EP2315693A1

EP2315693A1 - Vehicle surface component having a solar cell arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP2315693A1
Application number: EP09776332A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hubert Böhm; Andreas Lang; Steffen Lorenz; Martin Pollak; Michael Kölbl; Helmut Teschner
Original assignee: Webasto SE
Current assignee: Webasto SE
Priority date: 2008-08-12
Filing date: 2009-01-23
Publication date: 2011-05-04
Also published as: JP2011530444A; WO2010017847A1; CN102186718A; US20110226312A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle surface component (6) that can be applied in an external arrangement to a vehicle, comprising a solar cell arrangement (16) connected to a supporting layer (10, 11, 12) on the interior side thereof and having a cover layer (14) on the external side of the vehicle. A particularly light and strong vehicle surface component is implemented according to the invention in that the supporting layer (10, 11, 12) is produced in a lightweight composite construction.

Description

Vehicle surface component with solar cell arrangement

The invention relates to a vehicle surface component with a solar cell arrangement according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

From DE 10 2005 050 372 A1, such a vehicle surface component has become known, which is formed of transparent plastic, is reinforced in a planar manner by inserted reinforcement structures made of metal and on the inside of the vehicle a colored paint film is attached. Solar cells can be embedded between the plastic and the paint film or completely in the plastic. This vehicle surface component with internal solar cells thus requires a transparent plastic as a carrier material.

DE 10 2004 003 856 A1 discloses a body part for a vehicle, which is provided with a carrier layer and a solar module connected to the carrier layer, which comprises at least one organic solar cell printed on a plastic film. The solar module can be applied to the vehicle outside facing side of the carrier layer, wherein the printed plastic film may be backed with the backing layer or the printed plastic film is glued or laminated to the support layer. If the carrier layer is at least partially transparent, the solar module can also be attached to the inwardly facing side of the carrier layer. The carrier layer can be made of different plastics and also by means of the Long Fiber Injection (LFI) process. DE 101 01 770 A1 discloses a solar module in which the front side consists of a transparent polyurethane and the back consists of a molded part made of plastic, glass or ceramic.

DE 20 220 444 U1 discloses a photovoltaic module having at least one front, the energy source facing, outer cover layer of glass or an impact-resistant, UV-stable, weather-resistant, transparent plastic with low water vapor permeability, at least one located between the cover layer and a back layer plastic adhesive layer, are embedded in the at least one or more solar cells, which are electrically connected to each other, and at least the rear, the energy source facing away outer layer of glass or a weather-resistant plastic with low water vapor permeability.

Due to their construction, the vehicle surface components of the cited prior art have a high weight and / or require a complex production process.

The invention has for its object to provide a vehicle surface component with a low weight and high stability.

This object is solved by the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

The inventive production of the supporting layer of a solar cell assembly in composite lightweight construction vehicle surface components can be created with high intrinsic stiffness at low weight, which are suitable for different uses on vehicles. An intrinsically stiff, lightweight composite lightweight component forms a particularly suitable support structure for solar cell arrangements, as a result of which stiffening measures for the solar cell arrangements can be dispensed with or are required only to a reduced extent. The previously provided with solar cells glass covers of vehicle roofs usual inside support by a massive support plate made of glass deleted completely. Also, the outer cover layer of a vehicle surface component can be made significantly thinner and lighter than hitherto by the high carrying capacity of the composite lightweight component, which forms the supporting layer on the inside of the solar cell assembly. Overall, the vehicle surface component according to the invention with the same or even increased stability much easier, without increasing the total component thickness. By reducing the component and simplifying the production process, it is additionally possible to achieve a cost reduction.

As a "lightweight composite construction" or as a "composite lightweight component" in the context of the invention, a multilayer component of at least two, preferably from at least three interconnected layers understood from different materials from which the supporting layer is formed, wherein at least one layer of a relatively large volume material and / or assembly at a relatively low weight.

The load-bearing layer can be formed as a lightweight composite component "monolithic", for example polyurethane with an embedded fiber reinforcement.With fiber reinforcement are glass fibers, carbon fibers, natural fibers such as sisal, hemp or flax, or plastic fibers such as aramid, either in the form of loose cut fibers as an admixture for the polyurethane in a spray, pouring, foaming or spraying process in an open or closed form, in the latter case also combined with a subsequent to a spray, pouring or injection molding pressing process, or the fiber reinforcement in the form of mats, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics or nets used for a layer by layer, each with a plastic layer, in particular a polyurethane layer changing layer structure.

An example of a "monolithic" construction of the supporting layer is a load-bearing layer made of Baydur® from Bayer MaterialScience AG (Baydur® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG) in the PUR Composite Spray Molding (CSM) process, with cut glass fibers be metered from the outside into the PUR spray jet introduced into an opened mold. closing the molding of the molding is done by foaming in the closed tool. The random distribution of the glass fibers gives a support layer produced in this way a high mechanical strength in all load directions and thus ensures optimum support of the solar composite and high rigidity of the vehicle surface component with relatively low weight.

An example of a layer-changing structure of a load-bearing layer as a composite lightweight component is using another variant of the PUR Composite Spray Molding (CSM) process for processing Multitec®

(Multitec® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG). Here also cut long fibers are entered together with the PUR mixture in an open mold. The PUR mixture is applied in several layers - compact or foamed and optionally reinforced or unreinforced - and cured in an open mold at room temperature.

In another variant of the PUR Composite Spray Molding (CSM) process, natural fiber mats sprayed with a special PUR spray system are made of hemp, sisal, flax, coconut or the like, using Baypreg® F (Baypreg® is a registered trademark Bayer AG) to thin-walled, extremely lightweight molded parts for a composite lightweight component as a bearing layer pressed.

Another variant of a lightweight composite construction for the load-bearing layer is formed by a sandwich structure in which a specific lighter layer of a plastic, a foam and / or a honeycomb structure is arranged between a lower and an upper cover layer of plastic or light metal.

An example of a sandwich construction of the load-bearing layer as a composite lightweight component with a plastic layer arranged between a lower and an upper cover layer is the material Hylite® or Alubond® (both registered trademark of ALCAN Singen GmbH) with cover layers made of aluminum and a ner plastic layer of polypropylene (PP). The polypropylene layer may also be replaced by another suitable lightweight, high strength plastic such as polyamide.

Another example of a sandwich construction of the load-bearing layer as composite lightweight component is a honeycomb structure made of paper or cardboard, metal or plastic, also known as "honeycomb structure", in which between two closed cover layers one from perpendicular to the cover layers arranged honeycomb structure encloses cavities ("open honeycomb structure"). The vertical webs are permanently glued in their adjacent to the cover layers areas, for example, by a pre-assembled plastic sprayed (as shown in DE 100 33 232 C2 for a vehicle roof part without solar composite). An example of such a honeycomb structure made of light metal is the material Alucore® (registered trademark of ALCAN Singen GmbH). Instead of the cavities, a solid core material, for example a plastic or a plastic or metal foam, can also be arranged between the webs of the honeycomb structure ("closed honeycomb structure") Finally, an open or closed honeycomb structure can also be sprayed and pressed with the Baypreg® F described above be joined together to form a load-bearing layer.

In principle, the solar cell arrangement during manufacture of the plastic composite component can be connected to it to form a vehicle surface component or subsequently be applied to a finished composite lightweight component and in particular adhesively bonded. The joint production and connection of the composite lightweight component with the solar cell arrangement is carried out, for example, preferably by thermal deformation and lamination in a single process step. The solar cell arrangement can optionally also be prefabricated with at least one carrier layer and with hot melt adhesive films to form a pre-bond or prelaminate. The solar cell assembly may be applied to or integrated into a flat or curved surface of the composite lightweight component.

The solar cell arrangement can cover the entire composite lightweight component. However, it can also release border areas of the same. In this case, the solar cell arrangement can protrude upward with an upper cover layer of the vehicle surface component perpendicular to the surface of the composite lightweight component. On the other hand, the solar cell arrangement can also be mounted or integrated in a recess provided on the upper side of the composite lightweight component, so that it is arranged flush with raised edge regions of the composite lightweight component.

Above the solar cell arrangement, the vehicle surface component has a transparent cover. This is formed by a cover or a thin glass plate. The cover film can cover the entire vehicle surface component as a transparent deep-drawn film part.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that, in the case of a solar cell arrangement which is in particular recessed and flush-mounted on the composite lightweight component, a seal is provided in a gap between the edge of the solar cell arrangement and the adjacent area of the composite lightweight component, wherein

• a seal is glued to the composite lightweight component, or • a seal is glued to the edge of the solar cell assembly, or

• a sealing cord is inserted in the gap, or

• a sealant conforming to the shape of the gap fills the gap, or

• A seal is inserted in the gap and overlaps the adjacent components with two sealing lips. Vehicle surface components according to the invention can be used, for example, for roof modules without opening systems, roof modules with opening systems (sliding roofs, lifting roofs, sliding roofs, exterior roofs, panorama roofs, spoiler roofs, louvered roofs, retrofit roofs and the like), for roof opening system roofing, for hard-top cabriolet roof shingles (also " Retractable Hardtops "=" RHT "), used for deflectors, for spoilers, for bootlid, hoods, doors or fenders as well as for A-, B-, C- and D-pillars.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments of inventive vehicle surface components with reference to the drawings. It shows:

1 shows a perspective plan view of a vehicle with a vehicle surface component according to the invention in the form of a roof module;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view II according to FIG. 1 in the vertical vehicle central longitudinal plane of a front section of the roof module; FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a side section of the roof module in a cross-sectional view III according to FIG. 1 in a vertical vehicle transverse plane; FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a rear section of the roof module in a cross-sectional view IV according to FIG. 1 in the vertical vehicle central longitudinal plane; FIG.

5 is a sectional view of a section of a plastic composite component of a vehicle surface component according to the invention, which is manufactured in composite lightweight construction according to the CSM method and is provided with a solar cell assembly attached thereto;

6 shows a sectional view of the solar cell arrangement of the vehicle surface component; 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a roof module with a solar cell arrangement glued onto a composite lightweight component, which is spaced from the edge of the roof module;

8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a

Roof module, wherein the solar cell assembly is glued into a top-side recess;

9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a

Roof module;

10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a

Roof module;

11 is a cross-sectional view of a seal in a gap between an edge of the solar cell assembly received in a recess of the composite lightweight component and a flank of the

Plastic composite component;

12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a

Seal according to the arrangement of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a seal according to the arrangement of Fig. 11;

14 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a

Seal according to the arrangement of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a

Seal according to the arrangement of Fig. 11; 16 is a perspective plan view of a vehicle to which roof modules with different solar cell arrangements can be attached;

17 is a perspective plan view of a vehicle with further exemplary embodiments of roof modules according to the invention;

18 is a perspective plan view of a vehicle with further embodiments of inventive vehicle surface components.

19 is a schematic sectional view of a composite

Lightweight component with a solar cell arrangement as a layer composite;

FIG. 20 shows a further variant of a composite lightweight component with a solar cell arrangement as a layer composite; FIG.

21 shows a further variant of a composite lightweight component with a solar cell arrangement as a layer composite;

FIG. 22 shows a further variant of a composite lightweight component with a solar cell arrangement as a layer composite; FIG.

FIG. 23 shows a highly schematic construction of a composite lightweight component with a solar cell arrangement as a layer composite; FIG.

24 is a highly schematic structure of another composite

Lightweight component with a solar cell arrangement as a layer composite;

25 is a highly schematic structure of another composite

Lightweight component with a solar cell arrangement as a layer composite; and

26 shows a variant of a curved in a form composite

Lightweight component with a solar cell arrangement as a layer composite. A vehicle 1 such. As a car (see Fig. 1) has a windscreen 2 and a rear window 3 and a vehicle roof 4 with a roof module 5, which extends from the windscreen 2 to the rear window 3. The roof module 5 as well as other parts such as fenders, engine compartment flap or trunk lid of the vehicle may be formed by a vehicle surface component 6 according to the invention, which is shown enlarged in Fig. 5 in part.

The roof module 5 as a first exemplary embodiment of a vehicle surface component 6 according to the invention is fastened to a roof frame 8 or to flange regions 9 of the roof frame 8 by means of a particularly circumferential adhesive bead 7.

The roof module 5 or the vehicle surface component 6 is produced in lightweight construction with a composite lightweight component in a sandwich-like layer structure (see in particular FIG. 5) and contains from inside to outside as the lower cover layer a first inner carrier layer 10, a core layer formed as a honeycomb structure or Spacer layer 11, as the upper cover layer, a second outer support layer 12 and a decoupling layer 13. This structure is produced by the CSM method. An outer skin 14 supplements the layer structure as a cover layer on the outside.

The base layers 10 and 12 are preferably made of polyurethane (PU) with a weight per unit area of about 300 g / m ² , which is optionally and preferably reinforced by means of a glass fiber mat with a basis weight of about 225 g / m ² .

The core layer or spacer layer 11 preferably consists of a honeycomb structure and in particular of a paper honeycomb, for example having a thickness of about 13 mm, wherein the wave and the roof of the honeycomb structure have a basis weight of about 115 g / m ² . The decoupling layer 13 preferably has a thickness of about 2 to 2.5 mm. It serves to effectively prevent visible on the outer skin 14 suppression of the honeycomb structure, which could otherwise occur during compression in a mold when the decoupling layer 13 is not provided.

The layer structure of core layer or spacer layer 11 and the two adjacent base layers 10 and 12 is produced in a mold by means of the CSM method (composite spray molding), which is known from Hennecke GmbH, D-53754 Sankt Augustin. CSM tool). The layer structure is also shown in a similar form in DE 100 33 232 C2. The strength of the layer structure is achieved with very low weight, especially by the penetrating into the region of the vertical webs of the honeycomb and connecting them with plastic, preferably polyurethane (PU).

The cover layer or outer skin 14 of the composite lightweight component or of the vehicle surface component 6 is preferably sprayed in a layer thickness of 0.03 to 0.06 mm (S & R) or in a layer thickness of 0.3 to 0.6 mm (Pandadur ®) in the IMC (in-mold coating) process directly in the CSM tool.

On the inside of the vehicle surface component 6 or of the roof module 5, for example, inserts 15 made of metal may be embedded in the first supporting layer 10 serving as a lower cover layer, which inserts serve for fastening adjacent components, such as sun visors or handles.

This basic structure can be changed and z. B. by at least one additional layer such. B. a splinter protection layer (not shown) between the first support layer 10 and the core layer 11 and optionally between see the core layer or spacer layer 11 and the second support layer 12 are added. A solar cell assembly 16, also referred to as a solar package or solar module, is attached by means of an adhesive layer 17 on the outer top surface of the plastic composite component formed from the layers 10, 11, and 12. The solar cell assembly 16 includes (see FIG. 6) a layer of solar cells 18 sandwiched between an upper EVA film 19 and a lower EVA film 20 (EVA: ethylene vinyl acetate). The solar cells 18 have a thickness of z. B. about 0.2 mm and the EVA films 19 and 20 are about 0.46 mm thick. The top of the solar cell array 16 forms z. B. a transparent film 21, the z. B consists of ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene) and a thickness of z. B. 0.15 mm, or a glass or thin glass plate in a thickness of less than 3.0 mm, preferably less than 1, 0 mm.

In the case of the vehicle module 5 forming the roof module 5 according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the supporting layer formed as a composite lightweight component, consisting of the layers 10, 11 and 12, is thus first produced according to the CSM method. Subsequently or in the same method step, the solar cell assembly 16 is glued over its entire surface to the outer edges of the vehicle surface component 6 or of the roof module 5 or simultaneously laminated therewith to the supporting layer. Depending on the type and thickness of the film or pane 21, the composite of solar cell arrangement 16 and supporting layer 10, 11, 12 on the outside of the later vehicle surface component 6 or the roof module 5 optionally additionally provided with a wear and scratch resistant outer skin 14 ( see also Fig. 10).

In the edge regions, the vehicle surface component 6 of the roof module 5 can be pressed more strongly in the mold, wherein instead of the core layer 11, a layer 22 is formed, which increases the stability of the roof module 5 and preferably by spraying in the LFI-PU R process (LFI = long fiber injection molding) with polyurethane with injected fiber material. These edge areas or layers 22 of increased strength are located after the installation of the roof module 5 on the bearing surfaces or the flange areas 9 of the roof frame 8 in the area of the adhesive beads 7. In a modified embodiment of the roof module 5 (see FIG. 7), the prefabricated solar cell arrangement 16 has been applied to the composite lightweight component of the vehicle surface component 6 also prefabricated with the honeycomb core layer 11 and has been glued in particular, the solar cell arrangement 16 not extending as far as the solar cell arrangement 16 lateral edges of the vehicle surface member 6 extends, but is arranged at a distance therefrom. In an alternative method or production method, the solar cell arrangement 16 can be inserted into an associated recess in a back-feeding tool of the CSM method and be foamed or foamed directly onto its surface during the production of the composite lightweight component.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the solar cell arrangement 16 is subsequently glued into an upper-side depression 23 of the vehicle surface component 6 by means of an adhesive layer 17. The outer skin 14 can be in IMCΛ / experience (in-mold coating) z. B. can be produced in black color or she can be repainted in the car color. An edge gap 24 between the edge of the solar cell assembly 16 and a flank 25 of the composite lightweight component at the transition to its recess 23 is preferably covered or sealed by a seal, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 15.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the solar cell assembly 16 is arranged in an integrated manufacturing process during manufacture of the composite lightweight component of this in an upper-side recess 23 and secured thereto. This is done by the solar cell assembly 16 is inserted into a back-feeding tool of the CSM process and integrated in the subsequent CSM process on the composite lightweight component in the top recess 23 is mounted. The edge gap 24 between the edge of the solar cell assembly 16 and the edge 25 of the plastic composite component is filled by plastic, so that no additional seal is required, whereby the lack of a gap, a joint or a seal the appearance is improved. Since a separate bonding operation for attaching the solar cell array 16 is not required, the manufacturing cost is reduced. In the roof module 5 according to the embodiment of FIG. 10, a transparent film is brought as outer skin 14 by deep drawing into the required shape and then inserted into a CSM tool. The solar cell array 16, which may be formed without the outer film 21, is applied to the inside of the transparent film or outer skin 14, which may replace the outer film 21. The composite lightweight component is produced in the CSM process, wherein parts of the composite lightweight component and in particular bearing edge portions can also be produced with LFI or PU (see layer 22 in FIGS. 2 to 4). The continuous deep-drawn film or outer skin 14 results in a particularly good appearance at the transition or edge gap 24 between the solar cell arrangement 16 and the composite lightweight component or its flank 25 on the recess 23.

Figs. 11 to 15 show seals for the edge gap 24, as he z. B. in the embodiments of FIG. 8 to 10 is present.

A gasket 26 (see FIG. 11), e.g. B. an elastic hollow chamber sealing profile made of rubber, as it is basically z. B. is known from sliding roofs, is attached by means of an adhesive 27 on the composite lightweight component or its edge 25, is close to the edge of the solar cell assembly 16 and does not protrude up out of the edge gap 24.

At a comparable edge gap 24 (see FIG. 12), the seal 28 is adhesively bonded to the edge of the solar cell arrangement 16 by means of the adhesive 27 and lies close to the composite lightweight component or its flank 25.

Fig. 13 shows an edge gap 24, which is sealed by means of a seal in the form of an elastic sealing cord 29 which is inserted into the edge gap 24 and is fixed due to their adhesive surface on the adjacent components. In addition, the sealing cord 29 may be secured by a bond, which only has to have low holding forces. The seal of the edge gap 24 according to FIG. 14 is formed by a molding or sealing compound 30 which fills the edge gap 24 in the manner of a silicone grout.

The sealing of the edge gap 24 according to FIG. 15 takes place by means of a sealing strip 31 which is inserted into the edge gap 24 and has on the outside two sealing lips 32 which grip on the solar cell arrangement 16 or the lightweight composite component on both sides of the edge gap 24 and thus securely caulk.

These exemplified seals can on any columns on

Edge of solar cell assemblies 16 are used on different vehicle surface components 6.

FIG. 16 shows, by way of example, a vehicle 1 to which different roof modules 5 can be attached. Such a roof module 5 a produced in composite lightweight construction can be covered with solar cells 16 over its entire area. Alternatively, edge regions can remain free of solar cells 16 in the case of a roof module. Furthermore, a cover 5b of the vehicle roof produced in composite lightweight construction can be partially or completely covered with solar cells 16. A light-weight roof module 5c with an opening system may be provided with solar cells 16 on its rigid, non-movable regions. A roof module 5d produced in lightweight composite construction may have a panoramic glass roof in its front section and be covered with solar cells 16 in its rear section.

Furthermore, (see FIG. 17), a roof module 5e produced in lightweight composite construction with edge regions 33 free of solar cells 16 can be attached to the vehicle roof 4, and the outer skin 14 on the free edge regions 33 can be formed in black color or the edge regions 33 are in Carriage color painted. The vehicle 1 may be a convertible with an adjustable single or multiple-shell hardtop roof (RHT = Retractable Hardtop) and each roof shell 34 produced in composite lightweight construction may be provided with a solar cell arrangement 16. According to further embodiments (see FIG. 18), further vehicle surface components produced in lightweight composite construction, such as, for example, can be produced. Example, the hood 6a, the fender 6b, the door panels 6c, the outer skin panels 6d, the boot flaps or trunk lid 6e with substantially vertical or horizontal surfaces, the C-pillars 6f, a cowl 6g or the roof frame 6h be provided with solar cell assemblies 16.

FIGS. 19 to 21 schematically show three embodiments of a movable or immovable vehicle surface component, whereby others too

Body areas as the vehicle roof can be equipped with it. The vehicle surface component according to FIG. 19 consists from top to bottom, according to its position of use from outside to inside:

A cover layer 101, preferably formed from an outer, weather-resistant, UV-stable and scratch-resistant cover film; this can consist of polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), perfluoroethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP) or another transparent plastic or thin glass • a transparent hot-melt adhesive layer 102 a good binding

Hot melt adhesive, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or an ionomer,

• at least one solar cell 103, several solar cells are interconnected by cell connectors 104; As solar cells 103, conventional crystalline or polycrystalline solar cells manufactured by the drawing or casting process can be used.

As a cell connector 104 is preferably used because of the thermal expansion strand

A separating layer 105 of a fiber material, such as glass fleece, for separating the colored or tinted hot-melt adhesive 106 below the solar cells 103 from the transparent hot-melt adhesive 102 above the solar cells 103, 1 /

A preferably tinted or colored hot melt adhesive layer 106 of a well bonding hot melt adhesive such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or an ionomer, optionally a backsheet of PC, PMMA, PET, ETFE PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride); this can also be omitted, and

• a carrier plate made of a composite lightweight component, such as Hylite®, Alubond®, CSM composites (honeycomb, foam), Alucore®.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 20 and 21, thin-film solar cells based on thin-film technologies such as copper indium diselenide (CIS) or copper indium sulfide (CIS), copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) are used as solar cells 113 and 123, respectively. , Micro-amorphous silicon (a-Si: H / μc-Si: H), amorphous silicon (a-Si: H), cadmium telluride (CdTe / CdS) used.

The solar cells 113 are arranged in the embodiment of FIG. 20 below the cover layer 111 and the hot melt adhesive layer 112 (corresponding in construction to the cover layer 101 and the hot melt adhesive layer 102 of FIG. 19) on a support layer 114 serving as a substrate, preferably as a thin glass layer (Glass plate) is formed. The solar cell composite described above is connected to the supporting layer 109 by means of a hot-melt adhesive layer 108. The layers 108 and 109 correspond in their construction to the example according to FIG. 19.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 21, the solar cells 123 are arranged below the carrier layer 124 serving as a superstrate, which is preferably designed as a thin glass layer. The solar cell composite described above is connected to the supporting layer 109 by means of a hot-melt adhesive layer 108. The layers 108 and 109 correspond in their construction to the example according to FIG. 19. The lamination of the solar cell assembly with the supporting layer 109 is preferably carried out at a temperature of about 110 to 150 ⁰ C and a pressure of 1 to 15 bar. The lamination methods used are: lamination in a vacuum laminator or vacuum bag method in a forced-air oven or autoclave.

The solar cell assembly of the layers 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 and 107 shown in FIG. 19 is also produced in one embodiment as a pre-composite or prelaminate 110 and is then connected to the supporting layer 109 formed as a composite lightweight component , The pre-bond 110 may in a minimal variant consist only of the layers 101, 102, 103 and 104 and be connected by means of the hot melt adhesive layer 108 with the supporting layer 109.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the layers 111, 112, 113 and 114 can optionally also be produced as precoat or prelaminate 110 and then joined to the supporting layer 109 formed as a composite lightweight component by means of the hotmelt adhesive layer 108. If, in the embodiment according to FIG. 21, a hot melt adhesive layer and a lower cover layer or barrier layer are also optionally arranged below the layers 124 and 123 (both not shown), which forms a corrosion protection of the solar cell layer 113, this layer composite can also be produced as a precoat or prelaminate and then be connected by means of the hot melt adhesive layer 108 with the formed as a composite lightweight component support layer 109.

In the embodiment of a vehicle surface component according to FIG. 22, a plastic layer 141 (for example of polycarbonate or of PMMA) serving as cover layer is made relatively thin, so that an additional carrier layer 143 must be used for stabilization. This is arranged on the underside of the arrangement, so that the solar cell assembly 142 is arranged between the polycarbonate layer 141 and the carrier layer 143. As carrier layer 143, a PU sandwich component produced by the so-called compound spray molding process (CSM process) can be used. The PU sandwich component consists of a honeycomb structure or a foam core (eg polystyrene (PS) or polyurethane (PU)), which is pressed between two polyurethane fiberglass mats. In this exemplary embodiment too, the solar cell assembly 142 and the plastic layer 141 can be produced as a precoat or prelaminate and then joined to the supporting layer 143 formed as a composite lightweight component.

FIGS. 23 to 25 show in highly schematic form further advantageous embodiments of a composite lightweight component. The schematization shows all layers in the same thickness. In reality, the layers have greatly differing layer thicknesses, as already indicated above in connection with FIG.

The composite lightweight component shown in FIG. 23 consists from the outside to the inside, corresponding in the figure from top to bottom from the following layers:

A cover layer 200 of thin glass or of a weather-resistant, scratch-resistant and wear-resistant plastic, such as polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) or perfluoroethylene propylene copolymer (FEP),

A bonding layer 202 of a well bonding hot melt adhesive such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or an ionomer,

A solar cell arrangement 204, a separating layer 206 made of a fiber material, such as glass fleece, to cleanly separate the colored or tinted hot melt adhesive underneath the solar cells from the transparent hot melt adhesive above the solar cells in the lamination state,

A bonding layer 208 of a well bonding hot melt adhesive such as EVA, TPU, PVB or an ionomer,

A metal layer 210, for example of a thin aluminum sheet, A plastic layer 212 of a strong but lightweight plastic, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA), and

A metal layer 214, for example of a thin aluminum sheet.

The lower three layers 210, 212 and 214 form a sandwich structure, as known for example under the trade name Hylite® (registered trademark of ALCAN Singen GmbH).

The composite lightweight component shown in FIG. 24 consists of the outside inwards, correspondingly in the figure from top to bottom of the following layers:

A cover layer 200 made of thin glass or a weather-resistant, scratch-resistant and wear-resistant plastic, such as PET, PC, PMMA, ETFE or FEP, a connection layer 202 made of a well-binding plastic or

Hot melt adhesive, such as EVA, TPU, PVB or an ionomer,

A solar cell arrangement 204,

A release layer 206 of a fiber material, such as glass fleece, around the colored or tinted hot melt adhesive underneath the solar cells of the transparent hot melt adhesive above the solar cells in the flowing one

Cleanly separate the state during lamination,

A bonding layer 208 of a good binding plastic or hot melt adhesive such as EVA, TPU, PVB or an ionomer,

A metal layer 210, for example of a thin aluminum sheet, a plastic layer 212 of a strong but lightweight plastic, such as

PP or PA,

A metal layer 214, for example of a thin aluminum sheet,

A plastic layer 216 of a strong but lightweight plastic such as PP or PA; and a metal layer 218 of, for example, a thin aluminum sheet. The lower five layers 210, 212, 214, 216 and 218 form an extremely resilient double sandwich structure.

The composite lightweight component shown in FIG. 25 consists of the outside to the inside, corresponding in the figure from top to bottom of the following layers:

Hotmelt adhesive, such as EVA ₁ TPU, PVB or an ionomer,

A solar cell arrangement 204,

Cleanly separate the state during lamination,

An upper cover layer 222, which consists of metal, for example of a thin aluminum sheet, or of a fiber / plastic composite, such as glass fiber, which is embedded in PU,

A honeycomb layer 224, with a honeycomb structure made of paper, cardboard, metal or plastic, wherein the honeycomb structure may include cavities, or instead of the honeycomb layer 224, a foam core 224 of polystyrene (PS) or

Polyurethane (PU) or metal, and

• a lower cover layer 226, which consists of metal, for example of a thin aluminum sheet, or of a fiber / plastic composite, such as glass fiber, which is embedded in PU. The three lower layers 222, 224 and 226 form a sandwich composite 20, which has very high stability at extremely low weight. The load-bearing layer of the vehicle surface component, which is formed in FIG. 23 by the sandwich structure of the lower three layers 210, 212 and 214, formed in FIG. 24 by the double-sandwich structure of the lower five layers 210, 212, 214, 216 and 218 which is formed in Fig. 25 by the sandwich composite 220 may be preformed as a rigid component and then connected to the other components by lamination.

However, it is particularly advantageous if the composite of base layer, solar cell and preferably also of the cover layer is produced in one process step by simultaneous thermal forming and laminating.

The edge termination of the composite lightweight component can be done as described below. In the edge region of the aluminum-polypropylene (PP) -lu-plate (corresponding to the lower three layers 210, 212 and 214 in FIG. 4), the PP core could be appropriately removed (eg milled) to form a correspondingly shaped one Profile seal can be added. A polyurethane (PU) foam coating of the edge of the composite lightweight component can also be anchored in a milled joint. Likewise, prior to lamination, the edges could be crimped to seal the edges. It is also possible to bend over the transparent plastic film during the lamination / thermal forming process and to subsequently bond it to the PP layer.

During the thermoforming process, additional stiffening bulges or stiffeners could be introduced, which serve to stiffen the component or sink the solar cell arrangement.

The disadvantage of a process based on two independent production processes is eliminated by using suitable materials to carry out both processes in one process. That is, in only one process step, the three-dimensional shaping and the lamination are made into a solar composite, as shown in an example shown in FIG. In FIG. 26, a mold carrier 350 is provided, on which a lower mold 340 is mounted. At the top, the arrangement shown is limited by an upper mold 300. The lower mold 340 and the upper mold 300 can be formed in the simplest case of a respective preformed according to the desired curvature of the vehicle surface component 6 disc. Between the lower mold 340 and the upper mold 300, the following layers of a light vehicle component constructed as a composite component are arranged from bottom to top, the lower layer corresponding to the later outer layer due to the deviating from the later position of use:

A cover layer 330

A hot melt adhesive layer 326

A solar cell layer 324 a hot melt adhesive layer 322

A cover layer 316

A spacer layer 314

A cover layer 312

The hot melt adhesive layers 322 and 326 form, with the solar cell layer 324, a solar cell module 320 which may be prefabricated.

The cover layers 316 and 312 form a composite plate 310 with the spacer layer 314 arranged therebetween.

The material of the individual layers corresponds to that of the exemplary embodiments described above. The composite panel 310 is stable and lightweight, preferably formed as a sandwich lightweight component. It forms the supporting layer in the sense of the main claim. The outer cover layer 330 is made of a lightweight, wear-resistant and scratch-resistant material, such as thin glass or plastic (for example, corresponding to the component 124 in Fig. 21).

As solar cells 324, conventional monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cells manufactured by the drawing or casting method or thin film solar cells based on the thin film technologies such as copper indium diselenide or copper indium sulfide (CIS), copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) can be used. , Microamorphic silicon (a-Si: H / μc-Si: H), amorphous silicon (a-Si: H), cadmium telluride (CdTe / CdS) can be used.

Particularly preferably, all layers are placed together on the lower mold 340 and connected by lowering the upper mold 300 and a thermal binding process in a single operation and simultaneously brought into the desired shape.

This is done by lamination either in a vacuum laminator, a vacuum press or in an autoclave. In any case, a lower mold is necessary, in which the shaping takes place. In a press, a convex upper mold is necessary. As a deformable plate (in the sense of the claim: as a supporting layer), which later assumes the rigidity of the solar module, according to FIGS. 23 and 24 composite plates can be used, which between at least two thin metal sheets (aluminum, aluminum alloys) at least one plastic core (polypropylene, Polyamide), which softens so much by the process temperature that shaping can take place with the aid of the process pressure, and after cooling of the laminate, the induced shape is substantially retained. To achieve the final set curvature, the provision is taken into account in the deformation. At the same time, in this process, a transparent plastic film is used as cover layer 330 (eg PC, PET, PMMA, FEP, ETFE, etc.), at least two hot melt adhesive films 322, 326 (eg PVB, EVA, TPU, SentryGlas®Plus (SentryGlas® is a registered Trademark of DuPont), Surlyn® (Surlyn® is a registered trademark of DuPont), between which at least a solar cell 324 and optionally a glass fleece strip are, with pressed into the mold, wherein the hot melt adhesive sheets soften so far that a laminate of the aforementioned plastic films and the composite plate 310 comes to pass. The lower mold, as well as the upper mold, may have a device with which it can be heated separately. The composite plate 310 may be constructed as described above from several different metal and plastic layers.

The invention is not limited to the specified embodiments. Thus, it is particularly possible to combine the features of the various embodiments with each other, so that such arrangements are included in the invention.

The illustrated vehicle surface components and roof modules basically form exemplary vehicle components whose outer skin form the outer surface of the vehicle. However, the invention can also be advantageously implemented on other vehicle components such as, for example, rear modules and front or rear spoilers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Vehicle 31 weatherstrip

Windscreen 32 sealing lip

Rear window 33 edge area

Vehicle roof 34 roof shell

Roof module 101 cover layer

Vehicle surface component 102 hot melt adhesive layer

Adhesive bead 103 solar cell

Roof frame 104 electrical Verbindungsleitun

Flange area gene first inner base layer 105 separating layer (glass fleece)

Core layer (spacer layer) 106 Hot melt adhesive layer Second outer base layer 107 Backside cover layer

Decoupling layer 108 hotmelt adhesive layer

Outer skin 109 supporting layers (composite

Insert site lightweight component)

Solar cell arrangement 110 pre-composite (prelaminate)

Adhesive layer 111 topcoat

Solar Cell 112 Hot Melt Adhesive Layer Upper EVA Film 113 Solar Cell (Thin Film) Lower EVA Film 114 Backing Layer (for 113)

Slide 123 solar cell (thin film)

Layer 124 carrier layer (for 123)

Recess 141 plastic layer

Edge gap 142 solar network

Flank 143 carriers

Seal 200 topcoat

Adhesive 202 bonding layer

Seal 204 solar cell assembly

Sealing cord 206 separating layer

Sealant 208 bonding layer 210 metal layer 310 composite plate

212 plastic layer (distance 312 cover layer

Layer) 314 spacer layer

214 metal layer 316 cover layer

216 plastic layer (distance 320 solar cell module

Layer) 322 hotmelt adhesive

218 metal layer 324 solar cells

220 sandwich composite 326 hotmelt adhesive

222 (top) liner 330 topcoat

224 honeycomb layer 340 lower mold

226 (lower) cover layer 350 mold carrier 300 upper mold

Claims

claims

A vehicle surface component (6) which can be attached in an outboard arrangement to a vehicle (1) which has a solar cell arrangement (16; 103, 113, 123; 142; 204; 324) which is provided with a supporting layer (10, 11, 12, 109, 143, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 310, 312, 314, 316) and connected to the outside of the vehicle with a cover layer (14, 101;

111; 124; 141; 200; 330), characterized in that the supporting layer (10, 11, 12; 109; 143; 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226; 310; 312, 314, 316) in FIG Composite lightweight construction is made.

2. Vehicle surface component according to claim 1, characterized in that the load-bearing layer (10, 11, 12; 109; 143; 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226; 310; 312, 314, 316 ) is produced as a multilayer composite component.

Vehicle surface component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supporting layer (10, 11, 12; 109; 143; 210, 212, 214, 216, 218,

220, 222, 224, 226; 310; 312, 314, 316) is produced as a sandwich composite component.

4. A vehicle surface component according to claim 3, characterized in that the composite sandwich component (10, 11, 12; 109; 143; 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226; 310; 312, 314), 316) has a honeycomb structure (11; 224; 314) with the honeycomb-defining webs and lying between the webs cavities.

5. The vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting layer (10, 11, 12; 109; 143; 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226; 310; 312, 314 , 316) has at least one layer (105, 206) with a release layer.

6. Vehicle surface component according to claim 5, characterized in that the separating layer (105, 206) consists of a glass fleece or similar material.

7. Vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting layer (10, 11, 12, 109, 143, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218,

220, 222, 224, 226; 310; 312, 314, 316) at least one layer (10, 12;

109; 143; 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 222, 226, 312, 314, 316) of a flat plate or foil at least partially made of metal and / or plastic and / or wood and / or paper or of

Cardboard exists.

8. Vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting layer (10, 11, 12, 109, 143, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 310, 312, 314 , 316) has at least one layer of polyurethane (PU).

Vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting layer (10, 11, 12; 109; 143; 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226; 310; 312, 314, 316) is prefabricated and the solar cell arrangement (16, 103, 113, 123, 204, 324) is mounted thereon and in particular adhered thereto.

10. Vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting layer (10, 11, 12) with an outer flat recess (23) is prefabricated and the solar cell assembly (16) in the recess (23) in particular flush with the adjacent surface the vehicle surface component (6) is mounted.

11. A vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the supporting layer (10, 11, 12; 109; 143; 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226; 310; 312, 314, 316) according to a plastic spray method, a plastic spray-press method or a plastic injection method, in particular according to the composite

Spray Molding (CSM) and / or Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) and / or Long Fiber Injection (LFI).

12. Vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover layer (14, 101, 111, 124, 200, 330) is formed by a thin glass pane or a transparent plastic pane or plastic film.

13. Vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solar cell arrangement (16; 103; 113; 123; 142; 204;) with the cover layer (14; 120,141; 200; 330) and / or with the supporting layer (10, 11, 12, 109, 143, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 310;

312, 314, 316) is joined by at least one hotmelt adhesive layer (19, 20; 102, 106, 108, 112; 202, 208; 322, 326).

14. Vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solar cell arrangement (103, 113, 142) with a transparent front side cover layer (101, 111, 124, 141) and a back cover layer (107, 114) together as a layer composite is trained.

15. Vehicle surface component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle surface component (6) for roof modules without opening systems, for roof modules with opening systems such as sunroofs, sliding roofs, panoramic roofs, spoiler roofs, louvered roofs, retrofit roofs, for lids of roof opening systems, for Roof shells of

Hardtop Cabriolet Roofs (RHT's), for wind deflector fins, for spoilers, for trunk lids, for hoods, for doors or fenders as well as for A-, B-, C- and D-pillar covers.