Optical Gap Surface Structure for Capillary Water Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preventing water intrusion into gaps between components, such as those used in optical apparatuses, often rely on water-repellent materials that can deteriorate over time, losing their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A depression-protrusion structure is applied to the surfaces of components, creating a lotus effect that increases the contact angle of water, preventing it from entering the gap without the need for additional water-repellent materials, and is manufactured using injection molding with laser-processed molds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water-repellent material is applied in a gap, then water intrusion is prevented, but the water-repellent property deteriorates as the material peels off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate water-repellent coating layer and extracts only the essential function of water repellency by creating a depression-protrusion structure on the base material surface. This self-integrated structure eliminates the peeling issue of separate coatings while maintaining the water-repellent effect through geometric design rather than material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The depression-protrusion structure is pre-formed on the surface during manufacturing (via injection molding or laser processing) before the product is assembled. This preliminary creation of the water-repellent structure ensures long-term durability without relying on post-application coatings that may peel or deteriorate over time.
2Reliability
If a packing made of rubber or sponge is provided in the gap, then water intrusion is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex and the packing may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gap structure with the water-repellent function by forming depression-protrusion structures directly on the surfaces of the gap-forming components. This integration eliminates the need for separate packing materials while maintaining water intrusion prevention, thereby reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The components themselves provide the water-repellent function through their surface geometry (depression-protrusion structures) rather than requiring external packing materials. The structure serves its own sealing and water-repellent needs, eliminating additional components and simplifying the overall design.
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 depression-protrusion structure effectively prevents water intrusion by increasing the contact angle, maintaining the water-repellent function and reducing the risk of material deterioration, suitable for gaps with a width that causes capillary action.
Implementation Method 1
a depression-protrusion structure having a lotus effect is provided on at least one of the portions opposing each other
Implementation Method 2
a width of the gap is a width that causes a capillary action
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An article includes portions opposing each other across a gap (3), wherein a width of the gap is a width that causes a capillary action, and wherein a depression-protrusion structure (10) having a lotus effect is provided on at least one of the portions opposing each other.