High-Density Polyethylene Friction Pad for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in securely retaining and positioning portable electronic devices without having to hold them, especially during activities where hands are occupied, and there is a need for a solution that prevents damage to the device or the surface it is placed on.
Innovation Solution
A friction pad with a high-density polyethylene body, designed to attach to the device and engage with a surface, providing a static coefficient of friction of at least 0.60 to securely hold the device in place, while being removable without damaging the surface, and featuring an embossed or textured surface and optional adhesive for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-friction surface is used to secure the device, then the device retention is improved, but the risk of damaging the device or surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting the coefficient of friction within a specific range (0.60 to 2.50) and controlling the surface hardness (55-85 Shore A) to achieve optimal balance between grip strength and surface protection. This quantitative parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the precise values that provide sufficient friction for device retention while avoiding excessive friction that could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction pad employs composite material construction with multiple functional layers: a soft gripping layer (polymer with coefficient of friction 0.60-2.50) combined with a harder protective layer (thermoplastic elastomer with 55-85 Shore A hardness). This composite structure allows the soft layer to provide high friction for secure device holding while the harder layer prevents damage to both the device and surface, effectively resolving the contradiction between retention and protection.
2Ease of operation
If the friction pad is made removable without damage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the friction grip strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter optimization by selecting specific material properties: the polymer layer has a coefficient of friction between 0.60-2.50 (providing strong grip) while the thermoplastic elastomer layer has hardness between 55-85 Shore A (enabling easy removal without damage). These carefully controlled parameter ranges allow the pad to maintain strong friction grip during use while being easily removable without damaging the device or surface.
3Reliability
If the pad body material is made soft for gripping, then the friction coefficient is improved, but the durability and resistance to deformation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through composite material design where the soft polymer layer (providing high coefficient of friction 0.60-2.50) is combined with a harder thermoplastic elastomer layer (55-85 Shore A hardness). The softer layer maintains excellent friction properties for device gripping, while the harder layer provides structural stability, durability, and resistance to deformation, effectively resolving the contradiction between friction performance and structural stability.
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 friction pad effectively inhibits movement of portable electronic devices on various surfaces, allowing secure retention without marring the device or surface, enabling easy access and use of the device while maintaining stability.
Implementation Method 1
the second body surface is configured to engage the engagement surface... the second body surface of the pad body has a static coefficient of friction of at least approximately 0.60
Data Source
AI summary
A friction pad (12) for inhibiting movement of a device (10), e.g., a portable electronic device, relative to an engagement surface (16) includes a pad body (18) having a first body surface (20) and an opposed second body surface (22). The first body surface (20) is configured to be coupled to an outer surface (14) of the portable electronic device (10), and the second body surface (22) is configured to engage the engagement surface (16). The pad body (18) is formed at least in part from a body material (18A) including high-density polyethylene. Additionally, the second body surface (22) of the pad body (18) has a static coefficient of friction of at least approximately 0.60.