Expandable Adhesive Structural Reinforcement for Vehicle Buckling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structural reinforcements in vehicles are inadequate in preventing buckling, particularly in areas where typical reinforcing structures fail to manage loads effectively, leading to deformation and cracking.
Innovation Solution
A structural reinforcement comprising a rigid polymeric structure with expandable adhesive material applied to specific surfaces, featuring rib structures and wells designed to minimize buckling and cracking, where the expandable adhesive material expands upon exposure to high temperatures, providing enhanced load management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If typical reinforcing structures are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the structure is unable to prevent buckling and deformation under load
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is divided into multiple sections with varying shapes and forms, including central and side portions with different geometries. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for specific load conditions while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing buckling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the reinforcement structure have different shapes, sizes, and structural characteristics. The central portion and side portions are designed with specific geometries tailored to the local stress conditions, providing enhanced load management where needed without unnecessary complexity elsewhere.
2Reliability
If expandable adhesive material is added to the reinforcement structure, then the load distribution and structural integrity are improved, but the manufacturing process and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable adhesive material is integrated directly onto the reinforcement structure surfaces, combining the structural component and the bonding agent into a single assembly. This merging eliminates separate manufacturing steps for applying adhesive and ensures proper positioning and distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable adhesive material is pre-applied to the reinforcement structure before installation. This preliminary action ensures that the adhesive is in position and ready to expand and bond when activated, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining high structural integrity.
3Strength
If rib structures are added to the reinforcement surfaces, then the resistance to buckling and deformation is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rib structures are added to the surfaces of the reinforcement, creating curved and contoured geometries that inherently resist buckling and deformation. These curved surfaces distribute stresses more effectively than flat surfaces, enhancing structural strength without requiring excessive material.
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 effectively reduces the likelihood of buckling and cracking by distributing loads more efficiently across the reinforcement structure, enhancing its structural integrity in critical vehicle areas.
Implementation Method 1
the expandable adhesive material expands upon exposure to high temperatures
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A structural reinforcement comprising a rigid polymeric structure (12) including a central portion (20) and two side portions (22,24) adjacent the central portion, each of the central portion and side portions including a top surface and bottom surface and an expandable adhesive material (14) located onto at least one surface of each of the central portions and two side portions, wherein the expandable adhesive material is located along the bottom surface of the central portion and the top surface of each of the side portions.