Transparent Infrared Absorbing Coating for Foam Pattern Formation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

When using non-transparent infrared absorbing materials like black materials for forming concave and convex patterns on foam bodies, the surface or images formed cannot be visually recognized, necessitating the release of the material, which is not practical.

Innovation Solution

A concave and convex pattern forming apparatus using a transparent infrared absorbing material that is applied to a foam body and then irradiated with infrared rays, allowing the surface to be visually recognized without releasing the material, as the transparent material allows light transmittance and does not obscure the image or pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If non-transparent infrared absorbing material is used to form concave and convex patterns, then the infrared absorption function is improved, but the visual recognition of surface and images deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared absorptionVSAvoidvisual recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the infrared absorbing material into multiple transparent layers with different infrared absorption characteristics. Each layer has optimized transparency and absorption properties, allowing the combination to achieve both high infrared absorption and good visual recognition. The segmentation of material functions resolves the contradiction between absorption performance and visual clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structure consisting of multiple transparent infrared absorbing layers with different compositions and absorption characteristics. This composite approach allows optimizing both infrared absorption capability and visual transparency simultaneously, resolving the technical contradiction between these two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If non-transparent infrared absorbing material is released from surface, then visual recognition is improved, but the integrity of image formation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual recognitionVSAvoidimage integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared absorbing material is segmented into multiple transparent layers that can be independently optimized. These layers maintain image integrity while providing visual recognition, eliminating the need to release material from the surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the infrared absorbing material by using transparent formulations with optimized transmission characteristics. This parameter change allows the material to remain on the surface while providing both visual recognition and maintaining image integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If transparent infrared absorbing material is used, then visual recognition is improved, but infrared absorption capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual recognitionVSAvoidinfrared absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the infrared absorption function across multiple transparent layers, each contributing to the overall absorption while maintaining transparency. The cumulative effect of multiple layers achieves high infrared absorption without sacrificing visual recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material technology to create transparent infrared absorbing layers with enhanced absorption characteristics. By combining multiple transparent materials with different absorption spectra, the system achieves both transparency and high infrared absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 easy visual recognition of the foam body surface and images even when the transparent infrared absorbing material is not released, improving visibility and maintaining the integrity of the image formed on the foam body.

Implementation Method 1

a pattern is formed on a surface of a foam body with an infrared absorbing material, and the foregoing surface is irradiated with infrared rays to form a concave and convex pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a pattern forming unit that forms a pattern with a transparent infrared absorbing material on a surface of a foam body that is foamed by heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11040550B2Concave and convex pattern forming apparatus and method for producing structural body having concave and convex pattern

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A concave and convex pattern forming apparatus, includes a pattern forming unit that forms a pattern with a transparent infrared absorbing material on a surface of a foam body that is foamed by heating; and an irradiation unit that irradiates, with infrared rays, the surface having a pattern formed by the pattern forming unit.