Vehicle interior panel

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to incorporate some ribs into the projecting area or areas (2, 5) of a door panel in order to stiffen these areas. These ribs or stiffeners are produced in the same moulding operation as the panel and are later covered with the panel coating. Deformations of the material are prevented and a reduction of tolerances in design achieved, as well as assisting with greater stability of the material.

Description: This invention relates to a vehicle interior panel, generally for installation in doors or similar items, of the type which are produced based on several fibres, e.g. wood fibres, and hot moulded. Panels of this type are usually provided with projecting or curved areas along their surface area, with specific functions of the panel itself being carried out by means of these areas. However, during the cooling of the panel after the moulding process, deformations of the material take place that alter the design tolerances and make it difficult to fit the panel into the door correctly. A vehicle interior panel according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A-5 535 571. One object of the invention is to provide a vehicle interior panel that prevents the panel from becoming deformed during cooling. Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle interior panel that allows tolerances for assembly to be reduced. Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle interior panel that provides greater stability tom the panel. Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle interior panel that does not require the fitting of any type of external reinforcing. These objectives are achieved by a vehicle interior panel according to claim 1. The dependent claims show prefered embodiments of the invention. The details of the invention will be appreciated in greater detail on the sheet of drawings which is attached, in which the following are represented for guidance purposes only. Figure 1 is a perspective of a vehicle panel according to the invention. Figure 2 is the rear view, according to M, of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a vertical cross section of the panel, that shows a variant of the invention. Figure 4 is a partial vertical cross section, showing a detail of the ribs. Figure 5 shows the preferred solution for the ribs in a transverse cross section of these ribs. Figure 6 represents another possible solution for the ribs, in accordance with the invention. Looking now at Figure 1, we can observe the panel (1), in which two projecting areas (2, 5) are appreciated, with unitary groups of ribs (3, 6) being made in these projecting areas. These ribs extend in a transversal direction from the front part to the rear (4). In this case, the ribs (3) in the projecting area (2) are distributed regularly throughout its alignment and the ribs (6) in the projecting area (5) are distributed irregularly through it. Obviously, the free spaces between the groups of ribs (3) which can be appreciated, equally spaced in the projecting area (2), could very well be different, while the spaces between the groups of ribs (6) in the projecting area (5), which are shown spaced at different intervals, could be perfectly equal to each other. The unitary groups of ribs (3, 6) are usually proposed in undulated form, with a recess followed by a protuberance and vice versa. In the detail shown in Figure 2, we can see a section of the panel (1) and a portion of the projecting area (2), indicated by means of a dotted line for a better understanding of the concept of the invention. In this case, the ribs (3) protrude towards the non-visible side of the panel, as indicated in the transverse cross-section represented in Figure 5, according to which, and as can be cheked, the protuberances (7) of the ribs only protrude towards one of the sides of the panel. This solution, is the preferential one among those covered by the invention, as it leaves the visible side free of any mark or signal, allowing the final coating of the panel to be fitted without the ribs affecting (pulling off) this coating. In other cases, for instance the one shown in Figure 6, protuberances (7) and the recesses (8) of the ribs protrude outwards towards both sides of the panel. This solution can be applied in cases with a lower necessity as regards the aesthetic appearance of the panel. From Figure 4 we deduce a view of one side of a cross section of a panel (1) in the plane of the ribs, also in accordance with Figure 6, in which a recess (8) and a protuberance (7) in the said group of ribs can be appreciated. In the same way, from Figure 3 we deduce the possibility, also covered by the invention, of carrying out more than one alignment of ribs (3, 3') in each projecting area (2'). Two are shown in the case in the drawing. In each case, in order to achieve the improvement that the invention provides the ribs will be adapted in height and lenght for each specific case.

Claims: Vehicle interior panel having a visible and a non-visible side when mounted, the panel including projecting or curved areas (2, 5) along its surface area, and ribs (3) extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the projecting areas (2,5), occupying the transverse length of said projection areas (2,5) at least partially, and protruding at least from the non-visible surface of the panel, characterised in that said ribs (3) are formed in unitary groups of ribs (3). Vehicle interior panel, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the alternate recesses and protuberances that give rise to ribs (3) extending towards both sides of the panel. Vehicle interior panel, in accordance with claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the ribs (3) occupy the whole transvers length of the projecting areas (2, 5) of the panel. Vehicle interior panel, in accordance with claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the unitary groups of ribs (3) are alternating with flat spaces throughout the projecting areas. Vehicle interior panel, in accordance with claim 4 characterised in that the flat spaces between the groups of ribs are equal to each other. Vehicle interior panel, in accordance with claim 4 characterised in that the flat spaces between the groups of ribs are different from each other. Vehicle interior panel, in accordance with the previous claims, characterised in that more then one alignment of the unitary groups of ribs are carried out in each projecting area.

Inventors: MORALES GALLO FRANCISCO, MORALES GALLO, FRANCISCO
Applicants: ANTOLIN GRUPO ING SA, GRUPO ANTOLIN-INGENIERIA, S.A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B60R13
IPC codes: B60R13