Impact-absorbing structural component with convoluted intermediate layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock-absorbing structural components for ships, land vehicles, and aircraft face challenges in balancing weight and strength, as additional energy-absorbing layers either increase weight or reduce strength, and current materials fail to effectively transfer tensile forces and absorb significant energies due to limited structural space.
Innovation Solution
A shock-absorbing structural component with two cover layers and an intermediate layer that extends in an alternating or convoluted form, made of material with higher elongation capacity than the cover layers, allowing for efficient transfer of shear forces and energy absorption through controlled deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If additional energy-absorbing layers are arranged in the structure, then impact energy absorption is improved, but weight increases or strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer is configured in an alternating or convoluted form between the cover layers, creating a three-dimensional structure that increases the absorption path length without proportionally increasing weight. This dimensional transformation allows the layer to absorb more energy while maintaining weight efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer is made of material with greater elongation capacity than the cover layers, changing the material parameter of ductility. This allows the intermediate layer to undergo larger deformations and absorb more energy through plastic deformation without requiring additional material quantity.
2Loss of energy
If additional energy-absorbing layers are arranged in the structure, then impact energy absorption is improved, but strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different layers are assigned different material properties: the cover layers provide strength and rigidity, while the intermediate layer provides elongation and energy absorption. This local differentiation of material quality allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising overall structure strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure uses a composite arrangement of cover layers and intermediate layer with different material characteristics. The combination of materials with different elongation capacities creates a composite structure that simultaneously achieves both strength (from cover layers) and energy absorption (from intermediate layer).
3Weight of stationary object
If dry or low-resin aramide fabric or PBO is used as the energy-absorbing layer, then weight is reduced, but tensile force transfer capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer is pre-configured in an alternating or convoluted form before impact occurs. This preliminary configuration creates a longer deformation path and pre-positioned stress distribution pattern that enables effective force transfer during impact without requiring heavy materials.
4Weight of stationary object
If thin cover layers are used in composite structures, then weight is reduced, but space for energy absorption is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The alternating or convoluted configuration of the intermediate layer transforms a two-dimensional layer into a three-dimensional energy absorption structure. This creates additional volume for energy absorption within the same structural envelope, effectively increasing the energy absorption space without increasing overall structure volume or weight.
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 solution enables effective absorption of kinetic energy from impacts without compromising strength or increasing weight, ensuring minimal damage to underlying structures by utilizing the intermediate layer's elongation capability to distribute and absorb forces across a larger surface area.
Implementation Method 1
The intermediate layer extends in an alternating or convoluted form between the cover layers and is made of a material that exhibits a greater capacity for elongation prior to breaking than at least one of the cover layers
Implementation Method 2
effective absorption of kinetic energy from impacts without compromising strength or increasing weight
Data Source
AI summary
A shock-absorbing structure component has two cover layers and an intermediate layer that is arranged between them. The intermediate layer extends in an alternating form between the cover layers, with the material of the intermediate layer being selected such that it has a higher capacity elongation prior to breaking than that of the outer cover layer. The energy of an impact can thus be absorbed as the intermediate layer is stretched into a bag shape and the inner cover layer breaks off progressively.