Sound-absorbing thermal-insulating material with entangled fiber structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sound-absorbing thermal-insulating materials, when compressed and deformed, lack sufficient flexibility and shape recovery, affecting their sound-absorbing and heat-insulating properties, and require additional flame retardants for aircraft applications.

Innovation Solution

A sound-absorbing thermal-insulating material composed of flame-resistant organic fibers and inorganic fibers, where the organic fibers shrink and entangle with distorted inorganic fibers, forming a three-dimensional structure with high void ratio and bulk density, enhancing restorability and flameproofness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional insulation materials (glass fibre, rock wool, expanded polystyrene) are used, then thermal and acoustic insulation properties are achieved, but health risks arise from dust inhalation during installation and fire hazards from material flammability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealth risks and fire hazardsVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a three-dimensional network of interconnected biodegradable polymers creating porous structures that provide thermal and acoustic insulation without the health and fire safety issues of conventional materials. The porous architecture allows heat and sound attenuation while maintaining breathability and non-flammability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple biodegradable polymer components (first, second, and third polymers) into a composite material system that integrates structural integrity, insulation properties, and environmental sustainability. This composite approach enables tailored performance while eliminating harmful additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If traditional insulation materials are used, then insulation performance is achieved, but environmental pollution occurs due to non-biodegradability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the chemical composition parameters from petroleum-based polymers to biodegradable alternatives, transforming the material's end-of-life behavior from persistent pollution to natural decomposition. This parameter change maintains insulation performance while eliminating environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The biodegradable polymer formulation enables the insulation material to naturally decompose after its service life, returning to the environment without persistent pollution. This discarding principle contrasts with conventional materials that require special disposal and cause long-term environmental contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If glass fibre or rock wool is used for insulation, then thermal and acoustic insulation is provided, but respiratory tract damage occurs due to sharp fibre inhalation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidrespiratory tract damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fibrous structures with a porous matrix of biodegradable polymers that provides equivalent insulation without sharp edges or inhalable particles. The pore structure achieves thermal and acoustic attenuation through air entrapment and sound wave scattering rather than fibrous reflection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of fibrous materials into benefit by using soft, flexible biodegradable polymer networks that can be safely handled and installed without respiratory protection, while still achieving the desired insulation performance through alternative physical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If expanded polystyrene is used for insulation, then thermal insulation and mold resistance are achieved, but fire hazards and toxic fume emission occur during combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation and mold resistanceVSAvoidfire hazards and toxic fumes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The biodegradable polymer formulation creates an inherently fire-resistant material that does not fuel combustion like polystyrene. The material's chemical composition resists ignition and does not produce toxic fumes when exposed to fire, creating a safer environment without sacrificing insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition from hydrocarbon-based polystyrene to biodegradable polymer structures with different combustion characteristics, fundamentally altering the fire safety parameters while maintaining thermal insulation effectiveness and mold resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 material achieves concurrent sound-absorbing, heat-insulating, lightweight, and flameproof properties while maintaining excellent restorability, suitable for applications in aircraft and other vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic and thermal insulation material comprising a three-dimensional network of biodegradable polymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

an acoustic and thermal insulation material comprising a three-dimensional network of biodegradable polymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3540109B1Sound-absorbing thermal-insulating material
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 KURARAY CO LTD
  • EP3540109B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3540109B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3540109B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A sound-absorbing thermal-insulating material (1) includes flame resistant organic fibers (2) and inorganic fibers (4) bonded to the flame resistant organic fibers (2). The flame resistant organic fibers (2) shrink and the inorganic fibers (4) are distorted, so that the flame resistant organic fibers (2) and the inorganic fibers (4) are entangled with one another and distend.