Panel structure for vehicles

• US 5,658,652 A
• Filed: 06/28/1995
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AB Volvo
• Original Assignee: AB Volvo
• Inventors: Sellergren, Per-Ivar
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bahta, Abraham
• Application Number:
  US08/481,298
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 428/247, 428/304.4, 428/306.9, 428/246, 428/166, 428/179, 428/71, 428/76, 428/159, 428/306.6, 428/192, 428/297, 428/286, 428/178, 428/70, 296/191, 296/70, 296/165, 264/46.5, 264/46.7
• US Class Current: 428/71
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00478 Air-conditioning devices using the Peltier effect for air-conditioning in general F24F5/0042; for refrigeration F25B21/02; electric devices exhibiting the Peltier effect H10N10/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/70 Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
• 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 13/0268 Rear parcel liners used as luggage covering means B60R5/044
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/08 Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation sound insulating linings for trains B61D17/185; drivers' cabs for load-carrying vehicles insulated against vibrations or noise B62D33/0604; thermal or acoustic insulation of engines F02B77/11; damping of sounds using compensation by electro-acoustic methods G10K11/178
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0869 for protecting heat sensitive parts, e.g. electronic components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/22 containing mainly cellular material, e.g. solid foam
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/045 associated with the instrument panel or dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/233 Foamed or expanded material encased
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/239 Complete cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24504 Component comprises a polymer [e.g., rubber, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24661 Forming, or cooperating to form cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 Edge feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249953 Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249955 Void-containing component partially impregnated with adjacent component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24996 : With internal element bridging layers, nonplanar interface between layers, or intermediate layer of commingled adjacent foam layers

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement for panels in vehicles, comprising an outer cover layer (1), an inner carrier (2) and an intermediate layer (3) of a highly heat-reflecting material. The heat-reflecting layer (3) extends continuously, on the one hand with a part in close connection to an area of the cover layer which at least during certain time periods is exposed to heat radiation and accordingly is given an increased temperature, and on the other hand with at least one additional part over an area which has a lower temperature. In this manner, the increased temperature is limited through reflection and through dissipation of heat from the area with the increased temperature.

Claims

1. A vehicle panel, comprising:

(a) an outer cover layer, forming an outwardly facing visible front surface of said panel, said outer cover layer including a portion which during at least certain time periods, is exposed to heat radiation thereby creating an area of increased temperature;

(b) an inner carrier, forming a body of said panel; and

(c) a heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer of a highly heat-reflecting and heat-conducting material, said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer extending continuously about said panel, with a portion of said heat-reflecting and heat conducting layer located at the interior of said outer cover layer at said area of increased temperature, and with at least one other portion of said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer located at a rearwardly facing area of said outer cover layer which has a lower temperature, whereby said increased temperature is limited by reflection and by dissipation of heat from said area of increased temperature.

2. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer comprises a metal foil.

3. A panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein said metal is aluminum.

4. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panel has a forward side, which is exposed to heat radiation, and a rearward side, which has a lower temperature, said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer extending from said forward side to said rearward side of said panel.

5. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer is full-covering and diffusion-tight of said panel.

6. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer is perforated.

7. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer is infrared radiation reflecting.

8. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer is integrated with a Peltier element.

9. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer constitutes a part of a Peltier element.

10. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer is integrated with a thin-film battery.

11. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer constitutes a part of a thin-film battery.

12. A vehicle panel, comprising:

(a) an outer cover layer, forming an outwardly facing visible front surface of said panel, said outer cover layer including a portion which, during at least certain time periods, is exposed to heat radiation thereby creating an area of increased temperature;

(b) an inner carrier, forming a body of said panel;

(c) a rear support member; and

(d) a heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer of a highly heat-reflecting and heat-conducting material, said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer extending continuously about said panel, with a portion of said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer located at the interior of said outer cover layer at said area of increased temperature, and with at least one other portion of said heat-reflecting and heat-conducting layer connected to said rear support member which has a lower temperature, whereby said increased temperature is limited by reflection and by dissipation of heat from said area of increased temperature.