Device for storing a component, as well as corresponding system and method

Abstract

Device for supporting a component (4), the device comprising two first bearing means (1; 2) and two second bearing means (3'; 3"), the first bearing means (1; 2) and the second bearing means (3'; 3") being designed to support the component (4), the second bearing means (3'; 3") being connected to one another via a rotatable connecting means (6), characterized in that the first bearing means (1; 2) and the second bearing means (3'; 3") are each designed to form an approximately point-shaped contact region with the component (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for supporting a component, in particular a component of a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a corresponding system and a method.

[0002] Various devices for supporting components are known from the prior art, as described in DE 37 29 601 C1 and US 2011 / 0 141 449 A1. They are often used for machining the components. US 2009 / 278294 A1, for example, discloses a clamping system for clamping airfoils with pivoting arms to facilitate machining of the airfoils.

[0003] In contrast, the invention is based on the object of creating a device that enables the precise positioning of components with relatively large tolerances. Furthermore, a system comprising such a device and a method for machining a component using such a device are to be created.

[0004] This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1, a system according to claim 8 and a method according to claim 9. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] The device comprises two first bearing means and two second bearing means. The bearing means are designed to support the component. In particular, it is possible for the entire component to be supported solely by the bearing means. In this case, the entire weight force acts on the bearing means, or additionally the clamping force, since the component is clamped by the four bearing means and is statically determined by the rocker.

[0006] The second bearing means are connected to each other via a rotatable connecting means. This allows the second bearing means and the connecting means to form a rocking mechanism. This is particularly advantageous when components with comparatively high tolerances need to be positioned with particular precision, for example, because they are to be machined by robots. Such high tolerances occur, for example, in comparatively large heat-treated cast components, which can distort differently during cooling.

[0007] The first and second bearing means are each designed to form an approximately point-shaped contact area with the component. In the context of this description, the term "point-shaped contact area" is understood to mean, in particular, a contact area that has an area of ​​significantly less than 10 cm. 2 , has.

[0008] Due to the rotatable fastener, the component always rests on all support elements. The first support elements represent rigid support points. Together with a pivot point of the fastener, around which the fastener rotates, a plane is defined that determines the unique positioning of the component.

[0009] A further advantage of the device is that deviations in the dimensions of the component, for example due to distortion during cooling, at the support points of the first bearing means are less significant when the plane is defined as mentioned above during positioning. This is especially true when the deviations have different signs. Larger component tolerances are therefore possible. In particular, dimensional deviations on the rocker side are less significant, since the rocker compensates for the deviations at the support points of the second bearing means.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting means may have a pivot point arranged between the second bearing means. The connecting means may be rotatable about the pivot point. Preferably, the pivot point is arranged centrally between the second bearing means.

[0011] Point-shaped contact areas have the advantage that a precisely defined plane is defined between the contact areas of the first bearing means and the pivot point of the connecting means, which can be used as a reference for machining the component.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first bearing means can be arranged mechanically decoupled from one another.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first bearing means can be arranged mechanically decoupled from the second bearing means.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot point can be arranged approximately centrally between the second bearing means.

[0015] This is particularly advantageous in order to enable comparatively large tolerances of the components to be machined.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting means can be rotatable exclusively about a single axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation can pass through the pivot point.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting means can be rotatable in a vertical direction when the first bearing means support the component. In this case, the axis of rotation can extend in a horizontal direction.

[0018] The system comprises a device according to one embodiment of the invention and the component. The component is supported by the first and second bearing means. Preferably, the component is supported exclusively by the first and second bearing means.

[0019] In the method, the component is mechanically processed, for example, by a robot, while it is mounted on a device according to an embodiment of the invention. Particularly during mechanical processing by a robot, the precise definition of the bearing plane by the first bearing means and the pivot point of the connecting means is advantageous, allowing the robot to precisely know the position of the component, even if the component has relatively large tolerances.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a component mounted on a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Component 4 is supported on two first bearing means 1 and 2 and two second bearing means 3' and 3". The entire mass of the component is supported exclusively by the bearing means 1, 2, 3' and 3". In addition, the clamping force is supported by the bearing means 1, 2, 3' and 3", since the component is clamped on the four bearing means and is statically determined by the rocker.

[0023] The second bearing means 3' and 3" are connected to each other by a connecting means 6. The connecting means 6 is rotatable about a pivot point 3 in a vertical direction, so that even with relatively large tolerances, the component always rests on the first bearing means 1 and 2 and the second bearing means 3' and 3". The vertical plane refers to plane 5. The entire arrangement also functions when the component is clamped, for example, to a vertical base plate using the described bearing means. In this case, the bearing means 1, 2, 3' and 3" support only the clamping force and not the mass of the component.

[0024] A bearing plane 5 is defined by the first bearing means 1 and 2 and the pivot point 3, which is particularly advantageous for mechanical machining of the component 4. Due to the rotatability of the connecting means 6, comparatively small deviations of the bearing of the component 4 from the bearing plane 5 result compared to the tolerances of the component 4. This simplifies mechanical machining of the component 4 with a robot.

[0025] In principle, there are alternatives to the rotatable connecting means (6) that couples the second bearing means. This would be, for example, a hydraulic system with a hydraulically communicating connection between the second bearing means 3' and 3". Thus, the pivot point in this alternative embodiment is no longer physically formed, but in principle remains imaginary. Another alternative is a prismatic displacement of the second bearing means 3', 3".

Claims

[1] Device for supporting a component (4), the device comprising two first bearing means (1; 2) and two second bearing means (3'; 3"), the first bearing means (1; 2) and the second bearing means (3'; 3") being designed to support the component (4), the second bearing means (3'; 3") being connected to one another via a rotatable connecting means (6), characterized by that the first bearing means (1; 2) and the second bearing means (3'; 3") are each designed to form an approximately point-shaped contact area with the component (4). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the connecting means (6) has a pivot point (3) which is arranged between the second bearing means (3'; 3"), wherein the connecting means (6) is rotatable about the pivot point (3). [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first bearing means (1; 2) are arranged mechanically decoupled from one another. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first bearing means (1; 2) are arranged mechanically decoupled from the second bearing means (3'; 3"). [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pivot point (3) is arranged approximately centrally between the second bearing means (3'; 3"). [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting means (6) can only be rotated about a single axis of rotation. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting means (6) is rotatable in a vertical direction when the first bearing means (1; 2) support the component (4). [8] System comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims and the component (4), wherein the component (4) is supported by the first bearing means (1; 2) and the second bearing means (3'; 3"). [9] Method for mechanically machining a component (4), wherein the component (4) is mounted on a device according to one of claims 1 to 7 and is machined there.

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