WO2022189956A1 - Functional cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle and method for its manufacturing - Google Patents

Functional cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle and method for its manufacturing Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022189956A1
WO2022189956A1 PCT/IB2022/052034 IB2022052034W WO2022189956A1 WO 2022189956 A1 WO2022189956 A1 WO 2022189956A1 IB 2022052034 W IB2022052034 W IB 2022052034W WO 2022189956 A1 WO2022189956 A1 WO 2022189956A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
main body
electric motor
face
panel
cover panel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2022/052034
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Elia BALDASSARRE
Silvano GUIOTTO
Original Assignee
Iltar Italbox Industrie Riunite Spa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Iltar Italbox Industrie Riunite Spa filed Critical Iltar Italbox Industrie Riunite Spa
Publication of WO2022189956A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022189956A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C44/00—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
    • B29C44/34—Auxiliary operations
    • B29C44/56—After-treatment of articles, e.g. for altering the shape
    • B29C44/5627—After-treatment of articles, e.g. for altering the shape by mechanical deformation, e.g. crushing, embossing, stretching
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C44/00—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
    • B29C44/02—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles for articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/08—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
    • B60R13/0838—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation for engine compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
    • B29K2023/10—Polymers of propylene
    • B29K2023/12—PP, i.e. polypropylene
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof

Definitions

  • TITLE "Functional cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle and method for its manufacturing"
  • the present invention relates to a functional cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle and to a method of manufacturing it.
  • Such panels perform the function of thermally and acoustically insulating the vehicle's internal combustion (endothermic) engines.
  • said panels also perform the task of covering engine parts and components that, for aesthetical reasons, should not remain visible. They also protect the bodies of electric motors from dirt and accidental shocks.
  • such panels were initially conceived for internal combustion engines, such panels are also being employed in electric propulsion vehicles for covering the electric motor.
  • the panels used for covering automotive internal combustion engines and electric motors are made from thermoplastic material.
  • the cover panels for electric motors currently known in the art suffer from a number of drawbacks which should be remedied.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show, respectively, a perspective top view and a perspective bottom view of a cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle, such panel being made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • 10 designates as a whole a cover panel made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Panel 10 is intended for covering an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle.
  • panel 10 is moulded in a single piece from expanded material, e.g. closed-cell material.
  • panel 10 is integrally made of expanded polypropylene, shortened as EPP (Expanded polypropylene) . Thanks to the intrinsic technical characteristics of this material, panel 10 is light, can be recycled, is environmentally friendly, and costs less than panels obtained in accordance with the prior art. Furthermore, whenever possible, additional functions may be integrated into the same panel at a lower cost than required by panels made in accordance with the prior art.
  • Panel 10 comprises - and, particularly, consists of - a main body 12 configured to be mounted on the top of an electric motor of a vehicle.
  • Main body 12 has an outer surface or face 14, operatively facing outwards, and an inner surface or face 16, operatively facing towards the electric motor.
  • main body 12 is moulded - in particular, in a single piece - from expanded material.
  • the expanded material is a closed-cell material.
  • the closed-cell material is expanded polypropylene or EPP.
  • main body 12 has a through opening 18 and positioning and fixing recesses 26 crossing outer face 14 and inner face 16.
  • Through opening 18 and positioning and fixing recesses 26 are configured to permit the insertion of suitable fastening/centering means capable of constraining main body 12 to the electric motor and/or parts of the vehicle's body.
  • suitable fastening/centering means are, for example, inserts for mechanical pressure fastening or threaded pins to be screwed into complementary holes provided on the top of the motor.
  • positioning and fixing recesses 26 are conveniently provided as blind or half-through apertures that allow the main body to be inserted into matching portions formed on the electric motor and/or parts of the vehicle's body.
  • a pair of grip recesses 22 are provided on outer face 14, which are configured to permit an operator to grasp main body 12 in order to lift panel 10 from the electric motor with which it is intended to be associated.
  • main body 12 further comprises a marked region 20 situated on outer face 14 and defined by a plurality of engravings on main body 10.
  • marked region 20 is obtained by means of an aesthetic surface finishing created by such engravings.
  • the engravings may comprise a writing, a logo or other elements intended for providing information (e.g. a serial number) or improving the appearance of the panel (e.g. by forming an ornamental pattern).
  • the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a cover panel 10 for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle.
  • the method comprises the operating step of making a main body 12 configured to be mounted on the top of the electric motor and having an outer face 14, designed to operatively face outwards, and an inner face 16, designed to operatively face towards the electric motor.
  • Said operating step envisages the moulding - in particular, in a single piece - of main body 12 from expanded material .
  • the expanded material is preferably a closed-cell material.
  • the closed-cell material used in this method is expanded polypropylene or EPP.
  • a plurality of spacer projections 24 are formed on inner face 16 as one piece with, and in particular from the same material as, main body 12.
  • a marked region 20 is formed on outer face 14, which is defined by a plurality of engravings on said main body 12.
  • marked region 20 is obtained by aesthetic surface finishing.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Superstructure Of Vehicle (AREA)
  • Motor Or Generator Frames (AREA)
  • Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)

Abstract

The cover panel (10) is intended for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle. There is a main body (12) configured to be mounted on the top of the electric motor and having an outer face (14), designed to operatively face outwards, and an inner face (16), designed to operatively face towards the motor. The main body (12) is moulded in a single piece from expanded material.

Description

TITLE: "Functional cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle and method for its manufacturing"
***
DESCRIPTION
Technical field
The present invention relates to a functional cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle and to a method of manufacturing it.
Technical background
In the field of automotive components, it is known to make panels for covering vehicles' motors.
Such panels perform the function of thermally and acoustically insulating the vehicle's internal combustion (endothermic) engines. In addition, said panels also perform the task of covering engine parts and components that, for aesthetical reasons, should not remain visible. They also protect the bodies of electric motors from dirt and accidental shocks. In fact, although such panels were initially conceived for internal combustion engines, such panels are also being employed in electric propulsion vehicles for covering the electric motor.
Typically, the panels used for covering automotive internal combustion engines and electric motors are made from thermoplastic material. However, the cover panels for electric motors currently known in the art suffer from a number of drawbacks which should be remedied.
EP 2302 620 A1 describes a light-weight shock and sound absorbing material. The shock and sound absorbing material comprises a porous component and a surface material which is laminated onto the porous component. The surface material has at least one layer made of a stretchable paper material. The shock and sound absorbing material is installed on a cover panel covering a sound source such as an engine cover. The porous component is set so as to face the cover panel, with the surface material being set so as to face the sound source, forming a cell structure between the cover panel and the surface material.
Summary of the invention
It is one object of the present invention to provide a cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle and a method of manufacturing it which are improved over the prior art.
For example, due to the peculiarities of EPP, a panel is obtained which is characterised by good recyclability, thus giving a significant ecological contribution, also because of its very low weight.
According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a cover panel and a method of manufacturing it having the technical features set out in the appended independent claims.
It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided herein merely as a non limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.
Brief description of the drawings
Figures 1 and 2 show, respectively, a perspective top view and a perspective bottom view of a cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle, such panel being made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
For completeness' sake, the following is a list of the alphanumerical references used herein to identify parts, elements and components illustrated in the above-summarized drawings .
10. Cover panel
12. Main body
14. Outer face
16. Inner face
18. Through opening
20. Marked region
22. Grip recesses
24. Spacer projections
26. Positioning and fixing recesses
Detailed description of the invention
In the annexed drawings, 10 designates as a whole a cover panel made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Panel 10 is intended for covering an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle.
As will be described in detail hereinafter, panel 10 is moulded in a single piece from expanded material, e.g. closed-cell material. Preferably, panel 10 is integrally made of expanded polypropylene, shortened as EPP (Expanded polypropylene) . Thanks to the intrinsic technical characteristics of this material, panel 10 is light, can be recycled, is environmentally friendly, and costs less than panels obtained in accordance with the prior art. Furthermore, whenever possible, additional functions may be integrated into the same panel at a lower cost than required by panels made in accordance with the prior art.
Panel 10 comprises - and, particularly, consists of - a main body 12 configured to be mounted on the top of an electric motor of a vehicle.
Main body 12 has an outer surface or face 14, operatively facing outwards, and an inner surface or face 16, operatively facing towards the electric motor.
As mentioned above, main body 12 is moulded - in particular, in a single piece - from expanded material. Preferably, the expanded material is a closed-cell material. Even more preferably, the closed-cell material is expanded polypropylene or EPP.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, main body 12 has a through opening 18 and positioning and fixing recesses 26 crossing outer face 14 and inner face 16. Through opening 18 and positioning and fixing recesses 26 are configured to permit the insertion of suitable fastening/centering means capable of constraining main body 12 to the electric motor and/or parts of the vehicle's body. Such fastening/centering means are, for example, inserts for mechanical pressure fastening or threaded pins to be screwed into complementary holes provided on the top of the motor.
For example, positioning and fixing recesses 26 are conveniently provided as blind or half-through apertures that allow the main body to be inserted into matching portions formed on the electric motor and/or parts of the vehicle's body.
In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of grip recesses 22 are provided on outer face 14, which are configured to permit an operator to grasp main body 12 in order to lift panel 10 from the electric motor with which it is intended to be associated.
In the illustrated embodiment, main body 12 comprises a plurality of spacer projections 24 situated on inner face 16 and made as one piece with it. Spacer projections 24 are configured to rest on the top of the electric motor and/or adjacent portions of the vehicle's body, thereby damping vibrations that, in operation, are transferred from the electric motor to cover panel 10. Since spacer projections 24 are made from the same material as main body 12, they advantageously have the same damping properties as such material .
In the illustrated embodiment, main body 12 further comprises a marked region 20 situated on outer face 14 and defined by a plurality of engravings on main body 10. For example, marked region 20 is obtained by means of an aesthetic surface finishing created by such engravings. Moreover, the engravings may comprise a writing, a logo or other elements intended for providing information (e.g. a serial number) or improving the appearance of the panel (e.g. by forming an ornamental pattern).
The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a cover panel 10 for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle. The method comprises the operating step of making a main body 12 configured to be mounted on the top of the electric motor and having an outer face 14, designed to operatively face outwards, and an inner face 16, designed to operatively face towards the electric motor. Said operating step envisages the moulding - in particular, in a single piece - of main body 12 from expanded material .
According to this method, the expanded material is preferably a closed-cell material. Even more preferably, the closed-cell material used in this method is expanded polypropylene or EPP.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention, a plurality of spacer projections 24 are formed on inner face 16 as one piece with, and in particular from the same material as, main body 12.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention, a marked region 20 is formed on outer face 14, which is defined by a plurality of engravings on said main body 12. For example, marked region 20 is obtained by aesthetic surface finishing.
Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Cover panel (10) for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle; said cover panel comprising a main body (12) moulded in a single piece from closed-cell expanded material, which is expanded polypropylene, shortened as PPE or EPP; said main body (12) being configured to be mounted on the top of the electric motor and having an outer face (14) designed to operatively face outwards, and an inner face (16) designed to operatively face towards the motor; characterised in that said panel consists of said main body (12); in that said main body (12) comprises a plurality of spacer projections (24) and/or positioning and fixing recesses (26) made in a single piece with said main body (12), situated on said inner face (16), and capable of being placed on the top of the electric motor; and in that said main body (12) comprises a marked region (20) situated on said outer face (14), defined by a plurality of engravings on said main body (12) and obtained by surface finishing.
2. Panel according to claim 1, wherein the marked region (20) is made by laser texturing.
3. Panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pair of grip recesses (22) are provided on said outer face (14), which are configured to permit an operator to grasp said main body (12) so as to lift said panel (10) from the electric motor to which it is intended to be attached.
4. Electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle, wherein said electric motor is provided, on its top, with a cover panel made in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
5. Electric propulsion vehicle comprising an electric motor according to claim 4.
6. Method of manufacturing a cover panel (10) for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle; said method comprising the operating step of moulding a main body (12) in a single piece from closed-cell expanded material, which is expanded polypropylene or EPP; said main body (12) being configured to be mounted on the top of the electric motor and having an outer face (14), designed to operatively face outwards, and an inner face (16), designed to operatively face towards the motor; said method being characterized in that said panel (10) consists of said main body (12); in that in said operating step a plurality of spacer projections (24) and/or positioning and fixing recesses (26) are made as one piece with said main body (12) on said inner face (16); and in that in a further operating step a marked region (20) is made, which is situated on said outer face (14) and which is defined by a plurality of engravings on said main body (12).
7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the marked region (20) is made by laser texturing.
8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in another operating step said spacer projections (24) and/or said positioning and fixing recesses (26) are placed on the top of the electric motor.
PCT/IB2022/052034 2021-03-08 2022-03-08 Functional cover panel for an electric motor of an electric propulsion vehicle and method for its manufacturing WO2022189956A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102021000005282A IT202100005282A1 (en) 2021-03-08 2021-03-08 FUNCTIONAL COVER PANEL FOR AN ELECTRIC MOTOR OF AN ELECTRIC DRIVEN MOTOR VEHICLE AND PROCEDURE FOR ITS MANUFACTURING.
IT102021000005282 2021-03-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022189956A1 true WO2022189956A1 (en) 2022-09-15

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DE4234206A1 (en) * 1992-05-02 1993-11-04 Infra Folienkabel Gmbh METHOD FOR PRODUCING DECORATIVE PLATES FROM POLYSTYRENE FOAM
EP1125719A2 (en) * 2000-02-14 2001-08-22 Nichias Corporation Shape memory foam member and method of producing the same
JP2010127196A (en) * 2008-11-28 2010-06-10 Pacific Ind Co Ltd Vehicle component and manufacturing method of the same
US20160102630A1 (en) * 2014-07-09 2016-04-14 Sumitomo Riko Company Limited Engine cover
US20170173853A1 (en) * 2015-12-17 2017-06-22 John Hart Miller Integrally labeled, marked thermoplastic foam products, systems and methods

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Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4206617A1 (en) * 1992-03-03 1993-09-09 Happich Gmbh Gebr METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN AT LEAST AREA STRUCTURED SURFACE ON A FOAM MOLDED BODY MADE FROM EXPANDED POLYPROPYLENE PARTICLES
DE4234206A1 (en) * 1992-05-02 1993-11-04 Infra Folienkabel Gmbh METHOD FOR PRODUCING DECORATIVE PLATES FROM POLYSTYRENE FOAM
EP1125719A2 (en) * 2000-02-14 2001-08-22 Nichias Corporation Shape memory foam member and method of producing the same
JP2010127196A (en) * 2008-11-28 2010-06-10 Pacific Ind Co Ltd Vehicle component and manufacturing method of the same
US20160102630A1 (en) * 2014-07-09 2016-04-14 Sumitomo Riko Company Limited Engine cover
US20170173853A1 (en) * 2015-12-17 2017-06-22 John Hart Miller Integrally labeled, marked thermoplastic foam products, systems and methods

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Publication number Publication date
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