Resin Component Coating for Air Conditioner Dew and Stain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preventing dew formation and stain adherence on resin-made components in air conditioners are inadequate, as they either fail to provide long-term antifouling performance or suffer from peeling issues due to poor adhesion and hydrophilic properties, leading to mold growth and bad odors.
Innovation Solution
A coating composition comprising silica ultrafine particles and fluororesin particles is applied to form a coating film where silica particles are partially exposed, providing both hydrophilic and antifouling properties, with a silica film having a greater exposed area than fluororesin particles, enhancing durability and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional paints are used for dew prevention, then droplet enlargement is restrained to some extent, but adhesion durability deteriorates leading to peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating material by incorporating fluororesin and silica particles in specific proportions. This compositional change improves both the adhesion to the resin substrate and the durability of the coating, while maintaining the dew prevention function. The fluororesin component specifically enhances adhesion to prevent peeling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophilic coating is applied to prevent dew, then condensation is restrained, but mold growth risk increases due to retained moisture and stains
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of moisture retention into a benefit by using the hydrophilic silica particles to promote rapid droplet formation and shedding. The fluororesin component simultaneously prevents stain accumulation. By converting the hydrophilic property from a potential harm (stain retention) into a benefit (rapid dew shedding), the coating prevents the conditions necessary for mold growth while maintaining effective dew prevention.
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 solution effectively prevents dew formation and stain adherence over a long time, maintaining antifouling performance and improving adhesion, thus reducing mold growth and odors while being cost-effective for mass production.
Implementation Method 1
the coating film comprises a silica film comprising the silica ultrafine particles and the fluororesin particles partially exposed from a surface of the silica film
Implementation Method 2
the coating composition having the antifouling property microscopically disperses an optical catalytic oxide and a water-repellant fluororesin
Implementation Method 3
prevention and easy removal of stains having an oilphilic property by coating the product surface with an oil-repellant fluororesin
Implementation Method 4
a method of preventing adherence of various stains having amphiphilic properties, at the same time as restraining the droplet enlargement by utilizing the hydrophilic property
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner coated by the coating composition to the resin-made components where due formation occurs upon the cooling operation, provides the antifouling performance against various stains, restrains enlargement of droplet, and provides an excellent long-term durability (sticking property and peeling off property) all at the same time. The air conditioner of the present embodiment forms a coating film 103 to surfaces of resin-made components and resin-made components installed to a rear flow side of the heat exchanger, includes the silica ultrafine particles 101 and the fluororesin particles 102, and provides, within the coating film 103, a silica film 104 comprising the silica ultrafine particles and the fluororesin particles 102 partially exposed from a surface of the silica film 104 in dots, and an exposed area of the silica film 104 is greater than an exposed area of the fluororesin particles 102.