JP4363775B2 - Method and apparatus for molding sealing material - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For example, an automotive lamp is known in which a gasket is interposed to seal between the lamp body and the vehicle body panel so that water or dust does not enter the back side of the lamp where wiring to a bulb or the like is provided. However, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for molding and integrating a gasket made of a thermosetting foamed sealing material on a sealing leg of a synthetic resin lamp component such as a lamp body in the lamp having such a structure. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of prior art, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-73812 is known. As shown in FIG. 12, this is a seal leg that surrounds the bulb insertion hole 1a on the back wall of the lamp body 1. 2 and a gasket 8 as a sealing material is interposed between the seal leg 2 and the vehicle body panel 6. Reference numeral 3 denotes a front lens, and reference numeral 4 denotes a bulb.
[0003]
Further, the gasket 8 is molded and integrated at the tip end portion of the seal leg 2, and the manufacturing process of the lamp can be automated as compared with the case where a separate gasket is interposed, and the cost is low.
[0004]
Then, as a first conventional method of molding and integrating the gasket 8 on the seal leg 2, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), in the gasket molding groove b of the receiving jig a arranged horizontally, A foaming gasket material (thermosetting foam sealing material) is applied by a sealing material application gun c. On the other hand, a surface activation treatment such as corona discharge is applied to the tip of the seal leg 2 on the back wall of the lamp body 1 in order to improve the adhesion to the foamable gasket material. Then, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the surface-treated seal leg 2 is pressure-bonded and held on the foamable gasket material in the gasket molding groove b, and accommodated in the heating and drying furnace in this state, and foamed. The heat-resistant gasket material is cured (solidified). Finally, when the gasket 8 integrated at the tip end of the seal leg 2 is separated from the gasket forming groove b, the gasket 8 is molded and integrated with the tip end of the seal leg 2.
[0005]
Further, as a second conventional method, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), a foamable gasket material (humidity hardening type foamed sealing material) is used in a gasket molding groove b of the receiving jig a by a sealing material application gun c. ) Is applied. The foamable gasket material (humidification curing type foam seal material) applied in the gasket molding groove b reacts with the moisture (moisture) in the air and expands and begins to cure from the surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the surface-activated seal leg 2 is pressure-bonded to the foamable gasket material in the gasket molding groove b. Then, when the foamable gasket material is cured to some extent, the gasket 8 integrated at the tip of the seal leg 2 is separated from the gasket molding groove b and accommodated in the humidifying furnace, and the gasket 8 is subjected to secondary foaming / Harden.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the first conventional method described above, since a thermosetting foam seal material is used as the gasket material, the seal leg 2 provided on the back wall of the lamp body is used as a foam gasket material in the gasket forming groove b. A heating and drying furnace that can accommodate the receiving jig a and the lamp body 1 in the form of being crimped to each other is necessary, and the equipment is increased in size, and the receiving jig a and the lamp body 1 are taken in and out of the heating and drying furnace. There is a problem that the gasket molding process takes a long time because of the process.
[0007]
Further, in the above-described second conventional method, a humidifying and curing type foamed sealing material is used as the gasket material. Therefore, a humidifying furnace is necessary, and as in the case of the first method, the size of the equipment is increased accordingly. In addition, the time required for secondary foaming / curing of the foamable gasket material in the humidification furnace is 10 minutes or more, and the gasket molding process takes a long time. Further, since the gasket material is secondarily foamed in a humidifying furnace, there is a problem that the shape does not conform to the gasket forming groove b (the shape as designed).
[0008]
In both of the conventional methods 1 and 2, the application of the foam gasket material to the gasket forming groove and the surface activation treatment of the seal leg on the back wall of the lamp body are performed in separate steps. As a result, the number of processes increases and the total time required for molding increases. In addition, an independent device is required for each process (sealing leg surface activation process, foaming gasket material application process). However, there is a problem that the equipment facilities are increased in size and the equipment installation space is required.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and a first object thereof is to forcibly heat cure the thermosetting foamed sealing material in the sealing material forming groove by a heating means provided in the transfer jig. Thus, there is provided a method and apparatus for molding a seal material on a seal leg that can reduce the number of processes by eliminating the need for a heating / drying furnace or a humidifying furnace, and that can reduce the size of equipment and space for equipment installation. There is. In addition, the second object of the present invention is to simultaneously reduce the number of processes by simultaneously performing the surface activation treatment applied to the seal legs and the application of the thermosetting foamable sealing material applied to the sealing material forming groove, It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for molding a sealing material on a seal leg and an apparatus therefor, which can further reduce the size of equipment and reduce the installation space of the equipment.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, in the method for molding a sealing material according to claim 1, a transfer jig provided corresponding to the sealing leg, wherein the sealing leg of the synthetic resin lamp component member is subjected to surface activation treatment. The foam sealing material is applied to the sealing material molding groove of the sealing material, the surface-activated seal leg is held in the foam sealing material in the sealing material molding groove and cured, and then the sealing material is cured. In the molding method of the sealing material that separates the legs from the sealing material molding groove together with the foam sealing material,
  The foam sealing material is composed of a thermosetting foam sealing material, and the sealing material forming groove is heated by a heating means provided in the transfer jig to cure the thermosetting foam sealing material.
  And as a sealing material to be molded,As shown in claim 4When molding a gasket which is a foam sealing material that is molded and integrated with a seal leg protruding from the back wall of the lamp body, which is a synthetic resin lamp component, and seals between the seal leg and the vehicle body panel;As shown in claim 5In some cases, a gasket, which is a foam sealing material, is molded and integrated with the seal leg of the front lens, which is a synthetic resin lamp component, and seals between the seal leg of the front lens and the seal groove of the front opening of the lamp body. is there.
  (Operation) The thermosetting foamed sealing material, which is the sealing material applied to the sealing material forming groove, is cured by being accelerated by the heating means provided in the transfer jig. When the process of inserting and holding the sealing leg of the lamp component member into the thermosetting foam seal material applied to the seal material molding groove is completed, the thermosetting foam seal material is completely cured in the seal material molding groove. ing. Therefore, if the cured thermosetting foamed sealing material is separated from the sealing material forming groove together with the sealing leg, a gasket is molded and integrated at the tip of the sealing leg.
Further, in claim 1, the surface activation treatment nozzle is arranged such that the sealing leg of the synthetic resin lamp component member and the sealing material forming groove of the transfer jig are opposed to each other, and the directions of the nozzles are opposite to each other. And a thermosetting foamable sealing material application nozzle are run along the seal leg and the sealing material forming groove, and the surface activation treatment of the sealing leg and the sealing material forming groove are performed. The thermosetting foam sealing material was applied at the same time.
(Operation) Surface activation treatment and application of the sealing material of the sealing leg by the surface activation treatment nozzle by running the nozzle unit along the sealing leg of the synthetic resin lamp component member and the sealing material forming groove of the transfer jig. The thermosetting foamed sealing material is simultaneously applied to the sealing material forming groove by the nozzle. That is, the sealing material application step and the surface activation treatment step that have been provided separately can be processed in a single step (sealing material application / surface activation treatment step).
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the molding method of the sealing material according to the first aspect, before the thermosetting foam sealing material is applied to the sealing material molding groove, the sealing material molding groove is heated to a predetermined temperature. Configured to hold.
  The predetermined temperature at which the sealing material forming groove is heated is a temperature above a certain level that is effective in promoting the thermosetting of the thermosetting foam sealing material, and in particular, the thermosetting foam sealing material is heated. After applying the thermosetting foam seal material at a temperature higher than the critical temperature at which to start curing, insert the seal legs of the lamp components into the thermosetting foam seal material applied to the seal material molding groove and hold it. This is a temperature corresponding to the temperature at which thermosetting of the thermosetting foamed sealing material starts, taking into account the time until the process to start. More specifically, the higher the temperature of the sealing material forming groove by the heating means, the faster the thermosetting foam sealing material is cured and the faster the curing time, and the shorter the curing time of the thermosetting foam sealing material. This is preferable. However, if the thermosetting speed (curing speed) is too high, the surface of the thermosetting foamed sealing material applied to the sealing material forming groove may be hardened and the seal leg cannot be inserted. In this way, when the surface of the thermosetting foam sealing material is cured, the seal leg cannot be inserted smoothly, so the surface of the thermosetting foam sealing material is hard enough not to interfere with the insertion of the seal leg. It is desirable to be. Therefore, the heating temperature of the sealing material forming groove is set to a predetermined temperature at which an optimum thermosetting speed is obtained for solidifying the surface of the thermosetting foamed sealing material to such an extent that smooth insertion of the sealing leg is not hindered.
  (Operation) The sealing material forming groove is maintained at a temperature higher than a certain temperature effective for promoting the thermosetting of the thermosetting foam sealing material, and the thermosetting foam sealing material is transmitted from the sealing material forming groove. Curing is accelerated by the heat generated and cured within a short time with the sealing leg inserted and held.
  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the method for molding a sealing material according to the first aspect, the thermosetting foamed sealing material in the sealing material molding groove is rapidly heated above a predetermined temperature necessary for thermosetting. did.
  (Function) Immediately after the seal leg is inserted into the thermosetting foam sealing material of the sealing material molding groove, the sealing material molding groove is rapidly heated and effective in rapidly curing the thermosetting foam sealing material. At a predetermined temperature. That is, in the process of inserting and holding the seal leg, when the seal leg is inserted into the thermosetting foam sealing material, the sealing material forming groove is not yet heated, and the thermosetting foam sealing material is thermally cured. Has not started. For this reason, the seal leg can be smoothly inserted into the uncured thermosetting foamed sealing material. After that, the thermosetting foam sealing material is rapidly cured by heat transferred from the rapidly heated sealing material forming groove, and the thermosetting foam sealing material is inserted in a state where the seal leg is inserted for a very short time. Hardens inside.
  If the seal leg is inserted into the thermosetting foam sealing material at the same time as the application of the thermosetting foam sealing material, the sealing material is inserted before inserting the seal leg into the thermosetting foam sealing material. You may start the rapid heating of the forming grooveYes.
  Claim 6In the sealing material molding apparatus according to the first aspect, a first jig for supporting a synthetic resin lamp component member and a seal material molding groove disposed opposite to the first jig and corresponding to a seal leg of the lamp component member And a drive mechanism for moving the first jig and the transfer jig in the approaching / separating direction, and traveling along the seal leg and the sealing material forming groove between the two jigs. The surface activation treatment of the seal leg and the application of the thermosetting foamed sealing material to the sealing material molding groove at the same time, and the surface activation treatment nozzle and the thermosetting so that the directions of the respective nozzle tips are opposite to each other A nozzle unit in which a mold foaming sealing material application nozzle is integrated, and a heating means for heating a sealing material forming groove provided in the transfer jig are provided.
  (Operation) The surface activation process to the seal leg by the surface activation process nozzle is performed by running the nozzle unit along the seal leg of the synthetic resin lamp component and the seal material forming groove provided in the transfer jig. The thermosetting foamed sealing material is simultaneously applied to the sealing material forming groove by the thermosetting foamed sealing material application nozzle. Then, the first jig and the transfer jig are moved toward each other by the driving means, and the seal leg is held in a state of being inserted into the thermosetting foam seal material in the seal material molding groove. The thermosetting foamed sealing material is cured by heat transmitted from the sealing material forming groove heated by the heating means, and is cured with the seal legs inserted. After that, the first jig and the transfer jig are moved away from each other by the driving means, and the seal leg is separated from the seal material molding groove together with the cured thermosetting foam seal material. A gasket is molded and integrated with the part.
  That is, a sealing material molding apparatus includes a seal leg surface activation process, a sealing material application process in the sealing material molding groove, a sealing leg insertion and holding process in the sealing material, a sealing material curing process, and a sealing material. The whole process of separating the sealing material from the forming groove is performed.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.
[0012]
FIGS. 1-12 shows the Example of this invention method, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the marker lamp using the front lens and lamp body provided with the thermosetting foam sealing material shape | molded by this invention method, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a front lens and a lamp body shown in a partially broken view, FIG. 3 is an overall schematic diagram of equipment for molding and integrating a thermosetting foam seal material on a seal leg of the lamp body, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a first jig, which is a main part of the apparatus, and FIG. 6 is a main part of the apparatus. 7 is a bottom view of the transfer jig, FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the main part of a thermosetting foam sealing material application apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a nozzle unit that runs to apply the thermosetting foam sealing material and activate the surface. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the force acting on the sealing material forming groove, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of a third embodiment of a thermosetting foam sealing material molding apparatus according to the present invention. It is.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a sign lamp for an automobile. Reference numeral 10 denotes a lamp body which is a lamp component member formed of a synthetic resin such as ABS, AAS, AES, PP, and the front surface is opened. It is formed in a container shape. A parabolic reflector 10a is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lamp body 10, and a bulb 15 as a light source is inserted into a bulb insertion hole 10b formed at the top.
[0014]
Reference numeral 12 denotes a transparent front lens that is a lamp component formed of a synthetic resin such as PMMA or PC, and is assembled to the front opening of the lamp body 10. Around the peripheral edge of the front lens 12, a seal leg 13 extending around the back surface and engaging with the seal groove 11 of the lamp body 10 is provided. On the other hand, a seal groove 11 having a U-shaped cross section that opens forward is inserted around the periphery of the front opening of the lamp body 10 to insert the gasket 14 at the tip of the seal leg 13 of the front lens 12. . A gasket 14 is interposed in an engagement portion between the seal leg 13 and the seal groove 11 of the front lens 12, and an engagement portion between the front lens 12 and the lamp body 10 (an engagement between the seal leg 13 and the seal groove 11). Part) is sealed.
[0015]
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a gasket 14 that is molded and integrated by curing a thermosetting foamed sealing material is provided at the tip of the seal leg 13. Further, between the seal leg 13 and the seal groove 11, there are an engagement protrusion (not shown) formed on the seal leg 13 side and an engagement hole (not shown) formed on the outer wall of the seal groove 11. A concave / convex lance engaging portion is provided, and when the seal leg 13 is inserted into the seal groove 11, the projection on the seal leg 13 side engages with the engagement hole on the seal groove 11 side (concave / convex lance engagement). Then, the seal leg 13 is fixed to the seal groove 11 so as to be prevented from coming off, and the thermosetting foamed seal material having a chevron cross section formed between the seal leg 13 and the seal groove 11 at the tip end portion of the seal leg 13 is integrated. The gasket 14 is held in pressure contact and sealed.
[0016]
Reference numeral 16 (16a, 16b) is a two-leg seal leg that protrudes from the rear wall of the lamp body 10 and extends in a standing wall shape so as to surround the bulb insertion hole 10b. Is provided with a chevron-shaped gasket 20 which is molded and integrated so as to straddle the two seal legs 16a and 16b by thermosetting the foam sealing material.
[0017]
A bracket (not shown) extends from the lamp body 10 and is fixed to the vehicle body by fixing the bracket to the vehicle body panel 18 with bolts and nuts (not shown). When the marker lamp is fixed to the vehicle body panel 18, the bulb insertion hole 10 b of the lamp body 10 is aligned with the bulb attachment / detachment opening 19 of the vehicle body panel 18, and the lamp body 10 rear wall The seal leg 16 and the vehicle body panel 18 are held and sealed in a pressure-contact state by a gasket 20 that is molded and integrated with the tip end portion of the seal leg 16. This prevents water or the like from entering the vicinity of the bulb insertion hole 10b on the rear side of the lamp body 10 from the front side of the vehicle body panel 18.
[0018]
The gasket 20 is inserted into the seal leg 16 on the back wall of the lamp body 10 as shown in FIG. 3 by a molding equipment (sealing material molding apparatus shown in FIG. 4). It is molded and integrated into the part.
[0019]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the sealing material molding apparatus is supported by the first jig 40 on the lower side supported by the gantry 30 and the four columns 34 on the gantry 30, so that the first The first jig 40 is moved up and down by an elevating mechanism 36 such as an air cylinder, which is a driving mechanism, so as to transfer the jig. It can move toward and away from the tool 50. Reference numeral 32 denotes a leg of the gantry 30.
[0020]
On the upper surface of the first jig 40, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are provided engaging convex portions 42 and 42 that engage with the inside of the lamp bodies 10 and 10 of the pair of left and right indicator lamps, respectively. The lamp bodies 10, 10 supported by the first jig 40 are arranged so that the back side faces upward, and the seal legs 16, 16 on the back wall of the lamp bodies 10, 10 are used as the first jig. 40 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0021]
On the other hand, on the lower surface of the metal transfer jig 50 facing the first jig 40, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a pair of lamp bodies 10, 10 supported by the first jig 40 is provided. Sealing material forming grooves 52 and 52 respectively corresponding to the back wall seal legs 16 and 16 are provided. In addition, rapid heating heaters 54, 54 extending so as to surround the respective sealing material forming grooves 52, 52 are disposed inside the transfer jig 50.
[0022]
The rapid heating heater 54 is constituted by an electromagnetic induction rapid heating heater, an electric resistance rapid heating heater, a high frequency induction rapid heating heater, or the like. The entire surface of the sealing material forming groove 52 is instantaneously cured by thermosetting described later. The mold foamable sealing material 200 is rapidly heated to about 150 ° C., which is much higher than the thermosetting start temperature (about 80 ° C.), and is maintained at this temperature.
[0023]
Reference numeral 60 denotes a surface activation process and seal material molding of the seal leg 16 that run between the first jig 40 and the transfer jig 50 along the seal leg 16 and the seal material molding groove 52 of the lamp body 10. This is a nozzle unit that simultaneously applies the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 to the groove 52.
[0024]
That is, the nozzle unit 60 has a structure in which a corona discharge nozzle 70 which is a surface activation processing nozzle and a thermosetting foam seal material application nozzle 80 are integrated so that the tip ends of the nozzles are opposite to each other. 70 performs surface activation processing of the seal leg 16, and the thermosetting foam seal material application nozzle 80 applies the thermosetting foam seal material 200 to the seal material forming groove 52. The nozzle unit 60 is supported by the arm 102 of the six-axis robot 100 provided next to the gantry 30, and the nozzle unit 60 is moved along the seal leg 16 and the seal material forming groove 52 by controlling the movement of the arm 102. 60 (corona discharge nozzle 70, thermosetting foam seal material application nozzle 80) can be run. Reference numeral 101 in FIG. 3 indicates a robot control panel.
[0025]
In the corona discharge nozzle 70, which is a surface activation treatment nozzle, electrodes (not shown) are provided so as to perform corona discharge between the electrodes and direct the spark generated between the electrodes downward using air. The thermosetting foamed sealing material applied to the sealing material forming groove 52 is configured by activating the surface of the sealing leg 16 by the nozzle unit 60 (nozzle 70) traveling above the sealing leg 16. Adhesion with 200 is improved.
[0026]
On the other hand, a thermosetting foam seal material (Sunstar Giken) mixed with a curing agent that reacts at about 80 ° C. is applied to the thermosetting foam seal material application nozzle 80 by a thermosetting foam seal material applicator shown in FIG. The brand name “Penguin Foam” (one-component urethane material) HRF is supplied together with foaming gas G. That is, reference numeral 86 denotes a piston pump that weighs and mixes the thermosetting foam seal material HRF and the foaming gas G. In the piston pump 86, the gas G is supplied into the cylinder 86a in the suction process, and the thermosetting foamed sealing material HRF is supplied into the cylinder 86a where the gas G exists. When the piston pump 86 is in the discharge process, the gas G and the thermosetting foam sealing material HRF are mixed and dispersed by discharge. The gas G discharged from the piston pump 86 and the thermosetting foam sealing material HRF are pumped and pressurized to a pressurizing pump 87 which is a pressurizing device. Moreover, you may make it mix the gas G and the thermosetting type foaming sealing material HRF using a mixer etc. as needed. The gas G and thermosetting foam sealing material HRF mixed and dispersed are sent to the thermosetting foam sealing material application nozzle 80 via the flexible hose 88 at room temperature, and from the thermosetting foam sealing material application nozzle 80. The sealing material forming groove 52 is configured to be applied as a thermosetting foam sealing material 200. 3 is a coating device for a thermosetting foam seal material.
[0027]
The thermosetting foam sealing material 200, which is a mixed dispersion of the gas G and the thermosetting foam sealing material HRF discharged from the nozzle 80, starts to foam as soon as it is discharged from the nozzle 80 to atmospheric pressure. As shown in FIG. 9, due to its own viscosity, it is tightly integrated with (the surface of) the sealing material forming groove 52 and held in the sealing material forming groove 52 without falling.
[0028]
In the thermosetting foam sealing material application apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the piston pump 86 for weighing the gas G and the thermosetting foam sealing material HRF is a dual type. The pressurizing pump 87 is composed of a piston pump, a booster pump, etc., and controls the discharge amount of the gas G and the thermosetting foamed sealing material HRF. Also good.
[0029]
Moreover, the gas G should just be an inert gas as foaming gas, for example, nitrogen gas, a carbon dioxide gas, air etc. can be used.
[0030]
In the thermosetting foam sealing material application apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the gas G and the thermosetting foam sealing material HRF are weighed by the piston pump 86, so that the foaming accuracy is excellent and the foaming magnification is accurately controlled. Moreover, there is almost no variation. Further, since the foaming is caused by the expansion of the gas G, the foamed cells are uniform and fine, and the strength properties are excellent.
[0031]
The sealing material forming groove 52 is formed of a V groove having a smaller contact area with the foam sealing material than the U groove, and the gasket 20 which is the cured thermosetting foam sealing material 200 is formed on the molding surface of the sealing material forming groove 52. 53 can be separated smoothly.
[0032]
Further, the gasket 20 formed by curing the thermosetting foamed sealing material 200 applied to the sealing material forming groove 52 is formed in a tapered cross section that matches the sealing material forming groove (V groove) 52. A large pressure contact force is generated between the vehicle body panel 18 and the waterproof portion at the seal portion with the vehicle body panel 18 can be secured.
[0033]
The seal leg 16 is composed of two legs 16a and 16b extending in parallel to prevent the gasket 20 pressed against the vehicle body panel 18 from rolling, and is in a state of being pressed against the vehicle body panel 18. In order to ensure the sealing performance at the pressure contact surface (adhesion surface) of the gasket 20, the groove width D of the sealing material forming groove 52 is 8 mm or more in consideration of an error in attaching the marker lamp to the vehicle body. It is desirable.
[0034]
Next, a process of molding the gasket 20 on the seal leg 16 on the back wall of the PP lamp body 10 which is a synthetic resin lamp constituent member will be described using the molding apparatus shown in the present embodiment. An electric resistance rapid heater 54 is disposed in the transfer jig 50.
[0035]
First, after adjusting the vertical position of the first jig 40 so that the transfer jig 50 is positioned above the first jig 40, the lamp body 10 is set on the first jig 40. . Next, by operating the 6-axis robot 100, the nozzle unit 60 (corona discharge nozzle 70 and thermosetting foam seal material application nozzle 80) is sealed from a predetermined position corresponding to the seal leg 16 and the seal material forming groove 52. By running along the leg 16 and the seal material forming groove 52, the surface activation process by corona discharge to the seal leg 16 and the application of the thermosetting foamed seal material 200 to the seal material forming groove 52 are performed simultaneously.
[0036]
After the surface activation treatment / thermosetting foam sealing material application step by running the nozzle unit 60, the nozzle unit 60 is retracted to a predetermined position that does not interfere with the outside of the apparatus. Next, the elevating mechanism 36 is driven and the first jig 40 is raised to hold the tip of the seal leg 16 inserted in the thermosetting foam seal material 200, and at the same time the rapid heater 54 is turned on. Then, the sealing material forming groove 52 is heated and held at about 150 ° C. during the holding process in which the seal leg 16 is held in a state of being inserted into the thermosetting foam seal material 200. That is, as soon as the rapid heating heater 54 is turned on in the sealing leg holding step, the surface temperature of the sealing material forming groove 52 instantaneously becomes about 150 ° C., and the thermosetting foamed sealing material 200 in the sealing material forming groove 52. Rapidly cures and cures in a state where it is molded and integrated with the tip of the seal leg 16. Further, since the thermosetting foamed sealing material 200 in the sealing material forming groove 52 held at about 150 ° C. is cured to the inside in 2 to 3 seconds, the time required for the sealing leg holding process is as long as 5 seconds. If there is enough.
[0037]
Next, the elevating mechanism 36 is driven to lower the first jig 40, whereby the seal leg 16 on the back wall of the lamp body 10 is molded and integrated by the curing of the thermosetting foam seal material 200. At the same time, it is separated from the sealing material forming groove 52. Then, the lamp body 10 in which the gasket 20 is molded and integrated at the tip end portion of the seal leg 16 is removed from the first jig 40, and a new lamp body 10 is set on the first jig 40, and again the six-axis. The robot 100 is operated.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, the heating method of the applied thermosetting foam sealing material 200 has been described as an example in which an electrical resistance type rapid heating heater 54 is disposed in the vicinity of the sealing material forming groove 52 of the transfer jig 50. If an ultrasonic dielectric rapid heating heater is used instead of the electrical resistance rapid heating heater, the thermosetting foamable sealing material can be directly heated. If an electromagnetic induction rapid heating heater is used, the thermosetting foamed sealing material can be cured in a shorter time.
[0039]
FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a sealing material forming apparatus.
[0040]
In the first embodiment described above, the lower first jig 40 that supports the lamp body 10 is configured to move up and down with respect to the upper transfer jig 50, but this second embodiment. In the sealing material molding apparatus in FIG. 1, the upper first jig 40 is moved up and down by the lifting mechanism 36 with respect to the lower transfer jig 50 supported by the gantry 30.
[0041]
The lamp body 10 suspended and supported by the upper first jig 40 is arranged so that the back side thereof faces downward, and the seal legs 16 of the lamp body 10 protrude below the first jig 40. It is in form.
[0042]
On the other hand, a sealing material forming groove 52 corresponding to the seal leg 16 of the lamp body 10 supported by the first jig 40 is provided on the upper surface of the lower transfer jig 50 facing the first jig 40. ing.
[0043]
The nozzle unit 60 has a corona discharge nozzle 70 facing upward and a thermosetting foam sealing material application nozzle 80 facing downward. Between the first jig 40 and the transfer jig 50, the seal leg 16 and the sealing material are disposed. Traveling along the molding groove 52, the surface activation treatment of the seal leg 16 and the application of the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 to the sealing material molding groove 52 are performed simultaneously.
[0044]
Others are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted by giving the same reference numerals.
[0045]
FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of a sealing material forming apparatus.
[0046]
In the first and second embodiments described above, the method and apparatus for molding and integrating the gasket 20 at the tip of the seal leg 16 on the back wall of the lamp body 10 have been described. In the third embodiment, the front lens is used. The molding method of the gasket 14 interposed between the seal legs 13 of the 12 and the engagement portion between the seal grooves 11 of the lamp body 10 will be described.
[0047]
That is, FIG. 11 shows a method and an apparatus in which a thermosetting foamed sealing material 200 similar to that used in the above-described embodiment is molded and integrated as a gasket 14 at the tip of the seal leg 13 of the front lens 12 made of PC.
[0048]
The front lens 12 is placed on the upper surface of the first jig 40 </ b> A supported by the gantry 30. The first jig 40 </ b> A is provided with an engaging recess 43 that can engage with the convex surface on the front surface side of the front lens 12. The front lens 12 placed and supported on the first jig 40A is arranged so that the back side thereof faces upward, and the seal leg 13 of the front lens 12 protrudes above the first jig 40A. Is arranged.
[0049]
On the lower surface of the upper transfer jig 50A, a sealing material forming groove 52A having a V-shaped cross section corresponding to the seal leg 13 of the lower front lens 12 is provided. In the transfer jig 50A, electric resistance heaters 56 and 56 are disposed so as to surround the sealing material forming groove 52A, and the surface temperature of the sealing material forming groove 52A is always about 100 ° C. Has been adjusted. That is, not only before the application process of the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 is started, but also after the application process of the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 is started, the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 is thermoset and molded as a gasket 14. Until the process of separating 14 from the sealing material forming groove 52A is completed, the surface temperature of the sealing material forming groove 52A is maintained constant (about 100 ° C.).
[0050]
Therefore, in the third embodiment, as soon as the foamable sealing material 200 is applied to the sealing material molding groove 52A, the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 is applied from the contact surface side of the inner surface of the sealing material molding groove 52A. Although the thermosetting gradually starts, the heating temperature (about 100 ° C.) is lower than the heating temperature (about 150 ° C.) in the first embodiment, so that the thermosetting speed of the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 is the first. It is not as fast as in the case of this embodiment. Therefore, after the application process of the thermosetting foam seal material 200 is completed, a holding process for inserting and holding the seal leg 13 of the front lens 12 in the thermosetting foam seal material 200 applied to the seal material forming groove 52A is started. However, at the stage where the seal leg 13 is inserted into the thermosetting foam sealing material 200, the surface layer portion of the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 has begun to harden somewhat to the extent that the insertion of the seal leg 13 is not hindered. However, there is no problem in inserting the seal legs 13 of the front lens 12 into the thermosetting foam seal material 200. Then, the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 is cured in the form in which the seal legs 13 are inserted into the thermosetting foam sealing material 200, and the thermosetting foam sealing material 200 is completely cured in about 5 minutes. To do. Then, by separating the cured foam seal material 200 from the seal material forming groove 52A together with the seal leg 13, the gasket 14 is molded and integrated at the tip of the seal leg 13.
Others are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted by giving the same reference numerals.
[0051]
In each of the first to third embodiments described above, the first jig and the transfer jig are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction, and the first jig is moved. However, the transfer jig or both may be moved.
[0052]
Further, the first jig and the transfer jig may be arranged to face each other in the left-right direction, and the first jig and / or the transfer jig may be moved in the left-right direction.
In the above-described embodiment, the surface activation treatment of the seal leg is performed by corona discharge. However, instead of corona discharge, plasma discharge, flame treatment, primer treatment, and other surface activation treatments can be performed. Also good.
[0053]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the seal leg 16 on the back wall of the lamp body is configured in two shapes (two) in order to prevent the gasket 20 from falling, but may be one.
[0054]
In the above-described embodiments, the one-component urethane material is exemplified as the thermosetting foam sealing material. However, the thermosetting foam sealing material is a silicon-based or other thermosetting foam sealing material mixed with a curing agent that reacts at a predetermined temperature. Also good.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
  As is apparent from the above description, according to the sealing material molding method of the first aspect, the applied thermosetting foam sealing material is cured in the sealing material molding groove provided in the transfer jig. This eliminates the need for a heating and drying furnace and a humidifying furnace required in the conventional method, shortens the time required for molding the sealing material, and simplifies the equipment.
  In addition, at the end of the holding process in which the seal legs are inserted and held in the thermosetting foam sealing material applied to the sealing material molding groove, the thermosetting foam sealing material has been cured, so it matches the sealing material molding groove. The foamed sealing material as designed can be molded and integrated with the tip of the seal leg as a gasket.
  Also, since the surface activation treatment to the seal leg and the application of the thermosetting foam seal material to the seal material molding groove are performed simultaneously in a single process, the foam seal material is molded and integrated at the tip of the seal leg. The number of processes to be performed is reduced, and the total time required for forming the foamed sealing material on the seal leg is also shortened.
  According to the second aspect, the thermosetting foamed sealing material applied to the sealing material forming groove is thermally cured in the sealing material forming groove in a short time, so that the time required for forming the sealing material is shortened.
  According to the third aspect, the thermosetting foamed sealing material applied to the sealing material forming groove is thermoset in the sealing material forming groove in a very short time, so that the time required for forming the foaming sealing material is remarkably shortened. Is done.
  Claim 4According to the present invention, it is possible to mold and integrate a foam seal material as designed to match the seal material molding groove as a gasket at the tip of the seal leg formed on the back wall of the lamp body. The seal part can be securely sealed.
  Claim 5According to the present invention, the foam seal material as designed to match the seal material molding groove can be molded and integrated as a gasket at the tip of the front lens seal leg, so that the front lens seal leg and the lamp body front opening seal groove It is possible to reliably seal the engaging portion.
  Claim 6According to the molding apparatus for the sealing material, the heating furnace and the humidifying furnace that were necessary in the past are no longer required, and moreover, the equipment that has been conventionally required in a single unit can be a single device, so that the equipment becomes compact. The equipment storage space may be small.
  In addition, since the process of molding the sealing material at the tip of the seal leg can be automated, there is an effect that low-cost mass production of the lamp can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a marker lamp using a front lens and a lamp body provided with a thermosetting foam sealing material formed by an embodiment of the method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a front lens and a lamp body, partly broken away.
FIG. 3 is an overall schematic view of equipment for molding and integrating a thermosetting foam seal material on a seal leg of a lamp body.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a first embodiment of a thermosetting foam sealing material molding apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a first jig that is a main part of the apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a transfer jig that is a main part of the apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a thermosetting foam sealing material coating apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which the nozzle unit is running to perform application of a thermosetting foam seal material and surface activation treatment.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a force acting on a sealing material forming groove.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an essential part of a second embodiment of the thermosetting foam sealing material molding apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an essential part of a third embodiment of the thermosetting foam sealing material molding apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional automotive lamp.
FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a conventional method of forming and integrating a foam seal material on a seal leg on the back of a lamp body.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Lamp body which is a synthetic resin lamp component
12 Front lens as a component of synthetic resin lamp
13 Front lens seal leg
14 Gasket integrated with the seal leg of the front lens
16 (16a, 16b) Lamp body seal leg
18 Body panel
20 Gasket integrated with lamp body seal leg
36 Jig lifting mechanism
40, 40A first jig
50, 50A transfer jig
52, 52A Sealing groove
54 Rapid heating heater
56 Heating heater
60 nozzle unit
70 Corona discharge nozzle which is a surface activation treatment nozzle
80 Thermosetting foam sealant application nozzle
100 6-axis robot
200 Thermosetting foam sealing material
A Thermosetting foam sealing material coating device
D Groove width of sealing material forming groove

Claims (6)

The seal leg of the synthetic resin lamp component member is subjected to surface activation treatment, the foam seal material is applied to the seal material molding groove of the transfer jig provided corresponding to the seal leg, and the surface activated treatment seal is applied. In the molding method of the sealing material, after the leg is held in the foamed sealing material in the sealing material molding groove and the foamed sealing material is cured, the sealing leg is separated from the sealing material molding groove together with the foamed sealing material.
The foam sealant, while being constituted by a thermosetting foamed sealant, the transfer jig by heating the sealant forming groove by a heating means provided in the thermosetting foamed sealant Resid Lumpur material to cure the A molding method of
The seal leg of the synthetic resin lamp component and the seal material forming groove of the transfer jig are arranged opposite to each other, and the surface activation treatment nozzle and the thermosetting foam seal material are applied so that the directions of the nozzles are opposite to each other. A nozzle unit in which a nozzle is integrated is caused to travel along the seal leg and the seal material forming groove, and the surface activation treatment of the seal leg and application of the thermosetting foam seal material to the seal material forming groove are performed. A method for molding a sealing material, characterized in that 2. The method for molding a sealing material according to claim 1, wherein the sealing material molding groove is heated and maintained at a predetermined temperature before applying the thermosetting foam sealing material. 2. The method for molding a sealing material according to claim 1, wherein the sealing material molding groove is rapidly heated to a predetermined temperature necessary for thermosetting the thermosetting foam sealing material. The synthetic resin lamp component is a lamp body, and the thermosetting foam sealing material is molded and integrated with a seal leg protruding from a back wall of the lamp body, and the gap between the seal leg and the vehicle body panel is formed. It is a gasket to seal, The molding method of the sealing material in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The synthetic resin lamp component is a front lens assembled to a front opening of a lamp body, and the thermosetting foam sealing material is molded and integrated with a seal leg of the front lens, and the seal leg and the lamp body The method for molding a sealing material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing material is a gasket that seals between seal grooves in a front opening . A first jig for supporting a synthetic resin lamp component, and a transfer jig provided opposite to the first jig and provided with a seal material molding groove corresponding to a seal leg of the synthetic resin lamp component And a drive mechanism for moving the first jig and the transfer jig in the approaching / separating direction, and traveling along the seal leg and the seal material forming groove between the two jigs. The surface activation treatment nozzle and the thermosetting foam sealing material are applied so that the directions of the nozzle tips are opposite to each other. A sealing material molding apparatus, comprising: a nozzle unit integrated with a nozzle; and a heating means for a sealing material molding groove provided in the transfer jig .

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