Manufacturing device for thermoformed part, manufacturing method, and thermoformed part
By setting up a curved clamping structure in the manufacturing equipment of thermoformed parts, the problems of low yield and high manufacturing cost of thermoformed parts in the existing thermoforming process are solved, and higher yield and lower manufacturing cost are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202311704296.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-13
AI Technical Summary
The yield of thermoformed parts produced by the existing thermoforming process is low, and there are problems of surface overstretching and topbreaking, resulting in higher manufacturing costs.
A manufacturing device for a thermoformed part is designed, by providing a first arc surface and a second arc surface to be clamped on the thermoformed part so that it can enter the molding area from the periphery of the clamping part in the width direction when forming.
Through this equipment and method, excessive stretching of the thermoformed parts at the edges and corners in the width direction is avoided, forming margin is reduced, manufacturing cost is reduced, and yield is improved.
Smart Images
Figure CN120134590A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing device for thermoformed parts, a manufacturing method, and a thermoformed part. Background Art
[0002] Thermo-forming is a common process for manufacturing vehicle interior components, which is a plastic processing method for processing thermoplastic plastic skins into various products. For example, door panels, instrument panels, etc. for vehicle interiors can be manufactured.
[0003] Thermoformed plastics can include polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins (such as polyethylene, polypropylene), polyacrylates (such as polymethyl methacrylate), and celluloses (such as nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, etc.), and are also used for engineering plastics (such as ABS resin, polycarbonate).
[0004] Common thermoforming methods include vacuum forming, that is, using vacuum to make the heated and softened skin closely adhere to the mold surface for forming.
[0005] The inventor found that there is room for further improvement in the yield rate of thermoformed parts manufactured by existing thermoforming processes. Summary of the Invention
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing device for thermoformed parts.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method for thermoformed parts.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermoformed part.
[0009] A manufacturing device for thermoformed parts according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of clamping parts, including a first clamping part and a second clamping part at least distributed on both sides in the width direction of the to-be-thermoformed part, and the to-be-thermoformed part between the first clamping part and the second clamping part can be vacuum formed by being fitted with a mold; each clamping part includes a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion, and the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are respectively used to clamp the to-be-thermoformed part on opposite sides of the thermoformed part; the first clamping portion provides a first arc surface, and the second clamping portion provides a second arc surface, and the first arc surface and the second arc surface cooperate to provide a clamping structure for clamping the to-be-thermoformed part; a plurality of fixing parts are located outside the clamping parts in the width direction, and the fixing parts are provided with fixing members at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part to fix the to-be-thermoformed part.
[0010] The manufacturing equipment introduced in the above embodiments clamps the to-be-thermoformed part by providing a matching first arc surface and second arc surface in the clamping part, so that the to-be-formed part fixed by the fixed part can, during forming, in the width direction, part of the to-be-thermoformed part can enter between the first clamping part and the second clamping part from the periphery of the first clamping part and the second clamping part. This can avoid excessive stretching at the corners of the thermoformed part in the width direction, and since there can be material movement into the forming area during forming, a smaller forming allowance can be set, thereby saving material costs and reducing the manufacturing cost of the thermoformed part. Or for materials with the same forming allowance, it can avoid situations such as excessive stretching or bursting, thereby improving the yield rate of the thermoformed part.
[0011] In one or more embodiments of the manufacturing equipment, one of the first clamping part and the second clamping part has a concave structure, which provides one of the first arc surface and the second arc surface, and the other of the first clamping part and the second clamping part is provided with a rolling body, and the rolling body provides the other of the first arc surface or the second arc surface.
[0012] In one or more embodiments of the manufacturing equipment, the first clamping part is the upper clamping part and is provided with the rolling body, and the second clamping part is the lower clamping part and has the concave structure.
[0013] In one or more embodiments of the manufacturing equipment, the clamping part continuously clamps the to-be-thermoformed part in the length direction.
[0014] In one or more embodiments of the manufacturing equipment, the fixing part includes fixing pins, and the fixing part is provided with the fixing pins at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part to fix the to-be-thermoformed part.
[0015] In one or more embodiments of the manufacturing equipment, the first arc surface and the second arc surface are corresponding and matching hemispherical surfaces.
[0016] According to a manufacturing method of a thermoformed part in the second aspect of the present invention, using the manufacturing equipment introduced in the first aspect, the manufacturing method includes:
[0017] The to-be-thermoformed part is clamped on both sides in the width direction by the first clamping part and the second clamping part;
[0018] On the outer sides in the width direction of the clamping position of the to-be-thermoformed part, fixing parts are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part to fix the to-be-thermoformed part;
[0019] After the to-be-thermoformed part is fixed by the fixing parts, when vacuum forming is performed, in the width direction, part of the to-be-thermoformed part can enter between the first clamping part and the second clamping part from the periphery of the first clamping part and the second clamping part.
[0020] The beneficial effects of the manufacturing method introduced in the above embodiments are that, due to the use of the manufacturing equipment introduced in the first aspect, the yield rate of the manufacturing method is relatively high and the manufacturing cost is relatively low.
[0021] In one or more embodiments of the manufacturing method of the thermoformed part, if the part to be thermoformed is overstretched in the width direction after vacuum forming, the spacing distance between adjacent fixing parts in the length direction is increased.
[0022] A thermoformed part according to the third aspect of the present invention is manufactured by the manufacturing method introduced in the second aspect.
[0023] The beneficial effects of the thermoformed part introduced in the above embodiments are that, due to the use of the manufacturing method introduced in the second aspect, the surface quality of the thermoformed part is good and the manufacturing cost is relatively low.
[0024] In one or more embodiments of the thermoformed part, the thermoformed part is an interior part of a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The above and other features, properties, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments, where:
[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the clamping part of the manufacturing equipment of a comparative solution.
[0027] Figure 2 is Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the manufacturing equipment of the comparative solution shown during thermoforming.
[0028] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the clamping part of the manufacturing equipment of an embodiment.
[0029] Figure 4 is Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the manufacturing equipment of an embodiment shown during thermoforming.
[0030] Figure 5 It is a schematic flow diagram of the manufacturing method of an embodiment.
[0031] Reference Signs:
[0032] 100 - Manufacturing Equipment
[0033] 200 - Part to be Thermoformed
[0034] 1 - Clamping Part
[0035] 101 - First Clamping Part
[0036] 102 - Second Clamping Part
[0037] 103 - forming area
[0038] 11 - first clamping part
[0039] 111 - first arc surface
[0040] 12 - second clamping part
[0041] 121 - second arc surface
[0042] 13 - recessed structure
[0043] 14 - rolling element
[0044] 2 - fixing part
[0045] 21 - fixing piece. Detailed implementation manners
[0046] Hereinafter, embodiments of the technical solutions of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and thus are only examples and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present application.
[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above drawings are intended to cover non - exclusive inclusion.
[0048] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish different objects and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity, specific order or primary - secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "a plurality" means more than two unless otherwise specifically defined.
[0049] Referring to "embodiments" herein means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The phrase appears in various places in the specification and does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.
[0050] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by technical terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the embodiments of the present application.
[0051] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installation", "connection", "coupling", "fixation", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can also be a mechanical connection. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.
[0052] The following uses a flowchart to illustrate the operations performed according to the manufacturing method of the thermoformed part. It should be understood that, according to the actual situation, the operations before or below do not necessarily need to be precisely executed in sequence. Other operations can also be added to these processes, or one or several operations can be removed from these processes.
[0053] Thermoformed parts, such as interior parts of automobiles, such as components like door panels and instrument panels of vehicle interiors, can all be manufactured by thermoforming processes. The plastics used for thermoforming can be polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins (such as polyethylene, polypropylene), polyacrylates (such as polymethyl methacrylate), and fiber-reinforced composite materials (such as cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate), etc., and are also used for engineering plastics (such as ABS resin, polycarbonate). For example, it can be natural fiber-reinforced PP plastic (NFPP), glass fiber-reinforced PP plastic (GFPP), a composite material rCF NFPP composed of 40% natural fiber, 50% polypropylene, and 10% recycled carbon fiber, and also, for example, a composite material of natural hemp fiber combined with PP and so on.
[0054] The types of natural fibers can include wood fiber, kenaf, hemp, jute, flax, ramie, rattan, soybean, okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), Musa plants, bamboo, coconut, coconut husk fiber, cotton fabric, curaua fiber (pineapple leaf fiber), abaca (Manila hemp), pine, pineapple, raffia palm leaf (Raphia farinifera), and / or sisal.
[0055] Synthetic fibers include, for example, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, acrylic fibers, aramid fibers, Twaron fibers, Kevlar fibers, Technoral fibers, Vinalon fibers, Zylon fibers, and / or polypropylene fibers, etc.
[0056] In a comparative solution, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the clamping part 1a of the manufacturing equipment 100a for thermoformed parts includes a first clamping part 11a and a second clamping part 12a. The first clamping part 11a and the second clamping part 12a are respectively used to clamp the thermoformed part 200 on the opposite two sides of the thermoformed part to be processed; the first clamping part 11a provides a first V-shaped structure 111a, and the second clamping part 12a provides a second V-shaped structure 121a. The first V-shaped structure 111a and the second V-shaped structure 121a cooperate to provide a clamping structure for clamping the thermoformed part 200. At the same time, located outside the clamping part 1a in the width direction, the fixing part 2 is provided with fixing members 21 at intervals along the length direction of the thermoformed part 200 to fix the thermoformed part 200.
[0057] However, the inventor found that for the structure of the comparative solution, the thermoformed parts manufactured by it have problems such as excessive surface stretching and bursting, and the surface quality is low, and the yield rate needs to be further improved.
[0058] The inventor is that, as Figure 2 shown, during the vacuum forming process, due to the use of the V-shaped structure for clamping and the cooperation of the fixing members, during the vacuum forming process, the thermoformed part 200 is very stably fixed in the width direction. As a result, situations such as excessive surface stretching and bursting occur. If it is necessary to overcome this, a relatively large width margin needs to be designed to avoid excessive stretching and bursting. However, this will increase the manufacturing cost of the thermoformed part.
[0059] Based on the above, through in-depth research, the inventor invented a manufacturing equipment and manufacturing method for thermoformed parts. By providing a matching first arc surface and second arc surface in the clamping part to clamp the thermoformed part to be processed, the thermoformed part fixed by the fixing part can, during forming, in the width direction, part of the thermoformed part can enter between the first clamping part and the second clamping part from the periphery of the first clamping part and the second clamping part. In this way, it is possible to avoid excessive stretching at the corners of the thermoformed part in the width direction, and since there can be material movement into the forming area during forming, a smaller forming margin can be set, thereby saving material costs and reducing the manufacturing cost of the thermoformed part. Or for materials with the same forming margin, it is possible to avoid excessive stretching or bursting, thereby improving the yield rate of the thermoformed part.
[0060] Although the manufacturing equipment and manufacturing method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can manufacture thermoformed parts taking the interior parts of an automobile as an example, such as door side panels, roof linings, dashboards (instrument panels), instrument panels, center consoles and other automobile interior parts, the forms of the lining parts are diverse, but not limited thereto. For example, it can also be applicable to application scenarios of other means of transportation, such as railway trains, ships, and airplanes. As long as it is a means of transportation, the thermoformed parts disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be applied, but not limited thereto. For example, it can also be used in other scenarios, such as indoor furnishings and the surfaces of fixtures. For example, in scenarios where there are thermoformed parts such as the desktops and display devices in office places and exhibition venues, all are not limited thereto. As long as the surface quality of the thermoformed parts can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by using the manufacturing equipment and manufacturing method of the present application, the solutions protected by this case are applicable.
[0061] Reference Figure 3 And Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the manufacturing equipment 100 may include a plurality of clamping parts 1 and a plurality of fixing parts 2, wherein the plurality of fixing parts 2 are located outside the clamping parts 1 in the width direction. The plurality of clamping parts 1 include at least a first clamping part 101 and a second clamping part 102 distributed on both sides of the width direction of the to-be-thermoformed part 200. The to-be-thermoformed part 200 between the first clamping part 101 and the second clamping part 102 can be vacuum formed by being fitted with a mold, and the area between the first clamping part 101 and the second clamping part 102 can be defined as a forming area 103.
[0062] As Figure 3 shown, each clamping part 1 includes a first clamping part 11 and a second clamping part 12. The first clamping part 11 and the second clamping part 12 are respectively used to clamp the to-be-thermoformed part 200 on the opposite two sides of the thermoformed part 200; the first clamping part 11 provides a first arc surface 111, and the second clamping part 12 provides a second arc surface 121. The first arc surface 111 and the second arc surface 121 cooperate to provide a clamping structure for clamping the to-be-thermoformed part 200. The structure of the fixing part 2 is similar to the comparative solution. The plurality of fixing parts 2 are located outside the clamping part 1 in the width direction, and the fixing parts 2 are provided with fixing members 21 at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part 200 to fix the to-be-thermoformed part 200. Preferably, the fixing member 21 can be a fixing needle, and the fixing process is relatively simple by means of needle punching. In addition, in some embodiments, as Figure 4 shown, opposite to the fixing members 21 arranged at intervals, the clamping or gripping of the clamping part 1 is continuous in the length direction, and such clamping is more stable.
[0063] The beneficial effect of this is that, as Figure 4As shown, when vacuum forming is performed, in the width direction, a part of the thermoformable part 200 can enter the forming area 103 between the first clamping part 101 and the second clamping part 102 from the periphery of the first clamping part 101 and the second clamping part 102, providing more material for the forming area 103. Figure 4 The wavy line shown is that the material enters from the periphery of the fixing part 2 through the gap between adjacent fixing parts 21, and so on. The entire thermoformable part 200 moves inward in the width direction, thereby providing more material for the forming area 103, thus avoiding surface quality problems such as excessive stretching and bursting.
[0064] Preferably, continue to refer to Figure 3 As shown, the specific structure of providing the first arc surface 111 and the second arc surface 121 can be that one of the first clamping part 11 and the second clamping part 12 has a concave structure 13, and the concave structure 13 provides one of the first arc surface 111 and the second arc surface 121. The other of the first clamping part 11 and the second clamping part 12 is provided with a rolling body 14, and the rolling body 14 provides the other of the first arc surface 111 or the second arc surface 121. Preferably, as Figure 3 As shown, the first clamping part 11 is an upper clamping part provided with a rolling body 14, and the second clamping part 12 is a lower clamping part having a concave structure 13. This is easy to implement and assemble the manufacturing equipment.
[0065] Continue to refer to Figure 3 As shown, preferably, the first arc surface 111 and the second arc surface 121 can be corresponding matching hemispherical surfaces. For example, the rolling body 14 can be a sphere, and the concave structure 13 corresponding to the sphere is a hemispherical surface. In this way, not only can the two be stably based, but their relative sliding is also better.
[0066] As can be seen from the above, the beneficial effects of the manufacturing equipment introduced in the above embodiments include but are not limited to that by providing a matching first arc surface and second arc surface in the clamping part to clamp the thermoformable part, the thermoformable part fixed by the fixing part can, during forming, in the width direction, a part of the thermoformable part can enter between the first clamping part and the second clamping part from the periphery of the first clamping part and the second clamping part. In this way, it is possible to avoid excessive stretching at the corners of the thermoformed part in the width direction, and since there can be material movement into the forming area during forming, a smaller forming allowance can be set, thereby saving material costs and reducing the manufacturing cost of the thermoformed part. Or for materials with the same forming allowance, it is possible to avoid excessive stretching or bursting, thereby improving the yield rate of the thermoformed part.
[0067] Refer to Figure 5 As shown, the present application also provides a manufacturing method for a thermoformed part, which uses the manufacturing equipment 100 introduced in the above embodiments. The manufacturing method includes the following steps:
[0068] S1. The to-be-thermoformed part 200 is clamped on both sides in the width direction by the first clamping part 101 and the second clamping part 102;
[0069] S2. After the to-be-thermoformed part 200 is clamped, fixing members 21 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part 200 on the outer sides in the width direction of the clamping position to fix the thermoformed part 200;
[0070] S3. After the to-be-thermoformed part 200 is fixed by the fixing members 21, when vacuum forming is performed, in the width direction, part of the to-be-thermoformed part 200 can enter between the first clamping part 101 and the second clamping part 102 from the periphery of the first clamping part 101 and the second clamping part 102.
[0071] It can be understood that the interval length of arranging the fixing members 21 at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part 200 in S2 can be adjusted. For example, if there are surface quality problems such as excessive stretching or bursting in the width direction after vacuum forming of the to-be-thermoformed part 200, the interval distance between adjacent fixing members 21 in the length direction can be increased in the subsequent process, so that more materials can enter the forming area from the width direction during vacuum forming, that is, provide more materials for the forming area, thereby avoiding surface quality problems such as excessive stretching and bursting after remanufacturing and processing.
[0072] The beneficial effects of adopting the manufacturing method introduced in the above embodiments include but are not limited to that the yield rate of the manufacturing method is relatively high and the manufacturing cost is relatively low.
[0073] Although the present invention is disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the technical solution of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A manufacturing device (100) for thermoformed parts, characterized in that, it includes: A plurality of clamping parts (1), including a first clamping part (101) and a second clamping part (102) at least distributed on both sides in the width direction of the to-be-thermoformed part (200), and the to-be-thermoformed part (200) between the first clamping part (101) and the second clamping part (102) can be vacuum formed by being fitted with a mold; Each clamping part (1) includes a first clamping part (11) and a second clamping part (12), and the first clamping part (11) and the second clamping part (12) are respectively used to clamp the to-be-thermoformed part (200) on opposite sides of the thermoformed part (200); the first clamping part (11) provides a first arc surface (111), and the second clamping part (12) provides a second arc surface (121), and the first arc surface (111) and the second arc surface (121) cooperate to provide a clamping structure for clamping the to-be-thermoformed part (200); A plurality of fixing parts (2), located outside the clamping parts (1) in the width direction, and the fixing parts (2) are provided with fixing members (21) at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part (200) to fix the to-be-thermoformed part (200).
2. The manufacturing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the first clamping part (11) and the second clamping part (12) has a concave structure (13), and the concave structure (13) provides one of the first arc surface (111) and the second arc surface (121), and the other of the first clamping part (11) and the second clamping part (12) is provided with a rolling body (14), and the rolling body (14) provides the other of the first arc surface (111) or the second arc surface (121).
3. The manufacturing device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first clamping part (11) is an upper clamping part provided with the rolling body (14), and the second clamping part (12) is a lower clamping part having the concave structure (13).
4. The manufacturing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping parts (1) continuously clamp the to-be-thermoformed part (200) in the length direction.
5. The manufacturing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing member (21) includes a fixing needle, and the fixing part (2) is provided with the fixing needle at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part (200) to fix the to-be-thermoformed part (200).
6. The manufacturing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first arc surface (111) and the second arc surface (121) are corresponding and matching hemispherical surfaces.
7. A manufacturing method for thermoformed parts, characterized in that, Using the manufacturing device (100) according to any one of claims 1-6, the manufacturing method includes: The to-be-thermoformed part (200) is clamped on both sides in the width direction by the first clamping part (101) and the second clamping part (102); Outside the width direction of the to-be-thermoformed part (200) at the clamping position, fixing parts (21) are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the to-be-thermoformed part (200) to fix the to-be-thermoformed part (200); After the to-be-thermoformed part (200) is fixed by the fixing parts (21), when vacuum forming is performed, in the width direction, a part of the to-be-thermoformed part (200) can enter between the first clamping part (101) and the second clamping part (102) from the periphery of the first clamping part (101) and the second clamping part (102).
8. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that if the to-be-thermoformed part (200) is over-stretched in the width direction after vacuum forming, the interval distance between adjacent fixing parts (21) in the length direction is increased.
9. A thermoformed part, characterized in that it is obtained by the manufacturing method according to claim 7 or 8.
10. The thermoformed part according to any one of claim 9, characterized in that the thermoformed part is an interior part of a vehicle.