FR3020617A1 - METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING INTERNAL STRUCTURES AND A RANGE OF INNER STRUCTURES, CORRESPONDING MANUFACTURING ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

The method comprises the following steps: - injecting a layer of translucent material (21) between a decorative coating (13) and an impression (39) of the matrix (7) of a mold; moving the matrix (7) so as to place the decorative coating (13) facing an injection zone (29) of the support layer formed in the punch; injecting a support layer (25) between the decorative coating (13) and the injection zone (29) of the support layer.

Description

The invention relates generally to the manufacture of interior vehicle structures. More specifically, the invention relates, in a first aspect, to a method of manufacturing interior vehicle structures, comprising the following steps: a step of introducing a decorative coating into a mold, the decorative coating having a visible face and a dark side ; a step of injecting a layer of a translucent material on the visible face of the decorative coating; and a step of injecting a support layer on the hidden face of the decorative coating. Such a method is known from DE 2004 035 759. The method of this document implements a mold having a movable core and locks. The decorative coating is first introduced into the mold and pressed against the moving core in the advanced position. The translucent material is injected between the decorative coating and the matrix. Then, the core and the locks are moved back, and the support layer is injected on the underside of the decorative coating.

With such a method, there are marks at the layer of translucent material, especially when the movable core has ribs. These marks are particularly visible when the translucent material is a gloss varnish. In this context, the invention aims to provide a method for producing interior structures having no such marks. To this end, the invention relates to a manufacturing method of the aforementioned type, the mold comprising first and second elements defining between them a molding cavity when the mold is closed, the first element comprising an injection zone of the translucent material. and an injection zone of the support layer, the step of introducing the decorative coating comprising placing the decorative coating facing the injection zone of the translucent material; the step of injecting the layer of translucent material comprising injecting the layer of translucent material between the decorative coating and an impression of the second element; the method further comprising a step of moving the second member with the decorative coating and the layer of translucent material so as to place the decorative coating facing the injection area of the support layer; the step of injecting the support layer comprising injecting the support layer between the decorative coating and the injection zone of the support layer. Because the first mold member has two injection zones, one for the translucent material and the other for the support layer, it is possible to avoid marks on the surface of the inner structure. Indeed, the injection zone of the translucent material has a shape that depends exclusively on the shape of the inner structure of the visible side, that is to say on the side of the layer of translucent material. This zone therefore has a generally very regular shape, devoid of roughness or relief. On the contrary, the shape of the injection zone of the support layer corresponds to the shape of the inner structure of the hidden side. The structure generally comprises functional elements on this side, for example stiffening ribs or elements for fixing the workpiece to other structures of the vehicle. Thus, the shape of the injection zone of the support layer is generally complex, with marked reliefs. Due to the soft geometry of the injection zone of the translucent material, there is no visible side mark of the inner structure. Moreover, such a method gives great freedom to choose the connection thickness of the functional elements formed in the support layer, for example stiffening ribs, because the complex consisting of the layer of translucent material and the decorative coating avoids the formation of apparent shrinkage. The process may also have one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in any technically possible combination: the process further comprises: a step of introducing into the mold another decorative coating between the step of injecting the layer of translucent material on the visible face of said decorative coating and the step of injecting the support layer on the hidden face said decorative coating, so as to place said other decorative coating between another imprint of the second element and the injection zone of the translucent material; . a step of injecting another layer of translucent material on the visible face of said other decorative coating, between said visible face and the other footprint, simultaneously with the injection of the support layer between the hidden face of said coating decorative and the injection zone of the support layer; the method comprises: an evacuation step out of the mold of the decorative coating with the layer of translucent material and the support layer; . another step of moving the second element, with the other decorative coating and the other layer of translucent material, so as to place the other decorative coating facing the injection zone of the support layer and to bring back the impression opposite the injection zone of the translucent material; the process is such that: the second element comprises at least one second movable wedge connected to the second element, displaceable relative to the impression between a locking position of the layer of translucent material at the bottom of the cavity and a release position of the layer of translucent material compared to the second element; . the method comprises, after the step of injecting the support layer, a step of opening the mold, the or each second movable wedge being moved from its locking position to its release position in a coordinated manner with the opening mold; the process is such that: the mold comprises at least one third movable wedge connected to the injection zone of the support layer, movable between an outward position relatively more distant from the injection zone of the support layer and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection zone of the support layer, the method comprises, after the opening of the mold, an ejection step during which the or each third shim is moved from its retracted position to its extended position to detach the support layer from the injection zone of the support layer ; the process is such that: the mold comprises in the injection zone of the translucent material a movable core displaceable between an advanced position relatively more distant from the injection zone of the translucent material and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection zone of the material translucent and in which an end face of the core defines the molding cavity; . the mold also comprises at least a first wedge connected to the first element and movable relative to the movable core between a position spaced apart from the movable core and a position close to the movable core; . the method comprising a step during which the decorative coating is pressed against the end face of the movable core, the movable core being in the advanced position and the or each first wedge in the spaced apart position; . the method comprising a step during which a peripheral edge of the decorative coating is pressed against a peripheral surface of the movable core, by moving the or each first movable wedge from its spaced apart position to its close position and by coordinately moving the movable core to in its remote position. the method is such that: the mold comprises at least one second movable wedge connected to the second element, displaceable with respect to the impression between a blocking position of the layer of translucent material at the bottom of the cavity and a position of releasing the translucent material layer relative to the second element; the method comprising a step of opening the mold, during which: the second element is first removed from the first element, the or each second wedge being in the locked position, the moving core moving in a coordinated manner; its retracted position at its advanced position to maintain the layer of translucent material and the decorative coating plated at the bottom of the footprint; - The second element is then spaced from the first element so as to peel off the decorative coating of the end face of the movable core, the or each second spacer remaining in the locking position. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a range of interior elements, the method comprising: - manufacturing at least a first inner member according to a method according to any one of the preceding claims; manufacturing at least a second inner element, without a layer of translucent material, using the same mold as for the first inner element, by a method comprising the following steps: placing the second decorative coating directly at the bottom of the cavity second element, opposite the injection zone of the support layer; injecting the support layer between the second decorative coating and the injection zone of the support layer.

This method may furthermore have the following characteristics: the second decorative coating is a woody layer or a layer of a light metal or a light metal alloy, for example an aluminum or a metal alloy layer; aluminum. According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle interior structure manufacturing assembly, the assembly comprising: - a mold comprising first and second elements defining between them a molding cavity when the mold is closed, - a device introducing a decorative coating into the mold, the decorative coating having a visible face and a hidden face; a device for injecting into the mold a layer of translucent material on the visible face of the decorative coating; a device for injecting into the mold a support layer on the hidden face of the decorative coating; characterized in that: the first element comprises an injection zone of the translucent material and an injection zone of the support layer; the device for introducing the decorative coating being provided for placing the decorative coating facing the injection zone of the translucent material; the injection device of the layer of translucent material being provided for injecting the layer of translucent material between the decorative coating and an impression of the second element; the mold further comprising an actuator adapted to move the second member with the decorative coating and the layer of translucent material so as to place the decorative coating facing the injection zone of the support layer; the support layer injection device being provided for injecting the support layer between the decorative coating and the injection zone of the support layer. The assembly may also have one or more of the following characteristics considered individually or in any technically possible combination: the assembly is such that: the second element comprises another imprint, arranged so that said other footprint is located opposite the injection zone of the translucent material when said footprint is located opposite the injection zone of the support layer; . the introduction device being intended to introduce into the mold another decorative coating when the decorative coating and the layer of translucent material are opposite the injection zone of the support layer, and to place said other decorative coating between said other imprint of the second element and the injection zone of the translucent material; . the injection device of the layer of translucent material being adapted to inject the translucent material on the visible face of said other decorative coating, between said visible face and said other footprint, simultaneously with the injection of the support layer between the hidden side of said decorative coating and the injection zone of the support layer; the assembly comprises a device for evacuating the said decorative coating from the mold with the layer of translucent material and the support layer, the actuating device being provided for moving the other decorative coating and the other layer of translucent material; , so as to place the other decorative coating facing the injection zone of the support layer, and to bring the impression facing the injection zone of the translucent material; - the whole is such that:. the second element comprises at least one second movable wedge connected to the second element, displaceable relative to the impression between a locking position of the layer of translucent material at the bottom of the cavity and a release position of the layer of translucent material compared to the second element; . the actuator is provided for opening the mold by deploying the second member relative to the first member, and for coordinately moving the or each second movable wedge from its locked position to its release position; the mold comprises at least one third movable wedge connected to the injection zone of the support layer, movable between an outward position relatively more distant from the injection zone of the support layer and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection zone of the support layer; - the whole is such that:. the mold comprises in the injection zone of the translucent material a movable core displaceable between an advanced position relatively more distant from the injection zone of the translucent material and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection zone of the material translucent and in which an end face of the core defines the molding cavity; . the mold also comprises at least a first wedge connected to the first element and movable relative to the movable core between a position spaced apart from the movable core and a position close to the movable core; . the device for introducing the decorative coating into the mold being provided for pressing the decorative coating against the end face of the movable core, the moving core being in the advanced position; . the actuating device provided for moving the or each first movable wedge from its spaced apart position to its close position so as to press a peripheral edge of the decorative coating against a peripheral surface of the movable core, and to move in a coordinated manner the movable core of its advanced position to its remote position; - the whole is such that:. the mold comprises at least one second movable wedge connected to the second element, movable with respect to the impression between a locking position of the layer of translucent material at the bottom of the cavity and a position of release of the layer of translucent material by relation to the second element; . the actuating device being designed to: - open the mold by removing the second element from the first element, the or each second wedge being in the locked position, and to move the movable core in a coordinated manner from its retracted position to its advanced position in order to maintain the layer of translucent material and the decorative coating plated at the bottom of the impression; - Then extend the spacing of the second element relative to the first element so as to peel off the decorative coating of the end face of the movable core, the or each second spacer remaining in the locking position.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, among which: FIGS. 1 to 6 schematically illustrate various steps of the manufacturing method of the invention; FIGS. 7 to 12 illustrate the operating sequence at the injection zone of the translucent material; FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate the operating sequence at the level of the injection zone of the support layer; and Figure 16 shows the configuration of the mold when it is used to produce an inner structure without a layer of translucent material. The manufacturing process and the corresponding assembly which will now be described are intended for the manufacture of interior vehicle structures, especially motor vehicles such as cars or trucks. The interior structures are intended to be integrated in dashboards, or in openings, or in central consoles disposed between the two front seats of the vehicle, or anywhere else in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The interior structures are multilayer structures, incorporating a decorative coating. This decorative coating is for example a complex comprising a layer of ligneous material, as described in FR2922137. The woody material is natural or reconstituted wood. Alternatively, the decorative coating is a fabric, leather, metal or is of any other suitable type. An assembly for the manufacture of such internal vehicle structures is shown in Figure 1. This assembly 1 is intended more particularly for the implementation of the method of the invention. This set 1 comprises: - a mold 3 comprising first and second elements 5, 7 defining between them a molding cavity 9 when the mold is closed; a device 11 for introducing a decorative coating 13 into the mold 3, the decorative coating 13 having a visible face 15 and a hidden face 17; a device 19 for injecting into the mold a layer 21 of translucent material on the visible face 15 of the decorative coating 13; a device 23 for injecting into the mold a support layer 25 on the hidden face 17 of the decorative coating 13. The assembly 1 also comprises a device 26 for actuating the various mobile elements of the mold, driven by a computer not shown.

The device 26 also moves the two elements of the mold relative to each other. In the following description, the first element 5 will be designated by the term punch and the second element 7 by the term matrix. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the punch 5 comprises a zone 27 for injecting the translucent material and a zone 29 for injecting the support layer. These two areas are separate and apart from each other. The device 11 for introducing the decorative coating 13 comprises a gripper 31, moved by a carrier. This carrier is for example a robot, or a crane. The device 11 is controlled by the computer.

The gripper 31 is shaped so that it can be introduced between the punch and the die when the mold is open, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It has a surface 33 for attaching the decorative coating 13. When the decorative coating 13 is hooked to the surface 33, its visible face 15 is pressed against the surface 33, the hidden face 17 remaining free.

The introduction device 11 is designed to place the decorative coating 13 facing the injection zone of the translucent material 27, as illustrated in FIG.

In this situation, the hidden face 17 of the decorative coating is turned towards the zone 27. The assembly 1 also comprises a device 35 allowing the evacuation from the mold of the internal structure in the finished state, that is to say say with the decorative coating coated on one side of the layer of translucent material and on the other side of the support layer. This device 35 is typically moved by the same means as the gripper 31. It is controlled by the computer. The die 7 has, on a front face 37 facing the punch 5, at least one fingerprint 39. This fingerprint 39 is a recessed relief, delimiting the mold cavity 9 when the mold is closed. Preferably, the matrix 7 has another recess 39, hollowed out in the end face 37. The two indentations 39 delimit, with the injection zone 27 and the injection zone 29, the molding cavity 9.

The two cavities 39 are thus placed opposite the injection zones 27 and 29. The two cavities 39 have the same shape. The mold passes from its open configuration to its closed configuration by a movement of the punch 5 and the die 7 relative to each other in a direction X, shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. mold 3 comprises in the zone 27 for injecting the translucent material a movable core 41, movable between an advanced position relatively more distant from the injection zone 27 and a retracted position (FIG. 3) relatively closer to the zone of injection 27.

Typically, the core 41 moves between its advanced position and its retracted position by a movement in the direction X. The movable core 41 has an end face 43 which defines the molding cavity in the retracted position, and a peripheral surface 45. The surface peripheral 45 completely surrounds the terminal surface 43.

The mold 3 also comprises at least one first wedge 47 connected to the punch 5 and displaceable relative to the movable core 41 between a position spaced apart from the movable core (FIG. 1) and a position close to the movable core (FIG. 3). In the example shown, the injection zone 27 comprises two first spacers 47. It may comprise any number of first spacers 47.

As shown in Figure 2, the computer is programmed so that the device 11 for introducing decorative coating in the mold plate the decorative coating 13 against the end face 43 of the movable core, when the movable core is in the advanced position. Furthermore, the or each first movable wedge 47 is provided for pressing a peripheral edge 49 of the decorative coating against the peripheral surface 45 of the movable core by moving from its spaced apart position to its close position (Figure 3). For this purpose, the actuating device 26, controlled by the computer, is provided to move in a coordinated manner the core 41 from its advanced position to its retracted position, and the first wedges 47 from their spaced apart positions to their close positions.

This joint movement is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 5, in the closed state of the mold, the molding cavity 9 is divided into two volumes completely separated from each other, referenced respectively 53 and 55. The volume 53 is delimited by one of the cavities 39 and by the injection zone 27. The volume 53 is delimited on one side by the other cavity 39 and on the other side by the zone of injection 29. The device 19 for injecting the layer of translucent material is provided for injecting the layer of translucent material 21 between the decorative coating 13 and the cavity 39 of the matrix facing the zone d Injection 27. The injection device 19 is more specifically designed to inject the translucent material in the first portion 51 of the cavity 9. The actuating device 26 comprises a displacement device 55 intended to move the matrix 7 relative to the punch 5, with the coating 13 and the layer of translucent material 21, so as to place the decorative coating 13 facing the injection zone of the support layer 29.

This movement is performed after injection of the translucent material, with the mold open. The device 55 comprises for example a support 57 and a pivot connection 59 of the matrix 7 to the support 57. The axis of the pivot connection is parallel to the direction X. The device 55 also comprises an actuator (not shown), which causes rotation of the die 7 about the pivot connection 59. Thus, the device 55 rotates the die 7 between a first position, shown in FIG. 3, and a second position, represented in FIG. 4. In the first position, a first of the two cavities 39 is vis-à-vis the injection zone 27 and a second of the two cavities 39 is vis-à-vis the injection zone 29. In the second position, the first of the two impressions is vis-à-vis the injection zone 29 and the second of the two injection zones is vis-à-vis the injection zone 27. The injection device 23 of the support layer is provided for injecting the support layer 25 between the decorative coating 13 and the injection zone 29 of the support layer. Thus, the injection device 23 is provided for injecting the support layer into the second portion 53 of the molding cavity. The injection device 19 and the injection device 23 are provided for simultaneously injecting the translucent material into the first portion of the molding cavity and the supporting layer into the second portion of the molding cavity. As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the gripper 31 is equipped with members 61 for fixing the decorative coating 13 against the face 33. In the example shown, these members 61 are pneumatic suction cups. In Figure 7, the movable core 41 is shown in its advanced position, and the first wedges 47 in their spaced apart position. It can be seen that the end face 43 of the movable core has a conjugate shape of the surface 33 of the gripper. Thus, the gripper is adapted to come to press the decorative coating 13 against the end face. In Figure 9, we see that the first shims 47 in the close position pinch the peripheral edge 49 of the decorative coating against the peripheral surface 45 of the movable core. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the mold comprises, for each footprint 39, at least one second mobile wedge 63 connected to the matrix 7, movable relative to the footprint 39 between a locking position of the layer of translucent material at the bottom imprint 39 (FIGS. 10 to 14) and a release position of the layer of translucent material with respect to the matrix (FIG. 15). In the example shown, the matrix comprises two second spacers 63 for each footprint 39, but could comprise more than two spacers 63. The second spacers 63 are arranged along the edge of the footprint 39, slightly projecting inwards the footprint 39 in the locking position. Thus, in the locking position, the second shims 63 delimit with the bottom of the cavity 39 a groove 65, extending over all or part of the periphery of the cavity 39. In the locking position, the free faces 67 second shims 63, facing the punch 5, are in line with the front face 37 of the die. When the mold is closed, these free faces 67 bear against the front face 68 of the punch facing the die, and against the free faces 48 of the first wedges.

The second shims move between their locking positions and their release positions in oblique directions D2, shown in particular in FIG. 10. More precisely, the directions D2 are oriented so that when the second shims 63 move from their locking positions to their release position, they move both in the direction X to the punch and also in a direction that tends to move the wedge of the footprint 39 in a plane perpendicular to the direction X. The first holds 47 move between their spaced apart positions and their close positions in directions D1, oblique to the X direction (see Figure 1). More precisely, the first shims 47 move from their spaced apart positions to their close positions by moving in the direction X to the punch, and in a plane perpendicular to the direction X, towards the movable core 41. In the close position, the faces free 48 of the first holds are part of the extension of the front face 68.

In the closed state of the mold, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the first portion 51 of the cavity is delimited by the end face 43 of the movable core, by the impression 39 and by the first and second wedges 47, 63. injection device 19 comprises an injection channel 69 which passes through the core 5 and opens through one or more nozzles 71 in the first portion 51 of the molding cavity. The nozzles 71 are formed in the end face 68. It should be noted that the recess 39 has substantially the desired shape for the inner structure of the visible side, that is to say the side of the translucent material. The end face 43 has substantially the same shape. When the mold is closed, the end face 43 extends substantially parallel to the bottom of the cavity 39, with a substantially constant spacing between the bottom of the cavity 39 and the end face 43, this spacing corresponding to the cumulative thickness of the decorative coating 13 and the layer of translucent material 21. The end face 43 does not have raised or protruding reliefs other than those which are present on the bottom of the cavity 39. The actuating device 26 is provided to cause the opening of the mold in two phases after injection of the translucent material. The actuating device 26 is provided to first move the die 7 away from the punch 5, simultaneously and in a coordinated manner, moving the core 41 from its retracted position to its advanced position, so as to press the layer of translucent material 21 and the decorative coating 13 at the bottom of the cavity 39. The second shims 63 are held in the locking position.

The actuating device 26 is provided to then extend the spacing of the die 7 relative to the punch 5 so as to peel off the decorative coating 13 of the movable core 41. The second wedges 63 remain in the locking position. The zone 29 for injecting the support layer is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 13 to 15. The zone 29 comprises a fixed core 73 whose free face 75 delimits the second portion 53 of the molding cavity. One of the cavities 39 is located exactly opposite the free face 75. Furthermore, the mold comprises at least one third movable wedge 77, connected to the injection zone 29, and movable between an outward position (Figure 1) relatively more distant from the injection zone 29 and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection zone 29 (Figures 13 to 15). In the example shown, the mold comprises two third shims. Alternatively, the mold comprises more than two third shims, for example three, four or any suitable number of third shims. In their retracted positions, the third wedges 77 are located immediately adjacent the fixed core 73. They have free surfaces 79 forming an extension of the end face 68. The third wedges 77 move between their extended position and their position. retracted along directions D3, illustrated in particular in FIG. 13, oblique with respect to the direction X. To pass from the retracted position to the extended position, the third wedges move at a time in the direction X towards the die 7, and , in a plane perpendicular to the direction X, in the direction of a spacing relative to the fixed core 73. The device 23 for injecting the support layer comprises a channel 81 passing through the punch 5, and opening with one or more nozzles 83 in the second portion 53 of the molding cavity. The nozzles 83 are formed in the surface 75.

In the closed position of the mold, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the second wedges 63 are carried by their free surfaces 67 against the third wedges 77 and against the end face 68. The second portion of the molding cavity is delimited by the free face 75, by the imprint 39, and by the second and third spacers 63, 77.

The actuating device 26 is provided for, during the opening of the mold 3, moving the second shims 63 situated opposite the injection zone 29, from their locking positions to their release positions, coordinated with the opening of the mold. Thus, the device 26 coordinates the movements so that firstly a displacement of the second shims 63 in a transverse plane, against the surface 68 of the punch, then once the second shims 63 in their release positions, the device 26 causes the shims 63 to move with the matrix 7 in the X direction. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 11, the shape of the first part 51 of the molding cavity is chosen so that the translucent material layer 21 comprises a main part. 93 substantially covering the visible face 15 of the decorative coating 13, extended by a peripheral edge 95. The peripheral edge 95 is engaged in the gap 65. A portion of the peripheral edge 95 is thin, as visible on the right side of the Fig. 11. Another portion 97 of the peripheral edge 95 has a greater thickness, especially to the right of the injection nozzles 71.

The second shim (s) 63 located along the portion 97 of the peripheral edge comprise a removable block 99 fixed to the shim by a screw 101. The block 99 penetrates inside the portion 97, and delimits the gap 65. The manufacturing process will now be detailed. It is considered that the manufacturing assembly is initially in the state shown in Figure 1. The mold is open. The third wedges 77 are in the extended position and carry a finished internal structure, the decorative coating 13 of which is coated on its visible face with a layer of translucent material 21 and on its hidden face 17 with a support layer 25. footprint 39 facing the injection zone 29 is empty.

On the other hand, the impression 39 located opposite the injection zone 27 is occupied by a structure S 'during manufacture. This structure S 'comprises the decorative coating 13 and the layer of translucent material 21. The movable core 41 is in its extended position, and the first spacers 47 are in their spaced apart positions.

The manufacturing method comprises an initial step of introducing a decorative coating 13 into the mold. The decorative coating 13 is attached to the gripper 31. The decorative coating 13 is placed facing the injection zone 27. The hidden face 17 of the decorative coating is turned towards the movable core 41.

The gripper 31 is then moved so as to press the decorative coating 13 against the end face 43 of the movable core. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 2. Then, the peripheral edge 39 of the decorative coating is pressed against the peripheral surface 45 of the movable core by moving the first movable wedges 47 from their spaced apart position to their close position, as illustrated in FIGS. and 7 to 9.

Simultaneously and in a coordinated manner, the mobile core 41 is brought back to its retracted position. We are then in the situation of Figures 4 and 9.

As visible in particular in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the inner structure S is removed during the operating sequence described above. Indeed, during the movement to press the decorative coating against the end face 43 of the movable core, the evacuation device 35 comes to grasp the inner structure S. The evacuation device is mounted on the same carrier as the gripper 31 Once the decorative coating 13 is in place on the movable core 41, as shown in FIG. 3, the gripper 31 is moved back and evacuated. At the same time, the device carrying the inner structure S is evacuated.

The method then comprises a step of moving the die 7, with the inner structure S 'having only the decorative coating and the layer of translucent material so as to place said decorative coating in front of the injection zone 29. This is This is done by rotating the die 7 around the pivot 59. The situation is shown in FIG. 4. The mold is then closed so as to constitute the molding cavity 9. Then, the translucent material is injected simultaneously into the first part. 51 of the molding cavity 9 and the support layer 25 in the second portion 53 of the molding cavity 9.

The translucent material is injected between the decorative coating 13 and the impression 39. The support layer is injected between the decorative coating 13 and the second zone 29. After a possible cooling, the mold 3 is reopened.

The opening sequence, at the level of the first injection zone, is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 11 and 12. The matrix 7 is first separated from the punch 5, the second wedges 63 being in the locked position, the mobile core 41 moving jointly from its retracted position to its advanced position to maintain the layer of translucent material 21 and the decorative coating 13 plated at the bottom of the cavity (see Figure 12).

The first blocks 47 remain in their close positions. Then, the spacing of the die 7 with respect to the punch 5 is extended so as to detach the decorative coating 13 from the end face 43 of the movable core, the second shims 63 remaining in their locking position. The second shims 63 thus make it possible to maintain the layer of translucent material 21 and the decorative coating 13 at the bottom of the cavity 39. This is in the situation illustrated in FIG.

At the injection zone 29, the spacing of the die from the punch is accompanied by a simultaneous and coordinated movement of the second wedges 47 from their locking positions to their release positions. More precisely, as illustrated in FIG. 15, in a first part of the movement, the matrix 7 deviates in the X direction of the punch 5 (arrow F1), the second shims 63 remaining pressed against the punch and moving on the surface of the punch away from the fixed core 73 (arrow F2). Due to this movement, the second wedges 63 are no longer engaged under the peripheral edge 95 of the layer of translucent material. In a second phase, the matrix 7 continues to deviate from the punch 5 in the direction X driving with it the second wedges 63. The inner structure remains in place on the punch, and more precisely on the fixed core 73. We are in the situation illustrated in Figure 6. The method then comprises a step during which the third shims 77 are moved from their retracted positions to their outward positions, to detach the support layer 25 from the injection zone 29. Simultaneously the first shims 47 are moved from their close positions to their spaced apart positions. We then return to the situation of Figure 1. We can then begin another cycle, introducing into the mold another decorative coating. This other decorative coating will undergo the step of injecting the translucent material while the decorative coating introduced to the previous cycle will undergo the step of injecting the support layer. The computer of the manufacturing assembly 1 is programmed to implement the method described above. The actuating device 26 is adapted for such an implementation.

The method has been described in the case where the mold has two impressions, and offers the possibility of simultaneously injecting the translucent material on the visible face of a first decorative coating and the support layer on the hidden face of a second decorative coating. In a non-preferred variant, the mold has only one cavity, which is first positioned facing the injection zone 27 and then moved facing the injection zone 29. In the illustrated example, a same actuator is provided to move the first and third holds simultaneously. Alternatively, the first shims 47 and the third shims 77 are moved by independent actuators, which allows them to move non-simultaneously.

Similarly, an embodiment has been described above in which the evacuation device 35 is mounted on the same carrier as the gripper 31 for bringing the decorative coating 13. In a variant, the gripper 31 and the device evacuation 35 are mounted on different carriers, independent of one another. Moreover, the displacement device 55 does not necessarily include a pivot. Any other movement can be used to reverse the positions of the two indentations 39 of the matrix. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the same mold can be used for the manufacture of interior elements devoid of a layer of translucent material. In this case, the injection zone 27 of the translucent material is not used, only the injection zone 29 of the support layer being used.

The invention thus also relates to a method of manufacturing a range of interior elements, this method comprising: - manufacturing at least a first inner element, comprising a decorative coating 13, a layer of translucent material 21 and a support layer 25 according to the method described above; - Making at least one second inner member, without a layer of translucent material, using the same mold as for the first inner member, according to a method slightly different from the method used for the first inner member. The method used for the second inner element comprises the following steps: a step of introducing a second decorative coating 103, during which the second decorative coating 103 is placed directly against the bottom of the cavity 39 of the matrix located opposite the injection zone 29 of the support layer 25; a step of injecting a support layer 25 between the second decorative coating 103 and the injection zone 29. The situation at the end of the injection step is shown in FIG. the same mold is used, in particular the same mold cavity 9, the first inner element and the second inner element will have exactly the same shape and the same dimensions. On the other hand, the first and second inner elements do not have the same layers, and these layers do not have the same thicknesses. In particular, as illustrated in Figure 16, it is seen that it is the second decorative coating 103 which is engaged in the groove 65 of the footprint 39. Furthermore, the support layer 25 is generally thicker in the second inner element only in the first inner element.

In particular, the support layer 25 constitutes, with the second decorative coating 103, the portion 97 of the peripheral edge 95.

As indicated above, when the mold is used for the manufacture of the first inner member, a block 99 is attached to one of the second blocks 63. This block 99 enters the portion 97 of the peripheral edge 95. When the mold is used to make the second inner member, the tile 99 is preferably replaced by a tile 105, penetrating deeper than the tile 99 in the portion 97. Thus reduces the volume of material used to form the support layer 25. This allows to save material, and also shorten the cooling time required before ejecting the piece out of the mold.

The translucent material in the invention is for example a varnish, especially a high gloss varnish. Alternatively, the translucent material is a conventional varnish, or any other material. Typically, the varnish is PMMA (Polymetacrilate Methyl) or Polycarbonate (PC).

The support layer is made of a plastics material that can be injected, for example polyester (PE), homopolymer or copolymer, or a polyolefin, homopolymer or copolymer, or polypropylene (PP), or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene ( ABS), or polyamide (PA), or polycarbonate (PC), or polybutylene succinate (PBS), or any combination of at least two of these materials, which materials can be reinforced with fillers or fibers. 25

Claims (16)

CLAIMS 1.- A method of manufacturing interior vehicle structures, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of introducing a decorative coating (13) into a mold (3), the decorative coating (13) having a visible face (15) and a hidden face (17); - A step of injecting a layer of a translucent material (21) on the visible face (15) of the decorative coating (13); and - a step of injecting a support layer (25) on the hidden face of the decorative coating (13); characterized in that the mold (3) comprises first and second elements (5, 7) defining between them a molding cavity (9) when the mold (3) is closed, the first element (5) comprising a zone (27) ) of injection of the translucent material and an injection zone (29) of the support layer, the step of introducing the decorative coating (13) comprising placing the decorative coating (3) facing the injection zone (27) translucent material; the step of injecting the layer of translucent material comprising injecting the layer of translucent material (21) between the decorative coating (13) and an impression (39) of the second element (7); the method further comprising a step of moving the second element (7) with the decorative coating (13) and the layer of translucent material (21) so as to place the decorative coating (13) facing the injection zone ( 29) of the support layer; the step of injecting the support layer comprising injecting the support layer (25) between the decorative coating (13) and the injection zone (29) of the support layer. 2. A manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: a step of introduction into the mold (3) of another decorative coating (13) between the injection step of the layer of translucent material (21) on the visible face (15) of said decorative coating (13) and the step of injecting the support layer (25) on the hidden face (17) of said decorative coating (13), in order to place said other decorative coating (13) between another imprint (39) of the second element (7) and the injection zone (27) of the translucent material; a step of injecting another layer of translucent material on the visible face of said other decorative coating, between said visible face and the other, with the injection of the support layer (25) between the hidden face (17) of said decorative coating (13) and the injection zone (29) of the support layer. 3. A manufacturing method according to claim 2, characterized in that the method comprises: - a step of evacuation from the mold (3) of the decorative coating (13) with the layer of translucent material (21) and the layer of support (25); - Another step of moving the second element (7), with the other decorative coating (13) and the other layer of translucent material (21), so as to place the other decorative coating (13) facing the injection zone (29) of the support layer (25) and to bring the impression (39) facing the injection zone (27) of the translucent material. 4.- manufacturing method according to claim 3, characterized in that - the second element (7) comprises at least one second movable wedge (63) connected to the second element (7), movable relative to the footprint (39) between a locking position of the layer of translucent material (21) at the bottom of the cavity (39) and a release position of the layer of translucent material (21) relative to the second element (7); the method comprises, after the step of injecting the support layer (25), a step of opening the mold (13), the or each second movable wedge (63) being moved from its locking position to its release position in a coordinated manner with the mold opening (13). 5.- manufacturing method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that - the mold (3) comprises at least one third movable shim (77) connected to the injection zone (29) of the support layer, displaceable between an output position relatively further away from the injection zone (29) of the support layer and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection zone (29) of the support layer, - the method comprises, after the opening of the mold, an ejection step during which the or each third shim (77) is moved from its retracted position to its extended position to unstick the support layer (25) from the injection zone (29) of the support layer. 6. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the mold (3) comprises in the injection zone (27) of the translucent material a movable core (41) movable between a position advanced relatively further away from the injection zone (27) of the translucent material and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection zone (27) of the translucent material and wherein an end face (43) of the core (41) delimits the molding cavity (9); - The mold (3) also comprises at least one first shim (47) connected to the first element (5) and movable relative to the movable core (41) between a position spaced from the movable core (41) and a close position of the movable core (41); the method comprising a step during which the decorative coating (13) is pressed against the end face (43) of the movable core (41), the movable core (41) being in an advanced position and the or each first spacer (47) in discarded position; the method comprising a step during which a peripheral edge (49) of the decorative coating (13) is pressed against a peripheral surface (45) of the movable core (41), by moving the or each first movable wedge (47) of its position spaced apart at its close position and by moving in a coordinated manner the movable core (41) to its retracted position. 7.- manufacturing method according to claim 6, characterized in that: - the mold (3) comprises at least one second wedge (63) movable connected to the second element (7), movable relative to the footprint (39) between a locking position of the layer of translucent material (21) at the bottom of the cavity (39) and a release position of the layer of translucent material (21) relative to the second element (7); the method comprising a step of opening the mold (3), during which: the second element (7) is first separated from the first element (5), the or each second wedge (63) being in position locking, the movable core (41) moving in a coordinated manner from its retracted position to its advanced position to maintain the layer of translucent material (21) and the decorative coating (13) plated at the bottom of the cavity (39); the second element (7) is then separated from the first element (5) so as to detach the decorative coating (13) from the end face (43) of the movable core (41), the or each second spacer (63) remaining in blocking position. 8. A method of manufacturing a range of interior elements, the method comprising: - manufacturing at least a first inner member according to a method according to any one of the preceding claims; - manufacturing at least a second inner member, devoid of layer of translucent material (21), using the same mold (3) as for the first inner member, by a method comprising the following steps: - placing the second decorative coating (103) ) directly at the bottom of the cavity (39) of the second element (7), opposite the injection zone (29) of the support layer; injecting the support layer (25) between the second decorative coating (103) and the injection zone (29) of the support layer. 9. A manufacturing method according to claim 8, characterized in that the second decorative coating (103) is a woody layer or a layer of a light metal or a light metal alloy, for example an aluminum layer or an aluminum alloy. 10.- assembly for manufacturing vehicle interior structures, the assembly (1) comprising: - a mold (3) comprising first and second elements (5, 7) defining between them a molding cavity (9) when the mold (3) is closed, - a device (11) for introducing a decorative coating (13) into the mold (3), the decorative coating (13) having a visible face (15) and a hidden face (17) ; - a device (19) for injecting into the mold (3) a layer of translucent material (21) on the visible face (15) of the decorative coating (13); - a device (23) for injecting into the mold (3) a support layer (25) on the hidden face (17) of the decorative coating (13); characterized in that: the first member (5) comprises an injection zone (27) of the translucent material and an injection zone (29) of the support layer; the device (11) for introducing the decorative coating (13) being provided to place the decorative coating (13) facing the injection zone (27) of the translucent material; the injection device (19) of the translucent material layer (21) being provided for injecting the layer of translucent material (21) between the decorative coating (13) and an impression (39) of the second element (7); the mold (3) further comprising an actuating device (26) for moving the second member (7) with the decorative coating (13) and the translucent material layer (21) so as to place the decorative coating (13). ) facing the injection zone (29) of the support layer; the support layer injection device (23) being provided for injecting the support layer (25) between the decorative coating (13) and the injection zone (29) of the support layer. 11. The assembly of manufacture according to claim 10, characterized in that: the second element (7) comprises another cavity (39), arranged such that said other footprint (39) is located opposite the zone d injection (27) translucent material when said footprint (39) is located opposite the injection zone (29) of the support layer; the insertion device (11) being designed to introduce into the mold (3) another decorative coating (13) when the decorative coating (13) and the layer of translucent material (21) are facing the zone of injecting (29) the support layer, and placing said other decorative coating (13) between said other cavity (39) of the second element (7) and the injection zone (27) of the translucent material; the injection device (19) of the layer of translucent material being adapted to inject the translucent material onto the visible face (15) of said other decorative coating (13), between said visible face (15) and said other impression (39). ), simultaneously with the injection of the support layer (25) between the hidden face (17) of said decorative coating (13) and the injection zone (29) of the support layer. 12. Manufacturing assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the assembly comprises: a device (35) for evacuation from the mold of said decorative coating (13) with the layer of translucent material (21) and the layer; support (25); the actuating device (26) being provided to move the other decorative coating (13) and the other layer of translucent material (21), so as to place the other decorative coating (13) facing the zone injection (29) of the support layer, and to bring the impression (39) facing the injection zone (27) of the translucent material. 13. The assembly of manufacture according to claim 12, characterized in that the second element (7) comprises at least one second wedge (63) movable connected to the second element (7), displaceable relative to the cavity (39). between a locking position of the layer of translucent material (21) at the bottom of the cavity (39) and a release position of the layer of translucent material (21) relative to the second element (7); the actuating device (26) is provided to open the mold (3) by deploying the second element (7) relative to the first element (5), and to move in a coordinated manner the or each second movable wedge (63) from its blocking position to its release position. 14. The assembly of manufacture according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the mold (3) comprises at least a third movable wedge (77) connected to the injection zone (29) of the support layer, movable between an output position relatively further away from the injection area (29) of the support layer and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection area (29) of the support layer. 15.- assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that: - the mold (3) comprises in the injection zone (27) of the translucent material a movable core (41) movable between an advanced position relatively further from the injection zone (27) of the translucent material and a retracted position relatively closer to the injection zone (27) of the translucent material and wherein an end face (43) of the core (41) defines the mold cavity (9); - The mold (3) also comprises at least one first shim (47) connected to the first element (5) and movable relative to the movable core (41) between a position spaced from the movable core (41) and a close position of the movable core (41); the device (11) for introducing the decorative coating (13) into the mold (3) being provided for pressing the decorative coating (13) against the end face (43) of the movable core (41), the movable core (41) ) being in advanced position; the actuating device (26) being adapted to move the or each first moveable wedge (47) from its spaced apart position to its close position so as to press a peripheral edge (49) of the decorative coating (13) against a peripheral surface (45) of the movable core (41), and for co-ordinately moving the movable core (41) from its advanced position to its retracted position. 16.- manufacturing assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that: - the mold (3) comprises at least one second wedge (63) movable connected to the second element (7), movable relative to the footprint (39) between a locking position of the layer of translucent material (21) at the bottom of the cavity (39) and a release position of the layer of translucent material (21) relative to the second element (7); the actuating device (26) being designed to: open the mold (3) by moving the second element (7) away from the first element (5), the or each second wedge (63) being in the locked position, and moving the movable core (41) in a coordinated manner from its retracted position to its forward position so as to maintain the layer of translucent material (21) and the decorative coating (13) plated at the bottom of the cavity (39); - Then extend the spacing of the second element (7) relative to the first element (5) so as to detach the decorative coating (13) from the end face (43) of the movable core (41), the or each second wedge ( 63) remaining in blocking position.