JPS611533A - Method and device for folding back free margin consisting offlexible flat material around end edge of structural component - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (1) and (1) - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for folding margins of flexible material around edges of three-dimensional workpieces. The flexible material is laminated to one side of the workpiece and the margin is secured to the back side of the workpiece. Workpieces forming such laminated structures are, for example, interior components of passenger cars, such as dash boards, interior door panels, etc.

U.S. Pat. No. 4.4.05,537 discloses that a decorative flat sheet material is laminated into a substructure and the free margin of the decorative surface covering material is then A device is described that provides a tight cut. Such cuts are often satisfactory. However, there is room for improvement.

For example, with respect to a passenger car door, the free margin of the decorative material covering the inwardly facing surface of the car door □ is desirably folded around the edge of the internal car door frame component. Up to now, the free margin has been manually folded over and glued onto the back side of the structural component 1-.

11. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding and bonding method and apparatus that avoids manual labor for securing free margins to the back side of structural components.

Another object of the invention is to provide for laminating operations such that the workpiece remains in the same molding tool for multiple manufacturing steps such as forming, laminating, edge cutting and folding operations. This folding and fixing is accomplished on a lower chamfering tool which is also used.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the number of steps and therefore the number of tool components required for a folding operation to a minimum.

Okaiko IL [The method according to the invention basically consists of first forcing the free margin of the laminated surface covering material across the edge of the structural component into a first position; by moving from a first position to a second position the free margin against the back side of the structural component, and simultaneously by moving the free margin of the lamellar material, e.g. by adhesive pressure and/or thermal bonding. or fixing to the backside of a structural component by curing. During the first operational step, the free margin IJ RG,i is forced or pressed in a first direction, thereby moving the material across the plane defined by the edge of the IiB architectural component. 1
-ru. In a second step, the free margin is pulled towards the back side of the structural component 1-, whereupon the pressure that occurs when the end position is reached is again applied to the back side of the structural component and the free margin of the lamellar material. During which permanent bonding is ensured.

The device according to the invention for carrying out the method comprises a first elongated flat tool member and a respective one of the first elongated flat tool members ζ for pushing the free margin across the edge of the structural component 1. It comprises a first drive means and a second tool member for pulling the free margin into its final position with respect to the back side of the 1f4 architectural component 1~ using its respective second drive means. the first flat elongated tool member packs the free margin into the clamp gap of the second tool member;
Thereby the free margin is transferred from the first tool member to the second tool member. The first tool member is then pulled out of the clamping gap, with the free margin being held in the clamping gap. Now, if the second tool member is moved in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the first tool member, the free margin is pulled against the back surface, while at the same time it is gradually pulled out of the clamping gap and the second It is pressed against the back surface by a tool member.

The folding method of the present invention will first be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 1a, and 1b of 4. A cover sheet 3 made of a synthetic material or a decorative fabric or the like is laminated onto the outwardly facing side 14 of the structural component 6 made of a rigid foam or similar material or even made of metal. The structural component 6 has a free edge 5 and, before the folding operation, the free margin 2 of the cover sheet 3 projects above the edge 5. The invention aims at folding the free margin 2 around the edge 5 and fixing the folded upper part of the free margin 2 to the back side 4 of the component 6. This fixing may be effected by a heat- and/or pressure-responsive adhesive or, for example, if the sheet 3 is a fiber thick edge prefilled with resin, by curing of such a material.

FIG. 1a shows that the first tool part IJ32 is moved horizontally to the left, thereby pressing the free margin 2 across the edge 5 and folding the free margin 2 at least partially around the edge 5. Showing the first folding step 1
".Substantially simultaneously, the first one-tool member 32 transfers the free margin 2 to the second tool member 12, and this member 12
at the same time forms part of the lower molding tool, which will be described in more detail below. The second tool member has along its side a flattened gap or groove 29 into which the free margin is squeezed by the first tool member 32 . As the first tool member 32 moves as indicated by arrow 32', the second tool member 12 comes to rest. The vertical width of the two grooves is small enough to apply a gripping pressure to the free margin 2 when it is folded into the groove 29, so that the tool 32 is withdrawn, leaving the free margin 2 in the groove 29. This tightening effect is
This is improved by equipping the side walls of the groove 29 with these structures 60 such that one or two rubber structures 60 protrude into the groove, thereby increasing the clamping pressure on the free margin 2.

In FIG. 1b, the first tool member 32 is pulled out and
The second tool member 12 is moved upwards as indicated by the arrow 12', whereby the free margin 2 is gradually pulled out of the groove 29 and pressed against the back wall 4 of the structural component 6. . By pulling the free margin 2 upward in this way, the fold is completed,
And further, by moving the second tool member upwardly, pressure is applied to the margin 2 so that the margin 2
is fixed to the back wall 4. The groove 29 has an opening 30 facing towards the first tool member 32 .

FIG. 2 shows only a partial view onto the lower molding tool 1, which has a central molding part 11 surrounded on all sides by the second tooling part 12 mentioned above.

When the second tool member 12 is advanced around a corner, the members 12 are assembled as shown at 12''. Only one corner is shown. It may have any form corresponding to the workpiece, such as an internal frame.A first tool member 32 is also provided in several parts.

Each part includes a flat rigid bar, for example made of steel, and includes a plurality of first drive means, for example in the form of an inflatable hose drive, also known as a linear pneumatic drive. 33.

The flat bar of the first tool member 32 also extends all around the tool 1. The ends of the first tool member 32 are spaced apart from each other as shown at 32', such that the first tool member 32 is in the groove 29. almost touching each other when moving to the upper mold 8, whereby the free margins 2
All are folded uniformly around the structural component 6 held on the molding tool 1 by.

The second tool part 12 is further surrounded in turn by another mold part 15 . The central mold member 11 and the second
The intermediate tool member 12 and the outer mold member 15 simultaneously form the folded tool member 12 of the component 6.
is shaped and arranged such that its edge 5 terminates on the outer mold member 15. Furthermore, the free margin 2 of the sheet material laminated against the surface 14 of the component 6 rests freely on the top surface of the ring-shaped mold member 15, as best seen in FIG. It's okay. The parts 11.1.2 and 15 form a lower chamfering tool 1, which rests on the base plate 9, preferably in a removable manner. Base plate 9
are in turn conventionally supported in the machine frame 10. Mold members 11 and 15 are stationary relative to plate 9, but mold member 12, which forms the second tool member for the folding motion, is movable vertically up and down as indicated by arrow 12'. Yes, and will be explained in more detail below.

During the laminating operation, the structural component 6 is first placed onto the top surface of the molding tool 1, or it is in the uppermost position of the upper molding tool. Decorative material 3 may already be placed conventionally between lower tool 1 and upper mold 8 so as to form workpiece 13 with cover sheet 3 laminated into structural components 1-0. Part 1 for laminating operation
Workpiece 1 by keeping 2 in the top position
The correct shape of 3 is guaranteed. Similarly, the workpiece may be cut for any manufacturing step, for example by a cutting knife 17 extending all around the mold and cooperating with a replaceable insert 16 at the top surface of the outer mold part 15. It is held correctly in position for the cutting operation to be performed. After cutting, one member 12 is moved to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 4 in order to cooperate with the first tool member. In this position of the tool member 12 shown in FIG. 4, the edge 5 of the component 6 and the back side 4 of the component 6 are freely accessible for the folding operation.

It should be noted that the vertical up and down movement of member 12 is suitably guided between mold members 11 and 15. After the margin 2 has been cut to the appropriate dimensions required for the folding operation, the tool member 32 is moved in FIG. Moved to the left as shown. The tool member 32 is then withdrawn again and the member 12 is
It is moved upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5, which corresponds to an enlarged view of the figure. The folding and locking operations are now completed.

A first tool member 32 is connected to an inflatable hose 34 that drives a pressure plate 35 against the force of a reset spring 36.
The linear pneumatic drive M433 is connected to the first tool member 32 by means of one or several drive rods 31 which are actuated by a linear pneumatic drive M433. Drive rod 31
is connected to the plate 35 by a spacer element 37 surrounded by a reset spring 36. moreover,
The drive rod 31 may be of a cardboard box type, for example.
It is guided in a guide bushing 38. The inflatable hose 34 and pressure plate 35 are arranged in a housing part 41 that is operatively fixed to the rail 41'. 1
The hose sections 34 and pressure plates 35 drive the plurality of drive rods 31 in a conventional manner.

The second drive member 12 is driven by a second drive means, which also constitutes a linear pneumatic drive mechanism with the inflatable hose 18 and the pressure brakes 1-19. The force of expansion of the hose 18 is transmitted via the pressure plate 19 to the drive rod 25, which is surrounded by a reset spring 20. Preferably, the plurality of drive rods 25 and reset springs 20 are arranged along the length of member 12 to connect one pressure-horn brake 1-19 to member 1.
2. The upper part of the drive rod 25 is fixed by a screw 24 of the leg 22, which has a T-shaped surface profile and rests in a correspondingly shaped groove 23 in the longitudinal direction of the member 12. The groove 23 intersects at its end, so that
The leg 22, which has a square shape as shown in FIG. 2, can be pushed into the groove 23 for connection to the drive rod 25. Top surface 2 of leg 22 from top surface of pressure plate 19
The exact spacing between 6 can thus be precisely adjusted by rotating the drive rod 25. Note that the expansion bosses 18 and 34 are conventionally connected to a pneumatic pressure source, not shown.

The upward movement of the pressure plate 19 and thus of the second tool member 12 is precisely limited by an adjusting screw 27 bearing against the plate 9 and extending through the pressure plate 19. The downward movement of the plate 19 is also precisely limited by the adjusting screw 28 of the machine frame 10. Preferably, screw 27 is displaced with respect to screw 28 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawings of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Therefore, these screws 27, 28 do not interfere with each other. However, these screws 27, 28 can be arranged in alignment with each other, so that the screw heads of the screws 27 are provided with holes 27', so that the members 12
give the required stroke.

In FIG. 3, when the screw 27 hits the plate 9, it reaches the soil position. In Figure 4, screw 28 is inserted into hole 2.
The final lower position is reached when reaching 7' or hitting one of the plates. It is also possible to provide adjustment elements in plate 9 rather than in plate 19.

The position of the groove 29 is such that the opening 30 of the groove 29 rests on the edge 5 of the component 6 shown in FIG.
will be placed in In the lowest position of member 12, opening 30
removes the edge 5 for penetration by the first tool member 32, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 1a.

As soon as the cutting knife 17 has cut the free margin 2 to the correct size, the second tool member 12 is lowered by the second drive means into the position shown in FIG. It is operated to pack the free margin 2 into the pushing groove 29.

Next, the tool member 32 is moved out of the groove again and the tool member 1
2 is raised by applying pressure to Bose 18;
The margin 2 is thereby folded completely around the margin 5 with a tensioning action sufficient to pull the margin 2 out of the groove 29.

The above-described effect of bonding or fixing the margin 2 to the inner surface 4 of the component 6 is improved by applying heat in addition to the pressure exerted by the upward movement of the member 12. Heat may be applied to member 12 and member 15 via heating means 39 and 40, which may for example be electrically heated wires or ducts through which a heating fluid flows. It can still be used at other times for cooling purposes by flowing a cooling medium through the duct 1 to cool the molding tool 1, if desired.

6 and 7, the folding device of the present invention includes an upper portion shown in FIG. 6 and a lower portion shown in FIG. Rail 41' supporting first drive means 33
is mounted on a bracket 42 supported by an upper machine frame member 43. The length of the bracket 42 is
The operating position of the first tool member 32 is determined at 45 in the lower part of the machine. The upper frame 43 is a mechanical frame 46
The frame 43 is supported by a guide means 44 and a piston cylinder device 45 relative to this frame 46.
This piston-cylinder arrangement 45 allows vertical movement of the frame 43 with respect to the fixed frame 46. The guide means 44 includes a guide rod 48 guided in a cardboard box in the frame 46 and a vertical mounting post 47. The piston rod 49 of the piston-cylinder arrangement 45 is connected directly to the movable frame 43 and the cylinder is mounted on a fixed frame 46.

Further, referring to FIG. 6, the lower tool 1 on its plate 9 is supported on a carriage 52 that rests on the rail 46 of the machine base 50. The first tool member 32 may be configured at different levels in both the FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 positions. The base plate 9 rests on a pressure hose 51, which in turn is supported on a carriage 52. Therefore, all components mounted on the lower tool 1 and the carriage 52 are moved to the laminating station 53 shown in FIG.
Move back and forth. The carriage and the flat components mounted thereon are shown in solid lines in the left-hand portion of FIG. 8, not representing the folding station, and in dotted lines in the right-hand portion of FIG. 8, representing the laminating station. Fixed frame 46 and base 50 are rigidly fixed to frame 55 of laminating station 53. Note that the cutting knife 17 is mounted on the laminating station 53 and is driven by a conventional linear dichomatic drive mechanism as shown. The laminating station 53 furthermore comprises an upper mold having several parts 56, which have exactly the same contour as the upper mold 8 which enters the folding station.

In FIG. 6, the upper mold 8 is shown in an intermediate position. When the frame 43 is raised to the uppermost position,
It may be locked in place by a hook-type structure 57 that engages a locking member 57' rigidly connected to the frame 43. The hooks 57 are actuated by respective piston cylinders. In addition, the upper mold 8
The frame 43 is also connected to the frame 43 by a bracket-type member 42'.
Fixed to.

It should be noted that rather than first lowering the second tool and mold member 12 to expose the opening 30 of the groove 29, the central mold member 11 may be raised. Margin 2 is then stuffed into gap 29. Thereafter, the folding operation is carried out by lowering the central mold part 11 by degrees Pi and keeping the second tool part vJ12 fixed in order to provide the above-mentioned tensioning effect on the free margin 2.
be completed.

The apparatus of the present invention for free margin folding as described is such that the workpiece 13 is formed, laminated, cut and then subjected to the folding operation as described, in an assembly line type sequence. The folded component can also be incorporated directly into a cutting station d5, such as the one shown at 53 in FIG. One or more of the just described steps of , laminating, stamping and cutting can be performed.

In all uses of the invention, all manufacturing steps are carried out while the workpiece is held in place on the same lower T-tool 1, thereby ensuring accurate legal stability of the workpiece. An important advantage is that

While the invention has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it is contemplated that all modifications falling within the scope of the following claims
: It should be understood that it is intended to cover the following and equivalents.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through an edge portion of a structural component. FIGS. 1a and 1b are similar to FIG. 1, but with first and second
It is a sectional view showing a tool member of. FIG. 2 is a top view onto a corner of a downward chamfering or laminating tool fitted with a tool member according to the invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first J3 and second tool members substantially along section 13-3 of FIG. 2 and in a rest position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the first and second tool members in a ready position for cooperating with each other; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, but showing the completion of the folding operation. FIG. 6 shows a partial side view of the upper part of the folding station according to the invention. FIG. 7 shows the lower part of the folding station according to the invention. FIG. 8 shows the folding station of FIGS. 6 and 7 arranged to cooperate with the laminating station. In the figure, 2 is a free margin, 5 is an edge, 6 is a drawing component, 12 is a second tool member, 18 is a second drive means, and 32 is a first tool member. Patent Applicant Stansdechnik Gesellschaft Mits Beschlenkta Huff 1 - Unchanged L\FK in the engraving of the drawings by Ung Earl Landnis; /b Procedural amendment (method) June 1985 20th 2. Title of the Invention Method and Apparatus for Folding the Free Margin of a Soft, Flexible Flat Material Around the Edge of a Structural Component 3. Relationship to the Amendr's Case Patent Applicant Address: 41, 64 Filver Landstrasse, 6000 Frankfurt, Federal Republic of Germany Name: Stanztechnik Gesellschaft Mitsut Beschlenkta Hattrang Ahl Land Nis Representative: Ernst M. Svengla 4, Agent Address: Osaka Yachiyo Daiichi Building, 2-3-9 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Ichikita-ku Tel: Osaka (06) 351-6239 Name: Patent Attorney (6474) Kube Fukami 1.6, All drawings subject to amendment 7, Contents of amendment We will supplement the drawing plan drawn with the result as shown in the attached sheet. There are no changes to the content. that's all

Claims (10)

[Claims] (1) A method for folding a free edge of a flexible flat material around an edge of a structural component and securing the folded margin to the face of the structural component, comprising: (a) moving the free margin in a first direction with a first tool member to at least partially fold the free margin around the edge of the structural component and substantially simultaneously; (b) moving said second tool member in a second direction;
further folding the free margin around the edge;
substantially simultaneously, but gradually, releasing said free margin from said second tool member as a result of said second tool member moving said free margin about said edge; and (c) said fixing. pressing the free margin against a face of the structural component for a purpose. (2) the step of transferring the free margin to the second tool member is carried out by grasping the free margin with the second tool member and placing it into the gap of the second tool member; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of releasing is performed by pulling the free margin from the gap as the second tool member moves in the second direction. (3) heating the second tool member and heating the second tool member toward the structural component with a free margin maintained between the surface of the structural component and the second tool member; The method of claim 1, further comprising pressing a tool member to create an adhesive or thermal bond between the free margin and the structural component. (4) An apparatus for folding a free margin of a flexible flat material around an edge of a structural component and securing the folded margin to a face of the structural component, the apparatus comprising: a first flat elongated tool member (32) connected to said first flat tool member (32) for moving said first flat tool member in a first direction thereby said free margin ( 2) at least partially around said edge (5);
drive means (31, 33) and a second tool member (12).
and moving the second tool member (12) in a second direction to further align the free margin (2) with the edge (5).
second drive means (18) for folding around said second drive means (18);
device for moving a tool member towards the structural component (6) to press the free margin in its folded position against the face of the structural component in order to effect the fixing. (5) said second tool member (12) has an elongate gap (29) disposed therein to cooperate with said elongated flat first tool member (32); packing the free margin into the elongated gap (29) when the tool member is in a predetermined lowered position;
An apparatus according to claim 4. (6) further comprising a laminating molding tool (1), said second tool member (12) forming a part of said laminating molding tool (1);
An apparatus according to claim 5. 7. The elongated gap has a width sufficiently small to exert a gripping force on the free margin when the free margin is pushed into the gap by the first tool member. Device. 8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first and second drive means each include a linear pneumatic drive mechanism including an expandable hose portion. (9) means (17) for cutting said free margin to a suitable size prior to operation of said first flat elongated tool member;
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: 10. The apparatus of claim 5 including at least one elongated cord of elastic material in said gap to increase the gripping action on said free margin.