Vehicle panels and methods for disassembling vehicle panels

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle panel and a method for disassembling the panel that facilitates the promotion of resin recycling without reducing the efficiency of the manufacturing process. [Solution] The panel body 100 of a vehicle includes a panel body 10 having a surface that constitutes a design surface inside or outside the vehicle's passenger compartment Z. The panel body 10 has a weak portion 15 that extends from one end of the panel body 10 to the other end of the panel body 10 in a predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10. The method for disassembling the panel 100 includes a holding step of holding one side of the panel 100 with respect to the weak portion 15, and a rotating step of rotating the other side of the interior panel 100 with respect to the weak portion 15 around the weak portion 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle panel and a method for disassembling the panel.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, on a steel door inner panel of a vehicle side door, a door trim is attached from the vehicle interior side as an interior panel. The door trim has a panel body made of a resin molded product that occupies most of the door trim, and a member attached to the panel body for adding functions such as elbow rests or adding decorations. And various components such as an inside door handle and a speaker are also arranged on the door trim.

[0003] As an example of a door trim, the door trim described in Patent Document 1 is known. The door trim described in Patent Document 1 has a front trim and a rear trim attached to the rear part of the front trim. At the rear part of the front trim, an engaging claw and a cylindrical fastening part are formed, and at the front part of the rear trim, an engaging hole and an insertion hole are formed. And when the engaging claw of the front trim is engaged with the engaging hole of the rear trim and the fastening part of the front trim is inserted into the insertion hole of the rear trim, the tip of the fastening part is welded to the rear trim, so that the rear trim is coupled to the rear part of the front trim. That is, the panel body (door trim body) of the door trim is formed by engaging and welding two resin molded products divided into front and rear parts with each other. Also, in the door trim described in Patent Document 1, various components of the door such as an inside door handle are concentrated and arranged on the front trim.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in recent years, there has been a growing demand to promote the recycling of resins derived from scrapped vehicles, and efforts are underway to recycle (i.e., recycle) the panel body, which is a resin molded product that makes up the majority of the door trim. From the perspective of promoting resin recycling, if a method is adopted to manufacture the panel body by engaging and welding two resin molded products together, as in the door trim of Patent Document 1, then when the vehicle is scrapped, the welding joint between the front trim and the rear trim can be destroyed, and the door trim body can be separated into the rear trim and the front trim with various parts, thereby promoting the recycling of the resin.

[0006] However, the door trim structure described in Patent Document 1 requires the process of engaging and welding two resin molded parts together during the manufacturing of the door trim, which may reduce the efficiency of the door trim manufacturing process. Furthermore, in vehicles, not only door trims but also other interior panels such as roof trims and side trims around the doors can be recycled. Moreover, not only interior panel resins but also exterior panel resins such as bumpers can be recycled.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle panel and a method for disassembling the panel that can easily promote resin recycling without reducing the work efficiency during manufacturing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle panel is provided which includes a panel body having a surface that constitutes a design surface inside or outside the vehicle. In this panel, the panel body has a weak portion that extends from one end of the panel body to the other end of the panel body in a predetermined direction along the panel surface of the panel body.

[0009] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, a method for disassembling a vehicle panel is provided, which includes a panel body having a surface constituting a design surface inside or outside the vehicle. In this disassembly method, the panel body has a weak portion provided in a predetermined direction along the panel surface of the panel body, extending from one end to the other end of the panel body, and the disassembly method includes a holding step of holding the portion of the panel on one side of the weak portion, and a breaking step of breaking the weak portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect and another aspect of the present invention, the vehicle panel and the method for disassembling the vehicle panel can be provided, which facilitate the promotion of resin recycling without reducing the work efficiency during manufacturing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a panel (interior panel) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the panel from the outside of the vehicle. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the panel as seen from the outside of the vehicle interior. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the panel itself, seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the panel body along line AA. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of section B. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of section C. [Figure 8] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the panel along the DD line. [Figure 9] This is a process diagram illustrating the steps involved in disassembling the panel. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating the excision steps in the panel disassembly method. [Figure 11]It is another figure for explaining the cutting step. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view for explaining the holding step, the weakening step and the breaking step of the disassembling method. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the holding step, the weakening step and the breaking step. [Figure 14] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the panel disassembled by the disassembling method. [Figure 15] It is a plan view of the panel (exterior panel) according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 16] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the panel taken along the line E-E shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the panel body at the portion G shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the holding step, the weakening step and the breaking step of the disassembling method of the panel shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 19] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the disassembled panel (exterior panel). [Figure 20] It is a block diagram for explaining the equipment to be used in the disassembling method of the panel according to the modified example.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating a vehicle panel 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 1 is a perspective view seen from inside the vehicle interior, Figure 2 is a perspective view seen from outside the vehicle interior, and Figure 3 is a plan view seen from outside the vehicle interior. In the figures, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the direction of arrow O indicates the outside of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and the direction of arrow U indicates the top of the vehicle in the vehicle vertical direction. In the following description, "front" and "rear" correspond to the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and "up" and "down" correspond to the top and bottom in the vehicle vertical direction. In this embodiment, the case in which the vehicle panel 100 is an interior panel including a panel body 10 having a surface that constitutes an inner design surface 10a1 which is a design surface inside the vehicle's interior Z will be described as an example. A vehicle has design surfaces inside the passenger compartment Z (i.e., surfaces exposed to the passenger compartment and visible from inside the passenger compartment) and design surfaces outside the passenger compartment Z (i.e., surfaces exposed to the outside of the vehicle and visible from outside the vehicle). To distinguish the design surfaces inside the passenger compartment Z from the design surfaces outside the passenger compartment, the design surfaces inside the passenger compartment Z are called interior design surfaces 10a1.

[0013] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle panel 100 includes a panel body 10 facing the vehicle's passenger compartment Z and is a large interior component (interior member) that constitutes a part of the inner design surface 10a1, which is the design surface inside the vehicle's passenger compartment Z. In this embodiment, the panel 100 is a side door trim, which is an interior member on the passenger compartment Z side of the vehicle's side door. This panel 100 is attached from the passenger compartment side to the side door's inner panel, which is made of steel plate and is not shown in the figures.

[0014] In this embodiment, the panel 100 comprises a panel body 10 and dissimilar members 20 made of a different material from the panel body 10. In other words, the panel 100 is composed of multiple members.

[0015] The panel body 10 faces the passenger compartment Z of the vehicle and occupies most of the panel 100. The panel body 10 is a large panel formed in a generally rectangular shape corresponding to the door inner panel. The panel surface 10a of the panel body 10 has a large area corresponding to the size of the side door, and the surface of the panel surface 10a facing the passenger compartment Z constitutes the inner design surface 10a1, and the surface of the panel surface 10a opposite to the inner design surface 10a1 constitutes the back surface 10a2 of the panel facing the door inner panel side (outside the passenger compartment).

[0016] The panel body 10 is made of a synthetic resin material, and in the illustrated example, it is composed of a single resin molded product produced by injection molding. In other words, the panel body 10 is a component that is released from the mold as a single resin molded product during the manufacturing process. More specifically, the panel body 10 is a single large resin molded product (interior component) that corresponds to the outer shape of the side door. Although not particularly limited, polypropylene (hereinafter simply referred to as PP) is used as the synthetic resin material for the panel body 10. The detailed shape of the panel body 10 will be described later.

[0017] The panel body 10 has various components arranged on it, such as an inside door handle X1, an upper speaker X2, and an operating unit X3. The inside door handle X1 is attached to the upper front part of the panel body 10 from the inside of the vehicle. The upper speaker X2 is attached to the part of the panel body 10 in front of the inside door handle X1 from the outside of the vehicle. The upper speaker X2 is, for example, a small tweeter. The operating unit X3 is attached to the back surface of the operating panel 23b of the third different component 23, which will be described later. The operating unit X3 consists of an operating switch X3a for opening and closing the window glass (not shown) and a support case X3b that supports the operating switch X3a. The lower front part of the panel body 10 has a lower speaker mounting section 10b. A large speaker, which is fixed to the door inner panel (not shown), fits into the lower speaker mounting section 10b from the back surface 10a2 side of the panel.

[0018] The dissimilar members 20 are members formed from a different material (in this case, a material different from PP) than the panel body 10, and in the illustrated example, they are attached to multiple locations on the panel body 10. In other words, in the illustrated example, multiple dissimilar members 20 are attached to the panel body 10. Specifically, each dissimilar member 20 is an add-on member attached to the panel body 10 for the purpose of adding decoration to the panel body 10 or adding function to the panel body 10. In the illustrated example, the multiple dissimilar members 20 can be classified, for example, into decorative members for adding decoration, functional members for adding function (such as an armrest or a place to put an item), and decorative and functional members that add both decoration and function. Furthermore, each dissimilar member 20 is a member that must be made from a different material (in particular, a different type of resin) than the material of the panel body 10, mainly for the purpose of adding at least one of decoration or function.

[0019] In the illustrated example, the panel body 10 is fitted with four different components 20: a first different component 21, a second different component 22, a third different component 23, and a fourth different component 24. The material of each different component 20 is different from the material of the panel body 10, depending on its purpose (decoration, function).

[0020] The first dissimilar member 21 is a member that decorates the area around the inside door handle X1 on the panel body 10, that is, a handle area decorative member. The first dissimilar member 21 is attached to the rear part of the upper half of the panel body 10 so as to cover the area around the inside door handle X1 from the vehicle interior Z side. When viewed from the vehicle interior Z side, the first dissimilar member 21 is formed to surround the inside door handle X1 and the upper speaker X2. In the illustrated example, an upper item holder 21a that opens upwards towards the vehicle is formed on the upper part of the first dissimilar member 21. In other words, the first dissimilar member 21 has the function of an item holder and also serves as a functional member. Here, the first dissimilar member 21 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material and is composed of a single resin molded product. While not particularly limited, the synthetic resin material used for the first dissimilar member 21 may be, for example, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (hereinafter simply referred to as ABS) or polycarbonate (hereinafter simply referred to as PC).

[0021] The second dissimilar member 22 is a member that decorates the upper part of the panel body 10 above the first dissimilar member 21, that is, an upper decorative member. The second dissimilar member 22 is attached to the upper part of the panel body 10 above the first dissimilar member 21, from the vehicle interior Z side. In the illustrated example, the second dissimilar member 22 extends from the front part of the upper edge of the panel body 10 toward the rear of the vehicle to the middle part of the upper edge, and then bends diagonally downward toward the rear of the vehicle from the middle part of the upper edge. The second dissimilar member 22 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material and is composed of a single resin molded product. Although not particularly limited, the synthetic resin material of the second dissimilar member 22 can be, for example, ABS or PC.

[0022] The third dissimilar member 23 is a member for forming an intermediate item holder 23a and an operation panel 23b for switch placement below the first dissimilar member 21, that is, an item holder and operation panel forming member (more precisely, a functional member). The third dissimilar member 23 is attached to the panel body 10 from the vehicle compartment Z side below the first dissimilar member 21. In the illustrated example, the third dissimilar member 23 extends from the front of the panel body 10 toward the rear of the vehicle, along the lower end of the first dissimilar member 21. The third dissimilar member 23 has an upper wall facing upwards within the vehicle compartment Z, the intermediate item holder 23a is integrally formed with the rear portion of the upper wall, and the operation panel 23b is formed by the front portion of the upper wall. An operation unit X3 is attached to the back surface of the operation panel 23b, and a lever-shaped operation switch X3a is positioned to be operable through an operation hole opened in the operation panel 23b. The third dissimilar member 23 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material and is composed of a single resin molded product. Although not particularly limited, the synthetic resin material of the third dissimilar member 23 can be, for example, ABS or PC.

[0023] The fourth dissimilar member 24 is a member that functions as an elbow rest behind the third dissimilar member 23, that is, a cushioned armrest (more precisely, a functional member). The fourth dissimilar member 24 is adjacent to the rear end of the third dissimilar member 23 and extends from the rear end of the third dissimilar member 23 to the rear of the panel body 10. The fourth dissimilar member 24 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The fourth dissimilar member 24 is a composite member consisting of a resin molded product made of, for example, a synthetic resin material such as ABS, and a surface member that covers the resin molded product. Polyurethane (PU) is used as the synthetic resin material for the surface member.

[0024] In this embodiment, an article storage pocket 30 capable of accommodating articles is formed at the lower part of the panel 100 on the vehicle compartment Z side, opening upwards towards the vehicle. The article storage pocket 30 is formed, for example, from the viewpoint of moldability of the panel body 10 and the pocket forming member 40. In the illustrated example, the article storage pocket 30 is formed by attaching the pocket forming member 40 to the lower part of the panel body 10 from the panel back surface 10a2 side. Specifically, the article storage pocket 30 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and opens upwards towards the vehicle. The inner wall of the article storage pocket 30 on the vehicle compartment Z side is formed by the lower inner wall 10c of the panel body 10, and the outer wall, bottom wall, front wall, and rear wall of the article storage pocket 30 are formed by the pocket forming member 40. The pocket forming member 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material and is composed of a single resin molded product. As the synthetic resin material of the pocket forming member 40, for example, the same type of PP as the panel body 10 is used.

[0025] Next, the panel 100 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the panel body 10 as seen from inside the vehicle, Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the panel body 10 along line AA shown in Figure 3, Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of section B shown in Figure 3, Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of section C shown in Figure 3, and Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the panel 100 along line DD shown in Figure 4.

[0026] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the panel body 10 has a first flange portion 12a, a second flange portion 12b, a lower flange portion 12c, and a main body portion 13.

[0027] The first flange portion 12a is a flange that constitutes one end edge of the panel body 10 in a predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10. The second flange portion 12b is a flange that constitutes the other end edge of the panel body 10 in the same predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10. In the illustrated example, the panel body 10 has a longitudinal direction parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal direction and is a panel with a generally rectangular outline. In this embodiment, the predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a is the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Although not particularly limited, the one end edge of the panel body 10 in the same predetermined direction is the front edge of the panel body 10, and the other end edge is the rear edge of the panel body 10. In other words, in the illustrated example, the first flange portion 12a is the front edge of the panel body 10, the second flange portion 12b is the rear edge of the panel body 10, and each flange portion (12a, 12b) extends generally in the vehicle's vertical direction. In addition, in the illustrated example, the panel body 10 also has a lower flange portion 12c that connects the lower end of the first flange portion 12a and the lower end of the second flange portion 12b.

[0028] The main body portion 13 connects the first flange portion 12a and the second flange portion 12b and bulges in the panel thickness direction. In the illustrated example, the main body portion 13 bulges in the direction of the panel thickness toward the interior of the vehicle (here, toward the direction away from the door inner panel, or more precisely, toward the interior in the vehicle width direction). The main body portion 13 has a first vertical wall 13a connected to the first flange portion 12a and a second vertical wall 13b connected to the second flange portion 12b. Each vertical wall (13a, 13b) extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction. The main body portion 13 also has a main body wall 13c connecting the inner end of the first vertical wall 13a in the vehicle width direction and the inner end of the second vertical wall 13b in the vehicle width direction. The main body wall 13c is the main wall that occupies the majority of the area of ​​the panel body 10, in other words, the bottom wall of the bulge.

[0029] The main body wall 13c of the main body 13 bulges outwards towards the outside of the vehicle interior (in other words, outwards in the vehicle width direction) in the upper half, roughly divided at the center in the vertical direction. In the lower half of the main body wall 13c of the main body 13, roughly divided at the center, the portion above the item storage pocket 30 bulges outwards towards the outside of the vehicle interior. The bulging portion in the upper half has a first mounting portion 14a to which the first dissimilar member 21 is attached, a second mounting portion 14b to which the second dissimilar member 22 is attached, a third mounting portion 14c to which the third dissimilar member 23 is attached, and a fourth mounting portion 14d to which the fourth dissimilar member 24 is attached. Each mounting portion (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) is provided with an engaging portion, such as an engaging hole, for engaging with the cylindrical fastening portion 20a and engaging claw 20b formed on the corresponding dissimilar member 20. Furthermore, the first mounting portion 14a has a handle hole 14a1 in which the inside door handle X1 is positioned. The upper part of the second mounting portion 14b is offset outward from the vehicle interior relative to the first mounting portion 14a. The third mounting portion 14c has an intermediate opening 14c1 which is closed by a third dissimilar member 23. The fourth mounting portion 14d has a front opening 14d1 which is closed by a fourth dissimilar member 24.

[0030] Furthermore, the lower inner wall 10c of the panel body 10, which forms the inner wall of the article storage pocket 30, bulges inward towards the vehicle interior. Also, a portion of the pocket opening 30a of the article storage pocket 30 is open to the panel body 10. A flange 40a is formed on the periphery of the pocket forming member 40, which has engagement holes for engaging with the cylindrical fastening portion 10d1 and engaging claw 10d2 formed on the panel body 10. The pocket forming member 40 is engaged with the panel body 10 from the back surface 10a2 side via the flange 40a. In addition, the front part of the outer wall of the article storage pocket 30 (pocket forming member 40 in the illustrated example) has a pocket bulge portion 30b that bulges outward towards the vehicle interior and extends vertically with an arc cross-section. Furthermore, an extended bulge portion 11 is formed on the panel body 10 that bulges continuously with the pocket bulge portion 30b, so that large and long articles can be stored in the front of the article storage pocket 30 in an upright position. Furthermore, the rigidity of the front portion of the lower half of the panel body 10 is improved by the pocket bulge 30b and the extended bulge 11.

[0031] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 5, the panel body 10 has a weak portion 15. The weak portion 15 is provided so as to extend from one end of the panel body 10 to the other end of the panel body 10 in a predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10. In this embodiment, the predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a is the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Therefore, the weak portion 15 is provided so as to extend from the front end of the panel body 10 to the rear end of the panel body 10. In other words, the weak portion 15 is provided continuously or intermittently from a predetermined location on the front end of the panel body 10 to a predetermined location on the rear end of the panel body 10.

[0032] In this embodiment, the vulnerable portion 15 has a predetermined width and extends linearly and continuously in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the vulnerable portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at approximately the center height position of the panel body 10 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0033] The panel 100 is divided into a first panel section 100A and a second panel section 100B, with the vulnerable section 15 as the boundary. In the illustrated example, the panel 100 is divided into upper and lower halves with the vulnerable section 15 as the boundary. Although not particularly limited, in this case, the lower half of the panel 100 is the first panel section 100A, and the upper half of the panel 100 is the second panel section 100B.

[0034] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 5 through 7, in this embodiment, the weak portion 15 is formed in the main body portion 13 of the panel body 10. In other words, the weak portion 15 is not formed in the first flange portion 12a and the second flange portion 12b. In the illustrated example, the weak portion 15 extends continuously and linearly through the first flange portion side end of the first vertical wall 13a, the main body wall side end of the first vertical wall 13a, the front end of the main body wall 13c, the rear end of the main body wall 13c, the main body wall side end of the second vertical wall 13b, and the second flange portion side end of the second vertical wall 13b.

[0035] Referring to Figure 5, in this embodiment, the weak portion 15 is formed in a thin-walled shape having a thickness thinner than the panel thickness t surrounding the weak portion 15. In other words, the weak portion 15 is composed of a thin-walled portion that is thinner than the surrounding (peripheral) portion of the weak portion 15, and is formed by providing a thin-walled portion in a part of the panel body 10. Therefore, the weak portion 15 is a weak part that has lower bending rigidity than the bending rigidity of the surrounding portion which is thicker than the weak portion 15. In this embodiment, the weak portion 15 is positioned closer to the inner design surface 10a1 in the panel thickness direction. In other words, the design surface side of the weak portion 15 (here, the inner design surface 10a1 side, or more precisely, the interior side of the vehicle) is formed flat without irregularities relative to the design surface surrounding the weak portion 15 (here, the inner design surface 10a1). In the illustrated example, the weak portion 15 is formed into a thin-walled shape with a thickness thinner than the surrounding panel thickness t by forming a bending-promoting groove 10e, which is a groove recessed in the panel thickness direction, on the back surface 10a2 of the panel body 10. The panel 100 is then structured to be easily bent with the weak portion 15 as the center (starting point). The bending-promoting groove 10e is formed during the injection molding of the panel body 10. However, the bending-promoting groove 10e may also be formed by groove processing after injection molding.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the bending-promoting groove 10e is formed as a V-shaped groove with a V-shaped cross-section. However, the groove cross-sectional shape is not limited to a V shape, but can be formed in an appropriate shape such as a U shape. Specifically, the groove width w1 of the bending-promoting groove 10e (in other words, the line width of the weak part 15) is set to approximately 25% of the panel thickness t, and the groove depth d of the bending-promoting groove 10e is also set to approximately 25% of the panel thickness t. For example, if the panel thickness t is 2 mm, the groove width w1 (line width of the weak part 15) is approximately 0.5 mm, the groove depth d is approximately 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the weak part 15 in the panel thickness direction is approximately 1.5 mm. With such dimensional relationships, indentation around the inner design surface 10a1 of the weak part 15 caused by the difference between the shrinkage rate of the weak part 15 and the shrinkage rate of its surroundings during resin molding is suppressed.

[0037] Here, as mentioned above, the panel body 10 has multiple dissimilar members 20 (21, 22, 23, 24) made of different materials from the panel body 10. Referring to Figure 1, the multiple dissimilar members 20 (21, 22, 23, 24) are arranged in a biased area of ​​the panel body 10. In the illustrated example, the multiple dissimilar members 20 are biased towards the upper half of the panel body 10. In other words, the multiple dissimilar members 20 are biased towards the second panel section 100B and are not arranged in the first panel section 100A.

[0038] The vulnerable portion 15 is provided to divide the panel body 10 into a biased region V2 where different types of members 20 are arranged and a non-biased region V1 on the opposite side of the biased region V2. Specifically, the vulnerable portion 15 extends linearly across the panel body 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at approximately the center height position in the vertical direction of the vehicle, thereby dividing the panel 100 (panel body 10) into a first panel portion 100A and a second panel portion 100B. As a result, the vulnerable portion 15 divides the panel body 10 into a biased region V2 and a non-biased region V1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the panel body 10 has branched weak portions 18 to further divide the panel body 10. The branched weak portions 18 extend from a predetermined intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the weak portion 15 toward a predetermined location on the outer edge of the panel body 10. In the illustrated example, the weak portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the branched weak portions 18 are provided continuously or intermittently from an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle corresponding to the lower part of the front end of the third dissimilar member 23 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle toward the upper end of the first flange portion 12a.

[0040] Specifically, the branched weak portion 18 has a predetermined width and extends linearly and continuously diagonally upward from the weak portion 15. In the illustrated example, the branched weak portion 18 branches off from the weak portion 15 and extends along the main wall 13c and the first vertical wall 13a to the vicinity of the upper end of the first flange portion 12a. Furthermore, similar to the weak portion 15, the branched weak portion 18 is formed in a thin-walled shape with a thickness thinner than the surrounding panel thickness t, and the portion of the branched weak portion 18 on the inner design surface 10a1 side is formed flat without irregularities relative to the surrounding inner design surface 10a1. Furthermore, similar to the weak portion 15, the branched weak portion 18 is formed in a thin-walled shape by forming a bending-promoting groove that is recessed in the panel thickness direction on the back surface 10a2 of the panel body 10. The panel 100 is structured to be easily bent around the branched weak portion 18.

[0041] In this embodiment, the branched weak portion 18 extends in a direction intersecting the weak portion 15 at a position in the unevenly distributed region V2 of the panel body 10 (here, the second panel portion 20B) that avoids the dissimilar member 20, further dividing the unevenly distributed region V2 (second panel portion 20B). Specifically, in the illustrated example, there is a triangular region in the front part of the upper half of the panel body 10 where the dissimilar member 20 is not placed. The branched weak portion 18 extends along the trailing edge of this triangular region.

[0042] Next, referring to Figure 8, in this embodiment, the first panel portion 100A is provided with a first projection 16 that protrudes from the panel surface 10a, and the second panel portion 100B is provided with a second projection 17 that protrudes from the panel surface 10a.

[0043] Specifically, each protrusion (16, 17) protrudes outward in the panel thickness direction from the back surface 10a2 of the panel near the weak portion 15. In the illustrated example, the first protrusion 16 is formed integrally with the panel body 10, and the second protrusion 17 is formed separately from the panel body 10 and attached to the panel body 10. The first protrusion 16 has a trapezoidal outer shape, and the second protrusion 17 has a cross-sectional shape that is open to the upper part of the vehicle and recessed to the lower part of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the first protrusion 16 is a clip seat provided on the panel body 10. The second protrusion 17 is formed by an intermediate item holder 23a of a third dissimilar member 23 that is attached to the panel body 10 (third mounting portion 14c).

[0044] Both the first projection 16 and the second projection 17 have a generally trapezoidal outer shape. The projection end face 16a at the tip of the first projection 16 faces outward in the vehicle width direction (towards the door inner panel and the outside of the passenger compartment), and the projection end face 17a at the tip of the second projection 17 faces generally downward towards the vehicle. Each projection (16, 17) has an inner corner (16b, 17b) on the tip side in the projection direction and on the vulnerable side. In other words, the inner corner 16b is the corner where the vertical wall on the vulnerable side of the first projection 16 intersects with the projection end face 16a, and the inner corner 17b is the corner where the vertical wall on the vulnerable side of the second projection 17 intersects with the projection end face 17a.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 are located on a virtual circle W centered on the vulnerable portion 15, as shown in Figure 8. In other words, the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 are positioned so as to collide with each other when the panel 100 is bent with the vulnerable portion 15 as the center (starting point).

[0046] In this embodiment, the inner corner 16b of one of the first protrusions 16 and the second protrusion 17 (the first protrusion 16 in the illustrated example) and the protruding end face 17a of the other of the first protrusions 16 and the second protrusion 17 (the second protrusion 17 in the illustrated example) are located on a virtual circle W. Therefore, when the panel body 10 (panel 100) bends with the weak point 15 as the center (starting point) and the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 come into contact with each other, the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 protrude in directions that intersect each other, as shown in Figure 13 later, and contact occurs between the surface and the corner.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first panel portion 100A has a first peripheral portion 10f extending from the base end of the first protrusion 16 to the weak portion 15, and the second panel portion 100B has a second peripheral portion 10g extending from the base end of the second protrusion 17 to the weak portion 15. One of the first peripheral portion 10f and the second peripheral portion 10g (in the illustrated example, the second peripheral portion 10g) is bent in the panel thickness direction. In the illustrated example, the first peripheral portion 10f is made up of the main body wall 13c of the main body portion 13 of the panel body 10, and the second peripheral portion 10g is made up of the main body wall 13c and the upper wall of the third dissimilar member 23.

[0048] In this embodiment, the rigidity of one of the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 (the first protrusion 16 in the illustrated example) in the direction of protrusion is set to be higher than the rigidity of the other of the two protrusions 17 (the second protrusion 17) in the direction of protrusion. Specifically, a reinforcing rib 16c is provided inside the first protrusion 16. The protrusion length of the first protrusion 16 is shorter than the protrusion length of the second protrusion 17. In other words, the rigidity of the clip seat as the first protrusion 16 in the direction of protrusion is higher than the rigidity of the intermediate article holder 23a of the third dissimilar member 23 in the direction of protrusion.

[0049] In the panel 100 configured as described above, each dissimilar member 20 (21, 22, 23, 24) is engaged with the panel body 10 via fastening portion 20a and engaging claw 20b, as previously mentioned. Specifically, the dissimilar members 20 engage with the panel body 10 at the engaging claw 20b, and are joined to the panel body 10 by fastening with a metal fastener (e.g., a bolt) at the fastening portion 20a, or by being melted and welded to the panel body 10. Therefore, removing the multiple dissimilar members 20 attached to the panel body 10 in the second panel section 100B from the panel body 10 is extremely time-consuming.

[0050] Furthermore, in the second panel section 100B, inside the first dissimilar member 21 are an inside door handle X1, an upper speaker X2, and metal fasteners for fixing these parts (X1, X2), all of which are made of a different material than the panel body 10. Inside the support case X3b of the third dissimilar member 23 are an operation switch X3a, metal fasteners, wiring materials, etc., all of which are made of a different material than the panel body 10. Therefore, the second panel section 100B is composed of various types and materials of members and parts such as PP, ABS, PC, PU, ​​metal, and wiring materials. In the second panel section 100B, separating (disassembling) the panel body 10 from the other members (parts) is extremely time-consuming. In contrast, the first panel section 100A is composed only of the panel body 10 and pocket forming member 40, which are made of the same type of resin (PP). Therefore, from the standpoint of workability regarding resin recycling, resin recycling can be efficiently promoted by disassembling the panel 100 using the disassembly method described below and separating the first panel section 100A from the panel 100.

[0051] Next, a method for disassembling the panel 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 14. Figures 9 to 13 are diagrams illustrating each step (process, procedure) of the method for disassembling the panel 100. Figure 9 is a schematic process diagram illustrating the steps of the method for disassembling the panel 100. Figures 10 and 11 show an example of the excision step S1, which will be described later, and Figures 12 and 13 show examples of the holding step S2, weakening step S3, and fracture step S4, which will be described later. Figure 14 shows an example of the state of the panel 100 after it has been disassembled by the disassembly method in a cross-sectional view. It is assumed that the panel 100 has already been removed from the door inner panel.

[0052] The method for disassembling panel 100 is a method for disassembling panel 100, which is an interior panel including a panel body 10 having an interior design surface 10a1 of the vehicle. The object to be disassembled by the disassembly method is the aforementioned panel 100. In other words, the panel body 10 has the aforementioned weak portion 15 and branched weak portion 18. Referring to Figure 9, in this embodiment, the disassembly method includes a cutting step S1, a holding step S2, a weakening step S3, and a fracturing step S4.

[0053] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in the excision step S1, the portion of the edge (front edge) on one end of the panel body 10 in a predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10 (the longitudinal direction of the panel body 10, the front-rear direction of the vehicle when the panel 100 is in use) adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15 (see Figure 10), and the portion of the edge (rear edge) on the other end of the panel body 10 in the same predetermined direction adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15 (see Figure 11) are excised.

[0054] In this embodiment, the cutting step S1 involves cutting off the portion of the first flange portion 12a adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15 (see Figure 10) and the portion of the second flange portion 12b adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15 (see Figure 11). Specifically, the cutting step S1 is performed manually by an operator using a cutting tool such as scissors. The cutting step S1 creates a V-shaped cut in the portion of each flange portion (12a, 12b) adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15.

[0055] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, in the holding step S2, one portion of the panel 100 on one side of the fragile portion 15 (in the illustrated example, the second panel portion 100B, in other words, the unevenly distributed region V2 of the panel body 10) is held in a predetermined position. Specifically, the holding step S2 is performed manually by the worker, for example, by the worker's hands or feet, or via a holding device (in the illustrated example, by hand).

[0056] Then, weakening step S3 is a step to further weaken the weak portion 15 of the panel 100. Weakening step S3 involves, for example, rotating the portion of the panel 100 on the other side of the weak portion 15 (in the illustrated example, the first panel portion 100A, in other words, the non-offset region V1 of the panel body 10) with the weak portion 15 as the center (starting point). Specifically, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, weakening step S3 is performed manually by an operator, for example.

[0057] Specifically, weakening step S3 is a step of rotating the first panel portion 100A in order to further weaken the weak portion 15. More specifically, in weakening step S3, for example, the first panel portion 100A is rotated with the weak portion 15 as the starting point (center) so that it folds back in a direction approaching the back surface 10a2 of the second panel portion 100B or in a direction approaching the inner design surface 10a1 of the second panel portion 100B. In weakening step S3, the first panel portion 100A may fold back multiple times in the direction approaching the back surface 10a2 of the second panel portion 100B and in the direction approaching the inner design surface 10a1 of the second panel portion 100B. This weakening step S3 further weakens the weak portion 15 by repeatedly concentrating stress around the weak portion 15 through the folding rotation at a stage before the weak portion 15 breaks. In other words, weakening step S3 involves applying a load to the weakened part 15 that does not cause it to break.

[0058] The breaking step S4 is a step in which the weak portion 15 of the panel 100 is broken. In the breaking step S4, in the illustrated example, the first panel portion 100A is rotated in a direction toward the back surface 10a2 of the second panel portion 100B, and the inner corner portion 16b of the first projection 16 comes into contact with the projection end surface 17a of the second projection 17. In this contact state, by further rotating the first panel portion 100A with the inner corner portion 16b as a fulcrum, a force is generated by the lever principle that causes the weak portion 15 to break. In this embodiment, both the weakening step S3 and the breaking step S4 include rotational movements and can also be called rotational steps, respectively. In the illustrated example, the breaking step S4 is a step in which the weak portion 15, which has been further weakened by the weakening step S3, is broken.

[0059] In the illustrated example, the panel 100 is fractured at the weak point 15 in the fracture step S4, and as shown in Figure 14, the panel 100 is separated into a first panel section 100A and a second panel section 100B. This separates the panel 100 into a first panel section 100A made of PP and a second panel section 100B made of various types and materials. The first panel section 100A is then pelletized and distributed as recycled PP material.

[0060] In this embodiment, the second panel portion 100B, which has multiple different members attached, is further separated at the branched weak portion 18. Specifically, although not shown in the figures, the second panel portion 100B separated from the first panel portion 100A is subjected to a cutting step S1, a holding step S2, a weakening step S3, and a fracturing step S4. In the cutting step S1, the portion of the first flange portion 12a of the second panel portion 100B adjacent to the end of the branched weak portion 18 is cut off in a form similar to the cutting shape shown in Figure 10. Then, in the holding step S2, one side of the second panel portion 100B (for example, the portion on the second flange portion 12b side) is held at the branched weak portion 18. Then, in the weakening step S3 and the fracture step S4, the portion of the second panel portion 100B on the other side of the branched weak portion 18 (for example, the portion on the first flange portion 12a side) is rotated so as to reciprocate multiple times with the branched weak portion 18 as the center (starting point) and fold back. As a result, the second panel portion 100B fractures at the branched weak portion 18. Consequently, the second panel portion 100B is separated into a dissimilar composite member piece to which multiple dissimilar members 20 and various parts (X1, X2, etc.) are attached, and a triangular resin molded fracture fragment made of PP derived from the panel body 10.

[0061] Subsequently, the resin molding fragments of the second panel section 100B are pelletized, similar to the first panel section 100A, and distributed as recycled PP material. The dissimilar composite material fragments of the second panel section 100B may be separated with additional processing time, or they may be treated as shredded dust (ASR) without separation. By separating, the dissimilar composite material fragments of the second panel section 100B are separated into a portion derived from the panel body 10, a dissimilar material 20, and various parts (X1, X2, etc.), and the portion derived from the panel body 10 is distributed as recycled PP material. Although not shown in the figures, it is preferable that marks such as scissors be engraved on the planned cutting positions in the first flange section 12a and the second flange section 12b so that the cutting positions are clearly known. Furthermore, it is preferable that a procedure display section showing the steps of the above-described disassembly method be provided on the back surface 10a2 of the panel body 10. For example, an illustration showing the steps of the disassembly method may be directly engraved on the panel body 10 in the procedure display section. This allows disassembly workers to easily understand the disassembly procedure and method, and facilitates an improvement in the resin recycling rate.

[0062] According to the panel 100 of this embodiment, the panel body 10 has a weak portion 15 that extends from one end to the other end of the panel body 10 in a predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10 (here, the longitudinal direction is the direction parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle). Therefore, even if the panel body 10 is a single large resin molded product during manufacturing and use, the large panel 100 will break along the weak portion 15 after use, such as when the vehicle is scrapped, and will be easily disassembled at the weak portion 15. As a result, the panel body 10 is not formed from two resin molded products during manufacturing with disassembly after use in mind, improving the work efficiency during manufacturing of the panel body 10 compared to the conventional structure, and the panel body 10 can be easily separated after use, thus facilitating the recycling of resin derived from the panel body.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the method for disassembling the panel 100 according to this embodiment, the holding step S2 allows the panel 100 to be held on one side with respect to the weak portion 15, and the breaking step S4 allows the weak portion 15 to be broken. Therefore, after use, such as when the vehicle is scrapped, the large panel 100 held in the holding step S2 can be easily broken in the breaking step S4, starting from the weak portion 15.

[0064] Thus, the panel 100 and the method for disassembling the panel 100 according to this embodiment are a vehicle panel 100 and a method for disassembling the panel 100 that can easily promote resin recycling without reducing the work efficiency during manufacturing. Furthermore, the method for disassembling the panel 100 according to this embodiment further includes a cutting step S1 in which the portion of the edge on one end of the panel body 10 adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15 and the portion of the edge on the other end of the panel body 10 adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15 are cut off, so that the fracture starting from the weak portion 15 by the fracture step S4 is easily performed. In addition, the method for disassembling the panel 100 according to this embodiment further includes a weakening step S3, so that the fracture by the fracture step S4 is made even easier.

[0065] In this embodiment, the panel 100 is divided into a first panel section 100A and a second panel section 100B with the weak point 15 as the boundary. The first panel section 100A is provided with a first protrusion 16 that protrudes from the panel surface 10a, and the second panel section 100B is provided with a second protrusion 17 that protrudes from the panel surface 10a. The first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 are located on a virtual circle W centered on the weak point 15. Therefore, when the panel 100 is bent with the weak point 15 as the center (starting point), the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 come into contact with it, which concentrates the stress due to the bending force on the weak point 15, and as a result, the fracture of the weak point 15 is made even easier.

[0066] In this embodiment, the inner corner 16b of one of the first protrusions 16 and the second protrusion 17 (here, the first protrusion 16) and the protruding end face 17a at the tip of the other protrusion (here, the second protrusion 17) are located on a virtual circle W. Therefore, when bending, the inner corner 16b of one protrusion (16 or 17) can be brought into contact with the protruding end face 17a of the other protrusion (17 or 16). As a result, the panel body 10 can easily rotate with the inner corner 16b as a pivot point, and this rotation with the inner corner 16b as a pivot point can effectively apply a force to the weak point 15 in a direction that causes the weak point 15 to break.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first panel portion 100A has a first peripheral portion 10f extending from the base end of the first protrusion 16 to the weak portion 15, and the second panel portion 100B has a second peripheral portion 10g extending from the base end of the second protrusion 17 to the weak portion 15, and one of the first peripheral portion 10f and the second peripheral portion 10g (in this case, the second peripheral portion 10g) is bent in the panel thickness direction. As a result, deformation of one of the peripheral portions (10g) in the bending direction is suppressed when bending. Consequently, a portion of the bending load applied for bending is suppressed from being absorbed as energy for deformation of the peripheral portion, so that the weak portion 15 is more likely to break when bending.

[0068] In this embodiment, the rigidity of one of the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 (here, the first protrusion 16) in the direction of protrusion is set to be higher than the rigidity of the other of the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 (here, the second protrusion 17) in the direction of protrusion. Therefore, when bending, it becomes easier to apply a tensile force that causes the weak part 15 located between the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 to break, thereby promoting the breaking of the weak part 15.

[0069] In this embodiment, the panel body 10 has a first flange portion 12a, a second flange portion 12b, and a main body portion 13 that connects the first flange portion 12a and the second flange portion 12b and bulges in the panel thickness direction, and the weak portion 15 is formed in the main body portion 13. In addition, in this embodiment, the cutting step S1 of the disassembly method cuts off the portion of the first flange portion 12a adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15 and the portion of the second flange portion 12b adjacent to the end of the weak portion 15. Therefore, the required strength of the panel 100 when in use is easily ensured, and the fracture of the weak portion 15 when in use is reliably suppressed.

[0070] In this embodiment, the weak portion 15 is formed in a thin-walled shape having a thickness thinner than the panel thickness t surrounding the weak portion 15, and the portion of the weak portion 15 on the design surface side (here, the inner design surface 10a1 side) is formed flat without irregularities relative to the design surface (here, the inner design surface 10a1) surrounding the weak portion 15. Therefore, irregularities caused by the weak portion 15 do not occur on the design surface 10a1 of the panel body 10, and a decrease in the design quality of the design surface 10a1 and its impact on the appearance quality of the design surface 10a1 can be suppressed.

[0071] In this embodiment, the panel body 10 also has a branched weak portion 18, making it easier for the large panel body 10 to be further divided around the branched weak portion 18 (starting point). Therefore, after use, the large panel body 10 can be separated even more easily, and the recycling of resin derived from the panel body can be further facilitated.

[0072] In this embodiment, the vulnerable portion 15 is provided to divide the panel body 10 into a biased region V2 where different materials 20 are arranged and a non-biased region V1 on the opposite side of the biased region V2. Therefore, by separating the panel 100 at the vulnerable portion 15, the panel 100 can be disassembled into a non-biased region V1 where resin recycling is easily promoted and a biased region V2 where resin recycling is more difficult. As a result, resin recycling can be promoted more efficiently and easily.

[0073] In this embodiment, the branched weak portion 18 extends in a direction intersecting the weak portion 15 at a position in the unevenly distributed region V2 of the panel body 10 that avoids the dissimilar member 20, further dividing the unevenly distributed region V2. Therefore, the portion of the unevenly distributed region V2 separated from the non-unevenly distributed region V1 at the weak portion 15 (here, the second panel portion 100B) can be further fractured (separated) at the branched weak portion 18 into a region on the side of the dissimilar member 20 and a region on the opposite side of the dissimilar member 20. As a result, the disassembly of the panel 100 for resin recycling after use can be carried out more efficiently, and the recycling rate of resin derived from the panel body can be improved more easily.

[0074] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the width of the second protrusion 17 provided on the retained second panel portion 100B in the direction along the weak portion 15 is set to be longer than the width of the first protrusion 16 provided on the rotating first panel portion 100A in the direction along the weak portion 15. Therefore, when the first panel portion 100A rotates, the load transmitted from the first protrusion 16 to the second protrusion 17 can be distributed over a wide area via the second protrusion 17.

[0075] In the first embodiment, we explained the case where the vehicle panel subject to resin recycling is an interior panel, but the process is not limited to this, and the vehicle panel subject to resin recycling may also be an exterior panel.

[0076] Next, panel 101 as an exterior panel of a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 19, etc. In the following, regarding panel 101, which is an exterior panel according to the second embodiment, and the method of disassembling panel 101, the same reference numerals will be used for the same elements as in the case of panel 100 (interior panel) according to the first embodiment, and the differences in configuration from the interior panel will be mainly described. Figure 15 is a plan view of panel 101 (exterior panel) according to the second embodiment as seen from the front of the vehicle, Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of panel 101 along the line EE shown in Figure 15, Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the panel body 10 at section G shown in Figure 16, Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the holding step S2 and the rotation step S3 of the disassembly method of panel 101 shown in Figure 15, and Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the disassembled panel 101 (exterior panel).

[0077] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, panel 101, as an exterior panel, is a large exterior component (exterior member) that, like panel 100, includes a panel body 10 facing the outside of the vehicle and constitutes a part of the exterior design surface 10a3, which is the design surface outside the vehicle's interior Z. In other words, panel 101 is an exterior panel that includes a panel body 10 having a surface that constitutes the exterior design surface 10a3, which is the design surface outside the vehicle's interior Z. In the illustrated example, panel 101 is a front bumper, an exterior member provided at the front of the vehicle.

[0078] Panel 101 comprises a panel body 10 and a different component 20. The panel body 10 faces the exterior of the vehicle, occupies most of the panel 101, and is a large panel formed in a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle, covering the entire front of the vehicle. Of the panel surfaces 10a of panel 101, the surface facing the exterior constitutes the exterior design surface 10a3, and the surface of the panel surface 10a opposite to the exterior design surface 10a3 constitutes the panel back surface 10a4 facing the interior of the vehicle. The panel body 10 has cutouts on both the left and right sides of the upper part corresponding to the headlights, and the portions corresponding to the left and right front wheels extend towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0079] The panel body 10 of panel 101 is a large resin molded product made of PP, similar to the panel body 10 of panel 100, for example. The dissimilar member 20 is a member made of a different material from the panel body 10 (here, for example, ABS or PC), and in the illustrated example, it is attached to the upper part of the panel body 10. In the illustrated example, a fifth dissimilar member 25, which is a decorative member as one of the dissimilar members 20, is attached to the upper part of the panel body 10 from the outside of the vehicle.

[0080] The panel body 10 of panel 101 further includes an upper flange portion 12d in addition to the first flange portion 12a, the second flange portion 12b, the lower flange portion 12c, and the main body portion 13.

[0081] In panel 101, the first flange portion 12a is a flange that constitutes one end edge of the panel body 10 in a predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10, and the second flange portion 12b is a flange that constitutes the other end edge of the panel body 10 in the same predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10. In the second embodiment, the predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a is the vehicle width direction and is not particularly limited, but in the illustrated example, the first flange portion 12a is part of the right edge of the panel body 10, and the second flange portion 12b is part of the left edge of the panel body 10. The lower flange portion 12c protrudes to the rear of the vehicle, and the upper flange portion 12d connects the upper end of the first flange portion 12a and the upper end of the second flange portion 12b and protrudes to the front of the vehicle. The main body portion 13 extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction, occupying most of the panel body 10, and connects the first flange portion 12a, the second flange portion 12b, the lower flange portion 12c, and the upper flange portion 12d.

[0082] In panel 101, the main body 13 is divided into a lower grille section 13d, which occupies most of the main body section 13, and an upper grille section 13e. The lower grille section 13d has a license plate mounting section 13d1 to which a license plate is attached, and constitutes most of the main body section 13. Multiple lower grille holes 13d2 are opened in the lower grille section 13d. The upper grille section 13e is provided, for example, so as to protrude upward from the central part of the upper edge of the lower grille section 13d in the vehicle width direction, and is formed in a rectangular shape that is generally long in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The upper grille section 13e has a detection transmission section 13e1 that transmits detection waves such as millimeter waves for detecting the external environment of the vehicle. Multiple upper grille holes 13e2 are opened in the upper grille section 13e. A fifth mounting section 14e is formed in the upper grille section 13e to which a fifth different member 25 is attached. The fifth mounting portion 14e is provided with engaging portions such as engaging holes 20c for engaging with the cylindrical fastening portion 20a and engaging claws formed on the fifth dissimilar member 25.

[0083] In the illustrated example, the fifth dissimilar member 25 of panel 101 is attached to the upper grille portion 13e so as to cover approximately the upper half of the outer design surface 10a3 of the upper grille portion 13e. The fifth dissimilar member 25 has an outer shape that is generally rectangular and elongated in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front or rear direction of the vehicle, and is formed in an annular shape. A rectangular elongated hole 25a is opened in the center of the fifth dissimilar member 25, and a part of the upper grille portion 13e is visible from the front of the vehicle through the elongated hole 25a. Referring to Figure 16, the fifth dissimilar member 25 is joined to the panel body 10 by welding the fastening portion 20a to the back surface 10a4 of the panel with the fastening portion 20a inserted into the engagement hole 20c of the fifth mounting portion 14e.

[0084] Referring to Figures 15 to 17, the panel body 10 of panel 101, like panel 100, has a weak portion 15 that extends from one end to the other end of the panel body 10 in a predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10. In the second embodiment, the predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a is the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the weak portion 15 is provided extending from the right end to the left end of the panel body 10. In other words, the weak portion 15 is provided continuously or intermittently from a predetermined location on the right end of the panel body 10 to a predetermined location on the left end of the panel body 10. In the illustrated example, the weak portion 15 extends linearly and continuously in the vehicle width direction at a height corresponding to the upper grill portion 13e of the panel body 10.

[0085] In the second embodiment, the weak portion 15 is formed in the main body portion 13 of the panel body 10, and is not formed in each flange portion (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d). The weak portion 15 extends continuously and linearly from the front end to the rear end of the upper grill portion 13e at an intermediate height position in the vehicle's vertical direction within the main body portion 13. The panel 101 is then divided into a first panel portion 100A and a second panel portion 100B at the weak portion 15. Although not particularly limited, in this case, the upper part of the upper grill portion 13e of the panel 101 is the first panel portion 100A, and the lower part of the upper grill portion 13e and the lower grill portion 13d of the panel 101 are the second panel portion 100B.

[0086] In the second embodiment, the fragile portion 15 is positioned closer to the outer design surface 10a3 in the panel thickness direction. That is, the portion of the fragile portion 15 on the outer design surface 10a1 side (in other words, the side facing the passenger compartment) is formed flat and without irregularities relative to the outer design surface 10a3 surrounding the fragile portion 15. In the illustrated example, the fragile portion 15 is formed into a thin-walled shape with a thickness thinner than the surrounding panel thickness t by forming a bending-promoting groove 10e on the back surface 10a4 of the panel body 10. In the second embodiment as well, in the illustrated example (see Figure 17), the bending-promoting groove 10e is formed as a V-shaped groove with a V-shaped cross-section, but the groove cross-sectional shape is not limited to a V shape and can be formed in an appropriate shape such as a U shape.

[0087] Furthermore, the vulnerable portion 15 of panel 101 is provided to divide the panel body 10 into a biased region V2 where the fifth dissimilar member 25 is located and a non-biased region V1 on the opposite side of the biased region V2. Specifically, the vulnerable portion 15 extends linearly across the panel body 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a height corresponding to the lower end of the fifth mounting portion 14e (in other words, the fifth dissimilar member 25), thereby dividing the panel 101 (panel body 10) into a first panel portion 100A and a second panel portion 100B. As a result, the vulnerable portion 15 of panel 101 divides the panel body 10 into a biased region V2 and a non-biased region V1.

[0088] Referring to Figure 16, in the second embodiment, the first protrusion 16 of the first panel portion 100A and the second protrusion 17 of the second panel portion 100B protrude outward in the panel thickness direction from the back surface 10a4 of the panel near the weak portion 15. In the illustrated example, each protrusion (16, 17) is formed integrally with the panel body 10 and has a trapezoidal outer shape. The panel 101 uses existing protrusion shapes such as clip seats or air guides as each protrusion (16, 17). In the illustrated example, the inner corner 16b of the first protrusion 16 and the inner corner 17b of the second protrusion 17 are located on a virtual circle W.

[0089] In the panel 101 configured as described above, the fifth dissimilar member 25 is joined to the panel body 10 by welding at the fastening portion 20a. Therefore, removing the dissimilar member 20 (fifth dissimilar member 25) attached to the panel body 10 in the second panel section 100B from the panel body 10 is extremely time-consuming. In contrast, the first panel section 100A consists only of the upper part of the upper grille section 13e and the lower grille section 13d, which are made of the same type of resin (PP). Therefore, from the standpoint of workability regarding resin recycling, resin recycling can be efficiently promoted by disassembling the panel 101 using the disassembly method described below and separating the first panel section 100A from the panel 101.

[0090] Specifically, the method for disassembling panel 101 includes a cutting step S1, a holding step S2, a weakening step S3, and a fracturing step S4, similar to the first embodiment (see Figure 9). In the cutting step S1, the portion of the first flange portion 12a of panel 101 adjacent to the end of the weakened portion 15 and the portion of the second flange portion 12b of panel 101 adjacent to the end of the weakened portion 15 are cut off. Then, as shown in Figures 16 and 18, in the holding step S2, in the illustrated example, the first panel portion 100A (in other words, the non-eccentric region V1 of the panel body 10) is held in a predetermined position. Then, in the weakening step S3, in the illustrated example, the second panel portion 100B (in other words, the eccentric region V2 of the panel body 10) is rotated around the weakened portion 15 as the center (starting point). In the illustrated example, the weakening step S3 involves the second panel section 100B being moved back and forth multiple times starting from the weak part 15 to further weaken the weak part 15, and the breaking step S4 involves rotating the second panel section 100B to break the weak part 15. Specifically, in the breaking step S4, the second panel section 100B is rotated in a direction toward the back surface 10a4 of the first panel section 100A, and the inner corner 17b of the second protrusion 17 comes into contact with the inner corner 16b of the first protrusion 16. In this contact state, by further rotating the second panel section 100B with the inner corner 16b as a fulcrum, a force is generated by the lever principle that causes the weak part 15 to break. Then, as shown in Figure 19, the panel 101 breaks at the weak part 15 and is separated into the first panel section 100A and the second panel section 100B. As a result, panel 101 is separated into a first panel section 100A made of PP and a second panel section 100B made of multiple materials. The first panel section 100A is then pelletized and distributed as recycled PP material, while the second panel section 100B may be separated with additional processing time, or it may not be separated and may be treated as shredded waste (ASR).

[0091] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0092] For example, the weak portion 15 in each embodiment and the branched weak portion 18 in the first embodiment extend continuously, but are not limited to this, and may extend intermittently. Also, the weak portion 15 and the branched weak portion 18 extend linearly in one direction, but are not limited to this, and may be curved, bent, or extend in a combination of curve, bend, and straight.

[0093] Furthermore, the portion of the weak part 15 facing the design surface (either the inner design surface 10a1 side or the outer design surface 10a3 side) is formed flat and without irregularities relative to the surrounding design surface (inner design surface 10a1 or outer design surface 10a3), but is not limited to this, and may be recessed relative to the surrounding design surface (10a1, 10a3). In this case, the portion of the weak part 15 facing the outside of the vehicle interior may be formed flat and without irregularities relative to the surrounding surface on the outside of the vehicle interior (panel back surface 10a2 or panel back surface 10a4), or it may be recessed.

[0094] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the first protrusion 16 may be formed separately from the panel body 10, and the second protrusion 17 may be formed integrally with the panel body 10. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, at least one of the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 may be formed separately from the panel body 10.

[0095] In each embodiment, when the panel body 10 bends around the weak portion 15 and the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 come into contact with each other, the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 protrude in directions that intersect each other, but this is not limited to this. When the panel body 10 bends around the weak portion 15 and the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 come into contact with each other, the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17 may protrude in opposite directions. In this case, when bending, the protruding end surface 16a of the first protrusion 16 and the protruding end surface 17a of the second protrusion 17 come into surface contact with each other, and a tensile force in the direction that will break the weak portion 15 can be effectively applied to the weak portion 15. As a result, the weak portion 15 is easily broken when bending.

[0096] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the branched weak portion 18 extends from a predetermined intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the weak portion 15 toward a predetermined location on the outer edge of the panel body 10, but is not limited to this, and may extend from the vicinity of a predetermined intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the weak portion 15. In other words, the end of the branched weak portion 18 on the weak portion 15 side does not have to be connected to the weak portion 15, and may extend from the vicinity of the periphery of the weak portion 15 toward the outer edge of the panel body 10. Also, in the first embodiment, the width of the second protrusion 17 may be shorter than the width of the first protrusion 16 or the same as the width of the first protrusion 16. And, in the first embodiment, the protruding length of the first protrusion 16 may be longer than the protruding length of the second protrusion 17 or the same as the protruding length of the second protrusion 17. Also, in the second embodiment, the protruding length of the first protrusion 16 may be shorter than the protruding length of the second protrusion 17 or the same as the protruding length of the second protrusion 17.

[0097] In each embodiment, the different member 20 may be provided on the first panel portion 100A instead of the second panel portion 100B. Furthermore, the interior panel 100 is not limited to the door trim, but may also be other interior panels such as the roof trim or the side trim around the door. Also, the exterior panel 101 is not limited to the front bumper with a grille, but may also be other exterior panels such as the front bumper without a grille or the rear bumper. In these cases as well, the recycling of resin is promoted by the weak portion 15 for panel 100 as an interior panel or panel 101 as an exterior panel.

[0098] Furthermore, in the method for disassembling panel 100, the holding step S2 may hold the first panel portion 100A, and the weakening step S3 and the breaking step S4 may rotate the second panel portion 100B. Similarly, in the method for disassembling panel 101, the holding step S2 may hold the second panel portion 100B, and the weakening step S3 and the breaking step S4 may rotate the first panel portion 100A. In addition, the weakening step S3 may be performed by pulling rather than just rotating to further weaken the weak portion 15, and the breaking step S4 may also be performed by pulling rather than just rotating to break the weak portion 15. Specifically, the weakening step S3 and the breaking step S4 may involve pulling at least one of the first panel portion 100A and the second panel portion 100B in a direction that separates the first panel portion 100A and the second panel portion 100B. In this case, it is preferable that the area near both sides of the cut formed by the cutting step S1 be pulled. Furthermore, the weakening step S3 is not limited to rotation and tension; the weakened portion 15 may be further weakened by directly applying a load or external force to the area surrounding the weakened portion 15.

[0099] Furthermore, the panels (100, 101) do not necessarily have the first protrusion 16 and the second protrusion 17. In this case, the disassembly method may include a high-rigidity member placement step before or during the execution of the weakening step S3 and the fracture step S4. In this high-rigidity member placement step, a block-shaped or box-shaped high-rigidity member having higher rigidity than the panel body 10 is placed so as to abut the back surface (10a2, 10a4) of the panel so as to extend along the weak portion 15 from the back surface (10a2, 10a4) side. In this contact state, by rotating the first panel portion 100A or the second panel portion 100B with the corner of the high-rigidity member as a fulcrum, a force is generated on the weak portion 15 by the lever principle, making the weak portion 15 more susceptible to fracture.

[0100] In each embodiment, the cutting step S1, holding step S2, weakening step S3, and breaking step S4 are performed manually by an operator, but are not limited to this and may be performed by a sorting device 500 including multiple robots (M1, M2, M3) as shown in Figure 20. Specifically, for example, the cutting step S1 may be performed by a cutting robot M1 capable of laser cutting or physical cutting with a cutting tool and a holding robot M2 having an arm capable of gripping or pressing and holding the panels (100, 101), the holding step S2 may be performed by the holding robot M2, and the weakening step S3 and breaking step S4 may be performed by a rotating robot M3 having a gripping part capable of gripping and rotating or pulling the panels (100, 101). Alternatively, the sorting device 500 may be a semi-automatic device in which some of the steps (S1, S2, S3, S4) are performed by robots and the rest are left to the operator. Furthermore, if the fragile portion 15 can be easily fractured by the fracture step S4, the disintegration method may not include at least one of the excision step S1 and the weakening step S3. Also, the retention step S2 may be performed after the excision step S1.

[0101] Focusing on weakening and fracture, the method for disassembling a vehicle panel (100, 101) according to the embodiment is a method for disassembling a vehicle panel including a panel body 10 having a surface that constitutes a design surface inside or outside the vehicle's passenger compartment Z, wherein the panel body 10 has a weakened portion 15 provided in a predetermined direction along the panel surface 10a of the panel body 10, extending from one end of the panel body 10 to the other end of the panel body 10, and the disassembly method is characterized by including a weakening step S3 for further weakening the weakened portion 15 of the panel (100, 101), and a fracture step S4 for fracturing the weakened portion 15 further weakened by the weakening step S3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 10 Panel Body 10a Panel surface 10a1 Interior design surface (design surface inside the vehicle interior) 10a2 Panel back side 10a3 Exterior design surface (design surface outside the vehicle interior) 10a4 Panel back side 10b Lower speaker placement section 10c Lower inner wall 10d1 Fastening part 10d2 Engagement claw 10e Folding acceleration groove 10f First Peripheral Area 10g Second peripheral area 11 Extension bulge 12a First flange section 12b Second flange section 12c Lower flange section 13 Main body 13a First vertical wall 13b Second vertical wall 13c Main wall 14a First mounting section 14a1 Handle hole 14b Second mounting section 14c Third mounting section 14c1 intermediate opening 14d Fourth mounting section 14d1 Front opening 15 Vulnerable parts 16 1st protrusion 16a Projecting end surface 16b Inside corner 16c Reinforcement Rib 17 Second protrusion 17a Projecting end surface 17b Inside corner 18 Branching Vulnerabilities 19a Lower grille section 19a1 License plate mounting section 19a2 Lower grill hole 19b Upper Grill Section 19b1 Detection wave transmission section 19b2 ​​Upper grill hole 19b3 Upper flange section 19b4 Third flange section 19b5 Fourth flange section 20 Different types of components 20a Fastening part 20b Engagement claw 21 First dissimilar member 21a Upper item holder 22 Second dissimilar member 23 Third dissimilar member 23a Intermediate item storage 23b Control Panel 24. Fourth dissimilar member 30 item storage pockets 30a Pocket opening 30b Pocket bulge 40 Pocket forming member 40a flange 100 panels 101 Panels 100A First Panel Section 100B Second Panel Section X1 Inside Door Handle X2 Upper Speaker X3 control panel X3a Operation Switch X3b Support Case V1 Non-uniform distribution area V2 uneven distribution area W Virtual Circle w1 Groove width d Groove depth t Panel thickness Z cabin

Claims

1. A vehicle panel including a panel body having a surface that constitutes a design surface inside or outside the vehicle, A vehicle panel characterized in that the panel body has a vulnerable portion provided in a predetermined direction along the panel surface of the panel body, extending from one end of the panel body to the other end of the panel body.

2. The panel is divided into a first panel section and a second panel section at the aforementioned vulnerable portion. The first panel portion is provided with a first projection that protrudes from the panel surface, The second panel portion is provided with a second projection that protrudes from the panel surface, The vehicle panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the first protrusion and the second protrusion are located on a virtual circle centered on the vulnerable portion.

3. The panel body is divided into a first panel section and a second panel section, with the weak portion as the boundary. The panel for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first panel portion or the second panel portion is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes from the panel surface.

4. The vehicle panel according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner corner portion on the tip side in the protruding direction and the weak portion side of one of the first protruding portion and the protruding end face at the tip in the protruding direction of the other of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are located on the virtual circle.

5. The panel for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the panel body bends around the weak portion, and when the first protrusion and the second protrusion come into contact with each other, the first protrusion and the second protrusion protrude in opposite directions from each other.

6. The first panel portion has a first peripheral portion that extends from the base end of the first protrusion to the weak portion, The second panel portion has a second peripheral portion that extends from the base end of the second protrusion to the weak portion, The vehicle panel according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the first peripheral portion and the second peripheral portion is bent in the panel thickness direction.

7. The vehicle panel according to claim 2, characterized in that the rigidity of one of the first and second protrusions in the direction of protrusion is set higher than the rigidity of the other of the first and second protrusions in the direction of protrusion.

8. The panel body comprises a first flange portion that constitutes the edge of one end of the panel body, a second flange portion that constitutes the edge of the other end of the panel body, and a main body portion that connects the first flange portion and the second flange portion. The panel of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the weak portion is formed in the main body portion.

9. The weak portion is formed in a thin-walled shape having a thickness thinner than the panel thickness surrounding the weak portion. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion of the weak part on the design surface side is formed flat without irregularities with respect to the design surface surrounding the weak part.

10. The panel for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the panel body has branched weak portions extending from a predetermined intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the weak portion or from the vicinity of said intermediate position toward a predetermined location on the outer edge of the panel body.

11. The present invention further includes a dissimilar member formed of a different material from the panel body, which is positioned in a biased area of ​​the panel body, The panel for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the vulnerable portion is provided such that the panel body is divided into a region where the different type of member is arranged and a non-region where the member is arranged on the opposite side from the region where the member is arranged.

12. The panel body has branched weak portions that extend from a predetermined intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the weak portion or from the vicinity of said intermediate position toward a predetermined location on the outer edge of the panel body. The vehicle panel according to claim 11, characterized in that the branched weak portion extends in a direction intersecting the weak portion at a position in the unevenly distributed region of the panel body that avoids the dissimilar member, and further divides the unevenly distributed region.

13. A method for disassembling a vehicle panel, which includes a panel body having a surface that constitutes a design surface inside or outside the vehicle's interior, The panel body has a weak portion provided in a predetermined direction along the panel surface of the panel body, extending from one end of the panel body to the other end of the panel body. The aforementioned disassembly method is, A holding step of holding the portion of the panel on one side of the fragile part, A fracture step to break the aforementioned weak portion, A method for disassembling a vehicle panel, characterized by including the following:

14. The method for disassembling a vehicle panel according to claim 13, further comprising a cutting step of cutting off a portion of the edge of one end of the panel body adjacent to the end of the weak portion and a portion of the edge of the other end of the panel body adjacent to the end of the weak portion.

15. The panel body comprises a first flange portion that constitutes the edge on one end of the panel body, a second flange portion that constitutes the edge on the other end of the panel body, and a main body portion that connects the first flange portion and the second flange portion and expands in the panel thickness direction. The weak portion is formed in the main body portion, The method for disassembling a vehicle panel according to claim 14, characterized in that the cutting step involves cutting off a portion of the first flange portion adjacent to the end of the weak portion and a portion of the second flange portion adjacent to the end of the weak portion.

Images