Open-Corner Pyramid Core for Flexible Curved-Surface Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Honeycomb core materials in composite construction are inflexible, making it difficult to create curved surfaces and have limited bonding areas, leading to potential dis-bonding issues.

Innovation Solution

A core material design featuring interconnected open-cornered pyramid-shaped structures with flattened tops, allowing flexibility and moisture egress, and providing solid bonding once face sheets are adhered.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If honeycomb core material is used, then structural support is provided, but flexibility and conformability to curved surfaces are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidflexibility and conformability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The core material is divided into multiple independent foam cells arranged in a grid pattern, where each cell can independently deform and conform to curved surfaces. This segmentation allows the overall structure to maintain support while individual units provide flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foam cells are designed with varying wall thicknesses and densities in different regions to provide localized flexibility and conformability where needed, while maintaining structural support in other areas. The core material can be tailored to have different properties in different locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If honeycomb core material is used, then structural support is provided, but bonding area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidbonding area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The foam cell walls are designed to extend and merge with the face sheets, creating continuous bonding interfaces. The walls are positioned to maximize contact area with adjacent materials, effectively merging the core material with the face sheets to create a unified bonded structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam cell geometry is designed to project walls in multiple dimensions from the core material interface, increasing the effective bonding area by creating three-dimensional contact surfaces rather than simple two-dimensional interfaces. This multi-dimensional wall structure enhances the bonding area significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If honeycomb core material is used, then structural support is provided, but resistance to dis-bonding is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidresistance to dis-bonding
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The foam cell walls are designed with sufficient thickness and mechanical properties to provide beforehand cushioning and reinforcement to the bonding interfaces. This pre-engineered structural reinforcement prevents dis-bonding by creating a mechanically robust connection that resists separation forces before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The core material uses composite foam construction with varying material properties in different regions to create a multi-layered bonding interface. This composite structure combines materials with different mechanical properties to enhance overall bonding strength and resistance to dis-bonding while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250256480A1Core Material Design For A Composite Construction
Publication Date: 2025.08.14 THE BOEING CO
  • US20250256480A1 patent drawing
  • US20250256480A1 patent drawing
  • US20250256480A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A core material for composite construction includes a group of connected open-cornered pyramid-shaped structures. Each open-cornered pyramid-shaped structure includes a flattened rectangular-shaped top component and a plurality of rectangular-shaped side components attached to the flattened rectangular-shaped top component. A top side of each rectangular-shaped side component is attached to a corresponding side of the flattened rectangular-shaped top component. A bottom side of each rectangular-shaped side component is attached to another open-cornered pyramid-shaped structure.