• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The invention relates to a system for thermoforming a sheet (12) of thermoplastic material, the system comprising: - a heating device of the sheet (12); - a shaping tool, defining a molding surface for receiving the sheet (12); and a device for moving the sheet (12), suitable for depositing the heated sheet (12) on the shaping tool. The system further includes a fastener disposed adjacent an edge of the molding surface, including a support structure (54) defining suction ports (60), and at least one vacuum pump fluidly connected at orifices (60). The fixing device is for fixing a region (59) of the sheet (12) against the support structure (54), away from the molding surface, during the deposition of the sheet (12) on the shaping tool.
    公开号:FR3078008A1
    申请号:FR1851321
    申请日:2018-02-16
    公开日:2019-08-23
    发明作者:Michel LANGINY
    申请人:Faurecia Automotive Industrie SAS；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Thermoforming system and associated method
    The present invention relates to a system for thermoforming a sheet of thermoplastic material, the system comprising:
    - a sheet heating device;
    - a conforming tool, defining a molding surface intended to receive the sheet; and
    - a sheet displacement device, suitable for depositing the heated sheet on the conforming tool.
    The invention also relates to a thermoforming process.
    The system applies in particular to the thermoforming of sheets of thermoplastic material for a motor vehicle. The sheet of thermoplastic material is in particular composed of a material used as sound insulation, of the type designated under the name "heavy mass".
    Such a thermoforming system is used to shape the sheet of thermoplastic material before using it, for example before installing it in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The sheet is heated to make it malleable, then is deposited on a shaping tool having a suitable molding surface, on which the sheet cools and takes the desired shape.
    In some cases, the molding surface has varied and significant reliefs, in particular when the sheet is a heavy mass intended to equip a passenger compartment coating of a motor vehicle. The deposition of the malleable sheet on the conforming tool can then cause harmful deformations when the height on which the deposition is made is too great.
    To overcome this problem, it is known to use a deposition device comprising a movable head adapted to compensate for variations in height of the molding surface. Such a device is for example described in document EP 2 836 350 B1.
    This device can be further improved. Indeed, during the deposition of the sheet on the shaping tool, slippage of the sheet on the molding surface can occur, which results in the formation of deformations and folds which persist once the sheet has solidified.
    It is therefore desirable to provide a thermoforming device enabling the sheet of thermoplastic material to be deposited without creating deformations which can compromise the final appearance of the sheet.
    Thus, the subject of the invention is a thermoforming system of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the system further comprises a fixing device arranged in the vicinity of an edge of the molding surface, the fixing device comprising a structure support defining suction orifices, and at least one vacuum pump fluidly connected to the orifices, the fixing device being intended to fix a region of the sheet against the support structure, away from the molding surface , during the deposition of the sheet on the conforming tool.
    According to particular embodiments of the invention, the thermoforming system has one or more of the following characteristics, taken independently or according to any technically feasible combination:
    - The support structure comprises at least two separate pavilions, distributed along the edge of the molding surface, the suction orifices opening in a respective wall of each pavilion;
    - the support structure defines at least one relief, the orifices opening onto the relief;
    - Each relief is a cavity opening in the support structure, the cavity defining at least one edge and a bottom, the suction orifices opening in the vicinity of the bottom;
    - The sheet movement device comprises a movable apron and a conveyor belt carried by the apron and intended to receive the sheet;
    - The movement device comprises a deposition head located at one end of the deck and movable in rotation relative to the deck; and
    - The sheet comprises a heavy mass type material.
    The subject of the invention is also a process for thermoforming a sheet of thermoplastic material, the process comprising the following steps:
    - supply of a thermoforming system as described above, as well as a sheet of thermoplastic material;
    - heating the sheet by the heating device;
    fixing a region of the sheet, the fixing step comprising placing the region of the sheet opposite the fixing device, activating the pump, forming an air flow through the suction ports and holding the region against the bearing surface; and
    - deposition of the sheet on the molding surface by the displacement device, the maintenance of the region against the support structure continuing during the deposition step.
    According to particular embodiments, the method according to the invention has one or more of the following characteristics, taken independently or according to any technically feasible combination:
    - The support structure defines at least one relief, the suction orifices opening onto the relief, the sheet conforming at least partially to each relief during the maintenance of the region against the support structure; and
    - the region of the sheet is an extreme region, extending at a distance less than or equal to 10 mm from an edge of the sheet.
    The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:
    - Figures 1 to 3 are side views of a thermoforming system according to the invention, during successive phases of implementation of a thermoforming process;
    - Figure 4 is a front view of the system of Figures 1 to 3; and
    - Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views of details of a device for fixing the thermoforming system of Figures 1 to 4.
    A system 10 for thermoforming a sheet 12 of thermoplastic material is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. The system 10 for thermoforming is intended to give the sheet 12 a desired shape, in a lasting manner.
    The sheet 12 comprises for example a material of “heavy mass” type, intended for the production of an acoustic insulation part, in particular a part for covering a floor or an apron of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. automobile, and / or for the production of a trim piece, in particular for a motor vehicle.
    Such a sheet 12 generally has a high surface mass, greater than 1 kg / m 2 , in particular between 2 kg / m 2 and 9 kg / m 2 , and a high density, of the order of 2000 kg / m 3 .
    For example, the sheet 12 is made of a thermoplastic material based on polyolefin, of copolymer of ethylene and of vinyl acetate, of polymer ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), or of a mixture of these polymers. The sheet 12 also preferably comprises fillers, for example based on chalk or barium sulphate.
    Advantageously, the sheet 12 is intended, after the thermoforming by the system 10, to be added in a foaming mold, where it will be associated with a foam, for example a polyurethane foam, to constitute a piece of acoustic insulation of the type "Mass-spring".
    The system 10 comprises a device 14 for moving the sheet 12, as well as a heating device 16 and a shaping tool 18 for the sheet 12 located substantially under the heating device 16.
    The displacement device 14 is suitable for receiving the sheet 12 from a loading device (not shown), and for moving it between the loading device and a heating position shown in FIG. 1, then for depositing the sheet 12 on the shaping tool 18, as shown in FIGS. 2 and
    3.
    The displacement device 14 comprises a movable apron 20 and a conveyor belt 22 mounted on the apron 20.
    The deck 20 is of substantially planar shape, and extends in a longitudinal direction XX ′ between a first end 24 and a second end 26. The deck 20 is mounted on a fixed frame (not shown), movably in translation in the longitudinal direction XX '.
    The conveyor belt 22 is intended to receive the sheet 12 and to convey it between the first end 24 and the second end 26 of the apron 20. The conveyor belt 22 is mounted tensioned around at least two rollers 28 rotating relative to the apron 20, and driven for example by a first motor carried by the apron 20. The conveyor belt 22 is thus adapted to convey the sheet 12 in the longitudinal direction XX ′, up to the second end 26 of the apron 20, in order to deposit the sheet 12 on the shaping tool 18.
    Advantageously, the displacement device 14 further comprises a deposition head 30 intended to improve the precision of the deposition of the sheet 12 on the shaping tool 18. The deposition head 30 is mounted on the deck, at the level of the second end 26, movably in rotation relative to the apron 20 around a pivot link 32 located at a proximal end 34 of the deposition head 30. The rotation of the deposition head 30 is for example driven by a second motor carried by the apron 20. It is for example controlled by computer in order to reduce the operating time.
    The rotation of the deposition head 30 relative to the apron makes it possible to accommodate variations in height of the shaping tool 18 and thus to control the deposition height of the sheet 12.
    The deposition head 30 comprises at least one deposition member 36 for the sheet 12, located at a distal end 38 of the head, adapted to deposit the sheet 12 in a predetermined and controlled manner on the shaping tool 18. The member deposit 36 comprises for example at least one roller and / or a toothed wheel, suitable for unwinding the sheet 12 at a controlled speed, beyond the distal end 38 of the deposit head 30.
    The heating device 16 of the sheet 12 comprises a support 40 movable between a high position and a low position, and a heat source 42, in particular a source of infrared radiation, carried by the support 40, suitable for heating the sheet.
    12. The high position, visible in Figures 2 to 4, is a rest position in which the source 42 is away from the sheet 12. The low position, shown in Figure 1, is a position of use from the source 42, in which the source 42 is located opposite the sheet 12, at a shorter distance than in the high position. The heating device 16 is configured to emit sufficient infrared radiation in the low position to quickly heat and make the sheet 12 malleable.
    The conforming tool 18 defines a molding surface 44 intended to receive the heated sheet 12. The molding surface 44 has a shape identical to the shape desired for the sheet 12 after cooling. The molding surface 44 notably defines reliefs 46, in particular hollows and / or bumps, intended to be joined by the malleable sheet 12, and reproduced by the sheet 12 after it has hardened by cooling.
    Advantageously, the molding surface 44 is full. It has no suction ports on the sheet 12.
    The thermoforming system 10 further comprises a fixing device 50 disposed in the vicinity of an edge 52 of the molding surface 44, laterally away from the molding surface 44. The edge 52 is that intended to initially receive the sheet 12 during deposition on the shaping tool 18.
    The fixing device 50 comprises a support structure 54 defining an internal space 56, as well as a vacuum pump 58, fluidly connected to the internal space 56.
    The fixing device 50 is intended to fix a region 59 of the sheet 12 against the support structure 54, so as to prevent sliding of the sheet 12 during deposition on the molding surface 44.
    To this end, the support structure 54 defines a plurality of suction orifices 60 fluidly connecting the internal space 56 and the outside of the support structure 54. Thus, the formation of a depression in the internal space 56 under the action of pump 58 causes an air flow 62 to flow from the outside to internal space 56 through each orifice 60, as shown in FIG. 5.
    The pump 58 is, for example, a vane vacuum pump actuated by a motor, suitable for sucking in air with a high flow rate, for example greater than 80 m 3 / h. The pump 58 is fluidly connected to the internal space 56 of the support structure 54 by at least one sealed pipe 64.
    The support structure 54 of the fixing device 50 comprises for example at least one pavilion 66, and advantageously a plurality of pavilions 66 distributed along the edge 52 of the molding surface 44.
    For example, the pavilions 66 are metal boxes having a shape that is substantially parallelepiped or in the form of a cylinder portion. The suction openings 60 open in at least one respective wall of each pavilion 66.
    The pavilions 66 define the internal space 56 of the support structure 54, onto which the suction orifices 60 open. The flow of the air flow 62 drives the sheet 12 in contact with the support structure 54, in particular in contact with or each pavilion 66, as shown in FIG. 6. The vacuum then lowers the pressure in the internal space 56 below atmospheric pressure P o . The difference between the pressures in the internal space 56 and outside, which are exerted respectively on opposite faces of the sheet 12, maintains contact between the sheet 12 and the support structure 54 as long as the pump 58 works.
    According to one embodiment, each pavilion 66 defines at least one relief 68, the suction orifices 60 opening into a surface of the relief 68.
    For example, the relief 68 is a bump having a top, the suction orifices 60 being located in the vicinity of the top. In this case, the fixing device 50 is adapted to keep the sheet 12 in contact with each bump of each pavilion 66 under the effect of the vacuum. This configuration increases a contact surface between the sheet 12 and the support structure 54, since the malleable sheet 12 marries an external surface of the bump.
    According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, each relief 68 is a cavity defining edges 70 and a bottom 72, the suction orifices 60 being located in the vicinity of the bottom 72 of the cavity.
    The fixing device 50 is then able to keep the sheet 12 in contact with the edges 70 of the cavity under the effect of the vacuum. The sheet 12 and the edges 70 of the cavity define with the bottom 72 of the cavity an intermediate space 74 isolated from the outside, in which the depression is also formed. The depression in the intermediate space 74 holds the sheet 12 against the edges 70, similar to the operation of a suction cup.
    A method of thermoforming the sheet 12 implementing the system 10 will now be described.
    During a preliminary step not shown, at least one sheet 12, advantageously a plurality of identical sheets 12, is supplied and placed in the loading device.
    The displacement device 14 is moved in the longitudinal direction X-X 'to be positioned in the vicinity of the loading device. A single sheet 12 is loaded onto the conveyor belt 22 by the loading device.
    The method then comprises a heating step, during which the movement device 14 is moved in the longitudinal direction to the heating position shown in FIG. 1. The heating device 16 is lowered to the low position, with the infrared radiation source arranged opposite the sheet 12. The source 42 is then turned on so as to heat the sheet 12 and make it malleable. After a heating time determined as a function of the characteristics of the sheet 12, for example between 10 s and 50 s, the source 42 is switched off and the heating device 16 is raised to the high position.
    The method then comprises a fixing step, during which the displacement device 14 is moved in the longitudinal direction XX ′ until the deposition head 30 is located at the same level as the edge 52 and the device. fixing 50 in the longitudinal direction XX '. The deposition head 30 is then lowered so as to allow the descent of a region 59 of the sheet 12 opposite the fixing device 50. The region 59 is in particular an extreme region, close to an edge of the sheet 12. Thus, the extreme region 59 extends at a distance less than or equal to 10 mm from an edge of the sheet 12.
    The vacuum pump 58 of the fixing device 50 is activated, and forms a depression in the internal space 56 of the support structure 54, which causes a flow of air 62 through the suction orifices 60. The air flow 62 drives the region 59 of the sheet 12 against the support structure 54. The depression in the internal space 56 keeps the region 59 of the sheet 12 in contact with the support structure 54 during the steps following.
    The method then comprises a step of depositing the sheet 12 on the molding surface 44. During the step of depositing the sheet 12 is gradually conveyed by the conveyor belt 22 in the direction of the second end 26 of the deck 20, and deposited by the deposition member 36 on the molding surface 44. The apron moves progressively in the longitudinal direction XX ′, traversing the molding surface 44 from the edge 52. The deposition head 30 moves in rotation with respect to the apron 20 so that its distal end 38 equipped with the deposition member 36 traverses the reliefs 46 of the molding surface 44.
    During the entire deposition phase, the pump 58 is kept active, so that the fixing device 50 keeps the region 59 of the sheet 12 in the vicinity of the edge 52. Thus, the sheet 12 cannot slide on the molding surface 44 during deposition, which avoids forming folds.
    Advantageously, the sheet 12 is just placed without being sucked on the molding surface 44. This guarantees that it adopts an adequate shape, without excessive stretching.
    Alternatively, the sheet 12 is also sucked against the molding surface 44 during deposition.
    Once the deposition step is complete, the pump 58 is stopped, and the sheet 12 cools on the molding surface 44 and adopts its shape in a lasting manner.
    The thermoforming system 10 described above therefore makes it possible to prevent the appearance of folds and untimely deformations on the sheet 12 due to slipping during deposition. It also has a small footprint and has no moving parts, which simplifies its operation and increases its resistance. It thus makes it possible to obtain good reproducibility as well as high operating rates.
    权利要求:
    Claims (10)
    [1" id="c-fr-0001]
    1. -System (10) for thermoforming a sheet (12) of thermoplastic material, the system comprising:
    - a heating device (16) of the sheet (12);
    - a shaping tool (18), defining a molding surface (44) intended to receive the sheet (12); and
    - a movement device (14) of the sheet (12), suitable for depositing the heated sheet (12) on the shaping tool (18), characterized in that the system (10) further comprises a fixing device (50) disposed in the vicinity of an edge (52) of the molding surface (44), the fixing device (50) comprising a support structure (54) defining suction orifices (60), and at the at least one vacuum pump (58) fluidly connected to the orifices (60), the fixing device (50) being intended to fix a region (59) of the sheet (12) against the support structure (54), at the gap from the molding surface (44), during the deposition of the sheet (12) on the shaping tool (18).
    [2" id="c-fr-0002]
    2. - System (10) according to claim 1, wherein the support structure (54) comprises at least two separate pavilions (66), distributed along the edge (59) of the molding surface (44), the suction orifices (60) opening in a respective wall of each pavilion (66).
    [3" id="c-fr-0003]
    3. - System (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support structure (54) defines at least one relief (68), the orifices (60) opening onto the relief (68).
    [4" id="c-fr-0004]
    4. - System (10) according to claim 3, wherein each relief (68) is a cavity opening in the support structure (54), the cavity defining at least one edge (72) and a bottom (70 ), the suction ports opening in the vicinity of the bottom.
    [5" id="c-fr-0005]
    5. - System (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movement device (14) of the sheet (12) comprises an apron (20) movable and a conveyor belt (22) carried by the apron (20) and intended to receive the sheet (12).
    [6" id="c-fr-0006]
    6. - System (10) according to claim 5, in which the displacement device (14) comprises a deposition head (30) located at one end (26) of the deck (20) and movable in rotation relative to the deck ( 20).
    [7" id="c-fr-0007]
    7. - System (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheet (12) comprises a heavy mass type material.
    [8" id="c-fr-0008]
    8. - Method for thermoforming a sheet (12) of thermoplastic material, the method comprising the following steps:
    - supply of a thermoforming system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, as well as a sheet (12) of thermoplastic material;
    - heating the sheet (12) by the heating device (16);
    fixing a region (59) of the sheet (12), the fixing step comprising placing the region (59) of the sheet (12) opposite the fixing device (50), activating the pump (58), forming an air flow (62) through the suction ports (60) and holding the region (59) against the bearing surface (54); and
    - deposition of the sheet (12) on the molding surface (44) by the displacement device (14), the maintenance of the region (59) against the support structure (54) continuing during the deposition step .
    [9" id="c-fr-0009]
    9. - Method according to claim 8, wherein the support structure (54) defines at least one relief (68), the suction orifices (60) opening onto the relief (68), the sheet (12 ) embracing at least partially each relief (68) during the maintenance of the region (59) against the support structure (54).
    [10" id="c-fr-0010]
    10. - Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the region (59) of the sheet (12) is an end region, extending at a distance less than or equal to 10 mm from an edge of the sheet (12 ).
    1/5
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    FR3078008B1|2021-05-07|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US4436685A|1981-12-01|1984-03-13|Yamakawa Industrial Company, Limited|Continuous press forming method for sheet resin|
    US5314325A|1993-03-03|1994-05-24|Kenneth Bosler|Apparatus for continuous vacuum forming of a hot plasticized material on a moving flat forming surface|
    WO1999064221A1|1998-06-10|1999-12-16|Fisher & Paykel Limited|Apparatus and methods for twin sheet thermoforming|
    US20080258329A1|2007-04-20|2008-10-23|Lrm Industries, Llc|Method of preparing a molded article|
    WO2008130774A1|2007-04-20|2008-10-30|Lrm Industries, Llc.|Method of preparing a molded article|
    US20150145181A1|2012-06-09|2015-05-28|Lrm Industries International, Inc|Method and Apparatus for Preparing a Molded Article|WO2020161357A1|2019-02-08|2020-08-13|Treves Products, Services & Innovation|Sound protection screen for a motor vehicle engine compartment|
    FR3100769A1|2019-09-12|2021-03-19|Treves Products, Services & Innovation|Acoustic protection screen for motor vehicle engine compartment|
    法律状态:
    2019-01-23| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 2 |
    2019-08-23| PLSC| Publication of the preliminary search report|Effective date: 20190823 |
    2020-01-22| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |
    2021-01-20| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    2022-01-19| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 5 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    FR1851321A|FR3078008B1|2018-02-16|2018-02-16|THERMOFORMING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED PROCESS|
    FR1851321|2018-02-16|FR1851321A| FR3078008B1|2018-02-16|2018-02-16|THERMOFORMING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED PROCESS|
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