EP2403658A1

EP2403658A1 - Vehicle wheel components, including vehicle wheels, comprising a surface coating and method for producing such vehicle wheel components

Info

Publication number: EP2403658A1
Application number: EP10798258A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Klaus Niedermayer
Original assignee: RONAL AG
Current assignee: RONAL AG
Priority date: 2009-11-21
Filing date: 2010-11-18
Publication date: 2012-01-11
Also published as: US20140346848A1; US9352614B2; WO2011060934A1; US8833865B2; US20120019047A1

Abstract

Multicolored motor vehicle wheels and vehicle wheel components are increasingly in demand. Until now, the coloring was carried out substantially by means of extensive manual work. The invention provides a method for producing color coated vehicle wheel components and vehicle wheels (1, 11) that can be used industrially, characterized in that the metal body (11) is first machined at least in the regions to be coated, then at least two color layers (12, 13) are applied consecutively, and at least one color layer (13) is removed in a sub-region (8, 9) of the wheel by means of machining. Accordingly, a component according to the invention comprising a surface coating is provided, characterized by high-precision machined regions provided with a coating (12, 13), wherein the coating comprises at least two painted color layers (12, 13) on top of each other, of which at least a first color layer (12) is exposed in visible sub-regions of the metal body by mechanically removing a second color layer (13) covering the first in the portions (8, 9) not covered by said second color layer.

Description

Vehicle wheel components, including vehicle wheels, with surface coating and method of making such vehicle wheel components

The invention relates to a vehicle wheel components, including vehicle wheels, with a surface coating and a method for producing a coated metal body, in particular of vehicle wheel components, including vehicle wheels, by applying a coating.

The invention relates to vehicle components and vehicle wheels, especially on alloy wheels, hub caps or lids.

Light metal vehicle wheels for passenger cars and trucks usually consist of an aluminum or magnesium alloy. So far, such components have been offered as light-alloy wheels for cars and trucks in common paint processes of different solid color variations and a multicolor was not possible in an industrial manufacturing process, without covers or elaborate markings. It is increasingly desired to have colorful wheels, throughout the styling range as well the inside of the wheel (brake

BESTÄTlGUNGSKOPfE Clearance area) are differentiated in color and show conspicuous contours.

Such colored areas have heretofore been produced by having differently colored wheel part imitations, e.g. Rim horns or spoke parts were glued or screwed onto the actual light metal wheel. In addition, a multi-color was achieved by first individual areas covered with templates or taped individual contours and the remaining free areas were provided with a further color coating. Here different areas with different colors could be successively coated. All these processes for the production of colored wheels or to provide wheels with frontal color areas, be it by Radteilimitaten or Paint jobs, are extremely complex and only custom-made, custom or for the

"Home use" suitable. With the known methods, an industrial production in larger quantities and with repeatable accuracy is not possible.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide on a wheel in all visible surfaces different colors that can be produced in industrial mass production with high accuracy and high reproducibility.

According to the invention, said object is achieved by vehicle components of the aforementioned type, which are characterized by high-precision, mechanically processed regions provided with a coating, wherein the coating has at least two color layers coated one above the other, of which at least one first color layer is in visible portions of the metal body is exposed by a second color layer covering them is mechanically removed in these uncovered by these subregions. To solve the invention, in a generic method is further provided that the metal body is first mechanically processed at least in areas to be coated, then successively at least two color layers are applied, and at least one color layer is removed in a portion of the wheel by mechanical processing.

Thus, according to the invention, a surface coating is carried out by means of different-colored coating media, such as powder or wet paints, in combination with mechanical processing, and also between the coating operations. Layers are layers which have a reflectivity into a subarea of the visible light and thus impart a color impression to the observer, such as red, yellow, green, blue, etc. The materials of the color layers are colored lakes, colored powders and colored pastes or others areal applicable materials. The color layers are coating systems, liquid or powder coatings whose formulations contain pigments or dyes. The formulations are UV resistant and of high durability. As a color layer are not suitable paints, emulsion paints or artist's paints.

By the invention multi-colored wheels are produced with higher quality than before due to the high repeatability of the process of the invention. The process according to the invention comprises the industrial application of the paint layers (color layers) and the high-precision drive the mechanical processing. In addition, the inventive method is much more economical than the previous production methods. The manufacturing method according to the invention comprises the following listed processing steps:

1. Precise mechanical machining of surfaces that are to receive a multi-colored design.

2. Industrial application of the first color layer in a layer thickness range from 30 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m.

3. Industrial application of the second color layer in a layer thickness range from 30 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m.

4. Optional: Application of a third, fourth, etc. ink layer, layer thickness range 30 to 300 pm each.

5. Precise mechanical revision of the surfaces by turning the individual layers of paint at the previously defined areas.

6. Overcoating with a clearcoat. This can be arbitrary in the degree of gloss (glossy, silky or matt). Also functional properties such as e.g. better cleanability or water-repellent properties are possible.

The color scheme is arbitrary, with all colors, e.g. with all the colors of the NCS color fan, RAL classic and RAL design or individual color recipes.

A preferred embodiment of the component is gekennzeich net by at least the color layers overlapping transparent layer. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided in a component according to the invention that a color layer covering only a partial area of the body is an outer color layer of the coating. In particular, the color layers preferably have a defined thickness. The lacquer layer thickness of the color layers is to be applied in a layer thickness range of 30 to 300 μm with a maximum tolerance of ± 30 μm. Further preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention provide that at least the last applied further color layer is removed so far until the remaining color layer is completely removed in the remaining partial areas of the first color layer and the first color layer reappears, in particular the layers in a defined Strength are applied. Moreover, the invention provides that the mechanical ablation or removal of the base material of the component first and also of a part of at least one color layer preferably takes place by turning and / or milling.

A mechanical ablation or machining first of the base material of the component to produce a defined surface to be coated is carried out with high

Measuring accuracy and repeatability, predetermined up to 1 μπι, usually 3 pm, the accuracy of the thickness of the individual color layer is dependent and at low power is greater - that is working with a small tolerance, but may be lower with thicker layers of paint ( more

Tolerance). It is essential that when removing an outer color layer in a partial area to highlight a lower color layer, the outer area in this partial area is completely filled. is constantly removed, but the lower is not interrupted, so it remains over the entire surface.

While in a part with rotationally symmetrical areas annular surfaces in the manner according to the invention can be colored, in particular areas can be processed and formed in the same way, such as spoke areas or intermediate areas between spokes of a wheel or other isolated areas, such as letters or even accurate labels ,

The production method according to the invention thus describes an industrial production method for producing a multicolored wheel by applying at least two colored paint layers lying one above the other and processing them to display the multicolor. The multicolor is achieved by at least one layer of paint in sub-areas is removed by machine. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description, are explained in the embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings in detail. Showing:

1 shows an inventive wheel in front view.

Fig. La is a partial longitudinal section through an inventive wheel to section A-A of FIG. 1;

Fig. Lb is a longitudinal section through a rim flange in an enlarged view Area B according to Fig. La;

2a-2c show a first process sequence for producing a wheel according to the invention by coating on the basis of a rim flange according to FIG. 1b;

Fig. 3a-3e a further process flow for

Production of a wheel according to the invention on the basis of a rim flange according to FIG

Fig. Lb; and

4 shows a longitudinal section through a rim flange in another embodiment of a wheel according to the invention.

A motor vehicle wheel, in particular a light metal wheel 1, has a hub 2, which is surrounded by a bolt circle 3 with bolt holes 4 for mounting screws 4a and from the radially outward more spokes 5 - with windows 5a between them - to a rim 6 (Fig la). The rim 6 has a rim base 7, into which a tire can be inserted, and a rim flange 8. The rim flange 8 is bent outward from the edge of the rim. In the illustrated embodiment, a front portion of the rim flange 8 is formed bicolor with a central region 9, the contrasting color is indicated by cross-hatching. The area 9 is characterized by a different colored color layer than the inside and outside area. Within the spider, too, such a differently colored annular region 9a deviating from the base layer color is provided (also again shown with cross-hatching). The entire wheel is provided with a clear coat.

FIG. 1b shows an embodiment of a rim flange 8. The rim flange 8 can on the one hand be made smooth in its shape, as illustrated in FIG. 1b. On the other hand, the rim flange 8 may have an annular extension which is formed on the wheel 1 as an annular surface. This allows a different color application with different color layer thicknesses. In general, the manufacturing method according to the invention can be applied in all areas of the wheel, but preferably on the design side (horn, spokes, hub). For producing a wheel according to the invention, a method according to the invention in a first embodiment provides the following with reference to the steps described in FIGS. 2a-c. The process is illustrated graphically by means of a color finish of a rim flange.

First, a thin layer is mechanically removed on raw metal 11 of the wheel, in particular by turning, in order to achieve a leveling of the surface with high accuracy. Subsequently, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2a-2c, two different color layers 12, 13 are applied. The individual layers 12, 13 are with high accuracy in terms of their strength, i. low tolerances, applied. The application of the color coats / lacquers takes place industrially by application with automatic lacquer application devices.

In a further step, which is illustrated in FIG. 2b, a part of the outer color layer 13 is re-formed. removed and by mechanical removal or by cutting, here again by turning, so that in this area 9 again the color layer 12 lying under the outer ink layer 13 appears as an annular surface, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and la above. In the surrounding area remains the outer ink layer 13 and thus causes a two-tone effect. Subsequently, the application of a clearcoat film 15 takes place, whether by powder coating (clear powders) or clearcoating or else with other transparent coating materials, as the last step in FIG. 2c shows.

In this way, a wheel with a multicolored, here two-tone, design of its visible areas can be produced. As the first color layer all colors can be displayed. As a second color layer are all solid colors, but also effect paints, such. Metallic paints, possible.

The above procedure is the preferred one. However, especially in special cases, a procedure is possible, as illustrated in FIGS. 3a-3e in a simplified representation of a slightly modified embodiment of the method according to the invention. First, a base color layer 12 is applied to the metal support 11 of the wheel after mechanical leveling again. In the further step illustrated in FIG. 3b, this first base color layer 13 is partially removed again in a region 9, so that it covers the wheel surface only in a partial region.

Subsequently, a full-surface application of a further color layer 13, which is both the color layer 12 as well as the area 9, in which the ink layer 12 has been mechanically removed in the manner described above, while the second ink layer 13 remains in the surrounding area.

In a further working step shown in FIG. 3d, the last applied ink layer 14 is then again removed by mechanical processing (in this case turning), to such an extent that the originally applied first ink layer 12 again appears in region 9, while in region 9 the last applied ink layer Color layer 13 remains.

Subsequently, a clearcoat 14 is applied again as a protective coating.

As a result, two different color layers can be applied to the frontal surface of a light metal wheel and thus again two- or even multi-color can be achieved.

Both variants of the method according to the invention for producing a surface-coated wheel or for the surface coating of a wheel can obviously also be used for producing further, several color layers in different areas of the surface of the wheel to achieve multicolor with three or more To achieve colors. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the rim flange on its outer side a recess in the metal, in which the layers (color and transparent layers) are introduced. The processing for generating the inventive Embodiment takes place in the same manner as described for the 2a-2c and Fig. 3a-3e.

Reference symbol

1 wheel

2 hub

3 bolt circle

4 bolt circle holes

4a fixing screws

5 spokes

5a window

6 rim

7 rim bed

8 rim flange

9 visible ring area 9a ring area

10 extension / cutout

11 metal carriers

12, 13 layers of paint

14 transparent layer (clearcoat)

Λ2,

Claims

claims

Vehicle wheel components, including vehicle wheels, having a surface coating, characterized by high-precision machined areas provided with a coating, the coating having at least two color layers (7, 13, 14) painted one above the other, of which at least one first color layer (7, 14) is visible Partial areas (5) of the metal body (1; 11) is exposed by mechanically removing a second color layer covering it in these partial areas (16) which are not covered by these.

Vehicle wheel components according to claim 1, characterized by a transparent layer covering at least the color layers.

Vehicle wheel components according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a color layer (7; 14) covering only a partial area (15) of the body (1; 11) is an outer color layer of the coating.

4. A method for producing a coated metal body, in particular of vehicle wheel components, including vehicle wheels, by applying a coating, characterized in that the metal body is first mechanically processed at least in areas to be coated, then successively at least two color layers (13, 14 ) are applied, and at least one color layer in a portion (16) of the wheel (11) is removed by mechanical processing.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that after application and mechanical removal of a portion of at least one color layer, a clear coat layer (17) is applied.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that between the application of two color layers (13, 14) a first color layer (13) in a partial region (16) of the surface of the wheel before applying a further ink layer (14) at least partially Will get removed.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that at least the last applied further color layer (14) is mechanically removed so far, in the remaining portions (15), the further color layer (14) is completely removed and an underlying color layer appears again ,

8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the mechanical removal of a part of at least one color layer by turning and / or milling done.

Method according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the clearcoat is applied by clearcoat powders or clearcoats.