Membrane Mounting Plate for Non-Penetrating Roof Attachments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching objects to polymeric membranes, such as those used in roofing, lack effective and damage-free solutions, leading to potential damage to the membrane and environmental exposure.
Innovation Solution
The use of mounting plates with protrusions and various attachment mechanisms, including adhesives and coatings, to securely attach objects like photovoltaic cells to polymeric membranes without piercing the membrane, ensuring secure attachment and preventing environmental exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If piercing methods are used to attach objects to polymeric membranes, then attachment strength is improved, but membrane integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mounting plates as intermediary components between objects and polymeric membranes. These plates distribute attachment forces over a larger area of the membrane surface, eliminating the need for piercing while maintaining secure attachment. The mounting plates act as mediators that transfer loads without compromising membrane integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical piercing attachment methods with alternative mechanisms such as adhesive bonding and friction-based attachment. This substitution eliminates the harmful piercing action while achieving sufficient attachment strength through chemical bonding or frictional forces distributed across the mounting plate surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-piercing attachment methods are used, then membrane integrity is preserved, but attachment reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment function into multiple components: mounting plates that contact the membrane, adhesive layers that bond to both the plate and membrane, and objects that attach to the plate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the adhesive providing reliable bonding without piercing the membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite attachment systems combining mounting plates made of rigid or flexible materials with adhesive substances. This composite approach leverages the strength and stability of the plate structure combined with the bonding capability of adhesives, achieving reliable attachment while preserving membrane integrity.
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 described systems allow for secure attachment of objects to polymeric membranes without causing damage, reducing the risk of membrane deterioration and environmental exposure, while enabling tax benefits for photovoltaic cell installations.
Implementation Method 1
mounting plates with protrusions and various attachment mechanisms, including adhesives and coatings, to securely attach objects like photovoltaic cells to polymeric membranes
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to attach an object to a support structure. The system includes an object attached to an elastic membrane. The elastic membrane includes a lower surface having a first and a second surface area. The first surface area extends peripherally along at least a portion of the lower surface and the second surface area is at least partially enclosed within the first surface area and separable from the support structure. The system further includes an absorbent material attached to the first surface area and an adhesive applied to a top surface of the support structure. The absorbent material being adapted to bond with at least a portion of the adhesive.