Method of preparing water-based surface treatment agent and water-based surface treatment agent prepared using the same

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water-based surface treatment agents for artificial leather often cause whitening due to improper mixing of components, leading to reduced surface crosslinking density and degraded physical properties, while oil-based agents release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with unpleasant odors.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the sequential addition of a curing agent to a water-based solvent and subsequent stirring with a main material and silicon compound, ensuring thorough mixing and forming an interpenetrating polymer network to prevent whitening and reduce VOCs, with specific temperature and time controls to maintain optimal properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a water-based surface treatment agent is prepared by mixing main material, curing agent, and water in a random order, then the preparation process is simple, but whitening occurs on the surface of artificial leather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreparation process simplicityVSAvoidsurface quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the preparation process into three distinct sequential steps: (a) mixing main material with water-based solvent, (b) adding curing agent and continuing to mix, and (c) adding silicon compound and final mixing. This segmentation ensures proper mixing sequence and prevents whitening while maintaining clear process structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by first mixing the main material with the water-based solvent before adding the curing agent. This preliminary mixing ensures the main material is properly dispersed in the solvent, creating a stable base that prevents whitening when the curing agent is subsequently added.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If an oil-based surface treatment agent is used, then coating properties are good, but volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released generating unpleasant odor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating propertiesVSAvoidVOC emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the surface treatment agent from oil-based to water-based. This parameter change eliminates VOC emissions and unpleasant odors while maintaining coating properties through proper formulation and mixing sequence of the water-based components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces persistent organic solvents with water, which is environmentally friendly and does not generate harmful VOCs. This substitution uses a benign, short-lived solvent (water evaporates completely) instead of persistent organic compounds, reducing environmental harm while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the mixing sequence of components is not controlled, then the preparation process is fast, but surface crosslinking density is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreparation speedVSAvoidsurface crosslinking density

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first mixing the main material with the water-based solvent before adding the curing agent. This preliminary mixing ensures the main material is properly dispersed in the solvent, creating a stable base that prevents whitening when the curing agent is subsequently added.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the preparation process into three distinct sequential steps: (a) mixing main material with water-based solvent, (b) adding curing agent and continuing to mix, and (c) adding silicon compound and final mixing. This segmentation ensures proper mixing sequence and prevents whitening while maintaining clear process structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 method prevents whitening on artificial leather surfaces, enhances antifouling properties, and significantly reduces VOC emissions compared to oil-based agents, improving coating properties and surface resistance.

Implementation Method 1

adding a curing agent (B) to a water-based solvent (C) and performing stirring; stirring a main material (A), a silicon compound (D), and an additive; and adding the mixture of step (a) to the mixture of step (b) and performing stirring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11739476B2Method of preparing water-based surface treatment agent and water-based surface treatment agent prepared using the same

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 LG HAUSYS LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of preparing a water-based surface treatment agent and a water-based surface treatment agent prepared using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a water-based surface treatment agent used to form a surface treatment layer included in artificial leather for automobile seat covers and a method of preparing the water-based surface treatment agent. According to the present invention, when the water-based surface treatment agent is used to manufacture artificial leather, occurrence of whitening of the surface of the artificial leather may be prevented.