Hollow Thermoplastic Elastomer Particles for Porous Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional damping elements using liquid-filled bags face issues with uneven pressure distribution and become unusable if a chamber is damaged, limiting their mechanical properties and durability.

Innovation Solution

The use of hollow particles with a thermoplastic elastomer shell and a gas-filled cell to produce porous shaped bodies with high compression hardness, rebound elasticity, and low compression set, achieved by thermally connecting or gluing these particles to create a dense yet lightweight structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid-filled bags are used as damping elements, then damping function is provided, but pressure is distributed unevenly and the entire damping element becomes unusable if one chamber is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of damping elementVSAvoiduneven pressure distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is divided into multiple small hollow particles (0.1-5mm) instead of using large liquid-filled chambers. Each particle contains its own gas-filled cell, creating numerous independent damping units that distribute pressure evenly across the molded body. If one particle is damaged, the numerous other particles continue to provide damping function, ensuring system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If hollow particles with thermoplastic elastomer shell and gas-filled cell are used to produce porous molded bodies, then high compression hardness and rebound elasticity are achieved at low density, but the particles require thermal joining or bonding to create a dense structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression hardnessVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The thermoplastic elastomer shell material is selected and formulated to have specific melting or softening characteristics that enable thermal joining. By controlling the temperature parameters during processing, the particles can be bonded together to form a dense molded body structure while maintaining the low density and high compression hardness properties of the individual hollow particles.

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

The resulting porous shaped bodies exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, including high compression hardness and rebound elasticity, while maintaining low density and improved durability by avoiding the limitations of liquid-filled systems.

Implementation Method 1

methods for producing porous molded bodies by thermally joining or bonding the hollow particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal joining: Welding

Implementation Method 2

hollow particles with a shell made of thermoplastic elastomers and a gas-filled cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3464435B1Hollow particles made from thermoplastic elastomers and porous moulded bodies
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 BASF SE

AI summary

The invention relates to a hollow particles with a cover made from thermoplastic elastomer and a gas-filled cell and to a method for producing porous moulded bodies by thermal bonding or adhesive bonding the hollow particles.