Hydrochromic PCB Ink Layer for Visual Moisture Ingress Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing the waterproof performance of printed circuit boards are cumbersome, labor-intensive, and costly, requiring power-on tests to determine moisture ingress, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A circuit board design incorporating an insulating ink layer with a hydrochromic material that changes color when humidity exceeds a threshold, allowing visual detection of moisture ingress without powering on the board, along with an encapsulation layer to protect components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional power-on testing methods are used to determine moisture ingress, then reliable waterproof performance assessment is achieved, but the testing process becomes cumbersome, labor-intensive, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing materials (hydrochromic materials) that change color in response to humidity/moisture exposure. This allows visual detection of moisture ingress on the circuit board without requiring complex power-on testing equipment or procedures, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable assessment and testing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical power-on testing system with a chemical/optical detection system using hydrochromic materials. Instead of powering on the board and measuring electrical parameters, the system uses color changes to indicate moisture presence, simplifying the testing process while maintaining reliability
2Measurement precision
If traditional power-on testing methods are used to determine moisture ingress, then accurate waterproof performance evaluation is achieved, but testing time and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates hydrochromic materials into the insulating ink layer during the manufacturing process, before the product is put into service. This preliminary preparation allows for immediate visual detection of moisture ingress during testing, eliminating the need for time-consuming power-on testing procedures while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The color-changing property of hydrochromic materials provides immediate visual feedback about moisture ingress. This allows for rapid assessment during testing without requiring extended power-on testing periods, thus reducing testing time while maintaining measurement precision
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
Facilitates quick, simple, and cost-effective waterproof performance testing by visually identifying moisture ingress, reducing the need for extensive power-on tests and minimizing resource consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The insulating ink layer includes a first hydrochromic material, to change from a first color to a second color when humidity comes to exceed a first humidity threshold
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a circuit board and an electronic device thereof. The circuit board includes: a substrate; an insulating ink layer disposed on the substrate; a component disposed on a side of the insulating ink layer facing away from the substrate, where the component is electrically connected to the substrate through a window opening area on the substrate; and an encapsulation layer disposed on a side of the component facing away from the substrate. The insulating ink layer includes a first hydrochromic material, and in a case where humidity exceeds a first humidity threshold, the first hydrochromic material changes from a first color to a second color.