GB2245231A

GB2245231A - Process and device for attaching panelling components to a vehicle body frame

Info

Publication number: GB2245231A
Application number: GB9109380A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edgar Blum
Original assignee: Daimler Benz AG; Mercedes Benz AG
Current assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Priority date: 1990-05-17
Filing date: 1991-05-01
Publication date: 1992-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2011-05-01
Also published as: GB2245231B; SE9101473D0; ITRM910325A0; DE4015827C2; ITRM910325A1; FR2662134A1; DE4015827A1; SE9101473L; FR2662134B1; IT1248319B; GB9109380D0

Description

1 Process and device for attaching panelling comiDonents to a vehicle bodv

frame The invention relates to a process and a device f or attaching panelling components including a roof panelling and rear mudguard panels to a vehicle body frame of a motor vehicle, particularly but not exclusively, of a passenger vehicle.

It is known (DE.OS 19 55 058 to connect panelling components of the roof wall and of the side wall of a passenger vehicle to one another on the vehicle body by welding. Since this occurs on the vehicle body which is complete in this area, the working of joints is costly in terms of production technology and ergonomically unfavourable.

The invention seeks to provide a process and a device of the type mentioned at the beginning which improves the attachment of panelling components to the vehicle body frame.

According to the present invention there is provided a process for attaching panelling components including a roof panelling and rear mudguard panels to a vehicle body frame of a motor vehicle, the roof panelling and the rear mudguard panels being joined to form one constructional unit and the unit being subsequently mounted on the vehicle body frame, wherein the roof panelling and the rear mudguard panels are joined flush by means of a welded joint at a joint which is provided between downwardly projecting extensions of the roof panelling and upwardly projecting web-like elongations of the rear mudguard panels.

An optimal alignment of the panelling components for the welding of the connecting weld is possible by means of this premounting. The entire welding and working process of the joints which are then easily accessible is optimised and leads to an enhanced quality of the constructional unit. In addition, the working conditions for the persons entrusted with the working of the joints are improved since the welding points are easily accessible.

2 In an embodiment of the invention, the rear mudguard panels are spread elastically outwards, essentially horizontally, about the centre longitudinal axis of the roof panelling when the constructional unit is mounted on the vehicle body frame. This is necessary in order to bridge an undercut of the connection between the mudguard and the wheel installation opening.

In a further embodiment, a device for mounting the constructional unit on the vehicle body frame is provided which has a holding device for receiving and aligning the roof panelling and the rear mudguard panelling and has gripping means which bear the constructional unit and spread about a centre longitudinal axis of the roof panelling. As a result, a complete automation of the working processes for mounting the constructional unit on the vehicle body frame is achieved.

A further development provides vacuum suction devices as gripping means which can be m ounted on the outer skin of the constructional unit. In this way, the constructional unit is borne and displaced in a simple manner without the outer skin of the panelling components being damaged.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawing which shows a perspective view of a constructional unit in which the roof panelling is connected to two rear mudguard panels.

In order to produce a passenger vehicle, a so-called vehicle body frame is first constructed which is composed of all the essential load-bearing components such as longitudinal and crossmembers, A-pillars and rear pillars etc. Subsequently, plane panelling components, for example roof and side panels are welded to the vehicle body frame.

An embodiment of such panelling components is illustrated in the drawing, in which a roof panelling 1 forming the roof of the passenger vehicle is connected to two rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 by means of a joint 4 provided on each side. These joints 4 are located to the left and right of the rear window area of the passenger vehicle, the rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 projecting essentially perpendicularly upwards in each case in a web-like manner to the left and right of the 3 rear window area and connecting at the upper side of the respective web- like elongation and in the area of the roof panelling with the roof panelling component 1 arranged essentially horizontally. Such a rear mudguard panelling 2 or 3 therefore constitutes an essentially plane component which is drawn downwards, matched to the roof panelling component 1 and subsequently to the C-pillar column of the passenger vehicle, and arches towards the rear of the vehicle over the rear wheel cavity and forms a receptacle on the rear for a rear light.

In a passenger vehicle which is later completely assembled, a boot hood and a rear wall are essentially located between the two rear mudguard panels 2 and 3.

The roof panelling component 1 has an essentially plane, four-cornered shape and has downwardly projecting, not designated in more detail, extensions in the direction of the A-pillars as well as in the direction of the C-pillars of the passenger vehicle, to which adjoin the adjacent panelling components, such as the two rear mudguards of the panels 2 and 3, for example.

In the exemplary embodiment, the two rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 are connected to the roof panelling 1 by means of a welded joint formed preferably with the aid of a laser, and ground smooth. In order to connect these panelling components to one another and to the vehicle body frame in accordance with the invention, the roof panelling 1 as well as the two rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 of the vehicle body frame are connected to one another separately on a premounting stand. In such a premounting stand (not illustrated), the roof panelling 1 as well as the two rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 are aligned in holding devices in accordance with their later position on the vehicle and fixed in this position. Subsequently, each rear mudguard panel 2 and 3 is welded to the roof panelling 1 by means of the part of the said rear mudguard panel which in each case adjoins in a f lush manner the roof panelling 1 in the area of the joint 4. After the working of the joint 4 by grinding or the like, the constructional unit consisting of roof panelling 1 as well as the two rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 is displaced with the aid of a transport device i 4 not illustrated towards the vehicle body frame, is brought into a position perpendicular over the vehicle body frame and subsequently mounted from above onto the vehicle body frame. The transport device has gripping means which can securely grip the constructional unit for transport to the vehicle body frame. For this purpose, it is preferable to provide a basket with vacuum suction devices which embrace the entire outer skin of the constructional unit and secure themselves thereto by suction without damaging the said unit.

In order to bring the constructional unit over the vehicle body frame, the transport device can be constructed, for example, as a crane or as an overhead chain-and-trolley conveyor. As soon as the constructional unit is located perpendicularly over the position of the vehicle body frame, in,ihich position it will later be connected to the latter, it is lowered downwards. At the same time, the rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 are spread outwards about a centre longitudinal axis not illustrated of the roof panelling 1 with the aid of corresponding movements of the vacuumm suction devices in order to bridge an undercut between the rear mudguard panel and a wheel installation opening associated with the vehicle body frame in the area of the wheel cutout. This spreading of the rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 occurs in the elastic area, in order to avoid damage to the outer skin. For this purpose, a rear mudguard panel 2 or 3 can be spread outwards to the side out of its non-loaded initial position by approximately 60 mm. The spreading of the constructional unit occurs in an automised manner by means of the vacuum suction basket, the vacuum suction devices being correspondingly outwardly displaceable. As soon as the constructional unit is mounted on the vehicle body frame, the vacuum suction devices are removed from the outer skin and the constructional unit is connected to the vehicle body frame by welding.

The holding device in the premounting stand is constructed in such a way that both the roof panelling 1 and the two rear mudguard panels 2 and 3 are aligned and fixed in accordance with their later position on the vehicle body frame, so that a welded joint can be made at the joint 4 in a simple f- 1 way without a relatively large welding delay.

6

Claims

1. A process for attaching panelling components including a roof panelling and rear mudguard panels to a vehicle body frame of a motor vehicle, the roof panelling and the rear mudguard panels being joined to form one constructional unit and the unit being subsequently mounted on the vehicle body frame, wherein the roof panelling and the rear mudguard panels are joined flush by means of a welded joint at a joint which is provided between downwardly projecting extensions of the roof panelling and upwardly projecting web-like elongations of the rear mudguard panels.

A process according to Clain, 1, wherein the welded joint is produced by means of a laser bean.

3. A process according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear mudguard panels are spread elastically outwards, about the centre longitudinal axis of the roof panelling when the constructional unit is mounted on the vehicle body frame.

4. A process according to Claim 3, wherein the elastic spreading path of a rear mudguard panel from a non-loaded initial position is approximately 60 mm laterally outwards.

5. A device for mounting the constructional unit on the vehicle body frame according to a process in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a holding device for receiving and aligning the roof panelling and the rear mudguard panels is provided which has gripping means which bear the constructional unit and spread about a centre longitudinal axis of the roof panelling.

6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the gripping means is displaceable vertically and horizontally between the holding device and the vehicle body frame.

0 0

7 7. A device according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein vacuum suction devices are provided as gripping means which are mountable on the outer skin of the constructional unit.

8. A process for attaching panelling components including a roof panelling and rear mudguard panels to a vehicle body frame of a motor vehicle, substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

9. A device for mounting the constructional unit on the vehicle body frame according to a process in accordance with Claim 8.

1 Published 1991 at The Patent Office, Concept House. Cardiff Road. Newport. Gwent NP9 I RH- Further copies may be obLained ir.. Sales Branch, Unit 6. Nine Mile Point, Cwrnfelinfach, Cross Keys, Newport, NPI 7HZ. Printed bv Multiplex techniques ltd. St Marv Cray. Rent.