Vehicle Frame Hollow Cavity Reinforcement System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hollow cavities in vehicle frames reduce strength, increase noise, and vibration, while existing reinforcements may not adequately address these issues across various load directions and deformation concerns.

Innovation Solution

A structural reinforcement system comprising a rigid carrier with a bonding material and an insert, designed to enhance structural rigidity by providing primary reinforcement and addressing specific load directions and deformation issues through customizable configurations and materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If hollow cavities are introduced into vehicle frames, then weight and material costs are reduced, but structural strength and rigidity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle frame weightVSAvoidframe structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite reinforcement system combining a rigid carrier (providing structural framework), expandable foam bonding material (providing adhesive and dampening properties), and an insert (providing additional structural support). This composite approach allows the hollow cavity to maintain reduced weight while achieving enhanced structural strength through the combination of multiple materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of substance

If hollow cavities are introduced into vehicle frames, then material costs are reduced, but noise and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidnoise and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful noise and vibration effects into beneficial dampening by using the expandable foam bonding material as a noise and vibration dampener. The foam, when expanded, fills the cavity space and provides acoustic and vibration dampening properties, transforming the previously harmful hollow cavity into a beneficial noise-reducing feature while still maintaining material cost efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If traditional reinforcements are used in hollow cavities, then some structural support is provided, but adequate reinforcement across various load directions is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural reinforcementVSAvoidload direction coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal reinforcement system where the rigid carrier provides primary structural support, the expandable foam provides both bonding and multi-directional dampening, and the insert provides additional structural reinforcement. This multi-functional system addresses various load directions and deformation concerns simultaneously, making the reinforcement adaptable to different loading scenarios without requiring multiple separate reinforcement components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system effectively increases the structural rigidity of hollow cavities in vehicle frames, reducing deformation and noise while maintaining lightweight construction, by using a combination of a rigid carrier and insert with a bonding material that secures the assembly in place.

Implementation Method 1

The foam expands during the manufacturing process, securing the rigid carrier in place as the foam contacts the walls of the hollow cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExpansion:

Implementation Method 2

a bonding material, such as an expandable foam, which is applied to a rigid carrier. The foam expands during the manufacturing process, securing the rigid carrier in place as the foam contacts the walls of the hollow cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3093222B2Structural reinforcement system
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 SIKA TECH AG
  • EP3093222B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3093222B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3093222B2 patent drawingFigure 4A~6B

AI summary

Disclosed are various embodiments of a structural reinforcement system (20). The system reinforces hollow cavities within various products to increase the structural rigidity of the product. The system generally includes a rigid carrier (22), a bonding material (40), and an insert (30). The rigid carrier provides the primary structural reinforcement within the cavity, and also serves as a substrate to carry the bonding material. The insert is provided to increase the structural rigidity of the reinforcement system.