Healable Gel Putty for Uniform Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gelatinous elastomers do not provide uniform cushioning and are not healable, leading to inadequate support and pressure distribution, especially for irregularly shaped objects or body parts.
Innovation Solution
The development of healable gel putty materials comprising an elastomeric polymer and a plasticizer, with a specific melt mass-flow rate and plasticizer-to-polymer ratio, which can be mixed and formed into a flexible container to provide conformable and uniform cushioning properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gelatinous elastomers are used, then the material provides basic cushioning, but it does not provide uniform cushioning and is not healable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using a specific elastomeric polymer (A-B-A triblock copolymer) combined with a plasticizer in controlled ratios, and incorporates lightweight fillers to achieve both uniform cushioning and healability. The specific melt mass-flow rate range (2-100 g/10 min) is also optimized to obtain the desired balance of flowability and structural integrity for uniform pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system comprising an elastomeric polymer matrix, plasticizer, and lightweight fillers. This composite structure enables the material to simultaneously provide uniform cushioning through the filler distribution and healability through the elastomeric polymer's elastic recovery properties.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional gelatinous elastomers are used, then the material is simple in composition, but it does not provide uniform pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the melt mass-flow rate parameter to a specific range (2-100 g/10 min) which controls the material's flow and deformation characteristics, enabling uniform pressure distribution. The plasticizer-to-polymer ratio is also carefully controlled to achieve the desired balance of uniformity and composition complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The incorporation of lightweight fillers creates local variations in density and compression characteristics within the material, allowing different regions to respond differently to applied loads and achieve uniform overall pressure distribution across the cushioning surface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional gelatinous elastomers are used, then the material is easy to manufacture, but it does not conform to irregular shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the melt mass-flow rate to a specific range (2-100 g/10 min) which provides the material with appropriate flowability to conform to irregular shapes during manufacturing. The controlled viscosity and deformation characteristics enable the material to adapt to complex geometries while maintaining manufacturability through standard processing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric polymer's dynamic elastic properties allow the material to deform and conform to irregular shapes during use, while the controlled melt mass-flow rate ensures it can be manufactured using conventional methods without requiring complex processing equipment or procedures.
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 gel putty materials offer improved conformability, shock absorption, and uniform pressure distribution, allowing them to reshape and heal, providing better support and comfort for objects or body parts, unlike traditional gelatinous elastomers.
Implementation Method 1
The gel putty material includes an elastomeric polymer having a melt mass-flow rate in a range extending from about 2 g/10 min to about 100 g/10 min, and a plasticizer mixed with the elastomeric polymer
Implementation Method 2
The gel putty materials offer improved conformability, shock absorption, and uniform pressure distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A healable gel putty may comprise an elastomeric polymer and a plasticizer. The elastomeric polymer may have a melt mass-flow rate in a range extending from about 2 g/10 min to about 100 g/10 min. A weight ratio of the plasticizer to the elastomeric polymer may be from about 1-to-1 to about 50-to-1. An article of manufacture may comprise gel putty disposed in a flexible container. A method of forming gel putty may comprise forming a mixture comprising an elastomeric polymer and a plasticizer. An article of manufacture may be formed by disposing gel putty within a flexible container.