A gap measuring component and measuring aid

Abstract

This invention discloses a gap measuring component and measuring aid for measuring the lateral dimensions of a body-in-white gap. The gap measuring component includes: an aid body with mounting grooves on two opposite sides along the lateral direction; and two movable parts, each movably mounted into one of the two mounting grooves along the lateral direction. The opposing sides of the two movable parts each form a detection surface, and both detection surfaces are used to contact the wall surfaces of the body-in-white gap that are opposite each other in the lateral direction. The gap measuring component and measuring aid provided by this invention solve the problems of traditional triangular gap gauge measurement, which requires operators to constantly align the triangular gap gauge with the gap and read the measurement value, relying on visual observation, which is prone to errors, inaccuracies, and eye strain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive technology, and particularly to the field of a gap measuring component and measuring aid. Background Technology

[0002] With the economy experiencing slow growth, slow growth has also become the new normal for automobile companies. Competition in the domestic automobile market is becoming increasingly fierce, customers have higher and higher requirements for the quality of complete vehicles, and major automobile manufacturers are also becoming more and more stringent in their requirements for quality improvement. As an important quality indicator, the precision of vehicle assembly plays a crucial role in the overall quality of the vehicle. The gaps and surface differences between the body panels and the body are important conditions for measuring the appearance quality of a vehicle model. Improving the consistency of body dimensions can not only improve the overall quality of the vehicle, but also reduce rework time and lower labor costs.

[0003] However, controlling gaps and surface defects is a challenge in automobile manufacturing. Currently, employees use triangular gap gauges to measure gaps. During the measurement process, employees need to constantly align the triangular gap gauge with the gap and read the measurement value. When reading, they generally rely on visual observation. On the one hand, this is inefficient and eye-straining. On the other hand, each employee's vision and observational acuity are different, resulting in a certain deviation in each employee's measurement reading. When comparing with the qualified standard, there are disputes, which is not conducive to the control of matching quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a gap measuring component and measuring aid, which aims to solve the problems of traditional triangular gap rulers, which rely on visual observation to read the measurement values, easily leading to errors, inaccuracies, and eye strain.

[0005] To achieve the above objective, a gap measuring component is provided for measuring the lateral dimension of the gap in a body-in-white, the gap measuring component comprising:

[0006] The assistive device body has mounting slots on two opposite sides running left and right; and,

[0007] Two movable parts are respectively installed into the two mounting slots in the left and right directions. The opposite sides of the two movable parts form detection surfaces, and the two detection surfaces are used to contact the wall surfaces opposite to each other in the left and right directions of the body-in-white gap.

[0008] Optionally, the gap measuring assembly further includes at least two elastic elements, with each elastic element having its two ends connected to the corresponding movable element and the bottom wall of the corresponding mounting groove, respectively.

[0009] Optionally, each of the movable parts corresponds to a plurality of the elastic parts, and the plurality of elastic parts are arranged at intervals along the front-to-back direction.

[0010] Optionally, the elastic element is a spring or a rubber component.

[0011] Optionally, the detection surface is formed with a transition section and a detection section. The transition section is inclined from front to back in a direction away from the auxiliary body. The detection section connects to the end of the detection section and extends in the front-back direction. The detection section and the transition section are used to contact the wall surfaces opposite each other in the left-right direction of the body-in-white gap in sequence.

[0012] Optionally, each of the mounting slots has a pressure sensor on its bottom wall, and each of the elastic elements is connected to the corresponding pressure sensor.

[0013] Optionally, the gap measuring assembly further includes two limiting structures corresponding to the two moving parts, each limiting structure including:

[0014] An annular limiting plate is disposed at the opening of the corresponding mounting groove, and the inner hole of the annular limiting plate is connected to the mounting groove so that the movable part can pass through the inner hole of the annular limiting plate; and,

[0015] The mounting plate is located within the mounting groove and is disposed on the side of the corresponding movable member facing the mounting groove. The mounting plate can abut against the annular limiting plate.

[0016] Optionally, the gap measuring component further includes a snap-fit ​​structure, which includes a snap-fit ​​and a slot, one of which is located on the inner side of the mounting groove and the other is located on the movable part.

[0017] Optionally, the gap measuring component further includes:

[0018] A mounting base is provided at the rear end of the auxiliary body, and a locking protrusion is provided on the peripheral side of the mounting base; and,

[0019] A cover is fitted onto the outer surface of the accessory body, and the cover has a groove corresponding to the card protrusion, the groove being used to engage with the card protrusion.

[0020] Optionally, the measuring aid includes:

[0021] A base, wherein a mounting shaft is provided on the base; and,

[0022] The aforementioned gap measuring assembly comprises multiple gap measuring assemblies, which are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the mounting shaft. The auxiliary body of each gap measuring assembly is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft along the radial direction of the mounting shaft.

[0023] This invention designs a gap measuring component that measures gaps using an auxiliary fixture body and two movable parts. In use, the operator inserts the front end of the auxiliary fixture body into the gap and observes the contact between the gap and the detection surfaces of the movable parts. If the gap does not contact the opposing walls in the left and right directions at all, the gap is too large and unacceptable. If the gap contacts only one of the opposing walls in the left and right directions, the gap is too large and unacceptable. If the gap contacts both detection surfaces of the movable parts simultaneously in the left and right directions, the gap is within acceptable limits and is acceptable. If the operator cannot insert the front end of the auxiliary fixture body into the gap, the gap is too small and can be judged as unacceptable. Compared with traditional triangular gap gauges, this design is simpler, more convenient, more efficient, and more accurate. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram of an embodiment of the gap measuring component provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 3D exploded view of a measuring aid;

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the moving parts;

[0028] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the assembly of the auxiliary device body with the mounting base and cover;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the measuring aid provided by the present invention.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of the embodiments provided in this invention:

[0031] label name label name 1 Cover 401 Mounting plate 2 Assistive device body 402 transition section 201 Mounting slot 403 Detection section 3 Mounting base 5 Circular limiting plate 301 Card protrusion 6 elastic element 4 Active parts 7 Mounting shaft

[0032] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0035] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0036] In the welding workshop, during assembly, employees need to adjust the fit multiple times, continuously measuring GAP and FLUSH at different positions. Only when GAP and FLUSH meet the product definition requirements are quality personnel allowed to deliver the product. Currently, employees use a triangular gap gauge to measure GAP. During the measurement process, employees need to constantly align the gauge with the gap and read the measurement value. This reading is generally done visually, which is inefficient and strains the eyes. Furthermore, differences in vision and observational acuity among employees lead to deviations in each employee's measurement, causing disputes when comparing with the acceptance standard and hindering quality control. Therefore, this invention provides a gap measurement component to solve the problems of traditional triangular gap gauge measurement, which requires employees to constantly align the gauge with the gap and read the measurement value visually, leading to errors, inaccuracies, and eye strain.

[0037] Figures 1 to 5The present invention provides a gap measuring component for measuring the size of the gap in the left and right directions of a body-in-white. The gap measuring component includes: an auxiliary body 2 and two movable parts 4. The auxiliary body 2 is provided with mounting grooves 201 on two opposite sides in the left and right directions. The opposite sides of the two movable parts 4 form detection surfaces. During use, the two detection surfaces are used to contact the wall surfaces opposite to the gap in the left and right directions of the body-in-white.

[0038] In the technical solution of this invention, the body-in-white gap refers to the gap formed between the four doors, two hoods, and two wings, namely the left and right front and rear doors, the front hood, the rear hood, the left fender, and the right fender, and the corresponding body parts after installation. To facilitate the measurement of whether the body-in-white gap is qualified, an auxiliary fixture body 2 is first set up, and mounting grooves 201 are provided on both sides of the auxiliary fixture body 2, with the groove openings facing outwards. The mounting grooves 201 have two openings facing away from each other, so that the grooves can accommodate the movement of the movable parts 4. Corresponding to the mounting grooves, there are two movable parts 4, and the two movable parts 4 also have detection surfaces, which are also set away from each other. The auxiliary fixture body is set in a left-right direction. When the operator holds the auxiliary fixture body 2 facing the gap, the end face of the auxiliary fixture body closer to the gap is the front end, and the end face of the auxiliary fixture body farther away from the gap is the rear end. Holding the auxiliary fixture body 2, the front end of the auxiliary fixture body is inserted into the gap first. The two detection surfaces of the movable parts 4 will contact the left and right walls opposite to the body-in-white gap, respectively. Whether the gap is qualified is judged by whether the two detection surfaces are subjected to force at the same time.

[0039] It should be noted that gaps generally have allowable assembly errors. For example, GAP (gap) is generally 2.5-6.0mm, and FLUSH (surface difference) is generally 2.0-1.0mm. The left-right distance of the auxiliary body 2 of this invention can be set as the minimum required value of this gap. Under no stress, the movable part 4 is installed on the auxiliary body in the left-right direction. The distance between the movable parts 4 in the left-right direction (including the left-right distance of the auxiliary body) is the maximum value of this gap requirement. Therefore, within this range, the gap is qualified. If it is greater than or less than this qualified range, it is unqualified. It should also be noted that although the measuring auxiliary is set in the left-right direction, it is only for the convenience of explaining the design scheme of the measuring auxiliary. In actual use, the gap measuring component of this application can measure left-right gaps, up-down gaps, diagonal gaps, and other gaps. This invention does not set any restrictions, as long as it conforms to the technical solution of this application.

[0040] If the gap between the body-in-white and the clearance is less than the minimum value of the acceptable range, the measuring tool in this embodiment cannot be inserted into the gap because the distance between the auxiliary body 2 in the left and right directions is equal to the minimum value of the acceptable preset range of the gap. In this case, the operator can conclude that the gap between the body-in-white and the clearance is less than the acceptable range, and therefore the product is unqualified. If the gap is greater than the maximum value of the acceptable range, the operator can determine whether the product is qualified by directly observing whether both sides of the measuring tool are in contact with the gap. In this case, at least one side of the measuring tool is not in contact with the gap, and the operator can conclude that the gap between the body-in-white and the clearance is greater than the acceptable range, and therefore the product is unqualified. The operator can also determine whether the product is qualified by whether both sides of the measuring tool are in contact with the gap. When both sides of the measuring tool are in contact with the gap, the operator can conclude that the gap between the body-in-white and the clearance is within the acceptable range, and therefore the product is qualified.

[0041] The movement of the movable part can be driven actively or moved passively due to force. In this embodiment, the gap measuring component also includes at least two elastic elements 6. The two ends of each elastic element 6 are respectively connected to the corresponding movable part 4 and the bottom wall of the corresponding mounting groove 201. When the operator inserts the auxiliary body into the gap, when the movable part is squeezed by the gap relative to the two side walls, the elastic element will be compressed in the mounting groove. When the movable part is not squeezed by the gap relative to the two side walls, the elastic element will naturally elongate in the initial state.

[0042] In other embodiments, the movable component 4 can also be driven by a cylinder, so that it moves actively through electronic control. This application does not impose any restrictions and can set it reasonably according to actual needs, as long as it is convenient to measure.

[0043] To ensure a more balanced force exerted by the elastic element 6 on the movable element 4, each movable element corresponds to multiple elastic elements 6, which are arranged at intervals along the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the elastic element 6 is a spring or a rubber component; there are no restrictions in this invention, as long as it can elastically expand and contract.

[0044] To facilitate the smooth and natural insertion of the auxiliary body 2 into the gap, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the movable component is provided with a detection surface. The detection surface forms a transition section 402 and a detection section 403. The transition section 402 is inclined from front to back in a direction away from the auxiliary body 2, and the gradient design facilitates entry into the gap to be measured. The detection section 403 connects to the end of the transition section 402 and extends in the front-back direction. The detection section 403 and the transition section 402 are used to sequentially contact the wall surfaces of the body-in-white gap in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the two detection sections 403 of the movable component 4 are symmetrically arranged, and the distance between the two sections is the maximum value of the acceptable range of the gap to be measured. When in use, the operator holds the measuring tool and the tool body first enters the gap. Then, the two opposite side walls of the gap will move along the inclined transition section. If pressure is applied, the operator judges whether the gap is qualified based on the pressure applied to the two side walls and the two transition sections. If no pressure is applied, the tool body will continue to enter the gap and the operator judges the contact between the detection section and the two opposite side walls of the gap to determine whether the gap is qualified. If both sides are in contact and under force, the gap is qualified; otherwise, it is unqualified.

[0045] Judging whether the gap is qualified by observing the contact between the movable part 4 and the gap sidewall requires visual inspection, which is quite tiring for quality inspectors. To avoid errors caused by visual observation, in the third embodiment of this invention, a pressure sensor is provided on the bottom wall of each mounting groove 201, and each elastic member 6 is connected to the corresponding pressure sensor. When the quality inspector inserts the auxiliary tool body into the gap, any movable part is compressed, and the pressure sensor will sense the pressure. A display panel for receiving and displaying the pressure sensor sensing results can be provided on the auxiliary tool body 2 accordingly. The significance is that when the clearance is acceptable, both moving parts 4 must contact the clearance sidewall, meaning both moving parts 4 must move, causing the corresponding elastic element 6 to be compressed. This compression of the elastic element 6 applies pressure to the pressure sensor, which transmits the pressure value and displays it on the display panel. Quality inspectors can observe the values ​​on the display panel to determine if the clearance is acceptable. When both pressure sensor values ​​are greater than zero, it indicates that both moving parts 4 are in contact with the clearance sidewall, and the clearance is acceptable. When at least one of the two pressure sensor values ​​is zero, it indicates that at least one moving part 4 is not in contact with the clearance, and the clearance is unacceptable. This avoids quality inspectors having to visually determine whether the moving parts are in contact with the clearance and under force.

[0046] To ensure stable use of the movable part 4, the gap measuring assembly further includes two limiting structures corresponding to the two movable parts 4. Each limiting structure includes an annular limiting plate 5 and a mounting plate 401. The annular limiting plate 5 is located at the opening of the corresponding mounting groove 201, and the inner hole of the annular limiting plate 5 is connected to the mounting groove so that the movable part 4 can pass through the inner hole of the annular limiting plate 5. The mounting plate 401 is located in the mounting groove 201 and is located on the side of the corresponding movable part 4 facing the mounting groove 201. The mounting plate 401 can abut against the annular limiting plate 5.

[0047] It should be noted in advance that the mounting plate 401 is located within the mounting groove. The significance of this is that, in the initial state, the transition section 402 extends at an angle from the front end of the mounting plate 401, that is, from within the mounting groove 201. During the insertion of this measuring tool into the body-in-white gap, the side wall of the body-in-white gap contacts the transition section 402. During the insertion process, the moving part 4 is moved back into the mounting groove 201 by squeezing the transition section. If the transition section 402 extends from outside the mounting groove 201, the side wall of the body-in-white gap will contact the front end face of the tool body before the transition section 402. Since the front end face is a rectangular surface, it is perpendicular to the side wall of the body-in-white gap. Not only will the moving part not be squeezed by the gap side wall to move into the mounting groove, but it will also hinder the insertion movement of this measuring tool into the gap.

[0048] Since the movable part 4 is unstable during measurement, an annular limiting plate 5 is provided at the opening of the mounting groove 201. The annular limiting plate 5 is also provided with an inner hole. The size of the inner hole is smaller than the size of the opening of the mounting groove 201. The main function of the annular limiting plate 5 is to restrict the movable part 4 from leaving the mounting groove 201.

[0049] It should be noted that the minimum value of the qualified range of the measuring aid body is the sum of the left and right distance of the aid body and the left and right distance of the annular limiting plate 5, not just the left and right distance of the aid body. The maximum value of the qualified range is the maximum left and right distance of the measuring aid when the left and right movable part 4 is not under force after adding the annular limiting plate. The minimum and maximum values ​​of the measuring aid can be improved according to actual needs.

[0050] In another embodiment, the measuring aid may also be provided with a snap-fit ​​structure, which includes a snap-fit ​​and a slot. One of the snap-fit ​​and the slot is located on the inner side of the mounting slot, and the other is located on the movable part. The purpose is also to restrict the movable part from leaving the mounting slot and to stabilize the aid during the measurement gap process. No special restrictions are imposed in this embodiment.

[0051] To protect this measuring aid and prevent dust accumulation when it is not in use, thus reducing its accuracy, the gap measuring assembly also includes a mounting base 3 and a cover 1. The mounting base 3 is located at the rear end of the aid body 2, and the peripheral side of the mounting base 3 is provided with a locking protrusion 301. The cover 1 is fitted onto the outer surface of the aid body 2, and the cover 1 is provided with a groove corresponding to the locking protrusion 301, the groove being used to engage with the locking protrusion 301.

[0052] Specifically, the cover 1 is made of an elastic material, such as plastic. When the measuring tool is not in use, the cover 1 can be directly inserted into the mounting base 3. The cover 1 is snapped onto the mounting base 3 by the interference fit between the groove on the cover 1 and the snap protrusion 301 on the side of the mounting base 3. The tool body 2 and the movable part 4 are both located inside the cover 1. The cover 1 can be removed by applying a little force. In addition to the interference fit between the snap protrusion 301 and the groove, other connection methods can be designed, which are not limited here.

[0053] Furthermore, the measuring aid includes: a base, on which a mounting shaft 7 is provided; multiple gap measuring components are provided, and the multiple gap measuring components are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the mounting shaft 7. The auxiliary body 2 of each gap measuring component is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft 7 along the radial direction of the mounting shaft 7. Specifically, since the gap size requirements of different parts of the body-in-white are different, this measuring aid is provided in multiple sets. The maximum distance between the auxiliary body 2 and the two sets of moving parts 4 in each set of measuring aids is different. When designing the measuring aid, it will be designed one by one according to the qualified range of the gaps of different parts of the body-in-white. In addition, for easy handling, mounting shafts 7 are provided between multiple sets of measuring aids. The mounting shafts 7 in the measuring aids are hinged to the base, and multiple sets of measuring aids share the same hinge shaft. When measuring the gaps of the body-in-white, the corresponding measuring aid can be selected and rotated away from other measuring aids, and then used directly.

[0054] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gap measuring assembly for measuring the lateral dimensions of a body-in-white gap, characterized in that, The gap measurement component includes: The assistive device body has mounting slots on two opposite sides running left and right; and, Two movable parts are respectively installed into the two mounting slots in the left and right directions. The opposite sides of the two movable parts form detection surfaces, and the two detection surfaces are used to contact the wall surfaces opposite to each other in the left and right directions of the body-in-white gap. The gap measuring assembly further includes at least two elastic elements, with each elastic element having its two ends connected to the corresponding movable element and the bottom wall of the corresponding mounting groove, respectively. Each of the mounting slots has a pressure sensor on its bottom wall, and each of the elastic elements is connected to the corresponding pressure sensor. The detection surface has a transition section and a detection section. The transition section is inclined from front to back in a direction away from the auxiliary body. The detection section connects to the end of the transition section and extends in the front-back direction. The detection section and the transition section are used to contact the wall surfaces opposite each other in the left-right direction of the white body gap in sequence. The gap measuring component further includes two limiting structures corresponding to the two movable parts, each limiting structure comprising: An annular limiting plate is disposed at the opening of the corresponding mounting groove, and the inner hole of the annular limiting plate is connected to the mounting groove so that the movable part can pass through the inner hole of the annular limiting plate; and, The mounting plate is located within the mounting groove and is disposed on the side of the corresponding movable member facing the mounting groove. The mounting plate can abut against the annular limiting plate.

2. The gap measuring assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned movable components corresponds to a plurality of the aforementioned elastic components, and the plurality of elastic components are arranged at intervals along the front-to-back direction.

3. The gap measuring assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring or a rubber component.

4. The gap measuring assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The gap measuring component also includes a snap-fit ​​structure, which includes a snap-fit ​​and a slot, one of which is located on the inner side of the mounting slot and the other is located on the movable part.

5. The gap measuring assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The gap measurement component also includes: A mounting base is provided at the rear end of the auxiliary body, and a locking protrusion is provided on the peripheral side of the mounting base; and, A cover is fitted onto the outer surface of the accessory body, and the cover has a groove corresponding to the card protrusion, the groove being used to engage with the card protrusion.

6. A measuring aid, characterized in that, The measuring aid includes: A base, wherein a mounting shaft is provided on the base; and, The gap measuring assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gap measuring assembly comprises a plurality of gap measuring assemblies, the plurality of gap measuring assemblies being arranged at intervals along the length direction of the mounting shaft, and the auxiliary body of each gap measuring assembly being rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft along the radial direction of the mounting shaft.

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