Fiber-Reinforced Molded Body With Shifted Layers for Energy Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber reinforced resins with reinforcing fibers oriented in predetermined directions lack impact absorption performance and breaking strain, making them unsuitable for applications requiring energy reduction during collisions.

Innovation Solution

A molded body composed of stacked fiber reinforced resin layers with reinforcing fibers oriented in one direction and shifted angles of 25 to 65 degrees, combined with a matrix resin, to enhance energy absorption and breaking strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcing fibers are oriented in predetermined directions to achieve high elastic modulus, then load strength is improved, but breaking strain decreases and impact absorption performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload strengthVSAvoidbreaking strain
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber reinforced resin is divided into multiple layers with different fiber orientation angles. Each layer has fibers oriented at a specific angle (e.g., 0°, 45°, -45°, 90°), and by stacking these layers, the material achieves both high load strength and high breaking strain. This segmentation of fiber orientations resolves the contradiction between strength and breaking strain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure by combining fiber reinforced resin layers with different orientation angles. This multi-layer composite configuration allows the material to exhibit both high elastic modulus (from aligned fibers) and high breaking strain (from distributed fiber orientations), resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If rubber materials are used to achieve high breaking strain and impact absorption, then energy reduction is improved, but elastic modulus decreases and structural suitability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreaking strainVSAvoidelastic modulus
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite material approach by combining fiber reinforced resin (providing high elastic modulus) with a matrix resin (providing ductility and breaking strain). The fiber-resin composite structure achieves both high strength and high breaking strain, eliminating the need for rubber materials while maintaining impact absorption performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the structural parameters of the fiber reinforced resin by controlling fiber orientation angles and layer stacking. This parameter optimization allows the material to achieve high breaking strain (≥7.0%) and high elastic modulus simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between strength and energy absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If fiber reinforced resin layers are stacked with shifted angles of 25 to 65 degrees, then breaking strain is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreaking strainVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies precise parameter ranges for fiber orientation angles (25 to 65 degrees shifted from longitudinal axis) and layer stacking sequences. By defining these parameters clearly, the manufacturing process becomes more controllable and less complex, while still achieving high breaking strain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber reinforced resin is segmented into discrete layers with specific orientation angles. This layer-by-layer construction approach simplifies manufacturing compared to creating complex three-dimensional fiber architectures, as each layer can be independently manufactured and then stacked according to the specified angle sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 molded body achieves high elastic modulus, breaking strain, and strain energy, making it effective for structural and reinforcing materials.

Implementation Method 1

the molded body has high ability to reduce energy due to applied load

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

fiber reinforced resin including a plurality of reinforcing fibers oriented and arranged in a predetermined direction, and a resin composition (matrix resin) impregnated in the reinforcing fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical strength: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12502846B2Molded body and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2025.12.23 MITSUI CHEMICALS INC

AI summary

The present invention addressed the problem of providing a molded body which has a high performance of reducing energy caused by the application of a load, and which is obtained from a fiber-reinforced resin containing reinforcing fibers arranged while aligned in one direction. To solve the problem, the present invention relates to a molded body, including a reinforced layer formed by layering fiber-reinforced resin layers containing a plurality of reinforcing fibers arranged while aligned in one direction and a matrix resin impregnated with the reinforcing fibers. In the molded body, the reinforced layer has a plurality of alignment shifted layers, which are fiber-reinforced resin layers in which the shift angle, i.e., the angle formed by the reinforcing fibers with respect to the longitudinal direction of the reinforced layer, is 25° to 65° or −65° to −25°.