Water Barrier Laminate Side Surface Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water barrier laminates fail to effectively prevent water infiltration from side surfaces, as the inorganic barrier layers and water-trapping layers primarily address water flow in the direction of thickness, leaving gaps in protection against water entering from the sides.
Innovation Solution
A water barrier laminate structure is implemented with a first inorganic barrier layer, a water-trapping layer, and a second inorganic barrier layer on the inner surface of a plastic base material, accompanied by an auxiliary water-trapping layer on the inner surface to capture water from side surfaces, with the auxiliary layer positioned within 20 µm of the low-humidity atmosphere to enhance side surface protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic barrier layers and water-trapping layers are formed to block water in the thickness direction, then water barrier property in the thickness direction is improved, but water infiltration from side surfaces cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the water barrier protection from the thickness direction to the side surface direction by positioning the water-trapping layer such that it reaches the side surfaces of the laminate. This dimensional extension ensures that water attempting to infiltrate from side surfaces encounters the hydrophilic water-trapping layer, which absorbs and traps the water, thereby preventing internal water accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-trapping layer is positioned specifically at regions where water infiltration is most likely to occur, namely at the side surfaces and thickness direction interfaces. This localized placement of the hydrophilic layer with different water affinity creates targeted protection zones that address the specific vulnerability of side surface infiltration while maintaining the overall barrier structure.
2Reliability
If the water-trapping layer is positioned deep inside the laminate, then it can trap water from the thickness direction, but it cannot effectively capture water entering from side surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The water-trapping layer is extended to reach the side surfaces of the laminate, transforming it from an internal-only layer to a multi-dimensional barrier that interfaces with both the thickness direction and side surface environments. This positioning allows the layer to simultaneously trap water entering from the thickness direction and capture water infiltrating from side surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-trapping layer is positioned in advance at the side surfaces and interfaces where water infiltration is most likely to occur, creating a preventive barrier before water can penetrate deeper into the laminate. This preliminary positioning ensures that water is captured at the point of entry rather than allowing it to reach internal components.
3Device complexity
If only a single water-trapping layer is used, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot provide sufficient protection against water infiltration from multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The water-trapping layer is designed with multi-functionality to simultaneously address water infiltration from both the thickness direction and side surfaces. By positioning the layer to interface with both directions and using materials with appropriate hydrophilic properties, a single layer achieves protection against multiple infiltration pathways, eliminating the need for separate layers for each direction.
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
This configuration effectively shuts off water from both the thickness direction and side surfaces, significantly improving the water barrier property and extending the lifespan of devices by desiccating any internal water, making it suitable for applications like organic electroluminescent panels.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary water-trapping layer is formed on the inner surface side of the second inorganic barrier layer to trap the water from the side surface
Implementation Method 2
the auxiliary water-trapping layer faces the atmosphere of the low water content or is located in a region at a distance of not more than 20 μm from the surface that faces the atmosphere of the low water content
Implementation Method 3
a first inorganic barrier layer, a water-trapping layer and a second inorganic barrier layer are formed in this order on the inner surface side of the plastic base material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A water barrier laminate 11 including a plastic base material 1 that faces the atmosphere of a high water content, as well as a first inorganic barrier layer 3, a water-trapping layer 5 and a second inorganic barrier layer 7 formed in this order on the plastic base material 1 on the side that does not face the atmosphere of the high water content, wherein an auxiliary water-trapping layer 10 is formed on the second inorganic barrier layer 7 on the side opposite to the water-trapping layer 5 to trap the water from the side surface, the auxiliary water-trapping layer 10 being located on the surface that faces the atmosphere of a low water content or being located in a region at a distance of not more than 20 µm from the surface that faces the atmosphere of the low water content.