Thermally Switching Shielding Structure for Stiffness and Noise Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shielding structures face a conflict between achieving mechanical rigidity and acoustic efficiency, where improvements in one area often compromise the other, particularly in specific frequency ranges.

Innovation Solution

A shielding structure with a thermally induced switching mechanism, utilizing bimetal elements that deform to transition from a soft, acoustically dampening structure to a rigid, mechanically stiffened structure, controlled by temperature changes, allowing for reversible changes in mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If structural modifications are made to achieve mechanical rigidity, then mechanical strength is improved, but acoustic efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidacoustic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by using temperature-responsive elements that can change the structural properties of the shielding structure dynamically. The elements transition between deformed and non-deformed states based on temperature changes, allowing the structure to adapt its mechanical rigidity and acoustic damping characteristics according to operational conditions, thereby resolving the static contradiction between mechanical strength and acoustic efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing temperature as a control parameter to alter the physical state of the responsive elements. When temperature changes, the elements transition between deformed and non-deformed configurations, which changes the mechanical and acoustic parameters of the overall structure, enabling optimization of both strength and acoustic performance under different thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible structure is used to achieve good acoustic effectiveness, then acoustic damping is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic dampingVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by using temperature-responsive elements that can change the structural properties of the shielding structure dynamically. The elements transition between deformed and non-deformed states based on temperature changes, allowing the structure to adapt its mechanical rigidity and acoustic damping characteristics according to operational conditions, thereby resolving the static contradiction between mechanical strength and acoustic efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing temperature as a control parameter to alter the physical state of the responsive elements. When temperature changes, the elements transition between deformed and non-deformed configurations, which changes the mechanical and acoustic parameters of the overall structure, enabling optimization of both strength and acoustic performance under different thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If elements deform upon reaching predetermined temperature, then mechanical rigidity is improved at high temperature, but acoustic damping deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical rigidityVSAvoidacoustic damping
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action through reversible thermal cycling of the shielding structure. The structure experiences periodic transitions between deformed and non-deformed states as temperature fluctuates around the predetermined threshold, enabling dynamic adaptation between mechanical rigidity and acoustic damping requirements during different operational phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing temperature as a control parameter to alter the physical state of the responsive elements. When temperature changes, the elements transition between deformed and non-deformed configurations, which changes the mechanical and acoustic parameters of the overall structure, enabling optimization of both strength and acoustic performance under different thermal conditions

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 structure effectively combines mechanical stiffness and acoustic damping, adaptable to different frequency ranges and operational modes, enhancing both thermal and sound insulation while reducing noise radiation.

Implementation Method 1

an inner surface of the shielding structure is equipped with elements designed to deform itself or the sheet metal upon reaching at least a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

the elements comprise bimetallic sections, or the elements themselves form bimetallic sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBimetallic strip effect: Bi-Metallic Strip

Data Source

PatentEP3963247B1Shielding structure
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 ELRINGKLINGER AG
  • EP3963247B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3963247B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3963247B1 patent drawingFigure 8a~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a shielding structure for shielding an object against heat and/or noise. The shielding structure has an inner surface which faces the object to be shielded and an outer surface which faces away from the object. In order to provide a shielding structure with improved mechanical properties, the shielding structure has a sheet metal with an inner surface facing the object and an outer surface facing away from the object and is characterized in that one surface (IS) of the shielding structure (1) is populated with elements which are designed to deform when at least one specified temperature (ϑh) is reached.