Method for Forming Multiple Colors on an Aluminum Alloy Structure

Abstract

A method includes forming an aluminum alloy structure, performing a first anodizing process to form a first color layer on the aluminum alloy structure, performing a first cutting process to form at least one first working groove in the first color layer and the aluminum alloy structure, performing a second anodizing process to form a second color layer in the first working groove, performing a second cutting process to form at least one second working groove in the first color layer and the aluminum alloy structure, and performing a third anodizing process to form a third color layer in the second working groove. Thus, the aluminum alloy structure is worked by cutting processes and anodizing processes to form an aluminum alloy product so that the aluminum alloy product has multiple color layers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a surface working process and, more particularly, to a method for forming multiple colors on an aluminum alloy structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional aluminum alloy product 10 in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 comprises an aluminum alloy structure 20 and a color layer 30 mounted on the surface of the aluminum alloy structure 20. However, the conventional aluminum alloy product 10 only has a single color layer 30, thereby limiting the aesthetic quality of the conventional aluminum alloy product 10.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for forming multiple colors on an aluminum alloy structure, comprising a first step of working an aluminum alloy to form an aluminum alloy structure, a second step of performing a first anodizing process on the aluminum alloy structure to form a first color layer on a surface of the aluminum alloy structure, a third step of performing a first cutting process on the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure to form at least one first working groove in the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure, a fourth step of performing a second anodizing process on the aluminum alloy structure to form a second color layer in the first working groove, a fifth step of performing a second cutting process on the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure to form at least one second working groove in the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure, and a sixth step of performing a third anodizing process on the aluminum alloy structure to form a third color layer in the second working groove so as to form an aluminum alloy product.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a method for forming multiple colors on an aluminum alloy structure.

According to the primary objective of the present invention, the aluminum alloy structure is worked by multiple cutting processes and multiple anodizing processes to form an aluminum alloy product so that the aluminum alloy product has multiple different color layers so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the aluminum alloy product.

According to another objective of the present invention, the different color layers of the aluminum alloy product are wear-resistant to prevent wear and will not fade away.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aluminum alloy product in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product is worked by a first anodizing process.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product is worked by a first cutting process.

FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product is worked by a second anodizing process.

FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product is worked by a second cutting process.

FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view of the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product is worked by a third anodizing process.

FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional view of the aluminum alloy structure of the aluminum alloy product as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a conventional aluminum alloy product in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 16 is a front cross-sectional view of the conventional aluminum alloy product as shown in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, an aluminum alloy product 40 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an aluminum alloy structure 50 and a plurality of different color layers 60, 60A and 60B mounted on a surface of the aluminum alloy structure 50.

Referring to FIGS. 2-14 with reference to FIG. 1, a method for forming multiple colors on an aluminum alloy structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first step of working an aluminum alloy to form an aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a second step of performing a first anodizing process 1 on the aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIG. 5 to form a first color layer 60 on a surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIG. 6, a third step of performing a first cutting process 2 on the first color layer 60 and the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIG. 7 to form at least one first working groove 61 in the first color layer 60 and the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIG. 8, a fourth step of performing a second anodizing process 3 on the aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIG. 9 to form a second color layer 60A in the first working groove 61 as shown in FIG. 10, a fifth step of performing a second cutting process 4 on the first color layer 60 and the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIG. 11 to form at least one second working groove 62 in the first color layer 60 and the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIG. 12, and a sixth step of performing a third anodizing process 5 on the aluminum alloy structure 50 as shown in FIG. 13 to form a third color layer 60B in the second working groove 62 as shown in FIG. 14 so as to form an aluminum alloy product 40 as shown in FIG. 1.

In the first step of working an aluminum alloy to form an aluminum alloy structure 50, the aluminum alloy structure 50 is formed by a working process, such as press casting, milling, turning and the like. The surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 has a gray color.

In the third step of performing a first cutting process 2 on the aluminum alloy structure 50, the first color layer 60 is partially cut to form the first working groove 61, and the first working groove 61 is passed through the first color layer 60 and extended into the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 so that the color of the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 is exposed outwardly from the first working groove 61. Preferably, the first working groove 61 has an annular shape. In the third step of performing a first cutting process 2 on the aluminum alloy structure 50, the first cutting process 2 is performed by turning, milling, planning and the like.

In the fifth step of performing a second cutting process 4 on the aluminum alloy structure 50, the first color layer 60 is partially cut to form the second working groove 62, and the second working groove 62 is passed through the first color layer 60 and extended into the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 so that the color of the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 is exposed outwardly from the second working groove 62. Preferably, the second working groove 62 has an annular shape. In the fifth step of performing a second cutting process 4 on the aluminum alloy structure 50, the second cutting process 4 is performed by turning, milling, planning and the like.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises a seventh step of performing a third cutting process on the first color layer 60 and the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50 to form a third working groove in the first color layer 60 and the surface 52 of the aluminum alloy structure 50, and a eighth step of performing a fourth anodizing process on the aluminum alloy structure 50 to form a fourth color layer in the third working groove.

Accordingly, the aluminum alloy structure 50 is worked by multiple cutting processes and multiple anodizing processes to form an aluminum alloy product 40 so that the aluminum alloy product 40 has multiple different color layers 60, 60A and 60B so as to enhance the aesthetic quality of the aluminum alloy product 40. In addition, the different color layers 60, 60A and 60B of the aluminum alloy product 40 are wear-resistant to prevent wear and will not fade away.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for forming multiple colors on an aluminum alloy structure, comprising:

a first step of working an aluminum alloy to form an aluminum alloy structure;

a second step of performing a first anodizing process on the aluminum alloy structure to form a first color layer on a surface of the aluminum alloy structure;

a third step of performing a first cutting process on the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure to form at least one first working groove in the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure;

a fourth step of performing a second anodizing process on the aluminum alloy structure to form a second color layer in the first working groove;

a fifth step of performing a second cutting process on the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure to form at least one second working groove in the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure; and

a sixth step of performing a third anodizing process on the aluminum alloy structure to form a third color layer in the second working groove so as to form an aluminum alloy product.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the third step of performing a first cutting process on the aluminum alloy structure, the first color layer is partially cut to form the first working groove, and the first working groove is passed through the first color layer and extended into the surface of the aluminum alloy structure so that a color of the surface of the aluminum alloy structure is exposed outwardly from the first working groove.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in the third step of performing a first cutting process on the aluminum alloy structure, the first working groove has an annular shape.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein in the fifth step of performing a second cutting process on the aluminum alloy structure, the first color layer is partially cut to form the second working groove, and the second working groove is passed through the first color layer and extended into the surface of the aluminum alloy structure so that a color of the surface of the aluminum alloy structure is exposed outwardly from the second working groove.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein in the fifth step of performing a second cutting process on the aluminum alloy structure, the second working groove has an annular shape.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein in the third step of performing a first cutting process on the aluminum alloy structure, the first cutting process is performed by turning.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein in the fifth step of performing a second cutting process on the aluminum alloy structure, the second cutting process is performed by turning.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the surface of the aluminum alloy structure has a gray color.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the surface of the aluminum alloy structure has a gray color.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

a seventh step of performing a third cutting process on the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure to form a third working groove in the first color layer and the surface of the aluminum alloy structure; and

a eighth step of performing a fourth anodizing process on the aluminum alloy structure to form a fourth color layer in the third working groove.