Optical Apparatus Gap Structure for Durable Water Intrusion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for preventing water intrusion into gaps between components, such as those using water-repellent materials, often suffer from deterioration over time, leading to a decrease in water-repellent functionality.
Innovation Solution
A depression-protrusion structure with a lotus effect is applied to at least one surface of components opposing each other across a gap, where the pitch between protrusions or depressions is 70 μm or less, and the height or depth is 1 μm or more, and the width of the gap is 0.05 mm to 2 mm, enhancing the water-repellent properties by increasing the contact angle and reducing capillary action.
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 over time as the material peels off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical application of water-repellent materials with a physical structure (depression-protrusion structure) that achieves water repellency through geometry rather than chemical coating. The lotus effect structure with specific pitch (70 μm or less) and height (1 μm or more) dimensions creates capillary pressure that prevents water intrusion without relying on peeling-prone materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the gap surface by introducing a depression-protrusion structure with specific dimensional parameters (pitch ≤70 μm, height ≥1 μm). This structural parameter change creates the lotus effect, transforming the surface properties to achieve durable water repellency through capillary action rather than chemical treatment.
2Reliability
If a packing made of rubber or sponge is provided in the gap, then water intrusion is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water-repellent function directly into the existing component surfaces by forming depression-protrusion structures on the gap-forming surfaces. This eliminates the need for separate packing materials and integrates the water protection function into the structural components themselves, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the water-repellent function from separate materials (packings, coatings) and embeds it directly into the geometric structure of the components forming the gap. The depression-protrusion structure on the component surfaces provides the water-repellent effect without requiring additional extracted elements.
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 from entering the gap without the need for additional water-repellent materials, maintaining the water-repellent function over time and reducing the risk of deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a width of the gap is a width that causes a capillary action
Implementation Method 2
a depression-protrusion structure having a lotus effect is provided on at least one of the portions opposing each other
Data Source
AI summary
An article includes portions opposing each other across a gap, wherein a width of the gap is a width that causes a capillary action, and wherein a depression-protrusion structure having a lotus effect is provided on at least one of the portions opposing each other.