EP3848542A1 - Plastic resource for the production of vehicles and method for producing a motor vehicle using such a plastic resource - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic operating means (1, 1 ') for vehicle production in a production line, with a stop part (6, 6') which has a fastening section (8) for reversibly detachable fastening to a movable vehicle part (2) or a body shell (4) and is set up to hold the movable vehicle part (2) in position relative to the body shell (4) on which the movable vehicle part is arranged. It is proposed that the plastic operating means (1, 1 ') have an adjusting part (10, 10') which can be locked in various positions relative to the stop part (6, 6 '), each position of the adjusting part (10, 10') being relative to the stop part (6, 6 ') (i) defines a certain position of the movable vehicle part (2) relative to the body shell (4) and / or (ii) a certain holding force of the movable vehicle part (2) in its position to the body shell (4) .

Description

The invention relates to a plastic operating means for vehicle production in a production line, with a stop part which has a fastening section for reversibly releasable fastening to a movable vehicle part and is set up to relocate the movable vehicle part relative to the body shell on which the movable vehicle part is arranged, to hold in position. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle in a production line using one or more plastic operating means for holding a movable vehicle relative to the body shell.

During the manufacture of a vehicle along a production line, the body-in-white gradually goes through various production steps, such as a painting process or the production of a large number of vehicle parts on the body-in-white. With the help of the known plastic equipment, moving vehicle parts, such as the vehicle door or the engine compartment or trunk lid, which are movably hinged to the body shell, are held in a position relative to the body shell in which direct contact between the surfaces of the body shell and the vehicle part is avoided.

The known plastic operating means thus serve as a kind of spacer, at least as long as the lock parts of the door and hood locks have not yet been installed. The known plastic operating means have a stop part which has a Has fastening section for reversibly releasable fastening to a movable vehicle part of the body shell or the body shell itself. The stop part also holds the movable vehicle part in a specific position relative to the body shell on which the movable vehicle part is arranged. During production in the production line, the moving vehicle part or parts must be positioned in different positions relative to the body-in-white. In addition, the plastic operating means can also be used to generate a holding force between the movable vehicle part and the body shell. The holding force generated can be overcome by applying a certain release force, which means that the moving vehicle parts can be moved to the body shell.

In some applications, the holding force between the movable vehicle part and the body shell is selected to be so large that an unwanted movement of the vehicle part relative to the body shell is counteracted. In particular, the vehicle part or parts can be fixed relative to the body shell by means of the plastic operating means, which is necessary, for example, when going through the cathodic dip painting. During the painting process, the body-in-white is often rotated around its longitudinal axis, with a movement then. the vehicle parts to the body shell should be avoided.

In the prior art, steel equipment is known that can be mounted between the moving vehicle parts and the body shell. However, these steel resources are unfavorable from an overall economic perspective. On the one hand, a dedicated equipment has to be specially designed for each body shape, on the other hand, when steel equipment is used, it is necessary to reuse it because a single use would not be able to be represented in terms of costs due to the cost of materials. To do this, however, the steel equipment must be reconditioned after its respective use, for example stripped / cleaned. In addition to additional material costs, additional personnel are also required.

Against the background of the disadvantages of steel operating materials, plastic operating materials that can be disposed of after a single use and which are the subject of the invention have become increasingly popular. In the case of these plastic operating means, however, a separate plastic operating means is used in each case for each position that the movable vehicle part assumes in relation to the body shell or for each specific holding force to be overcome. Thus, when passing through the production line, the body-in-white has the plastic operating materials required for the corresponding production steps to be exchanged several times. On the one hand, this means a high level of development effort, since the right plastic operating material has to be produced for every production step along the production line. On the other hand, changing the plastic equipment at the corresponding plastic equipment change points is always associated with a correspondingly time-consuming and logistical effort.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a plastic operating medium for vehicle production in a production line, or a method for producing a motor vehicle in a production line, with which vehicle production is possible in a simplified manner with reduced labor and costs at the same time.

The invention solves the problem on which it is based in a plastic operating means of the aforementioned type with the features of the subject matter of claim 1. In particular, the plastic operating means according to the invention has a stop part that can be locked in various positions relative to the stop part, each position of the setting part relative to the stop part ( i) defines a certain position of the movable vehicle part relative to the body shell and / or (ii) a certain holding force of the movable vehicle part in its position in relation to the body shell.

The present invention pursues the approach that in vehicle manufacture along a production line, instead of a large number of different plastic operating materials, a single plastic operating material is now used. The adjustment part, which is adjustable relative to the stop part, can be adapted in such a way that the movable vehicle part can be held in various positions relative to the body shell by means of the adjustment part. Alternatively or optionally, the adjustment part has the effect that the movable vehicle part is held in at least one position relative to the body shell with holding forces of different magnitudes. According to the invention, different positions of the movable vehicle part in relation to the body shell are understood to mean that the movable vehicle part is held in different angular positions in relation to the body shell by means of the plastic operating means according to the invention. Different holding forces acting between the movable vehicle part and the bodyshell are understood to mean that disengagement forces of different magnitudes are necessary to move the movable vehicle part out of one or more angular positions relative to the bodyshell. In the present case, a movable vehicle part is to be understood as meaning, inter alia, a vehicle door, an engine compartment hood or also a trunk lid.

In one embodiment, the fastening section on the plastic operating means according to the invention is designed for reversibly releasable fastening on the movable vehicle part. If the movable vehicle part is moved relative to the body-in-white, the plastic operating medium accordingly also moves together with the vehicle part. In another embodiment of the invention, the fastening section is designed for reversibly releasable fastening to the body shell. In this embodiment, the plastic operating means is thus firmly mounted on the body shell. When the vehicle part is moved, it is then moved to the body shell and the plastic equipment attached to it.

According to a preferred development of the plastic operating means according to the invention, a guide section for the adjustment part is arranged on the stop part, on which the adjustment part can be fixed in the various locking positions relative to the stop part by means of a plurality of spaced apart latches. With the aid of the guide section on the stop part, the adjustment part is guided to the stop part along a predetermined path of movement. The guide section is preferably designed as a sliding guide for the adjustment part. The adjustment part itself preferably performs a translational movement in the guide section. In addition, several latches are provided on the guide section which are arranged at intervals from one another and in which the setting part can be fixedly fixed in each case. The latches on the guide section of the stop part are designed in such a way that the setting part does not move out of a preset locking position.

In a further preferred embodiment, the adjustment part is fastened to the guide section on the stop part alternatively or additionally by means of a separate fixing element. A locking pin, for example, which interacts with material areas of the adjustment part and of the guide section, can serve as the fixing element.

The guide section preferably has one or more guide surfaces which run parallel to a stop area on the stop part. This has the effect that with the adjustment of the setting part within the guide section, the setting part can be moved in the direction of or away from the stop area on the stop part. When the adjustment part is moved in the direction of the stop area, the adjustment part is moved into the effective area of a stop surface on the stop part, for example to generate a certain position of the movable vehicle part relative to the body shell and / or a certain holding force of the movable vehicle part in its position in relation to the body shell.

The guide section preferably has a closed rectangular contour with four guide surfaces. Guide surfaces arranged adjacent to one another preferably run perpendicular to one another. In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide section has the shape or contour of a rectangular profile.

In a preferred development of the invention it is provided that the guide section for the adjustment part and the fastening section are arranged at opposite ends of the stop part. This has the effect that, in a basic position on the stop part, the movable vehicle part has a sufficiently large distance from the body shell, so that direct contact between the surfaces of the body shell and the vehicle part can be avoided.

In an operating state, the setting part is preferably locked in a (first) locking position relative to the stop part in such a way that the movable vehicle part is held in its holding position without a holding force on the body shell. In this operating state of the plastic operating means, the movable vehicle part is only held in a predetermined position, in particular an angular position, relative to the body shell. In the present locking position of the adjustment part, the adjustment part does not protrude into the stop area of the stop part and thus not into the movement area of the body part moved relative to the plastic operating means. The movable vehicle part can therefore be moved manually or automatically from its position in relation to the body shell without any significant expenditure of force. The adjustment part is locked in a first, retracted position in accordance with the above statements and in order to implement the function described.

According to a preferred development of the plastic operating means according to the invention, the setting part is locked in an operating state in at least one (preferably further) locking position relative to the stop part in such a way that the movable vehicle part is held in its holding position with a holding force to the body shell of> 30N (Newtons). The adjustment part thus protrudes into the range of motion of the body part to be moved against the stop surface on the stop part. In order to be able to move the movable vehicle part relative to the body shell, a release force on the movable vehicle part is necessary which is greater than the holding force generated by the adjustment part. Preferably, several locking positions are implemented on the plastic operating means according to the invention, in which the movable vehicle part is held relative to the body shell by means of the adjustment part. Are preferred the locking positions of the setting part on the stop part are selected in such a way that the holding forces in the various locking positions are of different magnitude. The holding force in a locking position is preferably in the range from 20 to 50 N, for example around 30 N.

In a further locking position of the setting part, the holding force is preferably in a range of more than 30 N, more preferably more than 80 N, particularly preferably 100 N or more. The last-mentioned positions can then be used to lock the movable vehicle part in position regardless of the position of the tubular body. The further the adjustment part protrudes into the range of motion of the body part interacting with the stop surface on the stop part, the greater the holding force generated by the plastic operating means according to the invention and acting on the movable vehicle part.

It is preferably provided that the setting part is locked in an operating state in a (further) locking position relative to the stop part in such a way that the movable vehicle part is fixed in at least one predetermined position relative to the body shell. In this operating state of the plastic operating means according to the invention, the setting part is moved completely in front of the stop area on the stop part and thus into the movement area of the body part cooperating with the stop area or its stop surface. The movable vehicle part can no longer be moved out of its position relative to the body shell. This ensures that the movable vehicle part is securely fixed to the body shell when the body shell moved along the production line is rotated about its longitudinal axis, for example in connection with a painting process to be carried out by the body shell.

To fix the movable vehicle part relative to the body shell, a section of the body or of the movable vehicle part is preferably fixed between the stop surface or the stop area on the stop part and the adjustment part that can be adjusted for this purpose. In this operating state, the adjustment part is displaced relative to the stop part in such a way that the received body part can no longer be moved out of a holding section formed between the stop surface and the adjustment part.

A further development of the plastic operating means according to the invention provides that the adjustment part is set up to be able to operate on the guide section in at least two orientations based on the stop part to be included. The guide section on the stop part and the guided section of the setting part are designed to be compatible in such a way that the setting part can be inserted in two different orientations on the guide section and moved along the guide section. In order to change its alignment with the guide section, the adjustment part is preferably rotated by 180 ° about its longitudinal axis, the adjustment part having at least one axis of symmetry running coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment part.

According to a preferred development, the adjustment part has a cam protruding into a stop area of the stop part, which cam has an irregularly shaped contour in the direction of movement of a body part to be guided along it, preferably with a sliding bevel in the closing direction of the vehicle part. To implement the holding force in one or more locking positions of the setting part relative to the stop part, the setting part has a cam. The cam is arranged at an end facing the stop area of the stop part and projects in the direction of the stop area with which the body part is in contact when the movable vehicle part is moved and is moved over the cam. With the help of the cam formed on the adjustment part, the holding force for holding the body part corresponding to the stop part is defined.

In the direction of movement of the body part to be guided along it, the cam preferably has a sliding slope for the body part guided past in the closing direction of the movable vehicle part. Moving the movable vehicle part via the cam into the specific holding position in relation to the stop area of the stop part is simplified with the sliding bevel. With the help of the sliding slope, there is a gradual deflection along the cam to be driven over. Preferably, on its contour facing away from the sliding surface, the cam has a holding surface opposite the stop surface. The body part to be held is received between the stop surface on the stop part and the holding surface on the adjustment part.

According to a preferred embodiment of the plastic operating means according to the invention, at least one latching element receptacle is arranged on the guide section to form a (individual) latching between the guide section and the adjustment part, with which a latching element arranged on the adjustment part can be brought into a retaining operative connection. A form-fit connection is preferably produced between the latching element receptacle on the guide section and the latching element on the adjustment part. This ensures that the setting part is firmly locked relative to the guide section achieved. Each latching element receptacle is designed as a material recess on the surface of the guide section facing the adjustment part, into which the latching element arranged on the adjustment part then engages correspondingly, in particular positively, when a respective locking position is reached. The locking element receptacle on the guide section is preferably designed as a cylindrical recess and the locking element on the setting part is designed as a cylindrical material projection. The latching element receptacles and the latching element can each have any shape that corresponds to one another, for example polygonal shapes.

According to a further development of the plastic operating means according to the invention, the latching element is arranged on the setting part on a resilient release part which can be actuated by hand. With the aid of the release part resiliently arranged on the adjustment part, the form fit between the latching element on the adjustment part and a respective latching element receptacle on the guide section of the stop part can be easily canceled. In addition, due to its resilient design, the release part is set up to automatically move back into a basic position. The latching element on the release part thus automatically comes into contact with a respective latching element receptacle on the guide section.

According to a preferred embodiment of the plastic operating means according to the invention, corresponding latching element receptacles or latching elements are formed on opposite or remote sides on the guide section and on the setting part, whereby a form-fit connection is formed between the guide section and the setting part in two mutually independent areas. The adjustment part preferably has two resiliently arranged release parts, on each of which a latching element is formed. Each of the release parts can be operated by hand, so that the locking position of the setting part on the stop part can be changed easily and therefore without great effort.

Preferably, a holding structure protruding in the direction of the body shell or the vehicle part with at least one holder for receiving a body part is additionally arranged on the adjustment part. The additional holding structure arranged on the adjustment part serves to form at least one further holding position for the immovable fixing of the vehicle part relative to the body shell. The movable vehicle part is preferably fixed by means of the holding structure in an angular position to the body shell which has a larger opening angle compared to the operating state in which the body part to be fixed is of the body shell or movable vehicle part rests against the stop area or its stop surface and is also fixed by means of the adjustment part. The holding structure is preferably arranged on the side of the adjustment part which faces away from the stop region on the stop part. This results in a significantly enlarged adjustment range for the movable vehicle part that is fixed in various holding positions relative to the body shell.

In a further aspect of the invention, which is at the same time a further development of the plastic operating means according to the invention according to the embodiments described above and an independent aspect of the invention for a plastic operating means of the type specified at the beginning, the fastening section has a latching and / or clamping means for reversibly releasable fastening on the movable vehicle part or the body shell. With the aid of a latching and / or clamping means, the stop part can be mounted or fastened in a simplified manner either to the movable vehicle part or to the body shell. After running through the entire production process on the production line, the plastic equipment can also be dismantled from the vehicle part or the body shell. The latching and / or clamping means preferably has at least one receptacle for a corresponding frame section, in particular a fold, on the vehicle part or body shell and a hook part interacting with the receptacle, preferably for engaging in a recess on the frame section of the vehicle part or body shell. The receptacle on the latching and / or clamping means is preferably designed as a notch in which the frame section, in particular a fold, is received. A hook part interacts with the receptacle on the fastening section via, in particular, an elastically deformable connecting web which is arranged opposite the receptacle on the fastening section. The receptacle and the hook part preferably have material projections which extend in opposite directions. Accordingly, a section of the frame part is held between the receptacle and the hook part after the fastening section has been mounted on the corresponding body part. The hook part preferably has a handle for adjusting the hook part and thus for releasing the fastening section on the frame section. When the handle is actuated, the hook part is disengaged in particular from a recess on the vehicle part or the body shell.

According to a further development according to the invention, the latching and / or clamping means has a distance adjustment unit for adapting to frame sections of vehicle parts of different series, preferably for adapting the distance between relatively movable force transmission surfaces on the fastening section. With the help of The distance adjustment unit allows the fastening section to be individually adapted to frame parts of different sizes in vehicles. The plastic operating means according to the invention can be reversibly attached to a corresponding frame section of a movable vehicle part or the body shell with the necessary holding force. In addition, the accuracy of fit of the fastening section of the plastic operating means on the vehicle part or the body shell is improved. With the aid of the distance adjustment unit, force transmission surfaces on the hook part and the receptacle on the fastening section of the plastic operating means are preferably adjusted, between which a corresponding frame section is held. For the reversible release of the latching and / or clamping means on the frame section, the distance between the force transmission surfaces on the hook part and the receptacle is preferably increased again.

According to a further embodiment of the plastic operating means according to the invention, the latching and / or clamping means alternatively or additionally has two or more different deep receptacles on the fastening section for frame sections of vehicle parts of different series, which are preferably arranged adjacent to one another and run parallel to one another. With the help of the differently deep receptacles on the fastening section it is achieved that the plastic operating means according to the invention can be used universally on different series of vehicles from one manufacturer. It is therefore not necessary to develop different types of plastic equipment for each series of a vehicle manufacturer that are used to lock moving vehicle parts to the body shell. The receptacles are preferably designed as material depressions and are arranged directly adjacent to one another, in which a fold of a frame part of, for example, a vehicle door or a spar of the body shell can be received. Furthermore, the two receptacles are arranged on the fastening section in such a way that both correspond to the hook part also provided on the fastening section. In one embodiment of the invention, the receptacles on the fastening section extend essentially transversely to the direction of extent of the stop part. The plastic operating means according to the invention that can be mounted and dismantled on the vehicle part or the body shell thus protrudes approximately perpendicularly therefrom.

The distance adjustment unit preferably has an inclined guide running at an angle to the force transmission surfaces with a guide element and a sliding part adjustably received on the guide element. The geometry of the fastening section is adjusted by means of the inclined guide, in which opposite end sections are moved relative to one another. Depending on the distance A corresponding holding force is generated in these end sections by means of the force transmission surfaces on the frame section. In addition, the inclined alignment of the guide causes self-locking within the guide. The distance between the hook part and the receptacle is preferably adjusted by means of the guide by moving the sliding part in the guide direction. As a result of the inclined alignment of the guide part for the receptacle on the fastening section, when the sliding part is displaced, the hook part with its force-transmitting surface either approaches the receptacle or moves it away from the receptacle.

The receptacle and the guide element for the sliding part arranged on the fastening section preferably run parallel to one another. In a view perpendicular to the insertion direction of the receptacle, the base of the receptacle and the guide surfaces on the guide preferably extend at an angle in the range between 10 and 30 degrees, particularly preferably approximately 20 degrees, to one another. Within the predetermined angular range, when the sliding part is moved within the guide element, a sufficiently large adjustment range is created for adapting the distance between the hook part and the receptacle. In addition, sufficiently large adhesive forces act in this angular range between the guide surfaces of the guide element and the sliding part for a preferred self-locking of the latching and / or clamping means on the corresponding frame section.

The guide element and the sliding part preferably have toothings that correspond to one another, which are set up so that the sliding part and the guide element can be displaced in steps relative to one another. This mechanism is generally known (but only on one side there) from cable ties, for example. In particular, an unintentional increase in the distance between the receptacle and the hook part is prevented by means of the toothing. In the present embodiment, the sliding part is connected to the hook part and the guide element is fastened to the fastening section with its receptacle for the frame section to be inserted therein.

In one embodiment of the plastic operating means according to the invention, provision is preferably made for a run-up section extending in the opposite direction to the fastening section with a preferably convexly curved run-up surface to be arranged on the stop part, preferably on the guide section. With the help of the run-up section it is effected that the plastic operating means according to the invention during its movement relative to the body part corresponding therewith over a Section of the movement of the parts is guided towards each other. This ensures that the body part to be brought into contact with the stop part actually comes into contact with the stop part or the adjustment part adjustably received on the stop part. This further improves the process reliability in particular in the area of an automated production section in which the mechanical opening and closing of the moving vehicle parts is carried out. The run-up section is provided adjacent to the stop area or the stop surface on the plastic operating means. The run-up section is preferably arranged at the end of the stop part opposite to the fastening section, the run-up section with its preferably convexly curved run-up surface also extending further away from the fastening section.

According to a preferred development, the plastic operating means is made from a plastic material with temperature-resistant properties, in particular from a thermoplastic, preferably selected from the group: polyamide, polyetheretherketone, polyphthalamide and polyphenylene sulfide. With the design of the plastic operating means made of plastic, in contrast to plastic operating means made of metal, such as steel or the like, a significantly lower manufacturing cost is possible. With the use of thermoplastics to design the plastic equipment, a preferred temperature resistance is achieved, so that the plastic equipment can withstand the downstream drying process, in which temperatures of around 200 ° Celsius occur, without any problems after having passed through a painting system.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle in a production line using one or more plastic operating means for holding a movable vehicle part to the body shell with the following steps: Providing at least one tubular body of a vehicle with one or more to the body shell movable vehicle parts and at least one plastic operating means interacting with the body shell and the vehicle part; Moving the body shell along a portion of the production line; Adjusting the plastic equipment so that (i) the position of the movable vehicle part is changed or fixed to the body shell, and / or (ii) the holding force for holding the movable vehicle part in its holding position relative to the body shell is adjusted, and moving the body shell with the Vehicle part changed in its position or the holding force to the body shell along a subsequent section of the production line. The invention is based on the knowledge that with the aid of the plastic operating medium according to the invention, the number of intermediate steps occurring between the actual manufacture of the vehicle can be reduced. With the aid of the single plastic resource, different tasks can now be performed in the manufacture or the implementation of the manufacturing steps on the vehicle. To adapt the task of the plastic equipment, it can be easily adjusted. The complex replacement of a plastic operating medium with another plastic operating medium, by means of which the movable vehicle part is then held in a different angular position to the body shell or with a certain holding force to the body shell, can thus be omitted. One or more persons entrusted with the production of the vehicle only have to adjust or adapt the plastic equipment accordingly in order to prepare the body shell with the movable vehicle parts mounted on it for a subsequent production step, for example a painting process. A setting part is preferably moved or actuated on the plastic operating means according to the invention, with which the movable vehicle part is held or fixed in different positions relative to the body shell and / or the holding force with which the movable vehicle part is now held in a corresponding holding position relative to the body shell is adjusted or is changed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method steps described above are carried out using a plastic operating medium according to one of the preferred embodiments described above. Advantageous refinements or developments of the method according to the invention thus result from the preferred embodiments or refinements described for the plastic operating means according to the invention.

The invention therefore also relates to the use of a plastic operating medium according to one of the above particularly preferred embodiments for manufacturing a motor vehicle in a production line.

Fig. 1 - 2:

Ansichten eines an einem beweglichen Fahrzeugteil montierten erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoff-Betriebsmittels

Fig. 3:

Eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines Anschlagteiles eines erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoff-Betriebsmittel;

Fig. 4:

Eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Einstellteiles des erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoff-Betriebsmittels, dass mit dem in Fig. 3 gezeigten Anschlagteil zusammen wirkt;

Fig. 5:

Eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Anschlagteiles eines erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoff-Betriebsmittels;

Fig. 6:

Eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Einstellteiles eines erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoff-Betriebsmittels, dass mit dem in Fig. 5 gezeigten Anschlagteil zusammen wirkt;

Fig. 7 - 8:

Ansichten des am beweglichen Fahrzeugteil montierten erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoff-Betriebsmittels in verschiedenen Betriebszuständen, und

Fig. 9 - 11:

Ansichten einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoff-Betriebsmittels.

The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Here show:

Fig. 1 - 2:

Views of a plastic operating means according to the invention mounted on a movable vehicle part

Fig. 3:

A perspective view of a first embodiment of a stop part of a plastic operating means according to the invention;

Fig. 4:

A perspective view of an adjusting part of the plastic operating means according to the invention that with the in Fig. 3 shown stop part acts together;

Fig. 5:

A perspective view of a further embodiment of a stop part of a plastic operating means according to the invention;

Fig. 6:

A perspective view of a further embodiment of an adjusting part of a plastic operating means according to the invention that with the in Fig. 5 shown stop part acts together;

Fig. 7 - 8:

Views of the plastic operating means according to the invention mounted on the movable vehicle part in various operating states, and

Fig. 9-11:

Views of a further embodiment of a plastic operating means according to the invention.

The Figs. 1 and 2 show a plastic operating means 1 according to the present invention. Which, in the embodiment shown, is arranged on a movable vehicle part 2, in the present case a vehicle door. The vehicle part 2 is arranged to be movable relative to a body shell 4 of a vehicle to be manufactured. The plastic operating means 1 has a stop part 6 which is set up to hold the movable vehicle part relative to the body shell 4 in a specific position. The stop part 6 comprises a fastening section 8 with which the plastic operating means 1 in the embodiment shown can be fastened reversibly and detachably to the movable vehicle part 2 and, if necessary, also dismantled from it.

The plastic operating means 1 further comprises an adjustment part 10 which can be moved relative to the stop part 2 and can be locked in various positions relative to the stop part 2. That in the Figs. 1 and 2 The setting part 10 shown is received in the lowermost locking position on the stop part 6, so that the setting part does not protrude into the stop area 12 or the stop surface 12 'on the stop part and thus does not interact with them.

How Fig. 1 further shows, a run-up section 14 is additionally arranged on the stop part 6 of the plastic operating means 1. With the run-up section 14, when the vehicle part 2 is brought into the specific position in relation to the body shell 4, the plastic operating medium 1 slides off the vehicle part 2 or body shell 4 along the body part that can be brought into contact therewith and with the stop area 12 provided for this purpose on the stop part 6 Plant is brought. In the embodiment shown, the ramp section 14 comprises a convexly curved ramp surface 14 '.

How out Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the fastening section 8 on the stop part 6 can be seen to have a latching or clamping means 16 by means of which the stop part 6 can be fastened to a corresponding body part of vehicle part 2 or body shell 4. In the embodiment shown, the stop part 6 is mounted on the movable vehicle part 2. The latching or clamping means 16 comprises a receptacle 18 for a corresponding frame section 20, in particular a fold, on the vehicle part 2. In addition, the latching and / or clamping means 16 comprises a hook part 22 which engages in a recess 21 on the vehicle part 2. With the aid of the receptacle 18 and the hook part 22 of the latching and / or clamping means 16, a force and / or positive connection with the frame section 20 on the vehicle part 2 is produced in the present case.

The receptacle 18 and the hook part 22 are connected to one another via an elastically deformable connecting web 24. In addition, the hook part 22 is mechanically coupled to a handle 26 which is set up for releasing or disengaging the hook part 22 from the recess 21. By actuating the handle 26, the holding force generated via the connecting web and the hook part is canceled, whereby the connection with the vehicle part can be released. The connection of the fastening section 8 to the frame section 20 of the vehicle part 2 can be established and also released again as often as desired.

How out Fig. 3 it can be seen that the latching and / or clamping means 16 has two receptacles 18, 18 ′ which are arranged parallel to one another and offset, which in the present case are of different depths and are designed to accommodate frame sections of vehicle parts of different series. Furthermore, a guide section 28 is provided on the stop part 6 for the setting part 10 which can be locked in various locking positions relative to the stop part.

The guide section 28 is arranged at the opposite end of the stop part 6 in relation to the fastening section 8. According to the present According to the invention, the setting part 10 can be locked in various positions within the guide section 28 and thus relative to the stop part 6. Each locking position of the adjustment part relative to the stop part defines a certain position of the movable vehicle part relative to the body shell and / or a certain holding force of the movable vehicle part in its position in relation to the body shell.

How out Fig. 3 Furthermore, it can be seen that the guide section 28 has a plurality of guide surfaces 30, 30 'along which the adjustment part 10 is slidably received. The guide surfaces 30, 30 'on the guide section 28 run parallel to the stop surface 12' on the stop part 6. In addition, a plurality of catches 32 are formed on the guide section 28, by means of which the setting part 10 can be fixed in its various locking positions with respect to the stop part 6.

To form the latches 32, a corresponding number of latching element receptacles 34 are provided on the guide section 28. On the setting part 10 is a latching element 36 corresponding to the latching element receptacles 34 ( Fig. 4 ) arranged. The latching element 36 can be brought into a form-fitting connection with the latching element receptacles 34. In the present embodiment, the latching element 36 is arranged on the setting part 10 on a release part 38 designed as a manually operable spring arm. An actuating section 40 is provided on the release part 38, by means of which the latching element 36 can be brought out of its form-fitting connection with a respective latching element receptacle 34 on the guide section 28.

In the in Fig. 3 The embodiment shown, the guide section 28 is designed as a closed rectangular body 42, within which the setting part 10 is received with a correspondingly designed rectangular outer contour. In the present case, the setting part 10 is set up to be received on the guide section 28 in at least two orientations with respect to the stop part 6. This means that in Fig. 4 The setting part 10 shown can be inserted rotated by 180 ° in the guide section 28 and locked by means of the catches 32.

In the present case, the setting part 10 has a cam 44 at its upper end which, when the setting part is adjusted on the guide section 28, moves into the stop area 12 on the stop part 6, depending on the selected locking position of the setting part 10, into the stop area 12 of the stop part is moved out. The cam 44 on the setting part 10 'has an irregularly shaped shape in the direction of movement of the frame section of the vehicle part or body shell to be guided along it Contour with a run-up bevel 44 ', which is concave in the embodiment shown.

The Figures 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of a stop part 6, which has a fastening section 8 and a guide section 28 '. The fastening section 8 is identical to the fastening section of the previously shown embodiment.

In contrast to the guide section 28 of the first embodiment of the stop part 6, the guide section 28 'has a rectangular body 42' which has a groove 46 on its side facing away from the fastening section 8. The guide section 28 'thus has two guide legs 48, 48', which are subdivided from one another, for the adjustment part 10 or an in Fig. 5 shown adjusting part 10 '. In addition, four latches 32 in the form of four latching element receptacles 34 arranged at corresponding intervals along the guide legs 48, 48 'are formed on the guide section 28'.

The adjustment part 10 'in Fig. 6 additionally has a holding structure 50 which extends in the direction of the body shell or the vehicle part. The holding structure 50 has two further holders 52 for receiving a frame section 20 on the vehicle part 2 or the body shell 4. The brackets 52 on the holding structure 50 are adapted to fix the vehicle part 2, which is articulated movably to the body shell 4, in various positions, in particular angular positions, relative to the body shell. The holders 52 each have holding surfaces 54 which are aligned parallel to the stop surface 12 ′ on the stop region 12 of the stop part 6. On the stop part 6, a cam 44 is formed at its upper end, the distance from the catch element 36 on the setting part 10 ′ being greater than the distance between the cam 44 and the catch element 36 on the setting part 10.

Arranged on the adjustment part 10 'are two spring-formed release parts 38, on each of which an outwardly protruding latching element 36 is formed, which interacts with the latching element receptacles 34 on the guide section 28'.

Fig. 7 shows the plastic operating means 1 according to the invention in a first operating state, the stop part 6 being arranged on the movable vehicle part by means of the fastening section 8. A frame section 20 of the vehicle part 2 is received in the receptacle 18 on the fastening section 8. The hook part 22 on the fastening section 8 engages in the recess to form a form-fit connection 21 on the vehicle part. The setting part 10 is locked on the guide section 28 of the stop part 6 via the catch 32 in the lowermost locking position so that the cam 44 does not protrude from the guide section 28. By means of the stop area 12 on the stop part 6, a pure stop function of the vehicle part is realized. This means that the movable vehicle part 2 can be moved out of its stop position on the body shell 4 without a holding force of the vehicle part being generated relative to the body shell.

Fig. 8 shows the plastic operating means according to the invention in a further operating state. The setting part 10 is fixed by means of the catch 32 on the guide section 28 of the stop part 6 in the uppermost locking position by means of the uppermost catch 32 formed on the guide section 28. The adjustment part 8 protrudes with its cam 44 so far in the direction of movement of the body part of vehicle part 2 or the body shell 4 to be guided along that it, together with the stop area 12 on the stop part 6, accommodates the body part in between in such a way that the movable vehicle part is held immovably relative to the body shell becomes. In addition, in an operating state the setting part 10 can be locked in the middle locking position relative to the stop part in such a way that a holding force of> 30 N is generated by means of the setting part 10 protruding from the guide section 28 into the stop area 12 on the stop part. The movable vehicle part 2 can only be moved out of the holding position if the release force acting on the movable vehicle part 2 is greater than the holding force generated by the plastic operating means 1 according to the invention.

The plastic operating medium according to the invention, consisting of a plastic material, can be used over the entire manufacturing process of the vehicle, since the plastic material has temperature-resistant properties of over 200 ° degrees Celsius. In particular, a thermoplastic design of the plastic operating medium is used. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, the stop part 6 and the setting part 10, 10 'are each formed in one piece. Similar or identical components are provided with the same reference symbols.

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a plastic operating means 1 'according to the invention. The plastic operating means 1 ′ comprises a stop part 6 ′ with a stop region 12, a guide section 28 ′ and an adjusting part 10 which can be adjusted along the guide section 28 ′, as described for the above embodiments of the plastic operating means 1. The stop part 6 ' further comprises a fastening section 8 'with a latching and / or clamping means 16' that has a distance adjustment unit 56 which is set up to set the distance A between relatively movable force transmission surfaces 58, 58 'on the fastening section 8' for frame sections of different vehicle parts Adapt series. With the aid of the correspondingly adjustable fastening section 8 ', the plastic operating means 1' according to the invention can be fastened to frame parts of the most varied of vehicles to be manufactured. The distance A between the force transmission surfaces 58, 58 'on the hook part 22 and the receptacle 18 can thus be adapted individually.

How out Fig. 10 and 11 As can be seen, the distance adjusting unit 56 has a guide 60 running at an angle to the receptacle 18. The guide 60 comprises a guide element 62 which is fixedly arranged on the fastening section 8 'and within which a sliding part 64 is movably received. The sliding part 64 is connected to the hook part 22 of the latching and / or clamping means 16 '. By moving the sliding part 64 in a respective direction along the guide element 62, the hook part 22, which is formed in one piece with the sliding part 64, is either moved in the direction of the receptacle 18 or moved away from the receptacle 18. The guide element 62 and the receptacle 18 run parallel to one another as viewed in the insertion direction of the receptacle 18. As a result, the hook part 22 and the receptacle 18 work together permanently over the entire adjustment path. Viewed perpendicular to the insertion direction of the receptacle 18, the guide element 62 has an inclination in the range between 10 and 30 degrees of angle to the base of the receptacle 18. In the present embodiment, the inclination of the guide element 62 to the receptacle 18 is approximately 20 degrees. This causes the sliding part 64 to self-lock within the guide element 62.

In order to counteract an undesired displacement of the sliding part 64 within the guide element 62, the guide element 62 and sliding part 64 have a toothing 66 that can be connected to one another, which is only shown schematically. The toothing 66 is set up so that the sliding part 64 can only be displaced in one direction relative to the guide element 62. With the toothing 66 a movement of the sliding part relative to the guide element 60 in particular is hindered in the adjustment direction in which the distance A between the hook part 22 and the receptacle 18 can increase unintentionally.

As in the Figures 9 to 11 As shown, the hook part 22 is formed in one piece with the sliding part 64. The guide element 62 is in particular formed in one piece on the fastening section 8 'of the stop part 6'.

For the sake of clarity, the representation in the attached figures and the above description are structured in such a way that technical features cannot be seen in all exemplary embodiments; however, the technical features of the respective exemplary embodiments can be combined with the technical features of the other exemplary embodiments in the sense of the invention , unless technically excluded.

List of reference symbols:

1, 1 '

Plastic consumables

2

Vehicle part

4th

Body shell

6, 6 '

Stop part

8, 8 '

Fastening section

10, 10 '

Adjustment part

12th

Stop area

12 '

Stop surface

14th

Casserole section

14 '

Ramp surface

16, 16 '

Latching and / or clamping means

18, 18 '

admission

20th

Frame section

21st

Recess

22nd

Hook part

24

Connecting bridge

26th

Handle

28, 28 '

Guide section

30, 30 '

Guide surface

32

Latching

34

Locking element holder

36

Locking element

38

Release part

40

Operating section

42

Rectangular body

44

cam

44 '

Approach slope

46

Groove

48, 48 '

Guide leg

50

Holding structure

52

bracket

54

Holding surface

56

Distance adjustment unit

58, 58 '

Power transmission surfaces

60

guide

62

Guide element

64

Sliding part

66

Interlocking

A.

distance

Claims (15)

Plastic operating means (1, 1 ') for vehicle production in a production line, with a stop part (6, 6') which has a fastening section (8) for reversibly detachable fastening to a movable vehicle part (2) or a body shell (4) and is set up to hold the movable vehicle part (2) in position relative to the body shell (4) on which the movable vehicle part is arranged,
characterized,
that the plastic operating means (1, 1 ') has an adjustment part (10, 10') which can be locked in different positions relative to the stop part (6, 6 '), each position of the adjustment part (10, 10') relative to the stop part (6 , 6 ') (i) a certain position of the movable vehicle part (2) relative to the body shell (4)
and or (ii) defines a certain holding force of the movable vehicle part (2) in its position in relation to the body shell (4). Plastic operating means according to claim 1,
wherein a guide section (28, 28 ') for the adjustment part (10, 10') is arranged on the stop part (6, 6 '), on which the adjustment part (10, 10') is in the various locking positions to the stop part (6, 6 ') can be fixed,
wherein the guide section (28, 28 ') has one or more guide surfaces (30, 30') which run parallel to a stop region (12) on the stop part (6, 6 '). Plastic operating means according to one of Claims 1 or 2,
wherein the guide section (28, 28 ') for the adjustment part (10, 10') and the fastening section (8) on the stop part (6, 6 ') are arranged at opposite ends of the stop part (6, 6'). Plastic operating means according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the setting part (10, 10 ') is locked in an operating state in a, preferably first, locking position relative to the stop part (6, 6') in such a way that the movable vehicle part (2) is held in its holding position without a holding force on the body shell (4) will, and / or
wherein the setting part (10, 10 ') is preferably locked in an operating state in at least one, preferably further locking position relative to the stop part (6, 6') in such a way that the movable vehicle part (2) in its holding position with a holding force for the body shell (4) of greater than 30 N, and / or wherein the setting part (10, 10 ') is preferably locked in an operating state in a, preferably further, locking position relative to the stop part (6, 6') in such a way that the movable vehicle part (2) is in at least one predetermined position is fixed to the body shell (4). Plastic operating means according to one of Claims 2 to 4,
wherein the adjustment part (10, 10 ') is set up to be received on the guide section (28, 28') in at least two orientations with respect to the stop part (6, 6 '). Plastic operating means according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the adjustment part (10, 10 ') has a cam (44) protruding into a stop region of the stop part (6, 6') which, in the direction of movement of a body part to be guided along it, has an irregularly shaped contour with preferably a sliding bevel (44 ') Has closing direction of the vehicle part (2). Plastic operating means according to one of Claims 2 to 6,
wherein at least one latching element receptacle (34) is arranged on the guide section (28, 28 ') to form a latching (32) between the guide section (28, 28') and the setting part (10, 10 '), with which a catch on the setting part (10 , 10 ') arranged locking element (36) can be brought into a holding operative connection,
wherein the latching element (36) is preferably arranged on the adjustment part (10, 10 ') on a resilient release part (38) which can preferably be actuated by hand. Plastic operating means according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein a holding structure (50) protruding in the direction of the body shell (4) or the vehicle part (2) with at least one holder (52) for receiving a body part is additionally arranged on the adjustment part (10 '). Plastic operating means according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the fastening section (8) has a latching and / or clamping means (16, 16 ') for reversibly releasable fastening to the movable vehicle part (2) or the body shell,
the latching and / or clamping means (16, 16 ') preferably having at least one receptacle (18, 18') for a corresponding frame section (20), in particular a fold, on the vehicle part (2) or body shell (4) and more preferably with the receptacle (18, 18 ') interacting hook part (22) for engaging in a recess (21) on the frame section (20) of the vehicle part (2) or body shell (4). Plastic operating means according to claim 9,
wherein the latching and / or clamping means (16 ') has a distance adjustment unit (56) for adapting the fastening section (8) to frame sections of vehicle parts of different series, preferably a distance between relatively movable force transmission surfaces on the fastening section (8). Plastic operating means according to claim 10,
wherein the distance adjustment unit (56) has an inclined guide (60) with a guide element (62) and a sliding part (64) adjustably received on the guide element (62) and inclined at an angle to the force transmission surfaces (58, 58 ') on the fastening section (8) ) having,
wherein preferably the guide element (62) and the sliding part (64) have mutually corresponding toothings (66) which are designed so that the sliding part (64) and the guide element (62) can be moved relative to one another in only one adjustment direction. Plastic operating means according to one of the preceding claims,
that on the stop part (6, 6 '), preferably on the guide section (28, 28'), a run-up section (14) extending in the opposite direction to the fastening section (8) with a preferably convexly curved run-up surface (14 ') is arranged Plastic operating means according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the plastic operating means (1, 1 ') is formed from a plastic material with temperature-resistant properties, in particular from a thermoplastic selected from the group: polyamide, polyetheretherketone, polyphthalamide and polyphenylene sulfide. Method for manufacturing a motor vehicle in a production line using one or more plastic operating means to hold a movable vehicle part to the body shell, with the steps: - Provision of at least one body shell of a vehicle with one or more vehicle parts movable to the body shell and at least one plastic operating means interacting with the body shell and the vehicle part; - Moving the body shell along a section of the production line; - Adjustment of the plastic operating means so that (i) the position of the movable vehicle part is changed or fixed in relation to the body shell, and / or (ii) the holding force for holding the movable vehicle part in its holding position is adjusted relative to the body shell, and Moving the body shell with the vehicle part changed in its position or the holding force relative to the body shell along a subsequent section of the production line. Use of a plastic operating means (1, 1 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 14 for manufacturing a motor vehicle in a production line, in particular in a method according to Claim 14.

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