Camera Cover Laminated Layer Structure for Antifouling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera covers lack enhanced visibility, antifouling properties, and durability, particularly when exposed to outdoor environments where water droplets and dirt can significantly impact image quality.
Innovation Solution
A camera cover with a laminated layer structure comprising a siloxane acrylic polymer contact layer, a hydrophilic silane acrylic polymer layer, and an intermediate resin layer with amorphous silica, applied on a polycarbonate or acrylic resin base material, which increases contact and binding between layers, enhancing visibility and antifouling properties while providing mechanical strength and light resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional single-layer coating is applied to the base material, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the antifouling property and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is divided into three distinct functional layers: a contact layer for adhesion and light resistance, an intermediate layer for binding and mechanical strength, and a hydrophilic layer for antifouling properties. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, achieving superior overall performance compared to a single-layer coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures where each layer is made of different polymer materials optimized for specific functions. The contact layer uses siloxane acrylic or acrylic resin for adhesion, the intermediate layer uses polyester or polyurethane for binding strength, and the hydrophilic layer uses acrylic resin with hydrophilic groups for antifouling. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining multiple materials to achieve both simplicity in function assignment and complexity in performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a water-repellent coating is applied to repel water droplets, then water droplet repulsion is improved, but visibility deteriorates due to light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a water-repellent (hydrophobic) coating that causes light scattering and reduces visibility, the patent inverts the approach by using a water-attracting (hydrophilic) coating. The hydrophilic layer attracts water droplets to spread into a thin transparent film rather than forming discrete beads, maintaining visibility while achieving water management. This inversion resolves the contradiction between water droplet repulsion and visibility.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple layers are laminated on the base material, then durability and antifouling property are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary actions by carefully optimizing the coating sequence and conditions. The contact layer is applied first to ensure proper adhesion to the base material, followed by the intermediate binding layer, and finally the hydrophilic layer. Each layer is applied with controlled thickness (contact layer: 1-5 μm, intermediate layer: 5-10 μm, hydrophilic layer: 1-3 μm) to ensure proper function while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. This preliminary planning of layer sequence and thickness resolves the contradiction between durability and ease of manufacture.
4Reliability
If a thick coating layer is applied to enhance antifouling property, then antifouling performance is improved, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each layer a specific optimized thickness appropriate to its function. The contact layer is thin (1-5 μm) for adhesion without blocking light, the intermediate layer is moderate (5-10 μm) for binding strength, and the hydrophilic layer is thin (1-3 μm) for antifouling while maintaining transparency. This localized optimization of thickness for each layer's specific quality requirement resolves the contradiction between antifouling performance and light transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The laminated layer structure significantly improves visibility by preventing water droplets from forming beads and promotes self-cleaning, maintaining high antifouling properties and durability, ensuring clear images even in adverse outdoor conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic layer that includes a waterborne coating material that is mainly made of a silane acrylic polymer
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate layer that includes a resin coating material and serves as a binder to bind the contact layer and the hydrophilic layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A cover (10), which is intended for a camera, includes: a base material (40) and a laminated layer (50) formed on the base material (40). The base material (40) includes resin. The laminated layer (50) includes: a contact layer (51) that includes a siloxane acrylic resin, an acrylic resin including silica, or a silane acrylic resin; a hydrophilic layer (53) that includes a silane acrylic resin; and an intermediate layer (52) that includes resin and serves as a binder to bind the contact layer (51) and the hydrophilic layer (53). The contact layer (51) is disposed closest to the base material (40), among the contact layer (51), the intermediate layer (52), and the hydrophilic layer (53).