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WO2003039765A1 - Application electrostatique de fibres laches sur des substrats - Google Patents

Application electrostatique de fibres laches sur des substrats Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003039765A1
WO2003039765A1 PCT/US2002/024355 US0224355W WO03039765A1 WO 2003039765 A1 WO2003039765 A1 WO 2003039765A1 US 0224355 W US0224355 W US 0224355W WO 03039765 A1 WO03039765 A1 WO 03039765A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
component
components
fibers
set forth
vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/024355
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Steven G. Brown
Guy W. Boitos
Original Assignee
Bbi Enterprises, L.P.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bbi Enterprises, L.P. filed Critical Bbi Enterprises, L.P.
Publication of WO2003039765A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003039765A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
    • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D1/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D1/16—Flocking otherwise than by spraying
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06Q—DECORATING TEXTILES
    • D06Q1/00—Decorating textiles
    • D06Q1/12—Decorating textiles by transferring a chemical agent or a metallic or non-metallic material in particulate or other form, from a solid temporary carrier to the textile
    • D06Q1/14—Decorating textiles by transferring a chemical agent or a metallic or non-metallic material in particulate or other form, from a solid temporary carrier to the textile by transferring fibres, or adhesives for fibres, to the textile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D1/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D1/007—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials using an electrostatic field
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D2202/00—Metallic substrate

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a method of decorating vehicle components.
  • this invention relates to a fibrous decorative coating for a vehicle component.
  • a roof is supported by several pillars extending from sides of the vehicle.
  • a floor pan defines the bottom of the vehicle body and typically extends rearward to form a load floor of a storage compartment that may or may not be separately enclosed from the passenger compartment. Doors are pivotally attached to the body to provide access for passengers to an interior compartment defined by the body.
  • interior components are affixed to the sheet metal both to provide decoration and function to the interior compartment for the passengers. Initially, carpeting is spread over the floor pan to cover the floor pan and any electrical wires that have been routed throughout the body.
  • An instrument panel is mounted in the forward section of a vehicle compartment and typically supports the steering wheel and other functional items such as, for example, the radio and various storage compartments.
  • Door pads are mounted on the doors of the body and shield functional components such as the window mechanisms and door handles and locks from the passenger compartment.
  • a headliner is affixed to the roof of the vehicle and is typically formed of a fibrous material.
  • Mouldings are affixed to the pillars extending between the body sides and the roof of the vehicle and to provide a decorative function along with protecting the passengers from contact with the pillars.
  • a package shelf is fixed to the rearward section of the vehicle and typically supports speaker grills.
  • Trunk trim may also be spread throughout the storage compartment to cover the sheet metal defining the storage compartment.
  • fabric is often glued over the visible surfaces providing an esthetically pleasing appearance. Occasionally, the same fabric will be used to cover adjacent components to provide a uniform appearance.
  • carpeting is known to be glued to the door pads, package shelf, and consoles to provide a uniform appearance and transition to the floor carpeting. These fabrics and carpeting are also used to improve the noise absorbing properties of the various components.
  • flock coating includes decorating the surface of the components with loose fibers.
  • Flock coating has been utilized on weather stripping to reduce the friction coefficient of the weather strip and, occasionally, in storage compartments to eliminate rattling.
  • loose fibers typically cut to a uniform length, are sprayed onto a component surface that has been coated with an adhesive. The fibers adhere to the surface of the component in a random fashion, as shown in Figure 1, presenting a non-uniform appearance.
  • a method of decorating a vehicle component using loose fibers is disclosed.
  • a plurality of loose fibers precisely cut to a uniform length are provided to an application device.
  • the loose fibers are ionized and released adjacent a vehicle component being decorated.
  • a grounding field is applied to the vehicle component to attract the ionized loose fibers.
  • the loose fibers are affixed to the component and are subjected to an electrostatic field to orient the fibers in a uniform pattern.
  • the uniform pattern is presented that is consistent even when the fibers are applied to different component substrates such as, for example, fiberglass composites, polymer composites, and natural fiber composites.
  • component substrates such as, for example, fiberglass composites, polymer composites, and natural fiber composites.
  • This provides the benefit of a uniform appearance between components not having the same substrate.
  • a fiberglass headliner abutting to a polymer molding can present a uniform appearance due to the uniform orientation of the fibers affixed to each of the components.
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of the flocked coating of the prior art
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of the present inventive loose fiber coating application process
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a component substrate having a loose fiber decorative coating applied using the present inventive application process
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive loose fiber application process
  • Figure 5 is a schematic view of a further alternative embodiment of the inventive loose fiber application process.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle showing components decorated with the loose fibers using the inventive application process.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figure 2, a schematic of an apparatus for applying loose fibers is generally shown at 10. Loose fibers 12 are stored within a container 14 enclosed on one side with a grid 16. An electric source 18 provides an electrostatic charge to the grid 16 in order to transfer the charge to the loose fibers 12.
  • a substrate 20 is attached to a grounding contact 22 so that an electrostatic field 24 is generated between the grid 16 and the component 20.
  • the electrostatic field 24 is aligned in a substantially perpendicular orientation to a surface 26 of the component 20 to which the loose fibers 12 are to be attached, the purpose of which is explained below.
  • the loose fibers 12 are attracted to the grounded substrate 20 via the electrostatic charge transferred to the fibers 12 from the grid 16.
  • pneumatic pressure (not shown) may be used to propel the loose fibers toward the substrate 20.
  • the electrostatic field 24 is preferably generated by a DC electrical current. DC current has proven to generate an electrostatic field 24 providing a more precise alignment of the loose fibers than does an AC current. However, it should be understood that AC current may be used in certain circumstances.
  • the fibers 12 Prior to charging the container 14 with the loose fibers 12, the fibers 12 are ionized to improve the transfer of the electrostatic charge from the electric source 18 to the fibers 12.
  • the loose fibers 12 are treated with a solution ionized with sea salt after the fibers 12 have been cut to a desired length.
  • other equivalent ionizing solutions known to those with skill in the art may also be used.
  • FIG. 3 a sectional view of a component 20 having the inventive decorative coating applied is shown.
  • the surface 26 of the component 20 being decorated with the loose fibers 12 is pre-treated prior to the application of the fibers 12. Initially, the surface is sealed to provide a non-porous base enabling the loose fibers 12 to be affixed to the surface 26 in a uniform pattern.
  • a thin film of plastic 27 may be adhered to the surface 26 to provide a desirable substrate to accept the loose fibers 12.
  • heating or plasma treating the surface 26 of the component 20 may be used.
  • primer may be applied to the surface 26 to provide a desirable substrate. It should be understood by those of skill in the art that different substrates may accept different of the pre-treatments better than other of the substrates.
  • An adhesive 28 is subsequently applied to the surface 26 over the pre-treatment 27 to adhere the loose fibers 12 to the surface 26.
  • the adhesive is chosen for compatibility with the substrate material.
  • the adhesive is also preferably chosen to meet the physical specifications of the component 20.
  • a door pad which is typically shaded, may have different adhesive requirements than an instrument panel, which is subject to high levels of ultra violet light. Therefore, an adhesive known to have superior UV durability should be selected for the instrument panel.
  • some adhesives are known to bond to different substrates better than other substrates.
  • An adhesive selected for a polypropylene substrate may not be suitable for a fibrous substrate.
  • adhesives known to provide a scratch resistant surface is preferably applied to components known to receive a significant amount of wear.
  • the electrostatic field generated between the grid 16 and the surface 26 of the substrate 20 causes the ionized fibers 12 to orient longitudinally with the field 24.
  • the electrostatic field 24 is preferably oriented perpendicular to the surface 26 of the substrate 20. Therefore, the fibers 12 are affixed to the surface 26 in a perpendicular orientation as directed by the ionic field upon contacting the surface 26.
  • the grid 16 is preferably movable relative to the surface 26 so that the ionic field 24 is maintained at a perpendicular relationship to the surface 26.
  • the fibers 12 will orient relative to the surface 26 of the component 20 at any angle defined by the electrostatic field 24.
  • the grid 16 is large relative to the surface 26 being decorated and preferably would be used to decorate components 20 where it is desirable to decorate the entire visible surface 26. Therefore, it is desirable to mount the grid 16 to a robotic arm (not shown) as is known to those of skill in the art of coating vehicle components. Therefore, the orientation of the fibers 12 regardless of the contours in the surface 26 of the component 20 will always be perpendicular providing a uniform appearance along the entire surface 26 of the component 20.
  • the adhesive 28 is cured, preferably with infrared curing equipment.
  • an oven or equivalent heat projecting device such as, for example, a high temperature lamp may be used.
  • a rapid air drying adhesive may also be used.
  • the fibers 12 are permanently affixed to the surface 26 of the component 20.
  • excess fibers 12 that did not come into contact with the adhesive 28 may be removed from the surface 26 through impingement with compressed air or by vibrating the component 20.
  • These loose fibers 12 are preferably recovered and recycled for application to subsequent components 20 so that the material waste is maintained at a minimum.
  • FIG. 4 An alternate apparatus 110 is generally shown in Figure 4.
  • the loose fibers 12 are fluidized by pressurized air delivered through an air hose 120 from a compressor (not shown).
  • the loose fibers 12 are propelled through a grid 124 by the pressurized air toward the component 20 being decorated.
  • a electrical charge is applied to the grid 124 or other conductive element of the apparatus 110 from an electrical source 126.
  • the component 20 is grounded so that the electrostatic field 24 may be generated between the grid 124 and the surface 26 of the component 20. Therefore, the fibers released through the grid 124 receive an ionized charge causing the fibers 12 to be attracted to the grounded surface 26 of the component 20.
  • the electrostatic field also aligns the loose fibers 12 as well as facilitating the transfer of the fibers to the component 20.
  • the grid through which the fibers 12 are released is significantly smaller than the surface 26 of the component 20 being decorated.
  • the container 122 is preferably mounted on a robot arm (not shown) and manipulated around the component 20 to maintain the grid 124 in a perpendicular orientation to the surface 26 being decorated even if the surface is contoured. Therefore, the electrostatic field 24 is also maintained in a perpendicular orientation to the surface 26. Accordingly, the ionized fibers 12 applied to the surface 26 will be aligned in a perpendicular orientation with the surface 26 of the component 20, regardless of the contours in the surface.
  • Another advantage of the smaller grid 124 is that a precise application of the fibers 12 may be achieved. Therefore, if only a certain section of the component 20 is desired to be decorated with the fibers 12, the robot arm may manipulate the grid 124 in that section only, thereby allowing for a two tone appearance on the component 20.
  • a still further embodiment of the apparatus is generally shown in Figure 5 at 210.
  • the component being decorated with the loose fibers 12 are formed from non- conductive materials.
  • the component 20 In order to generate the electrostatic field 24 and to attract the loose fibers 12 to the surface 26 of the component 20 being decorated, the component 20 must still be grounded.
  • the fibers 12 are maintained in a container 212 similar to that disclosed in the earlier embodiments.
  • a grid 214 or other conductive element of the container 212 is charged with an electrical source 216 to generate the electrostatic field 24 and to ionize the loose fibers 12.
  • a contact plate 218 is disposed behind the non-conductive component 20. The contact plate 218 is grounded so that the electrical field is generated between the contact plate 218 and the grid 214.
  • the non-conducting component 20 is positioned within the electrostatic field 24 between the contact plate 218 and the grid 214. Therefore, the fibers 12 released through the grid 214, having been electrostatically charged by the electrical source 216, are attracted to the non-conducting substrate of the component 20 by virtue of the electrostatic field 24 generated between the grid 214 and the contact plate 218.
  • the electrostatic field 24 is generated at a perpendicular orientation to the contact plate 218. Therefore, the surface 26 of the component 20 having a non-conducting substrate is oriented in the electrostatic field 24 in a direction selected to attach the fibers 12 in a substantially perpendicular alignment to the surface 26.
  • the contact plate 218 and the surface 26 of the component 20 may be oriented at angles not substantially perpendicular to the electrostatic field 24.
  • FIG. 6 a sectional view taken longitudinally of a passenger vehicle is generally shown at 310.
  • the components affixed to the body within the passenger compartment include the instrument panel 312 located in the forward section of the vehicle.
  • An A-pillar molding 314 abuts the instrument panel at its lower end and a headliner 316 at its upper end.
  • a B-pillar molding 318 abuts a central portion of the headliner 316 and is disposed between a front door pad 320 and a rear door pad (or quarter panel pad) 322.
  • a C-pillar molding 324 abuts the headliner 316 at its upper end and a rear shelf 326 at its lower end.
  • a carpet 328 covers the floor pan (not shown) of the vehicle.
  • a storage compartment 330 wherein storage compartment trim 332 covers nearly the entirety of the vehicle body defining the storage compartment 330. Also located within the storage compartment is a spare tire cover 334 or equivalently a load floor.
  • a transition can be made between abutting of these components that provides a uniform appearance.
  • loose fibers may be applied to the headliner 316, the moldings 314, 318, 324 and upper surface of the instrument panel 312 and the rear shelf 326.
  • these components are formed from different substrates.
  • the headliner 316 may be formed from a fiberglass composite
  • the moldings 314, 318, 324 may be formed from polypropylene or other polymer composite
  • the shelf 326 may be formed from a natural fiber composite.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de décoration d'un composant de véhicule (20) avec des fibres lâches (12). Une pluralité de fibres lâches (12) sont ionisées et projetées sur le composant (20) de façon à ce que les fibres lâches chargées collent au composant (20). Un champ de terre (218) est appliqué au composant (20) pour attirer sur lui les fibres lâches chargées (12). Les fibres lâches (12) sont fixées au composant (20) et orientées (12) de façon à obtenir un motif uniforme.
PCT/US2002/024355 2001-11-02 2002-08-01 Application electrostatique de fibres laches sur des substrats WO2003039765A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US33533901P 2001-11-02 2001-11-02
US60/335,339 2001-11-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003039765A1 true WO2003039765A1 (fr) 2003-05-15

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/024355 WO2003039765A1 (fr) 2001-11-02 2002-08-01 Application electrostatique de fibres laches sur des substrats

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2003039765A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CZ299537B6 (cs) * 2005-06-07 2008-08-27 Elmarco, S. R. O. Zpusob a zarízení k výrobe nanovláken z polymerního roztoku elektrostatickým zvláknováním
DE102008009741A1 (de) * 2008-02-18 2009-08-20 Felix Hellmuth Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur elektrostatischen Beflockung
CN103831181A (zh) * 2014-03-13 2014-06-04 湖州润源丝织有限公司 一种植绒强化粘合装置
US9962721B2 (en) 2013-05-23 2018-05-08 Ev Group E. Thallner Gmbh Device and method for coating a substrate

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3356521A (en) * 1964-09-17 1967-12-05 Hercules Inc Electrostatic flocking process using modified stereoregular polypropylene fibers
US3979487A (en) * 1972-10-02 1976-09-07 M. Lowenstein & Sons, Inc. Process for manufacturing a foamed resin article having a flocked three dimensional surface design
US4246294A (en) * 1978-01-26 1981-01-20 Solar Suede Corporation Method for depositing flock fibers
US5167738A (en) * 1990-06-12 1992-12-01 Isover Saint-Gobain Recycling of fibrous products in a production line for manufacturing mats from fibers
EP0534512A1 (fr) * 1991-09-03 1993-03-31 General Motors Corporation Procédé pour revêtir électrostatiquement substrats non-conducteurs

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3356521A (en) * 1964-09-17 1967-12-05 Hercules Inc Electrostatic flocking process using modified stereoregular polypropylene fibers
US3979487A (en) * 1972-10-02 1976-09-07 M. Lowenstein & Sons, Inc. Process for manufacturing a foamed resin article having a flocked three dimensional surface design
US4246294A (en) * 1978-01-26 1981-01-20 Solar Suede Corporation Method for depositing flock fibers
US5167738A (en) * 1990-06-12 1992-12-01 Isover Saint-Gobain Recycling of fibrous products in a production line for manufacturing mats from fibers
EP0534512A1 (fr) * 1991-09-03 1993-03-31 General Motors Corporation Procédé pour revêtir électrostatiquement substrats non-conducteurs

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CZ299537B6 (cs) * 2005-06-07 2008-08-27 Elmarco, S. R. O. Zpusob a zarízení k výrobe nanovláken z polymerního roztoku elektrostatickým zvláknováním
DE102008009741A1 (de) * 2008-02-18 2009-08-20 Felix Hellmuth Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur elektrostatischen Beflockung
DE102008009741B4 (de) * 2008-02-18 2011-07-14 Hellmuth, Felix, 96250 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur elektrostatischen Beflockung von nicht-flächigen Substraten
US9962721B2 (en) 2013-05-23 2018-05-08 Ev Group E. Thallner Gmbh Device and method for coating a substrate
TWI668052B (zh) * 2013-05-23 2019-08-11 奧地利商Ev集團E塔那有限公司 用於塗覆基板之裝置與方法
CN103831181A (zh) * 2014-03-13 2014-06-04 湖州润源丝织有限公司 一种植绒强化粘合装置
CN103831181B (zh) * 2014-03-13 2015-11-11 湖州润源丝织有限公司 一种植绒强化粘合装置

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