Waterproof Ventilation Structure Using Foam Adhesive Tape

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Solution Overview

Problem

Waterproof ventilation structures using double-faced adhesive tapes as fixing members exhibit lower water resistance than expected, and the inclusion of acoustic gaskets increases production costs without significant benefits.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof ventilation structure featuring a waterproof gas-permeable membrane with a high water entry pressure, integrated with double-faced adhesive tapes having a foam material base, which prevents water entry between the tape and housing and reduces acoustic energy loss without an acoustic gasket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a double-faced adhesive tape is used as a fixing member to attach the waterproof gas-permeable membrane to the housing, then the ease of attachment is improved, but the water resistance of the structure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidwater resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a waterproof gas-permeable membrane (PTFE material) combined with a double-faced adhesive tape fixing member. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously achieve easy attachment through the adhesive tape while maintaining high water resistance through the PTFE membrane's inherent properties (water entry pressure of 50 kPa or more).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The double-faced adhesive tape acts as an intermediary element between the waterproof membrane and the housing. It provides a reliable bonding interface that maintains the waterproof integrity of the overall structure while enabling straightforward attachment during assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and water resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If an acoustic gasket is added to remove structural vibration and converge acoustic energy, then the acoustic performance is improved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic energy lossVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the acoustic gasket component from the traditional waterproof ventilation structure. By removing this separate acoustic management component, the production cost is reduced while the invention achieves acoustic energy management through the integrated design of the waterproof membrane and fixing member structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof gas-permeable membrane and fixing member structure serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide waterproofing, enable easy attachment, and manage acoustic energy. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate acoustic gaskets, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining acoustic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 structure effectively maintains the high water resistance of the gas-permeable membrane and reduces acoustic energy loss by using a foam material in the adhesive tapes, preventing water entry and eliminating the need for an acoustic gasket, thus enhancing overall performance and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

The waterproof gas-permeable membrane has a water entry pressure of 50 kPa or more as measured by high hydraulic pressure method specified in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) L 1092

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater entry pressure: Capillary Pressure

Implementation Method 2

a first double-faced adhesive tape directly joining an inner surface of the housing and an edge portion of one surface of the waterproof gas-permeable membrane together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3065518B1Waterproof ventilation structure and waterproof ventilation member
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 NITTO DENKO CORP
  • EP3065518B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3065518B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Provided is a waterproof ventilation structure including: a housing (20) including an inner space (22) and an opening portion (21); a waterproof gas-permeable membrane (11) placed to cover the opening portion (21); an electroacoustic transducing part (40) placed in the inner space (22); a first double-faced adhesive tape (31) directly joining an inner surface of the housing (20) and an edge portion of one surface of the waterproof gas-permeable membrane (11) together; and a second double-faced adhesive tape (32) directly joining an edge portion of the other surface of the waterproof gas-permeable membrane (11) and the part (40) together. The waterproof gas-permeable membrane (11) has a water entry pressure of 50 kPa or more, and the first double-faced adhesive tape (31) includes a base including a foam material. The total thickness of the waterproof gas-permeable membrane (11) and the first and second double-faced adhesive tapes (31) and (32), as measured in an uncompressed state, is preferably larger than a distance L between the inner surface of the housing (20) and the part (40) so that the foam material placed in the waterproof ventilation structure is compressed in a thickness direction.