Equipment for testing the tightness of double-wall panels in motor vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a testing device (34) for testing the integrity of a sealing joint arranged between a portion (20) of a vehicle body box and a vehicle body skin (22), wherein the vehicle body skin (22) and the portion (20) of the box include at least one through-box hole (32) or through-skin hole (30). The device comprises at least one negative pressure cover (46) intended to cover the hole (30, 32), which is defined by two inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface (46I) of the cover is provided with two sealing joints (48I) and (48E). The contour of the inner cover joint (48I) is included in the contour of the outer cover joint (48E). The cover (46) is traversed by at least one suction duct (50) of the cover, which, on the one hand, leads between the two cover joints (48I, 48E) on the side of the inner surface (46I) of the cover and, on the other hand, leads to the side of the outer surface (46E) of the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the general field of testing the leak tightness of glued assemblies of motor vehicle components.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a device for testing the leak tightness of a motor vehicle body panel consisting of two plastic walls glued together. Such a panel may be a rear closure (tailgate) or a side closure (door), a front closure (hood) or an aerodynamic spoiler. Background Art

[0003] Currently, for example, a tailgate of a motor vehicle most often comprises a box portion consisting of a lower portion and an upper portion, which form the inner wall of the panel, and one or more vehicle body panels covering portions of the box portion, which form the outer wall of the panel. The assembly consisting of the box portion and the one or more vehicle body panels is referred to as a tailgate panel.

[0004] Typically, the at least one vehicle body skin is attached to the corresponding portion of the box by gluing: for this purpose, the skin and the portion of the box each comprise a continuous glue bead facing each other. The presence of the glue not only allows the vehicle body skin to be assembled to the portion of the box, but also forms a leaktight joint between these two elements, and therefore also constitutes a leaktight joint of the panel.

[0005] After the vehicle body skin has been attached and glued to the box section, the tightness of this assembly must be verified, and therefore the integrity of the sealing joint formed by the adhesive joint must be checked. Integrity here refers to the ability of the sealing joint to ensure its tightness. Low integrity or sealing defects can have various causes, such as damaged joints or poor positioning of the joint in the glue path, poor positioning of the skin on the box section, insufficient contact of the skin with a poorly manufactured box section, etc.

[0006] To verify the integrity of the sealing joint formed by adhesive joints, air pressure is typically applied to the panel, and any pressure differences between the volume between the thus assembled box portion and the vehicle body skin and the exterior of the structure are detected. Such pressure differences indicate a defect in the sealing properties of the adhesive joint, or a loss of integrity. To localize such defects, a product that indicates air leakage can also be applied along the adhesive joint.

[0007] To implement this method of verifying the integrity of the sealing joint between a tailgate box portion and the vehicle body skin, the prior art uses a device consisting of a frame for receiving the tailgate box portion, a device for applying air pressure, and one or more pressure-sensitive clamping covers (cloches de bridage in French) covering the openings in the skin. The box portion thus fits against the frame, which allows the openings in the box portion to be blocked with a blocker.

[0008] In practice, the vehicle body skin typically includes at least one, or even multiple, through-holes. In the body skin covering the lower portion of the tailgate box, these holes correspond in particular to the placement of housings for license plate illumination, tailgate opening and closing controls, or tailgate signal lights, while in the upper portion of the box, they correspond to the placement of, for example, a third parking light for a spoiler. These holes must be sealed during the leak testing process in order to detect only possible leaks caused by leaks at a single adhesive joint, and not the natural escape of air through these holes.

[0009] The cover or covers described above allow these holes to be covered by covering the entire vehicle body skin and compensate for the air overpressure exerted in the volume between the box portion and the vehicle body panel skin. Thus, a pressure drop can be detected when there is a leaktightness defect in the adhesive joint between the box portion and the skin.

[0010] The body box portion must also fit tightly against the frame, since it also has holes for allowing various devices (such as wiring harnesses) to pass through. In particular, when the box portion is that of a tailgate, it includes holes for integrating locks, hinges, etc., which, for the reasons mentioned above, must also be closed.

[0011] The above-mentioned testing device has a number of drawbacks. Firstly, it is particularly considerable in terms of weight and bulk, due to its operation under air pressure and the robustness of the clamping elements used to achieve the sealing around the various holes passing through the skin of the panel and the portion of the box.

[0012] Furthermore, its installation and its use are long and difficult for the operator, which therefore makes it costly and incompatible with a production inspection more systematic than statistical sampling, and even more so with a full inspection (100%).

[0013] Finally, the forces exerted by the clamping cap are particularly high due to the overpressure that is inevitably caused inside the assembled part, which can damage the part and thus render it unusable on the vehicle. The clamping forces themselves can also lead to damage to the test device itself, especially at its joints. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The object of the present invention is in particular to provide a device for testing the tightness of a tailgate which is smaller, quicker and easier to use, does not damage the tailgate and is reliable.

[0015] To this end, the present invention relates to an inspection device for inspecting the integrity of the sealing of an adhesive joint arranged between a part of a vehicle body box and a vehicle body skin, the vehicle body skin or the part of the box comprising at least one through-hole (referred to as a skin hole or a box hole, respectively), characterised in that the device comprises at least one negative pressure cover for covering said at least one skin hole or said at least one box hole, which is defined by two opposite free surfaces (referred to as an inner cover surface and an outer cover surface), the inner cover surface being provided with two sealing joints with closed contours (referred to as an inner cover joint and an outer cover joint, respectively), the contour of the inner cover joint being contained in the contour of the outer cover joint, the cover being traversed by at least one suction duct which leads on the one hand to between the two cover joints on the inner cover surface side and on the other hand to the outer cover surface side.

[0016] With the help of a negative pressure cover, it is easy to cover skin or box holes in a sealed manner without using heavy and bulky equipment that covers the entire body skin or box. In fact, one or more holes can be covered by one or more separate, lightweight and small negative pressure covers, and these holes can be isolated from the outside by means of a cover joint. This prevents the inspection equipment from confusing these holes with integrity defects of the sealing joint.

[0017] Due to the small size of the negative pressure cap, positioning it around the hole is easy for the operator. Furthermore, since the negative pressure cap acts on a smaller area of the skin surface surrounding the hole or holes, and exerts a low negative pressure in the volume between the cap, the body skin, and the two joints, the forces to which the body skin is subjected are very limited. This prevents damage to the skin, the body panel, and the inspection equipment. Therefore, if the part passes the inspection of the sealed joint—in other words, if no integrity defects are detected—it can continue with the production cycle and be installed on the vehicle.

[0018] Preferably, the testing device comprises an air suction device connected to the suction duct of the cover.

[0019] In order to verify the integrity of the sealing joint without damaging the assembly formed by the body box part and the body skin, the inspection equipment also includes:

[0020] - a sound wave (for example ultrasonic) emitting device arranged so that the sound waves can propagate in the volume situated between the part of the body box and the body skin; and

[0021] A detection device for detecting the sound waves emitted by the emission device, intended to be arranged outside the assembly formed by the body skin and the portion of the body box.

[0022] Preferably, the sound waves are ultrasonic waves, which have the advantage of being less affected by the noise prevailing in a factory and being able to be easily detected (eg by means of a microphone).

[0023] In order to ensure the positioning of the assembly formed by the tank portion and the skin, the device further comprises a retaining frame for receiving the tank portion or the skin on one of its free surfaces, called receiving surface.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame further includes a free surface opposite to the receiving surface (referred to as the outer surface), the receiving surface is provided with two sealing joints with closed contours (referred to as the inner frame joint and the outer frame joint, respectively), the contour of the inner frame joint is contained in the contour of the outer frame joint, and the frame is passed through by at least one frame suction pipe, which, on the one hand, passes between the two frame joints on the receiving surface side of the frame and on the other hand, passes to the outer surface side of the frame, and the pipe is further connected to an air suction device.

[0025] Advantageously, the part of the body box or the body skin is provided with at least one through-hole, and the inner frame joint and the outer frame joint are constructed so that when the part of the body box or the body skin is placed on the receiving surface of the frame, the inner frame joint surrounds the through-hole and its orthographic projection on the receiving surface is included in the contour of the inner frame joint.

[0026] Therefore, in the case of parts of the body box or the body skin having through-holes, the frame can also help to isolate these "potentially confusing" holes like a vacuum cover, i.e. holes that the inspection equipment could confuse with integrity defects of the sealing joint.

[0027] Preferably, the cover joint and / or the frame joint is a double-lip type joint, which has the advantage of ensuring sealing against air and sound wave propagation.

[0028] The invention also relates to a method for testing the integrity of a sealing joint connecting a section of a vehicle body box and a vehicle body skin, characterized in that the method is carried out with the aid of a testing device according to the invention.

[0029] In particular, the test method comprises the following steps:

[0030] - placing the cover on the vehicle body skin or the box portion so that it covers the at least one skin hole or the at least one box portion hole and so that the cover engaging element is in contact with the vehicle body skin or the box portion,

[0031] - The air in the suction duct leading to the cover is sucked out by means of a suction device.

[0032] In order to simplify the verification of the integrity of the sealing joint and to ensure that it does not damage the assembly formed by the part of the body box and the body skin, the method preferably comprises the following steps:

[0033] - transmitting sound waves with the aid of a transmitting device;

[0034] - Detecting the sound waves emitted by the emitting device with the aid of a detection device.

[0035] Preferably, the sound waves are ultrasonic waves, which have the advantage of not damaging the assembly formed by the part of the body box and the body skin and of being able to be easily detected by means of, for example, a microphone.

[0036] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0037] - placing the body box portion or the skin on the retaining frame so that the frame engaging elements are in contact with the free surface of the body box portion or the skin;

[0038] The air in the suction duct of the frame is sucked out by means of the suction device of the frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The invention will be better understood from the following description which is given by way of example only and which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tailgate of a motor vehicle during assembly;

[0041] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the tailgate;

[0042] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 a view of section III-III;

[0043] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The tailgate box and tailgate skin assembly Figure 3 A similar view schematically illustrates an apparatus for verifying the integrity of a sealing joint between a tailgate box portion and a tailgate skin according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic three-dimensional view of the negative pressure cover of the inspection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] exist Figure 1 and 2Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment 1 shows a body panel 8 of a motor vehicle known per se from the prior art, which in the present example is a tailgate panel of a motor vehicle.

[0046] The tailgate panel 8 includes a box portion 10 that includes a window 18 for receiving the tailgate panel 8. Figure 3 The box portion opening 16 is shown in FIG. 1 , and the window 18 is added to the box portion 10 by gluing.

[0047] More specifically, the box 10 comprises a lower portion 20 located below the window opening 16 and connected to the upper crossbar 14 by means of two lateral uprights of the window.

[0048] The box portion 10 is intended to be covered by one or more vehicle body skins 22 to form a vehicle body panel. Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG, the lower part 20 of the tailgate box is covered by a vehicle body skin 22 which is attached to the box 10 by gluing.

[0049] The skin 22 and the lower part 20 of the tank are assembled by means of a continuous glue strip 28, which is also arranged in a continuous manner on a continuous glue bead located on the periphery of the lower part 20 of the tank. The continuous glue strip 28 here constitutes a sealing joint between the skin 22 and the lower part 20 of the tank.

[0050] As in Figure 3 (The figure shows Figure 2 ), in this example, the skin 22 is provided with at least one through-skin hole 30 for allowing the passage of various devices (here corresponding to the tailgate opening and closing control and the license plate illumination). The through-hole 30 opens into the volume VP comprised between the skin 22 and the lower part 20 of the box. The lower part 20 of the box is identical and includes, in this example, two box holes 32 for allowing the passage of various other devices (here, wiring harnesses).

[0051] In order to verify the integrity of the sealing joint formed by the adhesive strip of the assembly 26 formed by the lower part 20 of the tank and the skin 22, a tester as in Figure 4 The leak testing device 34 is schematically shown in FIG.

[0052] The inspection device 34 comprises a support frame 36 for receiving the lower part 20 of the tank or the skin 22. In the present example, the lower part 20 of the tank rests on the frame 36, more specifically on one of its free surfaces, designated as the receiving surface 36R. The frame 36 comprises a free surface opposite the receiving surface, designated as the outer surface 36E.

[0053] In the present example and preferably, the receiving surface 36R of the frame receives the free surface 20L of the lower portion 20 of the box.

[0054] The receiving surface 36R is provided with two sealing joints with closed contours, respectively referred to as the inner frame joint 38I and the outer frame joint 38E. Preferably, the inner and outer frame joints 38I, 38E are housed in grooves opened in the receiving surface 36R in a protruding manner relative to the receiving surface 36R.

[0055] The profile of the inner frame engaging member 38I is contained within the profile of the outer frame engaging member 38E. For example, the inner and outer frame engaging members 38I, 38E are lip-type engaging members.

[0056] The inner and outer frame engagement members 38I, 38E are arranged on the receiving surface 36R so that, once the assembly 26 of the lower box portion 20 and the skin 22 is arranged on the frame 36 , they come into contact with the free surface 20L.

[0057] The frame 36 is traversed by at least one suction duct 40 which, on the one hand, opens between the two frame joints 38I, 38E on the side of the frame receiving surface 36R and, on the other hand, opens to the side of the frame outer surface 36E. The suction duct 40 is further connected to an air suction device 42 on the side of the frame outer surface 36E.

[0058] The suction duct 40 thus opens on the side of the receiving surface 36R into a suction volume VJB of the frame joint which, when the box section is arranged on the frame 36, is defined by the frame joints 38I and 38E, the frame receiving surface 38R and the free surface 20L of the box section.

[0059] The inner and outer frame engaging members 38I, 38E are configured so that when the lower portion 20 of the box is placed on the receiving surface 36R of the frame, the inner frame engaging member 38I surrounds the box hole 32 so that its orthographic projection on the receiving surface 36R is contained within the outline of the inner frame engaging member 38I.

[0060] As will be seen below, when the inspection device 34 is in use, the frame's suction device 42 allows the air contained in the suction volume VJB of the frame joint to be sucked. This allows the lower portion 20 of the box to be maintained in a sealed manner against the frame 36 without having to apply a large suction power. The suction device 42 can be a conventional suction device known to those skilled in the art and is therefore not described here.

[0061] By virtue of the airtightness and air extraction provided by the inner and outer frame joints 38I, 38E, the frame aperture 32, located within the volume VB defined by the free surface 20L, the receiving surface 36R, and the inner frame joint 38I, is isolated from the external environment (or external medium ME). Therefore, when verifying the integrity of the sealed joint formed by the adhesive joint 28, its integrity defects will not be confused with the frame aperture 32.

[0062] Likewise, in order to isolate the skin holes 30 of the skin 22 from the external medium ME, the inspection device 34 comprises at least one removable negative pressure cover 46 defined by two opposite free surfaces, called cover inner surface 46I and cover outer surface 46E.

[0063] The inner lid surface 46I is provided with two sealing engagement members having a closed profile, which are referred to as the inner lid engagement member 48I and the outer lid engagement member 48E. Preferably, the inner lid engagement member 48I and the outer lid engagement member 48E are arranged in a groove formed in the inner lid surface 46I in a manner protruding from the inner lid surface 46I. Advantageously, the lid engagement members 48I, 48E are double-lip type engagement members.

[0064] like Figure 4 and 5 As shown, the profile of the inner cover engaging member 48I is contained (i.e., embedded) in the profile of the outer cover engaging member 48E. Figure 5 In the specific example, the outer cover engaging member 48E has a generally rectangular outline, while the inner cover engaging member 48I has a polygonal outline, which is smaller in size than the outer cover engaging member 48E.

[0065] However, it should be noted that as long as the outline of the inner cover joint 48I is inscrited in the outline of the outer cover joint 48E, the outlines of the outer cover joint 48E and the inner cover joint 48I can have a variety of shapes, such as circular, oval, square, etc.

[0066] In this way, the cover volume VC defined by the cover inner surface 46I, the outer surface 22 of the skin and the inner cover joint 48I, in which the skin holes 30 are located, is isolated from the external medium ME.

[0067] The cover 46 is provided with at least one suction duct 50 (here two, as in Figure 5 The suction duct 50 is shown in FIG. 4 , but one may suffice. On the one hand, it opens between the two cover joints 48I and 48E on the cover inner surface 46I side, that is, it opens into the suction volume VJC of the cover joints defined by the cover joints 48I and 48E, the outer skin surface 22, and the cover 36; and on the other hand, it opens to the cover outer surface 46E side. The suction duct 50 may be a duct opened in the cover 46 and extending from one side to the other. Alternatively, it may be a tube inserted into the duct opened in the cover 46.

[0068] An air suction device 52 is connected to the suction duct 50. Here again, the air suction device 52 itself is known and will not be described here. It can be especially similar to the suction device 42 of the frame, or even identical thereto.

[0069] The inspection device 34 also comprises an acoustic (eg ultrasonic) emitting device 54 for emitting acoustic waves so that they propagate in the volume VP comprised between the lower portion 20 of the tank and the skin 22. Such an emitting device 54 is known per se and will not be described here.

[0070] As in Figure 4 As can be seen in the figure, once the lower portion 20 of the tank is placed on the frame, the transmitting device 54 is positioned, for example, between the frame 36 and the lower portion 20 and within the contour of the inner frame joint 38I, i.e., within the frame volume VB. Thus, the tank aperture 32 is penetrated by the ultrasonic wave, propagating within the volume VP. The fixed arrangement of the transmitting device 54 relative to the frame 36 simplifies the operation for inspections under industrial production conditions.

[0071] In a variant not shown in the figures, the emission device 54 is arranged between the vehicle body skin 22 and the lower tank portion 20, that is, in the volume VP. This has the advantage of limiting the reverberation of the sound waves, thereby allowing for more direct targeting of possible sealing defects. In other variants not shown, the emission device 54 can also be arranged between the cover 46 and the skin 22, or at the entrance of the tank opening 32.

[0072] The inspection device 34 further comprises a detection device 56 for detecting the sound waves emitted by the emission device 54, which is arranged in an external medium ME outside the assembly 26. In the case where the emission device 54 emits sound waves, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the detection device 56 is, for example, a microphone sensitive to ultrasonic waves.

[0073] A method for testing the integrity of the sealing joint 28 connecting the lower portion 20 of the tailgate box and the skin 22 , carried out with the aid of the above-described testing device 34 , will now be described.

[0074] During a first step, the tailgate box lower portion 20 is placed on the retaining frame 36 so that the frame engaging members 38I, 38E are in contact with the free surface 20L of the tailgate box lower portion 20. In particular, it is ensured that the inner frame engaging member 38I surrounds the box aperture 32 so that its orthographic projection on the receiving surface 36R is contained within the contour of the inner frame engaging member 38I.

[0075] The one or more covers 46 are then placed on the skin 22 so that they cover all of the skin holes 30 and so that the cover engagement members 481, 48E are in contact with the skin 22. Depending on the size and shape selected for the cover 46, the cover 46 may isolate one or more of the skin holes 30.

[0076] The air contained in the volumes VJB and VJC is then sucked through the frame suction duct 40 and the cover suction duct 50 , respectively, by means of the suction devices 42 and 52 , respectively, and this for all covers 46 in place.

[0077] In this way, on the one hand, due to the sealed contact of the cover 46 on the skin 22 and on the other hand due to the arrangement of the lower part 20 of the tank on the frame 36, all the holes 30, 32 of the assembly 26 formed by the lower part 20 of the tank and the skin 22 are isolated, and the acoustic emission device 54 is activated.

[0078] exist Figure 4 The path of the acoustic waves is shown by dashed lines in FIG. As shown in this figure, it can be seen that, due to the isolation of holes 30 and 32 from external medium ME by means of frame joints 38I, 38E and cover joints 46I, 46E, respectively, acoustic waves can only escape from assembly 26 formed by tank portion 20 and skin 22 through adhesive joint 28, the very adhesive joint whose integrity is to be tested. Thus, a possible leak 58, indicated by a dashed arrow in the figure, can be detected.

[0079] Finally, the sound waves emitted by the emitting device 54 are detected by means of a detection device 56. In the case where the detection device 56 is a microphone 56, the operator can move the microphone 56 along the adhesive joint 28 to detect possible leaks 58.

[0080] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, the vehicle body skin can be placed on the frame, and the box opening can be covered by a cover.

[0081] Furthermore, the device for testing the integrity of sealed joints can be used to test the sealing of other vehicle body panels, in particular the assembly formed by the upper part of a tailgate and a spoiler (vehicle skin covering the upper part of the skin).

[0082] Reference Signs List

[0083] 8: Body panels

[0084] 10: Motor vehicle box

[0085] 14: Upper crossbeam of tailgate

[0086] 16: Tailgate window opening

[0087] 18: Window

[0088] 20: The lower part of the box

[0089] 20L: Free surface of the box

[0090] 22: Car body skin

[0091] 26: The assembly formed by the lower part of the box and the skin

[0092] 24: Side pillars of the tailgate

[0093] 28: Adhesive joint (French joint)

[0094] 30: Skin hole

[0095] 32: Box hole

[0096] 34: Inspection equipment for testing the integrity of sealed joints

[0097] 36: Maintaining the Framework

[0098] 36R: Receiving surface of the frame

[0099] 36E: Outer surface of the frame

[0100] 38I: Inner frame joint

[0101] 38E: Outer frame joint

[0102] 40: Suction pipe of the frame

[0103] 42: Suction device of the frame

[0104] 46: Negative pressure cover

[0105] 46I: Inner surface of cover

[0106] 46E: Cover outer surface

[0107] 48I: Inner cover joint

[0108] 48E: Outer cover joint

[0109] 50: Suction pipe of cover

[0110] 52: Covered suction device

[0111] 54: Transmitter

[0112] 56: Testing equipment

[0113] 58: Leak

[0114] ME: External medium

[0115] VB: Frame volume

[0116] VC: Cover volume

[0117] VJB: suction volume of the frame joint

[0118] VJC: suction volume of the cover joint

[0119] VP: includes the volume between the lower part of the box and the skin

Claims

1. A testing device (34) for testing the tightness of an adhesive joint (28) arranged between a vehicle body box portion (20) and a vehicle body skin (22), the vehicle body skin (22) or the box portion (20) comprising at least one through-hole, referred to as skin hole (30) or box portion hole (32), respectively. It is characterized in that The device comprises at least one negative pressure cover (46) for covering the at least one skin hole (30) or the at least one box hole (32), the negative pressure cover being defined by two opposite free surfaces referred to as the cover inner surface (46I) and the cover outer surface (46E), the cover inner surface (46I) being provided with two sealing joints with closed contours, respectively referred to as the inner cover joint (48I) and the outer cover joint (48E), the contour of the inner cover joint (48I) being contained in the contour of the outer cover joint (48E), the negative pressure cover (46) being passed through by at least one suction pipe (50) of the cover, the suction pipe being passed between the two cover joints (48I, 48E) on the side of the cover inner surface (46I) on the one hand, and being passed to the side of the cover outer surface (46E) on the other hand.

2. The inspection device (34) according to claim 1, further comprising an air suction device (52) connected to the suction duct (50) of the negative pressure cover (46).

3. The testing device (34) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: - an acoustic wave emitting device (54) arranged so that the acoustic waves can propagate in a volume (VP) situated between the portion (20) of the vehicle body box and the vehicle body skin (22); and - a detection device (56) for detecting the sound waves emitted by the sound wave emitting device (54), the detection device being arranged outside the assembly (26) formed by the vehicle body skin (22) and the portion (20) of the vehicle body box.

4. The testing device (34) according to claim 3, wherein the sound waves are ultrasonic waves.

5. Inspection device (34) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a holding frame (36) for receiving the portion of the box (20) or the vehicle body skin (22) on one of its free surfaces, referred to as receiving surface (36R).

6. The testing device (34) according to claim 5, wherein The maintaining frame (36) further comprises a free surface opposite to the receiving surface, which is called the outer surface (36E), and the receiving surface (36R) is provided with two sealing joints with closed contours, which are respectively called the inner frame joint (38I) and the outer frame joint (38R), and the contour of the inner frame joint (38I) is contained in the contour of the outer frame joint (38E). The maintaining frame (36) is passed through by a suction pipe (40) of at least one frame, which, on the one hand, leads between the two frame joints (38I, 38E) on the side of the receiving surface (36R) of the frame and, on the other hand, leads to the side of the outer surface (36E) of the frame. The suction pipe (40) of the frame is also connected to the air suction device (42) of the frame.

7. The testing device (34) according to claim 6, wherein The body box portion (20) is provided with at least one box hole (32), and the inner frame joint (38I) and the outer frame joint (38E) are constructed so that when the body box portion (20) or the body skin (22) is placed on the receiving surface (36R) of the frame, the inner frame joint (38I) surrounds the box hole (32) and its orthographic projection on the receiving surface (36R) is included in the outline of the inner frame joint (38I).

8. The testing device (34) according to claim 6, wherein The cover engaging members (48I, 48E) and / or the frame engaging members (38I, 38E) are double lip type engaging members.

9. A method for inspecting the integrity of a sealing joint connecting a vehicle body box and a vehicle body skin, characterized in that: The method is carried out with the aid of a testing device (34) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The test method according to claim 9, comprising the following steps: - placing the negative pressure cover (46) on the vehicle body skin (22) or the box portion (20) so that it covers the at least one skin hole (30) or the at least one box portion hole (32) and so that the cover engaging members (48I, 48E) are in contact with the vehicle body skin (22) or the box portion (20), - Air is sucked into the suction duct (50) of the negative pressure cover by means of an air suction device (52).

11. The testing method according to claim 10, wherein the testing device (34) comprises: - an acoustic wave emitting device (54) arranged so that the acoustic waves can propagate in a volume (VP) situated between the portion (20) of the vehicle body box and the vehicle body skin (22); and - a detection device (56) for detecting the sound waves emitted by the sound wave emitting device (54), the detection device being arranged outside the assembly (26) formed by the vehicle body skin (22) and the portion (20) of the vehicle body box; The inspection method comprises the following steps: - emitting sound waves by means of the sound wave emitting device (54); - detecting the sound waves emitted by the sound wave emitting device (54) by means of a detection device.

12. Inspection method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the inspection device (34) comprises a holding frame (36) for receiving the portion of the box (20) or the vehicle body skin (22) on one of its free surfaces, referred to as a receiving surface (36R); The retaining frame (36) comprises a free surface opposite to the receiving surface, referred to as the outer surface (36E), the receiving surface (36R) being provided with two sealing joints with closed contours, referred to as the inner frame joint (38I) and the outer frame joint (38R), the contour of the inner frame joint (38I) being contained in the contour of the outer frame joint (38E), the retaining frame (36) being traversed by at least one frame suction duct (40), which on the one hand leads between the two frame joints (38I, 38E) on the side of the receiving surface (36R) of the frame and on the other hand leads to the side of the outer surface (36E) of the frame, the frame suction duct (40) being further connected to the frame air suction device (42); It includes the following steps: - placing the body box portion (20) or the body skin (22) on the retaining frame (36) so that the frame engaging elements (38I, 38E) are in contact with the free surface (20L) of the body box portion or the body skin (22); - Air is sucked into the suction duct (40) of the frame by means of the air suction device (42) of the frame.

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