Blow Molded Ribs for Bending Resistance and Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blow molded articles often lack the required local and overall rigidity, leading to deformation under loads, and existing solutions like increased wall thickness are costly and can restrict fluid flow during molding, causing wall thinning.
Innovation Solution
A blow molded structure with intersecting ribs and passages that allow fluid flow during molding, enhancing localized and overall stiffness by creating uniform wall thickness and enabling fluid flow, while incorporating metallic inserts for additional strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wall thickness is increased to reduce localized bending, then bending resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wall structure into segments by introducing ribs that create multiple joined sections. The first and second walls are joined at sections to form ribs, creating a segmented structure that distributes mechanical loads across multiple joints rather than requiring uniform thickening throughout the entire wall, thereby improving bending resistance with controlled material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional wall surface to a three-dimensional ribbed structure by forming ribs that protrude from the wall surface. This dimensional addition creates structural depth and moment of inertia, significantly improving bending resistance without proportionally increasing material consumption, as the ribs add stiffness through geometric configuration rather than单纯 thickness increase.
2Strength
If wall thickness is increased to improve rigidity, then overall strength is improved, but fluid flow during molding is restricted causing wall thinning
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure segments the molding cavity into multiple flow paths. Fluid can flow along the interior surfaces of the ribs and through the passages created by intersecting ribs, distributing the flow more evenly and preventing the restriction that would occur with solid thickened walls, thus maintaining molding efficiency while achieving the desired structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different regions: the ribs provide localized thickness and strength where structural support is needed, while the passages and interior surfaces maintain fluid flow pathways. This local differentiation allows the structure to have high strength where required without uniformly restricting fluid flow throughout the entire wall structure.
3Strength
If ribs are added to improve structural rigidity, then bending resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural rigidity and bending resistance, create fluid flow passages for molding, and form joints that connect wall sections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components or features, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved structural performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural reinforcement function with the fluid flow channel function by designing the ribs to create both structural support and molded-in passages. This consolidation of functions into a single structural feature avoids the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting complexity increase while achieving multiple benefits.
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 solution improves the structural rigidity and resistance to bending of blow molded articles by maintaining uniform wall thickness and allowing unobstructed fluid flow, reducing costs associated with increased thickness and enhancing manufacturing repeatability.
Implementation Method 1
fluid (such as air) needs to flow within the cavity of the article during molding to force the heated plastic against the mold surfaces and provide the desired shape
Implementation Method 2
the joints are plastic welds
Data Source
AI summary
A blow molded structure and having ribs formed therein, the ribs defined by a recess in one wall of the blow molded structure that defines two sidewalls on either side of a joint, the joint being a weld between the two opposing walls of the blow molded structure. The ribs are arranged in intersecting paths and a passage is defined in the interior cavity of the blow molded structure at the intersection of two ribs such that fluid flows through the passage during molding.