Hollow body, process for manufacturing it and use thereof in a vehicle

A process to manufacture a hollow body including a thermoplastic wall and a fibrous reinforcement welded on at least one portion of a surface of the hollow body, the fibrous reinforcement including a thermoplastic similar to or compatible with that of the wall of the hollow body, having a thickness of at least 1 mm and including from 30 to 60% in weight of fibers, the process comprising:

• using a movable grid upon which the fibrous reinforcement is put, the movable grid being inserted between two infrared radiation (IR) heaters fixed on a chassis or between an IR module placed on top of the reinforcement/grid and a reflective surface underneath the reinforcement/grid to heat the fibrous reinforcement;
• heating a portion of the surface of the hollow body where the fibrous reinforcement will be welded;
• heating the fibrous reinforcement to soften or melt the thermoplastic of the fibrous reinforcement;
• and
• moving the reinforcement and applying the reinforcement to the portion of the surface of the hollow body,
• wherein the applying the reinforcement to the portion of the surface of the hollow body comprises:
• applying an initial pressure on at least one portion of the fibrous reinforcement;
• and
• applying pressure for a final welding using a robotized pressure applying device.

A process to manufacture a hollow body including a thermoplastic wall and a fibrous reinforcement welded on at least one portion of a surface of the hollow body, the fibrous reinforcement including a thermoplastic similar to or compatible with that of the wall of the hollow body, having a thickness of at least 1 mm and including from 30 to 60% in weight of fibers, the process comprising:

• using a heater and a mask or metal plate cooled down with a water circuit, which is placed between the heater and the hollow body, and which has an opening with a shape and size similar to those of the fibrous reinforcement to heat the fibrous reinforcement;
• heating a portion of the surface of the hollow body where the fibrous reinforcement will be welded;
• heating the fibrous reinforcement to soften or melt the thermoplastic of the fibrous reinforcement;
• and
• moving the reinforcement and applying the reinforcement to the portion of the surface of the hollow body,
• wherein the applying the reinforcement to the portion of the surface of the hollow body comprises:
• applying an initial pressure on at least one portion of the fibrous reinforcement;
• and
• applying pressure for a final welding using a robotized pressure applying device.

A process to manufacture a hollow body including a thermoplastic wall and a fibrous reinforcement welded on at least one portion of a surface of the hollow body, the fibrous reinforcement including a thermoplastic similar to or compatible with that of the wall of the hollow body, having a thickness of at least 1 mm and including from 30 to 60% in weight of fibers, the process comprising:

• heating a portion of the surface of the hollow body where the fibrous reinforcement will be welded;
• heating the fibrous reinforcement to soften or melt the thermoplastic of the fibrous reinforcement;
• and
• gripping and moving the reinforcement using suction cups and applying the reinforcement to the portion of the surface of the hollow body,
• wherein the suction cups and a robotized pressure applying device are located on a same robot hand,
• wherein the applying the reinforcement to the portion of the surface of the hollow body further comprises:
• applying an initial pressure on at least one portion of the fibrous reinforcement;
• pivoting the robot hand from a gripping position to a pressure applying position;
• and
• applying pressure for a final welding using the robotized pressure applying device,
• wherein the suction cups are located on one side of the robot hand mounted on a robot arm and the robotized pressure applying device is located on an other side of the robot hand.