Vehicle Interior Coating Inkjet Printing on Natural Material Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for decorating vehicle interior parts, particularly those made of natural materials like stone or wood, are limited in creating patterns due to the inability to apply decorative layers precisely on rough surfaces and the restriction of decorative layers to the substrate only, which limits aesthetic outcomes and is not suitable for natural materials with rough surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a layer of natural material, followed by a transparent aqueous-based adhesion layer, optionally a lower protective layer, and an upper protective layer, with the addition of a step for local pattern printing using inkjet printing on any of these layers, allowing for varied positioning of patterns relative to the layer stack to achieve different aesthetic results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a decorative layer is applied by lamination on a substrate, then the decorative layer can be applied to the substrate, but it cannot be deposited on layers other than the substrate and is not suitable for rough surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary actions by first creating a multi-layer stack structure (substrate + intermediate layer + natural material layer + protective layers) before applying the decorative pattern. This preliminary structuring enables subsequent inkjet printing to be performed on accessible surfaces rather than requiring direct substrate decoration, thereby overcoming both the rough surface limitation and the substrate-only restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using inkjet-printed decorative layers that can be applied to any surface in the layer stack (including the natural material layer and protective layers) rather than requiring direct lamination to the substrate. This intermediary printing method serves as a mediator between the decorative requirement and the complex multi-layer structure, enabling precise pattern application on rough surfaces while maintaining versatility.
2Manufacturing precision
If inkjet printing is used to create patterns, then precise and localized decoration with sharp edges can be achieved, but the pattern must be printed on a surface that is accessible to the printing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by enabling the inkjet printing process to operate on multiple different surfaces within the layer stack (natural material layer, protective layers, or intermediate layers) rather than being restricted to a single surface. This multi-surface capability provides versatility in pattern positioning while maintaining the precision and sharp edges characteristic of inkjet printing, allowing the same printing technology to serve multiple decorative functions.
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 precise and localized decoration of vehicle interior parts with nuanced contrasts and sharp edges, creating three-dimensional effects, and allows for both shiny and matte appearances depending on pattern placement and layer configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a step of printing at least one pattern, during which at least one pattern is printed locally, preferably by inkjet printing, on at least one surface portion of one of said layers
Implementation Method 2
a bonding surface layer, preferably transparent and water-based, is applied to all or part of the first upper surface of the layer of natural material to cover it in whole or in part
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
Method for coating and decorating at least one structural support of an interior vehicle part and associated decorated interior part. The invention relates to a method for coating and decorating a structural support (1) of an interior vehicle part comprising: - a step of applying a layer of natural material, during which a layer of natural material (2) is applied, - a step of applying a surface adhesion layer, during which a surface adhesion layer (3) is applied, - a step of applying a top protective surface layer, during which a top protective surface layer (5) is applied, - a step of printing a pattern, during which a pattern (6) is printed locally on a surface portion (SM1) of one of said layers among the layer of natural material (2), the surface adhesion layer (3), the top protective surface layer (5).