Method for Protecting an Electrical or Electronic Device

Abstract

An electrical or electronic device comprising a polymeric coating, formed by exposing the device to pulsed plasma comprising a compound of formula (I),where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification, for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the electrical or electronic device. Devices of this type are protected from contamination by liquids, in particular environmental liquids.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 116,181, filed Nov. 12, 2008, which is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT / GB2007 / 000149, filed Jan. 19, 2007, which claims priority of United Kingdom application 0601117.5, filed Jan. 20, 2006 and U.S. provisional application 60 / 762,242, filed Jan. 26, 2006, each of the foregoing of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to novel products in the form of electronic or electrical devices, which are treated to protect them from liquid damage, for example from environmental damage in particular from water or other liquids, as well as to processes for their production.[0004]Description of Related Art[0005]It is well known that electronic and electrical devices are very sensitive to damage caused by contamination by liquids such as environmental liquids, in pa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a way to make electronic or electrical devices with highly liquid-repellent coatings that don't affect their performance. This is achieved by using a specific type of monomer and depositing it under specific conditions.

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that electronic and electrical devices are very sensitive to damage caused by contamination by liquids such as environmental liquids, in particular water.

Contact with liquids, either in the course of normal use or as a result of accidental exposure, can lead to short circuiting between electronic components, and irreparable damage to circuit boards, electronic chips etc.

The problem is particularly acute in relation to small portable electronic equipment such as mobile phones, pagers, radios, hearing aids, laptop, notebook, palmtop computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs), which can be exposed to significant liquid contamination when moved outside.

In addition, they are prone to accidental exposure to liquids, for example if dropped or splashed.

In addition, other types of electronic or electrical devices are particularly prone to for example, environmental damage because of their location, for example outdoor lighting systems, radio antenna and other forms of communication equipment.

However. most devices of this type are damaged by accidental spillage or the like.

A particular problem arises in relation to devices which are used in sound reproduction and which utilise transducers such as loudspeakers, microphones, ringers and buzzers.

These are particularly susceptible to damage by liquid contamination, either as a result of accidental exposure or from environmental factors such as rain or spray in use.

This affects the operability of the transducer significantly and the quality of the sound reproduction therefore suffers.

However, these must be gas permeable and they do not provide complete protection against liquid contamination.

In all cases, these membranes will reduce the sensitivity of the transducer and therefore have an adverse impact on sound quality.

This solution is costly and complex and only suitable in certain limited situations.

Conventional polymer synthesis tends to produce structures containing repeat units that bear a strong resemblance to the monomer species, whereas a polymer network generated using a plasma can be extremely complex.

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