Structural reinforcement system
AssigneeSika Technology AG
InventorsVincent Belpaire, Dominique Mellano, Yves Vandenberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments of a structural reinforcement system. The system reinforces hollow cavities within various products to increase the structural rigidity of the product. The system generally includes a rigid carrier, a bonding material, and an insert. The rigid carrier provides the primary structural reinforcement within the cavity, and also serves as a substrate to carry the bonding material. The insert is provided to increase the structural rigidity of the reinforcement system.
Claims18
A structural reinforcement comprising:
- i) an elongated rigid carrier having a longitudinal axis;
- ii) a bonding material;
- and
- iii) an insert aligned generally parallel with the longitudinal axis and located within a contemplated impact deformation region of the rigid carrier, wherein the insert is made of a material that is dissimilar from and has a higher tensile strength than the material of the rigid carrier so that upon impact in the impact deformation region the severity of deformation is reduced as compared to a part without the insert;
- wherein the elongated rigid carrier, the bonding material, and the insert are present in a cavity defined by a plurality of cavity walls,
- wherein the insert is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the cavity.
A structural reinforcement comprising:
- i) an elongated rigid carrier having a longitudinal axis, a curved first surface, and including one or more ribs;
- ii) a bonding material located adjacent to the one or more ribs;
- and
- iii) an insert aligned generally parallel with the longitudinal axis and located within a contemplated impact deformation region of the rigid carrier, wherein the elongated rigid carrier and the insert are present in a cavity defined by a plurality of cavity walls, wherein the insert is made of a material that is dissimilar from the material of the rigid carrier, wherein the insert is made of a metallic material,
- wherein the insert is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the cavity.
A structural reinforcement comprising:
- i) a rigid carrier including a curved first surface and one or more ribs;
- ii) a bonding material located adjacent to the one or more ribs;
- iii) an insert having a generally curved or U-shaped profile and located within a contemplated impact deformation region of the structural reinforcement, wherein the insert is made of a metallic material, wherein:
- a. the insert is made of a material that is dissimilar from the material of the rigid carrier;
- and
- b. the ductility of the rigid carrier is greater than the ductility of the insert;
- iv) a fastening mechanism that fastens at least one of the rigid carrier and the insert to a vehicle structure,
- wherein the insert is present in a cavity defined by a plurality of cavity walls,
- wherein the insert is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.