Method for mounting a component onto a motor vehicle component

Abstract

Method for mounting a component (1) on a motor vehicle component (2), wherein the component (1) has a mounting element (4), in particular a snap hook, connected to a structural section (3) of the component (1), which mounting element (4) is attached in a mounting opening (6) on the motor vehicle component (2), wherein the structural section (3) is designed as a test section and has or forms a test geometry (9) which is changed by mounting the mounting element (4) starting from an initial geometry.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for mounting a component on a motor vehicle component, wherein the component has a mounting element, in particular a latching hook, connected to a structural section of the component, which mounting element is fastened in a mounting opening on the motor vehicle component.

[0002] Methods are known from the prior art in which components must be arranged on motor vehicle components, for example as part of a manufacturing process for the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle component is provided on the motor vehicle side, for example on a frame or on another component or assembly already attached to the frame. In these assembly processes, it is usually necessary that the component is correctly connected to the motor vehicle component during assembly, for example, completely locked, clipped, snapped into place, and the like. To check the connection between motor vehicle component and component, a manual or visual inspection is usually used, for example by a worker manually checking whether the component is firmly attached to the motor vehicle component. In addition, comparatively complex methods are known, in particular ultrasound testing or computer tomography.Furthermore, a force measurement can be carried out during the assembly process, for example by measuring a force in a tool that fastens the component.

[0003] Furthermore, it is known from the prior art that such components or at least their mounting elements, for example snap hooks or clips, are not in the field of vision or are not visible from the outside after assembly. A visual inspection of the correct assembly of the component on the motor vehicle component is therefore not possible and manual inspection is only possible to a limited extent. In order to prevent impairment of the quality of assembly, complex testing procedures are therefore necessary for each assembled component. If the assembled component has at least one surface in the field of vision, additional requirements are placed on the component, meaning that a change to the component surface that would allow a visual inspection of the connection to the motor vehicle component is not possible.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for mounting a component on a motor vehicle component which is improved compared to the method in question, in which in particular the checking of the mounting connection of the mounting element is improved.

[0005] The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments.

[0006] As described, the invention relates to a method for mounting a component on a motor vehicle component, for example a panel, a grille or any other element of the motor vehicle on a motor vehicle component, i.e. on a frame of the motor vehicle or a component or assembly that is already arranged on the motor vehicle. The method therefore relates in particular to assembly during manufacture of the motor vehicle or the method described herein can be carried out as part of or as a component of a method for manufacturing the motor vehicle. For this purpose, as already described, a component is used which has a structural section on which a mounting element, for example a clip, a latching hook, a plug or the like, is arranged, by means of which mounting element the connection to the motor vehicle component is established.For example, the mounting element can be fastened, for example by snapping or clipping, to a corresponding section of the motor vehicle component, in particular in a mounting opening on the motor vehicle component.

[0007] The invention is based on the finding that the structural section is designed as a test section and has or forms a test geometry which is changed from an initial geometry by mounting the mounting element. In other words, in its initial state, i.e. before the component is mounted on the motor vehicle component, the test section has an initial geometry. During mounting of the mounting element, the initial geometry is changed so that the test geometry can then be used to check whether the component has been correctly mounted on the motor vehicle component. For this purpose, a visual inspection of the visible area, namely the test section, is sufficient. For example, it can be checked whether the test geometry is still in its initial geometry or whether it has already been changed.If the test geometry is still in its original state or has been reset to its original state, the assembly of the component on the vehicle part is not fully completed. If the original geometry has been (sufficiently) modified, it can be concluded that the component has been correctly assembled.

[0008] The described method can be further developed such that, during assembly, the structural section is changed from the initial geometry existing in an initial state to a final geometry by fully fastening the assembly element in the assembly opening. In other words, since the final geometry of the structural section is only assumed when the assembly element is fully fastened in the assembly opening, it can be checked whether the final geometry has been achieved, and thus the correct assembly of the assembly element, namely the complete fastening in the assembly opening, can be verified based on the geometry of the structural section.

[0009] If the fastening of the mounting element in the mounting opening is not fully carried out, it can be provided in particular that the structural section returns to its initial geometry, which exists in the initial state, i.e. before assembly. The structural section can be elastically deformable in order to be deformed from the initial geometry into the final geometry. For example, the mounting element can be pressed into the mounting opening by applying pressure to the structural section and fastened there. Once the fastening is fully carried out and the mounting element is fully secured in the mounting opening, for example snapped into place, clipped in, hooked in or the like, the structural section assumes the final geometry, which is held by the mounting element, such that an elastic return to the initial geometry is prevented.In other words, the structural section is used as a test section to demonstrate the correct fastening, which is not visible from the outside. The external appearance or appearance of the structural section is not affected, as the final geometry can be selected to reflect the "target state" of the component in the assembled state.

[0010] In a further development of the described method, it can be provided that the final geometry corresponds to a target geometry of the component, in particular an outer surface of the structural section is flush with an outer surface of the component. In particular, it can be provided that the initial geometry deviates from the target geometry, for example that the test section in the initial geometry protrudes beyond an outer surface of the component, in particular due to a curvature, deformation or the like. In the initial state, the structural section therefore has the initial geometry, so that the component does not correspond to the target geometry that should exist in the assembled state. The component only achieves its target geometry once the assembly element has been fully fastened. A visual inspection of the component is therefore possible to determine whether the target geometry or the final geometry has been achieved.In the event of a deviation, it can be determined directly that the assembly element has not been fully secured. This also offers the advantage of being able to perform both the inspection of the assembly element's fastening and the final geometry in the same inspection step, particularly visually. If a deviation is detected, the component can be corrected or replaced, for example.

[0011] As already described, a multitude of different components can be mounted on a motor vehicle component during the manufacture of the motor vehicle. Consequently, different components can be visible from the outside in their assembled state or not visible from the outside. According to one embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the mounting element is not visible from the outside in the assembled state and / or that the component is visible from the outside in the assembled state and / or in a finished state of the motor vehicle. According to the described embodiment, for example, it is provided that the mounting element is no longer visible from the outside once the component has been mounted.

[0012] For example, the mounting element can be arranged on the side of the component facing the motor vehicle component, which side is opposite a visible surface of the component or which, after and during assembly, faces the surface of the motor vehicle component to which the component is mounted. The component therefore covers the mounting element itself, for example. Alternatively, the component can be visible from the outside in the assembled state and / or a finished state of the motor vehicle. The first possibility is that the component is still visible from the outside after it has been assembled, i.e. that the component can be visually inspected, for example to determine whether the final geometry and the target geometry have been achieved by the test section. A further cover component can then be arranged on the component to cover the component that was previously mounted on the motor vehicle component.Alternatively, the component mounted on the motor vehicle component can also be visible from the outside in the finished state of the motor vehicle, for example, forming a visible surface such as an interior trim panel. Since the structural section designed as a test section forms a final or target geometry of the component when the assembly element is correctly attached, the component can also be used as a visible component without any problems, as the final geometry is achieved and thus the appearance of the component is not impaired.

[0013] As described above, the mounting element can fundamentally be designed in any desired manner. For example, the mounting element can be configured for positive and / or non-positive fastening to the motor vehicle component. For example, the mounting element can be designed as a clip, locking hook, or plug and can lock into the mounting opening, in particular at an edge of the mounting opening. The term "fastening" used herein is generally used for any specific form of connection between the mounting element and the motor vehicle component, for example, for locking, latching, clipping, inserting, snapping, hooking, and the like. The terms used are therefore interchangeable, and the description can be applied accordingly to any fastening variant.As described, the mounting element can be arranged on the structural section in such a way that, upon application of force to the component or the structural section, the structural section is deformed, and the mounting element is pressed into the mounting opening to be fastened to the edge of the mounting opening. The structural section is elastically deformed until the mounting element engages the edge of the mounting opening and the fastening is fully established. In this state, the final geometry of the structural section is achieved, which is maintained by the fastening of the mounting element.

[0014] According to a further development of the method, it can be provided that the structural section is formed by a test pin, in particular a spring-loaded one, which is coupled to the mounting element, wherein the test pin is arranged in a first position in the initial state and in a second position in the mounted state, in particular flush with the surface of the component. In other words, the structural section can have the test pin such that it is in the first position in the initial state, i.e. before the component is mounted on the motor vehicle component. During assembly, for example by pressure on the test pin to which the mounting element is coupled, the mounting element can be pressed into the mounting opening and fastened in the mounting opening.

[0015] Once the fastening is fully achieved, the mounting element can lock or engage in the mounting opening and thus hold the test pin in the second position. In the second position, the test pin lies flat in the surface of the component that is visible from the outside, i.e. that faces away from the mounting element. The fastening of the component can therefore be checked by observing the positioning of the test pin. If the test pin is in the first position, in which it protrudes or sticks out above the surface of the component, for example, it can be assumed that the fastening of the mounting element has not been fully established or that the mounting element has been reset. If the test pin is in the second position, for example with one end face flat in the surface of the component, the fastening can be verified.The mounting element can be connected to the test pin via a spring-loaded connection so that the latter is only held in the second position when the mounting element is fully secured. Otherwise, the test pin can be returned to the first position by releasing the spring force.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the method, the structural section and the component can be formed as a single piece, in particular from the same base material, or in multiple pieces. In particular, if the structural section forms a test geometry that is deformed by elastic deformation of the structural section between the initial geometry and the final geometry, the component can be manufactured from the same material or as a single piece, in particular from the same base material. If the variant in which the test pin is spring-loaded and coupled to the component or the mounting element is used, a multi-piece design is recommended.

[0017] In addition to the method, the invention relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a component and a motor vehicle component, wherein the component has a mounting element, in particular a latching hook, connected to a structural section of the component, which mounting element can be or is fastened in a mounting opening on the motor vehicle component, wherein the structural section has or forms a test geometry which is designed to be variable by mounting the mounting element starting from an initial geometry.Furthermore, the invention relates to a component, in particular for a previously described assembly, wherein the component has a mounting element, in particular a latching hook, connected to a structural section of the component, which mounting element can be or is fastened in a mounting opening on the motor vehicle component, wherein the structural section has or forms a test geometry which is variable by mounting the mounting element starting from an initial geometry.

[0018] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a previously described assembly and / or component. All advantages, details, embodiments, and / or features described with respect to the method are fully applicable to the assembly, component, and motor vehicle.

[0019] The invention is explained using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. The figures are schematic representations and show: Fig. 1 a schematic diagram of a component according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an assembly of a motor vehicle according to a second embodiment in an initial state; Fig. 3 a schematic diagram of the assembly of Fig. 2 in a partially assembled state; Fig. 4 a schematic diagram of the assembly of Fig. 2, Fig. 3 in an assembled state; Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an assembly of a motor vehicle according to a third embodiment in an initial state; and Fig. 6 a schematic diagram of the assembly of Fig. 5 in an assembled state.

[0020] Fig. 1 schematically shows a component 1 for a motor vehicle (not shown in detail). The component 1 is intended to be assembled in an assembly process as shown schematically below in Fig. 2-6, to be mounted on a motor vehicle component 2, for example, a frame of a motor vehicle or a component arranged on the frame of the motor vehicle. Purely by way of example, the component 1 in the embodiment shown has four structural sections 3, each of which is provided with a mounting element 4 (cf. Fig. 2-6). The number of structural sections 3 and their arrangement can be freely selected or changed. In Fig. 1, the mounting elements 4 are located on the opposite surface or side of the component 1. The Fig. The visible side 5 or surface 1 can represent a visible surface of the component 1, which is visible, for example, in the finished state of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, a further cover component can be provided on the side 5, covering the component 1. In any case, the mounting elements 4 are concealed by the arrangement of the component 1 on the motor vehicle component 2 and are therefore not visible.

[0021] In Fig. 2-4, a first embodiment of the component 1 is shown schematically. The mounting element 4 is designed, by way of example and can be modified in any other way, as a hook 7, which is to be inserted into a mounting opening 6 of the motor vehicle component 2 and latched therein. In particular, the hook 7 of the mounting element 4 is to latch or engage behind an edge 8 of the mounting opening 6, and in general, is to be fastened. For this purpose, the mounting element 4 is inserted into the mounting opening 6 and the component 1 is pressed onto the motor vehicle component 2 or moved against the motor vehicle component 2, so that the mounting element 4 can latch with its hook 7 onto the edge 8. The component 1 is evidently present in an initial geometry, which differs from a final geometry which is Fig. 4. It is shown merely by way of example that a test geometry 9, which the structural section 3 has and which forms the test section, protrudes from the plane of the side 5, for example forming a bulge or deformation or the like. This deformation can be easily detected during a visual inspection process, so that even without a direct view of the connection of the mounting element 4 in the mounting opening 6, it can be determined whether the assembly has been completed, i.e., the mounting element 4 is fully fastened or whether the fastening is insufficient.

[0022] For this purpose, for example, an assembly force can be exerted on the structural section 3 in order to press the component 1 against the motor vehicle component 2 and the assembly element 4 into the assembly opening 6. In the process, the structural section 3 is also deformed. For example, in Fig. 3 shows that although the mounting element 4 has been inserted into the mounting opening 6, the hook 7 is not yet fully engaged with the edge 8. This can be visually verified by the fact that the test geometry 9 is not in the final geometry, which is shown in Fig. 4. Instead, the structural section 3, for example the test geometry 9, still extends beyond the plane of side 5, as shown by way of example via lines 10, 11, where line 10 references the test geometry 9 and line 11 references the plane of side 5 or the plane of the surface of component 1.

[0023] If further force is applied to the structural section 3 or the component 1, for example the assembly force is increased even further, the assembly element 4 is moved even further into the assembly opening 6, deforming the test section 3, so that the hook 7 can lock onto the edge 8 and thus the final geometry, which is Fig. 4. In this case, the lines 10, 11 lie on top of each other, since the test geometry 9 lies flat in the plane of side 5 or the plane of the surface of the component 1. By visual inspection, it can thus be ensured that the mounting element 4 is completely fastened. Starting from the partially assembled state, which is shown in Fig. 3, does not exert sufficient force on the assembly element 4, it can be provided that the structural section 3 returns to its initial state, so that the unfinished or only partially completed assembly can also be visually recognized or even more clearly.

[0024] In Fig. 5, Fig. Figure 6 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a component 1, in which the structural section 3 is formed by a test pin 12 which, in its initial state, protrudes beyond the plane of the surface of the component 1, for example, beyond the side 5, as also shown by lines 10, 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the test pin 12 is also coupled to the mounting element 4. For example, the test pin 12 can be spring-mounted on a base body 14 of the component 1 via a spring element 13. It is also possible for the mounting element 4 to have the test pin 12 as a single piece, and for the spring element 13 to also be designed as a single piece with the component 1.

[0025] When transitioning to the Fig. 6 shown fully fastened state of the component 1, the mounting element 4, as already basically described with regard to Fig. 2-4, into the mounting opening 6. For example, a force can be exerted on the component 1, in particular on the protruding end of the test pin 12, so that the spring element 13 is compressed. When the hook 7 is fully engaged on the edge 8, the Fig. 6 is maintained. The end of the test pin 12, which previously protruded beyond the plane of component 1 or side 5, lies flush with the plane of component 1 or side 5. If the assembly is not completed, the spring element 13 returns the test pin 12 to its initial state. Accordingly, it can be directly checked, particularly visually, whether the assembly element 4 has been fully secured or whether it is in a partially assembled state that requires correction.

[0026] The method described herein can be carried out with component 1 or the assembly comprising component 1 and motor vehicle component 2. The preceding description is therefore fully applicable to the method and the assembly. All advantages, details, and features described with reference to the individual figures can be combined, interchanged, and transferred to one another as desired. List of reference symbols 1 component 2 Motor vehicle component 3 Structural section 4 Mounting element 5 Page 6 Mounting opening 7 hooks 8 Edge 9 Test geometry 10, 11 line 12 test pin 13 Spring element 14 basic bodies

Claims

[1] Method for mounting a component (1) on a motor vehicle component (2), wherein the component (1) has a mounting element (4), in particular a latching hook, connected to a structural section (3) of the component (1), which mounting element (4) is fastened in a mounting opening (6) on the motor vehicle component (2), characterized by that the structural section (3) is designed as a test section and has or forms a test geometry (9) which is changed by mounting the mounting element (4) starting from an initial geometry. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the structural section (3) is changed during assembly from the initial geometry present in an initial state into a final geometry by completely fastening the assembly element (4) in the assembly opening (6). [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized bythat the final geometry corresponds to a desired geometry of the component (1), in particular an outer surface of the structural section (3) ends flush with an outer surface of the component (1). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mounting element (4) is not visible from the outside in the mounted state and / or that the component (1) is visible from the outside in the mounted state and / or in a finished state of the motor vehicle. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mounting element (4) is designed as a clip or locking hook or plug and locks in the mounting opening (6), in particular on an edge (8) of the mounting opening (6). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the structural section (3) is formed by a, in particular spring-loaded, test pin (12) which is coupled to the mounting element (4), wherein the test pin (12) is arranged in a first position in the initial state and in a second position in the mounted state, in particular flush with the surface of the component (1). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural section (3) and the component (1) are formed in one piece, in particular from the same base material, or in several parts. [8] Assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a component (1) and a motor vehicle component (2), wherein the component (1) has a mounting element (4), in particular a latching hook, connected to a structural section (3) of the component (1), which mounting element (4) can be or is fastened in a mounting opening (6) on the motor vehicle component (2), characterized bythat the structural section (3) has or forms a test geometry (9) which is variable by mounting the mounting element (4) starting from an initial geometry. [9] Component (1) for an assembly for a motor vehicle, in particular an assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the component (1) has a mounting element (4), in particular a latching hook, connected to a structural section (3) of the component (1), which mounting element (4) can be or is fastened in a mounting opening (6) on the motor vehicle component (2), characterized by that the structural section (3) has or forms a test geometry (9) which is variable by mounting the mounting element (4) starting from an initial geometry. [10] Motor vehicle comprising an assembly according to claim 8 and / or a component (1) according to the preceding claim.

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