Method of manufacturing a vehicle light trim frame and associated vehicle light trim frame

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle headlight decorative frame and an associated vehicle headlight decorative frame. The manufacturing method includes: a) arranging a body (510) of a concave mold (500), the body (510) being provided with an engraving surface (514); b) engraving a decorative texture on the engraving surface (514) using a laser; c) connecting an auxiliary insert (520) of the concave mold (500) to the body (510), wherein the auxiliary insert (520) is arranged on a laser path for performing the engraving; d) arranging a punch (600); e) injecting injection molding material between the concave mold (500) and the punch (600), and forming a vehicle headlight decorative frame (100) after cooling; and f) demolding the vehicle headlight decorative frame (100). The manufacturing method of this invention facilitates the engraving of desired textures on complex molding dies using a laser, and is easy to operate and has low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle headlight decorative frame and an associated vehicle headlight decorative frame. Background Technology

[0002] Headlight trim frames are common accessories installed inside the headlight housing / lens, primarily used to beautify the edge area of ​​the headlights, enhancing the vehicle's visual appeal and personalization. Some vehicle manufacturers desire special decorative textures on specific surfaces of the headlight trim frames, such as brand logos. Due to the specialized nature of these textures, they can generally only be achieved through laser engraving on a mold. However, because some headlight trim frames are structurally complex, obstructions often exist in the molds used, preventing the laser from reaching the desired engraving surface. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve the desired texture on these headlight trim frames using laser engraving. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a vehicle headlight decorative frame. This method allows for easy laser engraving of the required textures on the complex molding die, and is convenient and cost-effective.

[0004] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a vehicle headlight decorative frame, comprising: a) arranging a body of a concave mold, the body having an engraved surface; b) engraving a decorative texture on the engraved surface using a laser; c) connecting an auxiliary insert of the concave mold to the body, wherein the auxiliary insert is arranged on a laser path for performing the engraving; d) arranging a punch; e) injecting injection molding material between the concave mold and the punch, and forming a vehicle headlight decorative frame after cooling; and f) demolding the vehicle headlight decorative frame.

[0005] Based on the above-described technical concept, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0006] In some alternative forms, the body has a first abutting surface and a first molded surface, and the auxiliary insert has a second abutting surface and a second molded surface, wherein, in step c), the second abutting surface is abutted against the first abutting surface so that the first molded surface and the second molded surface transition substantially smoothly.

[0007] In some alternative configurations, the second molding surface is arranged to face the engraved surface.

[0008] In some alternative configurations, the second molding surface is arranged to form the non-appearance surface of the headlight trim frame.

[0009] In some alternative forms, in step c), the auxiliary insert is detachably attached to the body by screws.

[0010] In some alternative forms, the auxiliary insert is made of steel.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle headlight trim frame, which is manufactured by the manufacturing method described in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0012] In some alternative forms, the headlight trim frame is provided with an opening that is arranged to face the headlight source to allow light to pass through.

[0013] In some alternative forms, the headlight trim frame includes a flange extending from the edge of the opening, the flange having a decorative surface formed by the sculpted surface.

[0014] Compared to existing technologies, the manufacturing method of the headlight decorative frame according to the present invention has several beneficial technical effects, especially: the mold cavity of the headlight decorative frame includes a body and an auxiliary insert that can be detachably connected to the body. When it is necessary to engrave decorative textures on the engraving surface of the body using a laser, the auxiliary insert can be separated from the body to ensure that it does not obstruct the laser path used for engraving. After engraving is completed, the auxiliary insert can be connected to the body to facilitate injection molding. Therefore, the manufacturing method according to the present invention ensures the feasibility of engraving decorative textures on complex molds using a laser, and the operation steps are simple and the implementation cost is low. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts.

[0016] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of a vehicle headlight decorative frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 1B This is a three-dimensional view of the headlight trim frame from another perspective.

[0018] Figure 2A It is along Figure 1A The cross-sectional view taken from plane AA in the diagram.

[0019] Figure 2B This is a cross-sectional view of the headlight decorative frame installed inside the headlight housing / lens.

[0020] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of a concave mold used to manufacture the decorative frame for vehicle lights.

[0021] Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram of a mold used to manufacture the decorative frame for vehicle lights.

[0022] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of the die used in the manufacturing method of the vehicle headlight decorative frame according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of the die after the auxiliary insert has been removed.

[0024] Figure 4C This is a schematic diagram of an overall mold used in the manufacturing method of the vehicle headlight decorative frame according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4D yes Figure 4C A magnified view of region B in the image.

[0026] The elements in the accompanying drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to exact scale. It should be understood that these drawings are not only for explaining and illustrating the invention, but also, where necessary, for defining the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The implementation and use of specific embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of particular ways of implementing and using the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0028] In this manual, the descriptions of the structural positions of various components, such as "up," "down," "top," and "bottom," are not absolute but relative. These directional descriptions are appropriate when the components are in their normal operating state as shown in the figure; however, these directional descriptions should be changed accordingly when the positions of the components in the figure change.

[0029] In this specification, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, terms such as "installation" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this specification according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] As mentioned above, the present invention aims to provide an improvement in the manufacturing method of a vehicle headlight decorative frame, such as a decorative accessory disposed inside the housing / lens of a vehicle headlight, for beautifying the edge area of ​​the vehicle headlight and enhancing the vehicle's visual effect and personalized style.

[0031] More specifically, such as Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the vehicle headlight assembly mainly includes a housing 200 and a transparent lampshade 300 fixedly connected to each other. The housing 200 and the lampshade 300 together define a cavity for arranging the light source assembly 400 and other electrical components. A headlight decorative frame 100 is installed in this cavity between the light source assembly 400 and the lampshade 300 so that it can be seen by an observer through the lampshade 300. The headlight decorative frame 100 is provided with an opening 110 facing the light source assembly 400. The specific structure of the light source assembly 400 is not limiting and can be constructed in any way known to those skilled in the art. For example, it may include light-emitting elements such as LED beads and common optical components such as reflectors and lenses. Thus, the light emitted by the light-emitting elements of the light source assembly 400 can pass through the opening 110 of the headlight decorative frame 100 and the lampshade 300 and be emitted outward.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the headlight trim frame 100 includes an upper portion 120 positioned above the opening 110 and a lower portion 130 positioned below the opening 110. The lower portion 130 of the headlight trim frame 100 includes an upper flange 140 extending inward from the lower edge of the opening 110 and a lower flange 160 extending inward from the bottom end of the lower portion 130. The upper flange 140 and the lower flange 160 are thus opposite to each other. The top surface of the upper flange 140 is visible from the outside of the headlight and forms a decorative surface 150, which can be used to display some special decorative textures, such as brand logos, to the observer. The lower flange 160 is usually not visible from the outside of the headlight. That is, the bottom surface of the lower flange 160 is the non-visible surface 170 of the headlight trim frame 100.

[0033] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A conventional injection mold used to manufacture the headlight trim frame 100 is shown. For example... Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the injection mold used to form the headlight trim frame 100 includes a cavity 500 and a punch 600. The cavity 500 (also called a "cavity") is a recessed portion in the mold, typically located on the fixed mold side, used to form the external shape and surface details of the product. The punch 600 (also called a "core") is a protruding portion in the mold, typically located on the moving mold side, used to form the internal structure of the product. During the manufacturing process, the cavity 500 is first positioned, then the punch 600 is positioned by a guide mechanism, and then injection molding material is injected between the cavity 500 and the punch 600 to form the desired headlight trim frame 100.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the die 500 includes an upper portion 511, a lower portion 512, and an intermediate portion 513 positioned between the upper portion 511 and the lower portion 512. The portion of the intermediate portion 513 protruding relative to the upper portion 511 and the lower portion 512 forms the opening 110 of the headlight trim frame 100, and the bottom protrusion 517 of the lower portion 512 forms the lower flange 160 of the headlight trim frame 100. However, a limitation of this conventional injection mold is that, to form the aforementioned decorative surface 150 on the headlight trim frame 100, the bottom surface of the intermediate portion 513 needs to be constructed as a corresponding engraved surface 514 to facilitate the formation of the desired decorative texture on the decorative surface 150 during injection molding. However, due to the presence of the bottom protrusion 517 of the lower portion 512 of the die 500, this bottom protrusion 517 blocks the path of the laser to the engraved surface 514, making it difficult to obtain the desired texture using laser engraving.

[0035] Figure 4A and Figure 4B An injection mold used in this invention for manufacturing the headlight trim frame 100 is shown. The following is illustrated using... Figure 4A and Figure 4B This describes a specific embodiment of the manufacturing method of the vehicle lamp decorative frame 100 according to the present invention.

[0036] First, a body 510 of a die 500 is arranged. This body 510 includes an upper portion 511, a lower portion 512, and an intermediate portion 513 positioned between the upper portion 511 and the lower portion 512. The intermediate portion 513 protrudes relative to the upper portion 511 and the lower portion 512 to form an opening 110 of the headlight trim frame 100. The bottom surface of the intermediate portion 513 is constructed as a sculpted surface 514 corresponding to the decorative surface 150 of the headlight trim frame 100, so as to form the desired decorative texture on the decorative surface 150 during injection molding. For example... Figure 4B As shown, with Figure 2A The difference in the cavity mold 500 is that the lower portion 512 of the body 510 does not include the bottom protrusion 517 facing the engraved surface 514.

[0037] Then, since there is no bottom protrusion 517 that blocks the laser path (to the engraved surface 514), the desired decorative texture can be engraved on the engraved surface 514 by laser.

[0038] After laser engraving is completed, the auxiliary insert 520 of the die 500 is detachably connected to the body 510. More specifically, the lower portion 512 of the body 510 has a first abutment surface 515 and a first forming surface 516, and the auxiliary insert 520 correspondingly has a second abutment surface 521 and a second forming surface 522. For example, the auxiliary insert 520 can be detachably connected to the body 510 by screws, and the second abutment surface 521 abuts against the first abutment surface 515, such that the second forming surface 522 is arranged to face the engraved surface 514, and the first forming surface 516 and the second forming surface 522 form a substantially smooth transition. That is, as... Figure 4A As shown, the structure and arrangement of the auxiliary insert 520 are equivalent to... Figure 3A The auxiliary insert 520 is designed and positioned such that the bottom protrusion 517 can replace the molding function of the bottom protrusion 517 during injection molding, but it can be separated from the lower portion 512 of the body 510 before injection molding. Therefore, although the auxiliary insert 520 is arranged on the laser path used for the above-described engraving, it does not affect the laser engraving process when separated from the body 510. Preferably, the material of the auxiliary insert 520 can be the same as that of the body 510, for example, it can be made of steel.

[0039] Next, the punch 600 is positioned so that it is positioned relative to the die 500. Then, injection molding material is injected between the die 500 and the punch 600, and after the injection molding material cools, a headlight trim frame 100 with a decorative surface 150 is formed. Finally, the molded headlight trim frame 100 is demolded to obtain the desired product.

[0040] It is understandable that, for the headlight trim frame 100, since the surface formed by the second molding surface 522 of the auxiliary insert 520 (i.e., the bottom surface of the lower flange 160) is a non-visible surface 170 that is normally not observable to the observer, therefore, as Figure 4D As shown, even if there is a slight uneven transition between the first molding surface 516 and the second molding surface 522, it will not affect the appearance of the headlight decorative frame 100. Therefore, the manufacturing method of the headlight decorative frame 100 according to the present invention ensures the feasibility of engraving special decorative textures on complex molding dies by laser, without affecting the appearance quality of the molded headlight decorative frame 100.

[0041] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that under the creative concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various flexible changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concept, but all of them fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0042] The above description of the embodiments is exemplary and not restrictive, and the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a vehicle headlight decorative frame, characterized in that, include: a) A body (510) for arranging a concave mold (500), the body (510) being provided with an engraving surface (514); b) Engraving decorative textures on the engraved surface (514) using a laser; c) Connecting the auxiliary insert (520) of the die (500) to the body (510), wherein the auxiliary insert (520) is arranged on the laser path for performing the engraving; d) Arrange the punch (600); e) Injecting molding material between the cavity (500) and the punch (600), and forming the headlight trim frame (100) after cooling; and f) Demolding is performed on the headlight decorative frame (100).

2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The body (510) has a first abutting surface (515) and a first molding surface (516), and the auxiliary insert (520) has a second abutting surface (521) and a second molding surface (522). In step c), the second abutting surface (521) is abutted against the first abutting surface (515) so that the first molding surface (516) and the second molding surface (522) transition substantially smoothly.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second molding surface (522) is arranged to face the engraved surface (514).

4. The manufacturing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second molding surface (522) is arranged to form the non-exterior surface (170) of the headlight trim frame (100).

5. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, In step c), the auxiliary insert (520) is detachably connected to the body (510) by screws.

6. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The auxiliary insert (520) is made of steel.

7. A decorative frame for vehicle lights, characterized in that, The headlight trim frame (100) is manufactured by the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The vehicle headlight decorative frame (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The headlight trim frame (100) is provided with an opening (110) arranged to face the headlight source to allow light to pass through.

9. The vehicle headlight decorative frame (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The headlight trim frame (100) includes a flange (140) extending from the edge of the opening (110), the flange (140) having a decorative surface (150) formed by the sculpted surface (514).

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