Waterproof and dustproof performance is a major trend in the development of consumer electronics. Since Apple iPhone 7 upgraded its waterproof and dustproof performance to IP67 in 2016, Apple has extended the waterproof performance to its smartwatch product Apple Wacth Series2, further upgrading its waterproof performance to IP68. Since then, well-known smart wearable device brands at home and abroad, such as Fitbit, Samsung, and Huawei, have followed suit. Waterproof and dustproof performance has gradually become a standard feature of smart wearable products (smart bracelets, smart watches, TWS headphones, etc.), and with the expansion of application scenarios, the demand for dustproof and waterproof products is getting higher and higher.
1. Protection level of smart wearable products
The protection level of smart wearable products can generally adopt the IPXX level standard recommended by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Different installation sites have different levels. In the level standard, XX is a two-digit number, the first digit indicates the product's protection level against solids, and the second digit indicates the protection level against liquids.
There are 7 levels of solid protection, represented by 0-6; there are 9 levels of liquid protection, represented by 0-8. For example, IP68 means solid protection level 6 and waterproof level 8. Please refer to the table below for details.
Dustproof level | Protection standard | Waterproof level | Protection standard |
Level 6 | Completely prevent dust ingress | Level 8 | Agreed by both the supply and demand parties, more stringent than IPX7, deeper water |
Level 5 | Prevent harmful dust ingress | Level 7 | Can be flooded in a short time (1m, 30min) |
Level 4 | Prevent solids larger than 1mm ingress | Level 6 | The product is directly sprayed with water from any direction, and the water will not enter the product |
Level 3 | Prevent small solids ingress | Level 5 | The product is sprayed with water from any direction, and the product is not damaged |
Level 2 | Prevent medium-sized solids ingress | Level 4 | Liquid splashes on the product from any direction, and the product is not affected |
Level 1 | Prevent large solids ingress | Level 3 | Rain or rain falls on the product at 60° with the vertical direction, and the product is not affected |
Level 0 | No protection | Level 2 | When the product is tilted 15°, water drops fall on the product, and the product is not affected |
Level 1 | Vertical water drops have no harmful effect on the product | ||
Level 0 | No protection |
In addition, smart watches also commonly use the waterproof standard ISO 22810:2010 defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ATM (Atmosphere) stands for atmospheric pressure, which is equal to the pressure at a depth of 10 meters. 5 ATM means that the watch can withstand the pressure of 50 meters of static water for 10 minutes at room temperature, not the actual waterproof capability of 50 meters underwater.
1. Characteristics of ePTFE membrane
2. Application of ePTFE membrane in smart wearables
The waterproof requirements for consumer electronic products are gradually increasing. In applications that take into account both waterproof, dustproof and sound-permeable, ePTFE membrane is the preferred material. The ePTFE membrane is used in the gaps and holes of smart wearable products to achieve waterproof and dustproof levels, and can also maintain the best signal-to-noise ratio and lowest distortion after the sound passes through the waterproof membrane.
The waterproof and breathable properties of the ePTFE membrane can ensure the flow of gas inside and outside the device, eliminate the pressure difference between the inside and outside, and prevent liquid water, dust, pollutants, etc. outside the device from entering the device, causing sensitive electronic components to malfunction.
In addition, sound can easily and quickly pass through the micropores of the ePTFE waterproof and sound-permeable membrane through sound waves, and transmit the sound well to the inside and outside or from the outside to the inside, maintaining a high level of sound quality. The waterproof and breathable membrane is thin and lightweight, which is an ideal solution for devices placed in limited spaces.
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