Flowable Adhesive Edge Sealing for Complex Plate Geometries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing board- or plate-like components, such as bicycle frames, are inefficient and unsatisfactory for complex geometries, requiring multiple processes like gluing strips or repeated sanding and painting to achieve smooth, moisture-resistant surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the creation of groove-like depressions in a plate element, filling them with a flowable adhesive that hardens, and then removing unnecessary plate sections to form a boundary layer, allowing for the production of components with complex geometries and improved edge sealing in a single, efficient process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional edge banding methods (gluing strips) are used on complex geometries, then simple rectangular panels can be edge-sealed, but complex geometries cannot achieve smooth and durable edge surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to complex geometriesVSAvoidedge surface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the sealing material from solid (strips) to liquid/flowable (adhesive compound), allowing it to conform to complex geometries. The adhesive is applied in a flowable state that enables it to fill grooves and adapt to any surface contour, then hardened to form a durable seal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary action by creating groove-like depressions in the plate element before applying the adhesive compound. These grooves are pre-formed to guide and contain the adhesive material, ensuring proper distribution and bonding along the entire edge path, including complex geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple sanding and painting processes are used to achieve smooth surfaces, then moisture resistance can be improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture resistanceVSAvoidnumber of processing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions (sealing, coating, and protective layer formation) into a single adhesive compound application step. The adhesive serves simultaneously as edge sealant, surface coating, and moisture barrier, eliminating the need for separate sanding and painting processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive compound functions as a composite material that combines the properties of sealant, paint, and protective coating in one substance. This multi-functional material achieves moisture resistance and surface smoothness without requiring multiple sequential processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If solid wood or homogeneous panel material is used to achieve smooth cut surfaces, then edge quality improves, but material selection becomes limited and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut surface smoothnessVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive compound acts as an intermediary layer between the plate material and the external environment. It mediates the surface quality issue by providing a smooth, sealed coating over diverse materials, allowing various panel types (particle board, MDF, plywood) to achieve edge quality previously only attainable with solid wood

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If custom geometries are produced using traditional methods, then individual customization is possible, but production efficiency decreases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove-like depressions are pre-formed using CNC routing or similar automated machining, enabling rapid creation of custom geometries. Once grooves are defined, the adhesive application follows a standardized process, maintaining high productivity even for customized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flowable state of the adhesive enables it to adapt to any groove geometry without requiring geometry-specific tooling or fixtures. This parameter change (from solid to liquid state) allows the same application process to efficiently produce both standard and custom geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the production of components with high-quality, continuous edge sealing on complex geometries, allowing for 'batch size one' production of customized parts with improved resistance to weather influences and enhanced surface properties.

Implementation Method 1

filling the groove-like recesses or slots with an adhesive compound that is flowable or pasty in its processing state and that subsequently hardens or cures and adheres to the boundary surfaces of the groove-like recesses or slots

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

filling the groove-like recesses or slots with an adhesive compound that is flowable or pasty in its processing state and that subsequently hardens or cures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3517419B1Method for producing a board-like or plate-like component
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 MY ESEL GMBH
  • EP3517419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3517419B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3517419B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a board- or plate-like component (1), in particular a semi-finished frame component (2). This manufacturing method is suitable, for example, for producing a bicycle frame or a necessary intermediate product for this purpose. The manufacturing method comprises the following steps: Groove-like recesses (6) or slots are machined into a plate component (3). The shape of these groove-like recesses (6) or slots in the plate component (3) corresponds at least approximately to the desired boundary or outline contour of the component (1) to be manufactured. The groove-like recesses (6) or slots are filled with a filler or adhesive compound that is flowable or pasty in the processing state and subsequently hardens or cures. In the at least partially hardened state of the filler or adhesive compound, it then forms a filler layer.Subsequently, those plate sections which do not form part of the component (1) to be manufactured are removed, wherein the removal of unnecessary plate sections is carried out in such a way that the filler layer is retained at least in partial sections of the boundary or outline contour of the component (1) to be manufactured and forms an outer boundary layer.