Vehicle assembly components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle assembly component, which comprises: a preparation platform (2) for preparing mechanical components (3, 4, 5), the preparation platform for preparing mechanical components being arranged for assembly of different types of vehicles; and a fuel circuit (4), the fuel circuit being specific to the type of vehicle to be assembled and being equipped with a fuel filling pipe (6), the circuit (4) being arranged on the preparation platform (2) for preparing mechanical components, characterized in that the platform (2) comprises a first hooking component for hooking the filling pipe (6), the maintaining position of the first hooking component for maintaining the pipe (6) relative to the platform (2) being the same for any type of vehicle, and the fuel circuit (4) comprises a second hooking component, the second hooking component cooperating with the first hooking component to maintain the filling pipe (6), wherein the position of the second hooking component is specific to the fuel circuit (4) of the type of vehicle to be assembled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle assembly. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a vehicle assembly assembly. Background Art

[0002] At present, during the assembly of the vehicle, and during the cover operation, the body of the vehicle is lowered onto the mechanical elements to be fixed thereto. These mechanical elements themselves remain on a mechanical preparation platform and include in particular a fuel circuit with a fuel filling pipe. During the cover operation, this filling pipe remains in place to allow the body to be lowered onto the mechanical elements to be fixed without catching on this pipe.

[0003] However, the same mechanical preparation platform can be used for the assembly of vehicles of different profiles. Therefore, each filling duct has its own maintenance system, which requires the implementation of operations to adjust the different duct positions, depending on the profile of the vehicle to be assembled.

[0004] These manually performed operations require time and there is a risk of errors in the positioning of the filling duct during the operation of the cover and thus damage to the filling duct, or even rupture of the filling duct. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve these problems by providing a vehicle mounting assembly comprising:

[0006] a preparation platform for preparing mechanical components, which is intended for the assembly of different types of vehicles,

[0007] a fuel circuit specific to the type of vehicle to be assembled and equipped with a fuel filling pipe,

[0008] - the fuel circuit is arranged on the preparation platform for preparing mechanical components,

[0009] It is characterized in that the preparation platform for preparing mechanical components includes a first hooking component for hooking the filling pipe, and the maintaining position of the first hooking component for maintaining the pipe relative to the platform is the same for any type of vehicle, and the fuel circuit includes a second hooking component, which cooperates with the first hooking component to maintain the filling pipe, wherein the position of the second hooking component is specific to the fuel circuit of the type of vehicle to be assembled.

[0010] The technical effect is that, by standardizing the maintenance position of the fuel pipeline on the mechanical component preparation platform side, various types of vehicles can be reliably assembled on the same mechanical component preparation platform.

[0011] Various additional features may be employed individually or in combination:

[0012] According to an embodiment, the first hooking member comprises a male portion cooperating with a female portion of the second hooking member, or vice versa.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the second hooking member is molded on the filling pipe.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the second hooking element is arranged on a fuel filter, a fuel vapor regenerator, a tab fastened to the fuel vapor regenerator or a pump of the fuel circuit.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the second hooking member is arranged on a pipe support fixed to the pipe, the support being intended to be coupled to a body of the vehicle.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the preparation platform for preparing a mechanical component comprises a support rod, at the end of which the first hooking member is arranged.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the support rod is telescopic.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the support rod comprises a fixed portion fixed relative to the preparation platform for preparing the mechanical component and a movable portion retractable into the fixed portion, the first hooking member being arranged at the end of the movable portion.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the support rod comprises a manipulation handle for manipulating the movable portion.

[0020] The present invention also relates to an assembly method for assembling different types of vehicles, the assembly method comprising a covering step for covering the body cover of one type of vehicle on the assembly assembly of the present invention, the method comprising a pre-expanding step for an operator to pre-expand the support rod so that the first hooking part is placed in the same position for any type of vehicle, followed by an engaging step for the operator to engage the second hooking part of the fuel filling pipe in the first hooking part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting specific embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 The operation of the hood during assembly of a vehicle according to the invention is shown.

[0023] - Figure 2A partial view of a preparation platform for preparing a machine component with a support rod for supporting a fuel filling line is shown, the machine component not being visible for the sake of clarity.

[0024] - Figure 3 An embodiment of a first hooking member for hooking a fuel filling pipe according to the present invention is shown.

[0025] - Figure 4 The embodiment of the second hooking member according to the invention of the fuel filling pipe is shown, which can be connected with the Figure 3 The first hooking member shown above cooperates.

[0026] - Figure 5 Shows Figure 3 and Figure 4 The assembly of the first hook member and the second hook member is shown.

[0027] - Figure 6 An embodiment of the arrangement of the second hooking means is shown.

[0028] - Figure 7 Another embodiment of the arrangement of the second hooking means is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 The so-called under-the-hood assembly operation is shown, during which the body 1 of the vehicle (usually represented by the body-in-white in the manufacture of motor vehicles) is lowered (see arrow F1) onto a preparation platform 2 for preparing mechanical components. This preparation platform 2 for preparing mechanical components (also represented by the acronym POM) supports said mechanical components (e.g. axles 3, fuel circuits 4 and their tanks, exhaust lines 5, etc.).

[0030] During this cover operation, the mechanical components are maintained in place on the preparation platform 2 for preparing mechanical components, so as to be housed in the respective sites and can be automatically tightened later. All mechanical components are previously placed on the preparation platform 2 for preparing mechanical components. Various types of vehicles can be assembled on this same preparation platform 2 for preparing mechanical components.

[0031] The fuel circuit 4 is equipped with a fuel filling duct 6. This fuel filling duct 6 is held in place at the end of a support rod 7. The fuel circuit 4 is specific to the type of vehicle to be assembled, according to which the position of the duct 6 relative to the preparation platform 2 for preparing the mechanical components differs. This support rod 7 can advantageously be telescopic so as to be in a retracted state outside the cover operation and in an extended state during the cover operation. Figure 1 and Figure 2The rod 7 is shown in the unfolded state. The support rod 7 comprises a fixed part 7a fixed relative to the preparation platform 2 for preparing the component and a retractable movable part 7b, which is implemented by translation of the movable part in the fixed part 7a (see arrow F2). In order to be able to manually retract or unfold the support rod 7, handles 7c, 7c' are provided. These handles are used by the operator.

[0032] According to the present invention, and if Figure 2 More precisely, a preparation platform 2 for preparing mechanical components is provided, which comprises a first hooking member 8 for hooking the filling pipe 6. The first hooking member 8 is used to hook the filling pipe 6. In order to keep the filling pipe 6 in place during the operation of the cover, the position of the first hooking member 8 relative to the preparation platform 2 for preparing mechanical components is always the same, regardless of the type of vehicle to be assembled.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the fuel circuit 4 comprises a second hooking member 9 which cooperates with the first hooking member 8 to maintain the fuel filling pipe 6. Since the position of the first hooking member 8 during operation of the cover is independent of the type of vehicle, the position of the second hooking member 9 is adapted to the characteristics of the fuel circuit of the type of vehicle to be assembled.

[0034] Figure 3 An embodiment of the first hooking member 8 is shown, and Figure 4 An embodiment of a second hooking member 9 is shown, the two hooking members being configured to cooperate in order to maintain the filling pipe 6 in place during operation of the cover, such as Figure 5 As shown above.

[0035] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown above, the first hooking member 8 comprises a guide cone 10 forming the end of a cylindrical pin 11. The pin 11 is arranged on a support 12 which is wider than the pin 11 so as to form a shoulder 13 which serves as a stop for the second hooking member 9. The support 12 is fixed at the end of the support rod 7 to the movable part 7b of the rod.

[0036] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment shown above, the second hooking member 9 comprises a hole 14 for receiving the pin 11 of the first hooking member 8. The hole comprises an entry cone 15 for guiding the cone 10 of the first hooking member 8 and an edge 16 for stopping on the shoulder 13 of the first hooking member 8. The diameter of the hole may be, for example, about 10 mm.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second hooking means 9 is arranged on the filling pipe 6 by overmolding in the vicinity of the filling opening 17 .

[0038] The first hooking member 8 and the second hooking member 9 form a retaining assembly for retaining the filling pipe 6 on the preparation platform 2 for preparing the mechanical component. In this embodiment, the first hooking member 8 constitutes the male part of the retaining assembly for retaining the filling pipe 6 and the second hooking member 8 constitutes the female part of the retaining assembly for retaining the filling pipe. However, the opposite configuration can be provided.

[0039] refer to Figure 1 , the assembly of the first hooking means with the second hooking means makes it possible to lock the translation of the filling pipe 6 along three orthogonal axes X, Y and Z relative to the preparation platform 2 for preparing the mechanical member, in order to implement the capping operation. Moreover, once the capping operation is completed, when the preparation platform 2 is withdrawn by lowering along the axis Z, the first hooking means 8 is disengaged from the second hooking means 9 without intervention, and the pin 11 leaves the hole 14.

[0040] The second hooking member 9 may not be located on the pipe 6. In a variant, the second hooking member 9 may be placed on the fuel filter or the fuel vapor regenerator 18 or on the fuel pump 19 of the fuel circuit 4, depending on the characteristics of the fuel circuit to be assembled on the vehicle.

[0041] Also like Figure 6 As shown, the second hooking member 9 may be arranged on a pipe support 20. The support 20 fixed to the pipe is used to integrally connect the pipe 6 to the body (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0042] Figure 7 A further embodiment is shown, in which the second hooking element 9 is arranged on a tab 21 which is fixed to the fuel vapor regenerator 18 .

[0043] The assembly method described is valid for all types of vehicles as follows:

[0044] In preparation for the capping operation, the operator unfolds the support rods 7 and places the first hooking means 8 in a position that is the same for any type of vehicle to be assembled. Next, the operator places the filling pipe 6 in position while engaging the second hooking means 9 in the first hooking means 8. The filling pipe 6 is hereby in position to allow the capping operation of the vehicle's body 1 over the vehicle's mechanical components.

[0045] Next, the body 1 of the vehicle is lowered onto the mechanical component, which is a covering operation.

[0046] As soon as the vehicle body 1 is placed on these mechanical components, the vehicle body 1 and the vehicle mechanical components are automatically fastened to each other.

[0047] Next, the preparation platform is withdrawn by being lowered along the axis Z, which enables the second hooking means 9 to be disengaged from the first hooking means 8 .

[0048] Next, the operator intervenes to retract the support rods 7 .

[0049] The invention enables standardization of the maintenance of fuel filling pipes in order to avoid useless operations and risk of errors on a preparation platform for preparing mechanical components. Thus, uniformity in position and form is obtained for the maintenance of different pipes on the same preparation platform for preparing mechanical components.

Claims

1. A vehicle assembly component, the vehicle assembly component comprising: a preparation platform (2) for preparing mechanical components (3, 4, 5), the preparation platform (2) for preparing mechanical components (3, 4, 5) being provided for the assembly of different types of vehicles having different positions of the fuel filling pipes, a fuel circuit (4) specific to the type of vehicle to be assembled and equipped with a fuel filling pipe (6), - the fuel circuit (4) is arranged on the preparation platform (2) for preparing mechanical components, It is characterized in that the preparation platform (2) for preparing mechanical components comprises a first hooking component (8) for hooking the fuel filling pipe (6), the first hooking component is used to maintain the fuel filling pipe (6) relative to the preparation platform (2) for preparing mechanical components. The maintaining position is the same for any type of vehicle, and the fuel circuit (4) comprises a second hooking component (9), the second hooking component cooperates with the first hooking component (8) to maintain the fuel filling pipe (6), wherein the position of the second hooking component (9) is specific to the fuel circuit (4) of the type of vehicle to be assembled, and the preparation platform (2) for preparing mechanical components comprises a support rod (7), the first hooking component (8) is arranged at the end of the support rod (7), and the support rod (7) is telescopic.

2. The vehicle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first hooking member (8) includes a male portion that cooperates with the female portion of the second hooking member (9), or the first hooking member (8) includes a female portion that cooperates with the male portion of the second hooking member (9).

3. The vehicle assembly assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second hooking member (9) is molded on the fuel filling pipe (6).

4. The vehicle assembly assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second hooking member (9) is arranged on a fuel filter, a fuel vapor regenerator (18), a convex piece (21) fixed to the fuel vapor regenerator (18), or a pump (19) of the fuel circuit (4).

5. The vehicle assembly assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second hooking member (9) is arranged on a pipe support (20) fixed to the fuel filling pipe (6), and the pipe support is used to be connected to the body of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle assembly assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The support rod (7) comprises a fixed part (7a) fixed relative to the preparation platform (2) for preparing the mechanical component and a movable part (7b) retractable into the fixed part (7a), and the first hooking member (8) is arranged at the end of the movable part (7b).

7. The vehicle mounting assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support rod (7) includes a manipulation handle for manipulating the movable portion (7b).

8. An assembly method for assembling vehicles of different types, comprising a covering step for covering a body (1) of one type of vehicle on a vehicle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The assembly method comprises a pre-deployment step for an operator to pre-deploy a support rod (7) so that a first hooking member (8) is placed at a position that is the same for any type of vehicle, followed by an engagement step for the operator to engage a second hooking member (9) of a fuel filling pipe (6) in the first hooking member (8).

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