DE102020205984A1 - Component filled with metal foam with an oligodynamic outer surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a component (1) which is to be used in an environment that is to be kept sterile. This object is achieved by a component (1) with at least one cover layer (2) made of an oligodynamic metal material and forming an outer surface (4) of the component. The component (1) is foamed with a metal foam (6) and the metal foam (6) is materially connected to the cover layer (2). The metal foam (6) consists of or contains a metal material which has a lower standard potential than the metal material of the cover layer (2). The use of the oligodynamic metal material creates an outer surface (4) which has a damaging effect on pathogens. The metal foam gives the component stability so that only a thin top layer is required. Since the metal foam also has a lower standard potential, oxidation of the cover layer is prevented and the release of the germ-damaging metal ions is facilitated.

Description

The invention relates to a component that has an antiseptic surface and is therefore particularly suitable for use in a germ-contaminated environment, such as a hospital, or in an environment in which germs are particularly to be avoided, such as in the food sector, in nursing homes or hospitals is.

It is known to embed antibacterial agents in the surfaces of such components. For example, silver ions can be introduced into a plastic surface. It is also known to solidly cast door fittings from special copper alloys. It is also known to provide stainless steel fittings with a germ-inhibiting silver ion coating.

The problem with these known components is that the coating is not permanent, that the metal surfaces tend to oxidize and thus reduce the germ-inhibiting or antibacterial effect and / or that the materials used are expensive and have a low mechanical load-bearing capacity.

The invention is based on the object of improving the known components in such a way that a permanently antibacterial surface is made available in the case of a mechanically resilient component and can be manufactured at manageable costs.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a component with at least one outer surface of the component forming cover layer made of an oligodynamic metal material, wherein the component is foamed with a metal foam and the metal foam is firmly bonded to the cover layer and wherein the metal foam consists of a metal material or contains a metal material , which has a lower standard potential than the metal material of the top layer.

The solution according to the invention uses the metal foam to stabilize the top layer, which can therefore be kept very thin. Since the oligodynamic metal materials only have a low level of strength, a resilient, sandwich-like structure is created. In addition, the required amount of expensive oligodynamic material is reduced. At the same time, the metal foam is used according to the invention to improve the ion output of the oligodynamic metal material via the difference in the standard potential and to reduce the oxidation of the outer surface.

As a result of the solution according to the invention, a stable and resilient component with an antiseptic surface is provided with a simultaneous reduction in the use of expensive oligodynamic metal materials.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by the following developments, which are advantageous in each case and which can be combined with one another as desired and independently.

For example, the metal material of the cover layer can consist of copper or a copper alloy or contain copper or a copper alloy. Copper has a very good damaging effect on various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.

The cover layer can alternatively consist of a metal material consisting of or containing silver or a silver alloy, mercury or a mercury alloy, tin or a tin alloy, iron or an iron alloy, lead or a lead alloy, bismuth or a bismuth alloy, gold or a gold alloy or osmium or an osmium alloy be made.

The metal material of the metal foam preferably consists of aluminum or an aluminum alloy or comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy. As an alternative to a metal foam made from or containing aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a metal foam made from or containing copper, zinc, lead or steel or iron or an alloy with one of these metals as the base metal can also be used.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the preferably one-piece cover layer surrounds a cavity which is filled with the metal foam. The cavity can be formed by the at least one cover layer. In this embodiment, the metal foam is preferably completely shielded from the external environment of the component by the cover layer, so that no dirt can accumulate in the metal foam.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the cover layer can have an opening which can be closed by a closure element. The closure element can be made of the same material as the cover layer. Such an opening can be advantageous for manufacturing reasons, since the metal material to be foamed can be inserted into the cavity through this opening. Alternatively, the cover layer can also completely enclose the cavity.

The closure element can be attached to the cover layer before the foaming, so that it is connected directly, in particular with a material fit, to the metal foam.

Alternatively, the closure element can also be attached to the cover layer after the foaming. In this case, there is no direct material connection between the closure element and the metal foam. The cover layer and the closure element can be connected to one another in a materially bonded manner, for example by soldering or welding, in a form-fitting, force-fitting or frictional connection. A gap-free or gap-free connection between the closure element and the at least one cover layer is preferred. This prevents germs from settling.

The cover layer preferably has a shaped metal sheet or can consist of or be manufactured from a shaped metal sheet. For example, the sheet metal can be brought into the shape required for the component by pressure forming, such as hydroforming, bending, folding and / or tensile forming. The cover layer is preferably reshaped before the foaming.

The cover layer can be single or multilayer or single or multilayer. In the case of a multi-layer or multi-layer cover layer, at least the layer or layer forming the outer surface is made of an oligodynamic material. A layer or layer arranged between this layer or layer and the metal foam can be provided in order to provide a reinforced metallurgical connection between the oligodynamic material on the outer surface and the metal foam.

The cover layer can also be formed from a hollow profile. Such a hollow profile can be drawn, extruded, rolled and / or extruded. A closure element as described above can be attached to each end of the hollow profile.

According to one embodiment, the shape of the component is determined by the shape of the cover layer.

In the case of complex shapes, the cover layer can have at least two shell parts connected to one another, each of which forms part of the outer surface of the component. The shell parts can be connected directly to one another in a material, non-positive, positive and / or frictional manner. In addition, they are preferably indirectly connected to one another via the metal foam. The material, force-locking, form-fitting and / or frictional connection of the shell parts ensures that the cover layer formed by the shell parts or the cover layer formed by the shell parts remains dimensionally stable when foamed. The shell parts can be soldered, welded or glued, for example.

The outer surface is preferably designed to be free of joints, corners and / or edges so that it is easy to clean.

• - wenigstens ein Teil einer Drückergarnitur für eine Tür oder eines Türbeschlags;
• - ein Türgriff;
• - ein Türknauf;
• - eine Stellwand;
• - eine Armatur für den Sanitärbereich;
• - ein Handlauf;
• - ein Handgriff;
• - ein Gestell für ein Möbel.

The component is preferably a component from the following list:

• - At least part of a handle set for a door or a door fitting;
• - a door handle;
• - a doorknob;
• - a partition;
• - a fitting for the sanitary area;
• - a handrail;
• - a handle;
• - a frame for a piece of furniture.

The component can have a gripping surface designed for hand use. At least the grip surface is made of the oligodynamic metal material. A gripping surface is not only to be regarded as a surface designed by hand for gripping the component or a section of the component, but also a surface for supporting or placing a hand on it. The gripping surface is preferably formed by the at least one cover layer.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference symbols are used for elements that correspond to one another in terms of structure and / or function.

In accordance with the above statements, a feature of an exemplary embodiment can be dispensed with if this feature is not relevant in a particular application. Conversely, a feature of another exemplary embodiment or a feature described above can be added to an exemplary embodiment if the technical effect associated with this feature should be important in a specific application.

• 1 eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Bauteils;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht einer Decklage des Bauteils der 1;
• 3 eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie III-III der 1;
• 4 eine schematische Perspektivdarstellung eines weiteren Bauteils;
• 5 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung entlang der Linie V-V der 4;
• 6 eine schematische Perspektivdarstellung eines weiteren Bauteils;
• 7 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung entlang der Linie VII-VII der 6;
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Bauteils;
• 9 eine schematische Perspektivdarstellung eines weiteren Bauteils.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic perspective view of a component;
• 2 a schematic view of a cover layer of the component of FIG 1 ;
• 3 a schematic sectional view along the line III-III of FIG 1 ;
• 4th a schematic perspective view of a further component;
• 5 a schematic sectional view along the line VV of FIG 4th ;
• 6th a schematic perspective view of a further component;
• 7th a schematic sectional view along the line VII-VII of 6th ;
• 8th a schematic representation of a further component;
• 9 a schematic perspective view of a further component.

First, the invention will be based on the component 1 the 1 until 3 explained.

The component 1 is plate-shaped and can, for example, be a door leaf, part of a frame of a piece of furniture or a partition. The component 1 has a top layer 2 preferably made of sheet metal 3 on. The top layer 2 contains or consists of an oligodynamic metal material, for example mercury, gold, silver, copper, tin, iron, lead or bismuth or an alloy with one of these metals as the base metal. The top layer 2 forms an outer surface 4th of the component 1 . The top layer 2 itself can be single or multilayer. At least the outermost layer contains or consists of the oligodynamic metal material.

The component 1 is with a metal foam 6th foamed. The top layer 2 surrounds a cavity 8th who made the metal foam 6th records.

The top layer 2 is preferably reshaped to the cavity 8th to enclose. For example, a sheet 10 folded, bent or compression formed about at least a portion of the cavity 8th to enclose. The component 2 can also have two or more bowl parts 12a , 12b have, which enclose the cavity. For example, the top layer 2 Folds 14th have which, for example, by soldering, welding or gluing are cohesively connected to one another and / or to another shell part, around the cavity 8th preferably to be enclosed without gaps and gaps.

The metal foam 6th has a lower standard potential than the top layer 2 on the outer surface 4th . The metal foam 6th is with that of the cavity 8th facing inner surface 16 the top layer 2 directly cohesively connected. The metal foam can be made from a metal material consisting of or containing aluminum or an aluminum alloy, copper or a copper alloy, zinc or a zinc alloy, lead or a lead alloy, iron or an iron alloy.

The top layer is preferred 2 at least on the outside 4th made of copper or a copper alloy and the metal foam made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy or tin or a tin alloy. In order to increase the oligodynamic effect, the cover layer can also contain silver, in particular silver ions. The cover layer can also contain a mercury alloy.

4th shows a component 1 where the top layer 2 is formed by a hollow profile, for example a tubular profile. The top layer 2 can be made in one piece or assembled from two or more shells (not shown). A one-piece top layer 2 can for example be extruded, drawn, rolled or extruded.

With the component 1 the 4th it is, for example, a handrail, a handle or part of a piece of furniture. The shape of the component is determined by the shape of the top layers 2 certainly. at 4th was for example the top layer 2 reshaped by the function of the component 1 certain shape, here a U-shape. Then the component 1 foamed. The top layer 2 surrounds the metal foam here 6th except for two openings 18th . The openings 18th can through locking elements 20th to be introverted. The closure elements 20th can be made of the same material as the top layer 2 . They can also be made in one piece with the top layer 2 be formed, for example, by the material of at least one cover layer 2 one a closure element 20th forming flap or fold, which then closes the opening 18th is bent into position. The closure element 20th can materially, positively, frictionally and / or non-positively with the top layer 2 be connected. The closure element 20th becomes after foaming the cavity 8th attached and is thus with the metal foam 6th not cohesively connected.

The component 1 has a grip surface 22nd on by at least part of the outer surface 4th of the component 1 is formed. The grip surface 22nd is designed for hand use. It has a shape designed to be gripped and / or encompassed by hand and / or to support or rest with a hand. At least the grip surface 22nd of the component is made of the oligodynamic material.

Instead of the in 4th Of course, any other shape can be used depending on the application.

Another component 1 is in the 6th and 7th shown. This is a fitting or part of a handle set, for example a door knob 22nd , which also has a gripping surface 21 having. The doorknob 22nd can, except for an aperture 23 , which can be a separate part, be designed in one piece, for example by adding the cover layer 2 is brought into the required shape by pressure forming. Alternatively, the component 1 also from individual components 1a , 1b be built up to the component 1 are joined together. For example, a button 1a and a style 1b each foamed separately and after foaming to form the component 1 be joined together.

The aperture 23 or another door fitting can also be used as a component 1 be designed.

8th shows a component 1 in the form of a frame 24 for a piece of furniture. The frame 24 can consist of several components 1a , 1b be composed. For example, the struts 1b like the component of the 1 until 3 be designed. The posts 1a can like the embodiment of the 4th and 5 be designed in a straight variant.

9 shows one as a door handle 26th formed component 1 . The door handle has a grip surface 21 on. A closure element 20th can, as already described above, be an integral part of the top layer 2 or as a separate component on the top layer 2 to be appropriate. The in 9 illustrated embodiment, the closure element 20th before foaming the component 1 be attached so that it is not just due to the connection with the top layer 2 but also via the metal foam inside the component 1 held in place.

List of reference symbols

1, 1a, 1b

Component

2

Top layer

3

metal sheet

4th

Exterior surface

6th

Metal foam

8th

cavity

10

sheet

12a, 12b

Shell part

14th

Fold

16

Inner surface

18th

opening

20th

Closure element

21

Grip surface

22nd

Doorknob

23

cover

24

frame

26th

Door handle

Claims (12)

Component (1) with at least one outer surface (4) of the component (1) forming a cover layer (2) made of an oligodynamic metal material, the component (1) being filled with metal foam (6) and the metal foam (6) with the cover layer (2) is materially connected and wherein the metal foam (6) consists of a metal material or contains a metal material which has a lower standard potential than the metal material of the cover layer (2). Component (1) after Claim 1 , wherein the metal material of the cover layer (2) consists of a metal or a metal alloy with a base metal from the following list or has such a metal alloy or such a metal: - mercury, - silver, - copper, - tin, - iron, - lead , - bismuth. Component (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the metal material of the metal foam (6) consists of a metal or of a metal alloy with a base metal from the following list or comprises such a metal alloy or such a metal: - aluminum, - copper, - zinc, - lead, - iron. Component (1) after a Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the at least one cover layer (2) surrounds a cavity (8) which is foamed with the metal foam (6). Component (1) after a Claims 1 until 4th , wherein the cover layer (2) contains at least one shaped metal sheet or consists of a shaped metal sheet (3). Component (1) after a Claims 1 until 5 wherein the cover layer (2) has at least two interconnected shell parts (12a, 12b) which each form part of the outer surface (4). Component (1) after Claim 6 wherein the shell parts (12a, 12b) are directly connected to one another and indirectly connected to one another via the metal foam. Component (1) after a Claims 1 until 7th wherein the cover layer (2) has at least one opening (18) which is closed by a closure element (20). Component (1) after Claim 8 wherein the closure element (20) is made from the metal material of the outer surface (4) forming the cover layer (2). Component (1) after Claim 8 or 9 , wherein the closure element (20) is connected to the cover layer (2) without a gap. Component (1) after a Claims 1 until 10 wherein the component (1) has a gripping surface (21) designed to be gripped by hand or around which is formed by at least part of the outer surface (4). Component (1) after one of the Claims 1 until 11th , wherein the component (1) is a component (1) from the following list: - at least part of a handle set for a door; - a door handle; - a doorknob; - a partition; - a fitting for the sanitary area; - a handrail; - a handle; - a frame of a piece of furniture.

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