CN114871082A

CN114871082A - Product component with a microstructure, method for obtaining information therefrom, identification device and processing method

Info

Publication number: CN114871082A
Application number: CN202110735329.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郑媛; B·恩吉姆
Original assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Current assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Priority date: 2021-06-30
Filing date: 2021-06-30
Publication date: 2022-08-09
Also published as: WO2023274227A1

Abstract

A product part having a microstructure portion, a method of acquiring information therefrom, an identification apparatus and a processing method are provided. The product part comprises at least one microstructure portion formed on a surface of a predetermined area of the product part, which comprises at least one type of microstructure, wherein the microstructure is configured to have a different binding capacity with a predetermined liquid than other parts of the predetermined area than the microstructure portion such that the predetermined liquid exhibits a morphology on the microstructure portion different from a morphology exhibited on the other parts at least during a predetermined period of time.

Description

Product component with a microstructure, method for obtaining information therefrom, identification device and processing method

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a product component having a microstructure portion, and more particularly, to a method of acquiring information using a microstructure portion on a product component, an identification apparatus, and a method of processing a product component to obtain a microstructure portion.

Background

Product parts, such as glass, typically need to be processed according to a series of predetermined flow paths when being processed or produced. The predetermined flow of processing different product parts is typically different. In order to facilitate the differentiation of the product parts to be processed, labels or markings are usually provided at predetermined positions of the product parts. By the label or the mark, the processing equipment or the processor can know the predetermined flow required to process the corresponding product part, thereby effectively avoiding error processing and the like.

In order to facilitate the traceability of the production process, the labels or markings used in the production of the product parts are generally kept after finishing the production process and during the use by the user, which more or less affects the aesthetic appearance of the product parts and even of the entire product. Some users desire to be able to remove these labels or indicia to at least improve the aesthetics of the product during use.

Disclosure of Invention

Removal of labels or tags used in the manufacturing process presents various problems. On the one hand, removing the label or indicia may risk damaging or even breaking the product parts. On the other hand, and most importantly, removing the label or indicia may make the production process of the product part difficult to trace back, ultimately affecting the quality control and user experience of the product part. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a product component that addresses, or at least partially addresses, the above-referenced problems and other potential problems found in conventional product components.

In a first aspect of the disclosure, a product component is provided. The product part comprises at least one microstructure portion, formed on a surface of a predetermined area of the product part, comprising at least one type of microstructure, wherein the microstructure is configured to have a different binding capacity with a predetermined liquid than other parts of the predetermined area than the microstructure portion such that the predetermined liquid exhibits a morphology on the microstructure portion different from a morphology on the other parts at least during a predetermined period of time.

In some embodiments, the microstructures comprise at least one of projections or depressions.

In some embodiments, the microstructures are configured to exceed a predetermined degree at least during a predetermined period of time via a difference in brightness of the microstructures and other portions after a predetermined processing to allow the identification device to acquire information from a predetermined area.

In some embodiments, the microstructures are not visible prior to the predetermined treatment.

In some embodiments, the predetermined treatment includes spraying a predetermined area with a predetermined liquid to cause droplets within a predetermined size range to adhere to the microstructures.

In some embodiments, the predetermined treatment further comprises illuminating the predetermined area with a dark field light source after spraying the predetermined area.

In some embodiments, the microstructures are configured such that the contact angle of the droplet on the microstructures is different from the other portions; and/or the rate of evaporation or volatilization of the droplets on the microstructures and other parts.

In some embodiments, the predetermined region forms at least one of a two-dimensional code and a barcode via the microstructure portion.

In some embodiments, the predetermined area forms at least one of a pattern and a letter via the microstructure portion.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method of obtaining information from a product component as described according to the preceding first aspect is provided. The method includes spraying a predetermined area of the product part with a predetermined liquid such that droplets within a predetermined size range adhere to at least one microstructure of the predetermined area; illuminating the predetermined region with a light source such that a difference in luminance between the microstructure portion and the other portion of the predetermined region except the microstructure portion exceeds a predetermined degree at least during a predetermined period of time; an image of a predetermined area is acquired during a predetermined period of time.

In some embodiments, the at least one microstructure comprises a plurality of microstructures, and the method further comprises obtaining the encoded data based on a rule of arrangement of the plurality of microstructures; and acquiring information from the encoded data.

In some embodiments, the predetermined area forms at least one of a two-dimensional code and a bar code via the plurality of microstructures.

In some embodiments, the predetermined area forms at least one of a pattern and text via a plurality of microstructures.

In some embodiments, the light source comprises a dark field light source.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an identification device for obtaining information from a product component as described in the preceding first aspect. The identification apparatus comprises a jetting device configured to jet a predetermined area of a product component using a predetermined liquid such that droplets within a predetermined size range adhere to at least one microstructure of the predetermined area; a light source configured to irradiate a predetermined region such that a difference in luminance between the microstructure portion and another portion of the predetermined region other than the microstructure portion exceeds a predetermined degree at least during a predetermined period of time; an image acquisition device configured to acquire an image of a predetermined area during a predetermined period of time.

In some embodiments, the at least one microstructure portion includes a plurality of microstructure portions, and the identification apparatus further includes a data processing device configured to acquire the encoded data based on an arrangement rule of the plurality of microstructure portions; and acquiring information from the encoded data.

In some embodiments, the light source comprises a dark field light source.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method of processing a product component is provided. The method comprises treating a predetermined area of the product part to create at least one microstructure at the surface of the predetermined area, the microstructure comprising at least one type of microstructure, wherein the microstructure is configured to have a different binding capacity with a predetermined liquid than other parts of the predetermined area than the microstructure such that the predetermined liquid exhibits a morphology on the microstructure different from a morphology on the other parts at least during a predetermined period of time.

In some embodiments, processing the predetermined area includes performing an interfacial reaction on a plurality of sub-areas in the predetermined area to generate a plurality of microstructures arranged in a predetermined pattern.

In some embodiments, the interfacial reaction includes at least one of heavy ion transfer, micro-etching, and coating.

In some embodiments, the microstructures are configured such that the shape and size of the droplets at the microstructures and other portions are different at least during a predetermined period of time.

In some embodiments, the coating comprises creating a plurality of microstructures by applying a first coating to a plurality of sub-areas in a predetermined area; and/or generating other portions by applying a second coating to other sub-areas in the predetermined area.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information display member formed on a product part. The information display member includes at least one microstructure portion formed on a surface of a predetermined region of the product part, and includes at least one type of microstructure, wherein the microstructure is configured to have a binding ability with a predetermined liquid different from that of other portions of the predetermined region except the microstructure portion so that the predetermined liquid exhibits a form on the microstructure portion different from that on the other portions at least during a predetermined period of time.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a method of machining a product component is provided. The method comprises obtaining information from a product component using a method according to the preceding second aspect; and processing the product component according to the information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle window assembly. The vehicle window assembly comprises a product part according to the preceding first aspect.

It should be understood that this summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description.

Optionally, the lighting mode has the advantages of large light source area and soft light, and does not additionally occupy the limited space in the vehicle, so that the interior of the vehicle can be more concise.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in more detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which like reference numerals generally represent like parts throughout the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of product components according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a method of processing a product component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic diagram of an identification device for obtaining information from a product component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method of obtaining information from a product component according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to several example embodiments. It should be understood that these examples are described only for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and to thereby enable the present disclosure, and are not intended to set forth any limitation on the scope of the technical solution of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term "include" and its variants are to be read as open-ended terms meaning "including, but not limited to. The term "based on" will be read as "based at least in part on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first," "second," and the like may refer to different or the same object. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below. The definitions of the terms are consistent throughout the specification unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Currently, some product components such as glass and the like need to be provided with labels or marks at predetermined positions of the product components during the production process so that the production equipment or workers can read information therein and perform the corresponding production process according to the information. For traceability purposes, the manufacturer of the product part may need to retain the label and indicia after the manufacturing process or even during use by the customer.

However, this approach can cause various problems. For example, labels or markings may affect the aesthetics of product components, particularly if the product components are exposed to the exterior at all times during use. This will certainly affect the user experience of the product component and may ultimately affect the sale of the product component, etc. Some users desire to be able to remove these labels or indicia to at least improve the aesthetics of the product during use. In addition, these labels or tags may be broken or lost during use of the product by the user. When quality problems occur in a product part and a manufacturer needs to investigate the quality problems, the damage or loss of the mark or label makes it difficult to trace back the production process of the product part, thereby bringing difficulty to the investigation of the quality problems and finally affecting the quality control and user experience of the product part.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a microstructure 1011 that is invisible to the naked eye but capable of providing information after a predetermined process, which can be applied to various product components 100 to solve, or at least partially solve, the above or other potential problems of conventional product components 100 during manufacture and use.

Reference herein to a product part 100 refers to a part for use in various products that may include any suitable part in addition to the glass mentioned above, including but not limited to: non-metallic components such as plastic components, metallic components, transparent components, opaque components, and the like. Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below primarily with glass as an example of the product component 100. It should be understood that other types of product components 100 are similar and will not be described in detail below.

Fig. 1 shows a simplified schematic structure of a product component 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The product component 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one microstructure 1011. As shown in fig. 1, the at least one microstructure 1011 is formed on the surface of the predetermined region 101 of the product part 100 and includes at least one type of microstructure. Microstructure herein refers to a structure of extremely small dimensions on the product part 100. For example, in some embodiments, a microstructure may refer to a dimension (i.e., height) in a direction perpendicular to a surface on which the microstructure is formed that is on the order of nanometers or micrometers. While the length and width of the microstructures may be adjusted or varied depending on the information to be displayed, for example, the length and width of the microstructures may be on the order of microns, millimeters, centimeters, or more.

Further, as previously mentioned, the product component 100 may include one or more microstructures 1011. The inventive concept of the present disclosure will be described below mainly by taking a plurality of the microstructures 1011 as an example. It should be understood that in the case of a single display, it is also possible for product component 100 to include a microstructure 1011, which will not be described in detail below.

The difference in the type of microstructures may mean that the microstructures are different in morphology and size. For example, the formations may comprise protrusions or indentations or any other suitable structure. The shape of each of the projections or depressions may be different. For example, the protrusions may be conical, cylindrical, pyramidal, and the like. Similarly, the pits may also be inverted cones, inverted columns, inverted pyramids, or the like. Furthermore, in some embodiments, different types of microstructures may also indicate different spacing between pits or bumps.

A microstructure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to have a binding capacity with a predetermined liquid different from that of other portions 1012 of the predetermined region 101 other than the microstructure portion 1011, so that the predetermined liquid exhibits a morphology on the microstructure portion 1011 different from that on the other portions 1012, at least during a predetermined period of time. The difference in the form of the predetermined liquid at least during the predetermined period of time is mainly taken into account that the form of the predetermined liquid is also dynamically changing due to evaporation and/or evaporation of the predetermined liquid. Therefore, in order to better acquire information from the predetermined region 101, it is desirable to acquire information during a period of time in which the morphological difference is the largest. The length of the predetermined period of time is related to the type of predetermined liquid selected for use, the temperature, and the like. In some embodiments, the morphology difference of the predetermined liquid may be reflected in a brightness difference when illuminated by a predetermined light source, as will be further described below. In some embodiments, the predetermined liquid may be water such as purified water, distilled water, or plain water. The use of water as the predetermined liquid has the advantage of being low cost and readily available, thereby enabling a reduction in the cost of obtaining information from the microstructured portion 1011 of the product part 100 of embodiments of the present disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the predetermined liquid may also be a liquid that is colorless and transparent like water and capable of evaporating or evaporating to disappear. In some alternative embodiments, the predetermined liquid may have a particular color or consistency, etc. The inventive concept of the present disclosure is described hereinafter primarily with reference to an embodiment in which water is the predetermined liquid, it being understood that other types of predetermined liquids are similar and will not be described in detail hereinafter.

In some embodiments, the difference in binding capacity for water appears to be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. For example, microstructures 1011 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be more hydrophobic than other portions 1012. Here, "more hydrophobic" may mean that the other portion 1012 is hydrophobic, and the hydrophobic ability of the microstructure 1011 is stronger than that of the other portion 1012. In some embodiments, the difference in hydrophobic ability may be characterized by a difference in contact angle with a predetermined liquid. The contact angle refers to the angle formed by the contact of a solid surface at the liquid/gas interface. Contact angle is a system of interactions by three different interfaces. The most common conceptual illustration of contact angle is the shape of a drop of liquid 201 on a solid surface in a unit lateral direction, as defined by the equation of Yang Laplace, where contact angle plays a constraint. The larger the contact angle, the stronger the hydrophobic ability of the solid surface. Furthermore, in some alternative embodiments, the aforementioned reference to "more hydrophobic" may also mean that the other portions 1012 are hydrophilic or non-hydrophobic, while the microstructures 1011 are hydrophobic.

In some embodiments, the difference in binding capacity with the predetermined liquid is also manifested as a difference in size and/or dimension of the predetermined liquid over the microstructures 1011 and other portions 1012. This is in a sense relevant to the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties mentioned in the foregoing. For example, the more hydrophobic the surface, the more likely it is to attach droplets 201 that are smaller in size and more rounded. Similarly, the more hydrophilic the surface, the more likely it is to attach larger and irregular droplets 201, such as by way of a plurality of small droplets 201 grouped together.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the difference in the ability of the microstructures 1011 to bind water may also be manifested as a difference in the rate of volatilization or evaporation of the droplets 201 on the microstructures 1011 and on the other portions 1012. For example, in some embodiments, this is in a sense related to the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties mentioned previously, as well as the size and/or dimensions of droplet 201. For example, the more hydrophobic the surface, the more likely it is that a droplet 201 of smaller size will adhere, and the more likely it is that the droplet 201 will evaporate or evaporate. Similarly, the more hydrophilic the surface, the more likely it is to attach larger and irregular droplets 201, and the slower the evaporation or volatilization rate.

With this difference in the form of the predetermined liquid on the microstructure portions 1011, an information display member that is invisible to the naked eye but capable of presenting information by some means can be realized on the product part 100. With such a microstructure 1011, the production process of the product part 100 can be made smoother. For example, information of the product part 100 may be acquired from a predetermined area at any time to perform a corresponding production process according to the information, thereby improving production efficiency and quality of the product part 100. Furthermore, since it is not visible to the naked eye, it may be present on the surface of the product part 100 at all times after the production process is complete and during use by the user, without affecting the aesthetics and performance of the product part 100 and the user experience. In this way, when a quality problem occurs in the product component 100 and the production process needs to be traced, the microstructure portion 1011 can be used to provide required information, thereby facilitating quality control of the product component 100 and thereby further improving the quality level of the product component 100.

In some embodiments, as mentioned previously, the microstructures may comprise at least one of pits or projections. For example, the microstructures may comprise a plurality of pits and/or bumps. The spacing between the pits and/or bumps may be on the order of microns or nanometers. Due to the existence of the pits and/or the projections, an extremely thin air layer with a thickness only on the nanometer scale or the micrometer scale is formed on the surface close to the microstructure, so that dust, liquid drops 201 and the like which are far larger than the structure in size can only form a few point contacts with the peaks on the microstructure surface through an extremely thin air layer after falling on the microstructure surface. The droplet 201 forms a sphere under its own surface tension (i.e., the contact angle with the droplet 201 is greater than 90 °). In this way, the binding capacity of the microstructure 1011 to the predetermined liquid is different compared to the other portions 1012 of the predetermined region 101.

Of course, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments regarding microstructures including at least one of a dimple or a protrusion are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other means or structures that can cause a different binding capacity with the predetermined liquid are also possible. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the microstructures 1011 may have microstructures formed by coating with a hydrophobic material such as wax, grease, or the like.

In some embodiments, some of the aforementioned means may include a predetermined treatment of the microstructure 1011 to enable the microstructure invisible to the naked eye to obtain corresponding information at least by the identification device 300. That is, the microstructure portions 1011 are not visible to the naked eye of a person without other means before a predetermined process. As mentioned previously, this is beneficial to enhance the user experience and improve the quality level of the product part 100.

In order to make the microstructures invisible, it is at least necessary to make the microstructure portion 1011 transmit light as much as possible, in addition to using the microstructures having a height of a small size as possible, for example, by setting the light transmittance of the microstructure portion 1011 to be higher than a predetermined threshold value. For example, in some embodiments, the light transmittance of the microstructure portions 1011 may be set to be higher than 50%, thereby further contributing to the invisible property of the microstructure portions 1011. It should of course be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments requiring the microstructure 1011 to be as light transmissive as possible in order to make the microstructure invisible are for transparent product parts 100 such as glass, and that for colored and opaque product parts 100, the microstructure 1011 may also be made invisible to the naked eye by making the microstructure in the same color as the surface on which it is provided. Of course, it should also be understood that in order to meet various different needs, in some embodiments, microstructured portion 1011 may also be visible.

In order to enable the microstructure portion 1011 invisible to the naked eye to provide necessary information, a predetermined process needs to be performed on a predetermined region 101 where the microstructure portion 1011 is disposed. The predetermined treatment referred to herein includes treating the predetermined area 1011 with a predetermined liquid, which may include spraying, sprinkling, or misting the predetermined area 101 with droplets of a predetermined size. After a droplet of a predetermined size is ejected onto the predetermined area 101, only a small amount of convergence of the droplet on the microstructure 1011 occurs to form a droplet 201 having a size within a predetermined range, due to the difference in the binding ability of the microstructure 1011 and the other portion 1012 to the droplet. While for the droplets in the other portion 1012, a large amount of the droplets are converged to form the droplet 201 having a large size and having an irregular shape.

It is the difference in the form of the predetermined liquid thereon due to the difference in the binding ability with the predetermined liquid that the information embodied by the microstructure 1011 can be identified after the predetermined process by using the identification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. To facilitate the formation of different forms of liquid on the microstructure portions 1011 and other portions 1012, the predetermined size of droplets of liquid ejected during the predetermined process may be set to be slightly smaller than or equal to the minimum value in the predetermined size range of the droplets 201 to be formed on the microstructure portions 1011. In this way, droplets within a predetermined size range on the microstructure portions 1011 are formed after the droplets ejected onto the microstructure portions 1011 are converged by a small amount.

In addition, the size of the droplet 2011 on the microstructure 1011 also depends on the time of the predetermined process. The longer the predetermined processing time is, the droplets 2011 on the microstructure portion 1011 may be continuously converged to form droplets with sizes exceeding a predetermined size range, which is not beneficial to the subsequent identification process. Thus, in some embodiments, to facilitate subsequent identification, the duration of the predetermined process may also be controlled to be a predetermined length of time such that the size of the droplet on the microstructure 1011 is within a predetermined size range.

It should be understood that the manner described above with respect to performing the predetermined treatment on the predetermined area 101 by spraying, sprinkling, or misting is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable approach or manner is possible. For example, in some embodiments, the predetermined area 101 may be coated or smeared to form droplets of different shapes on the microstructure 1011 and the other portions 1012.

In some embodiments, the predetermined treatment further comprises irradiating the predetermined area with a predetermined light source after spraying the predetermined area with the predetermined liquid. The micro-structure 1011 and other portions 1012 have different shapes of the droplet 201 and different light reflecting, refracting and transmitting capabilities, so that when the predetermined area 101 is irradiated with a predetermined light source before the droplet 201 is volatilized or evaporated, the micro-structure 1011 and other portions 1012 have different brightness. That is, after the predetermined processing, the difference in brightness between the microstructure 1011 and the other portion 1012 exceeds a predetermined degree at least during a predetermined period of time due to the difference in the binding ability of the predetermined liquid between the microstructure 1011 and the other portion 1012. The brightness is a physical quantity of the intensity of light emission (reflection) on the surface of a light-emitting body (reflector). The ratio of the intensity of light in a direction in which a human eye observes a light source to the area of the light source "seen" by the human eye is defined as the luminance of the light source unit, i.e., the luminous intensity per unit of projected area. Luminance is reported in candelas per square meter (cd/m2) and is a human perception of the intensity of light.

The magnitude or degree of the difference in brightness reflects the difference in the morphology of the droplets on the microstructures 1011 and other portions 1012. For example, since the contact angle of the droplet 201 on the microstructure portion 1011 is large, the light ray transmits, refracts or reflects to make the microstructure portion 1011 have high brightness, and the other portion 1012 has low brightness, thereby forming a brightness difference.

For an image (for example, an image of the predetermined region 101 acquired via the image acquisition device 302 to be mentioned later), the brightness difference referred to herein refers to a measurement of different brightness levels between the microstructure 1011 and other portions 1012 in the predetermined region 101, and a larger difference range represents a larger contrast, and a smaller difference range represents a smaller contrast. In some embodiments, the magnitude or degree of the brightness difference may be obtained by obtaining a brightness histogram of the image or live view. For example, the high luminance in the high threshold range and the low luminance in the low threshold range in the luminance histogram are respectively averaged, and the difference between the two is calculated. The obtained value can represent the brightness difference. This value may be compared to a predefined threshold, e.g. if it is larger than the predefined threshold, i.e. indicating that the brightness difference is larger than a predetermined degree, and thus the required information may be obtained from the predetermined area 101.

The above-described judgment process of the luminance difference may be performed by a dedicated processing unit (for example, the data processing device 303 to be mentioned later) or a processing unit of the image acquisition device 302 itself. For example, the image capturing apparatus 302 may first frame toward the predetermined area 101 for a predetermined period of time and analyze in real time a brightness difference between the microstructure portion 1011 and the other portion 1012 represented by the brightness histogram in the frame in the predetermined area 101. In the case where the brightness difference is greater than a predetermined degree or a predetermined value, the real-time picture may be acquired and stored to obtain an image about the predetermined area 101. The image may then be analyzed or processed by the data processing device 303 to obtain further information. Of course, the image may also be recognized by the operator to directly obtain information. If the brightness difference acquired during the predetermined period of time is less than a predetermined degree or a predetermined value, it can be adjusted by adjusting the processing time period of the predetermined process, the size of the ejected liquid droplets, and the like, as well as the type and temperature of the predetermined liquid ejected, and the like.

Of course, it should be understood that the above embodiments related to obtaining the brightness difference are only illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable manner or approach is possible. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the brightness difference may also be obtained by obtaining the contrast of an image or a real-time picture. Image contrast refers to the measure of the different brightness levels between the brightest white and darkest black of the light and dark regions in an image, i.e., the magnitude of the gray contrast in an image. The measurement of contrast may then be achieved by conventional contrast measurement or acquisition methods, including but not limited to: weber contrast, Michelson contrast (also known as visibility), or root mean square contrast, etc.

After a predetermined period of time, for example due to evaporation or evaporation of a predetermined liquid, the difference in brightness between the microstructures 1011 and the other portions 1012 may become too small or indistinguishable to affect the manufacturing or user use of the product part 100.

Of course, it should be understood that the embodiment of the brightness difference between the microstructure portion 1011 and the other portion 1012 after the predetermined process mentioned in the above embodiment is only illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable manner or means is also possible. For example, in some embodiments, the color difference between the microstructure portion 1011 and the other portion 1012 after the predetermined processing may be used for the identification device to identify information.

The information embodied by the predetermined area 101 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of: two-dimensional codes, bar codes, patterns or characters. A bar code (barcode) is a graphic identifier in which a plurality of black bars and spaces having different widths are arranged according to a certain coding rule or arrangement rule to express a group of information. In some embodiments, black bar portions in a bar code may be implemented by microstructures 1011 while blank bars are implemented by other portions 1012. Of course, it should be understood that in some alternative embodiments, the black bar portions in the bar code may be implemented by the other portions 1012, while the blank bars are implemented by the micro-structured portions 1011. In this way, the identification device may be caused to identify the information embodied in the barcode. The processing device or the operator for processing the product component 100 can perform a corresponding processing operation on the product component 100 on the basis of the information.

In some embodiments, the information represented by the predetermined area 101 may also include a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code is also called a two-dimensional bar code, and refers to a bar code with readability expanded from another dimension on the basis of a one-dimensional bar code, and binary data are represented by black and white rectangular patterns. Data is recorded in one of the width and the length of the bar code. The length and width of the two-dimensional code are recorded with data. In some embodiments, a black rectangle in a two-dimensional code may be implemented by the microstructure portion 1011, while a white rectangle is implemented by the other portion 1012. Of course, it should be understood that in some alternative embodiments, the black rectangles in the two-dimensional code may be implemented by the other portions 1012, while the white rectangles are implemented by the micro-structured portions 1011. In this way, the identification means can be caused to identify the information embodied in the two-dimensional code for use by the processing equipment or operator.

The information embodied by the predetermined area 101 may include at least one of a pattern or a letter in addition to the two-dimensional code and/or the barcode. For example, in some embodiments, the microstructures 1011 may be arranged in a predetermined pattern on the predetermined area 101 such that the predetermined area 101 displays specific graphics and/or text, such as graphics, symbols and/or text indicating the processing equipment used to process the product part 100.

Furthermore, the different types of microstructures mentioned in the foregoing may refer to microstructures having different liquid binding capacities. For example, in some embodiments, different types of microstructures can refer to microstructures that differ in average size (e.g., height) such that they differ in binding ability with a predetermined liquid. After a predetermined processing, the brightness difference exhibited between the various different types of microstructures also exceeds a predetermined degree at least during a predetermined period of time, thereby enabling the identification apparatus 300 to identify such a difference. In this way, the predetermined area 101 can be made to display images having a plurality of different brightnesses (instead of being non-black or white), thereby enriching the form of the displayed images and thereby causing the predetermined area 101 to present more information.

A method for processing a product part 100 is also disclosed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The predetermined area 101 of the product component 100 processed by the method can obtain predetermined information by the identification device 300 after being subjected to the predetermined processing, thereby facilitating further processing or quality tracing of the product component 100, and the like. The predetermined area 101 is not visually distinguished from other areas before the predetermined process, and thus does not affect the user experience.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of the method of processing the product portion. As shown in fig. 2, at block 410, the predetermined area 101 of the product component 100 is processed to produce a microstructure 1011 as previously mentioned on the surface of the predetermined area 101.

In some embodiments, processing the predetermined area 101 may include performing an interfacial reaction on a plurality of sub-areas in the predetermined area 101 to generate a plurality of microstructures 1011 arranged in a predetermined pattern. The interfacial reaction is a variety of chemical reactions that occur under certain conditions depending on the characteristics of the contact surface between two phases and the types, contents, existing states and properties of various chemical substances on the surface. That is, the microstructure 1011 may be achieved by an interfacial reaction in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the interfacial reaction may include at least one of heavy ion transfer, micro-etching, and coating. For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of micro-structured portions 1011 may be formed by coating the plurality of sub-regions with a coating made of a special material (for example, a first coating and a second coating which will be mentioned later), thereby performing heavy ion transfer and/or micro-etching on the surfaces of the plurality of sub-regions, and removing the coating after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Of course, it should be understood that the above embodiments regarding forming the microstructure 1011 through an interfacial reaction are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable manner or means is also possible. For example, in some embodiments, the microstructure 1011 may also be formed by etching, laser machining, or the like. In this way, the formation manner of the microstructure portion 1011 can be made more flexible.

In some embodiments, in addition to the microstructured portion 1011 can be formed by applying a coating (e.g., a first coating) in a plurality of sub-regions, other portions 1012 of the predetermined region 101 other than the microstructured portion 1011 can be created by applying a second coating. The first and second coatings are different coatings, so that the surface of the predetermined area 101 can be differently influenced to make the binding capacity of the microstructures 1011 and the other portions 1012 to the predetermined liquid different. Of course, it should be understood that in some alternative embodiments, only a sub-region where the microstructure 1011 is to be formed may be treated, while the other portion 1012 is not treated at all.

It should also be understood that the first coating applied to form the plurality of microstructures 1011 may also include multiple coatings of different concentrations or compositions. Different coatings result in different reactions and effects on the plurality of sub-regions, and thus the plurality of microstructures 1011 formed will not bind the same amount of the predetermined liquid. This allows the brightness of the plurality of microstructure portions 1011 to be different even when irradiated with a predetermined light source, thereby forming an image or a symbol having more brightness levels, and thus allowing the plurality of microstructure portions 1011 to provide more information.

There is also provided an identification device 300 for obtaining information from the aforementioned product component 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. After the microstructure 1011 is formed on the predetermined region 101 of the product part 100, the related information can be acquired by the identification apparatus 300. Fig. 3 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the identification device 300. In general, the recognition apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an ejection device (not shown), a light source 301, and an image acquisition device 302.

The ejection device is used to perform the aforementioned predetermined processing on the predetermined area 101, that is, to eject the predetermined area 101 with a predetermined liquid so that the liquid droplets 201 having a predetermined size range can be attached to at least one microstructure 1011 of the predetermined area 101. In some embodiments, the ejection device may eject the droplets 201 having the predetermined size mentioned above outward. After the liquid droplet 201 is sprayed to the predetermined area 101, the liquid droplet 201 will slightly or not converge on the microstructure portion 1011 to form a micro liquid droplet 201 in a predetermined size range and attach to the microstructure portion 1011 due to the difference between the binding capacity of the microstructure portion 1011 and the binding capacity of the other portions 1012 with the predetermined liquid. For the other portion 1012, the microdroplets 201 substantially converge together to form irregular and larger sized droplets 201, as shown in FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the ejection device may be controlled by the control unit to automatically eject droplets of a predetermined size. For example, when it is desired to identify information provided by the predetermined area 101, the control unit may control the ejection device to eject a droplet of a predetermined size for a predetermined length of time to form a droplet 201 in a predetermined size range on the microstructure portion 1011. Of course, it should be understood that in some alternative embodiments, the ejection device may also be hand-held and manually controlled to eject drops of a predetermined size.

It was mentioned in the foregoing that after the predetermined processing, due to the different morphology, e.g. different size and shape, of the droplets 201 on the microstructures 1011 and on the other portions 1012, the ability of the droplets 201 to reflect, refract and/or transmit light when illuminated with the light source 301 is also different, so that the difference in brightness on the microstructures 1011 and on the other portions 1012 can exceed a predetermined degree at least during a predetermined period of time. As mentioned above, with such a luminance difference exceeding a predetermined degree, the image acquisition device 302 can acquire an image within a predetermined period of time, and thereby obtain more information. In some embodiments, the image may also be directly recognized or read by an operator to obtain corresponding information.

After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the droplet 201 gradually disappears due to volatilization and/or evaporation of the liquid, so that the difference in brightness between the microstructure 1011 and the other portion 1012 becomes small until it cannot be distinguished and is invisible. In this way, the predetermined region 101 is enabled to be captured by the image capturing device 302 only when needed, but not when not needed (e.g., during normal use, etc.), thereby improving traceability of the product and fluency of the manufacturing process without affecting user experience.

In some embodiments, to further enhance the brightness difference between microstructures 1011 and other portions 1012, light source 301 can include dark field light source 301. Dark field light source 301 corresponds to bright field light source 301, and irradiates the surface of predetermined region 101 with light obliquely. In some embodiments, the dark field light source 301 may be a light source that is parallel to the light from the light source 301 and blocked by an annular light shielding plate, and the light passing through the annular light shielding plate is a hollow cylindrical light beam to illuminate the predetermined region 101 at a large angle, as shown in fig. 3. In this way, dark field light source 301 can further increase the brightness difference between microstructures 1011 and other portions 1012 as compared to bright field light source 301, thereby facilitating image acquisition device 302 to acquire images that are more convenient for further identification or processing.

Of course, it should be understood that the above embodiments regarding the use of dark field light source 301 to improve the brightness difference are only illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable means or approach is also possible. For example, in some embodiments, the brightness difference between the microstructure 1011 and the other portions 1012 in the image may be increased by adjusting parameters of the image capturing device 302, such as the exposure speed, the aperture value, and the exposure time.

In some embodiments, the identification device 300 may further comprise a data processing means 303. The data processing means 303 can process the image acquired by the image acquisition means 302 to acquire corresponding information. For example, in some embodiments, the data processing device 303 can obtain the encoded information based on the arrangement rule of the plurality of microstructures 1011. For example, in the case of a two-dimensional code or a barcode, the data processing device 303 can acquire encoded information using the two-dimensional code or the barcode displayed by the microstructure portion 1011. Based on the encoded information, the data processing device 303 may obtain corresponding information. The data processing device 303 may also be coupled to a manufacturing facility for manufacturing the product component 100 in a wireless or wired manner to provide the acquired information to the manufacturing facility. The processing device can then carry out a corresponding processing procedure for the processing device on the basis of this information. In this way, the degree of automation of the processing device in processing the product component 100 can be further increased, and thus the quality of the product component 100 can be increased.

A method of obtaining information from the product component 100 mentioned hereinbefore is also provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of the method. As shown in FIG. 4, at block 510, a predetermined area 101 of the product component 100 is jetted using a predetermined liquid such that droplets 201 within a predetermined size range adhere to at least one microstructure of the predetermined area 101. Next, at block 520, the predetermined area 101 is illuminated with the light source 301 such that the difference in brightness between the microstructure 1011 and the other portion 1012 exceeds a predetermined degree for at least a predetermined period of time.

At block 530, an image of the predetermined area 101 is acquired during a predetermined period of time. In this way, the image can be read or recognized by an operator or a processing device to acquire relevant information. Based on this information, the operator or the processing device can continue the corresponding processing operation or trace back the product component 100.

For example, in order to facilitate the processing equipment to acquire information, in some embodiments, the method may further include acquiring encoded data based on the arrangement rule of the plurality of microstructures 1011, and acquiring related information based on the encoded data. Thus, this information can be provided to the processing equipment to further improve the degree of automation and processing quality of the processed product part 100.

An information display member formed on the product part 100 is also provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information display member includes at least one microstructure portion 1011. The microstructure portion 1011 is formed on the surface of the predetermined region 101 in the product part 100, and includes at least one type of microstructure. The microstructure has a binding ability with the predetermined liquid different from that of the other portion 1012 of the predetermined region 101 other than the microstructure portion 1011, so that the predetermined liquid exhibits a form on the microstructure portion 1011 different from that on the other portion 1012. In this way, the information display means is operable by the aforementioned identification apparatus 300 to obtain information embodied by the microstructures 1011, thereby facilitating the manufacture and traceability of the product part 100 without affecting the user experience.

A method of machining a product component 100 is also provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method comprises using the method or the identification device 300 according to the preamble to obtain information on the product part 100, for example information which the microstructure 1011 at the predetermined area 101 exhibits after a predetermined processing due to a difference in brightness. Based on this information, the product component 100 is processed accordingly. In this way, the processing of the product part 100 can be made smoother and easier to trace without affecting the user experience.

A vehicle window assembly is also provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle window assembly comprises a product part 100 according to the preamble, such as glass. The vehicle window assembly having the product part 100 cannot allow a user to visually observe some marks or labels formed by the microstructures 1011 for the manufacturing process and the tracing, thereby facilitating the tracing of the manufacturing process of the product part 100 without affecting the user experience to further enhance the quality control of the product part 100.

It is to be understood that the above detailed embodiments of the disclosure are merely illustrative of or explaining the principles of the disclosure and are not limiting of the disclosure. Therefore, any modification, equivalent replacement, and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Also, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

Claims

1. A product component (100) comprising:

at least one microstructure (1011) formed on the surface of a predetermined area (101) of the product part (100) comprising at least one type of microstructure,

wherein the microstructure is configured to have a binding capacity with a predetermined liquid different from that of other portions (1012) of the predetermined area (101) than the microstructure portion (1011) such that the predetermined liquid exhibits a morphology on the microstructure portion (1011) different from that on the other portions (1012) at least during a predetermined period of time.

2. The product part (100) of claim 1, wherein the microstructures comprise at least one of projections or depressions.

3. The product part (100) according to claim 1, wherein the microstructure (1011) is configured such that a difference in brightness of the microstructure (1011) and the other portion (1012) after a predetermined processing exceeds a predetermined degree at least during the predetermined period of time to allow an identification device to acquire information from the predetermined area (101).

4. The product part (100) of claim 3, wherein the microstructure (1011) is not visible prior to the predetermined processing.

5. The product part (100) according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined treatment comprises spraying the predetermined area (101) with the predetermined liquid such that droplets (201) within a predetermined size range adhere to the microstructure (1011).

6. The product component (100) according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined treatment further comprises illuminating the predetermined region (101) with a dark field light source (301) after spraying the predetermined region (101).

7. The product part (100) according to claim 5, wherein the microstructure (1011) is configured such that:

the contact angles of the liquid drop (201) on the microstructure portion (1011) and the other portion (1012) are different; and/or

The speed of evaporation or evaporation of the droplet (201) on the microstructure (1011) and the other portion (1012) is different.

8. The product part (100) according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined area (101) forms at least one of a two-dimensional code and a bar code via the microstructure portion (1011).

9. The product part (100) of claim 3, wherein the predetermined area (101) forms at least one of a pattern and text via the microstructure (1011).

10. A method of obtaining information from a product component (100) according to any one of claims 1-9, comprising:

-spraying a predetermined area (101) of the product part (100) with a predetermined liquid such that droplets of a predetermined size range adhere to at least one microstructure (1011) of the predetermined area (101);

illuminating the predetermined area (101) with a light source (301) such that the difference in brightness between the microstructure portion (1011) and a portion (1012) of the predetermined area (101) other than the microstructure portion (1011) exceeds a predetermined degree at least during a predetermined period of time;

acquiring an image of the predetermined area (101) during the predetermined period of time.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one microstructure (1011) comprises a plurality of microstructures (1011), and the method further comprises:

acquiring encoded data based on the arrangement rule of the plurality of micro-structure parts (1011); and

the information is obtained from the encoded data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined area (101) forms at least one of a two-dimensional code and a bar code via the plurality of microstructures (1011).

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined area (101) forms at least one of a pattern and text via the plurality of microstructures (1011).

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the light source (301) comprises a dark field light source (301).

15. An identification device for obtaining information from a product component (100) according to any one of claims 1-9, comprising:

a spraying device configured to spray a predetermined area (101) of the product part (100) with a predetermined liquid such that droplets within a predetermined size range adhere to at least one microstructure (1011) of the predetermined area (101);

a light source (301) configured to illuminate the predetermined area (101) such that a difference in brightness between the microstructure portion (1011) and a portion (1012) of the predetermined area (101) other than the microstructure portion (1011) exceeds a predetermined degree at least during a predetermined period of time;

an image acquisition device (302) configured to acquire an image of the predetermined area (101) during the predetermined period of time.

16. Identification apparatus according to claim 15, the at least one microstructure (1011) comprising a plurality of microstructures (1011), and the identification apparatus further comprising data processing means (303), the data processing means (303) being configured to:

the information is obtained from the encoded data.

17. The identification apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined region (101) forms at least one of a two-dimensional code and a bar code via the plurality of microstructures (1011).

18. The identification apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined area (101) forms at least one of a pattern and a letter via the plurality of microstructures (1011).

19. An identification device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the light source (301) comprises a dark field light source (301).

20. A method for processing a product part (100), comprising:

-treating a predetermined area (101) of the product part (100) to create at least one microstructure portion (1011) on the surface of the predetermined area (101), the microstructure portion (1011) comprising at least one type of microstructure,

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein processing the predetermined area (101) comprises:

and carrying out interface reaction on a plurality of sub-areas in the preset area (101) to generate a plurality of microstructures (1011) arranged according to a preset rule.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the interfacial reaction comprises at least one of heavy ion transfer, microetching, and coating.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the microstructure (1011) is configured such that:

the contact angle of the liquid droplet (201) on the microstructure (1011) and the other portion (1012) is different; and/or

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the microstructures are configured such that:

the shape and size of the droplets (201) at the microstructures (1011) and the other portions (1012) differ at least during the predetermined period of time.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein coating the coating comprises:

-generating the plurality of microstructures (1011) by applying a first coating to a plurality of sub-areas in the predetermined area (101); and/or

-generating the further portion (1012) by applying a second coating to a further plurality of sub-areas in the predetermined area (101).

26. An information display member formed on a product component, comprising:

at least one microstructure portion (1011) formed on a surface of a predetermined area (101) of the product part (100) and comprising at least one type of microstructure,

27. A method of machining a product component (100), comprising:

-obtaining information from the product part (100) using a method according to any one of claims 10-14; and

-processing the product part (100) according to the information.

28. A vehicle window assembly comprising a product part (100) according to any one of claims 1-9.