Insulating element

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insulating element for insulating structural elements in a motor vehicle, comprising a carrier and an expandable material disposed on the carrier, the carrier having at least one cap and designed such that when a plurality of identical insulating elements are stacked, the caps of adjacent insulating elements engage with each other.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an insulating element for sealing structural elements in a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a system having a plurality of such insulating elements and to a method for attaching such an insulating element to a structural element. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Components, such as those of transport and conveyance means, particularly the body and / or frame of a ground vehicle or aircraft, often have a structure with cavities in order to enable a lightweight construction. However, these cavities cause a wide variety of problems. Depending on the type of cavity, the cavity must be sealed to prevent the ingress of moisture and dust, which can cause corrosion of the component. It is often desirable to substantially reinforce the cavity, and thus the component, while maintaining a low weight. Otherwise, it is often necessary to stabilize the cavity, and thus the component, in order to reduce the noise that would otherwise be transmitted along or through the cavity. Many of these cavities have irregular shapes or narrow extents, making it more difficult to properly seal, reinforce and insulate them. 【0003】 In particular in the construction of motor vehicles, but also in the construction of aircraft and ships, sealing elements (baffles) are thus used to seal and / or acoustically insulate cavities, or reinforcing elements (reinforcement materials) are used to reinforce cavities. 【0004】 FIG. 1 schematically shows the body of a motor vehicle. In this case, the vehicle body 10 has various structures with cavities, such as pillars 14 and carriers or braces 12. Such structural elements 12, 14 with cavities are usually sealed or reinforced with insulating elements 16. 【0005】 A disadvantage of known sealing and / or reinforcing elements is that such parts often cannot be efficiently packaged. Furthermore, during transportation of such parts, the individual parts are repeatedly mixed and damaged. 【Summary of the Invention】 [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0006】 Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved insulating element for sealing structural elements in automobiles that avoids the shortcomings of the prior art. In particular, the insulating element must be more economically packaged and transportable. [Means for solving the problem] 【0007】 This objective is achieved by an insulating element for sealing structural elements in an automobile, wherein the insulating element comprises a carrier and an expandable material disposed on the carrier, and the carrier has at least one cap, and the carrier is formed such that when multiple identical insulating elements are stacked, the respective caps of adjacent insulating elements engage with each other. 【0008】 Firstly, this solution has the advantage of providing insulating elements designed to be stackable. As a result, such insulating elements can be stacked for transport and can be packaged and transported in a stacked state. On the one hand, this reduces transport costs because it allows for packaging in a smaller space than the insulating elements, and as a result, more insulating elements can be transported in a given volume than with conventional insulating elements. Furthermore, stacking such insulating elements has the advantage that mix-ups between different insulating elements can be more easily identified. For example, if a first insulating element is packaged in a container with several second insulating elements, this can be immediately noticed because the first insulating element generally cannot be stacked with the second insulating elements. This makes it possible to significantly reduce mix-ups. 【0009】 The stackable insulating elements proposed herein offer the further advantage that individual insulating elements are not so easily damaged due to the stacked arrangement configuration for transport and storage. Specifically, when individual insulating elements are transported loosely in a container as before, the insulating elements come into contact with each other many times, and damage may occur from time to time. However, when insulating elements are transported stacked, the number of times they come into mechanical contact with each other is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the insulating elements may be configured such that the intended contact locations have a robust and / or damage-resistant shape, and / or the locations of more easily damaged insulating elements are located at protected points, for example, that are covered by adjacent insulating elements when stacked. 【0010】 Furthermore, the stackable insulating elements proposed here offer the advantage of facilitating the automated installation of insulating elements to structural elements in automobiles. For example, the entire stack of such insulating elements can be loaded onto a robot, which then removes the individual insulating elements from the stack and installs them correspondingly to the structural elements. In the case of loosely positioned insulating elements in a container, such automated installation of insulating elements is significantly more difficult to achieve. 【0011】 Providing one or more caps offers, on the one hand, the advantage of improving the lamination capability of insulating elements in that, once the lamination is formed, the caps of adjacent insulating elements engage with each other. As a result, the laminated insulating elements are mechanically fixed so as not to be displaced laterally, and the lamination height is kept as low as possible in that the insulating elements engage with each other in a space-saving manner. 【0012】 These caps offer further advantages, making operation by application robots easier and more efficient. For example, the robot's gripping mechanism can directly grip and manipulate the insulating element using the cap. In the case of an insulating element with multiple caps, multiple corresponding gripping mechanisms may be used. 【0013】 In connection with this invention, the term “insulating element” includes elements for closing and / or sealing and / or closing and / or reinforcing and / or insulating structural elements. These various features of such insulating elements may arise individually or in combination with each other. 【0014】 In connection with this invention, the term “cap” particularly includes molded articles or protrusions of a carrier of an insulating element having a hollow interior and an open end. In this regard, such caps may have, for example, hemispherical, dome-shaped, cubic, cylindrical, conical, or irregular shapes. 【0015】 In connection with this invention, the terms “upper side” and “bottom side” refer to the two main surfaces or two largest sides of the insulating element. Since the insulating element is designed to close the cross-section in the structural element, this means that the upper and bottom sides are each substantially on the plane of the cross-section that will be sealed in the operating state. In this regard, the upper and bottom sides may also have stepped features, i.e., it is not necessary for the upper and bottom sides to have a perfectly flat shape. 【0016】 In connection with this invention, the term “parallel” in relation to the arrangement of insulating elements in a stack of multiple identical insulating elements means that the same surfaces and / or edges of the identical insulating elements are arranged substantially parallel to each other. 【0017】 In one exemplary embodiment, the insulating element has exactly three contacts on both its top and bottom sides, and these contacts overlap each other when adjacent insulating elements are stacked. 【0018】 In an alternative improved form, the insulating element has exactly four or at least four such contacts on the upper and lower sides. 【0019】 In a further alternative embodiment, the insulating element has exactly five or at least five such contacts on the upper and lower sides. 【0020】 In an exemplary embodiment, at least one upper contact and the assigned bottom contact are formed such that adjacent insulating elements do not horizontally displace when a stack occurs in the vertical direction. 【0021】 In an exemplary improvement, at least one upper contact and the assigned bottom contact are formed such that there is mechanical locking between corresponding contacts when a stack occurs. 【0022】 In an exemplary embodiment, a cap forms at least one of these contacts. 【0023】 In an exemplary embodiment, at least one contact is in the area of a fixing element. 【0024】 In the context of this invention, the "area of the fixing element" is understood to mean the fixing element itself, the base of the fixing element, and the expandable material of the base of the fixing element that is required to seal the opening in the structural element into which the fixing element is inserted. 【0025】 In an exemplary embodiment, the fixing element is in the form of a clip. 【0026】 In an exemplary embodiment, the height of the fixing element in the stacking direction is less than 8 mm, preferably less than 7 mm, and particularly preferably less than 6 mm. 【0027】 In an exemplary embodiment, the height of the base of the fixing element in the stacking direction, including both the base of the fixing element and the expandable material of the base of the fixing element that is required to seal the opening in the structural element into which the fixing element is inserted, is at most 130% or at most 120% or at most 110% of the height of the fixing element in the stacking direction. 【0028】 The advantage of such a relative height configuration is that it enables the insulating elements to be packaged more space - saving. 【0029】 In an exemplary embodiment, at least one contact is in the form of a spacer element, which serves to support and / or position the insulating element with the structural element in the use state of the insulating element in the structural element. 【0030】 In an exemplary improvement, the spacer element is configured to be stackable itself, and two spacer elements stacked one inside the other have a total height in the stacking direction that is at most 170% or at most 160% or at most 150% or at most 140% or at most 130% of the height of an individual spacer element. 【0031】 In an exemplary embodiment, the steps of the carrier form an angle with respect to the stacking direction of at least 35° or at least 40° or at least 45° or at least 50° or at least 55°. 【0032】 The advantage of the steps configured in this way is that an insulating element with flatter steps can be stacked more easily than in the case of steeper steps. In the case of steeper steps, there is a problem in particular that adjacent insulating elements cannot be arranged vertically one above the other without a horizontal offset. 【0033】 In an exemplary embodiment, the steps of the carrier and at least one cap are formed such that the cap together with the steps forms a support surface parallel to the upper and bottom plane of the carrier. 【0034】 In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating element includes a step and two caps, which together form such a support surface. 【0035】 This enables such insulating elements to be placed directly on a flat surface and stacked one above the other with the stacking direction aligned perpendicular to this flat surface. 【0036】 In an alternative embodiment, the insulating element has three caps, which together form support surfaces parallel to the upper and lower planes of the carrier. 【0037】 This, in turn, makes it possible to directly laminate insulating elements onto a flat surface. 【0038】 In a further alternative embodiment, the insulating element has two caps, which together form support surfaces parallel to the upper and lower planes of the carrier. 【0039】 In a further alternative embodiment, the insulating element has a cap, and the cap roof forms a support surface parallel to the upper and lower planes of the carrier. 【0040】 In one exemplary embodiment, all or individual contacts of the contacts are formed by carriers. 【0041】 In one exemplary embodiment, each contact point is formed from an expandable material. 【0042】 In a further embodiment, at least one contact point is formed by a carrier, and at least one contact point is formed by an expandable material. 【0043】 Since carriers can generally be manufactured with smaller tolerances than expandable materials, it can be advantageous for carriers to form contact points as far away as possible. 【0044】 In one exemplary embodiment, the insulating element has at least one fastening element, the at least one fastening element is formed such that when the insulating elements are stacked on top of each other, the insulating element is fastened by the fastening element of an adjacent insulating element so as not to be displaced laterally with respect to the stacking direction and / or rotated about the stacking direction. 【0045】 In one exemplary embodiment, the fastening elements are formed such that when the insulating elements are stacked on top of each other, the fastening elements of two adjacent insulating elements overlap in the stacking direction. 【0046】 In one exemplary improved form, the fastening elements overlap by at least 3 mm, at least 5 mm, or at least 7 mm in the stacking direction. 【0047】 In one exemplary embodiment, the fastening element has at least one guide surface which, when lamination occurs, guides the insulating element to which the lamination will occur, and as a result the newly laminated insulating element is positioned substantially in line with the lamination direction of the insulating element. 【0048】 In one exemplary embodiment, at least one spacer element is configured as a fastening element. 【0049】 In one exemplary improved form, the spacer element has a substantially Y-shaped configuration. For example, in this case, the individual surfaces of the legs of the Y-shaped spacer element may be in the shape of guide surfaces. 【0050】 In alternative improved forms, the spacer element is substantially U-shaped or V-shaped. Similarly, in this case, the individual surfaces of the legs of the U-shaped or V-shaped spacer element may be in the shape of guide surfaces. 【0051】 In one exemplary embodiment, at least one step is configured as a fastening element. 【0052】 In one exemplary embodiment, at least one region of the fixed element is configured as a fastening element. 【0053】 In one exemplary improved form, the base of the fixed element is configured as a fastening element. This base may, for example, have a substantially U-shape. Similarly, in this case, the individual surfaces of the legs of the U-shaped base of the fixed element may be in the shape of guide surfaces. 【0054】 In one exemplary embodiment, at least one cap is in the form of a fastening element. 【0055】 In one exemplary embodiment, all or individual fixing elements are formed by carriers. 【0056】 In an alternative embodiment, each fastening element is formed from an expandable material. 【0057】 In a further embodiment, at least one fixing element is formed of a carrier, and at least one fixing element is formed of an expandable material. 【0058】 Since carriers can generally be manufactured with smaller tolerances than expansive materials, it can be advantageous to form the anchoring elements as far away from the carrier as possible. 【0059】 In one exemplary embodiment, the insulating element has an upper and a lower side, which are aligned with the cross-sectional plane of a structural element that will be substantially sealed in the operating state. 【0060】 In one exemplary embodiment, the open side of the cap and / or the roof of the cap are aligned substantially parallel to the upper and bottom sides of the insulating element. 【0061】 In one exemplary embodiment, the sidewall of the cap protrudes only beyond the bottom side in the stacking direction. 【0062】 In an alternative embodiment, the sidewall of the cap protrudes only upward in the stacking direction. 【0063】 In a further alternative embodiment, the sidewalls of the cap protrude beyond both the bottom and top sides in the stacking direction. 【0064】 In one exemplary embodiment, the cross-section of the cap is substantially trapezoidal. 【0065】 In alternative embodiments, the cross-section of the cap is substantially arched, dome-shaped, semicircular, rectangular, triangular, or irregular in shape. 【0066】 In one exemplary embodiment, the cap has a substantially circular, elliptical, or egg-shaped base surface. 【0067】 In one exemplary embodiment, the carrier has at least two caps or at least three caps. 【0068】 In one exemplary improved form, the two caps have different contours. 【0069】 In one exemplary embodiment, the caps are formed such that when multiple identical insulating elements are stacked, the caps of adjacent insulating elements overlap each other. 【0070】 In one exemplary embodiment, the cap has at least one stopper that defines a support position when the stack is formed. 【0071】 In one exemplary improved form, the stopper is positioned on the side wall of the cap. In this respect, the stopper may be positioned on the inside of the side wall, or otherwise on the outside of the side wall. 【0072】 In an exemplary embodiment, the maximum cap height in the stacking direction is 5 mm to 40 mm, preferably 7 mm to 35 mm, preferably 7 mm to 30 mm, and preferably 10 mm to 30 mm. 【0073】 In alternative embodiments, particularly in combination with the use of steps in the carrier, taller caps may be used, with a maximum cap height of 10 mm to 80 mm, preferably 20 to 70 mm, in the stacking direction. 【0074】 In one exemplary embodiment, the maximum cap width on the open side of the cap, measured perpendicular to the stacking direction, is 5 mm to 40 mm, preferably 5 mm to 30 mm, preferably 5 mm to 25 mm, and preferably 5 mm to 20 mm. 【0075】 In one exemplary embodiment, the maximum cap width of the cap roof, measured perpendicular to the stacking direction, is 3 mm to 35 mm, preferably 3 mm to 25 mm, preferably 3 mm to 20 mm, and preferably 3 mm to 15 mm. 【0076】 In an exemplary embodiment, the maximum cap width on the cap roof, measured perpendicular to the stacking direction, is at most 95%, preferably at most 90%, preferably at most 85%, preferably at most 80%, preferably at most 75%, preferably at most 70%, preferably at most 65%, preferably at most 60%, preferably at most 55%, and preferably at most 50% of the maximum cap width on the open side of the cap, measured perpendicular to the stacking direction. 【0077】 In an exemplary embodiment, the stacking height of the insulating element is up to 80%, preferably up to 70%, preferably up to 60%, and preferably up to 50% of the cap height. 【0078】 In principle, a variety of materials that can be foamed can be used as expandable materials. In this case, the material may or may not have reinforcing properties. Typically, expandable materials are thermally expanded by moisture or electromagnetic radiation. 【0079】 Such expandable materials typically contain chemical or physical blowing agents. Chemical blowing agents are organic or inorganic compounds that decompose under the influence of temperature, humidity, or electromagnetic radiation, with at least one of the decomposition products being a gas. Compounds that transition to a gaseous state as the temperature rises, such as physical blowing agents, may also be used. As a result, both chemical and physical blowing agents can create foamy structures in polymers. 【0080】 Expandable materials are preferably thermally foamed when chemical blowing agents are used. Examples of suitable chemical blowing agents include azodicarbonamide, sulfohydrazide, bicarbonate, or carbonate. 【0081】 Suitable blowing agents are also commercially available, for example, from Akzo Nobel, the Netherlands, under the trade name ExpanseL®, or from Chemtura Corp., USA, under the trade name Celogen®. 【0082】 The heat required for foaming can be introduced by an external or internal heat source, such as an exothermic chemical reaction. The foamable material is preferably foamable at temperatures of ≤250°C, particularly 100°C to 250°C, preferably 120°C to 240°C, and preferably 130°C to 230°C. 【0083】 Suitable expandable materials are, for example, one-component epoxy resin systems that do not flow at room temperature, have particularly increased impact resistance, and contain a thixotroper, such as Aerosil or Nanoclay. For example, this type of epoxy resin system comprises 20-50% by weight of liquid epoxy resin, 0-30% by weight of solid epoxy resin, 5-30% by weight of impact modifier, 1-5% by weight of physical or chemical blowing agent, 10-40% by weight of filler, 1-10% by weight of thixotroper, and 2-10% by weight of thermally activated catalyst. Suitable impact modifiers are reactive liquid rubbers based on nitrile rubber or derivatives of polyether, polyol, or polyurethane, core-shell polymers, and similar systems known to those skilled in the art. 【0084】 Similarly preferred expandable materials are one-component polyurethane compositions comprising a foaming agent and based on a crystalline polyester mixed with a polyisocyanate having OH groups and further polyols, preferably polyether-polyols, and blocked isocyanate groups. The melting point of the crystalline polyester should be ≥ 50°C. The isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate can be blocked with nucleophiles such as caprolactam, phenol, or benzoxalone. Equally preferred are blocked polyisocyanates used, for example, in powder coating technology, which are commercially available, for example, from Degussa GmbH, Germany, under the trade names Vestagon® BF1350 and Vestagon® BF1540. Also preferred isocyanates are so-called encapsulated or surface-inactivated polyisocyanates, which are known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in European Patent No. 0204970. 【0085】 Equally suitable as an expandable material is a two-component epoxy / polyurethane composition containing a blowing agent, as described, for example, in International Publication No. 2005 / 080524A1. 【0086】 Ethylene-vinyl acetate compositions containing a blowing agent are equally suitable as expandable materials. 【0087】 Similarly suitable expandable materials are commercially available from Sika Corp., USA, for example, under the trade names SikaBaffle® 240, SikaBaffle® 250, or SikaBaffle® 255, and are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,266,133 and 5,373,027. Such expandable materials are particularly preferred for the present invention. 【0088】 Preferred expandable materials with reinforcing properties are, for example, those marketed by Sika Corp., USA under the trade name SikaReinforcer® 941. These are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,387,470. 【0089】 In an exemplary embodiment, the expandable material has an expansion rate of 800% to 5000%, preferably 1000% to 4000%, and particularly preferably 1500% to 3000%. Expandable materials having such an expansion rate offer the advantage that, as a result, reliable sealing and / or sealing of the structural element against liquids and sound can be achieved. 【0090】 In one exemplary embodiment, the expandable material is in the form of a temperature-responsive material. 【0091】 This has the advantage that, as a result, the furnace for firing the dip coating solution can be used to expand the expandable material and thus seal the cavity. Consequently, no additional work steps are required. 【0092】 The carrier may consist of any desired material. Preferred materials include plastics, particularly polyurethane, polyamide, polyester and polyolefin, preferably high-temperature resistant polymers, such as poly(phenylene ether), polysulfone or polyethersulfone, especially those that can be foamed, metals, particularly aluminum and steel, or grown organic materials, particularly wood or other (high-density) fibrous materials, or glass-type or ceramic materials, especially foamed materials of this type, or any necessary combination of these materials. Polyamides, particularly polyamide 6, polyamide 6.6, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, or mixtures thereof, are particularly preferred. 【0093】 Furthermore, the carrier may be solid, hollow, or foamed, and may have a lattice structure, for example. Typically, the surface of the carrier may be smooth, rough, or structured. 【0094】 In the case of an insulating element where an expandable material is located as a carrier, the manufacturing process differs depending on whether the carrier is made of a material that can be processed by injection molding or not. In this case, a two-component injection molding process is usually used. Here, first, the first component, in this case the carrier, is injected. After the first component has solidified, the cavity in the mold is enlarged or adjusted, or the manufactured molded product is placed in a new mold, and the second component, in this case the expandable material, is overmolded onto the first component by a second injection device. 【0095】 If the carrier is made of a material that cannot be manufactured by an injection molding process, i.e., a metal, the carrier is placed in a corresponding mold, and the expandable material is overmolded onto the carrier. Naturally, it is also possible to fasten the expandable material to the carrier by specific fastening means or processes. 【0096】 Furthermore, carriers can also be manufactured by other processes, such as extrusion. 【0097】 The insulating element has a stacking height corresponding to the additional height in the stacking direction of the stack containing the insulating element, and when further insulating elements are stacked on top of the stack, the stack increases by this additional height. 【0098】 In an exemplary embodiment, the stacking height of the insulating elements is at most 80%, preferably at most 70%, preferably at most 60%, preferably at most 50%, preferably at most 40%, and preferably at most 30% of the total height of the individual insulating elements in the stacking direction. 【0099】 This has the advantage of allowing insulating elements to be placed in a more space-saving manner within the lamination. The stronger vertical nesting of adjacent insulating elements within the lamination further improves the overall stability of the lamination. 【0100】 The objective described in the introduction is further achieved by a system having multiple such insulating elements, wherein the insulating elements are stacked on top of each other. 【0101】 In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, or at least 30 stacked insulating elements. 【0102】 In further exemplary embodiments, the system includes up to 150, or up to 120, or up to 100, or up to 80, or up to 60 stacked insulating elements. 【0103】 In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom insulating element of the lamination overlaps the base element. 【0104】 Providing such base elements has the advantage of allowing for the placement of laminated insulating elements on a surface. Furthermore, such base elements can be used for automated processes. 【0105】 In an exemplary embodiment, each additional insulating element increases the stack height by up to 20 mm, particularly preferably up to 18 mm, particularly preferably up to 16 mm, particularly preferably up to 14 mm, particularly preferably up to 12 mm, and particularly preferably up to 10 mm. 【0106】 Tightly laminating insulating elements has the advantage of allowing for more efficient packaging of the insulating elements. 【0107】 In an exemplary embodiment, the stacking height of individual insulating elements is at most 80%, preferably at most 70%, preferably at most 60%, preferably at most 50%, preferably at most 40%, and preferably at most 30% of the total height of individual insulating elements in the stacking direction. 【0108】 Tightly laminating insulating elements also has the advantage of allowing the insulating elements to be packaged more efficiently. 【0109】 In an exemplary embodiment, the stacking height of the insulating element is up to 80%, preferably up to 70%, preferably up to 60%, and preferably up to 50% of the cap height. 【0110】 The objective described at the beginning is further achieved by a method for attaching insulating elements to structural elements in an automobile, the method comprising providing a system having the laminated insulating elements as described above, and manipulating the insulating elements with an application robot, wherein at least one cap functions as a positioning aid for the application robot. 【0111】 In one exemplary embodiment, multiple systems are loaded into the application robot simultaneously. 【0112】 In one exemplary embodiment, individual insulating elements are removed by a robotic arm. 【0113】 In one exemplary embodiment, the gripping part of the application robot grips the insulating element with a cap during operation. 【0114】 In one exemplary embodiment, the insulating element has at least two caps, the two caps serving to assist in positioning during operation. 【0115】 Details and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to schematic diagrams, based on exemplary embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0116】 [Figure 1] An illustrative diagram of the vehicle body is shown. [Figure 2a] A schematic diagram of an exemplary insulating element is shown. [Figure 2b]A schematic diagram of an exemplary insulating element is shown. [Figure 3a] A schematic diagram of an example cap is shown. [Figure 3b] A schematic diagram of an example cap is shown. [Figure 4a] A schematic diagram of an example of stacked insulating elements is shown. [Figure 4b] A schematic diagram of an example of stacked insulating elements is shown. [Figure 4c] A schematic diagram of an example of stacked insulating elements is shown. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram of an exemplary laminate with two insulating elements is shown. [Figure 6a] A schematic diagram of an exemplary insulating element is shown. [Figure 6b] A schematic diagram of an exemplary insulating element is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0117】 Figures 2a and 2b schematically show an exemplary insulating element 16. The insulating element 16 includes a carrier 11 and an expandable material 13 placed on top of it. The carrier 11 has an upper side 17 and a bottom side 18. Furthermore, the carrier 11 has two caps 6, which have different contours in this exemplary embodiment. One cap 6 has a circular contour, and the other cap 6 has an elliptical contour. Furthermore, the insulating element 16 includes a spacer 4 and a fixing element 3 for pre-securing the insulating element 16 in the structural element. 【0118】 Figures 3a and 3b show a cross-section of the cap 6 as an example. In Figure 3a, the side wall 22 of the cap 6 protrudes only beyond the bottom side 18 of the carrier 11, while in Figure 3b, the side wall 22 of the cap 6 protrudes beyond both the bottom side 18 and the top side 17 of the carrier 11. 【0119】 The cap 6 has a cap width 8 measured perpendicular to the stacking direction at the open side 23 of the cap 6. Furthermore, the cap 6 has a cap height 7 measured in the stacking direction. In addition, the cap 6 has a cap cavity 24 and a cap roof 21. 【0120】 Figures 4a to 4c each show details of a laminate consisting of two insulating elements 16. 【0121】 The stacking direction 19 is specified in Figure 4a. Also shown are the height 20 of the insulating element 16 and the stacking height 15 of the insulating element 16. 【0122】 In Figure 4b, the insulating element 16 has a stopper 9 on the outside of the cap wall 22. In this respect, the stoppers 9 are formed and arranged such that when the lamination is formed, each of the insulating elements 16 overlaps with the others on these stoppers 9. 【0123】 Figure 4c shows a variant of an alternative embodiment in which the stoppers 9 are positioned inside the cap wall 22. In this case, the stoppers 9 are formed and positioned such that each of the insulating elements 16 overlaps with each other in these stoppers 9 when the lamination is formed. 【0124】 Figure 5 shows a laminate 1 consisting of two insulating elements 16. In this exemplary embodiment, each insulating element 16 has a step 5. In the laminated state, adjacent insulating elements 16 engage with each other, and this sliding contact exists in the areas of the step 5, cap 6, spacer 4 and fixing element 3. Furthermore, the insulating elements 16 are configured such that when the insulating elements 16 are placed on a flat surface, the insulating elements 16 are such that the main plane of the carrier 11 is substantially parallel to the flat surface. The step 5 and cap 6 of the carrier 11 are formed such that the cap 6, together with the step 5, forms a support surface parallel to the upper and bottom planes of the carrier 11. 【0125】 Finally, Figures 6a and 6b schematically show two different exemplary embodiments relating to the contacts of the insulating element 16. 【0126】 In the example shown in Figure 6a, the insulating element 16 has three caps 6 that function as three contacts. 【0127】 In the example shown in Figure 6b, the insulating element 16 has one cap 6 that functions as one of three contacts. Furthermore, the insulating element 16 has two additional contacts in the region of the fixed element 3, and in this exemplary embodiment, the base 2 of the fixed element 3 is in the shape of a contact. This disclosure includes the following aspects: <Aspect 1> An insulating element (16) for sealing structural elements (12, 14) in an automobile, wherein the insulating element (16) includes the following: Carrier (11); and An expandable material (13) is placed on the carrier (11); Here, the carrier (11) has at least one cap (6), and when a plurality of identical insulating elements (16) are stacked, the carrier (11) is formed such that the caps (6) of adjacent insulating elements (16) engage with each other. Insulating element (16). <Aspect 2> The insulating element (16) according to Embodiment 1, wherein the insulating element (16) has an upper side (17) and a lower side (18) that are substantially aligned with the plane of the cross-section of the structural elements (12, 14) to be sealed when in use, and the open side of the cap (6) and / or the roof of the cap (6) are substantially aligned parallel to the upper side (17) and the lower side (18), respectively, of the insulating element (16). <Aspect 3> An insulating element (16) according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the side wall of the cap (6) protrudes beyond the bottom side (18) in the stacking direction (19), or the side wall of the cap (6) protrudes beyond the top side (17) in the stacking direction (19), or the side wall of the cap (6) protrudes beyond both the bottom side (18) and the top side (17) in the stacking direction (19). <Aspect 4> An insulating element (16) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the step (5) of the carrier (11) and at least one cap (6) are formed such that the cap (6), together with the step (5), forms a support surface parallel to the upper (17) and bottom (18) planes of the carrier (11). <Aspect 5> An insulating element (16) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the cap (6) has a substantially circular, elliptical, or egg-shaped base surface. <Aspect 6> An insulating element (16) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the carrier (11) has at least two caps (6) or at least three caps (6). <Aspect 7> An insulating element (16) according to embodiment 6, wherein the two caps (6) have different contours. <Aspect 8> An insulating element (16) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the stacking height (15) is a maximum of 50% of the height (20) of the insulating element (16), and / or the stacking height (15) is a maximum of 80% of the cap height (7). <Pattern 9> An insulating element (16) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein when multiple identical insulating elements (16) are stacked, the caps (6) of adjacent insulating elements (16) are formed such that they overlap each other. <Aspect 10> The insulating element (16) according to embodiment 9, wherein the cap (6) has a stopper that defines a support position when forming a laminate. <Aspect 11> The insulating element (16) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the insulating element (16) has at least three contacts, and adjacent insulating elements (16) overlap each other when forming a laminate via the at least three contacts, and the cap (6) forms at least one of these contacts. <Aspect 12> A system (1) having a plurality of insulating elements (16) as described in any of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the insulating elements (16) are stacked on top of each other. <Aspect 13> The system (1) according to embodiment 12, wherein the system (1) comprises at least 10 stacked insulating elements (16), and / or the lowest insulating element (16) of the system (1) overlaps the base element (2), and / or the stacking height (15) is at most 80% of the cap height (7). <Aspect 14> A method for attaching an insulating element (16) to structural elements (12, 14) in an automobile, including the following: To provide a system (1) having a stacked insulating element (16) as described in embodiment 12 or 13; The insulating element (16) is operated by an application robot, where at least one cap (6) functions as a positioning aid for the application robot. <Aspect 15> The method according to embodiment 14, wherein during the operation, the gripping portion of the application robot grips the insulating element (16) with the cap (6), and / or the insulating element (16) has at least two caps (6), and the two caps (6) function as positioning support during the operation. [Explanation of symbols] 【0128】 1 Layer 2. Base of fixed elements 3 Fixed elements 4 Spacer elements 5 steps 6 caps 7 Cap height 8 cap width 9 Stopper 10 car bodies 11 Careers 12 Structural elements 13. Expandable materials 14 Structural elements 15. Lamination height of insulating elements 16 Insulating elements 17 Upper side 18 Bottom side 19 Lamination direction 20 Height of insulating element 21 Cap roof 22 Cap Wall 23. Open side of the cap 24 Cap Cavity

Claims

[Claim 1] An insulating element (16) for sealing structural elements (12, 14) in an automobile, wherein the insulating element (16) includes the following: Carrier (11); and Expandable material (13) placed on the carrier (11); Here, the carrier (11) has at least one cap (6), and when a plurality of identical insulating elements (16) are stacked, each cap (6) of adjacent insulating elements (16) has a hollow interior and an open end and engages with each other, thereby mechanically fixing the insulating elements (16) so as not to be displaced laterally, and the carrier (11) is formed in such a way, and the at least one cap (6) has at least partially a cubic or cylindrical shape or a substantially trapezoidal cross-section and is configured to function as a positioning aid for an application robot. Insulating element (16). [Claim 2] The insulating element (16) according to claim 1, wherein the insulating element (16) has an upper side (17) and a lower side (18) that, in use, are substantially aligned with the plane of the cross-section of the structural elements (12, 14) to be sealed, the upper side (17) and the lower side (18) are two main surfaces or two largest sides of the insulating element, and the open side of the cap (6) and / or the roof of the cap (6) are substantially aligned parallel to the upper side (17) and the lower side (18) of the insulating element (16), respectively. [Claim 3] The insulating element (16) according to claim 2, wherein the side wall of the cap (6) protrudes beyond the bottom side (18) only in the stacking direction (19), or the side wall of the cap (6) protrudes beyond the top side (17) only in the stacking direction (19), or the side wall of the cap (6) protrudes beyond both the bottom side (18) and the top side (17) in the stacking direction (19). [Claim 4] The insulating element (16) according to claim 2, wherein the step (5) of the carrier (11) and at least one cap (6) are formed such that the cap (6), together with the step (5), forms a support surface parallel to the upper (17) and bottom (18) planes of the carrier (11). [Claim 5] The insulating element (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cap (6) has a substantially circular, elliptical, or egg-shaped base surface. [Claim 6] The insulating element (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the carrier (11) has at least two caps (6) or at least three caps (6). [Claim 7] The insulating element (16) according to claim 6, wherein the two caps (6) have different contours. [Claim 8] An insulating element (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stacking height (15) corresponds to an additional height in the stacking direction of a stack having insulating elements, and the stack becomes larger by this additional height when further insulating elements are stacked on top of the stack, the stacking height (15) is at most 50% of the height (20) of the individual insulating elements (16), and / or the stacking height (15) is at most 80% of the cap height (7). [Claim 9] An insulating element (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when multiple identical insulating elements (16) are stacked, the caps (6) of adjacent insulating elements (16) are formed such that they overlap each other. [Claim 10] The insulating element (16) according to claim 9, wherein the cap (6) has a stopper that defines a support position when forming a laminate. [Claim 11] The insulating element (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the insulating element (16) has at least three contacts on its upper and bottom sides, and the contacts overlap each other when adjacent insulating elements are stacked, and the adjacent insulating elements (16) overlap each other when forming a stack via the at least three contacts, and the cap (6) forms at least one of these contacts. [Claim 12] A system (1) having a plurality of insulating elements (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the insulating elements (16) are stacked on top of each other. [Claim 13] The system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the system (1) comprises at least 10 stacked insulating elements (16), and / or the lowest insulating element (16) of the system (1) overlaps a base element, and / or the stacking height (15) is at most 80% of the cap height (7).

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