Siloxane Water-Repellent Layer with Elastic Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-repellent layers for window glasses in vehicles face challenges in maintaining satisfactory water repellency and abrasion resistance over time, especially when subjected to repeated rubbing during opening and closing operations.
Innovation Solution
A non-fluorine-based water-repellent structure featuring a siloxane-based water-repellent layer with a specific elastic modulus distribution, including high and low elastic modulus parts, and a root mean square inclination value of the surface elastic modulus that ensures excellent abrasion resistance and dynamic water repellency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-fluorine-based water-repellent layer is formed to eliminate environmental concerns, then environmental friendliness is improved, but abrasion resistance and durability of water repellency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using siloxane bonds (Si-O-Si) instead of fluorine-based compounds, and controls the elastic modulus distribution parameters (high elastic modulus parts ≥6.0 GPa, low elastic modulus parts ≥4.0 GPa, root mean square inclination value ≥3.5 GPa) to achieve both environmental friendliness and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The water-repellent layer is formed as a composite structure containing siloxane bonds and organic groups bonded to Si atoms, creating a material that combines the durability of crosslinked siloxane networks with the water-repellent properties of organic groups, eliminating the need for fluorine-based compounds
2Reliability
If the water-repellent layer surface is made smooth to improve water repellency, then water repellency is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different elastic modulus regions within the water-repellent layer: high elastic modulus parts (≥6.0 GPa) provide abrasion resistance, while low elastic modulus parts (≥4.0 GPa) maintain water repellency. The root mean square inclination value (≥3.5 GPa) controls the surface morphology to balance these properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the elastic modulus distribution parameters of the water-repellent layer surface, specifying that high elastic modulus parts must have ≥6.0 GPa, low elastic modulus parts must have ≥4.0 GPa, and the root mean square inclination value must be ≥3.5 GPa to simultaneously achieve water repellency and abrasion resistance
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 proposed water-repellent structure maintains satisfactory water repellency and abrasion resistance, even after repeated use, without the environmental concerns associated with fluorine-based compounds.
Implementation Method 1
a water-repellent layer containing a siloxane bond and one or more type(s) of organic groups bonded to a Si atom and not containing any fluorine atom
Data Source
AI summary
A water-repellent structure includes a substrate, and a water-repellent film formed on a surface of the substrate, in which: the water-repellent film includes a water-repellent layer containing a siloxane bond and one or more type(s) of organic groups bonded to a Si atom and not containing any fluorine atom; a surface of the water-repellent layer is an outermost surface of the water-repellent film; the surface of the water-repellent layer has an elastic modulus distribution, and includes a high elastic modulus part having an elastic modulus of 6.0 GPa or higher and a low elastic modulus part having an elastic modulus of 4.0 GPa or lower in an arbitrarily selected micron region of 1 μm square; and a root mean square inclination value of a surface elastic modulus in the micron region is 3.5 GPa or higher.