Fluid Absorbent Article with Removable Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for addressing fluid leaks, such as parts replacement and leak stopping liquids, are costly, inefficient, and often ineffective in preventing environmental contamination, with limited solutions available for remediating fluid leaks from vehicles and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A fluid absorbent article with a water-resistant backing sheet and an absorption sheet, equipped with fasteners for secure attachment to leak sites, allowing for removable and replaceable absorption of fluids, with optional features like compostable materials, visual saturation indicators, and data recording capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parts replacement is used to stop fluid leaks, then the leak is stopped, but the cost is high and vehicle downtime occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid absorption system is divided into separate functional components: a reusable backing sheet with fasteners and a disposable absorption sheet. This segmentation allows the absorption sheet to be replaced independently without replacing the entire system or disassembling mechanical parts, thus stopping leaks quickly without vehicle downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorption sheet is designed as a disposable component that can be quickly replaced when saturated. This eliminates the need for expensive parts replacement while maintaining effective leak stopping, as the low-cost absorption sheet can be swapped rapidly without requiring vehicle downtime for complex repairs.
2Reliability
If leak stopping liquids are added to the fluid system, then fluid leaks are reduced, but the lubricity and viscosity characteristics of the fluid are changed
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption sheet acts as an intermediary barrier between the leaking fluid and the environment. Instead of chemically altering the fluid with leak stopping additives, the absorption sheet physically intercepts and absorbs the leaked fluid, preserving the fluid's original lubricity and viscosity characteristics while still achieving leak stopping effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fluid absorbent article is attached to absorb leaked fluids, then environmental contamination is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backing sheet is designed with multiple functions integrated into a single component: it provides structural support, includes fasteners for attachment to various equipment surfaces, and serves as a reusable base for the disposable absorption sheet. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while effectively preventing environmental contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorption sheet is constructed as a thin, flexible laminar structure that can conform to various surfaces and leak locations. This simple yet effective design prevents contamination without requiring complex rigid structures, maintaining ease of application while achieving environmental protection.
4Stability of the object's composition
If heat sealing is used to bond the backing sheet to the absorption sheet, then delamination is prevented, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Heat sealing replaces mechanical bonding methods (such as adhesives or mechanical fasteners) with a thermal bonding process. This substitution provides consistent, reliable bonds between the backing sheet and absorption sheet without the complexity of adhesive application and curing processes, while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through rapid heating and sealing.
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
Effectively prevents environmental contamination by absorbing and containing large quantities of leaked fluids, providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution for fluid management, while offering tools for monitoring and measuring leak rates and durations.
Implementation Method 1
an absorption sheet, or laminar pad, made of a material that is capable of absorbing any oil based liquid
Implementation Method 2
laminar pad, made of a material that is capable of absorbing any oil based liquid
Implementation Method 3
the backing sheet is heat sealed to at least the leading and trailing edges of the absorption sheet. When properly applied, an impulse heat seal, for example, provides an appropriate amount of heat to bond the backing sheet to the absorption sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An article for absorbing fluids that includes a backing sheet and an absorption sheet, wherein the absorption sheet is made of a material that is capable of absorbing any oil based liquid, and wherein the backing sheet is at least partly affixed to the absorption sheet; at least one first fastener means, wherein the first fastener means includes an attachment means on the bottom side and a mating attachment means on the top side, and wherein the bottom side of the first fastener means is at least partly affixed to a top side of the absorption sheet; and one or more malleable strips positioned along at least a portion of a length of the article.