EP1572376B1 - Masking device and coating method - Google Patents

Abstract

Masking means ( 1 ) for masking of a longitudinally extended edge area of a vehicle body or an appliance housing during a coating process, in particular a painting or preservation process, with the arrangement of a longitudinally continuous cavity and slot ( 3 ) of the outer contour leading into it, whose boundary areas are elastically pre-tensioned to each other.

Description

The invention relates to an edge-masking agent according to the preamble of claims 1 and 4 and to a coating method carried out with such an edge-masking agent, in particular painting or preserving method according to the preamble of claim 16. A device of this type is known e.g. from WO94 / 19110 known

Today's automotive OEM painting is one of the most technologically demanding paint applications. The most important requirements are color effect and gloss as well as the protection of metal surfaces against external influences. The desired properties of the coating are achieved by a functional layer structure in which the individual layers take on different tasks. Thus, first of all, a cathodic dip coating (KTL) is applied to the body shell as a corrosion protection layer, which comprises e.g. is baked in a drying oven at temperatures up to 220 degrees Celsius. Only then does the primed body enter the actual paint process, where a filler is first applied to balance the substrate and protect against falling rocks. This is followed by a basecoat for color and effect, finally a clearcoat to protect against external influences. The actual coating process carried out after the cathodic dip coating is carried out at temperatures of up to about 175 ° C.

After passing through the painting line internals are made to the body of a vehicle. In particular, the window panes (windshield, rear window, fixed side windows) are usually used in large-scale production robotically controlled at the installation site and glued (direct glazing). The window adhesive is first applied peripherally bead-like in the edge region of the window pane, before this area is brought into contact with the body flange (window flange) at the installation opening and pressed. The structural connection between the disc and the body serves both the stabilization in the sense of a torsionally rigid body, as well as the power dissipation in the event of a crash.

Since all coatings sprayed in the painting process, such as filler and topcoat, are applied according to customer requirements, it is necessary that the window adhesive on many different topcoats (paints) achieves good adhesion. The structural connection of the disc and the body in the assembly, where painted surfaces are present, however, is not solved satisfactorily, since the paint system itself can not absorb the structural forces, especially in a crash. In order to achieve a good adhesion result between the body flange and the window adhesive adhesive bonding of the window on the cathodic dip primer coating is therefore optimal, since then the structural weaknesses in the filler material and the topcoat are eliminated. Structural bonding in this way supports the trend toward lightweight construction and increased body torsional stiffness. However, this method also requires a corresponding masking of the body flange after passing through the cathodic dip-paint coating to keep away the paint layers applied in the subsequent painting steps in this area. The masking achieves perfect adhesion of the window adhesive to the KTL-coated flange.

Known, inter alia, is a method of gluing windows in which the body panel is coated with an adhesive tape or with an organic mass, e.g. a PVC pastisole, is masked. The plastisol is e.g. gelled by means of an IR emitter or in a PVC oven, thereby achieving a solid consistency. At the end of the painting process and prior to mounting the panel, the flange masking is usually manually removed and disposed of, and the direct glazing is done on the KTL coated flange. Both the plastisol and the adhesive tape are not recyclable, making the disposal of process waste to a considerable extent necessary.

The subject of an earlier patent application (PCT / EP01 / 07501) of the Applicant is therefore an improved resource (masking agent) for replacing the adhesive tape. This equipment is a form-fitting sealing on the KTL paint applied or attachable, injection-molded plastic part. It is essential easier to handle than the mentioned tape and recyclable, eliminating disposal costs and costs.

Object of the present invention is to provide a further improved masking agent of this kind, which is particularly inexpensive to produce and easy to handle in a variety of application situations.

This object is achieved by an edge masking agent having the features of claims 1 and 4. Advantageous developments of the inventive concept are the subject of the dependent claims. Furthermore, an improved coating process is provided on this basis.

The execution of the masking agent as extruded plastic profile brings significant cost savings compared to an injection molded part. In addition, the provision of the masking agent as a quasi-endless profile is conducive to widespread use, because the masking agent can be adapted to the most varied - even rare - application situations in the simplest manner by suitable cutting.

In a preferred embodiment from the present point of view, the plastic profile in cross-section is substantially circular, elliptical, oval or obliquely oval and formed as plastic corrugated pipe with longitudinally alternating first portions of greater rigidity and low extensibility and second portions of low rigidity and greater extensibility.

Plastic profiles in O-form are known, for example, as so-called "electro-tubes" from other fields of technology and are usually produced by the method of rotational extrusion. Thus, there is basically an established manufacturing technology and commercially available manufacturing equipment for this masking agent. This considerably facilitates the introduction of the practice in the cost framework imposed by the cost pressure in the car mass production. A masking agent of this embodiment (assuming appropriate choice of material and dimensioning) is so highly flexible that meets the requirements can be fully complied with the Fensterflanschmaskierung in the car paint.

For special applications, a development of this embodiment of the invention is meaningful to the effect that an additional retaining clip to increase the pressure of the masking profile, in particular plastic corrugated pipe, is provided on the corresponding body portion. Such a retaining clip has a portion with adapted to the outer shape of the masking profile inner cross-section and a sufficiently large opening, which allows a lateral sliding onto the Masklerungsprofil in its mounted on the body portion state. In a preferred embodiment, a handling section is further provided for easy gripping of the retaining clip.

Especially for other profile designs that do not achieve such a high degree of flexibility in primary forming, additional processing to increase longitudinal flexibility is required. It is advantageous, e.g. the provision of obliquely to the longitudinal direction, longitudinally equal distances to each other having cuts, which cut through the profile wall in the greater part of the height of the plastic profile, forming in areas of tight bending of the plastic profile against each other and yet substantially overlapping each other, against the slot contiguous profile cloths.

Depending on the specific technological design of the method for producing the cover profile, a design may be expedient in which the mentioned incisions are not provided in the same sections or possibly even over longer profile sections no cuts. Namely, if a control of the profile production is carried out in adaptation to a specific body shape, provided curvature regions of the profile can be designed differently in this respect than profile sections which are intended to cover straight elongated edge regions.

This version with the above-mentioned profile cloths (which could also be considered as a kind of fish scale) is particularly useful in conjunction with one of the o.g. "Plastic corrugated pipe" alternative profile design in which the plastic profile in cross-section substantially U-shape, in particular with unequal length legs of the "U" has. This embodiment, in turn, is particularly preferred in a further development in which the plastic profile in cross-section has the shape of an oblique "U" with a cavity which widens towards the base of the "U" for elastically firmly adhering to edge regions having different material thicknesses. Here, the aforementioned U-profile in a single embodiment for virtually all applications in the field of car painting is suitable, but also for other possible applications with differing sheet densities, such as in the paint of household appliances or industrial equipment.

Especially in profile designs with partially relatively large wall thicknesses, such as the last-mentioned oblique "U", it can significantly save material, if the wall of the plastic profile in the longitudinal direction continuous, closed cavities to increase the flexibility and reduce the use of material.

For the above-mentioned, from the current point of view priority applications, an embodiment of the plastic profile is suitable in which the cavity has a maximum width in the range between 3 and 12 mm and the continuous slot has a minimum free width of less than 1 mm, in particular of 0.2 mm or less, for elastically stuck adhering to an edge region, in particular body or housing flange, with a minimum material thickness of about 0.5 mm and a maximum material thickness to within the range between 2.5 and 6 mm (depending on profile construction) has ,

Given the prevailing temperatures in the Lackleranlagen the car production lines temperatures is further preferred embodiment of a highly temperature-resistant plastic, which keeps the functionally essential properties of the masking agent at least 175 ° C for at least 25 min and then at least 155 ° C for at least 75 min.

In any case, for certain variants, such as the execution as a substantially "smooth" U-profile, is a reinforcement by fillers in a proportion between 0.1% and 40%, appropriate. From the viewpoint of ease of manufacture and handleability, the embodiment of a thermoplastic elastomer or polyamide is more preferable. Furthermore, plastics such as polysulfone or poly (aryl ether) ketone are suitable, as can be inferred from A. Frank, Kunststoffkompentium, Vogel Fachbuch, fourth edition 1996. As a reinforcing material for cost reasons, in particular glass fibers, for special applications but also carbon and plastic fibers, into consideration.

From an environmental point of view, an embodiment of the masking agent with a substantial proportion, in particular of more than 75% and more particularly of 90%, of recycled plastic material is preferred. In this embodiment, a substantially closed material cycle for the production of such resources can be established, and there are virtually no disposal problems.

The proposed novel masking agent can not only be used in paint or preservation processes in vehicle or equipment construction (especially home appliance or consumer electronics manufacturing). Rather, its use is also useful in other applications in the context of liquid or Pulversprühverfahren in which edge or opening areas of a product component - in particular, but not exclusively, a housing part - are protected from precipitation of the respective medium to be applied. In principle, its use is therefore also advantageously possible in the case of vacuum coating methods, that is to say in particular high-vacuum vapor deposition methods or sputtering methods.

Fig. 1A bis 1C

verschiedene Ansichten (Seitenansicht, Vorderansicht und Draufsicht) eines Kanten-Masklerungsmittels gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung, angebracht an einem gekrümmten Fensterflansch,

Fig. 2A bis 2C

Vorderansichten von in der konkreten Gestalt geringfügig modifizierten Ausführungen des Kanten-Maskierungsmittels nach Fig. 1A bis 1C, letztere auch in einer Einbausituation an einem Pkw-Heckdeckel,

Fig. 3A und 3B

skizzenartige Darstellungen einer zum Einsatz mit einem Kanten-Maskierungsmittel nach Fig. 1A bis 2B geeigneten Halteklammer, in perspektivischer Darstellung bzw. Darstellung einer Einbausituation,

Fig. 4

eine Serie von schematischen Querschnittsdarstellungen eines Kanten-Maskierungsmittels gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform in verschiedenen Zuständen, in denen es Bleche verschiedener Dicke umgreift, und

Fig. 5A bis 5C

Seitenansichten von beiden Seiten (Fig. 3A und 3C) sowie eine Draufsicht eines Kanten-Maskierungsmittels der in Fig. 2 gezeigten Art, weiches an einem Ende in einen sehr kleinen Radius gebogen ist.

The advantages and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of two preferred embodiments with reference to FIGS. From these show:

Fig. 1A to 1C

various views (side view, front view and top view) of an edge masking means according to a first embodiment of the invention, mounted on a curved window flange,

Fig. 2A to 2C

Front views of slightly modified in the concrete form of embodiments of the edge masking means according to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the latter also in a mounting situation on a car trunk lid,

FIGS. 3A and 3B

sketch-like representations of a retaining clip suitable for use with an edge masking means according to FIGS. 1A to 2B, in a perspective representation or representation of a mounting situation,

Fig. 4

a series of schematic cross-sectional views of an edge masking means according to another embodiment in various states in which it encompasses sheets of different thickness, and

Figs. 5A to 5C

Side views of both sides (Figures 3A and 3C) and a top view of an edge masking means of the type shown in Figure 2, bent at one end into a very small radius.

1A to 1C show a masking profile 1 in the form of a plastic corrugated tube produced by rotational extrusion, which has a longitudinal slot 3 with a V-shaped threading region 5. The plastic corrugated pipe is formed of integrally formed, alternately arranged first rings 7A of larger diameter and second rings 7B of smaller diameter (which may have a smaller wall thickness and thus higher flexibility than the first rings 7A).

The outer diameter of the first rings 7A is in a preferred embodiment from 16 to 20 mm, that of the rings of smaller diameter optionally between 9 and 13 mm and the wall thickness at about 0.5 mm. The longitudinal slot 3 has a width of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm and the V-shaped mutually inclined boundaries of Einfädelbereiches. 7 enclose an angle of about 60 to 75 ° with each other.

2A and 2B show front views and profile cross sections of modified corrugated plastic pipes 1 'and 1 ", respectively. In the profile 1' shown in Fig. 2A, the threading area (not separately designated here) is smoothly rounded and relatively flat, and the profile shape In the case of the masking means 1 "illustrated in Fig. 2B, the outer contour is approximately circular in cross-section and the threading area is designed in a more pronounced, distinctly offset V-shape. FIG. 2C shows the plastic corrugated pipe 1 "in the state placed on the edge region of a passenger car boot lid 8.

3A and 3B show a retaining clip 9 as an additional element of a masking system using a plastic corrugated pipe in one of the embodiments described above, to increase its holding force to be covered body or housing section. The retaining clip 9 has an approximately eyeglass-like basic shape with a first approximately circular portion 9a, which acts as an engaging and holding portion with respect to a plastic corrugated tube, and a second approximately circular (but completely closed) portion 9b, which acts as a handling section when placing the retaining clip on a corrugated tube or when removing it serves. The two sections 9a and 9b are interconnected by a web 9c. It is understood that the opening 9d in the engaging and holding portion 9a is adapted to the outer cross section of the plastic corrugated pipe, that the retaining clip can be relatively easily pushed laterally over this, but on the other hand, a drop or unintentional stripping is reliably prevented. It can further be seen from the figures that, in the embodiment shown here, the circular cross-section of the engaging and holding section 9a is smaller, but its width is greater than that of the handling section 9b.

In Fig. 4 to 5C, an alternative to the plastic corrugated tube 1 embodiment of a masking profile is shown, namely an extruded sealing lip profile 11. In Fig. 4 can be clearly seen that this profile could be referred to in the cross-sectional shape as "obliquely U-shaped", as from a base 13 in an asymmetrically inclined manner, an upwardly tapering first leg 15 and a second leg 17 extend. Both legs 15, 17 each have an outwardly directed development area 15a, 17a at their outermost end. As can also be seen in Fig. 4, this design is ideal for secure fixation of the sealing lip profile 11 on sheets of very different thickness, under jacket fog-proof coverage of each lying under the (left in the figure) leg 15, near the edge surface of the sheet.

FIGS. 5A to 5C clearly show how the sealing lip profile 11 is subdivided into individual lamellae or "scales" by cuts arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis and largely crossing their height, which are connected to one another only on a relatively narrow, strip-shaped profile section. FIGS. 5A and 5C show, seen from the longer or shorter leg 15 and 17, how these blades spread against each other when the profile 11 is bent in a narrow radius. It is also easy to see that the longer profile leg 15 also in this extreme position of the profile 11, as can occur, for example, in "corners" of a window flange, a very good coverage of an underlying strip-shaped area (flange) realized.

Both of the masking profiles 1 and 11 of the above-described first and second embodiments have as essential common features a longitudinal slot which widens toward the interior of the profile towards a cavity. In both embodiments, the walls of the slot as a result of its extension to the cavity by the profile wall itself clamped against each other biased so that the respective profile automatically holds by friction on a flange or other metal strip on which it is postponed. Both versions also have in common that the slot widens slightly towards the periphery of the profile, which makes it easier to place on edges to be covered.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1; 1'; 1"

Edge masking profile

3

longitudinal slot

5

weaving area

7A

first ring

7B

second ring

8th

Car boot lid

9

retaining clip

9a

Engaging and holding section

9b

handling section

9c

web

9d

opening

11

Sealing lip profile

13

Base

15, 17

leg

15a, 17a

bending area

Claims (19)

1. Edge masking means (1, 1', 1") for masking an elongated edge area (8) of
   a vehicle body or a device housing during a coating procedure, in particular a painting or preserving process,
   characterized by
   being embodied as an extruded synthetic profile (1") configured to be highly flexible lengthwise having a continuous longitudinal cavity and a slot (3) running the outer contour of same, the boundary edges of which are elastically pre-tensioned against one another at the edge region in the set functional state and to attain said high degree of flexibility, the synthetic profile is configured substantially circular, elliptical, oval or slanted oval in cross-section and also as a synthetic corrugated pipe with longitudinally alternating first portions of greater rigidity and lesser elasticity and second portions of lesser rigidity and greater elasticity (7A, 7B).
2. Edge masking means according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the synthetic profile (1") is formed in a rotation extrusion procedure.
3. Edge masking means according to one of claims 1 to 2,
   characterized in that the synthetic profile (1") in the area of slot (3) is retracted in a substantially V or U shape such that it automatically aligns itself on the elongated edge area when slid onto same.
4. Edge masking means (11) for masking an elongated edge area of a vehicle body or a device housing during a coating procedure, in particular a painting or preserving process,
   characterized by
   being configured lengthwise as a highly-flexible extruded synthetic profile (11) having a continuous longitudinal cavity and a slot running the outer contour of same, the boundary edges of which are elastically pre-tensioned against one another at the edge region in the set functional state, and longitudinally equidistant notches (15) being disposed diagonally to the longitudinal direction which largely cut through the profile wall at the height of the synthetic profile (11) to form profile tabs joined together opposite the slot to tilt against each other but still essentially cover each other in areas of tight bending in order to attain the high degree of flexibility.
5. Edge masking means according to claim 4,
   characterized in that the synthetic profile (11) is substantially U-shaped in cross-section, in particular with the side arms of the "U" being of different lengths.
6. Edge masking means according to claim 5,
   characterized in that the synthetic profile (11) is of a substantially slanted "U" shape in cross-section having a cavity expanding to the base of the "U" for the elastically-arrested attachment to edge areas of different material thicknesses.
7. Edge masking means according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the wall (15, 17) of the synthetic profile has continuous closed cavities extending lengthwise for increasing flexibility and decreasing material usage.
8. Edge masking means according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the cavity exhibits a maximum width ranging between 3 and 12 mm and the continuous slot (3) exhibits a minimal free width of less than 1 mm, in particular 0.2 mm or less, for the elastically-arrested attachment on an edge area, in particular a body and/or housing flange having a minimum material thickness of about 1 mm and a maximum material thickness ranging between 2.5 and 6 mm.
9. Edge masking means according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized by being realized from a high-grade temperature-resistant plastic which retains the properties essential to the functioning of the edge masking means (1, 1', 1", 11) at 175°C at least for at least 25 min and thereafter at 155°C at least for at least 75 min.
10. Edge masking means according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized by
    being reinforced with filler material at a proportion of between 0.1% and 40%.
11. Edge masking means according to claim 10,
    characterized by
    being realized from a thermoplastic elastomer or polyamide.
12. Edge masking means according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized by a substantial portion being of recycled plastic, in particular more than 75% and more particularly 90%.
13. Masking arrangement comprising an edge masking means according to any one of the preceding claims and a retaining bracket (9) affixable to said edge masking means for improved adhesion to the edge area.
14. Masking arrangement according to claim 13,
    characterized in that
    the retaining bracket has an engaging and retaining section in its inner contour adapted to the outer contour of the edge masking means as well as a handling section connected to same, in particular by means of a web (9c).
15. Masking arrangement according to claim 14,
    characterized in that
    the engaging and retaining section (9a) and/or the handling section (9b) of the retaining bracket exhibits a substantially circular, elliptical or oval cross-section.
16. Coating process for coating a coating substrate, in particular a vehicle body or an aircraft fuselage or ship hull or a device housing comprising a free edge area (8), with a coating material via a coating spray stream or under a coating atmosphere, under coverage of the edge area,
    characterized in that
    said edge area is covered with an edge masking means (1, 1', 1'', 11) in accordance with one of the preceding claims.
17. Coating process according to claim 16,
    characterized by
    the process being embodied as a method for painting a dip-primed coated vehicle body or a device housing by means of a paint spraying stream.
18. Coating process according to claim 16,
    characterized by
    the process being embodied as a method, in particular directly following a painting process for preserving a vehicle body or device housing, in particular an automobile body or an aircraft fuselage or ship hull, via a preserving spray stream.
19. Coating process according to claim 16,
    characterized by
    the process being embodied as a vacuum coating process, in particular a vacuum vaporization or sputter process for creating a thin protective or functional layer on the coating substrate.

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