Artificial Tree Bark Silicone Cork Mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tree surgery methods fail to create an artificial tree bark that matches the tree's color and is resistant to oxidation and degeneration when exposed to direct sunlight, leading to aesthetic issues and potential cavity decay.
Innovation Solution
A tree surgery method involving the removal of decayed tissue, sterilization, and filling with urethane foam, followed by coating with a mixture of silicone sealant and cork powder to form an artificial tree bark that mimics the natural bark's color and texture, providing protection against sunlight and external impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epoxy resin is used to form artificial tree bark, then the cavity is protected and filled, but the artificial bark cracks, oxidizes, or degrades when exposed to direct sunlight, losing its protective function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by replacing epoxy resin with silicone sealant, which has superior UV resistance and flexibility. This material substitution maintains the protective function while preventing oxidation and degradation under sunlight exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining silicone sealant with cork powder. The cork powder provides natural UV protection and aesthetic appearance resembling tree bark, while the silicone sealant provides flexibility and adhesion, together preventing degradation under sunlight.
2Reliability
If conventional artificial tree bark materials are used, then the cavity is filled and protected, but the color differs from the natural tree, reducing aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating cork powder into the silicone sealant mixture. The cork powder provides a natural brown color that closely matches the appearance of real tree bark, significantly improving aesthetic appeal while maintaining the protective function.
3Strength
If the artificial tree bark is made rigid, then it provides structural support, but it becomes prone to cracking and degradation under environmental stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shells by using silicone sealant as the base material, which provides flexibility and elasticity. This flexibility allows the artificial bark to withstand environmental stress without cracking, while still providing adequate structural support for the tree cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
The tree surgery method includes a decayed-tissue removing step of removing a decayed tissue of a cavity and exposing a solid woody tissue; an internal treating step of performing sterilization and insecticidal treatment on the woody tissue and drying the woody tissue; a protective layer forming step of coating the woody tissue with a protective agent to form a protective layer; a cambium exposing step of cutting out an edge of the cavity and exposing a cambium; a cavity filling step of filling the cavity on which the protective layer is formed with a urethane foam, and an artificial-tree-bark forming step of filling and coating an upper surface of the urethane foam with a tree bark material including a mixture of cork powder and silicone sealant to form an artificial tree bark. The tree bark material includes a mixture of colored silicone sealants allowing a color similar to real trees.