DE102016224419A1 - A method for foaming a at least one cavity having shell component of a motor vehicle and a sealing arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for foaming a shell component (1) of a motor vehicle having at least one cavity (2), in which the shell component (1) is provided with a sealing arrangement, then its at least one cavity (2) is foamed with a plastic foam (8) and Subsequently, the sealing assembly of the shell member (1) is removed, wherein for the sealing arrangement at least one with a medium (5) acted upon membrane (6) is used, which acts on the medium (5) and thereby at least one opening (3) of the shell component (1) is sealed, and from which the medium (5) after the foaming of the shell member (1) to remove the membrane (6) is released. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sealing arrangement for foaming a body component (1) of a motor vehicle having at least one cavity (2).

Description

The invention relates to a method for foaming an at least one cavity having a raw component of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and a sealing arrangement for foaming a cavity having at least one hollow component of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim.

The foaming of at least one cavity having shell component is largely known and established as a process step, for example in the automotive industry. To avoid foam leakage from existing openings during the foaming process or to keep relevant for later assembly processes postings and breakthroughs of the shell component, these openings, holes and openings before the foaming manually by means of Abdichtanordnungen, for example by means of plugs, adhesive tapes, or Blähformteilen masked. During the foaming process these Abdichtanordnungen remain attached to auszuschäumenden shell component. After curing of the foam filled in the at least one cavity, the sealing arrangements are manually removed again.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a method for foaming a shell component of a motor vehicle having at least one cavity, as well as a sealing arrangement such that a particularly fast and cost-effective foaming operation is made possible.

This object is achieved by a method for foaming an at least one cavity-containing shell component of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1 and by a sealing arrangement for foaming at least one cavity-containing shell of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 3.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for foaming a shell component of a motor vehicle having at least one cavity, in which the shell component is provided with a sealing arrangement, then its at least one cavity is foamed with a plastic foam and subsequently the sealing arrangement is removed from the shell component. To enable a particularly fast and low-cost foaming operation, at least one membrane which can be acted upon by a medium is used for the sealing arrangement, which medium acts on the medium and thereby temporarily seals at least one opening of the shell component, and from which the medium after foaming of the shell component for removal of the Membranes is released.

In other words, the foaming process can be divided into at least three steps. In the first step, the sealing arrangement is attached to the at least one cavity having shell component of a motor vehicle. Here, the membrane, for example, at least substantially in the immediate vicinity or in direct contact of the at least one opening of the shell component, which is to be closed during the foaming, arranged. Subsequently, the sealing arrangement is activated, which causes the membrane to be exposed to the medium. As a result, the membrane conforms to the contour of the opening of the at least one cavity having Rohbauteils and thus closes the at least one opening of the at least one cavity having Rohbauteils.

The loading of the membrane with the medium can be done for example by means of a loading device. Possible media for acting on the membrane are, for example, gas. Air, granules, white foam or similar. The membrane may, for example, be in the form of a cushion and / or arranged before and / or during and / or after it is filled with the medium. This exemplary cushion can for example be subjected to pressure and be nestled by means of the contact pressure to the surface contour of the openings of the shell component. By this pressurization holes and openings of the at least one cavity-containing shell component can be temporarily sealed. The membrane may, for example, in particular be an elastic membrane.

In a second step of the method, the cavity of the shell component is foamed with a plastic foam. This plastic foam may be, for example, 2K polyurethane foam. Furthermore, the foaming process comprises the curing of the plastic foam. In this case, the membrane of the sealing device seals the opening of the shell component both during the introduction of the plastic foam, as well as during the curing process until the flowability of the foam allows no more foam leakage from.

In a final step after the curing of the plastic foam, the membrane of the surface of the shell member at least partially removed by the release of the medium from the membrane.

By way of example, fixing elements and / or components can now be attached to the at least one opening of the blank component which is kept free by means of the sealing arrangement during the foaming operation.

The invention is based in particular on the knowledge that, for acoustic reasons, increasingly, at least one cavity-containing structural components of motor vehicles are being foamed. For this example, 2K polyurethane foams are used, which are introduced in the liquid state in the respective cavity and finally inflate and solidify. Preparations for foaming, in order to avoid foam leakage from existing openings, or to keep clear for later assembly processes relevant holes and openings, openings of the corresponding shell component to the temporary liquid foam must be sealed.

Well known is the closure of these openings of raw components before the foam entry in manual processes with plugs, adhesive tapes, Blähformteilen or the like. Since these sealing processes, also called masking processes, are usually only possible manually, high production costs can be incurred. In particular, when the Abdichtanordnungen, also referred to as masks, must be removed after the foaming again, the financial and time costs are particularly high. In addition, in the case of strongly shaped surface contours of the respective shell components when using adhesive tapes, only an insufficient sealing function can be achieved. In the case of mechanical sealing plugs, which are later to fulfill a sealing function during the foaming process, there is a risk that the sealing surfaces will be contaminated and thus leakage could occur.

Moreover, it is disadvantageous in the abovementioned sealing arrangements that the installation space for fastening elements of later assembly processes in the region of the respective openings to be sealed within the cavities of the shell component is completely filled with the plastic foam by the foam. This can significantly complicate the subsequent assembly processes, for example with regard to the positionability.

In contrast, the method according to the invention allows automation of the sealing process. Furthermore, there is less risk of contamination. Since the membrane depending on their elasticity and depending on their exposure to the medium, for example, at least partially penetrate into the at least one cavity of the shell component, a better mounting capability for fasteners later assembly processes is possible. This is justified by the fact that the membrane keeps the space for future fasteners, fasteners and / or other components free.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a sealing arrangement for foaming a body part of a motor vehicle having at least one cavity. According to the invention, the sealing arrangement here comprises at least one membrane which can be acted upon by a medium for sealing at least one opening of the blank component, which can be emptied from the membrane to remove the membrane from the blank after the blank has been foamed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shape of the membrane is adapted to the shape of the shell component. In other words, the shape of the membrane can be adapted to the shape of the shell component individually. This means that corresponding contours can be incorporated into the membrane, which influence the perfect fitting of the membrane to the shell component or to the opening of the shell component. For example, it can therefore be influenced in which form the opening of the shell component is sealed. For example, the membrane may cover the opening at least substantially evenly. Another alternative would be, for example, a convex shaping of the membrane in the region of the opening, so that the plastic foam introduced into the cavity of the shell component assumes an at least approximately concave shape relative to the membrane, at least in this region of the opening.

To create these corresponding contours of the membrane, this may for example be composed of several membrane elements. During the foaming process, the membrane forms, for example, at least in sections, a negative mold to the complex of the shell component having at least one cavity and the cavity of this shell component filled with the plastic foam.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the membrane is formed of non-stick material. This can at least substantially prevent the adhesion of foam residues to the surface of the membrane after the release of the medium from the membrane.

In an additional or alternative advantageous embodiment of the sealing arrangement, the membrane is subjected to a release agent. The release agent may be, for example, a wetting release agent. Alternatively, an elastic film can be introduced between the green component and the membrane, for example an endless foil.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or in isolation.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines einen Hohlraum aufweisenden Rohbauteils eines Kraftwagens;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittansicht des geschäumten einen Hohlraum aufweisenden Rohbauteils sowie eine Membran; und
• 3 eine schematische Schnittansicht des geschäumten einen Hohlraum aufweisenden Rohbauteils.

Showing:

• 1 a schematic sectional view of a cavity having a raw component of a motor vehicle;
• 2 a schematic sectional view of the foamed cavity having a Rohbauteils and a membrane; and
• 3 a schematic sectional view of the foamed having a cavity shell component.

A synopsis of the 1 to 3 shows essential procedural steps of a method for foaming a at least one cavity having shell component of a motor vehicle.

It is in 1 a shell of a motor vehicle shown. This shell component 1 has, for example, at least one cavity 2 on. Furthermore, the shell component 1 at least one opening 3 on. This opening 3 For example, a passage from the cavity 2 of the shell component 1 to an environment of the shell component 1 be. This may be, for example, holes or openings for example fasteners.

2 also shows the shell part 1 which is a cavity 2 and at least one opening 3 having. Furthermore, one is with a medium 5 acted membrane 6 to see. This with the medium 5 acted membrane 6 lies on a side having the opening 3 7 of the shell component 1 at. In the in 2 The illustration shown is the cavity 2 of the shell component 1 with a plastic foam 8th filled. The structure of the at least one opening 3 and at least one cavity 2 having Rohbauteils 1 and on the shell part 1 at least substantially abutting with the medium 5 acted membrane 6 is referred to as a sealing arrangement.

For sealing the at least one opening 3 of the shell component 1 before and after foaming the cavity 2 of the shell component 1 becomes the membrane 6 by exposure to the medium 5 to the opening 3 exhibiting page 7 of the shell component 1 nestled. It forms the with the medium 5 acted membrane 6 a to the with the plastic foam 8th filled shell component 1 negative form complex. The shape of the membrane 6 in one with the medium 5 acted state can be on the shape design of the membrane 6 , about the material design of the membrane 6 , about the choice of the medium 5 as well as the loading amount of the membrane 6 with the medium 5 to be influenced. Depending on these parameters, for example, in the region of the opening 3 of the shell component 1 the membrane 6 may be formed locally convex.

In a second step of the process, the cavity becomes 2 of the shell component 1 with a plastic foam 8th foamed. With the plastic foam 8th For example, the entire cavity 2 of the shell component 1 to be foamed. In the area of the opening 3 of the shell component 1 nestles the plastic foam 8th to the membrane 6 at. Is the membrane 6 for example in the area of the opening 3 of the raw component 1 Convex formed so nestled the plastic foam 8th in the area of the opening 3 of the shell component 1 concave to the membrane 6 at.

The sealing assembly is held in position until the plastic foam 8th has hardened. Is the plastic foam 8th in the cavity 2 of the shell component 1 cured of a motor car, so can the medium 5 from the membrane 6 removed and the membrane at least partially by removing the medium 5 from the surface 7 of the shell component 1 be replaced.

3 this shows a cavity 2 comprising shell component 1 where the cavity 2 with hardened plastic foam 8th is filled. Furthermore, in the 3 the opening 3 of the shell component 1 to see. The surface 9 the plastic foam 8th is in the area of the opening 3 of the shell component 1 on its surface 9 concave. The concavity of the surface 9 the cured plastic foam 8th in the area of the opening 3 of the shell component 1 For example, by attaching the membrane 6 with a locally formed convexity in the area of the opening 3 of the shell component 1 during foaming and curing of the plastic foam 8th be achieved. This way is in the area of the opening 3 of the shell component 1 a recess of the plastic foam 8th in the cavity 2 realized. In this recess, for example, fasteners or other components can now be attached in the course of the following assembly processes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cast-in part

2

cavity

3

opening

5

medium

6

membrane

7

page

8th

Plastic foam

9

surface

Claims (5)

Method for foaming a shell component (1) of a motor vehicle having at least one cavity (2), in which the shell component (1) is provided with a sealing arrangement, then its at least one cavity (2) is foamed with a plastic foam (8) and subsequently the sealing arrangement of the shell component (1) is removed, characterized in that for the sealing arrangement at least one with a medium (5) acted upon membrane (6) is used, which acts on the medium (5) and thereby at least one opening (3) of the shell component ( 1) is sealed, and from which the medium (5) after the foaming of the shell member (1) to remove the membrane (6) is released. Sealing arrangement for foaming a body component (1) of a motor vehicle having at least one cavity (2), characterized in that the sealing arrangement comprises at least one membrane (6) which is used to seal at least one opening (3) of the shell component (1) with a medium ( 5) can be acted upon, which for the removal of the membrane (6) from the shell component (1) after the foaming of the shell member (1) from the membrane (6) can be discharged. Sealing arrangement after Claim 2 , characterized in that the shape of the membrane (6) is adapted to the shape of the shell component (1). Sealing arrangement after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the membrane (6) is formed of non-stick material. Sealing arrangement after Claim 2 . 3 or 4 , characterized in that the membrane (6) is acted upon by a release agent.

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