Component for lighting device of motor vehicle, connecting assembly and method for separating connecting assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing for a component (1) of a lighting device of a motor vehicle, in particular a headlight or a taillight, comprising a joining section (10) for forming a plastic welded connection with a joining section (20) of a second component (2), in particular a closure plate. According to the invention, the joining section (10) of the component (1) has two welding ribs (11, 12) which run at a distance from one another and substantially parallel to one another such that a channel (13) is formed between the welding ribs (11, 12), which channel is provided for receiving the solvent (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component for a lighting device for a motor vehicle, particularly a housing for a headlight or taillight, to a corresponding connecting assembly, particularly a connecting assembly with a sealing plate, and to a method for separating such a connecting assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicle lighting devices (such as headlights or taillights) have a housing that is enclosed on the light-emitting side by a transparent or translucent panel. Typically, the housing and panel are made of thermoplastic, and the connecting components are formed by plastic welding. For this purpose, the panel may be constructed with circumferentially surrounding weld ribs that are welded to joining sections on the housing by butt joints or T-joints, for example, by infrared, laser, or hot gas welding or other processes.

[0003] A disadvantage is that these connecting components cannot be separated afterward, so opening the lighting fixture from the front by removing the enclosure, for example, for maintenance or repair purposes, cannot be done without damage. This also particularly affects the recyclability of the lighting fixture at the end of its service life. Ideally, all components should be recyclable with the purest and most efficient materials possible. This also involves the separation of the enclosure from the housing, which are typically made of different plastics. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative embodiment of a component of the same type for motor vehicle lighting devices and a connection assembly based thereon, which is characterized by its practical separability, especially for recycling purposes.

[0005] This objective is achieved by the component according to claim 1, the corresponding connecting assembly according to claim 5, and the method for separating such connecting assembly according to claim 9. Advantageous improvements of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0006] The technical teachings of this invention disclose a component for a lighting device of a motor vehicle, particularly a housing of a headlight or taillight, the component including a joint section for forming a plastic welded connection with a joint section of a second component, particularly a closure plate, wherein, according to the invention, the joint section of the component has two weld ribs spaced apart from each other and extending substantially parallel to each other, such that a channel is formed between the weld ribs, the channel being configured to contain solvent.

[0007] This invention is based on the concept that, when needed, the channel is filled with solvent, which softens the plastic welded joints and / or weld beads, allowing the component to be subsequently separated from the connecting assembly with minimal force. Therefore, the component, along with the second component that served as the previous connecting mating part, can be separated again at the end of the corresponding lighting device's operational life, thus allowing for full recycling in principle, provided that contaminants remaining in the joint area from the previous plastic welded joint are removed beforehand, if necessary. Furthermore, this separability can also form the basis for (temporarily) replacing components to continue operating the lighting device.

[0008] The weld bead is provided for end-face welding, and the channel is defined by the side of the weld bead. The channel width must be adapted in particular to the solvent volume required to achieve the desired softening. Furthermore, it may also need to be adapted to the viscosity of the solvent used. For example, the channel may have a channel width in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm and a channel depth in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0009] For example, the joining section on the component is constructed with fully circumferentially surrounding weld ribs, such that the channel is formed between the outer and inner weld ribs. This is particularly advantageous for components constructed as a housing, which is welded to a plastic closure plate as a second component, thereby achieving a frontal seal of the housing. In this configuration, the channel is surrounded by a medium-sealed environment and isolated from the operating environment, thus preventing contaminants from entering and clogging the channel during operation of the corresponding lighting device.

[0010] Preferably, the joining section has at least one entry area having a through-hole or, in particular, a region with a film-like reducing material thickness, such that the channel can be accessed or opened via this entry area. For solvent injection, for example, via a cannula, the cannula can be introduced into the channel from the outside through the through-hole or the previously opened film-like reducing material thickness region. The latter approach has the advantage that the channel remains closed during normal operation of the corresponding lighting device. For example, multiple entry areas can be distributed along the weld bead or along the bottom of the channel. In particular, the channel has a first end section and a second end section, wherein the joining section has an entry area in the region of each of the first and second end sections. One of these entry areas serves as a solvent inlet, while the other serves as an outlet or for venting. This ensures and controls that the channel volume is completely filled with solvent. For a fully circumferential channel, the first and second end sections are separated by a thin separation wall within the channel, and the entry areas for solvent inlets or outlets are arranged adjacent to each other, i.e., located on different sides of the separation wall.

[0011] The present invention also relates to a connection assembly for a lighting device for a motor vehicle, comprising a first component according to any of the foregoing embodiments, particularly the housing of a headlight or taillight; and a second component, particularly a closure plate, wherein a plastic welded connection is formed between the weld rib and the joint section of the second component, such that the channel is defined by the joint section of the second component. Generally, the channel is thus defined in width by the opposing sides of the weld rib and in depth by the respective faces of the joint sections of the two components. For a fully circumferentially surrounding weld rib, the channel can therefore extend completely isolated from the operating environment within the plastic welded connection.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the connecting assembly, the joining section of the second member also has two spaced-apart weld ribs, between which a second channel is formed, wherein the orientation of the second channel is consistent with that of the channel on the first member; that is, the channel on the first member and the channel on the second member form two halves of a total channel. This provides a larger overall volume for accommodating the solvent.

[0013] For example, the second component comprises polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a commonly used plastic for manufacturing enclosures. Furthermore, the first component may comprise polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, a mixture of these two types of plastics (PC-ABS blend), or acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymer (ASA), and particularly forms the outer shell.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a method for separating a connecting component according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, the method comprising at least the following steps:

[0015] - In particular, at least one entrance to the channel is opened via the entry area on the weld bead;

[0016] - The solvent is injected into the channel through the at least one inlet;

[0017] - Wait for the weld seams and / or weld beads of the plastic welded joints to soften under the action of solvents; and

[0018] - Separate the first component and the second component from each other.

[0019] Here, the choice of solvent should be based on the specific plastic used in the component. Preferably, the first component should be resistant to the solvent. This is particularly advantageous when the second component is to be replaced, as the joint section of the first component can be retained for establishing a new plastic welded joint. For example, for softened PMMA, polar solvents such as esters, ketones, or chlorinated hydrocarbons are generally suitable. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and corresponding specifications, using illustrative embodiments. The drawings are in schematic form:

[0021] Figure 1a , 1b A cross-sectional view is shown according to a first embodiment of the connecting component according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2a , 2b A diagram illustrating a method for separating a connecting component according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3a , 3b A cross-sectional view of the second embodiment is shown; and

[0024] Figure 4a , 4b An illustration shows a method for separating a connecting component according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a connection assembly 100 according to the present invention is shown. The connection assembly includes a first member 1 in the form of a housing for a lighting device for a motor vehicle and a second member 2 in the form of a corresponding enclosing plate. Here, the interior of the housing is located on the right side of the figure, the external operating environment is located on the left side of the figure, and the light emitting side of the lighting device is located on the upper edge side of the figure.

[0026] The first component includes a joint section 10 having an outer weld rib 11 and an inner weld rib 12, which are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially parallel to each other, such that a channel 13 is formed between the weld ribs 11, 12. The connecting assembly 100 is held together by a plastic welded connection with weld seams 4, which is formed between the end faces of the weld ribs 11, 12 and the joint section 20 of the second component 2, for example by infrared welding.

[0027] Figure 1b The cross-section extends through the entry region 14 in the joint section 10, wherein the entry region 14 is arranged on the bottom side of the channel and has a membrane-like area that reduces the material thickness. Despite this local reduction in material cross-section, the joint section 10 is preferably medium-sealed in the region of the entry region 14, and the entry region 14 is only opened for the purpose of injecting solvent into the channel 13, for example, by puncturing or drilling.

[0028] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The method steps of a method for separating a connection component 100 according to a first embodiment are shown in the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2a According to Figure 1b The cross-section shows the connecting assembly 100, in which the region of the entry area 14 with reduced film thickness has been opened, and the cannula 5 has been guided through. Liquid solvent 3 is injected into the channel 13 via the cannula 5. The solvent 3 completely fills the channel 13, such that the weld 4 is completely wetted on the channel side.

[0030] After waiting for weld 4 to soften under the action of solvent 3, the weakened plastic weld joint is completely separated, for example, by applying tensile force. Figure 2b As shown. Components 1 and 2, which are separated from each other in this way, can be sent to the recycling process after the residual weld residue 41 is removed.

[0031] Figure 3a and Figure 3b A cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the connecting assembly 100 according to the invention is shown. The main difference from the first embodiment is that the second member 2 also has two weld ribs 21, 22, which are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially parallel to each other, thereby forming a second channel 23 therebetween, the orientation of which is consistent with the orientation of the channel 13 on the first member 1. This forms a circumferential overall channel with a larger cross-sectional area, which, for example, allows the use of solvents 3 with higher viscosity. Furthermore, the joining section 20 of the second member has an entry area 24 on the outer weld rib 21, with its wall thickness locally reduced in a film-like manner.

[0032] Figure 4a and Figure 4b The method steps of the method for separating the connecting assembly 100 according to the present invention are shown again, based here on the second embodiment. The entry area 24 on the second member 2 serves as an inlet for the solvent 3, and the entry area has been opened to allow the insertion cannula 5 to be introduced.

[0033] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0034] 1 (First) Component

[0035] 10 Joint Section

[0036] 11 and 12 welded ribs

[0037] 13 channels

[0038] 14 Enter the area

[0039] 2 Second component

[0040] 20 Joint Section

[0041] 21, 22 Welding ribs

[0042] 23 Second Channel

[0043] 24 Entering the area

[0044] 3 Solvents

[0045] 4 Welds

[0046] 41 Weld residue

[0047] 5. Intubation

[0048] 100 Connecting components.

Claims

1. A component (1) for a lighting device for a motor vehicle, particularly a housing for a headlight or taillight, said component including a joint section (10) for forming a plastic welded connection with a second component (2), particularly a joint section (20) of a closure plate. Its features are, The joint section (10) of the component (1) has two weld ribs (11, 12) that are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially parallel to each other, such that a channel (13) is formed between each of the weld ribs (11, 12) for containing solvent (3).

2. The component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The joint section (10) on the member (1) is constructed with fully circumferentially surrounding weld ribs (11, 12), such that the channel (13) is formed between the outer weld rib (11) and the inner weld rib (12).

3. The component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The joining section (10) has at least one entry area (14) having a through hole or a membrane-like area that reduces the thickness of the material, so that the channel (13) can be accessed or opened via the entry area (14).

4. The component (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The channel (13) has a first end section and a second end section, wherein the joining section (10) has an entry area (14) in the regions of the first end section and the second end section, respectively.

5. A connection assembly (100) for a lighting device of a motor vehicle, the connection assembly comprising a first component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, particularly a housing of a headlight or taillight; and a second component (2), particularly a closure plate, wherein, A plastic welded connection is formed between the welded ribs (11, 12) and the joint section (20) of the second member (2), such that the channel (13) is bounded by the joint section (20) of the second member (2).

6. The connecting component (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second member (2) is constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 4, such that the joint section (20) of the second member (2) has two weld ribs (21, 22) and a second channel (23) is formed between the two weld ribs, wherein the orientation of the second channel (23) is consistent with the orientation of the channel (13) of the first member (1).

7. The connecting assembly (100) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first component (1) comprises polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, a mixture thereof, or acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymer.

8. The connecting assembly (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The second component (2) comprises polymethyl methacrylate.

9. A method for separating a connecting component (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, the method comprising at least the following steps: - In particular, at least one entrance to the channel (13) is opened via the entry area (14) in the welded rib (11); - The solvent (3) is injected into the channel (13) through the at least one inlet; - Wait for the weld seam (4) and / or weld beads (11, 12) of the plastic welded joint to soften under the action of solvent (3); and - Separate the first component (1) and the second component (2) from each other.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first component (1) is resistant to the solvent (3).

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