Intersecting Rib Geometry for Warping Suppression in Composite Moldings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Molded bodies made from fiber reinforced composite materials often experience warping during demolding due to applied forces and temperature differences, particularly in complex shapes, and existing solutions like rib formation do not effectively address warping in stamping molding and are costly when rib portions are extensive.

Innovation Solution

A method and molded body design featuring rib portions on the surface of a fiber reinforced composite material, where the rib portions are formed to intersect and satisfy specific geometric conditions, including height-to-width ratios and area occupancy, to suppress warping during demolding while minimizing mass increase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rib portions are formed on the surface of the fiber reinforced composite material to suppress warping, then warping suppression is improved, but the mass of the molded body increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarping suppressionVSAvoidmass of molded body
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by forming rib portions only in specific regions where warping is most likely to occur, rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The rib portions are strategically positioned based on the warping tendency map, which identifies high-risk areas. This localized approach provides effective warping suppression while minimizing the additional mass compared to uniform rib formation across the entire surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by forming rib portions only in certain areas where warping suppression is most needed, rather than applying the same treatment uniformly across the entire molded body surface. The rib portions are positioned according to warping tendency analysis, providing sufficient stabilization in critical regions while avoiding unnecessary material addition in areas where warping is less likely to occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Stability of the object's composition

If extensive rib portions are formed to suppress warping, then warping suppression is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarping suppressionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces manufacturing cost by applying rib portions only in specific high-warping-risk regions identified through warping tendency analysis, rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized approach minimizes the amount of additional material and processing required, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective warping suppression in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements cost-effective warping suppression by applying rib portions only partially in regions where they are most needed, rather than uniformly across the entire molded body. This partial application reduces material consumption and manufacturing complexity, leading to lower production costs while achieving sufficient warping control in high-risk areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Strength

If the fiber length is increased to improve strength, then strength is improved, but warping occurs more easily during demolding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of composite materialVSAvoidwarping resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fiber reinforcement into two components: long fibers (several mm to several tens mm) that provide overall strength, and short fibers (1 mm or less) concentrated in rib portions that provide local stabilization. This segmented fiber length strategy allows the main body to maintain high strength with long fibers while the rib portions with short fibers effectively suppress warping during demolding through localized reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses local quality by concentrating short fibers specifically in the rib portions where warping suppression is needed, rather than uniformly distributing all short fibers throughout the entire molded body. This localized fiber distribution optimizes the fiber length composition in critical regions, providing effective warping resistance at the rib portions while maintaining overall structural strength through the long fiber network.

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

The method effectively reduces warping and mass increase in molded bodies, ensuring stability and cost-effectiveness by integrating rib portions that intersect and meet specific geometric criteria, enhancing the warp suppression effect.

Implementation Method 1

a sheet in which a thermoplastic resin is impregnated into a reinforced fiber is cut to have a length of about several tens mm and allowed to naturally fall, a deposit thereof is heated and pressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the fiber reinforced composite material plate is disposed in a mold for injection molding, and a thermoplastic resin is injection-molded on one surface thereof to form a lattice-shaped rib portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInjection molding:

Implementation Method 3

after the fiber reinforced composite material is molded at a high temperature (for example, about 200° C.), the molded body is cooled up to about room temperature. For this reason, warping easily occurs due to a temperature difference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

occurrence of warping resulting from a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the fiber reinforced composite material plate and the thermoplastic resin is suppressed by forming the lattice-shaped rib portion on the one surface of the fiber reinforced composite material plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11911933B2Molded body and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.02.27 MITSUBISHI CHEM CORP
  • US11911933B2 patent drawing
  • US11911933B2 patent drawing
  • US11911933B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A molding provided with a sheet-shaped composite material section formed from a fiber-reinforced composite material containing reinforcing fibers and a matrix resin, and protruding ribs formed directly on a first surface of the composite material section and containing a thermoplastic resin, wherein the ribs intersect with each other on the first surface, and the mean width t, mean height H and the proportion occupied on the first surface are within specified ranges. A manufacturing method for the molding including a composite material section-forming step for forming the composite material section, and a rib-forming step for forming the ribs so as to satisfy the above conditions.