KR20010072623A - Making electrical connection of instrument panel wiring to body and engine compartment wiring during the instrument panel installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for electrically connecting instrument panel wiring to vehicle bodywork and engine compartment wiring during installation of the instrument panel. The first electrical connector assembly 112 is mounted to the rear of the instrument panel IP, and the second electrical connector assembly 122 is mounted to the vehicle body and coupled with the first electrical connector assembly 112. During installation of the instrument panel IP inside the vehicle body B, the first and second electrical connector assemblies are aligned with respect to each other such that the instrument panel IP is pressed forward into the installation position and the first and second electrical connectors The assemblies engage with each other.

Description

MAKING ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING TO BODY AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING DURING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTALLATION}

When assembling a vehicle still requires quite a bit of labor. Mechanical and power units can be employed to some extent in these processes, resulting in less time and physical labor and less injuries.

The apparatus of the present invention has in particular made it possible to transfer the instrument panel assembly to a moving vehicle body on an assembly line of a vehicle assembly plant.

Currently, the vehicle is designed so that the instrument panel and the engine compartment wiring connection must be made manually into the instrument panel after the instrument panel is installed in the vehicle. The process of manually connecting instrument panel wiring to the bodywork requires other personnel to do ergonomically intimate tasks. The device of the present invention utilizes a self-docking instrument panel connector system, eliminating the need to manually connect wiring connectors to each other, thereby removing the instrument panel wiring from the vehicle body and engine compartment wiring. The electrical connection is improved. The improved instrument panel connector system has a stationary connector and an adjustable connector. This connector system automatically compensates for manufacturing tolerances and part insertion variations. The adjustable connector not only allows limited rotational movement but also can move in three axes. The ability of the adjustable connector to move in all three axes, as well as having limited rotational movement, facilitates improved mating alignment between the adjustable connector and the stationary connector while installing the instrument cluster in the vehicle.

The present invention relates to a vehicle assembly system, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for installing an instrument panel assembly in a vehicle body.

1 is a partially broken half-over plan view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

2 is a partial perspective view of a swing frame assembly according to the present invention.

3 is a detailed perspective view of a swing frame assembly according to the present invention.

4 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of an instrument panel inside a vehicle according to the principles of the present invention;

5 is a rear perspective view of the instrument panel assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

6 is a front perspective view of the passenger compartment to which the connector mounting bracket is mounted;

7 is an enlarged perspective view of a wire harness coupler implementing the present invention.

8 is an enlarged side view of the instrument panel connector of the present invention.

9 is a perspective view of an electrical connector in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

10 is a front view of an outer bracket for use with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the outer bracket shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

12 is a side view of the outer bracket shown in FIG. 4;

Figure 13 is a front view of the snap lock surrounding the outer bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the snap lock shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

16 is a front view of the inner bracket of the connector retaining assembly.

17 is a side view of the inner bracket shown in FIG. 10.

18 is an end view of the inner bracket shown in FIG. 10.

19 is a perspective view of a 25 way connector assembly.

20 is a cross-sectional view of a connector retaining assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating engagement of the internal bracket of the adjustable connector assembly with a stationary or fixed connector. FIG.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a stationary connector associated with an inner bracket of the adjustable connector assembly. FIG.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection of a female connector and a male connector supported by a stationary or fixed connector and one of the internal connectors of the adjustable assembly;

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view showing a stationary or fixed connector engaged with an inner bracket or adjustable connector assembly and a prong of an outer bracket placed in a recess in a hole in the mounting surface; FIG.

The instrument panel mounting system according to the present invention provides an electrical connector having a first connector member for supporting a plurality of electrical terminals mounted to the instrument panel. The second connector member supports a corresponding electrical terminal for engaging with a plurality of electrical terminals supported by the first connector member. This second connector member is supported by the vehicle body. This instrument panel mounting system is used to install the instrument panel assembly inside the vehicle body while the first connector and the second connector member are aligned with each other. The instrument panel mounting system then applies another engagement force for engaging the first connector and the second connector member.

Other areas of application of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description, and specific embodiments representing the preferred embodiments of the invention, are for illustration only, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope and scope of the invention. .

The invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

1 to 6, an apparatus for transferring the instrument panel assembly from a pick-up station to the interior of a vehicle body for installation will be described. Shows a state in which the vehicle body B is individually mounted on a body carrier 10 moving along the assembly line 12 in a longitudinally spaced relationship by any suitable means (not shown). . The vehicle body B is arranged in the longitudinal movement direction of the assembly line 12. The instrument panel assembly IP is transported from the laterally spaced pickup station 16 to one side of the assembly line 12 so as to be installed in the moving vehicle body B. The instrument panel assembly IP is conveyed by a swing frame assembly 18 mounted on a bridge 20 for transversal travel from the pickup station 16 to the assembly line 12. To move the bridge in unison along the track 22 with the vehicle body B in contact with an arm connected to the bridge 20 so that the instrument panel assembly IP can be transported while the vehicle body moves. The vehicle body carriers 10 are each provided with vertical posts 14. The track consists of a rail 23 parallel to the assembly line 12 and joined by a roller on the bridge 20.

The pickup station 16 is located at a point along the rail spaced laterally parallel to the assembly line 12 through which the vehicle body moves. The fixture carrying the instrument panel assembly is mounted on a trolley 28 having a roller that engages the rail 24. This trolley 28 moves along the rail 24 by any suitable means. Trolley system 28 as used in the present invention is disclosed in US Patent Application No. 5,456,002, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a swing frame assembly (not shown) may be used to move a carriage 30 along a bridge 20 from a location adjacent to the pickup station 16 to a location adjacent to the assembly line 12. 18 has a carriage 30 provided with a roller unit 32 that engages with the parallel rails 34 of the bridge 20. The head 36 to which the horizontal circular break disk 38 is fixed is attached to the bottom of the carriage 30. The long vertical column 98 extends downward from the head 94 and pivots there for axial rotation. The articulated arm assembly protrudes radially from the column 40 and has a pair of parallel arms 42 with one end fixed to the bracket 44 on the column 40 for vertical swing movement on the pins 46, 48. Has The opposite end of the arm 42 is connected to the upright bracket 50 for vertical pivot movement on the pins 52, 54. Since the pins 46, 48, 52, 54 are arranged in a rectangular pattern on the parallel axis, the arm 42 forms a parallelogram connection and the upright bracket 50 at the end of the arm 42 is in the same upright position. Pivot up and down as a unit while maintaining improvement.

Projecting generally horizontally from the upright bracket 50 is the beam 56, which supports the instrument panel assembly IP on the beam 56 and temporarily secures it to the frame of the vehicle body B. In order to secure the instrument panel assembly (IP) to the vehicle, various mechanisms for guiding the beam to a suitable position for picking up the instrument panel assembly (IP) on the fixture from the pick-up station 16 are supported. Beam 56 is connected to bracket 50 for pivotable adjustment by horizontal hinge 58, with each pivotable adjustment accomplished by piston-cylinder assembly 60. The beam 56 is usually held in a horizontal position, but sometimes because the vehicle body B, on which the instrument panel assembly IP is installed, is sometimes inclined or inclined slightly to one side or the other from horizontal and the beam 56 is similarly inclined. It is necessary to pivot the beam 56. Beam 56 should be positioned correctly when receiving instrument panel assembly IP from a fixture on trolley 28 at pickup station 16. Beam 56 is laterally spaced from rests 62 and 64 and mounted on a bracket that is secured to and extends from beam 56. Beam 56 also has a clamping device 66 between the rests 62 and 64.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tool housing 68 is firmly mounted to the beam 56 adjacent its end, and fastens the fastener driver 70 which focuses forward to insert the fastener into the prepared hole in the instrument panel assembly IP. Have The tool motor on the housing 68 operates the driver 70 to set the fasteners inserted into the frame of the vehicle body B as described later in more detail. The housing 68 is also equipped with a front protruding positioning pin 72 that extends into a hole in the instrument panel assembly IP for positioning.

The other tool housing 78 is firmly mounted to the beam 56 adjacent its opposite end and has a fastener driver 80 that focuses forward to insert the fastener into the hole in the instrument panel assembly IP. The tool motor operates the driver 80 to set the fasteners inserted in the frame of the vehicle body B as described in more detail later.

The housing 78 is also equipped with a front protruding positioning pin 82 that extends into a hole in the instrument panel assembly IP for positioning. Beam 56 may be raised and lowered manually. An air balanced piston-cylinder assembly 84 with one end connected to the column 40 and the other end connected to one of the arms 42 will hold the beam 56 at any height selected by the operator.

The control panel 86 for the swing frame assembly is mounted on the beam 56 and provides the operator with controls for operating the tool motors 68, 78 and the cylinder assembly. The control panel 86 is adjacent to the operator handle 88.

Swing frame assembly 18 is a position where beam 56 is at a right angle from the position where beam 56 is parallel to the fixture at pickup station 16 (shown in dashed line in FIG. 1) (shown in solid line in FIG. 1). Can be swinged up to). A stop is provided on the brake disc 38 to determine these two positions by engaging the arm on column 40. When the arm hits the stop when the swing frame assembly reaches a position where the beam is at a position perpendicular to the pickup station, the arm also engages with the brake disc 38 and prevents further rotation of the swing frame assembly 18. It works in conjunction with the limit switch that activates the brake pads. This system is described in more detail in US Pat. No. 5,456,002.

As described above, when the swing frame assembly 18 is in the process of inserting the instrument panel assembly IP into the moving vehicle body B on the assembly line 12, the bridge on which the swing frame assembly 18 is mounted ( 20 moves in line with the vehicle body B. FIG. For this purpose, the bridge 20 is connected to the second bridge 92 by a piston-cylinder assembly 94. The bridge 92 has a roller unit 96 that extends parallel to the bridge 20 and engages the rail 23 of the track 22 for movement along it. The bridge 92 has two arms 98 and 100 which normally swing away far into an alignment position parallel to the passageway of the assembly line 12, but with each other by the piston cylinder assemblies 102 and 104. Since they can be swinged 90 degrees separately toward them, they focus in parallel toward the assembly line 12. In the latter position, the two arms cross the passageway of the vertical post 14 on the bodywork carrier 10. The operator extends the arm 98 by one control on the panel 86. Arm 100 extends in accordance with a limit switch on arm 98 which is contacted by a post 14 on vehicle body carrier 10. The piston-cylinder assembly 94 is actuated by control switches 106 and 108 adjacent to the handle 88 so that the bridge 20 is closer to the bridge 92 (switch 106), or bridge 92 as desired. Move away from (switch 108).

To take the instrument panel assembly IP from the pick-up station 16, the operator rotates the swing frame assembly 18 to engage the stops so that the beam 56 rotates to a position generally parallel to the rail 24, and the trolley 28 moves along the rail 24. The operator moves the carriage 30 of the swing frame assembly along the bridge 20 toward the pickup station 16 and manipulates the beam 56 so that the instrument panel assembly will be supported on the rests 62, 64. In addition, fasteners and locator pins 72 and 82 will protrude through holes in instrument panel assembly IP. Instrument panel assembly IP is also coupled by clamping device 66. The instrument panel assembly IP is then released from the fixture so that the operator can move the instrument panel assembly and the beam 56 away from the fixture.

Since the swing frame assembly 18 with the instrument panel assembly IP swings about 90 degrees, the beam 56 is perpendicular to the pick-up station 16 and the arm hits the stop as described above, so that additional swing frame assembly Limit swing movement.

By means of a switch in the control panel 86, the operator operates the cylinder 102 to extend the arm 98 into the passage of the post 14 on the vehicle body carrier 20. The post of the bodywork carriage 10 will then engage the arm 98 and the limit switch on the arm 98 will actuate the cylinder 104 to extend the arm 100 when it is retracted by the post to extend the post between the arms. Hold it. The bridge 20 will move with the body carriage 10 and of course the swing frame assembly 18 will move with the bridge 20.

The operator manually advances the swing frame assembly 18 along the bridge 20 towards the assembly line 12 and manipulates the beam supporting the instrument panel assembly IP to the open side of the vehicle body B (this step). In the door does not depend on the vehicle body). A second operator on the opposite side of the vehicle body can use the handle 110 to assist in steering the beam 56 to a location for installation of the instrument panel assembly IP.

As described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 24, the instrument panel assembly IP is provided with an instrument panel in a vehicle body wiring connector 112 mounted behind the instrument panel assembly IP. The connector 112 is mounted to the instrument panel IP by a mounting bracket 114 that includes a pair of ears 116. The self-docking instrument panel connector system of the present invention is such that when the instrument panel IP is connected to the vehicle body B of the vehicle, the connection of the wire harness 118 of the instrument panel IP is connected to the vehicle body and the engine compartment harness. 120 will be automatically connected. The auto docking instrument panel connector system includes a stationary or stationary connector 112 mounted to the instrument panel assembly (IP). The fixed connector 112 engages with the inner bracket 121 of the connector holding assembly 122. The connector holding assembly 122 includes an outer bracket 124 that supports the inner bracket 121. The outer bracket 124 is mounted to the optional mounting bracket 126 or the vehicle body B. The stationary or fixed connector 112 is provided with a pair of mounting portions 134 that can be connected to the instrument panel IP by a bracket such as the bracket 114. The stationary or fixed connector 112 may be secured to the bracket 114 by screws 130, bolts or other means.

The inner bracket 121 includes a plurality of inner connector assemblies 132 comprising a plurality of female terminals 136 connected to respective wires on the wire harness 120 as shown in FIG. 19. I support it. A number of male terminals 138 are supported by external connectors 112. The male terminal 138 is connected to the individual wire 140 of the wire harness 118. Wire harness 118 is connected to a number of connectors 142 disposed in instrument panel IP for transmitting electrical signals to a plurality of instrument panel actuators and displays.

As can be seen in FIG. 21, the outer connector 112 is provided with a funnel shaped surface 143, which funnel shaped surface 143 engages with the top surface of the inner bracket 121 and seats the outer connector 112. It is located in the center of the inner bracket 121 with respect to the portion 146. The male terminal 138 supported by the stationary or fixed connector 112 is coupled with the female terminal 136 of the connector assembly 132 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. According to a preferred embodiment, the inner bracket 121 is provided with three pockets 148 to support the three connector assemblies 132. The pocket 148 is defined by the center wall 152 and the outer wall 150 of the inner bracket 121.

The connector assembly 132 is provided with a latching mechanism 154, each of which has a locking member 156 that engages with a locking tab 158 disposed over the outer wall 150 of the inner bracket 121. Have The inner bracket 121 includes a flanged portion 160 accommodated in the slot 162 of the outer bracket 124. The inner bracket 121 is also provided with a plurality of lateral spring members 164, which extend laterally outward from the top of the outer wall 150. The spring member 164 extends downwardly toward the flange 160. The flange 160 includes a plurality of openings 166, which receive the ends of the lateral spring member 164. Lateral spring member 164 engages an inner surface 168 of outer bracket 124 adjacent slot 162. The side spring member 164 shifts the inner bracket 121 toward the centered position with respect to the outer bracket 124. However, the lateral spring member 164 is flexible, and as shown in FIG. 20, the positioning of the inner bracket 121 to the outer bracket 124 can be adjusted. Thus, the lateral position of the inner bracket 121 can be automatically adjusted to align itself in the x and y lateral directions with respect to the outer connector 112 as shown in FIG. 9.

The outer bracket 124 includes a plurality of prongs 170, each of which is provided with a plurality of crush ribs 172 along its radial surface. A pointed tip 174 having a seat portion 176 is provided. The tip 174 of the prong 170 is inserted into the hole 178 in the support surface 180. While assembling the instrument panel IP to the vehicle body B, there are many tolerances that must be taken into account while connecting the stationary or stationary connector 122 to the inner bracket 121 of the connector support assembly 122. These tolerances exist for both x, y and z 3 directions, so the inner bracket 121 is the outer bracket 124 because of the flange 160 that can move within the slot 162 of the outer bracket 124. Can be adjusted in two lateral directions (x, y). In addition, as shown in FIG. 24, the prongs 170 may be placed within the holes 178 so as to be adjustable (in the z direction) of the mounting surface. In particular, when the prongs 170 are pushed or forced into the holes 178 of the mounting surface 180, the crush ribs 172 are shaved from the prongs 170. Alternatively, the crush rib 172 can be deformed while being inserted only through the hole 178. When instrument panel IP is assembled in the vehicle body, the inner bracket 121 moves in the longitudinal direction (z direction) by the ability of the prong 170 to be adjustablely placed in the hole 178 of the mounting surface 180. The outer connector 112 is fully coupled to the inner bracket 121.

The outer bracket 124 includes a main bracket portion 124a (shown in FIGS. 10-12) and a snap lock bracket portion 124b shown in (FIGS. 13-15). The main bracket portion 124a is provided with a pair of latch fingers 182 that are received in the finger receptor 184 of the snap lock bracket portion 124b. The latch finger 182 is provided with a slot 186, which is engaged by a locking tab 188 disposed within the finger receptor 184. Snap lock bracket portion 124b also includes a plurality of guideteeth 190, which also includes tooth receptor portions 192 of main bracket portion 124a. Since the snap lock bracket portion 124b is removable from the main bracket 124a of the outer bracket 124, the inner bracket 121 can be removed from the outer bracket 124 for maintenance.

While assembling the instrument panel IP into the vehicle body B, the connector retaining assembly 122 is mounted to another mounting plate or vehicle body in which a hole for receiving the prong 170 of the outer bracket 124 is mounted. The inner bracket 121 is provided with a plurality of connector assemblies 132 as needed, the wire harness 120 is connected to the connector assembly 132. The stationary or fixed connector 112 is mounted to an instrument panel (IP) and is equipped with a number of terminals attached to the various wires of the wire harness 118.

Prior to installing the instrument panel assembly IP, the instrument panel IP is properly aligned by the first and second operators. Once this is done, the cylinder assembly 94 of the assembly system is driven by the first operator using the controls on the panel 86 to advance the bridge 20 forward with respect to the bridge 92. As instrument panel IP approaches the installation position in vehicle body B, funneled surface 143 of stationary or stationary connector 112 is coupled with top surface 144 of outer wall 150 of inner briquette 121. To interlock. If the stationary or stationary connector 112 and the inner bracket 121 are not properly aligned, the funnel surface 143 will guide the inner bracket 121 to the proper alignment position so that the lateral spring member 154 is internally oriented. Enables lateral alignment in the x and y lateral directions with respect to the outer bracket 124 of the bracket 121. As the instrument panel is aligned with respect to the stationary or stationary connector 112, the cylinder assembly 94 is required to apply additional force to the electrical connectors to engage each other. When the stationary or stationary connector 112 is brought into full contact with the inner bracket 121, the lateral spring member 164 is spring recessed in the stationary or stationary connector 112 as shown in FIG. 22. 198 is fully contained within. When the instrument panel IP is fully assembled to the vehicle body B, the change of the longitudinal (z-direction) position of the stationary or fixed connector 112 with respect to the inner bracket 121 causes a hole in the mounting surface 180. Compensation can be made by the prongs 170 of the outer bracket 124 placed longitudinally adjustable within 178. Thus, the connector retaining assembly 122 enables two transverse (x, y) movements relative to the outer bracket 124 of the inner bracket 121. In addition, the ability to adjustably position the prongs 170 allows the instrument panel connector system to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction z.

Each electrical connector has approximately 75 terminals that mesh with corresponding terminals on the other connector. Each terminal requires about one pound of force to properly insert the male terminal into the female terminal. Therefore, additional force between 75 and 100 pounds is required for the 75 terminal connectors to properly engage the instrument panel with the vehicle body wiring connectors 112 and 121. As the cylinder assembly 94 is driven by the first operator using the control on the panel 86 to advance the bridge 20 forward with respect to the bridge 92, the connector assembly is properly engaged and the instrument panel ( IP) occupies the proper installation location.

When in the proper installation position, the instrument panel assembly IP is fixed to the frame of the vehicle body B by the action of the tool motors 68, 78 to drive the fasteners into the frame of the vehicle body B. After instrument panel assembly IP is installed and secured to vehicle body B, clamping device 66 is released and swing frame assembly 18 is manually pulled out of vehicle body B. The operator using the control on the control unit 86 causes the cylinder assembly 102 to retract the arm 98 and thereby release the post 14 on the vehicle body carrier 10, thereby the bridge 20 and the swing frame assembly. As the 18 moves through the vehicle body B, it no longer moves. When the arm 98 swings to the release position, the limit switch on the arm 98 is released to allow the cylinder 104 to likewise retract the other arm 100.

It will be apparent that the invention described above may be modified in many other ways. Such changes are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (8)

A method of installing an instrument panel assembly on a vehicle body, Mounting the first electrical connector assembly to the instrument panel assembly, Mounting a second electrical connector assembly on the vehicle body; Inserting the instrument panel assembly into the vehicle body; Aligning the instrument panel assembly within the vehicle body such that the first and second electrical connector assemblies are aligned with each other; and Pushing the instrument panel assembly to electrically couple the first and second electrical connector assemblies. A method of installing an instrument panel assembly on a vehicle body, Mounting the first electrical connector assembly to the instrument panel assembly, Mounting a second electrical connector on the vehicle body; Supporting the instrument panel assembly on an automated installation system, Guiding the automatic installation system to insert the instrument panel into the vehicle body; Aligning the instrument panel assembly with the vehicle body such that the first and second electrical connector assemblies are aligned with each other; and Driving the automated installation system to electrically couple the first and second electrical connector assemblies. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the automatic installation system includes a hydraulic cylinder for driving the automatic installation system to electrically couple the first and second electrical connector assemblies. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mounting of at least one of the first and second electrical connector assemblies to self-align itself with respect to one of the first and second electrical connector assemblies. A system that electrically connects instrument panel wiring to vehicle body and engine compartment wiring during instrument panel installation. Vehicle Body, Instrument panel mounted inside the vehicle body, A first electrical connector assembly mounted to the rear of the instrument panel, and A second electrical connector assembly mounted to the vehicle body and coupled with the first electrical connector assembly, During installation of the instrument panel inside the vehicle body, the first and second electrical connector assemblies are aligned with each other such that the instrument panel is pressed into the installation position and the first and second electrical connector assemblies are coupled to each other. system. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second electrical connector assemblies each comprise a plurality of electrical terminals. A system that electrically connects instrument panel wiring to vehicle body wiring during instrument panel installation. A first electrical connector assembly supporting a plurality of terminals for the instrument panel wiring and mounted to a rear surface of the instrument panel; A second electrical connector assembly supporting a plurality of terminals for the vehicle body wiring and mounted to the vehicle body; During installation of the instrument panel inside the vehicle body, the first and second electrical connector assemblies are aligned with respect to each other such that the instrument panel is pressed into the installation position and the plurality of terminals for the instrument panel wiring are arranged in the vehicle body A system coupled with the plurality of terminals for wiring. A system that electrically connects instrument panel wiring to engine compartment wiring during instrument panel installation. A first electrical connector assembly supporting a plurality of terminals for the instrument panel wiring and mounted to a rear surface of the instrument panel; A second electrical connector assembly supporting a plurality of terminals for the engine compartment wiring and mounted to the vehicle body; During installation of the instrument panel inside the vehicle body, the first and second electrical connector assemblies are aligned with each other such that the instrument panel is pressed into the installation position, and the plurality of terminals for the instrument panel wiring are connected to the engine comb. A system coupled with the plurality of terminals for part wiring.