One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a film.
Patent Document 1 describes a method of reducing a resistance force and a resistance-force reduction item. As the resistance-force reduction item, a sheet material is described. The sheet material includes a pattern surface on a front surface, and a cross section of a pattern layer is a serrated cross section having a plurality of mountains and a plurality of valleys. Further, the sheet material including an adhesive layer on a surface opposite to the pattern surface is described. The sheet material reduces a resistance force of an item when the adhesive layer is attached to the surface of the item.
Incidentally, a moving body, for example, a vehicle, an airplane, a blade of a wind power plant, or the like exerts a function of transporting passengers or items, generating power, or the like by moving in a predetermined direction. The moving body as described above exerts the above-mentioned functions by fuel such as gasoline and oil. Further, aerodynamic drag is caused to the moving body when the moving body movies in the moving direction. Along with increase in aerodynamic drag, there arises concern over increase in cost such as fuel consumption. Therefore, enhancement of aerodynamic performance is an important key in some cases.
The film according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a film to be attached to a moving body that moves in a predetermined moving direction, extends along the moving direction, and includes recesses and protrusions configured to enhance aerodynamic performance of the moving body on a surface of the film.
The film according to one aspect is a film that enhances aerodynamic performance of the moving body, and the recesses and protrusions extending in a moving direction of the moving body are formed on the surface of the film. Thus, on the moving body to which the film is attached, air being resistance against moving flows smoothly along the recesses and protrusions when the moving body moves in the moving direction. With this, air resistance caused on the surface of the moving body can be reduced. The film including the recesses and protrusions extending in the moving direction of the moving body is attached to the moving body. With this, air resistance during moving of the moving body can be reduced, and aerodynamic performance can be enhanced. As a result, fuel consumption of the moving body can be reduced, and hence cost such as fuel consumption can be reduced.
The film may include a hydrophilic coating layer configured to coat the recesses and protrusions.
The film may include a hydrophobic coating layer configured to coat the recesses and protrusions.
The film may include an adhesive agent layer configured to cause the film to adhere to the moving body.
The film may include an intermediate layer that is positioned between the recesses and protrusions and the adhesive agent layer.
According to the present disclosure, aerodynamic drag can be reduced, and aerodynamic performance can be enhanced.
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Now, with reference to the drawings, various modes of a film according to the present disclosure is described. In the description of the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference signs, and duplicate descriptions of such elements are omitted. Furthermore, the drawings are given with a portion simplified or embellished for easy understanding, and the dimensional ratios, the angles, and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.
The term “film” in the present disclosure is a film-like member to be attached to an object so as to exert a predetermined function, and includes a thin film-like member to be attached to a moving body, for example. The “moving body” is a body that moves, and includes a transportation instrument such as a vehicle, a watercraft, an aircraft, and a rocket, and a moving machine such as a blade of a wind power plant. The “vehicle” includes a machine capable of traveling such as an automobile, a bicycle, a train, and a bullet train. Further, a “moving direction” indicates a direction in which the moving body moves. In the present disclosure, the film is attached to the surface of the moving body in order to enhance aerodynamic performance of the moving body. “Aerodynamic performance” indicates performance of aerodynamism with respect to the moving body during moving of the moving body, and includes low air resistance or low friction resistance against the moving body, for example.
As illustrated in
For example, the material of the base layer 2 includes at least any of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), titanium dioxide, phosphate ester, diisobutyl ketone, solvent naphtha, diabenazole, an acrylic polymer, polyurethane, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA), and an alloy of PVDF and PMMA. The base layer 2 may include at least any of a UV light absorbing agent and a plasticizer. As one example, the material of the primer layer 3 may include at least any of an aminoethylating acrylic polymer, toluene, and isopropyl alcohol.
The base layer 2 may be colorless and transparent, or may be colored with white or the like. The base layer 2 may be colored and transparent, or may be colored and opaque. The base layer 2 includes recesses and protrusions 2A on a surface. The recesses and protrusions 2A include a plurality of recessed parts 2a and a plurality of protruding parts 2b, and the recessed parts 2a and the protruding parts 2b are alternately arrayed along a first direction D1. Both the recessed parts 2a and the protruding parts 2b extend along a second direction D2 crossing with (orthogonal to, for example) the first direction D1, and the second direction D2 corresponds to the moving direction of the moving body.
For example, the recesses and protrusions 2A of the base layer 2 form a fine structure extending in the moving direction of the moving body, and extend in an airflow direction during moving of the moving body. Further, the recessed parts 2a are recessed in a third direction D3 being a thickness direction of the film 1, and the protruding parts 2b protrude in the third direction D3. For example, both the recessed parts 2a and the protruding parts 2b are formed in a triangle shape. That is, the recesses and protrusions 2A may be formed in a triangular wave shape. For example, an angle of an apex of the protruding part 2b (a bottom of the recessed parts 2a) may be from 40 degrees to 80 degrees or may be 60 degrees, and may be changed as appropriate.
As one example, the recessed parts 2a and the protruding parts 2b are aligned at an equal interval. For example, a width P of the recess and protrusion 2A is from 1 μm to 500 μm, may be from 40 μm to 100 μm, and may be changed as appropriate. Note that, the width P may be a distance between a bottom of a certain recessed part 2a and a bottom of the adjacent recessed part 2a, and may be a distance between an apex of a certain protruding part 2b and an apex of the adjacent protruding part 2b.
Further, both the recessed parts 2a and the protruding parts 2b may be formed in an isosceles triangular shape. In this case, a distance from the bottom of the recessed part 2a to the apex of the protruding part 2b in the first direction D1 is a half of the width P. For example, a height H of the recess and protrusion 2A is from 1 μm to 500 μm, may be from 40 μm to 100 μm, and may be changed as appropriate. The height H may be a height of the apex of the protruding part 2b with respect to the bottom of the recessed part 2a. Note that, a thickness of the adhesive agent layer 4 is, for example, from 10 μm to 70 μm, and is 40 μm as one example. A thickness of the release liner 5 is, for example, from 40 μm to 250 μm, and is 125 μm as one example. Note that, at least any of the primer layer 3, the adhesive agent layer 4, and the release liner 5 may be omitted.
As described above, the film 1 is a film that enhances aerodynamic performance of the moving body, and the recesses and protrusions 2A extending in the moving direction of the moving body are formed on the surface of the film 1. Therefore, on the moving body to which the film 1 is attached, air being resistance against moving flows smoothly along the recesses and protrusions 2A when the moving body moves in the moving direction. With this, air resistance caused on the surface of the moving body can be reduced.
The film 1 including the recesses and protrusions 2A extending in the moving direction of the moving body is attached to the moving body. With this, air resistance during moving of the moving body can be reduced, and aerodynamic performance can be enhanced. As a result, fuel consumption of the moving body can be reduced, and hence cost such as fuel consumption can be reduced. Further, the film 1 may include the adhesive agent layer 4 that causes the film 1 to adhere to the moving body. In this case, the film 1 including the recesses and protrusions 2A on the surface can be attached easily on the moving body.
Next, a film 11 according to a second embodiment is described with reference to
The hydrophilic coating layer 12 has, for example, a self-cleansing function (a self-cleaning function). As described above, the recesses and protrusions 2A of the base layer 2 form a fine structure, which reduces air resistance and enhances aerodynamic performance. When the recesses and protrusions 2A are caused to exert a function of enhancing aerodynamic performance, the recesses and protrusions 2A are required to be cleansed in some cases. When the recesses and protrusions 2A are coated with the hydrophilic coating layer 12 having a self-cleaning function, foreign objects adhering to the recesses and protrusions 2A are removed together with moisture due to hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic coating layer 12.
The hydrophilic coating layer 12 is formed of a hydrophilic material, and may be formed of a weatherproofing material. “Weatherproofing” includes UV light resistance, and may further include heat resistance. “Having weatherproofing” indicates that the film is less liable to change in quality when the film is attached to the moving body outdoors, for example. The material of the hydrophilic coating layer 12 may include at least any of butyl acetate, a silica-containing acrylic resin, HDI isocyanurate, and HDI biuret, for example. The hydrophilic coating layer 12 may include, for example, a UV light absorbing agent. In this case, the hydrophilic coating layer 12 and the recesses and protrusions 2A can be protected from UV light.
Next, one example of a method of manufacturing the film 11 is described. First, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Subsequently, a step of forming the adhesive agent layer is performed. For example, as illustrated in
The mold M includes recesses and protrusions M1 formed in the same shape as the recesses and protrusions 2A described above. Thus, by pressing the hydrophilic coating layer 12 and the base layer 2 that are heated against the recesses and protrusions M1 of the mold M, the hydrophilic coating layer 12 and the base layer 2 are softened and deformed in conformity with the shape of the recesses and protrusions M1. The heated and pressed base layer 2 is deformed in conformity with the shape of the recesses and protrusions M1, and thus the recesses and protrusions 2A are obtained. That is, the recesses and protrusions 2A are obtained through heat-pressing of the base layer 2. Further, as illustrated in
Incidentally, in a case of a film including recesses and protrusions on a surface, dust adheres on, or wax, rain water, or the like enter recessed parts of the recesses and protrusions in some cases. When foreign objects enter the recessed parts of the film as described above, there arises concern over reduction in an effect of reducing air resistance caused on the surface. Therefore, prevention of foreign objects from entering the recessed parts of the film is an important key in some cases. In view of the circumstances described above, the film 11 may include the hydrophilic coating layer 12 that coats the recesses and protrusions 2A.
In this case, the recesses and protrusions 2A of the film 11 are coated with the hydrophilic coating layer 12, and thus the hydrophilic coating layer 12 can remove foreign objects such as dust and moisture by washing away the foreign objects together with moisture even when the foreign objects enter the recessed parts 2a of the recesses and protrusions 2A. That is, the hydrophilic coating layer 12 functions as a self-cleaning layer that removes foreign objects entering the recessed parts 2a of the recesses and protrusions 2A by cleansing.
Next, a film 21 according to a third embodiment is described. As illustrated in
As a method of manufacturing the film 21, for example, first, a laminated body obtained by peeling the peeling member 15 off form the layer 14c illustrated in
As described above, the film 21 may include an intermediate layer positioned between the recesses and protrusions 2A and the adhesive agent layer 4. In this case, for example, when the printed layer 23 is provided as the intermediate layer, the intermediate layer may be used for purposes other than enhancement of aerodynamic performance or adhesion. As described above, when the printed layer 23 is provided as the intermediate layer, the printed layer 23 is subjected to desired printing, and hence decoration of the film 21 can be improved.
Subsequently, a film 31 according to a fourth embodiment is described with reference to
For example, the second base layer 32 may be colored, and is white as one example. The material of the second base layer 32 may be the same as the material of the base layer 2, and is PVC as one example. A thickness of the second base layer 32 is, for example, from 10 μm to 90 μm, and 50 μm as one example. A thickness of the second adhesive agent layer 34 is, for example, from 10 μm to 50 μm, and 30 μm as one example.
As an example of a method of manufacturing the film 31, as illustrated in
Next, a film 41 according to a fifth embodiment is described with reference to
The hydrophobic coating layer 42 has, for example, a water-repellent function. As one example, when ice adheres on the recesses and protrusions 2A of the base layer 2, there arises concern over degradation of aerodynamic performance of the recesses and protrusions 2A. However, ice adhering on the film 41 including the hydrophobic coating layer 42 can be removed easily due to a water-repellent function of the hydrophobic coating layer 42. Further, in a similar manner described above, the hydrophobic coating layer 42 can suppress adhesion of mud or the like on the film 41.
For example, the hydrophobic coating layer 42 may have a self-cleaning function, and may include a UV light absorbing agent. In this case, weatherproofing of the hydrophobic coating layer 42, the hydrophilic coating layer 12, and the like can be enhanced. The material of the hydrophobic coating layer 42 may include, for example, silicone and a fluorine-based resin. When the hydrophobic coating layer 42 having weatherproofing, for example, the hydrophobic coating layer 42 may be provided in place of the hydrophilic coating layer 12.
As illustrated in
As described above, the film 41 may include the hydrophobic coating layer 42 that coats the recesses and protrusions 2A. That is, the film 41 may include a water-repellent layer. In this case, moisture is less liable to adhere to the recesses and protrusions 2A of the film 41, foreign objects can be removed easily together with moisture from the recesses and protrusions 2A. Therefore, foreign objects are less liable to adhere to the recesses and protrusions 2A on the surface of the film 41.
As illustrated in
Next, Examples for the film according to the present disclosure are described. The present disclosure is not limited to Examples given below. In Examples, the film according to the present disclosure was subjected to wind tunnel tests, and an effect exerted by the film according to the present disclosure was checked. As illustrated in
The wind tunnel establishment E included an annular flow path through which wind from an air sending machine passed, and the wind flowed clockwise through four corner portions E2. The magnetic suspension and balance system A was arranged in a region E1 in a flow path of the wind tunnel establishment E, and the magnetic suspension and balance system A included a pair of air-core coils C1 and a plurality of magnetic suspending coils C2. A wind tunnel model T having a length of approximately 2.2 m was arranged between the plurality of magnetic suspending coils C2. As illustrated in
A permanent magnet U was arranged inside the main body T1, and the wind tunnel model T floated in the air between the plurality of magnetic suspending coils C2 due to a magnetic force of the permanent magnet U. The permanent magnet U was a neodymium magnet. The wind tunnel model T floated due to a magnetic force as described above, and hence an object for supporting the wind tunnel model T was not required. Thus, wind tunnel tests through use of the wind tunnel model T were able to be performed more accurately. In the tests, various measurements were performed with respect to the wind tunnel model T in Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Comparative Example 3 described later. Specifications of the wind tunnel model T in Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Comparative Example 3 were given as described below.
A film 61 was attached to the wind tunnel model T. As illustrated in
The film 61 was attached to the wind tunnel model T. In the film 61, the resin base layer 2 including the recesses and protrusions 2A described above, the adhesive agent layer 64 having a thickness of 30 μm, the second base layer 63 having a thickness of 50 μm, which was white and formed of PVC, and the adhesive agent layer 65 having a thickness of 30 μm were laminated. Both a height and a width of the recess and protrusion 2A were 44 μm.
Comparative Example 1
A flat film 66 without the recesses and protrusions 2A described above as illustrated in
A film in which round holes (dimples) having a diameter of 160 μm were formed in place of the recesses and protrusions 2A described above was attached to the wind tunnel model T.
A film in which round holes (dimples) having a diameter of 53 μm were formed in place of the recesses and protrusions 2A described above was attached to the wind tunnel model T.
The Reynolds number was increased together with increase of the wind speed. When the Reynolds number was 2.0×106 or less, the drag coefficient of the wind tunnel model T was reduced together with an increase of the Reynolds number in all Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3. Note that, when the Reynolds number was 2.0×106, the wind speed was approximately 50 km/h. A flow in a boundary layer on the surface of the wind tunnel model T was presumably a laminar flow when the Reynolds number was 2.0×106 or less.
However, in a case where the flow in the boundary layer on the surface of the wind tunnel model T was presumably a turbulent flow when the Reynolds number was 2.0×106 or more, the wind tunnel model T in Comparative Examples 2 and 3 with the dimples had a drag coefficient more than that in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1. As described above, it has been found out that the films with the dimples in Comparative Examples 2 and 3 did not exert an effect of reducing a drag in a region with the boundary layer that was presumably a turbulent flow.
In contrast, when the Reynolds number was 2.8×106 or more, the wind tunnel model T in Examples 1 and 2 had a drag coefficient less than that in Comparative Examples 1 to 3. Specifically, as compared to Comparative Example 1, the drag coefficient was able to be reduced by approximately 4.5% with the film 61 including the recesses and protrusions 2A having a height and a width of 100 μm in Example 1. As compared to Comparative Example 1, the drag coefficient was able to be reduced by approximately 3% with the film 61 including the recesses and protrusions 2A having a height and a width of 44 μm in Example 2. It was found that Example 1 with the larger height and the larger width of the recess and protrusion 2A had a drag coefficient that was further reduced than that in Example 2. As described above, it was found that the film 61 with the recesses and protrusions 2A in Examples 1 and 2 exerted an effect of reducing a drag in a region with the boundary layer that was presumably a turbulent flow.
Detailed descriptions have been given above for the embodiments and Examples of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or Examples described above. For example, a thickness, a size, a shape, a material, the number, and an arrangement mode of each part of the film according to the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments or Examples described above, and may be changed as appropriate. Note that, the thickness of the film is not particularly limited. However, in view of reducing aerodynamic drag, the film is preferably thin. In the following, modified examples for the film according to the present disclosure are further described. As one specific example, for example, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, a shape, a size, a direction, and an arrangement mode of the recesses and protrusions of the film may be changed as appropriate.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2018-213967 | Nov 2018 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2019/059800 | 11/14/2019 | WO | 00 |