Non-anchoring cords with non-chemically binding with the matrix in impact beam
First Claim
1. An impact beam comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcing structure, said reinforcing structure comprising a number of metal reinforcing cords and non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements arranged between the metal reinforcing cords for holding the metal reinforcing cords together, each of said metal reinforcing cords has a metallic cross-sectional area Ametal, the ratio φ
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c of the metallic area Ametal to the area of the circle circumscribing said metal reinforcing cord (π
dcord2/4) is at least 0.60, said metal reinforcing cords further having a non-chemical binding with said polymer matrix, wherein said non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements have a chemical bond with said polymer matrix.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An impact beam (40) comprises a polymer matrix and a reinforcing structure, the structure comprises a number of metal reinforcing cords (22) and non-metal elongated binding elements (26) or non-metal coated elongated binding elements arranged between the cords for holding the metal reinforcing cords together. Each of the metal cords has a metallic cross-sectional area Ametal, and the ratio of the metallic area Ametal to the area of the circumscribed circle (TTdcord2/4) is at least 0.60. The metal cords further have a non chemically binding with the matrix, and non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements have a chemical bond with said polymer matrix. By not having a mechanical interlocking and a non chemically binding with the matrix, the whole metal cord is stressed and not a local point while in the latter case the metal cord would locally break due to the very high impact forces. Therefore, the structural integrity of the impact beam as subject of the invention can be improved significantly during and after impact.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An impact beam comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcing structure, said reinforcing structure comprising a number of metal reinforcing cords and non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements arranged between the metal reinforcing cords for holding the metal reinforcing cords together, each of said metal reinforcing cords has a metallic cross-sectional area Ametal, the ratio φ
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c of the metallic area Ametal to the area of the circle circumscribing said metal reinforcing cord (π
dcord2/4) is at least 0.60, said metal reinforcing cords further having a non-chemical binding with said polymer matrix, wherein said non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements have a chemical bond with said polymer matrix. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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c of the metallic area Ametal to the area of the circle circumscribing said metal reinforcing cord (π
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15. A bumper for a vehicle comprising:
an impact beam comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcing structure, said reinforcing structure comprising a number of metal reinforcing cords and non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements arranged between the metal reinforcing cords for holding the metal reinforcing cords together, each of said metal reinforcing cords has a metallic cross-sectional area Ametal the ratio φ
c of the metallic area Ametal to the area of the circle circumscribing said metal reinforcing cord (π
dcord2/4) is at least 0.60, said metal reinforcing cords further having a non-chemical binding with said polymer matrix, wherein said non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements have a chemical bond with said polymer matrix.
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16. A structure to improve impact resistance of a vehicle'"'"'s coachwork comprising:
an impact beam comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcing structure, said reinforcing structure comprising a number of metal reinforcing cords and non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements arranged between the metal reinforcing cords for holding the metal reinforcing cords together, each of said metal reinforcing cords has a metallic cross-sectional area Ametal, the ratio φ
c of the metallic area Ametal to the area of the circle circumscribing said metal reinforcing cord (π
dcord2/4) is at least 0.60, said metal reinforcing cords further having a non-chemical binding with said polymer matrix, wherein said non-metal elongated binding elements or non-metal coated elongated binding elements have a chemical bond with said polymer matrix.
Specification