ADAPTABLE RECEIVING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOTIVE PARTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for receiving a part (2) of a motor vehicle, wherein said device includes: a module (3) for aligning said part (2), said module being configured to engage with at least one opening (4a, 4b) of said part (2); a module (5) for centering said part (2); and a module (6) for retaining said part in relation to a frame of reference on said receiving device (1).

Description

Adaptable receiving device for automotive parts Technical field of the invention The invention relates to the field of automobiles. The invention relates more particularly to a device for receiving a part of a motor vehicle, allowing in particular the holding of said part in view of work to be carried out on it. State of the art In the field of automotive manufacturing, it is common practice to isolate certain parts in order to perform certain actions on them. According to a particular example, it is known to immobilize a trim piece on the roof of a motor vehicle in order to perform one or more cutting operations on said trim piece. In this regard, roof-mounted receiving benches adapted to their specific shapes have been developed. For this purpose, the receiving bench incorporates counter-forms configured to conform to the shape of one face of the roof, particularly the face of the roof facing away from the passenger compartment of the future vehicle. The use of such benches makes them costly because they must be molded to fit specific parts of the component being received, and this requires modifying the workstation by changing the counter-forms when processing a roof panel from an incompatible vehicle model. In this respect, it increases both the manufacturing costs and the production time of a motor vehicle. Object of the invention The aim of the present invention is to provide a solution that overcomes all or part of the drawbacks listed above. This aim is achieved through a receiving device for a part of a motor vehicle, said receiving device being equipped with a module for referencing said part configured to cooperate with at least one opening of said part, a module for centering said part, and a module for holding said part relative to a reference frame of said receiving device. In particular, the holding module includes at least one adhesion element, for example a suction cup, configured so as to cooperate with an external surface of said part. According to one embodiment, the retaining module includes at least one ball joint allowing the inclination of a bearing surface of the retaining module intended to come into contact with said part to be adjusted. Advantageously, the said scope belongs to the accessing body. According to one embodiment, the adhesion element includes a suction system. Advantageously, the reference frame being orthonormal and defined by three axes X, Y and Z, the referencing module is configured so as to present an adjustment along two distinct axes respectively parallel to the Y and Z axes, and / or the holding module is configured so as to present an adjustment along three distinct axes respectively parallel to the X, Y and Z axes. For example, the centering module comprises two support elements, each having a surface designed to cooperate with the part in question, these surfaces being located in separate and intersecting planes. Preferably, the part to be received being a headliner trim, the centering module is configured to cooperate with two opposing openings in the headliner designed for mounting the front sun visors of the motor vehicle.The device may also include a parameterization module configured to adapt said receiving device to a particular model of the part to be received, in particular the parameterization module includes an input configured to receive data, in particular data from a digital model of said part to be received, and an output connected to actuators allowing to adapt, according to the data received, the setting of the referencing module and / or the holding module and / or the centering module within the reference frame. The device may further comprise a plurality of holding modules, and the referencing module and the holding modules are staggered along the same axis. The invention also relates to a work installation for a part of a motor vehicle, said installation comprising a receiving device for said part as described, and at least one tool for modifying said part, in particular a cutting tool. Finally, the invention also relates to a method of receiving a part of a motor vehicle, using a receiving device as described above, and a method of working on a part of a motor vehicle using a working installation described above. These methods are more particularly defined by the claims. Brief description of the drawings Other advantages and features will become clearer from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum receiving device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the receiving device of Figure 1 receiving the part, - Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of part of the support device. Description of preferred modes of the invention The receiving device described below differs from the prior art in that it comprises various modules facilitating adaptation to different types of parts, including different roof panels. More generally, this receiving device is advantageously suited to any sheet metal part of a motor vehicle. Such a part could be a wall panel of a motor vehicle, an opening such as a door, etc. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the receiving device 1 for a part 2 of a motor vehicle is equipped with a referencing module 3 for said part 2 configured to cooperate with at least one opening 4a, 4b (Figure 2) of said part 2. The receiving device 1 also comprises a centering module 5 for said part 2, and a holding module 6 for said part 2 relative to a reference frame (X, Y, Z) of said receiving device 1. Advantageously, the support module 6 does not require a counter-form. This particular architecture of the receiving device makes it possible in particular to eliminate existing counter-form devices by creating modules each having an associated function and adaptable to each room 2. Preferably, the reference frame is orthonormal and defined by three axes X, Y and Z. The said part 2 being a part of a motor vehicle, if the reference frame X, Y, Z of the device of figures 1 and 2 is oriented in the same way as that of a motor vehicle in which part 2 is mounted, the three axes X, Y and Z would respectively be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, the transverse axis of the vehicle, the vertical axis of the motor vehicle. According to a particular embodiment, the part 2 to be received is a roof lining as illustrated in Figure 2. In this particular case, the reference module 3 is configured to cooperate with two openings 4a, 4b in the roof lining 2, arranged oppositely and intended for mounting the front sun visors of the motor vehicle. In Figure 2, the roof lining is a lining for a vehicle with a glass and / or sunroof. In other words, when part 2 is mounted on the receiving device, the reference module 3 has at least one element 7a, 7b entering the opening(s) of part 2. In the particular example of the roof pavilion, the roof pavilion 2 has two openings 4a, 4b intended for the mounting of sun visors and these two openings 4a, 4b are each traversed by an associated element 7a, 7b. It is then understood that, in general, referencing takes advantage of openings already present in room 2 to ensure positioning and preferentially contribute to an adequate maintenance of room 2. Preferably, the retaining module 6 includes at least one adhesion element 8a, 8b, for example a suction cup, configured to cooperate with an external surface of said part 2. Advantageously, the retaining module 6 comprises two adhesion members 8a, 8b, arranged in particular at a distance from each other along an axis parallel to the Y-axis of the reference frame. As illustrated in Figure 3, the retaining module 6 includes at least one ball joint 9 allowing adjustment of the inclination of a bearing surface 10 of the retaining module 6 intended to come into contact with said part 2. In particular, the bearing surface 10 is an integral part of an element, notably formed by the suction cup described above, mounted on the ball joint in such a way as to adjust the positioning of said corresponding bearing surface 10. It is then understood that the aforementioned bearing surface 10 can belong to the adhesion element 8a, 8b. Preferably, the adhesion element 8a, 8b includes a suction system. This suction system creates a vacuum that ensures the retention of said part 2. According to one embodiment, the centering module 5 comprises two support elements 11a, 11b, each having a surface 12a, 12b intended to cooperate with said part 2, said surfaces 12a, 12b being contained in distinct and intersecting planes. In fact, these surfaces 12a, 12b are preferably arranged so as to allow the guidance of the part 2 when it is placed on the receiving device 1. In this sense, the inclination of the two surfaces 12a, 12b is convergent along a direction oriented in the direction corresponding to the direction of insertion of the part 2 into the receiving device 1. According to a particular embodiment enabling the receiving device 1 to adapt to a wide variety of parts 2, the referencing module 3 is configured to provide adjustment along two distinct axes parallel to the Y and Z axes, and / or the holding module 6 is configured to provide adjustment along three distinct axes parallel to the X, Y, and Z axes. Preferably, the centering module 5 can also be adjusted along three distinct axes parallel to the X, Y, and Z axes. The diversity between different parts is understood to include, in particular, differences in shape and / or dimensions. In this sense, in the context where the reference module 3 has two penetration members 7a, 7b, the adjustment along Y allows the spacing between these two penetration members 7a, 7b to be adapted, and the adjustment along Z allows the height of each of the two penetration members 7a, 7b to be adjusted relative to a reference plane parallel to the plane defined by the X and Y axes of the reference frame. On the same principle, in the context where the holding module 6 has two adhesion members 8a, 8b, the adjustment along Y allows the spacing between these two adhesion members 8a, 8b to be adapted, the adjustment along Z allows the height of each of the two adhesion members 8a, 8b to be adjusted relative to a reference plane parallel to the plane defined by the X and Y axes of the reference frame, and the adjustment along X allows the spacing of these two adhesion members 8a, 8b to be adapted relative to the reference module 3.Furthermore, in the context where the centering module 5 has two support elements 1 1 a, 1 1 b, the adjustment along Y allows the spacing between these two support elements 1 1 a, 1 1 b to be adapted, the adjustment along Z allows the height of each of the support elements 1 1 a, 1 1 b to be adjusted relative to a reference plane parallel to the plane defined by the X and Y axes of the reference frame, and the adjustment along X allows the spacing of these two support elements 1 1 a, 1 1 b to be adapted relative to the reference module 3. Preferably, when modules include Z-axis adjustment, they may include one or more stops to limit the travel of said adjustment. The same may apply to X or Y axis adjustments. These various adjustments are possible through the use of digitized axes. A detailed description of such axes, common in the field of automation, will not be provided here, as they are well known to those skilled in the art. It is understood from what has been said previously that in some cases it will be necessary to adjust the module(s) of the receiving device. In this sense, the receiving device 1 may include a parameterization module 13 configured to adapt said receiving device 2 to a particular model of the part 2 to be received, in particular the parameterization module 13 includes an input configured to receive data, in particular data from a digital model of said part to be received, and an output connected to actuators allowing to adapt, according to the data received, the setting of the referencing module 3 and / or the setting of the holding module 6 and / or the setting of the centering module 5 within the reference frame. According to a particular embodiment, the receiving device 1 comprises a plurality of holding modules 6, and the referencing module 3 and the holding modules 6 are staggered along the same axis, in particular parallel to the X-axis. In the specific example of Figures 1 and 2, the receiving device comprises successively along the X-axis: the referencing module 3 and four holding modules 6. In addition, the centering module 5 can, as in Figure 1, be associated with one of the holding modules 6, in particular the holding module located just before the holding module 6 furthest from said referencing module 3. Of course, this example is given only as an indication; those skilled in the art can adapt the number of modules according to the requirements. It is understood from what has been said above that the receiving device may include a working configuration in which part 2 cooperates in the way or ways described above with the referencing, holding and centering modules. The invention also relates to a work installation for a part 2 of a motor vehicle. This installation may include a receiving device for said part 2 as described, and at least one tool for modifying said part 2, in particular a cutting tool. The invention also relates to a method for receiving a part 2 of a motor vehicle, using a receiving device as described above, and a method for working on a part 2 of a motor vehicle using a work installation described above. This method for receiving a part 2 comprises the following steps: - receiving data from a digital model of the part to be received; - Transmission of adjustment instructions to actuators, enabling the adjustment of the reference module 3 and / or the holding module 6 and / or the centering module 5 within the reference frame to adapt the receiving device 2 to the part to be received, based on the received data. These process steps are advantageously implemented automatically or almost automatically by the parameterization module 13. To this end, the latter includes hardware and software components. It may include electronic memory, notably for storing data from a digital model of a part to be received, and possibly for digital data representing the settings of a receiving device, adapted to one or more parts to be received.Finally, this parameterization module is connected via a communication device to actuators associated with a receiving device 1, which are capable of implementing the settings based on the received instructions. Alternatively, the parameterization module may include a human-machine interface for receiving digital data entered by an operator, or a communication device enabling it to automatically receive digital data, for example, from a part to be received, from a remote computer. The second step involves adjusting the receiving device in an orthonormal reference frame defined by three axes X, Y and Z, so that the referencing module 3 is configured to present an adjustment along two distinct axes respectively parallel to the Y and Z axes, and / or the holding module 6 is configured to present an adjustment along three distinct axes respectively parallel to the X, Y and Z axes. The method described above is advantageously implemented with a receiving part comprising two openings, in particular a headliner trim with two openings 4 arranged oppositely and intended for mounting accessories such as sun visors at the front of the motor vehicle, or a sheet metal part of a motor vehicle. The method includes a referencing step such that the referencing module 3 cooperates with the two openings of the receiving part. The invention also relates to a method for working a part 2 of a motor vehicle held in a receiving device 1. This method may include a step of cutting or shaping the part.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A receiving device (1) for a part (2) of a motor vehicle, said receiving device being equipped with a referencing module (3) for said part (2) configured to cooperate with at least one opening (4a, 4b) of said part (2), a centering module (5) for said part (2), and a holding module (6) for said part relative to a datum reference of said receiving device (1).

2. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the holding module (6) comprises at least one adhesion member (8a, 8b), for example a suction cup, configured to cooperate with an external surface of said part (2).

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining module (6) comprises at least one ball joint (9) allowing adjustment of the inclination of a bearing surface (10) of the retaining module (6) intended to come into contact with said part (2).

4. A device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said bearing surface (10) belongs to the adhesion member (8a, 8b).

5. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the adhesion member (8a, 8b) comprises a suction system.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reference frame being orthonormal and defined by three axes X, Y and Z, the reference module (3) is configured so as to present an adjustment along two distinct axes respectively parallel to the Y and Z axes, and / or the holding module (6) is configured so as to present an adjustment along three distinct axes respectively parallel to the X, Y and Z axes.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering module (5) comprises two support elements (11a, 11b) each having a surface (12a, 12b) intended to cooperate with said part (2), said surfaces (12a, 12b) being included in distinct and intersecting planes.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said part (2) to be received being a roof lining, the referencing module (3) is configured so as to cooperate with two openings (4) of the roof lining arranged oppositely and intended for the mounting of the front sun visors of the motor vehicle or in that the referencing module (3) is configured so as to cooperate with two openings of a part to be received in the form of a sheet metal forming part of a motor vehicle.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a parameterization module (13) configured so as to adapt said receiving device (1) to a particular model of the part (2) to be received, in particular the parameterization module (13) comprises an input configured so as to receive data, in particular data from a digital model of said part (2) to be received, and an output connected to actuators allowing to adapt, according to the received data, the setting of the referencing module (3) and / or the holding module (6) and / or the centering module (5) within the reference frame.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of holding modules (6) and in that the referencing module (3) and the holding modules (6) are staggered along the same axis (X). 1 1. Installation for working on a part (2) of a motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a receiving device (1) for said part (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, and at least one tool for modifying said part (2), in particular a cutting tool.

12. A method for receiving a part (2) in a receiving device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - receiving data from a digital model of the part to be received; transmission of adjustment instructions to actuators allowing adaptation, according to the received data, of the setting of the reference module (3) and / or the setting of the holding module (6) and / or the setting of the centering module (5) of the receiving device (1) within the reference frame to adapt the receiving device to the part (2) to be received.

13. Method for receiving a part (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the step of transmitting adjustment instructions includes adjusting the receiving device (1) in an orthonormal reference frame defined by three axes X, Y and Z, such that the referencing module (3) is configured to present an adjustment along two distinct axes respectively parallel to the Y and Z axes, and / or the holding module (6) is configured to present an adjustment along three distinct axes respectively parallel to the X, Y and Z axes.

14. Method for receiving a part (2) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the part (2) to be received comprises two openings, arranged oppositely and intended for the mounting of accessories of the motor vehicle, or is a sheet metal forming part of a motor vehicle, and in that the method comprises a referencing step such that the referencing module (3) cooperates with the two openings of the part to be received.

15. A method for working a part (2) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a step of receiving the part in a receiving device according to one of claims 1 to 10, and a step of cutting or shaping said part (2).