Thermoplastic Polyurethane Impact Layer for Vibration Damping

The patent employs composite laminate structures combining multiple materials with different properties. Specifically, it uses combinations such as TPU with EVA foam, TPU with silicone rubber, or TPU with air cushion layers. These composite structures allow the rigid TPU component to provide structural strength while the foam or air cushion components absorb vibrations, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and vibration transmission.

The patent applies local quality by creating zones with different material properties within the protective product. The TPU provides rigid structural support in areas requiring strength, while localized foam cushions or air pockets are positioned in areas where vibration absorption is critical. This spatial differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous optimization of both strength and vibration damping.

The patent uses thermoplastic polyurethane as a base material that can be segmented and reprocessed. The TPU-based protective products can be broken down into smaller segments or fully recycled through melting and remolding. This segmentation capability, combined with the thermoplastic nature of TPU, enables recycling processes that are not feasible with traditional thermosetting protective materials.

The patent leverages the thermoplastic property of TPU, which allows parameter changes in its physical state. By heating above its melting point, the TPU transitions from a solid protective structure to a molten state suitable for recycling and remolding. This parameter change capability enables closed-loop recycling while maintaining impact resistance properties in the recycled material.

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful solvent component from traditional polyurethane foam materials. Instead of using solvent-type PU foam that releases volatile organic compounds, the invention uses water-based or solvent-free TPU systems combined with foam structures. This extraction of the harmful solvent while retaining the energy absorption capability through alternative foam mechanisms resolves the environmental friendliness contradiction.

The patent converts the potential harm of foam materials (solvent emissions) into a benefit by using TPU-based foam systems that are environmentally friendly. The TPU foam or TPU-composite foam structures provide equivalent or superior impact energy absorption without the harmful solvent emissions, effectively turning the material selection challenge into an environmental advantage.