Interior component for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle interior component and a vehicle, which can enlarge the mounting area of a solar cell in the interior of the vehicle. An interior member for a vehicle is provided with: an interior member main body having a curved surface; and a solar cell panel disposed along the curved surface and having a solar cell including a power generation layer made of a flexible material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to interior components for vehicles and vehicles themselves. Background Technology

[0002] There are vehicles with solar panels mounted on the exterior of the car body.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-039144

[0004] To increase the power generation of solar panels, it is desirable to expand the mounting area of ​​solar panels in the vehicle body. Regarding this, since sunlight also reaches the interior of the vehicle body, there is potential to mount solar panels within the interior as well. However, because the interior of the vehicle body consists largely of curved surfaces, it presents challenges in mounting existing, inflexible solar panels within the interior. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure can be implemented in the following ways.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of this disclosure, an interior trim component for a vehicle is provided. The interior trim component includes: an interior trim component body having a curved surface; and a solar cell panel disposed along the curved surface and having a solar cell including a power generation layer made of a flexible material. Because the power generation layer of the vehicle interior trim component according to this aspect is made of a flexible material, the solar cell panel including the power generation layer made of a flexible material can be disposed along the curved surface of the vehicle interior trim. Therefore, the mounting area of ​​the solar cell panel can be increased in the vehicle interior trim.

[0007] (2) In the vehicle interior component of the above-described manner, the power generation layer is made of a material having a perovskite structure. According to this method of vehicle interior component, since the power generation layer is made of a material having a perovskite structure, it is possible to arrange the solar cell panel including the power generation layer along the curved surface of the vehicle interior.

[0008] (3) In the vehicle interior component of the above-described manner, the interior component body and the solar cell panel are formed as one unit. According to this method, since the interior component body and the solar cell are formed as one unit, the solar cell can be easily mounted on the interior component body. Therefore, it is easy to mount a solar cell panel in the interior of a vehicle.

[0009] (4) In the vehicle interior component of the above-described manner, the interior component body also includes an electrical wiring integrally formed with the interior component body, and the electrical wiring is electrically connected to the solar cell panel. According to this method of vehicle interior component, since the electrical wiring is integrally formed with the interior component body, it is easy to form the electrical wiring within the interior component body. Therefore, the power generated in the solar cells of the solar cell panel can be directly supplied to various devices installed in the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the interior of a vehicle equipped with the interior components of this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the solar cell in the solar cell panel of this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a diagram schematically illustrating the formation process of the electrical wiring in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0013] A. Implementation method:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a partial view of the interior of a vehicle 100 equipped with the interior trim component 10 of this embodiment. The interior trim component (10) includes an interior trim component body (20) and a solar panel (30). In this embodiment, the interior trim component 10 is a vehicle dashboard. In this disclosure, a dashboard refers to an interior trim component installed in front of the front seats in the vehicle 100 for mounting instruments, electronic devices, car navigation, airbags, etc. Hereinafter, the interior trim component 10 will also be referred to as dashboard 10, and the interior trim component body 20 will also be referred to as dashboard body 20. In this disclosure, the vehicle 100 can be a vehicle that travels by wheels or a vehicle that travels by unlimited tracks, such as a passenger car, truck, bus, two-wheeled vehicle, four-wheeled vehicle, armored vehicle, construction vehicle, etc. The vehicle 100 includes electric vehicles (BEVs), gasoline vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the front of the driver seated in the vehicle 100 is designated as the "forward direction", and the upper side in the vertical direction relative to the driver seated in the vehicle 100 is designated as the "upward direction".

[0015] <Dashboard Body 20>

[0016] The instrument panel body 20 is the main part of the instrument panel 10 excluding the solar panel 30 and the electrical wiring W (described later). Figure 1As shown, in the instrument panel body 20, the surface opposite the windshield FG is formed as a continuous, smooth surface. The surface of the instrument panel body 20 generally has an upwardly convex curved surface. The instrument panel body 20 is mainly made of resin material. The resin material is not particularly limited, but polyvinyl chloride can be cited as an example. In addition, the instrument panel body 20 contains trace amounts of metal catalyst for forming electrical wiring W. In addition to ensuring a large mounting area for the solar cell panel 30, the instrument panel body 20 is also a part where sunlight from the windshield FG can easily reach, and therefore it is one of the suitable places in the interior of the vehicle 100 to mount the solar cell panel 30.

[0017] <Solar Cell Panel 30>

[0018] The solar panel 30 has a structure in which multiple solar cells 35 (described later) are combined to form a single panel. The solar panel 30 and the instrument panel body 20 are integrally formed. Specifically, the solar panel 30 is configured along the curved surface of the instrument panel body 20. Alternatively, multiple solar panels 30 may be mounted on the surface of the instrument panel body 20 to match the surface shape of the instrument panel body 20.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the solar cell 35 in the solar cell panel 30 of this embodiment. The solar cell 35 is constructed by sequentially stacking a negative electrode L1, an electron transport layer L2, a power generation layer L3, a hole transport layer L4, and a positive electrode L5 on the surface of the instrument panel body 20. A sealing layer 36 for protecting the solar cell 35 is provided above the negative electrode L1. The sealing layer 36 is made of, for example, ethylene-vinyl acetate resin. Furthermore, the solar cell 35 is not limited to the above structure, and may also be constructed by sequentially stacking a positive electrode L5, a hole transport layer L4, a power generation layer L3, an electron transport layer L2, and a negative electrode L1. Alternatively, it may be a structure in which either the electron transport layer L2 or the hole transport layer L4 is omitted.

[0020] The power generation layer L3 of the solar cells 35 in the solar cell panel 30 is made of a flexible material. In this embodiment, the power generation layer L3 is made of a material with a perovskite structure, for example, lead iodide methylammonium material. The solar cell panel 30, which includes a perovskite structure material in the power generation layer L3, is bend-resistant and flexible, and therefore can be configured along the curved surface of the dashboard body 20.

[0021] Furthermore, while the upper part of the sealing layer of existing solar cell panels, which include materials with a perovskite structure in their power generation layer, is covered by a glass cover, the upper part of the sealing layer 36 of the solar cell panel 30 in this embodiment is not covered by a glass cover. This is because the solar cell panel 30 is mounted on the interior of the vehicle 100, and is therefore less prone to degradation due to humidity and heat, making it less necessary to cover the upper part of the sealing layer 36 with a protective glass cover. As a result, the solar cell panel 30 has greater flexibility and can be manufactured at a lower cost compared to solar cell panels where the upper part of the sealing layer is covered by a protective glass cover.

[0022] How to create Dashboard 10

[0023] Next, the manufacturing method of the dashboard 10, in which the dashboard body 20 and the solar panel 30 are integrally formed, will be described. First, the solar panel 30, manufactured using a known method, is placed inside the injection molding mold of the dashboard body 20. Next, the heated and molten raw material of the dashboard body 20 is injected into the injection molding mold. Afterward, the injection molding mold is cooled, causing the injected raw material of the dashboard body 20 to solidify. Thus, the dashboard 10, in which the dashboard body 20 and the solar panel 30 are integrally formed, is manufactured.

[0024] <Methods for forming electrical wiring W>

[0025] Next, use Figure 3 This describes the method for forming the electrical wiring W in the instrument panel body 20. Figure 3 This diagram schematically illustrates the formation process of the electrical wiring W as described in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the electrical wiring W is directly formed on the instrument panel body 20 using LDS (Laser Direct Structuring) technology. Figure 3 As shown, in process P1, the instrument panel body 20 is prepared. A solar cell panel 30 (not shown) is integrally formed on the instrument panel body 20. In process P2, the area where the electrical wiring W is to be formed is irradiated with an infrared laser. The irradiated area becomes activated by the metal catalyst contained in the instrument panel body 20. In process P3, electroless plating is performed on the instrument panel body 20. Thus, the irradiated area is formed into the electrical wiring W, which is integrally formed on the instrument panel body 20.

[0026] Electrical wiring W is electrically connected to the solar panel 30. Additionally, electrical wiring W is electrically connected to various devices installed inside the vehicle. Thus, the power generated by the solar panel 30 is directly supplied to the various devices installed inside the vehicle via electrical wiring W. That is, the power generated by the solar panel 30 is supplied directly to the various devices without passing through a vehicle battery (not shown) installed in the vehicle 100. In this disclosure, a vehicle battery refers to a battery used to supply power to the traction motor. Therefore, compared to a structure that indirectly supplies power to various devices via a vehicle battery, a structure that directly supplies power to various devices without passing through a vehicle battery can shorten the electrical wiring W. Furthermore, the various devices include, for example, interior lights, clocks, various displays, instruments, electronic devices, and vehicle fans.

[0027] According to the vehicle interior component 10 described above, the power generation layer L3 is made of a flexible material, thus allowing the solar cell panel 30, including the power generation layer L3 made of a flexible material, to be arranged along the curved surface of the vehicle interior. Therefore, the mounting area of ​​the solar cell panel 30 can be increased in the vehicle interior.

[0028] Furthermore, in the vehicle interior component 10 according to the embodiment, the power generation layer L3 is made of a material having a perovskite structure, thus enabling the solar cell panel 30 including the power generation layer L3 to be arranged along the curved surface of the vehicle interior 100.

[0029] Furthermore, in the vehicle interior component 10 according to the embodiment, the interior component body 20 and the solar cell panel 30 are formed as one unit, so the solar cell panel 30 can be easily mounted on the interior component body 20. Therefore, the solar cell panel 30 can be easily mounted in the interior of the vehicle 100.

[0030] Furthermore, in the vehicle interior component 10 according to the embodiment, since the electrical wiring W is integrated with the interior component body 20, the electrical wiring W can be easily formed on the interior component body 20. Therefore, the power generated in the solar cells 35 of the solar panel 30 can be directly supplied to various devices installed in the vehicle.

[0031] B. Other implementation methods:

[0032] (B1) In this embodiment, the power generation layer L3 of the solar cell 35 is made of a material having a perovskite structure, but this disclosure is not limited to this. The power generation layer L3 of the solar cell 35 may be made of, for example, amorphous silicon, CIS-based, CdTe-based, organic thin film-based, or pigment-sensitized materials. In this case, at least one of the electron transport layer L2 or hole transport layer L4 may be omitted. Alternatively, two or more solar cells with the aforementioned material as the power generation layer L3 may be connected in series, a so-called tandem type solar cell. The power generation layer L3 made of the aforementioned material is flexible, thus allowing the solar cell panel 30 including the power generation layer L3 made of the aforementioned material to be arranged along the curved surface of the vehicle 100's interior trim. That is, the power generation layer L3 made of a flexible material can be applied to the solar cell panel 30 in the interior trim component 10 of this disclosure.

[0033] (B2) In this embodiment, the solar panel 30 is mounted on the surface of the dashboard body 20, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the solar panel 30 may also be mounted on the steering wheel, seats, the inside of each door, near the rear door, the partition between the front and rear seats, the lateral space of the gear shift lever, the inside of the pillar, the rearview mirror, window glass, etc. That is, the interior components 10 may also be the steering wheel, seats, etc. Many of the parts listed above are composed of curved surfaces, but the power generation layer L3 of the solar cells 35 in the solar panel 30 is flexible, so the solar panel 30 can be arranged along the curved surface of the vehicle 100 interior.

[0034] (B3) In this embodiment, the instrument panel body 20 and the solar cell panel 30 are formed as one piece, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The solar cell panel 30 may also be mounted on the surface of the instrument panel body 20 by a known method such as using an adhesive after the instrument panel body 20 has been formed by injection molding.

[0035] (B4) In this embodiment, the electrical wiring W is integrated with the instrument panel body 20, but this disclosure is not limited to this. The electrical wiring W can also be formed using known metal wiring, as long as it is electrically connected to the solar panel 30.

[0036] (B5) In this embodiment, the electrical wiring W is formed after the instrument panel body 20 and the solar cell panel 30 are integrally formed, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The electrical wiring W may also be formed simultaneously with the injection molding of the instrument panel body 20. For example, the electrical wiring W may be formed on the instrument panel body 20 by injection molding while a film with an electrical wiring pattern is sandwiched in an injection molding mold.

[0037] (B6) In this embodiment, the electrical wiring W is electrically connected to various devices installed in the vehicle, but this disclosure is not limited to this. The electrical wiring W may also be configured to supply generated power to the vehicle battery by connecting to the vehicle battery. Alternatively, the electrical wiring W may be connected to an auxiliary battery, which is configured to be installed independently of the vehicle battery, and the generated power may be supplied to the auxiliary battery.

[0038] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve part or all of the above-described effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, any technical feature that is not described as essential to this specification can be appropriately deleted.

[0039] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0040] 100…vehicle; 10…interior components (instrument panel); 20…main body of interior components (instrument panel body); 30…solar panel; 35…solar cell; 36…sealing layer; L1…negative electrode; L2…electron transport layer; L3…power generation layer; L4…hole transport layer; L5…positive electrode; FG…windshield; W…electrical wiring.

Claims

1. An interior trim component for a vehicle, wherein, have: The main body of the interior components has a curved surface; and A solar cell panel, configured along the curved surface, and having solar cells including a power-generating layer. The power generation layer is made of a flexible material.

2. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein, The power generation layer is made of a material with a perovskite structure.

3. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein, The interior component body and the solar cell panel are integrated into one unit.

4. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein, The interior component body also includes electrical wiring integrated with the interior component body. The electrical wiring is electrically connected to the solar cell panel.

5. A vehicle, wherein, The interior component is provided with any one of claims 1 to 4.

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