Structuring of technical surfaces to achieve a self - cleaning effect

Xenon headlights on modern automobiles require cleaning installations to prevent blinding of other traffic participants due to dirt induced scattering. Next to conventional cleaning installations such as spray units surface coatings are used to prevent deposition of dirt particles. These coatings are normally realized by chemical deposition. The main disadvantage of such produced coatings is their relatively short lifetime. To extend the lifetime of those coatings a new technique, similar to DOE replication processes, is introduced. Structures that reduce the degree of surface deposition are transferred into the surface of the headlights by using hot embossing techniques. The stamps for hot printing are produced by using direct laser lithography.