SEALING SYSTEM AND MOLDING TOOL

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing system for sealing adjacent machine parts, in particular molding tool parts for foaming vehicle parts. The sealing system comprises a sealing device for sealing adjacent machine parts and a light output device which is arranged in such a way that the light output device can illuminate a portion of the sealing device.

Claims

1. A sealing system comprising: a sealing device configured to seal adjacent machine parts; and a light output device which is arranged to illuminate a portion of the sealing device.

2. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device includes an inflatable sealing tube.

3. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device includes a connecting body.

4. The sealing system according to claim 3, wherein the light output device is arranged to illuminate the connecting body.

5. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device is produced at least in part from a transparent or partly transparent material.

6. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the light output device is configured to emit different lighting colors.

7. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the light output device is an LED light, an OLED light or an optical fiber.

8. The sealing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure of the sealing device; and a control device configured to control the light output device based on the detection result of the pressure sensor.

9. A molding tool comprising: a plurality of molding tool parts configured to be moved toward one another to form a mold cavity; a sealing device configured to seal the molding tool parts; and a light output device arranged at least in part in one of the molding tool parts receiving the sealing device in such a way that the light output device illuminates a portion of the sealing device.

10. The molding tool according to claim 9, wherein the sealing device includes an inflatable sealing tube.

11. The molding tool according to claim 9, wherein the sealing device includes a connecting body placed at least in part in a recess in at least one of the molding tool parts.

12. The molding tool according to claim 11, wherein the one of the molding tool parts has an opening extending from the recess, wherein the light output device is received in the opening.

13. The molding tool according to claim 9, wherein the light output device is configured to emit a plurality of different lighting colors.

14. The molding tool according to claim 9, further comprising: a pressure sensor configured to detect internal pressure of the sealing device; and a control device configured to control the light output device based on the detection result of the pressure sensor.

15. Use of a light output device for illuminating a sealing device, wherein the sealing device is used for sealing adjacent machine parts including molding tool parts.

16. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent machine parts include molding tool parts.

17. The sealing system according to claim 3, wherein the connecting body is inflatable.

18. The sealing system according to claim 7, wherein the optical fiber is a polycarbonate optical fiber.

19. The molding tool according to claim 10, wherein the sealing tube is placed at least in part in a groove in at least one of the molding tool parts.

20. The molding tool according to claim 13, wherein the light output device is an LED light, an OLED light or a polycarbonate optical fiber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] With the help of the drawings and the description set out below, the invention will be explained in more detail using an example.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a sealing system according to one embodiment of the present invention using an example.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a perspective detail view in region A of FIG. 1, wherein the sealing device has been omitted.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view from B-B of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0042] On the basis of the device shown in FIG. 1, a sealing system according to the present invention will be described with the help of an example. Further modifications cited in this context of certain individual features can each individually be combined in order to form further embodiments. Moreover, certain individual features of the described embodiments and modifications thereof can each individually be integrated into the claims in order to form further embodiments of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a molding tool half 101 of a molding tool used for foaming vehicle parts. The present embodiment is not restricted to the automotive sector, however. Components for the aviation sector, for trains, for boats etc. can also be produced using such a molding tool.

[0044] The sealing system in FIG. 1 comprises a first sealing device 20, which comprises an inflatable sealing tube 21 and a connecting body 22. In addition, the sealing system comprises a second sealing device 30, which comprises an inflatable sealing tube 31 and a connecting body 32. In the embodiment example according to FIG. 1, the connecting bodies 22, 32 of the first and second sealing devices 20 are arranged so as to be adjacent to one another.

[0045] The first and second sealing devices 20, 30 are each received in a depression of the molding tool part 101. In particular, the sealing tube 21 of the first sealing device 20 is received in a groove in the molding tool part 101, and the connecting body 22 of the first sealing device 20 is received in a recess in the molding tool part 101. The same is true for the second sealing device 30.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a detail view (of region A) of the molding tool part 101 shown in FIG. 1, wherein in FIG. 2 the sealing devices 20, 30 have been omitted.

[0047] Thus, FIG. 2 shows a recess 11 and a recess 12, wherein a groove 13 extends from the recess 12. Possible receiving elements for a connecting body are shown by the recesses 11, 12. The groove 13 illustrates a possible receiving element for an inflatable sealing tube which is connected to a connecting body.

[0048] The recess 11 is designed to receive the connecting body 22, and the recess 12 is designed to receive the connecting body 32, while the sealing tube 21 is guided into the groove 13.

[0049] In this embodiment example, the connecting bodies 22, 32 are dimensioned so as to be substantially the same. In other embodiment examples, the connecting bodies on a molding tool part may differ.

[0050] Bores 14, 15 are provided in each of the recesses 11, 12, through which compressed air can be introduced into the respective connecting bodies 22, 32.

[0051] Furthermore, when viewed in plan view an opening is located on the base side of each of the recesses 11, 12, into each of which a light output device 40, 40′ is inserted. If there is a connecting body in the respective recesses 11, 12, the light output device 40, 40′ will be concealed by the connecting body.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view along the line B-B in FIG. 1. It is clear that the sealing tube 21 is placed in a groove in the molding tool part 101 and the connecting body 22 is placed in a recess in the molding tool part 101. The compressed air supply (cf. reference P in FIG. 3) to the connecting body 22 is also schematically shown therein.

[0053] During operation, the sealing tube 21 is supplied with compressed air via the connecting body 22. In this way, a seal is created between the molding tool parts 101, 102.

[0054] The light output devices 40, 40′ are also arranged in the molding tool part 101 in which the first and second sealing devices 20, 30 are received. The light output device 40 is configured in such a way that it can illuminate the connecting body 22 of the first sealing device 20. A light output device 40′ is also provided on the connecting body 32 of the second sealing device 30.

[0055] In the following, the operation of just the light output device 40 will be described. However, the light output device 40′ for the second sealing device 30 has the same or similar functions.

[0056] During normal operation, the connecting body 22 is illuminated with a green light emitted from the light output device 40. Since the connecting body 22 is produced from a transparent or partly transparent material, for example a silicone material, the connecting body 22 glows green.

[0057] Moreover, a pressure sensor (not shown) with which the pressure conditions of the first sealing device 20 can be detected is arranged in the molding tool part 101 or on the compressed air supply. A corresponding pressure sensor is also provided for the second sealing device 30, and/or a pressure sensor can check different sealing circuits one after the other in a staggered manner.

[0058] If the pressure sensor detects that the pressure level achieved at the first sealing device 20 is not sufficient despite pressure having been applied, a control device (not shown) will control the light output device 40 in such a way that the color it emits changes. The connecting body will be illuminated in red, for example. In this case the connecting body will therefore glow red.

[0059] In this way, the operator can immediately see when the molding tool is open whether or not the sealing device is in a condition in which a certain pressure level can be achieved. If this pressure level is not achieved, the sealing device is defective.

[0060] A defect may occur if, for example, the sealing tube 21 or the connecting body 22 becomes brittle or if the connecting area between the connecting body and the sealing tube is leaky, and/or if the sealing effect is diminished as a result of material fatigue or external damage.

[0061] When the molding tool is open, the operator can therefore immediately see if a certain sealing device is defective and on the basis of having been shown the sealing device is defective the operator can replace it. During the replacement, the light output device remains in the molding tool part.

[0062] In this embodiment, the light output device 40 is an LED light. LED lights have proven to be compact and at the same time extremely robust, and therefore they are particularly suitable for use in a molding tool for foam-backing components.

[0063] Furthermore, color changes can be achieved with an LED light, such that the LED light changes in the present embodiment example from a green color to a red color when a defect is identified in the sealing device assigned thereto.

[0064] Thus, with the visualization of a defective sealing device as shown in this embodiment example a defect can be directly attributed to a certain sealing device. Moreover, the operator knows when a green color light is shown for all of the sealing devices that they are all working properly.

[0065] Thus, not only can the operator identify a defect; he can also determine in a targeted manner which sealing device is to be replaced in the event of such a defect. This is particularly advantageous when a corresponding molding tool has a plurality of sealing devices, as is the case with molding tools used for foam-backing components.

[0066] Although an inflatable connecting body has been described within the scope of the present embodiment, it is clear that the present invention can also be used in the case of a sealing device having a rigid connecting body.

[0067] According to a further modification, the connecting body and the sealing tube are formed as one piece.