Hard-Point Fixture With UV Curing for Rapid Surface Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Warfighters face challenges in attaching safety hard-points to man-made structures without using ropes or ladders, especially in urban environments where metal structures are not always available, which can compromise stealth and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A hard-point fixture system that includes a body with channels for adhesive dispensing and irradiating devices for curing, allowing for rapid attachment to various surfaces using UV-curable, IR-curable, or heat-curable adhesives, along with temporary attachment mechanisms like magnets or suction cups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drilling into steel support structure to attach bolt is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but climbing location is restricted to near metal structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidclimbing location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture body is designed to work with multiple attachment methods (adhesive bonding, mechanical anchoring, magnetic attachment) to accommodate different surface types including concrete, metal, and other non-metallic surfaces, making the system universally applicable across various climbing locations without requiring metal structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the attachment parameter from mechanical drilling to chemical bonding through UV-curable adhesive, enabling attachment to surfaces that cannot be drilled while maintaining strong bonding strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If hammering or wedging piton or cam into surface is used, then attachment to non-metal surfaces is enabled, but stealthy ascent is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface type flexibilityVSAvoidstealth capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical impact methods (hammering/wedging) with UV-curable adhesive bonding, eliminating the audible and visible disturbances associated with traditional mechanical attachment methods while maintaining secure attachment to non-metal surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

UV-curable adhesive serves as an intermediary substance that bonds the fixture to the surface without requiring direct mechanical contact or impact, enabling quiet, stealthy attachment while still achieving strong mechanical strength through the cured adhesive bond

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional adhesive application is used, then attachment to various surfaces is enabled, but curing time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface compatibilityVSAvoidattachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive undergoes a rapid phase transition from liquid to solid through UV light curing, reducing the attachment time from hours or days (traditional adhesive curing) to seconds, while maintaining strong bonding strength and surface compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The UV light is applied in a periodic manner to cure the adhesive rapidly, enabling quick attachment while the fixture remains portable and adaptable to different surface types through the versatile adhesive formulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 and secure attachment of safety hard-points to surfaces in approximately 30 seconds, providing a stealthy and efficient means for warfighters to scale structures without derailing their ascent, while being portable and adaptable to different surface types.

Implementation Method 1

curing the extruded adhesive in the enclosed space by exposing the extruded adhesive to irradiating energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV curing: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

The temporary attachment mechanism may comprise at least one of: a magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attachment: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

The temporary attachment mechanism may comprise at least one of: a suction cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS10933282B2Hard-point fixture for attaching to a target surface

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY INC

AI summary

A reservoir provided in a hard-point fixture is pre-loaded with a curable adhesive, where the reservoir is protected from the curing radiation. The fixture is placed on a target surface and the adhesive is extruded from the reservoir into a space between the fixture and the target surface. An irradiating device to cure the adhesive is provided in the fixture and activated to couple the fixture to the surface. Once the curing process is complete, the fixture is released from the placement system leaving the fixture affixed to the target surface.