Sand Composite Vehicle Component for Low-Impact Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle components often use fossil-based materials and non-environmentally friendly processes, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions and unsustainable production practices.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle component featuring a sand composition with a combination of virgin and recycled foundry sand, bound with water and a binder, applied over a support layer made of metallic, polymer, or composite materials, which can be manufactured using additive processes and coated with bio-based materials for improved aesthetics and sound absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If fossil-based materials and conventional manufacturing processes are used, then structural strength and durability are achieved, but environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials consisting of recycled sand particles combined with binding agents to create construction components that maintain structural strength while reducing environmental impact. The composite structure integrates different material properties to achieve both mechanical performance and sustainability goals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention recovers and reuses sand particles from demolished structures and construction waste, transforming discarded materials into valuable construction resources. This circular approach reduces the need for virgin materials and minimizes waste sent to landfills

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Use of energy by stationary object

If conventional manufacturing processes are used, then production efficiency is maintained, but energy consumption and water usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies manufacturing parameters by using low-energy mixing and curing processes for the sand-based composites. The composition and curing conditions are optimized to achieve adequate material strength without requiring excessive energy input or prolonged processing times

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If recycled sand composition is used, then sustainability is improved, but material consistency and manufacturing precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial wasteVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different binding agents and additives to specific regions or batches of recycled sand based on their particle characteristics. This localized adjustment ensures that variations in recycled material properties do not compromise the overall dimensional accuracy and quality of the final product

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 solution reduces the environmental impact by utilizing recycled materials, minimizing energy consumption, and enhancing sound absorption while providing a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing component with reduced weight and noise transmission.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing sound absorption while providing a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing component with reduced weight and noise transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP4491495A1Innovative component for a motor vehicle and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 FERRARI SPA
  • EP4491495A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4491495A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4491495A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A component (1) for a motor vehicle (10) is described provided with a support layer (2) adapted to be fixed to a portion of the motor vehicle (10) and a layer (3) made of a sand composition (3) and adhering and/or contiguous to the support layer (2).