Signal device and method for producing signal device

Abstract

To provide a method that can provide a cost-effective production process or a signal device.SOLUTION: A method and a signal device are proposed, having a housing made up of at least two housing elements (2), which are arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis (A) of the signal device, where the housing elements (2) each have at least one housing jacket section, in particular a cylinder housing jacket, and a transverse section (4) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (A), where a separating element (3) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (A) is attached to at least one of the at least two housing elements (2) as a partition between the at least two housing elements (2) and / or where at least one of the at least two transverse sections (4) comprises the separating element (3), which has an improved housing element or segment and / or separating element. This is achieved according to one example in that at least one of the at least two transverse sections has at least one hotmelt adhesive layer (3) for adhesively bonding / connecting / fixing the separating element with this transverse section (4).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a signal device such as a signal post and a signal lamp according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method according to the preamble of claim 8. [Prior Art] So-called signal lamps consisting of a base element and a spherical cap are commercially known. These housing elements are generally manufactured and assembled separately. Generally, electrical connection elements for an external power supply, and if necessary, electrical connection elements for external control, are arranged on the base.

[0002] Furthermore, for example, a signal post is known from documents EP3174021A1 and WO95 / 28598, in which the spherical cap is made of a plurality of housing elements for a plurality of segments for different signal elements, for example for combining different color signals or acoustic signal elements. Such housing elements or segments are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis of the signal device and usually have a cross-section and a separating element arranged thereon, and the cross-section and the separating element are arranged as a partition transverse to the longitudinal axis. The separating element is used in particular to shield the segments from each other and is used as a label for identifying the segments, for example.

[0003] Signal posts having separately manufactured separating elements connected to the housing elements of the segments are commercially known, and this separating element is also used to shield the segments from each other and to fix the labels.

[0004] The housing elements or segments described above are made of rigid plastic, and for example, an O-ring is provided as a seal in the region of the connection points of the housing elements in order to block the segments from the outside. [Object and Advantage of the Invention] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to propose an improved housing element or segment and / or separating element.

[0005] This object starts from the signal device according to the preamble of claim 1 and the method according to the preamble of claim 8, and is achieved by its characteristic part. Accordingly, the signal device according to the invention is distinguished in that at least one of at least two cross-sections comprises or uses at least one hot-melt adhesive layer for adhering and joining / bonding / fixing a separating element to this cross-section.

[0006] With the help of this measure, a more rapid, more automated and safer process can be advantageously carried out. As a result, in particular, a cost-effective manufacturing process or signal device can be implemented.

[0007] In the context of the present invention, a hot-melt adhesive, also known as a hot adhesive, hot melt, or hot glue, is a product that does not contain solvents or water and is more or less solid at room temperature. A hot-melt adhesive is in the form of a mucus at high temperature or in a heated state, in which state it can be applied to the corresponding bonding surface. When cooled, the hot-melt adhesive usually solidifies reversibly, resulting in a strong bond. This group of adhesives are thermoplastic polymers and can be based on various chemical raw materials.

[0008] At least the hot-melt adhesive layer is preferably plastic. These hot-melt adhesives can be divided, for example, into adhesives that adhere physically and adhesives that adhere chemically. Adhesives that adhere physically are thermoplastic plastics, and adhesives that adhere chemically are thermosetting plastics, i.e., form a three-dimensional network. Another type of classification is possible with regard to the solidification mechanism. In this case, hot-melt adhesives are classified into amorphous polymers, semi-crystalline polymers, and high molecular weight polymers. In the case of amorphous polymers and semi-crystalline polymers, the glass transition temperature is higher than room temperature, and in the case of high molecular weight polymers, the glass transition temperature is lower than room temperature.

[0009] The most important polymers used for physically joining hot melt adhesives are, for example, polyamide resins, saturated polyesters, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), polyolefins, block copolymers (styrene-butadiene-styrene or styrene-isoprene-styrene), and polyimides. Polyamides, polyesters, and polyimides are used in so-called high-performance hot melt adhesives, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and polyolefins are used in so-called bulk hot melt adhesives.

[0010] In one particular improvement of the present invention, at least one of at least two cross-sections is formed as a hot melt adhesive layer. In this case, no separator in the form of an additional plastic part is necessary.

[0011] In an advantageous variant of the present invention, at least the separating element is formed as a hot melt adhesive layer. Saving of different labels can be achieved using this means, and the labels are typically always the same for each batch.

[0012] At least the separating element and / or the hot melt adhesive layer are preferably formed as a film. The film can preferably be adhesively joined / bonded / fixed to / on each housing element and / or cross-section.

[0013] For example, the film is placed on top of a roll or roller, etc., and during the manufacturing process, it is spread / unrolled on each housing element and / or cross-section, specifically, it is preferably heated, applied, or crimped by hot embossing of the film. This is printing production with the film, and its coating or second / additional cover / layer is dissolved or separated by the pressure and heat from the carrier layer / layer / film and crimped onto each surface. Advantageously, this can be applied simultaneously with the embossing. Thus, hot embossing of the film can be combined with intaglio embossing or raised embossing in the printing method. Raised embossing is particularly suitable on the three-dimensional surface of the housing element or cross-section, which is sometimes provided in the field of hot melt adhesive bonding. Thus, the separating element preferably comprises at least one hot embossed film.

[0014] In one advantageous variant of the invention, the separating element and / or the hot embossed film can preferably be engraved using a laser. Thus, the separating element and / or the hot embossed film can function as a nameplate. It is also possible to automatically apply the separating element and / or the hot embossed film, specifically as a nameplate, even in the case of particularly small sizes, which is currently a major challenge, to the correct position.

[0015] In principle, advantageously, in particular, by a machine or an automated method, markings or other information can be applied, for example, onto the separating element. This can be carried out, for example, by printing, by pen, or preferably by a laser, etc., and can be specifically carried out for each individually manufactured part. Applying such information onto hard plastic is more difficult, so hitherto, individually manufactured labels have been used at the corresponding manufacturing and mounting costs.

[0016] Generally, the separation element according to the invention can be made opaque to visible light in order to achieve mutual light shielding between the individual housing elements of the signaling device, specifically between the segments of the signal post.

[0017] Furthermore, for this purpose, for example, an elastomer can be provided as a seal, such as a lip seal and / or an O-ring, in each of the housing elements and / or in the grooves of the cross-section provided individually for this purpose.

[0018] Specifically, the information applied to the area of the separation element, preferably by means of a controllable tool such as a laser, for example by means of a print or coding, such as a QR code. Thus, it is possible to apply information during the manufacture of the separation element without additional identification elements. Specifically, the application of individual, component-specific information is simplified by this means.

[0019] In order to use the separation element for mutual light shielding of the housing elements, the separation element preferably has a continuous separation surface, into which at least one recess for at least one connection element for the electrical connection of the signal element, arranged in the adjacent housing element, can engage. A continuous light-absorbing or light-reflecting surface is advantageous for light shielding, and for functional reasons, one or more connection elements for the signal element, accommodated in the adjacent housing element, can be led through the separation element. This separation surface is generally easily accessible and is also suitable for easily visible information or markings.

[0020] The connection element can close these recesses in the mounted state and thus contribute to light shielding. One or more connection elements can be designed in various ways, for example as a single contact, specifically as a contact spring, or as a printed circuit board protruding through the housing element.

[0021] The separating element can be molded / glued / joined / fixed onto the housing element to form an integral part, which is particularly advantageous in large quantities. However, the separating element can also be connected to the housing element as an individually manufactured part, whereby, for example, different separating elements can be used with housing elements of the same shape, or the same separating element can be used with housing elements of different designs.

[0022] As already mentioned, the signaling device according to the invention can be a signal post having a spherical cap of multiple parts formed from various segment elements, or a signal lamp having a housing composed of an integral spherical cap and a base element.

[0023] Therefore, the aforementioned separating element can also be for separating the spherical cap from the base and for separating the individual housing elements of the spherical cap of multiple parts composed of multiple segments of, for example, a signal post.

[0024] In principle, according to the invention, the function of light separation can be advantageously implemented using a separating element. For example, a (white) hot embossing film for absorbing light can be applied or "stamped" onto the segment / housing element / cross-section.

[0025] The so-called upper surface of the segment / housing element or cross-section can also be used or covered as completely or substantially completely as possible. For example, the film or its adhesive layer adheres at all points where there is material on the segment / housing element / cross-section, specifically in the hot pressing method.

[0026] According to the invention, the upward emission of light can be minimized. The segment / housing element or cross-section, i.e., the recess on the plastic part, is also preferably not adhered to thereon in this case.

[0027] Generally, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform the automatic application of nameplates, especially those of small sizes. Also, by means of engraving using a laser, in particular, automatic application and individual engraving options become possible. The traceability or so-called "traceability" of elements can also probably be realized individually, with the help of serial numbers / QR codes, etc. Furthermore, very high resolution can be achieved by engraving, thereby improving the quality. For example, a QR code can be provided for traceability and for storing the technical documentation of the product, the QR code can be provided as a link for an app, and / or the QR code can be provided for wireless access data, etc.

[0028] For example, it has been shown that it is particularly advantageous to use a method having a thermal transfer film. Advantageously, the thermal transfer film or the corresponding layer / cover / overlay can be transferred onto the surface via a stamp by means of a hot embossing method, and / or the hot embossing film / thermal transfer tape adheres to the surface having a "counter material", specifically on a cross-section or segment. Advantageously, gaps / recesses, etc. are not adhered over it.

[0029] Thus, the stamp for hot embossing can advantageously be composed of silicone, and the silicone can be selected with different hardnesses. The softer the silicone, the more the unevenness of the surface can be smoothed, and deeper levels can also be embossed.

[0030] Subsequently, specifically by means of a laser, individual engraving is advantageously performed in an automated line. The function as a nameplate can advantageously be achieved according to the present invention. For the connection elements, for example, it is also possible to directly perform laser engraving on the surface, and / or for the optical and acoustic elements, the laser irradiation is provided as much as possible after the application of the separation element or the thermal transfer tape.

[0031] Generally, for example, when the entire surface can be utilized and / or integrated into an automated process, with the aid of the present invention, individual markings and the like can be provided. [Exemplary Embodiments] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the figures. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

[0033] The base element 1 in FIG. 1 comprises a cylinder / base housing 2 having an upper cross-section 4 and a separating element 3. The cross-section 4 is integrally formed with the base housing 2 and forms the cylinder bottom of the base element 1 and a support element for the separating element 3. That is, the separating element 3 is formed as the upper part 5 of the cross-section 4. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the cross-section 4 or the lower part 4 is formed from the same rigid plastic as the base housing 2, while the upper part 5 or the applied separating element 3 is formed entirely from a different material, specifically, for example, a plastic such as a thermoplastic.

[0034] The upper part 5 or the separating element 3 has a continuous surface 6, and in the continuous surface 6, for example, recesses 7 for contact elements are incorporated. This surface 6 is easily visible in each individual housing element 2, 11 and can be marked, or stamped, or identified in another way using an operative tool such as a laser 22.

[0035] Since the separating element 3 or the upper part 5 is not transparent to visible light, the housing elements 11, which are normally arranged adjacent to each other during operation, are shaded from each other. The lip seal 8 seals radially on the inner circumference of the adjacent housing elements 11, which are inserted along the longitudinal axis A thereon, and is attached to the edge of the cross-section 4 or the upper part 5.

[0036] Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows an individual receptacle 10 for the electrical connection of an externally supplied electrical connection cable or a conductor end sleeve (not shown), and a contact spring (not shown) that can be attached for the electrical connection of signal elements, for example, on a printed circuit board, which is housed in adjacent housing elements 2, 11. In an advantageous embodiment, these printed circuit boards typically support signal elements such as, for example, optical or acoustic warning means, such as lamps, LEDs, piezoelectric buzzers, sirens, etc.

[0037] The housing elements 11 and the base housing 2 are connected to each other via bayonet joints 16, 17. The lip seal 8 of each cross-section 4 of the housing element 11 seals radially against the inner circumference 20 of the nearest housing element 11. Since other seals such as, for example, O-rings can also be used, the overall housing of the signal post formed by the base housing 2 and the further housing elements 11 is advantageously sealed against dust and / or moisture as required. Furthermore, the lip seal 8 produces a significantly lower frictional resistance than an O-ring when the bayonet joints 16, 17 rotate.

[0038] FIG. 3 schematically shows an individual manufacturing process for the application or manufacture of the separating element 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the separating element 3 is formed as the hot melt adhesive layer 3 according to the present invention.

[0039] Alternatively, the cross-section 4 can also be formed as the hot-melt adhesive layer 4 according to the present invention. In contrast to the illustrated variant form, instead of the film 14 or the stamp 15 being heated using the heater 18 during production, the cross-section 4 is heated, for example, by infrared radiation or by the heater 18 and is at least initially melted superficially or caused to melt superficially.

[0040] In the variant form shown in FIG. 3, for example, in the first step I, the base element or housing element 2, 11 is supplied to an adhesive device or mounting device for a hot-melt adhesive, and the base element or housing element 2, 11 does not yet have the separating element 3 on the cross-section 4 in the sense of the present invention. In the second step II, for example, a two-layer or multi-layer film 14 is unrolled from the first roll 13 and rewound by the second roll 12, and a stamp 15 having an integrated heater 18 is arranged within the spacing between the roll 12 and the roll 13. Since this stamp 15 can be adjusted in the vertical direction, in step III, the stamp 15 presses the film 14 against the element 11, in which case the film 14 is simultaneously heated or begins to melt, and this stamp 15 is kept at a constant temperature as much as possible.

[0041] Thus, at least one layer of the film 14 separates and adhesively bonds to the cross-section 4 or its surface. Thus, according to the present invention, the separating element 3 is adhesively bonded or formed on the cross-section 4 as the hot-melt adhesive layer 3 according to the present invention (see step IV).

[0042] The stamp 15 is preferably partially or its underside is composed of silicone or the like, so that the unevenness of the cross-section 4 can be filled, and furthermore, the recess 7 of the cross-section 4 is not covered by the separating element 3 or the film 14, specifically by its top layer.

[0043] In step IV of FIG. 3, laser 22 having laser beam 23 is further schematically shown, whereby, subsequently / finally, for the (individual) identification of element 11 or separating element 3, markings 20 and / or codes 21 are attached / applied or embossed.

[0044] Generally, in a special refinement of the invention, for example, film 14 or a special embossed film can pass under an embossing stamp and, under (high) pressure and heat, separate from the carrier material of film 14 and move onto printed elements 2, 11. Film 14 is advantageously often composed of a plurality of layers. For example, a separating layer is arranged on a carrier layer or base layer. The separating layer melts when hot embossing tool 15 or stamp 15 impinges thereon, exposing a transfer layer thereon. These can, in turn, comprise an adhesive layer and an optically active layer, together forming separating element 3 according to the invention. By means of the adhesive layer, i.e., a hot melt adhesive, the optically active layer is securely joined / fixed to printed elements 2, 11 in a smudge-proof and permanent manner, forming separating element 3.

[0045] However, a variant is also possible in which the adhesive layer and the optically active layer, i.e., the separating layer, form a (common) layer of separating element 3 according to the invention. However, in this case, the carrier layer for spreading / winding film 14 is still advantageous in the spreading technique described above. [List of reference signs] 1…Base element, 2…Base housing, 3…Separating element, 4…Transverse part, 5…Upper part, 6…Surface, 7…Recess, 8…Lip seal, 9…Marking surface, 10…Receptacle, 11…Housing element, 12…Roll, 13…Roll, 14…Film, 15…Stamp, 16…Bayonet joint, 17…Bayonet socket, 18…Heater, 19…Groove, 20…Marking, 21…Code, 22…Laser, 23…Laser beam, A…Longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A signalling device having a housing made up of at least two housing elements, said housing elements being arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis of said signalling device, each of said housing elements having at least one housing jacket portion and a cross section extending transversely to said longitudinal axis, a separation element extending transversely to said longitudinal axis being attached to at least one of said at least two housing elements as a partition between said at least two housing elements, and / or at least one of said at least two cross sections being provided with said separation element, 1. A signaling device, characterized in that at least one of said at least two cross sections has at least one hot melt adhesive layer for adhesively joining / bonding / fixing said separation element to said cross section.

2. 2. The signaling device according to claim 1, A signaling device, characterized in that at least one of the at least two cross sections is formed as the hot melt adhesive layer.

3. In the signaling device according to claim 1, A signaling device, characterized in that at least the separating element is formed as the hot melt adhesive layer.

4. In the signaling device according to claim 1, A signaling device, characterized in that at least the separating element and / or the hot-melt adhesive layer are formed as a film.

5. In the signaling device according to claim 1, A signaling device, characterized in that at least the hot melt adhesive layer is made of plastic.

6. In the signaling device according to claim 1, A signaling device, characterized in that the separating element comprises at least one hot embossed film.

7. In the signaling device according to claim 6, A signaling device, characterized in that the separating element and / or the hot embossing film can be engraved using a laser.

8. A signaling device according to claim 1, The signal device is a signal pole or a signal light.

9. A signaling device according to claim 1, 10. A signaling device, characterized in that said at least one housing jacket part is a cylinder housing jacket.

10. 1. A method for manufacturing housing elements of a housing of a signaling device, in which a separating element extending transversely to the longitudinal axis is attached to at least one transverse face of two housing elements as a partition between them, the method comprising:

10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one hot melt adhesive is used to adhesively bond / join / fix said separating elements to said cross-sections.

11. The method according to claim 10, forming at least said cross-section as a hot melt adhesive layer.

12. The method according to claim 10, 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least said separating element is formed as a hot melt adhesive layer.

13. The method according to claim 10, 10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that a plastic is used as the hot melt adhesive.

14. The method according to claim 10, A method characterized in that at least one hot embossed film is used as a separating element.

15. The method according to claim 14, A method characterized in that after application of the separating element and / or the hot embossing film, the separating element and / or the hot embossing film are engraved using a laser.

16. The method according to claim 15, 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inscription is designed as a nameplate.

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