Stretchable fiber-based composite-material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cables and straps made from metal or polymer fibers are either heavy due to high elemental density or bulky, and lack the necessary strength and flexibility to carry high structural tensile loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, axially elastic composite fiber material is developed, combining high-strength fibers with a low modulus elastomeric matrix to create lightweight, high-strength components such as straps, sheaths, and cables, with controlled elongation properties and fiber orientation for enhanced strength and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal fiber is used for cabling and straps, then strength is improved, but weight increases due to higher elemental density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining high-strength fibers (such as aramid, carbon, or glass fibers) with polymer matrix materials to create a hybrid structure that achieves metal-level tensile strength while maintaining lightweight properties. The composite structure allows the high-strength fibers to carry the primary load while the polymer matrix provides structural support and distributes stress, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting fibers with specific tensile strength-to-density ratios and optimizing the fiber-matrix interface properties. By controlling fiber orientation, volume fraction, and bonding characteristics, the composite achieves optimized strength-weight performance that surpasses conventional metal fibers while maintaining structural integrity.
2Weight of moving object
If polymer fiber is used for cabling and straps, then weight is reduced, but bulkiness increases compared to metal counterparts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with high-strength fibers that have superior specific strength (strength-to-density ratio) compared to conventional polymer fibers. This allows the cable or strap to achieve the required strength with fewer and thinner fibers, reducing the overall volume and bulkiness while maintaining lightweight properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating material properties where needed - using high-strength fibers specifically in the load-bearing regions and optimizing the polymer matrix distribution to provide support only where necessary. This localized optimization reduces unnecessary material volume and eliminates bulkiness while maintaining structural performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional woven sheath is used, then abrasion resistance is improved, but strength for carrying high structural tensile loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-layer composite structure where the outer sheath layer provides abrasion resistance through tough polymer materials or aramid fibers, while the inner core layer contains high-strength tension-bearing fibers oriented parallel to the load direction. This functional separation allows each layer to optimize its specific function - the sheath protects against abrasion while the core carries tensile loads, resolving the contradiction between abrasion resistance and tensile strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different regions of the cable or strap different material properties and functions. The outer surface layer is designed with high abrasion resistance characteristics, while the inner structural layer is designed with high tensile strength characteristics. This spatial differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous optimization of both abrasion resistance and tensile load capacity without compromise.
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 composite material achieves high strength and flexibility, minimizing weight and bulk while providing non-linear stress curves and controlled elongation, allowing it to effectively carry high tensile loads and maintain structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable matrix having a first modulus of elasticity
Implementation Method 2
The first fibers have a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first modulus of elasticity and exceeding approximately 0.14 Mbar (2 Mpsi)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An axially stretchable fiber-reinforced composite material, comprising an elastically deformable matrix having a low modulus of elasticity, and a fabric core encapsulated by the matrix. The core comprises first fibers interlaced with second fibers, with the first fibers being in a non-parallel orientation relative to the material's longitudinal axis, and the second fibers are non-parallel relative to the first fibers when the composite material is in a retracted position. The composite material is stretchable between the retracted and extended positions. The fibers have a high modulus of elasticity. The composite material has a non-linear modulus relative to elongation of the composite material between the retraced and extended positions. Movement of the material toward the extended position causes the first and second fibers to rotate relative to each other and in a direction toward alignment with the longitudinal axis, and the matrix material biases the composite material toward the retracted position.