Multi-layered Sheet Material with Polymer Coating for Crossway Bellows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crossway bellows materials are complex to assemble due to clamping requirements and are heavy and costly, with known corrugated and pleated designs requiring multiple material strips and complicated clamping processes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered sheet material with a polymer-coated reinforcing member featuring channels for frame mounting, allowing for free design of channel course and shape, and using a single material section with channels for bellows frames, simplifying assembly and reducing weight and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional multi-layered sheet materials with reinforcing members are used for crossway bellows, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to clamping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer coating is integrated directly onto the reinforcing member (textile fabric) to form a combined structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate clamping operations between the bellows wall and reinforcing member, as they are already bonded together. The reinforcing member with polymer coating acts as a unified component that simplifies assembly while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer coating is applied to the reinforcing member in advance during manufacturing, before the assembly stage. This preliminary action of coating creates a ready-to-use component that requires no additional clamping or fastening operations during installation, thereby reducing assembly complexity while ensuring structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional multi-layered sheet materials are used for crossway bellows, then the structural stability is improved, but the weight and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure consisting of a reinforcing member (textile fabric) combined with a polymer coating. This composite material provides the necessary structural stability and tensile elongation properties while being lighter than traditional multi-layered sheet materials. The polymer-coated reinforcing member achieves the required mechanical properties with reduced weight and lower production costs.
3Ease of operation
If channels are added to the polymer coating for frame mounting, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channels are formed in the polymer coating during the manufacturing process, before the assembly stage. This preliminary formation of channels allows for easy insertion of bellows frames during assembly without requiring additional manufacturing steps or tools. The channels are integrated into the coating process, so the additional manufacturing complexity is minimal while providing significant assembly ease benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of a multi-layered sheet material (1) comprising a reinforcing member (2), having a polymer coating (3) at least on one side, preferably on both sides, wherein the reinforcing member (2) comprises at least one backing fabric (6) made of warp threads (7a,b) and weft threads (8a,b), and wherein the sheet material (1) comprises at least one channel (12) extending through the sheet material (1), and wherein the warp and weft threads (7a,b; 8a; 8b) are woven together such that the backing fabric (6) comprises both single layer fabric regions (14) and at least one at least two-layered fabric region having at least two fabric layers (15a,b), which are not joined together, so that the channel (12) is each formed between the fabric layers (15a,b), as a bellows wall (19) of a crossway bellows (16), a crossway element comprising such a sheet material for the protection of a passageway of two vehicle parts or components, which are connected together movably relative to each other, against external influences, as well as a vehicle, a flight passenger bridge or staircase and a building connection comprising such a crossway element.