# US 11,298,894 B2 · Method and device for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic component

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- Number: US 11,298,894 B2
- Document ID: US11298894B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/680,095
- Filed: 2019-11-11
- Published: 2020-03-12
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-24
- Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
- Applicants: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
- Inventors: Bruno Niesner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298894B2

## CPC

- B29C 70/48: and impregnating the reinforcements in the closed mould, e.g. resin transfer moulding [RTM] {, e.g. by vacuum}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)

## Abstract

A method for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic component includes inserting a fiber preform, which is arranged on a fluid-filled hollow core, in a mold that has at least two mold parts, closing the mold, the fiber preform and the hollow core being received in a mold cavity defined by the at least two mold parts, filling the cavity with a plastic material and curing the plastic material in the closed, heated mold. The internal pressure in the mold is measured during the curing of the plastic material and the distance between the at least two mold parts is increased when the pressure exceeds an upper threshold value.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic component, comprising the acts of:
inserting a fiber preform which is disposed on a fluid-filled hollow core into a mold that has at least two mold parts;
closing the mold, wherein the fiber preform and the fluid-filled hollow core are disposed in a mold cavity that is formed by the at least two mold parts;
filling the mold cavity with a plastic material;
curing the plastic material in the closed mold by heating the mold; and
measuring an internal pressure in the mold during the curing and increasing a distance between the at least two mold parts if the internal pressure exceeds an upper threshold value.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 further comprising the act of regulating the internal pressure in the mold during the curing by changing the distance between the at least two mold parts.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid-filled hollow core is closed in a fluid-tight manner during the curing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid-filled hollow core is closed permanently in a fluid-tight manner.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the at least two mold parts is varied in a range of from 0 to 4 mm during the curing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the internal pressure is measured at one or more points of an inner wall facing the mold cavity of at least one of the at least two mold parts.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the fiber-reinforced plastic component is a vehicle component.

### Claim 8

A device for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic component, comprising:
a mold that has at least two mold parts; a fluid-filled hollow core;
wherein the at least two mold parts are disposed in a closing unit by which the at least two mold parts are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position;
wherein, in the closed position, the at least two mold parts enclose a cavity in which a fiber preform that is formed around the fluid-filled hollow core is arrangeable;
an actuator via which a distance between the at least two mold parts is changeable by moving at least one of the at least two mold parts;
a pressure measurement sensor via which an internal pressure in the cavity is detectable; and
a control device, wherein the actuator is actuatable by the control device and wherein the control device via the actuator increases the distance between the at least two mold parts if a measured internal pressure in the cavity exceeds an upper threshold value.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device according to claim 8, wherein the control device controls the actuator such that the internal pressure in the cavity is regulated in accordance with the measured internal pressure in the cavity by changing the distance between the at least two mold parts.