Photoelectric Conversion Element With Fluorine-Based Silane Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Photoelectric conversion elements with a surface protection portion on the electrode detach when bent, leading to decreased durability during storage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a surface protection portion adjacent to one electrode using a fluorine-based silane compound to prevent direct contact between the electrode and the sealing member, enhancing durability by preventing detachment and corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a surface protection portion is provided on the electrode to prevent corrosion and deterioration, then durability during storage is improved, but the electrode detaches when bent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability during storageVSAvoidelectrode adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the surface protection portion from conventional materials to fluorine-based silane compounds. This material substitution modifies the chemical and physical properties of the protection layer, providing both corrosion resistance and flexibility to prevent electrode detachment during bending operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structure by combining fluorine-based silane compounds with the electrode surface. This composite approach creates a protective layer that integrates both protective functions (corrosion resistance) and mechanical flexibility (anti-detachment), resolving the contradiction between durability and adhesion strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a surface protection portion is provided to prevent direct contact between electrode and sealing member, then anti-corrosion performance is improved, but flexibility and bending resistance decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-corrosion performanceVSAvoidbending flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the material parameters of the surface protection portion by using fluorine-based silane compounds instead of conventional protection materials. This parameter change enables the protective layer to maintain both anti-corrosion properties and bending flexibility, allowing the photoelectric conversion element to withstand flexing without compromising electrode protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 photoelectric conversion element maintains electrode integrity and durability even when bent, preventing detachment and corrosion, thus maintaining performance during storage.

Implementation Method 1

the surface protection portion contains a fluorine-based silane compound... prevent direct contact between the electrode and the sealing member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4315447B1Photoelectric conversion element, photoelectric conversion module, electronic device, and power supply module
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4315447B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4315447B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3F
  • EP4315447B1 patent drawingFigure 3G~3J

AI summary

A photoelectric conversion element includes a first electrode (13), a photoelectric conversion layer (16) over the first electrode, and a second electrode (18) over the photoelectric conversion layer. The photoelectric conversion element further includes a surface protection portion (19) adjacent to a face of one electrode selected from the first electrode and the second electrode where the face does not face the photoelectric conversion layer. The surface protection portion contains a compound derived from a fluorine-based silane compound.