Profiled Reinforcement Element Bead Stiffness

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing profiled reinforcement elements made from metal strips lack sufficient stiffness while maintaining bendability, and their material usage is not optimized for weight and material savings.

Innovation Solution

The profiled reinforcement element features closed-edge openings surrounded by beads, which increases stiffness and allows for flexible deformation, with beads also enhancing spreading resistance and clamping force by merging at branching points and forming common bead sections between U-shaped sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the metal strip is made thinner to save material and weight, then material usage and weight are reduced, but the stiffness of the profiled reinforcement element decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of reinforcement elementVSAvoidstiffness of profiled element

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines metal strip with bead structures (which may be rubber or polymer material) to create a composite profiled reinforcement element. The beads are introduced into grooves or channels of the metal strip and vulcanized or bonded to form a composite structure that provides both lightness from the thin metal and stiffness from the bead structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses bead structures (circular or oval cross-section) formed on or in the metal strip. These curved bead structures provide structural stiffness and resistance to deformation while allowing the base metal strip to remain thin. The beads act as structural reinforcements that prevent buckling and maintain shape

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the profiled element is made stiffer to increase structural stability, then stiffness is improved, but the bendability of the element decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness of profiled elementVSAvoidbendability of reinforcement element

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the metal strip into multiple U-shaped sections separated by expanded edge incisions. These sections are connected only at their base legs, creating segmented structures that can bend independently. The beads are also segmented into sections, with some beads in base legs and others in U-legs, allowing localized flexibility while maintaining overall stiffness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the profiled element. The base legs contain beads that provide stiffness for clamping, while the U-legs have beads that provide spreading resistance. The connections between sections are limited to base legs only, creating localized flexibility joints that allow bendability while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the U-shaped sections are connected at multiple points to increase structural stability, then stiffness is improved, but the flexibility and mobility of the profiled element decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stability of profiled elementVSAvoidflexibility of profiled element

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the metal strip into multiple U-shaped sections separated by expanded edge incisions. These sections are connected only at their base legs, creating segmented structures that can bend independently. The beads are also segmented into sections, with some beads in base legs and others in U-legs, allowing localized flexibility while maintaining overall stiffness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the profiled element. The base legs contain beads that provide stiffness for clamping, while the U-legs have beads that provide spreading resistance. The connections between sections are limited to base legs only, creating localized flexibility joints that allow bendability while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10988011B2Profiled reinforcement element

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 CQLT SAARGUMMI TECH S A R L

AI summary

A profiled reinforcement element and a method for manufacturing such an element to be embedded in an elastomer strip, in particular a sealing strip or edge protection strip, the profiled reinforcement element being formed by a metal strip which is extended by expanding incisions located at a regular distance from each other and is shaped by creating profiled sections and introducing beads. Openings that have a closed rim and are formed by expanding the incisions are completely enclosed by beads.