FR3131896A1 - Modular device for positioning and referencing a motor vehicle flap. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning device (1) for mounting a rear flap on the body of a motor vehicle, the rear flap being of the type comprising several variants, the device (1) comprising a frame (8) comprising support means (10) designed to support and reference the rear flap (1) on the positioning device with a view to gripping the flap by a gripping tool to bring it onto the body, the device (1) positioning being characterized in that the support means (10) comprise at least two sets of actuators (12), each set of actuators (12) being designed to support and position a distinct variant of the shutter on the device (1 ). (Figure 1)

Description

Modular device for positioning and referencing a motor vehicle flap.

The technical field concerns positioning devices making it possible to support and reference a rear vehicle shutter, as well as an assembly comprising such a device supporting a shutter and finally a mounting system making it possible to mount the shutter thus placed on the vehicle. in reference.

By rear flap is meant in this text, a rear opening of a vehicle consisting either of a door generally opening upwards or consisting of two doors each opening on one side of the vehicle.

Positioning a rear flap on the body of a vehicle during assembly is an operation that requires great precision in order to guarantee perfect alignment of the flap with the sides of the body.

It is known, for example from document FR 2 933 949, to use positioning tools on assembly lines to correctly position the shutter on the body. Such a positioning tool also makes it possible to pre-position the shutter hinges in a suitable position for their attachment to the body of the vehicle.

However, such tools are particularly complex and prove specific to a given geometry of the body and the shutter to be assembled. However, it is common for automobile manufacturers to offer several versions of their vehicles and in particular several variants of the rear flap, for example by offering a vehicle having a flap formed by a single door or a flap formed by two doors, as indicated upper. Also, for each variant of the shutter proposed to the client, it is necessary to have a version of the specific positioning tool. Positioning tools are generally stored around or near assembly lines in particularly limited storage areas.

Furthermore, in order to produce each version of vehicle it is necessary to reconfigure the assembly line by changing, in particular, the positioning tool, which requires time, maintenance and sometimes stopping the assembly line. Thus, the diversity of vehicles and the multiple shutter variants generate costs and detrimental storage problems that must be reduced.

Thus, there is a need for a solution making it possible to overcome the diversity of positioning tools necessary to assemble a vehicle flap having several variants.

The present invention aims to overcome the problems explained above. In this technical context, an aim of the present invention is to provide a modular positioning device making it possible to support and reference a plurality of shutter variants without requiring a change of device.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a positioning device for mounting a rear flap on the body of a motor vehicle, the rear flap being of the type comprising several variants, the device comprising a chassis comprising means of support designed to support and reference the rear flap on the positioning device with a view to gripping the flap by a gripping tool to bring it to the body, the positioning device being characterized in that the support means comprise at least two sets of actuators, each set of actuators being configured to support and position a distinct variation of the shutter on the device.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device according to the invention and a variant of a rear flap of a motor vehicle referenced on said device thanks to the support means.

The invention finally relates to a system for mounting a rear vehicle flap comprising a positioning device according to the invention and a robotic gripping tool designed to grip a flap supported by the positioning device in order to position it on the body of the vehicle. vehicle.

Thus, the positioning device makes it possible to support and reference at least one rear vehicle flap thanks to the support means with a view to gripping the flap by a gripping tool according to the invention. Thanks to the different sets of actuators, the device is able to adapt to at least two variants of the same shutter, without requiring changing the device. The device according to the invention is therefore modular and makes it possible to reduce the number of tools necessary for assembling a vehicle having several versions.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuators of each set of actuators are movable between a specific operational position, in which the actuator participates in supporting the shutter, and a specific retracted position, in which the actuator is in removal of the flap supported by the device.

According to one possibility, the positioning device comprises at least two sets of mechanical manipulators, each manipulator being designed to rotate at least one hinge between a rest position, in which the hinge of the shutter rests when the shutter is supported by the device, and a mounting position, in which the hinge is positioned to be fixed on the body, each set of manipulators allowing the hinges of a distinct variant of the shutter to be manipulated.

According to one embodiment, the positioning device comprises at least one pair of alignment elements designed to guarantee the gaps and flush levels between two doors constituting a variant of a shutter.

Advantageously, each alignment element is movable between an operational position, in which the alignment element is in support of at least one edge of one of the doors, and a retracted position, in which the alignment element is set back from the shutter, when the shutter is supported by the device.

According to one possibility, the device comprises detection means designed to detect the presence of a shutter and/or to identify the variant of said shutter.

Advantageously, the variant of the rear shutter has one door or two doors.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

there , represents a perspective view of a positioning device according to the invention;

there , represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention comprising the device for positioning the and a first variant of a shutter having two doors;

there , represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention comprising the device for positioning the and a second variant of a shutter having a door;

there , represents a perspective view of a vehicle body and a mounting system according to the invention;

there , represents a detailed view of the positioning device of the , showing a pair of alignment elements;

there , represents a detailed view of the entire showing an alignment element of the interacting with the first variant of the pane;

there , represents a detailed view of the entire , showing a mechanical manipulator interacting with a hinge of the first variant of the shutter;

there , represents a detailed view of the mechanical manipulator of the , and the hinge in its rest position;

there , represents a detailed view of a manipulator of the entire , interacting with a hinge of the second variant of the shutter;

there , represents a detailed view of the positioning device of the , showing means of detection.

In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

A positioning device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to allow the mounting of a rear flap 2 on the body 3 of a motor vehicle 4, illustrated in the , the rear flap 2 being of the type comprising several variants. Thus, a first variant of part 2, illustrated on the , presents two doors 5 having hinges 6, illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, arranged on each of the doors 5 so as to articulate the doors 5 on the body 3 along a vertical axis of the vehicle 4. A second variant of the shutter 2, illustrated on the , has a single door 7 which is intended to be articulated on the body 3 around a horizontal axis of the vehicle 4, located in the upper part thereof, using hinges 6.

The positioning device 1 comprises a chassis 8, forming a planar structure 9 and comprising support means 10 designed to support and reference the rear flap 2 on the positioning device 1, with a view to gripping the flap 2 by a gripping tool 11, illustrated on the , to bring it to crate 3.

The positioning device 1 is remarkable in that the support means 10 comprise at least two sets of actuators 12 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each consisting of a plurality of actuators 13, illustrated in particular in Figures 1, 6 and 10. Each set of actuators 12 is designed to support and position a distinct variant of the shutter 2 on the positioning device 1, thus allowing modularity of the positioning device 1.

In order to allow the modularity of the positioning device 1, the actuators 13 of each set of actuators 12 are movable between a specific operational position, in which the actuator participates in the support of the shutter 2, and a specific retracted position, in which the The actuator is set back from the shutter 2 supported by the device 1. For example, as illustrated in the , each actuator 13 has a functional head 14 designed to cooperate with the shutter 2 in order to ensure that it is held in place. The functional head 14 is mounted at one end of a rod 15, mounted perpendicular to the flat structure 9 of the chassis 8 and whose end opposite the functional head 14 is fixed to a lifting element 16, illustrated for example in the figures 6 and 10, allowing the functional head 14 to be moved along the axis of the rod 15. Thus, in the operational position, the functional head 14 is moved away from the chassis 8 while in the retracted position, the functional head is brought closer to the chassis 8.

Thus, by simultaneously controlling all the actuators 13 of the same set of actuators 12 in the operational position, while positioning the other actuators 13 in the retracted position, it is easy to configure the device 1 so that it can support and put in reference to the first or second variant of part 2.

In order to automatically detect the variant of the shutter 2 supported by the positioning device 1, the latter comprises detection means 17, illustrated in the , designed to detect the presence of a shutter 2 and to identify the variant of said shutter 2. For example, the detection means 17 comprise a photovoltaic cell, a camera or any other means making it possible to detect and/or measure a distance between the means and a flap 2 positioned on the device 1. The detection means 17 are for example arranged on the chassis 8 in a position such that the first variant of the flap 2 covers the detection means while the second variant of the flap 2 leaves a free space next to the detection means, or vice versa.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the positioning device 1 comprises at least one pair of alignment elements 18 designed to guarantee the gaps 19 and the flush levels between two doors 5 constituting the first variant of the shutter 2. The gap 19 is arranged between the two doors 5, when they are in closed positions on the body 3. For example, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, each alignment element 18 comprises two brackets 20 each forming an angle straight and each defining a corner intended to accommodate the respective and opposite edges 21 of each door 5, as illustrated in the . In order to guarantee the flush levels and a regular gap 19, the positioning device 1 comprises two pairs of alignment elements 18 arranged at a distance from each other, as illustrated in the . In the same way as for the actuators 13, each alignment element 18 is mounted movable between an operational position, in which the alignment element 18 is in support of the edges 21 of the two doors 5, and a retracted position, in which the alignment element 18 is set back from the flap 2, when the flap 2 is supported by the positioning device 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, in particular Figures 7, 8 and 9, the positioning device 1 comprises at least two sets of mechanical manipulators 22 comprising a plurality of mechanical manipulators 23, each manipulator 23 being designed to rotate at least a hinge 6 between a rest position, in which each hinge 6 of the flap 2 rests when the flap 2 is supported by the device 1, and a mounting position, in which the hinge 6 is positioned to be fixed on the body 3. Each set of manipulators 22 makes it possible to manipulate the hinges 6 of a distinct variant of the shutter 2.

Thus, as illustrated in Figures 1, 7 and 8, two hinges 6 of the first variant of shutter 2 are manipulated by a manipulator 23 of a set of manipulators 22. Each manipulator 23 comprises at least one plate 24 in this case two opposite plates 24, from which a pin 25 projects in a direction parallel to the chassis 8. Each plate 24 is movable along an axis parallel to the chassis 8 in order to bring each plate 24 to support a hinge 6. Each plate 24 and each pin 25 can thus be rotated along an axis of rotation A, illustrated on the , so as to rotate each hinge 6 around its own axis to bring it into the mounting position in which the pins 25 prevent the hinge 6 from returning to the rest position by gravity, illustrated on the .

A first set of manipulators 22 comprises two manipulators 23 located on either side of the positioning device 1 so as to interact with the hinges 6 of each door 5 of the second variant of shutter 2.

The positioning device 1 also comprises a set of manipulators 22, illustrated in Figures 3 and 9, comprising a pair of manipulators 23 capable of manipulating the hinges 6 of the second variant of the shutter 2. The manipulators 23 are then arranged at a distance l 'one from the other on the same side of the device 1, as illustrated in the .

As illustrated in , each manipulator 23 also includes a plate 24 designed and positioned to allow the hinge 6 to rotate. A first cylinder 26 of the manipulator 23, illustrated on the , allows the plate 24 to be brought into contact with the hinge 6, by moving it along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation B illustrated on the . Then a second jack 27 makes it possible to rotate the plate 24, around the same axis of rotation B, so as to rotate the hinge 6 to bring it into the mounting position, as illustrated on the .

When the flap 2 is positioned on the positioning device 1, the support means 10 interact with the flap 2 in order to hold it in position and reference it to form an assembly 28 according to the invention as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, any gaps 19 are perfectly respected and the hinges 6 are correctly positioned. A gripping tool 11, illustrated on the and forms with the device 1 a system for mounting a rear vehicle flap 2 according to the invention. The gripping tool 11 comprises a robotic arm 29 at the end of which gripping means 30 are configured to grip the flap 2 supported by the positioning device 1 in order to position it on the body 3 of the vehicle 4 while maintaining the relative positioning of the hinges 6 and the doors 5, when the shutter 2 has two doors 5.

Thus, the positioning device 1 makes it possible to form several assemblies 28 according to the invention, each corresponding to a variant of the component 2. The positioning device 1 thus offers modularity and makes it possible to reduce the number of tools necessary for assembly of a vehicle 4 presenting several versions.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the positioning device described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the framework and the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

Positioning device (1) for mounting a rear flap (2) on the body (3) of a motor vehicle (4), the rear flap (2) being of the type comprising several variants, the device (1) comprising a frame (8) comprising support means (10) designed to support and reference the rear flap (2) on the positioning device (1) with a view to gripping the flap (2) by a gripping tool (11) to bring it to the body (3), the positioning device (1) being characterized in that the support means (10) comprise at least two sets of actuators (12), each set of actuators (12) being designed to support and position a separate variant of the flap (2) on the device (1). Positioning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuators (13) of each set of actuators (12) are movable between a specific operational position, in which the actuator (13) participates in supporting the shutter (2), and a clean retracted position, in which the actuator (13) is set back from the flap (2) supported by the device (1). Positioning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least two sets of mechanical manipulators (22), each manipulator (23) being designed to rotate at least one hinge (6) between a position rest, in which the hinge (6) of the shutter (2) rests when the shutter (2) is supported by the device (1), and a mounting position, in which the hinge (6) is positioned to be fixed on the body (3), each set of manipulators (22) making it possible to manipulate the hinges (6) of a distinct variant of the shutter (2). Positioning device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of alignment elements (18) designed to guarantee the gaps (19) and the flush levels between two doors (5) constituting a variant of a shutter (2). Positioning device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each alignment element (18) is movable between an operational position, in which the alignment element (18) is supported by at least one edge (21) of one of the doors (5), and a retracted position, in which the alignment element (18) is set back from the shutter (2), when the shutter (2) is supported by the device (1 ). Positioning device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises detection means (17) designed to detect the presence of a flap (2) and/or to identify the variant of said shutter (2). Assembly (28) comprising a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and a variant of a rear flap (2) of a motor vehicle (4) referenced on said device (1) by means of the means support (10). Assembly (28) according to claim 7, characterized in that the variant of the rear flap (2) comprises one door (5) or two doors (5). System for mounting a rear vehicle flap (2) comprising a positioning device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and a robotic gripping tool (11) designed to grip a flap (2) supported by the positioning device (1) in order to position it on the body (3) of the vehicle (4).