EP4652024A1 - Mold for injection molding of vehicle component, and vehicle component - Google Patents

Abstract

A mold for injection molding of a vehicle component, and a vehicle component are provided. The mold includes: a stationary part; a first movable part disposed adjacent to the stationary part and including a first molding surface; and a slider disposed adjacent to the stationary part and the first molding surface, a first molding space being formed between the first movable part and the stationary part and/or between the slider and the stationary part, and the slider including a second molding surface and a non-molding surface. A second molding space for molding an undercut structure is formed between the first molding surface and the second molding surface. The first molding space and the second molding space are in communication with each other and with the outside. An exhaust channel is constructed in the slider and includes a first opening in communication with a first molding space and a second opening in the non-molding surface, and a breathable filler being disposed within the exhaust channel. The exhaust channel and the breathable filler in the mold can help to increase the exhaust velocity in the second molding space to improve the quality of the undercut structure.

Description

MOLD FOR INJECTION MOLDING OF VEHICLE COMPONENT, AND

VEHICLE COMPONENT

RELATED FIELD

[0001] The present invention claims the priority of the Chinese application 202310079502.7 filed on January, the 20th of 2023 (20.01.2023), the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the technical field of vehicle manufacturing, and in particular to a mold for injection molding of a vehicle component. This application also relates to a vehicle component manufactured using the mold.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Interior trim parts of a vehicle are often constructed with undercut structures. For example, an undercut structure can be used as a connecting base for providing a connecting piece on an interior trim part. An undercut structure usually includes a top wall and a side wall, with an opening being constructed in the side wall.

[0004] In producing the undercut structure, a mold with a core-pulling mechanism is usually used to facilitate demolding. However, during the injection molding process, the exhaust velocity at the undercut structure is relatively low, which can have adverse effects on the undercut structure, and thus adversely affect the quality of the interior trim part of the vehicle.

[0005] Patent document JP2012081713A discloses a mold for foam molding. The mold is used to improve the appearance of plastic products in injection molding of the products by foam injection molding. The mold has a movable part and thus can be opened and closed. A foaming cavity is constructed in the mold and a designed surface is constructed in the cavity. Molten resin is fed into the cavity under a negative pressure to foam-mold the molten resin. The mold is also constructed with a mold pin that runs from an inside of the cavity up to the designed surface, and a front end of the mold pin is provided with a porous metal part that can be exposed in the cavity. When the movable part is retracted, the porous metal part is exposed, and residual gases in the cavity are discharged out of the mold by passing through the mold pin via the porous metal part, so that the molten resin is foam-molded. Patent document JP2012081713A, however, fails to disclose how to injection mold an undercut structure.

SUMMARY

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned technical problems, the present disclosure, in its first aspect, provides a mold for injection molding of a vehicle component. The mold includes: a stationary part; a first movable part disposed adjacent to the stationary part, the first movable part including a first molding surface which extends away from the stationary part; and a slider disposed adjacent to the stationary part and the first molding surface, a first molding space being formed between the first movable part and the stationary part and/or between the slider and the stationary part, and the slider including a second molding surface which faces the first molding surface and a non-molding surface which is offset from the second molding surface. One of the first molding surface and the second molding surface has a recessed structure, and the other one has a projected structure matching a shape of the recessed structure, so that a second molding space for molding an undercut structure is formed between the first molding surface and the second molding surface. The first molding space and the second molding space are in communication with each other and are in communication with outside. At least one exhaust channel is constructed in the slider, the exhaust channel including a first opening in communication with the first molding space and a second opening in the non-molding surface, and the exhaust channel being provided therein with a breathable filler.

[0007] In one embodiment, the breathable filler is made of a heat-resistant material having a plurality of longitudinal through holes.

[0008] In one embodiment, the through holes each have a diameter between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

[0009] In one embodiment, the exhaust channel is in a cylindrical shape, and the breathable filler is in a cylindrical shape matching the shape of the exhaust channel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the breathable filler is disposed in a close fit within the exhaust channel. [0011] In one embodiment, the exhaust channel is in a conical shape, a larger end of the conical shape forming the first opening and a smaller end of the conical shape forming the second opening, and the first opening being located above the second opening; and the breathable filler is in a conical shape matching the shape of the exhaust channel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the breathable filler is disposed in a clearance fit within the exhaust channel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mold further includes a second movable part disposed adjacent to the stationary part, the second movable part and the first movable part being located on respective ones of two sides of the slider, and a third molding space being formed between the second movable part and the stationary part.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first molding space, the second molding space, and the third molding space are constructed to be in communication with one another to form a cavity.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one exhaust port in communication with the cavity is formed between the first movable part and the stationary part or between the second movable part and the stationary part.

[0016] In one embodiment, the mold further includes a lifter connected with the slider, the lifter being connected with a driving mechanism to drive the slider to move.

[0017] The present disclosure, in its second aspect, proposes a vehicle component. The vehicle component includes: a main body; and an undercut structure constructed on the main body, the undercut structure being injection molded by using the mold for injection molding of a vehicle component as described above.

[0018] The present disclosure brings the following beneficial effects. The first molding space between the first movable part and the stationary part and/or between the slider and the stationary part is used to mold the main body of the vehicle component, and the second molding space between the first molding surface and the second molding surface is used to mold the undercut structure. An exhaust channel enabling the first molding space to be in communication with the outside is constructed in the slider, and a breathable filler is provided in the exhaust channel. During the injection molding process, the exhaust channel and the breathable filler can help to improve the exhaust velocity in the first molding space and the second molding space to thus improve the quality of the undercut structure and the vehicle component, and meanwhile the breathable filler can prevent leakage of an injection molding material from the exhaust channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present disclosure will be further described in the subsequent detailed description based on multiple accompanying drawings by means of non-limiting examples of typical embodiments of the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings are not drawn to actual scale.

[0020] Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of part I in Fig. 1.

[0022] Fig. 3 schematically shows a mold for injection molding of a vehicle component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the injection molded vehicle component being shown in the figure.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a cross-section along line A-A in Fig. 3.

[0024] Fig. 5 schematically shows a slider, with a breathable filler being provided within an exhaust channel of the slider.

[0025] Fig. 6 schematically shows the breathable filler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The details presented here are exemplary and used only for illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present disclosure. They are present to provide what is believed to be the most useful and understandable description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present disclosure. There is no attempt to introduce the structural details of the present disclosure to a degree beyond that necessary for a basic understanding of the present application. Those skilled in the art may clearly understand how to implement various forms of the present disclosure in practice from the description and accompanying drawings.

[0027] Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle component 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle component 1 includes a main body 11 and an undercut structure 12 constructed on the main body 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the undercut structure 12 includes a top wall 13 and a side wall 14. An opening 15 is constructed in the side wall 14. Optionally, a connecting piece 16 may be provided on the top wall 13, in which case, the undercut structure 12 is used as a connecting base.

[0028] It should be appreciated that although the vehicle component 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an interior trim panel of a door of a vehicle, other components of the vehicle may also be constructed with a similar undercut structure. All these undercut structures may be manufactured by using a below-described mold 2 (hereinafter referred to as mold 2) for injection molding of a vehicle component.

[0029] The following describes the mold 2 of the present disclosure in conjunction with Figs. 3 to 6.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the mold 2 includes a stationary part 20, a first movable part 30 cooperating with the stationary part 20, and a slider 40 cooperating with the stationary part 20 and the first movable part 30. Specifically, the first movable part 30 is disposed adjacent to the stationary part 20. The first movable part 30 includes a first molding surface 301 extending away from the stationary part 20. The first molding surface 301 has a recessed structure. The slider 40 is disposed adjacent to the stationary part 20 and the first molding surface 301. A first molding space 21 is formed between the first movable part 30 and the stationary part 20 and between the slider 40 and the stationary part 20. The slider 40 includes a second molding surface 402 facing the first molding surface 301 and a non-molding surface 403 which is offset from the second molding surface 402. The second molding surface 402 has a projected structure that matches the shape of the recessed structure, so that a second molding space 22 for molding an undercut structure 12 is formed between the first molding surface 301 and the second molding surface 402. Of course, it is also possible to construct the first molding surface 301 into a projected structure, and accordingly construct the second molding surface 402 into a recessed structure. In this case, a second molding space 22 for molding an undercut structure 12 can also be formed. The first molding space 21 is in communication with the second molding space 22 and is in communication with the outside. At least one exhaust channel 41 is constructed within the slider 40. The exhaust channel 41 includes a first opening 411 in communication with the first molding space 21 and a second opening 412 in the non-molding surface 403. A breathable filler 60 is provided in the exhaust channel 41.

[0031] In the mold 2 of the present disclosure, the first molding surface 301 has a recessed structure, and the second molding surface 402 has a projected structure. In this case, after the first movable part 30, the slider 40, and the stationary part 20 are fitted together, the second molding space 22 formed between the first molding surface 301 and the second molding surface 402 has a recessed shape. During the injection molding process, the second molding space 22 having the recessed shape is used to mold the undercut structure 12 of the vehicle component 1, and the first molding space 21 is used to mold at least part of the main body 11 of the vehicle component 1.

[0032] During the injection molding process, because the first molding space 21 and the second molding space 22 are in communication with each other and are also in communication with the outside, gas in the first molding space 21 and the second molding space 22 can be discharged out of the mold 2. In addition, the exhaust channel 41 constructed within the slider 40 and the breathable filler 60 filled the exhaust channel 41 also enable the first molding space 21 to be in communication with the outside, in which way part of the gas in the first molding space 21 and the second molding space 22 can enter the exhaust channel 41 via the first opening 411, flow through the breathable filler 60, and finally leave the mold 2 via the second opening 412. The exhaust channel 41 can thus assist in discharging the gas out of the first molding space 21 and the second molding space 22, thereby increasing the exhaust velocity in the first molding space 21 and the second molding space 22, helping to improve the quality of the undercut structure 12, and further helping to improve the quality of the vehicle component 1. The breathable filler 60 not only allows the gas to flow through smoothly, but also prevents an injection molding material from leaking via the exhaust channel 41. In addition, the second opening 412 is located in the non-molding surface 403, which can avoid the exhaust channel 41 being blocked and can also avoid adversely affecting the quality of the undercut structure 12.

[0033] In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the stationary part 20 includes an outer molding surface 201; the first movable part 30 includes a third molding surface 303 facing the outer molding surface 201; and the slider 40 includes a fourth molding surface 404 facing the outer molding surface 201 (in this case, the first opening 411 of the exhaust channel 41 is formed in the fourth molding surface 404, as shown in Fig. 5). In this way, the first molding space 21 is formed between the outer molding surface 201, the third molding surface 303, and the fourth molding surface 404. For example, the outer molding surface 201 is used to mold an outer molded surface of the vehicle component 1, and the third molding surface 303 and the fourth molding surface 404 are used to mold an inner molded surface of the vehicle component 1. It should be appreciated that, depending on practical situations, those skilled in the art may also enable the third molding surface 303 to be in close contact with the outer molding surface 201, or enable the fourth molding surface 404 to be in close contact with the outer molding surface 201, so that the first molding space 21 is formed only between the slider 40 and the stationary part 20, or only between the first movable part 30 and the stationary part 20.

[0034] Optionally, the breathable filler 60 is made of a heat-resistant material having a plurality of longitudinal through holes 601. In this way, during the injection molding process, the breathable filler 60 can withstand relatively high temperatures and cannot be easily damaged. In one embodiment, the heat-resistant material is breathable steel or microporous ceramics. Breathable steel and microporous ceramics are well-known to those skilled in the art and will not be repeated herein. Those skilled in the art may also form the breathable filler 60 from other heat-resistant materials depending on practical situations, which is not restricted herein. In the present disclosure, the directional term “longitudinal” refers to a direction roughly parallel to an axial direction of the exhaust channel 41.

[0035] Optionally, the through holes 601 each have a diameter between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. It is found that the use of a heat-resistant material with such a structure allows the gas to flow smoothly through the through holes 601 and to be quickly discharged during the injection molding process, and that such small through holes 601 could effectively prevent leakage of the injection molding material. In one embodiment, the breathable filler 60 has a diameter between 10 mm and 15 mm which matches a diameter of the exhaust channel 41. In this case, it is possible to construct a plurality of through holes 601 in the breathable filler 60 to improve the exhaust velocity.

[0036] In one embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, one exhaust channel 41 is constructed in the slider 40. Of course, it is also possible to construct, depending on practical situations, a plurality of exhaust channels 41 in the slider 40, to further improve the exhaust velocity during the injection molding process.

[0037] Optionally, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the exhaust channel 41 is in a cylindrical shape. The breathable filler 60 is in a cylindrical shape matching the shape of the exhaust channel 41. Thus the shape of the breathable filler 60 is relatively simple, and it is easy to manufacture the breathable filler 60.

[0038] Optionally, the breathable filler 60 is disposed in a close fit in the exhaust channel 41 to avoid accidental falling of the breathable filler 60 from the exhaust channel 41.

[0039] Optionally, the exhaust channel 41 is in a conical shape. In this case, a larger end of the conical shape forms the first opening 411, and a smaller end thereof forms the second opening 412. The first opening 411 is located above the second opening 412. Seen on the whole, the exhaust channel 41 is constructed in such a way that its diameter gradually decreases from top to bottom. The breathable filler 60 is in a conical shape that matches the shape of the exhaust channel 41. With such a structure, the exhaust channel 41 in the conical shape supports the breathable filler 60, preventing the breathable filler 60 from accidentally falling off from the exhaust channel 41, which improves the safety of the mold 2.

[0040] Optionally, the breathable filler 60 may also be constructed to have a radial size slightly smaller than that of the exhaust channel 41, so that the breathable filler 60 is disposed in a clearance fit in the exhaust channel 41. In this case, it is convenient to remove the breathable filler 60 from the exhaust channel 41 for maintenance or replacement.

[0041] Optionally, as also shown in Fig. 3, the mold 2 further includes a second movable part 50. The second movable part 50 is disposed adjacent to the stationary part 20, and the second movable part 50 and the first movable part 30 are located on respective ones of two sides of the slider 40. A third molding space 23 is formed between the second movable part 50 and the stationary part 20. During the injection molding process, the third molding space 23 is used to mold other parts of the main body 11 of the vehicle component 1.

[0042] In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the second movable part 50 includes a fifth molding surface 505 facing the outer molding surface 201. In this case, the third molding space 23 is formed between the fifth molding surface 505 and the outer molding surface 201.

[0043] Optionally, as shown in Fig. 3, the first molding space 21, the second molding space 22, and the third molding space 23 are in communication to one another to form a cavity 26. This can help to simplify operation of the injection molding.

[0044] Optionally, an exhaust port 25 in communication with the cavity 26 is provided between the second movable part 50 and the stationary part 20. Thus the exhaust port 25 also enables the first molding space 21, the second molding space 22, and the third molding space 23 to be in communication with the outside. During the injection molding process, the gas in the first molding space 21, the second molding space 22, and the third molding space 23 is quickly discharged via the exhaust port 25 and the exhaust channel 41 in the slider 40. This helps to further improve the quality of the undercut structure 12 and the quality of the vehicle component 1. In other embodiments, the exhaust port 25 may also be provided between the first movable part 30 and the stationary part 20.

[0045] In order to facilitate demolding, as also shown in Fig. 3, the mold 2 may further include a lifter 42 connected with the slider 40. The lifter 42 is connected with a driving mechanism (not shown in the figures) used for driving the slider 40 to move. In this way, during the injection molding process, the slider 40 can be held in a predetermined position by the driving mechanism so as to injection mold the required undercut structure 12. During demolding, the first movable part 30 is enabled to move along a direction away from the stationary part 20; the second movable part 50 is enabled to move along a direction away from the stationary part 20 and separate from the slider 40; and the slider 40 is driven by the driving mechanism to move along a direction away from the first movable part 30 (as indicated by arrow B in Fig. 3) to separate from the first molding surface 301 having the recessed structure. The drive mechanism is well-known to those skilled in the art and will not be repeated herein.

[0046] Listing of Reference Numerals

I vehicle component

I I main body

12 undercut structure

13 top wall

14 side wall

15 opening connecting piece mold stationary part 1 outer molding surface first molding space second molding space third molding space exhaust port cavity first movable part 1 first molding surface 3 third molding surface0 slider 02 second molding surface03 non-molding surface04 fourth molding surface1 exhaust channel 11 first opening 12 second opening 2 lifter 0 second movable part05 fifth molding surface0 breathable filler 01 through hole [0047] It should be noted that the examples described above are for explanatory purposes only but should not be considered as limiting the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that descriptive and illustrative, rather than restrictive, language has been used herein. Within the scope of the present description, the present application may be changed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. Although the present disclosure has been described herein in terms of particular means, materials, and embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the details disclosed herein On the contrary, the present disclosure may be extended to cover, for example, all the structures, methods and applications having equivalent functions within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rnold for injection molding of a vehicle component, comprising: a stationary part (20); a first movable part (30) disposed adjacent to the stationary part (20), wherein the first movable part (30) comprises a first molding surface (301) which extends away from the stationary part (20); and a slider (40) disposed adjacent to the stationary part (20) and the first molding surface (301), wherein a first molding space (21) is formed between the first movable part (30) and the stationary part (20) and/or between the slider (40) and the stationary part (20), and the slider (40) comprises a second molding surface (402) which faces the first molding surface (301) and a non-molding surface (403) which is offset from the second molding surface (402), wherein one of the first molding surface (301) and the second molding surface (402) has a recessed structure, and the other one has a projected structure matching the recessed structure, so that a second molding space (22) for molding an undercut structure is formed between the first molding surface (301) and the second molding surface (402), wherein the first molding space (21) and the second molding space (22) are in communication with each other and are in communication with outside, and at least one exhaust channel (41) is constructed in the slider (40), the exhaust channel (41) comprising a first opening (411) in communication with the first molding space (21) and a second opening (412) in the non-molding surface (403), and the exhaust channel (41) being provided therein with a breathable filler (60).

2. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the breathable filler (60) is made of a heat-resistant material having a plurality of longitudinal through holes (601).

3. The mold according to claim 2, wherein each of the through holes (601) has a diameter between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

4. The mold according to claim 2, wherein the exhaust channel (41) is in a cylindrical shape, and the breathable filler (60) is in a cylindrical shape matching the shape of the exhaust channel (41).

5. The mold according to claim 4, wherein the breathable filler (60) is disposed in a close fit within the exhaust channel (41).

6. The mold according to claim 2, wherein the exhaust channel (41) is in a conical shape, a larger end of the conical shape forming the first opening (411) and a smaller end of the conical shape forming the second opening (412), and the first opening (411) being located above the second opening (412); and the breathable filler (60) is in a conical shape matching the shape of the exhaust channel (41).

7. The mold according to claim 6, wherein the breathable filler (60) is disposed in a clearance fit within the exhaust channel (41).

8. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the mold (2) further comprises a second movable part (50) disposed adjacent to the stationary part (20), wherein the second movable part (50) and the first movable part (30) are located on respective ones of two sides of the slider (40), and a third molding space (23) is formed between the second movable part (50) and the stationary part (20).

9. The mold according to claim 8, wherein the first molding space (21), the second molding space (22), and the third molding space (23) are constructed to be in communication with one another to form a cavity (26).

10. The mold according to claim 9, wherein at least one exhaust port (25) in communication with the cavity (26) is formed between the first movable part (30) and the stationary part (20) or between the second movable part (50) and the stationary part (20).

11. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the mold (2) further comprises a lifter (42) connected with the slider (40), wherein the lifter (42) is connected with a driving mechanism to drive the slider (40) to move.

12. A vehicle component, comprising: a main body (11); and an undercut structure (12) constructed on the main body (11), wherein the undercut structure (12) is injection molded by using the mold (2) for injection molding of a vehicle component according to any one of claims 1 to 11.