Trim Panel for the Interior of a Motor Vehicle and a Manufacturing Process for Such a Trim Panel

• US 20080315621A1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Alvehav, Andreas, Olofsson, Bo
• Application Number:
  US12/097,546
• Publication Number:
  US 20080315621A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/146.7
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/02 Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners B60R13/01 takes precedence ; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0256 Dashboard liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/045 associated with the instrument panel or dashboard

Abstract

A trim panel for the interior of the cab of a motor vehicle has a first and a second main direction of extension. The trim panel includes a first part and a second part, with the second part being significantly less rigid than the first part in a direction which is essentially perpendicular towards at least one of the directions of extension. The panel includes a continuous carrier made in a first material with a certain first rigidity, and the first part is obtained by letting the carrier material be exposed and visible, and the second part is obtained by means of a second material with a second rigidity covering a part of the carrier. There is a third material with a third rigidity arranged between the first and the second material.

Claims

1. A trim panel (100, 200) for the interior of the cab of a motor vehicle such as a truck, the trim panel having a first (A) and a second (B) main direction of extension, the trim panel comprising a first part (110, 240) and a second part (120, 210), the second part (210) being significantly less rigid than the first part in a direction which is essentially perpendicular towards at least one of said directions of extension, the panel (100,200) being characterized in that it comprises one continuous carrier (230) made in a first material with a certain first rigidity, with the first part (110, 240) being obtained by letting the carrier material be exposed and visible, and in that the second part (120, 210) is obtained by means of a second material (210) with a second rigidity covering a part of the carrier (230), the trim panel being further characterized in that there is a third material (220) with a third rigidity arranged between the first (230) and the second (210) material.

2. The trim panel (100,200) of claim 1, in which the materials with the first (230) and second (210) rigidity are joined to each other by means of the material (220) with the third rigidity.

3. The trim panel (700) of any of claims 1 or 2, additionally comprising a rib structure (720-725) of the first material on that side of the panel which is opposite to the side which comprises the second part, the space between at least two such ribs (720-725) being filled with the third material (220).

4. A process for manufacturing a trim panel (200, 700) for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

having a carrier (230) in a first material with a first rigidity,

arranging on part of said carrier (230) a second material (210) with a second material,

filling a space between the second (210) and first (230) materials with a material (220) with a third rigidity,

the method being characterized in that the third material is a foam material (220), and in that the foam (220) is used to join the first (230) and second (210) materials to each other.

5. The manufacturing process of claim 4, additionally comprising the step of a creating a rib structure (720-725) of the first material on that side of the panel which is opposite to the side on which the second material is arranged, the space between at least two such ribs (720-725) being filled with the third material (220).