EP2068678A1

EP2068678A1 - Pneumatic hollow member

Info

Publication number: EP2068678A1
Application number: EP07800664A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rudi Leutert
Original assignee: Tecnotex GmbH
Current assignee: TECNOTEX AG
Priority date: 2006-10-06
Filing date: 2007-09-26
Publication date: 2009-06-17
Also published as: WO2008040133A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a pneumatic hollow member (6) comprising an airtight cover (1) and webs (2) made of fabric, for example. First molded pieces (4) are glued to the cover (1), e.g. by means of a fabric tape (3). Second molded pieces (5) which fit into the first molded pieces with enough play and can be displaced there are also glued to the webs (2). The second molded pieces (5) are provided with two flaps (9), for example, which embrace the webs (2). The tape (3) runs along a predetermined connecting line (7) which also defines a local plane of symmetry (8). When the hollow member (6) is filled with compressed air, the same is tensioned by means of the applied pressure. The shape of the hollow member (6) is defined by the webs (2), and the pressure is diverted to the webs (2) via the first and second molded pieces (4, 5).

Description

Pneumatic hollow body

The present invention relates to pneumatic hollow body with gas-tight envelope and flexible webs according to the preamble of claim 1. It further relates to a method for manufacturing and fixing the webs according to the preamble of independent claim 12 and further an apparatus for performing this method after the Preamble of independent claim 16. Pneumatic and compressed gas filled hollow body are various known; for example, a pneumatic couch according to EP 1 239 756 B1 (D1), a pneumatic wing according to EP 085 829 B1 (D2), pneumatic seat and back cushion according to US Pat. No. 7,052,090 B2 (D3), a pneumatic float for seaplanes according to US Pat. No. 6,499,420 Bl (US Pat. D4). All said pneumatic hollow bodies have in common that they have a flexible gas-tight envelope and a variety of flexible webs. These are - together with the gas-tight envelope - crucial for the shape of the respective hollow body in the pressurized gas filled state, because they define the distances of the opposing surfaces of the gas-tight envelope.

In the cited documents, the connection of casing and webs is described so that these parts are each made by gluing _/ welding or sewing with subsequent sealing of the casing. These are extremely complex processes and seem to be unsuitable for seriefertigung such devices and, because of the predominantly manual approach, expensive and slow. The object to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a joining technique which can be at least partially mechanized and brings great cost savings.

The solution of the problem is reflected in the characterizing parts of claim 1 with respect to the product, of claim 12 with respect to the method and the claim 16 with respect to a device for carrying out at least parts of the method. Reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention is explained in detail. Show it

1 shows a section through a part of a hollow body, Fig. 2 shows an isometric view of a hollow body,

3 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 shows a variant of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 shows a side view of a web, FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for carrying out the method,

7 shows a variant of FIG. 6.

In Fig. 1, a detail and in Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of a pneumatic hollow body 6 is shown. Fig. 2 is an isometric plan view. The hollow body 6 consists of a gas-tight sheath 1 and several, the two surrounding the pneumatic hollow body 6 outer surfaces (henceforth top 13 and bottom 14 called) connecting the shell 1, webs 2. Such a web 2 is preferably made of a woven textile material. It can be coated with flexible plastic, but also consist entirely of a plastic film.

Each of these mentioned outer surfaces can, for example, in a first embodiment, wear a band 3 on which first shaped pieces 4 are fastened. In a further variant, the shaped pieces can also be fastened directly on the outer surface. On the web 2, second moldings 5 are again fastened on both edges of the web 2 abutting the casing 1. The first and second shaped pieces 4, 5 are formed so that they fit into one another in a form-fitting manner and can absorb the traction forces emanating from the compressed gas, with which the pneumatic hollow body 6 is filled, on the web 2. Here are many forms imaginable and inventive. The greatly enlarged illustration of FIG. 3 of a cut-out of FIG. 1 shows the upper region of the casing 1, the tape 3 glued thereon and the first mold piece 4, which in turn is glued to the tape 3. In the fitting 4 engages connected to the web 2 second fitting 5, and is displaceable in this along the longitudinal axis thereof. This longitudinal axis runs essentially parallel to a connection line 7 described below. Schematically, a valve 15 is shown, which serves for filling and emptying of the hollow body 6 with or from compressed air. Of course, several such valves 15 may be provided. At least individual valves 15 may also be designed as pressure relief valves. The second fitting 5 is here designed with two lobes 9. These are shown here spread apart, for example as they emerge from the injection molding or extrusion process. These tabs 9 embrace the material of the web 2 - for example, a woven textile or a clutch - and are connected to this by gluing and pressed. They are arranged symmetrically to each one extending through each web 2 level 8. The unillustrated opposite side of shell 1 and web 2 are similarly equipped and executed. The fittings 4, 5 can be prepared for example by extrusion. Depending on the shape of a connecting line 7 of shell 1 and webs 2 but also short fittings 4, 5 are conceivable. Such short shaped pieces 4, 5 can be produced for example by cutting and deburring of an extruded rod or by injection molding. Since the aim is to attach the fittings 4 as close together as possible to each of the shell 1, or on the band 3, and the fittings 5 on the web 2, to avoid interruptions in the transmission of line loads from the shell 1 on the web It is advantageous if these shaped pieces 4, 5 permit three-axis curvatures of the said connecting line 7 in a rowed-together state. Also inventive is a form-fitting design of the fittings 4 or 5, so that they are mutually lageschlüssig, but limited mobility. It is only a flap 9, which - taking into account the thickness of the material used for the webs 2 - so far out of said, each extending through each mold piece 5, level 8 is disengaged that these are glued th state of the fitting 5 and the web 2 through the plane of the web 2 extends. Since the webs can also run in curved surfaces, however, the term "level 8" is strictly valid only over the length of a molded piece 5. The two-lobed shaped pieces 5 according to FIG. 3 are preferably - but not exclusively - connected to the web 2 with a contact adhesive, while the bonding of the lapped shaped pieces 5 according to FIG. 4 has proven to be advantageous by means of a suitable hotmelt adhesive. The method for joining sheath 1 and fittings 4, for attaching the fittings 5 and webs and for assembling the entire pneumatic hollow body 6 preferably consists of the following steps:

The connecting lines 7 are - usually medium CAD - recorded on the inside of the shell 1, and are therefore stored in a computer 29. the webs 2 are cut to size; also their forms are stored in the computer 29 and can also be recorded. - Machine-executable process steps:

Λ:

1. The first fittings 4 to be connected to the band 3 are provided, either

1.1 as extruded profiles of at most the length of the individual connecting lines 7, or

1.2 as pieces of extruded profiles, or

1.3 as injection molded parts;

2. the first shaped pieces 4 are subjected to a surface treatment, for example by priming, thermal, plasma or corona treatment, in order to improve the adhesive-mediated adhesion with the tape 3;

3. the band 3 and first the fittings 4 are preheated; 4. hot melt adhesive is applied to the preheated tape 3;

5. The extruded or injection molded fittings are connected to the belt 3.

B:

1. The second fittings 5 to be connected to the webs 2 are provided, either

1.1 as extruded profiles of at most the length of the individual webs 2, or

1.2 as pieces of extruded profiles, or

1.3 as injection molded parts;

2. The two-lobed moldings 5 are subjected to a surface treatment in order to improve the adhesion with the web;

3. the webs 2 and the two-lobed shaped pieces 5 are provided in the region of the bond to be produced with a contact adhesive;

4. the webs 2 and the two-lobed fittings 5 are connected together.

Or alternatively to process step B:

C:

1. The second moldings 5 to be joined to the webs 2 are provided; 2. the single-lobed moldings 5 are subjected to a surface treatment in order to improve the adhesiveness mediated adhesion with the web 2; 3. the webs 2 and the einlappigen fittings 5 are preheated in the region of the bond to be produced; 4. Hot melt adhesive is applied to the webs 2 in the region of the bond to be produced or to the fittings 5. 5. the einlappigen fittings 5 are connected to the web 2.

D: 1. The provided with the fittings 4 bands 3 are bonded along the lines 7 and along each of two such lines 7 connecting connecting lines 10 on end faces 11 and 12 by means of hot melt adhesive. Advantageously, the shell 1 is used to carry out the process step D.I. placed in a mold, where it can be held by means of vacuum nozzles and thus assumes the shape which it receives when filled with compressed gas.

2. The webs 2, which are processed after the steps B or C, thus obtained, for example, a shape as shown in Fig. 5.

3. The on all - usually four - sides of each web 2 attached second fittings 5 are retracted into the attached to the shell 1 first fittings 4 along the two for each web 2 in question connecting lines 7.

4. Subsequently, the fittings 5, which are attached along the one connecting line 10 on the web 2, in the fittings 4 on the corresponding Verbindungsli- 10, which extend in the first end face 11 of the shell 1, retracted.

5. The still open part of the shell 10, which is also provided on the connecting line 10 with fittings 4, is then retracted into the still empty fittings 5 of the web 2 and then glued to the shell 1.

Alternative to D.3. to D.5. can also proceed according to the following steps, depending on whether both sides of the parallel to the connecting lines 10 surfaces of the shell 1 are accessible. If the two surfaces mentioned are accessible, steps E.3. to E.6. to get voted. Ξ:

3. The attached at the appropriate web 2 second fittings 5 are retracted into the along the corresponding connecting line 7 attached to the shell 1 fittings 4.

4. The second shaped pieces 5, which are attached along the connecting lines 10 of the webs 2, are moved into the first shaped pieces 4 fastened to the first end face 11, and then the first end face 11 is adhesively bonded to the shell 1.

5. The second moldings 5 attached along the further connecting lines 10 to the webs 2 are inserted into the corresponding first moldings 4 attached to the second end face 12 and these second end faces 12 are subsequently glued to the casing 1.

It is included in the idea of the invention to run individual method steps computer-controlled. A robot equipped for this purpose can either completely or partially take over the method steps A1 to A5. Or the provision and preparation of the first fittings is taken over by the device according to FIG. 6; after preheating tape 3 and fittings 4, a robot controlled by the computer 29 takes over the further steps A4 and A5. The use of a controlled by the computer 29 robot is particularly indicated when the first fittings are not on the band 3, but directly on the top 13, the bottom 14 and the end faces 11,12 to be placed.

The process steps to be performed by the robot are described under Fl to F4. Said robot is preferably one which is movable in six axes, with three translation axes and with three axes of rotation, as known from the prior art. The robot receives the commands for the positioning in these six axes from the computer 29. The starting point for the billing-controlled use of the robot is that the shell 1, as already described, inserted into a mold and held there by means of vacuum nozzles (see step Dl). The mold is preferably made in two parts. The one part receives the upper side 13 and at least one of the end faces 11, 12, the other the underside 14 and the further not taken up by the first part of the end face 11,12. The two molds are preferably connected to a hinge, such that the two parts can be pivoted after fastening the first mold pieces 4 so that the webs 2 provided with second moldings 5 can be retracted. Then the shell can be glued airtight. The computer contains the spatial coordinates of the connecting lines 7 and determines therefrom the coordinates - in 6 axes - each aufzusetzenden first fittings. The method steps are then, for example, the following:

F:

1. The robot sets 1 reference marks at several locations on the envelope.

2. The robot grips an already provided with adhesive first fitting, which is determined by the device according to

Fig. 6 is provided with adhesive, and sets it at the preselected coordinate on the shell 1 from. The connection with the shell 1 takes place in the same process by the robot.

3. Between predefinable individual method steps F2 and F3, the robot moves to the reference marks set in accordance with Fl and compares its respective actual position with the setpoint position specified by the computer 29 and corrects this based on the measured position of the reference marks. This check is advantageous in the case of textile materials, since small shifts of the sheath 1 are carried out during the whole process to be carried out by the robot. - -

ges can not be excluded. The reference marks are for example optical marks. To determine the actual position, the robot has an optical sensor for reading these reference marks.

The method step D1, that is to say the gluing of the bands 3 provided with first shaped pieces 4 with the shell 1 and the first and second end faces 11, 12, is likewise accessible to automation, as described below. The device for carrying out said method steps will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. A separating device 20 contains the shaped pieces 4, consisting of injection-molded parts or sections of extruded rods, as described. The shaped pieces 4 are all brought into the same position by the separating device 20 and then pass through the plasma of a discharge station 21 or another of the mentioned means of surface treatment, on a conveyor line 22, on which they are guided by a conveyor belt 23, in a first preheating station 24 arrive. The band 3, shown here wound on a roll 25, is guided by transport rollers (not shown) in a second preheating station 26 and then provided in a bonding station 27 with hot melt adhesive. In a pressing device 28, the fittings 4 and the band 3 are connected. Instead of a roller 25, however, a suitable magazine (not shown) for the band 3 may be present.

If the connecting lines 17 of the hollow body are rectilinear, extruded rods with the same profile can be used instead of the shaped pieces 4. Instead of the separating device 20 then enters a magazine for such rods. The loading of the webs with fittings 5 is made with a slightly modified device as shown in Fig. 7. The fittings 5 are removed from the separating device in a laterally lying position; the correct position is ensured by means of a sensor or a corresponding template 30 which rejects incorrectly positioned shaped pieces 5. Instead of the band 3, the cut webs 2 are inserted into the device. By way of example, a table 19 serves to place and guide the webs 2. By means of a sensor 31, the gradation of the edge of the web 2 to be occupied by shaped pieces 5 is monitored. The second preheating station 26 heats the area of the web 2 to be provided with adhesive; the first preheating station 24 for the fittings heats the fittings 5. The adhesive station 27 provides the edge region of the web 2 - depending on the use einlappigen or two-lobed fittings - on one or both sides with adhesive. If a hot melt adhesive is used, then preferably the fittings 5 are provided with it.

Are einlappige fittings 5 to stick, so they are, like the fittings 4 on Band 3, positioned on the webs 2 and connected in the pressing device 28 with the web 2.

If two-lobed shaped pieces 5 are to be glued, they are displaced in the plane of the web 2 by an actuator, pneumatically or electrically, until they are seated on the edge of the web 2, checked by an optical or force-sensitive sensor. The connection by the pressing device 28 is then carried out.

The two- to four-sided with fittings 5 webs 2 are now ready for mounting in the shell; a process which is preferably done manually. In less demanding shaped hollow bodies 6 with preferably straight lines 7, however, a mechanized assembly can be realized by known means.

Claims

claims

1. A hollow body (6) which can be filled with compressed air and consists of a flexible gastight casing (1) with an upper side (13) and a lower side (14) and at least one valve (15) for filling and emptying the casing (1) and one Variety of flexible webs (2) made of a woven textile material with or without plastic coating, which along Verbindungslinien (7) in the top (13) and the bottom (14) this top (13) and this bottom (14 ) and derive from the air pressure in the envelope (1) outgoing tensile forces in the form of line loads, characterized in that,. - At least the top (13) and the bottom

(14) each of the shell (1) carry on its inside first shaped pieces (4), the webs (2) at least on their upper side (13) and the underside (14) facing second moldings (5) wear, the first and second fittings positively engage with each other.

2. hollow body (6) according to claim 1, characterized marked characterized in that the shaped pieces (4) are formed so that they are mutually positively and limitedly movable.

3. hollow body (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas-tight envelope (1) in addition to

Top (13) and the bottom (14) still carries at least one end face (11, 12) which is substantially perpendicular to the top (13) and the bottom (14).

4. hollow body (6) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one additional end face (11, 12) carries first shaped pieces (4) along a connecting line connecting the connecting lines (7) of the upper side (13) and underside (14) in the end face (11, 12)

(10), the at least one end face (11, 12) facing edges of the webs (2) second fittings

(5) bear, wherein the first and second Formstü- pieces (4, 5) engage positively in one another.

5. hollow body (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaped pieces (4) are glued to a band (3), and this band (3) along the connecting lines (7) with the top (13) and the bottom (14) of the shell (1) is glued.

6. hollow body (6) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first shaped pieces (4) carrying the strip (3) along the connecting lines (10) of the at least one end face (11, 12) is glued.

7. hollow body (6) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first shaped pieces (4) along the connecting line (7) directly with both the top (13) and the bottom (14) of the shell (1) are glued.

8. hollow body (6) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first shaped pieces (4) along the connecting lines (10) on the at least one end face (11, 12) bonded directly to the at least one end face (11, 12) are.

9. hollow body (6) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the hollow body (6) carries at least one valve (15) for filling and emptying of the hollow body (6) with and of compressed air.

10. hollow body (6) according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one valve (15) is designed as a pressure relief valve

11. A method for producing a pneumatic hollow body (6) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized by the following method steps:

The first shaped pieces (4) are subjected to a surface treatment,

- the first fittings (4) are preheated,

the strip (3) or the cover (1) is preheated,

- Glue is applied to the tape (3) or the shell (1), - The first fittings (4) are connected to the band (3) or the shell (1).

12. A method for producing a pneumatic hollow body (6) according to claim 11, characterized by the following method steps:

the lobed or double-lobed second shaped pieces (5) are subjected to a surface treatment,

the lobed or two-lobed second moldings (5) are preheated,

- the webs (2) are preheated in the area to be bonded,

- Glue is applied to the webs (2) in the area to be bonded, - the lobed or zweilappigen second fittings (5) are placed or pushed onto the webs (2) and connected to the webs.

13. A method for producing a pneumatic hollow body (6) according to claim 11, characterized by the following method steps:

the two-lobed second shaped pieces (5) are subjected to a surface treatment, the two-lobed second shaped pieces (5) with two flaps (9) are coated with a contact adhesive between the two flaps (9),

- The webs (2) are coated in the area to be bonded with contact adhesive,

- The two-lobed second shaped pieces (5) are placed on the webs of the edges and connected to the webs (2).

14. A method for producing a pneumatic hollow body (6) according to claim 11 and 12 or 11 and 12, characterized by the following method steps:

- The envelope (1) with the first moldings (4) is brought into the final shape by inserting into a mold and held in this mold,

- The webs (2) are pushed with the second shaped pieces (5) on the first on the shell (1) fixed fittings (4), until the webs (2) occupy the final position, - The at the at least one end face ( 11, 12) fixed first fittings (4) are pushed onto the second fittings (5) at the free edges of the webs (2) to the final position, - The at least one end face (11,12) of the shell (1) with the top (13) and the bottom (14) of the envelope glued airtight.

15. An apparatus for at least partially carrying out the method according to claims 11 to 14, characterized in that

- There is a separating device (20) or a magazine for first or second fittings,

- A station for the surface treatment (21), a conveyor line (22) with a conveyor belt

(23), an adhesive station (27) and a pressing device are present, - wherein the separating device (20) injection molded or cut from extruded rods first or second shaped pieces (4, 5) isolated and feeds in the intended position of the conveyor line (22) with the conveyor belt (23),

- The adhesive station (4) coated with adhesive, the molding pieces (4, 5) and the pressing device (28) the shaped pieces (4, 5) with a band (3) or the webs (2) or the shell or the end faces (11,12) combines.

16. A device for at least partially carrying out the method according to claim 15, characterized in that - a magazine or a roller (25) for the band (3) is present,

- A first and a second preheating station (24, 26) for the first moldings (4) and the band (3) are present, and both the first mold pieces (4) and the band (3) are preheated prior to the application of the adhesive.

17. A device for at least partially carrying out the method according to claim 15, characterized in that

- A table (19) is present for placing and guiding the webs (2),

- A first preheating station (21) for the one or two-lobed second moldings (5) and a second preheating station (26) for the webs (2), and further a sensor (31) for the straight line for the webs (2) are present , And both the webs (2) in the area to be bonded, and the one or two-lobed second shaped pieces (5) are preheated before the application of an adhesive.

18. An apparatus for at least partially carrying out the method according to claim 12, characterized in that

a computer (29) is present which contains the spatial form of the connecting lines (7),

- There is a robot and is controlled by the computer (29), wherein the robot in six

Axles are movable and controllable

- There is a mold in which the upper side (13) and at least one of the end faces

(11,12) of the shell (1) can be inserted and held there by means of vacuum nozzles.

19. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that

- There is a second mold for the bottom (14) and at least one of the end faces (11,12),

- The two molds are connected to each other for retracting the second moldings (5) provided webs on the first moldings (4) provided with the shell (1).

20. A method for producing a pneumatic hollow body (6) according to one of the claims 1 to 10 and

16 and 19 and 20, characterized in that at least the positioning of the first mold pieces on the inserted into the molds parts (11,12,13,14) of the shell (1) and the connection is made with the same by the robot.

21. A method for producing a pneumatic hollow body (6) according to claim 21, characterized in that - the robot attaches a predeterminable set of reference points on the parts (11,12,13,14) of the inserted into the molds shell (1), the robot compares its nominal position with its actual position according to a predeterminable number of positions of first shaped pieces (4) on the basis of the reference points and correspondingly corrects the nominal position in the event of deviation.