TPU Composite Laminate for Impact and Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current materials used in grips and protective products fail to effectively dissipate vibrations and impact forces, leading to user discomfort and potential injury, while also being environmentally unfriendly and difficult to recycle.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a specific structural unit, represented by Formula (I), is used to form an impact-resistant layer with a thickness of over 1.5 mm, which reduces impact force by at least 20% through its unique molecular structure and manufacturing processes such as melt blowing and hot pressing, and is recyclable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard materials such as metals, rigid plastics and woods are used for grips and protective products, then structural strength is improved, but vibration transmission increases causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures combining rigid outer layers for strength with viscoelastic or foam inner layers for vibration damping. This multi-layer composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of structural strength and vibration reduction, resolving the contradiction between hard material strength and vibration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials with temperature-dependent or frequency-dependent mechanical properties that change parameters dynamically. Viscoelastic materials exhibit varying stiffness and damping characteristics based on temperature and deformation rate, allowing the same material to provide both strength and vibration protection under different conditions.
2Reliability
If conventional impact protection materials are used, then impact resistance is improved, but environmental friendliness and recyclability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thermoplastic materials that can be melted and reformed, enabling recycling and recovery of the protective components. This allows the impact-resistant materials to be discarded and recovered for reuse, resolving the contradiction between maintaining impact protection performance and improving environmental sustainability through recyclability.
3Ease of operation
If TPU with Tg between ambient and body temperature is used, then tactile comfort is improved, but impact resistance information is not explored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects TPU materials with glass transition temperatures positioned between ambient and body temperature, creating a parameter optimization where the material remains soft and comfortable at body temperature while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for impact protection. This parameter selection resolves the contradiction between tactile comfort and impact resistance.
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 TPU impact-resistant layer provides enhanced protection by significantly reducing impact forces and is environmentally friendly, allowing for recycling and reuse, thus addressing both performance and sustainability concerns.
Implementation Method 1
the impact resistant layer has a thickness of larger than 1.5 millimeters (mm)... the impact resistant layer shows a good impact resistance. As a result, when the impact resistant layer withstands an impact force, the impact resistant layer can reduce at least 20% of the impact force
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a use of a thermoplastic polyurethane for forming an impact resistant layer and an impact resistant composite laminate (1, 1', 1"). The thermoplastic polyurethane comprises a structural unit represented by Formula (I): wherein each R independently is an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or CH2CH2OCH2CH2; n is a number from 2 to 13; and the structural unit has a Mn ranging from 700 g/mole to 2500 g/mole. In addition, the impact resistant layer has a thickness of larger than 1.5 mm. The impact resistant composite laminate (1, 1', 1") comprises a base layer (20) and the impact resistant layer disposed on the base layer (20).