Thread Coating with UV-Curable Microcapsules for Rapid Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thread locking solutions, such as adhesive and clamping coatings, face limitations in processing time, energy consumption, and material handling, particularly with adhesive locks requiring quick torque application and slow curing, and clamping locks not preventing loosening effectively.
Innovation Solution
A UV lacquer coating with embedded microcapsules containing polymerizable adhesives and curing agents, which harden rapidly under UV radiation, providing a secure thread locking mechanism that prevents loosening due to vibrations and temperature fluctuations, and can be applied efficiently with reduced energy and material waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive microcapsules are applied to the thread, then high locking effect is achieved, but processing time is limited and quick-hardening requires torque application within a few minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal curing system (hot air drying at 230°C for polyamide powder) with a UV irradiation system. The UV-curable coating containing microcapsules is cured by UV light within seconds to minutes, eliminating the need for prolonged thermal processing and enabling rapid torque application while maintaining high locking effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curing parameter from thermal energy (temperature and time) to UV radiation energy. This parameter change allows the coating to cure rapidly under UV irradiation, reducing processing time from hours to seconds/minutes while achieving complete curing and high locking reliability.
2Reliability
If polyamide powder coating is used for clamping effect, then high temperature melting provides secure locking, but energy consumption is high and cooling basin is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal melting system (heating to 230°C and subsequent cooling) with a UV photopolymerization system. The UV-curable coating is activated by UV irradiation, causing rapid curing without high temperature heating, thereby eliminating the need for energy-intensive heating and cooling basins while maintaining secure clamping effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the phase transition from solid powder to melted state (requiring high temperature) with a photopolymerization phase transition triggered by UV radiation. This eliminates the need for thermal phase changes, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the cooling basin requirement.
3Productivity
If UV lacquer with microcapsules is applied, then rapid curing under UV radiation is achieved, but the coating must be properly applied to ensure both adhesive and clamping effects
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-curable coating serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides adhesive locking effect through microcapsule rupture and polymerization, and clamping effect through friction connection. This multi-functionality simplifies the coating application process, as a single coating layer achieves both locking mechanisms, reducing the complexity of application quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite coating system combining UV-curable resin with embedded microcapsules containing adhesive and hardener. This composite structure enables rapid UV curing for productivity while the microcapsule distribution and rupture characteristics provide reliable locking, balancing manufacturing speed with application quality.
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 UV coating system significantly reduces processing time, conserves energy, minimizes material loss, and ensures effective thread locking with rapid curing, meeting DIN 267 standards for both adhesive and clamping effects, while maintaining protection against complete loosening.
Implementation Method 1
the coating having a UV contains lacquer and microcapsules are embedded in the UV lacquer... which harden rapidly under UV radiation
Implementation Method 2
at least some of the microcapsules containing a polymerizable adhesive and another part of the microcapsules containing a curing agent... The chemical reaction (polymerisation) between the adhesive and the hardener causes the desired locking effect
Implementation Method 3
The clamping effect is based on a frictional connection between the bolt thread and the nut thread
Data Source
AI summary
The threaded portion such as screw, nut or pin comprises a thread, which is partially provided with a coating, which serves to backup the thread after screwing with a counter-thread. The coating contains an UV-paint. Microcapsules are embedded into the UV-paint, where: one part of the microcapsules contains a polymerizable adhesive; and other part of the microcapsules contains a curing agent. An independent claim is included for a method for preparing a threaded portion.