Method and system for removing a coating in the area of the lateral surface of a recess of a component

Abstract

Method for removing a coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of a recess (4) of a component (2) for use within a high-voltage battery system, comprising the steps of presenting (100) the component (2) for removing the coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4) of the component (2), irradiating (200) the component (2) in the region of the recess (4) by means of a light source (8) for removing at least a part (16) of the coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4),a mechanical processing (300) of the component (2) in the region of the recess (4) by means of a mechanical tool (14) to remove the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4) and a removal (400) of dissolved coating residues (20) of the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) from the region of the recess (4) by means of a mechanical cleaning tool (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for removing a coating in the region of the lateral surface of a recess of a component for use within a high-voltage battery system.

[0002] For protective purposes, particularly to ensure compliance with corrosion resistance requirements, metal components are coated or painted. Existing holes in the components for subsequent joining techniques (e.g., for mechanical connections using blind rivet nuts) are also fully coated or painted.

[0003] However, for the use of metallic components in high-voltage battery systems, metallic contact must be present at the joints when installed to prevent the internal electromagnetic radiation of a battery from escaping to the outside, thus ensuring compliance with EMC requirements. The bare contact points represent a barrier to the internal electromagnetic radiation.

[0004] Unfortunately, the coating or paint on coated metal components for use in high-voltage battery systems must be at least partially removed. The removal of the coatings is usually achieved by irradiation with high-energy light sources.

[0005] Disadvantageously, these light sources cannot be used to remove coating materials from the lateral surfaces of holes, as the lateral surfaces of the holes are located outside the focal position of the radiation sources (the radiation source is too weak outside the focus). Incomplete removal of the coating material can lead, in particular, to leaks during joining, as the material residues on the lateral surfaces can be pulled out and then lie within the sealing areas. DE 10 2019 118 377 A1 discloses a method for producing a component, in particular an insulated component, in particular a storage or cell housing of a battery cell, wherein faulty insulated areas are treated using pulsed laser radiation.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above, in particular it is the object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for removing a coating which enables incomplete removal of coating material in a structurally simple and cost-effective manner even in places that are difficult to access, such as the lateral surfaces of material recesses.

[0007] The above object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a system according to claim 8. Further features and details emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Technical features disclosed for the method according to the invention also apply in conjunction with the system according to the invention, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a method for removing a coating in the region of the lateral surface of a recess of a component for use within a high-voltage battery system is provided. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of presenting the component for removal of the coating in the region of the lateral surface of the recess of the component, irradiating the component in the region of the recess using a light source to remove at least part of the coating in the region of the lateral surface of the recess, mechanically machining the component in the region of the recess using a mechanical tool to remove the remaining part of the coating in the region of the lateral surface of the recess, and removing dissolved coating residues of the remaining part of the coating from the region of the recess using a mechanical cleaning tool.

[0009] According to the invention, a method for removing a coating is provided which, through the inventive combination of the steps of irradiating the component in the region of a recess, mechanically machining the component in the region of the recess, and removing dissolved coating residues from the region of the recess, enables incomplete removal of coating material in a structurally simple and cost-effective manner, even in hard-to-reach places, such as the outer surfaces of material recesses. This not only makes it possible to provide an uninterrupted current flow for a high-voltage battery application, but also to ensure appropriate heat dissipation and compliance with the required EMC requirements in high-voltage battery applications.

[0010] The component in question for use within a high-voltage battery system can preferably be used as part of a housing of a high-voltage battery system. Within the scope of the invention, the dissolved coating residues can be understood to mean, in particular, material residues of the coating from the process step of mechanical processing to remove the remaining part of the coating, such as material chips, flakes, or flakes.

[0011] With a view to achieving the most precise processing possible, in particular the most exact removal of a coating in the region of the lateral surface of a recess of a component for use within a high-voltage battery system, it can advantageously be provided that the presentation of the component comprises securing the component by means of a securing device, wherein the component is preferably clamped in the securing device for securing, wherein the securing device is designed in particular in the form of a screw clamp. For secure securing, the component can advantageously be secured at at least two points arranged remote from one another, in particular points arranged opposite one another.

[0012] For the simple, rapid, and reliable removal of at least part of the coating in the area of ​​the lateral surface of the recess, it may also be advantageous if the component is irradiated using a laser, wherein the laser is preferably a solid-state laser, an excimer laser, a fiber laser, or a CO2 laser. A solid-state laser can preferably be an Er:YAG laser or an Nd:YAG laser. An excimer laser can, for example, be an ArF laser.

[0013] To ensure easy insertion of fasteners into the recess, the light source is used to irradiate the component in the recess area, removing part of the coating in the area of ​​the recess's lateral surface and also part of the coating on the component's surface surrounding the recess. This allows the surface for accommodating a screw or rivet head to be a bare contact point and thus be designed to be EMC-compliant.

[0014] With regard to a sensible use of the present method to ensure the required EMC-compliant design of a component for use within a high-voltage battery system, it can advantageously be provided that the coating is a protective coating, preferably an anti-corrosion coating.

[0015] With a view to a structurally simple and cost-effective form for effectively removing a residual portion of the coating in the region of the lateral surface of the recess, the invention can advantageously provide for the mechanical processing of the component in the region of the recess to be carried out using a brush, preferably a brush with metallic bristles, wherein the brush is moved back and forth to remove the residual portion of the coating in the region of the lateral surface of the recess, in particular while exerting pressure on the lateral surface. It is understood that the degree of hardness of the metal as well as the number and diameter of the bristles can be adapted to the type and layer thickness of the coating.

[0016] Within the scope of a structurally simple and cost-effective form for the effective removal of dissolved coating residues of the remaining part of the coating from the region of the recess, it is provided according to the invention that the dissolved coating residues of the remaining part of the coating are sucked out of the region of the recess by means of a suction means.

[0017] Likewise, within the scope of a structurally simple and cost-effective form for the effective removal of dissolved coating residues of the remaining part of the coating from the region of the recess, it can advantageously be provided according to the invention that the removal of dissolved coating residues of the remaining part of the coating from the region of the recess is carried out by means of an adhesive roller or an adhesive tape.

[0018] It is also understood that individual, several, or all mandatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be performed in the proposed order, but also deviating from the proposed order. Individual, several, or all mandatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be performed repeatedly, for example, cyclically.

[0019] It is further understood that individual, several or all of the mandatory and optional steps of the method according to the invention can also be carried out at least partially automatically or automatically, in particular can be implemented by a computer.

[0020] The invention further relates to a system for removing a coating in the region of the lateral surface of a recess of a component for use within a high-voltage battery system according to a method described above. The system according to the invention comprises a light source for removing at least part of the coating in the region of the lateral surface of the recess, a mechanical tool for removing the remaining part of the coating in the region of the lateral surface of the recess, and a mechanical cleaning tool for removing dissolved coating residues of the remaining part of the coating from the region of the recess. The system according to the invention thus has the same advantages as have already been described in detail with regard to the method according to the invention.

[0021] With a view to achieving the most precise processing possible, in particular the most exact removal of a coating in the area of ​​the lateral surface of a recess of a component for use within a high-voltage battery system, it can advantageously be provided that a fixing device is provided for fixing the component, wherein the fixing device is preferably designed in the form of a screw clamp. For secure fixing, the component can advantageously be fixed at at least two points arranged remote from one another, in particular points arranged opposite one another.

[0022] Within the scope of a compact arrangement and easier accessibility to the individual components of the system according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that a receiving unit is provided for receiving the components of the system, wherein the receiving unit is preferably designed in the form of a tool case.

[0023] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0024] It shows schematically: Fig. 1 shows the individual steps of a method according to the invention and the individual components of a system according to the invention for removing a coating in the area of ​​the lateral surface of a recess of a component for use within a high-voltage battery system according to a first exemplary embodiment, Fig. 2 the individual steps of a method according to the invention and the individual components of a system according to the invention for removing a coating in the region of the lateral surface of a recess of a component for use within a high-voltage battery system according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows the individual steps of a method according to the invention as well as the individual components of a system according to the invention for removing a coating 6 in the region of the lateral surface 10 of a recess 4 of a component 2 for use within a high-voltage battery system according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0026] As per Fig. 1, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of presenting 100 the component 2 for removing the coating 6 in the region of the lateral surface 10 of the recess 4 of the component 2, irradiating 200 the component 2 in the region of the recess 4 by means of a light source 8 for removing at least a part 16 of the coating 6 in the region of the lateral surface 10 of the recess 4, mechanically processing 300 the component 2 in the region of the recess 4 by means of a mechanical tool 14 for removing the remaining part 18 of the coating 6 in the region of the lateral surface 10 of the recess 4 and removing 400 dissolved coating residues 20 of the remaining part 18 of the coating 6 from the region of the recess 4 by means of a mechanical cleaning tool 12.

[0027] The presentation 100 of the component 2 can, for example, comprise fixing the component 2 by means of a fixing device 24, preferably clamping it in a fixing device 24.

[0028] The irradiation 200 of the component 2 is carried out in the present case by means of a laser, for example by means of a solid-state laser, an excimer laser, a fiber laser or a CO2 laser.

[0029] As per Fig. 1, by irradiating 200 the component 2 in the region of the recess 4, a part 16 of the coating 6 in the region of the lateral surface 10 of the recess 4 and additionally a part 22 of the coating 6 on the surface of the component 2 around the recess 4 is removed.

[0030] The mechanical processing 300 of the component 2 in the region of the recess 4 is carried out in the present case by means of a brush, preferably by means of a brush with metallic bristles, wherein the brush is moved back and forth in order to remove the remaining part 18 of the coating 6 in the region of the lateral surface 10 of the recess 4 while exerting pressure on the lateral surface 10.

[0031] As can also be seen, the dissolved coating residues 20 of the remaining part 18 of the coating 6 are sucked out of the region of the recess 4 by means of a suction means according to the first embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows the individual steps of a method according to the invention as well as the individual components of a system according to the invention for removing a coating 6 in the region of the lateral surface 10 of a recess 4 of a component 2 for use within a high-voltage battery system according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0033] As per Fig. 2, the method according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the dissolved coating residues 20 of the remaining part 18 of the coating 6 are removed by means of an adhesive roller.

[0034] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Method for removing a coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of a recess (4) of a component (2) for use within a high-voltage battery system, comprising the steps: - presenting (100) the component (2) for removing the coating (6) in the area of ​​the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4) of the component (2), - irradiating (200) the component (2) in the region of the recess (4) by means of a light source (8) to remove at least a part (16) of the coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4), - Mechanical machining (300) of the component (2) in the region of the recess (4) by means of a mechanical tool (14) to remove the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4), - removing (400) dissolved coating residues (20) of the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) from the region of the recess (4) by means of a mechanical cleaning tool (12), wherein by irradiating (200) the component (2) in the region of the recess (4) by means of the light source (8), a part (16) of the coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4) and additionally a part (22) of the coating (6) on the surface of the component (2) around the recess (4) is removed, wherein the dissolved coating residues (20) of the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) are sucked away from the region of the recess (4) by means of a suction means. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the presentation (100) of the component (2) comprises a fixing of the component (2) by means of a fixing device, wherein the component (2) is preferably clamped in the fixing device for fixing, wherein the fixing device is designed in particular in the form of a screw clamp. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the irradiation (200) of the component (2) is carried out by means of a laser, wherein the laser is preferably a solid-state laser, an excimer laser, a fiber laser or a CO2 laser. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the coating (6) is a protective coating, preferably an anti-corrosion coating. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the mechanical processing (300) of the component (2) in the region of the recess (4) is carried out by means of a brush, preferably by means of a brush with metallic bristles, wherein the brush is moved back and forth in order to remove the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4), in particular by exerting pressure on the lateral surface (10). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the dissolved coating residues (20) of the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) are blown away from the area of ​​the recess (4) by means of a blowing device. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the removal (400) of dissolved coating residues (20) of the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) from the region of the recess (4) is carried out by means of an adhesive roller or an adhesive tape. [8] System (2) for removing a coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of a recess (4) of a component (2) for use within a high-voltage battery system for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a light source (8) for removing at least part (16) of the coating (6) in the region of the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4), - a mechanical tool (14) for removing the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) in the area of ​​the lateral surface (10) of the recess (4), - a mechanical cleaning tool (12) for removing (400) dissolved coating residues (20) of the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) from the area of ​​the recess (4) and - Suction means for sucking out dissolved coating residues (20) of the remaining part (18) of the coating (6) from the area of ​​the recess (4). [9] System according to claim 8, characterized bythat a fixing device is provided for fixing the component (2), wherein the fixing device is preferably designed in the form of a screw clamp. [10] System according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that a receiving unit is provided for receiving the components (8, 12, 14, 24) of the system (2), wherein the receiving unit is preferably designed in the form of a tool case.

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