Moisture-Curable Adhesive Accelerator for Fast Drive-Away

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current adhesive compositions for bonding glass in vehicles, especially for replacement windows, face challenges with slow curing times, inconsistency under varying ambient conditions, and complex delivery systems, which hinder quick drive-away times and uniform adhesive application.

Innovation Solution

A moisture curable adhesive system comprising an isocyanate terminated prepolymer and a separate cure accelerator with a polyol backbone containing an amino group, allowing for accelerated curing while maintaining sufficient working time and consistent application across different conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If two-part adhesive compositions are used to achieve fast curing, then drive away time is reduced to 30 minutes, but device complexity increases due to complex delivery systems and mixing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive away timeVSAvoiddelivery system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the adhesive system into two separate components: a moisture-curable adhesive composition and a separate cure accelerator composition. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the adhesive provides consistent application properties while the accelerator delivers rapid curing when mixed, resolving the contradiction between fast cure and simple delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cure accelerator acts as an intermediary substance that triggers and accelerates the curing reaction. When the accelerator is mixed with the adhesive, it catalyzes the moisture cure reaction, enabling fast drive away times without requiring complex two-part mixing systems. The accelerator mediates between the adhesive and environmental moisture to achieve rapid curing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If two-part adhesive compositions react quickly to achieve fast curing, then drive away time is reduced, but manufacturing precision decreases due to skin formation and insufficient working time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive away timeVSAvoidadhesive bead uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a dynamic curing process where the adhesive remains workable and consistent during application, then transitions to rapid curing after bonding. The separate cure accelerator allows the adhesive to maintain its flow and positioning properties during installation, then quickly sets once the accelerator is introduced, providing both precision and speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If one-part moisture curing adhesives are used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to slow and inconsistent curing times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive system simplicityVSAvoidcuring speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition is designed to cure through exposure to environmental moisture, eliminating the need for complex mixing or additional curing agents. The separate cure accelerator complements this self-service mechanism by catalyzing the moisture reaction, enabling fast curing while maintaining the simplicity of the moisture-cure approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 adhesive system achieves rapid curing within 15 minutes, ensuring adequate adhesion and workability for immediate drive-away times, even under extreme ambient conditions, with consistent performance and reduced sag resistance, making it suitable for bonding various substrates including glass and plastic in vehicles and buildings.

Implementation Method 1

One-part moisture curing adhesive compositions have been used to bond windows into buildings and vehicles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a cure accelerator comprised of a polyol having a backbone comprised of at least one amino group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS11180686B2Accelerate cure of moisture curable polyurethane adhesive compositions useful for bonding glass
Publication Date: 2021.11.23 DDP SPECIALTY ELECTRONICS MATERIALS US LLC

AI summary

The adhesive system of the invention is especially useful in bonding replacement windows into vehicles. They allow for sufficient working time while still realizing a fast drive away time. The adhesive system is comprised of a moisture curable adhesive and a cure accelerator that may be applied using a simple single caulk gun and may be applied at ambient temperatures such as −10° C. and about 45° C. The cure accelerator is comprised of a polyol having a backbone that has at least one amine in the backbone. The moisture curable adhesive typically is comprised of an isocyanate terminated prepolymer.