Multi-Material Spike Structure With Clamping Interface Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleats face issues with the spike components detaching from the sole due to the difficulty in joining polypropylene (PP) with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), leading to deformation and damage under external forces.
Innovation Solution
A spike structure design featuring a sole protruding component made of polypropylene (PP) with a joining ring and interface component made of polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), incorporating receding portions that clamp and join to the sole protruding component, while the spike component is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), enhancing the joining strength through structural design and material contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polypropylene (PP) is used for the sole protruding component and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for the spike component, then chemical resistance and pharmaceutical resistance are improved, but joining strength between the two materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interface component made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as an intermediary between the PP sole protruding component and the TPU spike component. This intermediary material serves as a bridge that can be joined to both materials, resolving the incompatibility issue. The PVDF interface component enables successful joining of PP and TPU through its compatible material properties with both substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material structure consisting of three different materials (PP, PVDF, and TPU) joined together. Each material is selected for its specific properties: PP for chemical resistance, PVDF for joining compatibility, and TPU for spike flexibility. This multi-material composite approach allows the system to achieve both chemical resistance and adequate joining strength.
2Strength
If the interface component and sole protruding component are made of hard materials substantially equal in hardness, then joining firmness between them is improved, but adaptability to different materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different portions of the interface component have different hardness characteristics. The interface component has a first portion with hardness matching the sole protruding component for firm joining, and a second portion with hardness matching the spike component for good adhesion. This localized differentiation of material properties allows the single interface component to bridge two dissimilar materials effectively.
3Ease of manufacture
If material characteristics alone are used to attain joining strength, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but joining strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface component into multiple portions with different hardness characteristics - a first portion for joining to the sole protruding component and a second portion for adhering to the spike component. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a relatively simple single-component structure that can be manufactured in one piece through injection molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter (hardness) within the interface component itself by creating regions with different hardness values. The first portion has hardness substantially equal to the sole protruding component, while the second portion has hardness substantially equal to the spike component. This parameter differentiation within a single component enables both firm joining and good adhesion without requiring multiple separate parts.
Data Source
AI summary
A spike structure made of different materials and featuring augmented joining strength includes: a sole protruding component including a joining ring portion, first and second joining portions disposed at two ends of the joining ring portion respectively; an interface component including a middle portion disposed in the joining ring portion, first and second receding portions disposed at two ends of the middle portion and joined to the first and second joining portions respectively, with the first and second receding portions being of a smaller thickness than the middle portion and thus receding toward each other so as to clamp and join to the sole protruding component; and a spike component joined to the first receding portion. Owing to the structural design and material contraction of the interface component upon injection, the interface component and spike component are firmly adhered together to enhance structural strength and stability of the spike.