Method for positioning components

Abstract

Method for positioning components, in particular body components, comprising the steps: - Providing a first component (10) which has an arrangement region (34) on which a stop element (30) is arranged or can be arranged, and wherein the stop element (30) has a first stop surface (31) which is provided in an end position for contact with a second stop surface (32) of a second component (20), wherein the end position is the closed position of the two components (10, 20), - Providing a detection system comprising at least one displacement sensor; - Contactless detection of a distance value (a) between the first stop surface (31) or the arrangement region (34) and the second stop surface (32) in the end position by means of the at least one displacement sensor.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for positioning components, a measurement bar and a use of a displacement sensor.Moving parts of vehicles, such as tailgates, have buffers and stop elements, which have to be positioned and adjusted during assembly. Buffers or stop elements of this type are preset to a fixed value, for example, with a gauge or are adjusted via so-called dummy buffers. In particular in the case of sedans, however, the problem arises that the buffers or stop elements are not accessible when the tailgate is closed, which makes the adjustment process extremely time-consuming, since the tailgate has to be repeatedly opened and closed in order to readjust the buffer or the stop element, if appropriate. It is also problematic that some components may not yet be installed at all at the time of the buffer or stop adjustment, such as a loading edge panel, on which e.g. a buffer arranged on a tailgate rests. A preadjustment of the buffer means that the tolerance variations lead to considerable changes in the closing comfort or that the required penetration joint between the tailgate and the bumper cladding must be very large. In addition, without expensive electric pulling aid, dummy buffers cannot be reliably used. As a result of their overspringing when closing the tailgate, incorrect values are detected.DE 10 2007 060 820 A1 relates to a measuring device for determining a distance between an open vehicle door or flap of a motor vehicle and a body of the motor vehicle, which measuring device has a measuring scale divided axially along a base body, wherein a stop element is arranged on the base body, with which stop element the open vehicle door or flap is to be brought into contact.It is therefore an object of the present invention to specify a method for positioning components, a measurement bar and a use of a displacement sensor, which eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and in particular make possible a rapid and process-safe positioning of components, in particular of body components.This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and by a measuring bar according to claim 11. Further advantages and features are evident from the dependent claims and from the description and the appended figures.According to the invention, a method for positioning components, in particular vehicle body components, in particular with respect to one another comprises the steps:providing a first component, which has an arrangement region on which a stop element is arranged or can be arranged, and wherein the stop element has a first stop surface, which in an end position is designed or provided for bearing against a second stop surface of a second component,providing a detection system comprising at least one displacement sensor;detecting a distance value between the first stop surface or the arrangement region and the second stop surface in the end position by means of the at least one displacement sensor.The end position is in particular a closing position of the two components. According to one embodiment, the two components are fixed and held relative to one another via a locking element, for example a lock. At least one of the two components is mounted movably, in particular pivotably, generally via corresponding hinges. The arrangement region is that region on which the stop element is arranged or can be arranged. Advantageously, the distance between the second stop surface and the first stop surface or the arrangement region can be measured or detected or determined by means of the detection system or by means of the at least one displacement sensor in the end position or in the closing position. The advantage is in particular that the distance value is not detected, for example, during closing, but explicitly in the end position, in other words after or subsequent to closing. Thus, when closing, for example a tailgate of a vehicle, so-called overshoots generally occur, which are dependent, among other things, on the applied closing force and make the correct setting of the tailgate more difficult.Preferably, the method comprises the steps of:bringing the two components into the end position or into the closing position;determining the distance value or values, if for example a plurality of stop elements, buffers or the like are provided, in the end position.This allows extremely flexible and rapid adjustment of components with respect to one another, since the detection system makes it possible to detect the distance between the second stop surface and the corresponding first stop surface or the arrangement region. This distance value then expediently serves either to set a position of the first stop surface to a desired value, taking into account the measured distance value, or to set the stop element which is not yet fastened to the arrangement region accordingly.Conveniently, the method comprises the step of:positioning the first stop surface such that in the end position or in the closing position the first stop surface does not abut the second stop surface.It has proven advantageous to initially premount the stop elements relatively far turned in. On the basis of the determined distance value, the stop elements are then adjusted by the determined distance value, preferably including a value required for the prestress.The method thus expediently comprises the step:setting the first stop surface on the basis of the determined distance value.The first stop surface can be adjusted if the stop element is already arranged on the first component or even beforehand. The first stop surface is then initially adjusted and the stop element is then arranged on the first component.Conveniently, the method comprises the step of:adjusting a prestress between the first component and the second component by means of the stop element.As already indicated, a specific, for example empirically determined amount is added to the measured distance value for this purpose, so that a perfect adjustment of the first component is made possible in an uncomplicated manner and in one step. In the case that the first component is, for example, a tailgate of a vehicle, the prestress is selected such that a compromise which is as good as possible between closing comfort and tightness of the tailgate is set.According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step of:detecting the distance value contactless, in particular by means of a light or proximity sensor.The measurement is expediently carried out in a contactless manner. According to one embodiment, the travel sensor is a light or proximity sensor. The placement or positioning or also the type of sensors used can be varied depending on the installation space available. It is decisive that as exactly as possible a distance between the arrangement region or the first stop surface and the second stop surface can be determined, whereby a rapid and process-safe setting of the stop element is made possible. The travel sensor can be arranged between the first and the second stop surface or between the arrangement region and the first stop surface or else alongside it, wherein the actual positioning is in particular also dependent on the underlying measurement principle. Further suitable contactless displacement sensors are, for example, capacitive sensors, eddy current sensors, laser displacement sensors or confocal sensors.Alternatively and / or additionally, the method comprises the step:tactile acquisition of the distance value, in particular by means of a tactile sensor.Contactless measuring systems or sensors can be advantageous if the measuring point is not accessible or is only difficultly accessible, as is the case, for example, with a closed tailgate of a passenger car sedan. Depending on the application, however, tactile detection may also be advantageous, in particular if it is or can be carried out automatically. In general, the method is advantageously designed in such a way that the measurement point for the detection of the distance value does not have to be accessible to an operator or engineer. This means, among other things, that the measurement, using the example of the tailgate, can be started from the outside or its start takes place automatically, etc.According to one embodiment, the arrangement region is formed on a tailgate of a vehicle, wherein the second stop surface is formed on a loading edge panel. In particular, two arrangement regions are provided on the tailgate and correspondingly two second stop surfaces are provided on the loading edge panel. The method is not limited to use with tailgates or the like, but can also be used with other movable components, in particular body components, such as also engine hoods, for example. In addition, it can be used with advantage for a wide variety of vehicle variants, such as sedan, wagons, etc.According to one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of:arranging the detection system on a measurement bar;arranging the measuring bar on a loading edge panel or the corresponding body supports of the loading edge panel.The measuring beam is advantageously a framework, for example made of aluminum or plastic, which is preferably adjustable in such a way that it can be adapted to the most different body geometries possible. The measuring bar serves in particular to arrange the detection system at a desired location, such as the loading edge stop, in order to determine the distance value between the first stop surface or the arrangement region and the second stop surface. According to one embodiment, the measuring beam is also designed in such a way that it itself represents the second stop surface or assumes its position, for example if the corresponding component, which actually forms or would comprise or represent the second stop surface, is not yet installed at all. The measuring bar can thus encompass or form the measuring point.According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step of:outputting and / or displaying the distance value.According to one embodiment, for example, after opening the tailgate for some time, the distance value is displayed on a display element, such as a display. An engineer can read the value and adjust or mount the stop element accordingly.According to one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of:transmitting the distance value to a tool;automatically adjusting the stop element by the tool.According to one embodiment, the tool can convert the determined distance value, for example, in such a way that automatic adjustment of the stop element by the tool is made possible. This means that, for example, the tool rotates a first stop surface rotatably mounted in the stop element, e.g., by a certain value, in order to provide a stop element with a desired length in this way, without the assembler having to take over further steps.Expediently, the detection system thus has an interface to a tool.According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step of:automatically carrying out the measurement after detecting the end position or the closing position.According to one embodiment, a measurement process which is slightly delayed in time, for example, is therefore carried out after the closing process. This takes place automatically and, according to one embodiment, does not have to be initiated by the engineer. The determined distance value is then held for a defined time interval, for example, and is displayed for some time after opening the tailgate, as already mentioned.According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step of:detecting further measurement points for detecting the position / position of at least one component.The detection system can advantageously be used to check or monitor, for example, a position or position of the tailgate per se, for example, in the closed position. If necessary, this can also be used to detect any skewness at an early stage.The invention is also directed to a measuring beam for positioning components, in particular body components of vehicles, comprising a detection system which has at least one travel sensor, preferably comprising a detection system according to the invention or comprising a detection system, as explained in connection with the method according to the invention. Otherwise, the advantages and features mentioned in connection with the method apply analogously and correspondingly and vice versa for the measurement bar.The invention is further directed to a use of a displacement sensor, in particular of a displacement sensor according to the invention, for setting or positioning vehicle body components, in particular with respect to one another. Here too, the advantages and features mentioned in connection with the method and the measuring bar apply analogously and correspondingly and vice versa.Advantageously, a vehicle-specific and vehicle-specific buffer setting is made possible, which is also suitable for sedans without an electrical closing aid. Penetration joints can be set without adverse effects on the closing comfort. According to a preferred embodiment, the stop elements or buffers are screwed in relatively far. The electrically operated measurement bar is mounted in the trunk and the tailgate is closed. The closing process triggers a slightly delayed measuring process between the body and the buffer. The distance value is held after a defined time interval and displayed for some time when the tailgate is opened. The buffers are each adjusted by an amount of measurement including, for example, a distance required for the prestress. The measuring beam can be placed on the body supports for the buffer or, if already mounted, also on the loading edge panel.Further advantages and features result from the following description of a method for positioning components and a schematic view of a measurement bar.The following are shown: FIG. 1 : a schematic side view of two components in an end position or closing position; FIG. 2 : two further views of the two components from FIG. 1 in an open position and in the end position; FIG. 3 : shows a trunk opening of a vehicle; FIG. 4 : shows a schematic sectional view for illustrating the arrangement of a measurement beam.FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first component 10 and a second component 20 in an end position, in particular in a closed position. The first component 10 is, for example, a trunk lid of a vehicle, and the second component 20 is a corresponding section of a trunk opening, against which the trunk lid abuts, for example via a seal not shown here. The first component 10, i.e. in particular the tailgate, comprises a stop element 30, which has a first stop surface 31. A second stop surface 32 is provided on the second component 20, for example in the form of a small stop surface. It can be seen that in the closed position shown here, the stop element or the buffer element 30 is adjusted in such a way that a distance or a distance value a is present between its first stop surface 31 and the second stop surface 32. This can be advantageously determined or measured via a detection system, not shown in any more detail here, comprising at least one displacement sensor.FIG. 2 now shows the components 10 and 20 known from FIG. 1 in an open position. It can be seen that the first stop surface 31 of the stop element 30 is now adjusted on the basis of the determined distance value a (cf. FIG. 1 ), in this case in particular is screwed out or unscrewed. The right-hand half of the figure schematically shows that the first stop surface 31 is now in contact with the stop surface 32, this contact being set in such a way that a certain prestress is expediently also set between the first component 10 and the second component 20.FIG. 3 shows a trunk opening 40 comprising a loading edge panel 42 merely for better orientation.FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a sectional illustration through a first component 10, in particular a tailgate, and through a second component 20, in particular a body structure. Reference numeral 50 designates a measuring bar which comprises a measuring point 52. In the embodiment shown here, a distance between an arrangement region 34, which is provided on the first component 10 or the tailgate, and the measurement point 52, which forms a virtual second stop surface 32, as it were, is detected. The measuring point 52 is seated, for example, at the position at which the loading edge panel shown in FIG. 3 would be seated in the finished vehicle. In this respect, the method or the use of the measuring bar 50 or of the detection system comprising the at least one travel sensor enables a positioning of the component 10 even before, for example, a loading edge panel is mounted. Alternatively, the measuring beam 50 can also be mounted on a loading edge panel.List of reference characters10 first component, tailgate 20 second component, body structure 30 stop element, buffer (element) 31 first stop surface 32 second stop surface 34 arrangement region 40 trunk opening 42 loading edge panel 50 measuring beam 52 measuring point a distance, distance value

Claims

Method for positioning components, in particular vehicle body components, comprising the steps: - providing a first component (10) which has an arrangement region (34), on which a stop element (30) is arranged or can be arranged, and wherein the stop element (30) has a first stop surface (31), which is provided in an end position for bearing against a second stop surface (32) of a second component (20), wherein the end position is the closing position of the two components (10, 20), - providing a detection system comprising at least one travel sensor; - non-contact detection of a distance value (a) between the first stop surface (31) or the arrangement region (34) and the second stop surface (32) in the end position by means of the at least one travel sensor.Method according to claim 1, comprising the step of: - adjusting the first stop surface (31) on the basis of the determined distance value (a).Method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of: - adjusting a prestress between the first component (10) and the second component (20) by means of the stop element (30).Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of: - detecting the distance value by means of a light or proximity sensor.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement region (34) is formed on a tailgate (10) of a vehicle, and wherein the second stop surface (32) is formed on a loading edge panel (42).Method according to claim 5, comprising the steps of: - arranging the detection system on a measuring beam (50); - arranging the measuring beam (50) on a loading edge panel (42) or the corresponding body supports of the loading edge panel (42).Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of: - outputting and / or displaying the distance value (a).Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - transmitting the distance value (a) to a tool; - automatically adjusting the stop element (30) by the tool.Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of: - automatically carrying out the measurement after detection of the end position.Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of: - detecting further measurement points for detecting the position / position of at least one component (10; 20).Measuring beam (50) for positioning components, in particular vehicle body components, comprising a detection system operating in contactless fashion, which has at least one travel sensor.

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