Comb-Shaped Glass Fiber Insert for Automotive Glazing Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glazing inserts, particularly in automotive applications, face challenges in achieving mechanical strength while minimizing weight and cost, as metal-based inserts are heavy and expensive, and prior composite materials fail to provide the necessary rigidity when made with plastic materials.
Innovation Solution
A glazing insert with a comb-shaped cross-section, featuring a base and teeth that extend perpendicularly, is designed using plastic material reinforced with glass fibers, positioned such that the base is outside the seal and the teeth are inside, providing enhanced rigidity without increasing size or weight, and incorporating features like transverse partitions and side wings for improved mechanical strength and cohesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal-based inserts are used for reinforcement, then mechanical strength is improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic material with glass fiber reinforcement to create an insert that achieves metal-like mechanical strength while significantly reducing weight. The glass fibers are embedded in the plastic matrix to provide structural reinforcement, creating a lightweight composite that replaces traditional metal inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the insert structure into a comb-shaped configuration with multiple teeth and spaces. This segmentation increases the structural efficiency and rigidity of the plastic composite material, allowing it to achieve the necessary mechanical strength to replace metal inserts while maintaining lightweight properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple-shaped composite inserts are used, then cost is reduced, but mechanical strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The comb-shaped segmented structure is molded as a single piece using injection molding technology. The segmentation into teeth and spaces creates structural reinforcement that improves mechanical strength, while the integrated molding process maintains manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of glass fiber-reinforced plastic composite material provides the necessary mechanical strength for the comb-shaped structure. The composite material allows the molded insert to achieve metal-like strength while maintaining the cost advantages of plastic manufacturing processes.
3Weight of moving object
If insert thickness is reduced, then weight is reduced, but rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The comb-shaped segmentation with multiple teeth and spaces creates a structurally efficient design that maximizes rigidity relative to the amount of material used. The segmented structure provides torsional and bending stiffness comparable to thicker solid sections while using less material and achieving weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass fiber reinforcement in the plastic composite material compensates for the reduced thickness by providing high stiffness-to-weight ratio. The oriented glass fibers within the thin-walled comb structure maintain rigidity while enabling overall weight reduction.
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 achieves a rigid insert with a weight reduction of 30-35% compared to traditional metal inserts, maintaining similar mechanical strength and cost-effectiveness, while the comb shape and material distribution enhance the seal's cohesion under applied forces.
Implementation Method 1
using a composite material based on plastic material and containing fillers, in particular glass fibers
Data Source
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Figure 7~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a glass panel (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one glass element (2) having a peripheral area provided with at least one joint portion (3) containing a plastic material, said glass panel comprising at least one insert (4), said insert having an inner portion (5) positioned inside said joint (3) and an outer portion (6) positioned outside said joint (3), characterized in that the cross-section of said insert (4) is shaped like a comb comprising at least three teeth (10, 10'), and preferably a maximum of ten teeth, each tooth extending perpendicularly from a base (11), or at an angle a greater than 45° and less than 90° from a base (11), and in that said base (11) is positioned outside said joint (3).