Solid Wood Vehicle Component with Local Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle structural components, particularly those requiring increased stiffness and strength, are often made of metal or composite materials, which may not align with environmental and climate balance goals, and existing wood-based solutions lack sufficient mechanical strength and durability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle structural component made of solid wood with locally compressed force introduction areas and strength transition areas, where the wood fibers predominantly run in the longitudinal direction, providing enhanced mechanical strength and gradual strength transitions to avoid abrupt changes, combined with impregnation and geometric adjustments for increased durability and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wood is used for vehicle structural components to improve environmental balance, then ecological sustainability is improved, but mechanical strength and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local compaction to specific regions of the wood base body where high strength is required, such as force introduction zones at axial ends. This creates localized dense regions with enhanced mechanical properties while maintaining the natural structure of the rest of the wood, thereby achieving high strength without compromising environmental benefits of using wood.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the wood by applying compaction pressure to modify density and structural properties in specific areas. This parameter change increases mechanical strength and durability in critical regions while preserving the overall environmental advantages of using wood-based materials.
2Strength
If local compaction is applied to increase strength in force introduction zones, then mechanical strength is improved, but abrupt strength transitions may occur between compacted and non-compacted regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces strength transition zones as intermediate regions between compacted force introduction zones and non-compacted areas. These transition zones have gradually increasing density and strength, preventing abrupt changes while maintaining local enhancement where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the wood base body into distinct functional zones: force introduction zones with high compaction, strength transition zones with gradual compaction increase, and non-compacted regions. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific function while ensuring smooth overall transition.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If solid wood is used for high-strength components, then environmental sustainability is improved, but moisture absorption and ignitability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies impregnation treatment to the wood base body to modify its physical and chemical properties. This impregnation reduces moisture absorption capacity and improves fire resistance while maintaining the environmental benefits of using solid wood, as the treatment is applied to enhance durability without requiring metal or composite materials.
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 achieves a significant increase in mechanical strength, reduced moisture absorption, and improved ignitability, while maintaining environmental benefits, making solid wood a viable alternative for high-strength vehicle components like instrument panel cross members and gear carriers.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force introduction zone formed by local compaction of the solid wood, which has a (locally) higher strength
Implementation Method 2
the solid wood or solid wood material is treated with an impregnating substance or similar, which has preferably penetrated into the wood material
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle structural component (100) made of wood, comprising an elongated base body (110) made of solid wood (V) which has at least one force application area (111, 112) of higher strength formed by local compression of the solid wood (V), wherein at least one transition between this force application area (111, 112) of higher strength and an adjacent area of lower strength is designed as a strength transition area (115) with a continuous and/or stepwise strength transition. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle structural component (100) made of wood, comprising an elongated base body (110) made of solid wood (V) with at least one force application area (111, 112) of higher strength formed by local compression of the solid wood (V).