Method for forming folded edge of component
By designing an adhesive dispenser outlet with a roughly elliptical or rectangular shape and controlling it with a robotic arm, the problem of adhesive leakage was solved, proper positioning of the adhesive and an efficient folding process were achieved, improving production efficiency and the quality of the joints.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing adhesive dispensers cause adhesive to be squeezed out of the gaps during folding operations, resulting in difficult cleaning and a labor-intensive cleaning process.
The adhesive dispenser outlet has a roughly elliptical or rectangular shape and is designed as a strip or band of adhesive to reduce leakage. It is combined with a robotic arm to control the application of the adhesive.
This method enables proper positioning of the adhesive during the folding process, reduces cleaning work, improves the dimensional consistency and production efficiency of the joints, and lowers labor costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN121945643A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Method for forming the folded edge of a component
[0001] Cross-reference to related applications
[0002] This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63 / 687,026, filed August 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field
[0003] This disclosure relates to a method for folding the edges of components, such as automotive parts, doors, and fenders. Background Technology
[0004] This section provides background information relating to this disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.
[0005] Folding the edges of vehicle components such as doors and fenders is known to offer several benefits, including increased strength, smooth and secure edges, corrosion resistance, and the ability to join multiple panels or blanks. The folding process typically involves folding the edge of a first metal panel or blank over itself to form a double edge. Typically, a second blank is placed on top of the first blank, and the folded edge of the first blank is wrapped around the second blank, thereby positioning the second blank between two sections of the first blank. An adhesive is typically applied between the first and second blanks to secure them together and eliminate any gaps.
[0006] Adhesive dispensers are typically used to apply adhesive between a first blank and a second blank prior to folding. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, a conventional adhesive dispenser 10 has a tubular main portion 12 terminating at a dispensing end 14. The main portion 12 typically contains a two-component adhesive 16, which is mixed and pumped through the main portion 12 and pumped out from an outlet 18 at the end of the dispensing end 14. As shown, the outlet 18 is typically circular in shape, allowing the adhesive to be delivered in rope-like strands of adhesive 16. The problem with this adhesive dispenser 10 is that, due to the rope-like shape of the applied adhesive 16, a large amount of adhesive 16 tends to be squeezed out from the gap between the first and second blanks, resulting in a labor-intensive cleaning process. Given the foregoing, there remains a continued need for improvements to this folding operation. Summary of the Invention
[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method for forming a folded edge of a component includes providing a first blank having at least one first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The method further includes providing a second blank having at least one second edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The method further includes applying adhesive from an adhesive dispenser to the top surface of the first blank. The method further includes positioning the second blank above the first blank, wherein a lower surface of the second blank is positioned above the top surface of the first blank such that adhesive is applied between the lower surface of the second blank and the top surface of the first blank. The method further includes folding a first edge of the first blank onto the second blank such that a portion of the top surface of the first blank covers the upper surface of the second blank. A dispensing end of the adhesive dispenser defines an opening for discharging adhesive from the adhesive dispenser. The opening is larger in the width direction than in the height direction, such that the adhesive discharged from the opening has a strip shape to minimize adhesive leakage during folding the first edge of the first blank onto the second blank.
[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for forming a folded edge of a component includes providing a first blank having at least one first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The method further includes providing a second blank having at least one second edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The method further includes applying adhesive from an adhesive dispenser to the top surface of the first blank. The method further includes positioning the second blank above the first blank, wherein a lower surface of the second blank is positioned above the top surface of the first blank, such that adhesive is applied between the lower surface of the second blank and the top surface of the first blank. The method further includes folding a first edge of the first blank onto the second blank, such that a portion of the top surface of the first blank covers the upper surface of the second blank. A dispensing end of the adhesive dispenser defines an opening for discharging adhesive from the adhesive dispenser. The dispensing end includes a generally planar or slightly arcuate first surface that covers the generally planar or slightly arcuate second surface, such that the opening between the first and second surfaces is generally elliptical or rectangular in shape, such that the step of applying adhesive from the adhesive dispenser to the top surface of the first blank includes applying a strip of adhesive in the shape of a strip from the opening of the adhesive dispenser.
[0009] The strip / band of adhesive discharged from an opening wider than its height advantageously allows an appropriate amount of adhesive to be positioned between the first and second blanks without resulting in adhesive leakage on the outer parts of the joint requiring cleaning / wiping. This provides improved dimensional consistency of the joint, improved cycle time, and lower labor costs. Attached Figure Description
[0010] Other advantages of this disclosure will readily appreciate and become more readily understood by referring to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views of a conventional adhesive dispenser used for folding operations;
[0012] Figure 2A is a front view of the door component of the vehicle, illustrating the folded edge of the door;
[0013] Figure 2B is an enlarged view of the folded edge of the door in Figure 2A;
[0014] Figures 3A to 3C are schematic side views of the folding process for vehicle parts;
[0015] Figures 4A and 4B are perspective views of an improved adhesive dispenser for folding operations according to one aspect of this disclosure; and
[0016] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the folding process according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation
[0017] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Generally, the subject embodiments relate to methods for forming a folded edge 20 on a component 22, such as a vehicle door 22 or a fender. However, example embodiments are provided only to make this disclosure thorough and to fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details, such as examples of specific components, apparatus, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of this disclosure. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that specific details are not required, example embodiments may be implemented in many different forms, and none should be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques have not been described in detail. It should be understood that the teachings of this disclosure can be applied to various types of vehicles, such as recreational vehicles.
[0018] More specifically, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate corresponding portions in several views, an embodiment of a method for forming a folded edge 20 for component 22 is provided. This approach can be used for various components 22, such as the vehicle door 22 or fender illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B. The edge of component 22 is folded to provide a folded edge 24, thereby providing benefits such as increased strength, a secure, smooth edge, corrosion resistance, and the ability to join multiple panels / blades.
[0019] Figure 5 illustrates the steps of an embodiment of the method. Referring also to Figure 3A, method 100 includes 102 providing a first blank 26. The first blank 26 has at least one first edge 28, a top surface 30, and a bottom surface 32. The method further includes 104 applying an adhesive 42 from an adhesive dispenser 44 to the top surface of the first blank 26. As shown in Figure 3B, the method further includes 106 providing a second blank 34. The second blank 34 has at least one second edge 36, an upper surface 38, and a lower surface 40.
[0020] The method further includes 108 positioning the second blank 34 above the first blank 26, wherein the lower surface 40 of the second blank 34 is positioned above the top surface 30 of the first blank 26, such that an adhesive 42 is applied between the lower surface 40 of the second blank 34 and the top surface 30 of the first blank 26, and wherein the second edge 36 of the second blank 34 is spaced inwardly from the first edge 28 of the first blank 26.
[0021] As shown in Figure 3C, the method continues 110 by folding the first edge 28 of the first blank 26 onto the second blank 34, such that a portion of the top surface 30 of the first blank 26 covers the upper surface 38 of the second blank 34 to provide the final folded / flared edge 24.
[0022] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the adhesive dispenser 44 has a tubular main portion 46 terminating at a dispensing end 48. A two-component adhesive 42 is contained in the main portion 46, which is mixed and pumped through the main portion 46 and pumped out from an outlet 50 at the dispensing end 48. The adhesive dispenser 10 can be coupled to a robotic arm 49 (schematically shown) to control the application of adhesive 16 at a specific location. A controller 51 can be connected to the robotic arm 49 and the adhesive dispenser 44 to move the robotic arm 49 to a coordinated position and to dispense adhesive 16 from the adhesive dispenser 44 at a coordinated flow rate and coordinated time. The dispensing end 48 includes a generally flat or arcuate first surface 52 that covers a generally flat or arcuate second surface 54, such that the outlet 50 between the first surface 52 and the second surface 54 is a generally elliptical or rectangular shape. The outlet 50 has a width W greater than its height H. The application of adhesive 42 from the adhesive dispenser 44 to the top surface 30 of the first blank 26, due to the oval or rectangular outlet 50, involves applying a strip or band of adhesive 42 from the outlet 50 of the adhesive dispenser 10. The strip / band of adhesive 42 advantageously allows an appropriate amount of adhesive 42 to be positioned between the first blank 26 and the second blank 34 without resulting in the need for cleaning / wiping away spilled adhesive on the parts. This provides improved dimensional consistency of the joint, improved cycle time, and lower labor costs.
[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as requiring them to be performed in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically indicated otherwise. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0024] When an element or layer is referred to as “on another element or layer,” “joined to,” “connected to,” or “attached to” another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, joined to, connected to, or attached to the other element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as “directly on another element or layer,” “directly joined to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly attached to” another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers present. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted in the same manner (e.g., “between” vs. “directly between,” “adjacent” vs. “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0025] Although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another region, layer, or segment. Unless explicitly indicated by the context, terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms used herein do not imply any order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.
[0026] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as “inner,” “outer,” “below,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” are used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Spatial relative terms may be intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element described as “below” or “below” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein are interpreted accordingly.
[0027] The foregoing description of embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of this disclosure. Elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used in any embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. Elements or features of a particular embodiment may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not considered to depart from this disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A method for forming a folded edge of a component, the method comprising: A first blank is provided having at least one first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface; A second blank is provided having at least one second edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface; The adhesive is applied from the adhesive dispenser to the top surface of the first blank; The second blank is positioned above the first blank, wherein the lower surface of the second blank is positioned above the top surface of the first blank such that the adhesive is applied between the lower surface of the second blank and the top surface of the first blank; and the first edge of the first blank is folded over the second blank such that a portion of the top surface of the first blank covers the upper surface of the second blank; wherein the dispensing end of the adhesive dispenser defines an opening for discharging the adhesive from the adhesive dispenser, the opening being larger in the width direction than in the height direction, such that the adhesive discharged from the opening has a strip shape to minimize adhesive leakage during the folding of the first edge of the first blank over the second blank.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The dispensing end has a generally flat or slightly curved first surface and a generally flat or slightly curved second surface located below the first surface.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The opening at the distribution end has an elliptical shape.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The opening at the distribution end has a rectangular shape.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The movement of the adhesive dispenser as it applies the adhesive to the top surface of the first blank is controlled by a robotic arm.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The adhesive is a two-component adhesive that is mixed and pumped through the main part of the adhesive dispenser before being discharged from the outlet at the dispensing end.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The component in question is a car door.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The component in question is a mudguard for a car.
9. A method for forming a folded edge of a component, the method comprising: A first blank is provided having at least one first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface; A second blank is provided having at least one second edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface; The adhesive is applied from the adhesive dispenser to the top surface of the first blank; Positioning the second blank above the first blank, wherein the lower surface of the second blank is positioned above the top surface of the first blank, such that the adhesive is applied between the lower surface of the second blank and the top surface of the first blank; and folding the first edge of the first blank over the second blank such that a portion of the top surface of the first blank covers the upper surface of the second blank; wherein a dispensing end of the adhesive dispenser defines an opening for discharging the adhesive from the adhesive dispenser, the dispensing end including a generally planar or slightly arcuate first surface covering a generally planar or slightly arcuate second surface, such that the opening between the first surface and the second surface is a generally elliptical or rectangular shape, such that the step of applying the adhesive from the adhesive dispenser to the top surface of the first blank includes applying an adhesive strip from the opening of the adhesive dispenser.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The movement of the adhesive dispenser as it applies the adhesive to the top surface of the first blank is controlled by a robotic arm.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The adhesive is a two-component adhesive that is mixed and pumped through the main part of the adhesive dispenser before being discharged from the outlet at the dispensing end.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The component in question is a car door.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The component in question is a mudguard for a car.