Interior skin material transfer structure and interior trim manufacturing equipment

Abstract

To provide a transfer structure capable of efficiently transferring (delivering) interior skin materials and a manufacturing device for interior trim in which the interior skin materials are attached to a base material. [Solution] This is a transfer structure for interior covering material 7, which has an exposed adhesive layer 71 and multiple pin holes 72 formed around its periphery. It comprises a set mold 1 having a first pin 11 disposed therein that is inserted into the pin hole, and a transfer body having a transfer pin 31 disposed therein that is inserted into the pin hole. When the first pin and transfer pin are coaxially connected and lowered, the pin hole moves from the first pin to the transfer pin, and the interior covering material is transferred from the set mold to the transfer body. Furthermore, when the transfer pin connects to a second pin disposed in a crimping mold and a sleeve 32 surrounding the transfer pin is lowered, the interior covering material held by the transfer pin is transferred from the transfer body to the crimping mold.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a transfer structure for transferring interior covering materials. [Background technology]

[0002] Interior trims such as automobile doors, armrests, and dashboards are manufactured by adhering shaped (cut) interior skin materials (also simply called "skin materials") to a base material (core material). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2023-6144 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The task of moving the covering material with the exposed adhesive layer to a predetermined position on the substrate surface without causing wrinkles or the like is not easy, and mechanization or automation of this task has also been difficult.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a structure etc. that allows accurate movement even of a covering material with an exposed adhesive layer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Through diligent research, the inventor came up with the idea of ​​transferring the covering material via a pin that penetrates the periphery of the covering material, and developed this idea to perfect the present invention, which is described below.

[0007] <Transport structure for interior skin material> (1) The present invention is, for example, a transfer structure for an interior covering material having an exposed adhesive layer and a plurality of pin holes formed around the periphery, and includes a set mold having a first pin that is inserted into the pin hole, and a transfer body having a transfer pin that is inserted into the pin hole. When the first pin and the transfer pin are coaxially connected and lowered, the pin hole moves from the first pin to the transfer pin, and the interior covering material is transferred from the set mold to the transfer body.

[0008] According to the present invention, the covering material held by the first pin on the set mold can be accurately transferred from the set mold to the transfer body via the transfer pin connected (or combined) with the first pin.

[0009] (2) The present invention may also be a transfer structure for an interior covering material having an exposed adhesive layer and a plurality of pin holes formed around its periphery, the transfer structure comprising a transfer body having a transfer pin disposed thereon that is inserted into the pin hole, and a crimping mold having a second pin disposed thereon that is inserted into the pin hole, the transfer body further having a sleeve surrounding the transfer pin and a spring located within the sleeve that urges the transfer pin downward, the transfer pin and the second pin being coaxially connected, and when the sleeve is lowered, the pin hole moves from the transfer pin to the second pin, and the interior covering material is transferred from the transfer body to the crimping mold.

[0010] According to this invention, the skin material held by the transfer body by the transfer pin can be accurately transferred from the transfer body to the crimping mold via the second pin connected to the transfer pin and the sleeve associated with the transfer pin.

[0011] (3) The present invention may also include all of the above-mentioned structures. For example, the present invention may have a structure that includes the above-mentioned set mold, conveying body, and crimping mold, and that transfers the covering material to the set mold, conveying body, and crimping mold in that order using a first pin, conveying body, second pin, and sleeve.

[0012] <Interior trim manufacturing equipment> The present invention may also be understood as an apparatus embodying the above-described structure. For example, an apparatus for manufacturing interior trim in which an interior skin material is adhered to a base material, the interior skin material having an exposed adhesive layer and a plurality of pin holes formed around its periphery, the apparatus including: a set mold having first pins inserted into the pin holes; a conveyor body having transfer pins inserted into the pin holes; and a crimping mold having second pins inserted into the pin holes, the pin holes moving from the coaxially connected first pin to the transfer pin to transfer the interior skin material from the set mold to the conveyor body, and the pin holes moving from the coaxially connected transfer pin to the second pin to transfer the interior skin material from the conveyor body to the crimping mold.

[0013] <Transportation method or manufacturing method> The present invention can be understood not only as a structure or an apparatus, but also as a method. For example, the present invention may be a method for transferring a skin material that includes at least one of a first transfer step in which the above-mentioned first pin and transfer pin work together to transfer the skin material from the set mold to the transfer body, and a second transfer step in which the above-mentioned second pin, transfer pin, and sleeve work together to transfer the skin material from the transfer body to the crimping mold.

[0014] The present invention can also be understood as a method for manufacturing an interior trim in which the skin material delivered in the second transfer step is attached to a base material.

[0015] All of the steps may be performed mechanically or automatically in sequence, or some of them may be performed manually.

[0016] "others" (1) Unless otherwise specified, in this specification, down (downward, downward, etc.) refers to the side along the direction of gravity, up (upward, upward, etc.) refers to the opposite side, and horizontal (direction) or left and right are based on the up and down (direction).

[0017] (2) Unless otherwise specified, "x to y" in this specification includes a lower limit value x and an upper limit value y. Any numerical value included in the numerical value or numerical range described in this specification may be used as a new lower limit or upper limit value to create a new range such as "a to b." In this specification, "x to y mm" means x mm to y mm. The same applies to other unit systems (such as μm). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] The diagram shows an overview of transferring the skin material from the set mold to the transfer body. [Figure 2] The diagram shows an overview of transferring the skin material from the transfer body to the crimping die. [Figure 3] This shows the process of placing the skin material in the set mold. [Figure 4] This shows the process of transferring the skin material from the set mold to the transfer body. [Figure 5] This shows the process of transferring the skin material from the transfer body to the crimping die. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The components of the present invention may be supplemented with one or more components arbitrarily selected from the present specification. A component relating to a method may also be a component relating to an object (such as an apparatus). Which embodiment is best depends on the target, required performance, etc.

[0020] 《Interior skin material》 (1) The covering material has at least a surface layer on the front side and an adhesive layer on the back side. An intermediate layer may include a cushion layer or a hard base layer (e.g., a resin film layer). The structure and material of each layer are appropriately selected depending on the application and specifications of the covering material. The adhesive layer is the surface that is attached to the mating component (the "base material" of the interior trim) and is usually exposed when the release paper is peeled off. The adhesive layer is made of, for example, an acrylic or rubber-based adhesive.

[0021] The thickness of the entire skin material is, for example, about 0.5 to 5 mm, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is, for example, about 0.015 to 0.3 mm or 0.03 to 0.1 mm.

[0022] Interior trims obtained by adhering a skin layer to a substrate include, for example, automobile doors, consoles, instrument panels, dashboards, roofs, sun visors, etc. In addition, various ornaments and garnishes that enhance design may also be used.

[0023] (2) The covering material has pin holes formed at least on the periphery (inside the outer edge). The pin holes may be located in a location other than the periphery (for example, near the center). The "pin holes" referred to in this specification are any holes through which pins can be inserted (or fitted) for transporting, positioning, etc. of the covering material.

[0024] The pin holes are usually shaped or positioned so as not to impair the design of the interior trim when it is installed inside the vehicle. The pin holes do not have to be through-circular spaces, but may be notches such as a line, a cross, or a star.

[0025] "pin" The pins are inserted (including insertion) into pin holes in the skin material to hold, stretch, position, etc. the skin material. The pins are usually thin round rods. Their length, whether they can move, and their range of movement can be adjusted depending on the desired function, etc.

[0026] Pins provided on different molds can be detachably connected (combined), for example, between their ends. The connected pins should be approximately the same diameter and coaxial, at least in the insertion range of the pin holes (near the connecting portion). The smaller the step between the connected pins, the smoother the movement of the pin holes.

[0027] The ends (contact portions) of the pins to be connected may be provided with, for example, a recess and a protrusion that fit together. Alternatively, the ends of the pins may be made detachable by magnetic force.

[0028] Set type The setting mold is provided with first pins to be inserted into the pin holes. With the exposed adhesive layer facing up, the first pins are inserted into the pin holes on the periphery of the covering material. This holds the covering material placed (installed) on the setting mold in a predetermined position. The first pins may be inserted into the pin holes by an operator or automatically by an actuator. Alternatively, after an operator has inserted some of the first pins into the pin holes, the remaining first pins may be inserted into the pin holes automatically.

[0029] When the first pin is raised and inserted into the pin hole, the interior skin material may be prevented from rising. For example, a holding member may be used that does not prevent the first pin from rising and can be retracted after the first pin is inserted. Alternatively, the upper surface (adhesive layer side) of the skin material may be held down with a jet of air or the like.

[0030] At least a portion of the first pin may slide laterally after being inserted into the pin hole. This allows the covering material to be kept taut (tensioned) and prevents wrinkles from forming in the covering material. After sliding, the first pin should be in a position that matches the transfer pin and the second pin that transfer the covering material.

[0031] Crimp type The crimping mold is provided with a second pin that is inserted into the pin hole. The skin material is attached to a predetermined position on the crimping mold by inserting the second pin into the pin hole on the periphery of the skin material. The adhesive layer of the skin material attached to one side of the crimping mold and the base material placed on the other side are crimped at a predetermined position, for example, using the second pin as a guide.

[0032] Convoy The conveying body is provided with a conveying pin that is inserted into the pin hole. The conveying body is, for example, a robot hand, and is moved between the setting die and the crimping die by a robot arm to convey the covering material.

[0033] The skin material is transferred between the transfer body and the set mold, for example, as follows: The transfer body is moved above the set mold along a predetermined track and placed in a predetermined position. The transfer pin (lower end surface) is lowered toward the first pin (upper end surface) inserted into the pin hole of the skin material, and they are coaxially connected (contacted).

[0034] When the first pin descends in synchronization with the transfer pin, the skin material held by the first pin is transferred to the transfer pin through the pin hole. In this way, the skin material is held by the transfer pin and delivered from the set mold to the transfer body.

[0035] The skin material is transferred between the transfer body and the crimping mold, for example, as follows: The transfer body is moved along a predetermined track above the crimping mold and placed in a predetermined position. The transfer pin (lower end surface) is lowered toward the second pin (upper end surface), and they are coaxially connected (contacted).

[0036] When the sleeve surrounding the transfer pin is further lowered, the skin material held by the transfer pin is transferred from the transfer pin to the second pin through the pin hole. In this way, the skin material is transferred from the transfer body to the crimping die and attached to the crimping die.

[0037] After the sleeve has descended (after the skin material has been transferred to the crimping die (second pin)), if the skin material is held down when the sleeve is retracted (raised), the adhesive layer will adhere to the lower end surface of the sleeve, preventing the skin material from lifting up. Using a downward air current makes it possible to hold down the skin material efficiently with a simple structure. The downward air current is, for example, an air flow ejected from a lower opening in the sleeve. The lower opening may be, for example, a hole, nozzle, etc. provided near (around) the lower end (bottom) in addition to the lower end opening. [Example]

[0038] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to specific examples.

[0039] "Device" An outline of an interior trim T manufacturing device D (simply referred to as "device D") and a manufacturing process for the interior trim T (simply referred to as "trim T") according to one embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2. For ease of explanation, the directions of arrows shown in Figure 1 are defined as up and down, front and back, and left and right.

[0040] As shown in the figure, the device D comprises a set die 1, a pressure-bonding die 2, and a conveying body 3. The trim T is formed by pressing a skin material 7 onto a substrate 8. The skin material 7 has a skin layer (not shown) that forms the design surface and an adhesive layer 71 exposed on the back side. The pressure-bonding die 2 comprises a lower die 2L and an upper die 2U, and the skin material 7 is attached to the lower die 2L and placed on the substrate 8 by the upper die 2U. The pressure-bonding die 2 overlaps the adhesive layer 71 of the skin material 7 onto the surface of the substrate 8 and applies pressure to bond them together.

[0041] <<Setting process>> 1 and 3, the skin material 7 placed on the set mold 1 is transferred to the transfer body 3. Specifically, the process is as follows.

[0042] First, as shown in Fig. 1, pin holes 72 consisting of small slits are formed on the periphery of the skin material 7. In this example, 13 pin holes 72 are arranged on the periphery.

[0043] The thirteen pins 11 (first pins) provided on the set mold 1 are inserted into the pin holes 72 of the skin material 7. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 1, five of the thirteen pins 11 (pins 11a) are manually inserted into the pin holes 72 by an operator who places the skin material 7 on the set mold 1. The remaining eight pins are inserted into the pin holes 72 by operating an actuator 12 (air cylinder) provided on the set mold 1, as shown in FIG. 3. The specific process is as follows. It is also possible to fully automate both the placement of the skin material 7 on the set mold 1 and the insertion of the pins 11 into the pin holes 72 by using a robot or the like.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, in step A1, the covering material 7 is placed on the setting table 10 with the adhesive layer 71 facing up, and the pin holes 72 are positioned over the pins 11.

[0045] In step A2, a pressing block 16 having a substantially U-shaped opening 161 is placed above the adhesive layer 71.

[0046] In step A3, the actuator 12 is operated to raise the pin 11. Since the lifting of the skin material 7 is restricted by the presser block 16, the pin 11 passes through the pin hole 72 and its tip is accommodated in the opening 161.

[0047] In step A4, the presser block 16 is retracted (evacuated). The presser block 16 is made of silicone resin, and is unlikely to be stuck to the adhesive layer 71 even when it comes into contact with the adhesive layer 71.

[0048] In step A5, the actuator 13 is operated to slide (move laterally) some (several) of the pins 11 inserted into the pin holes 72. The skin material 7 to which tension has been applied is thus brought into a taut state without slack or wrinkles.

[0049] 《1st giving and receiving》 The skin material 7 is transferred from the set mold 1 to the transfer body 3 as follows.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, in step B1, units 30 provided on the transport body 3 are placed above the pins 11. There are the same number of units 30 as the pins 11, and each unit is located at a position corresponding to a pin 11. The transport body 3 is made up of a robot hand and can move freely in any direction.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 4, the unit 30 has a pin 31 (transport pin), a sleeve 32, a spring 33, a guide bush 34, and a plug 35. The lower end of the pin 31 protrudes from the lower end opening of the sleeve 32. The upper end of the pin 31 is supported by the guide bush 34 and moves up and down within the sleeve 32. The spring 33 is located between the guide bush 34 and the plug 35, and urges the pin 31 downward via the guide bush 34. The unit 30 moves up and down by being driven by an actuator such as an air cylinder or a robot hand (robot arm).

[0052] In step B2, when the pin 31 descends together with the sleeve 32, the recess 311 at the bottom end of the pin 31 and the protrusion 111 at the top end of the pin 11 are spigot-fitted together. The pins 31 and 11, which are coaxially connected (united) and have the same diameter, become one thin round rod.

[0053] In step B3, the sleeve 32 is further lowered until the lower end of the sleeve 32 reaches the vicinity of the adhesive layer 71. At this time, the pin 31 and the guide bush 34 temporarily rise within the sleeve 32 against the force of the spring 33, and the pin 31 is biased downward by the spring 33.

[0054] In step B4, when the actuator 12 lowers the pin 11, the biased pin 31 also lowers following the pin 11. The pin 11 comes out of the pin hole 72, and the pin 31 enters the pin hole 72 in its place. As the pin 11 further lowers, the guide bush 34 reaches the bottom of the sleeve 32, and the pin 31 is no longer able to follow the pin 11, so the pins 31 and 11 separate. As shown in FIG. 4, compressed air may be introduced from above the sleeve 32 to further bias the pin 31.

[0055] In step B5, when the unit 30 is raised together with the conveying body 3, the skin material 7, whose pin 31 is inserted into the pin hole 72, is also raised. In this way, the skin material 7, which was held by the pin 11, is now held by the pin 31 (and further by the sleeve 32), and is transferred from the set mold 1 to the conveying body 3.

[0056] 《Second giving and receiving》 The skin material 7 transferred from the set mold 1 to the transfer body 3 is delivered from the transfer body 3 to the pressure-bonding mold 2 as follows.

[0057] 5, in step C1, the units 30 holding the skin material 7 are placed above the pins 21 erected on the crimping die 2 (lower die 2L). The number of pins 21 is the same as the number of units 30, and each pin 21 is located at a position corresponding to the pin 31.

[0058] In step C2, when the pin 31 descends together with the sleeve 32, the recess 311 at the lower end of the pin 31 and the protrusion 211 at the upper end of the pin 21 are spigot-fitted together. The pin 31 and the pin 21, which have the same diameter, are coaxially connected (united).

[0059] In step C3, the sleeve 32 is further lowered until the skin material 7 reaches the inner wall 20 of the lower mold 2L. At this time, the pin 31 and the guide bush 34 rise within the sleeve 32 against the spring 33, and the pin 31 comes out of the pin hole 72. The pin 21 enters the pin hole 72 instead of the pin 31.

[0060] In step C4, the sleeve 32 is raised together with the conveying body 3. At this time, the pin 31 is biased downward by the spring 33, so the connected state between the pin 31 and the pin 21 is maintained. When the lower end of the sleeve 32 abuts against and adheres to the adhesive layer 71 of the covering material 7, the covering material 7 is raised together with the sleeve 32.

[0061] In step C5, compressed air is introduced into the sleeve 32 and sprayed out from the opening at the bottom end of the sleeve 32. The downward air current (air flow) causes the covering material 7 to separate from the bottom end surface of the sleeve 32 and push it back down to the inner wall 20 below. At this time, negative pressure may be applied through through-holes in the inner wall 20 to cause the covering material 7 to adhere to the inner wall 20. Either negative pressure suction or downward air current may be used, or both. This can be selected appropriately depending on the configuration of the covering material 7 and the device D.

[0062] In step C6, when the sleeve 32 is further raised together with the conveying body 3, the guide bush 34 abuts against the bottom of the sleeve 32, and the pin 31 returns to a state in which it protrudes from the lower end opening of the sleeve 32. The conveying body 3 is returned again to above the set mold 1 by the robot arm, and the first transfer described above is repeated.

[0063] Crimping Using pin 21 as a guide, lower mold 2L and upper mold 2U of crimping mold 2 are clamped together. Skin material 7 attached to inner wall 20 of lower mold 2L is crimped to substrate 8 already attached to upper mold 2U via adhesive layer 71. When crimping mold 2 is opened, trim T in which substrate 8 is decorated with skin material 7 is obtained.

[0064] As described above, by using the device D of this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently transfer (transport) the skin material and manufacture the trim. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 set type 11 pin (1st pin) 2 Crimp type 21 pin (2nd pin) 3 Transport 31 pin (transfer pin) 7 Skin material 71 Adhesive layer 72 pinholes 8 Base material D Manufacturing equipment T interior trim

Claims

1. A transport structure for an interior covering material having an exposed adhesive layer and a plurality of pin holes formed around its periphery, a set mold in which a first pin is disposed to be inserted into the pin hole; a transfer body provided with a transfer pin that is inserted into the pin hole, When the first pin and the transfer pin are coaxially connected and lowered, the pin hole moves from the first pin to the transfer pin, and the interior covering material is transferred from the set mold to the transfer body.

2. 2. The transfer structure according to claim 1, wherein the set die prevents the interior covering material from lifting up when the first pin is raised and inserted into the pin hole.

3. The transport structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the first pin slides after being inserted into the pin hole to tension the interior covering material.

4. A transport structure for an interior covering material having an exposed adhesive layer and a plurality of pin holes formed around its periphery, a transfer body provided with a transfer pin that is inserted into the pin hole; a crimping die provided with a second pin that is inserted into the pin hole; The transport body further includes a sleeve surrounding the transport pin and a spring located within the sleeve and biasing the transport pin downward; The transfer pin and the second pin are coaxially connected, and when the sleeve is lowered, the pin hole moves from the transfer pin to the second pin, and the interior covering material is transferred from the transfer body to the crimping die.

5. 5. The transport structure according to claim 4, wherein the transport body prevents the interior covering material from rising by a downward air current when the sleeve rises after descending.

6. The transfer structure according to claim 5 , wherein the downward air current is an air current ejected from a lower opening of the sleeve.

7. An apparatus for manufacturing interior trim in which an interior skin material is attached to a substrate, The interior covering material has an exposed adhesive layer and a plurality of pin holes formed around the periphery, a set mold in which a first pin is disposed to be inserted into the pin hole; a transfer body provided with a transfer pin that is inserted into the pin hole; a crimping die provided with a second pin that is inserted into the pin hole; The pin hole is transferred from the coaxially connected first pin to the transfer pin, and the interior covering material is transferred from the set mold to the transfer body. The pinhole is transferred from the coaxially connected transfer pin to the second pin, and the interior covering material is transferred from the transfer body to the crimping die.

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