Cup holder curtain structure for automobile instrument panel, manufacturing method thereof and automobile cup holder

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of automobile parts, in particular to a cup holder pull curtain structure for an automobile instrument panel, a manufacturing method thereof and an automobile cup holder, the cup holder pull curtain structure can be curled in a first direction to form a winding state or be stretched to form an unfolding state, and the side of the cup holder pull curtain structure deformed towards the curling direction is defined as an inner side. The present application adopts a three-layer structure of a framework layer, a connecting layer and a covering surface layer to form the pull curtain structure of the cup holder, the surface of the covering surface layer is subjected to stress relief treatment, and in the frequent curling and unfolding actions, the covering surface layer cannot fatigue and crack, nor can it be separated from the connecting layer, thus, the product cost, appearance quality and vehicle interior space are balanced, the appearance quality and use experience of the whole vehicle are improved, and it is beneficial to design different decorative cover layers on the flat surface according to different interior styles, and promote the consumer's motivation to purchase a vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of automobile parts, in particular to a cup holder pull curtain structure for an automobile instrument panel, a manufacturing method thereof and an automobile cup holder. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of the automobile industry, there are more and more humanized configuration items in the car. For example, the driver and the passenger need to bring some medicine, food or favorite beverage during driving or long-distance travel, so a cup holder structure is designed on the car to provide storage convenience for the passengers.

[0003] In combination Figures 1a-1b As shown in the figure, the traditional cup holder pull curtain must have dozens of weakening grooves on the surface of the pull curtain 1a to prevent the pull curtain 1a from cracking due to fatigue when it is rolled up and slid along the guide rail 2a for a long time. However, the dozens of weakening grooves on the surface of the product seriously affect the appearance quality of the interior decoration of the whole vehicle.

[0004] In another solution, in combination Figure 2 As shown in the figure, in order to avoid the weakening grooves as shown in the figure, the cup holder structure is modified to a flip structure, for example, the pull curtain 1b is set as a hard structure and can rotate relative to the cup holder. This structure can improve the appearance quality of the interior decoration of the whole vehicle. However, as shown in the figure, foreign matter often gets stuck in the flip gap 2b, causing product damage, and the area 3b in the flipped state is a wasted space. In addition, as shown in the figure, the flip structure needs multiple gear transmission systems 4b, the product structure is complex, the product cost is high, and it will occupy valuable interior space of the car. Figures 1a-1b Figure 2 Figure 3

[0005] Therefore, in order to improve the interior decoration quality of the whole vehicle and promote the motivation of consumers to buy cars, the automobile industry urgently needs a pull curtain with a surface without grooves. SUMMARY

[0006] The first aspect of the present application proposes a technical solution, a cup holder pull curtain structure for an automobile instrument panel, which can be curled in a first direction to form a rolled state or stretched to form an expanded state. The side of the cup holder pull curtain structure that deforms towards the curling direction is defined as the inner side, and the side opposite to the inner side is the outer side. The cup holder pull curtain structure comprises a skeleton layer, a connecting layer and a covering surface layer from the inner side to the outer side in sequence.

[0007] The skeleton layer comprises a plurality of skeleton strips that are continuously and equally spaced in the first direction. The length direction of each skeleton strip is perpendicular to the first direction. The skeleton strip has a first part embedded in the connecting layer and a second part exposed outside the connecting layer. The thickness of the first part of the connecting layer is less than the thickness of the second part. ​​​

[0008] The cover layer is arranged to be stress relieved before forming the cup holder curtain structure, and the connection layer is formed after the skeleton layer and the cover layer.

[0009] The cover layer has a flat outer surface.

[0010] Preferably, the skeleton layer comprises a layer of thermoplastic material, the connection layer comprises a layer of thermoplastic elastomer, and the cover layer comprises a PC film having a decorative layer on the surface thereof.

[0011] Preferably, the thickness ratio of the first part to the second part of the skeleton layer is 1:3-1:4, and the gap between every two skeleton strips is less than half of the thickness of the skeleton strip.

[0012] The second aspect of the present application provides a technical solution, a manufacturing method of the cup holder curtain structure for the automobile instrument panel, comprising the following steps:

[0013] Step 1: injection molding to form the skeleton layer and the cover layer;

[0014] Step 2: placing the cover layer formed in step 1 between the upper die and the lower die of a stress relieving mold, and then stress relieving the cover layer by heating and cooling after pressing the cover layer;

[0015] Step 3: placing the cover layer after stress relieving in step 2 on the top die of an injection mold, and placing the skeleton layer formed in step 1 on the bottom die of the injection mold to form a cavity between the skeleton layer and the cover layer;

[0016] Step 4: injecting a molten plastic fluid into the cavity formed in step 3, and then connecting the cover layer and the skeleton layer together by forming a connection layer after cooling the plastic fluid.

[0017] Preferably, the upper die of the stress relieving mold is provided with an electric heating coil, the lower die of the stress relieving mold is provided with a cooling water channel, and the closing locking force of the upper die and the lower die is controlled to be 300T.

[0018] Preferably, in step 2, the cover layer is first heated to 200 degrees Celsius, and then cooled continuously under the condition of 10 degrees Celsius.

[0019] Preferably, the top die of the injection mold is provided with a hot flow channel system, the injection nozzle of the hot flow channel system is in communication with the cavity, and the top die and the bottom die of the injection mold are provided with water channels.

[0020] The third aspect of the present application provides a technical solution, an automobile cup holder, comprising:

[0021] The cup holder curtain structure described above.

[0022] The cup holder structure comprises a cup holder cavity and a track above the cup holder cavity;

[0023] The winding box is connected to one end of the cup holder structure;

[0024] The first end of the cup holder curtain structure is connected to the winding box, and the second end is provided with a handle. The cup holder curtain structure slides in the track and can be operated to be accommodated into the winding box following the forward movement of the handle in the first direction, and can also be operated to completely cover above the cup holder cavity following the reverse movement of the handle in the first direction;

[0025] The region where the cup holder curtain structure moves above the cup holder cavity is defined as the unfolding region, and the region where the cup holder curtain structure moves to the winding box is defined as the winding region;

[0026] When the cup holder curtain structure is in the unfolding region, the second portions of the respective skeleton strips in the skeleton layer do not contact each other;

[0027] When the cup holder curtain structure is in the winding region, the second portions of the respective skeleton strips in the skeleton layer contact each other.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present application are that:

[0029] The present application adopts a skeleton layer, a connecting layer and a surface covering layer to form a curtain structure of the cup holder. The surface covering layer is subjected to stress relief treatment, and can not fatigue and crack in frequent winding and unfolding operations, and can not be separated from the connecting layer on the basis of a flat surface. Thus, the product cost, appearance quality and vehicle interior space are balanced, the appearance quality and use experience of the vehicle are improved, and different decorative cover layers can be designed on the flat surface according to different interior styles, thereby promoting the motivation of consumers to purchase vehicles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures can be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be called out in every drawing. There is now being described by way of example various embodiments of aspects of the present application with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1a is a schematic view of a first conventional cup holder curtain structure shown in the prior art;

[0032] Figure 1b is a sectional view of the first conventional cup holder curtain structure shown in the prior art;

[0033] Figure 2is a second conventional cup holder pull curtain structure shown in the prior art;

[0034] Figure 3 is a third conventional cup holder pull curtain structure shown in the prior art;

[0035] Figure 4 is a cup holder pull curtain structure shown in the present application;

[0036] Figure 5 is a surface layer stress relief process shown in the present application;

[0037] Figure 6 is a cup holder pull curtain structure manufacturing shown in the present application;

[0038] Figure 7a is a first embodiment of a cup holder pull curtain structure shown in the present application;

[0039] Figure 7b is a second embodiment of a cup holder pull curtain structure shown in the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to better understand the technical content of the present application, specific embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] For example Figures 1a-1b As shown, the current cup holder pull curtain structure in the form of a roll has the need for repeated rolling of the pull curtain by the user. If it is designed as a flat structure, the surface will crack due to stress during rolling. Therefore, it is generally designed in the form of a weakened groove. The weakened groove is a depression formed by the surface coating tightly adhering to the skeleton. In this way, the stress is reduced during rolling, but this will seriously affect the appearance quality of the interior decoration of the vehicle.

[0042] In addition, in view of this situation, some vehicle manufacturers modify the cup holder structure to the reverse structure as shown in Figures 2-3 , in an attempt to solve the problem of the conventional pull curtain surface having more grooves. However, this method increases the manufacturing cost and wastes space, and is not practical.

[0043] In view of the above, the inventor hopes to take into account the product cost, appearance quality, and interior space of the vehicle, and designs a new cup holder pull curtain structure.

[0044]

Cup holder pull curtain structure for automobile instrument panel

[0045] In combination with Figure 4As shown, the first aspect of the present application proposes a technical solution, a cup holder curtain structure for a car dashboard, it should be understood that the cup holder curtain structure is used to cover the opening of the cup holder structure 20, therefore, the cup holder curtain structure can be rolled in the first direction to form a rolled state or stretched to form an expanded state, in the rolled state, part or all of it is rolled into the rolling box 30, in the expanded state, part or all of it covers the opening of the cup holder structure 20.

[0046] Optionally, the process of the cup holder curtain entering the rolled state to the left or forming the expanded state to the right can be manually driven or automatically driven by using an electric actuator.

[0047] Further, the side of the cup holder curtain structure deformed towards the rolling direction is defined as the inner side, and the side opposite to the inner side is the outer side, and the cup holder curtain structure includes the skeleton layer 11, the connecting layer 12 and the covering surface layer 13 from the inner side to the outer side in sequence.

[0048] In specific embodiments, in order to ensure the strength of the cup holder curtain structure, the skeleton layer 11 is essential, otherwise when the cup holder curtain structure covers the opening of the cup holder structure 20, the user can easily squeeze and deform the cup holder curtain structure, causing the cup holder curtain to separate from the track, which is not allowed.

[0049] Optionally, the skeleton layer 11 includes a plurality of skeleton strips continuously and equidistantly distributed along the first direction, and the length direction of each skeleton strip is perpendicular to the first direction, so that the skeleton strips do not interfere with the rolling action. It should be understood that the skeleton strips, as a support, have a certain hardness, for example, the skeleton strips are formed by injection molding using thermoplastic materials, and a plurality of skeleton strips form a skeleton layer 11 with a certain strength.

[0050] In optional embodiments, the skeleton strips are made of PC-ABS material.

[0051] Specifically, the skeleton strip has a first part embedded in the connecting layer 12 and a second part exposed outside the connecting layer 12, and the thickness of the first part of the connecting layer 12 is less than the thickness of the second part, so that the connection ability of the skeleton layer 11 and the connecting layer 12 can be increased.

[0052] In optional embodiments, the thickness ratio of the first part and the second part of the skeleton layer 11 is 1:3-1:4. That is, the part of the skeleton strip exposed outside the connecting layer 12 is more, otherwise it will cause the connecting layer 12 to be too thick, affecting the rolling effect. Among them, the gap between every two skeleton strips will affect the minimum rolling radius, and optionally, the gap between every two skeleton strips is less than half of the thickness of the skeleton strip.

[0053] In optional embodiments, the connecting layer 12 includes a thermoplastic elastic layer, for example, PET material, which has good elasticity and connectivity.

[0054] In order to avoid the repeated curling causing the cracking of the cover layer 13 or the separation from the connecting layer 12, the cover layer 13 is arranged to be stress relieved before the cup holder curtain structure is formed, and the forming time of the connecting layer 12 is after the skeleton layer 11 and the cover layer 13.

[0055] In this way, the cover layer 13 after stress relief will not generate large stress when changing from the winding state to the flat state, that is, the stress reducing the mutual combination of the cover layer 13 and the connecting layer 12 and the deformation stress reducing itself are reduced, that is, it will not be easily cracked and will not be separated from the connecting layer 12.

[0056] Preferably, the cover layer 13 comprises a PC film. The PC film is treated at high temperature and then rapidly cooled to make the film rapidly crystallize and stress relieved.

[0057] In the optional embodiment, a decorative layer is arranged on the surface of the PC film, which is combined with Figures 7a-7b As shown, in this way, the cup holder curtain structure has better ornamental value and can adapt to the change of the style of the interior view.

[0058]

Method for manufacturing the cup holder curtain structure

[0059] The second aspect of the present application provides a technical solution, a method for manufacturing the cup holder curtain structure for the automobile instrument panel, comprising the following steps:

[0060] Step 1, injection molding to form the skeleton layer 11 and the cover layer 13;

[0061] Step 2, placing the cover layer 13 formed by the injection molding in step 1 between the upper die 41 and the lower die 42 of the stress relief mold 40, and then stress relieving the cover layer 13 by heating and cooling after pressing the cover layer 13;

[0062] Step 3, placing the cover layer 13 after stress relief in step 2 on the top die of the injection mold 50, and placing the skeleton layer 11 formed in step 1 on the bottom die of the injection mold 50 to form a cavity 53 between the skeleton layer 11 and the cover layer 13;

[0063] Step 4, injecting the molten plastic fluid into the cavity formed in step 3, and then forming the connecting layer 12 to connect the cover layer 13 and the skeleton layer 11 together after cooling the plastic fluid.

[0064] In step 1, the skeleton layer 11 and the cover layer 13 are formed by using different molds and plastic particles for injection molding due to the different strength requirements of the skeleton layer 11 and the cover layer 13.

[0065] Preferably, the cover layer 13 needs to be stress relieved after being formed, which is combined with Figure 5As shown, the upper die 41 of the stress relief die 40 is provided with an electric heating coil 43, and the lower die 42 of the stress relief die 40 is provided with a cooling water channel 44.

[0066] In combination Figures 5-6 As shown, in a specific embodiment, the cover layer 13 is a PC film, the upper die 41 is heated using the electric heating coil 43 in the upper die 41, the cover layer 13 is placed between the upper die 41 and the lower die 42, and the upper die 41 and the lower die 42 are locked, the locking force of the bolts is controlled at 300T, the electric heating coil 43 is controlled to heat at 200 degrees Celsius, then the electric heating coil 43 is turned off, the cooling water channel 44 is opened, and 10-degree ice water is introduced into the cooling water channel 44 to rapidly cool the PC film to 10 degrees Celsius, so that the PC film is rapidly crystallized to relieve stress.

[0067] Further, the stress-relieved PC film is placed on the top die of the injection mold 50, the skeleton layer 11 is placed on the bottom die of the injection mold 50, the top die of the injection mold 50 is provided with a hot flow channel system 51, PET plastic particles are melted in the hot flow channel system 51, and then sprayed into the cavity 53 through the injection nozzle 52 to connect the skeleton layer 11, the cover layer 13 and the connecting layer 12 together, and then the water channel 54 in the top die and the bottom die of the injection mold 50 is filled with cooling water to form the structure.

[0068]

Automobile cup holder

[0069] The third aspect of the present application provides a technical solution, an automobile cup holder, comprising:

[0070] The cup holder curtain structure described above;

[0071] The cup holder structure 20 comprises a cup holder cavity and a track above the cup holder cavity;

[0072] The winding box 30 is connected to one end of the cup holder structure 20;

[0073] The first end of the cup holder curtain structure is connected to the winding box 30, and the second end is provided with a handle 14, the cup holder curtain structure slides in the track, can be operated to follow the handle 14 to move in the positive direction of the first direction to be stored in the winding box 30, and can also be operated to follow the handle 14 to move in the reverse direction of the first direction to completely cover above the cup holder cavity;

[0074] The region where the cup holder curtain structure moves to the upper side of the cup holder cavity is defined as the unfolding region 101, and the region where the cup holder curtain structure moves to the winding box 30 is defined as the winding region 102;

[0075] When the cup holder curtain structure is in the unfolding region 101, the second portions of the skeleton strips in the skeleton layer 11 do not contact each other;

[0076] When the cup holder curtain structure is in the curling area 102, the second portions of some of the skeleton strips in the skeleton layer 11 contact each other.

[0077] In combination with the above embodiments, the cup holder curtain structure of the present application is composed of a skeleton layer, a connecting layer and a surface covering layer. The surface covering layer is subjected to stress relief treatment, and can not fatigue and crack in frequent curling and flattening actions, and can not be separated from the connecting layer. Thus, the product cost, appearance quality and vehicle interior space are balanced, the appearance quality and use experience of the vehicle are improved, and different decorative cover layers can be designed on the flat surface according to different interior styles, which promotes the consumer's motivation to purchase the vehicle.

[0078] Although the present application has been disclosed with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A cup holder visor structure for an automobile instrument panel, characterized by, The cup tray curtain structure can be rolled in a first direction to form a rolled state or stretched to form an expanded state, and one side of the cup tray curtain structure deformed towards the rolling direction is defined as an inner side, and the side opposite to the inner side is an outer side, the cup tray curtain structure comprises a skeleton layer (11), a connecting layer (12) and a covering surface layer (13) from the inner side to the outer side in sequence; Wherein, the skeleton layer (11) comprises a plurality of skeleton strips continuously and equidistantly distributed along the first direction, the length direction of each skeleton strip is perpendicular to the first direction, the skeleton strip has a first part embedded in the connecting layer (12) and a second part exposed outside the connecting layer (12), and the thickness of the first part of the connecting layer (12) is less than the thickness of the second part; The covering surface layer (13) is arranged to be stress relieved before forming the cup tray curtain structure, and the connecting layer (12) is formed after the skeleton layer (11) and the covering surface layer (13); The covering surface layer (13) has a flat outer surface.

2. The cupholder visor structure for an automobile instrument panel according to claim 1, characterized by, The skeleton layer (11) comprises a layer of thermoplastic material, the connecting layer (12) comprises a layer of thermoplastic elastomer, and the covering surface layer (13) comprises a PC film.

3. The cupholder visor structure for an automobile instrument panel according to claim 1, characterized by, The surface of the covering surface layer (13) is provided with a decorative layer.

4. The cupholder visor structure for an automobile instrument panel according to claim 1, characterized by, The thickness ratio of the first part to the second part of the skeleton layer (11) is 1:3-1:4, and the gap between every two skeleton strips is less than half of the thickness of the skeleton strip.

5. A method of manufacturing a cup holder visor structure for an automobile instrument panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, Comprising the following steps: Step 1, injection molding to form the skeleton layer (11) and the covering surface layer (13); Step 2, placing the covering surface layer (13) formed by injection molding in step 1 between the upper die (41) and the lower die (42) of the stress relief mold (40), and then heating and cooling the covering surface layer (13) after pressing the covering surface layer (13) to perform stress relief treatment on the covering surface layer (13); Step 3, placing the covering surface layer (13) after stress relief in step 2 on the top die of the injection mold (50), and placing the skeleton layer (11) formed in step 1 on the bottom die of the injection mold (50) to form a cavity (53) between the skeleton layer (11) and the covering surface layer (13); Step 4, injecting molten plastic fluid into the cavity formed in step 3, and then cooling the plastic fluid to form the connecting layer (12) to connect the covering surface layer (13) and the skeleton layer (11) together.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cup holder rail is formed by a roll forming process. The upper die (41) of the stress relief mold (40) is provided with an electric heating coil (43), the lower die (42) of the stress relief mold (40) is provided with a cooling water channel (44), and the closing locking force of the upper die (41) and the lower die (42) is controlled to be 300T.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the cup holder rail is formed by a process comprising: In step 2, the covering surface layer (13) is first heated to 200 degrees Celsius, and then cooled continuously under the condition of 10 degrees Celsius.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the cup holder cover is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic, a resin, a metal, and a composite material. The top die of the injection mold (50) is provided with a hot flow channel system (51), the injection nozzle (52) of the hot flow channel system (51) communicates with the cavity (53), and the top die and the bottom die of the injection mold (50) are provided with water channels (54).

9. A car cup holder characterized in that Comprising: The cup tray curtain structure according to any one of claims 1-4; The cup tray curtain structure according to any one of claims 1-4; A cup holder structure (20) comprising a cup holder cavity and a track above the cup holder cavity; A winding box (30) connected to one end of the cup holder structure (20); Wherein the first end of the cup holder track structure is connected to the winding box (30), and the second end is provided with a handle (14), the cup holder track structure slides in the track, and can be operated to follow the positive direction movement of the handle (14) in the first direction to be received into the winding box (30), and can also be operated to follow the reverse direction movement of the handle (14) in the first direction to completely cover above the cup holder cavity; Wherein the area where the cup holder track structure moves to the upper part of the cup holder cavity is defined as the unfolding area (101), and the area where the cup holder track structure moves to the winding box (30) is defined as the winding area (102); When the cup holder track structure is in the unfolding area (101), the second parts of each skeleton strip in the skeleton layer (11) do not contact each other; When the cup holder track structure is in the winding area (102), the second parts of part of the skeleton strips in the skeleton layer (11) contact each other.

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