In-mold thread alignment device for automotive interior wrapping

Abstract

This utility model discloses an in-mold alignment device for automotive interior trim covering, relating to the field of automotive interior parts production equipment. The device is placed in the lower mold frame of the covering and edging mold and includes a mold frame, hanging pins, an in-situ detection sensor, a buffer block, an alignment knife, a handle, a vacuum suction mold, a vacuum button, a negative pressure gauge, and a lifting cylinder. The lifting cylinder drives the alignment knife holder to rotate, using the alignment knife as a reference to position the surface sewing thread. The hanging pins initially fix the surface, and the vacuum suction mold tightly adheres to the surface. During mold closing, the hanging pins continuously limit the position to prevent sewing thread deviation; the in-situ detection sensor provides self-locking protection for mold closing logic. This utility model integrates the alignment and covering processes, reducing space occupation, improving alignment accuracy and yield, and is suitable for the covering molding of automotive interior parts with sewing threads.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of automotive interior parts production equipment, and in particular to an in-mold alignment device for automotive interior parts covering, which is suitable for precise positioning of the sewing thread in the covering molding process of automotive interior parts with sewing thread. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of automotive interior parts, some interior parts (such as dashboard panels and door panels) require stitching to enhance their aesthetics and texture. Currently, in traditional production processes, a separate alignment fixture is needed to pre-wrap and position the surface, and then the pre-wrapped surface is transferred to a bonding and edge-sealing mold for hot pressing and edge-sealing.

[0003] The process has the following drawbacks: 1. Pre-wrapping and hot-pressing are independent processes, requiring separate tooling and equipment, which increases the workshop space required; 2. During the transfer of the pre-wrapped outer skin to the mold and during the mold closing, heating, and pressing, the sewing thread is easily misaligned due to external forces, affecting product accuracy; 3. High-precision alignment relies on the operator's experience, resulting in large human error and insufficient product yield; 4. The processes are dispersed, requiring multiple people to cooperate, leading to high labor costs and low production efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device that can integrate the alignment and coating processes, improve alignment accuracy, and reduce site occupation to address the shortcomings of existing technologies. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention aims to solve the problems of easy sewing thread deviation, reliance on manual experience, need for separate tooling occupying space, low yield rate and low production efficiency in the existing stitching process of automotive interior parts. It provides a stitching device integrated into the overlay and edge-wrapping mold, realizing the integration of stitching and overlay molding, and improving stitching accuracy and production stability.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] The automotive interior trim wrapping mold in-mold alignment device is placed on the lower mold frame of the wrapping and edge-sealing mold, and includes: mold frame, hanging pin, in-situ detection sensor, buffer block, alignment knife, handle, vacuum adsorption mold, vacuum button, negative pressure gauge and lifting cylinder.

[0008] The mold frame is the main support structure of the device and is fixed on the lower mold frame of the overlapping edge-wrapping mold;

[0009] The lifting cylinder constitutes an automatic lifting mechanism. Its cylinder body is fixed to the rear end of the mold frame away from the operating side. The piston rod is hinged to the wire alignment tool holder (the wire alignment tool is fixed on the tool holder) and is used to drive the wire alignment tool holder to rotate around the hinge point (to realize the lifting and lowering of the wire alignment tool).

[0010] The edge of the thread alignment knife matches the preset path of the sewing thread on the product to be formed, serving as a positioning reference for the sewing thread; the handle is fixed to the thread alignment knife holder, allowing the operator to manually assist in pressing the thread alignment knife to the working position;

[0011] The hanging pins are provided in multiples and are evenly distributed around the periphery of the mold frame. Their height is higher than the surface of the vacuum adsorption mold and they are used to pass through the pre-set positioning holes around the skin to fix the skin.

[0012] The vacuum adsorption mold is fixed in the middle of the mold frame, and its surface matches the inner surface contour of the product to be formed. It has a vacuum channel inside. The vacuum button and the negative pressure gauge are both installed on the operating side of the mold frame. The vacuum button is electrically connected to the vacuum generator (external) and is used to control the opening and closing of the vacuum channel. The negative pressure gauge is connected to the vacuum channel and is used to display the vacuum adsorption pressure in real time.

[0013] The in-situ detection sensor is fixed at the rear end of the mold frame (corresponding to the resetting position of the alignment tool holder), and is a proximity switch or photoelectric sensor, used to detect whether the alignment tool holder has been reset to the initial position;

[0014] Multiple buffer blocks are provided, made of elastic material (such as rubber), and fixed to the upper surface edge of the mold frame to buffer the impact force of the upper mold on the lower mold when the mold is closed.

[0015] Initial state: The alignment tool holder is in the reset state (away from the vacuum adsorption mold) under the contraction force of the lifting cylinder. The in-situ detection sensor detects the alignment tool holder, and the mold can start operation.

[0016] Preparation for thread alignment: Activate the lifting cylinder, extend the piston rod to drive the thread alignment knife holder to rotate, so that the thread alignment knife rotates in the direction of vacuum adsorption mold; the operator presses the thread alignment knife to the working position (the blade is aligned with the preset sewing thread path) by using the handle.

[0017] Skin laying: Place the skin with sewing thread on top of the vacuum adsorption mold, align the sewing thread of the skin with the edge of the thread alignment knife (using the thread alignment knife as a reference for positioning), and insert the hanging pins into the positioning holes around the skin to achieve initial fixation of the skin;

[0018] Vacuum adsorption: After confirming that the alignment is complete, press the vacuum button to start the vacuum generator. The vacuum adsorption mold generates negative pressure through the internal vacuum channel, which tightly adsorbs the skin onto the mold surface. Observe the negative pressure value through the negative pressure gauge (to ensure that the adsorption is firm).

[0019] Reset of the alignment mechanism: The operator releases the handle, controls the lifting cylinder to retract, drives the alignment tool holder to flip and reset to the initial position, and the in-situ detection sensor detects the alignment tool holder and sends a signal;

[0020] Mold closing and forming: After receiving the signal from the in-situ detection sensor, the mold control system allows the mold to close; during the mold closing process, the hanging pins continuously pull the periphery of the skin to prevent the skin from shifting; the buffer block buffers the impact force of the upper mold; after the upper mold and lower mold are closed, heating and pressurization are carried out to complete the covering and forming. Because the skin has been positioned by the line, fixed by the hanging pins and vacuum adsorption, the sewing thread has no deviation.

[0021] Safety protection: If the alignment tool holder is not reset (the in-situ detection sensor does not detect a signal), the mold control system triggers a logic self-locking mechanism to prevent mold closing and prevent the upper mold from damaging the alignment tool holder or the surface.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0023] Integrated process: The alignment function is integrated into the bonding and edge-sealing mold, eliminating the need for separate alignment tooling, reducing workshop space occupation, and lowering equipment investment costs;

[0024] Improved accuracy: Through the positioning of the thread cutter reference, the initial fixation of the hanging needle, and the tight fit of vacuum adsorption, multiple limits ensure that the sewing thread does not shift during the mold closing process, and the thread alignment accuracy is improved to within ±0.5mm;

[0025] Reduce reliance on worker experience: Standardize operations through mechanical benchmarks and automated control, increasing product yield by more than 15%;

[0026] Enhanced stability: The logic self-locking protection of the in-situ detection sensor avoids equipment damage or product scrapping due to operational errors, thereby improving production safety;

[0027] Adaptable to complex shapes: The thread alignment knife can be customized according to the sewing thread path of the product, which can meet the thread alignment needs of complex curved interior parts and has a wide range of applications. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0031] In the picture:

[0032] 1-Mold frame, 2-Hanging pin, 3-In-situ detection sensor, 4-Buffer block, 5-Line alignment knife, 6-Handle, 7-Vacuum adsorption mold, 8-Vacuum button, 9-Negative pressure gauge, 10-Lifting cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model. Example

[0034] like Figure 1-2 As shown;

[0035] In-mold alignment device for automotive interior trim.

[0036] This implementation plan addresses the technical problems existing in the prior art, such as those disclosed in the background section above: "In the production process of automotive interior parts, some interior parts skins (such as dashboard skins, door panel skins, etc.) need to be sewn with stitching lines to improve aesthetics and texture. Currently, in traditional production processes, a separate alignment fixture is required to pre-wrap and position the skin, and then the pre-wrapped skin is transferred to a bonding and edge-wrapping mold for hot pressing and edge-wrapping forming."

[0037] The process has the following drawbacks: 1. Pre-wrapping and hot-pressing are independent processes, requiring separate tooling and equipment, which increases workshop space usage; 2. During the transfer of the pre-wrapped outer skin to the mold and during mold closing, heating, and pressing, the sewing thread is easily misaligned due to external forces, affecting product accuracy; 3. High-precision alignment relies on worker experience, resulting in large human errors and insufficient product yield; 4. The processes are dispersed, requiring multiple people to collaborate, leading to high labor costs and low production efficiency. In practical terms, this problem is clearly real and difficult to solve. Therefore, to address this technical issue, an in-mold alignment device for automotive interior wrapping is provided.

[0038] like Figure 1-2 As shown in the figure;

[0039] This utility model provides a technical solution: an in-mold alignment device for automotive interior trim covering, installed on the lower mold frame of an automotive door panel skin covering and edge-wrapping mold, with the specific structure as follows:

[0040] The mold frame 1 is made of Q235 steel plate and has dimensions of 1200mm×800mm×200mm. It is fixed to the upper surface of the lower mold frame.

[0041] The lifting cylinder 10 is a cylinder of model SC80×150. The cylinder body is fixed to the middle of the rear end of the mold frame 1 by bolts. The end of the piston rod is hinged to the thread alignment tool holder by a pin. The thread alignment tool holder is made of aluminum alloy, and the thread alignment knife 5 is made of high-speed steel. The edge of the blade is consistent with the preset sewing line path of the door panel surface and is fixed to the front end of the thread alignment tool holder by bolts.

[0042] The handle 6 is made of plastic and is fixed to the middle of the wire-aligning tool holder with screws, making it easy for the operator to hold.

[0043] There are 8 hanging pins 2, which are made of φ5mm stainless steel needles and are evenly distributed around the mold frame 1 (2 on each side). The height is 50mm and the needle tips are rounded (to avoid piercing the surface).

[0044] The vacuum adsorption mold 7 is made of polyurethane, and its surface replicates the contour of the inner surface of the door panel. It has 6 vacuum channels (φ8mm in diameter) inside, and the end of the channel is connected to the vacuum button 8 through an air pipe.

[0045] Vacuum button 8 is a two-position five-way solenoid valve, fixed on the left end of the operating side of mold frame 1; negative pressure gauge 9 is a pointer-type vacuum gauge (range -0.1MPa~0MPa), fixed on the right side of vacuum button 8, and connected to the vacuum channel through a branch pipe;

[0046] The in-situ detection sensor 3 is a proximity switch of model E2E-X10MY1, which is fixed on the bracket at the rear end of the mold frame 1 corresponding to the reset position of the cutting tool holder, with a detection distance of 5mm;

[0047] The buffer blocks 4 are made of nitrile rubber, and there are 4 of them. They are fixed at the four corners of the mold frame 1, and their dimensions are 50mm×50mm×20mm.

[0048] The operation process of this embodiment is as follows:

[0049] Start the equipment, the lifting cylinder 10 initially retracts, the alignment tool holder resets, and the in-situ detection sensor 3 lights up (signal detected).

[0050] Press the lifting cylinder control button, the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 10 extends, driving the alignment knife holder to flip to the working position. The operator can then fine-tune the alignment knife 5 with the handle 6 until the blade is aligned with the preset sewing thread path.

[0051] Take the door panel skin, align the edge of the skin sewing thread with the blade of the thread-aligning knife 5, and at the same time, insert the corresponding hanging needles 2 into the 8 positioning holes around the skin.

[0052] After confirming that the alignment is accurate, press the vacuum button 8. The vacuum adsorption mold 7 generates negative pressure (the negative pressure gauge 9 displays -0.06MPa to -0.08MPa), and the skin is tightly adsorbed onto the surface of the mold.

[0053] Press the lifting cylinder reset button, the lifting cylinder 10 retracts, the alignment tool post resets, and the in-situ detection sensor 3 lights up again;

[0054] Start the mold closing program, the upper mold moves downward, and the buffer block 4 buffers the impact force after contacting the upper mold. After the mold is closed, heat and pressurize (temperature 120℃~150℃, pressure 0.3MPa~0.5MPa), hold the pressure for 30 seconds, and then open the mold.

[0055] After the molded door panel skin is removed, the hanging pin 2 automatically disengages from the skin positioning hole, completing one production cycle.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the utility model. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An in-mold registration device for automotive interior trim, disposed on a lower mold frame of a cover-stitching mold, characterized in that, The system includes a mold frame (1), hanging pins (2), an in-situ detection sensor (3), a buffer block (4), a thread alignment knife (5), a handle (6), a vacuum adsorption mold (7), a vacuum button (8), a negative pressure gauge (9), and a lifting cylinder (10). The mold frame (1) is fixed on the lower mold frame. The lifting cylinder (10) is located at the rear end of the mold frame (1) away from the operating side, and its piston rod is connected to the thread alignment knife holder. The thread alignment knife (5) is fixed on the thread alignment knife holder, and the handle (6) is located on the thread alignment knife holder. There are multiple hanging pins (2) distributed around the mold frame (1). The vacuum adsorption mold (7) is located in the middle of the mold frame (1), and the vacuum button (8) and the negative pressure gauge (9) are located on the operating side of the mold frame (1) and are both connected to the vacuum adsorption mold (7). The in-situ detection sensor (3) is located at the rear end of the mold frame (1) corresponding to the reset position of the thread alignment knife holder. The buffer block (4) is located on the edge of the upper surface of the mold frame (1).

2. The automotive trim in-line coining apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The edge of the thread-aligning knife (5) matches the preset path of the sewing thread of the product to be formed.

3. The automotive trim in-line coining apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The height of the hanging pin (2) is higher than the surface of the vacuum adsorption mold (7) and is used to pass through the positioning holes around the skin.

4. The automotive trim in-line coining apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The surface of the vacuum adsorption mold (7) matches the inner surface contour of the product to be formed, and a vacuum channel is provided inside.

5. The automotive trim in-line coining apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The in-situ detection sensor (3) is a proximity switch or photoelectric sensor, which is electrically connected to the mold closing control system.

6. The automotive trim in-line coining apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The buffer block (4) is made of elastic material.

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