Semi-Rigid Fibrous Panel Seams Without Frames or Adhesives
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of semi-rigid fibrous materials in acoustic applications is hindered by the need for rigid frames and adhesives or fasteners, which are costly and difficult to remove, and pose challenges in maintaining structural integrity and planarity.
Innovation Solution
The development of Z, G, and C seams in semi-rigid fibrous materials, which are formed by folding and cutting the material to create structural rigidity and tertiary features such as tabs and cutouts, allowing for alignment, joining, and retention of components without the need for external frames or adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid frames and adhesives or fasteners are used to construct semi-rigid fibrous structures, then structural integrity and planarity are maintained, but cost increases and acoustic properties are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural support function and the acoustic dampening function into a single integrated semi-rigid fibrous panel. The seam construction itself becomes both the structural element and the acoustic element, eliminating the need for separate rigid frames that would compromise acoustic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the rigid frame and adhesive/fastener components from the traditional construction approach. By using the seam construction method with folded and stitched edges, the patent eliminates harmful rigid elements while maintaining structural integrity through the fibrous material's own geometry and stitching.
2Strength
If rigid frames and adhesives or fasteners are used to construct semi-rigid fibrous structures, then structural integrity is maintained, but expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive rigid frames and adhesives with a more economical approach using the semi-rigid fibrous material itself. The seam construction uses stitching and folding of the material's own edges, eliminating the need for costly external structural components while maintaining adequate structural integrity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive and fasteners are removed from semi-rigid fibrous material construction, then cost decreases and acoustic properties are preserved, but structural integrity and planarity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the panel edges into folded seam sections that are stitched together. This segmentation creates discrete structural elements (the folded seams) that provide localized reinforcement and planarity without requiring continuous rigid frames or adhesives across the entire panel surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional element by folding the panel edges back onto themselves to create three-dimensional seam structures. These folded seams, when stitched, create raised ledges and structural features that maintain planarity and integrity without requiring traditional two-dimensional adhesive bonding or frame attachment.
4Ease of manufacture
If adhesive and fasteners are removed from semi-rigid fibrous material construction, then cost decreases, but difficulty in joining bodies and creating structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-rigid fibrous panel performs its own structural support function through the seam construction. The folded and stitched seams create self-supporting ledges and structural features that eliminate the need for external frames or fasteners, allowing the material to serve both structural and acoustic purposes simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein describe a semi-rigid fibrous body. The semi-rigid fibrous body includes a first body portion; a second body portion; a partial depth incision in the semi-rigid fibrous body between the first body portion and the second body portion; a third body portion; and two “V” shaped reliefs cut into the semi-rigid fibrous body between the second body portion and the third body portions, where the partial depth incision and the two “V” shaped reliefs are living hinges formed of the semi-rigid fibrous body.