Tire Surface Marking via Laser Textured Structural Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for creating surface markings on objects, such as tires, lack effective methods for achieving high contrast through texturing, which is essential for visual differentiation and readability.

Innovation Solution

A method and article featuring a surface with a multiplicity of structural elements having different configurations, including varying dimensions, heights, and outer contours, generated using a two-dimensional intensity distribution with varying intensities, where each intensity range defines the height of the structural elements, and produced through laser machining to create a visually contrasting surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a surface is textured with structural elements of different configurations, then visual contrast is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual contrastVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the height, width, and shape parameters of structural elements on the tire surface. Different parameter combinations create distinct textural patterns that enhance visual contrast for marking purposes, while maintaining manufacturability through controlled parameter ranges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating specific regions with unique structural element configurations to form readable markings. Different areas of the tire surface have locally optimized textural patterns that encode information, while other areas maintain uniform patterns for background or different information layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If structural elements with varying dimensions are created, then surface texture complexity increases, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface texture complexityVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tire surface into discrete zones, each containing structural elements with specific configurations. This modular approach allows different textural patterns to be created efficiently without requiring complete reconfiguration of the entire surface, reducing overall production time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining standardized structural element templates with specific dimension ranges and configurations. These pre-characterized elements can be rapidly deployed to create complex textural patterns without requiring real-time customization, thereby reducing production time while maintaining texture complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

The approach results in a surface with enhanced visual contrast, providing improved readability and differentiation, achieved by creating structural elements with distinct configurations and heights that enhance light absorption and reflection patterns.

Implementation Method 1

the structural elements in the second surface section are created by removing material from the surface section with a laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3680113B1Marking comprising structural elements of different configurations
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 DAHMEN GMBH
  • EP3680113B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3680113B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3680113B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An object comprising a first surface section and a second surface section (104) arranged adjacent to the first surface section is disclosed. The second surface section (104) comprises a plurality of structural elements (106), the structural elements (106) having different configurations. A method for manufacturing such an object is also disclosed.