Trim panel with a retaining profile for positioning a seam connecting two decorative layers

Abstract

Trim part (18) comprising a retaining profile (2) for positioning a seam (13) connecting two decorative layers (3), comprising an upper area (12), a middle area (11) and a lower area having at least one anchor (6), wherein the upper area (12) is designed as a piping, piping or welt or in the form of a piping to extend beyond a visible side of the decorative layers (3) to be positioned, wherein the middle area (11) comprises two sides for sewing to each of the decorative layers (3), wherein the anchor (6) is designed to be inserted into a groove (7) which has a narrower width than the anchor (6) itself and to exert a force in a lateral direction (8) on the groove (7) and wherein the upper area (12), the middle area (11) and the anchor (6) are formed in one piece, are made of the same material and are arranged in a vertical direction to each other (10), as well as at least two decorative layers (3) connected to the central area (11) of the retaining profile (2), a support (4) with a groove (7), characterized in that the anchor (6) projects into the groove (7) of the support (4), wherein the anchor (6) is laterally compressed to exert a force on side walls (9) of the groove (7), wherein the side walls (9) of the groove (7) extend to the decorative layers (3), wherein an intermediate layer (5) is arranged at least in some areas between the carrier (4) and the decorative layers (3), wherein the retaining profile (2) and thus the connection between the decorative layers (3) is arranged in a recess of the cladding part (18), wherein the upper area (12) has a height (19) which is less than a depth (20) of the recess (21), so that the upper area (12) in the area of ​​the connection of the decorative layers (3) extends beyond a visible side of the decorative layers (3), but does not extend beyond a visible surface of the cladding part (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cladding part with a holding profile for positioning a seam connecting two decorative layers.

[0002] Such retaining profiles are already known from the prior art for most seam shapes. For example, EP 2 230 132 A1 discloses a retaining profile comprising a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile, in which end sections of two decorative layers are arranged and connected to each other.

[0003] However, with state-of-the-art retaining profiles, it is not possible to position piped seams in a simple and reliable manner.

[0004] A vehicle interior trim part with a piped seam is disclosed, for example, in US 2011 / 0227319 A1. However, a positioning profile to facilitate the positioning of the piped seam is not provided there. Instead, a seam flag is used for the piped seam shown there, as is common practice in the prior art.

[0005] DE 69 32 808 discloses a retaining profile for positioning two sewn decorative layers. The retaining profile comprises an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section for fastening. The upper section is designed as a piping. The middle section has two sides for sewing to one of the decorative layers. The upper section, the middle section, and the lower section are formed as one piece and arranged vertically relative to one another.

[0006] Utility model DE 20 2010 016 550 U1 describes a retaining profile for a welded joint, which otherwise corresponds to that of EP 2 230 132 A1. US 5 893 579 A further describes a retaining profile for sewing two decorative layers to cover an airbag.

[0007] DE 10 2004 053 133 A1 also discloses a covering for lining motor vehicle interiors and a molded part with such a covering. On the side of the trim part opposite the visible side, at least one positioning element connected to the trim part is provided in the region of the seam for holding the trim part in a defined manner during its lamination and / or backfoaming. Another interior trim part with a carrier and a decorative skin comprising a first and a second skin, wherein the decorative skin is held in a retaining profile, is known from DE 10 2010 011 996 A1.

[0008] DE 10 2010 004 288 A1 states that it is undesirable for a piping or piping to protrude beyond the two decorative layers on their visible side. In particular, such protrusions can lead to undesirably high levels of abrasion on the piping or piping. In addition to the visual impairment, this also results in a loss of quality from a tactile perspective.

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a holding profile that enables the positioning of a seam with a piping, piping or the like in a reliable and simple manner.

[0010] This object is achieved by a covering part according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments and embodiments result from the features of the subclaims.

[0011] The holding profile for positioning a seam connecting two decorative layers comprises an upper region, a middle region and a lower region which has at least one anchor. The upper region is piping-shaped or designed as a piping for projecting beyond a visible side of the skins to be positioned. The piping-shaped upper region is made of a solid material (i.e. a continuous material which is not divided into an outer layer and core material). A cross-section of the piping or of the piping-shaped upper region can, for example, be essentially circular or essentially oval. It should be noted that although the upper region can extend over the entire length of the holding profile, this is not absolutely necessary. It is also possible for the upper region to extend only over part of the length of the holding profile.However, embodiments with an upper region extending over the entire length of the seam are to be regarded as particularly preferred.

[0012] The middle region has two sides and is designed to be connected, preferably sewn, to one of the decorative layers on each side. The anchor is designed to be inserted into a groove which has a smaller width than the anchor itself, i.e. the anchor is compressible in the lateral direction. The width of the anchor itself here means the width of the anchor when it is not inserted into a groove and is not pressed together laterally. If the anchor is pushed into a groove, it is pressed together laterally and exerts a force on the groove in the lateral direction. In the holding profile according to the invention, the upper region, the middle region and the anchor are formed integrally with one another. The said regions are arranged offset from one another in the vertical direction.The one-piece design of the retaining profile from a uniform material makes it possible, for example, to produce the retaining profile by extrusion.

[0013] The anchor, the upper region, and / or the central region can be made of a plastic, particularly preferably of TPE-E. A material from which the anchor, the upper region, and / or the central region are at least predominantly made can preferably have a hardness between 50 and 100 Shore A, between 70 and 95 Shore A, or between 80 and 90 Shore A. For example, the hardness can be approximately 85 Shore A.

[0014] In order to enable the most secure hold in a groove of a support, the anchor is preferably designed so that it can be compressed laterally by up to at least 5%, preferably at least 10% or 20%. In particular, the anchor can be compressible in the lateral direction by up to 20% to 40%. The extent to which the anchor can be compressed can be adjusted, for example, by an angle at which the anchor runs to the vertical direction, by a thickness of the anchor or a hardness of the material. The angle of the anchor to the vertical direction is preferably between 100° and 150° and particularly preferably between 115° and 135°. For example, the angle can be approximately 125°.

[0015] In order to achieve a particularly clear decorative effect, it is preferable to design the upper area with a width between 3 and 8 mm.

[0016] The invention relates to a composite part designed as a cladding part, which comprises a holding profile, as described above, and at least two decorative layers, wherein the decorative layers are connected, preferably sewn, to the central region of the holding profile. The upper region of the holding profile projects beyond a visible side of the surrounding decorative layer. The holding profile and thus a connection between the decorative layers is arranged in a recess in the composite part, wherein the upper region has a height which is less than a depth of the recess, so that the upper region, in the region of the connection of the decorative layers, projects beyond a visible side of the decorative layers, but does not project beyond a visible surface of the cladding part.

[0017] The composite part further comprises at least one support, with the anchor of the retaining profile protruding into a groove in the support. The side walls of the groove extend as far as the decorative layers. In such embodiments, the anchor is compressed laterally. As a result, it exerts a force on the walls of the groove of the support in a lateral direction, similar to the principle of a spring, creating a force-locking connection that prevents the anchor from being pulled out of the groove of the support.

[0018] For the purposes of this application, the lateral direction is understood to be the direction that is, on the one hand, orthogonal to the surface normal of the composite part and, on the other hand, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the retaining profile. The longitudinal direction of the retaining profile is essentially identical to the seam direction. The vertical direction is defined as the direction of the surface normal of the visible surface of the composite part.

[0019] It is not absolutely necessary for the upper region of the retaining profile to protrude from the composite part. Instead, the support can also comprise a recess in which the seam runs, overlapping the groove in which the retaining profile is arranged. In such embodiments, the groove is arranged in the bottom of the recess. This recess can be designed such that an upper edge of the upper region of the retaining profile is vertically flush with the visible side of the decorative layers adjacent to the recess. Likewise, the upper edge of the upper region of the retaining profile can even be arranged vertically lower than the visible side of the decorative layers adjacent to the recess. Embodiments with an upper edge of the upper region that is flush or recessed, as described above, are particularly preferred in wear-prone areas where abrasion would otherwise lead to rapid wear of the upper region.

[0020] In order to achieve the strongest possible decorative effect, it is particularly advantageous if the visible sides of the decorative layers in the immediate vicinity of the retaining profile are essentially flat or even slightly raised.

[0021] Depending on the design, the upper area can protrude from the visible surface of the composite part by 0.1 to 8 mm.

[0022] An intermediate layer is arranged between the carrier and the decorative layers, at least in some areas. This can be a foam or textile layer, for example. This intermediate layer gives the composite part a soft feel.

[0023] The composite part can include a folding area in which the longitudinal direction of the retaining profile and the orientation of the visible side of the composite part change. The seam, the decorative layers, and the retaining profile are guided around an edge of the carrier in the folding area.

[0024] To reduce the stiffness of the retaining profile and thus enable the decorative layer to be folded without rippling, the height of the retaining profile can be reduced. For example, the height of the retaining profile can be reduced by at least 1 mm in the folding area. In particular, the anchor of the retaining profile can be shortened or completely removed in the folding area. Likewise, the upper area, particularly in the folding area or part of the folding area, can be removed.

[0025] The length of the folding area can, for example, be between 10 mm and 40 mm, between 15 mm and 30 mm or between 20 mm and 25 mm.

[0026] A composite part not belonging to the invention is Fig. 1 to 4. An embodiment is shown in Fig. 5 shown. Fig. However, sections 1 to 4 serve to understand and explain individual features.

[0027] Showing: , Fig. 1 a cross-section through an embodiment of a composite part with a holding profile, Fig. 2 a support with a groove therein for inserting a retaining profile, Fig. 3 a view of the Fig. 2 carriers shown from below, Fig. 4 a longitudinal section along an unbent support profile and Fig. 5 an embodiment of a composite part designed as a cladding part with a holding profile.

[0028] In Fig. 1 shows a composite part 1 comprising a retaining profile 2, two skins 3, a carrier 4, and an intermediate layer 5. The retaining profile 2 is arranged with two anchors 6 in a groove 7 of the carrier 4. Due to their arrangement in the groove 7, the anchors 6 are compressed in the lateral direction 8 and therefore exert a restoring force on the side walls 9 of the groove 7. The extent to which the anchors 6 can be compressed and the strength of the force on the side walls 9 depends on an angle 22 of the anchors to a vertical direction 10 as well as the material thickness of the anchors. As a result, static friction between the anchor 6 and the side walls 9 of the groove 7 counteracts the retaining profile 2 from slipping out of the groove 7. In the vertical direction 10, a central region 11 of the retaining profile 2 adjoins the anchor 6 and is delimited downwards in the vertical direction by the uppermost anchor.The central region 11 is connected on both sides to one of the skins 3 (these can be molded skins made of plastic, for example polyurethane or PVC; however, textile and / or leather layers can also be used instead of the skins). The connection between the skins 3 and the central region 11 of the holding profile 2 can be formed by a conventional seam 13 comprising at least one yarn. However, the connection can also be designed as an adhesive and / or welded seam. To ensure correct positioning of the skins, in this exemplary embodiment, a stop 23 is provided in the central region 11, which defines a position of a lower edge of the skins. This achieves a positioning accuracy of the skins of better than + / - 1 mm or even better than + / - 0.5 mm.

[0029] Offset in the vertical direction 10, the upper region 12 adjoins the central region 11, i.e., the central region 11 ends at a lower edge of the piping-shaped upper region 12 in the present embodiment. The upper region 12 projects beyond the visible side of the skins 3 and is thus clearly visible to an observer of the trim part 1. In this embodiment, the skins 3 are also arranged almost flatly in the area around the retaining profile 2. The upper region 12 thus protrudes clearly visible.

[0030] In the present exemplary embodiment, the holding profile is made of TPE-E. However, any other, in particular extrudable, plastics can also be used. The carrier 4 in this exemplary embodiment is made of PP, PP LGF, PP GF or ABS PC. In the case of a fiber-reinforced carrier material such as PP LFG or PP GF, a fiber content can be, for example, between 10 and 50 percent by weight and preferably between 20 and 40 percent by weight. The tensile modulus of elasticity of the carrier material is preferably at least 1 GPa and preferably at least 2 or 3 GPa. The tensile modulus of elasticity can also be between 4 and 12 GPa. In this exemplary embodiment, the intermediate layer is arranged only on one side of the holding profile 2. However, it would also be possible for intermediate layers 5 to be arranged on both sides of the holding profile 2, so that the entire trim part 1 has a soft feel. The intermediate layer 5 could also be omitted.The intermediate layer 5 can consist, for example, of a textile, in particular a spacer fabric, or of a foam (for example front and / or cut foam).

[0031] With regard to the materials and material properties of the retaining profile, the carrier and the intermediate layer, reference is made to the application with the publication EP 20 230 132 A1, which is made part of the present application with regard to the materials and material properties.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional illustration of an embodiment of a carrier 4 with a groove 7. The groove 7 has a groove base 15 along a large longitudinal area, which defines the groove 7 at the bottom. However, at one edge 16, the groove 7 is open at the bottom.

[0033] In Fig. 3 is the carrier 4 from Fig. 2 in the region of its edge 16 from a perspective from below. As can be seen, the groove bottom 15 is interrupted in the vicinity of the edge 16. Due to the interrupted design of the groove bottom 15, a retaining profile 2 to be inserted into the groove 7 can be folded around the edge 16, together with the skins 3.

[0034] The holding profile 2 in the folded state is in Fig. 4. Other components of the composite part 1 were not included in this illustration. In this view, the upper area 12, the middle area 11, and the anchors 6 can be seen. In the folded area 17, the anchors of the retaining profile 2 have been completely removed. In alternative examples, only one or some of the anchors 6 have been removed. It should be noted that the retaining profile 2 does not always have to have two anchors as shown; a design with only one anchor or with more than two anchors is also possible.

[0035] With regard to the folding area, reference is made to the German patent application with the application number DE 10 2010 045 719, which is made part of the disclosure of the present application with regard to the design of the carrier, the groove of the carrier and the anchor in the folding area.

[0036] An embodiment of a covering part 18 is shown in Fig. 5. The cover part 18 differs from the cover part of the Fig. 1 in that the retaining profile 2 and thus the connection between the skins 3 is arranged in a recess 21 of the composite part 18. As a result, the upper region 12 projects beyond the visible side of the molded skins or decorative layers in the region of the connection of the skins, but in this exemplary embodiment the upper region 12 does not project beyond the visible surface of the covering part 18. This is due to the fact that the upper region 12 has a height 19 which is less than a depth 20 of the recess 21. The embodiment according to Fig. 5 is superior in terms of abrasion resistance in the upper region 12 to the embodiment of Fig. 1 is preferred, however, the decorative effect achieved by the upper portion 12 is not as pronounced due to the recessed arrangement. The embodiment of Fig.5 is therefore particularly suitable for areas of the composite part where high mechanical stress, in particular heavy abrasion, is to be expected.

[0037] The trim part shown in the figures can be used, for example, as a vehicle interior trim part. For example, the composite part 1 or 18 can form an instrument panel or be a component thereof.

Claims

[1] Covering part (18) comprising a holding profile (2) for positioning a seam (13) connecting two decorative layers (3), comprising an upper region (12), a middle region (11) and a lower region having at least one anchor (6), wherein the upper region (12) is designed as a piping, piping or welt or in the form of a piping to protrude beyond a visible side of the decorative layers (3) to be positioned, wherein the middle region (11) comprises two sides for sewing to one of the decorative layers (3) each, wherein the armature (6) is designed to be introduced into a groove (7) which has a smaller width than the armature (6) itself and to exert a force in the lateral direction (8) on the groove (7) and wherein the upper region (12), the middle region (11) and the anchor (6) are formed in one piece with each other, consist of the same material and are arranged in the vertical direction to each other (10), and at least two decorative layers (3) which are connected to the central region (11) of the holding profile (2), a carrier (4) with a groove (7), characterized by that the armature (6) projects into the groove (7) of the support (4), wherein the armature (6) is laterally compressed to exert a force on side walls (9) of the groove (7), wherein the side walls (9) of the groove (7) extend up to the decorative layers (3), wherein an intermediate layer (5) is arranged at least in some areas between the carrier (4) and the decorative layers (3), wherein the retaining profile (2) and thus the connection between the decorative layers (3) is arranged in a recess of the cladding part (18), wherein the upper region (12) has a height (19) which is less than a depth (20) of the recess (21), so that the upper region (12) projects beyond a visible side of the decorative layers (3) in the region of the connection of the decorative layers (3), but does not project beyond a visible surface of the covering part (18). [2] Covering part (18) according to claim 1, characterized by that the upper region (12) projects beyond a surface formed by the decorative layers (3). [3] Covering part (18) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the holding profile (2) and the decorative layers (3) are curved out of a longitudinal direction (14) in a folding area of ​​the carrier (4). [4] Covering part (18) according to claim 3, characterized by that the armature (6) is shortened or completely interrupted in the bending area. [5] Covering part (18) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the upper Area (12), the middle area (11) and the anchor (6) are made of a plastic. [6] Covering part (18) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the upper area (12) has a width between 3 and 8 mm.

Images