Fiber-Reinforced Resin Panel With Bulging Shape For Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular structures face challenges in reducing vibration while maintaining a low weight, as high-density viscoelastic material layers are heavy and previous solutions do not effectively enhance stiffness to counteract vibration.

Innovation Solution

The vehicular structure incorporates a panel member made of resin with reinforcing fibers, featuring a bulging shape where thickness increases from the peripheral end to the central portion, enhancing stiffness and reducing vibration, and utilizes a higher number of continuous fiber layers in the central portion for additional vibration reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a high-density viscoelastic material layer is used to reduce vibration, then vibration reduction is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure consisting of a resin layer and a fiber mat layer integrated together. The fiber mat layer contains reinforcing fibers that provide vibration reduction functionality, while the resin layer provides structural support. This composite approach achieves vibration reduction without relying solely on high-density viscoelastic materials, thereby reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber mat layer is designed with varying fiber distribution and thickness to provide localized vibration damping where needed. The fiber mat can be positioned strategically in areas requiring vibration reduction, while maintaining lower material density in other areas, thus achieving vibration control without uniform weight increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of moving object

If the panel member is made lightweight using resin configuration, then weight is reduced, but stiffness against vibration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidstiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of resin layer and fiber mat layer combines the lightweight advantage of resin with the vibration-damping and stiffening properties of fibers. The fiber mat layer acts as a reinforcing element that enhances stiffness and vibration resistance without significantly increasing weight, resolving the contradiction between lightweight design and structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes parameters such as fiber type, fiber length, fiber orientation, and layer thickness to achieve the desired balance between weight and stiffness. By adjusting these parameters, the panel member can be tailored to provide adequate vibration resistance while maintaining lightweight characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration effectively reduces vibration while achieving weight reduction, improving the structural integrity and noise insulation of the vehicle, and allows for efficient manufacturing using fiber-reinforced resin materials.

Implementation Method 1

the panel member is configured by resin including reinforcing fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiber reinforcement: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 2

that area of the panel member tends to elastically deform in the vibration direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3300993B1Vehicular structure
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3300993B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3300993B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3300993B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

There is provided a vehicular structure (10) including (i) a vehicular panel member (18, 20, 42) configured by resin including reinforcing fibers, and (ii) a joined portion of a vehicle body that supports, all the way around, a peripheral portion of a predetermined area of the panel member (18, 20, 42) and to which the peripheral portion of the predetermined area is joined, wherein the panel member has a bulging shape where both front and back surfaces of the panel member bulge out such that the thickness of the panel member gradually becomes thicker from a peripheral end portion to a central portion within the predetermined area supported all the way around by the joined portion.