Fibre-Reinforced Hinged Part for Passport Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for constructing a book-like structure, such as a passport, with a hinged part integrated into a non-hinged part are complex due to the need for precise positioning of strips and projections, making the process cumbersome and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

The use of fibre-reinforced plastic materials, specifically polycarbonate with embedded polyester fabric, allows for direct fusion or mechanical connection between the hinged and non-hinged parts through ultrasonic welding, eliminating the need for additional strips and promoting energy concentration with surface irregularities like ribs or ridges for enhanced bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a hinged strip with projections and a further strip with openings are used to connect hinged and non-hinged parts, then the connection can be achieved, but the positioning process becomes complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connection function into the material itself by using fibre-reinforced plastic that can be directly fused to the non-hinged part. This eliminates the need for separate strips with projections and openings, simplifying the overall construction while maintaining the connection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the connection function from the mechanical strip assembly and integrates it directly into the hinged part through material selection. The hinged part is made of a material that can be directly fused to the non-hinged part, removing the intermediary strip component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If additional strips and projections are added to facilitate connection, then the hinged part can be attached, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single component. The hinged part is made of fibre-reinforced plastic that simultaneously provides structural integrity, enables direct fusion to the non-hinged part, and eliminates the need for separate connection strips and projections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the intermediary connection components (strips with projections and openings) by directly integrating the connection capability into the hinged part through material selection and direct fusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If ultrasonic welding is used to fuse hinged and non-hinged parts, then the connection is simplified, but energy concentration is needed to initiate fusing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of connection processVSAvoidenergy concentration requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing surface irregularities (ribs or ridges) at specific locations on the hinged part. These localized features concentrate the ultrasonic welding energy at the fusion points, enabling the welding process to initiate more easily without requiring excessive overall energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach results in a sturdy construction that can withstand repeated hinge movements without bond failure, with the hinged part securely attached to the non-hinged part, ensuring durability and ease of integration.

Implementation Method 1

The process is preferably carried out by ultrasonic welding. In order to promote this ultrasonic welding, one of the two parts to be connected to each other is preferably provided with surface irregularities such as ribs or ridges, so that energy is concentrated and the first fusing between the two parts can be started off more easily.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

one of the two parts to be connected to each other is preferably provided with surface irregularities such as ribs or ridges, so that energy is concentrated and the first fusing between the two parts can be started off more easily

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy concentration through surface irregularities: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2001686B1Fibre-reinforced binding layer
Publication Date: 2013.03.20 IDEMIA THE NETHERLANDS BV
  • EP2001686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2001686B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2001686B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Book-like construction (1) such as a passport with a number of pages including a non-hinged holder page. The non-hinged holder page (2) is composed of a relatively stiff material and has to be connected by means of a separate hinged part (5) to the remainder of . the book-like construction (1) . The hinged part (5) according to the invention is made of a fabric-reinforced plastic material in which the plastic can be fusible with the plastic of the non-hinged holder page (2) . The fixing is carried out ultrasonically, and more particularly by providing surface irregularities on one of the two parts to be fixed to each other.