Retroreflective surface layers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12090513-B2
Application number	US-202016836196-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 31, 2020
Priority date	Mar 31, 2020
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

Techniques related to retroreflective surface layers for micro-mobility transit vehicles are disclosed. A retroreflective surface layer may be formed over at least a portion of a component of a micro-mobility transit vehicle by forming a powder coat layer over the portion of the component and baking the powder coat layer to cure the powder coat layer. An uncured clear coat layer may be formed over the powder coat layer. The uncured clear coat layer may be impregnated with a plurality of glass beads via an air-pressure applicator. The uncured clear coat layer impregnated with the glass beads may be baked to cure the clear coat layer. The retroreflective surface layer may include the powder coat layer, clear coat layer, and the plurality of glass beads distributed within the clear coat layer. The retroreflective surface layer may reflect incident light back to its source with minimal scattering of the light.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for forming a retroreflective surface layer over at least a portion of a component for a micro-mobility transit vehicle, the method comprising:
forming an uncured clear coat layer over the portion of the component;
after forming the uncured clear coat layer over the portion of the component, impregnating the uncured clear coat layer with a plurality of glass beads via an air-pressure applicator; and
baking the impregnated uncured clear coat layer and the component to cure the clear coat layer and form the retroreflective surface layer, wherein the retroreflective surface layer comprises the cured clear coat layer and the plurality of glass beads distributed therein.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a cured powder coat layer over at least the portion of the component, prior to the forming the uncured clear coat layer, by:
applying, via an electrostatic applicator, a powder coat powder to at least the portion of the component; and
baking the powdered component to cure the powder coat powder and form a cured powder coat layer over at least the portion of the component;
wherein the retroreflective surface layer comprises the cured clear coat layer, the plurality of glass beads distributed therein, and the cured powder coat layer underlying the cured clear coat layer.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:
the forming the uncured clear coat layer over the portion of the component comprises forming the uncured clear coat layer over the cured powder coat layer;
the forming the uncured clear coat layer over the cured powder coat layer comprises applying, via a wet applicator, the uncured clear coat layer to the cured powder coat layer; and
the uncured clear coat layer comprises an acrylic clear coat material configured to form a matte finish when cured.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
a first thickness of the uncured clear coat layer is selected to form the cured clear coat layer at a second thickness of approximately between 25-50 microns.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the air-pressure applicator comprises a gravity fed glass bead reservoir and/or a siphon feed configured to supply the plurality of glass beads to an air jet ejected by the air-pressure applicator towards the portion of the component.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the air-pressure applicator comprises an ejection nozzle comprising an ejection orifice diameter of at least approximately 1 millimeter.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the air-pressure applicator is configured to receive air supplied at a pressure of approximately 45-60 pounds per square inch and generate an air jet configured to embed at least a portion of the plurality of glass beads approximately half their diameter within the uncured clear coat layer.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the baking the impregnated uncured clear coat layer and the component comprises heating the clear coated component in an enclosed oven for approximately 20 minutes at between 100-110 degrees Celsius.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the impregnating the uncured clear coat layer with the plurality of glass beads occurs within 5 minutes of the forming the uncured clear coat layer over the portion of the component.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the impregnating the uncured clear coat layer with the plurality of glass beads comprises:
embedding at least a portion of the plurality of glass beads within the uncured clear coat layer to a depth approximately between 0.5-0.65 times their diameter.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
assembling the micro-mobility transit vehicle by securing the component comprising the retroreflective surface layer to the micro-mobility transit vehicle.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of glass beads comprises clear glass spherical beads and/or at least partially aluminized beads.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of glass beads comprises a diameter of approximately 30-50 microns.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the glass beads are impregnated into the uncured clear coat layer to provide a bead surface density of at least 15 partially exposed glass beads per 0.5 mm by 0.5 mm square surface area of the cured clear coat layer.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
cleaning at least the portion of the component prior to the forming the uncured clear coat layer over the portion of the component; and masking at least a perimeter of the portion of the component to limit an extent of the retroreflective surface layer to the portion of the component, prior to the forming the uncured clear coat layer over the portion of the component.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the air-pressure applicator is oriented horizontally in performing the impregnating the uncured clear coat layer with the plurality of glass beads.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the component comprises a basket, a frame, a wheel, a front tube, a handlebar, a seat support, and/or a taillight assembly for the micro-mobility transit vehicle; and
the micro-mobility transit vehicle comprises a sit-scooter, a stand-scooter, or a bicycle.

18. A micro-mobility transit vehicle comprising the component having the retroreflective surface layer formed according to the method of claim 1 , wherein:
the component is one of a basket, a frame, a wheel, a front tube, a handlebar, a seat support, or a taillight assembly; and
the micro-mobility transit vehicle comprises a sit-scooter, a stand-scooter, or a bicycle.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the air-pressure applicator is configured to generate an air jet configured to embed at least a portion of the plurality of glass beads approximately half their diameter within the uncured clear coat layer.

20. A component of a micro-mobility transit vehicle, wherein the component has a retroreflective surface layer comprising:
a cured powder coat layer formed over at least a portion of the component; and
a cured clear coat layer directly formed over the cured powder coat layer, wherein the cured clear coat layer directly formed over the cured powder coat layer comprises a plurality of glass beads embedded into the clear coat layer via an air-pressure applicator, the plurality of glass beads configured to reflect a first light emitted from a light source installed on the micro-mobility transit vehicle and a second light received from a light source external to the micro-mobility transit vehicle.

Assignees

• Lyft Inc

Inventors

• Lopez Iii Abel
• Halbach Emerson Kelby
• Boyd Jeffrey Alan
• French Merric-Andrew Jaranowski
• Jacob Rochus Emanuel
• Mueller Oliver Maximilian

Classifications

• B05D7/536 Primary

  each layer being cured, at least partially, separately · CPC title

• B05D3/12

  by mechanical means · CPC title

• B62J6/20

  Arrangement of reflectors {, e.g. on the wheel spokes} (pedals incorporating reflectors B62M3/12 ){; Lighting devices mounted on wheel spokes} · CPC title

• B05B5/032

  for spraying particulate materials · CPC title

• B05B7/1413

  Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. by hand; Apparatus comprising a container fixed to the discharge device · CPC title