Method for producing a component, in particular for a motor vehicle, and component

Abstract

A method for producing a component includes incorporating a molding compound into a tool for producing the component, where the molding compound includes an artificial resin as a matrix and a filler material embedded in the matrix. The method includes compressing the molding compound by the tool and by the compressing forming the molding compound to a green product. The method further includes providing the green product while disposed in the tool with a layer in a sub-region by incorporating a liquid material for producing the layer into the tool and applying the liquid material to the sub-region. The liquid material is a metallic material and the layer is an electromagnetic shielding on the green product.

Claims

1. A method for producing a component, comprising the acts of: incorporating a molding compound into a tool for producing the component, wherein the molding compound comprises an artificial resin as a matrix and a filler material embedded in the matrix; compressing the molding compound by the tool and by the compressing forming the molding compound to a green product; and providing the green product while disposed in the tool with a layer in a sub-region by incorporating a liquid material for producing the layer into the tool and applying the liquid material to the sub-region; wherein the liquid material is a metallic material and wherein the layer is an electromagnetic shielding on the green product.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metallic material is pure metal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the pure metal is pure tin.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metallic material is initially mixed with an auxiliary material which is dissimilar to the metallic material and wherein the auxiliary material evaporates from the metallic material during and/or after solidification of the liquid material.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the layer is formed exclusively from the metallic material.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid material is incorporated into the tool through an infeed duct of the tool and wherein the infeed duct is heated to a temperature which is higher than 200 degrees Celsius.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid material is incorporated into the tool at a pressure which is in a range from 150 bar inclusive to 1500 bar inclusive.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the artificial resin is a thermosetting artificial resin.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the artificial resin is an unsaturated polyester resin.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filler material includes reinforcement fibers.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcement fibers are glass fibers.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filler material includes a mineral filler material.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the mineral filler material is chalk and/or rock flour.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein a proportion of the mineral filler material in the molding compound is in a range from 15% inclusive to 45% inclusive.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compressing is performed at a temperature which is in a range from 100 degrees Celsius inclusive to 180 degrees Celsius inclusive.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compressing is performed at a pressure prevailing in the tool and acting on the molding compound which is in a range from 70 bar inclusive to 160 bar inclusive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a method according to the invention for producing a component, in particular for a motor vehicle; and

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the component produced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(3) Identical or functionally identical elements in the figures are provided with the same reference signs.

(4) FIG. 1 in a schematic illustration shows a method for producing a component 1, in particular for a motor vehicle, the component 1 being shown in a schematic sectional view in FIG. 2. The component 1 is, for example, a housing or a housing component of a housing, wherein the housing is, for example, a housing of an energy accumulator. The energy accumulator is configured for storing electric energy or electrical current, respectively, wherein the energy accumulator has, for example, an electric voltage, in particular an electric operating voltage, of more than 50 Volts, in particular of more than 60 Volts. The energy accumulator is in particular configured as a high-voltage accumulator, in particular as a high-voltage battery (HV battery) such that the energy accumulator has an electric voltage, for example, in particular an electric operating voltage, of several 100 Volts. The energy accumulator and thus the component 1 are used, for example, in a motor vehicle which in the completed state comprises the energy accumulator and thus the component 1 and at least one electric machine. At least one wheel of the motor vehicle, or the motor vehicle overall, herein, is capable of being driven by means of the electric machine, for example. To this end, the electric machine is operated in a motor mode and thus as an electric motor. In order for the electric machine to be operated in the motor mode, the electric machine is supplied with electric energy stored in the energy accumulator.

(5) As will be explained in yet more detail hereunder, particularly advantageous properties of the component 1 and thus of the housing overall can be implemented in a particularly cost-effective manner by means of the method visualized by way of FIG. 1. A particularly advantageous electromagnetic compatibility can in particular be implemented in a cost-effective manner.

(6) A tool 2, also referred to as a molding tool, which has at least two mutually opposite tool halves 3 and 4 is utilized for carrying out the method. The tool halves 3 and 4 are movable, in particular in a translatory manner, relative to one another and can be moved away from one another and toward one another.

(7) In a first step S1 of the method, the tool halves 3 and 4 are moved away from one another and thus opened such that the tool 2 overall is opened. In the first step S1 of the method, a molding compound 5 for producing the component 1 is incorporated into the tool 2 and herein between the tool halves 3 and 4, in particular while the tool 2 is opened, that is to say while the tool halves 3 and 4 are moved away from one another, or are moved apart. The molding compound 5 herein comprises at least one artificial resin 6 as a matrix, in particular as a plastics material matrix, the artificial resin 6 being illustrated in a particularly schematic manner in FIGS. 1 and 2. Furthermore, the molding compound 5 comprises at least one filler material 7 which is embedded in the matrix (artificial resin 6). The artificial resin 6 is, for example, a vinylester or a polyester resin. The artificial resin 6 is in particular, for example, a thermosetting artificial resin, in particular an unsaturated polyester resin (UP). The filler material 7 herein can comprise reinforcement fibers, in particular glass fibers, at a proportion from 0 percent to 40 percent, and/or a mineral filler material such as, for example, chalk and/or rock flour, in particular at a proportion from 15 to 45 percent. The molding compound 5 is also referred to as an SMC material or as SMC, and in the context of an SMC method to be explained in yet more detail hereunder herein is compressed and formed. The tool 2, in particular the tool halves 3 and 4, are heated, for example in particular before the molding compound 5 is incorporated into the tool 2 and/or while the molding compound 5 is situated in the tool 2, and herein heated, or rapidly heated, respectively, to, for example, 150 degrees Celsius such that, for example, the molding compound 5 is heated or rapidly heated, respectively, by means of the heated tool 2. The molding compound 5, in particular by means of the tool 2 and thus, for example, while the molding compound 5 is situated in the tool 2 and in particular before the molding compound 5 is formed by means of the tool 2, is in particular heated to a temperature which is in a range from 130 degrees Celsius inclusive to 160 degrees Celsius inclusive.

(8) In a second step S2 of the method, the tool 2 is closed in that the tool halves 3 and 4 are moved toward one another, or moved together, respectively. The tool 2 is also referred to as a mold which closes in the second step S2. The tool 2 herein has a cavity 8 which is formed or delimited, respectively, by the tool halves 3 and 4 in particular in the closed state of the tool 2, or of the tool halves 3 and 4, respectively. The molding compound 5 herein is situated in the cavity 8 and is formed by means of the latter, in particular in that the molding compound 5 hugs in particular respective contours of the tool halves 3 and 4 that delimit the cavity 8 and tool halves 3 and 4. On account of the tool halves 3 and 4, or the tool 2, respectively, being closed, the molding compound 5 is molded on account of which the molding compound 5, for example in a third step S3, fills the cavity 8. On account thereof, the molding compound 5 is molded and, on account thereof, formed to a green product 9 which is situated in the cavity 8.

(9) The molding compound 5, or the green product 9, respectively, starts to cure in the closed tool 2, for example at a pressure of approximately 100 bar prevailing in the cavity 8 and at a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius prevailing in the cavity 8. In other words, the molding compound 5 is molded and on account thereof is formed, for example, by means of the tool 2 at a pressure prevailing in the tool 2, in particular in the cavity 8 and acting on the molding compound 5, the pressure being in a range from 70 bar inclusive to 130 bar inclusive. Alternatively or additionally, the molding compound 5 situated in the cavity 8 cures in the tool 2 at the pressure mentioned.

(10) In a fourth step S4 of the method, the molding compound 5, in particular the green product 9, is provided with at least one layer 11 at least in a sub-region 10 in that a liquid material 12 for producing the layer 11 is incorporated, in particular injected, into the tool 2, in particular into the cavity 8 and is applied to at least the sub-region 10, in particular injected onto the sub-region 10, while the molding compound 5, in particular the green product 9 is situated in the tool 2 and herein between the tool halves 3 and 4. On account thereof, the initially liquid material 12 is applied to the sub-region 10 and thus to the molding compound 5, in particular to the green product 9. The material 12 is in particular injected into the tool 2 and injected onto the sub-region 10 before the molding compound 5 has completely cured. The material 12 is preferably injected into the tool 2, in particular into the cavity 8, at a high pressure. For example, the material 12 is injected into the tool 2, in particular into the cavity 8, at a pressure which is also referred to as the injection pressure and is higher than 100 bar. The injection pressure preferably is in a range from 150 bar inclusive to 1500 bar inclusive.

(11) The tool 2 under the influence of the injection pressure opens somewhat, on account of which the layer 11 can be particularly advantageously distributed on the molding compound 5, in particular on the green product 9, and herein on a surface 13 of the molding compound 5 or of the green product 9, respectively, and a particularly advantageous adhesion of the material 12, or of the layer 11, respectively, on the still fresh, or not yet completely cured, respectively, molding compound 5 can be implemented.

(12) In order for particularly advantageous properties of the component 1 to now be able to be implemented in a particularly cost-effective manner, a metallic material is used as the material 12 from which the layer 11 is produced as an at least substantially homogenous layer for electromagnetic shielding. In other words, the layer 11 forms an electromagnetic shielding effect such that a particularly advantageous electromagnetic compatibility of the component 1 can be implemented. To this end, the layer 11 is formed from the metallic and electrically conductive, or conducting, respectively, material 12.

(13) In the case of the exemplary embodiment visualized in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pure metal in the form of pure tin is used as the metallic material. The tin is injected into the tool 2, in particular into the cavity 8, and injected onto the sub-region 10 in liquid form and thus as a melt, that is to say as a tin melt. Tin herein has a melting point of 232 degrees Celsius. Such a molding compound, or such an SMC material which has a dimensional stability up to 230 degrees Celsius is in particular used as the molding compound 5. Process parameters for carrying out the method are now set such that the molding compound 5 (SMC material) does not suffer any damage on account of the injected tin melt, and that the temperature of the tin melt, of the molding compound 5, as well as of the tool halves 3 and 4 prevents any undesirable premature solidification of the tin and thus of the layer 11. On account thereof, the tin melt is distributed in an at least substantially complete manner on the surface 13 and solidifies only thereafter. After the fourth step S4 in which the tool 2 is closed and the material 12 is injected into the cavity 8, as is visualized by an arrow 14 in FIG. 1, the tool 2 can be opened in that the tool halves 3 and 4 are moved apart. Thereafter, the component 1 having the layer 11 can be retrieved from the tool 2. The layer 11 herein is an EMC shielding which is fixedly anchored to the molding compound 5. The molding compound 5, or the green product 9, respectively, forms a main body 15 of the component 1, wherein the main body 15 is provided with the layer 11.

(14) It can be seen overall that the molding compound 5, after being incorporated into the tool 2 and before the material 12 is injected, is not retrieved from the tool 2 such that the tool 2 also referred to as a mold or functioning as a mold, respectively, continues to remain closed after the forming of the molding compound 5, in particular during a dwell time which is in particular a function of the wall thickness and the reaction temperature in particular of the molding compound 5.

(15) The material 12 is injected into the tool 2, in particular into the cavity 8 by way of at least one or a plurality of infeed ducts in the form of injection ducts 16 of the tool 2, in particular of the tool half 3. The injection duct 16, or the injection ducts, respectively, are preferably heated to beyond 230 degrees Celsius, in particular depending on the size of the component, such that the material 12 is injected into the cavity 8 while the injection duct 16 has a temperature of more than 230 degrees Celsius. In the case of large components and long flow paths associated therewith, it is conceivable for the entire tool half 3 or 4, respectively, to be heated to beyond 230 degrees Celsius. In particular, the entire tool half 3 or 4, respectively, by way of which the material 12 is injected into the cavity 8 is heated in a corresponding manner.

(16) The initially liquid tin melt is injected into the closed tool 2 at a pressure of 150 bar to 1500 bar. As soon as the tin melt has been distributed on the molding compound 5, or on a corresponding side of the molding compound 5, respectively, and starts to solidify, the temperature of the corresponding tool half 3 or 4, respectively, or the temperature of the injection duct 16, respectively, can be lowered such that a solidification of the molding compound 5 as well is of the initially liquid material 12 can be permitted, for example. The tool 2 is subsequently opened, and the component 1 can then be retrieved.

(17) The connection between the molding compound 5, or the green product 9, respectively, and the layer 11 configured as a tin layer is achieved, for example, by micro-level mechanical interlocking. The tin melt, or the material 12, respectively, meets the not yet completely cured molding compound 5 and cools on the surface 13 of the latter. Since the molding compound 5 at the micro level is not a homogenous mass but on account of the at least one filler material 7, in particular in the not yet cured state of the molding compound 5, configures an at least substantially rough surface, the initially liquid tin melt can interlock in or with, respectively, the surface 13.

(18) In the method, the molding compound 5 is coated with the material 12 only on that side onto which the material 12 is injected into the tool 2, for example. On account of the injection pressure representing a positive pressure at which the material 12 is injected into the cavity 8, the molding compound 5 is pushed toward the opposite tool half 4 or 3, respectively, and is thus sealed in relation to the surrounding flow of the material 12. For example, if it is envisaged that the molding compound 5 is coated not only on sides of the tool half 3 but also on sides of the opposite tool half 4, in each case at least one injection duct 16 by way of which the material 12 can be injected into the cavity 8 is accordingly provided in the tool half 3 as well is in the tool half 4.

(19) On account of the electromagnetic shielding effected by the layer 11, the component 1, or the interior thereof, respectively, can be protected against electric and/or magnetic fields from the environment, for example, and/or the environment can be protected from electric and/or magnetic fields from the component 1. Since the material 12 is applied to the surface 13 while the molding compound 5 is situated in the tool 2, and without the molding compound 5 being retrieved from the tool 2, the molding compound 5 can be provided with the shielding mentioned in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(20) 1 Component 2 Tool 3 Tool half 4 Tool half 5 Molding compound 6 Artificial resin 7 Filler material 8 Cavity 9 Green product 10 Sub-region 11 Layer 12 Material 13 Surface 14 Arrow 15 Main body 16 Infeed duct

(21) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.