FR3156687A1 - Vehicle incorporating recycled plastic parts - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle incorporating recycled plastic parts The invention relates to a vehicle (5) comprising a central computing unit and at least one functional part (1) made from a recycled plastic material of the PCR type, the vehicle comprising: - at least one sensor configured to transmit to a central processing unit a value related to a meteorological parameter, - at least one electronic microchip (8) inserted into the recycled material of the functional part, - electro-reactive chemical agents (9) placed near a surface thickness (7) of the functional part capable of modifying the state of the surface thickness of the functional part and configured to be activated by a signal emitted by the at least one electronic microchip, and in that the central processing unit is configured to transmit to the electronic microchip a signal for activating the electro-reactive chemical agents placed near the surface thickness of the functional part. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Vehicle incorporating recycled plastic parts

The present invention relates to the field of vehicle parts made from recycled plastic of the PCR ( Post-Consumer Recycling ) type and more particularly to the field of vehicles incorporating functional and visible parts made from recycled plastic.

Currently, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint linked to the production of plastic parts, the industry has developed the manufacture of plastic parts from recycled material of the PCR ( Post-Consumer Recycling ) type. These parts are produced from recycled plastic materials and from previous plastic parts used for other purposes and in another environment. Through this type of recycling, the production of new parts does not require the production of new plastic materials.

This recycling technique has also been applied to the manufacture of certain parts for cars or trucks in order to allow the automotive industry to benefit from carbon savings in the production of new vehicle models. Thus, in the context of vehicle production, at least some of the parts intended to be installed and mounted inside these vehicles are made from a PCR-type recycled material. However, parts made from this type of recycled material and installed inside motor vehicles are likely to experience greater degradation depending on their respective particular positions inside the vehicle. Indeed, placed in a portion likely to encounter repeated shocks or impacts, these parts made from recycled materials are likely to be damaged so that the aesthetics of the vehicle may be affected. Thus, as an example of illustration, when sitting on his seat, the user of a vehicle may be forced to lean, at least temporarily, against parts made from recycled materials which are part of the interior trim of the vehicle by being positioned near the floor, between two feet, front, middle or rear, which frame a door of the vehicle. Repeated contact of shoes against a part mounted in such places of the vehicle naturally leads to a deterioration of the surface condition of the part made from recycled material which is positioned there and to its premature wear. The visual appearance of the interior trim of the vehicle is then deteriorated.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a solution which makes it possible to retain the benefits of using parts produced from a recycled PCR-type material while limiting or preventing degradation over time of the surface condition of such parts and their visual appearance despite exposure to repeated micro-shocks.

• au moins un capteur configuré pour transmettre à une unité centrale de calcul au moins une valeur de mesure en lien avec un paramètre météorologique,
• au moins une micropuce électronique insérée dans la matière recyclée de la pièce fonctionnelle,
• des agents chimiques électro-réactifs placés à proximité d’une épaisseur de surface de la pièce fonctionnelle et présentant une forme activée apte à modifier l’état de la surface de l’épaisseur de surface de la pièce fonctionnelle, ces agents chimiques électro-réactifs étant configurés pour être activés par un signal émis par la au moins une micropuce électronique,

The invention thus relates to a vehicle comprising a central computing unit and at least one functional part made from a recycled plastic material of the PCR type, characterized in that the vehicle comprises:

• at least one sensor configured to transmit to a central computing unit at least one measurement value linked to a meteorological parameter,
• at least one electronic microchip inserted into the recycled material of the functional part,
• electro-reactive chemical agents placed near a surface thickness of the functional part and having an activated form capable of modifying the state of the surface of the surface thickness of the functional part, these electro-reactive chemical agents being configured to be activated by a signal emitted by the at least one electronic microchip,

and in that the central computing unit is configured to transmit to the electronic microchip an electronic signal for activating the electro-reactive chemical agents placed near the surface thickness of the functional part.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the electronic signal is a Wifi signal.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the at least one sensor is selected from a list comprising at least a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a thermometer and a light sensor.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the electro-reactive chemical agents are selected from a list comprising at least dicumyl peroxide (DCP), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), resorcinol diglycidyl ether (RDGE) and triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC).

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the recycled material of the functional part is a polyolefin matrix.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, in the absence of activation of the electro-reactive chemical agents, the state of the surface of the surface thickness of the functional part has a grained state, this surface state becoming porous upon activation of the electro-reactive chemical agents.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the electronic microchip is connected to the electro-reactive chemical agents by means of electronic microcircuits.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the at least one electronic microchip is placed inside the recycled material and/or a part of the matrix of the functional part using an In-Mold Electronic type injection technology.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the vehicle also comprises one or more chemical self-repairing microcapsules integrated into the surface thickness of the functional part.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the self-repairing microcapsules are arranged in the thickness of the functional part less than 30 µm from the outer surface at the surface thickness of the functional part.

The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to the preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation according to a perspective view of an example of a lower front pillar trim, made from a recycled PCR type material,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation in perspective view of an example of a front area of a vehicle showing the location of the trim of the FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation according to a sectional view of an example of cladding of the FIG. 1 .

It should be noted that, in this document, the direct orthonormal XYZ reference frame taken as a reference comprises a longitudinal front-rear X axis of the vehicle oriented towards the rear, a transverse Y axis oriented towards the right of the vehicle and a vertical Z axis directed upwards.

It should also be noted that, in this document, the terminology “functional part” refers to a part 1 present and installed in a vehicle 5 to fulfill a specifically determined technical function and not for decorative purposes or for strictly aesthetic purposes. Preferably, in the context of the invention, this functional part 1 is an apparent or appearance part, that is to say capable of being viewed directly by the occupants of the vehicle 5.

It should also be noted that, in this document, the terminology “surface thickness” refers to the portion of material of the functional part 1 which forms at least part of the outer surface of this functional part 1. This portion of material of the functional part 1 forming the surface thickness 7 thus corresponds to a portion of the material of the functional part 1 in contact with and in depth of the outer surface. This surface thickness 7 corresponds to a portion of the material of the functional part 1 corresponding to a few tens of microns in thickness, or even at most 50 µm, and which is flush with and carries at least part of the outer surface of the functional part 1.

• au moins un capteur configuré pour transmettre à une unité centrale de calcul au moins une valeur de mesure en lien avec un paramètre météorologique,
• au moins une micropuce 8 électronique insérée dans la matière recyclée de la pièce fonctionnelle 1,
• des agents chimiques 9 électro-réactifs placés à proximité d’une épaisseur de surface 7 de la pièce fonctionnelle 1 et présentant une forme activée apte à modifier l’état de la surface de l’épaisseur de surface 7 de la pièce fonctionnelle 1, ces agents chimiques 9 électro-réactifs étant configurés pour être activés par un signal émis par la au moins une micropuce 8 électronique,

The invention relates to a vehicle 5 comprising a central computing unit and at least one functional part 1 made from a recycled plastic material of the PCR ( Post-Consumer Recycling ) type, characterized in that the vehicle 5 comprises:

• at least one sensor configured to transmit to a central computing unit at least one measurement value linked to a meteorological parameter,
• at least one electronic microchip 8 inserted into the recycled material of the functional part 1,
• electro-reactive chemical agents 9 placed near a surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1 and having an activated form capable of modifying the state of the surface of the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1, these electro-reactive chemical agents 9 being configured to be activated by a signal emitted by the at least one electronic microchip 8,

and in that the central computing unit is configured to transmit to the electronic microchip 8 an electronic signal for activating the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 placed near the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1.

Thus, the vehicle according to the invention has at least one functional part 1 made from a recycled material of the PCR type and whose surface condition 7 changes automatically and instantly to adapt to new weather conditions. Given its apparent position inside the vehicle 5, it is necessary that this functional part 1 and more particularly its appearance does not exhibit excessive deterioration. Thus, in the event of repeated impacts such as for example in the context of multiple foot impacts likely to modify the external appearance of the functional part 1, the apparent position of this part 1 leads the occupants of the vehicle 5 to easily notice the deterioration of its external surface. In the context of the invention, the functional part 1 or at least a specific part of the surface of this functional part 1 at a surface thickness 7 is able to be modified depending on the weather conditions. In this way, the external appearance of this functional part 1 is changed. Thus, the surface appearance of the functional part 1 is able to change depending on weather conditions, i.e. depending on a humid and rainy or hot and dry environment, etc. In the vehicle 5 of the invention, the sensors make it possible to measure, or even identify, one or more of the meteorological parameters conditioning the modification of the external appearance of the functional part 1, such as the humidity and/or the temperature of the environment of the functional part 1 or of the vehicle 5.

As an example of an embodiment of the invention, the integration of at least one electronic microchip 8 into the recycled plastic material is carried out using an overmolding technique.

In the context of the invention, the change of state of an exterior surface at the level of a surface thickness 7 of a functional part 1 of a vehicle 5 according to the invention is based on a method which comprises as main steps:

a step of continuous transmission of sensor measurements to the central computing unit,

a possible identification by the central computing unit of a change in weather conditions,

a step of transmission by the central computing unit of an electronic signal to an electronic microchip 8 inserted in the recycled material of the functional part 1,

a step of activating the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 by said microchip 8 so that these chemical agents modify the state of the surface thickness 7 and of the exterior surface of the functional part 1.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the electronic signal is a Wifi signal. Such a signal makes it possible to remotely transmit information to the electronic microchip 8 which can then be activated. Thanks to such a form of signal allowing remote data transmission, the central unit is likely to be integrated into a portion of the vehicle 5 different from that which integrates the functional part 1. Also, the implementation of a transmission by Wifi technology between the central unit and the electronic microchip 8 makes it possible, on the one hand, to overcome any space constraints that would be imposed by the positioning of a central unit near the functional part 1 and, on the other hand, to remove the constraints linked to a wired connection between the central unit and the functional part 1 and therefore to the positioning of such wiring inside the vehicle 5.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the at least one sensor is selected from a list comprising at least one rain sensor, one humidity sensor, one thermometer and one light sensor. This list of sensors that can be envisaged within the framework of the invention is also capable of integrating any sensor capable of being integrated into the vehicle 5 and making it possible to specify one or more parameters relating to meteorological conditions of the environment of the vehicle 5. According to a preferred construction, the vehicle 5 integrates several sensors configured to identify or measure different and complementary meteorological parameters.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the variants detailed above, the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 are selected from a list comprising at least dicumyl peroxide (DCP), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), resorcinol diglycidyl ether (RDGE) and triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC). According to a particular variant of this example of the invention, the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 are also capable of corresponding to a mixture of at least two chemical agents 9 from this list, insofar as these agents are chemically compatible. It should be noted that other electro-reactive chemical agents 9 are likely to be considered provided that these agents are capable of being positioned at or near the surface thickness 7 and/or the external surface of the functional part 1 of the vehicle 5 and have properties identical, or even similar or equivalent, to those of the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 listed.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the recycled material of the functional part 1 comprises a polyolefin matrix 6. It should be noted that other materials whose properties are identical, or even similar or equivalent, to those of a polyolefin matrix 6 are likely to be envisaged or used for the production of a functional part 1 for a vehicle 5 according to the invention.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, in the absence of activation of the electro-reactive chemical agents 9, the state of the surface of the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1 has a grained state, this surface state becoming porous upon activation of the electro-reactive chemical agents 9. Also, upon identification of predefined weather conditions by the central unit, an activation signal is transmitted by the central unit to the electronic microchip 8 for the activation of the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 positioned on the surface 7 of the functional part 1. The switching of the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 into an active form leads these agents to react with the structure of the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1 so as to modify the surface appearance thereof. According to a preferred activation mode, the identification by the central unit in association with at least one sensor of weather conditions characteristic of a rainy or even humid environment, an activation signal is transmitted by the central unit and results in a modification of the grained appearance of the surface of the functional part 1, at the level of the surface thickness 7, to obtain a porous appearance.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the electronic microchip 8 is connected to the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 by means of electronic microcircuits 81. As an example of construction, such electronic microcircuits 81 are distributed inside the recycled material of the functional part 1 and are not visible at the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the at least one electronic microchip 8 is placed inside the recycled material and/or a part of the matrix 6 of the functional part 1 using an injection technology of the In-Mold Electronic type. This injection technology is of a known type. However, other technologies which have identical, or even similar or equivalent, properties to those of the In-Mold Electronic technology are also likely to be envisaged.

According to an example relating to a variant of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the vehicle 5 according to the invention also comprises one or more chemical self-repair microcapsules 10 integrated into the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1. These self-repair microcapsules 10 integrate at least one chemical agent intended to be diffused continuously and permanently by the microcapsules 10. This at least one chemical agent is selected to be capable of reacting with the recycled material at the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1. This reaction between at least one of the electro-reactive chemical agents 9 and the recycled material of the surface thickness 7 involves at least one polymerization process of the surface thickness 7 and the outer surface of the functional part 1. Also, the continuous diffusion of the at least one chemical agent allows continuous and permanent polymerization to be carried out at the surface thickness 7 of the part functional 1. The surface of the functional part 1 and the surface thickness 7 thus maintain a relatively stable structural uniformity so that the appearance of wear at the outer surface of the surface thickness 7 is prevented or even postponed over time. This continuous polymerization at the surface thickness 7 to maintain an apparent structural uniformity is devoid of any triggering or activation due to a voluntary action, direct or indirect, of a user of the vehicle 5 or a control signal emitted by a central unit of the vehicle 5.

According to an example relating to a specific variant of the previously detailed variant of the invention, the self-repairing microcapsules 10 are arranged in the thickness of the functional part 1 less than 30 µm from the outer surface at the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1. Such positioning of self-repairing microcapsules 10 in the material thus makes it possible to carry out targeted diffusion at the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1 and therefore to ensure that the planned polymerization reaction effectively carries out continuous repair of the surface thickness 7 of its outer surface, making it possible to maintain and preserve structural uniformity. The diffusion near the target portion of the functional part 1 of the at least one chemical agent by the self-repairing microcapsules 10 thus allows effective targeting of the continuous restoration of the surface thickness 7 of its outer surface of the functional part 1.

According to an exemplary embodiment of a functional part 1 intended to be integrated into a vehicle 5 according to the invention, this functional part 1 is likely to correspond to a lower trim of the left front pillar 4 such as that illustrated by the FIG. 1 The functional part 1 which produces such a lower covering then comprises, on the one hand, a rectilinear part 11 which has a flat and elongated structural configuration and, on the other hand, a curved part 12 of shorter length than the rectilinear part 11, this curved part 12 being arranged to extend the rectilinear part 11 of the lower covering.

As illustrated by the FIG. 2 , this functional part 1 of the lower trim is mounted inside the vehicle 5. This assembly is carried out so that:

the rectilinear part 2 of the functional part 1 is positioned horizontally resting against a floor of the vehicle 5 next to the driver's seat and in an orientation substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle 5. This rectilinear part 2 of the functional part is thus superimposed on the surface of the floor of the vehicle.

the curved part 3 of the functional part 1 is positioned at the level of the front end of the rectilinear part 2, so as to rest against the front foot 4 of the vehicle 5 located near the driver's seat.

As part of his installation on the driver's seat, the user of the vehicle 5 is then likely to repeatedly make impacts with his feet against the rectilinear part 2 of the functional part 1, causing a natural degradation of the surface condition of this functional part 1.

Referring to the elements detailed in the FIG. 3 , in a vehicle 5 according to the invention, the functional part 1 made of recycled material integrated into the vehicle 5 is produced so as to comprise:

a matrix 6 made from recycled material of PCR type, this matrix 6 being capable of corresponding to a matrix 6 in polyolefin,

at least one surface thickness 7 made from the recycled material of the functional part 1 and arranged at an external surface of the functional part 1, i.e. located in continuity with or in contact with the matrix 6, between the matrix 6 and the external surface of the functional part 1.

As part of the implementation of a process for stabilizing the surface thickness 7 and its outer surface so that the functional part 1 maintains a surface uniformity over time and the appearance of possible traces of wear is avoided if not limited, the functional part 1 made of recycled material integrated into the vehicle 5 also comprises:

at least one electronic microchip 8 integrated, inside the matrix 6, in the thickness of the recycled material of the functional part 1,

electro-reactive chemical agents 9 arranged in the matrix 6, these chemical agents 9 being capable of corresponding to dicumyl peroxide (DCP), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), resorcinol diglycidyl ether (RDGE) and triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC)

one or more chemical self-repair microcapsules 10 arranged in the surface thickness 7 of the functional part 1 less than 30 µm from the outer surface of the functional part 1.

According to a preferred arrangement, these microcapsules 10 are arranged outside the matrix 6 in the surface thickness 7, between the matrix 6 and the outer surface of the functional part 1.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (10)

Vehicle (5) comprising a central computing unit and at least one functional part (1) made from a recycled plastic material of the PCR (Post-Consumer Recycling) type, characterized in that the vehicle (5) comprises:
- at least one sensor configured to transmit to a central computing unit at least one measurement value linked to a meteorological parameter,
- at least one electronic microchip (8) inserted into the recycled material of the functional part (1),
- electro-reactive chemical agents (9) placed near a surface thickness (7) of the functional part (1) and having an activated form capable of modifying the state of the surface of the surface thickness (7) of the functional part (1), these electro-reactive chemical agents (9) being configured to be activated by a signal emitted by the at least one electronic microchip (8),
and in that the central computing unit is configured to transmit to the electronic microchip (8) an electronic signal for activating the electro-reactive chemical agents (9) placed near the surface thickness (7) of the functional part (1). Vehicle (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic signal is a Wifi signal. Vehicle (5) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one sensor is selected from a list comprising at least a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a thermometer and a light sensor. Vehicle (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electro-reactive chemical agents (9) are selected from a list comprising at least dicumyl peroxide (DCP), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), resorcinol diglycidyl ether (RDGE) and triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC). Vehicle (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the recycled material of the functional part (1) comprises a polyolefin matrix (6). Vehicle (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in the absence of activation of the electro-reactive chemical agents (9), the state of the surface of the surface thickness (7) of the functional part (1) has a grained state, this surface state becoming porous upon activation of the electro-reactive chemical agents. Vehicle (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic microchip (8) is connected to the electro-reactive chemical agents (9) by means of electronic microcircuits (81). Vehicle (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one electronic microchip (8) is placed inside the recycled material and/or part of the matrix (6) of the functional part (1) using an In-Mold Electronic type injection technology. Vehicle (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the vehicle (5) also comprises one or more chemical self-repair microcapsules (10) integrated into the surface thickness (7) of the functional part (1). Vehicle (5) according to claim 9, characterized in that the self-repairing microcapsules (10) are arranged in the thickness of the functional part (1) less than 30 µm from the outer surface at the surface thickness (7) of the functional part (1).