UV Curable Coating for Metallic Texture and Radar Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart cruise control systems face difficulties in functioning properly due to radar propagation shielding by metal-coated radiator grills in vehicles, and existing solutions compromise vehicle aesthetics by using transparent resin covers.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet curable coating composition is developed, providing a metallic texture with high radar permeability, excellent adhesiveness, and environmental resistance, which can be applied to vehicle parts to enable the installation of smart cruise control systems without aesthetic compromise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transparent resin cover is used to protect the SCC, then the SCC is protected, but the aesthetics of the vehicle is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a coating composition that imparts a metallic texture to the SCC cover, transforming it from a transparent appearance to a metallic finish that matches the radiator grill aesthetic. This resolves the contradiction by changing the visual appearance to satisfy aesthetic requirements while maintaining the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite coating system comprising multiple oligomers and monomers with specific functional groups. This composite material provides both the protective properties needed for SCC reliability and the metallic texture appearance needed for vehicle aesthetics, simultaneously addressing both requirements.
2Shape
If a metal coating is applied to the radiator grill, then the grill has aesthetic metallic appearance, but radar propagation is shielded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the coating system. The coating provides metallic appearance in the visible spectrum while maintaining radar wave permeability through specific molecular structure and composition, achieving local quality differentiation for different wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the coating material by using specific oligomers with multiple functional groups and photopolymerization initiators. This creates a coating with unique properties that allows radar propagation while maintaining metallic appearance, resolving the contradiction between aesthetics and radar functionality.
3Shape
If a coating with metallic texture is formed, then aesthetics is improved, but radar permeability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the molecular weight, functional group count, and composition ratios of the oligomers and monomers to achieve a coating density and structure that permits radar wave penetration while maintaining metallic visual appearance. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between aesthetic texture and radar permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite formulation combining multiple types of oligomers (urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate) and monomers with different functional properties. This composite material structure provides both the metallic texture appearance and the radar wave permeability needed, simultaneously satisfying both requirements.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If environmental friendliness is prioritized in coating formulation, then eco-friendliness is improved, but performance requirements may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by using photopolymerization-based curing instead of solvent-based or reactive chemistry that releases harmful emissions. The specific selection of oligomers and photopolymerization initiators achieves both environmental friendliness and required coating performance including adhesion, hardness, and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional coating application and curing methods with UV photopolymerization technology. This substitution eliminates harmful solvents and emissions while maintaining or improving coating performance properties such as adhesion, crosslinking density, and mechanical strength through light-induced polymerization.
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 coating composition effectively allows radar propagation while offering superior adhesiveness, water resistance, heat resistance, and cold-heat resistance, ensuring the functionality and aesthetics of vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet curable coating composition comprising 5 to 20% by weight of a first urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer having 6 or more functional groups, 5 to 20% by weight of a second urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer having 3 or more functional groups, 3 to 15% by weight of a polyester (meth)acrylate oligomer, 10 to 25% by weight of a hydroxy (meth)acrylate monomer having 3 or more functional groups, 5 to 20% by weight of a multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer having 3 or more functional groups, and 1 to 10% by weight of a photopolymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an ultraviolet curable coating composition and an automobile part using the same. In an exemplary embodiment, the coating composition comprises a first urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer having 6 or more functional groups, a second urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer having 3 or more functional groups, a polyester (meth)acrylate oligomer, a hydroxy (meth)acrylate monomer having 3 or more functional groups, a multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer having 3 or more functional groups, and a photopolymerization initiator, based on the total weight of the coating composition.