SE1550012A1 - Panel primarily made of thermoplastic material - Google Patents
Panel primarily made of thermoplastic material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- SE1550012A1 SE1550012A1 SE1550012A SE1550012A SE1550012A1 SE 1550012 A1 SE1550012 A1 SE 1550012A1 SE 1550012 A SE1550012 A SE 1550012A SE 1550012 A SE1550012 A SE 1550012A SE 1550012 A1 SE1550012 A1 SE 1550012A1
- Authority
- SE
- Sweden
- Prior art keywords
- profile
- panel assembly
- panel
- parts
- clip
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
- B62D35/001—For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/02—Side panels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
- B62D35/008—Side spoilers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
Description
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stability, tire wear, driver comfort etc.
Many modifications and accessories have been developed to im-
prove the streamline of the airflow around vehicles. One such
product category is air/wind deflectors. Since the justifi-
cation for installing air deflectors on a vehicle/truck is to
reduce costs, the deflectors themselves also have to be
manufactured cost efficient and installed to a reasonable
cost.
Today's air deflector panels are normally made of SMC (Sheet
Moulding Composite) which is a ready to mould composite of
i.e.
glass-fiber reinforced thermosetting resin, a polyester
mixed with glass fiber, and primarily used in compression
moulding. Typical applications of this composite material
include demanding corrosion resistant need, structural
automotive components etc.
Fiberglass is a relatively expensive material and expensive to
mold and it limits in some degree the design freedom. It is
also a brittle material that may crack when exposed to exter-
nal forces which may result in that the products, e.g. panels
on a truck, have to be exchanged.
However SMC material has high rigidity, high e-module, and is
not affected by thermal expansion which are important
advantageous. A reason to replace the SMC material for panels
and making them of thermoplastics instead is that
thermoplastics has a better recyclability, gives a design
quality improvement, increase the freedom to design more
advanced forms and the possibility to paint the products
without using a primer.
However switching to thermoplastic material in such panels, or
in similar products, require a different design of the assem-
bly due to the thermoplastic material characteristics, such as
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a higher exposure to thermal expansion, a lower e-module etc.
But the change to thermoplastics also result in better
recyclability, the possibility for more sophisticated design
geometries and freedom to choose an advanced stylish design of
the product. Of these reasons it is desirable to redesign the
panel assembly in such a way that the panel may be
manufactured of thermoplastic material.
The problem with using thermoplastic in molding panels is that
the stiffness of long slender panels, such as side air
deflectors, will be relatively low. This creates low natural
frequencies that may easily lead to vibrations and exhaustion
of the material in the panels. Another problem is that the
thermal expansion of thermoplastic materials is high, about
0.5%, which leads to that the product/panel may be easily
deformed in a visual unfavorably way, if rigidly fixed. It is
also problematic to connect two or more thermoplastic panels
to each other in a sustainable way as it usually requires many
fastening elements e.g. in the form of threaded inserts in the
plastic or metal clips. To increase the stiffness of the panel
the injection molding tool often needs many movable parts that
in turn result in increased production cost. If a rigid metal
profile is used for reinforcing the panel assembly and for
making it more rigid, or for installing two or more
thermoplastic panels together, the thermal forces will easily
deform the panels.
Many attempts have been made to provide a simple and func-
tional solution to the problems mentioned. Some solutions are
based on local reinforcing members of steel while other
solutions are complex and contain a number of components,
which makes the panel assembly expensive to manufacture and
install.
US2012/0074728 illustrates an example of a vehicle provided
with aerodynamic skirt fairings designed to minimize aero-
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dynamic drag and for maintaining a smoother air flow around
the vehicle. The invention relates to a support attachable to
the cargo-supporting platform and structured to support an
air-flow director. The support comprises a position adjuster
arranged to adjust the position of the air-flow director. This
design is not primarily intended for reinforcing a panel
assembly of thermoplastic materials as according to the
present invention.
US20120032475 illustrates another example of a resilient or
flexible skirt panel assembly for installation on a trailer.
The invention relates to a brace that provides structural
support to the skirt panels. The brace is positioned on the
interior surface of the skirt panel and attaches the panel to
the trailer base. This design is not either intended for
reinforcing a panel assembly of thermoplastic materials.
Still another solution is disclosed in US2007/0120397. A skirt
panel is here provided for interconnection to another abutted
similar skirt panel for attachment below a lower outer edge of
a trailer in order to provide a continuous fairing extending
downwardly from the trailer. The panels are provided with a
plurality of longitudinally-extending, vertically spaced apart
arcuate protrusion for reinforcing the panels. The panels are
secured to a lower portion of a trailer by laterally extending
means. This solution does not disclose any supporting profile
according to the present invention.
A number of similar solutions, regarding air deflector panels,
exist in the market but none of these prior known systems
illustrates an air deflector panel that is reinforced in a way
as according to the invention.
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SUMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to solve the above
mentioned problems and to provide a simple panel assembly
design which easily may be used for manufacturing and
installing panels of thermoplastic material.
Another object of with the present invention is to connect
at least two thermoplastic panels together in a rigid manner
and at the same time prevent them from deforming due to
thermal effects.
Another object of the present invention is to assemble the
panels together with an edge strip made of e.g. rubber.
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible
to reinforce the panel assembly with a rigid profile.
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible
to install the rigid profile by means of an appropriate
fastening element.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a panel
assembly containing few components.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a panel
that is mechanically stable and sustainable in use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a panel
assembly for attachment to a truck cab.
These and further objects and advantages is achieved by the
invention by a panel assembly designed in accordance with the
features recited in claim l.
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The present invention thus generally relates to a panel
assembly where the at least one of the parts is made of a
thermoplastic material. The assembly is primarily intended for
installation behind the cab as an air deflector on a heavy
commercial vehicle, such as a truck.
The basic feature of the panel assembly is that a rigid pro-
file, e.g. a metal profile like an extruded aluminum profile,
is used for assembling the parts. Such a rigid profile could
be made of different material, also reinforced plastic, a
composite material etc.
The inventive design provides the following functions:
Making the panel parts more rigid after assembling.
Distributed clamping means along the panel parts.
Easy installation of the profile due to clips/spacers provided
with snapping means.
Easy connections between the panels and the profile due to
protruding elements molded in the panels plastic material.
Slots in the profile for allowing thermal expansion and
movement of the panels.
The assembly may be used as a handle when opening the side air
deflector in order to access the trailer.
To solve the problem of thermal expansion special
clips/spacers has been designed. After that the profile has
been located correctly on the panels the clip/spacers are
pressed down between the profiles upraised edges and snaps
into the profile by means of elastic elements/legs, above the
oval holes in the profile. Thus the plastic panels are allowed
to move in their expanding direction. The clips/spacers are
fixed by means of e.g. plastic screws.
Assembling is thus performed as follows:
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l) The panels are placed on a table and are hooked together.
2) Extension panels, the edge strip of rubber, are hooked
e.g.
to the main panels in a similar manner.
3) Clips/spacers with elastic legs are preinstalled,
snapped/clipped, into the profile.
4) The profile is pressed down to the plastic panels.
5) The clip/spacer is evenly distributed in relation to the
screw towers in the panels and holds all parts together.
6) The profile and the clips/spacers are primarily screwed
with plastic screws.
7) Two of the screws are used to fix the position of the
panels and the profile and are thus not provided with
clips/spacers.
The solution according to the invention provides:
- lncreased stiffness of the panel as aluminum profiles is
used in combination with clips/spacers and screws. This makes
the thermoplastic panel more rigid.
- Resolves problems arising from thermal expansion when long
slim thermoplastic panels are joined together. Clip/spacers
and oval holes allow for thermal expansion of the panels.
- Enables simplified installation and guiding of the panels.
- Provides a method of assembling several panels and air
deflector extensions with a single assembly compared to using
pop rivets.
- Reduces the need for clips and threaded inserts which result
in lower costs.
- The profile may be used as door opening handle for the side
air deflector.
The main advantages of the inventive solution are that the
panel assembly according to the invention is advantageously
reinforced but still contains few components which make it
cost effective to manufacture and install. By using few
components and by using lightweight aluminum, the weight of an
air deflector will be relatively low.
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Further features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following, more detailed description of the
invention, the accompanying drawings and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described below in some preferred embodiments
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a conventional heavy
commercial vehicle provided with a side air deflector
according to the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view from behind of a part
side air deflector, comprising the main part and a lower
extension part as well as with its edge strip of rubber and a
profile keeping all together.
Figure 3 shows from below a part of the profile and the
clip/spacer as well as a screw, as illustrated in figure 2, in
more detail.
Figure 4 illustrates an end view of the lower panel part, the
rubber strip and the profile assembled together by means of a
screw and a clip/spacer according to the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the assembly parts
according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to a panel assembly where the at
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least one of the panel parts is made of a thermoplastic
material.
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a conventional heavy
commercial vehicle 1 provided with a side air deflector 2
according to the invention. The deflector 2 is here installed
on the side and behind the cab 3a and in front of the trailer
3b. Such a deflector 2 is long and slim and needs to be of a
rigid design. The air deflector 2 is arranged with a rear edge
strip/panel 4 by e.g. rubber and the deflector 2 may be
assembled by two or more plastic panels.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view from behind of a part
of a side air deflector 2, comprising a main part 5, a lower
extension part 6, an edge strip 4 of rubber and a profile 7 of
e.g. metal/aluminum keeps all parts together. To solve the
problem of thermal expansion special clips/spacers 8 are
arranged in the profile 7. Before the profile 7 has been
located correctly on the panels 5,6, and the edge strip 4 if
any, the clips/spacers 8 are pressed down between the profiles
7 upraised legs 7a,b, the profile 7 describes an H in cross-
section, and snaps into the profile 7 by means of elastic legs
10 above oval holes ll (see figure 3) arranged in the profile
7. By means of the holes 11 and the clips/spacers 8 the
plastic panels 5,6 are allowed to move in their longitudinal
expanding direction. The clips/spacers 8 and the profile 7 are
finally fixed by means of e.g. plastic screws 12.
Figure 3 shows from below a part of the profile 7 and the
clip/spacer 8 as well as a screw 12, as illustrated in figure
2, in more detail. The profile 7 is arranged with oval holes
11 in which the clips/spacers 8 are located. The clips/spacers
8 are arranged with an oval part 13 fitting in the oval holes
11, but in such a manner that the clip/spacer 8 may move/glide
in the axial/longitudinal direction of the profile 7. The
clip/spacer 8 and profile 7 is finally connected/fixed to the
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panels 5,6 by screws 12.
Figure 4 illustrates an end view of a lower panel part 5,6,
the outer edge strip 4 of rubber and the profile 7 assembled
together by means of a screw 12 and a clip/spacer 8 according
to the invention. The clip/spacer 8 is provided with at least
two elastic elements/legs that may be fastened/snapped into/-
against grooves or edges 14 arranged in the profile 7, on the
inside of the upstanding legs 9a,b of the profile 7. The lower
leg 7c of the H-formed profile 7 is arranged to engage into a
recess 9 arranged in the outer edge strip 4 and fixes/locks
thereby this part to the air deflector assembly 2. The profile
7 rests on a rib 15 with screw towers 15a molded in the panel
5,6 integrated as a unitary construction with the panel 5/6.
The clip/spacer 8 may also be integrated with a screw (not
shown).
Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the parts of the
deflector assembly 2 according to the invention. The profile 7
locks the parts together, the main panel 5, the lower
extension panel 6 and the edge strip 4 of rubber by means of
clips/spacers 8 and plastic screws 12. The panels 5,6 are
designed with protruding ribs 16 providing rigidity to the
deflector assembly 2 during use.
The above description is primarily intended to facilitate the
understanding of the invention. However the invention is of
course not in any way restricted to only the disclosed
embodiments, but many possibilities to modifications would be
apparent to a person skilled in the art within the scope of
the invention without departing from the basic idea of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. Panel assembly (2) comprising parts (5,6) made of a thermoplastic material, primarily intended for installation/use as an air/wind deflector on a heavy commercial vehicle, such as a truck, for improving the aerodynamic air flow around the cab (3a) and the trailer (3b), characterized by that - at least one profile (7) (2), panel assembly is arranged to support the panel connecting the different parts (4-6) of the (2), - the profile (7) (ll) assembly is arranged with at least two elongated adapted for installing a clip/spacer (8) (4-6) (7), with required characteristics, mounting holes connecting the panel parts to the profile in order to provide a panel assembly (2) such as sufficient stiffness and permitting thermal expansion of the panel parts (4-6).
2. Panel assembly (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the clip/spacer (8) to the (4-6) (10). is arranged to fix the profile (7) panel parts and is provided with at least two elastic elements/legs
3. Panel assembly (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the clip/spacer (8) the profile (7) is arranged to be snapped in place into (10) (7a,b). by means of the elastic elements/legs and the inside edges/grooves (14) of the profiles legs
4. Panel assembly (2) according to any preceding claims, characterized by that the clip/spacer (8) is made of plastic.
5. Panel assembly (2) according to any preceding claims, characterized by that 10 15 20 25 12 the clip/spacer (8) is integrated with a screw (l2).
6. Panel assembly (2) according to any preceding claims, characterized by that that the profile (7) is H-formed in cross-section.
7. Panel assembly (2) according to any preceding claims, characterized by that the profile (7) (7a,b) is provided with at least two upstanding legs arranged with inside edges (14).
8. Panel assembly (2) according to any preceding claims, characterized by that such as extruded aluminium. the profile (7) is made of metal,
9. Panel assembly (2) according to any preceding claims, characterized by that the profile (7) is arranged to engage into a recess (9) and fixes/locks thereby (2). provided in the outer edge strip (4) this outer edge strip (4) to the air deflector assembly
10. Vehicle provided with a panel assembly (2) according to any of the claims l-9.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE1550012A SE540713C2 (sv) | 2015-01-09 | 2015-01-09 | Panel primarily made of thermoplastic material |
DE102015015813.9A DE102015015813B4 (de) | 2015-01-09 | 2015-12-07 | Spoiler, hauptsächlich aus thermoplastischem Material |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE1550012A SE540713C2 (sv) | 2015-01-09 | 2015-01-09 | Panel primarily made of thermoplastic material |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
SE1550012A1 true SE1550012A1 (sv) | 2016-07-10 |
SE540713C2 SE540713C2 (sv) | 2018-10-16 |
Family
ID=56233247
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
SE1550012A SE540713C2 (sv) | 2015-01-09 | 2015-01-09 | Panel primarily made of thermoplastic material |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
DE (1) | DE102015015813B4 (sv) |
SE (1) | SE540713C2 (sv) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN114084234A (zh) * | 2021-11-16 | 2022-02-25 | 东风商用车有限公司 | 一种商用车导风板固定结构 |
DE102022109640A1 (de) | 2022-04-21 | 2023-10-26 | Man Truck & Bus Se | Seitenverkleidung für ein Fahrgestell eines Nutzfahrzeugs |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7578541B2 (en) | 2005-11-29 | 2009-08-25 | Brian Layfield | Trailer skirt panel |
AU2007210992A1 (en) | 2006-01-31 | 2007-08-09 | Alcoa Inc. | Aerodynamic structures for tractor to trailer junction |
US8186745B2 (en) | 2009-09-15 | 2012-05-29 | Freight Wing Inc. | Device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance |
US8303025B2 (en) | 2010-05-27 | 2012-11-06 | Strehl, Llc | Aerodynamic trucking systems |
US9004575B2 (en) | 2010-08-03 | 2015-04-14 | Gary Alan Grandominico | Aerodynamic skirt assembly |
CA2762860C (en) | 2011-02-18 | 2019-03-12 | Laydon Composites Ltd. | Clamp assembly for mounting panels to i-beams |
-
2015
- 2015-01-09 SE SE1550012A patent/SE540713C2/sv unknown
- 2015-12-07 DE DE102015015813.9A patent/DE102015015813B4/de active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE102015015813A1 (de) | 2016-07-14 |
SE540713C2 (sv) | 2018-10-16 |
DE102015015813B4 (de) | 2021-10-28 |
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