Method for monitoring an application process of a seal on a body panel and application system for a continuous seal material

Abstract

The invention relates to an application system (1) for a continuous material (3) of a seal and a method for monitoring an application process of a seal on a body panel of a vehicle. In the method, continuous material (3) of the seal is fed to an application location (5) via an outlet device (4) (S1); actual data of the continuous material (3) passing through to the application location (5) are recorded by a sensor device (6) in a measuring area located upstream of the application location (5) (S2); the recorded actual data are compared with predetermined target data of the continuous material (3) by a computing device (8) (S3); and a control signal for controlling the outlet device (4) is generated by the computing device (8) if there is a deviation between the actual data and the target data (S4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for monitoring the application process of a seal on a body panel of a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to an application system for a continuous seal material.

[0002] Various defects in supplied sealing rolls made of continuous material, for example for a main door seal or a panoramic roof seal, can lead to malfunctions, downtime, and in the worst case, component failures for the end customer. The seals, designed to prevent moisture from penetrating the vehicle, can be automatically fed to the application point by an application system. The sealing material is supplied as a continuous roll, for example, wound onto spools, and typically has lengths of 1000 to 1500 meters.

[0003] From DE10 2021 122 112 A1, an application device for applying a seal to a body panel of a vehicle is known, wherein the application device has a guide device configured to return continuous material to an outlet device of the application device. The application device has a first sensor device configured to check a predetermined end section of the continuous material for the presence of at least one predetermined defect marking. It is provided that the outlet device has a second sensor device configured to detect, upon the presence of the at least one predetermined defect marking in the predetermined end section, the end position of the predetermined at least one defect marking along a longitudinal direction of the continuous material.The discharge device is designed to separate a reject section of the supplied continuous material and feed it to a reject device when at least one predetermined defect marker is present in the predetermined end section.

[0004] From DE10 2021 130 333 A1, a method for applying a seal to a component for a motor vehicle is known, in which a beginning of the seal is applied at a starting point on a longitudinal region of the component by means of an application device, depending on at least one value detected by means of a sensor element of the application device, a length of an endpoint in the length region is determined, the application device and the component are moved relative to each other while the seal is applied to the length region, an end of the seal is applied at the endpoint depending on the determined information, and the length of the endpoint in the length region is determined at the latest when the application of the beginning of the seal at the starting point takes place.

[0005] The object of the invention is to reduce disruptions and / or downtime for the application of the seal.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for monitoring an application process of a seal on a body element of a vehicle, wherein continuous material of the seal is fed to an application location by means of an outlet device, actual data of the continuous material passing through to the application location are recorded by a sensor device in a measuring area located in front of the application location, the recorded actual data are compared with predetermined target data of the continuous material by a computing device, and a control signal for controlling the outlet device is generated by the computing device if there is a deviation between the actual data and the target data.

[0008] In other words, an application system for applying a seal to a vehicle body panel can be provided, which includes an outlet device for feeding continuous sealant material to the application point. The continuous material can be a continuous sealing material that is guided from an initial storage position, in particular a sealing roll, via guide elements to the application point, where it can then be applied to the body panel.

[0009] The discharge device can, for example, be configured to unwind the continuous material from the sealing roll and transport it to the application point. Before the continuous material reaches the application point, a sensor device in a measuring area, which may be located, for example, directly behind the sealing roll, can check the quality of the continuous material passing through. In particular, actual data of the continuous material of the seal can be recorded, which may include the structure and / or geometry of the continuous material passing through. Preferably, the sensor device can record the actual data section by section in the measuring area, so that actual data is available for the respective section and thus enables the localization of any defects.

[0010] The recorded actual data can then be compared by a computer with predefined target data of the continuous material in order to detect faulty changes in the continuous material. For example, predefined quality characteristics, in particular the geometry and / or interruptions of the continuous material, can be checked as target data.

[0011] If the computer detects a discrepancy between the actual and target data, a control signal can be generated to activate at least the outlet device. This control signal can, for example, stop the outlet device and / or activate a warning device that issues a warning signal.

[0012] The sensor device preferably comprises at least one optical sensor, in particular a laser sensor, with which the actual data can be acquired. The computing device can be a computer on which software for comparing the actual data with the target data can be run.

[0013] The invention offers the advantage that defects and / or deviations in the continuous material can be detected before the seal is applied to the body panel, allowing for early intervention. This significantly reduces downtime and prevents relevant defects in the body panel.

[0014] Preferably, it is intended that defects in the continuous material can be identified by comparing the actual data with the target data. This means that, for example, breaks in the continuous material and / or cracks can be identified by comparing the actual data with the target data.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment provides that the sensor device includes at least one laser sensor by which the actual data is acquired. In other words, continuous monitoring of the continuous material can take place by scanning the continuous material passing through the measuring area using a laser sensor. A profile sensor can be provided here, which acquires the actual data, for example, using a triangulation method.

[0016] Preferably, the system provides that at least one laser sensor captures the geometry of the continuous material being processed, which is then compared to a target geometry of the continuous material. This means that the laser sensor can capture a 3D point cloud of the continuous material, from which the geometry can be derived. This geometry can then be compared to a target geometry derived from the target data to identify deviations. In particular, the system may include tolerances or tolerance ranges for comparing the actual geometry with the target geometry, within which the geometry of the continuous material must fall. If the geometry is outside the tolerance range, the control signal for activating the discharge device can be generated. Otherwise, the application of the continuous material can continue.

[0017] Another design option involves stopping the discharge device via the control signal. In other words, the discharge device can be activated by the control signal to halt the feeding of the continuous material. This prevents defective sealing material from being fed to the application point.

[0018] Preferably, a pre-feed buffer is provided which, after the discharge device stops, supplies the sealing material contained in the pre-feed buffer, where there is no deviation between the actual and target data, for application to the body panel. This means that the application of the seal to the body panel can continue with material located in a pre-feed buffer of the application system. In particular, only the continuous material, where there is no deviation between the actual and target data, can be used for this purpose.

[0019] Another design option involves the control signal also triggering a warning message to alert the user. This means that the user can be notified via a reporting system, allowing the faulty section of the continuous material to be removed and the discharge unit to be restarted. This minimizes downtime.

[0020] Another embodiment involves the sensor device capturing data from all sides of the continuous material within the measuring range. In particular, it can be provided that multiple sensors, such as laser sensors, are arranged within the measuring range to record actual data from all sides of the continuous material. For example, laser sensors can be positioned on at least two opposite sides, and / or a mirror device can be used to scan the opposite side. This offers the advantage of increased accuracy in detecting deviations.

[0021] Another design option involves the sensor continuously measuring the continuous material without reducing the feed rate. This means the sensor can record the actual data within the measuring range in real time, without requiring any reduction in feed rate for a specific section of the continuous material. This offers the advantage of eliminating any delay in the application process.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to an application system for a continuous sealing material, comprising at least one outlet device, a sensor device, and a computing device, wherein the outlet device is configured to feed a continuous material to an application point, the sensor device is arranged in a measuring area upstream of the application point and is configured to acquire actual data of the continuous material passing through to the application point, and wherein the computing device is configured to compare the acquired actual data with predetermined target data of the continuous material and to generate a control signal for controlling the outlet device if there is a deviation between the actual data and the target data. This offers the same advantages and possibilities for variation as the method.

[0023] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0024] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 an application system for applying a continuous material to a seal; Fig. 2 A schematic process diagram for monitoring an application process of a seal.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an application system 1 for applying a continuous material 3 of a seal to a body element of a vehicle. The application system 1 can have at least an outlet device 4, an application point 5, a sensor device 6 arranged upstream of the application point 5, and a computing device 8.

[0026] For example, a roll 2 may comprise the continuous material 3 of the seal, with the outlet device 4 configured to unwind the continuous material from the roll 2 and guide it to the application point 5. At the application point 5, the vehicle body element (not shown) may be positioned to apply the seal. For example, the body element may be a vehicle door to which an external seal is to be applied. The roll 2 containing the continuous material 3 may, for example, comprise 1,000 to 1,500 meters of the seal material, the seal material not typically being inspected for damage during incoming inspection.

[0027] To prevent the application of defective sealing material and to reduce downtime, the sensor device 6 can be configured to record actual data of the continuous material 3 after it has been unwound and before application at the application point 5. For this purpose, the sensor device 6 can have one or more laser sensors 7 configured to detect the geometry and defects of the continuous material 3 as actual data. Preferably, the laser sensors 7 can be arranged such that the continuous material passing through the measuring area is detected from all sides.

[0028] The actual data thus acquired can then be received by the computing unit 8 and compared with target data, which in particular exhibit a target geometry of the continuous material. For example, a geometry of the continuous material 3 being processed can be determined from an acquired three-dimensional point cloud and compared with the target geometry of the continuous material.

[0029] If a deviation between the actual and target data is detected, particularly if a defect is present in the continuous material 3, the computing unit can at least control the outlet device 4 to stop it by means of a control signal. Alternatively or additionally, a warning message can be issued to a user of the application system 1 by means of the control signal in order to check the defective continuous material and, if necessary, to exclude the defective section. Preferably, the application of the seal to the body element can continue in the meantime using material from an existing pre-feed buffer (not shown) to avoid downtime.

[0030] In Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic process diagram for monitoring the application process of a seal on a body panel of a vehicle. In step S1, continuous material 3 of the seal can be fed to an application point 5 via an outlet device 4.

[0031] In step S2, actual data of the continuous material 3 passing through to the application point 5 can be recorded by a sensor device 6 in a measuring area located in front of the application point 5, in particular by a laser sensor 7.

[0032] In step S3, a computing unit 8 can check for deviations between the recorded actual data and the specified target data of the continuous material 3. In this way, at least defects and / or interruptions in the continuous material 3 can be identified.

[0033] If such a deviation between the actual data and the target data is detected, a control signal can be generated in an S4 by the computing unit 8, which is used to control the outlet device 4 to stop. Furthermore, a warning message can be issued to a user.

[0034] If no deviation between the actual data and the target data is detected in step S3, the application process can continue without further restrictions in step S5.

[0035] Overall, the examples show how an incoming quality control of endless sealing profiles can be provided before application. Reference symbol list 1 application system 2 rolls 3 Endless material 4 Outlet device 5 Application site 6 Sensor setup 7 laser sensors 8 Computing equipment S1-S5 process steps QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 122 112 A1

[0003] DE 10 2021 130 333 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method for monitoring an application process of a seal on a body element of a vehicle, wherein - continuous material (3) of the seal is fed to an application location (5) through an outlet device (4) (S1); - actual data of the continuous material (3) passing to the application site (5) are recorded (S2) by a sensor device (6) in a measuring area located in front of the application site (5); - the recorded actual data are compared with predetermined target data of the continuous material (3) by a computing device (8) (S3); and - a control signal for controlling the outlet device (4) is generated (S4) by the computing device (8) if there is a deviation between the actual data and the target data. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein defects in the continuous material (3) are determined by comparing the actual data with the target data. [3] Method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device (6) has at least one laser sensor (7) by which the actual data are detected. [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one laser sensor (7) detects a geometry of the continuous continuous material (3), which is compared with a desired geometry of the continuous continuous material (3). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet device (4) is stopped by the control signal. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein a pre-run buffer is provided which, after a stop of the outlet device (4), provides the material of the seal present in the pre-run buffer, for which there is no deviation between the actual data and the target data, for application to the body element. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control signal further outputs a warning message to warn a user. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (6) detects the continuous material (3) in the measuring area from all sides. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the continuous material (3) is detected by the sensor device (6) continuously and without a reduction in a feed speed. [10] Application system (1) for a continuous material (3) of a seal, comprising at least one outlet device (4), a sensor device (6) and a computing device (8), wherein the outlet device (4) is designed to feed the continuous material (3) to an application location (5), the sensor device (6) is arranged in a measuring area in front of the application location (5) and is designed to record actual data of the continuous material (3) passing through to the application location (5), and wherein the computing device (8) is designed to compare the recorded actual data with predetermined target data of the continuous material (3) and to generate a control signal for controlling the outlet device (4) if there is a deviation between the actual data and the target data.

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