Apparatus for friction enhancement of curved surfaces
a technology of friction enhancement and curved surfaces, applied in the field of curved surfaces, can solve the problems of tire designers compromising traction, tire designers compromising materials, and gaining greater traction
Inactive Publication Date: 2007-12-20
RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA
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- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
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Benefits of technology
Problems solved by technology
Frequently, tire designers compromise traction in dry conditions with traction in wet conditions.
Tire designers also compromise materials.
“Soft” rubber compounds, for example, provide greater traction than “hard” rubber compounds, at the expense of tire longevity.
Such design compromises extend to any curved surface involved in friction-based adhesion.
Such design compromises also extend to conventional surfaces, such as rubber shoe soles.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0028] In order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present application, the following description sets forth numerous specific details, such as specific configurations, parameters, and the like. It should be recognized, however, that such description is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure, but is intended to provide a better description of exemplary embodiments.
[0029] The present application is directed generally to structures that adhere to contact surfaces. The structures include a curved surface with a plurality of nano-fibers disposed thereon. The nano-fibers mimic nano-fibrous spatulae of Tokay Gecko feet, and adhere to contact surfaces by van der Waal's interactions. The curved surface abuts the contact surface at a contact patch. As a curved surface moves over a contact surface, the nano-fibers disposed on the curved surface create an adhesive force between the curved surface and the contact surface at the contact patch.
[0030] Th...
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Abstract
A tire has a curved tire surface and a nano-scale structure disposed on a portion of the curved tire surface. A contact patch on the curved tire surface contacts a contact surface as the tire rolls along the contact surface. The nano-scale structure has a base and a tip. The base is connected to the portion of the curved tire surface. The tip is disposed opposite the base. When the portion of the curved tire surface with the nano-scale structure is positioned away from the contact patch, the nano-scale structure is in a relaxed position. When the portion of the curved tire surface is rotated into the contact patch, the nano-scale structure is engaged with the contact surface. When the portion of the curved tire surface is rotated through the contact patch, the nano-scale structure is adhesively anchored to the contact surface with the nano-scale structure undergoing tension and compression. When the portion of the curved tire surface is rotated through the contact patch to leave the contact patch, the nano-scale structure is released from the contact surface as an angle between the base and tip surpasses a release angle for the nano-scale structure.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 958,476, filed on Oct. 4, 2004, entitled APPARATUS FOR FRICTION ENHANCEMENT OF CURVED SURFACES, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 508,329, filed Oct. 3, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] This application relates generally to the fabrication and use of micro-and nano-scale adhesive structures. In particular, the application relates to curved surfaces with fabricated adhesive microstructures disposed thereon. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] There is an ongoing need for improved adhesives. Recently, adhesives that mimic structures on the Tokay Gecko have been developed, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,160 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 197,763. Adhesives that mimic Gecko adhesion adhere to surfaces by van der Waal's interactions. [0006] Automobile tire manufact...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): B60C11/00B29D30/66B32B1/00B32B3/02B32B33/00B60C1/00B60C11/14C08K7/02C09J
CPCB29D30/66B29D2030/665B60C1/0016B60C11/00B60C11/14Y10T156/10C08K7/02C08K2201/011B82Y30/00Y10T428/24628C08L21/00Y10T428/23936Y10T428/23943Y10T428/23929Y10T428/23957
InventorJONES, STEVEN D.FEARING, RONALD S.
OwnerRGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA