Releasable fastening system based on ionic polymer metal composites and method of use
First Claim
1. A releasable fastening system, comprising:
- a knob portion comprising a knob element;
a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive said knob element; and
an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at said knob element, said ionic polymer metal composite actuator being operable to mechanically interlock said knob element with said cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A releasable fastening system comprises a knob portion comprising a knob element, a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive the knob element, and an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at the knob element. The ionic polymer metal composite actuator is operable to mechanically interlock the knob element with the cavity. A method of operating a releasable fastening system comprises contacting a knob portion with a cavity portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the knob portion comprises a knob element disposed on a first support, and wherein the cavity portion comprises a cavity disposed at a second support; maintaining constant shear forces and constant pull-off forces between the knob portion and the cavity portion; and activating an ionic polymer metal composite actuator at the knob portion to facilitate the interlocking of the knob portion and the cavity portion.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A releasable fastening system, comprising:
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a knob portion comprising a knob element;
a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive said knob element; and
an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at said knob element, said ionic polymer metal composite actuator being operable to mechanically interlock said knob element with said cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A releasable fastening system, comprising:
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a knob portion comprising a knob element and a first support member at which said knob element is supported or attached;
a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive said knob element and a second support member at which said cavity is disposed; and
an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at said knob element, said ionic polymer metal composite actuator comprising a solid polymer electrolyte material, a first electrode disposed at a first surface of said solid polymer electrolyte material, and a second electrode disposed at a second surface of said solid polymer electrolyte material, said ionic polymer metal composite actuator being electrically operable to engage a surface of said cavity to retain said knob element at said cavity. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A releasable fastening system, comprising:
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a knob portion comprising an ionic polymer metal composite actuator, said ionic polymer metal composite actuator comprising a solid polymer electrolyte material, a first electrode disposed at said solid polymer electrolyte material, and a second electrode disposed at said solid polymer electrolyte material; and
a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive said ionic polymer metal composite actuator of said knob portion. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating a releasable fastening system, comprising:
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contacting a knob portion with a cavity portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein said knob portion comprises a knob element disposed on a first support, and wherein said cavity portion comprises a cavity disposed at a second support;
maintaining constant shear forces and constant pull-off forces between said knob portion and said cavity portion; and
activating an ionic polymer metal composite actuator at said knob portion to facilitate the interlocking of said knob portion and said cavity portion. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification