RV AND TRAILER COMPOSITE PANEL MANUFACTURING PROCESS WITH INTERLOCKING CONNECTIONS ASSEMBLY SYSTEM
20220314559 · 2022-10-06
Inventors
Cpc classification
B32B25/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C70/68
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B5/26
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C70/026
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C66/116
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29K2063/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B5/18
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C70/682
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B7/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C70/443
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C65/485
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B3/06
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2266/0228
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C66/7212
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B5/245
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C66/4342
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C65/48
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2266/0235
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C66/7212
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C70/681
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B5/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2262/106
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C66/02241
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2260/021
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C70/30
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2307/7145
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B29C70/68
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29C70/44
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B25/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B5/18
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A composite panel manufacturing process with interlocking connections. The method includes laying out the first sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber, upon a polished and released aluminum tool. A second sheet of epoxy fiberglass is laid out over the top side of the first sheet. Rigid structural foam is laid on top of the second sheet of epoxy fiberglass. A third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass is laid on top of the rigid structural foam. A fourth sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon is laid on top of the third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass with heavy resin/top side out to form a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels are cured to form a multilayer panel. Core material is removed along one edge of a first multilayer panel to make a U-shaped channel having a base and parallel flanges. A grooved slot is cut along one edge of the next multilayer panel. The panels are joined at the corner using an adhesive.
Claims
1. An RV and trailer composite panel manufacturing process with interlocking connections comprising: obtaining a first sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber having a top side and having predetermined surface dimensions; laying out the first sheet upon a tool; obtaining a second sheet consisting substantially of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass with surface dimensions substantially identical to the first sheet; laying out the second sheet to cover the top side of the first sheet; obtaining a rigid structural foam with a top and a bottom having substantially the same surface dimensions as the first sheet; laying the rigid structural foam to cover the top side of the second sheet; obtaining a third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass with surface dimensions substantially identical to the first sheet; laying the third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass to cover the top of the rigid structural foam; obtaining a fourth sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon with surface dimensions substantially identical to the first sheet; laying the fourth sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon to cover the top of the third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass to form a plurality of panels; curing the plurality of panels under high heat and pressure to form a first multilayer panel; upon completion of the cure, the first multilayer panel is demolded from the tool and allowed to cool; repeating the above actions to make a second multilayer panel; cutting the first and second multilayer panels, the second multilayer panel having a length to make a predetermined structural shape and interconnecting joints by, removing core material along one edge of the first multilayer panel to make a channel having a base and parallel flanges; and cutting a first grooved slot running the length of the second multilayer panel.
2. The process of claim 1 further comprising: coating the first multilayer panel with an adhesive; applying an adhesive to the grooved slot in a second multilayer panel; and then affixing the first multilayer panel to the second multilayer panel to form an interconnection joint.
3. The process of claim 2 wherein coating the first multilayer panel with an adhesive comprises coating the base with a 2-part epoxy glue or epoxy panel adhesive.
4. The process of claim 2 wherein applying an adhesive to the first grooved slot in the second multilayer panel comprises coating with a 2-part epoxy glue or epoxy panel adhesive.
5. The process of claim 2 wherein affixing the first multilayer panel to the second multilayer panel comprises: matching the channel with the first grooved slot in the second multilayer panel; orienting the first panel at an oblique angle or a right angle to the second multilayer panel; and inserting one of the parallel flanges into the first grooved slot while the other parallel flange contacts a proximal edge of the second multilayer panel.
6. The process of claim 2 wherein affixing the first multilayer panel to the second multilayer panel comprises: cutting a second grooved slot in the second multilayer panel, where the second groove is parallel to a first grooved slot and a width between them is substantially equal to a width of the channel; matching the channel with the first and second grooved slots in the second multilayer panel; and inserting one parallel flange into the grooved slot while the other parallel flange is inserted into the second groove to form an interconnection joint.
7. An improved process for manufacturing composite panel corner joints comprising: obtaining a first sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber having a length greater than its width and having a heavy resin side. laying out the first sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber with the heavy resin side down, upon a polished and released aluminum tool; obtaining a second sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass substantially identical in dimensions to the first sheet; laying out the second sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass to cover the top side of the first sheet; obtaining a rigid structural foam of variable thickness and having substantially the same dimensions as the first sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber; laying the rigid structural foam to cover the top of the second sheet of epoxy fiberglass; obtaining a third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass having substantially the same dimensions as the first sheet; laying the third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass to cover the top of the rigid structural foam; obtaining a fourth sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon having substantially the same dimensions as the first sheet; laying the fourth sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon to cover the top of the third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass to form a plurality of panels; curing the plurality of panels under high heat and pressure to form a multilayer panel; upon completion of the cure, the multilayer panel is demolded from the aluminum tool and allowed to cool; repeating the above actions to make a next multilayer panel; cutting the first and second multilayer panels to make a side wall shape and interconnecting joints by, removing core material along one edge of the multilayer panel to make a U-shaped channel having a base and parallel flanges, cutting first and second grooved slots in the next multilayer panel; coating the first multilayer panel with an adhesive; applying an adhesive to the grooved slot in a second multilayer panel; then affixing the first multilayer panel to the second multilayer panel; wherein coating the first multilayer panel with an adhesive comprises coating the base with a 2-part epoxy glue or epoxy panel adhesive; wherein applying an adhesive to the grooved slot in a second multilayer panel comprises coating with a 2-part epoxy glue or epoxy panel adhesive; and inserting the U-shaped channel with the first and second grooved slots in the second multilayer panel.
8. The process of claim 7 wherein coating the first multilayer panel with an adhesive comprises coating the base with a 2-part epoxy glue or epoxy panel adhesive.
9. The process of claim 7 wherein applying an adhesive to the grooved slot in a second multilayer panel comprises coating with a 2-part epoxy glue or epoxy panel adhesive.
10. An RV and trailer composite panel manufacturing process with interlocking connections comprising: obtaining a first sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber having a top side and having a predetermined length and width; laying out the first sheet consisting substantially of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber upon a polished and released aluminum tool; obtaining a second sheet consisting substantially of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass with surface dimensions substantially identical to the first sheet; laying out the second sheet to cover the top side of the first sheet; obtaining a rigid structural foam having substantially the same length and width as the first sheet; laying the rigid structural foam to cover the top side of the second sheet; obtaining a third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass with a length and width substantially identical to the first sheet; laying the third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass to cover the top of the rigid structural foam; obtaining a fourth sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon with surface dimensions substantially identical to the first sheet; laying the fourth sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon to cover the top of the third sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass to form a plurality of panels; curing the plurality of panels under high heat and pressure to form a first multilayer panel; upon completion of the cure, the first multilayer panel is demolded from the polished and released aluminum tool and allowed to cool; repeating the above actions to make a second multilayer panel; cutting the first and second multilayer panels to make a predetermined structural shape and interconnecting joints by, removing core material along one edge of the first multilayer panel to make a channel having a base and parallel flanges; and cutting at least one grooved slot in the second multilayer panel.
11. The process of claim 10 further comprising: coating the first multilayer panel with an adhesive; applying an adhesive to the grooved slot in a second multilayer panel; and then affixing the first multilayer panel to the second multilayer panel to form an interconnection joint.
12. The process of claim 11 wherein coating the first multilayer panel with an adhesive comprises coating the base with a 2-part epoxy glue or epoxy panel adhesive.
13. The process of claim 12 wherein applying an adhesive to the grooved slot in a second multilayer panel comprises coating with a 2-part epoxy glue or epoxy panel adhesive.
14. The process of claim 12 wherein affixing the first multilayer panel to the second multilayer panel comprises: matching the channel with the grooved slot in the second multilayer panel; orienting the first panel at an oblique angle or a right angle to the second multilayer panel; and inserting a first flange into the grooved slot while the other flange contacts the proximal edge of the second multilayer panel.
15. The process of claim 12 wherein affixing the first multilayer panel to the second multilayer panel comprises: cutting a second grooved slot in the second multilayer panel, where the second grooved slot is parallel to the first grooved slot and the width between them is substantially equal to the width of the channel; matching the channel with the first and second grooved slots in the second multilayer panel; and inserting a first flange into the grooved slot while the other flange is inserted into the second groove to form an interconnection joint.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] While the novel features of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, the invention, both as to organization and content, will be better understood and appreciated, along with other objects and features thereof, from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
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[0028] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or components. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The following disclosure describes an RV and trailer composite panel manufacturing process with interlocking connections. Several features of methods and systems in accordance with example embodiments are set forth and described in the figures. It will be appreciated that methods and systems in accordance with other example embodiments can include additional procedures or features different than those shown in the figures. Example embodiments are described herein with respect to a light composite panel manufacturing process using carbon and foam laminate with interlocking connections suitable for constructing RV trailers. However, it will be understood that these examples are for the purpose of illustrating the principles, and that the invention is not so limited.
[0030] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”
[0031] Reference throughout this specification to “one example” or “an example embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an example” or combinations and/or variations of these terms means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one example” or “in an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example or embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Definitions
[0032] Generally, as used herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used within the context of composite panels:
[0033] The articles “a” or “an” and the phrase “at least one” as used herein refers to one or more.
[0034] As used herein, “plurality” is understood to mean more than one. For example, a plurality refers to at least two, three, four, five, ten, 25, 50, 75, 100, 1,000, 10,000 or more.
[0035] “Obtaining” is understood herein as manufacturing, purchasing, or otherwise coming into possession of.
[0036] Specific to the trailer industry, current construction norms include the use of stud walls, insulation and interior and exterior finishing materials, products constructed using our process result in a finished one piece, fully insulated, strong, light weight product. Construction using the improved process disclosed herein is faster and more efficient in the build phase than current standards in the travel trailer industry.
[0037] The process disclosed herein provides composite components that allow weight reduction in comparison to the conventional construction methods while increasing the strength and durability of, for example, RV and trailer component panels used in the production of various size and style trailers. The assembly process does not require fasteners or other structural reinforcement thus reducing production time and labor.
[0038] Referring now to
[0039] Referring now to
[0040] It will be understood that panels are laid atop each other such that the edges of each panel substantially coincide. That is, each of the four edges of a rectangular panel, for example, are substantially evenly placed to coincide with the four substantially equal edges of the other sheets.
[0041] Referring now to
[0042] Pressure and heat characteristics applied may range from about 200°-300° F. at about 30-40 psi, to about 90 to 1000 psi at other temperatures depending on the application.
[0043] Referring now to
[0044] In one example, aircraft grade pre-impregnated (pre-preg) carbon and fiberglass sheets are combined with a rigid, structural foam core, placed in a mold then cured under high heat and pressure. Cure may be accomplished via compression, infusion or vacuum molding processes. The use of pre-preg materials ensures the same amount of resin and glass are used in each component part or panel, resulting in highly consistent products. In some examples one surface of the pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber is laid out, heavy resin side down, upon a polished and released aluminum tool. In one useful example related to manufacturing a light-weight RV trailer. The sheets of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber and pre-preg epoxy fiberglass may have a thickness of about ¼ inch before compression. After compression, the exterior pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber sheets may have a thickness of about 1/32 inch. Other thicknesses may be useful depending upon the application.
[0045] Referring now to
[0046] Referring now to
[0047] Referring now to
[0048] Referring now to
[0049] Referring now to
[0050] Referring now to
[0051] As will be described below, the methods described herein are not limited to right angle edge connection joints. The joints may be connected at oblique angles and also into a pair of grooves instead of one groove and an edge.
[0052] Referring now to
[0053] To join the three panels 902, 904, 906, epoxy is applied to the grooves and channels as described above, the flanges of the channels are then inserted into the grooves as described above, thereby bonding panel 906 to the bottom surface of panel 904 and panel 902 to the top surface of panel 904. The resulting structure may then be incorporated into an RV trailer rear section.
[0054] Referring now to
[0055] Referring now to
[0056] Referring now to
[0057] Referring now to
[0058] Referring now to
[0059] Referring now to
EXAMPLE
[0060] In one example the following process and materials were used to construct a composite panel.
[0061] A 10′ of a 60″ wide roll of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber is laid out, heavy resin side down, upon a polished and released aluminum tool.
[0062] A like sized layer of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass is laid out on top of the carbon previously applied.
[0063] A 10′×60″ rigid structural foam or honeycomb of variable thickness is laid down on top of the fiberglass.
[0064] A 10′×60″ sheet of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass is laid out upon the foam core; and
[0065] A 10′×60″ sheet of pre-preg epoxy carbon fiber heavy resin/top side out is laid on top of the fiberglass.
[0066] Next, the plurality of panels are cured to form a multilayer panel. Upon completion of the cure, which may vary in temperature and pressure depending on the project, the multilayer panel is demolded from the tools and allowed to cool. Panels made in this way can be used in the assembly of a light-weight RV trailer.
[0067] Of course, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, that the sizes of the sheets may vary depending upon the ultimate application, although the process will be substantially the same.
[0068] To summarize, the instant process has the following advantages over existing methods. The composite and other materials used in the manufacture of the panels include Pre-preg fiberglass and carbon. Lightweight structural foam are used in the core of the panels. Epoxy resin adhesive are used to join corners. The process used in the manufacture of the composite wall panels (as described above with reference to
[0077] Other advantages include; [0078] a) Production of parts consistent in material content and weight; [0079] b) Lighter weight product than competitors; [0080] c) Allows smaller and electric vehicles to safely tow a trailer; [0081] d) Wall, roof and floor panels allow easy, quick assembly of the trailer capsule; [0082] e) Cost savings in production time and labor; [0083] f) Sound absorbing materials; [0084] g) Superior insulating qualities; [0085] h) Water and moisture resistant; [0086] i) Reduces mold and mildew; [0087] j) No formaldehyde or other toxic chemicals or materials; [0088] k) Sustainable; no deforestation occurs for its production; and [0089] l) Longer RV life.
[0090] Certain exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the Patent Statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles of the present invention, and to construct and use such exemplary and specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention may be carried out by different equipment, and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment details and operating procedures, may be accomplished without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.