Abstract
A composite sheet metal component for an automobile comprises an inner metal sheet, an outer metal sheet and an intermediate polymer sheet arranged between the inner and the outer metal sheet. The intermediate polymer sheet comprises a semiconductor device and the outer metal sheet comprises at least one functional area.
Claims
1. A composite sheet metal component for a vehicle, the composite sheet metal component comprising: an inner metal sheet; an outer metal sheet; and an intermediate polymer sheet arranged between the inner and the outer metal sheet, wherein the intermediate polymer sheet comprises a semiconductor device, and wherein the outer metal sheet comprises at least one functional area.
2. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device is a microelectronic device.
3. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device comprises a passive tag antenna and is charged by radio energy waves transmitted by a source.
4. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one functional area of the outer metal sheet is located above the semiconductor device which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, and wherein the second electrode is fixed on semiconductor device and the at least one functional area is bendable toward the semiconductor device such that the first electrode is movable toward the second electrode.
5. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one functional area of the outer metal sheet is configured to transmit light generated by the semiconductor device.
6. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 5, wherein the at least one functional area of the outer metal sheet comprises translucent areas.
7. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate polymer sheet comprises a thermoplastic material with a thickness of 0.15 millimeter to 0.35 millimeter.
8. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic material is Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
9. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate polymer sheet comprises translucent materials which guide light of the semiconductor device toward the at least one functional area of the outer metal sheet.
10. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 9, wherein the translucent material comprises microstructure elements configured to couple out the light of the semiconductor device via the at least one functional area of the outer metal sheet.
11. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the inner metal layer comprises aluminum, steel, magnesium, or an alloy of the aluminum, steel, and magnesium, the inner metal layer having a thickness of 0.2 millimeter to 1.5 millimeter.
12. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate polymer layer is at least partially glued with the inner metal layer and the outer metal layer.
13. A body panel for an automotive comprising the composite sheet metal component according to claim 1.
14. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device is an optoelectronic device.
15. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 3, wherein the source is an electromagnetic source.
16. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 5, wherein the at least one functional area of the outer metal sheet comprises non-translucent areas.
17. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate polymer sheet comprises non-translucent materials which guide light of the semiconductor device toward the at least one functional area of the outer metal sheet.
18. The composite sheet metal component according to claim 1, wherein the outer metal layer comprises aluminum, steel, magnesium, or an alloy of the aluminum, steel, and magnesium, the outer metal layer having a thickness of 0.2 millimeter to 1.5 millimeter.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite sheet metal component according to an embodiment in the disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 1B is another schematic cross-sectional view of the composite sheet metal component of FIG. 1A.
[0028] FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite sheet metal component according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of FIG. 2a according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 2C is a further schematic cross-sectional view according to a further embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite sheet metal component according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the composite sheet metal component according to any embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0035] FIGS. 6A-6D are schematic cross-sectional views of the composite sheet metal component according to various embodiments in the present disclosure.
[0036] FIGS. 7A-7D are schematic cross-sectional views of body panels according to various embodiments in the present disclosure.
[0037] Unless indicated otherwise, like reference numbers through the figures indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0038] FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite sheet metal component according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 1A illustrates a composite sheet metal component 100 which can be used to build an automotive body, for example. The composite sheet metal component 100 comprises an inner metal sheet 10, an outer metal sheet 30 and an intermediate polymer sheet 20 which is arranged between the inner and the outer metal sheet 10, 30. The intermediate polymer sheet 20 comprises a semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 and the outer metal sheet 30 comprises at least one functional area 35. For example, the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 shown in FIG. 1A can be a micro-electronic device, for example a switch. The switch can be configured to open a car door. In other words the composite sheet metal component 100 of FIG. 1A allows eliminating a door handle which has to be implemented to the car door in an elaborated process.
[0040] The composite sheet metal component 100 of FIG. 1A further comprises a first electrode 4 and a second electrode 5. The at least one functional area 35 of the outer metal sheet 30 is located at least partially above the semiconductor device 1, 2 comprising the first electrode 4 and the second electrode 5, wherein the second electrode 5 is fixed on the semiconductor device 1, 2 and the at least one functional area 35 is bendable toward the semiconductor device 1, 2 such that the first electrode 4 is movable toward the second electrode 5. As a result inter alia an electronic circuit of the semiconductor device 1, 2 becomes closed and executes a function, for example opening the car door.
[0041] The semiconductor device 1, 2 of FIG. 1A comprises a passive tag antenna 7 and is charged by radio energy waves transmitted by a source. The source can be an electromagnetic source generating radio energy waves.
[0042] The semiconductor device of FIG. 1A and also in the here described further embodiments of the composite sheet metal component 100 is integrated within the intermediate polymer sheet 20 such that a thickness in vertical direction W of the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 is less than the thickness of the intermediate polymer sheet 20. For instance, the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 can be printed within a cavity in the intermediate polymer sheet 20. Further, the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 can be a stand-alone device which is integrated within, for example, a cavity in the intermediate polymer sheet 20.
[0043] FIG. 1B is a further schematic cross-sectional view of the composite sheet metal component of FIG. 1A.
[0044] FIG. 1B illustrates the composite sheet metal component 100 of FIG. 1A with the difference that the at least one functional area 35 is already bended toward the semiconductor device 1, 2 such that the first electrode 4 is in contact with the second electrode 5.
[0045] FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite sheet metal component according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 2A illustrates a further embodiment in the present disclosure wherein the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 comprises an optoelectronic device 3, for example, a LED. The LED or the semiconductor device or the optoelectronic device 3 comprises the passive tag antenna 7 and are charged by radio energy waves transmitted by the source.
[0047] The composite sheet metal component 100 of FIG. 2A comprises the outer metal sheet 30 with the at least one functional area 35. The at least one functional area 35 of the outer metal sheet 30 is configured to transmit light generated by the optoelectronic device 3 or any light generating apparatus which fulfills the here described dimensional criteria. For example, the at least one functional area 35 is formed as a grid with areas 31 free of the material of the outer metal sheet 30 and areas 31 comprising the material of the outer metal sheet 30. For example, the areas 31 free of the material of the outer metal sheet 30 can comprise a translucent material. Alternatively, the at least one functional area 35 can comprise a grid, wherein the grid comprises translucent or non-translucent areas 31, 32 within the at least one functional area 35 of the outer metal sheet 30.
[0048] FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0049] FIG. 2B is based on FIG. 2A, wherein light generated in the optoelectronic device 3 or semiconductor device 1, 3 transmit the light though an opening within the at least one functional area 35 or alternatively the translucent and translucent areas 31, 32.
[0050] FIG. 2C is a further schematic cross-sectional view according to a further embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0051] FIG. 2C is based on the FIGS. 2A and 2B with the difference that the at least one functional area 35 can be free of any material and comprises an opening through which the generated light in the semiconductor device or optoelectronic device 1, 3 can be coupled out or transmitted in case the opening comprises the translucent material.
[0052] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0053] FIG. 3A shows a further embodiment of this invention, wherein the composite sheet metal component 100 of FIG. 3A comprises the semiconductor device 1, 3 or optoelectronic device 3 which is located within or is integrated within the intermediate polymer sheet 20 in a section of the intermediate polymer sheet 20 which does not overlap with the at least one functional area 35 of the outer metal sheet 30. The intermediate polymer sheet 20 comprises translucent 21 and/or non-translucent materials 22 configured to guide the light of the semiconductor device 1, 3 toward the at least one functional area 35 of the outer metal sheet 30.
[0054] The intermediate polymer sheet 20 comprising the translucent material 21 is located at least partially under the at least functional area 35 such that the generated light can couple out via the at least one functional area 35. To increase or improve the lighting efficiency on an opposite side to the semiconductor device the intermediate polymer sheet 30 comprises the non-translucent materials such that the generated light can be reflected on the non-translucent material 22.
[0055] Further, a mirror can be arranged at the interface between the translucent and non-translucent material 21, 22. That is to say, that the intermediate polymer sheet 20 of FIG. 3A functions at least partially as the light guide and the area comprising the non-translucent material 22 can act as reflector. The translucent material 21 comprises microstructure elements 23 configured to couple out light of the semiconductor device 1, 3 via the at least one functional area 35 of the outer metal sheet 30.
[0056] FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0057] FIG. 3B is based on FIG. 3A with the difference that the at least one functional area 35 is completely free of the material of the outer metal sheet 30 or the corresponding opening comprises the translucent material.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite sheet metal component according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates the composite sheet metal component 100 wherein the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 are connected via a connection line V1 configured to connect the microelectronic device 2 with the optoelectronic device 3 such they can interact with each other. For example, by bending the at least one functional area 35 as shown in FIG. 1B the optoelectronic device 3 can be switched on.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the composite sheet metal component according to any embodiment in the present disclosure.
[0061] The composite sheet metal component 100 of FIG. 5 shows inter alia the intermediate polymer sheet 20 comprising a wiring W1 and the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 which is integrated in the intermediate polymer sheet 20. Alternatively, the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 is a stand-alone device which functions without any wiring W1 within the composite sheet metal component 100. The wiring W1 can be connected via the connection V1 wherein the wiring W1 can be located within the intermediate polymer sheet 20 or at an interface between the intermediate polymer sheet 20 and the inner metal sheet 10 or the outer metal sheet 30. The wiring can be printed on the intermediate polymer sheet 20.
[0062] FIGS. 6A-6D are schematic cross-sectional views of the composite sheet metal component according to various embodiments in the present disclosure.
[0063] FIGS. 6A-6D show different shapes of the here described composite sheet metal component 100 (the semiconductor device is not shown). It is clear from the context that the here described composite sheet metal component can not only be only plane. It can be bent as shown in FIG. 6A or embossed as shown in FIG. 6A, 6B, 6C or 6D. For example, various geometrical shapes with respect to the here described composite sheet metal component 100, wherein the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3 can be integrated in the intermediate polymer sheet 20 such that the thickness of the intermediate polymer sheet 20 is configured to integrate, implement, and/or arrange the semiconductor device 1, 2, 3.
[0064] FIGS. 7A-7D are schematic cross-sectional views of body panels 50 according to various embodiments in the present disclosure.
[0065] FIG. 7A shows a tailgate of the automotive, wherein the composite sheet metal component 100 can be based on the composite sheet metal component 100 as shown in FIG. 4.
[0066] FIG. 7B shows a car door, which can comprise the composite sheet metal component 100 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, accordingly. Consequently, the door handle can be eliminated and the car door can be opened by bending the outer metal sheet 30 and activating the semiconductor device 1, 2 of the composite sheet metal component 100.
[0067] FIG. 7C shows a roof top comprising a rear light R1 and a wiring K1. The composite sheet metal component 100 as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C or 3A and 3B can now be replaced such that the rear light R1 and the wiring K1 can eliminated correspondently.
[0068] FIG. 7D shows a further embodiment of the composite sheet metal component 100 wherein the car door comprises the composite sheet metal component of FIGS. 2A-2C or 3A and 3B showing a battery charge level on the exterior of the car door.
[0069] Although the here aforementioned composite sheet metal component has been described in connection to vehicles or body parts, accordingly. For a person skilled in the art it is clearly and unambiguously understood that the here described composite sheet metal component can be applied to various object (e.g. airplane) which comprises composite sheet metal components or body panels, accordingly.
