当前申请(专利权)人地址：
Incorporated in the Federal Republic of Germany, Petuelring 130, München, 80809, Germany
摘要：
Carbon fibre shell 101 comprises an exterior surface, an interior surface and an internal cavity, at least one layer of carbon fibre; a bonding material within the matrix of the carbon fibre; and at least one layer of lacquer 103 applied to all or a portion of the exterior surface. An additional feature of a flange or skirt 109 of carbon fibre material extending around all or a portion of the circumference of the mouth of the internal cavity. A method comprises laying up at least one layer of carbon fibre in the cavity of a female mould, the mould including a circumferential flange, applying bonding material to the carbon fibre layer, applying pressure, removing the carbon fibre shell from the mould and lacquering part or all of the external surface of the shell. The pressure may be applied by a vacuum bag system. The shell may include at least one layer of wood veneer mounted on the exterior surface, apertures through the shell and fixing means for attachment to a subassembly of a vehicle. The products of the invention are suitable for use in automotive interiors and such as facias, instrument panels and armrests of automobiles.
权利要求：
Claims
1. A carbon fibre shell having an exterior surface, an interior surface and an internal
cavity comprising:
i) atleast one layer of carbon fibre;
ii) a bonding material within the matrix of the carbon fibre; and
iii) at least one layer of lacquer applied to all or a portion of the exterior surface.
2. A carbon fibre shell having an exterior surface, an interior surface and an internal
cavity comprising:
i) atleast one layer of carbon fibre;
ii) a bonding material within the matrix of the carbon fibre;
iii) at least one layer of lacquer applied to all or a portion of the exterior surface;
and
iv) a flange or skirt of carbon fibre material extending around all or a portion of
the circumference of the mouth of the internal cavity.
3. A carbon fibre shell according to claim 2, wherein the flange or skirt of material
extends around a portion of the circumference of the mouth of the cavity.
4. A carbon fibre shell according to any preceding claim, wherein a multiplicity of
layers of lacquer are applied to all or a portion of the exterior surface.
5. A carbon fibre shell according to any preceding claim, wherein the bonding
material is a resin, glue or adhesive
6. A carbon fibre shell according to any preceding claim, wherein the interior of the
internal cavity is substantially uninterrupted by members or webs of material
extending from the shell that extend through the cavity space.
/. A carbon fibre shell according to any preceding claim, wherein the interior of the
internal cavity is not interrupted by members or webs extending through the cavity
space.
8. A carbon fibre shell according to any preceding claim, additionally comprising at
least one layer of veneer mounted on the exterior surface that covers all or a part
of the exterior surface beneath the lacquered area of the exterior surface.
9. A carbon fibre shell according to claim 8, wherein the veneer is a wood veneer
10. A carbon fibre shell according to any preceding claim, wherein the shell additionally
comprises apertures through the material of the shell.
11. A carbon fibre shell according to any preceding claim, wherein the shell additionally
comprises fixing means attached to the shell for location and attachment of the
shell to a further structure.
12. A carbon fibre shell according to clam 11, wherein the further structure is a
subassembly of a vehicle.
13. A carbon fibre shell according to claim 12, wherein the vehicle is an automobile.
14. A carbon fibre shell according to either claim 12 of claim 13, wherein the further
structure is a component or subassembly of a vehicle dashboard or fascia.
15. A carbon fibre shell according to either claim 12 of claim 13, wherein the further
structure is a component or subassembly of a vehicle armrest.
16.A carbon fibre shell according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the further
structure is produced by 3D printing, preferably the 3D printing medium is 12CF
material.
17. A method of manufacturing a carbon fibre shell having an exterior surface, an
interior surface and an internal cavity comprising the steps of:
i) laying up at least one layer of carbon fibre in the cavity of a female mould
wherein the mould comprises a circumferential flange around all or a
portion of the mouth of the internal cavity
ii) applying bonding material to the carbon fibre layer in the mould;
iii) applying pressure to the surface of the carbon fibre layer;
iv) removing the carbon fibre shell from the mould; and
v) lacquering part or all of the external surface of the carbon fibre shell.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the method additionally comprises the
step of mounting at least one layer of veneer on the exterior surface that covers all
or a part of the exterior surface beneath the lacquered area of the exterior surface.
19. A method according to either claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the method additionally
comprises the step of removing material from the flange or skirt, preferably by
milling.
20. A method according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the method additionally
comprises making apertures through the material of the product, preferably by
milling.
21. A carbon fibre shell manufactured according to the method of any of claims 17 to
20.
22. A product according to any of claims 1 to 16 and 21, or produced according to any
of claims 17 to 20, for use in a vehicle, furniture, or part of a building.
23. A product according to claim 22 for use in the interior or cabin of a vehicle.
24. A vehicle comprising a product according to any of claims 1 to 16 and 21 to 23, or
a product produced according to any of claims 17 to 20.
25. A vehicle according to claim 24, wherein the vehicle is an automobile, aeroplane
or boat, preferably the vehicle is an automobile.