Panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion

Abstract

A vehicle panel assembly made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion is provided. The vehicle panel assembly made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes an outer panel (10), an inner panel (20) coupled to an outer periphery of the outer panel (10) and made of a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer panel (10), and at least one distortion absorbing panel (30, 40) connected to at least one of the outer panel (10) and the inner panel (20) on an outer periphery of the outer panel (10) and an outer periphery of the inner panel (20) for absorbing an amount of thermal distortion according to a temperature change of the outer panel (10) and the inner panel (20) when the outer panel (10) and the inner panel (20) are thermally distorted.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a panel assembly of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a panel assembly of a vehicle, which is made of different materials having different thermal expansion coefficients, having a structure that absorbs thermal expansion deformation between an outer panel and an inner panel having different thermal expansion coefficients. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle is provided with a panel assembly in which a plurality of panels are combined with each other.

[0003] For example, a door assembly for passengers to get on and off is provided at a side of a vehicle, and the door assembly is formed by assembling an outer panel and an inner panel.

[0004] Generally, the outer panel and the inner panel are made of a metal panel material, a sealer or a structural adhesive is applied to the outer periphery of the outer panel and the inner panel, and then the outer panel and the inner panel are assembled through a seaming process.

[0005] In recent years, in order to reduce the weight of a door assembly and a vehicle, one of an outer panel 110 and an inner panel 120, for example, the outer panel 110 is attempted to be made of a synthetic resin material of a light weight material. The outer periphery of the outer panel 110 and the inner panel 120 is bonded by an adhesive 151 to become a door assembly 100.

[0006] When the outer panel 110 in the door assembly 100 is made of a synthetic resin material instead of a metal material, the weight of the door assembly 100 and the vehicle is reduced, thereby improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

[0007] However, when the outer panel 110 and the inner panel 120 are made of different materials, the thermal expansion coefficient of the outer panel 110 and the thermal expansion coefficient of the inner panel 120 are different, so that even according to the same change in temperature, the amount of deformation of the outer panel 110 and the amount of deformation of the inner panel 120 are different.

[0008] When the outer panel 110 is made of a synthetic resin material and the inner panel 120 is made of a metal panel material, the thermal expansion coefficient of the synthetic resin is greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the metal, so that the amount of thermal deformation of the outer panel 110 is greater than the amount of thermal deformation of the inner panel 120. Therefore, since the amount of expansion of the outer panel 110 is greater than the amount of expansion of the inner panel 120 in summer, the door assembly 100 is deformed to be convex toward the outer panel 110 (see Figure 5 ). Since the amount of contraction of the outer panel 110 is greater than the amount of contraction of the inner panel 120 in winter, the door assembly 100 is deformed in the opposite direction thereof. Therefore, the door assembly 100 cannot maintain the initial shape and is deformed.

[0009] When this phenomenon repeatedly occurs and the deformation accumulates, a crack and a break occur in a portion in which the outer panel 110 and the inner panel 120 are combined, and thus there is a problem in which the outer panel 110 and the inner panel 120 are separated.

[0010] The information disclosed in the Background section of the present application is only intended to deepen the understanding of the general background art of the present application and should not be regarded as acknowledging or implying in any form that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. SUMMARY

[0011] Various aspects of the present application aim to provide a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different thermal expansion coefficients, which can absorb thermal deformation according to a temperature change to maintain an initial shape even though the thermal expansion coefficients of an outer panel and an inner panel are different.

[0012] To achieve the above object, a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different thermal expansion coefficients according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application includes an outer panel, an inner panel combined to an outer periphery of the outer panel and made of a material having a different thermal expansion coefficient from a thermal expansion coefficient of the outer panel, and at least one deformation absorbing panel connected to at least one of the outer panel and the inner panel on an outer periphery of the outer panel and an outer periphery of the inner panel and configured to absorb an amount of thermal deformation according to a temperature change of the outer panel and the inner panel when the outer panel and the inner panel are thermally deformed.

[0013] A coupling portion protruding from the outer panel or the inner panel is formed, and a coupling groove is formed on an end portion thereof, a fitting protrusion is formed on one end portion of the deformation absorbing panel, and the fitting protrusion is fitted to the coupling groove so that the deformation absorbing panel is coupled to the coupling portion.

[0014] An inner side of the coupling portion is extended in a portion of the coupling portion in which the coupling groove is formed, so that a flange portion is formed at the portion of the coupling portion.

[0015] The deformation absorbing panel is fitted and coupled to one of the outer panel and the inner panel, and is fastened to the other one of the outer panel and the inner panel using a fastening member.

[0016] The deformation absorbing panel is integrally formed on the outer panel or the inner panel.

[0017] The deformation absorbing panel is formed to have a curved cross section, and a slit hole that is deformed when thermally deformed is continuously formed in a longitudinal direction of the deformation absorbing panel.

[0018] The slit hole is formed such that a width of the slit hole in a longitudinal direction of the deformation absorption plate is greater than a width of the slit hole in a width direction of the deformation absorption plate.

[0019] The coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer plate is greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner plate.

[0020] A coupling portion is formed protruding from the outer plate or the inner plate, and has a coupling groove formed on an end portion of the coupling portion, and a deformation absorption plate is coupled to the coupling portion using a fastening member for fastening one end portion of the deformation absorption plate to the coupling portion.

[0021] One deformation absorption plate is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate, fitted and coupled to the outer plate, and fastened to the inner plate.

[0022] Deformation absorption plates are disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate to absorb thermal deformation in at least two of a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a height direction of the vehicle.

[0023] The deformation absorption plates include a first deformation absorption plate fitted and coupled to the outer plate, and a second deformation absorption plate formed to be bent in an opposite direction of the first deformation absorption plate, fitted to an end portion of the first deformation absorption plate, and fastened to the inner plate.

[0024] In each of the first deformation absorption plate and the second deformation absorption plate, a slit hole that deforms when thermally deformed is continuously formed in a longitudinal direction.

[0025] A surface of the first deformation absorption plate on which the slit hole is formed and a surface of the second deformation absorption plate on which the slit hole is formed are perpendicular to each other.

[0026] The first deformation absorption plate has a fitting protrusion formed on an end portion of the first deformation absorption plate and fitted to a coupling groove formed in the outer plate, and the second deformation absorption plate is fastened to an end portion of the inner plate using a fastening member.

[0027] The first deformation absorption plate is formed with a fitting groove, and the second deformation absorption plate is formed with a fitting protrusion, such that the first deformation absorption plate and the second deformation absorption plate are coupled to each other.

[0028] An installation portion is formed on an end portion of the outer plate or the inner plate, a deformation absorption plate is fitted and coupled to the installation portion, the installation portion is bonded to the outer plate or the inner plate, and an extension portion parallel to the outer plate or the inner plate is formed on the installation portion, and an adhesive is applied to the extension portion such that the extension portion is bonded to the outer plate or the inner plate.

[0029] A sealing member made of a flexible vinyl material is attached to the inner side surface of the deformation absorbing plate.

[0030] The deformation absorbing plate is provided in predetermined sections along the outer periphery of the outer plate and the inner plate, and in the remaining sections, the outer plate and the inner plate are bonded to each other using an adhesive.

[0031] The plate assembly is a door assembly provided in the side of a vehicle to allow passengers to get on and off the vehicle.

[0032] The plate assembly for a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application having the above-described configuration can solve the problem that if the materials of the outer plate and the inner plate are different, the coefficients of thermal expansion of the respective plates are different, and thus the plate assembly is deformed when the temperature changes.

[0033] The difference in the amount of thermal deformation due to the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the respective plates can be eliminated, and thus it is easy to apply a synthetic resin material such as an engineering plastic to a vehicle.

[0034] The above and other features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 The method and apparatus of the present application have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or more specifically set forth in the detailed description of the application, which follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a door assembly according to the related art.

[0036] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a door assembly according to the related art.

[0037] Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line I-I shown in Figure 1 is a sectional view taken along line I-I shown in

[0038] Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the shape in which the outer plate and the inner plate are separated from the outer periphery of the door assembly according to the related art.

[0039] Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line I-I shown in Figure 1 is a sectional view taken along line I-I shown in

[0040] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a plate assembly for a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0041] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0042] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 6 line II-II shown.

[0043] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main portion of a portion in which an outer panel and an inner panel are joined in a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0044] Figure 10 is an exploded and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main portion of a portion in which an outer panel and an inner panel are joined in a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0045] Figure 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view taken along Figure 6 line II-II shown.

[0046] Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main portion of a door assembly to which a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application is applied.

[0047] Figure 13A , Figure 13B and Figure 13C are schematic views showing a deformed state of a slit hole according to a temperature change in a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0048] Figure 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main portion of a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0049] Figure 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main portion of a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0050] It should be appreciated that the appended drawings are not drawn to scale and that the slight simplifications of the illustrative features of the basic principles of the present application are shown in the drawings. The specific design features of the present application disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, directions, positions, and shapes will be determined in part by the specific environment in which the present application is to be applied and used.

[0051] In the drawings, reference numerals refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the application will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the application is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments which can be included within the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the appended claims.

[0053] Hereinafter, a panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] A panel assembly of a vehicle made of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application includes an outer panel 10, an inner panel 20, and at least one deformation absorbing panel 30, 40, wherein an outer periphery of the inner panel 20 is coupled to an outer periphery of the outer panel 10 and is made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the outer panel 10, and the at least one deformation absorbing panel 30, 40 is coupled to at least one of the outer panel 10 and the inner panel 20 at the outer periphery of the outer panel 10 and the inner panel 20 and is used to absorb an amount of thermal deformation according to a temperature change of the outer panel 10 and the inner panel 20 when the outer panel 10 and the inner panel 20 are thermally deformed.

[0055] Here, the amount of thermal deformation absorption refers to compensating for a difference between an amount of deformation of the outer panel 10 and an amount of deformation of the inner panel 20 according to a change in temperature. If the outer panel 10 and the inner panel 20 are thermally expanded due to an increase in temperature, the amount of thermal deformation absorption causes a side of the deformation absorbing panel 30, 40 that expands less to expand more, and if the outer panel 10 and the inner panel 20 are thermally contracted due to a decrease in temperature, the amount of thermal deformation absorption causes a side of the deformation absorbing panel 30, 40 that contracts more to contract less.

[0056] Hereinafter, a door assembly 1 provided in a side of a vehicle to allow passengers to get on and off the vehicle will be taken as an example in a panel assembly of the vehicle.

[0057] The door assembly 1 is formed by coupling a plurality of panels. That is, the door assembly 1 can include an outer panel 10 and an inner panel 20, an outer periphery of the inner panel 20 being coupled to an outer periphery of the outer panel 10 and being made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the outer panel 10.

[0058] Here, since the thermal expansion coefficients of the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 are different, they are thermally deformed with different displacements with respect to the same temperature change, thereby including the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 configured to absorb thermal deformation in the portion where the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 are combined.

[0059] The deformation absorption plates 30, 40 are formed to be connected to one of the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20. At this time, the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 can be integrally formed with one of the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20. However, the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 are preferably assembled and coupled to one of the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20.

[0060] The deformation absorption plates 30, 40 can also be assembled and coupled to both of the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20, but preferably, the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 are assembled and coupled to the outer plate 10 side, and are fastened to the inner plate 20 by a fastening member such as a fastening bolt 52 or a fastener.

[0061] When the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 are coupled to the outer plate 10, a coupling portion 11 is formed to protrude from the inner side surface of the outer plate 10, an assembly protrusion 31 is formed on one end portion of the deformation absorption plates 30, 40, and the assembly protrusion 31 of the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 is assembled into the coupling groove 12 so that the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 are coupled to the coupling portion 11. To this end, the coupling groove 12 for assembly of the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 is formed in the coupling portion 11.

[0062] In addition, the inner side surface of the portion of the coupling portion 11 in which the coupling groove 12 is formed is extended more, thereby forming a flange portion 13. When the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 are assembled into the coupling groove 12, the sealing between the assembly protrusion 31 and the coupling groove 12 is improved by the flange portion 13.

[0063] Here, the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 can be assembled and coupled to the coupling portion 11, but can also be coupled to the coupling portion 11 using a fastening member. For example, the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 can also be coupled to the coupling portion 11 using a bolt, a fastener, an adhesive, welding, or the like.

[0064] Meanwhile, a coupling portion can be formed on the inner plate 20, and the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 can also be assembled and coupled to the inner plate 20 side thereof.

[0065] The deformation absorption plates 30, 40 are formed to have a curved cross section, and a slit hole 33 that is deformed when thermally deformed is continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the deformation absorption plates 30, 40 to absorb thermal deformation.

[0066] The slit hole 33 is formed such that the width (w1) of the slit hole in the longitudinal direction of the deformation absorbing plate 30, 40 is greater than the width (w2) of the slit hole in the width direction of the deformation absorbing plate 30, 40.

[0067] Since the slit holes 33 are formed in multiple rows in the deformation absorbing plate 30, 40, the portions in which the slit holes 33 are formed contract (see Figure 13B ) or expand (see Figure 13C ) when the temperature changes.

[0068] Accordingly, when the temperature changes, the portions in which the slit holes 33 are formed contract or expand in the width direction of the deformation absorbing plate 30, 40, such that the difference between the amounts of thermal deformation is absorbed, so that the amounts of deformation of the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 are equal to each other when the temperature changes.

[0069] The deformation absorbing plates 30, 40 can be applied along the outer periphery of the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 in certain sections, and in the remaining sections, the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 can be bonded using an adhesive as in the related art. For example, in Figure 8 , the portion denoted by A is a portion in which the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 are bonded using an adhesive, and the portion denoted by B is a portion in which the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 are coupled using the deformation absorbing plate 30, 40.

[0070] The present application will be described in greater detail.

[0071] In the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 constituting the plate assembly, i.e., the vehicle door assembly 1, if the thermal expansion coefficient of the outer plate 10 is greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the inner plate 20, the deformation absorbing plate 30, 40 is coupled by fitting and coupling the fitting protrusion 31 of the deformation absorbing plate 30, 40 to the coupling portion 11 formed on the outer plate 10.

[0072] If the inner plate 20 is made of a metal plate material, and the outer plate 10 is made of a synthetic resin material, the thermal expansion coefficient of the synthetic resin is large, so that the thermal expansion coefficient of the outer plate 10 is greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the inner plate 20.

[0073] In the current case, the coupling portion 11 is formed on the outer plate 10 such that the deformation absorbing plate 30, 40 is fitted and coupled to the coupling portion 11.

[0074] Further, a plurality of deformation absorbing plates 30, 40 are preferably provided between the outer plate 10 and the inner plate 20 to absorb thermal deformation in at least two of the longitudinal direction (T direction), the width direction (L direction), and the height direction (H direction) of the vehicle.

[0075] For example, the deformation absorbing plates 30, 40 can include a first deformation absorbing plate 30 which is fitted and coupled to the outer panel 10, and a second deformation absorbing plate 40 which is formed to be bent in an opposite direction of the first deformation absorbing plate 30, and is fitted to the first deformation absorbing plate 30 and fastened to the inner panel 20. The aforementioned slit hole 33 is formed in each of the first deformation absorbing plate 30 and the second deformation absorbing plate 40 such that thermal deformation is absorbed by the first deformation absorbing plate 30 and the second deformation absorbing plate 40.

[0076] Of course, only one deformation absorbing plate which is fitted and coupled to the outer panel 10 and is also fastened to the inner panel 20 can be provided. However, as described above, it is preferable that a plurality of deformation absorbing plates can be provided between the outer panel 10 and the inner panel 20 to absorb thermal deformation in two or more directions.

[0077] The first deformation absorbing plate 30 is formed in an L shape in which a middle portion of a cross section is bent. A portion of the first deformation absorbing plate 30 which is fitted into the outer panel 10 is coupled to the coupling portion 11 of the outer panel 10 in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a remaining portion thereof is formed in a manner of extending in a width direction of the vehicle.

[0078] An end portion of the first deformation absorbing plate 30 which is fitted into the coupling portion 11 of the outer panel 10 is formed with a fitting protrusion 31 so as to be easily inserted into the coupling groove 12. The fitting protrusion 31 is fitted into the coupling groove 12 such that the first deformation absorbing plate 30 is coupled to the outer panel 10.

[0079] An end portion of the first deformation absorbing plate 30 which is opposite to the end portion formed with the fitting protrusion 31 is formed with a fitting groove 32 such that the second deformation absorbing plate 40 is fitted.

[0080] Further, a portion of the first deformation absorbing plate 30 which is formed with the fitting groove 32 is formed with a flange portion 34 by extending an inner side of the first deformation absorbing plate 30. The sealing performance of a portion in which the first deformation absorbing plate 30 and the second deformation absorbing plate 40 are fitted and coupled is supplemented by the flange portion 34.

[0081] The second deformation absorbing plate 40 is formed in a form of being bent in an opposite direction of the first deformation absorbing plate 30. That is, a cross section of the second deformation absorbing plate 40 is similar to a state in which a cross section of the first deformation absorbing plate 30 is rotated by 180 degrees.

[0082] A portion of the second deformation absorbing plate 40 which is fitted and coupled to the first deformation absorbing plate 30 is formed with a fitting protrusion 41. The fitting protrusion 41 is fitted and coupled to the fitting groove 32 of the first deformation absorbing plate 30 such that the first deformation absorbing plate 30 and the second deformation absorbing plate 40 are fitted and coupled to each other.

[0083] Simultaneously, the opposite end of the second deformation-absorbing plate 40, which has the mounting protrusion 41, is fastened to the inner plate 20. With the inner plate 20 and the second deformation-absorbing plate 40 overlapping, a fastening member is provided to penetrate both the inner plate 20 and the second deformation-absorbing plate 40, allowing the second deformation-absorbing plate 40 to be fastened to the inner plate 20. The fastening member can be a fastening bolt 52, a fastener, etc.

[0084] Here, the surfaces of the first deformation absorption plate 30 and the second deformation absorption plate 40 with slit holes 33 are perpendicular to each other.

[0085] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, the slit hole 33 is formed on the L surface (a plane perpendicular to the L axis) of the first deformation absorbing plate 30, and the slit hole 33 is formed on the T surface (a plane perpendicular to the T axis) of the second deformation absorbing plate 40. Therefore, the thermal deformation of the L surface (see arrow L) is absorbed by the first deformation absorbing plate 30, and the thermal deformation of the T surface (see arrow T) is absorbed by the second deformation absorbing plate 40.

[0086] Figure 14 The diagram illustrates plate assemblies of vehicles made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0087] Unlike the exemplary embodiments described above, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention do not integrally form the connecting portion 11 with the outer panel 10, but instead use an adhesive to bond a separate mounting portion 70 to the outer panel 10.

[0088] Similar in shape to the connecting part 11, the part of the mounting part 70 that connects to the first deformation absorbing plate 30 is formed with a connecting groove 12 and a flange part 13.

[0089] However, the extension 71 is formed to be parallel to the outer panel 10, and the adhesive 51 is applied to the extension 71 so that the mounting portion 70 is attached to the outer panel 10.

[0090] If deformation-absorbing plates 30 and 40 are assembled and connected to the inner plate 20, a mounting part 70 is provided to be attached to the inner plate 20.

[0091] Figure 15 The diagram illustrates plate assemblies of vehicles made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0092] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a sealing member 60 made of a flexible vinyl material, which is attached to the inner surface of the deformation-absorbing plates 30, 40 for sealing.

[0093] Exemplary embodiments of the present application do not form the flange portion 13 formed on the coupling portion 11 and the flange portion 34 formed on the first deformation absorbing plate 30, and attach the sealing member 60 to the inner side surface of the deformation absorbing plates 30, 40 for performing a sealing function.

[0094] Further, in some cases, the first deformation absorbing plate 30 and the second deformation absorbing plate 40 are integrally formed, and the sealing member 60 is attached to the first deformation absorbing plate 30 and the second deformation absorbing plate 40 by a method such as an adhesive, a butyl rubber seal, or heat fusion before being fastened to the inner panel 20.

[0095] For convenience of explanation and precise definition of the appended claims, the terms "above", "below", "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "back", "inboard", "outboard", "inward", "outward", "internal", "external", "interior", "exterior", "forward", and "rearward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of these features shown in the drawings. It will be further understood that the term "connected" or its derivatives refer both to direct and indirect connections.

[0096] Further, the term "fixed connection" means that the fixedly connected members always rotate at the same speed. Further, the term "selectively connectable" means that "when the selectively connectable members are not engaged with each other, the selectively connectable members rotate separately, when the selectively connectable members are engaged with each other, the selectively connectable members rotate at the same speed, and when at least one of the selectively connectable members is a fixed member and the remaining selectively connectable members are engaged to the fixed member, the selectively connectable members are fixed".

[0097] The foregoing presentation of the description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present application is for illustrative and descriptive purposes. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the application and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to implement and utilize the application in various exemplary embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the application is to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A plate assembly for a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion, the plate assembly comprising: exterior panels; An inner plate, the outer periphery of which is joined to the outer periphery of the outer plate, and made of a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the outer plate; and At least one deformation-absorbing plate, formed in the shape of a narrow strip and connected to at least one of the outer and inner plates on the outer periphery of the outer plate and the outer periphery of the inner plate, is configured to absorb the amount of thermal deformation according to the temperature change of the outer and inner plates when thermal deformation occurs. At least one deformation-absorbing plate has a curved cross section, and at least one deformation-absorbing plate has slit holes that deform during thermal deformation continuously formed in the longitudinal direction.

2. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion according to claim 1, further comprising: A connecting portion that protrudes from the outer plate or the inner plate; A connecting groove is formed on the end of the connecting portion; An assembly protrusion is formed on one end of at least one deformation-absorbing plate; The assembly protrusion is fitted into the connecting groove, such that at least one deformation-absorbing plate is connected to the connecting part.

3. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as described in claim 2, in, The connecting portion extends inward in the portion of the connecting portion where the connecting groove is formed, such that a flange is formed in that portion of the connecting portion.

4. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, At least one deformation-absorbing plate is assembled and connected to one of the outer plate and the inner plate, and is fastened to the other one of the outer plate and the inner plate using fastening members.

5. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, At least one deformation-absorbing plate is integrally formed on the outer plate or the inner plate.

6. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, The slit hole is formed such that the width of the slit hole in the longitudinal direction of at least one deformation absorption plate is greater than the width of the slit hole in the width direction of at least one deformation absorption plate.

7. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, The coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer plate is greater than that of the inner plate.

8. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: A connecting portion, which protrudes from the outer plate or the inner plate, and has a connecting groove formed at the end of the connecting portion. At least one end of the deformation-absorbing plate is connected to the connecting part using a fastening member, for fastening the end of at least one deformation-absorbing plate to the connecting part.

9. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 8. in, At least one deformation-absorbing plate is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate, assembled and connected to the outer plate, and fastened to the inner plate.

10. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, At least one deformation-absorbing plate is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate to absorb thermal deformation in at least two of the vehicle's longitudinal, width, and height directions.

11. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 10, wherein, At least one deformation-absorbing plate includes: A first deformation-absorbing plate, the first end of which is assembled and connected to the end of the outer plate; and A second deformation-absorbing plate is formed to be bent in the opposite direction to the first deformation-absorbing plate, wherein a first end of the second deformation-absorbing plate is fitted to a second end of the first deformation-absorbing plate, and a second end of the second deformation-absorbing plate is fastened to an end of the inner plate.

12. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 11, in, In each of the first deformation absorbing plate and the second deformation absorbing plate, slit holes that deform during thermal deformation are continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the first deformation absorbing plate and the second deformation absorbing plate.

13. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 12, in, The surface of the first deformation absorption plate having the slit hole of the first deformation absorption plate and the surface of the second deformation absorption plate having the slit hole of the second deformation absorption plate are perpendicular to each other.

14. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 11, in, The first deformation-absorbing plate has an assembly protrusion formed on a first end of the first deformation-absorbing plate and is assembled into a connecting groove formed at the end of the outer plate. The second end of the second deformation-absorbing plate is fastened to the end of the inner plate using a fastening member.

15. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 11, in, The first deformation-absorbing plate has an assembly groove formed at its second end, and the second deformation-absorbing plate has an assembly protrusion formed at its first end, such that the assembly groove of the first deformation-absorbing plate and the assembly protrusion of the second deformation-absorbing plate are connected to each other.

16. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, A mounting portion is formed on the end of the outer plate or the inner plate, and at least one deformation-absorbing plate is assembled and connected to the mounting portion; An extension parallel to the outer panel or the inner panel is formed on the mounting portion, and an adhesive is applied to the extension such that the extension is bonded to the outer panel or the inner panel.

17. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, A sealing member made of flexible vinyl material is attached to the inner surface of at least one deformation-absorbing plate.

18. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, At least one deformation-absorbing plate is disposed along the outer periphery of the outer plate and the inner plate in a predetermined section, and in the remaining sections, the outer plate and the inner plate are bonded together with an adhesive.

19. The plate assembly of a vehicle made of different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion as claimed in claim 1, in, The panel assembly is a door assembly located on the side of the vehicle to allow passengers to get on and off.

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