Decorated-part having a fine decoration using a laser processed groove
11142019 · 2021-10-12
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B44C3/005
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B44C1/20
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B44C1/22
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B44C3/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B44C1/20
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a decorated-part comprises a first and second base coat-layer-forming process, a surface coat-layer-forming process and a laser-decorating process. In the first base coat-layer-forming process, the first base coat-layer colored in a highly light color at a lightness-level of 70 or more is formed on the surface of the resin base-material 12. In the second base coat-layer-forming process, the second base coat-layer 21C colored in a chromatic color is formed on the first base coat-layer. In the surface coat-layer-forming process, the surface coat-layer colored in a less-bright color at a lightness-level of 20 or less is formed on the second base coat-layer 21C. In the laser-decorating process, the first laser-processed groove penetrating the surface coat-layer and exposing partially the second base coat-layer is made by irradiating the infrared laser onto such surface coat-layer, thus providing a fine decoration onto the surface of said decorated-part.
Claims
1. A decorated-part of which a fine decoration is provided on a surface of the decorated-part by a laser-processed groove, the decorated part comprising: a resin base-material; the first base coat-layer formed on a surface of the resin base-material; at least one second base coat-layer formed on a surface of the first base coat-layer; and a surface coat-layer formed on the second base coat-layer, a thickness of the surface coat-layer being greater than a thickness of the second base coat-layer; and further characterized in comprising a first laser-processed groove that goes through the surface coat-layer and partially exposes the second base coat-layer but does not expose the first base coat-layer, and a second laser-processed groove, which has a groove depth less than a groove depth of the first laser-processed groove, the second laser-processed groove not penetrating the surface coat-layer, the surface coat-layer, including the second laser-processed groove, being a single layer colored in black, an entire top surface of the surface coat-layer being totally visible; the first base coat-layer being colored in white, invisible, and having no surface design; and the second base coat-layer being colored in a chromatic color brighter than the color of the surface coat-layer, a top surface of the second base coat layer being partially visible; wherein a roughness (Ra) of the exposed area, which is at a bottom of the first laser-processed groove of the second base coat-layer, is 2 μm or less, wherein the surface coat layer further comprises: a plurality of first drawn patterns of rectangular shape; and a plurality of second drawn patterns of rectangular shape; each of the first drawn patterns including the second laser processed grooves, the second laser processed grooves drawn in parallel and extending obliquely upward to the right in plan view for each of the first drawn patterns; each of the second drawn patterns including the second laser processed grooves, the second laser processed grooves drawn in parallel and extending obliquely upward to the left in plan view for each of the second drawn patterns; the first and second drawn patterns adjacent to each other on the surface coat-layer.
2. A decorated-part according to claim 1, characterized in that a width of the first laser-processed groove is greater than a width of the second laser-processed groove.
3. A decorated part according to claim 1, further wherein the second laser-processed groove is spaced from a side wall of the first laser-processed groove such that a portion of the surface coat-layer is positioned between the side wall and the second laser-processed groove.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(12) Hereinafter, an embodiment of this invention showing an automobile interior-part and a method for manufacturing the same is precisely described in reference to
(13) As shown in
(14) For example, an ABS resin or the like is used as the resin-base material 12 of the embodiment of this invention. It is possible also to choose a resin material such as a PC resin or a mixture of the ABS resin and the PC resin. The color of the resin base-material 12 is not specified. Any color of such resin material can be used according to the product feature, type or the like. However, the color black is used here in this invention.
(15) The first base coat-layer 21B is formed on the surface 13 of the resin-base material 12. The first base coat-layer 21B is made of a coat-layer colored in a highly light color at a lightness-level of 70 or more (specifically, of a white-resin material at a lightless-level of 80 or more; of a milky-white resin-material at a lightness-level of 70 or more; of a grayish-white resin-material at a lightness-level of 70 or more; or made of an ivory-resin material colored at a lightness level of 70 or more). Of the above coloring designation of the first base coat-layer 21B, “a highly light color at a lightness level of 70 or more” and not only a non-chromatic color is used. Yet, a slightly chromatic color can be used.
(16) Here, the thickness of the first base coat-layer 21B is not particularly limited, but it is favorable to set the thickness at least at 5 μm or more, because if the thickness of the first base coat-layer 21B is too thin, the infrared laser L1 is insufficiently reflected by the base coat-layer 21B in the laser-decorating process. Yet, going through the side of the resin base-material 12 carries the high risk that the heat of the infrared laser L1 is likely to be absorbed therein. In this case, gasification of the resin base-material 12 cannot be effectively prevented, and then an air-foam-induced bulge is likely to be formed. Considering such circumstances, it is preferable to set the thickness of the first base coat-layer 21B at 10 to 30 μm (specifically at 15 to 20 μm for the embodiment of this invention). In fact, the thickness of the first base coat-layer 21B should be minimal, since the first base coat-layer 21B is simply for providing reflexibility of the infrared laser L1. Also, increasing the thickness of the base coat-layer 21 unnecessarily (such as at 30 μm or more) may result in higher costs in production.
(17) The second base coat-layer 21C, colored in a chromatic color except in black and white, is formed on the surface of the first base coat-layer 21B. Specifically, the second base coat-layer 21C, colored in red by adding a red pigment, is formed, and, as for the embodiment of this invention, is colored in red at a lightness-level of about 90 and at the chromatic-value of about 90.
(18) The surface coat-layer 31, colored in a low-light color at a lightness-level of 20 or less, is formed on the second base coat-layer 21C. Specifically, by adding carbon black as a black pigment (of a content of four percent per volume or more), the surface coat-layer 31, colored in black at a lightness-level of about 18 and at the chromatic-value of about 2, is formed. The surface coat-layer 31 is colored by using a black pigment for the embodiment of this invention, but a dark color other than black (e.g. a blackish green, a blackish brown or the like) can be used if the condition of the lightness-level being 20 or less is satisfied. Specifically, it is possible to color the surface coat-layer 31 by mixing a black pigment with a dark chromatic color pigment other than black, accordingly.
(19) The thickness of the surface coat-layer 31 is set greater than that of the second base coat-layer 21C. Specifically, the former should be 20 μm to 40 μm (approximately 30 μm for the embodiment of this invention), and the latter should be 10 μm to 20 μm (approximately 15 μm for the embodiment of this invention). Making the thickness of the surface coat-layer 31 less than that of the second base coat-layer 21C may inhibit the function of the surface coat-layer 31 as being a sufficient protective-layer on the uppermost surface of the surface coat-layer 31 and may also make it difficult to form the second laser-processed groove 32. In addition, the thickness of the second base coat-layer 21C should be minimal, since the base coat-layer 21C is simply for providing contrast in coloring. Also, increasing the thickness of the base coat-layer 21C unnecessarily may result in higher costs in production.
(20) As shown in
(21) As shown in
(22) The exposed surface-area 26 of the second base coat-layer 21C at the bottom of the first laser-processed groove 22 is relatively flat, and its arithmetic-average roughness (Ra) is 2 μm or less. The maximum height (Ry) of the exposed area 26 is 7 μm or less, and the 10-point average roughness (Rz) of said exposed area 26 is 8 μm or less. The non-exposed area 27 of the second base coat-layer 21C not at the bottom of the first laser-processed groove 22, is of average value in height h1 from the standard point, that is, from the surface 13 of the resin base-material 12 up to the surface of the exposed area 26, is 100 or more and 130 or less, under the condition that the average value in height h2 from the standard point, that is, from the surface 13 of the resin base-material 12 up to the surface of the non-exposed area 27 is 100.
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(24) The work-displacement robot 43 comprises a robot arm 46 with a supporting table 42 at the tip. Of the work-displacement robot 43, the robot arm 46 is activated to move the supporting table 42 from side to side, up and down and in a rotational direction to change the position and posture of the automobile interior-part 11, thus changing the irradiation position and irradiation angle of the infrared laser L1 against the decorated-surface of the automobile interior-part 11.
(25) The laser-irradiating device 44 comprises a laser generator 51 for generating the infrared laser L1 at a given wavelength (e.g. a YVO.sub.4 laser of a wavelength of 1,064 nm); a laser deflector 52 for deflecting the infrared laser L1; a laser controller 53 for controlling the laser generator 51 and the laser deflector 52. The laser deflector 52 is an optics system comprising a lens 54 and a reflective mirror 55. The irradiation position and the focal point of the infrared laser L1 can be adjusted by changing the position of the lens 54 and the reflective mirror 55. The laser controller 53 controls the laser generator 51 and the laser deflector 52, thus adjusting the laser-irradiation conditions such as the irradiation intensity and the scanning rate of the infrared laser L1.
(26) The controller 45 is configured of a well-known computer made of a CPU 61, of a memory 62, and of an input-output port 63 or the like. The controller 45 is connected electrically to the work-displacement robot 43 and the laser-irradiating device 44 that are driven and controlled by various drive-signals.
(27) The memory 62 of the controller 45 incorporates programs and data for drawing the design onto the decorative surface of the automobile interior-part 11. Specifically, such data is configuration-data for indicating the three-dimensional formation of the automobile interior-part 11 and other data such as pattern-data or the like according to the pattern to be drawn onto said automobile interior-part 11. Also, the memory 62 incorporates the programs and the data for controlling the work-displacement robot 43 and the laser-irradiating device 44.
(28) The method for manufacturing the automobile interior-part 11 is described in reference to
(29) Firstly, prepare the resin base-material formed by using the ABS resin (see
(30) In the next laser-decorating process, first set the resin base-material 12 on the supporting table 42 of the work-displacement robot 43 (see
(31) In the laser-decorating process, the laser-irradiation is conducted specifically in the following order.
(32) Firstly, make the first laser-processed groove 22, which penetrates the surface coat-layer 31, to expose partially the second base coat-layer 21C, by irradiating the infrared laser L1 onto the surface coat-layer 31 (see
(33) The automobile interior-part 11 as the embodiment of this invention, and a comparative example of the conventional automobile interior-part, were actually made and observed. The result is as follows:
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(35) As shown in
(36) Contrarily, as shown in
(37) Therefore, the following effects can be achieved by the embodiments of this invention.
(38) (1) In the manufacturing process of the automobile interior-part 11 as an embodiment of this invention, the first base coat-layer 21B, colored in a highly light color at a lightness-level of 70 or more, is formed on the resin base-material 12. Then, the laser-decorating process is proceeded. As such, in the laser-decorating process, the infrared laser L1 is reflected by the first base coat-layer 21B, thus avoiding heat absorption. Moreover, the resin will not be gasified and thus an air foam-induced bulge is not readily formed. Therefore, the flatness of the exposed area 26 of the second base coat-layer 21C at the bottom of the first laser-processed groove 22 is realized. As a result, the exposed area 26 shows a clear color and a high contrast, thus making it possible to obtain an automobile interior-part 11 with an excellent design. Also, the adhesion of the base coat-layer 21 against the resin base-material 12 does not lessen, thus making it possible to obtain a reliable decorated-part 11.
(39) (2) In the laser-decorating process of the method for manufacturing the embodiment of this invention, in addition to the first laser-processed groove 22, the second laser-processed groove 32 is made, so that a complex and fine design can be expressed, thus making it possible to improve the excellency of the design.
(40) (3) In the laser-decorating process of the method for manufacturing an embodiment of this invention, the second laser-processed groove 32 is made after the first laser-processed groove 22 is made. If the first laser-processed groove 22 of a relatively deep groove is made later than the second laser-processed groove 32 of a relatively shallow groove, then more gas is produced in the making of the first laser-processed groove 22, which causes soot and smoke to gather in the second laser-processed groove 32, which could result in less gloss of the second laser-processed groove 32. Contrarily, the embodiment of this invention that the first laser-processed groove 22 is started to be made in advance of the second laser-processed groove 32 prevents smoke and soot from gathering in the second laser-processed groove 32, which eliminates the risk of gloss-deterioration, thus making it possible to obtain a high-quality-designed automobile interior-part 11 of a clear second-laser-processed groove 32.
(41) (4) The automobile interior-part 11 as an embodiment of this invention comprises the second base coat-layer 21C colored in red as a chromatic color and the surface coat-layer 31 colored in black and to be formed on the base coat-layer 21. Of this automobile interior-part 11, the first laser-processed groove 22 penetrates the surface coat-layer 31 to expose partially the second base coat-layer 21C, while the second laser-processed groove 32 that is shallower than the first laser-processed groove 22 does not penetrate the surface coat-layer 31. Also, of the exposed area 26 of the second base coat-layer 21C, the arithmetic-average roughness (R1) is 2 μm or less, the maximum height (Ry) is 7 μm or less, and the 10-points average roughness (Rz) is 8 μm or less, which makes the flatness of the exposed area 26 realized, thus making it possible to achieve an exposed area 26 with distinctive coloring and high contrast.
(42) (5) Of the automobile interior-part 11 as an embodiment of this invention, the average value in the height h1 from the surface 13 of the resin base-material 12, as the standard point, up to the surface of the exposed area 26, is within the preferable range of 100 or more and 130 or less (specifically approximately 100). Contrarily, of the comparative example of the conventional automobile interior-part, the height h1 greatly exceeds the above preferable range (specifically over 150). In other words, the height of the bulge of the exposed area 26 of the automobile interior-part 11 of this invention, compared to the comparative example, is obviously very low, with the flatness of the exposed area realized, which makes the coloring of such an area distinctive and the contrast greater.
(43) (6) Of the automobile interior-part 11 as an embodiment of this invention, the thickness D1 (see
(44) Each embodiment of this invention can be modified, as described below.
(45) As described in the above embodiment of this invention, the second base coat-layer 21C is colored in red. However, it is possible to color it in another chromatic color (e.g. in blue, green, brown, orange, purple, yellow or the like).
(46) As described in the above embodiment of this invention, the second base coat-layer 21C is only a single coat-layer colored in red. However, double coat-layers in different colors can be adapted. For example, regarding such second base coat-layers 21C, 21C, it is possible to color the bottom layer in red and to color the upper layer in blue. The second base coat-layer 21C in red has the feature of not easily absorbing the infrared-laser L1, compared to the second base coat-layer 21C in blue, so that the infrared laser L1 penetrates the surface coat-layer 31, the first laser-processed groove 22 that partially exposes the second base coat-layer 21C in blue, as well as the surface coat-layer 31 and the second base coat-layer 21C in blue, thus making it possible partially to expose the second base coat-layer 21 in red. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the automobile interior-part 11 comprising the two color-exposed areas 26 of distinctive coloring and of great contrast. Also, instead of the second base coat-layer 21C being blue, it is possible to provide a coat-layer of another color that absorbs the energy of the infrared laser L1 more readily than red, and one that contains a chromatic color-pigment other than blue. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a coat-layer that contains a mixture of silver pigment and black pigment in a certain proportion.
(47) As described in the above embodiment of this invention, the YVO.sub.4 laser is used. However, it is not limited to that. The laser processing can be done using another solid-state laser that can irradiate the infrared laser L1 (e.g. a YAG laser, a ruby laser or the like).
(48) As described in the embodiment of this invention, the method for manufacturing decorative parts is embodied in the method for manufacturing component parts such as an armrest of a door as one of the automobile interior parts. However, it is possible to be embodied in this method for manufacturing decorative parts other component parts of automobile interior parts such as console boxes, instrument panels, sensor clusters, cup holders, glove compartments, upper boxes or safety-assist handles or the like. Besides automobile interior parts, this invention can be naturally embodied as a method for manufacturing decorative parts such as automobile exterior parts (e.g. radiator grills, emblems, mud guards or the like) or for manufacturing the decorative veneers of furniture, electric appliances or the like.
(49) Besides the technical ideas of this invention, as described above, other technical ideas to be understood are described hereinafter.
(50) (1) According to any one of the first through eleventh aspects as described above, the surface roughness (Ry) of the exposed area at the bottom of the first laser-processed groove of the second base coat-layer is 7 μm or less.
(51) (2) According to any one of the first through eleventh aspects as described above, the surface roughness (Rz) of the exposed area at the bottom of the first laser-processed groove of the second base coat-layer is 8 μm or less.
(52) (3) According to any one of the first through eleventh aspects as described above, there is no bulge between the surface of the resin base-material and the first base coat-layer or between the first base coat-layer and the second base coat-layer.
(53) (4) According to any one of the first through eleventh aspects as described above, of the second base coat-layer, the adhesion-intensity of the area at the bottom of the first laser-processed groove is the same as that of the area not at the bottom of the first laser-processed groove.
(54) (5) According to any one of the first through eleventh aspects as described above, the second base coat-layer is red.
(55) (6) According to any one of the first through eleventh aspects as described above, the second base coat-layer is made of two layers. The lower layer is colored in red, and the upper layer is colored in blue.
(56) (7) According to any one of the first through eleventh aspects as described above, the thickness of the surface coat-layer is 20 μm to 40 μm, the thickness of the first base coat-layer is 15 μm to 20 μm, and the thickness of the second base coat-layer is 10 μm to 20 μm.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
(57) 11: Automobile interior-part as the decorated-part
(58) 12: Resin base-material
(59) 13: Surface of the resin base-material
(60) 21B: First base coat-layer
(61) 21C: Second base coat-layer
(62) 22: First laser-processed groove
(63) 26: Exposed area
(64) 27: Non-exposed area
(65) 31: Surface coat-layer
(66) 32: Second laser-processed groove
(67) D1: Thickness of the second base coat-layer
(68) D2: Thickness of the surface coat-layer
(69) h1: Height from the surface of the resin base-material as the standard point up to the surface of the non-exposed area
(70) h2: Height from the surface of the resin base-material as the standard point up to the surface of the exposed area
(71) L1: Infrared laser
(72) w1: Width of the first laser-processed groove
(73) w2: Width of the second laser-processed groove