Sublimatable Relief Coating for Defined Abrasion-Resistant Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital inkjet printing methods for producing reliefs on substrates face challenges in achieving adequate abrasion resistance and definition due to complex interactions between relief product droplets and coatings, particularly in creating negative surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a sublimatable relief product on a substrate, which is then sublimated to create porous volumes in the coating, allowing for controlled relief formation with high definition and abrasion resistance, using digital inkjet printing and sublimation techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital inkjet printing is used to produce positive surfaces by adding relief product to coating, then flexibility and precision are improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The relief product is applied in liquid form and then undergoes phase transition to solid state through sublimation (solid→gas→solid deposition), creating positive relief surfaces with high abrasion resistance while maintaining digital printing flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state parameters of the relief product from liquid application to solid final form through controlled sublimation, transforming the material properties to achieve both flexibility in application and strength in the final relief structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If digital inkjet printing is used to produce negative surfaces by impact or displacement of droplets, then flexibility and precision are improved, but definition and process control deteriorate due to complex physical and chemical mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprecisionVSAvoidprocess control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex interaction mechanisms between relief product droplets and coating by using sublimation, which allows the relief product to independently transform phase without complex chemical interactions, simplifying process control while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical and chemical interaction mechanisms with a thermal field-based sublimation process, where temperature control governs the phase transition, simplifying the control system while achieving high definition relief patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If sublimation is used to create relief by removing coating material, then abrasion resistance and definition are improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the relief product application and coating removal processes into a single sublimation step, where the sublimating relief product simultaneously creates positive relief and removes coating material, reducing process complexity while improving abrasion resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 the production of reliefs with high definition and improved abrasion resistance by controlling the sublimation process, facilitating the removal of affected coating material and residue, suitable for flexible and precise relief creation.

Implementation Method 1

the sublimation of the relief product. In general, any product capable of sublimation can be used as a relief product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 2

the coating and/or the relief product is solidified during the process, being supplied to the process in a liquid state. The solidification of the relief product and/or the coating according to the invention can be carried out, for example, by means of curing or drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolidification: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP4223546B1Method and system for producing a relief on a substrate
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 BARBERAN LATORRE JESUS FRANCISCO
  • EP4223546B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(C)
  • EP4223546B1 patent drawingFigure 2(D)~2(G)
  • EP4223546B1 patent drawingFigure 3(D)~3(G)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and system for producing a relief on a substrate (1), the method comprising the application on the substrate (1) of a coating and a relief product that come into contact with each other and the sublimation of the relief product (3).