EP1825090B1 - Prop for the tailgate or front hood of motor vehicle bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a prop for maintaining a tailgate or front hood (14; 214) of a motor vehicle body in a defined open position. Said prop comprises a fastening element (24; 124; 224; 324) for removably fixing the prop on a first body part, e.g. the tailgate or front hood (14; 214). The prop can be interlocked with a second body part (18, 34; 216) under the effect of a spring.

Description

The invention relates to a stand for holding open a rear or front flap of a motor vehicle body in a defined open position, in particular during a surface treatment of the motor vehicle body, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a stand is from the US Pat. No. 4,070,050 known.

In the production of motor vehicles, a body shell is first manufactured from individual components. This is then applied in a surface treatment plant in different ways, e.g. by applying paints and other coatings. In general, the body shell is immersed in immersion baths and possibly rotated therein and / or moved translationally.

During the dipping process, the rear and front flaps of the bodyshells should be slightly opened so that all parts of the flaps and their suspension can be treated uniformly. Such an open position of the flaps is also low, so that paints and other liquids from the body shell can flow more easily.

Moving body shells with open rear and front flaps in a dipping bath, so caused by the movement dam pressures can cause the flaps close again or open too wide. In order to prevent this, stands are used, which fix the slightly open flaps in the immersion baths and often during processing in other processing stations of the surface treatment plant in a defined open position. Usually the stands are dismantled before the start or during the final assembly.

Known stands for rear and front flaps consist essentially of a rigid, possibly angled rod, which carries at its ends in each case a fastening element. The rod is shaped so that the one fastener on the rear or front door and the opposite fastener can be screwed to a fixed body part. The flaps and the fixed body part, on which the flap in question rests in the closed position, have for this purpose holes, which can be used for the screw connection.

A disadvantage of the known erectors that their assembly and disassembly of the body shell is relatively laborious. A (dis) assembly may be required relatively frequently, since often for the different processing steps, such as dip painting and Decklakkierung, different stands have to be used. Each time the stands are replaced, assembly and disassembly are required. In addition, occasionally manual rework on the inside of the rear or front door is required. This must then be opened wide, including the stand removed and later reassembled.

With each assembly, the stand must be aligned with the body shell and bolted to it manually; when disassembling a loosening the screw is generally also possible only manually because of the limited space.

For setting up doors of bodyshell door release have become known through use, which consist essentially of an L-shaped angle with a short leg and a long leg. The free end of the short leg carries a fixing piece, via which the door positioner can be screwed to the inside of the side door or otherwise detachably fastened. At the other end of the short leg is connected via a leaf spring with the long leg, which extends in the assembled state in the interior of the body shell.

On the long leg, a retaining notch is arranged laterally, which engages in the open position of the side door in a fold of the vertical door spar. At the free end of the long leg an actuating part is arranged, with which the long leg against the resistance of the leaf spring in a horizontal plane can be swung out by a few degrees from its rest position. By pivoting the long leg, the retaining notch can be brought into engagement with the fold of the door spar to fix the side door in the open position. By re-pressing the operating part, this fixation can be solved again, so that the side door can be closed or fully opened.

From the DE 20 2004 005 393 U1 For example, a door opener is known, which has an overall U-shaped construction with two mutually deflectable legs, wherein the actuating part and the fixing piece are arranged at the free ends of the legs.

In addition, there are still rigid door displays, such as those in the DE 198 11 789 and the DE 202 10 136 U1 are described.

From the above US Pat. No. 4,070,050 is a stand for keeping open a rear or front flap ein.Kraftfahrzeugkorosserie known which has a designed as a coil spring elastic portion which is designed to compensate for occurring during opening of the rear or front flap pivoting of the corresponding closing parts and allows latching under spring action.

The object of the invention is to provide a stand for a rear or front door, with which the rear or front flap can be easily fixed in the defined open position and released from it again. In particular, large deflection movements between the locking element and the fastener can be avoided, as they can occur especially in stands with elastic sections.

This object is achieved by a stand with the features of claim 1.

A latching action under spring action is within the meaning of the invention if parts of the erector that engage the first and second body parts can be deflected relative to each other in order to overcome a restoring force.

The latchability of the erector under spring action makes it possible to fix the rear or front flap in the defined open position without additional tools and with a few simple steps and later release it again.

In principle, a latching can be carried out on both body parts, so that no screw connections o. Ä. Are required. However, since relatively large forces can act in the immersion baths, it will generally be more favorable to fasten the fastening element rigidly, for example by means of a screw connection, to the first body part. In this way, the stand can not solve in the treatment plant from the body shell.

If the latching of the erector is released, the fastening element remains attached to the first body part. If the first body part is, for example, the rear or front flap, then it can be opened further together with the stand or else transferred to an approximately closed position. in principle But it is also possible to provide the locking connection on the rear or front door.

A significant advantage of the latchable under spring action with the second body part erector is that the rear or front flap can now be transferred with the help of a robot arm in the defined open position and released from it again. For this purpose, only a suitable operating part for locking and unlocking is provided on the stand. The actuating part must be designed so that an operation by the robot arm is possible. Often, such robotic arms have a conically shaped actuating piece. The actuating part of the erector may then be annular, for example. The conical actuating piece of the robot arm then centers itself in the ring, so that an operation is possible even if the position of the stand relative to the robot arm is only approximately known.

It is best if the operating part is arranged such that it is in the mounted state of the erector that part of the erector, which projects furthest from the interior of the vehicle body to the outside. Preferably, the actuating member is in the assembled state of the erector even outside of the vehicle body.

By this measure it is ensured that the robot arm does not have to reach far or even at all into the vehicle body. This is advantageous because traces of paint or other particles that have settled on the robot arm can not fall into the vehicle body in this way when the robot arm reaches into it. In this way, damage to the surface caused by falling traces of paint and particles, which can make costly reworking necessary.

Since very diverse body types are used in modern motor vehicle engineering, it will generally depend on the individual case at which points of the motor vehicle body the positioner attacks. As already mentioned, it will usually be the cheapest when the fastener is attached to the rear or front door. In the second body part, with which the stand locked by spring action, it may then, for example, be a non-moving part of the vehicle body, on which the rear or front flap rests in the closed position. But there are also other body parts, for example, running in the longitudinal direction hollow profiles, for locking the erector into consideration.

The locking requires a specially shaped locking element which is connected via a connecting element with the fastening element. Such

Locking element can be formed for example by at least one formed on the connecting element angling. Such a bend can then intervene, for example, in a recess, a bore or in a hollow profile of the vehicle body latching.

In order to produce the spring effect, the connecting element may be made wholly or partly of an elastic material. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting element may include a spring element, for example in the form of a leaf spring.

For keeping open tailgates, it has proven to be beneficial if the connecting element of the erector has substantially the shape of a U-shaped bracket with two legs. The fastening element and the latching element are arranged at the ends of the two legs. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous if the points at which the stand attacks on the body parts, not too far apart. In this embodiment, it has also proven to be favorable when the actuating part and the spring element between the two legs are arranged, as in this way on the one hand good accessibility is ensured and on the other hand, the spring effect can develop optimally.

To limit deflection movements between the locking element relative to the fastening element is according to the invention a stop provided. When providing a leaf spring, the stop, for example, limit their movement immediately. A stop prevents the robot arm works only against the spring action in its actuation movement, but without converting the rear or front flap in the desired closed position. The associated large deflection movements between the locking element and the fastening element increase the bending stress of the spring element or the elastic connecting element and can lead to fatigue fractures in the longer term. However, a limitation of the deflection movement has also proven to be advantageous because it reduces the risk of unintentional release of the catch.

When holding open front door occasionally larger distances are to be overcome, since for better mountability of the engine an upper cross-member structure is mounted only at the final assembly. Therefore, it is often necessary to attach the stand to longitudinal members of the body shell.

Because of the larger distances, it may be advantageous if the connecting element to the latching element and an additional connecting piece to the actuating part goes off from the spring element. In this way, the operating member can be arranged so that it projects far enough from the interior of the vehicle body to the outside and thus can be well operated by the robot arm.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines in eine Rohkarosserie montierten Heckklappenaufstellers gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht eines Heckklappenaufstellers gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in nicht maßstäblicher Darstellung;

Figur 3

einen Längsschnitt des in der Figur 2 gezeigten Heckklappenaufstellers;

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht auf den in den Figuren 2 und 3 gezeigten Heckklappenaufsteller;

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines in eine Rohkarosserie montierten Frontklappenaufstellers gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Figur 6

eine Seitenansicht eines Frontklappenaufstellers gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung in nicht maßstäblicher Darstellung;

Figur 7

eine Vorderansicht des in der Figur 6 gezeigten Frontklappenaufstellers;

Figur 8

eine Draufsicht auf den in den Figuren 6 und 7 gezeigten Frontklappenaufsteller.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a mounted in a body shell tailgate upright according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2

a side view of a tailgate upright according to a second embodiment of the invention in not to scale;

FIG. 3

a longitudinal section of the in the FIG. 2 shown tailgate stand;

FIG. 4

a plan view of the in the Figures 2 and 3 Tailgate display shown;

FIG. 5

a perspective view of a mounted in a body shell front flap upright according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6

a side view of a front flap upright according to a second embodiment of the invention in not to scale;

FIG. 7

a front view of the in the FIG. 6 shown front flap stand;

FIG. 8

a plan view of the in the FIGS. 6 and 7 shown front flap stand.

The FIG. 1 shows in a perspective view of a generally designated 10 tailgate displays and parts of a body shell 12. In the FIG. 1 a tailgate 14 of the body shell 12 and sections of body parts can be seen, which define a trunk 16. In detail, these body parts are a transverse structure 18, on which the tailgate 14 rests in the closed state, and a side plate 20. When closing the tailgate 14 pivots downward, as shown in the FIG. 1 is indicated by an arrow 22.

The tailgate stand 10 has the task to fix the tailgate 14 in a defined open position. The tailgate stand 10 has for this purpose a fastening element 24, which is designed in the illustrated embodiment as a rectangular plate having two holes. The holes in the fastener 24 are arranged so that they are aligned with proper alignment with two corresponding holes in the tailgate 14. In this way, the fastener 24 by means of two screws 26 a, 26 b fixed, but releasably connected to the tailgate 14.

The configuration of the fastening element 24 depends in detail on the shape of the tailgate 14. Often holes are anyway provided there, for example, to secure parts of a lock for the tailgate 14 can. However, it is also possible to provide an area on the tailgate 14, which is specially adapted to a fixed predetermined fastening element 24. In the latter case, it is possible to use one and the same tailgate display 10 for a variety of different shaped body shells.

The fastener 24 is in the illustrated embodiment as well as the other, yet to be explained in more detail parts of the tailgate stand 10 made of stainless steel. In this way, it is ensured that the tailgate display 10 does not corrode over many use cycles despite the high thermal and chemical stresses that usually affect the tailgate stand 10 in surface treatment plants. The use of durable, non-corrosive materials is important because otherwise rust, e.g. after a wet-chemical cleaning may occur or other particles can be detached from the tailgate display and fall down on the sensitive surfaces of the body shells.

The fastening element 24 is connected by a generally designated 28 connecting element with a locking bracket 30, which is angled at a rod-shaped, at the end Section 32 of the connecting element 28 is welded. The locking bracket 30 is formed so that it can lock with the trunk 16 delimiting body parts, which will be explained in more detail below. In the in the FIG. 1 shown embodiment, these body parts are two tabs 34 which are welded to the inside of the trunk 16, but of which in the FIG. 1 only the forward facing tab is recognizable. The tabs 34 may be provided, for example, for fastening parts of a lock for the tailgate 14.

In the connecting element 28 has a total of 36 designated spring element is integrated. The spring element 36 has a leaf spring 38 which is clamped at its opposite ends in first clamping plates 40 and second clamping plates 42. The dam plates 40, 42 are welded to an upper portion 43 and a lower portion 45 of the connecting member 28.

The leaf spring 38 is in this embodiment, the only elastic element of the tailgate stand 10. This creates between the first clamping plates 40 and two limiting plates 44 which are welded to the second clamping plates 42, a kind of hinge joint. In this way, the leading to the fastening element 24 section 43 of the connecting element 28 relative to the latching bracket 30 leading portions 45, 32 of the connecting element 28 against overcoming the the leaf spring 38 spring force to be deflected. The maximum deflection angle is determined by the two boundary plates 44.

Between the latching bracket 30 leading portions 32, 45 of the connecting element 28 is still an actuating part 46 is integrated, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a ring.

The tailgate display 10 described above functions as follows:

After assembly of the body shell 12 and before the start of the surface treatment in a surface treatment plant of the tailgate display 10 is screwed by means of the fastener 24 and the screws 26 a, 26 b with the tailgate 14. The FIG. 1 shows the tailgate display 10 in this state. In order to convert the tailgate 14 into the defined open position required for the surface treatment system, a conical actuating piece of a robot arm moves into the actuating part 46. Since the conical actuating piece in the annular actuating part 46 is self-centering, no high demands are placed on the positional accuracy.

The robot arm now directs the lower sections 45, 32 of the connecting element 28 leading to the latching clip 30 with respect to the section leading to the fastening element 24 43 in the direction indicated by an arrow 48 so far out that the locking bracket 30 can be guided past the tabs 34 and suspended under the tabs 34. The restoring force generated by the leaf spring 38 leads to a latching of the latching clip 30 with the tabs 34. In the latched state, the latching clip 30 is clamped under the tabs 34 under the action of the spring force generated by the leaf spring 38. The effect of the spring force caused by frictional forces that the locking bracket can not easily solve the tabs 34. To release the locking connection, the lower portions 45, 32 of the connecting element 28 must be deflected again.

With sufficient rigidity of the leaf spring 38, this locking is so strong that even the relatively large forces acting, for example, during a dip painting between the tailgate 14 and the rest of the body shell 12, can not lead to a release of the locking connection. In this way, the tailgate 14 remains reliably fixed in the defined open position.

In principle, however, a latching could also be achieved in that the latching clip 30 abuts in the latched state of body parts largely free of force. Only to release a spring force would be overcome. Such a relative loose attachment is considered, for example, when the locking bracket 30 in openings or similar. the body parts can be hung, which is a relative ensure rigid connection of the locking bracket 30 with the body parts. If the total U-shaped locking bracket 30, for example, the other way around welded to the section 32, so that the ends of the legs facing upwards, so they can intervene with appropriate design of the locking clip 30 in the openings 47 which are formed in the tabs 34.

If the fixation of the tailgate 14 is temporarily or permanently released again, a robot arm with its conical operating piece again engages the actuating part 46 and deflects the latching clip 30 again in the direction indicated by the arrow 48. The latching clip 30 can now be guided past the tabs 34, whereby the latching connection is released. The tailgate 14 can now be pivoted freely in its suspension again.

Of course, it is possible to operate the tailgate display 10 not only with a robot arm, but also manually.

By the above-described construction of the tailgate stand 10 ensures that the actuating member 46 is disposed outside of the actual body shell 12. In this way, the actuating member 46 is on the one hand very accessible to a robot arm. On the other hand, this prevents falling falling from the robot arm particles on the body shell can and lead to damage to the surface. This is particularly important when the robot arm is located in areas that are subject to increased contamination, for example by paint particles.

The FIGS. 2 to 4 show in a side view, a longitudinal section and a plan view of a tailgate display according to a second embodiment in not to scale and partially not graphically correct representation. Identical or corresponding parts are designated by reference numerals increased by 100.

The tailgate stand 110 differs from that in the FIG. 1 shown tailgate display 10 only by a few minor details. Thus, the fastening element 124 instead of one of the holes on a slot 150, as shown in the FIG. 3 is recognizable. Furthermore, from the fastening element 124 is a hook 152, which also serves the attachment to the tailgate. Such additional hook 152 may be due to the particular geometry of the tailgate. Instead of a bow-shaped locking element, the tailgate stand 110 also has a simple latching hook 130 which can be hung under a correspondingly shaped part of the body.

The FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a generally designated 210 front flap display. The front flap stand 210 has indeed because of the different shape of the motor vehicle bodies on its front side a slightly different shape than that in the FIG. 1 However, the basic principle is the same, which is why the same or corresponding parts of the front flap stand 210 are referred to with respect to the tailgate display 10 by 200 increased reference numerals and therefore partially not be discussed again in detail.

From a fastening element 224 is directly from a spring element 236 from which is the same as the spring element 36 of the tailgate stand 10 is formed. Within a plane defined by a leaf spring 238 of the spring element 236, but obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring 238, extends a connecting element 228, which carries a bend 230 at the end.

From the spring element 236 also goes from an angle 254, which defines a plane which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the leaf spring 238 plane. An annular actuating part 246 is welded to an end of the bracket 254 opposite the spring element 236.

To stiffen the construction, a transverse strut 256 extends between the angle 254 and the connecting element 228, and a diagonal strut 258 is arranged between the spring element 236 and the actuating part 246.

By the construction described above, the operating member 246 is disposed in front of the plane formed by the leaf spring 238, the connecting member 228, the cross member 256, and the longer portion of the bracket 254.

The function of the front flap upright 210 is explained below:

After assembly of the body shell and before the start of the surface treatment of the front flap 210 is mounted by means of the fastener 224 on the inside of the front flap 214 in a manner not shown releasably and rigidly. For this purpose, for example, a screw can be provided.

In order to fix the front flap 214 in a defined open position with respect to the other body parts and in particular the fenders 220, a robot arm with a conical actuating piece engages in the annular actuating part 246. Since the actuating member 246 is located outside of the body parts, there is no risk that the robot arm can detach particles and fall onto the body parts.

The robot arm now deflects the parts of the front flap upright 210 arranged below the spring element 236 so far forward that the bend 230 is formed into a longitudinal beam 260 of the body shell designed as a hollow profile can be hung. The restoring force exerted by the leaf spring 238 causes the bend 230 in the side member 260 to remain locked after removal of the robot arm.

If, in the meantime or at the end of the surface treatment, the locking of the front flap 214 are released again, the robot arm moves again with its actuating piece into the actuating part 246, pivots the movable part of the front flap stand 210 forward and thus releases the locking of the bend 230 in the side member 260th

Of course, it is also possible here to operate the front flap stand 210 not with a robot arm, but manually.

The FIGS. 6 to 8 show a generally designated 310 front flap display according to another embodiment in a side view, a front view and a plan view. Parts used in the FIG. 5 shown front flap stand 210 in the same or similar manner have correspondences are denoted by increased by another 100 reference numerals.

The front flap stand 310 differs from the front flap stand 210 essentially only in that the actuating part 346 is arranged rotated by 90 °. Furthermore, (especially in the FIG. 8 ) in which Fastener 324 more details, namely in particular two holes 360, recognizable.

Claims (16)

1. Holding-up device for keeping open a boot lid or bonnet lid (14; 214) of a motor vehicle body in a defined open position, particularly during a surface treatment of the motor vehicle body, said device having a fastening element (24; 124; 224; 324) for detachably fastening the holding-up device to a first part (14; 214) of the body, wherein
   the holding-up device can be latched to a second part (18, 34; 216) of the body under spring action, and wherein
   the holding-up device has a latching element (30; 130; 230; 330) for latching to the second part (18, 34; 216) of the body, which latching element is connected to the fastening element (24; 124; 224; 324) via a connecting element (28; 128; 228; 328),
   characterised by
   a stop (44; 144; 344) for limiting deflecting movements between the latching element (30; 130; 230; 330) relative to the fastening element (24; 124; 224; 324) .
2. Holding-up device according to claim 1, characterised in that the first part of the body is the boot lid or bonnet lid (14; 214).
3. Holding-up device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second part of the body is a non-movable part (18, 34; 216) of the motor vehicle body.
4. Holding-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fastening element (24; 124; 224; 324) can be screwed to the first part of the body.
5. Holding-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching element is formed by at least one angled portion (30; 130; 230; 330) which is formed onto the connecting element (28; 128; 228; 328).
6. Holding-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for the purpose of generating the spring action, the connecting element is manufactured from an elastic material.
7. Holding-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting element (28; 128; 228; 328) contains a spring element (36; 136; 236; 336).
8. Holding-up device according to claim 7, characterised in that the spring element (36; 136; 236; 336) has a leaf spring (38; 138; 238; 338).
9. Holding-up device according to claim 8, characterised in that the stop (44; 144; 344) limits deflecting movements of the leaf spring.
10. Holding-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holding-up device has an actuating part (46; 146; 246; 346) for the latching and unlatching operations.
11. Holding-up device according to claim 10, characterised in that the actuating part (46; 146; 246; 346) is ring-shaped.
12. Holding-up device according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the actuating part (46; 146; 246; 346) is arranged in such a way that, when the holding-up device is in the fitted condition, it is that part of said holding-up device which protrudes outwards furthest from the interior of the motor vehicle body.
13. Holding-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting element (28; 128) essentially has the shape of a U-shaped bow with two legs (43; 32), and that the fastening element (24; 124) and the latching element (30; 130) are arranged at the ends of the two legs (43; 32).
14. Holding-up device according to claim 13 and claim 7 or 8 and one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the actuating part (46; 146) and the spring element (36; 136) are arranged between the two legs (43, 32).
15. Holding-up device according to claim 7 or 8 and one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that, from the spring element (236; 336), the connecting element (228; 328) departs to the latching element (230; 330) and a connecting piece (258, 254; 358, 354) departs to the actuating part (246; 346).
16. Holding-up device according to claim 15, characterised in that the actuating part (246; 346) is arranged outside a plane which is defined by the latching element (230; 330) and an axis of swivelling determined by the spring element (236; 336).

Images