CA2111161A1 - Process for the manufacture of micro-double triple surfaces and their tools - Google Patents
Process for the manufacture of micro-double triple surfaces and their toolsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2111161A1 CA2111161A1 CA002111161A CA2111161A CA2111161A1 CA 2111161 A1 CA2111161 A1 CA 2111161A1 CA 002111161 A CA002111161 A CA 002111161A CA 2111161 A CA2111161 A CA 2111161A CA 2111161 A1 CA2111161 A1 CA 2111161A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- micro
- triples
- body component
- structural body
- double
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
- G02B5/12—Reflex reflectors
- G02B5/122—Reflex reflectors cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type
- G02B5/124—Reflex reflectors cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
- F21V5/02—Refractors for light sources of prismatic shape
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
Abstract
PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MICRO-DOUBLE
TRIPLE SURFACES AND THEIR TOOLS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Microtechnological process for the manufacture of micro-double triple, or septehedron, sheets, which are used for prismatic light reflection, light diffusion; for light-receiving surfaces of solar collectors; heat exchanger surfaces; cooling surfaces particularly in microelectronics;
for reducing the resistance to flow on bodies exposed to the flow of liquids and gases or in hollow spaces and conduits exposed to flow; for stamping or casting reflective molded bodies, reflectors, plates, leaf material, labels, elastic sheet and/or foil materials that can be wound; in road, rail, air an marine traffic applications and in space travel; and in opto-electronics and measuring and controlling technology.
TRIPLE SURFACES AND THEIR TOOLS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Microtechnological process for the manufacture of micro-double triple, or septehedron, sheets, which are used for prismatic light reflection, light diffusion; for light-receiving surfaces of solar collectors; heat exchanger surfaces; cooling surfaces particularly in microelectronics;
for reducing the resistance to flow on bodies exposed to the flow of liquids and gases or in hollow spaces and conduits exposed to flow; for stamping or casting reflective molded bodies, reflectors, plates, leaf material, labels, elastic sheet and/or foil materials that can be wound; in road, rail, air an marine traffic applications and in space travel; and in opto-electronics and measuring and controlling technology.
Description
' ': .
-B~CKGROUND OF TllE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to structural bodies . . ~, having micro-double triple surfaces and to a process for manufacturing these bodies.
,~ :
-B~CKGROUND OF TllE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to structural bodies . . ~, having micro-double triple surfaces and to a process for manufacturing these bodies.
,~ :
2. The Prior Art Micro-triple structures currently preferably consist of so-called single triples, which include tetrahedrons of which the base surface is an equilateral triangle or an unequally sided triangie. Prismatic triples are used particularly for the manufacture of light-reflecting surfaces.
However, the form of the three-sided single triple has a considerable number of non-retroreflecting surfaces.
: ~ :
German patent application P 42 ~6 799.9 describes how cube-shaped microprisms can be manufactured as triples with nearly total reflection. However, the manufacturing costs are very high and increase in inverse proportion td the diameter of the triples.
Furthermore, all prismatic triples have three preferred directions for reflection of incident lateral light.
In order to modify the preferred directions, the triples can be arranged in such a way that they can be turned toward each -~
other around their respective axes of rotation. Such ~ i f~ ` ~` 2111161 .~ .
arrangements, however, require a very expensive expenditure in terms of production and engineering costs in order to create reflecting surfaces that are effective over a wide range of angles and including more than three sides.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technically and economically advantageous process for the manufacture of triples that eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art triple-shaped structures, and which is excellently suitable primarily for the manufacture of particularly small microstructures. ~`
The micro-double triple structure according to the invention has several advantages. Not only can this structure be produced in a highly economical manner, but it is also superior to the prior art triple-shaped structures in its optical properties. It functions across a very wide range of angles and reflects light from six sides, and it has a more -~
. . ~:
open shape along all of its sides tnan does a cube-shaped ~ ; ;
triple prism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -~
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description ~ S~
~ ,. "," ;~ ,,, ., ,.,. " ,trt", ~ ~ , 2 1 1 1 ~
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which discloses several embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 shows a top view of a micro-double triple shaped body of the invention; ~ --FIG. 2 shows a micro-double triple shaped body, having single tetrahedrons affixed to two edges of the base -~ - -surface;
FIG. 3 shows the two relationships of the lateral -~
surfaces of the tetrahedron structure during retroreflection;
FIG. 4 shows the rhombohedron consisting of a of six ~-:
sided micro-double triple and the two single triples;
FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the cutting or grinding tool used to produce the structure of the -- ;
invention;
,~ 2111161 FIG. 6 shows a top view of the grinding pattern produced by the grinding tool of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows a top view of a group of double triples and single triples forming an equilateral polyhedron;
FIG. 8 shows a top view of the combination of three equilateral polyhedrons formed according to the invention; -~ ;
:~ j FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the micro~
double triple structure of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 shows a top perspective view of a negative mold structure capable of producing the positive structure of ;
FIG. 9; and .:"~
FIG. 11 shows the micro-double triple body with a curved surface according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFER~ED EMBODIMENTS
. ~
Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a micro-double triple shaped body or structure 10 of the invention. The cross section of body 10 has the shape of an equilateral hexagon. Body 10 has six lateral triangular shaped surfaces 1 to 6 forming a six-sided ~ ~ -polyhedron, or septehedron (since its base is the seventh surface). Apex 7 is the intersection point of the six sides and is the highest point of the polyhedron lo. If the micro-double triple body is manufactured from translucent material, such as, for exa~ple, glass or plastic material, it will reflect any light that has entered the body through the base surface 7~ of the polyhedron lo.
Retroreflection or reflection wholly within the polyhedron lo, occurs in each case by means of three lateral surfaces, either (1), (3) and (5), or via (2), (4) and (6) within the body of said polyhedron.
, ;~
For the manufacture of microstructures according to .: ~ ~:
the invention which have the triple shaped body, the additional structure of attached single triples consisting of . . ~
three-sided polyhedrons or tetrahedrons (since its base is the fourth surface), is required. FIG. 2 shows the micro-double triple shaped body lOa having two single triples or tetrahedrons 40 and 42 affixed to two edges 44 and 46, respectively, of its base surface 7'. Each single triple 40 and 42 has a base surface 48 and 50, respectively, conforming to one-sixth part of the base surface of the micro-double triple, or septehedron 10 of FIG. 1. In FI~. 2, the micro-double triple and the two single triples jointly form the rhombohedron lOa. If the surface of the rhombohedron lOa had been constituted by combining 8 single triples, then the non-reflecting surface of this structure, not according to the _ 5 _ invention, would have amounted to about ~ cfio~ding to the present invention, however, the non-reflecting surface of the structure shown in FIG. 2 comprises,only about 6.25% to 7%.
In addition, this small non-reflecting surface is achieved by the unique manufacturing possibility and the higher manufacturing method of the invention and with the higher manufacturing accuracy achievable with this method.
- .
The first single triple, or tetrahedron 40, has lateral surfaces 11, 12 and 13 with the apex 8 of said tetrahedron and the congruent axis of rotation 8 extending - ~-therethrough. The second single triple, or tetrahedron 42, has lateral surfaces 14, 15 and 16 with the apex 9 of said tetrahedron and the congruent axis of rotation 9 extending therethrough. The relation of the triple lateral surfaces for retroreflection is shown in FIG. 3, whereby light pathway 19 and 20 show the reflection in the two single triples;
FIG. 3 shovs the two possible relationships of the lateral surfaces during retroreflection as denoted by 17 or 18, within the struature of the polyhedron 10. Thus, in FIG. ~-i 3, the micro-double triple structure actually includes two triple bodies lOa and lOb contacting each other at common point of intersection P and axis of rotation 7. This triple structure achieves nearly total reflection. The micro-double triple has 6iX preferred directions for incident light laterally striking the surface of the polyhedron lOa and lOb.
- 6 ~
~1 ~ 2111161 Thus, it is sufficiently wide-angled toward all sides of the structure to be useful for practical applications, for ~ ;
example, for road and traffic purposes.
In FIG. 4, the rhombohedron 20a is shown to include the six-sided micro-double triple, or septehedron 25 and the two single triples, or tetrahedrons 24 and 26. The various ;~
triples are manufactured in a simple way by cutting and/or grinding. For the sake of simplicity, only grinding is addressed hereinafter. However, optically effective triples can also be produced by cutting alone. ~-~
For producing the micro-double triple surfaces or sheets, a workpiece, such as, for example, a plate of solid material acrylic ester, glass, or braes, ls notched in three directions of grinding 21, 22 and 23 with the desired angles, whereby the three directions of grinding are in each case successively turned at an angle of 60 (counterclockwise in the example of FIG. 4).
;::
The most important feature according to the invention is that the three directions of grinding extend in a manner whereby only two of said directions always have a common point of intersection. If this feature is not carried ;
out, that is, if all three directions of grinding would have common points of intersection, then only undesired single triples would be produced.
, Ai~, -~- 2111161 ~
In order to obtain a micro-double triple with uniformly sized lateral surfaces, it is necessary that the spacings of the individual notchings are the same in each direction of grinding.
A pattern of micro-double triples, or septehedrons, according to the invention is produced, so that each micro~
double triple, or septehedron, is in contact with each of the surrounding six micro-double triples, or septehedrons, at only a common corner point, and is in contact with the single triples, or tetrahedrons, along common edges.
FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the tool 27 used for cutting or grinding, which can, for example, be an accurately angled diamond, which produces the notching 27a, Thus, tool 27 can produce a lateral surface 25 of the large micro-double triple, or septehedron, simultaneously with producing lateral surface 24 of the single triple, or tetrahedron. The line 28 shows the depth level of the notching. ~ -::, '' Fig. 6 shows a top view of the qrinding pattern produced by the grinding direction 29 shown in FIG. 5. - ~
',:.. ~' :~,'.;
FIG. 7 shows a group 30 of micro-double triples, or .: - - .:
: ::,....::
septehedrons 30a and single triples, or tetrahedrons 30b, forming here, by way of example, an equilateral hexagon in ' ' ::~.
- 8 - ~
r 2 1 1 1 1 ~ 1 cross section. such groups of triples can be separated from the surface, for example, by cutting or grinding, in a manner whereby the ratio of the number of micro-double triples, or septehedrons 30a to the number of single triples, or tetrahedrons 30b has been changed. This ratio is no longer 1:2, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, but the number of single triples, or tetrahedrons, can be either increased or d decreased. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the groups 30 of triples each consist of 7 micro-double triples, or septehedrons 30a and 12 single triples, or tetrahedrons 30b, thus with a ratio of 7:12.
FIG. 8 shows, by way of example, the combination of three of the described groups 30 of polyhedrons having cross sections of equilateral hexagons. The individual groups contact each other along the separation lines 31.
I ~ .
When grinding the micro-double triple, or septehedron, surfaces the positive form is immediately produced if, for example, a polyacrylic plastic panel is used as the material. For producing, metal (aluminum), plastic, or ~-glass panels by injection molding, or by stamping, a negative mold is first produced, for example, galvanically, and then the desired micro-double triple, or septehedron, positive surfaces can be prepared by using such a mold.
---` 2111161 ;-, .
In their translucent, transparent or partly transparent ~orm, the micro-double triple, or septehedron, surfaces are suitable not only for the retroreflection of light, but also as light-scattering panels if the angles of the lateral surfaces of the triples, or polyhedrons, are changed relative to each other, or if the direction of incident light onto the micro-double triple, or septehedron, surfaces is changed. For example, lamp glasses, or lamp trays, with the structure of the micro-double triple surfaces can be used for scattering light. Examples of suitable plastics include polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, and polyvinyl chloride.
.
If the micro-double triple, or septehedron, sheets are placed on bodies with outwardly directed profiling, then this structure is suitable as a cooling sheet due to its large surface area combined with very low structural height. This :~
structure is suitable, for example, for cooling electronic ~-components, or for the heat exchange on heat exchangers, or -::: . :.:-.. .: : :
heaters, both on the outer surface and on the inner surface. ~ ~
' In connection with bodies around which fluid media such as air, gas or liquid is flowing, the micro-double triple, or septehedron, surface, outwardly directly, can contribute considerably to enhancing the flow behavior or such fluid media. Due to the change in the surface configuration of high micro-double triples, or septehedrons, and low single .
- 10- , -' 21111Sl ~ ;:
triples, or tetrahedrons, micro-vortices are produced between these triples, or polyhedrons, forming a fluidized layer on which the flowing media can flow along with a substantial reduction in the flow resistance.
:
For example, micro-double triple, or septehedron, sheets can be used for improving the fluid flow behavior on the outer hull of ships, submarine vessels, buoys, aircraft and rockets, or for coating the inner surfaces of tubes.
Also, the micro-double triple, or septehedron, sheets can be used for this purpose in gas and water turbines.
FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the micro- ;~
double triple, or septehedron, structure 30 arranged to be an equilateral hexagon of FIG. 8 in cross section and at its base, whereby the areas 24, 25 and 26 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 10 shows a top perspective view of a negative mold structure 60 capable of producing the polygonal positive structure 30 having the hexagonal base of FIG. 9, whereby the corresponding negative areas are denoted by 24', 25' and 26'.
Additionally, the negative mold 60 is also useful per se and independently of its usefulness for producing positive structures. For example, it is possible to make the negative mold black, as indicated at 62, by applying a black coating, in order to create in this way a heat-absorbing surface useful 2il~161 for a solar collector panel. However, the negative mold can also be used for optical purposes as well through suitable mirror layers, as indicated at 64. This is accomplished by applying a mirror coating, for example, by vapor deposition of a metal, such as, aluminum, copper, silver, or a compound thereof, or there i9 a lacquer coating which includes titanium oxide.
`
Finally, it is possible to use this negative mold as a heat-exchanging surface within a heat exchanger.
FIG. 11 shows the body 130 according to the ~.
invention with a curved surface 131 having micro-double ~:
triples, or septehedrons, 125 positioned between the two single triples, or tetrahedrons, 124 and 126, similar to FIG.
: ::
g .: :
The dimensions of the micro-structure 30 shown in -~
. : :
FIG. 9 include the length L of each of the six sides of the -~
hexagon base wherein each side has the same length L because of the equilateral con titution of the base.
While several embodiments of the present invention ~:
have been shown and described, it i5 to be understood that ::~
- ':
many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as de-: `
fined in the appended claims.
' ~ .~
However, the form of the three-sided single triple has a considerable number of non-retroreflecting surfaces.
: ~ :
German patent application P 42 ~6 799.9 describes how cube-shaped microprisms can be manufactured as triples with nearly total reflection. However, the manufacturing costs are very high and increase in inverse proportion td the diameter of the triples.
Furthermore, all prismatic triples have three preferred directions for reflection of incident lateral light.
In order to modify the preferred directions, the triples can be arranged in such a way that they can be turned toward each -~
other around their respective axes of rotation. Such ~ i f~ ` ~` 2111161 .~ .
arrangements, however, require a very expensive expenditure in terms of production and engineering costs in order to create reflecting surfaces that are effective over a wide range of angles and including more than three sides.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technically and economically advantageous process for the manufacture of triples that eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art triple-shaped structures, and which is excellently suitable primarily for the manufacture of particularly small microstructures. ~`
The micro-double triple structure according to the invention has several advantages. Not only can this structure be produced in a highly economical manner, but it is also superior to the prior art triple-shaped structures in its optical properties. It functions across a very wide range of angles and reflects light from six sides, and it has a more -~
. . ~:
open shape along all of its sides tnan does a cube-shaped ~ ; ;
triple prism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -~
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description ~ S~
~ ,. "," ;~ ,,, ., ,.,. " ,trt", ~ ~ , 2 1 1 1 ~
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which discloses several embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 shows a top view of a micro-double triple shaped body of the invention; ~ --FIG. 2 shows a micro-double triple shaped body, having single tetrahedrons affixed to two edges of the base -~ - -surface;
FIG. 3 shows the two relationships of the lateral -~
surfaces of the tetrahedron structure during retroreflection;
FIG. 4 shows the rhombohedron consisting of a of six ~-:
sided micro-double triple and the two single triples;
FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the cutting or grinding tool used to produce the structure of the -- ;
invention;
,~ 2111161 FIG. 6 shows a top view of the grinding pattern produced by the grinding tool of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows a top view of a group of double triples and single triples forming an equilateral polyhedron;
FIG. 8 shows a top view of the combination of three equilateral polyhedrons formed according to the invention; -~ ;
:~ j FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the micro~
double triple structure of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 shows a top perspective view of a negative mold structure capable of producing the positive structure of ;
FIG. 9; and .:"~
FIG. 11 shows the micro-double triple body with a curved surface according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFER~ED EMBODIMENTS
. ~
Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a micro-double triple shaped body or structure 10 of the invention. The cross section of body 10 has the shape of an equilateral hexagon. Body 10 has six lateral triangular shaped surfaces 1 to 6 forming a six-sided ~ ~ -polyhedron, or septehedron (since its base is the seventh surface). Apex 7 is the intersection point of the six sides and is the highest point of the polyhedron lo. If the micro-double triple body is manufactured from translucent material, such as, for exa~ple, glass or plastic material, it will reflect any light that has entered the body through the base surface 7~ of the polyhedron lo.
Retroreflection or reflection wholly within the polyhedron lo, occurs in each case by means of three lateral surfaces, either (1), (3) and (5), or via (2), (4) and (6) within the body of said polyhedron.
, ;~
For the manufacture of microstructures according to .: ~ ~:
the invention which have the triple shaped body, the additional structure of attached single triples consisting of . . ~
three-sided polyhedrons or tetrahedrons (since its base is the fourth surface), is required. FIG. 2 shows the micro-double triple shaped body lOa having two single triples or tetrahedrons 40 and 42 affixed to two edges 44 and 46, respectively, of its base surface 7'. Each single triple 40 and 42 has a base surface 48 and 50, respectively, conforming to one-sixth part of the base surface of the micro-double triple, or septehedron 10 of FIG. 1. In FI~. 2, the micro-double triple and the two single triples jointly form the rhombohedron lOa. If the surface of the rhombohedron lOa had been constituted by combining 8 single triples, then the non-reflecting surface of this structure, not according to the _ 5 _ invention, would have amounted to about ~ cfio~ding to the present invention, however, the non-reflecting surface of the structure shown in FIG. 2 comprises,only about 6.25% to 7%.
In addition, this small non-reflecting surface is achieved by the unique manufacturing possibility and the higher manufacturing method of the invention and with the higher manufacturing accuracy achievable with this method.
- .
The first single triple, or tetrahedron 40, has lateral surfaces 11, 12 and 13 with the apex 8 of said tetrahedron and the congruent axis of rotation 8 extending - ~-therethrough. The second single triple, or tetrahedron 42, has lateral surfaces 14, 15 and 16 with the apex 9 of said tetrahedron and the congruent axis of rotation 9 extending therethrough. The relation of the triple lateral surfaces for retroreflection is shown in FIG. 3, whereby light pathway 19 and 20 show the reflection in the two single triples;
FIG. 3 shovs the two possible relationships of the lateral surfaces during retroreflection as denoted by 17 or 18, within the struature of the polyhedron 10. Thus, in FIG. ~-i 3, the micro-double triple structure actually includes two triple bodies lOa and lOb contacting each other at common point of intersection P and axis of rotation 7. This triple structure achieves nearly total reflection. The micro-double triple has 6iX preferred directions for incident light laterally striking the surface of the polyhedron lOa and lOb.
- 6 ~
~1 ~ 2111161 Thus, it is sufficiently wide-angled toward all sides of the structure to be useful for practical applications, for ~ ;
example, for road and traffic purposes.
In FIG. 4, the rhombohedron 20a is shown to include the six-sided micro-double triple, or septehedron 25 and the two single triples, or tetrahedrons 24 and 26. The various ;~
triples are manufactured in a simple way by cutting and/or grinding. For the sake of simplicity, only grinding is addressed hereinafter. However, optically effective triples can also be produced by cutting alone. ~-~
For producing the micro-double triple surfaces or sheets, a workpiece, such as, for example, a plate of solid material acrylic ester, glass, or braes, ls notched in three directions of grinding 21, 22 and 23 with the desired angles, whereby the three directions of grinding are in each case successively turned at an angle of 60 (counterclockwise in the example of FIG. 4).
;::
The most important feature according to the invention is that the three directions of grinding extend in a manner whereby only two of said directions always have a common point of intersection. If this feature is not carried ;
out, that is, if all three directions of grinding would have common points of intersection, then only undesired single triples would be produced.
, Ai~, -~- 2111161 ~
In order to obtain a micro-double triple with uniformly sized lateral surfaces, it is necessary that the spacings of the individual notchings are the same in each direction of grinding.
A pattern of micro-double triples, or septehedrons, according to the invention is produced, so that each micro~
double triple, or septehedron, is in contact with each of the surrounding six micro-double triples, or septehedrons, at only a common corner point, and is in contact with the single triples, or tetrahedrons, along common edges.
FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the tool 27 used for cutting or grinding, which can, for example, be an accurately angled diamond, which produces the notching 27a, Thus, tool 27 can produce a lateral surface 25 of the large micro-double triple, or septehedron, simultaneously with producing lateral surface 24 of the single triple, or tetrahedron. The line 28 shows the depth level of the notching. ~ -::, '' Fig. 6 shows a top view of the qrinding pattern produced by the grinding direction 29 shown in FIG. 5. - ~
',:.. ~' :~,'.;
FIG. 7 shows a group 30 of micro-double triples, or .: - - .:
: ::,....::
septehedrons 30a and single triples, or tetrahedrons 30b, forming here, by way of example, an equilateral hexagon in ' ' ::~.
- 8 - ~
r 2 1 1 1 1 ~ 1 cross section. such groups of triples can be separated from the surface, for example, by cutting or grinding, in a manner whereby the ratio of the number of micro-double triples, or septehedrons 30a to the number of single triples, or tetrahedrons 30b has been changed. This ratio is no longer 1:2, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, but the number of single triples, or tetrahedrons, can be either increased or d decreased. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the groups 30 of triples each consist of 7 micro-double triples, or septehedrons 30a and 12 single triples, or tetrahedrons 30b, thus with a ratio of 7:12.
FIG. 8 shows, by way of example, the combination of three of the described groups 30 of polyhedrons having cross sections of equilateral hexagons. The individual groups contact each other along the separation lines 31.
I ~ .
When grinding the micro-double triple, or septehedron, surfaces the positive form is immediately produced if, for example, a polyacrylic plastic panel is used as the material. For producing, metal (aluminum), plastic, or ~-glass panels by injection molding, or by stamping, a negative mold is first produced, for example, galvanically, and then the desired micro-double triple, or septehedron, positive surfaces can be prepared by using such a mold.
---` 2111161 ;-, .
In their translucent, transparent or partly transparent ~orm, the micro-double triple, or septehedron, surfaces are suitable not only for the retroreflection of light, but also as light-scattering panels if the angles of the lateral surfaces of the triples, or polyhedrons, are changed relative to each other, or if the direction of incident light onto the micro-double triple, or septehedron, surfaces is changed. For example, lamp glasses, or lamp trays, with the structure of the micro-double triple surfaces can be used for scattering light. Examples of suitable plastics include polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, and polyvinyl chloride.
.
If the micro-double triple, or septehedron, sheets are placed on bodies with outwardly directed profiling, then this structure is suitable as a cooling sheet due to its large surface area combined with very low structural height. This :~
structure is suitable, for example, for cooling electronic ~-components, or for the heat exchange on heat exchangers, or -::: . :.:-.. .: : :
heaters, both on the outer surface and on the inner surface. ~ ~
' In connection with bodies around which fluid media such as air, gas or liquid is flowing, the micro-double triple, or septehedron, surface, outwardly directly, can contribute considerably to enhancing the flow behavior or such fluid media. Due to the change in the surface configuration of high micro-double triples, or septehedrons, and low single .
- 10- , -' 21111Sl ~ ;:
triples, or tetrahedrons, micro-vortices are produced between these triples, or polyhedrons, forming a fluidized layer on which the flowing media can flow along with a substantial reduction in the flow resistance.
:
For example, micro-double triple, or septehedron, sheets can be used for improving the fluid flow behavior on the outer hull of ships, submarine vessels, buoys, aircraft and rockets, or for coating the inner surfaces of tubes.
Also, the micro-double triple, or septehedron, sheets can be used for this purpose in gas and water turbines.
FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the micro- ;~
double triple, or septehedron, structure 30 arranged to be an equilateral hexagon of FIG. 8 in cross section and at its base, whereby the areas 24, 25 and 26 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 10 shows a top perspective view of a negative mold structure 60 capable of producing the polygonal positive structure 30 having the hexagonal base of FIG. 9, whereby the corresponding negative areas are denoted by 24', 25' and 26'.
Additionally, the negative mold 60 is also useful per se and independently of its usefulness for producing positive structures. For example, it is possible to make the negative mold black, as indicated at 62, by applying a black coating, in order to create in this way a heat-absorbing surface useful 2il~161 for a solar collector panel. However, the negative mold can also be used for optical purposes as well through suitable mirror layers, as indicated at 64. This is accomplished by applying a mirror coating, for example, by vapor deposition of a metal, such as, aluminum, copper, silver, or a compound thereof, or there i9 a lacquer coating which includes titanium oxide.
`
Finally, it is possible to use this negative mold as a heat-exchanging surface within a heat exchanger.
FIG. 11 shows the body 130 according to the ~.
invention with a curved surface 131 having micro-double ~:
triples, or septehedrons, 125 positioned between the two single triples, or tetrahedrons, 124 and 126, similar to FIG.
: ::
g .: :
The dimensions of the micro-structure 30 shown in -~
. : :
FIG. 9 include the length L of each of the six sides of the -~
hexagon base wherein each side has the same length L because of the equilateral con titution of the base.
While several embodiments of the present invention ~:
have been shown and described, it i5 to be understood that ::~
- ':
many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as de-: `
fined in the appended claims.
' ~ .~
Claims (20)
1. A structural body component having a micro-double triple surface, said body comprising a plurality of adjacent micro-double triples on at least one area having a hexagonal cross section and six triangularly-shaped lateral surfaces forming a six-sided polyhedron; and single triples abutting two oppositely disposed lateral edges of the hexagonal cross-sectional area for supplementing a rhombic body, said single triples having three lateral surfaces extending to form a polyhedron having an apex.
2. The structural body component according to Claim 1, further comprising one of a clear, transparent and partly transparent material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic and a combination of glass and plastic.
3. The structural body component according to Claim 1, wherein said body is composed of metal.
4. The structural body component according to Claim 1, wherein each of said micro-double triple contacts each of the six surrounding micro-double triples only at a common corner point and contacts the single triples along an edge.
5. The structural body component according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said micro-double triples comprises a roil, a sheet, a leaf material, a label and one of a cutout material and a punched out part of material.
6. The structural body component according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said micro-double triples comprises a molded body.
7. The structural body component according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said micro-double triples has a mirror coating of one of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, silver and a compound thereof.
8. The structural body component according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said micro-double triple is profiled and has a cover and one of an air-tight and water-tight box and cover foil.
9. The structural body component according to Claim 1, further comprising inner surfaces having a black coating to create a heat exchanger for a solar collector.
10. The structural body component according to Claim 1, further comprising inner surfaces having a mirror coating to create an optical reflection body.
11. Process for the manufacture of a structural body component having a micro-double triple surface comprising the steps of:
shaping notchings into a surface of a workpiece with the desired notch angle by one of grinding and cutting in one of three grinding directions, said notchings each being successively turned by a defined turning angle and extending in a manner whereby at all times only two of said notchings have a common point of intersection;
selecting the spacings of said notchings in a manner whereby basic lines of the notchings form a pattern of hexagons and triangles;
providing that each hexagon contacts the surrounding hexagons only at a common corner point; and providing that each hexagon contracts the surrounding triangles only along a common edge.
shaping notchings into a surface of a workpiece with the desired notch angle by one of grinding and cutting in one of three grinding directions, said notchings each being successively turned by a defined turning angle and extending in a manner whereby at all times only two of said notchings have a common point of intersection;
selecting the spacings of said notchings in a manner whereby basic lines of the notchings form a pattern of hexagons and triangles;
providing that each hexagon contacts the surrounding hexagons only at a common corner point; and providing that each hexagon contracts the surrounding triangles only along a common edge.
12. Process according to Claim 11, wherein one of the cutting and grinding direction is turned at an angle of 60°.
13. Process according to Claim 11, wherein said spacings of said notchings in the one of the grinding and cutting directions are equal to each other.
14. Process according to Claim 12, wherein two single triples are shaped in the body component adjacent to each micro-double triple, in a manner whereby each single triple is a three-sided polyhedron having a base area equal to one-sixth of the base area of the adjacent micro-double triple.
15. Process according to Claim 12, further comprising the steps of separating groups of triples from the body component by one of cutting and punching; and combining the groups of triples into an assembled structural component.
16. A structural body component having a septehedron surface, said body comprising a plurality of adjacent septehedrons on at least one area having a hexagonal base and six triangularly-shaped lateral surfaces forming a six-sided polyhedron; and tetrahedrons abutting two oppositely disposed lateral edges of the hexagonal base area of each of the septehedrons for supplementing a polyhedron, each of said tetrahedrons having three lateral surfaces extending to form a tetrahedron having an apex.
17. The structural body component according to Claim 16, wherein each of said septehedrons contacts each of the six surrounding septehedrons only at a common corner point and contacts the tetrahedrons along an edge.
18. The structural body component according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said septehedrons comprises a foil, a sheet, a leaf material, a label and one of a cutout material and a punched out part of material.
19. The structural body component according to Claim 16, wherein the surface of said septehedrons comprises a molded body.
20. The structural body component according to Claim 16, wherein the surface of said septehedrons has a mirror coating of one of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, silver and a compound thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4242264A DE4242264C2 (en) | 1992-12-15 | 1992-12-15 | Body or component with a surface having a microdouble triple and method for producing such a body or component |
| DEP4242264.7-16 | 1992-12-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2111161A1 true CA2111161A1 (en) | 1994-06-16 |
Family
ID=6475311
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002111161A Abandoned CA2111161A1 (en) | 1992-12-15 | 1993-12-10 | Process for the manufacture of micro-double triple surfaces and their tools |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU5622594A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2111161A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4242264C2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994014091A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6120879A (en) * | 1997-09-25 | 2000-09-19 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Dual use reflective article |
Families Citing this family (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3677042B2 (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 2005-07-27 | ミネソタ マイニング アンド マニュファクチャリング カンパニー | Retroreflective corner cube article and method of making the same |
| US5759468A (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 1998-06-02 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Raised zone retroreflective cube corner article and method of manufacture |
| CN1054918C (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 2000-07-26 | 美国3M公司 | Asymetric cube corner article and method of manufacture |
| EP0724733B1 (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 2001-09-26 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Multiple structure cube corner article and method of manufacture |
| JP3580999B2 (en) | 1997-11-17 | 2004-10-27 | 日本カーバイド工業株式会社 | Triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective sheet |
| JP3975001B2 (en) | 1998-04-22 | 2007-09-12 | 日本カーバイド工業株式会社 | Triangular pyramid cube corner retroreflective sheet |
| US6540367B1 (en) | 1999-04-07 | 2003-04-01 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Structured surface articles containing geometric structures with compound faces and methods for making same |
| US8728610B2 (en) | 2000-02-25 | 2014-05-20 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Compound mold and structured surface articles containing geometric structures with compound faces and method of making same |
| JP3468418B2 (en) | 2000-03-15 | 2003-11-17 | 日本カーバイド工業株式会社 | Triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective sheet |
| JP4028155B2 (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2007-12-26 | 日本カーバイド工業株式会社 | Fluorescent retroreflective sheet |
| ES2268075T3 (en) | 2001-08-09 | 2007-03-16 | Nippon Carbide Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | RETRO-REFLECTION DEVICE. |
| DE10313606A1 (en) * | 2003-03-26 | 2004-10-14 | Osram Opto Semiconductors Gmbh | Micro-structuring a semiconductor chip used in optics and optoelectronics comprises using a mechanical process |
| DE102014107289B4 (en) * | 2014-05-23 | 2020-01-16 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Radiation receiver device and solar thermal tower power plant |
| CN107561612A (en) * | 2017-10-17 | 2018-01-09 | 张家港康得新光电材料有限公司 | Reflective membrane and its application and grid line structure and solar panel |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1987109U (en) * | 1968-06-12 | Elkamet Werk Lahn Kunststoff GmbH, 3560 Bieden kopf | Tape reflector | |
| US1950560A (en) * | 1930-05-12 | 1934-03-13 | Hall C M Lamp Co | Signal |
| GB450076A (en) * | 1936-01-09 | 1936-07-09 | Hilda Altmann | Improvements in reflectors |
| FR933021A (en) * | 1939-07-17 | 1948-04-08 | Fairylites Ltd | Improvements to prismatic reflectors of glass or other compound or molded material, and their manufacture |
| GB803912A (en) * | 1954-08-05 | 1958-11-05 | William George Frederick Westb | A light transmitting and light reflecting element |
| GB851217A (en) * | 1957-05-21 | 1960-10-12 | Gen Electric Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of bodies, especially transparent panels, having a figured surface |
| US3450459A (en) * | 1965-10-24 | 1969-06-17 | Walter F Haggerty | Retroreflective device |
-
1992
- 1992-12-15 DE DE4242264A patent/DE4242264C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1993
- 1993-12-10 WO PCT/DE1993/001180 patent/WO1994014091A1/en active Application Filing
- 1993-12-10 AU AU56225/94A patent/AU5622594A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-12-10 CA CA002111161A patent/CA2111161A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6120879A (en) * | 1997-09-25 | 2000-09-19 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Dual use reflective article |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5622594A (en) | 1994-07-04 |
| DE4242264A1 (en) | 1994-06-16 |
| DE4242264C2 (en) | 1994-09-22 |
| WO1994014091A1 (en) | 1994-06-23 |
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