Cover member

Abstract

A cover member 1 for covering a metal cylinder body 10 used for a vehicle includes: a mesh-shaped exterior shell 3 covering the cylinder body 10; and fins 2 provided through the exterior shell 3. By using the cover member 1, breakage of the cylinder body 10 can be prevented, and heat dissipation efficiency and aerial discharge of static electricity can be promoted.

Description

Cover material

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover member that covers a cylinder of a damper.

[0002] Various vehicle parts are used in vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. For example, to improve the quietness inside a vehicle, soundproofing materials made of foams such as polyurethane foam are used as a measure to reduce noise generated from drive devices such as engines and motors and power transmission devices such as transmissions. When such soundproofing materials are used, hard cover members are sometimes used. When a soundproofing material is covered with a cover member, the thermal resistance increases by the amount of the cover member, which may reduce the heat dissipation properties of the soundproofing material. In this way, attaching a cover member to a vehicle part may reduce the heat dissipation properties, causing deterioration of the vehicle part. Cover members and heat dissipation members that prevent the heat dissipation properties of the cover member from being impaired have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The heat dissipation component of Patent Document 1 includes a heat dissipation layer containing a polymer and a protective layer laminated on the heat dissipation layer. The heat dissipation layer is arranged in contact with a mating component, and adjusts the thermal conductivity in the stacking direction and the thermal resistance of the protective layer. Furthermore, this heat dissipation component has uneven surfaces on the heat dissipation layer and the protective layer, and the surface area of ​​the uneven surfaces is a predetermined multiple of the projected area of ​​the protective layer in the stacking direction, thereby ensuring heat dissipation effectiveness.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-107672

[0005] In addition to heat dissipation, cover members for vehicle parts are sometimes required to have the ability to discharge static electricity into the air. From a cost perspective, cover members that can perform their functions with a simple structure, rather than a complex one, are desired. Furthermore, it is desirable that the cover members be easy to attach to and remove from existing vehicle parts.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cover member that efficiently releases heat and discharges static electricity into the air.

[0007] The cover member of the present invention is a cover member that covers a metal cylinder body used in a vehicle, and is characterized by having a mesh-like outer shell that covers the cylinder body, and fins that are provided to penetrate this outer shell.

[0008] The cover member according to the present invention is characterized in that the exterior shell is painted with paint containing carbon nanotubes.

[0009] The cover member according to the present invention is characterized in that the fins are coated with a diamond film.

[0010] The cover member according to the present invention is characterized in that the exterior shell is detachable from the cylinder body.

[0011] The cover member according to the present invention covers the exterior of the cylinder body of the damper, preventing external impacts from being directly transmitted to the cylinder body, thereby preventing damage to the cylinder body. Furthermore, the cover member according to the present invention has fins that penetrate the exterior shell and are exposed to the outside, allowing heat generated in the cylinder body to be released to the outside via the exterior shell and fins.

[0012] The cover member according to the present invention has an exterior shell coated with a paint containing carbon nanotubes, which enhances heat dissipation and conductivity, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency. Furthermore, the use of a metal exterior shell can promote air discharge of static electricity generated in the cylinder, improving the efficiency of the damping function.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a cylinder body of a damper. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The cover member according to this embodiment is used, for example, to cover a cylinder body of a metallic damper for a vehicle, etc. The cover member according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0015] 1 and 2, the cover member 1 includes metal fins 2 and an exterior shell 3 that covers the cylinder body 10. The fins 2 are fixed to the exterior shell 3, and it is preferable that the cylinder body 10 and the exterior shell 3 are plated with the same metal.

[0016] The fin 2 is disposed opposite the cylinder body 10, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, has a base 2A and a plurality of protrusions 2B protruding outward from the base 2A. The protrusions 2B are tapered outward. The surface of the fin 2 is coated (deposited) with a diamond film. The diamond film is formed using a diamond coating device or by coating with a compound containing diamond particles. For example, diamond mixed with boron is used for this diamond film.

[0017] The exterior shell 3 can be manufactured using, for example, a 3D printer. The exterior shell 3 is formed in a mesh shape with multiple through holes 3A formed at predetermined intervals. The exterior shell 3 is positioned outside the base 2A of the fin 2. The exterior shell 3 is configured as a cylindrical member by connecting two members, a first exterior member 3B and a second exterior member 3C. The exterior shell 3 is made of a metal such as aluminum or a resin. The surface of the exterior shell 3 is painted with a paint containing carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes have excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and electromagnetic wave shielding properties, and single-walled carbon nanotubes and multi-walled carbon nanotubes are used. The paint containing carbon nanotubes is one that has high carbon nanotube dispersibility, achieved by utilizing carbon nanotube dispersion technology.

[0018] The exterior shell 3 is fixed to the cylinder body 10 with bands, bolts, etc., thereby attaching the cover member 1 to the cylinder body 10. This cover member 1 can be easily removed and is detachable from the cylinder body 10. Fins 2 are attached to the exterior shell 3. The protruding portions 2B of the fins 2 are provided through the through-holes 3A, and when the fins 2 are attached to the exterior shell 3, the tip portions of the protruding portions 2B are exposed to the outside. Heat generated in the cylinder body 10 is released to the outside from the exposed multiple protruding portions 2B. In addition, the through-holes 3A into which the protruding portions 2B of the fins 2 are not inserted function as heat exhaust ports, allowing heat generated inside the cover member 1 to be released to the outside through the through-holes 3A ( FIG. 3 ).

[0019] Next, the effects of the cover member 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0020] The cover member 1 according to this embodiment covers the outside of the cylinder body 10 of the damper, so that an impact from an external force is applied to the cover member 1. Therefore, the impact is not directly transmitted to the cylinder body 10, and damage to the cylinder body 10 can be prevented.

[0021] Furthermore, in the cover member 1 according to this embodiment, the protruding portions 2B of the fins 2 are exposed to the outside through the through-holes 3A in the exterior shell 3. Therefore, heat generated in the cylinder body 10 due to the piston movement of the damper can be released to the outside through the exterior shell 3 and the protruding portions 2B of the fins 2. Furthermore, the exterior shell 3 constituting the cover member 1 is coated with a paint containing carbon nanotubes, improving heat dissipation and thermal conductivity. Furthermore, a diamond coating is formed on the surface of the fins 2, improving thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. Therefore, using this cover member 1 improves heat release efficiency and prevents deterioration in the performance and durability of the cylinder body 10.

[0022] Furthermore, the cover member 1 according to this embodiment uses a metal exterior shell 3, which promotes the atmospheric discharge of static electricity generated in the cylinder. This promotion of atmospheric discharge of static electricity improves the efficiency of the damping function. The fins 2 are tapered outward, which facilitates the atmospheric discharge of static electricity.

[0023] In the cover member 1, the cylinder body 10 and the exterior shell 3 are preferably plated with the same metal. Plating the cylinder body 10 and the exterior shell 3 with the same metal to form a film of the same metal can prevent electrolytic corrosion. For example, titanium nitride metal is used for the plating.

[0024] The cover member 1 according to this embodiment is detachable from the cylinder body 10, making it easy to replace the cover member 1. Furthermore, the exterior shell 3 of the cover member 1 can be manufactured using a 3D printer, allowing for flexible design options tailored to the user's needs. Therefore, by designing the cover member 1 with consideration for aesthetic appeal, the design is also improved.

[0025] Although the present embodiment has been described above, other configurations may be selected or modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example was shown in which the exterior shell is fixed to the cylinder body with bands or bolts, but a cover member may also be attached to the cylinder body from the beginning. Furthermore, while an example was shown in which a carbon nanotube dispersion was used as the coating agent for the exterior shell, other carbon materials may also be included as fillers to improve conductivity. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example was shown in which the fin protrusions are provided in four directions, offset by 90 degrees, but the number of fins provided can be increased depending on the desired heat dissipation efficiency.

[0026] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cover member 2 Fin 2A Base 2B Projection 3 Outer shell 3A Through hole 3B First outer member 3C Second outer member 10 Cylinder body

Claims

1. A cover member for covering a metal cylinder body used in a vehicle, comprising: a mesh-like exterior shell that covers the cylinder body; and fins that penetrate the exterior shell.

2. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the exterior shell is painted with a paint containing carbon nanotubes.

3. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the fins are coated with a diamond film.

4. A cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the exterior shell is detachable from the cylinder body.

Images