Electrospun Nanoweb Waterproof Sound-Permitting Sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional waterproof sound-permitting films used in electronic devices, such as portable terminals and notebook computers, face reduced waterproof performance due to enlargement of fine holes over time under external pressure, compromising both water resistance and sound permeability.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof sound-permitting sheet is produced using an electrospinning method, featuring a porous nanoweb with added pigment on a porous substrate, allowing for adjustable thickness, pore size, and number, enhancing both waterproof and sound-permitting performance while simplifying the production process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the average diameter of fine holes is reduced to improve water resistance, then waterproof performance is improved, but sound-permittivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidsound-permittivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The film is divided into multiple layers with different functions: a first porous layer for sound transmission and a second porous layer for waterproofing. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the first layer maintains larger pores for sound passage while the second layer provides water resistance, resolving the contradiction between sound-permittivity and waterproof performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the film structure are assigned different properties: the first porous layer has larger pore diameters optimized for sound transmission, while the second porous layer has smaller pore diameters optimized for water resistance. This local differentiation of quality allows simultaneous optimization of both sound-permittivity and waterproof performance without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a double layer structure is used to improve waterproof performance, then waterproof performance is improved, but fine holes increase in size over time due to external pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidpore size stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The first porous layer acts as a cushioning layer that absorbs and distributes external pressure before it reaches the second porous layer. This beforehand cushioning prevents the compression and enlargement of fine holes in the waterproof layer, maintaining pore size stability and preventing waterproof performance degradation over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The film combines two different porous materials with complementary properties: the first porous layer material is optimized for mechanical strength and pressure resistance, while the second porous layer material is optimized for water resistance. This composite structure provides both immediate waterproof performance and long-term stability against pressure-induced pore enlargement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If pigment is added during electrospinning to eliminate coating operation, then production process is simplified, but manufacturing precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidpore structure control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pigment addition step is merged with the electrospinning process itself. By incorporating pigment into the polymer solution before electrospinning, the coloring function is integrated into the film formation process, eliminating the separate coating operation while maintaining precise control over pore structure through established electrospinning parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 electrospun waterproof sound-permitting sheet improves the strength and performance of the sheet, maintaining effective water resistance and sound transmission across various electronic devices by adjusting the nanoweb's thickness and pore characteristics, and eliminates the need for additional pigment coating.

Implementation Method 1

a waterproof sound-permitting sheet which is produced by an electrospinning method so as to have a plurality of pores in a nanoweb form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrospinning: Electrohydrodynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10132004B2Waterproof sound-permitting sheet, method of manufacturing same, and electronic device provided with waterproof sound-permitting sheet

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 AMOGREENTECH CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a waterproof sound-permitting sheet, including: a porous substrate having a plurality of pores; and a porous nanoweb, which is stacked on the porous substrate, has a plurality of pores, and is formed by electrospinning a polymer material to which a black or a different color pigment is added, thereby improving waterproofing performance and sound penetration performance by forming on a porous substrate, such as non-woven fabric, the porous web having the black or the different color by using the electrospinning method, and can shorten a production process by eliminating a pigment coating step by means of adding the pigment to the polymer material when manufacturing the porous nanoweb according to the electrospinning method.