Method for manufacturing a comfort entry strip and comfort entry strip

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a comfort entry strip (14) at an entry opening of a motor vehicle, wherein the manufacturing process comprises a basic entry strip (1, 10) and providing the surface (2) of the basic entry strip with at least one first character (6, 11) designed as a structural element, and wherein, after a step concluding the manufacturing of the basic entry strip (1, 10) for the manufacture of the comfort entry strip (14), the at least one first character (6, 11) is covered with a cover element (7, 13) whose visible surface (15) is provided with at least one second character (16), wherein the basic entry strip (1, 10) is manufactured in one piece from plastic and the cover element (7, 13) is manufactured from metal, and wherein the at least one first character (6, 11) provided on the basic entry strip (1, 10) is at least slightly offset from the surface (2) of the basic entry strip (1, 10). recessed base area (3,12) is ordered.,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a comfort entry strip. The invention also relates to a corresponding comfort entry strip.

[0002] Door sills, or so-called step strips, are known in many forms from the prior art, for example from DE 102 09 665 C1. Door sills are arranged in the floor area of ​​a motor vehicle's entry opening and can, for example, feature the name of the vehicle manufacturer or the vehicle's model designation on the upper or visible surface of the sill. Until now, it has been common practice to assign specific door sills to specific equipment variants or models. For example, a cheaper production model would be assigned a simpler door sill than a more expensive luxury model. The differences can be evident in the choice of material as well as in the decorative design.

[0003] The disadvantage, however, is that different door sills must be produced for different models, resulting in a significantly higher level of effort on the part of the manufacturer. The manufacturer assigns different tools or production machines to different door sills.

[0004] DE 203 03 973 U1 discloses a door sill made of different materials. DE 20 2004 012 398 U1, which corresponds to the generic type, discloses a door sill in which personalized lettering is applied to a base surface in the form of a cover. However, even the prior art cited here does not disclose a simple way to provide a basic door sill with a first symbol and, alternatively, a comfort door sill with a second symbol.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a door sill that is easy to manufacture and at the same time cost-effective, the nature of which allows the manufacturer to save on machines and / or tools.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method for producing a comfort entry strip having the features of claim 1. The object is also achieved by a comfort entry strip according to claim 12. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

[0007] The method according to the invention for producing a comfort entry strip on an entry opening of a motor vehicle proposes that the base surface have a first symbol designed as a structural element, whereby the basic entry strip is produced in one piece from plastic and the cover element with the second symbol is produced from metal, whereby the first symbol provided on the basic entry strip is arranged on a base surface that is at least slightly recessed compared to the surface of the basic entry strip. In other words, only one basic entry strip provided with a first symbol is produced for all model variants. This basic entry strip is expanded or upgraded to a comfort entry strip by subsequently attaching a cover element that enhances the basic entry strip.The basic and comfort entry strips therefore have the same base body, with the base body preferably being designed as a one-piece trim part. For the manufacturer of the entry strip, this means that no additional or different machines, tools or manufacturing processes are required to produce the basic and / or comfort entry strip. The basic entry strip therefore becomes a comfort entry strip by attaching the higher-quality cover element. The recessed base area has the advantage that the first mark is better protected against soiling by people entering the vehicle. A further advantage is that after attaching a cover element, the actual height of the cover element can be reduced because the cover element rests on the lower base area, at least in part.

[0008] To prevent a cover element from sitting flush on the base surface after it has been attached, which could result in dents or bumps on the top surface of the cover element, the lower-quality structural element (first character) provided on the base sill strip can be made visible by appropriate graining of the material on the surface of the sill strip or the base surface. This manufacturing process (graining) ensures that the first character is completely or almost completely flat or level with respect to the base surface.

[0009] Furthermore, the base surface may be surrounded by a circumferential groove. Recesses, in particular milled recesses or the like, may be provided in the area of ​​the base surface or in the area of ​​the circumferential groove.

[0010] A further embodiment provides for fastening means to be provided on the cover element, wherein the fastening means engage at least partially in the recesses in the area of ​​the base surface or in the area of ​​the circumferential groove, thus securing the cover element to the base sill strip. Therefore, no further fastening means are required to secure the cover element.

[0011] The fastening means can preferably be designed as bending tabs or the like, which are manufactured in one piece with the cover element or are attached to it. The dimensions and / or shape of the cover element can essentially correspond to the dimensions and / or shape of the base surface on the base sill strip, with the cover element completely covering the first symbol provided on the base sill strip. This embodiment impresses with a particularly high-quality and decorative design.

[0012] It is conceivable that the second character arranged on the cover element is produced by printing, punching or milling technology.

[0013] A further embodiment provides for an intermediate layer to be arranged between the base sill strip or the base surface and the cover element covering the first sign, wherein the dimensions of the intermediate layer essentially correspond to the dimensions of the base surface or the cover element. This has the advantage that no cavity or the like forms between the base surface and the cover element, which could cause the cover element to deform under pressure.

[0014] The intermediate layer can be made of felt or adhesive tape, for example. Using adhesive tape would have the advantage of additionally securing the cover element.

[0015] The process is explained in more detail below using the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a basic entry bar in schematic representation; Fig. 2 the basic entry bar acc. Fig. 1 in cross section; Fig. 3 the basic entry bar acc. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with cover element arranged thereon; Fig. 4 the lettering (first character) of a basic door sill; Fig. 5 the cover element of a comfort door sill.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a portion of a base sill strip 1, wherein the base sill strip 1 is formed as a one-piece trim part. On the upper or visible surface 2 of the base sill strip 1, a base surface 3 is provided, recessed relative to the upper or visible surface 2 and surrounded by a circumferential groove 4. Recesses 5 are provided in the area of ​​the groove 4 or the base surface 3, wherein the recesses 5 serve for attaching fastening tabs of a cover element.

[0017] Fig. Figure 2 shows the basic entry strip 1 in a schematic cross-section XX. The groove 4 and the base surface 3, which is recessed towards the upper or visible surface 2, can be clearly seen. The elevations 6 are intended to form a Fig. 1 not shown lettering, which is visible through a differently executed grain on the base area 3.

[0018] Fig. 3 shows a further section of the basic sill strip 1, wherein a cover element 7 is positioned in the area of ​​the base surface 3. The cover element 7 has bending tabs 8, wherein the bending tab 8 is guided through a recess 5 and is bent below the base surface 3 in order to fix the cover element 7 to the basic sill strip 1. The dashed line "L" shows the bending tab 8 before the bending process. An intermediate layer 9 is arranged between the base surface 3 and the cover element 7. By providing the cover element 7 on the basic sill strip 1, the basic sill strip 1 becomes a comfort sill strip.

[0019] Fig. 4 shows a structural element (first character) 11 of a basic sill strip 10. The structural element 11 is visible by corresponding graining on the base surface 12.

[0020] Fig.Figure 5 shows the cover element 13 of a comfort door sill strip 14. The cover element 13 has a second symbol 16 on its upper or visible surface 15. The cover element 13 completely covers the base area located below the cover element 13 or a first symbol. The cover element 13 is made of a higher-quality material than the base door sill strip or the first symbol located below it. List of reference symbols 1 basic entry bar 2 Surface or visible surface 3 Floor space 4 grooves 5 recesses 6 first character 7 Cover element 8 bending tab 9 Intermediate layer 10 Basic entry sill 11 first character 12 floor space 13 Cover element 14 Comfort entry sill 15 Surface or visible surface 16 second character

Claims

[1] Method for producing a comfort entry strip (14) on an entry opening of a motor vehicle, wherein the production comprises a base entry strip (1, 10) and providing the surface (2) of the base entry strip with at least one first symbol (6, 11) designed as a structural element, and wherein, after a step for producing the comfort entry strip (14) concluding the production of the base entry strip (1, 10), the at least one first symbol (6, 11) is covered with a cover element (7, 13), the visible surface (15) of which is provided with at least one second symbol (16), wherein the base entry strip (1, 10) is produced in one piece from plastic and the cover element (7, 13) is produced from metal, and that the at least one first symbol (6, 11) provided on the base entry strip (1, 10) is provided on a surface opposite the surface (2) of the base entry strip (1, 10) at least slightly recessed base area (3,12) is arranged., [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the structural element (6, 11) provided on the base sill (1, 10) becomes visible through corresponding graining of the material on the surface (2) of the base area (3, 12). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the base area (3, 12) is surrounded by a circumferential groove (4). [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that recesses (5) are provided in the area of ​​the base surface (3, 12). [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by that fastening means are provided on the cover element (7, 13), wherein the fastening means engage at least partially in the recesses (5) in the region of the base surface (3, 12) and fix the cover element (7, 13) to the base entry strip (1, 10). [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by that the fastening means are designed as bending tabs (8). [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the dimension and / or shape of the cover element (7, 13) essentially corresponds to the dimension and / or shape of the base area (3, 12) on the base entry strip (1, 10). [8] Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the cover element (7, 13) completely covers the at least one first character (6, 11) provided on the base entry strip (1, 10). [9] Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the at least one second character (16) arranged on the cover element (7, 13) is produced by printing, punching or milling technology. [10] Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized bythat an intermediate layer (9) is arranged between the base entry strip (1, 10) or the base area (3) and the cover element (7, 13) covering at least one first character (6, 11), wherein the dimension of the intermediate layer (9) corresponds substantially to the dimension of the base area (3, 12). [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by that the intermediate layer (9) is made of felt or adhesive tape. [12] Comfort entry strip (1, 10 or 14) which is manufactured by a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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