Sealed Planar Reinforcement for Weldable, Leak-Tight Parts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Reinforcement components made from organosheets lack weldability due to a matrix-poor surface layer and are prone to perforations during handling, which can compromise the integrity of components like fuel tanks and battery housings.

Innovation Solution

A planar reinforcement component with a higher stiffness than its attachments, which can be welded and used to seal perforations, allowing additional components to be attached and ensuring leak-tight systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If organosheets are used as reinforcement components, then weight reduction and mechanical performance are improved, but weldability deteriorates due to matrix-poor surface layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical performanceVSAvoidweldability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing attachment made of thermoplastic material is introduced as an intermediary component between the organosheet reinforcement and the welding process. This attachment serves as a mediator that provides a weldable surface while the organosheet maintains its structural function, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical performance and weldability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution combines the organosheet reinforcement component with a thermoplastic sealing attachment to create a composite structure. The organosheet provides high mechanical performance while the thermoplastic attachment provides weldability, thus resolving the contradiction through material composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If organosheets are handled during transport and manufacturing, then component assembly is enabled, but perforations occur due to gripping tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling capabilityVSAvoidintegrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Sealing attachments are pre-positioned or applied to the organosheet before handling operations. These attachments preemptively seal potential perforation sites created by gripping tools during transport and assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of handling and integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing attachment acts as a protective layer that cushions against the harmful effects of gripping tools. By providing this protective barrier beforehand, the organosheet is shielded from perforations during handling operations

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

3Productivity

If direct welding is applied to organosheet surface, then joining speed is improved, but bonding quality deteriorates due to high fiber content in surface layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining speedVSAvoidbonding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The thermoplastic sealing attachment serves as an intermediary layer between the welding tool and the organosheet surface. This mediator provides a suitable bonding surface for welding processes, ensuring high bonding quality while maintaining efficient joining speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing attachment changes the surface parameters of the organosheet by providing a thermoplastic surface with appropriate bonding characteristics. This parameter change enables effective welding while preserving the high-speed joining capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4117884B1Functionalised and sealed part
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4117884B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4117884B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4117884B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a part (1) comprising a flat reinforcement component (2) having a first stiffness and a flat attachment (3) consisting of an attachment material having a second stiffness, the first stiffness being greater than the second stiffness, wherein the flat reinforcement component has an upper face and a lower face, and the attachment (3) is attached at least to the upper or lower face of the flat reinforcement component (2) in a first portion of the flat reinforcement component (2).