Thermoplastic Decorative Pieces with Urethane-Bead Suede Texturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decorative pieces made of thermoplastic synthetic resin lack a suede-like unevenness, failing to provide a high-class impression comparable to leather or fabric-made embroidered patches.

Innovation Solution

A method involving silk screen printing with urethane beads on the upper layer material, followed by high-frequency dielectric heating using an engraved die to create a suede-like surface texture, mimicking the appearance of suede.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-frequency dielectric heating is used to form three-dimensional shape, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but surface appearance quality deteriorates (plastic-like appearance without suede-like unevenness)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidsurface appearance quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by printing the decorative ink with urethane beads onto the upper layer material before the high-frequency dielectric heating process. This pre-application of the decorative layer ensures that the suede-like unevenness is formed in advance, allowing the subsequent heating process to maintain both high productivity and improved surface appearance quality without requiring post-processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining the thermoplastic synthetic resin upper layer material with a decorative ink containing urethane beads. This composite structure allows the decorative piece to achieve both the manufacturability of thermoplastic materials and the aesthetic quality of suede-like surfaces, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing efficiency and appearance quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If smooth surface is used for thermoplastic decorative piece, then ease of manufacture is improved, but aesthetic quality deteriorates (lacks high-class impression)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidaesthetic quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform surface structure through the printed decorative ink with urethane beads. Instead of treating the entire surface uniformly, the decorative layer is applied selectively to create localized suede-like unevenness on specific areas of the upper layer material, thereby improving aesthetic quality while maintaining ease of manufacture through targeted decoration rather than complex overall surface treatment.

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 produces decorative pieces with a suede-like unevenness that enhances the luxurious appearance, providing a finish similar to genuine leather or fabric, while maintaining flexibility and lightweight properties.

Implementation Method 1

A method for manufacturing decorative pieces made of thermoplastic synthetic resin through high-frequency dielectric heating is known in the art

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-frequency dielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

softening the upper layer material to form into a three-dimensional shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal softening: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP4070965B1Manufacturing method for thermoplastic synthetic resin decorative piece
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PLUS CORP
  • EP4070965B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4070965B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4070965B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a decorative piece made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin and capable of providing a suede-like appearance. The method for manufacturing the decorative piece 10 comprises preparing a film-like or sheet-like upper layer material 30 made of thermoplastic synthetic resin, placing the upper layer material on a table 46 that serves as a lower electrode, putting an engraved die 41 that serves as an upper electrode on the upper layer material, and subjecting the upper layer material to high-frequency dielectric heating by oscillating high-frequency between the table and the engraved die, wherein the upper layer material is printed with a decorative ink containing urethane beads mixed in medium on a specified surface area 31 thereof, and wherein the engraved die has a texture engraved surface 42 formed by a laser engraving process on an area opposing the specified surface area of the upper layer material, whereby a suede-like unevenness is formed in the specified area of the upper layer material by the high-frequency dielectric heating.