3D-Printed Metastructure Barrier With Seamless Transition

The patent combines two different metastructures into a single composite 3D-printed barrier: an auxetic metastructure for mechanical strength and an acoustic metastructure for acoustic properties. The transitional metastructure seamlessly integrates these two functional regions, creating a composite structure that simultaneously achieves both mechanical strength and acoustic barrier functionality without requiring external reinforcement.

The patent divides the acoustic barrier into distinct functional segments: a first region with an auxetic metastructure optimized for mechanical strength, and a second region with an acoustic metastructure optimized for acoustic properties. The transitional metastructure provides a seamless connection between these segments. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, achieving mechanical strength without requiring external reinforcement that would increase weight.

The patent merges the structural reinforcement function and the acoustic barrier function into a single integrated 3D-printed component. The auxetic metastructure region provides inherent mechanical strength, eliminating the need for separate external reinforcement layers or support structures. The transitional metastructure seamlessly connects this region to the acoustic metastructure region, achieving both functions in one fabrication process rather than requiring multiple separate operations.

The patent introduces a transitional metastructure as an intermediary region between the auxetic metastructure region and the acoustic metastructure region. This transitional region features a gradual evolution of unit cell geometry that bridges the structural differences between the two distinct metastructures. The transitional metastructure ensures seamless geometric and mechanical continuity, preventing stress concentrations and eliminating delamination risks at the interface between layers with different metastructures.