Vehicle Light Cover Coating With Laser-Etched Hidden Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing transparent or translucent vehicle parts, such as those used for regulatory lighting, face issues with color mismatching with vehicle paint, lack of precision in pattern creation, and visibility of elements behind the parts when the light source is off, which negatively impacts aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A method involving applying a paint layer and varnish layer on one face of the part, laser etching to create a predefined pattern, and overmolding a semi-transparent film on the opposite face, which matches the vehicle's paint color and hides elements behind the part when the light is off while allowing light transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If an opaque film is applied on the external surface of the transparent or translucent part, then the esthetics of the light beam is improved, but color mismatching with the vehicle paint occurs and precision of the pattern is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetics of light beamVSAvoidprecision of pattern

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical application method (overmolding or painting opaque film) with laser etching technology. The laser precisely removes material to create the desired pattern, eliminating the precision limitations and color mismatching issues of film-based approaches while maintaining the aesthetic enhancement of the light beam.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the coating material from opaque film to transparent or translucent paint. This allows the paint to match the vehicle's existing paint scheme while the laser etching creates precise patterns that enhance light beam aesthetics without the color mismatching problems of opaque films.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If an opaque film is applied on the external surface of the transparent or translucent part, then the esthetics of the light beam is improved, but color mismatching with the vehicle paint occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetics of light beamVSAvoidcolor matching with vehicle paint

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameter of the coating from opaque to transparent or translucent. This fundamental parameter change allows the coating to be painted to match the vehicle's existing paint scheme, eliminating color mismatching issues while still providing the aesthetic enhancement of the light beam through laser-etched patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical overmolding process with a painting process followed by laser etching. This substitution allows for better color matching with the vehicle paint since painting offers greater flexibility in color selection and matching compared to the fixed colors of overmolded films.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If the transparent or translucent part is made fully transparent, then light transmission is maximized, but elements behind the part become visible when the light source is off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidvisibility of elements behind part

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the coating transparent or translucent only in the pattern areas where light transmission is desired, while leaving other areas opaque or differently treated. This allows light to pass through the pattern when the light source is on, while preventing visibility of elements behind the part in non-pattern areas when the light is off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the coating into different regions with different optical properties. The pattern areas are made transparent or translucent to allow light transmission, while the surrounding areas maintain opacity or different transparency characteristics to hide elements behind the part when the light source is off, thus segmenting the functional zones of the coating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This method provides precise pattern rendering, color harmony with the vehicle's paint, and enhanced aesthetics by obscuring elements behind the part, while also increasing the part's impact resistance and protecting it from UV radiation.

Implementation Method 1

partially irradiating the paint layer and the varnish layer with laser radiation so as to etch the paint layer and the varnish layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12115707B2Method for manufacturing a translucent or transparent vehicle part

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 OPMOBILITY SE

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a vehicle part, including the steps of applying a paint layer on a first face of a transparent or translucent part, applying a varnish layer on the paint layer, partially irradiating the paint layer and the varnish layer with laser radiation so as to etch the paint layer and the varnish layer, and overmolding a semi-transparent film on a second face of the transparent or translucent part opposite the first face.