Partly Transparent Body Color Gradient Seaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing partially transparent bodies with optical effects and color gradients often result in visible seams or air bubbles, which detract from the aesthetic appeal and optical clarity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a first transparent casing with an enclosed object and a second, not completely transparent casing, where the joining surfaces are designed to merge seamlessly under compressive force and temperature, creating a vacuum to avoid air inclusions and produce a visually appealing color gradient through precise shaping and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two transparent casings are joined together to enclose an object, then the object is securely enclosed, but visible seams and air bubbles appear at the joining surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenclosure integrityVSAvoidseam visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The joining surface of the second casing is designed with a recess that creates a local variation in transparency. This recess allows the first casing to merge seamlessly into the second casing, creating a gradient effect that hides the joining surface and eliminates visible seams while maintaining enclosure integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The second casing features an asymmetric joining surface configuration with a recess on one side, creating an uneven transition zone that optimally conceals the joining surface. This asymmetric design allows light to pass through in a way that masks the seam, preventing visible defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If standard joining methods are used to fuse two casings, then the casings are securely bonded, but air inclusions and bubbles are trapped between the joining surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidair inclusions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vacuum is applied before and during the fusing process to remove air from between the joining surfaces. This preliminary action of evacuating air prevents air inclusions and bubbles from being trapped in the joint, ensuring a clean bond without harmful air pockets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The joining process is conducted in a vacuum environment, which serves as an inert atmosphere free of air. This vacuum environment prevents air from entering the joint during fusion, eliminating the source of air inclusions and bubbles that would otherwise compromise the quality of the bond.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Strength

If high clamping force is applied during fusing to ensure strong bonding, then bond strength increases, but stresses in the joint increase due to compressed air pockets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidjoint stress
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum environment during fusing removes air from the joint, creating an inert atmosphere without compressible gas. This eliminates the problem of compressed air pockets that would otherwise increase joint stress, allowing high clamping force to be applied for strong bonding without the adverse effect of pressurized air inclusions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

4Reliability

If a single opaque casing is used, then complete enclosure is achieved, but optical effects and color gradients cannot be created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenclosure completenessVSAvoidoptical effect creation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into two separate casings: a first transparent casing and a second casing with varying transparency. This segmentation allows each casing to have optimized properties - the first casing provides complete enclosure while the second casing creates optical effects and color gradients through its gradient transparency structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second casing features a local variation in transparency with a recessed joining surface that creates a gradient effect. This local quality variation allows different regions of the casing to have different optical properties, enabling color gradients and optical effects while maintaining complete enclosure functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves a seamless transition in transparency and color gradient, enhancing the optical effect by eliminating visible seams and air bubbles, resulting in a more appealing and precise positioning of the enclosed object within the transparent body.

Implementation Method 1

the first joining surface of the first encapsulation form is fused to the second joining surface of the second encapsulation form by applying pressure and temperature to both surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFusing: Welding

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum is created before or during the fusing of the molds, thus preventing air inclusions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2804741B1Method for producing a partly transparent body with a color gradient, and a partly transparent body with a color gradient
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 MONTBLANC SIMPLO
  • EP2804741B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1e
  • EP2804741B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a partly transparent body (30) with a color gradient, having the following steps: providing a transparent first casing (2, 32) comprising a first joint surface (16) on a protrusion (14) and comprising an encased object (12); providing a second casing (22, 34) which is not completely transparent and which comprises a second joint surface (25) in a recess (24), the shape of the protrusion (14) and the shape of the recess (24) corresponding to each other; and combining the first casing (2, 32) and the second casing (22, 34) by inserting the protrusion (14) into the recess (24) and melting the first joint surface (16) of the first casing (2, 32) with the second joint surface (25) of the second casing (22, 34), wherein a pressure force and a temperature are applied to the first joint surface (16) and the second joint surface (25) such that the first joint surface (16) of the first casing (2, 32) transitions into the second joint surface (25) of the second casing (22, 34) in a visually seamless manner, followed by a removal of material. Thus, a color gradient or a shading gradient which is particularly visually appealing can be achieved, said encased object (12) of the first casing (2, 32) being particularly accentuated.