CN217329656U - Structure body with three-dimensional texture shadow effect - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a structure with three-dimensional texture shadow effect, including printing opacity base plate and the three-dimensional texture layer that forms on the printing opacity base plate surface, three-dimensional texture layer is the lamellar structure who comprises two at least subsheets, the subsheets is latticed structure, including the unit structure who is hollow check shape, the hollow check comprises grid and the hollow part that centers on, and the maximum length of every hollow check is 0.01mm-30mm, and the height on three-dimensional texture layer is 0.1-50 mm. The component with the structure can realize customized or special light and shadow effects when in backlight, and can be applied to various fields such as automobile industry, electronic and electrical industry, household appliance industry and the like.

Description

A structure with three-dimensional texture light and shadow effect

technical field

The utility model relates to a structure, more particularly, to a structure with three-dimensional texture light and shadow effect. Parts with this structure can realize customized or special light and shadow effects when backlighting, which can be applied to many fields such as the automobile industry, electrical and electronic and home appliance industries.

Background technique

At present, more and more precision parts with backlight effect or parts with customized light and shadow effects are used in automobiles or electrical and electronic products. Most of the current solutions are difficult to meet the diverse needs, and the cost is high, it is impossible to realize the production of individual parts at a reasonable cost. Furthermore, current solutions require the preparation of new injection moulding moulds, so cost remains an issue.

Patent US10363710 discloses a method for producing uniform optical elements through an additive manufacturing process. This method obtains an optical element by irradiating a light pattern from a light source onto a photopolymerizable liquid resin using a diffuser, thereby uniformly polymerizing each layer.

Patent US20200173616A1 discloses a preparation method of an LED lighting element, the LED lighting element is a translucent product made of a polycarbonate resin composition, the product also includes a colorant, carbon black, optical additives and optional white pigment. In combination with one or more RGB-LEDs, the article has a deep gloss effect during the day and a different color effect at night, and thus can be used as a lighting element for day/night designs.

None of the above methods can achieve complex customized light and shadow effects in backlight or illumination at reasonable cost. Therefore, in response to this market demand, it is urgent to develop a component with customized or special light and shadow effects.

Utility model content

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a structure with a three-dimensional texture light and shadow effect, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems in the background technology.

The utility model provides a structure with three-dimensional texture light and shadow effect, comprising:

a light-transmitting substrate; and

The three-dimensional texture layer formed on the surface of the light-transmitting substrate is a layered structure composed of at least two sublayers stacked on top of each other, and each sublayer is a grid-like structure, including a unit structure in the shape of a hollow lattice, so The hollow lattice is composed of a grid and its surrounding hollow parts. The adjacent hollow lattices share the grid. According to the unit structure, the maximum length of each hollow lattice is between 0.01mm and 30mm.

The height of the three-dimensional texture layer, that is, the maximum vertical distance from the highest point of the geometric configuration of the three-dimensional texture layer to the surface of the light-transmitting substrate, is between 0.1-50 mm.

When the structure with the three-dimensional texture light and shadow effect of the present invention is used as a component of the lighting element, the light passes through the hollow part of the hollow grid, that is, the hollow part of the hollow grid, and the light is diffracted, refracted, diffused, etc. Under the action, a soft and halo light area is transmitted. In particular, the shape of the hollow lattice is different, which will cause different light perception, such as softness, light depth, halo size, light uniformity, etc. In addition, the structure has the advantage of being suitable for automatic design and production.

Description of drawings

Figure 1-1 is a top view of an inventive structure of the present invention. Figures 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 are top views of the structures of the first sublayer (sublayer in contact with the substrate), the second sublayer and the third sublayer, respectively.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure of Fig. 1-1, in the figure, reference numeral 1 represents a light-transmitting substrate, and reference numeral 2 represents a three-dimensional texture layer.

Figure 3-1 is a top view of another inventive structure of the present invention. Figures 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 are top views of the structures of the first sublayer (sublayer in contact with the substrate), the second sublayer and the third sublayer, respectively.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the structure of Fig. 3-1, in the figure, reference numeral 1 represents a light-transmitting substrate, and reference numeral 2 represents a three-dimensional texture layer.

Detailed ways

The utility model provides a structure with three-dimensional texture light and shadow effect, which comprises the following steps:

a light-transmitting substrate; and

The three-dimensional texture layer formed on the surface of the light-transmitting substrate is a layered structure composed of at least two sublayers stacked on top of each other, and each sublayer is a grid-like structure, including a unit structure in the shape of a hollow lattice, so The hollow lattice is composed of a grid and its surrounding hollow parts. The adjacent hollow lattices share the grid. According to the unit structure, the maximum length of each hollow lattice is between 0.01mm and 30mm.

The height of the three-dimensional texture layer, that is, the maximum vertical distance from the highest point of the geometric configuration of the three-dimensional texture layer to the surface of the light-transmitting substrate, is between 0.1-50 mm.

In the present utility model, the "layered structure composed of sub-layers superimposed on top of each other" is for the sake of convenience, referring to the description of the positional relationship of "upper-lower" with reference to "three-dimensional texture layer-transparent substrate". It can be understood that, in the actual use of the structure with the three-dimensional texture light and shadow effect, the orientation of its overall position can be changed. For example, the “three-dimensional texture layer-transparent substrate” can be horizontal. The relationship of the sublayers is that they overlap in the horizontal direction. However, it should be understood that the "layered structure composed of sub-layers superimposed on top of each other" includes the structure with three-dimensional textured light and shadow effect of the present invention used in various orientations of different overall positions. The "stacking" can be in any manner, with or without an adhesive relationship.

The specific structure, preparation, application and advantages of the structural body of the present utility model are described in detail below.

Light-transmitting substrate

The light-transmitting substrate may be any existing light-transmitting plate in the prior art, or be made of any material in the prior art, as long as its light transmittance is not less than 0.5%. For example, translucent plastics (eg translucent polycarbonate materials), glass plates can be used, and the thickness thereof is not limited.

Therefore, in the present invention, the light-transmitting substrate refers to a substrate with a light transmittance of not less than 0.5%.

The light-transmitting substrate can be in any shape, for example, it can be flat or curved, or it can be folded. When the light-transmitting substrate is a curved surface, the distance difference between the points on the curved surface and the light source can be smaller, and a more uniform light and shadow effect can be achieved. Preferably, the light-transmitting substrate is a standard spherical surface, the light source is located at the center of the sphere, and the distance from each point on the spherical surface to the light source is the same.

The light-transmitting substrate involved in the present invention is preferably made of thermoplastic material. The light transmissive substrate may be made of translucent or transparent plastic resins, including but not limited to polycarbonate (PC) materials, and optionally color pigments, or mixtures thereof.

3D texture layer

1. Structure

The three-dimensional texture layer is formed on the light-transmitting substrate.

The three-dimensional texture layer is a layered structure composed of one, two, three or more sublayers superimposed on top of each other. Each sub-layer can be formed, for example, by 3D (three-dimensional) printing, and can also be formed by other possible methods (eg, conventional printing methods, coating methods, etc.). Preferably, the three-dimensional texture layer includes two or more sublayers. More preferably, the three-dimensional texture layer includes three or more sublayers.

The sub-layer can also be called a hollow grid, which is a network structure composed of three-dimensional textured layer materials, which is formed by hollow lattices of unit structure, and the hollow lattices as the unit structure are continuously arranged to form the whole sub-layer.

A hollow lattice consists of a grid and its surrounding hollow portion, which can be closed or open, i.e. the grid surrounds all the perimeter of the hollow portion (closed); or the grid surrounds part of the perimeter of the hollow portion and no other perimeter of the hollow portion grille surround. According to the unit structure, the maximum length of each hollow cell is between 0.01mm-30mm. In this paper, the maximum length of a hollow lattice is the maximum dimension, which is defined as the maximum distance between two points in the perimeter of the hollow lattice. For example, if the hollow lattice is circular, its maximum length is its diameter; if it is a square, its maximum length is its diameter. The maximum length is the diagonal; in the case of a diamond, the maximum length is the longest diagonal. If the hollow grid is open, its maximum length is determined by the closed hollow grid determined by the extension line of the existing grid of the hollow grid; if the closed hollow grid cannot be determined by the extension line of the existing grid of the hollow grid, the Maximum length gauge of all adjacent closed hollow cells.

The shape of the hollow lattice can be exemplified by a circle, a rhombus, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a trapezoid, a polygon, an umbrella, a fan, a trumpet, a meniscus, a lip, a pentagram, a heart, and the like. However, the shape of the hollow lattice is not limited to this. The hollow cells can be of any shape.

Three-dimensional textured layers of material (eg, 3D-printed filaments) in the hollow mesh grid form the grid. Adjacent hollow cells share a grid. In general, for two adjacent layers, a part of the upper grid is connected to the lower grid, and the other part can be suspended above the hollow part of the lower hollow grid. The upper grille can also be completely overlapped with the lower grille. The grid can be any shape of line, such as straight, curved or polyline.

The three-dimensional texture layer and the light-transmitting substrate and the sub-layers are fixed together, for example, by bonding.

The height of the three-dimensional texture layer, that is, the maximum distance perpendicular to the light-transmitting substrate from the highest point of the geometric configuration of the three-dimensional texture layer, is between 0.1-50 mm, preferably between 2-35 mm. The height of the three-dimensional texture layer of the present invention can be fixed or variable in the whole range of the three-dimensional texture layer, so complex and various interactions with the light source will occur.

The height of the grid (e.g., the thickness of the filament in the case of 3D printing), the shape and number of hollow cells, the number of sublayers, the shape of the hollow mesh grid for each sublayer, the shape and thickness of the 3D texture layer etc., can be designed on the software as needed, as long as it can be realized by using the existing technology. For example, the height of the grid, the size and shape of the hollow portions of the hollow cells, the size and shape and height of each sublayer, the height of the entire three-dimensional texture layer, the solid geometry, etc. may be varied. The three-dimensional texture layer of the present invention can be modified at will through software design, thereby increasing the possibility of complex texture design, ensuring the flexibility and complete freedom of the technology, and meeting the needs of customers for different visual effects.

The additive manufacturing software technology (3D printing) involved in the present utility model can adopt the melt extrusion technology, including the filament melt extrusion (FFF) method and the solid free-form manufacturing method of small beads, which includes the following steps: using computer 3D The design software performs digital modeling of the three-dimensional texture layer, sets the printing path and printing parameters according to the digital model planning, and imports the set path and parameters into the 3D printer; prints. These methods are known or those of ordinary skill can make corresponding selections and arrangements according to their own knowledge.

A structure of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Figure 1-1 is a top view of a structure of the present invention. The top view in this article refers to placing the structure horizontally, with the light-transmitting substrate on the bottom and the three-dimensional texture layer on the top, looking vertically from the direction of the three-dimensional texture layer to the direction of the light-transmitting substrate. In the structure shown in this figure, the three-dimensional texture layer is composed of three sublayers (see Example 1 below). The areas of these three sublayers decrease layer by layer. The first sublayer (see Figure 1-2), which is the one closest to the light-transmitting substrate, has the largest range. The second sublayer (see Figures 1-3) has a smaller extent than the first sublayer, and the third sublayer (see Figures 1-4) has a smaller extent than the second sublayer. The network structure of the three sublayers has hexagonal hollow lattices of different sizes.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure of Fig. 1-1. In the figure, reference numeral 1 represents a light-transmitting substrate, and reference numeral 2 represents a three-dimensional texture layer. In FIG. 2, the three-dimensional texture layer is on the light-transmitting substrate. In the three-dimensional texture layer, the second sublayer is above the first sublayer, and the third sublayer is above the second sublayer. The three sub-layers are stepped.

Figure 3-1 is a top view of another structure of the present invention. In the structure shown in the figure, the three-dimensional texture layer is composed of three sublayers (see Figs. 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4). The three sublayers have the same area. The network structure of the three sublayers has equilateral triangular hollow cells of different sizes (see Example 2 below).

Fig. 4 is a side view of the structure of Fig. 3-1. In the figure, reference numeral 1 represents a light-transmitting substrate, and reference numeral 2 represents a three-dimensional texture layer. In FIG. 4 , the three-dimensional texture layer is on the light-transmitting substrate. In the three-dimensional texture layer, the overall size of the three sublayers is the same.

2. Light and shadow effects

The light passes through the hollow part of the hollow grid, that is, the hollow part of the hollow grid, and under the action of light diffraction, refraction, diffusion, etc., a soft and halo light area is transmitted through the light-transmitting substrate.

The shape of the hollow lattice is different, which will cause different light perception, such as softness, light depth, halo size, light uniformity, etc.

When the three-dimensional texture layer has only one sub-layer, when the backlight is illuminated by a light source, a soft and approximately uniform light area with halo can be presented.

If the three-dimensional texture layer is composed of two sublayers of different sizes, under the backlight, the light source is illuminated (it can be illuminated from the three-dimensional texture to the direction of the light-transmitting substrate, or vice versa, from the light-transmitting substrate to the direction of the three-dimensional texture layer) The light from the structure will appear layered, the overlapping part of the two layers is darker and softer, the halo is larger, and other areas are brighter. In this way, the dark part and the bright part cooperate with each other to outline different lines to form various patterns. If the structure of the present invention comprises three sublayers, at least three optical levels can be achieved. The greater the number of layers, the more layers of light that can be realized by the present invention, the more complex the light and shadow effects are, and the more light and shadow changes can be realized. In this way, by designing the shape of each sub-layer and the number of the sub-layers, a patterned light and shadow effect can be generated under the illumination of a light source during backlighting. The structure of the utility model is combined with light sources of various angles and colors, so that various patterns and colorful three-dimensional texture light and shadow effects can be realized.

For the design of each sublayer, there can be several ways. For example, the hollow grid layer can be a whole composed of hollow lattices, or it can be divided into two or more parts, the hollow lattices of each part have the same size and height or different heights, and each part can be different from other parts. Not connected at all, in which case the parts are independent; or only partially connected to other parts, in which case the two parts of the connected hollow cells can be of different sizes and heights. The shape and height of the hollow cells in the same sublayer or in the same section can vary. One or more sub-layers can also be designed into a regular or irregular ring to achieve ring-shaped light and shadow effects. The height of the sublayers can also vary, for example, the heights of the same sublayer can be uneven, some places are higher, and some places are shorter. In some cases, the height of the sub-layer can be designed in the range of 0.1-1 mm, and the layer height in this range can achieve the desired soft haloed light area.

Generally speaking, when the light-transmitting substrate is flat, the sublayer closer to the light-transmitting substrate has a larger range or area, and the sub-layer farther from the light-transmitting substrate is smaller in plan view. In the case where the light-transmitting substrate is a curved surface, the opposite can also be done, that is, the sub-layer near the light-transmitting substrate has a smaller range or area when viewed from above, and the sub-layer farther away from the light-transmitting substrate is larger. In particular, some layers lie within other sublayers when viewed from above. Correspondingly, from an overall perspective, the three-dimensional texture layer can be a three-dimensional geometric configuration with a width at the bottom and narrow at the top, or a three-dimensional geometry with a width at the top and narrow at the bottom, depending on the needs. In addition, from a top-down perspective, the upper-layer hollow lattice may be within the lower-layer hollow lattice, or may be outside the range thereof, and may also intersect with the lower-layer hollow lattice.

3. Materials

The three-dimensional texture layer involved in the present invention can be made of thermoplastic polymer material, in other words, the three-dimensional texture layer material can be thermoplastic polymer material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) wire material (eg, Covestro AD.GPU90A). Thermoplastic polymer materials include but are not limited to polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polylactic acid (PLA) ) or blends or copolymers thereof. Preferably, the three-dimensional textured layer is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. When preparing the structure of the present invention, the thermoplastic polymer material as the three-dimensional texture layer material is printed on the light-transmitting substrate through the additive manufacturing software technology to form a three-dimensional geometric component of a certain shape. The material used for 3D printing, that is, the three-dimensional texture layer material, can be the same as the light-transmitting substrate material, or it can be other materials compatible with the light-transmitting substrate material, and the two must have good adhesion properties, which ensures the product continuous stability and allows use in many industries. Additionally, the three-dimensional texture layer material may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

Fabrication of structures with three-dimensional textured light and shadow effects

In order to fabricate structures with three-dimensional textured light and shadow effects, and to obtain parts with special or customized light and shadow effects, a known transparent, translucent or opaque plastic resin (such as, but not limited to, polycarbonate) is applied on a light-transmitting substrate. Ester (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide (PA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or their mixtures), become a certain shape Solid geometry parts. The processing method can be injection molding, extrusion, lamination, etc., preferably injection molding. Plastic resins can be transparent, colored or translucent silver-white or black. Lighting from the back of the structure (ie, the side of the three-dimensional texture layer) can transmit light, and when the structure is irradiated with a light source from the back, special light and shadow effects will be produced due to the thickness of the three-dimensional texture layer.

In order to obtain light and shadow effects, such as shadows, selective light diffusion, different techniques can be applied to the surface of the part, such as surface engraving, coating, printing, filming, processing through two-color molds, etc. However, assuming that all of these methods are equally effective in order to minimize costs, these methods are rendered inflexible. To increase flexibility and functionality, additive manufacturing software technology can be used to print different structures on each layer to form 3D solid geometric parts generated by the software design. Additive manufacturing software technology is a software technology that controls the processing of 3D printing equipment by receiving 3D level data files and converting them into processing paths that specify the 3D printing process and generating control instructions. In this article, additive manufacturing software technology and 3D printing are used synonymously.

In particular, the structure provided by the present invention can be prepared by using additive manufacturing software technology through the following steps:

1. Depositing the three-dimensional texture layer material in the form of threads or other forms on the surface of the light-transmitting substrate to partially or completely connect it with the light-transmitting substrate, thereby forming the first sublayer;

2. Print the three-dimensional texture layer material in the form of silk thread or other forms on the first sub-layer. After printing, the temperature of the material decreases to solidify, and at the same time, it is combined (bonded) with the first sub-layer to form the second sub-layer. Floor;

By analogy, a layer of three-dimensional textured material can be printed on the second sublayer to form a third sublayer. A fourth sublayer or other sublayers are also prepared in a similar manner.

use

The structure of the utility model can be used in the fields of automobile industry, electronic appliances, home decoration, home appliances, etc. that require special light and shadow effects, such as table lamps, wall lamps, shoes, home decorations and the like.

advantage

Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages:

1. The structure of the present invention, through the design of the hollow lattice, can achieve soft, halo, light and shadow effects of different shades.

2. For the structure of the present invention, through the design of the multi-layer hollow grid, a single or multiple independent or connected patterns with different shades and rough outlines can be obtained.

3. Combined with light sources of various angles and colors, various and colorful three-dimensional light and shadow effects can be realized.

4. The structural features of the structure make it suitable for automatic design and production (eg 3D printing).

In general, the present invention provides a structure with three-dimensional textured light and shadow effects, which can realize special light and shadow effects. The present invention includes the following embodiments in a non-limiting manner, of which embodiments 2-10 are preferred embodiments. These embodiments can be combined with each other, and these combinations are also included in the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

1. A structure with three-dimensional texture light and shadow effect,

Among them, including

a light-transmitting substrate; and

The three-dimensional texture layer formed on the surface of the light-transmitting substrate is a layered structure composed of at least two sublayers stacked on top of each other, and each sublayer is a grid-like structure, including a unit structure in the shape of a hollow lattice, so The hollow lattice is composed of a grid and its surrounding hollow parts. The adjacent hollow lattices share the grid. According to the unit structure, the maximum length of each hollow lattice is between 0.01mm and 30mm.

The height of the three-dimensional texture layer, that is, the maximum vertical distance from the highest point of the geometric configuration of the three-dimensional texture layer to the surface of the light-transmitting substrate, is between 0.1-50 mm.

2. The structure according to Embodiment 1, wherein the light-transmitting substrate is in the shape of a flat surface, a curved surface or a folded surface.

3. The structure according to any one of Embodiments 1-2, wherein the light-transmitting substrate is in the shape of a curved surface.

4. The structure of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the three-dimensional textured layer is comprised of three or more sublayers.

5. The structure of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein one or more of the sublayers are each unitary, or each sublayer is each divided into two or more sublayers. Multiple parts, where divided into two or more parts, each part is independent.

6. The structure of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein one or more of the sublayers is a regular annular shape.

7. The structure of any of embodiments 1-6, wherein the layer height of each sublayer is in the range of 0.1-1 mm.

8. The structure according to any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein, in each sublayer, the shape of the hollow lattice is selected from the group consisting of circle, rhombus, square, rectangle, triangle, trapezoid, polygon, umbrella, One or more of fan-shaped, trumpet-shaped, meniscus-shaped, lip-shaped, pentagram-shaped, and heart-shaped.

9. The structure according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein, from a top view, the three-dimensional texture layer is a three-dimensional geometric configuration with a lower width and a top narrow or the same size at the top and bottom, wherein the top view refers to the It is placed horizontally, with the light-transmitting substrate on the bottom and the three-dimensional texture layer on the top, looking vertically from the direction of the three-dimensional texture layer to the direction of the light-transmitting substrate.

10. The structure according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 9, wherein, from a top view point of view, the three-dimensional texture layer is a three-dimensional geometric configuration that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom or the same size as the top and bottom, wherein the top view refers to the The structure is placed horizontally, the light-transmitting substrate is on the bottom, and the three-dimensional texture layer is on the top, and the direction of the light-transmitting substrate is viewed vertically from the direction of the three-dimensional texture layer.

The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, some modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

The following examples are specific implementations of the present invention.

Example 1

Example 1 The structures shown in Figures 1-1 were prepared.

A translucent polycarbonate material (Makrolon Ai 2457, translucent, black) (as a light-transmitting substrate material) was injected into the mold to obtain a light-transmitting substrate with a thickness of 3 mm, which could transmit light with a light transmittance of 0.9% , and can be illuminated from the back. Using 3D printing technology, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filament material (Covestro AD.GPU90A) was melt-extruded (FFF) through filament and deposited on the substrate in the form of a grid to form a three-dimensional textured layer. In this embodiment, the selected TPU wire has a diameter of 1.75 mm, a printing line width of 0.5 mm, a printing layer height of 0.2 mm, a temperature of 230° C., and a printing speed of 40 mm/s. A total of three sub-layers were printed, with a total thickness of 2mm, and their thicknesses were 0.4mm, 0.8mm, and 0.8mm, respectively. The area of each sublayer decreases layer by layer, and the hollow lattice of each sublayer has a different shape.

The structure of the first sub-layer (sub-layer in contact with the substrate) is shown in Figure 1-2. Each hollow lattice has a regular hexagonal structure, and the side length of the regular hexagon is 3.0 mm. The outer contour of the sublayer is square, and the side length is 100mm.

The second sub-layer structure is shown in Figure 1-3, each hollow lattice has a regular hexagon structure, and the regular hexagon side length is 4.5mm. The outer contour of the sublayer is a rectangle with a size of 100mm×70mm.

The third sub-layer structure is shown in Figure 1-4, each hollow lattice has a regular hexagon structure, and the regular hexagon side length is 9mm. The outer contour of the sublayer is a rectangle with a size of 100mm×35mm.

When backlit, the structure can exhibit a soft light and shadow effect with a three-dimensional grid overlapping pattern alternated between light and dark.

Example 2

A translucent polycarbonate material (MakrolonAi 2457, translucent, black) (as a light-transmitting substrate material) was injected into the mold to obtain a light-transmitting substrate with a thickness of 3 mm, which could transmit light with a transmittance of 0.9%, And can be illuminated from the back. Using 3D printing technology, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filament material (Covestro AD.GPU 90A) was deposited on the substrate in the form of a grid through filament melt extrusion technology (FFF) to form a three-dimensional texture layer. In this embodiment, the selected TPU wire has a diameter of 1.75 mm, a printing line width of 0.5 mm, a printing layer height of 0.2 mm, a temperature of 230° C., and a printing speed of 40 mm/s. A total of three sub-layers were printed with thicknesses of 0.4mm, 0.8mm and 0.8mm, for a total thickness of 2mm. Each sublayer has the same area, but the hollow cells of each sublayer have a different shape.

The structure of the first sublayer (sublayer in contact with the substrate) is shown in Figure 3-2. Each hollow lattice has a square structure, and the side length of the square is 1mm. The outer contour of the sublayer is square, and the side length is 100mm.

The second sub-layer structure is shown in Figure 3-3. Each hollow lattice has an equilateral triangle structure, and the side length of the equilateral triangle is 5mm. The outer contour of the sublayer is square, and the side length is 100mm.

The third sub-layer structure is shown in Figure 3-4, each hollow lattice has a regular triangle structure, and the side length of the regular triangle is 8mm. The outer contour of the sublayer is square, and the side length is 100mm.

When backlit, the structure can exhibit a soft light and shadow effect with a three-dimensional grid overlapping pattern alternated between light and dark.

Comparative Example 1

A translucent polycarbonate material (Makrolon Ai 24572457, translucent, black) (as a substrate material) was injected into the mold to obtain a substrate with a thickness of 3 mm, which could transmit light with a transmittance of 0.9% and could Lighting from the back. A patterned polycarbonate film with a thickness of 0.25 mm was inserted into the mold and overmolded with the above-mentioned substrate material. This structure (a combination of substrate and film and pattern) does not display three-dimensional light and shadow effects when backlit.

Comparative Example 2

A translucent polycarbonate material (Makrolon Ai 2457, translucent, black) was injected into a mold containing a three-dimensional textured layer to obtain a part with a minimum thickness of 3 mm, which could transmit light with a light transmittance of 0.9% , and can be illuminated from the back, but does not exhibit the expected 3D light and shadow effect.

Comparative Example 3

A carbon fiber-reinforced polycarbonate composite sheet (Covestro Maezio) with a thickness of 3 mm was used as the substrate, and its light transmittance was 0%. According to the design in Example 1, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material (Covestro AD.GPU90A) was deposited on the substrate in the form of a hollow mesh grid by an additive manufacturing software technology (3D printing). Since the substrate cannot transmit light, the structure (the combination of the substrate and the hollow grid) cannot display light and shadow effects when illuminated by a backlight.

The substrate materials and three-dimensional texture layers used in Examples 1-2 and Comparative Examples 1-3 and the three-dimensional light and shadow effects achieved are summarized in Table 1 below.

Table I:

The specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various deformations or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essential content of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A structure with three-dimensional texture shadow effect,

which is characterized by comprising

A light-transmitting substrate; and

the three-dimensional texture layer is formed on the surface of the light-transmitting substrate and is of a layered structure formed by overlapping at least two sub-layers up and down, each sub-layer is of a grid-shaped structure and comprises a unit structure in the shape of a hollow grid, each hollow grid consists of a grid and a hollow part surrounded by the grid, the adjacent hollow grids share the grid, and the maximum length of each hollow grid is 0.01-30 mm according to the unit structure,

the height of the three-dimensional texture layer, i.e. the maximum perpendicular distance from the highest point of the three-dimensional texture layer geometry to the surface of the light-transmitting substrate, is between 0.1 and 50 mm.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting substrate has a flat surface, a curved surface, or a folded surface.

3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the light-transmitting substrate has a curved shape.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional texture layer is comprised of three or more sublayers.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein one or more of the sub-layers are each integral, or each sub-layer is divided into two or more portions, each portion being independent in the case of two or more portions.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein one or more of the sub-layers is regularly annular.

7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the layer height of each sublayer is in the range of 0.1-1 mm.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the hollow lattice shape in each sub-layer is one or more selected from the group consisting of circular, diamond, square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, polygonal, umbrella, fan, horn, meniscus, lip, pentagram, and heart shapes.

9. The structure of claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional texture layer is a solid geometric configuration with a wide bottom and a narrow top or the same size top and bottom, from a top view, wherein the top view refers to the structure being horizontally placed with the transparent substrate being below and the three-dimensional texture layer being above, and the three-dimensional texture layer is vertically viewed from the direction of the three-dimensional texture layer to the direction of the transparent substrate.

10. The structure of claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional texture layer has a solid geometric configuration with a wide top and a narrow bottom or the same size top and bottom, when viewed from a top view, the structure is horizontally placed with the transparent substrate at the bottom and the three-dimensional texture layer at the top, and the three-dimensional texture layer is vertically viewed from the direction of the three-dimensional texture layer to the direction of the transparent substrate.

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