JPWO2007052468A1 - Body member decoration method using photochromic dye, body member decorated with photochromic, and body member base material - Google Patents

Abstract

The body member decoration method includes a dye attachment procedure in which a dye containing a photochromic dye is attached to at least a part of a surface of a body member and a body member base material used as an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors. And a fixing procedure for fixing the photochromic dye molecules in the dye attached to the surface of the body member to the surface layer or the surface of the body member. The body member is a body member serving as an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors, and includes a surface layer structure in which a photochromic dye is fixed on at least a part of the surface of the body member. Further, it is a base material for a body member that becomes an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors, and the base material for body member is at least a part of a base material having moldability capable of press molding A surface layer structure in which a photochromic dye is fixed is provided on the surface.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of decorating a body member such as a mobile communication terminal typified by a mobile phone or a digital camera using a photochromic dye, a photochromic decorated body member, and a body member base material.

  Since body members such as mobile phones and digital cameras are required to be lightweight, in general, aluminum materials and plastic materials are often used. Body members made of plastic materials are often formed by injection molding of colored plastic materials mixed with pigments or dyes, whereas aluminum body members are generally molded body members. In addition, surface finishing is applied using alumite processing technology and painting technology.

  Anodizing is a process of forming a corrosion-resistant oxide film (so-called anodized layer) on the surface of an aluminum base material, and it is possible to realize a high-quality decoration utilizing the metallic color of the base metal. In addition, by encapsulating dyes with various colors in the fine anodized holes formed in the anodized layer, realizing a light texture of metallic color with colors, or encapsulating black matte dye, It is also possible to achieve a matte black heavy finish. Furthermore, a technique for realizing complex decoration using a plurality of color tones by repeating formation of an alumite layer and a coloring process over a plurality of stages is also known (see Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, coating technology is a technology that forms a coating film on the surface of various materials, not limited to metal materials, and realizes a vivid finish that emphasizes the various colors of the paint regardless of the color and texture of the base material. can do.
The dyes used for the above-described anodized coloring and the paints used for painting generally maintain the same color tone regardless of the passage of time or changes in the surrounding environment.

Apart from pigments and dyes exhibiting such a fixed color tone, dyes and pigments whose color tone changes depending on the environment such as ambient temperature are also known.
Photochromic dyes that are inherently colored according to the irradiation of ultraviolet rays and colorless according to the shielding from ultraviolet rays are one of the dyes having such characteristics, and have been conventionally used for dimming spectacle lenses and the like. . As a method of manufacturing such a light control spectacle lens, a method of solidifying and shaping a photochromic dye into a plastic material itself as a base material of the spectacle lens, or a vacuum deposition method on the surface of the molded spectacle lens There has been proposed a method in which a photochromic dye is attached using, and then diffused inside a spectacle lens substrate (plastic or the like) (see Patent Documents 2 and 3).
JP-A-6-256993 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-10301 JP-A-11-160501

  By the way, the usage scenes of portable devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and portable music players can be broadly divided into indoor and outdoor environments, and typical indoor usage scenes are a relaxing space like a living room at home. On the other hand, the outdoor usage scene is considered to be an active time such as an athletic meet, travel, and leisure. On the other hand, the main usage scene indoors is a formal scene related to business, and the main usage scene outdoors is private. And considering the variety of user preferences, there is a good possibility that the user will seek different appearances depending on the usage scene. Rather, it is natural that the user feels that the user feels that the user feels that the appearance of the mobile device is preferable in each of the usage scenes having different properties as described above.

  For example, users of digital cameras, for example, prefer the harmony with the high-class feel created by the metallic surface finish such as anodized and the color of the interior, and also the vivid and unique colors obtained by the paint finish. There is a tendency to have a good feeling. Such a user's preference for the appearances having different properties is considered to be strongly related to the fact that the indoor usage scene and the outdoor usage scene of the digital camera have different atmospheres.

However, in the above-described conventional body member appearance finishing technology, regardless of whether the plastic material itself is colored or the surface of the base material is colored by encapsulating a dye in the alumite layer or spraying paint, The appearance color is based on the premise that the color of the colorant used for coloring or the color of the uncolored substrate itself appears in a fixed manner.
In addition, in the conventional coloring finishing method, if the color of the coloring agent is emphasized by applying paint processing, the metallic feeling is completely impaired, and conversely, if the metallic feeling is left by the inclusion of the dye in the anodized processing, the coloring agent is lost. The original color was not fully demonstrated. In other words, the conventional coloring method in which the colors are fixed cannot provide a device having an appearance that meets the user's preference diversified for each use scene.

  By the way, the dimming spectacle lens mentioned above is known as a product which shows an external appearance different indoors and outdoors. However, in the conventional dimming spectacle lens, only the dimming performance by the photochromic dye (that is, the high absorption rate of ultraviolet rays and visible light, the speed of reaction speed) is emphasized mainly from the original purpose. The color exhibited by the photochromic dye in response to the absorption of ultraviolet rays was not omitted.

Also, since photochromic dyes are originally more expensive than dyes and paints used in general coloring techniques, there is no known example in which photochromic dyes are used for surface finishing of body members.
An object of the present invention is to provide a body member decoration method using a photochromic dye, a body member decorated with a photochromic dye, and a body member base material.

The first body member decoration method according to the present invention includes a dye attaching procedure and a fixing procedure.
The first body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the dye attachment procedure, a dye containing a photochromic dye is attached to at least a part of the surface of a body member that is an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors. In the fixing procedure, photochromic dye molecules in the dye attached to the surface of the body member are fixed on the surface layer or surface of the body member.

  In the fixing procedure, for example, when the base material of the body member is plastic, the photochromic dye molecules attached to at least a part of the body member of the portable device in the dye attaching procedure are placed inside the surface layer structure of the base material itself. It is fixed by making it penetrate. On the other hand, when the base material of the body member is a metal, the body member is fixed by penetrating inside the corrosion-resistant oxide film such as an alumite film formed on the base material surface or by fixing it to the base material surface. In this way, the photochromic dye is fixed to at least a part of the surface of the body member, and for example, the entire surface of the body member or a part thereof can be decorated utilizing the characteristics of the photochromic dye.

The principle of the second body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
The dye attachment procedure is a base material to be used as an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors, and a photochromic dye is applied to at least a part of the surface of the base material having press formability. The dye containing is attached. The fixing procedure fixes the photochromic dye molecules in the dye attached to the surface of the substrate to the surface layer or surface of the substrate. In the molding procedure, the base member on which the photochromic dye molecules are fixed on the surface layer or the surface by the fixing procedure is press-molded to form a body member that becomes the exterior of the portable device.

The principle of the third body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the fixing procedure of the decoration method of the first or second body member described above, the transition procedure comprises forming the body member with photochromic dye molecules held on the surface of the body member or the surface of the substrate. Transfer to the base material or the surface layer structure of the base material. The film removal procedure removes the dye after completion of photochromic dye molecule transfer.

The principle of the fourth body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the third body member decoration method described above, the base material or the base material constituting the body member is an aluminum material having an alumite layer formed on the surface. In the transfer procedure, the filling procedure heats the body member or the substrate on which the dye is formed on the alumite layer, thereby filling the alumite pores formed in the alumite layer with the photochromic dye molecules inside the dye. In the fixing procedure, the sealing procedure performs a sealing process on the alumite layer after the coating removal procedure.

  Photochromic dye molecules dispersed in the photochromic dye solution by performing a transfer procedure after depositing a dye containing a photochromic dye on the anodized layer formed on the surface of the body material in the dye deposition procedure To fill the anodized holes. After that, the sealing procedure is performed to seal the anodized holes filled with photochromic dye molecules, so that the photochromic dye molecules are sealed in the anodized layer formed on the surface where the dye is adhered, and the surface of the body member Are decorated with photochromic dyes.

  For example, by immersing the body member in a dye solution in which a photochromic dye is diffused in a mixed solution of a resin such as polyvinyl butyral and a solvent such as ethyl ketone, a uniform resin film containing the photochromic dye is alumite on the surface of the body member. Then, the photochromic dye molecules contained in the resin film described above are transferred to the alumite pores by, for example, heating in a heat-circulating heating furnace or the like, and an alumite layer containing the photochromic dye molecules is formed. obtain. Thereafter, the resin film is removed with a solvent to expose the alumite layer described above, and a normal sealing treatment is performed to encapsulate the photochromic dye molecules, so that the photochromic dye molecules are almost uniformly formed in the alumite layer on the surface of the body member. Can be fixed.

The principle of the fifth body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the fixing procedure of the decoration method for the first or second body member described above, the fixing procedure involves solidifying the dye attached to at least a part of the surface of the body member or the substrate by bringing it into close contact with the surface.
The principle of the sixth body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.

  In the above-described first or second body member decoration method, the resin coating procedure forms a colorless and transparent resin film on the surface of the body member or the substrate prior to the dye adhesion procedure, and this resin coating is applied to the body member. Or it uses for the process of a dye adhesion procedure as a surface layer of a base material. In the permeation procedure, the photochromic dye molecules held by the dye deposited on the resin film by the dye deposition procedure are permeated into the resin film in the fixing procedure.

  By the resin coating procedure, a colorless and transparent resin film is formed on the surface of the body member or base material before molding, and a dye containing photochromic dye is layered on the resin film by the dye adhesion procedure. For example, the photochromic dye is dispersed from the inside of the dye into the resin film described above by heating. Thereby, regardless of the material of the body member, a resin film in which photochromic dye molecules are dispersed in a desired range can be formed on the surface.

The seventh body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the dye attachment procedure of the first or second body member decoration method described above, the first printing procedure uses a dye solution prepared by diffusing a photochromic dye as ink, and the surface of the body member or substrate by an inkjet printer. A pattern composed of a dye is formed on at least a part of the pattern.

  In the dye attachment procedure, by using a dye solution, which is a dye solution in which a photochromic dye is diffused, as an ink, a printing process is performed by an ink-jet printer, so that desired characters and figures are precisely applied to at least a part of the surface of various body members. Photochromic dye can be attached as depicted in FIG. Then, by fixing and printing the photochromic dye adhered in this way, a highly flexible decoration using the photochromic dye can be realized on the surface of various body materials.

The eighth body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the dye attachment procedure of the second body member decoration method described above, the second printing procedure uses a screen printing technique using a dye solution prepared by diffusing a photochromic dye as an ink, to form a substrate before molding. A pattern composed of a dye is formed on at least a part of the surface.

The principle of the ninth body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the dye attachment procedure of the decoration method for the first or second body member described above, the film formation procedure is carried out by diffusing a photochromic dye into a mixed solution of an appropriate solvent and a resin, and adding the body member or the substrate to the dye solution. A dye-retaining film made of a dye is formed on at least a part of the surface of the body member or the substrate by a coating technique including immersion or application to the surface and spraying.

The tenth body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the resin coating procedure, a colorless and transparent resin film is formed on the surface of a body member serving as an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors. In the first dipping procedure, a body member having a resin film formed on the surface is dipped in a dye solution containing a photochromic dye to bring the resin film surface into contact with the dye solution. In the dispersing procedure, the photochromic dye contained in the dye solution is dispersed inside the resin film.

The principle of the eleventh body member decoration method according to the present invention is as follows.
In the second dipping procedure, at least the surface layer portion is formed of a material having minute holes or a rough structure that accepts penetration of dye molecules from the outside, and is a body member that serves as an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors Is immersed in a dye solution containing a photochromic dye to bring the surface of the body member into contact with the dye solution. In the impregnation procedure, the surface layer portion of the material constituting the body member is impregnated with the photochromic dye contained in the dye solution from the surface of the body member.

  For example, in the second dipping procedure, the body member is brought into contact with the dye solution, and while maintaining this contact state, the dye solution is removed from the contact surface between the surface of the body member and the dye solution by heating or pressurizing in the infiltration procedure. The material itself constituting the body member and the decoration with the photochromic dye can be integrated by impregnating the inside photochromic dye into minute holes or a rough structure inside the surface layer portion of the material constituting the body member.

The first body member according to the present invention is as follows.
A body member serving as an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors, wherein a surface layer structure in which a photochromic dye is fixed is provided on at least a part of the surface of the body member.
Since there is a surface layer structure with photochromic dye fixed on at least a part of the surface of the body member, when the portable device is taken outdoors and exposed to ultraviolet rays, the photochromic dye molecules fixed on the surface layer structure described above develop color. It has an appearance different from that of a portable device indoors.

The second body member according to the present invention is as follows.
In the first body member described above, the body member is made of an aluminum material having an alumite layer formed on the surface, and the surface layer structure is an alumite layer in which photochromic dye molecules are enclosed in an alumite hole. And
Since the photochromic dye is sealed in the anodized layer formed on the surface of the body member, this body member exhibits a so-called metallic color when indoors are shielded from ultraviolet rays. The displayed color has an appearance that appears in the portion where the surface layer structure described above is formed (of course, the entire body member if formed on the entire body member).

The third body member according to the present invention is as follows.
In the first body member described above, the surface layer structure is a resin film layer obtained by diffusing photochromic dye molecules inside at least a part of the resin film formed on the surface of the body member.
Since photochromic dye molecules are dispersed and fixed on at least a part of the resin film formed on the surface of the body member, this body member has an appearance with a clear coating of the material of the body member indoors where UV rays are shielded When taken out outdoors, the color exhibited by the photochromic dye exhibits an appearance that appears in the part where the surface layer structure described above is formed (of course, if it is formed on the entire body member) .

The fourth body member according to the present invention is as follows.
In the first body member described above, the body member is a material having at least a surface layer having flexibility to accept the penetration of dye molecules from the outside, and the surface layer structure of the body member in which the photochromic dye molecules are penetrating and penetrating. It is a surface layer part.
The photochromic dye molecules penetrate and settle on at least part of the surface layer of the material that makes up the body member, so this body member has a color and texture derived from the material of the body member indoors where UV rays are shielded. When it is taken out outdoors, it has the appearance of the color exhibited by the photochromic dye while maintaining the texture derived from the material.

The 1st base material for body members concerning the present invention is as follows.
A photochromic dye is fixed on the surface of at least a part of a base material for a body member that is an exterior of a portable device that is used both outdoors and indoors, and has a formability that allows press molding. It is characterized by having a surface layer structure.

It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the decoration method of the body member in connection with this invention. It is a figure explaining the method of decorating an alumite layer with a photochromic dye. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the decoration method of the body member concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of the decoration method of the body member concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of the decoration method of the body member concerning this invention. It is a figure explaining the impregnation of the photochromic dye to a plastic surface layer. It is a figure explaining the decoration method using spray painting. It is a figure which shows 5th Embodiment of the decoration method of the body member concerning this invention. It is a figure explaining the method to make a resin coat layer impregnate a photochromic dye. It is a figure which shows 6th Embodiment of the decoration method of the body member concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows 7th Embodiment of the decoration method of the body member concerning this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a body member decoration method according to the present invention.
First, a case where the method of the present invention is applied to a body member obtained by anodizing an aluminum material will be described.

For example, a polyvinyl butyral resin is dissolved in a solvent such as methylacetone to create a photochromic dye solvent, and the desired photochromic dye is added to this solvent and stirred. Further, a surfactant is added and stirred to sufficiently disperse, A dye solution is prepared (step 301).
After immersing the body member with the alumite layer formed on the surface in the photochromic dye solution thus created, it is slowly pulled up using an automatic pulling device to form a resin film with a uniform film thickness on the body member surface (Step 302). As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, the alumite layer on the surface of the body member is covered with a resin film in which photochromic dye molecules are dispersed.

  Thereafter, the body member is put in a heat circulation heating furnace and heated to transfer the photochromic dye molecules in the resin film to the alumite holes formed in the alumite layer (step 303). Since the anodized holes formed in the anodized layer are vacancies, by heating as described above, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the anodized holes are dispersed in the portion of the resin film covering the anodized holes. At least some of the photochromic dye molecules that have penetrated inside the anodized pores are filled with the photochromic dye molecules.

  After transferring the photochromic dye molecules to the inside of the alumite layer as described above, the resin film formed in Step 302 described above is removed using a solvent such as methylene chloride (Step 304), and then the appropriate temperature is set. The body member from which the anodized layer is exposed is placed in a heated bath containing the sealing agent, the anodized hole is sealed (step 305), and the decoration process is completed.

  In this way, a photochromic dye is almost uniformly enclosed in the entire alumite layer formed on the surface of the body member, and a surface layer structure in which photochromic dye molecules are dispersed and fixed can be obtained (FIG. 2 ( c)). The density of the photochromic dye molecules fixed to the surface layer structure thus obtained can be controlled to a desired density by controlling the density of the alumite holes, the inner diameter of the alumite holes, and the like.

If the body member with the surface structure formed as described above is applied to the exterior, it will exhibit a metallic appearance that matches the interior indoors and emphasizes vibrant colors that match the active mood outdoors. Mobile device products such as cameras and mobile phones that exhibit the same appearance can be realized.
(Second Embodiment)
For materials such as plastics, a method of fixing the photochromic dye directly to the surface layer structure of the material as described below is also conceivable.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a body member decoration method according to the present invention.
A photochromic dye solution 202 is prepared by dissolving a photochromic dye in a suitable solvent, and a body member 201 formed by molding plastic is placed in a stainless steel sealed container 200 as shown in FIG. The photochromic dye solution 202 is put in a container leaving a sufficient space, the sealed container 200 is sealed, and then immersed in a bath filled with a temperature control medium 203 whose temperature is adjusted to about 60 degrees Celsius. At this time, if a rotating mechanism 204 for rotating the sealed container 200 is prepared and the body member 201 is rolled in the sealed container 200, a small amount of the photochromic dye solution 202 placed in the sealed container 200 is almost uniformly applied to the entire surface of the body member 201. Can be attached.

  As described above, while the photochromic dye solution 202 is attached to the surface of the body member 201 in the sealed container 200, the sealed container 200 is immersed in the above-mentioned bath and warmed, whereby the solvent in the photochromic dye solution 202 is vaporized. Since the pressure in the sealed container 200 increases due to the expansion of the air, the photochromic dye molecules in the photochromic dye solution 202 attached to the surface of the body member 201 are pushed into the surface layer portion of the base material of the body member 201 by this pressure ( (Refer FIG.3 (b)).

In this way, the inside of the surface layer structure of the body member 201 can be fixed by impregnating the photochromic dye molecules. Thereby, a surface layer structure in which photochromic dye molecules are dispersed and fixed substantially uniformly can be obtained, and an exterior having different appearances indoors and outdoors can be realized.
A disperse dye prepared by mixing a photochromic dye with a dispersant is placed in the above-described sealed container 200, and the disperse dye and the surface of the body member 201 are brought into contact with each other. Can be pushed into the surface structure of the base material of the body member 201.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, a dyeing beaker 211 is filled with a photochromic dye solution 202 prepared by dissolving a photochromic dye in an appropriate solvent, and the body member 201 is immersed in the dyeing beaker 211, so that the dyeing beaker 211 described above is used. Each is put in a bath filled with a temperature control medium 203 whose temperature is adjusted to about 60 degrees Celsius. In this way, the photochromic dye solution 202 is heated, and in the process in which the photochromic dye is precipitated from the photochromic dye solution 202, photochromic dye molecules enter the surface structure of the body member 201.

  Similarly, a disperse dye obtained by mixing a photochromic dye with a dispersing material is dispersed in pure water to produce a photochromic dye solution, and this photochromic dye solution is filled in the dyeing beaker 211, and the body member 201 is placed therein. It is possible to transfer the photochromic dye molecules to the inside of the surface tissue of the body member 201 by immersing and heating the dyeing beaker 211 with a hot water bath.

It is also possible to form a surface layer structure in which a photochromic dye is fixed to a body member of an alumite-processed aluminum material using the pressure dyeing technique described above.
For example, prior to pressure dyeing, a clear coating based on urethane or the like is spray-coated on the surface of the body member to form a coating having an appropriate thickness, and this is further performed by a heat circulation heating furnace or the like. What is necessary is just to dry and form a clear coat layer, and to use for the pressure dyeing | staining process mentioned above.

In this case, the photochromic dye molecules dissolved in the photochromic dye solution 202 shown in FIG. 4 permeate the above-described clear coat layer in the pressurization process, and thus after completion of the pressurization assumption, the body member 201. As a surface layer structure, a clear coat layer in which photochromic dye molecules are dispersed is obtained.
(Third embodiment)
Next, a case where the body member decoration method of the present invention is applied to a body member obtained by molding acrylic or urethane resin will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a body member decoration method according to the present invention.
For example, a polyvinyl butyral resin is dissolved in a suitable solvent to prepare a photochromic dye solvent, and the desired photochromic dye is added to this solvent and stirred, and further a surfactant is added and stirred to sufficiently disperse the dye solution. Is created (step 311).
After immersing the body member obtained by molding the plastic material in the photochromic dye solution thus prepared, it is slowly pulled up using an automatic pulling device, and a resin film having a uniform film thickness is applied to the body member surface. Form (step 312). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, the surface of the body member is covered with a resin film in which photochromic dye molecules are dispersed.

  Thereafter, the body member is placed in a heat-circulating heating furnace and heated to disperse and infiltrate the photochromic dye molecules in the resin film into the body member itself, that is, the surface layer portion of the plastic substrate (step 313). Since acrylic or urethane resin has a relatively large gap in the plastic structure, by heating as described above, at least of the photochromic dye molecules dispersed in the resin film, as shown in FIG. Part of the material enters the surface layer of the plastic substrate.

  The permeated photochromic dye molecules are impregnated in the surface layer portion of the plastic substrate and fixed as a part of the plastic constituting the body member. Therefore, after the fixing process as described above, the body member is washed to remove the polyvinyl butyral film (step 314 in FIG. 5), and the decoration process is completed, as shown in FIG. A plastic body member having a surface layer structure impregnated with photochromic dye molecules can be obtained.

As a result, the surface layer portion of the plastic material constituting the body member is converted into a surface layer structure in which the photochromic dye is diffused, so that it exhibits the color appearance of the plastic material constituting the body member indoors and the plastic material outdoors. It is possible to realize an exterior material exhibiting the appearance of a color in which the color of the photochromic dye is superimposed on the above color.
For example, if the surface layer of a body member made of a colorless and transparent plastic material is converted into a surface layer structure in which a photochromic dye is dispersed as described above, a skeleton-type appearance is exhibited indoors, and the photochromic dye is colored outdoors. Since only the color can be expressed, the effect of the decoration using the photochromic dye can be further emphasized. Similarly, if the decoration method according to the present invention is applied to a body member made of a plastic material colored white or very light, it is possible to enjoy a color change between indoors and outdoors.

A resin film in which photochromic dye molecules are dispersed can be formed on the surface of the body member 201 by applying or spraying the photochromic dye solution prepared in Step 311 described above on the surface of the body member 201. is there.
(Fourth embodiment)
Moreover, if a method of spraying the body member using a paint mixed with a photochromic dye is used, a surface layer structure in which the photochromic dye is dispersed can be formed on the surface of the body member regardless of the material of the body member. .

For example, a photochromic dye is added to a thinner and mixed, and further, for example, a clear paint based on urethane is added and stirred to mix to create a spray paint solution containing a photochromic dye, which is anodized. By spraying on, a coating film having an appropriate thickness is formed.
It can be expected that the photochromic dye molecules are dispersed almost uniformly in the coating film thus formed. Therefore, after that, the photochromic dye is fixed by putting it in a heat-circulating heating furnace preheated to an appropriate temperature (for example, about 100 degrees Celsius) to solidify the coating film to form a resin coat layer, and FIG. As shown in a), the coating film in which the photochromic dye is dispersed can be fixed on the surface of the body member.

The body member formed with the surface layer structure in which the photochromic dye is dispersed in this manner has a clear coat appearance on the anodized surface indoors, while outdoors, it has a color expressed by the photochromic dye dispersed in the surface layer structure. Appearance was exhibited.
According to this method, even a metal material that does not have a fine structure such as alumite, such as dense plastic or stainless steel, has a surface layer structure in which a photochromic dye is dispersed if it is a paintable material. A body member can be realized.

It is also possible to use a coating containing colored glass beads or the like and the above-described decoration method according to the present invention.
For example, the body member is painted in advance in white, and a coating film containing a blue photochromic dye is formed on the body member in the same manner as described above, and this photochromic dye coating film is solidified by placing it in a heat circulation heating furnace. Let Thereafter, spray coating is performed on the solidified photochromic dye coating film using a clear coating material in which glass beads having a particle diameter of about 30 μm dyed in blue are dispersed. After forming the coating film in which the glass beads are dispersed in this way, similarly, the glass bead coating film is solidified by putting it in a heat-circulating heating furnace, so that a white paint is formed on the surface of the body member. It is possible to form a surface layer structure composed of a coating film, a photochromic dye coating film, and a glass bead coating film.

The body member having the surface layer structure formed as described above has an appearance in which the glass beads are slightly scattered on the white base indoors, while the blue of the photochromic dye and the blue of the glass beads are outdoors. And each other strengthened each other and had an appearance in which a clear blue whisper was prominent.
The emphasis effect as described above, which appears by combining the color of the glass beads and the color of the photochromic dye, of course, is not limited to blue, and can be similarly obtained with other colors.

The same effect can be obtained when pearl is used instead of glass beads.
Further, by performing a masking process (see FIG. 7B) similar to a general painting technique, for example, as shown in FIG. 7C, a part of the body member is anodized (or made of plastic material). It is possible to make decoration with a very high degree of freedom, such as leaving the ground as it is or applying decoration using a photochromic dye to only a part.
(Fifth embodiment)
Further, by dispersing the photochromic dye in the clear coat layer formed on the surface of the body member, a surface layer structure in which the photochromic dye is dispersed is formed regardless of the material of the body member, as in the fourth embodiment described above. It is also possible.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of a body member decoration method according to the present invention.
First, a clear paint based on urethane is spray-coated on the surface of the body member to form a coating film having an appropriate thickness, and this is further dried using a heat-circulating heating furnace or the like to form a clear coat layer. Is formed (step 321).
Next, a photochromic dye is attached to the surface of the clear coat layer formed on the body member by vacuum deposition (see step 322, FIG. 9A).

  Thereafter, the body member is heated using a heat circulation heating furnace or the like, and the photochromic dye adhered to the clear coat layer is transferred into the clear coat layer (steps 323 and 9 shown in FIG. 8). b)), the process is terminated. As described above, the paint used for the formation of the clear coat layer is a urethane-based paint, and the urethane resin is heated as described above because the plastic structure is relatively sparse and there are minute holes. As a result, at least a part of the photochromic dye molecules attached to the clear coat layer penetrates into the clear coat layer.

In this way, the clear coat layer is impregnated with the photochromic dye and fixed, thereby forming a surface layer structure containing the photochromic dye substantially equivalent to the above-described fourth embodiment on the surface of the body member (FIG. 9 ( c)), a similar decorative effect can be exhibited.
Also in this case, decoration with a high degree of freedom can be realized by performing an appropriate mask process during vacuum deposition.

In FIG. 9, the resin coat layer is formed on the anodized layer, but the resin coat layer is not necessarily formed on the anodized layer, and the bare metal such as aluminum constituting the body member is exposed. In this state, the resin coat layer may be formed and the decoration process as in this embodiment may be performed.
Further, as described in the first embodiment, a uniform coating film containing a photochromic dye is formed on the body member to which the resin coat as described above has been applied. By performing the heat treatment, it is possible to thermally diffuse photochromic dye molecules in the resin coat layer.

Furthermore, a coating film having a desired shape can be formed by applying various coating processes such as spray coating using a photochromic dye solution or a masking technique to the surface of the body member to which the resin coat as described above is applied. Is possible. By subjecting the body member on which such a coating film is formed to a heat treatment, the photochromic dye can be dispersed in the transparent resin coat layer in a desired pattern, so that decoration with a very high degree of freedom is possible.
(Sixth embodiment)
By applying a printing technique as a method for attaching a photochromic dye solution to the surface of the body member, it is possible to realize decoration with a higher degree of freedom.

FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of a body member decoration method according to the present invention.
In FIG. 10, the photochromic dye ink 221 is generated by dissolving a photochromic dye in a suitable solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone, and is filled in the ink tank of the inkjet printer 222.
Further, a transparent resin coat layer is further formed on the alumite layer of the body member 201, and this body member 201 is set as a printing target of the ink jet printer 222 described above. The inkjet printer 222 is controlled by a personal computer 223 or the like, so that the photochromic dye ink 221 is controlled to be ejected and adhered to the surface of the resin coat layer of the body member 201 described above. A printed portion 224 is formed as shown.

Thus, by performing printing using the photochromic dye ink 221 using the ink jet printer 222, a free-form print portion 224 can be formed on the surface of the body member 201, and the photochromic dye can be attached.
The body member 201 to which the photochromic dye is attached in this manner is placed in a heat circulation heating furnace and heated, and the photochromic dye molecules adhering to the surface of the resin coat layer are transferred into the resin coat layer, whereby the above-described first Similar to the fifth embodiment, the photochromic dye can be fixed to the printed portion 224 shown in FIG.

  In this method, expensive photochromic dyes can be used very effectively, and, for example, by performing printing using a plurality of photochromic dyes that exhibit different color development, it is difficult to realize such a complex by masking etc. It is also possible to form a surface layer structure in which a plurality of photochromic dyes are fixed in a pattern. The body member 201 having the surface layer structure formed in this way has an appearance in which a clear coat is applied to the anodized surface indoors, and outdoors, the photochromic dye develops color in response to ultraviolet rays. Will appear in the appearance.

This method should be used as a method for attaching photochromic dyes to body members made of a plastic material having a dense structure, or aluminum members that do not have an alumite layer, or body members made of other metal materials such as stainless steel. Is also possible.
On the other hand, when the body member 201 is formed of a material having a fine structure such as an alumite layer or a relatively soft plastic material such as acrylic or urethane, the body member 201 is used as a printing target of the inkjet printer 222 described above. It is also possible to attach the photochromic dye ink 222 directly to the surface of the body member 201 and to fix it by integrating it with the surface layer structure by an overheating process.

The body member 201 having the surface layer structure formed in this way exhibits an appearance unique to the material (for example, anodized surface) of the body member 201 indoors, and the photochromic dye develops in response to ultraviolet rays outdoors. As a result, a complicated pattern formed by printing appears in the appearance.
(Seventh embodiment)
The decoration method other than the pressure dyeing described in the second embodiment can be applied to a base material before being molded as a body member.

FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment of a body member decoration method according to the present invention.
For example, a plate-like base material 231 formed of a press-moldable metal material such as aluminum is set as a printing target of the screen printing apparatus 232, and the above-described fourth tank is placed in the ink tank of the screen printing apparatus 232. The photochromic dye paint 233 prepared as described in the embodiment is filled.

A screen 234 on which a desired pattern as shown in FIG. 11 is formed is overlaid on the surface of the substrate 231 described above, and the screen printing apparatus 232 performs a printing process using the photochromic dye ink 221 to thereby perform the above-described screen. The photochromic dye ink can be attached to the surface of the substrate 231 according to a pattern corresponding to H.234.
Thus, the surface of the base material 231 is obtained by putting the base material 231 on which the photochromic dye ink is adhered in a desired pattern into an oven and performing an appropriate heat treatment (for example, about 130 degrees Celsius for about 1 hour). The surface layer structure containing the photochromic dye can be formed by fixing the photochromic dye paint to the surface.

By forming the base material 231 having such a surface layer structure by a press molding machine 235, a large number of body members decorated with a photochromic dye are produced at a time as shown in FIG. Can do.
In addition, as a method of attaching the gel containing photochromic dye molecules to the surface of the base material 231, it is also possible to apply a coating technique applicable regardless of the coating area, such as spray coating, coating, or bar coater.

  According to the decoration method for a body member according to the present invention, the body member can be decorated with a surface layer structure in which a color derived from a photochromic dye is expressed or hidden by irradiation with ultraviolet rays or shielding from ultraviolet rays. By using this body member as an exterior material of a portable device, it is possible to change the appearance of the portable device when used indoors and when used outdoors and respond to various preferences of users. it can.

  In addition, the body member according to the present invention is decorated with a surface layer structure in which a color derived from a photochromic dye is expressed or hidden by irradiation of ultraviolet rays or shielding from ultraviolet rays, so that the body member is used as an exterior material of a portable device. Thus, it is possible to realize a portable device that has different appearances when used indoors and when used outdoors.

  That is, the body member manufactured by applying the decoration method of the body member according to the present invention has two different appearances, for example, an appearance that creates a calm atmosphere that brings harmony with the interior of the room, and vivid colors. The resulting dynamic appearance can be switched between indoors and outdoors. The fact that two different appearances can be presented in accordance with the use scene in this way is typical of cameras, mobile phones, notebook computers, attached devices such as wireless LAN adapters and card readers, and portable music players. It is very useful as a new added value that stimulates consumers' willingness to purchase, because it can give a pleasant surprise to the user of the portable device and stimulate the playfulness of the user.

  Then, by providing such a new added value to the mobile device, it is possible to stimulate potential demand by providing a product that meets the unconscious desire of the user.

Claims (16)

A dye attachment procedure for attaching a dye containing a photochromic dye to at least a part of the surface of a body member serving as an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors;
And a fixing procedure for fixing photochromic dye molecules in the dye attached to the surface of the body member to the surface layer or surface of the body member. A base material to be an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors, and a dye containing a photochromic dye is attached to at least a part of the surface of the base material having press formability. A dye attachment procedure;
A fixing procedure for fixing photochromic dye molecules in the dye attached to the surface of the substrate to the surface layer or surface of the substrate;
A body member decorating method comprising: a molding procedure for press-molding a base material on which the photochromic dye molecules are fixed by the fixing procedure to form a body member serving as an exterior of the portable device. In the decoration method of the body member according to claim 1 or 2,
The fixing procedure includes:
A transition procedure for transferring photochromic dye molecules held on the surface of the body member or the surface of the base material into the base material constituting the body member or the surface layer structure of the base material;
A method for decorating a body member, comprising: a film removal procedure for removing the dye after completion of transfer of the photochromic dye molecules. In the decoration method of the body member according to claim 3,
The base material constituting the body member or the base material is an aluminum material having an alumite layer formed on the surface,
The transfer procedure is to fill the alumite pores formed in the alumite layer with the photochromic dye molecules inside the dye by heating the body member or the substrate on which the dye is adhered on the alumite layer. With steps,
The method for decorating a body member, wherein the fixing procedure includes a sealing procedure for sealing the alumite layer after the coating removal procedure. In the decoration method of the body member according to claim 1 or 2,
The fixing procedure includes a fixing procedure in which the dye attached to at least a part of the surface of the body member or the base material is brought into close contact with the surface and solidified. . In the decoration method of the body member according to claim 1 or 2,
Prior to the dye adhesion procedure, a colorless and transparent resin film is formed on the surface of the body member or the base material, and the resin film is used as a surface layer of the body member or the base material for the treatment of the dye adhesion procedure. With a coating procedure,
The fixing procedure includes a penetration procedure for penetrating photochromic dye molecules held in the dye deposited on the resin film by the dye deposition procedure into the resin film. . In the body member decoration method according to claim 1 or 2,
In the dye attachment procedure, first printing is performed in which a dye solution prepared by diffusing a photochromic dye is used as ink, and a pattern composed of the dye is formed on at least a part of the surface of the body member or the substrate by an ink jet printer. A body member decoration method characterized by comprising a procedure. The body member decoration method according to claim 2,
The dye attaching procedure uses a screen printing technique using a dye solution prepared by diffusing a photochromic dye as an ink to form a pattern composed of the dye on at least a part of the surface of the substrate before molding. A body member decoration method comprising: a second printing procedure. In the decoration method of the body member according to claim 1 or 2,
The dye attaching procedure may be performed by applying the body member or the substrate to a dye solution prepared by diffusing a photochromic dye in a mixed solution of an appropriate solvent and a resin, and applying the coating technique including spraying and spraying on the surface. A body member decorating method comprising: a film forming procedure for forming a dye retaining film made of the dye on at least a part of a surface of the member or the base material. A resin coating procedure for forming a colorless and transparent resin film on the surface of a body member that is an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors;
A first dipping procedure in which a body member having a resin film formed on the surface is immersed in a dye solution containing a photochromic dye to bring the resin film surface into contact with the dye solution;
A body member decoration method comprising: a dispersion procedure for dispersing a photochromic dye contained in a dye solution inside the resin film. At least the surface layer is made of a material with minute pores or a rough structure that accepts penetration of dye molecules from the outside, and the body member that will be the exterior of portable devices used both outdoors and indoors contains a photochromic dye A second dipping procedure in which the surface of the body member is brought into contact with the dye solution by dipping in a solution;
An impregnation procedure for impregnating a surface layer portion of a material constituting the body member with a photochromic dye contained in a dye solution from the surface of the body member.   A body member serving as an exterior of a portable device used both outdoors and indoors, the body member comprising a surface layer structure in which a photochromic dye is fixed on at least a part of the surface of the body member .   The body member according to claim 12, wherein the body member is made of an aluminum material having an alumite layer formed on a surface thereof, and the surface layer structure is an alumite layer in which photochromic dye molecules are enclosed in alumite pores. Body member to be used.   The body member according to claim 12, wherein the surface layer structure is a resin film layer obtained by diffusing photochromic dye molecules inside at least a part of the resin film.   13. The body member according to claim 12, wherein at least a surface layer portion of the body member is a material having flexibility for accepting penetration of dye molecules from the outside, and the surface layer structure is a body member in which photochromic dye molecules are penetrating and penetrating. A body member characterized by being a surface layer portion of the above.   A photochromic dye is fixed on the surface of at least a part of a base material for a body member that is an exterior of a portable device that is used both outdoors and indoors, and has a formability that allows press molding. A body member base material comprising the surface layer structure.

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