Motor vehicle component arrangement for assembling an outer skin element and an assembly method of such a motor vehicle component arrangement

Abstract

Motor vehicle component arrangement (10) of a first fastening unit (12) of an outer skin element (22) relative to a second fastening unit (14) of an outer skin element (22), wherein the first fastening unit (12) and the second fastening unit (14) are each fixed relative to at least one fixing element (26, 28) formed as a bodyshell of a motor vehicle, wherein the at least one fixing element (26, 28) is an element different from the first fastening unit (12) and the second fastening unit (14), wherein a guide opening (16) is provided on the first fastening unit (12) and a projection (18) cooperating with the guide opening (16) is provided on the second fastening unit (14), wherein the projection (18) and the guide opening (16) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the relative alignment of the first fastening unit (12) to the second fastening unit (14) is limited during assembly by an interaction of the guide opening (16) and the projection (18) and, in the assembled state, the relative position of the projection (18) within the guide opening (16) is visible, characterized in that the guide opening (16) is designed as an elongated hole and the projection (18) is designed as a web extending in the width direction, and the outer skin element (22) is designed as a bumper cover (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle component arrangement for assembling an outer skin element and a method for assembling such a motor vehicle component arrangement.

[0002] DE 101 16 283 B4 discloses an arrangement for the precise assembly of an add-on part to a base component, in particular for arranging a radiator grille on a bumper fascia of a motor vehicle. In this arrangement, separate devices for positioning and securing the add-on part are provided, one behind the other in the assembly direction, wherein, for positioning the add-on part to the base component or add-on part, at least one groove extending transversely to the assembly direction and open in the assembly direction is provided for receiving a strip-shaped projection of the add-on part or base component. In connection with this arrangement, no solution is disclosed for how a motor vehicle component arrangement can be manufactured in a simple and high-quality manner when an outer skin element of a motor vehicle is to be attached to several components, in particular when the outer skin element has visible joints to adjacent outer skin elements.

[0003] DE 40 19 719 A1 discloses a profile strip arrangement on vehicles, primarily buses, comprising several retaining elements attached to the vehicle body at a distance from one another. A support profile strip is attached to the retaining elements, which in turn holds a facing profile strip attached to it. Each retaining element has an adjustment structure consisting of two slightly vertically aligned guides with a plate held between them in a torsionally fixed but movable manner, and a threaded bolt mounted vertically on the plate. The support profile strip has an elongated hole at the level of each threaded bolt. Each threaded bolt passes through a corresponding elongated hole in the support profile strip and carries a screwed-on threaded nut for tightening the support profile strip to the retaining element.

[0004] DE 10 2016 118 889 A1 relates to a device for fastening an air guiding means to a motor vehicle, comprising a joint means which comprises a plurality of joint elements which can be pivoted relative to one another, wherein a first of the joint elements can be connected to the air guiding means, wherein the first joint element can be displaced in a translational manner relative to a second joint element of the joint elements.

[0005] A connecting arrangement for connecting two body components of a vehicle is known from DE 10 2011 089 015 A1. The connecting arrangement comprises a connecting element with at least a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface angled thereto, wherein the first mounting surface has at least one first mounting opening and the second mounting surface has at least one second mounting opening, at least one first bolt, wherein the diameter of the first bolt is smaller than the first mounting opening such that the first bolt can be moved within the first mounting opening in any direction parallel to the first mounting surface in order to adjust a gap between the body components, and at least one second bolt which can be moved within the second mounting opening parallel to the second mounting surface.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a motor vehicle component arrangement for assembling an outer skin element and a method for assembling such a motor vehicle component arrangement, with which the preparation of the subsequent assembly of an outer skin element on the motor vehicle component arrangement is facilitated and qualitatively improved.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of the independent claims. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in conjunction with the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a motor vehicle component arrangement according to the invention, a first fastening unit for an outer skin element is fixed relative to a second fastening unit for the outer skin element, in each case relative to at least one fixing element formed as a body shell of a motor vehicle, wherein the at least one fixing element is an element different from the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit. A guide opening is provided on the first fastening unit, and a projection cooperating with the guide opening is provided on the second fastening unit.The projection and the guide opening are coordinated with one another in such a way that, through the interaction of the guide opening and the projection, the relative alignment of the first fastening unit to the second fastening unit is limited during assembly, and in the assembled state, the relative position of the projection within the guide opening is visible. According to the invention, the outer skin element is designed as a bumper cover.

[0009] The above interaction means that the projection can be arranged such that it at least partially engages in the guide opening, thereby limiting the absolute mobility of the first fastening unit relative to the second fastening unit by the projection "trapped" in the guide opening. The coordinated design of the first fastening unit with a guide opening and the second fastening unit with a corresponding projection makes it easier to align the two fastening units relative to one another during assembly, and in particular until the fastening units are fastened. This design can make it easier, in particular, for assembly personnel to avoid errors in the relative alignment of the fastening units, to identify non-dimensionally accurate preparatory work or fastening units and other elements, and to check the quality of the assembly work.The inspection can be performed not only during assembly itself, but also at a later time, until, in a later production step, an outer skin element is mounted on the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit and then covers the guide opening and the projection arranged therein. The motor vehicle component assembly according to the invention thus makes it possible to facilitate the preparation for the subsequent assembly of an outer skin element on the motor vehicle component assembly, to check it, and if necessary, to correct it, thus improving its quality.

[0010] Preferably, the coordination is such that during relative movements between the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit during assembly, at least one translational degree of freedom and / or at least one rotational degree of freedom is blocked. It is particularly preferred if, due to the coordination between the guide opening and the projection, only one translational degree of freedom or a combination of one translational degree of freedom and one rotational degree of freedom remains.

[0011] It is also preferred if the projection and the guide opening are coordinated with one another in such a way that a relative alignment of the first fastening unit relative to the second fastening unit is ensured in such a way that mutual support in the direction of gravity (i.e. in the vehicle vertical direction / z-direction) is ensured. This can be achieved in particular in that the displacement of the projection in a predetermined displacement direction up to a stop simultaneously brings the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit into contact, so that a desired position is produced both between the first fastening unit and a stop element and between the first fastening unit and a second fastening unit.

[0012] In a further practical embodiment of a motor vehicle component arrangement according to the invention, the projection and the guide opening are coordinated such that the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit can only be moved relative to one another on a predetermined guideway during assembly. This includes both linear guideways (linear guide) and curved guideways of any other shape. In practice, however, linear guideways are preferred, since such guideways can ensure a desired rotational alignment of the first fastening unit relative to the second fastening unit, thus creating an important prerequisite for subsequent, precise assembly and alignment of an outer skin element, which is particularly necessary for high-quality visible joints with small and constant gap dimensions.

[0013] The motor vehicle component arrangement according to the invention is simple and cost-effective to assemble, as the guide opening is designed as an elongated hole and a web extending in the width direction serves as the projection. Such a design can be integrated into a manufacturing mold for plastic injection-molded parts without additional effort and without requiring any post-processing, so that—in the case of designing new parts for which new molded parts must be manufactured anyway—there are virtually no additional costs associated with providing a guide opening and a corresponding projection.

[0014] Further advantages of a motor vehicle component arrangement according to the invention arise when the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole of a guide opening with an elongated hole is oriented perpendicular to a stop contour of a stop element, and the projection is designed such that the first fastening unit can only be displaced perpendicular to this stop contour. This applies in particular to stop contours in the form of linear edges that are themselves part of a joint or are formed parallel to a joint edge.In this case, by vertically aligning the guide opening and designing the projection such that relative mobility between the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit during assembly is only possible in a translational direction, it can be ensured that the relative rotational alignment of the first fastening unit relative to the second fastening unit and also relative to the stop contour is correct.

[0015] If, in a motor vehicle component arrangement according to the invention, a marking of a desired position range for the projection is provided in the region of the first fastening unit surrounding the guide opening, a visual inspection can be carried out both during and after assembly to check whether the first fastening unit is arranged relative to the second fastening unit within a desired position tolerance (desired position range). If this is not the case, a check can be carried out to determine whether the at least one fixing element, the first fastening unit and / or the second fastening unit were not manufactured to size or whether another, previous assembly error occurred. What is particularly advantageous in this context is that the visual inspection makes it possible to carry out subsequent corrections before an outer skin element is to be mounted to the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit in a later assembly step.This ensures smooth and dimensionally accurate assembly of the outer skin element and significantly improves production productivity. The target position area can be marked, in particular, with two lines, arrows, raised areas (e.g., in the form of ribs), or in other ways. Preferred are markings that are created during the manufacture of the first fastening unit without any additional steps, or those that can be easily and cost-effectively added subsequently, e.g., through engraving, mechanical or chemical material processing, application of paint, etc.

[0016] Further advantages arise when the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit of a motor vehicle component arrangement according to the invention are both designed as fastening units for an outer skin element. This means that the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit themselves are already prepared for later installation of an outer skin element. This can be achieved in particular by a suitable geometric design of the first fastening unit and / or the second fastening unit.

[0017] In this context, reference is made purely by way of example to the possibility that one or more coupling elements for fastening the outer skin element can be provided or formed in one piece on the first fastening unit and / or on the second fastening unit. This refers in particular to hook-like elements as well as locking element receptacles and locking elements which are matched to correspondingly complementary locking elements or locking element receptacles on the outer skin element to be mounted. With regard to such locking elements, reference is made in particular to clip element receptacles and / or clip elements which are known from practice, in particular in connection with plastic components, as are known from automotive engineering and other technical fields. Against this background, explicit reference is also made to a motor vehicle component arrangement according to the invention with an outer skin element clipped thereto.In order to avoid damage to such clip elements during assembly or subsequent repair and maintenance work, which may require disassembly and reassembly of the outer skin element, and to minimize the corresponding risk, precise alignment of the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit is of particular practical importance, especially if clip elements and / or clip element receptacles are provided on both the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit.

[0018] The motor vehicle component assembly according to the invention was designed in particular in conjunction with a first fastening unit and / or a second fastening unit, which are screwed to one or more fixing elements formed as body shells. Accordingly, it is advantageous if corresponding screw openings are provided on the first fastening unit and / or on the second fastening unit for screwing to a body element of a motor vehicle.

[0019] The invention also relates to an assembly method for a motor vehicle component assembly as described above, comprising a first fastening unit and a second fastening unit, both of which are to be fastened to at least one fixing element formed as a body shell of a motor vehicle in such a way that they are aligned relative to one another so that an outer skin element of the motor vehicle can be mounted in a subsequent assembly step. The method comprises the following method steps, which are also carried out in this order: a) Mounting the second fastening unit on a fixing element designed as a body shell of a motor vehicle, b) arranging the first fastening unit relative to the second fastening unit such that the projection of the second fastening unit projects into the guide opening of the first fastening unit, c) translational and / or rotational movement of the first fastening unit relative to the second fastening unit into a predetermined desired position, d) Mount the first fastening unit in a desired position.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the assembly method according to the invention, a visual inspection of the relative position of the projection in comparison to the guide opening is carried out before and / or after step d) and then an outer skin element is mounted on the first fastening unit and on the second fastening unit.

[0021] Reference is hereby made once again to the advantages already described in connection with the motor vehicle component arrangement, which - where applicable - also apply to the method.

[0022] Further practical embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle component arrangement with a first fastening unit, a second fastening unit and a fixing element as well as a first outer skin element in a view from the rear, Fig. 2 an excerpt from Fig. 1 shown motor vehicle component arrangement with a second outer skin element covering the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit, Fig. 3 the first outer skin element and the second outer skin element Fig. 2 in its final assembly position in a view from behind, Fig. 4 the first outer skin element and the second outer skin element from the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in its final assembly position in a view from behind and obliquely from above, Fig. 5 a section of the first fastening unit, Fig. 6 a section of the second fastening unit and Fig. 7 a motor vehicle component arrangement in a final assembly position of the first fastening unit and the second fastening unit relative to the fixing element.

[0023] The Fig. 1-7 show various views and partial views of a motor vehicle component arrangement 10 according to the invention of a first fastening unit 12 relative to a second fastening unit 14.

[0024] A guide opening 16 is provided on the first fastening unit 12, and a projection 18 is provided on the second fastening unit 14, which is aligned with and interacts with the guide opening 16. In the embodiment shown, the projection 18 is formed integrally on the first fastening unit 12.

[0025] In the arrangement 10 shown, the first fastening unit 12 and the second fastening unit 14 are arranged such that the projection 18 engages in the guide opening 16 and, due to the interaction of the projection 18 and the guide opening 16, the relative mobility of the first fastening unit 12 with respect to the second fastening unit 14 during assembly is limited by the guide opening 16. In the present case, the height of the projection 18 is selected to be approximately as large as the width of the guide opening 16, so that a linear guide is provided as an assembly aid for the relative alignment of the first fastening unit 12 relative to the second fastening unit 14.As long as the first fastening unit 12 is not yet secured, but must first be positioned relative to the second fastening unit 14 during assembly, after the projection 18 is arranged so that it engages in the guide opening 16, it can only be moved in the longitudinal direction of the guide opening 16, i.e., it can only be moved in a purely translational direction. This blocks all rotational degrees of freedom and all translational degrees of freedom, with the exception of one translational degree of freedom.

[0026] In Fig. 1, the first fastening unit 12 and the second fastening unit 14 are already shown in their intended position in the assembled state. The first fastening unit 12 is secured by means of screw connections 20a, 20b, in particular relative to an outer skin element 22 in the form of a side part 24 serving as the first fixing element 28, wherein the screw connections 20a, 20b are located in the region of a tab which is not itself part of the outer skin of the motor vehicle. By means of a further screw connection 20c, the first fastening unit 12 is further secured relative to a body shell serving as the second fixing element 26. The screw connection 20c and two further screw connections 20d, 20e further serve to secure the second fastening unit 14 relative to the second fixing element 26 (body shell).

[0027] As in Fig. 2, the first fastening unit 12 and the second fastening unit 14 serve to fasten an outer skin element 22 in the form of a bumper fascia 30, wherein high quality requirements are placed on a visible joint 34 extending between the bumper fascia 30 and the side part 24 with regard to the joint width and the joint course (variation of the width over the length).

[0028] On the top side of the second fastening unit 14, a coupling element 32 - here designed like a hook - is formed, which serves to fix and position an outer skin element 32 relative to at least one further outer skin element 22.

[0029] The assembly of the Fig.The assembly of the motor vehicle component assembly 10 shown in Figure 1 proceeds as follows: In a first method step, the second fastening unit 14, here a lateral guide profile, is secured with screws 20d, 20e relative to the fixing element 26. The fixing element 26 shown is a sheet metal body in the form of a further guide profile, to which, in particular, a headlight may already be attached.

[0030] Subsequently, the first fastening unit 12 is arranged relative to the second fastening unit 14 such that the projection 18 of the second fastening unit 14 projects into the guide opening 16 of the first fastening unit 12.

[0031] The first fastening unit 12 is then moved translationally in the longitudinal direction relative to the second fastening unit 14 until the left edge comes to a stop with the edge of the side part 24 serving as a stop contour. The side part 24 is in this respect a stop element within the meaning of the invention. The longitudinal direction of the guide opening 16 is oriented such that the edge of the side part 24 and the left side of the first fastening unit 12 are aligned parallel to one another and a predetermined target position is reached during a relative movement of the first fastening unit 12 to the second fastening unit 14 carried out by the interaction of the projection 18 and the guide opening 16. In a final method step, the first fastening unit is fastened to the side part 24 orscrewed to the fixing element 26 (sheet metal), whereby the screw 20c is also used for the simultaneous and additional fastening of the second fastening unit 14 relative to the fixing element 26.

[0032] The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, the drawings, and the claims may be essential, both individually and in any combination, for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. The invention may be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. List of reference symbols 10 Motor vehicle component arrangement 12 first fastening unit 14 second fastening unit 16 Guide opening 18 lead 20a-e screw connection 22 Outer skin element 24 side panel 26 second fixing element 28 first fixing element 30 bumper cover 32 coupling element 34 visible joint

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle component arrangement (10) of a first fastening unit (12) of an outer skin element (22) relative to a second fastening unit (14) of an outer skin element (22), wherein the first fastening unit (12) and the second fastening unit (14) are each fixed relative to at least one fixing element (26, 28) formed as a bodyshell of a motor vehicle, wherein the at least one fixing element (26, 28) is an element different from the first fastening unit (12) and the second fastening unit (14), wherein a guide opening (16) is provided on the first fastening unit (12) and a projection (18) cooperating with the guide opening (16) is provided on the second fastening unit (14), wherein the projection (18) and the guide opening (16) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the relative alignment of the first fastening unit (12) to the second fastening unit (14) is limited during assembly by an interaction of the guide opening (16) and the projection (18) and, in the assembled state, the relative position of the projection (18) within the guide opening (16) is visible, characterized by , that the guide opening (16) is designed as an elongated hole and the projection (18) is designed as a web extending in the width direction, and the outer skin element (22) is designed as a bumper cover (30). [2] Motor vehicle component arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the projection (18) and the guide opening (16) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the first fastening unit (12) and the second fastening unit (14) can only be moved relative to one another on a predetermined guide path during assembly. [3] Motor vehicle component arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole is oriented perpendicular to a stop contour of a stop element and the projection (18) is designed such that the first fastening unit (12) can only be displaced perpendicular to this stop contour. [4] Motor vehicle component arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the area of the first fastening unit (12) surrounding the guide opening (16) a marking of a desired position area for the projection (18) is provided. [5] Motor vehicle component arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that coupling elements (32) for fastening the outer skin element (22) are formed on the first fastening unit (12) and / or on the second fastening unit (14). [6] Motor vehicle component arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that screw openings for screwing to a body element of a motor vehicle are provided on the first fastening unit (12) and / or on the second fastening unit (14). [7] Assembly method of a motor vehicle component arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first fastening unit (12) and a second fastening unit (14), both of which are to be fastened to at least one fixing element (26, 28) designed as a body shell of a motor vehicle in such a way that they are aligned relative to one another in such a way that an outer skin element (22) of the motor vehicle can be mounted in a subsequent assembly step, characterized by following procedural steps: a) mounting the second fastening unit (14) on a fixing element (26, 28), b) arranging the first fastening unit (12) relative to the second fastening unit (14) such that the projection (18) of the second fastening unit (14) projects into the guide opening (16) of the first fastening unit (12), c) translational and / or rotational movement of the first fastening unit (12) relative to the second fastening unit (14) in a predetermined desired position, d) Mounting the first fastening unit (12) in a desired position. [8] Assembly method according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat before and / or after step d) a visual inspection of the relative position of the projection (18) in comparison to the guide opening (16) is carried out and then an outer skin element (22) is mounted on the first fastening unit (12) and on the second fastening unit (14).

Images