Abstract:
A closing mechanism ( 1; 101; 201; 301 ) includes a plurality of closing elements ( 2; 102; 202; 302; 302   a ) such as hooks, mushroom heads or loops, and a flat carrier ( 3; 103; 203; 303 ). The closing elements ( 2; 102; 202; 302; 302   a ) protrude from at least one surface ( 4 ) of the carrier ( 3; 103; 203; 303 ). The closing mechanism ( 1; 101; 201; 301 ) has a heater ( 5; 105; 205; 305 ), at least in certain sections, which converts supplied energy into heat. The invention also relates to an associated production method.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a closing mechanism comprising a heating means, and a method for producing one such closing mechanism. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Generic adhesive fastener components are disclosed, for example, in DE 196 46 318 A1. An adhesive fastener generally formed from two adhesive fastener components that can be dynamically joined to each other is often used in textile or other articles of clothing, and is also known as a Velcro® fastener. Other applications are, for example, mounting technology, for example, for fastening of elements of interior trim in automotive engineering, or generally the production of a detachable fastening. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide improved adhesive fastener components and adhesive fasteners with increased functionality, and to provide an improved production process for such an adhesive fastener component. 
   This object is basically achieved by an adhesive fastener component with a plurality of adhesive fastener elements such as, for example, hooks, mushroom heads, or loops. The adhesive fastener component has a flat carrier. The adhesive fastener elements protrude from at least one surface of the carrier. The adhesive fastener component, at least in certain sections, has a printed heating means that converts supplied energy into heat. 
   Preferably, the heating means is applied to the carrier as flat resistance heating. In addition to the actual resistance layer, electrode layers, cover layers, reflection layers for heat radiation, protective layers, etc., can be applied. The heating layer can be applied masked or unmasked, especially masked in the form of a resistance path, preferably a meander-shaped resistance path. Several resistance and/or connection paths are electrically insulated relative to each other, and can be applied on top of each other and/or next to each other. 
   The adhesive fastener component can preferably be easily deformed elastically or plastically, and can be drawn into almost any shape. Preferably, the adhesive fastener component can also be deep-drawn, while retaining its adhesion capacity and heating capacity. Basically the heating means can be located on the carrier and/or in the carrier. Preferably, the heating means can be applied in thick or thin film technology to the flat carrier of the adhesive fastener component. Alternatively, the heating means is applied to another carrier connected to the flat carrier of the adhesive fastener component, especially laminated onto it. 
   The combination of adhesive fastener elements and heating means of the present invention is advantageous, because the thermal expansion of the resistance path and/or of the other layers of the heating means and/or of the carrier occurring in operation of the heating means can be accommodated by the adhesive fastener elements without the attachment of the adhesive fastener component being adversely affected or without, for example, flapping noise occurring due to loosening of an attachment. Moreover, it is advantageous that the adhesive fastener elements enable a flat connection of the heating means, and thus also especially good heat transfer to the heat consumer. The heating means with the carrier forms a unit so that a separate connection between the heating means and the adhesive fastener elements can be omitted. 
   Fundamentally all processes known from thick and thin film technology are possible for application of the heating means to the carrier of the adhesive fastener component. In one special embodiment of the present invention, the heating means is applied to the flat carrier by screen printing or offset printing. With application of the heating means, printed conductors, terminal electrodes or other electrical and/or electronic components can also be produced at the same time. 
   To the extent the material of the flat carrier of the adhesive fastener component enables it, for example, is formed of a polymer plastic that is semiconductive at least in certain sections, or of the corresponding textile materials, active electronic components, such as, for example, field effect transistors, can also be monolithically integrated into the adhesive fastener component. It is also possible to integrate hybrid circuit electronics, for example, to fix control circuits on especially thin and therefore flexible silicon substrates of less than 50 μm thickness, preferably less than 20 μm, on or in the carrier or to incorporate them into a textile carrier. Thus, for example, a temperature measurement element, a thermostat element and/or a switching device can also be integrated, as is often necessary for operation of a heating means. 
   Power can be supplied by an external energy storage device. Alternatively, the adhesive fastener component can have an energy storage device, especially an electrochemical energy storage device in thin or thick film technology. 
   Preferably the carrier and/or the adhesive fastener elements are made from a polymer plastic, especially from polyester or polyamide. For less stringent requirements for thermal stability polyolefins, such as, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene, or a biodegradable material or other suitable plastic can be used. For many applications, it is advantageous if the plastic is a duroplastic, for example, an acrylate plastic. Crosslinking can be controlled by some amount of energy applied, especially by irradiation and/or by supplying heat. Alternatively to a duroplastic, the plastic can also be thermoplastically moldable, and a method according to DE 196 46 318 A1 can be used to produce the adhesive fastener elements. Preferably, the adhesive fastener elements are made integral with the carrier. The adhesive fastener elements can also be produced as described in DE 101 06 705 C1, especially with an application device by which the adhesive fastener elements are built up in successively delivered droplets. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, heating systems in almost any geometry can be easily mounted at poorly accessible locations, with a high level of freedom of shapes, but in a space-saving manner and, if necessary, detachably. For example, seat, mirror, interior or defrosting heating systems or the like that are simple to install can be implemented in motor vehicles, living spaces, or facilities in the open. 
   Moreover, according to the present invention, heating systems can be implemented for mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and electronic assemblies. The heat energy can be supplied exactly to the required locations in a pin-point manner and with almost any freedom of shape. For this purpose, the heating means adapted to the application can also produce heat superficially in a non-uniform manner, for example, by local variation of the resistance as a result of changes in the composition, thickness, or lateral geometry of the resistance layer. 
   The devices of the present invention are thin, have a low weight, can be controlled in their heat output and/or heat distribution, and offer explosion-proof heating. Based on a combination with an adhesive fastener component, complex two- and three-dimensional geometries can be permanently and reliably supplied uniformly or with a definable heat distribution. The service life potential is long compared to known heating means, especially compared to heating means having a heating wire. Terminal and connection contacts, like trigger electronics, can be integrated into the adhesive fastener component. For example, a receiver can be integrated into the adhesive fastener component, by which a control signal can be received and thereupon the heating means is turned on and off. 
   Preferably, the heating means is located on the surface of the adhesive fastener component opposite the adhesive fastener elements. As an alternative, adhesive fastener elements can also protrude from the two surfaces of the carrier. A partial surface can be free of adhesive fastener elements on the surface, otherwise having adhesive fastener elements, for application of the heating means. In this way, the heating means and/or its electrical contact is protected by the carrier after attachment of the adhesive fastener component. 
   The carrier of the adhesive fastener component can also be a textile product, especially a product produced by weaving, knitting, braiding, or embroidery. In this case, for example, individual threads or thread groups, especially warp and/or weft threads, of different plies of the textile product can be made as connecting leads. Such connecting leads can be formed by conductive filaments or having a conductive coating. Preferably, the heating means is located between two plies of the textile carrier. 
   The present invention also relates to a method for producing an adhesive fastener component with a heating means, as described above. The heating means is applied to the carrier already having adhesive fastener elements. In one special embodiment of the present invention, the heating means is applied, especially printed, in thick or thin film technology, onto the flat carrier. This method is especially advantageous when the adhesive fastener elements and the flat carrier are made in one piece by thermoplastic shaping. 
   An electrical contact geometry of the heating means is also possible by specifically influencing the electrical conductivity of individual or groups of adhesive fastener elements configured in a grid in regular structures. The adhesion of the heating means to be applied, that is, the adhesion of the heating means to the carrier of the adhesive fastener component, can be improved by surface treatment, especially by a gas atmosphere that increases the polarity of the carrier molecules near the surface. As an alternative or in addition, a adhesion-imparting coating, for example, a polymer differing from the carrier, can be applied to the carrier, especially when formed of polyamide. 
   Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial side elevational view in section of an adhesive fastener with an adhesive fastener component according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view in section of the adhesive fastener component similar to the one in  FIG. 1  with the resistance path printed on the adhesive fastener component; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial side elevational view in section of an adhesive fastener according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial side elevational view in section of an adhesive fastener according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial side elevational view in section of an adhesive fastener according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a partial side elevational view in section illustrating one application of an adhesive fastener component according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a cross section through an adhesive fastener with an adhesive fastener component  1  according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It has a plurality of adhesive fastener elements  2  configured regularly in rows and columns and formed integrally with a flat carrier  3  of thermoplastically moldable plastic. The fastener elements protrude angularly, preferably at a right angle, from a first surface  4  of the carrier  3 . 
   On the second surface  6 , opposite the first surface  4 , a heating means or heater  5  is provided on the carrier  3 . The heating means  5  is applied in thick film technology, especially by screen printing, to the carrier already having the adhesive fastener elements  2  completed thereon. The heating means includes an insulation layer  7 , a cover layer  9 , and a structured heating layer  8  located between layers  7  and  8  and formed essentially by elongated resistance paths  10 . 
   A material for the resistance path  10  can be, for example, resistance materials known from thick film technology. Sheet resistances can be implemented in a wide range, for example, between 2 and 1000 ohms per square. Resistance materials can also be used having an electrical resistance largely independent of temperature. Alternatively, resistance materials with a definably positive or negative temperature coefficient of the resistivity can be used to implement a thermostat function during operation with a constant voltage or with a constant current. 
   Typical layer thicknesses are between 10 and 100 μm, especially between 20 and 50 μm. The heat outputs per unit of area depending on the application can be, for example, between 1 and 2000 watts per m 2 , for individual or interior heating systems in motor vehicles especially between 100 and 300 watts per m 2 . Heating optimized for the application can be implemented by the configuration and design of the resistance path  10  with respect to layer thickness, path width and resistance material. Connecting leads that may be necessary can be produced with sheet resistances below 1 ohm per square, especially less than 0.25 ohm per square, for example, also by silver enamels, copper enamels, carbon enamels and the like. 
   The layer thickness ratios of the carrier  3  including the adhesive fastener elements  2  and also of the heating means  5  are not shown to scale in the figures. Especially for purposes of depiction, individual layers are shown enlarged. Moreover the heating means  5  can also have more than three layers, especially other layers for protection, for blocking moisture or for electrical insulation. The adhesive fastener component  1  of the present invention can be joined, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to another adhesive fastener component  13  set up almost identically with respect to the carrier  3 . In particular, the adhesive fastener elements  2 ,  14  can be detachably engaged to one another, or can also be joined to a textile adhesive fastener element or an article of textile clothing. 
     FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the adhesive fastener component  1  similarly to  FIG. 1 , but with the resistance path  10  printed directly on the second surface  6  of the carrier  3 . The resistance path  10  runs in a meander with variation both of the path width and also of the distance of adjacent path sections. Contact with the resistance path  10  can be made by terminal electrodes  15 ,  16 , which are located next to each other on one common side of the adhesive fastener component  1 . 
     FIG. 3  shows a second exemplary embodiment of the adhesive fastener component  101  of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the adhesive fastener elements  102  are located on the same surface as the heating means  105 . The area of the carrier  103  in which the heating means  105  is located is free of adhesive fastener elements  102 . On the same surface, the connecting lead  115  for the resistance path  110  printed in the insulation layer  107  is routed to the terminal protrusion  118 . 
   Another or a second adhesive fastener component  113  on its surface facing the adhesive fastener component  101  of the present invention likewise has adhesive fastener elements  114  and a terminal protrusion  119  connected to the connecting lead  120 . The adhesive fastener elements  102 ,  114  of the two adhesive fastener components  101 ,  113  are engaged to one another by pressing on them. At the same time, the two terminal protrusions  118 ,  119  come into electrical contact. In this way, reliable contact with the resistance path  110  can be made by the connecting lead  120 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a third exemplary embodiment of an adhesive fastener component  201 , according to the present invention. The carrier  203  preferably of a thermoplastic, like the adhesive fastener elements  202  located in this area  221 , is made electrically conductive by the corresponding modification of the plastic, as is indicated by the criss-crosshatching, for example, by intercalation of conductive particles. In these areas  221 , the carrier  203  makes contact with the heating means  205  located on the second surface  206  and having an insulation layer  207  which in the corresponding areas likewise has electrically conductive terminal electrodes  222 . Electrodes  222  are electrically connected to the electrically conductive adhesive fastener elements  202 . In this way, the adhesive fastener component  201  and especially the heating means  205  can make electrical contact with the back of the carrier  203  opposite the heating means  205 , for example, by external contact pieces  223 . 
   Executing the heating means as a resistance layer also makes it possible to implement a pushbutton element  211  by structuring the resistance path  210 . For this purpose, for example, an interruption of the resistance path  210  can be provided. With the interposition of an electrically insulating intermediate layer  225 , a conductive contact bridge  210   a  is located over it. Under the action of a force according to the arrow  212  contact bridge  210   a  electrically closes the interruption as the cover layer  209  is deformed. The elasticity of the heating means  205  and/or of the carrier  203  ensures resetting of the pushbutton element  211  executed as a “make contact” in the exemplary embodiment. 
     FIG. 5  shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of an adhesive fastener component  301  of the present invention. On both sides of the heating means  305 , one respective carrier  303 ,  303   a  with adhesive fastener elements  302 ,  302   a  on the surface facing away from the heating means  305  is provided. Between the insulation layer  307  and the cover layer  309 , two resistance paths  310 ,  310   a  are electrically insulated from each other by an intermediate layer  325 . The lengthwise extension of the two resistance paths  310 ,  310   a  extends angularly to each other, especially at a right angle. The two resistance paths  310 ,  310   a  can be connected to each other by through-plating or externally to be electrically connected in series or parallel. 
     FIG. 6  shows one application of an adhesive fastener component  1  of the present invention. For reasons of greater clarity, the separating line between the carrier  3  and the heating means  5  (see  FIG. 1 ) is not shown. The adhesive fastener component  1  is fixed by the adhesive fastener elements  2  on a support body  24 , with a surface formed, for example, by a textile fleece material. Alternatively, on its surface, another adhesive fastener component  13  is fixed over the entire surface or in certain sections, for example, as a deep-drawn part. The adhesive fastener component  1 , in spite of the projecting structure of the support body  24 , ensures uniform heating on all sides. The adhesive fastener component  1  of the present invention can be formed as a deep-drawn part, while maintaining the adhesion fastening capacity, and the heating capacity, so that in each instance even complexly shaped support bodies  24  fit precisely. 
   While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.