Hierarchical Elastomer Surface Structure to Eliminate Stick-Slip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to provide a body with improved adhesion and friction properties, especially when interacting with wavy and non-smooth surfaces, and do not effectively prevent stick-slip effects, fluid accumulation, and material failure due to abrasion.
Innovation Solution
A body composed of a support part with functional elements and an elastomer layer, featuring a hierarchical structure with embedded functional elements and additional adhesive elements, allowing for increased adaptability and drainage, while maintaining mechanical stability and preventing stick-slip effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a continuous elastomer surface is used, then adhesion is improved, but stick-slip effect occurs and material-damaging abrasion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer surface is segmented into a periodic structure of protrusions and recesses. This segmentation prevents continuous contact between mating surfaces, eliminating the stick-slip effect while maintaining adhesion through the protrusion structures. The recesses create air gaps that interrupt direct surface-to-surface contact.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the surface are given different properties: protrusions provide adhesion contact points while recesses provide lubrication channels and air gaps. This local differentiation allows the surface to simultaneously achieve adhesion and eliminate stick-slip effects through spatially distributed functional zones.
2Strength
If friction is increased for better grip, then adhesion improves, but unwanted vibrations and noise emission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic segmentation of the surface into protrusions and recesses distributes friction forces across multiple discrete contact points rather than continuous contact. This distribution reduces vibration generation and noise emission while maintaining overall friction levels through the cumulative effect of multiple protrusion contacts.
3Strength
If dry surfaces are mated for maximum friction, then adhesion is maximized, but material-damaging abrasion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Air gaps and recesses act as intermediary zones between mating surfaces, preventing direct solid-to-solid contact that causes abrasion. These intermediaries allow friction and adhesion to occur through the protrusion structures while protecting the bulk material from damaging contact.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the surface into discrete protrusions reduces the total contact area compared to a continuous surface, thereby reducing cumulative abrasion while maintaining sufficient friction through the distributed protrusion contacts.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a hierarchical structure with embedded functional elements is used, then adaptability to uneven surfaces improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical structure is segmented into repeating units of protrusions and recesses that can independently deform and adapt to surface irregularities. This segmentation allows complex adaptability to be achieved through simple, repeatable structural motifs rather than monolithic complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface structure employs nesting at multiple scales: the overall periodic pattern contains smaller protrusion features, which in turn contain micro-structured surfaces. This nested hierarchy enables adaptability across different length scales while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through self-similar repeating patterns.
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 hierarchical structure enhances adaptability to uneven surfaces, maintains high friction and adhesion, prevents fluid accumulation, and reduces material failure, ensuring robustness against contamination and prolonged service life.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive bond is mediated by van der Waals forces
Implementation Method 2
the raised areas deform and yield under load
Implementation Method 3
the flexibly designed functional elements bend, leading to reduced mechanical stiffness
Implementation Method 4
a liquid is displaced from the surface of the raised area by the contact force exerted on the surface of a body that is meshing with the elastomeric body, and is then channeled away through the channels
Implementation Method 5
the stick-slip effect, which occurs when dry surfaces are mated, is eliminated
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~13
AI summary
A body is claimed that consists of at least two components, of which one component is a carrier part (10) having functional elements (12) protruding from the carrier part (10) and the other component is an elastomer layer (14) that opens out at a surface (16) that protrudes beyond the functional elements (12), which are at least partially embedded in the elastomer layer (14).