Selective tinting method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for selectively tinting substrates with complex surfaces or small patterns are time-consuming and costly, as they require masking and unmasking processes that are not feasible with intricate structures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a substrate with distinct surface materials, where one material is permeable to dyes when heated and the other is impermeable, allowing selective tinting without masks, using a dye source that releases dyes upon heating and subsequent rinsing to ensure dye penetration into the permeable material only.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If masking method is used for selective tinting, then tinting selectivity is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is divided into zones with different material properties: a first material that is permeable to dyes when heated and a second material that is impermeable. This local differentiation of material properties enables selective tinting without requiring external masks, as the substrate itself provides the selectivity through its heterogeneous composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate's own material structure performs the masking function that would otherwise require external masking components. The impermeable second material acts as a built-in barrier, eliminating the need for separate masking steps and reducing process complexity while maintaining tinting selectivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If masking method is used for selective tinting, then tinting selectivity is achieved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is pre-formed with distinct material zones (permeable first material and impermeable second material) before the tinting process. This preliminary structuring of the substrate eliminates the need for time-consuming masking and unmasking operations during production, as the selectivity is already built into the substrate's material composition.
3Manufacturing precision
If masking method is used for selective tinting, then tinting selectivity is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The masking function is extracted from the tinting process and integrated into the substrate's material structure. By incorporating impermeable material zones directly into the substrate, the process eliminates the need for separate masking materials and operations, reducing production costs while maintaining tinting selectivity.
4Manufacturing precision
If masking method is used for selective tinting, then tinting selectivity is achieved, but feasibility decreases for complex surface structures
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is divided into zones with different material properties: a first material that is permeable to dyes when heated and a second material that is impermeable. This local differentiation of material properties enables selective tinting without requiring external masks, as the substrate itself provides the selectivity through its heterogeneous composition.
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 fast, economical, and selective tinting of substrates with complex structures, maintaining transparency and preventing dye diffusion into impermeable areas, thus reducing production costs and maintaining optical clarity.
Implementation Method 1
heating the dye source in proximity to the exposed surface of the substrate, so that dyes are transferred from the dye source onto the exposed surface of the substrate
Implementation Method 2
heating the substrate, so that the dyes which were transferred onto the first surface portion penetrate into the first material
Implementation Method 3
the first material which is used for the surface portion to be tinted, referred to as the first surface portion, is permeable to the dyes when the first material is heated. Simultaneously, the second material which is used for the surface portion which is not to be tinted, referred to as the second surface portion, is impermeable to the same dyes
Implementation Method 4
rinsing the exposed surface of the substrate with a dye solvent, so as to eliminate the dyes remaining on the exposed surface
Data Source
AI summary
A selective dyeing method is used for dyeing a substrate, selectively within a first exposed surface portion of said substrate. For this purpose, the substrate consists of a material that is impervious to a dye with the exception of the first portion of the exposed surface. In particular, the impervious material can form a layer which covers a base portion of the substrate in a second portion of the exposed surface. The substrate is heated such that the dye penetrates a pervious material which constitutes the first portion of the exposed surface. The method is particularly useful for eliminating light diffused by the walls of a multilayer structure which is supported by means of ocular glass.