Two-Component Adhesive Film for Component Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The short curing time of two-component adhesives poses a challenge for precise alignment and assembly of complex components, such as motor vehicle headlights, where sufficient time for alignment and adjustment is often not available before the adhesive hardens.

Innovation Solution

A method involving applying resin and hardener on opposite sides of a film, which is then placed between components, allowing alignment and initial contact pressure before peeling the film to mix the adhesive, allowing for curing to occur after alignment is completed, with features like chambers, scraper edges, and adjustment openings to enhance handling and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a two-component adhesive is applied to components, then bonding strength is improved, but the curing time becomes too short to allow precise alignment and assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidcuring time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive system is segmented into two separate components (resin and hardener) that are stored independently and only mixed at the moment of application. This segmentation allows the adhesive to remain uncured during the alignment phase, providing sufficient time for precise assembly while maintaining high bonding strength when the components are mixed and cured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resin and hardener are prepared and positioned in advance on separate sides of the film, but the actual mixing action is delayed until the components are correctly aligned. This preliminary positioning without immediate mixing allows alignment to be completed first, then the curing reaction is initiated only when the components are in their final positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If components are pressed together to activate the adhesive, then bonding is improved, but components may come into contact before alignment is complete

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebondingVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A film serves as an intermediary carrier that holds both the resin and hardener in separated compartments. This film structure allows the components to be pressed together for alignment without direct contact between the adhesive components, preventing premature bonding. The film acts as a mediator that enables alignment while controlling the timing of adhesive activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of a flexible film with embedded chambers to hold the adhesive components allows the system to be compressed for alignment while maintaining separation of the resin and hardener. The thin film structure enables precise alignment through compression without causing the adhesive components to mix prematurely, and the film can be easily removed after alignment is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If resin and hardener are applied directly to components, then bonding efficiency is improved, but unwanted adhesive spread and contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding efficiencyVSAvoidadhesive spread and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive components are applied in specific localized chambers within the film structure, rather than being spread broadly across the component surfaces. This localized application ensures that the resin and hardener are positioned precisely where needed for bonding, preventing unwanted spread and contamination of surrounding areas while maintaining efficient bonding at the target location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The film structure with its chamber system acts as an intermediary that controls and contains the adhesive components during application and alignment. This intermediary structure prevents direct uncontrolled application of the adhesive, confining it to specific areas and preventing contamination of neighboring components while still enabling effective bonding when the chambers are opened or the film is removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This method provides extended time for precise alignment and assembly without time pressure, improving handling and reducing unwanted adhesive spread, leading to better alignment and bonding quality, especially for complex components like motor vehicle headlights.

Implementation Method 1

By mixing the two components immediately before use, a curing reaction is usually started at room temperature. Two-component systems harden through chemical reactions such as polyaddition, polycondensation and polymerization.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3476574B1Method for aligning and gluing two components using a two-component adhesive and device
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3476574B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP3476574B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3476574B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

Method for aligning and bonding two components (110, 120) with a two-component adhesive, comprising the following process steps: - applying a resin (130) of the two-component adhesive to at least a first predefined location of a film (150), - applying a hardener (140) of the two-component adhesive to at least a second predefined location of the film (150) opposite the first, - positioning the film (150) between a first component (110) and a second component (120), - pressing the first component (110) against the second component (120) so that the resin (130) or the hardener (140) contacts the first component (110) or the second component (120), respectively, - aligning the first component (110) with the second component (120), - withdrawing the film (150) from the component assembly, thereby separating the resin (130) and the Mix the hardener (140) to form a two-component adhesive mixture (135),- Pressing and aligning the first component (110) with the second component (120), - Curing the two-component adhesive mixture (135) by the hardener (140) curing the resin (130).