Fixing device for a decorative layer to be laminated onto a substrate structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing device (1) for a decorative layer (22) to be laminated onto a carrier structure (21), comprising a seaming blade (11) and a support (13) on which the carrier structure (21) and the decorative layer (22) can be arranged such that the decorative layer (22) covers the carrier structure (21) at least partially, wherein the seaming blade (11) has a seaming blade edge (12) and is configured to fix the decorative layer (22) and the carrier structure (21) to each other along a predetermined seam contour (23) on the support (13) with the seaming blade edge (12), wherein the fixing device (1) further comprises a lighting device (31) configured to illuminate the support (13) along the seam contour (23).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fixing device for a decorative layer to be laminated onto a carrier structure.

[0002] Laminating devices and fixing devices for securing a decorative layer to a substrate have long been known. The use of seam blades to press the decorative layer along a seam contour against the substrate or against a counter-support (which can be described as a support) and thereby fix the decorative layer in a predetermined position on the substrate for the subsequent lamination process is also known.

[0003] In this process, it is often necessary to manually align the decorative layer on the substrate, or the substrate and decorative layer on the support, as well as the substrate and / or decorative layer relative to the seam guide, so that an edge or a predetermined area of ​​the decorative layer runs exactly along the seam contour determined by the seam guide edge.

[0004] However, a problem arises because the seam guide itself or other structures of the laminating and / or fixing device cast a shadow on the substrate, the decorative layer, and / or the substrate, significantly hindering the precise positioning of the decorative layer. This is especially true when dark materials are used as the decorative layer, as the exact course of the dark decorative layer is no longer, or at least no longer easily, discernible to the operator performing manual alignment within the shadowed area.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing a fixing device for a decorative layer to be laminated onto a carrier structure, with which the decorative layer and preferably also the carrier structure can be easily aligned with respect to a predetermined seam contour.

[0006] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, a fixing device for a decorative layer to be laminated onto a carrier structure is proposed, wherein the fixing device comprises a support and a seaming blade. The carrier structure and the decorative layer can be arranged on the support, which can also be called a support body, support, or counter-support, such that the decorative layer at least partially covers the carrier structure. For clarity, the support is preferably designed to provide planar support for the carrier structure, so that the decorative layer can be arranged on the carrier structure in a planar manner, thus covering the entire carrier structure, and the carrier structure and decorative layer can subsequently be laminated together, i.e., bonded together over a planar surface in a lamination process.According to the invention, the seaming blade has a seaming blade edge, which in particular points towards the support surface, and is designed to fix the decorative layer and the carrier structure to one another along a predetermined seam contour, preferably by means of a form-fit and / or force-fit connection on the support surface, wherein the seam contour is accordingly determined in particular by the seaming blade edge or the course of the seaming blade edge. It is advantageous that the fixing device further comprises a lighting device, which may optionally also be designated as a first lighting device, and is designed to illuminate the support surface or the decorative layer arranged on the support surface together with the carrier structure along the seam contour or along an imaginary course of the seam contour on the support surface.to illuminate the decorative layer, thereby eliminating or at least reducing shadows and significantly simplifying manual alignment for the operator. The lighting device is preferably designed to illuminate an area on the support surface immediately adjacent to the seam contour.

[0008] In many fixing devices, a seam-blade bridge is provided, to which the seam-blade is held directly or indirectly via actuators for movement. In a further development providing such a seam-blade bridge, it is preferably provided that the seam-blade, together with the seam-blade bridge and / or extending from the seam-blade bridge, is movable against the support for fixing the decorative layer and the carrier structure, with the lighting device being arranged on the seam-blade bridge.

[0009] It is relevant that the shadow is often cast by the seam-cutting bridge, since lighting devices for illuminating the work area at the fixing device are often positioned above the seam-cutting bridge. Therefore, on the one hand, a shadow cast by the seam-cutting bridge is eliminated, and on the other hand, an existing component is used as a support for the structural integration of the lighting device into the fixing device.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the seam-sword bridge spans the support at a distance from it, with the lighting device being provided on a side of the seam-sword bridge facing the support.

[0011] Although the (first) lighting device is preferably arranged on the seam guide bridge, an additional, advantageous effect can be achieved through clever positioning. If the first or a third lighting device mentioned later is positioned, for example, on the support and such that the generated light is emitted parallel to a surface of the decorative layer facing the seam guide, any raised areas of the decorative layer along the seam contour will create a clearly perceptible shadow, making them easier for the operator to see. If two lighting devices are used for illuminating the area adjacent to the seam contour and for illuminating the area parallel to the surface, i.e.,For example, if the first and third lighting devices are used, they can each use different colors, so that these mix outside the shadow cast by the projection and the projection is also more easily recognizable by the colors that appear on the surface of the decorative layer.

[0012] Since the seam contour extends linearly, it is preferably provided that the lighting device is formed from a plurality of lighting elements, preferably arranged in a series. Alternatively, it can be provided that the lighting device is designed as a ribbon, for example as an LED light strip, and extends corresponding to the seam contour, so that the seam contour can be illuminated along its entire length, or along the imaginary path corresponding to the seam contour.

[0013] In principle, the fixing device can also include a mechanical alignment aid for aligning the decorative layer and / or the carrier structure on the support, which in a simple case can be a mechanical stop. A further development of the present invention provides that the lighting device is designed to illuminate an area on the support adjacent to the mechanical alignment aid, or an area of ​​the carrier structure and / or the decorative layer adjacent to the mechanical alignment aid, so that shadows are reduced or eliminated and manual alignment is simplified. Additionally or alternatively, a further or second lighting device can be provided for this purpose, which is designed to illuminate the area on the support adjacent to the mechanical alignment aid.to illuminate an area of ​​the support structure and / or the decorative layer adjacent to the mechanical alignment aid.

[0014] As mentioned, the fixing device can also have a working area where the decorative layer and / or the carrier structure can be manually aligned on the support by an operator. In this case, one long side of the seaming blade faces the working area, and the lighting device is positioned and / or designed between the working area and the seaming blade to illuminate the long side of the seaming blade, thus reducing or eliminating shadows on the side of the seaming blade facing the operator.

[0015] However, in order to enable inspection on a side of the seaming blade facing away from the work area, it may also be provided that a further lighting device or a second part of the first lighting device is designed to illuminate the area adjacent to the seaming blade edge on the support on a side of the seaming blade facing away from the work area.

[0016] Furthermore, the lighting device and / or the fixing device can be configured to include a further or third lighting device, which is designed to generate or project an optical alignment aid onto the support surface or onto the support structure and / or decorative layer arranged on the support surface. For example, this can project a contour parallel to the seam edge or a predetermined contour of an edge of the decorative layer and / or the support structure. For instance, the third lighting device can be configured as a line laser or use a prism or other optical devices through which clearly defined contours can be projected onto the support surface, the support structure, or the decorative layer.

[0017] A particularly advantageous variant is one in which the fixing device further comprises a control unit connected via signal technology to the lighting device and / or to the second and / or third lighting device, which is configured to visually display at least one status message of the fixing device by controlling the lighting device. In addition to status messages indicating operating states, operating pressures and / or other machine parameters of the fixing device, it is also possible, or alternatively, for the fixing device to include sensors that, for example, detect the positioning of the support structure and / or the decorative layer on the support and / or on one of the mechanical or optical alignment aids.If such a sensor detects that the support structure and / or the decorative layer are in a predetermined position, this can be displayed as a status message by the lighting device via the control unit.

[0018] Using the lighting device to display status messages does not simply replace another display device. Crucially, the operator, who is focused on aligning the decorative layer and the substrate, does not have to take their eyes off the screen to see the status message, as it is displayed directly within the work area defined by the manual alignment. Status messages that support manual alignment significantly simplify the work, while safety-related status messages considerably enhance workplace safety.

[0019] For example, status messages can be indicated by a change in light color or a change in luminous flux, i.e., a change in light brightness. Therefore, the lighting device may be designed to change the light color and / or luminous flux of the light generated for illumination.

[0020] Although it is generally true that the (first) lighting device, as well as the second and / or third lighting device, are formed by a large number of light sources, especially multi-colored ones, it may be provided, for example, that these are formed by a large number of multi-colored LEDs or RGB LEDs or RGBW LEDs, which can be controlled together or in groups.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a direct line of sight between the (first) lighting device and the surface is free of any obstacles that would cast a shadow on the surface. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the support structure nor the decorative layer constitutes such obstacles, so alternatively, it also applies that a direct line of sight between the (first) lighting device and the decorative layer is free of any obstacles that would cast a shadow on the decorative layer.

[0022] For clarification, it should also be noted that the seam guide can be a single piece and have a single seam guide edge designed to fix the decorative layer and the carrier structure to the substrate along the entire length of the seam contour. Alternatively, the seam guide can also be multi-part, with the parts of the seam guide together forming the seam guide edge designed to fix the decorative layer and the carrier structure to the substrate along the entire length of the seam contour.

[0023] The features disclosed above can be combined in any way, provided that this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

[0024] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a side view of a fixing device; Fig. 2 a top view of a support of a fixing device.

[0025] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features. In the Fig. The support shown in section 2 may be the support of the fixing device according to Fig. 1. Act.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the fixing device 1 in a side sectional view. A support structure 21 and a decorative layer 22 are laid flat on the support 13 of the fixing device 1, with a seaming blade 11 pressing the decorative layer 22 against the support 13 with its seaming blade edge 12, starting from a seaming blade bridge 14, and thereby fixing it along the seam contour 23 for the subsequent laminating process.

[0027] Under unfavorable lighting conditions, a shadow may be cast in the area 34 of the support 13 or the decorative layer 22 arranged on it, either by the seam guide bridge 14 itself or by other factors. As a result, the seam contour 23 and the seam guide edge 12 are no longer, or only with difficulty, visible to an operator 17 or the operator's bare eye from the work area 16, and the decorative layer 22 as well as the support structure 21 are difficult to align with the seam guide edge 12 or along the seam contour 23. This is particularly true when using decorative layers 22 made of dark materials.

[0028] At the in Fig. In the variant shown in Figure 1, a (first) lighting device 31 is therefore provided on a side of the seam sword bridge 14 facing the support 13, which is designed to illuminate the support 13 along the seam contour 23 and in particular in the area 24 directly adjacent to the seam contour 23 or the seam sword edge 12 and located between the working area 16 and the seam sword 11, so that the shadow is reduced or eliminated and in particular the course or orientation of the decorative layer 22 adjacent to the seam sword 11 becomes recognizable.

[0029] This makes it significantly easier for the operator 17 to align the decorative layer 22 cleanly, so that after fixing the decorative layer 22 to the carrier structure 21 using the seam blade 11, lamination can take place and a clean seam can be created along the seam contour 23.

[0030] Although the (first) lighting device 31 can only be controlled by a control unit 18 to illuminate the area 34, it is preferably provided that status messages of the fixing device 1 can be output to the operator 17 by means of a control of the (first) lighting device 31 by the control unit 18.

[0031] This not only saves additional resources for displaying status messages, but also simplifies the work for the operator 17 and increases safety, since the operator 17 does not have to take his eyes off the area 34 that is essential for the alignment during manual alignment.

[0032] For example, if a safety-relevant machine parameter of the clamping device 1 exceeds a limit value, the (first) lighting device 31 can be controlled by the control unit 18, for example, such that the lighting device 31 produces a flashing or blinking light by changing its luminous flux. Similarly, if a multi-colored lighting device 31 is used, the light color can be changed. For example, the area 34 can be illuminated by a white light, and the exceedance of the limit value can be indicated by a red light.

[0033] Furthermore, sensors can also be provided to check the positioning of the decorative layer 22. (With reference to) Fig. 2 For example, a sensor can be provided in the area of ​​the mechanical alignment aid 15, which is designed as a stop. If the decorative layer 22 is correctly positioned against the alignment aid 15 as detected by the sensor, this can be indicated by the (first) lighting device 31 and, for example, by a green light, so that the operator 17 can perceive the correct alignment against the alignment aid 15 without taking his eyes off area 34.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a fixing device 1 from a top view, optionally being the fixing device 1 from Fig. 1 can act. The representation according to Fig. Figure 2 is simplified and, for the sake of clarity, omits the depiction of the seam sword bridge 14 and the seam sword 11. Furthermore, no control unit 18 is shown, which may nevertheless be present and at least control-related connected to the first lighting device 31 as well as a second lighting device 32 and a third lighting device 33.

[0035] Essential for Fig. 2 is that the first lighting device 31 is designed in a band-like form and corresponds to the seam contour 23, i.e. follows the course of the seam contour 23, whereby the illuminated or illuminateable area 34 also corresponds to the seam contour 23.

[0036] As in connection with Fig. 1 mentioned, is according to the in Fig. In the variant shown in Figure 2, a mechanical alignment aid 15 is provided, which is specifically designed as a stop against which the decorative layer 22 can be placed and aligned.

[0037] Unfavorable shadowing can also occur in the area of ​​the mechanical alignment aid 15. Although the area 35 adjacent to the alignment aid 15 on the decorative layer 22 can also be integrally illuminated by the first lighting device 31, the variant according to Fig. 2 provides that the second lighting device 32 is provided for this purpose, which may, for example, be located adjacent to the first lighting device 31 on the seam sword bridge 14.

[0038] Furthermore, the third lighting device 33 can be provided to generate an optical alignment aid 36 by projection onto the support 13 and / or onto the decorative layer 22.

[0039] The invention is not limited in its implementation to the preferred embodiments specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution presented even in fundamentally different designs.

Claims

[1] Fixing device (1) for a decorative layer (22) to be laminated onto a carrier structure (21) with a seam sword (11) and a support (13) on which the carrier structure (21) and the decorative layer (22) can be arranged such that the decorative layer (22) covers the carrier structure (21) at least partially, wherein the seam sword (11) has a seam sword edge (12) and is designed to fix the decorative layer (22) and the carrier structure (21) to each other along a predetermined seam contour (23) on the support (13) with the seam sword edge (12), characterized by , that the fixing device (1) further comprises a lighting device (31) which is designed to illuminate the support (13) along the seam contour (23). [2] Fixing device according to claim 1, furthermore having a seam sword bridge (14) to which the seam sword (11) is held, wherein the seam sword (11) together with the seam sword bridge (14) and / or starting from the seam sword bridge (14) is movable to fix the decorative layer (22) and the support structure (11) against the support (13), wherein the lighting device (31) is arranged on the seam sword bridge (14). [3] Fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the seam sword bridge (14) spans the support (13) and is spaced apart from it, wherein the lighting device (31) is provided on a side of the seam sword bridge (14) facing the support (13). [4] Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (31) is formed from a plurality of lighting elements and / or wherein the lighting device (31) is designed in a band-like form and extends corresponding to the seam contour (23) so that the seam contour (23) can be illuminated over its entire length. [5] Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore comprising a mechanical alignment aid (15) for aligning the decorative layer (22) and / or the support structure (21) on the support (13), wherein the lighting device (31) is designed to illuminate an area (35) adjacent to the mechanical alignment aid (15) on the support (13), and / or a second lighting device (32) is provided which is designed to illuminate the area adjacent to the mechanical alignment aid (15) on the support (13). [6] Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore having a working area (16) on which the decorative layer (22) and / or the support structure (21) can be manually aligned by an operator (17) on the support (13), wherein a longitudinal side of the seaming sword (11) faces the working area (16) and wherein the lighting device (31) is positioned between the working area (16) and the seaming sword (11) and / or is designed to illuminate the longitudinal side of the seaming sword (11). [7] Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (31) is configured and / or the fixing device (1) has a third lighting device (33) configured to project an optical alignment aid (36) onto the support (13). [8] Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit (18) connected to the lighting device (31) via a signaling system, which is configured to optically indicate at least one status message of the fixing device (1) by controlling the lighting device (31). [9] Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (31) is configured to change the color of light and / or the luminous flux of a light generated for illumination. [10] Fixing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a direct line of sight between the lighting device (31) and the support (13) is free from obstacles that would cast a shadow on the support (13).

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