Method and device for producing an edgefold
A device for producing an edgefold on a component is suggested, wherein the component includes a support and a cover layer. The component may be an inner lining part of a motor vehicle, without limitation thereto. The device comprises an elastic body, which is set up to pull the cover layer over an edge of the support by deforming the elastic body.
1 . A method to produce an edgefold on a component, which comprises a support and a cover layer, the method comprising:
providing a non-inflatable elastic body,
providing the component, wherein the support has a front side and a back side and the cover layer is laminated to the front side of the support, wherein the support has an opening completely defined by an edge of the support and a recess in the back side surrounding the edge, and wherein the cover layer comprises a protrusion which overlies a portion of the opening defined by the edge of the support,
deforming the non-inflatable elastic body, wherein the deforming of the non-inflatable elastic body forms a bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body which is passable through the opening,
after the bulge is formed in the non-inflatable elastic body, moving the non-inflatable elastic body and/or the component relative to each other, wherein the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body contacts the protrusion of the cover layer which overlies the portion of the opening and moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support, and the non-inflatable elastic body moves through the opening, as the non-inflatable elastic body and/or the component move relative to each other,
after the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body contacts the protrusion of the cover layer which overlies the portion of the opening and moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support, further deforming the non-inflatable elastic body, wherein the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body increases and, as the bulge increases, the bulge further moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support wherein the protrusion enters the recess and contacts the back side of the support in the recess surrounding the edge wherein the protrusion forms the edgefold over the edge of the support defining the opening.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the non-inflatable elastic body and/or the component relative to each other, wherein the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body contacts the protrusion of the cover layer which overlies the portion of the opening and moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support as the non-inflatable elastic body and/or the component move relative to each other further comprises moving the non-inflatable elastic body relative to the component, wherein the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body contacts the protrusion of the cover layer which overlies the portion of the opening and moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support as the non-inflatable elastic body moves relative to the component.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the non-inflatable elastic body and/or the component relative to each other, wherein the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body contacts the protrusion of the cover layer which overlies the portion of the opening and moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support as the non-inflatable elastic body and/or the component move relative to each other further comprises moving the non-inflatable elastic body relative to the opening, wherein the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body contacts the protrusion of the cover layer which overlies the portion of the opening and moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support as the non-inflatable elastic body moves relative to the opening.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein moving the non-inflatable elastic body relative to the opening, wherein the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body contacts the protrusion of the cover layer which overlies the portion of the opening and moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support as the non-inflatable elastic body moves relative to the opening further comprises moving the non-inflatable elastic body within the opening, wherein the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body contacts the protrusion of the cover layer which overlies the portion of the opening and moves the protrusion towards the back side of the support as the non-inflatable elastic body moves within the opening.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising relaxing the non-inflatable elastic body, after forming the edgefold, to eliminate or reduce the bulge in the non-inflatable elastic body wherein the non-inflatable elastic body is passable through the opening.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising moving the non-inflatable elastic body, after relaxing the non-inflatable elastic body, through the opening without contacting the component.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the back side of the support surrounding the opening and/or the protrusion which contacts the back side of the support surrounding the opening includes an adhesive which bonds the protrusion to the back side of the support.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the adhesive bonds the protrusion to the back side of the support when the protrusion contacts the back side of the support.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein deforming the non-inflatable elastic body, wherein a bulge is formed in the non-inflatable elastic body is performed while the non-inflatable elastic body is positioned at the front side of the support remote from the opening.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising moving the non-inflatable elastic body and/or the component relative to each other, wherein the non-inflatable elastic body occupies the opening.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein deforming the non-inflatable elastic body, wherein a bulge is formed in the non-inflatable elastic body further comprises compressing the non-inflatable elastic body in a compression direction, wherein the bulge is formed in the non-inflatable elastic body in a bulge direction which is transverse to the compression direction.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-inflatable elastic body is arranged between two pressure plates, and the non-inflatable elastic body is deformed by a relative movement of at least one of the two pressure plates towards each other.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-inflatable elastic body has a periphery and the bulge is formed completely around the periphery of the non-inflatable elastic body.