Dimple Panel Adhesive Application Sequence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing hump composite panels face challenges with adhesive application, including undefined adhesive thickness, high material usage, and complex preparation processes, which hinder efficient production and lightweight construction.

Innovation Solution

Applying an adhesive layer to the sheet metal before forming the hump plates allows for streamlined production, where the adhesive supports forming and provides a protective layer, eliminating the need for post-forming adhesive application and ensuring a precise bond without requiring high pressing forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If adhesive is applied after forming hump plates, then bonding can be achieved, but adhesive thickness becomes undefined and material is wasted due to squeeze-out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive thickness controlVSAvoidadhesive material waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied to the sheet metal before forming the hump plates, rather than after forming. This preliminary application allows the adhesive to be precisely controlled in thickness before the forming process, preventing undefined thickness and material waste during subsequent bonding operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter of adhesive application from post-forming to pre-forming. This parameter change enables precise control of adhesive thickness through the forming process itself, eliminating the squeeze-out problem that occurs when adhesive is applied after forming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If thin adhesive layer is used to enable pressing, then pressing is feasible, but connection strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing feasibilityVSAvoidbond connection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied before forming, allowing it to be properly positioned and thickness-controlled before the pressing operation. This eliminates the need to use excessively thin adhesive layers just to enable pressing, as the adhesive is already in its final position with optimal thickness before pressing occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If thick adhesive layer is used to ensure connection strength, then bonding strength is sufficient, but pressing force requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond connection strengthVSAvoidpressing force requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the timing of adhesive application to before forming, which transforms the pressing operation into a process that occurs during or immediately after forming. This allows thicker adhesive layers to be used without excessive pressing force requirements, as the forming process itself helps position and distribute the adhesive

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If hump plates are formed first then adhesive is applied, then bonding can proceed, but production time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding process reliabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the adhesive application step with the sheet metal preparation step by applying adhesive before forming. This consolidation eliminates separate downstream adhesive application systems and stations, reducing production time and complexity while maintaining bonding reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Adhesive application is performed as a preliminary step before forming and assembly operations. This eliminates the need for subsequent adhesive application stations and reduces downstream processing time, thereby improving overall production efficiency without compromising bond reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

5Reliability

If adhesive is applied after forming, then bonding can be achieved, but cleaning and surface preparation become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding reliabilityVSAvoidsurface preparation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied to the sheet metal before forming operations. This preliminary application allows surface preparation and cleaning to be performed on the flat sheet metal, which is much easier than attempting to clean and prepare the adhesive surface after the complex hump structures have been formed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional sequence by applying adhesive before forming rather than after. This inversion transforms the difficult task of cleaning and preparing complex hump surfaces into the simple task of preparing flat sheet metal surfaces, significantly improving ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 method simplifies and cost-reduces the manufacturing process, enhances formability, and allows for adjustable bond properties, resulting in a composite panel with high rigidity and reduced material usage, while minimizing adhesive squeeze-out and ensuring a strong, gap-free connection.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic effect of the adhesive supports the forming process in many ways

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic effect: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the adhesive side forms a protection between the sheet metal and the tool, which minimizes wear during forming

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

The adhesive protective film also improves the formability of the sheet metal through sliding effects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2083130B1Method for the production of a dimple panel
Publication Date: 2010.12.22 BORIT LEICHTBAU TECHN
  • EP2083130B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2083130B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2083130B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The method involves transforming two metal sheets (1,5) into a hump plate (10). The hump plate is formed on each contact side (18) of a hump and hump contact surfaces. The hump plate is glued together with the contact side, and stacked on its contact surfaces. A metal sheet from the two metal sheets is provided with an adhesive layer (2) on the contact side. The adhesive layer is heated to connect the hump plate.