Reinforcing Cavity With Channel-Injected Adhesive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reinforcing cavities in components, such as those in vehicle structures, face challenges in achieving effective sealing, strengthening, and noise damping, especially in irregularly shaped or narrow cavities, due to limitations with foamable materials like structural foams which have inadequate mechanical properties and are prone to aging and installation issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of a carrier element with internal or external channels to inject an adhesive into the cavity between the carrier element and the component, allowing for the selection of adhesives with improved mechanical properties and temperature-specific curing, enabling better reinforcement and repair capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If foamable materials like structural foams are used for reinforcing cavities, then the cavities can be filled and sealed, but the mechanical properties (shear strength, adhesion) are inadequate and aging problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical properties and aging resistanceVSAvoidshear strength and adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from foamable structural foam to adhesive, and changes the application method parameter from pre-installation to post-installation injection. This allows selection of adhesives with superior mechanical properties, shear strength, adhesion, and temperature resistance, while eliminating aging issues associated with foam materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the foamable material from the reinforcement system and replaces it with an adhesive that is injected through channels. This separation allows the adhesive to be specifically selected for its mechanical properties rather than being constrained by the limitations of foam materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If structural foam is used for reinforcement, then the cavity can be filled, but the layer thickness is relatively thick and mechanical properties are mediocre

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidstructural foam layer thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material from structural foam to adhesive, allowing for a thinner reinforcement layer with superior mechanical properties. The adhesive can be injected to fill the cavity completely, providing strong reinforcement without the excessive thickness required by foam materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If foamable materials are used, then reinforcement can be achieved, but properties are lost during transport, storage or installation due to aging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidproperty stability during transport and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is injected into the cavity after the carrier element is installed, eliminating the need for transport and storage of pre-filled reinforcement materials. This prevents aging and property loss during transport, storage, or installation that occurs with foamable materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If traditional foamable materials are used, then cavities can be sealed, but irregular shapes or narrow sizes make proper sealing difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing difficulty for irregular cavities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses adhesive injection through channels, a fluid-based method that can easily adapt to irregular cavity shapes and narrow spaces. The adhesive flows through the channels and fills the cavity completely, achieving effective sealing regardless of the cavity's geometry, unlike rigid foam materials that are difficult to conform to irregular shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 approach provides enhanced mechanical properties, reduces aging issues, and allows for adaptable reinforcement and repair solutions, offering superior performance compared to traditional foamable materials by allowing for the selection of adhesives with specific mechanical properties and improved high-temperature performance.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive is arranged in the cavity between the carrier element and the component, and the adhesive can be introduced into the cavity between the carrier element and the component by means of the channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2117909B2Reinforcing system for reinforcing a cavity of a structural element

Publication Date: 2020.04.01 SIKA TECH AG

Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

In the case of a reinforcing system (1, 21) for reinforcing a cavity (16) of a structural element (21), a support element (2) is connected to the structural element in the structural element for reinforcement purposes. The support element has channels, an adhesive is disposed in the cavity between the support element and the structural element, and the adhesive can be introduced into the cavity between the support element and the structural element by means of the channels.