Elastomeric Fencing Accessories Resolving Temperature Brittleness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional fencing accessories made from polypropylene become brittle at lower temperatures, particularly in frosty weather, leading to reduced durability and functionality during storage, transportation, and use.

Innovation Solution

Development of fencing accessories with elastomeric properties using a combination of thermoplasts, thermosets, and elastomers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl butyral (PVB), along with fillers like chalk, which provide improved flexibility and resistance to temperature-related brittleness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If polypropylene is used for fencing accessories, then manufacturing cost and ease of processing are improved, but flexibility and resistance to temperature-related brittleness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of processingVSAvoidresistance to temperature-related brittleness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polypropylene with elastomeric additives (such as polyethylene-co-acrylic acid copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene, or thermoplastic elastomers) to create a multi-component polymer composition. This composite structure maintains the ease of processing benefits of polypropylene while incorporating the flexibility and low-temperature resilience of elastomeric materials, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and temperature-related durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of polypropylene by incorporating elastomeric additives at specific weight percentages (5-50 wt% of total polymer composition). This parameter change transforms the brittle characteristics of pure polypropylene at low temperatures while preserving its processing advantages, achieving both ease of manufacture and improved temperature resistance through controlled compositional adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If polypropylene is used for fencing accessories, then cost is reduced, but flexibility and durability in cold weather deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a cost-effective composite material system where polypropylene is combined with elastomeric additives in optimized ratios. This composite approach maintains the economical advantages of polypropylene while significantly improving flexibility and cold-weather durability through the elastomeric component, achieving both cost efficiency and enhanced operational performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts the compositional parameters by incorporating elastomeric additives at controlled concentrations (5-50 wt%), which modifies the material's mechanical properties to include improved flexibility and cold-temperature resilience while preserving the cost-effectiveness of the base polypropylene material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional polypropylene accessories are used, then simplicity of material composition is maintained, but resistance to chemical corrosion and durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of material compositionVSAvoidresistance to chemical corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a composite material system that combines polypropylene with elastomeric additives known for their chemical resistance properties. This composite structure enhances resistance to chemical corrosion and improves overall durability while maintaining relatively simple material composition and processing requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between compositional simplicity and corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 use of elastomeric materials in fencing accessories enhances their flexibility, strength, and resistance to chemical corrosion, maintaining performance in varying temperatures and making them easier to use and transport while being less prone to breakage.

Implementation Method 1

the accessory comprises a plastic having elastomeric properties selected from a thermoplast, a thermoset and/or an elastomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3808924A1Assembly of a fence and an accessory and related method
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 INTERSIG NV
  • EP3808924A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP3808924A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3808924A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3f

AI summary

This document describes, inter alia, accessories for use with fences as well as related methods for manufacturing an accessory for use with fences. The accessories comprise a plastic having elastomeric properties selected from a thermoplast, a thermoset and/or an elastomer.