Adjustable-Angle Releasable Adhesives for High-Load Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) face limitations in supporting high loads and repeated use due to irreversible material processes and lack of adjustable weight-bearing angles, while gecko-like adhesives are challenging to replicate synthetically for macroscopic applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of releasable adhesive devices with adjustable weight-bearing angles, utilizing 'dry' adhesive pads connected via high-stiffness tethers and hinges, allowing for high-load bearing and easy release, without relying on viscoelastic properties or surface fibrillar structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional pressure-sensitive adhesives are used to achieve strong bonding, then adhesion strength is improved, but the adhesive becomes irreversible and unsuitable for repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the adhesive system by transitioning from viscoelastic PSA materials to rigid elastomeric materials with dry adhesive surfaces. This parameter change enables the adhesive to maintain strong bonding while allowing for reversible, repeated use through controlled release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional viscoelastic mechanical deformation mechanism of PSAs with a rigid elastomeric system that uses controlled mechanical release through hinge rotation and tether reconfiguration, enabling reversible bonding without the irreversible material processes of conventional adhesives.
2Ease of operation
If conventional PSAs rely on viscoelastic properties to conform to surfaces, then ease of application is improved, but load-bearing capacity and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adhesive system into discrete rigid elastomeric pads with defined geometries, allowing each pad to be optimally designed for both application ease and load-bearing capacity. The segmented structure with multiple pads distributed across the tether system enables effective weight distribution and high load support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining rigid elastomeric adhesive pads with flexible tether components and hinge mechanisms. This composite approach allows the rigid pads to provide high load-bearing capacity while the flexible tethers and hinges maintain ease of application and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If gecko-like adhesive structures are replicated to achieve reversible bonding, then repeated use capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases for macroscopic applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the essential functional principle of gecko-like adhesives (reversible dry adhesion) but simplifies the implementation for macroscopic applications by using rigid elastomeric materials with controlled release mechanisms, avoiding the complex fibrillar structures of natural gecko adhesives while achieving similar reversible bonding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements through rotatable hinges and flexible tethers that allow the adhesive pads to be easily applied and removed through simple rotational motions. This dynamic mechanism simplifies the manufacturing process compared to static gecko-like structures while maintaining repeated use capability.
4Strength
If adhesive devices are designed for high load-bearing capacity, then strength is improved, but release force and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic hinge mechanisms that allow controlled rotation to gradually reduce the load on adhesive pads during release. This dynamic release process distributes the energy requirement over a longer time period and reduces peak release forces, making high-load adhesive devices easier to remove.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the load-bearing function across multiple adhesive pads rather than relying on a single large pad. This segmentation allows the total load to be distributed, and during release, individual pads can be released sequentially through hinge rotation, reducing the energy required at any single moment.
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
These devices provide stable, high-load support with minimal energy and force required for release, suitable for various applications, including household, industrial, and medical uses, while being cost-effective and reusable.
Implementation Method 1
a first planar layer of an elastic material having a first adhesive surface on at least one side for adhering to a first target surface
Implementation Method 2
The hinge is rotatable along at least one rotational axis resulting in the hinge component forming an angle with the tether component in the range from about 0° to about 180°
Implementation Method 3
Conventional PSAs are viscoelastic to allow the polymer coating to conform easily with a rough surface while dissipating mechanical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides unique releasable adhesive devices that are high-load bearing and highly stable while allowing adjustment of the weight-bearing angle in a wide range, thereby greatly expanding the scope of applications for technology. Adhesive systems and devices of the invention can be designed to fit applications ranging from household weight-bearing shelves and holders, components for transportation, athletic equipment, labels and advertising posts, automobile interior trims, permanent or reversible fasteners, as well as instruments and devices for industrial, commercial, medical or military applications.