Abstract:
A profile section ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle comprises a decorating portion ( 40 ), which is composed of a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material comprises an elastomer matrix made of a first elastomer and flock fibers ( 50 ). The flock fibers ( 50 ) each have a fiber length which is comprised of a first length and a second length. In addition, the flock fibers have one matrix portion embedded in the elastomer matrix and one exposed portion protruding from the elastomer matrix. The matrix portion has the first length and the exposed portion has the second length.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a profile section, in particular for a motor vehicle. In addition, the invention relates to a manufacturing method for such a profile section. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    For instance, profile sections are used in the interior of motor vehicles as edge protection, or for covering the transition to the roof lining. Further locations are the A-, B-, and C-pillar of the body. 
         [0003]    The profile section may also be used for sealing a window slot or a window pane and as a window guide for a movable window pane. In this case, the profile section is referred to as a sealing section or sealing profile. 
         [0004]    The appearance of the profile section plays an important role in the design of the motor vehicle. In particular, textile and textile-like decorating portions are perceived as particularly high-quality. 
         [0005]    From DE 199 37 285 A1, a duplex profile is known whose surface is at least partially covered by laminating tape. The laminating tape is a textile tape of ground thread and plush thread and consists of polyester bulk thread. The laminating tape is prestressed in the longitudinal direction of the profile and glued to a portion of the duplex profile. The laminating tape forms the decorating portion. 
         [0006]    From EP 0 794 087 A1, a sealing strip is known, which has a fabric or textile covering. The fabric covering extends to the outer surface of a decorating lip and forms the decorating portion. The fabric or textile covering is glued to the rubber body underneath. 
         [0007]    A sealing section is also known from DE 196 22 342 A1 and is referred to as an edge protection or sealing profile. The sealing profile comprises a mounting portion U-shaped in cross-section, which can be clamped on a flange of the motor vehicle. The sealing profile has an enwrapping textile cover. The textile cover is on the one hand provided for the design of the profile section, and on the other hand it serves as a sliding surface, for instance for a motor vehicle window. In high wear areas, the textile cover is additionally provided with a protective layer. 
         [0008]    From DE 10 2010 016 756 A1, a covering lip for the entrance areas of motor vehicles is known which has a rubber profile. The covering lip has a decorating portion of thermoplastic elastomer, which is provided with a sliding finish. 
         [0009]    From EP 1 717 082 A2, a sealing strip is known, which has a structure and is coated with a structured finish. 
         [0010]    DE 10 2011 107 137 A1 discloses an extruded plastic profile which has a delayed heat release rate under thermal load. To this end, the plastic profile comprises embedded, non-combustible fibers of carbon, glass, basalt or aramid. In contrast to the sealing section according to the present invention, however, these fibers are not visible but enclosed by the matrix material in such a manner that they are covered. Therefore the fibers are not located on a decorating portion. 
         [0011]    DE 26 23 316 C3 discloses a profile strip. The profile strip comprises a mounting portion and a sealing portion. A covering layer is provided on the mounting portion and on the sealing portion. The mounting portion and the sealing portion are made of durable plastic. The covering layer, however, is made of foam rubber. The covering layer is provided with a coating of flock or textile material. 
         [0012]    EP 2 290 020 A1 discloses a noise-reducing sliding coating and a manufacturing process therefor. The aim is to avoid the stick-slip effect. The sliding coating is generated by applying an adhesive and by subsequent electrostatic flocking. 
         [0013]    Each of the aforementioned profile sections has at least one portion which imitates a textile-like surface. Practice has shown that such decorating portions are sensitive to mechanical stress, in particular abrasion. Although the mechanical resilience can be increased by a thicker finish layer, this comes at the price of significant loss of texture, i.e. a reduction of haptic and visual depth. The reduction of haptic and visual depth is undesirable. Furthermore, an additional process step is necessary for flocking, which also requires an additional machine. 
         [0014]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a profile section that has a visually appealing surface and is relatively insensitive to mechanical stress. 
         [0015]    This object is solved by the subject matter of the claims  1  and  10 . Preferred embodiments of the profile section are subject of the claims  2  to  9 . Preferred embodiments of the manufacturing process are subject of the claims  11  to  15 . 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The invention provides a profile section, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a decorating portion, which is composed of a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material comprises an elastomer matrix made of a first elastomer and flock fibers. Each of the flock fibers has a fiber length which is comprised of a first length and a second length. In addition, each of the flock fibers has one matrix portion embedded in the elastomer matrix and one exposed portion protruding from the elastomeric matrix. The matrix portion has the first length and the exposed portion has the second length. 
         [0017]    The flock fibers protrude with the exposed portion from the elastomer matrix. The flock fibers produce the textile-like visual appearance and haptic properties—both together are also called texture—of a textile-like surface. The flock fibers are in particular embedded to a large extent with the matrix portion in the elastomer matrix. Thus the flock fibers are firmly positioned and accordingly do not get detached from the decorating portion under normal mechanical stress, for example due to rubbing. The profile section according to the present invention has an attractive visual appearance and is relatively insensitive to mechanical stress such as abrasion, for instance. 
         [0018]    The fiber composite material is in particular extrudable. ‘Extrudable’ here means that the fiber composite material can be extruded or coextruded. The fiber composite material is also suitable for injection molding. The first elastomer and the flock fibers are favorably mixed before the extrusion or injection molding to the fiber composite material. Alternatively, the mixing takes place during the extrusion. Thus subsequent flocking can be omitted. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the profile section comprises a mounting portion for mounting the profile section and/or a sealing portion. 
         [0020]    If it is provided with a sealing portion, the profile section can be used as sealing profile. The mounting portion facilitates mounting the profile section to the motor vehicle. In addition, due to the elastomer matrix, the decorating portion may be directly molded on the mounting portion and/or the sealing portion. For this, no adhesive is required. Thereby, material consumption in the production is reduced compared to similar sealing profiles, and at the same time, the environmental sustainability of the production is increased, too. 
         [0021]    It is preferred that the decorating portion comprises elevations, each having a first cusp and a height, and depressions, each having a second cusp, wherein two adjacent elevations have a distance. 
         [0022]    The height of the elevations is preferably between 100 μm and 500 μm. The height is preferably measured from a connecting line between two adjacent second cusps to the first cusp, which is located between the adjacent second cusps, orthogonally to the connecting line. 
         [0023]    Preferably the distance between two adjacent elevations is between 500 μm and 1 mm. The distance is preferably measured from the first cusp of an elevation to the first cusp of the other elevation. 
         [0024]    Further preferably, the elevations and depressions are formed in such a way that the flock fibers protrude from the elastomer matrix at an angle. The angle is measured between the exposed portion, which forms the first leg of the angle, and the tangent plane, which forms the second leg of the angle, to the surface of the decorating portion at the point where the flock fiber protrudes from the elastomer matrix. In particular, the angle is an acute angle. 
         [0025]    In these preferred embodiments, the visual appearance and haptic properties of the decorating portion can mimic different textile-like surfaces. In addition, the elevations and depressions facilitate a simpler protrusion of the flock fibers, so that the visual and haptic surface depth increase. The various dimensions of the elevations permit an adaptation of the texture to the desired application. 
         [0026]    In addition, preferably the first elastomer is selected from a group comprising ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in particular a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) or a styrene block copolymer (TPS). The first elastomer preferably has a Shore A hardness of 50 ShA to 85 ShA and in particular a Shore A hardness of 50 ShA to 80 ShA. The first elastomer may be dyed as desired. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the mounting portion is formed by a second elastomer. Preferably the sealing portion is formed by a third elastomer. The second elastomer and/or the third elastomer is preferably selected from a group comprising ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in particular a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) or a styrene block copolymer (TPS). The second elastomer and/or the third elastomer preferably have a Shore A hardness of 50 ShA to 85 ShA and in particular a Shore A hardness of 50 ShA to 80 ShA. The second elastomer and/or the third elastomer may be dyed as desired. 
         [0028]    Due to the various types of elastomers, the mounting portion, the sealing portion and the decorating portion can be matched. The various plastic hardnesses also permit determining the visual appearance and haptic properties of the decorating portion as desired. Overall, the scope of the profile section is thereby extended. 
         [0029]    The flock fibers may preferably comprise polyamide fibers, polyethylene fibers, mineral fibers and/or textile fibers. Preferably, the flock fibers have a fiber length between 0.1 mm and 5 mm. Preferably, the flock fibers have a refinement of 0.1 dtex to 30 dtex. Preferably, the first length is greater than the second length. In particular, the first length is more than 70%, more preferably more than 90%, of the fiber length. The flock fibers can be dyed as desired. 
         [0030]    The various types of flock fibers permit the imitation of further textile-like surfaces. The texture can be adapted to a broader scope of applications. 
         [0031]    Further preferably, the decorating portion has a finish coating. Particularly preferably, the finish coating includes a structured finish that contains in particular particles. The finish coating can be dyed as desired. 
         [0032]    The resilience of the decorating portion to mechanical stress can be further increased by additionally applying a finish layer onto the decorating portion. Further, a structured finish facilitates a greater visual and haptic depth. 
         [0033]    The profile section explained above is produced by generating a decorating portion from a fiber composite material in step a). The decorating portion is in particular generated by extrusion or injection molding. The fiber composite material comprises an elastomer matrix formed of a first elastomer and flock fibers. The decorating portion is generated in such a manner that each of the flocking fibers has a fiber length which is composed of a first length and a second length and comprises a matrix portion embedded in the elastomer matrix and an exposed portion protruding from the elastomer matrix. The matrix portion has the first length and the exposed portion has the second length. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the fiber composite material is mixed from the first elastomer and the flock fibers prior to the extrusion. Alternatively, the fiber composite material is mixed from the first elastomer and the flock fibers during the extrusion. Thus subsequent flocking can be omitted. 
         [0035]    Preferably, in step b), a mounting portion and/or a sealing portion are generated. The mounting portion and/or the sealing portion are generated in particular by extrusion or injection molding. 
         [0036]    It is preferred that in step c), the decorating portion is provided with elevations in such a manner that each of the elevations has a first cusp and a height, and with depressions in such a manner that each of the depressions has a second cusp, wherein two adjacent elevations have a distance. 
         [0037]    Preferably, in step d), the decorating portion is provided with a finish coating containing in particular a structured finish or a sliding finish. The structured finish may contain particles. 
         [0038]    Preferably either 
         [0039]    I) the steps a) and b) or 
         [0040]    II) the steps a) and c) or 
         [0041]    III) the steps b) and c) or 
         [0042]    IV) the steps a), b) and c) 
         [0000]    are executed consecutively without any intermediate step, or in particular simultaneously. It is also preferred that step d) is executed without any intermediate step subsequently to, in particular simultaneously with, one of the alternatives I) to IV). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0043]    Embodiments of the invention will be explained hereinafter in reference to the attached figures. 
           [0044]      FIG. 1  is a lateral partial view of a motor vehicle. 
           [0045]      FIG. 2  is a cross section along the line I-I of a first embodiment of the profile section. 
           [0046]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the area A from  FIG. 2 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 4  is a cross section along the line II-II of a second embodiment of the profile section. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    According to  FIG. 1 , a motor vehicle  500  comprises a sealing section  10  which is arranged in the interior at the upper side of a door opening. The sealing section  10  covers the transition to the roof lining. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sealing section  10  according to the first embodiment comprises a mounting portion  20 , a sealing portion  30 , and a decorating portion  40 . 
         [0050]    The mounting portion  20  is made of TPE. The mounting portion  20  has a receiving portion  21  for receiving a protrusion of the motor vehicle  500 . The receiving portion  21  is bounded by a first leg  22 , a second leg  23  and a base portion  24 . The first and second legs  22 ,  23  are arranged at ends of the base portion  24  distant from one another and extend essentially parallel in the same direction. A first reinforcement  27  and a second reinforcement  28  are embedded in the mounting portion  20 . 
         [0051]    At the first leg  21  four outer fixing lips  25  are arranged which extend into the receiving portion  21  in direction towards the second leg  23 . At the second leg  23  two inner fixing lips  26  are arranged which extend into the receiving portion  21  in direction towards the first leg  21 . At the base portion  24  a decorating lip  29  is arranged, which extends from the base portion  24  in a direction away from the base portion  24 . 
         [0052]    The first reinforcement  27  is essentially U-shaped and embedded in the first leg  22 , the second leg  23 , and the base portion  24 . The second reinforcement  28  is embedded in the first leg  22  on the side facing the sealing portion  30 . 
         [0053]    When the receiving portion  21  receives a protrusion of the motor vehicle  500 , the outer and inner fixing lips  25 ,  26  are propped against the protrusion and prevent a removal of the sealing section  10 . The first reinforcement  27  additionally forces the inner and outer fixing lips  25 ,  26  against the protrusion so that a higher holding power is created. 
         [0054]    The sealing portion  30  is made of EPDM. The sealing portion  30  has a sealing surface  31  which is facing away from the mounting portion  20 . The sealing surface  31  comprises a flocking layer  32  made of flock. In addition, the flocking layer  32  is provided with a sliding finish layer  33 . The sealing portion  30  and a portion of the first leg  22  together define a cavity  34 . Three first protrusions  35 , which are arranged on one leg of the sealing portion  30 , project into the cavity  34 . A second protrusion  36  is located at an end of the leg which is facing towards the mounting portion  20 . The second protrusion  36  is larger and projects further into the cavity  34  than the first protrusions  35 . 
         [0055]    The decorating portion  40  is arranged at the mounting portion  20 . The decorating portion  40  has a visible surface  41 , which can be seen by a viewer when fitted. The visible surface  41  is provided with elevations  42  and depressions  43 . The decorating portion  40  is made from a fiber blend. The fiber blend has an elastomeric matrix of EPDM and flock fibers  50  made of polyamide embedded therein. The decorating portion  40  is provided with a finish layer  47 . The finish layer  47  contains a structured finish containing particles. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the elevations  42  have first cusps  44 , and the depressions  43  have second cusps  45 . For the sake of clarity, only the first and second cusps  44 ,  45 , which are essential for the explanation, are shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0057]    Two adjacent second cusps  45  are connected by a connecting line  46 . The examined elevation  42  has a height h. The height h is the orthogonal distance between the first cusp  44  of the examined elevation  42  and the connecting line  46 . The height h of the elevation  42  is between 100 μm and 500 μm. 
         [0058]    Two adjacent elevations  42  have a distance d from one another. The distance d is the shortest distance between the respective first cusps of the two adjacent elevations  42 . The distance d is between 500 μm and 1 mm. 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  further displays in a schematic manner one of the flock fibers  50 . The flock fiber  50  has a matrix portion  51 , an exposed portion  52 , and a fiber length L. The matrix portion  51  is embedded in the elastomeric matrix and has a first length L 1 . The exposed portion  52  protrudes from the elastomeric matrix and has a second length L 2 . The first length L 1  is greater than the second length L 2 . The second length L 2  is 15 μm. 
         [0060]    The sealing section  10  is produced by means of extrusion. To this end, first the first and second reinforcement  27 ,  29  are provided. In a single process, the mounting portion  20 , the sealing portion  30 , and the decorating portion  40  are coextruded around the first and second reinforcement  27 ,  29 . The mounting portion  20  is extruded of a TPE. The sealing portion  30  is extruded of EPDM. The decorating portion  40  is extruded of the fiber mixture that contains an elastomeric matrix of EPDM and flock fibers  50  made of polyamide embedded therein. The decorating portion  40  is provided with the finish coating  47 , which includes a structured finish. 
         [0061]    The motor vehicle  500  further comprises a sealing section  110  according to a second embodiment, which is shown in  FIG. 4 . The sealing section  110  is provided as a window slot sealing. 
         [0062]    The sealing section  110  comprises a mounting portion  120 , a sealing portion  130 , and a decorating portion  140 . 
         [0063]    The mounting portion  120  is made of EPDM. The mounting portion  120  has a receiving portion  121  for receiving a protrusion of the motor vehicle  500 . For the rest, the mounting portion  120  is identical to the mounting portion  120 . 
         [0064]    The sealing portion  130  is made of TPS. The sealing portion  130  has a sealing surface  131  which is facing away from the mounting portion  120 . The sealing surface  31  comprises a sliding finish layer  133 . For the rest, the sealing portion  130  is identical to the sealing portion  30 . 
         [0065]    The decorating portion  140  is arranged at the mounting portion  120 . The decorating portion  140  has a visible surface  141 . The visible surface  141  can be seen, like visible surface  41  of the first embodiment, by a viewer when fitted. The decorating portion  140  is made from a fiber blend. The fiber blend has an elastomeric matrix of TPV and flock fibers made of polyethylene embedded therein. The decorating portion  140  is provided with a finish layer  147 . The finish layer  147  contains a sliding finish. For the rest, the decorating portion  140  is identical to the decorating portion  40 . 
         [0066]    The sealing section  110  is produced by means of extrusion. To this end, first the first and second reinforcement  27 ,  29  are provided. In a single process, the mounting portion  120 , the sealing portion  130 , and the decorating portion  140  are coextruded around the first and second reinforcement  27 ,  29 . The mounting portion  120  is extruded of an EPDM. The sealing portion  130  is extruded of TPS. The decorating portion  140  is extruded of the fiber mixture that contains an elastomeric matrix of TPV and flock fibers made of polyethylene embedded therein. The decorating portion  140  is provided with the finish coating  147 , which contains a sliding finish. 
         [0067]    Through the sealing section according to the present invention, the visual appearance and the haptic properties of textiles, woven fabrics, or knitted fabrics can be emulated. The use of the fiber blend is much less expensive than a lamination of the profile section with textile materials. Compared to the previously existing textile-like decorating portions, in the sealing section according to the present invention, a distinct fabric texture can be emulated which is in addition relatively insensitive to mechanical stress such as abrasion. 
       REFERENCE LIST 
       [0068]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 sealing section 
               
               
                 20 
                 mounting portion 
               
               
                 21 
                 receiving portion 
               
               
                 22 
                 first leg 
               
               
                 23 
                 second leg 
               
               
                 24 
                 base portion 
               
               
                 25 
                 outer fixing lip 
               
               
                 26 
                 inner fixing lip 
               
               
                 27 
                 first reinforcement 
               
               
                 28 
                 second reinforcement 
               
               
                 29 
                 decorating lip 
               
               
                 30 
                 sealing portion 
               
               
                 31 
                 sealing surface 
               
               
                 32 
                 flocking layer 
               
               
                 33 
                 sliding finish layer 
               
               
                 34 
                 cavity 
               
               
                 35 
                 first protrusion 
               
               
                 36 
                 second protrusion 
               
               
                 40 
                 decorating portion 
               
               
                 41 
                 surface 
               
               
                 42 
                 elevation 
               
               
                 43 
                 depression 
               
               
                 44 
                 first cusp 
               
               
                 45 
                 second cusp 
               
               
                 46 
                 connecting line 
               
               
                 47 
                 finish coating 
               
               
                 50 
                 flock fiber 
               
               
                 51 
                 matrix portion 
               
               
                 52 
                 exposed portion 
               
               
                 110 
                 sealing section 
               
               
                 120 
                 mounting portion 
               
               
                 121 
                 receiving portion 
               
               
                 130 
                 sealing portion 
               
               
                 131 
                 sealing surface 
               
               
                 133 
                 sliding finish layer 
               
               
                 140 
                 decorating portion 
               
               
                 141 
                 surface 
               
               
                 147 
                 finish coating 
               
               
                 500 
                 motor vehicle 
               
               
                 h 
                 height 
               
               
                 d 
                 distance 
               
               
                 L  
                 fiber length 
               
               
                 L1 
                 first length 
               
               
                 L2 
                 second length