Transparent Fastening Elements for Rapid Light-Cured Wall Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing installation systems for mounting stationary objects on tiled or marble surfaces face challenges with long waiting times for adhesive connections to withstand loads, leading to delayed work and potential damage to tiles or marble slabs.
Innovation Solution
An installation system utilizing light-curing adhesives and fastening elements with transparent components that allow for controlled curing, enabling quick attachment of stationary objects by irradiating the adhesive through transparent parts of the fastening elements, reducing waiting time and minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional adhesive bonding methods are used to attach fastening elements to tiled or marble surfaces, then the adhesive connection can withstand loads, but long waiting times are required before the adhesive fully cures and can support stationary objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism parameter from chemical-only curing to light-triggered curing. By incorporating a light source that emits at wavelengths matching the adhesive's absorption spectrum, the adhesive transitions from slow chemical curing to rapid photochemical curing, reducing waiting time from hours to minutes while maintaining full strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic or targeted light irradiation to initiate and control the curing process. The light source can be activated at specific times and positions to cure the adhesive in stages or completely, allowing control over the curing timeline without compromising the final bond strength.
2Ease of operation
If fastening elements are attached in joints between tiles or in tucked-away regions, then mounting is possible, but tiles may become damaged or chipped and dowel holes require filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drilling and dowel insertion system with an adhesive bonding system activated by light. This substitution eliminates the need to drill holes through tiles or work in difficult-to-reach areas, as the adhesive can be applied to smooth surfaces and cured in place, preventing tile damage while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary that enables adhesive curing without mechanical intervention. The light source acts as a mediator that triggers the adhesive's curing process, allowing fastening elements to be attached to smooth surfaces without drilling, thus avoiding tile damage while preserving installation flexibility.
3Strength
If adhesive is introduced into a cavity between the fastening element and wall, then bonding is achieved, but excess adhesive and displaced air must escape through rising openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air venting function from the fastening element structure by using light to cure the adhesive before air displacement becomes problematic. The light source removes the need for complex rising openings or vent channels by initiating curing that traps and solidifies the adhesive along with any displaced air, simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous adhesive bonding action by using light to cure the adhesive in place within the cavity. The light source ensures complete curing of the adhesive throughout the bonding interface, eliminating the need for escape paths for excess adhesive or air, thereby maintaining bond strength while reducing structural complexity.
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 system allows for rapid curing of adhesives within minutes, ensuring that the adhesive connection can withstand loads soon after application, thus reducing installation time and preventing damage to surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The adhering and connecting agent is a light-curing adhesive... once the adhering and connecting agent has cured... irradiating the adhesive through transparent parts of the fastening elements
Data Source
AI summary
An installation system for mounting stationary objects, such as towel holders, shelves, lights, or similar furnishing items, on an installation surface, such as a wall or a ceiling, in particular in rooms equipped with tiles, marble slabs, or similar wall coverings, includes one or more fastening elements, a lighting device, and/or an adhering and connecting agent, wherein the adhering and connecting agent is a light-curing adhesive. The one or more fastening elements can be fastened by introducing an adhering and connecting agent into an adhesive space formed by the installation surface and components of the fastening element. The fastening element has at least one at least partially transparent component for irradiating the adhering and connecting agent.