SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCT HAVING FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS FOR COMPONENTS, COMPONENT MADE FROM SAID SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCT, AND METHOD FOR THE COMPONENT PRODUCTION

Abstract

The invention relates to a semi-finished product for producing a three-dimensional component having a metallic base plate which has at least one predefined bending line, characterized in that functional elements are provided on the base plate in the region of a bending line, on both sides of the bending line, said functional elements making contact with one another when the base plate is reshaped along the bending line and permitting a connection. This invention further relates to a method for producing three-dimensional components from said semi-finished product and to said component

Claims

1. A semi-finished product for producing a three-dimensional component having a metallic base plate, which has at least one predefined bending line, wherein the metallic base plate is monolithic or is formed by a multilayer composite having at least one metallic layer, and wherein functional elements, which make contact with another when the base plate is reshaped along the bending line and which facilitate a connection, are provided on the base plate in the region of the bending line on both sides of the bending line, and wherein the functional elements include latching elements, which latch to one another during reshaping along the bending line and thus produce a form-fitting connection and/or the functional elements include latching elements, surfaces and/or recesses for accommodating connection means, and that the base plate on the side of the functional elements is coated at least partially with a plastic layer, and that the plastic layer is situated at least between the base plate and the functional elements.

2. The semi-finished product according to claim 1, wherein the plastic layer extends over the entire surface of the base plate.

3. The semi-finished product according to claim 1, wherein the functional elements are designed as a form element, which are connected with a flexible section extending across the bending line.

4. The semi-finished product according to claim 1, wherein the functional elements are made of a plastic.

5. The semi-finished product according to claim 1, wherein the base plate is pre-embossed, notched and/or perforated along the bending line.

6. The semi-finished product according to claim 1, wherein stiffening elements are mounted at least partially on the base plate.

7. A method for producing a three-dimensional component from a semi-finished product wherein the semi-finished product has a metallic base plate, which has at least one predefined bending line, wherein the metallic base plate is monolithic or is formed by a multilayer composite having at least one metallic layer, and wherein functional elements, which make contact with another when the base plate is reshaped along the bending line and which facilitate a connection, are provided on the base plate in the region of the bending line on both sides of the bending line, and wherein the functional elements include latching elements, which latch to one another during reshaping along the bending line and thus produce a form-fitting connection and/or the functional elements include latching elements, surfaces and/or recesses for accommodating connection means, and that the base plate on the side of the functional elements is coated at least partially with a plastic layer, and that the plastic layer is situated at least between the base plate and the functional elements, wherein the base plate of the semi-finished product is bent along the bending line, wherein the functional elements are brought into contact as a result of the reshaping, and that a form-fitting, force-locking and/or materially-bonding connection is produced between the functional elements by latching elements and/or connection means.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein after the reshaping, at least one locking element is introduced as a connection means into the functional elements to produce a form-fitting connection.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein prior to the reshaping, an adhesive is applied as a connection means to the contacting surfaces of the functional elements.

10. A use of a semi-finished product according to claim 1 for producing a three-dimensional component.

11. A component, wherein the component includes a reshaped semi-finished product according to claim 1, in which functional elements are connected to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Additional details and features of the subject disclosure emerge from the drawings and from the following description with reference to the schematic illustrations not to scale.

[0028] The figures represent merely schematic exemplary embodiments. Identical parts are identified by identical reference numerals.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a semi-finished product according to one aspect.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a semi-finished product according to the product of FIG. 1 after reshaping.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a semi-finished product,

[0032] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a semi-finished product after reshaping,

[0033] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a semi-finished product, and

[0034] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a connection means for the semi-finished product of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The example of a design of the semi-finished product according to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows a base plate 1, in this example having a monolithic design, which includes a bending line 3. The bending line in this embodiment is depicted as notched by way of example. This notch defines the bending line 3 and a subsequent reshaping is facilitated. The weakening of the base plate 3 by the notch along the bending line 3 is less critical, since this region is reinforced in the finished component by the connection of the functional elements 2. The functional elements 2 are provided on base plate 1 on both sides of the bending line 3. In this example, the functional elements 2 are designed identically having a triangular cross section, wherein the surface 7 situated on the side of the bending line 3 is provided as a surface for accommodating a connection means 6. Other cross sectional shapes may, of course, also be used, and differently shaped functional elements 2 may be provided on the various sides of the bending line 3.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a region of a component made of a semi-finished product in the manner of FIG. 1, wherein the base plate 1 has been reshaped along the bending line 3. As a result, the functional elements 2 situated on both sides of the bending line 3 with their surfaces 7 provided for accommodating connection means 6 have been brought into contact. In this illustration, an adhesive has been introduced as a connection means 6 between the surfaces 7 of the functional elements 2. The connection means 6 for this embodiment is applied, for example as an adhesive or also as a double-sided adhesive tape, however, the use of a connection means 6 in the form of a Velcro fastener for a reversible connection is also possible. Dual-component adhesives, in particular, are suitable as an adhesive, preferably those, which may be applied separately to the contacting surface 7 and which initiate a curing action only upon contact with the opposite side.

[0037] The region of a semi-finished product depicted in FIG. 3 includes a base plate 1, the entire surface of which is coated with a plastic layer 4. The advantage of a plastic layer 4 is that functional elements 2 manufactured from plastic, for example, are more easily connectable to this plastic layer 4, for example, via adhesive bonds or welds. The functional elements 2 in the embodiment depicted are connected to one another by a section 8, which extends across the bending line 3. The advantage of such a design as a form element is that the functional elements 2 may be produced in one step such as, for example, by means of injection molding, and at the same time the positioning of the functional elements 2 relative to one another is established, facilitating their correct positioning when attaching them to the base plate 1 or to the plastic layer 4. The functional elements 2 in this exemplary embodiment are differently shaped in order to enable a latch connection. In the example depicted, the left functional element 2 includes a latching element 5, which slides over the outer circumference of the right functional element 2 up to an edge during reshaping and subsequently forms a form-fitting, reversible connection with a shoulder on the right functional element 2. The functional elements in this case may have a width that extends over the entire length of the bending line 3 or also only over subsections thereof.

[0038] The exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 shows a reshaped semi-finished product, in which the base plate 1 is reshaped along the bending line 3. The base plate 1 is coated with a plastic layer 4 only in the regions adjacent to the bending line 3. The functional elements 2 in this case are situated offset along the bending line 3 and not opposite one another, as in the previous exemplary embodiments, as a result of which the functional elements 2 mesh in a comb-like manner during reshaping. The functional elements 2, because of their offset arrangement, are situated one behind the other in a reshaped semi-finished product, as viewed in the direction of the bending line 3. Recesses 7 provided in the functional elements 2 are aligned as a result of the reshaping, i.e., oriented relative to one another in such a way that a connection means not depicted may be introduced as a locking element, for example, in the form of a pin, splints or a screw, into the recesses 7. This results in a form-fitting connection between the functional elements 2. Adhesives may also be applied as additional connection means in such embodiments on surfaces, which are provided for contacting with functional elements 2 situated offset relative to one another and/or to the opposing base plate 1. In addition to the depicted round cross section, the recesses 7 may also have different arbitrary closed cross section or also an open cross section.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a semi-finished product from a perspective view, wherein the base plate 1 is designed as a composite material having at least one metallic layer 1.1. In the example depicted, the base plate 1 is made of a sandwich material consisting of two outer lying metallic layers 1.1 and a core layer 1.2 sandwiched in between. The base plate 1 is provided with perforations 10 along the bending line 3. The base plate 1 is weakened by the perforations 10 along the bending line 3, which reduces the expenditure of force necessary for reshaping and which defines the bending line. Functional elements 2 are situated on both sides of the bending line 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the functional elements 2 are identically designed and have T-shaped projections, each of which may serve as counterparts for latch hooks of a latch connection or as surfaces for accommodating profiles. In this exemplary embodiment, the connection between the functional elements 2 is achieved by a separate connection means 6. Also indicated in FIG. 5 are stiffening elements 9 in the form of ribs, which facilitate a stiffening of the base plate 1 in regions deviating from the bending line 3. These stiffening elements 9 may, of course, also be provided on both sides of the bending line 3 and/or may be connected to the functional elements 2.

[0040] The size, shape, orientation and number of stiffening elements 9 may also be adapted to the respective needs.

[0041] An embodiment of a connection element 6 is depicted in FIG. 6 for a design according to FIG. 5. This connection element 6 is symmetrically designed and includes latch hooks and recesses on both sides, which may produce a form-fitting connection with the T-shaped projections depicted in FIG. 5.

[0042] It will be appreciated that various implementations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, can be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein can be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed herein.