Optical Cover Plate Hydrophobic Coating for Mist-Like Dirt Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mist-like dirt forms on the optical cover plate of camera modules in electronic devices due to the aggregation of atoms, molecules, and foam adhesive molecules during the plating process, affecting light transmission and cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly with a hydrophobic film layer having a hydrophobic rough surface with micro-nano structures is applied to the optical cover plate, enhancing its hydrophobic performance and reducing liquid adhesion, thereby minimizing mist-like dirt formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical cover plate is plated with protective coating, then the durability and protection of the optical component is improved, but mist-like dirt forms on the light-transmissive area due to aggregation of plating atoms, moisture, and foam adhesive molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a hydrophobic film layer specifically on the light-transmissive area of the optical cover plate, creating local differentiation in surface properties. This hydrophobic coating prevents mist-like dirt aggregation in the critical light transmission region while allowing other areas to maintain their protective plating without the same contamination issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple materials and structures: the optical cover plate base material, protective plating layer, and hydrophobic film layer. This composite structure integrates the protective function of plating with the anti-mist function of the hydrophobic surface, resolving the contradiction between protection and mist prevention.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a hydrophobic film layer with micro-nano structure is added to the optical cover plate, then mist-like dirt is reduced and water drop angle is increased, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface parameters of the optical cover plate by adding a hydrophobic film layer with specific micro-nano structures. This changes the surface energy and wettability parameters, creating superhydrophobic properties that prevent mist formation. The structured surface geometry (micro-nano scale features) fundamentally alters how liquids interact with the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the hydrophobic function as a separate, independent layer (the hydrophobic film layer) rather than trying to achieve it through the base optical cover plate material or protective plating alone. This modular approach allows the hydrophobic property to be added without completely redesigning the entire optical cover plate structure.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the hydrophobic film layer covers the light-transmissive area, then adhesion of liquid is reduced and light transmission is maintained, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic film layer is selectively applied only to the light-transmissive area of the optical cover plate, creating local differentiation in surface properties. This precise spatial localization ensures that the anti-mist function is provided exactly where needed for light transmission, while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic film layer is applied in advance during the manufacturing process, before the optical assembly is finalized. This preliminary application allows for proper alignment and integration with the light-transmissive area definition, ensuring that the hydrophobic properties are correctly positioned to prevent mist formation in the critical optical path.
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 hydrophobic film layer effectively increases the water drop angle and reduces mist-like dirt on the optical cover plate, ensuring better light transmission and cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
A surface of the hydrophobic film layer facing the optical component is a hydrophobic rough surface with a first micro-nano structure
Implementation Method 2
Due to low surface energy on the hydrophobic rough surface and large surface tension between air and the liquid, a liquid drop aggregating on the first micro-nano structure has a large water drop angle and an extremely small roll angle
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide an optical assembly and an electronic device. The optical assembly includes an optical component and an optical cover plate. The optical cover plate includes an optical body layer. The optical body layer covers a light-incident surface of the optical component and has a light-transmissive area arranged opposite to the optical component. The optical cover plate further includes a hydrophobic film layer. The hydrophobic film layer is light-transmissive, is located on a side of the optical body layer facing the optical component, and covers the light-transmissive area. A surface of the hydrophobic film layer facing the optical component is a hydrophobic rough surface with a first micro-nano structure. The optical assembly in this application can effectively reduce a proportion of mist-like dirt occurring on the optical cover plate.