Actuated Velcro Fasteners with Shape Memory Alloys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Velcro fasteners require manual application for bonding and debonding, limiting the strength and efficiency of the bonding process.
Innovation Solution
The development of Velcro-like fasteners with 2D arrays of moveable features that can change between actuated and non-actuated states in response to electrical current, temperature, or electromagnetic fields, allowing for automatic bonding or debonding by triggering state changes in materials like bimetallic spring coils or shape-memory alloys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual application is used for Velcro fasteners, then ease of operation is improved, but bonding strength and automation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical application with automated actuation systems. Electrical current, temperature changes, or electromagnetic fields are applied to trigger state changes in the moveable features, eliminating the need for manual pressing or rubbing actions while achieving stronger bonding through controlled actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters (electrical current, temperature, electromagnetic field intensity) to control the state of moveable features. By varying these parameters, the system automatically transitions between bonded and debonded states, achieving both automation and enhanced bonding strength through precise parameter control.
2Ease of operation
If manual separation is used for Velcro fasteners, then ease of operation is improved, but bonding strength is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual separation with automated debonding actuation. The same actuation mechanisms used for bonding (electrical current, temperature, electromagnetic fields) are reversed to trigger debonding, eliminating the need for manual pulling while maintaining or enhancing bonding strength through controlled engagement and disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where moveable features can actively transition between bonded and debonded states through actuation. This dynamic capability allows the fastener to achieve strong bonding when engaged while enabling easy automated separation when actuated, resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and ease of separation.
3Extent of automation
If automatic actuation is implemented, then bonding strength and automation are improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves automatic bonding with relatively simple actuation mechanisms by exploiting fundamental material responses to parameter changes. Bimetallic strips respond to temperature or electrical current through thermal expansion differences, shape memory alloys respond to heating through phase transitions, and electromagnetic actuators respond to field changes through magnetic forces. These well-understood physical responses allow automation without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions in shape memory alloys and thermal responses in bimetallic materials to achieve automatic actuation. These phase transitions provide inherent bistability and reversible behavior, allowing the moveable features to automatically switch between bonded and debonded states in response to simple external stimuli, thereby achieving high automation with minimal added complexity.
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
Enables stronger, automatically controlled bonding and debonding, making it difficult for manual separation and facilitating applications in electronic components and other areas where automatic attachment is beneficial.
Implementation Method 1
The moveable features include or are mechanically coupled to a material which responds to application of an actuating condition including electrical current, temperature, or an EM field by changing between the actuated state and non-actuated state
Implementation Method 2
The array of moveable features include or are mechanically coupled to a material which responds to application of an actuating condition including electrical current, temperature, or an EM field by changing between the actuated state and non-actuated state
Implementation Method 3
Electrical current, temperature, or an EM field is automatically applied or changed to trigger a state change between the actuated state and non-actuated state
Data Source
AI summary
A method of bonding or debonding objects includes providing a first object including a first substrate with moveable features thereon which provide an actuated and a non-actuated state having different protrusion from the first substrate or a different curvature. A second object has an array of loops thereon. The moveable features while in one of the actuated state and non-actuated state are positioned, sized and shaped to fit within the loops. The moveable features include or are mechanically coupled to a material which responds to application of an actuating condition including electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field by changing between the actuated state and the non-actuated state. Electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field is automatically applied or changed to trigger a state change between the actuated state and non-actuated state that results in a bonding event or a debonding event between the first object and the second object.