Method for attaching an additional part to a component, in particular for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for arranging at least one additional part (3) on a component (1), in which the additional part (3) is automatically moved relative to the component (1) by means of a movement device (11) and is arranged on it, characterized in that: - the self-rigid structural element (1) is transformed by means of at least one tool (8); - the additional part (3) is moved relative to the tool (8) and relative to the component (1) by means of the movement device (11) and is positioned on the component (1) while the component (1) is in the tool (8); and - the movement device (11) comprises a magazine (22) in which the additional part (3) and several further additional parts (16, 17) are received, and has at least one movement part (12) by means of which the additional part (3) is moved from the magazine (22) to the component (1) and arranged on it.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for arranging an additional part on a component, in particular for a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a method for attaching at least one additional part to a component, particularly for a motor vehicle, is already known, for example, from DE 10 2015 207 847 A1. In this method, the additional part is automatically moved relative to the component and attached to it by means of a motion device, for example, a robot. The additional part, for example, a plug, is then automatically fastened to the component.

[0003] Furthermore, US 2008 / 0282524A1 discloses a device for attaching at least one fastening element to a tubular workpiece.

[0004] Furthermore, US 5,586,424 discloses a device for attaching a fastening element to a structural component.

[0005] Furthermore, a method for the automated fastening of retaining clips to vehicle body parts is known from DE 10 2004 024 577 B3.

[0006] Furthermore, a bearing ring is known from DE 101 35 588 B4.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to create a method of the type mentioned at the outset, so that components, in particular for motor vehicles, can be provided with at least one additional part in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] In the inventive method for arranging at least one additional part on a component, particularly for a motor vehicle, the additional part is moved automatically, i.e., without human intervention, relative to the component and arranged on the component by means of at least one movement device. In particular, for example, the additional part is automatically attached to the component by means of the movement device.

[0010] In order to equip the component with the additional part in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner, so that, for example, a unit comprising the component and the additional part arranged on the component can be manufactured in a particularly time- and cost-effective way, the invention provides that the method includes a first step in which the inherently rigid or dimensionally stable component is formed by means of at least one tool, also referred to as a forming tool. In particular, the component is formed by means of the tool while the component is arranged on or in the tool. The tool comprises, for example, two opposing tool halves, which are moved towards each other to form the component, while the component is arranged between the tool parts and thus in the tool. By moving the tool parts towards each other, the tool is closed.

[0011] The method according to the invention further comprises a second step in which the additional part is moved by means of the movement device relative to the tool and relative to the component after the forming and / or before the forming and / or during the forming of the component and while the component is still in the tool, and is thereby moved to the component and arranged on the component, in particular attached to the component.

[0012] The invention is based in particular on the understanding that, conventionally, additional parts such as retaining clips, clamps, and clips, especially C-clips, are manually attached to the respective components after they have been formed. This is done in such a way that the component is first formed, then removed from the forming tool, and subsequently fitted with at least one of the additional parts manually. In particular, the component is temporarily stored after forming, after removal from the tool, and before the additional part is attached, resulting in significant handling costs and thus increased time and expense. Furthermore, additional manufacturing aids are required to manually assemble the additional part. The manual attachment of the additional part to the component also requires a large number of personnel.Furthermore, manual assembly can lead to assembly errors, particularly where additional parts can be confused and / or incorrectly positioned, as it is necessary to differentiate between several variants. Manual assembly also results in stringent occupational safety requirements for the personnel performing the assembly. All of this leads to additional costs in the form of system costs, transport costs, personnel costs, rework costs, quality costs, etc. The aforementioned problems and disadvantages can be avoided by the method according to the invention, since the additional part is attached to the component while the component is in the tool or in a component holding device, such as a fixture, a component tray, or at a component transfer point during the production process, for example, in an empty station in a press assembly or in a transfer shuttle.

[0013] To enable, for example, the mass production of components in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner, the invention provides that the motion device includes a magazine in which the auxiliary component and several other auxiliary components are held. The preceding and following descriptions of the auxiliary component can readily be applied to the other several auxiliary components and vice versa. Furthermore, the motion device comprises at least one moving element by means of which the auxiliary component is moved from the magazine to the component and positioned on the component.In this way, it is possible, for example, to equip the component with several additional parts arranged in the magazine and / or to equip several components with at least one additional part each, or with several additional parts each, by removing the additional parts from the magazine or conveying them from the magazine to the respective component in a time- and cost-effective manner. For this purpose, the moving part is moved relative to the magazine and relative to the component, and in doing so, is moved towards the respective component. In this way, the respective additional part is moved from the magazine to the respective component by means of the moving part.

[0014] It has therefore proven particularly advantageous if, for example, the component is not removed from the tool between its forming and the attachment of the additional part. This avoids both time-consuming and costly intermediate storage of the component, as well as additional handling effort, since the component is only removed from the tool for the first time after its forming once the additional part has already been attached to it, and in particular, held in place. Consequently, it is not necessary to store the component and the separate additional part; instead, the already manufactured component, as mentioned above, can be stored or further processed.The automatic or automated placement of the additional part on the component also significantly reduces the risk of incorrect assembly and / or part mix-ups, thus ensuring a particularly high-quality manufacturing of the assembly. As a result, rework can be avoided or at least minimized.

[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a non-rubber-elastic component is used as the additional part. In other words, the additional part is preferably not rubber-elastic but rather rigid or stiff compared to rubber or an elastomer. This allows the component to be fitted with the additional part in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner. Another embodiment is characterized in that a fastening element is used as the additional part, by means of which at least one further component can be attached to the component. The fastening element is designed, for example, as a snap-fit ​​element, clip, clamp, retaining clip, or the like. This embodiment is based on the understanding that fitting components with fastening elements is particularly time-consuming and costly, which can now be avoided by the method according to the invention.

[0016] The method according to the invention is particularly advantageous for the production of components for vehicles or motor vehicles, but can also be readily transferred to the production of other components.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the component is made of a metallic material, in particular steel or sheet metal. This allows the process to be carried out in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner. The component is, for example, a body part for a self-supporting body of a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the component is designed as an add-on part that can be attached to a superstructure or to a self-supporting body of a passenger car.

[0018] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the component is made of a plastic, in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic such as, for example, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. In this case, the at least one additional part, designed, for example, as a functional part and in particular as a connecting part, can be arranged on the component and, in particular, connected to the component using the method according to the invention, with particular advantage.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the additional part is a self-stiffening and / or metallic material-based additional part, so that the additional part can be arranged on the component in a particularly simple and therefore time- and cost-effective manner.

[0020] To enable the component to be equipped with the additional part in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner, a further embodiment of the invention provides that at least a partial area of ​​the component is received in a channel, while the additional part is arranged on this partial area, such that the additional part moves along the channel and is positioned on the partial area. The channel thus has a dual function. Firstly, the channel is used to guide and hold the component. Secondly, the channel is used to guide the additional part on its path, in particular from the magazine to the component and especially to the partial area.

[0021] It has proven particularly advantageous if the channel runs at least partially within the tool. This allows the component to be equipped with the additional part in a particularly cost-effective manner.

[0022] Finally, it has proven particularly advantageous if a receiving chamber of the magazine, in which the additional parts are held, opens into the channel. In this way, the respective additional part can be moved from the receiving chamber into the channel with particular ease. Such movement of the additional part from the receiving chamber into the channel occurs, for example, solely and exclusively due to gravity. For this purpose, the additional parts held in the receiving chamber are arranged vertically one above the other, so that, for example, whenever one of the additional parts is moved from the magazine to the component by means of the moving part, another of the additional parts slides downwards vertically from the receiving chamber and enters the channel.Subsequently, the additional part can be moved from the magazine to the component using the movement mechanism, thus repeating the aforementioned process. This allows the number of parts, and therefore the costs, to be kept particularly low.

[0023] The movement of the additional part along the channel is effected, for example, pneumatically and / or mechanically, so that, for example, a feeding technology or feeding unit encompassing at least the channel is provided, by means of which the additional part is moved pneumatically and / or mechanically along the channel and positioned on the component.

[0024] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A schematic perspective view of a component, in particular for a motor vehicle, wherein the component is provided with at least one additional part which is arranged or held on the component; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a method for arranging the additional part on the component according to a first embodiment; and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the method according to a second embodiment.

[0025] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a schematic perspective view of a component 1 that is inherently rigid or dimensionally stable. Component 1 is non-rubber-elastic and made of a metallic material such as steel or a light metal, particularly aluminum. Component 1 is, for example, a component for a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car. Specifically, component 1 is designed, for example, as a body part of a self-supporting body or superstructure of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is conceivable that component 1 is an add-on part that can be attached to, or is attached to, the superstructure or body of the motor vehicle. In particular, component 1 is, for example, a body-in-white component and thus part of the body-in-white of the vehicle.

[0027] Looks especially good Fig. It is evident from Figure 1 that the component 1 is part of a building unit designated as a whole by Figure 2. The building unit 2 comprises the component 1 and at least one additional part 3, which is arranged on the component 1 and, in particular, held on the component 1. In the case of the Fig. In the illustrated embodiment 1, the additional part, also referred to as an additional element, is, for example, a fastening element by means of which, for example, at least one further component not shown in the figure can be attached to the component 1. In particular, the additional part 3 can be designed as a retaining clip, clamp, or locking element or clips, especially as C-clips.

[0028] In conjunction with Fig. 3. It is evident that the additional part 3 is, for example, at least substantially U-shaped or has a receptacle 4, which is referred to as a plug-in receptacle. The additional part 3 is arranged on the component 1 and held on the component 1 in such a way that the additional part 3, in particular along a Fig. The additional part 3 is moved towards the component 1 in the joining direction illustrated by arrow 5, in particular such that at least a sub-section 6 of the component 1 is inserted into the receptacle 4, which functions as a plug-in socket. Thus, the additional part 3 is plugged onto the sub-section 6. The sub-section 6 is, for example, a flange onto which the additional part 3 is plugged. This positions the additional part 3 on the component 1.

[0029] In particular, it is conceivable that, during the manufacturing of component 2, several additional parts, such as additional part 3, are arranged on component 1 and, in particular, attached to it. The preceding and following explanations regarding additional part 3 can readily be applied to the other additional parts, and vice versa. Based on Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a method by which the component 1 can be equipped with the additional part 3, in particular with several additional parts, in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner.

[0030] In a first step of the process, the rigid component 1 is formed using at least one tool 8. The tool 8 is in Fig. Figure 2 is illustrated particularly schematically and includes, for example, two opposing tool parts 9 and 10, which are also referred to as tool halves. To form the component 1 using the tool 8, the component 1 is inserted into the tool 8, in particular placed between the tool parts 9 and 10, especially while the tool parts 9 and 10 are moved apart. In other words, the component 1 is inserted into the tool 8 while the tool 8 is open. The tool parts 9 and 10 are then moved towards each other, so that the tool 8 is closed. The tool 8 is closed while the component 1 is located inside the tool 8 and between the tool parts 9 and 10. This process forms the component 1.

[0031] In a second step of the process, after the forming of component 1 and while component 1 is still in the tool 8, the additional part 3 is moved relative to the tool 8 and relative to component 1 by means of a motion device designated 11. In doing so, it is moved towards component 1 and positioned on it. The additional part 3 is automatically moved and positioned relative to the tool 8 and component 1 by means of the motion device 11. This means that the positioning of the additional part 3 on component 1 is not done manually, but automatically by means of the motion device 11. This enables an automatic manufacturing process for the assembly 2, since, for example, component 2 is also automatically formed.

[0032] The arrangement of the additional part 3 on the component 1 can be mechanical, electrical and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic, so that, for example, a Fig. 3. A recognizable moving part 12 of the motion device 11 is moved mechanically, electrically, pneumatically, and / or hydraulically in order to subsequently move the additional part 3 and position it on the component 1. The additional part 3 is moved, for example, via a suitable feeding technology from a first location S1 to a second location S2, where the additional part 3 is positioned on the component 1 and thus mounted. This feeding technology is described in Fig. Figure 2 shows a particularly schematic representation, where it is labelled 13. During the arrangement of the additional part 3 on the component 1, the component 1 is located, for example, at a transfer point of the tool 8. Preferably, however, the component 1 is located in the tool 8 itself, while the additional part 3 is arranged on the component 1. The tool 8 is, for example, designed as a forming press, by means of which the component 1 is pressed and thereby formed.

[0033] In particular, it is conceivable that the automatic assembly of the additional part 3 is carried out by means of a gripper or clamp, especially with integrated feeding technology 13. The gripper, for example, grasps the additional part 3, and the grasped additional part 3 is held on the gripper, for example, by means of a clamp. The gripper then moves the additional part 3 from the first position S1 to the second position S2, and thus to the component 1 still located in the tool 8, and positions it on the component 1.

[0034] Out of Fig. Figure 2 shows that the motion device 11 has, for example, a storage unit 14, also referred to as a hopper or component loader, in which, for example, the additional part 3 and several other additional parts are held. The storage unit 14, or component loader, is a device in which the additional part 3 and the several other additional parts are located in a predefined position for processing. The storage unit 14 is thus, for example, a magazine, which is also referred to as a loading magazine. For example, by means of the feeding technology 13, the respective additional part 3, which was initially held in the storage unit 14, is removed from the storage unit 14 and moved from location S1 to location S2 and mounted on the component 1. Preferably, a query is performed to determine whether the additional part 3 is in a desired position after its mounting, in particular relative to the component 1.For this purpose, a sensor device with at least one sensor is used, which detects or queries whether the accessory part 3 is in a desired target position on the component 1. The sensor detects, for example, the actual position of the accessory part 3 mounted on the component 1. This actual position is then compared with the desired target position. If, for example, the actual position deviates from the target position or if such a deviation exceeds a predefined threshold, the accessory part 3 can, for example, be removed from the component 1 and remounted, or it can be moved relative to the component 1 while still attached, thereby changing its position from the actual to the target position. The sensor can be designed, for example, as a pressure transmitter, button, initiator, or other type of sensor.In particular, it is conceivable that the feeding technology 13 includes at least one hose, belt, chain, tube, profile or other feeding part by means of which the respective additional part 3 can be moved to the component 1.

[0035] The motion device 11 comprises, for example, a distribution unit 15, by means of which the respective accessory 3 is placed on the storage unit 14 on a conveyor belt of the motion device 11, in particular the feeding device 13. The accessory 3, initially placed on the conveyor belt, is moved, for example, along the conveyor belt to the component 1 and mounted on it, by means of the motion element 12, which may be designed, for example, as a slide, plunger, or otherwise, and / or by means of compressed air and / or a liquid. The distribution unit 15 is, for example, a feeding device or a component of such a feeding device, by means of which the accessory 3 is moved to the component 1. In particular, the respective accessory 3 is placed on the conveyor belt by means of the feeding device.

[0036] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the method and, in particular, of the motion device 11. In the second embodiment, the motion device 11 has a channel 20 formed by a component 19 and / or a further feeding mechanism, in particular in addition to the channel, in which at least the partial section 6 of the component 1 is received, while the additional part 3 is arranged on the partial section 6 and thus on the component 1. The motion part 12 is, for example, translationally movable relative to the component 19, which in Fig. 3 is illustrated by a double arrow 21. In other words, the moving part 12 is translationally movable relative to component 19 along a direction of movement illustrated by the double arrow 21, wherein the joining direction illustrated by arrow 5 coincides with the direction of movement. In particular, the moving part 12 is electrically and / or mechanically and / or hydraulically and / or pneumatically movable.

[0037] The moving part 12, for example, acts as a punch, which moves the additional part 3 relative to component 19 in the joining direction to position the additional part 3 on the sub-section 6, thereby moving it towards the component 1. The additional part 3 is supported on the moving part 12, so that the movement of the moving part 12 also moves the additional part 3 relative to component 19 in the joining direction and thus towards the component 1. The additional part 3 is thereby moved relative to the component 1, and in particular towards the component 1, in such a way that the sub-section 6 is inserted into the opening receptacle 4, as described previously.

[0038] Furthermore, the movement device 11 has a magazine 22 in which the accessory part 3 and several further accessory parts 16 and 17 are initially received. The magazine 22, formed, for example, by component 19, has a receiving space 23, which is formed or bounded, for example, by component 19. The accessory parts 3, 16, and 17 are initially received in the receiving space 23. The receiving space 23 opens into the channel 20.

[0039] For example, due to gravity, the additional part 3 can initially slide downwards vertically from the receiving space 23 into the channel 20. If the additional part 3 is then moved to the component 1 by means of the movement element 12 as described and positioned on it, and if the movement element 12 is then moved in a retraction direction opposite to the joining direction and coinciding with the direction of movement, the additional parts 16 and 17 can, for example, slide down vertically, in particular such that the additional part 16 slides downwards vertically on the receiving space 23 into the channel 20. Subsequently, the additional part 16 can, for example, be moved to the component 1 by means of the movement element 12 as described and positioned on it, or it can be moved to another component and positioned on it.If the moving part 12 is then moved back in the direction of retraction, the additional part 17 can then slide down and be mounted in the appropriate manner.

[0040] Furthermore, it is possible for the additional parts to be fed in a series, similar to a magazine. For example, the additional parts form a chain when lined up, and these parts can be either connected or loosely connected.

[0041] For example, distribution unit 15 is provided to fill magazine 22 or recording chamber 23 with the additional parts 3, 16 and 17. As in Fig.As illustrated by an arrow 24 and a further additional part 18, the additional part 18 is conveyed from the storage unit 14 to, and in particular into, the receiving chamber 23 by means of the distribution unit 15. In the manner described, the additional part 18 can slide from the receiving chamber 23 into the channel 20 and be moved by means of the movement part 12 and subsequently mounted on the component 1 or on another component.

[0042] It should be explicitly mentioned here that channel 20 represents one way of supplying the respective accessory part 3, 16, 17, or 18 to component 1. In other words, channel 20 is a possible supply method, or a component of a possible supply method, by means of which the respective accessory part can be supplied to component 1 and positioned on it. Alternatively or additionally to channel 20, at least one other supply method, such as a hose, a pipe, or a groove, can be used to supply the respective accessory part to component 1 and position it on it.

[0043] Overall, it is evident that this method enables particularly time- and cost-effective mass production, in which component 1 can be equipped with several additional parts, and / or several components can each be equipped with at least one additional part, and / or several components can each be equipped with several additional parts. Manual arrangement of the respective additional part can be avoided, thus enabling particularly high-quality production. In particular, the automatic arrangement of the respective additional part on the respective component significantly minimizes the risk of mix-ups and / or incorrect assembly, thereby also preventing excessive rework. Consequently, production can be carried out particularly quickly and cost-effectively.

[0044] To avoid, for example, unwanted relative movements between the component 1 and the component 19, especially while the additional part 3 is being arranged on the component 1, a fixing device 25 designed as a gripper, clamping and / or clamping system is provided, by means of which the component 1 is fixed relative to the component 19, at least while the additional part 3 is being attached to the sub-area 6.

[0045] In particular, it is conceivable that component 19 is the tool 8 or part of the tool 8, such that, for example, the tool 8 forms the channel 20 and the receiving chamber 23 or the magazine 22. It is also conceivable that component 19 is tool part 9 or tool part 10. Furthermore, it is possible that the component 1 is provided with the additional part 3 after its forming and while still in the tool. Finally, it is conceivable that the component 2 is provided with the additional part 3 during and / or before and / or after forming.

[0046] In other words, within the framework of the process, it is possible to attach the additional part 3 to the component 1 before and / or after and / or during the forming process. In other words, it is conceivable to first insert the component 1 into the tool 8, then attach the additional part 3 to the component 1, and then form the component 1. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the forming of the component 1 and the attachment of the additional part 3 to the component 1 occur at least partially simultaneously. It is also possible that the component 1 is formed first, after which the additional part 3 is attached to the component 1. In this case, the component 1 is located in the tool 8 while the additional part 3 is attached to the component 1.It has proven particularly advantageous to attach the additional part 3 to the component 1 after it has been formed, since any undesired relative movements between the component 1 and the movement device 11, and / or changes in the position of the component 1 relative to the movement device 1, that may have been caused by the forming process, have already occurred by the time the additional part 3 is attached to the component 1. This allows the additional part 3 to be mounted with exceptional precision and thus with high quality.

Claims

[1] Method for arranging at least one additional part (3) on a component (1), wherein the additional part (3) is automatically moved relative to the component (1) by means of a movement device (11) and arranged on it, characterized by , that: - the self-rigid structural element (1) is transformed by means of at least one tool (8); - the additional part (3) is moved relative to the tool (8) and relative to the component (1) by means of the movement device (11) and is positioned on the component (1) while the component (1) is in the tool (8); and - the movement device (11) comprises a magazine (22) in which the additional part (3) and several further additional parts (16, 17) are received, and has at least one movement part (12) by means of which the additional part (3) is moved from the magazine (22) to the component (1) and arranged on it. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by, that between the forming of the component (1) and the placement of the additional part (3) on the component (1) the component (1) is not removed from the tool (8). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that a non-rubber-elastic accessory part (3) is used as the accessory part (3). [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the additional part (3) is a fastening element (3) by means of which at least one further component can be attached to the component (1). [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the component (1) is a component (1) made of a metallic material. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the additional part (3) is a self-stiffening additional part (3) and / or an additional part made of a metallic material. [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least a sub-area (6) of the component (1) is received in a channel (20), while the additional part (3) is arranged on the sub-area (6) by moving the additional part (3) along the channel (20) and arranging it on the sub-area (6). [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that the channel (20) runs at least partially within the tool (8). [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by , that a receiving chamber (23) of the magazine (22), in whose receiving chamber (23) the additional parts (3, 16, 17) are received, opens into the channel (20).

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