Hot Melt Bonding Head for Rough Surface Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hot melt devices lack versatility and reusability in bonding surfaces, particularly for rough or uneven surfaces, and often require solvents or curing chemical reactions for bonding thermoplastic materials.

Innovation Solution

A hot melt apparatus with a structural body, a controllable heater, and thermoplastic material that can be extruded onto a surface, heated above its melting point, and solidified without solvents, featuring interchangeable and separable interfaces for improved thermal transfer, mechanical and electrical integration, and a cable manager for efficient bonding and reusability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing hot melt devices are used for bonding surfaces, then bonding capability is provided, but versatility and reusability are limited especially for rough or uneven surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding capability for various surfacesVSAvoidreusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different surface geometries and bonding requirements, improving versatility while maintaining reliable performance across multiple uses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable heating parameters and controllable extrusion mechanisms that can be dynamically modified between bonding operations. This dynamic adjustability enables the same device to reliably bond various surface types including rough or uneven surfaces across multiple cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If solvents or curing chemical reactions are used for bonding thermoplastic materials, then bonding is achieved, but the process becomes less environmentally friendly and requires additional chemical handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding process simplicityVSAvoidsolvent and chemical usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces chemical bonding mechanisms (solvents and curing reactions) with a purely thermal-mechanical process. Controlled heating melts the thermoplastic material, and mechanical pressure applies it to the substrate, eliminating harmful chemicals while maintaining effective bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding process utilizes the phase transition of thermoplastic material from solid to melted state through controlled heating, then back to solid upon cooling. This phase change mechanism enables effective bonding without requiring solvents or chemical curing agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Device complexity

If a single heating zone is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different surface geometries and bonding requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating zone configurationVSAvoidsurface geometry adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different surface geometries and bonding requirements, improving versatility while maintaining reliable performance across multiple uses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable heating parameters and controllable extrusion mechanisms that can be dynamically modified between bonding operations. This dynamic adjustability enables the same device to reliably bond various surface types including rough or uneven surfaces across multiple cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 strong, solvent-free bonding of thermoplastic materials to various surfaces, including rough or uneven ones, with multiple heating and cooling cycles allowing for repeated use and integration with objects for enhanced mechanical and electrical connections.

Implementation Method 1

heater (4) controllable to heat the solid form thermoplastic material (2) to a temperature above its melting temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

allow the heated solid form thermoplastic material (2) to cool and solidify

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolidification: Freezing

Implementation Method 3

controllable heater (4) connected to the structural body and to the solid form thermoplastic material (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3797992A1Hot melt apparatus and method of use
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3797992A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3797992A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3797992A1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

In various embodiments, a hot melt device comprising a heating device that is automatically or manually triggered is configured so as to have its melt surface applied bringing a thermoplastic material (2) in its solid form into contact with a surface via mechanical extrusion; using a heater to heat the thermoplastic material (2) to a temperature above a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material (2) while maintaining the contact of the thermoplastic material (2) with the surface; allowing the heated thermoplastic material (2) to cool to a temperature that is below the thermoplastic material's (2) melting temperature; and allowing the heated thermoplastic material (2) to bond the hot melt apparatus (1) to the contacted surface (14) without a solvent or use of a curing chemical reaction when the heated thermoplastic material (2) is cooled to below the thermoplastic material's (2) melting temperature while remaining connected to the structural body (3).