Expandable Insulating Element for Acoustic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating elements for cavities in vehicles and buildings face challenges in effectively sealing, reinforcing, and acoustically insulating irregularly shaped or narrow cavities while maintaining low weight and preventing moisture and dirt ingress, which leads to corrosion and noise transmission.
Innovation Solution
An insulating element with a carrier element and expandable material, where only one surface of the carrier is initially covered with expandable material, which fills penetrations and expands to cover the opposite surface, providing a high degree of sound absorption and reliable fixation, with a cost-effective and efficient insulation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If both surfaces of the carrier element are completely covered with expandable material, then acoustic insulation is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable material is applied selectively only to specific regions of the carrier element - the first surface and selected regions of the second surface - rather than uniformly covering both surfaces. This localized application maintains acoustic insulation performance while reducing manufacturing complexity and material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely covering both surfaces with expandable material, the invention uses partial coverage where the material is applied to sufficient regions to achieve the required acoustic insulation effect. This partial action approach reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the necessary performance level.
2Reliability
If expandable material is applied to cover entire surfaces, then sealing performance is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable material is strategically applied to specific regions where sealing is most critical - the first surface and selected regions of the second surface - rather than uniformly covering entire surfaces. This localized sealing approach maintains reliability while reducing production cost.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If more expandable material is used to cover both surfaces, then insulation effectiveness is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable material is applied only where insulation effectiveness is most needed - the first surface and selected regions of the second surface - rather than uniformly distributing material across both surfaces. This reduces overall material usage and weight while maintaining insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses partial coverage with expandable material instead of complete surface coverage, applying the material to sufficient regions to achieve the required insulation effectiveness while minimizing material quantity and resulting weight.
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 excellent acoustic insulation with a high performance-to-weight and performance-to-cost ratio, reducing sound wave reflection and transmission through the formation of a closed coating on one surface and peripheral areas, while ensuring reliable fixation and moisture prevention.
Implementation Method 1
a material that in an initial state is expandable into a final state
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~4A
Figure 4B~4C
AI summary
The invention relates to an insulating element (30), in particular for the acoustic insulation of an opening and/or a cavity in a vehicle or building, comprising a support element (31) and an expandable material. The support element (31) has several penetrations (36), wherein only one surface of the support element (31) is at least partially covered with expandable material (33), and the expandable material (33) at least partially fills the penetrations (36). It further relates to an insulating element produced therefrom, the use of such an element, and methods for the acoustic insulation and/or reinforcement of an opening or cavity of a land, air, or water vehicle or a building.