Bonding area with three dimensionally structured surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding surfaces using hook and loop fasteners for attaching objects like pipes in construction are inefficient due to the higher cost of the hook part and the limited contact area, which affects the reliability and ease of installation.
Innovation Solution
A holding surface with a thermoforming film carrier that forms a three-dimensional relief structure, allowing the structured surface to lie wavy on the carrier, providing a macroscopic roughness that enhances the contact area and enables secure attachment of objects with irregular geometries, and eliminates the need for additional printing or materials by using a laying grid that is visually recognizable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hook part of the hook-and-loop fastener is used to form the structured surface, then reliable fixation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the looped part (cheaper material) the structured surface instead of the hook part. The looped part is formed with a three-dimensional relief structure that provides mechanical interlocking, replacing the need for expensive hook elements while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the looped part by forming a three-dimensional relief structure with specific height (0.5-5mm) and surface area ratios. This parameter modification allows the cheaper looped part to achieve the mechanical interlocking function previously requiring expensive hook elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flat structured surface is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but contact area with objects of irregular geometry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat structured surface to a three-dimensional relief structure by adding height dimension (0.5-5mm). This dimensional enhancement allows the surface to conform to objects of irregular geometry, increasing contact area while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through extrusion or molding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved and contoured surfaces through the three-dimensional relief structure, replacing flat planes. The curved surfaces better accommodate objects of irregular geometry, increasing effective contact area while the overall structure can still be manufactured using standard extrusion or molding techniques.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional printing or materials are used to create visual alignment guides, then installation accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functional relief structure with the visual alignment guide function. The same three-dimensional relief structure that provides mechanical interlocking also creates visible patterns and height variations that serve as alignment guides, eliminating the need for separate printing or additional alignment materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-dimensional relief structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical interlocking for fixation, increases contact area with irregular objects, and creates visible patterns for alignment guidance. This multi-functionality reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
In the case of a retaining surface, wherein the retaining surface has a carrier and a structured surface which has microscopic material coarseness, one of the two parts forms a clinging fastener and is referred to as the fleece part, and wherein the fleece part is joined to the carrier, the invention proposes that the structured surface is fastened to the carrier with a material excess, such that the material of the structured surface rests in an undulating manner on the carrier and the structured surface, in addition to the microscopic material coarseness thereof, has macroscopic roughness on the surface thereof facing away from the carrier.