Injection molding process and resulting component

Abstract

The invention relates to an injection molding process for producing a component (1) with a first body (2) made of a polymeric material composition and at least one annular channel (4) with a circumferential opening (5), characterized by the following process steps: a) Inserting the annular channel (4) into a mold, b) melting the polymeric material composition to a polymer melt, c) injecting polymer melt into the annular channel (4), d) filling the annular channel (4) with the polymer melt, e) introducing the polymer melt into the mould via the circumferential opening (5) of the annular channel (4), f) solidification of the polymer melt to form the first body (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an injection molding process according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a component produced by an injection molding process according to the preamble of claim 2.

[0002] Bearings, especially engine mounts, serve to provide elastic support for components, especially motor vehicle engines. Such bearings, which are located, for example, between the vehicle engine and the chassis, are intended to prevent or dampen the transmission of vibrations caused by the engine to the chassis. On the other hand, vibrations caused, for example, by uneven road surfaces during driving are not transmitted at all or only in a dampened manner.

[0003] Such bearings are typically manufactured using an injection molding process, whereby a molten, flowable polymeric material composition, for example an elastomer composition, is injected into a mold through several points to fill a mold cavity. After injection molding, the polymeric material composition crosslinks and / or solidifies in the mold to form a body. This first body made of polymeric material is often bonded to other metal and / or plastic parts during injection molding. At the transition points or connecting surfaces between the injected polymeric material and the other components, as well as within the injection-molded body, locally different flow velocities and directions of the polymer melt create confluence points or turbulences as a result of turbulent flow.Disadvantageously, the mechanical properties at the confluence points can vary, which can adversely affect the service life of the component.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a component and a method for producing the same, wherein convergence points can be avoided during the injection molding process in order to improve the mechanical properties and / or the service life of the component.

[0005] This problem is solved by an injection molding process having the features of independent claim 1 and by a component having the features of independent claim 2.

[0006] Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims and can be taken from the general description and the embodiments.

[0007] The present application relates to an injection molding process for producing a component having a first body made of a polymeric material composition and at least one annular channel with a circumferential opening, characterized by the following process steps: a) Inserting the annular channel into a mold, b) melting the polymeric material composition to a polymer melt, c) Injecting polymer melt into the annular channel, d) filling the annular channel with the polymer melt, e) introducing the polymer melt into the mold via the circumferential opening of the annular channel, f) Solidification of the polymer melt to form the first body.

[0008] Advantageously, the polymer melt is not injected directly into the mold or injection molding tool, but is first introduced into the annular channel. The channel is filled with the polymer melt. The polymer melt can be introduced evenly into the mold via the 360° circumferential opening of the annular channel, e.g. in the form of a circumferential gap, so that the cavity or hollow space of the mold is filled evenly. The size and geometry of the circumferential opening can influence the flow velocity of the polymer melt. The slower the flow velocity, the more evenly the mold is filled with the polymer melt, thus avoiding turbulent flow within the polymer melt. By avoiding turbulent flows, a homogeneous material distribution with homogeneous material properties across the cross-section of the first body can be ensured.This can extend the service life of the component, as component failure due to different material properties, such as differences in stiffness, can be avoided. The first body is formed by solidifying the polymer melt in the mold.

[0009] The present application also relates to a component having a first body made of a solidified polymeric material composition, produced in an injection molding process according to the invention, wherein the component has at least one annular channel for receiving polymer melt, wherein the annular channel has a circumferential opening for introducing the polymer melt into the mold.

[0010] Especially for dynamically loaded components, such as engine mounts, manufacturing using the injection molding process according to the invention proves particularly advantageous, as the effect of an extended service life under dynamic loads is particularly pronounced. The first body can be formed from an elastomeric material composition and fulfill the function of a damping element of a mount for vibration isolation.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the component has at least one second body and / or third body connected to the first body. The second body and / or third body is preferably made of a polymer material or of metal or a metal alloy, for example, steel or aluminum. The component can preferably be connected to other components, e.g., an engine and / or a chassis of a vehicle, via the at least one second body and / or third body.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first body, the second body, and / or the third body are connected by a material bond via at least one connecting surface. The material bond can be further improved by the use of an adhesion promoter.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the center of one annular channel corresponds to the center of the component. The symmetrical arrangement of the annular channel advantageously allows the mold cavity to be filled evenly in all directions. This avoids locally varying flow velocities, so that the mechanical properties remain homogeneously consistent across the cross-section of the first body.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the component is a bearing for vibration decoupling. Production using the injection molding process according to the invention proves particularly advantageous, especially for dynamically loaded bearings, since the effect of an extended service life under dynamic loads is particularly pronounced.

[0015] An embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated and explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an engine mount according to the invention in a sectional view according to a first embodiment.

[0017] Shown is a sectional view of an engine mount 1. The engine mount 1 comprises a first body 2 as a damping element of the engine mount 1 made of an elastomeric material composition, a second body 6, and a third body 7. The first body 2 is integrally connected to the second body 6 and the third body 7 via connecting surfaces 8. The second body 6 and the third body 7 are made of plastic. An engine and a chassis of a vehicle can be connected to the engine mount 1 via the second body 6 and the third body 7.

[0018] The engine mount 1 is manufactured using an injection molding process, wherein the elastomeric material composition of the first body 2 is melted into a polymer melt by heating, so that the elastomeric material composition is flowable and can be processed using the injection molding process. The engine mount 1 has an annular channel 4 into which the polymer melt is injected. The annular channel 4 has a circumferential opening 5, so that the polymer melt is introduced from the annular channel 4 through the opening 5 into a cavity or hollow space of a mold. The first body 2 is formed by solidifying the polymer melt in the mold. List of reference symbols (part of the description) 1 component, bearing, engine mount 2 first body 4 annular channel 5 circumferential opening 6 second body 7 third body 8 Connecting surface

Claims

[1] Injection molding process for producing a component (1) with a first body (2) made of a polymeric material composition and at least one annular channel (4) with a circumferential opening (5), characterized by the following procedural steps: a) Inserting the annular channel (4) into a mold, b) melting the polymeric material composition to a polymer melt, c) injecting polymer melt into the annular channel (4), d) filling the annular channel (4) with the polymer melt, e) introducing the polymer melt into the mould via the circumferential opening (5) of the annular channel (4), f) solidification of the polymer melt to form the first body (2). [2] Component (1) with a first body (2) made of a solidified polymeric material composition, produced in an injection molding process according to claim 1, characterized bythat the component (1) has at least one annular channel (4) for receiving polymer melt, wherein the annular channel (4) has a circumferential opening (5) for introducing the polymer melt into the mold. [3] Component (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the component (1) has at least one second body (6) and / or third body (7) connected to the first body (2). [4] Component (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the first body (2), the second body (6) and / or the third body (7) are integrally connected via at least one connecting surface (8). [5] Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the center of one annular channel (4) corresponds to the center of the component (1). [6] Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by that the component (1) is a bearing (1) for vibration decoupling.

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