Method of applying an adhesive film to a component and tool suitable therefor

1. A method of applying an adhesive film to a component comprising:

providing a component,

providing an adhesive film comprising an adhesive layer,

applying the adhesive film to a surface of the component,

wherein, to apply the adhesive film:

the adhesive film is positioned between the surface of the component and an elastic membrane,

the elastic membrane is transferred at least in certain regions into a curved state with a convex and a concave side and is brought into contact with the surface of the component with the convex side first such that the adhesive layer of the adhesive film is pressed onto the surface of the component in a full-area manner by the elastic membrane,

the adhesive layer of the adhesive film is pressed onto the surface of the component in a full-area manner by a negative pressure being applied to that side of the elastic membrane facing towards the adhesive film, and

to stabilize the component against deformation brought about by this negative pressure, the elastic membrane along with the adhesive film is pushed against the surface of the component with a plunger means,

wherein the at least one plunger means comprises at least one extendable piston and a plunger head; and

the plunger head is advanced in coordination with the setting of the negative pressure.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of:

the negative pressure applied to that side of the elastic membrane facing towards the adhesive film is present relative to a pressure applied to that side of the elastic membrane facing away from the adhesive film and/or a pressure which is applied to a rear side of the component,

the negative pressure is a pressure <1 bar, and

to set the negative pressure, a negative-pressure chamber delimited by that side of the membrane facing towards the adhesive film, and a pressure equalizing chamber delimited by that side of the membrane facing away from the adhesive film, are evacuated, whereupon the pressure equalizing chamber is vented.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of:

the advancement of the plunger head is coordinated with the setting of the negative pressure by temporal coordination, and

advancement of the plunger head is coordinated with the setting of the negative pressure in dependence on the negative pressure actually set.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of:

the elastic membrane is composed of an elastic polymer material,

the elastic membrane has a uniform thickness, and

the elastic membrane has weakened regions and/or reinforcing regions that influence the geometry of the curved state in a targeted manner.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of:

the adhesive film is positioned between the surface of the component and the elastic membrane with a mounting film to which the adhesive film adheres by way of its side facing away from the adhesive layer,

to position the adhesive film, the mounting film is fixed on or in a frame, and

after the adhesive film has been pressed onto the surface of the component, the mounting film is pulled off from the adhesive film.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in producing motor vehicles and the component is a motor vehicle body or part of a motor vehicle body or an attachment part, the method further comprises:

a. coating a motor vehicle body or parts of a motor vehicle body with at least one paint,

b. drying and/or hardening the at least one paint,

c. mounting attachment parts on load-bearing component parts of the motor vehicle body which has been coated with the at least one paint that has been dried and/or hardened, and

d. applying the adhesive film to a surface of the motor vehicle body which has been coated with the at least one paint that has been dried and/or hardened or parts of the motor vehicle body or one of the attachment parts mounted thereon.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of:

the adhesive film comprises a carrier film having the adhesive layer on one side and a paint layer on another side,

the carrier film is a plastics film, a metal film or a metal-plastic composite film,

the carrier film has a thickness of 10 μm to 120 μm,

the adhesive layer has a thickness of 10 μm to 80 μm,

the adhesive layer has a uniform thickness,

the adhesive layer is composed of a homogeneous adhesive composition,

the adhesive layer has a surface area of 10 cm 2 to 8 m 2 , and

the paint layer has a thickness of 20 μm to 150 μm.

8. A tool that applies an adhesive film to a surface of a component according to the method of claim 1 , comprising:

a. an elastic membrane that presses the adhesive film onto the surface of the component in a full-area manner,

b. at least one positioner for positioning the adhesive film between the surface of the component and the elastic membrane,

c. means for generating a negative pressure on a side of the elastic membrane facing towards the adhesive film and/or means for generating a negative pressure on a side of the elastic membrane facing away from the adhesive film, and

d. at least one plunger that pushes the elastic membrane along with the adhesive film against the surface of the component to stabilize the component during application of the adhesive film,

wherein the at least one plunger means comprises at least one extendable piston and a plunger head; and

the plunger head is advanced in coordination with the setting of the negative pressure.

9. The tool according to claim 8 , further comprising:

a frame configured to form, together with the surface, which is to be provided with adhesive, of the component and the elastic membrane, a negative-pressure chamber in which the adhesive film is arranged and into which the elastic membrane can curve when a negative pressure is being applied to the negative-pressure chamber.

10. The tool according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of:

the frame is of rectangular configuration,

the frame has a first opening which is closed by the membrane,

the frame has at least one elastic sealing element which can rest sealingly on the surface of the component,

the frame comprises a second opening, the at least one elastic sealing element being fixed to the edges of said second opening,

the frame comprises at least one connection for a negative-pressure source, via which negative pressure can be applied to the negative-pressure chamber, and

the frame comprises at least one holder as a means for fixing the adhesive film.

11. The tool according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of:

the frame is assembled from two or more sub-frames,

the frame is of rectangular configuration and assembled from the two or more rectangular sub-frames,

the frame comprises a first rectangular sub-frame, on which at least one elastic sealing element is fixed and which comprises at least one connection for a negative-pressure source, and

the frame comprises a second rectangular sub-frame, comprising at least one holder for the adhesive film.

12. The tool according to claim 8 further comprises:

a pressure equalizing chamber delimited by the elastic membrane,

at least one connection for a pressure source or a negative-pressure source, said at least one connection leading into the pressure equalizing chamber, and

at least one valve via which the pressure equalizing chamber can be vented.

13. The tool according to claim 8 , arranged in a production line that produces motor vehicles.