DE19914801C1 - Application of plastic bead to join folding or collapsible car hood components employs mold with inclined inlet to bead cavity, inducing turbulence for improved coverage - Google Patents

Abstract

Casting resin is supplied to the mold cavity (23) at an angle ( alpha ), and remotely from the plane and surface of the hood sections (10, 11). An Independent claim is included for the mold used to make the application This has recesses enclosing the sections to be joined and forming the bead. The angled injection channel (22) is also included. Variants of this mold and a hood made as described are also claimed. Preferred features: A similar process joins two sections of the hood. The angle ( alpha ) is about 30 deg -90 deg . A similar process is used with a flat pane in the hood. The resin is injected in a region between sections. In the mold, the supply channel is located such that resin enters between the sections to be joined. The hood is flexible and the mold halves have guides locating its edges for the injection process.

Description

DE 197 24 592 C1 discloses a vehicle top, in which a top surface element with a construction element using a PUR cast resin bead element mecha nisch firmly and tightly connected, which the edge of the Top surface element and the adjacent edge of the Construction elements mechanically tight and tightly edged. The construction element can be another top surface element, a gutter, a rod part or a pane his.

To realize such a hood, the two top elements fit in a suitable design Tool inserted, the tool tightly closed and in the mold cavity in the mold, the PUR Cast resin introduced. After the reaction sequence of the PUR  Casting resin opens the mold and the corresponding one Hood or convertible top part removed from the mold.

The main advantage of such a convertible top staltung is that the two top elements without manoeuvrable constructive measures, such as gluing or sewing, are interconnectable, including optically very appealing way. The inclusion of a In the cutout of a top fabric using a PUR cast resin bead element, for example, is particularly Particularly advantageous for tempered glass panes that basically not like flexible plastic discs in the Canopy can be sewn in.

However, since this well-known roof construction in particular which still lacks that a simple replacement seln the window in the convertible top is not possible DE 299 03 832 U1 proposes a 'changing solution' that is marked that the cutting edge of the outer Convertible top cover on the one hand and the edge of the pane on the other on the one hand, each with its own, forming a frame Bead element are bordered that the two bead elements are provided with joining surfaces over which they fit perfectly are detachable, and that the two bead elements are held together by means of releasable connecting means.

The essential core of this solution is therefore in that you cut the edge of the outer convertible top Zugs provided with a first bead element frame and that the edge of the pane with its own second bead element frame, these two frames with The joining surfaces are designed so that they fit snugly  can connect with each other, connecting means, in simplest case screws, the two bead element frames stick together.

In the previously known methods either for Attaching a cast resin bead element to a cover element or to connect two convertible top elements PUR cast resin system via a so-called film gate in the mold cavity introduced in a two-part shape, in such a way that the material under pressure in the mold plane and thus essentially parallel to the area between the Halves of the mold of the convertible top elements is injected. Due to the high injection pressure of the liquid material with up to approx. 200 bar cannot be excluded that material in the mold parting line escapes and in particular on the surface of the Injection opposite convertible top element outside of the targeted arrangement area of the bead element. The resulting contamination leads to a unacceptable adverse appearance and expl Therefore, complex and expensive rework to the convertible top elements such as convertible top fabric, window, rain gutter or the like to clean again.

The general state of the art should be referred to "Plastververarbeitung", 46th year 1995 No. 7, "Technische Plastics: The Top Ten Injection Molding Problems ", p. 21, Sp. 2, 3. This reference deals in general with basic rules for sprue design, but without invention lead.

The magazine "Plastverarbeiter" 44th year 1993 No. 7, "Injection molded parts with surface decor: comparison of the Procedure ", J. Wank, pp. 70-76, Fig. 8, text on p. 76, Middle column, paragraphs 1-3, discussed in connection with the Production of injection molded parts with surface decor foil, that it can be cheap, the injection molding compound not on the Edge of the film inserted in the tool, but on to direct their area. A closer reference to the present Invention does not exist.

The present invention is based on the above Concept of the first independent claim 1 from one Method of attaching a substantially strip-shaped cast resin bead element to a convertible top element Folding or folding tops for vehicles, the top element is inserted into a mold, the shape of which halves to form a mold cavity for the cast resin Bead element are closed and the mold cavity with  the resin is filled. This procedure is determined and suitable for the 'changeable solution' mentioned at the beginning, esp. in the context of a replaceable in the top fabric arranged disk.

The second independent claim is based on one Method for connecting two folding top elements of a folding or folding roof for vehicles by means of a substantially Chen strip-shaped cast resin bead element, the Convertible top elements are placed in a mold, the mold halves to form a mold cavity for the Cast resin bead element are closed and the mold hollow space is filled with the resin. With this procedure two roof elements become inseparable connected.

The invention is based on the object Method for attaching a cast resin bead member to a Convertible top element or for connecting convertible top elements to indicate, where the problems mentioned are avoided. In particular, the bead element is said to be practically contaminated can be cast on roof elements without any gaps.

The solution to this problem is in the independent Claims 1 and 2 indicated and is that the Cast resin into the mold cavity at an angle to that of the Convertible top elements formed surface or level and removed is supplied by this.

In contrast to the prior art, the process sees Ren accordingly essentially, the liquid plastic material material not parallel to one or both roofs  elements, but apart from it and across it under one Inject angle into the mold cavity. The material is this makes it considerably more difficult to get into the narrow gap pour between the mold and the convertible top element or even out of it at an unintended place to kick. By adjusting the win on a case-by-case basis In this respect, a favorable swirling of the Achieve material within the mold cavity, however hend that to be enclosed or to connect with each other the convertible top elements optimally integrated into the material become. Practical tests have shown that the procedure is very suitable, extremely clean against the hood elements with sharply defined cast resin bead elements generate that no longer require rework.

According to another embodiment of the fiction According to the method, the angle can be on the order of about 30 ° to 90 °, and with a disc as a hood element or another non-flexible convertible top element it can be useful and advantageous if you pour the resin on the edge of this solid element, in particular on injected the disc edge directed into the mold cavity. This ensures in particular that the high A injection pressure primarily not on an unstable convertible top element acts and this not in the mold cavity can distract an unwanted situation that it later in out hardened bead element would be retained.

As a further embodiment of the method, it can also be beneficial if you put the cast resin in one area of the mold cavity that is injected between the covers ment lies. This is particularly recommended if  the convertible top elements are unstable or flexible elements such as convertible top covers elements.

The invention is also concerned with a shape tool that is suitable for performing the procedure. According to independent claim 6, the invention from a mold for attaching a substantially Chen strip-shaped cast resin bead element to a ver cover element of a folding or folding roof for vehicles, wherein the convertible top element is inserted into the mold whose mold halves form a mold cavity be closed for the cast resin bead element and that Cast resin into the mold cavity through a sprue is injected.

The starting point for independent claim 7 is a Molding tool for connecting two convertible top elements one Folding or folding roof for vehicles using an im essential strip-shaped cast resin bead element, wherein the convertible top elements are placed in the mold, the mold halves to form a mold cavity for the cast resin bead element are closed and the casting resin is injected into the mold cavity via a sprue becomes.

The device aspect of the invention lies in essential the task of tightening a mold ben, with which very clean and above all exactly Form bordered cast resin bead elements on top elements to let. Based on the procedural problem solving the solution to the object according to the device is to  that the sprue is removed from the mold parting plane as well opens into the mold cavity at an angle to it.

This angle is preferably on the order of about 30 ° to 90 °. In particular with a disc or a Another 'hard' convertible top element is the outlet mouth of the sprue in the mold preferably arranged that the casting resin when injected into the mold cavity hits the edge of the pane. Another advantageous one Design is the outlet mouth of the sprue in Forming tool arranged so that the casting resin between the two convertible top elements enters the mold cavity.

Another particularly advantageous feature of the invention times consists in the fact that the mold halves with Füh tion elements are provided, which with cast resin encapsulating edge of the flexible top element from its Plane or the mold parting plane out into the mold cavity steer inside. This can be easily achieved be that the material to be picked up by the bead element rub into as much cast resin material as possible on both sides can be bedded, although hardly in the visible area Material must protrude over the element surface. Even one flush connection of the bead element to the hood element is represented with the help of this inventive feature bar.

To inject the casting resin according to the invention in the best way to realize the mold cavity is to that the sprue between a fixed part of one of the Mold halves and a movable mold insert ('Sprue block') is formed.  

Finally, the invention is concerned with a ver deck, esp. folding or folding top, for a motor vehicle stuff, in which two top elements together using of a strip-shaped cast resin bead element are. Based on the previously described method and the mold provided according to the invention is this vorese according to independent claim 13 hen that the connection of the film gate to one of the Convertible top elements remote location on the cast resin bead element is arranged. The convertible top element can Have section that is within the cast resin bead elements inclined in such a way that it essentially Lichen points to the center of the bead element. Hereby is a very elegant embodiment in which a surface of the top element in the same plane lies like a surface of the other convertible top element. It can be used in particular roof elements of different thicknesses on one side, in particular the outside of the convertible top, flush with the surface be arranged, which is an excellent optical one creates pressure.

Otherwise, the invention is best understood the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this demonstrate:

Fig. 1 shows a cross section through a closed mold for connecting two different top elements by means of a cast resin Wulstele ments,

Fig. 2 shows a cross section corresponding to FIG. 1, two by a closed mold for bonding the same or similar top elements by means of a cast-resin bead element,

Fig. 3 shows a comparison with FIG. 1 reduced representation opened mold,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a mounted in a top cover segment by means of a revolving casting resin bead element window of a vehicle folding top after removal of the unit from the mold,

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail view of the bead member with Angußbe Reich fan gate and 'Christmas tree',

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 after the film gates Entfer NEN,

7 shows a section through an open mold, the mold halves interference with a device for the position of a top element portion are provided in the mold cavity.,

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, but in the closed state of the mold,

Fig. 9 shows a section through the tool according to Fig. 7 and 8 generated object, and

Fig. 10a and 10b section and perspective view of a signal generated by the prior art object the example of a top fabric disk compound in a vehicle roof.

Before the invention is to be explained in detail, the prior art will first be explained with the aid of FIGS. 10a and 10b for better understanding. These Figu ren show as an example the connection of a disc 10 with a top fabric 11 by means of a strand-shaped casting resin bead element 12th In this exemplary embodiment, the cast resin bead element 12 surrounds the pane edge 10 a and the cut-out edge 11 a of the top material 11 on both sides.

Usually, the disc 10 and the edge 11 a of the top fabric 11 are placed in a mold 16 and held between the lower mold half 17 and the upper mold half 18 aligned. The upper mold half 18 is assigned a sprue 22 , which - as can be seen - opens directly into the mold cavity 23 on the surface of the convertible top element 11 which points upward with respect to FIG Rich directional arrow 14 is indicated.

Due to the high injection pressures of up to 200 bar, it may be that the molding compound is squeezed out of the mold cavity 23 and over one or the other surface of the opposite top element - here, for. B. the disc 10 - is pressed. There then arise - depending on the direction of injection - on the surface of the pane 10 or of the top material 11 by the depositing resin 15 or 15 'significant stains which have to be subsequently removed again in complex and time-consuming work.

The present invention avoids these disadvantages with a new sprue system. With reference to FIG. 1, a connection, generally designated 16, is shown in section using the example of a connection of a convertible top pane 10 to a convertible top material 11 via a cast resin bead element 12 . The lower half of the mold is designated 17 . The upper, generally designated 18 mold half is divided into two fixed mold parts 19 and 20 and a mold insert 21 arranged opposite to the movable Lich. This mold insert 21 delimits an injection channel 22 for the hardenable cast resin compound towards the mold part 20 . This mold channel 22 is inclined with respect to the mold parting plane 13 at an angle α of approximately 45 ° in the exemplary embodiment. In addition, the injection channel 22 opens away from the United deck elements 10 , 11 in the mold cavity designated 23 to form the cast resin bead element 12 and before so that it targets the extreme edge 10 a of the disc 10 .

This essentially achieves two things: on the one hand, the forces exerted at high pressure (approx. 200 bar) are distributed relatively evenly within the mold cavity 23 . Due to the distance of the injection point in the mold cavity from the Verdeckelemen 10 , 11 or the edges 10 a, 11 a and because of the deutli chen angle α with respect to the mold parting plane 13 , a shooting out of material from the halves between the tool and the disc 10th formed gap avoided. The same applies to the top cover 11 . Therefore, with this type of material injection, bead elements 12 with sharp-edged and precisely defined transitions to the respective surfaces of the pane 10 and the top material 11 can be produced. On the other hand, apparently within the mold cavity, in which there are only the pane edge 10 a and the convertible top edge 11 a before the injection of the casting resin, forces due to favorable swirls that the flexible edge 11 a of the top material 11 are not or at least not significantly from its intended position - which is shown in Fig. 1 - push out.

The angle α can vary within a wide range and consequently can also be adapted to the tool conditions. It is also possible to inject the cast resin material into the mold cavity 23 perpendicular to the mold parting plane, as well as at an angle of α = 90 °. In this case, the mouth of the injection channel 22 should be aligned in the mold cavity 23 so that the cast resin jet does not impact the flexible end 11 a of the top fabric 11 .

Fig. 2 shows a Fig. 1 corresponding Ausfüh approximately example, but two convertible top parts 11 and 11 'are shown as top elements to be connected via a bead element 12 . Otherwise there are comparable conditions as in FIG. 1.

Other embodiments are easily imaginable, such. B. the connection of a convertible top cover part 11 with a rain gutter, not shown, instead of a disc 10 .

Fig. 3 shows in comparison to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 ver reduced scale, the set by pivoting the Formein 21 open tool. You can still see the film sprue 24 and the so-called fir tree 25 . These are hardened cast resin sections which are initially still connected to the cast resin bead element, as illustrated in the rest of FIG. 4, which shows a finished structural unit removed from the molding tool 16 . Here, however, in turn with the washer 10, 11 with only a peripheral portion of a top fabric and designated by 12, the frame-like manner around the two parts encircling and connecting them with each other cast resin bead 12th

From Fig. 4 it can be seen that the film gate 24 extends only on one side of the assembly and also only over a short length of the cast resin bead element 12 . Fig. 5 shows this section again geson changed and is used in particular to illustrate the rework to be carried out alone, which neces sary to separate the film gate 24 from the bead member 12 along their common connecting line 26 .

The finished state of the module in the area of the section shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6, the ring in üb particularly illustrating that the only "contamination" that may result from the injection molding process, on the outer surface of the cast resin Wulstelementes 12 available is, but not in a surface area of Ver deck elements such as disc 10 and convertible top cover 11th Along the line 26 , however, the film gate 24 with a simple tool, for. B. a knife blade, very easy to remove by hand.

FIG. 7 shows a representation of a tool that is in principle comparable to FIG. 1, but now in the not yet closed state of the mold halves 17 and 18 . A special feature is that the mold halves 17 and 20 are provided with guide elements 27 and 28 which, when the tool is closed, move the flexible convertible top element, here the edge 11 a of the convertible top cover 11 , from the mold parting plane into the mold cavity 23 .

The guide element 27 consists of an inclined rib arranged according to the course of the edge 11 a of the flexible convertible top element 11 and the guide element 28 consists of a congruent recess. In principle, this means that the insertion gap 29 between the tool halves 17 and 20 experiences a corresponding inclination or a corresponding kink, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

With this configuration of the mold 16 so targeted alignment of the embedded into the bead member 12 a portion 11 of the flexible top member 11 can be achieved within the Wulstelementes 12th The advantage of this arrangement of the edge 11 a of the Verdeckele element 11 within the bead element 12 can be read well from Fig. 8 and also from Fig. 9, in which the finished assembly is shown. Can be achieved here by namely that - although the edge 11 a of the flexible Ver cover element 11 is surrounded on all sides by plenty of plastic material of the bead element 12 - only a little plastic material must be present on one side, in particular the outside A of a hood, and that nevertheless the outer surface 10 b of the pane 10 with the outer surface 11 b of the flexible roof element, for. B. the outer convertible top cover 11 , can lie in a common plane 30 , which gives the convertible top material the convertible top a very elegant appearance.

If the above of a cast resin bead element Is usually a PU cast resin Bead element act, the cured cast resin mate rial should have a hardness of approx. 40 Shore D. It is not a rubber elastic, but a material with a relatively high inherent stiffness and Strength.

It is not absolutely necessary for the cast resin Bead element to use a polyurethane (PUR) system. Also z. B. PVC material would be suitable, although not seems so beneficial.

The illustrated embodiments always show the use of a cast resin bead element 12 for immediate, tight connection of two top elements, such. B. a disc 10 with an outer top cover 11 or two top cover elements 11 , 11 '( Fig. 2). However, it is also possible, by means of a cast resin bead element 12, not to immediately connect two convertible top elements to one another, but to provide, for example, a pane 10 with a first cast resin bead element frame and the same in another tool and another casting process, the edge cutout of an outer one Convertible top cover with a second cast resin bead element, the frame parts produced separately in this way being designed so that they can be connected to one another, in particular screwed together. Such an embodiment is e.g. B. important when it comes to the interchangeable arrangement of a rear window in a convertible top.

Claims (16)

1. A method for attaching a substantially strip-shaped cast resin bead element (12) opaque element to a Ver (10; 11) of a folding or folding top for vehicles, wherein the folding member (10; 11) tool in a form is inserted (16), the mold halves ( 17 , 18 ) are closed to form a mold cavity ( 23 ) for the cast resin bead element ( 12 ) and the mold cavity ( 23 ) is filled with the cast resin, characterized in that the cast resin forms the mold cavity ( 23 ) at an angle (α) to the surface or plane formed by the convertible top element ( 10 ; 11 ) and removed from it. 2. Method for connecting two convertible top elements ( 10 , 11 ) of a folding or folding convertible top for vehicles by means of an essentially strip-shaped cast resin bead element ( 12 ), the convertible top elements ( 10 , 11 ) being inserted into a molding tool ( 16 ), the mold halves ( 17 , 18 ) are closed to form a mold cavity ( 23 ) for the cast resin bead element ( 12 ) and the mold cavity ( 23 ) is filled with the cast resin, characterized in that the cast resin forms the mold cavity ( 23 ) at an angle (α) to the surface or plane formed by the convertible top elements ( 10 , 11 ) and removed from this. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized records that the angle (α) on the order of about 30 ° to 90 °. 4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, optionally in conjunction with claim 3 with a fixed top element such as disc ( 10 ) as a top element, characterized in that the casting resin on the edge ( 10 a) of the fixed top elements ( 10 ) directed into the mold cavity ( 23 ). 5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the casting resin is injected into a region of the mold cavity ( 23 ), the elements between the Verdeckele ( 10 , 11 ). 6. molding tool ( 16 ) for attaching a substantially strip-shaped cast resin bead element ( 12 ) to a convertible top element ( 10 , 11 ) of a folding or folding top for vehicles, the convertible top element ( 10 ; 11 ) in the molding tool ( 16 ) is inserted, the mold halves ( 17 , 18 ) are closed to form a mold cavity ( 23 ) for the cast resin bead element ( 12 ) and the cast resin is injected via a sprue ( 22 ) into the mold cavity ( 23 ), characterized in that the Sprue channel ( 22 ) away from the mold parting plane ( 13 ) and at an angle (α) to it in the mold cavity ( 23 ) opens. 7. Molding tool ( 16 ) for connecting two Verdeckele elements ( 10 , 11 ) of a folding or folding roof for vehicles by means of a substantially strip-shaped cast resin bead element ( 12 ), the folding top elements ( 10 , 11 ) inserted into the molding tool ( 16 ) are, the mold halves ( 17 , 18 ) are closed to form a mold cavity ( 23 ) for the cast resin bead element ( 12 ) and the casting resin is injected via a sprue ( 22 ) into the mold cavity ( 23 ), characterized in that the Angußka channel ( 22 ) away from the mold parting plane ( 13 ) and at an angle (α) to it in the mold cavity ( 23 ) opens. 8. Molding tool ( 16 ) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the angle (α) is of the order of about 30 ° to 90 °. 9. molding tool ( 16 ) according to claim 6 or 7, optionally in connection with claim 8 with a fixed hood element such as a disc as a hood element, characterized in that the sprue ( 22 ) in the mold ( 16 ) is arranged so that the casting resin at Inject into the mold cavity ( 23 ) on the edge ( 10 a) of the fixed top element ( 10 ). 10. A mold according to claim 7 or 8, possibly in connection with Ver claim 9, characterized in that the sprue ( 22 ) in the mold ( 16 ) is arranged so that the casting resin between the two top elements ( 10 , 11 ) in the Mold cavity ( 23 ) enters. 11. Molding tool ( 16 ) according to one of claims 6 to 10, wherein one of the top elements ( 10 , 11 ) is flexible, characterized in that the mold halves ( 17 , 18 ) are provided with guide elements ( 27 , 28 ) which with Pour resin to be molded around the edge ( 11 a) of the flexible cover element ( 11 ) from its plane or the mold parting plane ( 13 ) into the mold cavity ( 23 ). 12. Molding tool ( 16 ) according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the sprue ( 22 ) between a fixed part ( 20 ) rule one of the mold halves ( 18 ) and a movable mold insert ( 21 ) ('sprue module') forms is. 13. Convertible top, in particular a folding or folding convertible top, for a motor vehicle in which two convertible top elements ( 10 , 11 ) are connected to one another by means of a strip-shaped cast-resin bead element ( 12 ), characterized in that the connection of the film gate ( 24 ) at a place on the convertible top elements ( 10 , 11 ) on the cast resin bead element ( 12 ) is arranged. 14. Hood according to claim 13, characterized in that the hood element ( 11 ) has a portion ( 11 a) which extends obliquely within the cast resin bead element ( 12 ) in such a way that it essentially in the center of the bead element ( 12 ) points. 15. Hood according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a surface (10 b) of the one roof element (10) lies in the same plane (30) as a pointing in the same direction face (11 b) of the other deck member (11) . 16. Hood according to claim 15, characterized in that the lying in the same plane ( 30 ) surfaces ( 10 b, 11 b) are outer surfaces of the top elements ( 10 , 11 ).