Stationary Drill Array for Customized Sound-Absorbing Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of sound-absorbing panels is complex, time-consuming, and costly due to the traditional method of drilling holes in panels, which limits customization and increases manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a stationary drill field with rotating drills of different diameters, where the panel is moved relative to the drill field to efficiently create holes and cavities on both sides, allowing for faster production and increased design flexibility by minimizing the number of work processes and avoiding adhesive-related issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional drilling methods are used to create holes in panels, then holes can be produced, but the production process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoiddrilling process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the drill field vertically downwards towards the table with the panel, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the drill field stationary and moving the table with the panel horizontally through the drill field. This inversion simplifies the drilling mechanism while maintaining hole production capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic movement of the table carrying the panel through the stationary drill field, allowing continuous drilling operation. The table can be moved horizontally to position different areas of the panel under the drills, enabling efficient production without complex vertical drilling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drilling operations are performed to create customized hole patterns, then design flexibility is achieved, but manufacturing time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drill field is segmented into multiple independently controllable drills arranged in a grid pattern, allowing selective activation of specific drills to create customized hole patterns. This segmentation enables diverse designs to be produced in a single continuous drilling operation rather than multiple sequential operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous drilling action by moving the panel through the stationary drill field in a single pass. The controlled horizontal movement of the table ensures that holes are drilled continuously at the required positions without stopping for repositioning or reconfiguration, reducing manufacturing time while maintaining customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This method significantly reduces manufacturing costs and time while enabling customized hole patterns and designs, allowing for the creation of sound-absorbing panels from standard materials with enhanced acoustic performance and aesthetic options.

Implementation Method 1

carrying out a first drilling process comprising moving the table with the panel relative to a drill array having a plurality of drill bits while rotating at least a portion of the drill bits

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP2216773B1Method for producing a sound-absorbing panel
Publication Date: 2014.08.20 EICHHORN
  • EP2216773B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2216773B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP2216773B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~5a

AI summary

The sound-absorbing panel manufacturing device (8) has a table (3) and a drill area (4) with multiple drills. The table is moved relative to the drills in a direction (y) perpendicular to the level of drill area. The table has a fitted plate (2), and is moved relative to the drill area, such that rotating drill fully penetrates coating. Penetration depth of the rotary drill corresponds to thickness of the coating and thickness of carrier plate.