Cellular Structure Assembly Jig for Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling cellular structures, such as those used in soundproofing coatings, are lengthy and prone to deformation due to the complexity of joining strips of material to form cells with varying cross-sections, particularly for low-frequency soundproofing where high-volume cells are required without increasing thickness.
Innovation Solution
An assembly jig and device are used to assemble cellular structures, featuring a housing with movable base and pins to maintain strip alignment, robotic arms for deposition and joining, and a pin feed system to minimize deformation and ensure precise assembly of cells with complementary shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If strips of material are assembled by welding or bonding to form cellular structures, then the cellular structure can be formed with varying cross-sections for different frequency ranges, but the assembly process becomes lengthy and complicated with increased risk of cavity deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-forming the strips of material with cavities and grooves already shaped to the final cellular configuration before assembly. The strips are prepared in advance with the correct geometry (hexagonal, rectangular, or other cross-sections) so that during assembly, they only need to be joined together without complex deformation operations, thus speeding up production while maintaining design versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses fixtures or jigs as intermediary devices during the assembly process. These fixtures hold the strips in precise alignment and maintain the correct spatial relationships between cavities and grooves during joining operations. The intermediary fixture system enables complex cellular structures to be assembled quickly and accurately without manual manipulation, resolving the contradiction between assembly complexity and production speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If strips of material are assembled by welding or bonding to form cellular structures, then the cellular structure can be formed with varying cross-sections, but the process becomes complicated with increased risk of cavity deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The strips are pre-formed with cavities and grooves manufactured to precise specifications before assembly. This preliminary shaping ensures that the cavity geometry is already accurate and will not be compromised during the assembly process, as the strips are designed to fit together in their pre-formed state rather than requiring deformation during joining.
Solution Approach 2:
Fixtures and jigs serve as intermediary devices that maintain precise cavity shapes during assembly. These fixtures provide rigid support and precise positioning, preventing deformation of the cavities while the strips are being joined by welding or bonding. The intermediary fixture system ensures that manufacturing precision is maintained throughout the assembly process.
3Reliability
If high-volume cells are provided for low-frequency soundproofing, then the soundproofing performance for low frequencies is improved, but the thickness of the cellular structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a single-dimensional thickness increase to a multi-dimensional solution. Instead of simply increasing cell volume by making the structure thicker, the patent uses varying cross-sectional geometries (hexagonal, rectangular, or other shapes) that optimize soundproofing performance in multiple spatial dimensions. The cellular structure achieves high-volume cells for low-frequency soundproofing while maintaining controlled thickness through optimized geometric arrangements rather than simple volumetric expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly jig for a cellular structure made from strips of material placed adjacent to each other and joined together so as to form first and second cells, opening on the first and second faces of the cellular structure, respectively. This assembly jig includes a housing delimited by a base and first and second side faces, configured for housing the strips of material of a cellular structure to be formed, superimposed on each other, a plurality of pins configured to be positioned between the superimposed strips of material in the first and/or second cells. An assembly device comprising the jig, and a method for manufacturing a cellular structure using the jig are also provided.