Nylon 11 Retention Patch for Sub-Miniature Fastener Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing materials for reusable fastener retention on sub-miniature fasteners, such as nylon 11, face challenges with particle size affecting flow and adhesion, leading to inconsistent application and reduced retention effectiveness, especially in smaller devices where traditional powders are too coarse or finer powders clump and fail to provide adequate adhesion and torque.
Innovation Solution
A powder fastener retention material comprising nylon 11 with a median average particle size of 67 to 80 micrometers, combined with up to 20 wt% density control additives, up to 40 wt% adhesion promoters, and up to 2 wt% flow promoters, applied in a gaseous stream to form a reusable patch on sub-miniature fasteners, enhancing flow and adhesion while maintaining desired torque values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If finer grade nylon 11 powder is used for sub-miniature fasteners, then the material melts faster and flows better, but it flows to too great an extent and fails to provide adequate patch configuration and adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the nylon 11 powder from finer grades to a specific range of 67-80 micrometers median average particle size. This parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between melting speed and flow control, preventing excessive flow while maintaining adequate melting characteristics for sub-miniature fasteners.
2Manufacturing precision
If bigger particle size nylon powder is used, then the patch configuration is maintained better, but the adhesion to the fastener becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimal particle size parameter range of 67-80 micrometers median average particle size for nylon 11 powder. This specific parameter range maintains adequate patch configuration while providing sufficient adhesion to sub-miniature fasteners, resolving the contradiction between configuration maintenance and adhesion quality.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional powder application is used on sub-miniature fasteners, then the process is simple, but the powder is too coarse and fails to provide adequate retention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a refined powder with median average particle size of 67-80 micrometers, which is finer than traditional coarse powders. This parameter change enables the powder to adequately penetrate and adhere to sub-miniature fastener threads while maintaining a relatively simple application process, thus improving retention without significantly complicating manufacturing.
4Manufacturing precision
If finer powder is applied to sub-miniature fasteners, then it can penetrate better, but it clumps and fails to provide adequate torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a median average particle size range of 67-80 micrometers for the nylon 11 powder. This parameter optimization allows the powder to penetrate sub-miniature fastener threads effectively without excessive clumping, thereby maintaining adequate torque values for reusable fastener retention.
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 solution provides improved flow characteristics, adhesion, and repeated reuse capabilities for sub-miniature fasteners, ensuring reliable retention and reduced processing issues, even after multiple installations and removals, while maintaining desirable installation and prevailing torque values.
Implementation Method 1
melting the powder retention material on the metal sub-miniature fastener
Implementation Method 2
nylon 11 powder...melts to form a relatively low viscosity liquid which produces a smooth, shiny, attractive deposition
Implementation Method 3
applying to at least one region of the metal sub-miniature fastener...melting the powder retention material on the metal sub-miniature fastener
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns a powder fastener retention material for application to metal sub-miniature fasteners formulated from a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of more than 67 and less than 80 micrometers, a metal sub-miniature fastener having a patch of the reusable fastener retention material, a method for forming a patch of the fastener retention material on a metal sub-miniature fastener, a method of forming a reusable fastener retention patch on a region of a metal sub-miniature fastener, and a kit of parts comprising (a) a metal sub-miniature fastener, and (b) a powder retention material powder.