ES2223422T3 - HITCH DEVICE OF AN ELEMENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TO A TRANSPORT MEDIA IN A MOUNTING CHAIN. - 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

Device for hooking an element of a motor vehicle to a means of transport in a chain of mounting.

The invention relates to a device of hooking an element of a motor vehicle to a means of maintenance on an assembly line of motor vehicles. He invention relates in particular to a hitch device of the front group of a motor vehicle to the pulley system of a lifting and handling means for transport between a pre-assembly installation and installation of assembly in the car vehicle box. State of the art closest has been seen in the document FR-A-1.058.551.

Vehicle assembly chains are known cars in which a previous assembly of a subset of vehicle components, for example from the group front of the vehicle, before mounting the subset on the frame or chassis or in the box of the motor vehicle.

The front group of a motor vehicle comprises the power unit, a support or cradle arranged below of the power unit and two suspension arms intended for ensure the support on the floor of the front group and the box by middle of the vehicle's wheels.

The power unit is in turn constituted by the engine and gearbox of the motor vehicle and carries transmission organs from the torque to the wheels, which are attached to the engine in an articulated way.

The support, the suspension arms and the engine They are in turn linked together in an articulated manner.

In some vehicle manufacturing chains cars, a previous assembly of the front group of the motor vehicle, before inserting it and fixing it in the box of the motor vehicle

These pre-assembly operations of the group front as well as the mounting of the support are performed on motorized and automated transport cars that circulate on an auxiliary track adjacent to the main assembly chain.

After the assembly of the support and pre-assembly of the front group of a vehicle, the front group carried by the automated displacement car reaches a point in the assembly line where the group front must be taken by means of lifting and maintenance, such as a bridge crane, to be transported and deposited on means that allow to introduce and mount the front group in the box of a motor vehicle. These means that must ensure a reception of the front group in a provision that corresponds perfectly to the provision of Front group assembly in the car vehicle case can be located for example under the chain on which they circulate the vehicle boxes, being then introduced by Lift the front group, below the box.

Obviously other ways of mounting.

In any case, it is necessary to perform a coupling of the front group to the support means, in such a way that its different components are perfectly maintained and in relative devices that allow its deposit on the means of mounting on the car vehicle box in a correct position to allow the introduction in the box and the assembly of the group Forward.

The front group is indeed constituted, as indicated above, by elements articulated with each other whose relative provisions are not fixed.

In particular, the transmission organs of the motor are not rigidly fixed to the motor and it is necessary to monitor that these elements are deposited on the assembly organs of the front group in a perfect layout.

In addition, the support, which is not attached so rigid to the power unit and consisting of elements sausages or plates painted and treated against corrosion, can suffer, during the transport of the front group, shocks of the part of the motor that travels relative to the support during the front group transport, if the front group hitch it is not done in a way that prevents any possibility of shock. In case of engine crash on the support, the support may suffer damage, such as scratches, to the detriment of its appearance aesthetic and its resistance to corrosion.

It is therefore necessary to ensure a hitch of the front group on the maintenance bridge, that is precise and reproducible.

A difficulty stems from the fact that about the assembly lines of motor vehicles, it is done very frequently the assembly of vehicles of the same type as They contain different engines. This is how on a chain of assembly of a motor vehicle, you may be required to insert and assemble front groups of the vehicle five or six different types or more, which have characteristics own dimensional and geometric. In this case, it is necessary design a hitch device from the front group to the bridge maintenance that can be adapted to each of the groups front whose assembly is done.

A hitch device has been proposed that comprises a rigid mechano-welded support mainly constituted by tubes that comprise an organ of hook of the hook of the system of pulleys of elevation of a half of support on a top and two curved arms directed down and terminated each by a container of support of a support part of a group suspension arm Forward.

The power unit, which comprises two points of coupling arranged on the ends of the motor, on the side of the gearbox and on the side of the distribution organs of the engine, respectively, can be suspended in the bracket by slings or cables each comprising a flexible element elongated suspension attached by a first end to a hook of application on a motor hitch element and, by a second limb, to mechanical means of attachment to the upper part of the support that is in a disposition noticeably horizontal, when the hitch device is supported on service position, by the hook of the support means. The flexible suspension elements of the slings are constituted by chains whose links have mechanical characteristics of appropriate resistance

The hitch or sling of the engine by means of slings must be made in such a way that the engine is maintained in a perfectly defined position in relation to the support on which rest support elements of the suspension arms.

In particular, it is necessary to regulate precise arrangement in the vertical direction of the points of motor hitch below the top of the bracket. Is it is also necessary to provide different positions on the support, for the attachment of the second upper extremities of the slings, depending on the positions of the hitch points on the different types of engine when the mounting.

The adjustment of the hitch height of the slings depending on the different types of engine is made using a more or less large number of links in the chain of suspension, although the accuracy of this hitch height, which is function of the length of a link in the chain, it is not generally sufficient to avoid the aforementioned inconveniences higher.

In addition, changes in the position of means of mechanical engagement of the slings, in the horizontal plane from the top of the support, they need operations of mechanization, for example plate drilling. For each of the types of engine, it is necessary to perform a regulation of the slinging height by successive tests.

In the case of maintenance of other components of motor vehicles, for example vehicle boxes on a assembly line, certain ones can also be found difficulties in slinging elements of different types that They are presented on the assembly line.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a hitching device of an element of a motor vehicle to a handling means, on a vehicle assembly line automobile, which comprises a support that has a hitching organ to the means of support, at least one sling constituted by a elongated flexible suspension element and by means of coupling of the element of the motor vehicle fixed to a first limb of the flexible suspension element and support attachment means, of a second end of the suspension element, allowing this device perform in a simple, fast and very safe way the vehicle element hitch, in a perfect position, without risk of errors, in the case of a vehicle assembly line cars of different types or of which certain elements are made according to several types.

For this purpose, the device according to the invention comprises a sling plate fixed on the support and which It comprises at least two support and maintenance elements of the second slinging limb, in a first or a second position, on a flat support surface of the plate horizontally located in the service position of the hitch device attached to the support means.

Preferably, at least one sling comprises the less a means of support intended to rest on one of the support and maintenance elements of the sling plate, for ensure the attachment of the vehicle element at a distance vertical of the support surface of the defined sling plate by the position of the support means on the element of suspension.

In order to make the invention understood, it is going to describe below by way of example, with reference to figures attached in annex, a device according to the invention used to hook a front group of a motor vehicle to a maintenance bridge on a vehicle assembly line cars and two variants of the sling means of device.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a group front of the motor vehicle.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the hitch device

Fig. 2B is a front elevation view of the hitch device according to the invention.

Fig. 2C is a view from above according to C of fig. 2B.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the plate slinging of the hitch device shown in figs. 2A, 2B and 2C.

Fig. 4 is an elevation view of a first device sling according to the invention intended to cooperate with a hitch point on the engine distribution side.

Fig. 5 is an elevation view of a second sling of the hitch device according to the invention used for the engine hitch on the side of the gearbox.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the plate of slinging and support and maintenance devices of slings on the distribution side of the engine.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the plate of slinging and support and maintenance devices of slings on the side of the gearbox.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section view of a support and maintenance device for a sling.

Fig. 9 is an elevation and section view partial of a means of support and maintenance of a sling of a hitch device according to a first variant.

Fig. 10 is a view in elevation and in section partial of a means of support and maintenance of a sling of a hitch device according to a second variant.

In fig. 1, a front group of a motor vehicle generally designated by the reference one.

The front group 1 comprises the group 2-wheel drive of the motor vehicle, support 3 arranged under the power unit 2 and two suspension arms 4a, 4b which ensures the transmission of loads to the ground, by means of Wheels of the motor vehicle.

The power unit 2 comprises the engine proper and the gearbox 5 fixed to one of the Longitudinal extremities of the engine of the power unit.

The second limb 6 of the power unit, on the opposite side of the gearbox 5, it comprises the elements engine distribution and will be designated as distribution side of the power unit.

The power unit 2 comprises the transmission 7 which ensures the dragging of the wheels by means of the transmission elements articulated on the engine. Two coupling points 9a and 9b are provided on the power unit on the side of
distribution and on the side of the speed box,
respectively.

The support 3 is made in shape mechano-welded and includes elements of great rigidity of embedded sheet metal that has undergone a treatment of surface that are coated by a coat of paint.

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The suspension arms 4a and 4b further comprise the suspension arm itself connected in an articulated manner to the support, a shock absorber or shock absorber assembly and spring 8 attached to a pivot and comprising support and

 \ hbox {mount.} 

The front group of the motor vehicle such as described it is pre-assembled in an area adjacent to the main assembly line of the motor vehicle. The assembly of the support and the pre-assembly of the group front are made on a motorized platform of automated scrolling that comes successively in various positions on which the different ones are made necessary operations for mounting the bracket and the pre-assembly of the front group.

At the exit of the area of pre-assembly, the front group led by the motorized car arrives in a final position next to the line of mounting.

As explained above, to perform the front group transfer, it is necessary to make your hitch to a support means, in a position that allows to maintain perfectly the different components of the front group and avoid shocks between the power unit and the support, during front group transport.

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

The hitch device, designated so general by reference 11, comprises a support 12, in the form of a mechanically welded structure consisting mainly of tubes on which elements such as welding are placed sheet metal plates.

The tubular structure of the support comprises a top 12a that has the general shape of a frame rectangular that presents two rounded angles, on which it is fixed a sling plate 13 constituting one of the elements characteristics of the device according to the invention and which will be described in detail below.

On one side of the frame that constitutes the upper part 12a of the support are fixed two bearings u suspension lugs 14a and 14b on which a shaft is mounted horizontal 15. A suspension hook 16 consisting of a bar round folded according to a shape comprising two hook parts it is applied on the extremities of axis 15, so that the suspension element 16 presenting the two coupling parts is articulated mounted on top 12a of the support 12.

The support 12 comprises, below its part upper 12a two arms 17a and 17b integral in its lower part of respective support containers 18a and 18b.

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

In addition, a maintenance bar 20 is assembled articulated, in its upper extremity, by means of a articulation ring, on one of the sides of the part upper 12a of support 12. At its opposite end, bar 20 It comprises a coupling means that can be applied on the front group support, as will be explained later.

On the upper part 12a of the support 12, in a lateral arrangement, a support 21 for the bar 20 is fixed in your ordination position. The sling plate 13 ensures the Support of motor suspension slings such as 24, 25 and 25 ', constituting the slings and the sling plate elements characteristics of the invention that will be described in detail at continuation.

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

The front group of the motor vehicle is intended to come to rest on the hitch device 11 through support parts of your suspension arms that come to rest on the containers 18a and 18b in the lower extremity of arms 17a and 17b, respectively.

The support elements of the front group are arranged respectively, in the vicinity of a first limb of the power unit where the organs are placed of motor distribution and in the proximity of a second tip of the power unit comprising the gearbox 5. By this fact, when a front group 1 is placed on the hitch device 11, the support parts of the suspension arms to rest on containers 18a and 18b of the arms 17a and 17b of the support 12, the first end part of the power unit comprising the distribution organs of the engine is below a first end part of the sling plate and the upper part 12a of the support next to arm 17a, this part being in the part left of fig. 2A and on the right side of figs. 2B and 2 C.

The part of the power unit comprising the gearbox 5 is below the second part of tip of sling plate 13 and top 12a of the support 12, in the vicinity of arm 17b, this being located second part in the right part of fig. 2A and in left parts of figs. 2B and 2C.

The maintenance of the front group during its transport using the hitch device 11 is assured not only by means of the support containers 18a and 18b of the arms 17a and 17b of support 12 but still by suspension of the group motor drive under the sling plate 13, by means of slings attached to two hitch points 9a, 9b of the motor arranged respectively in the vicinity of its contiguous limb part of the distribution organs and in the vicinity of the box changes

The engine suspension through its points of hitch made using a first sling such as 24 and a second sling such as 25 or 25 'respectively arranged at level of each of the limb parts of the device hitch 11.

As visible in fig. 2A and in figs. 4 and 5, each of the slings, for example 24 or 25, comprises a respective flexible elongate element 26 or 27 that may be constituted for example by a steel cable. Each of the slings comprises, at a first end of the flexible element elongated suspension, a hook intended to cooperate with a point corresponding coupling of the power unit, having the hook 28 fixed at the end of the cable and 26 of the sling 24 an S-shape and having the hook 29 fixed at the tip of the Sling cable 27 a C shape. The S-shaped hook 28 is intended to cooperate with a group hitch leg engine, on the distribution side of this group engine, to ensure its hitch and suspension. The hook 29 in C is intended to cooperate with a part of the group adjacent engine of the gearbox, to ensure the hitch and engine suspension by the side of the box changes

The cable 26 of the sling 24 and the cable 27 of the sling 25 have bushes 30 and 31 in radial projection in relation to to the respective cable, which are solidly fixed on the element flexible 26 or 27, each at a well defined distance according to the length of flexible suspension element 26 and 27 of hook 28 or 29.

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

The position of each of the bushings 30 and 31 depending on the length of the cable 26 or 27, which is fixed so Extremely precise, it allows you to hook a part of the power unit at a well defined height below the sling plate 13.

The sling 24 shown in fig. 4 that it allows to realize the hitch of a group propeller by the side of distribution of the engine and the sling 25 that allows to realize the coupling of a power unit on the side of the gearbox Each one includes five bushings 30 or 31 that allow fixing the hitch height of power units on the side of distribution and on the side of the gearbox to five values perfectly determined based on the characteristics of power units of which the assembly is carried out on the chain using the hitch device according to the invention.

Two slings 24 and 25 such as those represented in figs. 4 and 5 allow to engage at least five different types of power unit, being able to heights of hitch ideal be identical or different for two groups different engines, on the distribution side and / or on the gearbox side. Each of the slings includes, in its opposite tip to the hooks such as 28 or 29, a means of mechanical stop consisting for example of an inserted nut over the cable

They can be used, on one side at least of coupling, for example on the side of the gearbox, two slings 25 and 25 ', with the bushings 31 and 31' allowing the coupling of the various types of power unit distributed on slings 25 and 25 '.

In order to allow the operators in charge of prepare the coupling device of the front groups on the manufacturing chain, easily reference or mark the bushings that must be used for the sling of a Propeller of type given, is associated with each of the bushings a visual marking medium such as a particular color associated with a type of power group of a front group.

Preferably, the five caps fixed on the sling 24 or on the sling 25 they have at least one colored reference or are painted to mark the caps that They are associated with each type of motorization.

For each of the group types of motorization of which the assembly is carried out on the chain of manufacturing, not only slinging must be done at a well determined height, on the distribution side and on the side of gearbox, that is to a dimension in the vertical direction Z well determined, but even the support of the chosen cap on the sling to get the desired hitch height must be made on the sling plate 13, in an area located in the vertical of the hitch of the power unit in position of transport, both on the distribution side and on the side of the gearbox.

For the different types of power unit of which the assembly is carried out, the hook points on the side of distribution 32 and on the gearbox side 33 are not generally located in the same projection position on the horizontal sling plate, and in the vertical direction.

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

As visible in fig. 2C, in the case of hitch device according to the described example which can be used to engage front groups that they comprise five or six different types of motorization, they are expected, on the sling plate 13, on the distribution side of the power unit, five support and locking devices sling 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e in well defined positions with relation to the horizontal surface of the sling plate 13, these positions can be referenced in an XY axis system horizontal.

Likewise, on the side of the gearbox of the power unit, three support devices and of sling lock 33a, 33b and 33c in well defined positions in the XY axis system.

As visible in fig. 3, the plate Slinging 13 steel is laser machined so very precise, to make in this plate through-section openings circular and grooves that join the circular openings on the side of distribution and on the side of the group's gearbox powerplant as well as slots that move away from the areas of slinging and constituting slots for slings in standby position.

On the side of the sling plate 13 corresponding to the distribution end of the motor group, it they have planned circular openings 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d and 34e whose positions correspond to the positions of the devices of support and blocking of slings 32a to 32e represented in the fig. 2 C.

The openings 34a to 34e are joined together and to a waiting slot 36 for a network of slots that allow the slings displacement as will be explained later.

Likewise, the openings 35a, 35b and 35c on the side of the sling plate corresponding to the side of the box power unit changes are linked together and two 37 and 37 'waiting through slots, through a network of through slots which allow the slings to move from a position of wait for a service position and vice versa.

In fig. 6 and in fig. 7 respectively they have represented in perspective the support devices and of sling lock 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e and 33a, 33b, 33c by distribution side and gearbox side respectively.

In fig. 8, one of the support and maintenance devices 32 or 33 in cut by a vertical plane

Each of the support devices and of lock comprises a support piece 38, a lock block 39 and a closing lever 40.

The support piece 38 annular, is housed in a circular opening that crosses the sling plate 13, comprises, in its core, a reception housing of a contact 30 or 31 of a sling that comes to rest on the bottom of the housing of part 38, when a sling is displaced manually and according to a radial direction groove in extension of an access groove of the support piece 38.

The support piece 38 is held against the face upper of the sling plate 13 by the closing block 39 which is fixed by screws on the sling plate 13 and that it comprises a projecting part that comes into application with a sheet of the support piece 38. The closing block 39 comprises also an inclined face in relation to the horizontal down in the direction of the support piece and an axis bore perpendicular to the sling plate 13 and which ends on the surface inclined on which a rotation axis 42 of the locking lever 40 comprising an inclined surface whose inclination is identical to the inclination of the block surface lock 39 in relation to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the plate 13.

The locking lever 40 is swivel mounted on the applied shaft 42 and fixed by a pin in the block of closure 39, in a vertical arrangement; axis 42 comprises a part of the enlarged limb diametrically 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 directed downwards on the locking lever 40.

The locking lever 40 comprises an opening 41 whose width is slightly greater than the diameter of the cable of a Sling of the hitch device.

Spring 43 ensures the solicitation of the lock lever 40 in a position such that the surfaces inclined of the locking lever 40 and the closing block 39 are superimposed. In this position, the opening 41 of the lever lock 40 is arranged along the axis of the opening of reception 34 or 35 of the support piece 38 that crosses the plate Sling 13.

The locking lever 40 further comprises, in its limb opposite its cylindrical part and mounted on the axis of spring 42, 43, an index 40 'that allows to swing manually the lever 40, in one direction, so that it releases the opening of the support piece 38. While lever 40 is in position pivoted, a sling such as 25 or 26 can be moved from from a waiting position at the end of a slot for take it, by means of the waiting slot in a common slot to several support and maintenance devices whose width greater than the width of the waiting slot is slightly larger to the diameter of the bushes 30 and 31 of the slings.

The operator who has already manually performed the sling shift can move this inside the widened groove to present the 30 or 31 colored cap desired above the sling plate 13.

The support and maintenance devices 32, 33 comprise one or more references whose color corresponds to the Slinging positions of the different power units. References are generally carried in the form of bands colored circular circles on the vertical cylindrical part of the levers of the support and maintenance devices.

The operator chooses the support device and maintenance that carries a reference with the desired color and then insert a part of the sling cable below the cap of the desired color in a slot that joins the common slot of greater width to the bore of the support piece 38 of the device support and maintenance that includes the reference that has the desired color The contact reception accommodation in the anima of the support piece 38 communicates with the connecting groove, so that the bushing can be inserted in the housing of the piece of support 38 by displacement of the sling in the direction of the joint slot The sling cap is then deposited on the bottom of the housing of the support piece 38. The operator so it is very fast and very safe to place a sling in an XY position on the desired sling plate by the type of power unit for which the hitch device, the hitch height of power unit simultaneously to the desired value for the setting in support of the contact on the bottom of the housing of the piece of support for.

The operator then releases the lever 40 which had been separated from support piece 38 to allow for introduction of the sling into the support piece, so that the lever 40 requested by spring 43 returns to support position, by means of its inclined surface over the inclined surface of the closing block 39. A pin 38a applied in an opening of the support piece 38 allows to stop the movement of the lever 40 to its locked position. In this position, the opening 41 is applied on the sling cable, above the bushing 30 or 31, so that the sling can no longer leave the position that has been assigned on the sling plate.

The placement of the sling can also be performed without previously separating the lever from the opening of the support piece

For this, the operator supports the sling against the inclined end of the lever 40 comprising the index 40 'and exerts a push on the pivoting lever to let the sling. When the sling has been introduced into the opening of the support piece 38, spring 43 pushes the lever into position Closed, automatically. The operator does not have to put the sling in place, rather than pushing the sling against the inclined end of the lever 40 that is removed to pass the sling and closes again then.

In fig. 6 a sling 24 has been represented on the motor distribution side of the power unit, in service position at the level of the support device and of 32d maintenance. The contact 30 of the sling 24 which is supported on the bottom of the housing of the support piece 38 is retained by the locking lever 40 which prevents the contact 30 from leaving the support piece housing 38.

The slings can therefore be placed in service position very quickly and very safely and to then they are maintained in this service position, until drive unit hitch, without the sling being able to separate of the support device on which it has been placed in position of service.

After the hitch of the group engine Propeller where the weight is exerted on the sling, the sling it is maintained by this simple fact perfectly on its surface support.

Sling caps and parts constitutive of the support and maintenance devices are made of a treated steel of great hardness, so that the parts suffer, in service, a weak wear and that the precision of Sling positioning is guaranteed. In addition, the pieces support 38 can be easily replaced by disassembling the block corresponding closure 39 that is screwed onto the plate Sling 13.

In the case of the embodiment that has just be described, the hitch slings and engine suspension they comprise a flexible element constituted by a cable on the that the bushings are inserted in arrangements that allow the coupling and suspension of the power unit at a distance well-determined vertical of the sling plate.

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

As will be explained later, in relation to figs. 9 and 10, suspension and hitch slings can comprise a flexible element constituted for example by a chain or by a set of stems joined together end with end through joints. In each case, the Support elements of the sling plate are adapted to the type of flexible suspension element used to perform a hitch at a well determined height.

In fig. 9, a part of a flexible suspension element 44 of a sling of a device of coupling according to the invention, in the case where the flexible element The suspension consists of a chain. The chain carries, in its lower limb (not shown in fig. 9), a hook adapted form, analogous to one of the hooks 28 and 29 of figs. 4 and 5.

The second end of the flexible element, by means of which the flexible element 44 is attached to the plate of the Slinging 13 has been represented in fig. 9.

The sling plate 13 is perforated by a opening 46 of 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, guiding means 47a, 47b and 47c of a latch 48 that ensures the joint between the plate of slinging and the second end of chain 44.

The latch 48 comprises a latch body 48a and a maneuvering lug 48b. To ensure the support of the second end of chain 44 on the upper surface of the sling plate 13, the latch body 48a is introduced inside a link 45 of chain 44 that comes to rest on the upper surface of the latch body.

The hitch height of the flexible element of sling suspension 44 is regulated very precisely choosing link 45 of the chain by means of which it is made the hitch and eventually the dimension of this link. A very fine adjustment of the hitch height can be obtained using a latch whose latch body 48a has a predetermined height and defined very precisely. To regulate precisely the height of the sling, just have a set of latches or wedges whose bodies have heights different.

The latch maneuver is performed by pulling or pushing on the latch by means of the maneuvering lug 48b, the body of the latch being guided by the guiding devices 47a, 47b and 47c. These guiding devices and the latch ensure also a blockage and maintenance of the sling on the sling plate 13.

In fig. 10, a part of a sling whose flexible suspension element 50 is constituted by a set of stems 51 assembled in an articulated manner in prolongation of each other, comprising each of the stems 51 in a first limb a male assembly part and in its second limb a female assembly part, being through the assembly parts through transverse openings. During the assembly of the two successive stems 51, the part male of a first stem is applied to the female part of a second rod, so that the through openings of these Assembly parts are aligned. An assembly shaft 52 is introduced into aligned openings.

A hook, which can have an analogous shape to hook 28 or to hook 29 shown in figs. 4 and 5 respectively, it is fixed to the tip of the rod 51 located at the bottom of the flexible suspension element 50.

To support flexible element 50 on the sling plate 13 crossed by the passage opening 46 of the flexible suspension element 50, can be fixed, in well-determined provisions, on at least part of the rod elements 51 bushings analogous to bushings 30 and 31 used to support the slings of which the element flexible consists of a cable, as described more above. In this case, they are provided on the sling plate 13 support and locking devices that can be analogous to devices 32a to 32e or 33a to 33c that have been described more above.

As depicted in fig. 10, can also provided, on the lateral surface of the stems 51 of the flexible suspension element 50, cavities in which they are applied hooks 55 mounted on the upper face of the plate 13 to either part of the passage opening 46 of the flexible element 50 of the sling. The hooks 55 cooperate with the cavities 54 of a stem 51 to ensure support and locking of the flexible element 50 of the sling, on the sling plate 13.

The hooks 55 may be pivotally mounted. on the upper face of the sling plate 13, over and over part of the opening 46. To set the hitch height of the sling the flexible suspension element 50 of a value default, it is presented, in front of hooks 55, the cavities 54 of one of the stems 51 of the flexible element 50 and then hooks 55 are lowered into the cavities 54, as depicted in fig. 10.

In order to adjust the hitch height to a desired value, depending on the types of front group assemble, the different sections 51 of the flexible element 50 constituted by articulated stems can have lengths L1, L2 and L3 different, the cavities 54 being located on these sections in desired provisions that allow regulating very precise hitch height.

Well understood, elements that cooperate with cavities 54 of the stems 51, for the support of the second end of flexible element 50, different from hooks. Any support element or mobile wedge can be used introduced in cavities 54 that constitute the means of support of flexible element 50.

In the case of embodiments represented in figs. 9 and 10, the openings 46 that cross the sling plate 13 and allowing the passage of the element flexible 44 or 50 are arranged on the sling plate, in well defined and referenced positions so that you can the hooking of the slings in well defined positions on the horizontal plane of the sling plate.

The different openings 46 may be joined between them by grooves that cross the sling plate that it can also include sort slots for slings

The positions of the openings and the means Support on the sling plate can be referenced or marked, for example by colors, as in the case of embodiment described above in relation to figs. 6 to 8.

For example, in the case of the first variant of embodiment shown in fig. 9, latch 48 and / or Guiding devices 47a, 47b and 47c can be painted or carried color references that identify the position of the sling.

The links 45 of the chain 44 by means of the which is the hitch carry color references or are painted so that the hitch height can be realized desired on each of the attachment points of the plate slinging

In the case of the second embodiment variant depicted in fig. 10, hooks 55 and areas of stems 51 comprising cavities 54 may comprise color references or be painted, so that they can reference the hitch positions according to the different types of front group from which the mounting.

The operation of the coupling device according to the invention on an assembly line of motor vehicles, on which the pre-assembly of the front groups of the vehicles and the introduction of these front groups in the box the vehicles

The equipment operator or operators of the hitch device is in a job on the assembly line, near the arrival zone of a pre-assembly and preparation car front group When a car carrying a front group arrives to the job, the operator performs a visual recognition of the type of the motor and associates a color (which is attributed in a way traditional to this type of engine).

A coupling device according to the invention in empty state, that is to say without front group, is carried by a tape Conveyor to the job. The operator hooks the hook of the pulley system of a handling device in one of the hooking parts of the hook 16 of the device 11 according to the invention. The operator then performs the placement of a sling in the desired position, on the distribution side and on the side of the gearbox, as explained above using the color reference of the sling positions and the bushings The slings are supported and locked.

To save time in the preparation of hitch device according to the invention, the operations are generally carried out by two operators located, for one, by the hitching side of the distribution end and, for the other, by the hitching side of the end of the gearbox of a power group.

Unused cables and hooks are placed in a sort position so that they do not disturb the hitch device operations. The hitch device according to the invention it is displaced with the help of the maintenance means from the job to the car of pre-assembly of the front group. The application of the support vessels under the support parts of the transmission arms and fixing the hooks of the slings on the hitch points of the power unit of the front group carried by the motorized platform.

The reverse displacement of the means of maintenance of the job to take the front group fixed to the hitch device on the conveyor. Be unhook the pulley of the pulley system from the maintenance and the conveyor is started to take the group front in its mounting position in the vehicle case car.

During all its movements, the group front is perfectly maintained by the hitch device according to the invention that has been safely regulated by the Sling arrangement depending on the type of group front-wheel drive motor.

During the hitch of the front group to hitch device according to the invention, the tip is applied lower hitch bar 20 on the group support front, so as to ensure relative positioning correct between the cradle and the hitch device holder and a horizontal position of the sling plate for Avoid forward swinging of the engine.

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

This is how other ways of realization of the flexible elements of the slings and the support and locking elements of these flexible elements, of so that it can be done very quickly and very safely the placement of slings on the sling plate.

You can also consider other applications of the coupling device according to the invention.

For example, the hitch device according to the invention can be used to perform the lifting of boxes of motor vehicle on a vehicle assembly line.

Indeed, on the current assembly lines of motor vehicles, the boxes are fixed by means of hitch points arranged inside the boxes and of slings Flexible coupling elements such as cables of the slings, depending on the position of the hitch points, can pass along the internal parts of the box, such as uprights or glazing holes of the motor vehicle. The flexible hooking elements can hamper these uprights during the transport of the box.

On the same assembly line, you can assemble different variants of the same vehicle automobile or even different types of motor vehicles, although the path of the sling cables between the hitch point inside the box and the hitch point a a maintenance item is subject to change; for this fact, for certain types of vehicles at least, on a chain of assembly, there are risks of damaging the internal parts of the box during lifting and maintenance.

The use of a hitch device According to the invention, these risks of damage can be avoided by adapting the position of the support points of the slings on the plate slinging, the type of motor vehicle and the position of the box hitch points.

Providing support points more or less away from the central part of the hitch device, the fixing angle of the cables, so that these cables do not may come into contact with friction with an inner part of the box.

Generally, the hitch points of the boxes of different type of motor vehicles are at levels different according to the height of the box.

Using a hitch device according to the invention, you can also adjust the hitch height of the different points of the box, depending on the type of vehicle in progress of assembly, to engage in conditions satisfactory

The invention applies to the maintenance of any element or subset of components of a vehicle car on an assembly line.

Claims (16)

1. An attachment device of an element (1) of a motor vehicle to a support means, on an assembly line of the motor vehicle, comprising a support (12) having a coupling member (16) to the means of maintenance, at least one sling (24, 25, 25 ') constituted by an elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27, 44, 50) and by means of coupling (28, 29) of the element of the motor vehicle (1) fixed to a first end of the flexible suspension element (26, 27, 44, 50) and of the support attachment means, of a second end of the suspension element, characterized in that it comprises a slinging plate (13 ) fixed on the support (12) and comprising at least two support and maintenance elements (32a, ..., 32e, 33a, 33b, 33c, 48, 55) of the second end of the sling (24, 25 ), in a first or at least a second position, on a flat bearing surface of the sling plate (13), locates horizontally in the service position of the coupling device (11) connected to the support means (10), and because at least one sling (24, 25, 25 ') comprises at least two support means (30, 31, 45 , 54), in two areas spaced according to the length of the elongated flexible element (26, 27, 44, 50), intended to come to rest on one or the other of the support and maintenance elements (32a, ... 32e, 33a, 33b, 33c, 48, 55) of the sling plate (13) to secure the engagement of the vehicle element (1) at a vertical distance from the support surface of the sling plate (13) defined by the position of the support means (30, 31, 45, 54) chosen on the suspension element (26, 27, 44, 50) of the sling (24, 25, 25 '). 2. A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means (30, 31) of the sling (24, 25, 25 ') are bushings fixed on the elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27) of the sling (24, 25, 25 '), so that they are in radial projection relative to the outer surface of the elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27), in an area of the elongated flexible suspension element ( 26, 27) located at a certain distance from the first end of the elongated flexible suspension element (26, 27) and that each of the support and maintenance elements (32a, ..., 32e, 32c, 33a, 33b , 33c) of the sling plate (13) comprises a support element (38) of the sleeve (30, 31) of the sling (24, 25) having an annular shape and a central bore of the elongated flexible element ( 26, 27) of the sling (24, 25, 25 ') arranged according to an opening through the sling plate (13). 3. A coupling device according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the support and maintenance elements (32a, 32e, 33a, 33c) of the second end of the sling (24, 25) further comprises a maintenance means (39, 40) comprising a movable retaining element (40) capable of coming to a blocking position above the contact (30, 31) in support of the support element a (38). 4. A coupling device according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable element (40) of the bushing locking means (30, 31) is rotatably mounted around an axis perpendicular to the sling plate (13) on a block (39) integral with the sling plate (13) and comprises an opening (41) for applying the elongated flexible element (26, 27) of the sling (24, 25) and which is requested by a spring (43 ) in a position above the bushing (30,31) of the sling (24, 25) in which the opening (41) of the movable element (40) is applied around the elongated flexible element, above the bushing (30 , 31). A device according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the bore of the support element (38) communicates, by means of at least one slot through the slinging plate (13), with the least one sorting groove (36, 37, 37 ') in the inactive position of a sling (24, 25, 25') so that at least one sling (24, 25) can slide by sliding along the groove between its ordination position and an active position and on the support element (38). A hooking device according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one sorting 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). A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the elongated flexible element is one of the following elements: cable (26, 27), flexible elongated element consisting of stems (51) assembled end with articulate end. 8. A hooking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated flexible element of the sling is constituted by a chain (44) and that each of the support elements of the sling plate (13) is constituted by a latch (48) in support on the upper surface of the slinging plate (13) above an opening (46) of the chain passage (44) that crosses the slinging plate (13), the guide being guided bolt and being retained by guiding means (47a, 47b, 47c) on the upper surface of the sling plate (13) to be applied in a link (45) of the chain (44). 9. A coupling device according to claim 8, characterized in that the latch (48) has a height according to a direction perpendicular to the sling plate (13) determined so as to regulate the sling hitch height which It comprises the chain (44) for supporting the link (45) on the latch (48). A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated flexible suspension element of the sling comprises a set of rods (51) assembled in an articulated manner end to end, because each of the support elements of the sling plate (13) is constituted by an element (55) such as a hook mounted on the upper surface of the plate (13) so that it can be placed in an application position inside at least one cavity ( 54) provided on the lateral surface of at least one of the rods (51) of the elongated flexible element (50), at least one cavity (54) constituting the sling support means on the sling plate (13). A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each of the support elements (32a, ..., 32e, 33a, 33b, 33c, 48, 55) of the plate sling (13) and the support means (30, 31, 45, 54) of at least one sling (24, 25, 25 ') comprise a reference means or visual marking corresponding each to a hooking position of at least an element of a motor vehicle of a particular type. 12. A coupling device according to claim 11, characterized in that the reference or visual marking element is a color associated with a particular type of the motor vehicle element. 13. A coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the sling plate (13) comprises a plurality of support and maintenance elements (32a, ..., 32e, 33a , 33b, 33c, 48, 55) in a plurality of different positions on the bearing surface of the sling plate (13) and at least two slings (24, 25, 25 ') each comprising a plurality of means of support (30, 31, 45, 54) distributed according to the length of the elongated flexible element of the slings. 14. A coupling device according to claim 13, characterized in that each of the support and maintenance elements of the sling plate (13) and each of the support means of each of the slings comprise a visual reference element, such as a reference that has a color attributed to an element of the motor vehicle of a particular type. 15. A coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in the case of a motor vehicle element (1) constituting a subset of components of the motor vehicle, such as a front group (1) comprising the power unit (2), the support or cradle (3) and two suspension arms (4a, 4b) of the motor vehicle, characterized in that it also comprises at least one support means (18a, 18b) of at least one component of the motor vehicle, such as the suspension arms (4a, 4b), supportive of the support (12) of the coupling device and two slings (24, 25) whose coupling elements (28, 29) are intended to cooperate with two points of coupling of one of the components of the motor vehicle, for example the engine group (2) of the front group (1). 16. A coupling device according to claim 15, in the case of the maintenance of a front group (1) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that one of the coupling points of the front group by means of a coupling of a of the slings (24, 25) is arranged in the vicinity of one end of the engine on the distribution side and that a second hitch point (9b) of the power unit (2) is arranged on a second end of the power group, in the vicinity of the gearbox (5).