The invention relates to a method for mounting a panel of an appliance, especially of a domestic appliance.
It is well known in the art to produce panels of appliances, especially of domestic appliances like domestic ovens or washing machines, by manufacturing the different components of the panel which are then mounted to the complete panel unit. Those panels usually comprise a panel element as a basis element which is connected with a glass pane. After the assembly of the glass pane onto the panel element at least one frame element is mounted onto the surface of the glass pane.
A common method of joining the different components is the glueing of the components. Therefore, a certain amount of adhesive is applied onto one of the components; then the other component is arranged on the component which bears the adhesive. A pressing force is exerted onto the parts until the adhesive is cured (hardened). After that the mounting process can be continued.
Different solutions and variations are known in the art with respect to such a mounting process of an appliance, especially of a domestic appliance. Reference is made e. g. to DE 199 58 506 A1, DE 10 2007 017 971 A1, DE 10 2007 041 907 A1, EP 0 826 489 B1, and FR 2 747 436 A1.
Normally, usual adhesives are used for the connection of the different components which are joined by glueing. “Normally” means in this connection that adhesives are used which cure when being exerted to the air, i. e. to oxygen. Of course, this takes some time until the adhesive bonding has a sufficient power. Advantageously, no specific measures are necessary to establish the bonding.
On the other side, solutions are known which use adhesives which cure when exerted to an ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). Advantageously, such a bonding cures in shorter time but required additional measures during the mounting process. Also the costs for such kind of adhesives can be higher.
A problem in connection with the assembly of panels of domestic appliances is the following: Sometimes it cannot be excluded that the shape of a component is perfectly given, i. e. that the form of the component is such of the ideal design. Distorsion of a component can take place and complicates the assembly process significantly. Therefore, is can be necessary to straighten a component prior assembly to obtain a sufficient quality of the panel. Obviously, this is time and cost consuming and thus detrimental.
An alternative is the joining of components by screwing. Obviously, the assembly work necessary for this process is high which makes this process costly.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to propose a method for mounting a panel of an appliance of the kind mentioned above which allows a more precise and cost efficient assembly of the panel. More specifically, it is aimed that any straightening process of components of the panel is avoidable.
The solution of this object is characterized by a process which comprises the following steps:
Preferably, the second and the fourth adhesive are activated in above steps d) and g) by means of a radiation source. The second and the fourth adhesive can be an adhesive which can be activated by ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). The second adhesive can be activated in above step d) by irradiation via the transparent pane element.
The second and the fourth adhesive can also be an adhesive which can be activated by heat (hot melt adhesive).
Preferably, a pressing force between the panel element and the pane element according above step c) can be maintained at least partially during the activation of the adhesion of the second adhesive according above step d).
Also, a pressing force between the pane element and the frame element according above step f) can be maintained at least partially during the activation of the adhesion of the fourth adhesive according above step g).
The surface covered in above step b) with the first adhesive is preferably at least two times, specifically at least five times as big as the surface covered with the second adhesive. Also, the surface covered in above step e) with the third adhesive can be at least two times, preferably at least five times as big as the surface covered with the fourth adhesive.
The adhesives can be applied at least partially in substantial rectangular structures which are at least three times as long as broad.
During above step c) the adhesives can be arranged completely between the panel element and the pane element.
On the other hand, during above step f) the fourth adhesive can be arranged only partially between the pane element and the frame element, so that a part of the fourth adhesive remains uncovered by the frame element.
A frame element can be used which was not subject of a straightening process. Specifically, the frame element can have deviations from its ideal shape in an unstressed state.
The first and third adhesive are preferably not activatable by means of a radiation source; those adhesives are preferably such which cure when exerted to the air, i. e. to oxygen.
Advantageously, the proposed method allows that the components of the panel do not need any straightening process prior assembly. Even distorted plastic or metal components can be used without straightening. The straightening process takes place immanently during the proposed assembly process by glueing.
The process can be operated in an automated arrangement. Due to the quick hardening of an adhesive by means of UV radiation or heat no relevant waiting times are necessary.
Beneficially, not screwing operations are necessary even if strongly distorted components are used.
When transparent pane elements (from glass or plastic material) are used—as it is normally the case—is becomes possible that several areas provided with adhesives which are used for bonding can be cured simultaneously.
The arrangement can work fully automated, i. e. the components as well as the adhesives are handled by manipulating systems. Also the pressing forces are exerted automated until a sufficient curing process has taken place.
Thus, the invention allows a straightening process of distorted metal and plastic components which is done without any pre-process; the straightening process is carried out by glueing the distorted part in the mentioned way to a carrier element (panel element). For doing so the application of a UV curing adhesive or of a hot melt adhesive is suggested.
The whole panel can be assembled in one assembly arrangement. This also includes the assembly of all periphery parts like switches etc. The proposed sandwich design allows a quick assembly without relevant waiting times for the bonding of two parts by means of an adhesive.
The curing of several areas applied with adhesive (UV adhesive or hot melt adhesive) can be carried out when curing by a radiation source via a transparent pane.
The assembly process becomes also more cost efficient because the handling of the different components is facilitated. The parts must be handled only once, as no straightening process is required before assembly.
In the drawings embodiments of the invention are depicted.
In
In
As said, the second adhesive 4 is an UV curing adhesive in the embodiment according
After the adhesives 3, 4 are applied onto the panel element 2 a transparent pane element 5 is pressed against the surface of the panel element 2 so that the adhesives 3 and 4 have contact to both elements 2 and 5. This is shown in
To the contrary, the assembly process can continue immediately after curing of the adhesive 4. More specifically, the joining of a frame element 8 (see
Now, the frame element 8 is pressed onto the surface of the pane element 5 as shown in
The finished panel 1 is shown in
Also the mounted parts cannot be moved relative to another after the adhesive 4, 7 have been activated.
The assembly process is carried out by using a respective mounting device which is not depicted.
The size of the area covered with adhesive 3, 4, 6, 7 and the amount of adhesive depends on the specific shape and size of the parts and is selected accordingly. Thereby, any gap should be avoided.
Also contact pimples 13 of the frame element 8 (see
A second alternative example is shown in
The panel element 2 is shown in
In
As can be seen in
Analogous to
This is done to bond frame elements 8 and 8′ as shown in
After the frame elements 8 and 8′ are placed on the surface of the pane element 5 the constellation is reached as shown in
The illumination means 17 are inserted into a corresponding reception in the frame element 8′ After fixation of the frame element 8′ on the pane element 5 the illumination means 17 are secured in the frame element 8′.
Finally, a switch element 19 has to be mounted. The switch element 19 as such is shown in
Additionally (optionally) through holes 22 can be supplied for a screw connection between the switch element 19 and the frame element 8′.
Before placing the switch element 19 into its final position onto the panel 1 a fifth adhesive 23 is applied onto the carrier surface of the frame element 8′, see
Then the switch element 19 is pressed into its final location on the frame element 8′ as shown in
Thereby, the assembly of the panel 1 is terminated.
As an alternative to the UV-curing adhesive also a hot melt adhesive can be employed. Also, adhesives containing silicone have proven which can also be cured by UV radiation.
The curing time for the second and fourth adhesives, i. e. for those adhesives which are cured by exertion of UV radiation, is preferably between 3 and 7 seconds, specifically about 5 seconds. Several applied adhesives can be cured simultaneously by applying the UV radiation to the adhesive via the transparent pane element.
After the curing of the second and fourth adhesives for the mentioned short time the following assembly steps can follow immediately. Thus, the assembly time can be minimized and carried out in a very cost efficient manner.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10005606.8 | May 2010 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2011/002334 | 5/11/2011 | WO | 00 | 10/12/2012 |