Fastening Element with Internal Adhesive for Lightweight Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastening elements for lightweight panels are prone to mechanical stress and damage when attached, especially with thinner panels, leading to appearance issues and potential damage due to mechanical expansion or tensioning.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fastening element with an internal adhesive supply that is activated by energy, such as thermal, electrical, electromagnetic, or chemical energy, allowing precise and secure connection to the lightweight panel without external adhesive application, using flow channels for adhesive distribution and mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional mechanically braced fastening elements are used to attach components to lightweight panels, then the fastening elements can provide mechanical support and connection, but the ceilings become susceptible to mechanical stress, expansion, or tensioning that can lift the ceilings, damage the appearance, or even damage the ceilings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bracing system with a chemical bonding system. Instead of using mechanically braced fastening elements that physically contact and stress the ceilings, the invention uses fastening elements with adhesive supplies that are activated by energy supply (thermal, electrical, electromagnetic, or chemical). The adhesive is distributed through flow channels to bond the fastening element to both ceilings, eliminating the need for mechanical contact with the ceiling surfaces and thus preventing mechanical stress, expansion, and tensioning damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bonding mechanism from mechanical to chemical. The adhesive supply undergoes parameter changes through energy activation, transforming from an inactive state to an active bonding state. This allows the fastening element to achieve strong mechanical support through chemical adhesion rather than mechanical bracing, thereby avoiding the harmful mechanical effects on the ceilings.
2Reliability
If adhesive is supplied from the outside to connect fastening elements, then bonding can be achieved, but the adhesive typically remains workable only within a very short time and can clog or solidify in mixing tubes, feed tubes, or feed nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the adhesive supply directly into the fastening element before insertion. The adhesive is stored in a reservoir within the fastening element itself, ready for immediate use. When the fastening element is inserted into the workpiece, the adhesive is activated by energy supply and distributed through flow channels to the bonding location, eliminating the need for external adhesive supply systems and their associated mixing tubes, feed tubes, and nozzles that are prone to clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adhesive supply from the external bonding system and incorporates it directly into the fastening element. This eliminates the external adhesive delivery infrastructure (mixing tubes, feed tubes, nozzles) that is susceptible to clogging and solidification. The adhesive is taken out of the external system and integrated into the fastening element, where it can be activated and applied directly at the bonding location without traveling through vulnerable conduits.
3Productivity
If the adhesive supply is activated before insertion, then the fastening element can be quickly and precisely inserted in correct orientation, but energy supply is required to activate the adhesive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by activating the adhesive supply before the fastening element is inserted into the workpiece. The adhesive is energized in advance, transforming it into an active bonding state prior to insertion. This ensures that when the fastening element is inserted, the adhesive is ready to bond immediately, enabling quick and precise insertion in the correct orientation without delays for adhesive activation during or after insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion process with an energy-activated chemical bonding process. Instead of relying on mechanical force and precise alignment during insertion, the adhesive is activated by energy supply (thermal, electrical, electromagnetic, or chemical) before insertion, creating a chemical bonding mechanism that is less dependent on mechanical precision and speed, thereby improving overall productivity.
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
Enables quick, precise, and secure attachment of fastening elements to lightweight panels, avoiding adhesive clogging and mixing issues, with efficient energy use for activation and distribution, ensuring stable and homogeneous bonding.
Implementation Method 1
The supply of adhesive preferably includes at least one metal area which can be inductively heated to supply energy. In this way it is possible to heat the supply of adhesive in the fastener before the fastener is inserted into the workpiece. Here, energy can be supplied from outside via an induction loop.
Implementation Method 2
Thermal energy is used, for example, to liquefy an adhesive with the thermal energy.
Implementation Method 3
For example, electromagnetic energy can be used to liquefy the adhesive using a laser.
Data Source
AI summary
The method involves providing an adhesive stock in an attachment element, and discharging the adhesive stock by supply of energy e.g. heat energy, electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, mechanical energy, vibration energy and/or chemical energy, to connect the attachment element with a workpiece. The adhesive stock is activated within the attachment element by the supply of the energy. The adhesive stock is transported through flow channels by the mechanical energy, and the attachment element is guided into an induction loop. An independent claim is also included for a device for connecting an attachment element with a workpiece.