface structure (112) provided a second optical reflectivity which is lower than a first optical reflectivity of the first surface portion (106). The invention also relates to a method and device for identifying said rubber article and to a computer program product.