EP1057775B1 - Suspending device for a vehicle element at a conveyer means in an assembly line - Google Patents

Abstract

The coupling system consists of a support (12) with a coupling (16) for a carrier (10), and one or more slings (24, 25, 25') with flexible suspension elements and connectors for attaching them to a vehicle subassembly and the support. The support is fitted with a sling plate (13) which has at least two holders (32, 33) for the ends of the slings in first or second positions. Each sling has at least one connector (30, 31, 31') for attaching to the sling plate holders, allowing the vehicle sub-assembly to be slung beneath the support at a set distance from the sling plate surface.

Description

The invention relates to a device for hooking an element of a vehicle automobile to a handling means on an assembly line of motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a device for attaching the front group of a motor vehicle to the hoist of a lifting and handling means for its transport between an installation pre-assembly and installation installation in the vehicle body automobile. The closest state of the art is seen in FR-A-1,058,551.

We know assembly lines of motor vehicles on which are pre-assembled from a subset of components of the vehicle, for example of the front group of the vehicle, before mount the sub-assembly on the chassis or in the body of the motor vehicle.

The front group of a motor vehicle comprises the powertrain, a cradle arranged below the powertrain and two suspension arms intended to provide support to the ground of the front group and the body through the wheels of the vehicle.

The powertrain itself consists of the engine and the motor vehicle gearbox and carries transmission members motor torque to the wheels, which are connected to the motor in an articulated manner.

The cradle, the suspension arms and the motor are themselves connected between them in an articulated way.

On certain automobile production lines, we performs a prior assembly of the front group of the motor vehicle, before inserting it and fixing it in the body of the motor vehicle.

These pre-assembly operations of the front group as well as the assembly of the cradle are carried out on motorized and automated transport trolleys running on an auxiliary track adjacent to the main chain of mounting.

After the assembly of the cradle and the pre-assembly of the front group of a vehicle, the front group carried by the traveling trolley machine arrives at a point in the assembly line where the group front must be supported by lifting and handling means such as an overhead crane, to be transported and deposited on means allowing to introduce and mount the front group in the body of a vehicle automobile. These means which must ensure reception of the group before in a layout that perfectly matches the mounting layout of the front group in the body of the motor vehicle can be placed for example below the chain on which the boxes circulate vehicles, the front group then being introduced by lifting, by the under the body.

Other mounting methods are obviously possible.

In all cases, it is necessary to attach the group before by means of handling, so that its different components are perfectly maintained and in relative arrangements allowing their removal on the mounting means in the vehicle body automobile in correct position to allow introduction in the body and the assembly of the front group.

The front group is in fact made up, as indicated above, by elements articulated between them whose relative provisions are not fixed.

In particular, the engine transmission components are not rigidly fixed to the motor and care must be taken to ensure that these elements are removed on the mounting components of the front group in a layout perfect.

In addition, the cradle, which is not rigidly connected to the group powertrain and which consists of stamped elements or sheets painted and treated against corrosion, can undergo, during the transport of front group, shocks from the engine which moves relative to the cradle during the transport of the group before, if the attachment of the group before is not carried out in such a way as to prevent any possibility of shock. In if the engine hits the cradle, the cradle may be damaged, such as scratches, to the detriment of its aesthetic appearance and its resistance to corrosion.

It is therefore necessary to secure the group beforehand at the handling bridge, which is precise and reproducible.

A difficulty stems from the fact that on vehicle assembly lines automobiles, we very often assemble vehicles of the same type with different engines. Therefore on an assembly line of a motor vehicle, it may be necessary to insert and mount in the vehicle body of the groups before five or six or more different types, having dimensional characteristics and clean geometric. In this case, it is necessary to design a device for attaching the front group to the handling bridge which can be adapted to each group before mounting.

A hanging device has been proposed which comprises a mechanically welded support rigid mainly consisting of tubes comprising a hooking member of the hook of the hoist for lifting a handling means on an upper part and two curved arms directed downwards and each terminated by a support bowl with a support part of an arm suspension of the front group.

The powertrain, which has two attachment points arranged at the ends of the engine, on the side of the gearbox and on the side engine distributors, respectively, can be suspended to the support by slings each comprising an elongated flexible element of suspension connected by a first end to an engagement hook on an engine attachment element and, at a second end, to mechanical connection means to the upper part of the support which found in a substantially horizontal arrangement, when the device hooking is supported in the service position, by the hook of the means Handling. The flexible suspension elements of the slings are constituted by chains whose links have characteristics mechanical strength.

The attachment or slinging of the engine by means of slings must be designed in such a way that the engine is kept in a perfectly defined position in relation to the support on which the suspension arm support elements.

In particular, it is necessary to precisely adjust the arrangement in the vertical direction of the engine attachment points below of the upper part of the support. It is also necessary to provide different positions on the support, for securing the seconds upper ends of slings, depending on the positions of the points of attachment to the different types of motor which is assembled.

Adjustment of the lifting height of the slings according to the different types of motor is made using more or less number large of links of the suspension chain, so that the precision of this hanging height, which is a function of the length of a link of the chain, is generally not sufficient to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above.

In addition, changes in the position of the fastening means mechanical slings, in the horizontal plane of the upper part of the support, require machining operations, for example drilling plates. For each type of motor, it is actually necessary to make an adjustment of the lifting height by successive tests.

In the case of handling other components of motor vehicles, for example of vehicle bodies on an assembly line, we may also encounter certain difficulties in slinging elements of different types appearing on the assembly line.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a hanging device of an element of a motor vehicle to a handling means, on a assembly line of the motor vehicle, comprising a support having a attachment device for handling, at least one sling consisting of an elongated flexible suspension element and a hooking means of the motor vehicle element attached to a first end of the flexible suspension element and of the means of connection to the support, a second end of the suspension element, this device allowing to carry out the attachment of the element simply, quickly and very safely vehicle, in a perfect position, without risk of errors, in the case of an assembly line of motor vehicles of different types or of which certain elements are produced according to several types.

To this end, the device according to the invention comprises a slinging plate fixed on the support and comprising at least two support elements and holding the second end of the sling, in a first or in a second position, on a flat support surface of the plate sling placed horizontally in the service position of the device attachment connected to the handling means,

Preferably, the at least one sling comprises at least one means support intended to come to rest on one of the support and holding elements of the lifting plate, to ensure the attachment of the vehicle element at a vertical distance from the bearing surface of the defined sling plate by the position of the support means on the suspension element.

La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un groupe avant de véhicule automobile.

La figure 2A est une vue en perspective du dispositif d'accrochage.

La figure 2B est une vue en élévation frontale du dispositif d'accrochage suivant l'invention.

La figure 2C est une vue de dessus suivant C de la figure 2B.

La figure 3 est une vue en plan de la plaque d'élingage du dispositif d'accrochage représenté sur les figures2A, 2B et 2C.

La figure 4 est une vue en élévation d'une première élingue du dispositif suivant invention destinée à coopérer avec un point d'accrochage du côté distribution du moteur.

La figure 5 est une vue en élévation d'une seconde élingue du dispositif d'accrochage suivant l'invention utilisée pour l'accrochage du moteur du côté de la boíte de vitesses.

La figure 6 est une vue en perspective de la plaque d'élingage et de dispositifs d'appui et de maintien d'élingues du côté distribution du moteur.

La figure 7 est une vue en perspective de la plaque d'élingage et de dispositifs d'appui et de maintien d'élingues du côté de la boíte de vitesses.

La figure 8 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un dispositif d'appui et de maintien d'une élingue.

La figure 9 est une vue en élévation et en coupe partielle d'un moyen d'appui et de manutention d'une élingue d'un dispositif d'accrochage suivant une première variante.

La figure 10 est une vue en élévation et en coupe partielle d'un moyen d'appui et de manutention d'une élingue d'un dispositif d'accrochage suivant une seconde variante.

In order to clearly understand the invention, a description will now be given by way of example, with reference to the appended figures, a device according to the invention used for attaching a front group of a motor vehicle to a handling bridge. on a motor vehicle assembly line and two variants of the device's slinging means.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a front group of a motor vehicle.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the attachment device.

Figure 2B is a front elevational view of the attachment device according to the invention.

Figure 2C is a top view along C of Figure 2B.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the sling plate of the attachment device shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of a first sling of the device according to the invention intended to cooperate with a hooking point on the distribution side of the motor.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a second sling of the latching device according to the invention used for latching the engine on the side of the gearbox.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sling plate and sling support and holding devices on the distribution side of the engine.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the sling plate and support and sling holding devices on the side of the gearbox.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of a support device and holding a sling.

Figure 9 is an elevational view in partial section of a support and handling means of a sling of a fastening device according to a first variant.

Figure 10 is an elevational view in partial section of a support and handling means of a sling of a fastening device according to a second variant.

In Figure 1, we see a front group of a designated motor vehicle generally by the reference 1.

The front group 1 comprises the powertrain 2 of the vehicle automobile, the cradle 3 arranged below the powertrain 2 and two suspension arms 4a, 4b ensuring the transfer of loads to the ground, through the wheels of the motor vehicle.

The powertrain 2 comprises the actual engine and the gearbox 5 fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of the engine powertrain.

The second end 6 of the powertrain, opposite the gearbox 5, includes the engine distribution elements and will designated as the distribution side of the powertrain.

The powertrain 2 includes the transmission 7 which ensures wheel drive via articulated transmission elements on the engine. Two attachment points 9a and 9b are provided on the powertrain on the distribution side and the gearbox side, respectively.

The cradle 3 is produced in mechanically welded form and includes elements of high rigidity in pressed sheet metal which have been subjected to a treatment surface and which are coated with a layer of paint.

The suspension arms 4a and 4b comprise in addition to the suspension arm proper connected in an articulated manner to the cradle, a set shock absorber or shock absorber and spring 8 connected to a pivot and comprising support and mounting parts.

The front group of the motor vehicle as just described is pre-assembled in an area adjacent to the main assembly line of the motor vehicle. The mounting of the cradle and the pre-assembly of the front group are produced on a motorized trolley with automatic movement who comes to place himself successively at various positions on which one realizes the different operations required for mounting the cradle and pre-assembly from the front group.

On leaving the pre-assembly area, the front group carried by the motorized carriage reaches a final position close to the line of mounting.

As explained above, to perform the group transfer before, it is necessary to attach it to a handling means, in a position allowing to maintain perfectly the different front group components and avoid impact between the powertrain and the cradle, during the transport of the front group.

For this, a hanging device according to the invention is used which will be described below, in particular with reference to Figures 2A, 2B and 2C.

The hanging device, generally designated by the reference 11, includes a support 12, in the form of a mechanically welded structure mainly constituted by tubes on which are reported by welding of elements such as sheet metal plates.

The tubular structure of the support has an upper part 12a having the general shape of a rectangular frame with two angles rounded, on which is fixed a sling plate 13 which constitutes one characteristic elements of the device according to the invention and which will be described in detail later.

On one of the sides of the frame constituting the upper part 12a of the support are fixed two bearings or suspension ears 14a and 14b in which is mounted a horizontal axis 15. A suspension hook 16 constituted by a round bar folded in a shape comprising two parts hooking is engaged on the ends of the axis 15, so that the suspension element 16 having the two attachment parts either hinged mounted on the upper part 12a of the support 12.

The support 12 comprises, below its upper part 12a, two arms 17a and 17b secured to their lower part of support bowls respectively 18a and 18b.

Two safety plates 19a and 19b are fixed on the lateral sides of the upper part 12a of the support 12.

In addition, a support stand 20 is mounted articulated at its end. upper, via a hinge ring, on one of the sides of the upper part 12a of the support 12. At its opposite end, the stand 20 has a hooking means which can be engaged on the cradle of the front group, as will be explained later.

On the upper part 12a of the support 12, in a lateral arrangement, is fixed a support 21 for the stand 20 in its storage position. The sling plate 13 provides support for suspension slings motor such as 24, 25 and 25 ', the slings and the sling plate constituting characteristic elements of the invention which will be described in detail thereafter.

When the slings are not in use, they can be held in the storage position by tubular supports such as 22 or by magnets such as 23 carried by the side safety plates 19a and 19b.

The front group of the motor vehicle is intended to come to rest on the attachment device 11 by means of support parts of its suspension arm coming to rest on the bowls 18a and 18b at the lower end arms 17a and 17b, respectively.

The support elements of the front group are arranged respectively, in the vicinity of a first end of the powertrain where are placed the engine distribution members and in the vicinity of a second end of the powertrain including the gearbox 5. From this done, when the front group 1 is put in place on the hanging device 11, the support parts of the suspension arms coming to rest on the bowls 18a and 18b of the arms 17a and 17b of the support 12, the first end part powertrain including engine distribution components is located below a first end portion of the lifting plate and from the upper part 12a of the support adjacent to the arm 17a, this part located in the left part of Figure 2A and in the part on the right of Figures 2B and 2C.

The part of the powertrain including the gearbox 5 is located below the second end part of the lifting plate 13 and the upper part 12a of the support 12, in the vicinity of the arm 17b, this second part being located in the right part of FIG. 2A and in the left-hand parts of FIGS. 28 and 2C.

Maintaining the group before during transport using the device attachment 11 is ensured not only through the support bowls 18a and 18b of arms 17a and 17b of support 12 but also by suspending the powertrain under the lifting plate 13, by by means of slings connected to two attachment points 9a, 9b of the engine disposed respectively in the vicinity of its neighboring end portion distribution members and in the vicinity of the gearbox.

The engine suspension via its attachment points is carried out using a first sling such as 24 and a second sling such as 25 or 25 'respectively arranged at each of the end parts of the attachment device 11.

As seen in Figure 2A and Figures 4 and 5, each slings, for example 24 or 25, has a flexible elongated element respective 26 or 27 which may be constituted for example by a steel cable. Each of the slings has, at a first end of the element flexible elongated suspension, a hook intended to cooperate with a point corresponding attachment of the powertrain, the hook 28 fixed to the end of the cable 26 of the sling 24 having an S shape and the hook 29 attached to the end of the cable 27 of the sling 25 having a C shape. The hook 28 in the shape of an S is intended to cooperate with a hooking lug of the powertrain, on the distribution side of this powertrain, to ensure its hanging and suspension. The hook 29 in C is intended to cooperate with part of the powertrain neighboring the gearbox, to ensure the attachment and suspension of the engine side of the gearbox.

The cable 26 of the sling 24 and the cable 27 of the sling 25 carry studs 30 or 31 projecting radially from the respective cable, which are solidly fixed on the flexible element 26 or 27, each at a well-defined distance depending on the length of the flexible suspension element 26 or 27 of the hook 28 or 29.

As will be explained below, each of the studs 30 or 31 of the slings 24 and 25 may constitute a means for retaining the second end of the flexible sling suspension element on the sling plate 13.

The position of each of the pads 30 and 31 along the length of the cable 26 or 27, which is fixed extremely precisely, makes it possible to carry out hooking part of the powertrain to a height well defined below the lifting plate 13.

The sling 24 shown in Figure 4 which allows the attachment a powertrain on the distribution side of the engine and the sling 25 which allows the attachment of a powertrain on the side of the gearbox each have five studs 30 or 31 which allow to fix the powertrain mounting height on the distribution side and gearbox side with five values perfectly determined in as a function of the characteristics of the powertrains for which the mounting on the chain using the attachment device according to the invention.

Two slings 24 and 25 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 allow the attachment of at least five types of powertrain different, the ideal hanging heights can be identical or different for two different powertrains, on the side distribution and / or gearbox side. Each of the slings includes, at its end opposite hooks such as 28 or 29, a stop means mechanical consisting for example of a nut crimped on the cable.

It is possible to use, from at least one of the attachment sides, for example on the side of the gearbox, two slings 25 and 25 ', the studs 31 and 31' allowing the attachment of various types of powertrain being distributed on the slings 25 and 25 '.

In order to allow the operators responsible for preparing the device of attachment of the front groups on the production line, to identify very easily the studs which should be used for slinging a power train of a given type, a means of location is associated with each of the studs visual such as a particular color associated with a type of powertrain of a group before.

Preferably, the five studs fixed on the sling 24 or on the sling 25 have at least one colored mark or are painted to mark the studs which are associated with each type of motorization.

For each of the types of power unit for which the mounting on the production line, not only the slinging must be carried out at a specific height, on the distribution side and on the box side of speed, that is to say at a dimension in the vertical direction Z well determined, but also the pressing of the chosen stud on the sling to obtain the desired hanging height must be achieved on the sling plate 13, in an area vertical to the powertrain attachment point in the transport position, both on the distribution side and on the side of the gearbox.

For the different types of powertrain for which the mounting, the attachment points on the distribution side 32 and on the gearbox side 33 are generally not located in the same position in projection on the horizontal sling plate, and in the vertical direction.

It is therefore necessary to adjust not only the position of the hook of the sling in the vertical direction Z but still the position of the sling along axes perpendicular to each other X and Y of the horizontal plane of the sling plate 13.

As can be seen in FIG. 2C, in the case of the hanging device according to the example described which can be used for hanging front groups with five or six different engine types, on the sling plate 13, the distribution side of the group is provided powerplant, five sling support and blocking devices 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e in well-defined positions relative to the horizontal surface of the sling plate 13, these positions being identifiable in a system of horizontal XY axes.

Similarly, on the side of the powertrain gearbox, three support and locking devices for slings 33a, 33b and 33c are provided in well-defined positions in the XY axis system.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the steel sling plate 13 is laser machined very precisely, to make in this plate through openings with circular section and grooves joining the circular openings on the distribution side and on the gearbox side of the powertrain and grooves moving away from the slinging areas and constituting grooves for storing slings in position Wait.

On the side of the sling plate 13 corresponding to the end of distribution of the power unit, five circular openings 34a have been provided, 34b, 34c, 34d and 34e whose positions correspond to the positions of the devices support and blocking slings 32a to 32e shown on the Figure 2C.

The openings 34a to 34e are connected to each other and to a groove waiting 36 by a network of grooves allowing the movement of the slings as will be explained later.

Similarly, the openings 35a, 35b and 35c on the side of the sling plate corresponding to the gearbox side of the powertrain are connected to each other and to two through waiting grooves 37 and 37 ', by a network of through grooves allowing the movement of the slings from a standby position to a service position and vice versa.

In FIG. 6 and in FIG. 7, respectively, there is shown in perspective the sling support and blocking devices 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e and 33a, 33b, 33c on the distribution side and on the gearbox side, respectively.

In Figure 8, there is shown one of the support and holding devices 32 or 33, in section through a vertical plane.

Each of the support and blocking devices comprises a part support 38, a locking block 39 and a locking lever 40.

The annular support piece 38, which is housed in an opening circular through the sling plate 13, comprises, in its bore, a housing for receiving a stud 30 or 31 of a sling coming in the support position on the bottom of the housing of the part 38, when a sling is moved manually along a radial direction groove in the extension of an access slot of the support piece 38.

The support piece 38 is held against the upper face of the sling plate 13 by the locking block 39 which is fixed by screws on the sling plate 13 and which has a projecting part coming in engagement with counterbore of the support piece 38. The locking block 39 further comprises a face inclined relative to the horizontal downwards towards the support piece and a bore with an axis perpendicular to the plate sling 13 opening onto the inclined surface in which is housed and fixed an axis of rotation 42 of the locking lever 40 which has a inclined surface whose inclination is identical to the inclination of the surface of the locking block 39 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the plate 13.

The locking lever 40 is rotatably mounted on the engaged axis 42 and fixed by a pin in the locking block 39, in an arrangement vertical; axis 42 has a diametrically widened end portion inserted into a bore of a hollow cylindrical part of the locking lever 40 with interposition of a helical spring 43 exerting a force vertical downwards on the locking lever 40.

The locking lever 40 has a light 41 whose width is slightly larger than the cable diameter of a device sling hooking.

The spring 43 ensures the return of the locking lever 40 in a position such that the inclined surfaces of the locking lever 40 and the locking block 39 are superimposed. In this position, the light 41 of the locking lever 40 is arranged along the axis of the opening receiving 34 or 35 of the support piece 38 passing through the sling plate 13.

The locking lever 40 further comprises, at its opposite end at its cylindrical part mounted on the spring axis 42, 43, an index 40 ' allowing manual rotation of the lever 40, in one direction, so to clear the opening of the support piece 38. When the lever 40 is in its pivoted position, you can move a sling such as 25 or 26 to from a waiting position at the end of a groove to bring it, by through the waiting groove, in a groove common to several support and holding devices whose width greater than the width of the waiting grooves is slightly greater than the diameter of studs 30 and 31 slings.

The operator having manually moved the sling can move it inside the enlarged groove to present the stud 30 or 31 of the desired color above the lifting plate 13.

The support and holding devices 32, 33 comprise one or more markers whose color corresponds to the slinging positions of the different powertrains. The marks are generally worn under the shape of colored circular bands painted on the vertical cylindrical part levers for support and holding devices.

The operator chooses the support and holding device bearing a mark having the desired color then he introduces part of the sling cable located below the stud of the desired color in a groove joining the larger common groove in the bore of the support piece 38 of the support and holding device comprising the mark having the color desired. The housing for receiving the stud in the bore of the support piece 38 communicates with the junction groove, so that the stud can be introduced into the housing of the support piece 38 by displacement of the sling in the direction of the junction groove. The sling pad is then deposited on the bottom of the housing of the support piece 38. The operator realizes thus very quickly and very securely the installation of a sling in an XY position on the sling plate desired by the group type powertrain for which the attachment device is prepared, the height of the powertrain attachment being adjusted simultaneously with the desired value by placing the stud on the bottom of the housing of the support piece.

The operator then releases the lever 40 which had been removed from the part support 38 to allow the introduction of the sling in the support piece, so that the lever 40 returned by the spring 43 returns to the support position, through its inclined surface on the inclined surface of the block of locking 39. A pin 38a engaged in an opening of the part support 38 stops movement of the lever 40 in its position locking. In this position, the light 41 is engaged on the cable the sling, above the block 30 or 31, so that the sling can no longer leave the position assigned to it on the lifting plate.

The sling can also be installed without move the lever aside from the opening of the support piece.

To do this, the operator presses the sling against the inclined end of the lever 40 comprising the index 40 'and exerts a thrust on the lever which swivels to allow passage to the sling. When the sling has been inserted in the opening of the support piece 38, the spring 43 pushes the lever back closed position, automatically. To put the sling in place, only push the sling against the inclined end of the lever 40 which disappears to allow the sling to pass and then closes.

In Figure 6 there is shown a sling 24 on the distribution side of the powertrain engine, in service position at the device support and maintenance 32d. The stud 30 of the sling 24 which is in support on the bottom of the housing of the support piece 38 is retained by the lever lock 40 which prevents the stud 30 from coming out of the room housing support 38.

The slings can therefore be put in the service position so very fast and very safe and are then held in this position service, until the powertrain is hooked, without the sling can separate from the support device on which it has been placed on duty.

After hooking up the powertrain engine whose weight is exercised on the sling, the sling is held perfectly simple on its support surface.

The sling studs and the constituent parts of the support devices and holding elements are made of high hardness treated steel, so that the parts undergo, in service, low wear and that the precision of positioning of the slings is guaranteed. In addition, the supporting parts 38 can be easily replaced by removing the locking block 39 which is screwed onto the sling plate 13.

In the case of the embodiment which has just been described, the slings engine attachment and suspension have a flexible element consisting of a cable on which studs are crimped in arrangements allowing attachment and suspension of the powertrain to a well-defined vertical distance from the lifting plate.

The invention is not limited to the use of slings, the element of which flexible suspension consists of a cable.

As will be explained below, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the suspension and attachment slings may include an element flexible constituted for example by a chain or by a set of rods connected together end to end by means of joints. In each one cases, the support elements of the sling plate are adapted to the type of flexible suspension element used, in order to be able to hang it at a definite height.

In FIG. 9, part of a suspension element has been represented. flexible 44 of a sling of a fastening device according to the invention, in the case where the flexible suspension element is constituted by a chain. The chain carries, at its lower end (not shown in Figure 9), a hook of suitable shape, similar to one of the hooks 28 and 29 in the figures 4 and 5.

The second end of the flexible element, via which the flexible element 44 is connected to the sling plate 13 has been shown in figure 9.

The sling plate 13 is pierced with an opening 46 for the passage of the chain 44. On either side of the passage opening 46 of the chain 44, are fixed on the upper surface of the sling plate 13, guide means 47a, 47b and 47c of a latch 48 which provides the connection between the sling plate and the second end of the chain 44.

The latch 48 has a latch body 48a and an operating lug 48b. To ensure the support of the second end of the chain 44 on the upper surface of the sling plate 13, the body of latch 48a is inserted inside a link 45 of the chain 44 which comes resting on the upper surface of the latch body.

The attachment height of the flexible suspension element 44 of the sling is adjusted very precisely by choosing link 45 of the chain through which the attachment is carried out and possibly the dimension of this link. Very fine adjustment of the hanging height can be obtained by using a latch whose latch body 48a has a predetermined height and defined very precisely. To adjust from precisely the lifting height, all you need is a set of latches or wedges whose bodies have different heights.

The latch is operated by pulling or pushing on the latch via the operating lug 48b, the latch body being guided by the guide devices 47a, 47b and 47c. These devices guide and latch also block and hold the sling on the sling plate 13.

In FIG. 10, a part of a sling is shown, the element of which flexible suspension 50 is constituted by a set of rods 51 articulated in an extension of each other, each rods 51 comprising at a first end an assembly part male and at its second end a female assembly part, the assembly parts being traversed by transverse openings. During the assembly of two successive rods 51, the male part of a first rod is engaged in the female part of a second rod, so that the through openings of these assembly parts are aligned. An assembly pin 52 is introduced into the aligned openings.

A hook, which can have a shape similar to hook 28 or hook 29 shown in Figures 4 and 5 respectively, is attached to the end of the rod 51 placed at the bottom of the suspension element flexible 50.

To bring the flexible element 50 to bear on the plate sling 13 crossed by the passage opening 46 of the suspension element flexible 50, it is possible to fix, in well-defined arrangements, on at least part of the rod elements 51 of studs similar to studs 30 and 31 used to support slings, the flexible element of which consists of a cable, as described above. In this case, we plan on the sling plate 13 of the support and blocking devices which can be analogous to devices 32a to 32e or 33a to 33c which have been described above.

As shown in Figure 10, one can also provide, on the lateral surface of the rods 51 of the flexible suspension element 50, of the cavities 54 in which hooks 55 engaged on the surface are engaged upper of the plate 13 on either side of the passage opening 46 of the flexible element 50 of the sling. The hooks 55 cooperate with the cavities 54 of a rod 51 to provide support and blocking of the flexible element 50 of the sling, on the sling plate 13.

Hooks 55 can be pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the sling plate 13, on either side of the opening 46. For fix the attachment height of the sling comprising the flexible element of suspension 50 at a predetermined value, there are presented, opposite hooks 55, the cavities 54 of one of the rods 51 of the flexible element 50 then the hooks 55 are folded down to introduce them into the cavities 54, as shown in Figure 10.

To be able to adjust the hanging height to a desired value, depending on the types of group before which the assembly is carried out, the different sections 51 of the flexible element 50 constituted by articulated rods can have different lengths L1, L2 and L3, the cavities 54 being placed on these sections in desired arrangements to adjust very precisely the hanging height.

Of course, one can use elements cooperating with cavities 54 of the rods 51, for the support of the second end of the flexible element 50, different from hooks. Any support element or wedge removable inserted into the cavities 54 constituting the support means of the flexible element 50 can be used.

In the case of variant embodiments shown in the figures 9 and 10, the openings 46 passing through the sling plate 13 and allowing the passage of the flexible element 44 or 50 are arranged on the slinging plate, in well-defined and marked positions so that we can very fast and very secure hooking of slings in well-defined positions in the horizontal plane of the sling plate.

The different openings 46 can be interconnected by grooves through the sling plate which may also include storage grooves for slings.

The positions of the openings and the support means on the plate sling can be identified, for example by colors, such as in the case of the embodiment which has been described above with regard to Figures 6 to 8.

For example, in the case of the first variant embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the latch 48 and / or the guide devices 47a, 47b and 47c can be painted or bear color marks allowing identify the slinging position.

The links 45 of the chain 44 through which we carry out the hanging have color marks or are painted so we can achieve the desired hanging height at each point for hanging the slinging plate.

In the case of the second variant shown on the Figure 10, the hooks 55 and the areas of the rods 51 comprising the cavities 54 may have color markers or be painted that we can identify the hooking positions according to the different types of group before which one carries out the assembly.

We will now describe the operation of the hanging device according to the invention on a motor vehicle assembly line, on which we carry out the pre-assembly of the groups before vehicles and the introduction of these front groups in the vehicle body.

The operator (s) responsible for equipping the hanging device is at a work station on the assembly line, in the vicinity of the arrival area of a pre-assembly and preparation trolley from the front group. When a truck carrying a front group reaches the workstation, the operator performs a visual recognition of the type of motor and associate it with a color (which is assigned in a conventional manner to this type of engine).

An attachment device according to the invention in an empty state, that is to say without group before, is brought by a conveyor to the work station. The operator engages the hook of the hoist of a handling device at one of the hooking parts of the hook 16 of the device 11 according to the invention. The operator then performs the installation of a sling in the desired position, distribution side and gearbox side, as explained more top using color coding of sling positions and pads. The slings are supported and locked.

To save time on the preparation of the hanging device according to the invention, the operations are generally carried out by two operators located, for one, on the hooking side of the distribution end and, for the other, on the hooking side of the gearbox end of a powertrain.

Unused cables and hooks are put in storage position so as not to interfere with the operations of the attachment device. The device according to the invention is moved using the means of handling from the work station to the pre-assembly cart group before. We carry out the engagement of the support bowls under the parts of the transmission arms and the attachment of the sling hooks to the powertrain attachment points of the group before brought by the motorized trolley.

The reverse movement of the handling means of the work station to bring the front group fixed to the hanging device on the conveyor. We unhook the hook from the hoist of the handling device and we start the conveyor to bring the group before in its mounting position in the body of the motor vehicle.

During all its movements, the front group is maintained perfectly by the attachment device according to the invention which has been adjusted safely by the arrangement of slings according to the type of group front group powertrain.

When attaching the front group to the next attachment device the invention, the lower end for hooking the stand is engaged 20 on the cradle of the front group, so as to ensure positioning correct relative between the cradle and the support of the hanging device and a horizontal positioning of the sling plate and to avoid rocking forward, from the engine.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has been described.

This is how we can envisage other embodiments of the flexible elements of slings and supporting and locking elements of these flexible elements, so that we can realize very quickly and very securely placing slings on the sling plate.

We can also consider other applications of the attachment device according to the invention.

For example, the attachment device according to the invention can be used to lift motor vehicle bodies on a line vehicle assembly.

Indeed, on the current assembly lines of motor vehicles, the boxes are fixed by means of hanging points arranged inside the boxes and slings. Flexible hooking elements such as sling cables, depending on the position of the attachment points, can pass along internal parts of the body, such as amounts or windows of the motor vehicle. The elements flexible hangers can damage these uprights or bays during the transport of the case.

On the same assembly line, it is possible to assemble different variants of the same motor vehicle or even of different types of motor vehicles, so that the cable route slings between the hooking point inside the box and the point attachment to a handling element is likely to vary; of this made, for certain types of vehicles at least, on an assembly line, there is a risk of damage to internal parts of the body during lifting and handling.

The use of a hanging device according to the invention allows avoid these risks of damage by adapting the position of the points support of the slings on the sling plate, to the type of motor vehicle and at the position of the body attachment points.

By providing support points more or less distant from the part central hanging device, you can adjust the cable fixing angle, so that these cables cannot come into rubbing contact with an inner part of the body.

Generally, the hooking points of motor vehicle bodies of different types are found at different levels depending on the body height.

By using a hanging device according to the invention, it is possible to also adjust the hanging height of the different points of the body, depending on the type of vehicle being assembled, to secure the attachment under satisfactory conditions.

The invention applies to the handling of any element or sub-assembly components of a motor vehicle on an assembly line.

Claims (16)

1. Device for suspending an element (1) of an .automotive vehicle on a handling means, on a vehicle assembly line, said device comprising a support (12) which has a member (16) for suspending on the handling means (10, 10'), at least one sling (24, 25, 25') made up of an elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27, 44, 50) and a means for suspending (28, 29) the vehicle element (1) fixed to a first end of the flexible suspension element (26, 27, 44, 50) and means for linking to the support (12) a second end of the suspension element (26, 27, 44, 50), characterised in that it includes a sling plate (13) which is fixed on the support (12) and comprises at least two support and holding elements (32a, ..., 32e, 33a, 33b, 33c, 48, 55) of the second end of the sling (24, 25) in a first or in at least one second position, on a support surface of the sling plate (13) which is placed horizontally in the service position of the suspending device (11) connected to the handling means (10), and in that the at least one sling (24, 25, 25') includes at least two support means (30, 31, 45, 54) in two areas spaced apart along the length of the elongated flexible element (26, 27, 44, 50), said support means being intended to come to rest on one or other of the support and holding elements (32a, ..., 32e, 33a, 33b, 33c, 48, 55) of the sling plate (13) to ensure the suspension of the vehicle element (1) at a vertical distance from the support surface of the sling plate (13) defined by the position of the selected support means (30, 31, 45, 54) on the suspension element (26, 27, 44, 50) of the sling (24, 25, 25').
2. Suspending device according to claim 1, characterised in that the support means (30, 31) of the sling (24, 25, 25') are pins fixed on the elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27) of the sling (24, 25, 25') so as to project radially relative to the external surface of the elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27), in an area of the elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27) which is located at a set distance from the first end of the elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27) and in that each of the support and holding elements (32a, ..., 32e, 33a, 33b, 33c) of the sling plate (13) includes a support element (38) for the pin (30, 31) of the sling (24, 25) which has an annular shape and a central bore for the elongated flexible element (26, 27) of the sling (24, 25, 25') to pass through, said bore being disposed along an opening crossing the sling plate (13).
3. Suspending device according to claim 2, characterised in that each of the support and holding elements (32a, 32e, 33a, 33c) of the second end of the sling (24, 25) includes in addition a holding means (39, 40) which comprises a mobile retention element (40) capable of coming into a locking position above the pin (30, 31) resting on the support element (38).
4. Suspending device according to claim 3, characterised in that the mobile element (40) of the locking means of the pin (30, 31) is mounted to rotate about an axis which is perpendicular to the sling plate (13) on a unit (39) which is immovably attached to the sling plate (13) and includes a slot (41) for engaging the elongated flexible element (26, 27) of the sling (24, 25) and in that it is returned by a spring (43) into a position above the pin (30, 31) of the sling (24, 25) in which the slot (41) of the mobile element (40) engages around the elongated flexible element above the pin (30, 31).
5. Device according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the bore of the support element (38) communicates, through at least one groove which crosses the sling plate (13), with at least one groove (36, 37, 37') for storing a sling (24, 25, 25') in an inactive position, such that it is possible to displace, by sliding along the grooves, the at least one sling (24, 25) between its storage position and an active position on the support element (38).
6. Suspending device according to claim 5, characterised in that the at last one storage groove (36, 37, 37') of at least one sling (24, 25) communicates by means of grooves with at least two bores of two support elements (38) of the sling plate (13).
7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the elongated flexible element is one of the following elements: cable (26, 27), elongated flexible element made up of rods (51) assembled end to end in an articulated manner.
8. Suspending device according to claim 1, characterised in that the elongated flexible element of the sling is made up of a chain (44) and in that each of the support elements of the sling plate (13) is made up of a latch (48) resting on the upper surface of the sling plate (13) above an opening (46) for the chain (44) crossing the sling plate (13) to pass through, said latch being guided and retained by guiding means (47a, 47b, 47c) on the upper surface of the sling plate (13) to be engaged in a link (45) of the chain (44).
9. Suspending device according to claim 8, characterised in that the latch (48) has, in a direction perpendicular to the sling plate (13), a height which is set so as to control the suspending height of the sling comprising the chain (44) by resting the link (45) on the latch (48).
10. Suspending device according to claim 1, characterised in that the elongated flexible suspension element of the sling includes a set of rods (51) assembled wend to end in an articulated manner, in that each of the support elements of the sling plate (13) is made up of an element (55) such as a hook mounted on the upper surface of the plate (13) so as to be able to be placed in a position of engagement inside at least one cavity (54) provided in the lateral surface of at least one of the rods (51) of the elongated flexible element (50), the at least one cavity (54) constituting the means for supporting the sling on the sling plate (13).
11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that each of the support elements (32a, ..., 32e, 33a, 33b, 33c, 48, 55) of the sling plate (13) and the support means (30, 31, 45, 54) of the at least one sling (24, 25, 25') include a means of visual identification, each corresponding to a suspending position for at least one vehicle element of a particular type.
12. Suspending device according to claim 11, characterised in that the visual identification element is a colour associated with a particular type of vehicle element.
13. Suspending device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the sling plate (13) comprises a plurality of support and holding elements (32a, ..., 32e, 33a, 33b, 33c, 48, 55) in a plurality of different positions on the support surface of the sling plate (13) and at least two slings (24, 25, 25') each including a plurality of support means (30, 31, 45, 54) distributed along the length of the elongated flexible element of the slings.
14. Suspending device according to claim 13, characterised in that each of the support and holding elements of the sling plate (13) and each of the support means of each of the slings includes an element for visual identification, such as a distinguishing mark in a colour attributed to a vehicle element of a particular type.
15. Suspending device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in the case of a vehicle element (1) constituting a sub-assembly of vehicle components, such as a front assembly (1) comprising the power unit (2), the engine mounting (3) and two suspension arms (4a, 4b) of the automotive vehicle, characterised in that it also includes at least one support means (18a, 18b) for at least one vehicle component, such as the suspension arms (4a, 4b), said support being immovably attached to the support (12) of the suspending device, and two slings (24, 25), the suspending elements (28, 29) of which are intended to cooperate with two points for suspending one of the components of the automotive vehicle, for example the motor unit (2) of the front assembly (1).
16. Suspending device according to claim 15, in the case of the handling of a front assembly (1) of an automotive vehicle, characterised in that one of the points for suspending the front assembly by a suspending means of one of the slings (24, 25) is disposed in the vicinity of one end of the engine on the distribution side and in that a second point (9b) for suspending the power unit (2) is disposed at a second end of the power unit, in the vicinity of the gearbox (5).

Images