U.S. patent application number 10/728902 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for heat radiating structure of an interior member and related method.
This patent application is currently assigned to NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kondou, Youichirou, Miura, Hiroaki, Nagayama, Hiroki.
Application Number | 20040195856 10/728902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32322076 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040195856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nagayama, Hiroki ; et
al. |
October 7, 2004 |
HEAT RADIATING STRUCTURE OF AN INTERIOR MEMBER AND RELATED
METHOD
Abstract
A heat radiating structure of an interior member is provided
with a heat radiating portion adapted to be applied to a vehicle
and disposed on a rear surface of an interior member whose surface
is adapted to be applied with external energy, a heat receiving and
radiating portion connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle, and a
reflecting member allowing heat radiation, radiating from the heat
radiating portion to an inside of the interior member, to be
reflected and propagated to the heat receiving and radiating
portion. The reflecting member cooperates with the heat radiating
portion and the heat receiving and radiating portion to define a
closed space.
Inventors: |
Nagayama, Hiroki;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Kondou, Youichirou;
(Zushi-shi, JP) ; Miura, Hiroaki; (Kamakura-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
|
Family ID: |
32322076 |
Appl. No.: |
10/728902 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/97.7 ;
165/10; 165/41; 165/49; 296/39.1; 296/97.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00564 20130101;
B60H 1/00295 20190501; B60H 2001/003 20130101; B60H 1/32 20130101;
Y10S 165/904 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/097.7 ;
165/041; 165/049; 165/010; 296/039.1; 296/097.1 |
International
Class: |
F28D 017/00; F24D
019/02; F28D 019/00; F28F 001/00; F24H 009/06; F28D 001/00; B60J
003/00; B60R 013/01; B62D 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 2002 |
JP |
2002-358122 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A heat radiating structure of an interior member, comprising: a
heat radiating portion adapted to be applied to a vehicle and
disposed on a rear surface of an interior member whose surface is
adapted to be applied with external energy; a heat receiving and
radiating portion connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle; and a
reflecting member allowing heat radiation, radiating from the heat
radiating portion to an inside of the interior member, to be
reflected toward the heat receiving and radiating portion, the
reflecting member cooperating with the heat radiating portion and
the heat receiving and radiating portion to define a closed
space.
2. The heat radiating structure according to claim 1, wherein the
reflecting member is located on a contour surface of the closed
space except for the heat radiating portion and the heat receiving
and radiating portion.
3. The heat radiating structure according to claim 1, wherein the
reflecting member is located on a contour surface, providing
connection between the heat radiating portion and the heat
receiving and radiating portion, of the closed space.
4. The heat radiating structure according to claim 1, wherein the
interior member includes an instrument panel, and the vehicle body
includes a dash panel.
5. The heat radiating structure according to claim 4, wherein the
heat radiating portion is located on the instrument panel in
compliance with an entire surface of the rear surface thereof.
6. The heat radiating structure according to claim 4, wherein the
heat receiving and radiating portion is located on at least a part
of a surface of the dash panel facing the rear surface of the
instrument panel.
7. The heat radiating structure according to claim 4, wherein the
reflecting member is located on a contour surface of the closed
space except for the rear surface of the instrument panel and at
least the part of the surface of the dash panel.
8. The heat radiating structure according to claim 1, wherein the
heat radiating portion has emissivity of a value equal to or
greater than 0.7 that is obtained by a measurement method based on
ASTM C 1371-98.
9. The heat radiating structure according to claim 1, wherein the
heat receiving and radiating portion has emissivity of a value
equal to or greater than 0.7 that is obtained by a measurement
method based on ASTM C 1371-98.
10. The heat radiating structure according to claim 1, wherein the
reflecting member has emissivity of a value equal to or less than
0.4 that is obtained by a measurement method based on ASTM C
1371-98.
11. The heat radiating structure according to claim 1, wherein the
surface of the reflecting member is applied with at least one of a
thin plate and a thin film that reflects an infrared ray.
12. The heat radiating structure according to claim 11, wherein the
at least one of the thin plate and the thin film includes at least
one of a metallic foil, a film on which metal is vapor deposited,
and a combination thereof.
13. The heat radiating structure according to claim 4, wherein the
heat receiving and radiating portion is located on the dash panel
within a lower half portion with respect to a total height of the
dash panel, in the closed space.
14. The heat radiating structure according to claim 4, wherein at
least one of the dash panel and the vehicle body connected to the
dash panel is made of steel, and the heat receiving and radiating
portion is connected to the steel plate.
15. A heat radiating structure of an interior member, comprising:
heat radiating means, adapted to be applied to a vehicle and
disposed on a rear surface of an interior member whose surface is
adapted to be applied with external energy, for radiating heat;
heat receiving and radiating means, connected to a vehicle body of
the vehicle, for receiving the heat radiated from the heat
radiating means and radiating the heat to an outside; and
reflecting means for reflecting heat radiation radiating from the
heat radiating portion to an inside of the interior member to
propagate the heat radiation to the heat receiving and radiating
means, the reflecting means cooperating with the heat radiating
means and the heat receiving and radiating means to define a closed
space.
16. A method of radiating heat from an interior member, the method
comprising: performing heat radiation from a heat radiating portion
located on a rear surface of an interior member adapted to be
applied to a vehicle and having a surface applied with external
energy; and receiving the heat radiation from the heat radiating
portion and radiating heat to an outside using a heat receiving and
radiating portion located in connection to a vehicle body of the
vehicle, the heat radiation propagated from the heat radiating
portion being reflected at a reflecting portion and propagated to
the heat receiving and radiating portion, and the reflecting
portion cooperating with the heat radiating portion and the heat
receiving and radiating portion to define a closed space.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat radiating structure
of an interior member and its related method, and more
particularly, to a heat radiating structure of an interior member
and its related method wherein, in order to improve a temperature
environment in a vehicle compartment of an automobile, attempt is
made to release heat retained by an interior member, such as one
represented by an instrument panel, to be re-radiated to the
vehicle compartment and heat accumulated inside the interior member
and to release heat filled inside the vehicle that is parking under
the brazing sun.
[0002] A compartment inside a vehicle such as an automobile parking
under an environment with the brazing sun reaches an extremely high
temperature and, in measured examples conducted for a summer
environment in Japanese territory, an air temperature inside the
compartment reaches a value of approximately 70.degree. C. It is
needless to say that improvement over displeasure in such a
circumstance is earnestly expected.
[0003] As a measure to counter such high temperature and heat
environment inside the compartment, heat exchange is to be achieved
so as to cool air inside the compartment and, to this end, an air
conditioning unit has been used in the past to lower the room
temperature. However, during parking of the vehicle under the
brazing sun, heat builds up on a surface of the interior member to
cause the temperature inside the interior member to increase,
resulting in a situation under which electronic component parts
located inside the interior member, i.e., especially, inside the
instrument panel, are exposed to the high temperature. Upon
consideration of such a situation, there is a need for using the
electronic component parts that have an excellent heat-resistant
property, with becoming factors for increasing costs.
[0004] Further, a measure to counter the high temperature inside
the interior member has been undertaken to have the electronic
component parts wound with heat insulating material such as
urethane form or resin felt.
[0005] Also, another proposal has been made to provide a structure
wherein lowering the temperature inside the compartment allows the
surface or the inside of the interior member to be cooled. Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 9-295509 discloses a
structure in which a solar battery is used as an electric power
supply to achieve forced ventilation in the vehicle
compartment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] However, upon careful studies undertaken by the present
inventors, with the structure wherein such heat insulating material
is applied to the electronic component parts inside the interior
member, the heat insulating material merely plays a roll to delay
the temperature rise, resulting in occurrence of no fundamental
measure.
[0007] Further, with the structure in which the forced ventilation
is performed inside the vehicle compartment using the solar battery
as the electric power supply, it is required to newly install a
relatively large-scaled apparatus on the vehicle, and such
installation lacks actuality in view of installation method of the
apparatus and a vehicle style while a marked tendency appears to
provide a difficulty in practical use in view of increases in
weight and cost. When taking consideration in view of the
temperature rise in the vehicle compartment, ventilating air and
improving a heat-exchange efficiency of air are low in efficiency
to lower the room temperature, with a resultant a certain
limitation in obtaining a desired result.
[0008] Therefore, in view of the analysis set forth above, approach
has been undertaken again to conduct various analyses related to
the radiation and reception of heat during parking of the vehicle
under the brazing sun. Among these, although a technology of
cooling air to be delivered to the vehicle compartment surely
provides a certain effect, in order to more directly lower the
temperature of vehicle compartment or the inside of the interior
member, it is revealed to be important to pay attention to the
occurrence in which the interior member, such as one represented by
the instrument panel, absorbs the sunlight to cause a new heat
source to be created. That is, it is thought that, unless heat
retained by the interior member is radiated to the outside of the
vehicle, it is hard to effectively preclude the temperature rise in
the vehicle compartment or the inside of the interior member. Also,
when taking a measure to counter the temperature rise in the
vehicle compartment or the inside of the interior member, it is
desirable to utilize the lowest possible use of power such as
electric power because the vehicle stands in parking or halt state,
and the use of a specific electric power supply, composed of the
solar battery, is found to be undesirable in view of an increase in
weight and cost. In any case, it is required for realizing a
structure that enables utilization of the lowest possible
power.
[0009] The present invention has been completed upon various
studies conducted by the present inventors as described above and
has an object to provide a heat radiating structure of an interior
member and its related method wherein heat retained in an interior
member, such as one represented by an instrument panel, is
prevented from applying heat radiating to an inside of the interior
member or from re-radiating heat to a vehicle compartment for
preventing an increase in an internal temperature of the interior
member when left under the brazing sun while making it possible to
improve a temperature and heat environment in the vehicle
compartment.
[0010] To achieve the above object, as one aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a heat radiating structure of an
interior member, comprising: a heat radiating portion adapted to be
applied to a vehicle and disposed on a rear surface of an interior
member whose surface is adapted to be applied with external energy;
a heat receiving and radiating portion connected to a vehicle body
of the vehicle; and a reflecting member allowing heat radiation,
radiating from the heat radiating portion to an inside of the
interior member, to be reflected and propagated to the heat
receiving and radiating portion, the reflecting member cooperating
with the heat radiating portion and the heat receiving and
radiating portion to define a closed space.
[0011] Stated another way, as another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a heat radiating structure of an
interior member, comprising: heat radiating means, adapted to be
applied to a vehicle and disposed on a rear surface of an interior
member whose surface is adapted to be applied with external energy,
for radiating heat; heat receiving and radiating means, connected
to a vehicle body of the vehicle, for receiving the heat radiated
from the heat radiating means and radiating the heat to an outside;
and reflecting means for reflecting heat radiation radiating from
the heat radiating portion to an inside of the interior member to
propagate the heat radiation to the heat receiving and radiating
means, the reflecting means cooperating with the heat radiating
means and the heat receiving and radiating means to define a closed
space.
[0012] In the meantime, as another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of radiating heat from an interior
member, the method comprising: performing heat radiation from a
heat radiating portion located on a rear surface of an interior
member adapted to be applied to a vehicle and having a surface
applied with external energy; and receiving the heat radiation from
the heat radiating portion and radiating heat to an outside using a
heat receiving and radiating portion located in connection to a
vehicle body of the vehicle, the heat radiation propagated from the
heat radiating portion being reflected at a reflecting portion and
propagated to the heat receiving and radiating portion, and the
reflecting portion cooperating with the heat radiating portion and
the heat receiving and radiating portion to define a closed
space.
[0013] Other and further features, advantages, and benefits of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
description taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel of
an automobile of a first embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel of
an automobile of a second embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel of
an automobile of a third embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of a ducted
structure forming part of the third embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating another example of a ducted
structure forming part of the third embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel of
an automobile of a fourth embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel of
an automobile of a fifth embodiment according to the present
invention; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel of
an automobile for which various studies have been conducted by the
present inventors.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Hereunder, a heat radiating structure of an interior member
and its related method of each of various embodiments according to
the present invention are described below in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings. Also, throughout the drawings,
reference symbol "FR" designates a vehicle front, "UPR" a vehicle
upward and "L" vehicle leftward, respectively.
[0023] (First Embodiment)
[0024] Now, a heat radiating structure of an interior member and
its related method of a first embodiment according to the present
invention are described in detail.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel
forming an automobile interior member of the presently filed
embodiment.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the instrument panel 6, located in front
of a vehicle compartment R of an automobile which is a vehicle
having a vehicle body V, is mounted to a dash panel 5 that is made
of a steel plate per se or connected to such a steel plate and
forms a component part of a vehicle body. By the dash panel 5, the
vehicle compartment and a forward portion of the vehicle body such
as an engine bay are separated from one another. Left and right
ends of the instrument panel 6 are closed and component parts 4,
such as mechanical parts and electrical parts, are installed inside
the instrument panel 6. The heat radiating structure of the
interior member includes, in an internal structure of the
instrument panel 6, a heat radiating portion 1 disposed on a rear
surface of the instrument panel 6, and a heat receiving and
radiating portion (hereinafter, simply referred to as a heat
receiving portion) 2 disposed on the dash panel 5, with respective
peripheral portions of the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat
receiving portion 2, involving the left and right ends of the heat
radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving portion 2, being
surrounded with and closed by a reflecting member 3 having a curved
shape such that a closed space S is defined. Of course, if the
occasion demands, the closed space S may be simply defined by
closing left and right ends thereof by use of the left and right
ends of the instrument panel 6 in addition to the reflecting member
3 only facing the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving
portion 2. Incidentally, for the sake of convenience, the closed
space S is shown as a closed section in FIG. 1.
[0027] Here, the temperature rise in the vehicle compartment R
occurs due to heat energy E applied to air or component parts in
the vehicle compartment R, and a surface of the instrument panel 6
is subjected to such an application of the heat energy E to
generate heat in the instrument panel 6 and the temperature of the
instrument panel 6 increases. In the meantime, the temperature rise
inside the instrument panel 6 occurs when the surface of the
instrument panel 6 is heated and new heat radiation radiates from
the rear surface of the instrument panel 6 to the inside thereof
whereby the component parts 4, disposed inside the instrument panel
6, are subjected to such heat radiation and heated up. Accordingly,
mere approach to discharge hot air from the inside of the
instrument panel 6 makes it hard to effectively lower the
temperature, and there is a need for providing a structure by which
heat accumulated in the instrument panel 6 forming a heat source is
effectively released to the outside of the vehicle compartment.
[0028] Therefore, the presently filed embodiment contemplates
adopting a structure in which the heat radiating portion 1 is
disposed on the rear surface of the instrument panel 6 at an upper
area, which is apt to be mostly heated, of the instrument panel 6
and in the meantime, the heat receiving portion 2 is disposed on at
least a part of the dash panel 5 that is relatively low in
temperature and exposed to the outside of the vehicle compartment,
whereupon the peripheral areas of the heat radiating portion 1 and
the heat receiving portion 2, that is, the space between the heat
radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving portion 2 are surrounded
by the reflecting member 3 to form the closed space S. This allows
the heat radiation HR, radiating from the rear surface of the
instrument panel 6 to the inside thereof, to be reflected by the
reflecting member 3 to be propagated and conducted to the heat
receiving portion 2 disposed on the dash panel 5. Incidentally, for
the sake of convenience, each of the heat radiating portion 1 and
the heat receiving portion 2 may be simply thought as a kind of a
blackbody.
[0029] Further, many probabilities exist where the component parts
4 inside the instrument panel 6 are usually colored in black, and
since such black colored component parts 4 are liable to absorb
heat radiation covering in an infrared wavelength band, heat
build-up tends to be further induced. Therefore, the presently
filed embodiment contemplates adopting a structure wherein not only
the peripheral areas of the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat
receiving portion 2 are surrounded with the reflecting member 3 to
form the closed space S but also the component parts 4 inside the
instrument panel 6 are separated from the closed space S. This
enables the component parts 4 to be shielded from heat radiation
HR, resulting in a capability of avoiding resulting temperature
rise of the component parts 4.
[0030] Consequently, heat radiation HR radiated from the heat
radiating portion 1 is reflected in multiple reflections by the
reflecting member 3 and conducted to the heat receiving portion 2
without inviting any excessive temperature rise, thereby causing
received heat to be radiated to the outside of the vehicle via the
heat receiving portion 2 located on the dash panel 5.
[0031] More particularly, it is preferable for the surface of the
reflecting member 3, facing the closed space S, which is defined
with the heat radiating portion 1, disposed on the rear surface of
the instrument panel 6, and the heat receiving portion 2, disposed
on at least a part of the dash panel 5, in cooperation, to have
emissivity in a range equal to or less than 0.4 and, more
preferably, equal to or less than 0.2 in a measuring method based
on ASTM C 1371-98. This is because of the fact that if the heat
emissivity is deviated from such a range, the reflecting member 3
is unable to allow heat radiation from the heat radiating portion 1
to be effectively reflected, and the heat radiation can not be
adequately conducted to the heat receiving portion 2.
[0032] Furthermore, it is preferable for the heat radiating portion
1 disposed on the rear surface of the instrument panel 6 and the
heat receiving portion 2 disposed on at least the part of the dash
panel 5 to have emissivity in a range equal to or greater than 0.7
and, more preferably, equal to or greater than 0.85 in the
measuring method based on ASTM C 1371-98. The surface of the heat
radiating portion 1 needs to effectively release heat energy
obtained from its surface to a lower area, and the heat receiving
portion 2 needs, after such heat energy is directly transmitted or
indirectly transmitted though reflection, to absorb the heat energy
whereupon the heat energy is required to be effectively released to
the outside of the vehicle. This is because of the fact that if
such emissivity is deviated from the above range, heat radiation
from the surface of the heat radiating portion 1 decreases and
release of heat, resulting from the heat receiving portion 2 that
has absorbed the heat radiation from the heat radiating portion 1,
decreases to cause the temperature to rise in the vehicle
compartment and the component parts 4. Incidentally, it is not
objectionable for the surface of the heat receiving portion 2,
facing inside the closed space S, to be provided with a separate
member to enable heat radiation to be easily absorbed.
[0033] Moreover, the surface of the reflecting member 3 may be
preferably provided with a thin film or thin plate having a
characteristic with a high reflectivity in the infrared wavelength
band, as designated at 3a. This allows a reflection function of the
reflecting member 3 to be enhanced and a strength and rigidity of
the reflecting member 3 to be supplied for maintaining the
reflecting member 3 in a given shape. Also, the surfaces of the
component parts 4 present inside the instrument panel 6 may be
covered with similar reflecting material or a thin film having a
high reflectivity in the infrared wavelength band with scrupulous
care. Additionally, when using an air conditioning duct, made of
resin material such as polypropylene, in the closed space S, such
reflecting material and thin film may be covered on the air
conditioning duct. Moreover, in a case where the heat radiating
portion 1 and the heat receiving portion 2 do not cover wholes of
the instrument panel 6 and the dash panel 5 facing the closed space
S, the reflecting member 3 may be covered on those remaining
areas.
[0034] Further, the thin plate and the thin film, to be covered on
the surface of the reflecting member 3 and to have an infrared ray
reflecting characteristic, may respectively include a metal foil, a
film formed through vapor deposition of metal or a combination of
these components. It is preferable for the infrared ray reflecting
characteristic to lie at a value equal to or greater than 70% of
reflectivity in the infrared wavelength band and, in addition, in
view of ease of availability and handling of material, it is
particularly preferable to use a heat radiation reflection film
whose layer having such infrared ray reflecting character is formed
by vapor deposition of metal.
[0035] Further, as the layer having such infrared ray reflecting
characteristic, it is possible to use an aluminum foil, a copper
foil, a metal vapor deposit film resulting from sputtering aluminum
oxide or copper oxide on a resin film, an aluminum foil on which a
transparent resin layer is attached, a copper foil on which a
transparent resin layer is attached, a resin film on which aluminum
is deposited, a resin film applied with reflecting coating
material, a resin film formed of reflecting material or a mixture
of reflecting material and white pigments, and a metal vapor
deposit film resulting from sputtering aluminum oxide or copper
oxide onto unwoven cloth made of polyester or polyester fiber.
[0036] Here, when using the reflecting layer formed of the aluminum
foil, the copper foil, the aluminum foil on which the transparent
resin layer is adhered or the copper foil on which the transparent
resin layer is adhered, a thickness of the reflecting layer may
preferably lie at a value equal to or greater than 1 .mu.m and
equal to or less than 1000 .mu.m and, more preferably, a value
equal to or greater than 5 .mu.m and equal to or less than 50 .mu.m
in view of a desired reflecting characteristic.
[0037] Furthermore, when using any one of the aluminum vapor
deposit resin film, the resin film applied with reflecting coating
material or the resin film containing reflecting material or the
mixture of reflecting material and white pigments, the resin film
may have an average transmissivity of a value equal to or greater
than 70% in a visible range to the infrared wavelength band so as
to preclude the infrared ray, coming through an area in the absence
of aluminum or reflecting coating, from being absorbed by the resin
film. Moreover, the resin film may be preferably made of material
such as polyester or polyethylene in consideration of a
heat-resistant property and flexibility. Also, it is preferable for
the resin film to have a thickness falling at a value equal to or
greater than 5 .mu.m and equal to or less than 100 .mu.m in view of
ease of handling. In addition, it is preferable for the layer, in
which aluminum is deposited, to have a thickness lying at a value
equal to or greater than 5 nm and equal to or less than 100
.mu.M.
[0038] Further, as the reflecting coating material, material
including aluminum scales can be used as main component. The
thickness of coating material may preferably fall in a range equal
to or greater than 10 nm and equal to or less than 100 .mu.m like
the thickness of the aluminum layer attached on the resin layer. As
the reflecting material or the white pigments to be mixed into
resin, aluminum scales or titania fine-grains or mica powder coated
with titania may be preferably used. The percentage content of each
element may preferably fall in a range equal to or greater than
0.001 weight % and equal to or less than 0.2 weight %. This is
because of the fact that with the percentage content being less
than 0.001%, the transmissivity increases whereas even if the above
element is mixed at the percentage content exceeding a value of 0.2
weight %, a heat radiation reflecting effect falls in a saturated
condition.
[0039] As set forth above, using the structure of the presently
filed embodiment enables advantages effects to be obtained as
described below.
[0040] Due to an ability in which heat radiation, radiated from the
rear surface of the instrument panel 6, is conducted to the outside
of the vehicle without causing heat to be absorbed by the component
parts 4 located inside the instrument panel 6, it becomes possible
to preclude undesired temperature rise in the component parts 4
disposed inside the instrument panel 6.
[0041] Further, the heat energy to be absorbed by the instrument
panel 6 is possibly released to the outside of the vehicle in the
minimum distance, enabling heat to be prevented from radiating to
the vehicle compartment.
[0042] Furthermore, since the heat receiving portion 2 disposed on
the dash panel 5 is held in contact with or connected to the steel
plate forming the vehicle body, a heat radiation effect to the
outside of the vehicle through the heat receiving portion 2 can be
increased.
[0043] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent heat retained in the
interior member, represented by the instrument panel, from
radiating to the inside of the instrument panel 6 and from
re-radiating to the vehicle compartment, thereby providing a
capability of improving temperature and heat environment in the
vehicle compartment.
[0044] (Second Embodiment)
[0045] Next, a heat radiating structure of an interior member and
its related method of a second embodiment according to the present
invention are described below in detail.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel that
forms an automobile interior member of the presently filed
embodiment.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, a fundamental structure of the presently
filed embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and
differs from the same in that the heat receiving portion 2 to be
located on the dash panel 5 at a part thereof is disposed on a
lower portion of the dash panel 5 in an area facing the closed
space S in a length L2 (L2.ltoreq.1/2.times.L1) that is equal to or
less than a half the length L1 of the dash panel 5. The remaining
structure of the presently filed embodiment is similar to that of
the first embodiment and, therefore, like component parts bear the
same reference numerals with description being suitably simplified
or omitted.
[0048] More particularly, the presently filed embodiment has a
structure wherein the heat radiating portion 1 is disposed on the
rear surface of the instrument panel 6 and the heat receiving
portion 2 is disposed on the lower portion of the dash panel 5 at
the area, facing the closed space S, in the length L2 while,
additionally, remaining peripheral areas of the closed space S
excepting the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving
portion 2 are entirely covered with the reflecting member 3.
[0049] That is, the closed space S is defined with the heat
radiating portion 1 disposed on the rear surface of the instrument
panel 6, the heat receiving portion 2 disposed on the lower portion
of the dash panel 5 in the area half the length of the dash panel
5, the reflecting member 3 disposed on the dash panel 5 at an upper
portion thereof, and the reflecting member 3 shielding the
component parts 4 from heat radiation.
[0050] As described above, with the structure of the presently
filed embodiment, the presence of the heat receiving portion 2
disposed on the dash panel 5 at the lower portion thereof in the
area half the length of the dash panel 5 enables heat to be
radiated to an area prevailing in a further increased temperature
difference, and increase in the internal temperature of the
interior can be effectively suppressed while making it possible to
improve the temperature and heat environment in the vehicle
compartment.
[0051] (Third Embodiment)
[0052] Next, a heat radiating structure of an interior member and
its related method of a third embodiment according to the present
invention are described below in detail.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel that
foams an automobile interior member of the presently filed
embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of a
ducted structure of the presently filed embodiment.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a fundamental structure of the
presently filed embodiment is the same as that of the second
embodiment and differs from the same in that a ducted structure 7
is provided to interconnect the heat radiating portion 1, disposed
on the rear surface of the instrument panel 6, and the heat
receiving portion 2, disposed on the dash panel 5, with respect to
one another, and in that the reflecting member 3 is disposed over a
surface of the ducted structure 7, facing the closed surface S,
which is internally defined with the heat radiating portion 1 and
the heat receiving portion 2 in cooperation. The remaining
structure of the presently filed embodiment is similar to that of
the second embodiment and like component parts bear the same
reference numerals with description being suitably simplified or
omitted.
[0055] More particularly, with the presently filed embodiment, upon
consideration of a situation in which, since the instrument panel 6
has an extremely complicated internal structure and the dash panel
5 has the lower portion exposed to an extremely lower temperature
than the upper portion of the dash panel 5 to enable the biggest
possible temperature difference to be taken, it is preferable for
heat to be reliably conducted to the lower portion of the dash
panel 5 to cause heat to be effectively radiated to the outside of
the vehicle, the ducted structure 7 is provided and includes duct
component members 7a to 7d respectively disposed at a side closer
to the dash panel 5 and at a side closer to the component parts 4
for the purpose of more clearly define a heat conducting path
between the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving portion
2 to allow heat to be conducted from the heat radiating portion 1,
disposed on the rear surface of the instrument panel 6, to the heat
receiving portion 2 disposed on the dash panel 5, exposed at the
lower temperature, while preventing heat absorption with the
reflecting member 3.
[0056] That is, the presently filed embodiment contemplates
providing the ducted structure 7 that is defined with the closed
space S present between the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat
receiving portion 2 to allow the heat radiating portion 1 and the
heat receiving portion 2 to be directly connected to one another
and that has an internal surface formed of the reflecting member 3
to more reliably form a heat conducting path for enabling heat to
be effectively radiated to the outside of the vehicle. Also, such
duct component members 7a to 7d are made of resin material such as
polypropylene resin. Additionally, the surface of the reflecting
member 3 may be covered with a thin film having the high
reflectivity in the infrared wavelength band, as described with
reference to the first embodiment, with scrupulous care.
[0057] Further, such a ducted structure may take the form of
suitably selected number of ducted structure components to define
any number of heat conducting paths in the instrument panel 6 to
enable more efficient heat radiation to be performed, and thus, not
only a single ducted structure may be provided in an elongated
state in a widthwise direction of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 4,
but also a plurality of divided ducted structures may be separately
located in the widthwise direction of the vehicle as shown in FIG.
5. That is, a plurality of heat conducting paths can be suitably
provided inside the instrument panel 6, enabling more efficient
heat radiation to be performed.
[0058] Incidentally, while the structure of the presently filed
embodiment has been described in conjunction with an example as
applied to the structure of the second embodiment, it is, of
course, needless to say that a concept of the presently filed
embodiment can be applied to the structure of the first
embodiment.
[0059] (Fourth Embodiment)
[0060] Next, a heat radiating structure of an interior member and
its related method of a fourth embodiment according to the present
invention are described below in detail.
[0061] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel that
forms an automobile interior member of the presently filed
embodiment.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 6, a fundamental structure of the presently
filed embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and
differs from the same in that a resin plate 10 is disposed so as to
allow the heat radiating portion 1, disposed on the rear surface of
the instrument panel 6, and the heat receiving portion 2 disposed
on the dash panel 5 to be connected to one another and the
reflecting member 3 is disposed on the resin plate 10 at a surface
facing the closed space S defined with the heat radiating portion 1
and the heat receiving portion 2 in cooperation.
[0063] More particularly, with the presently filed embodiment, upon
consideration of occurrence wherein, in order to allow heat
radiation to be more effectively transmitted from the heat
radiating portion 1, disposed on the rear surface of the instrument
panel 6, to the heat receiving portion 2 exposed at a low
temperature, it is effective to have not only a further increased
temperature difference but also the presence of the heat radiating
portion 1 and the heat receiving portion 2 possibly facing one
another to have an increased view factor between the mutually
facing surfaces, the resin plate 10 is provided so as to connect
the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving portion 2 to
one another with a view to permitting the view factor to be set to
an increased value between the heat radiating portion 1 and the
heat receiving portion 2 to allow heat to be conducted from the
heat radiating portion 1, disposed on the rear surface of the
instrument panel 6, to the heat receiving portion 2 disposed on the
dash panel 5 exposed at the lower temperature, while preventing
heat absorption with the reflecting member 3. Here, when taking
actual radiation and reception in heat radiation into
consideration, it is particularly preferable for the view factor
between the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving portion
2 to lie at a value equal to or greater than 0.1.
[0064] That is, with the structure of the presently filed
embodiment, due to a structure wherein the surface of the closed
space S between the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving
portion 2 is composed of the reflecting member 3, no heat
absorption occurs on the surface of the closed space S, and not
only heat can be effectively conducted to a low temperature region
but also heat radiation coming from the heat radiating portion 1
can be more reliably received with the heat receiving portion 2
because the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving portion
2 are structured so as to face one another while defining the view
factor.
[0065] Incidentally, while the presently filed embodiment has been
described with reference to the structure wherein the heat
radiating portion 1 and the heat receiving portion 2 are disposed
adjacent to one another, it is to be noted that the positions and
the ranges of these components are relative and, if there is the
relationship in which the view factor lies at a value equal to or
greater than 0.1, it is not objectionable for the heat radiating
portion 1 to be located on the rear surface of the instrument panel
6 and for the heat receiving portion 2 to be located on the dash
panel 5.
[0066] (Fifth Embodiment)
[0067] Next, a heat radiating structure of an interior member and
its related method of a fifth embodiment according to the present
invention are described below in detail.
[0068] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an instrument panel that
forms an automobile interior member of the presently filed
embodiment.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, a fundamental structure of the presently
filed embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment and
takes the form of a structure in that the resin plate 10 is
disposed so as to allow the heat radiating portion 1, disposed on
the rear surface of the instrument panel 6, and the heat receiving
portion 2 disposed on the dash panel 5 to be connected to one
another and not only the surface of the resin plate 10 is covered
with the reflecting member 3 but also the heat receiving portion 1
is covered with the resin panel to form the reflecting member 3 for
causing heat to be further effectively conducted. The range in
which the reflecting surface, such as one of the reflecting surface
3, is provided on the heat receiving portion 1 can be arbitrarily
determined and, further, respective surfaces of the component parts
4 disposed inside the instrument panel 6 can be possibly
utilized.
[0070] In the meanwhile, FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an
automobile instrument panel to which the heat radiating structure
of the interior member of each of the various embodiments set forth
above is not applied.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 8, such a structure takes the form of a
configuration in which the rear surface of the instrument panel 6
is merely thermally connected to the component parts 4 disposed on
the instrument panel 6 and thus heat radiation HR occurs from the
rear surface of the instrument panel 6 to the component parts 4
located on the instrument panel 6, with a resultant difficulty in
effectively radiating heat to the outside of the vehicle with
resultant occurrence of the temperature rise in the inside of the
instrument panel 6.
[0072] Finally, the heat radiating structures of the interior
members of the various embodiments according to the present
invention are described below with reference to a concrete Example
and Comparative Examples.
FIRST EXAMPLE
[0073] Initially, a first Example is described.
[0074] In this Example, as one example of the structure of the
second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 set forth above, the heat
radiating portion 1, made of a polypropylene resin panel, was
located over an entire surface of the instrument panel 6 and the
heat receiving portion 2 was disposed on the dash panel 5 in the
area half the length of the dash panel 5. The heat receiving
portion 2 was placed over the dash panel 5 to cover the same, which
is made of steel plate, using a rubber skin (with a thickness of 2
mm) colored in black as undiluted coloring. Also, resulting
emissivities, of the heat radiating portion 1 and the heat
receiving portion 2, obtained by the measurement method based on
ASTM C 1371-98 were set to a value of 0.8.
[0075] Further, inside the instrument panel 6, the surface of the
closed space S excepting those facing the heat radiating portion 1
and the heat receiving portion 2 was covered with the reflecting
member 3 made of a polyethylene film (with a thickness of 25 .mu.m
at emissivity of 0.2) that was vapor deposited with metal. Also,
the surface, exposed to the interior of the closed space S, of the
air conditioning duct was covered with such a reflecting
member.
[0076] With the vehicle employing the above structure having been
left at an atmospheric temperature of 35.degree. C. under the
brazing sun in fine weather, a result was obtained wherein the
surface temperature of the instrument panel rose to 70.degree. C.
and the internal temperature of the instrument panel reached
55.degree. C. In the meantime, with the vehicle that did not employ
such a structure, the surface temperature of the instrument panel
rose to 90.degree. C. and the internal temperature of the
instrument panel reached 70.degree. C.
FIRST COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE
[0077] Next, a first Comparative Example is described.
[0078] This Comparative Example basically had the same structure as
that of the above example set forth above and differs from the
above example in that the emissivity of the reflecting member 3 was
altered to a value of 0.5.
[0079] As a result, even though the surface temperature of the
instrument panel 6 slightly decreased, the internal temperature of
the instrument panel 6 reached to a value of 65.degree. C. and it
appeared that it was hard to obtain a desired performance.
SECOND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE
[0080] Next, a second Comparative Example is described.
[0081] This Comparative Example basically had the same structure as
that of the above example set forth above and differs from the
above example in that the emissivities of the heat radiating
portion 1 and the heat receiving portion 2 ware altered to a value
of 0.5 by changing undiluted coloring pigments.
[0082] As a result, the surface temperature of the instrument panel
6 slightly decreased, the internal temperature of the instrument
panel 6 reached to a value of 90.degree. C. and it was approved
that no desired result was obtained.
[0083] Summarizing the above, the structures of the various
embodiments according to the present invention set forth above
provides a capability of obtaining advantageous effects listed
below.
[0084] Due to a capability in which heat radiation radiating from
the rear surface of the instrument panel is radiated to the outside
of the vehicle after transferring heat without causing heat
radiation to be absorbed by the component parts inside the
instrument panel, it is possible to restrict the temperature rise
of the component parts inside the instrument panel.
[0085] At the same time, the heat energy, which would be absorbed
by the instrument panel or component parts inside the instrument
panel, can be conducted to the outside of the vehicle in the
minimum rout, thereby enabling heat to be effectively prevented
from being radiated to the vehicle compartment.
[0086] The entire content of a Patent Application No. TOKUGAN
2002-358122 with a filing date of Dec. 10, 2002 in Japan is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0087] Although the invention has been described above by reference
to certain embodiments of the invention, the invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above. Modifications and
variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those
skilled in the art, in light of the teachings. The scope of the
invention is defined with reference to the following claims.
* * * * *