Workpiece carrier and method for assembling vehicle parts

Abstract

Workpiece carrier (20), comprising at least one dynamically adjustable multi-point holder (26), which is designed and configured to be adapted by means of at least one movement to a tolerance range (17) of a component (A, B) of a vehicle, in particular as a large module, as a connection area to another component of the vehicle, in particular as a further large module, characterized in that the multi-point holder (26) is designed and configured as an adapter piece to carry out a piece-by-piece construction of a vehicle part in such a way that the vehicle part, together with the adapter piece, lies within the tolerance range for assembly on another vehicle part.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a workpiece carrier. The invention relates to a method for assembling vehicle parts. The invention relates to a control device. The invention relates to a computer program product. The invention relates to a storage device.

[0002] Methods for assembling vehicle parts are known in the prior art. For handling and assembling assemblies, it is known to use workpiece carriers with a tool holder / adapter. This, in particular, fixes the initial component to the workpiece carrier and enables the subsequent successive assembly of the individual parts into the assembly. EP 1 705 106 A2, for example, discloses a method in which individual components of an assembly are measured after their manufacture. If deviations in shape are detected, the height of the clamping supports used to hold the component can be adjusted to compensate for the deviations.

[0003] EP 1 321 355 A2 describes a method and a device for joining two modules of a vehicle body. The modules are measured and mounted in clamping fixtures, which align them so that joining between the modules can be performed within the quality specifications.

[0004] DE 10 2017 215 028 A1 discloses measuring components to be joined and comparing them with a target geometry. The fixing elements of both components are measured and compared. Target positions for the components, and in particular the fixing elements, are then determined, which can be used to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. The components to be joined are then arranged accordingly at a processing station of a machining system.

[0005] DE 10 2005 046 793 A1 describes a method for joining an attachment to a structural part. The attachment is measured and compared to a target geometry. The attachment is then corrected by a positioning device in such a way that a positional deviation of a reference point for joining is eliminated.

[0006] DE 103 26 008 A1 describes an arrangement of components on a coordinate measuring station for assessing their installability. The components are measured in the measuring station and compared against a target geometry. Any deviations must then be corrected accordingly.

[0007] Document EP 1 000 699 A2 describes an automated production station for joining components. Measuring devices are provided for this purpose, which compare the components with a target geometry. Based on this, a notification is issued if assembly of the components is not possible due to excessive deviations.

[0008] DE 10 2018 201 656 A1 describes a device for automatically aligning a front-end module relative to a bodyshell of a motor vehicle, wherein the device has a holding device for holding the front-end module and a fixing device for fixing the device in a relative position relative to the bodyshell, wherein at least one measuring device is arranged on the device in order to determine the actual distance to at least one reference point on the bodyshell, and wherein the device has a controller and a displacement unit in order to be able to initiate a relative displacement of the front-end module relative to the bodyshell when the device is fixed, as required, such that the front-end module can be moved into a desired position relative to the bodyshell depending on the measured actual distance. The document also relates to a method for automatically aligning a front-end module relative to a bodyshell of a motor vehicle by means of a device.

[0009] DE 10 2020 107 382 A1 describes a system for joining an attachment to a base component. The system comprises a production frame and a holding device. Furthermore, the system comprises a computing unit configured to determine dimensional data relating to dimensions of the attachment and the base component. The computing unit is configured to determine a target position of the attachment relative to the base component based on the dimensional data by means of a simulation. Furthermore, the computing unit is configured to determine, based on the determined target position, setting values for the one or more holding elements of the production frame in order to set the base pose of the base component and / or to determine setting values for the one or more alignment elements of the holding device in order to set the mounting pose of the attachment.The computing unit is further configured to cause the one or more holding elements and / or the one or more alignment elements for joining the attachment to the base component to be adjusted depending on the setting values.

[0010] The challenge is that the joining of large cast modules must take place in assembly areas. The resource requirements and handling of the described processes and devices are perceived as excessive. The assembly of vehicle parts needs to be improved in general.

[0011] The object of the invention is to make the joining of large modules more space-saving and to save resources.

[0012] The object is achieved in particular by a workpiece carrier having the features of claim 1. The object is achieved in particular by a method having the features of claim 8. The object is achieved in particular by a control device having the features of claim 9. The object is achieved in particular by a computer program product having the features of claim 10. The object is achieved in particular by a memory device having the features of claim 11. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are described in connection with the workpiece carrier according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention, with the control device, the computer program product and the memory device.This also applies vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0013] According to one aspect, the object is achieved in particular by a workpiece carrier having the features of claim 1.

[0014] A workpiece carrier has at least one dynamically adjustable multi-point holder. The multi-point holder is designed and configured to be adapted by means of at least one movement to a tolerance range of a component of a vehicle, in particular as a large module, as a connection area to another component of the vehicle, in particular as a further large module. The multi-point holder is designed as an adapter piece and configured to carry out a piece-by-piece assembly of a vehicle part such that the vehicle part, together with the adapter piece, lies within the tolerance range for assembly on another vehicle part. Compensation of the tolerances is thereby particularly improved. Furthermore, compensation is not necessarily only possible manually.

[0015] The workpiece carrier is primarily designed to introduce a dynamically adjustable workpiece holder, where the individual components can be secured to the workpiece carrier using automatically adjustable bolts and clamping elements. Dimensional correction (due to manufacturing tolerances) can also be performed based on a previously performed 3D measurement of the individual parts. This eliminates additional costs such as framing stations.

[0016] This allows for the compensation of tolerances in individual components and eliminates the need for framing stations. It enables the implementation of a joining process for large modules and within a traditional vehicle assembly environment. It eliminates the need for additional structural elements to increase rigidity and strength, such as overlapping panels. This, in particular, eliminates the need for additional vehicle weight. A quasi-cold joining process can be established, reducing process and throughput times in the assembly area, thus reducing the area and one-time costs compared to a pure bonding process.

[0017] A workpiece carrier is in particular a device which is designed to receive a workpiece, such as a part of a motor vehicle, such as a large module, at intended contact points of the workpiece by means of the multi-point recording.

[0018] A tolerance range refers in particular to the fact that the allocation of components of a motor vehicle, especially with regard to large modules, can be carried out in such a way that they are arranged in certain ranges (angles, spacing, etc.) in order to enable joining – i.e., arranging them next to one another. This can, in particular, prevent material damage.

[0019] Large modules in vehicles, especially motor vehicles, include the frame, the main module, the front end, the rear end or similarly large structures.

[0020] The connection area is understood to be the area between the components which is used for joining in order to arrange and connect these components to one another.

[0021] According to one aspect, the movement can be at least one of a translation or a rotation. This allows an alignment of the multi-point mount or of its parts and / or sub-areas to be adapted to a component to be recorded, in particular with regard to an alignment relative to at least one other component, in order to thereby comply with the requirements of a tolerance range.

[0022] According to one aspect, individual mounting points of the multi-point mount can be adjusted manually or automatically. In particular, it can be provided that the multi-point mount has several independent actuators that enable the multi-point mount, as a whole or in part, to perform at least one of the described movements.

[0023] According to one aspect, the dynamically adjustable multi-point mount can be designed and configured to adjust the positioning based on inline 3D-measured components and their dimensions to the target interface geometry (front to main module). This can, in particular, enable an arrangement within a tolerance range. This can accordingly be used to compare which dimensions and / or orientation a component should be able to assume relative to another component. This can, in particular, be done by comparing it with a digital twin, such as a CAD drawing of the component to be mounted.

[0024] Digital twins are, in particular, computer program products that contain information about the real-world behavior of real devices, such as the components represented by the digital twins. These can be used to verify, in particular, digitally represented physical properties.

[0025] According to one aspect, the freedom within a built component, in particular a built front end, can be achieved via different predefined fixed points, in particular selected from elongated holes (metric screws), flexible adhesive applications, high-strength rivets and FTS screws.

[0026] A tolerance (also known as freedom) can be created within a self-assembled component, such as a front end. A self-assembled component can also contain additional elements or devices. For example, a front end can contain a frunk, a front module frame, or a strut pin.

[0027] According to one aspect, the multi-point mount can be designed and configured as an adapter piece to carry out piecewise assembly of a vehicle part, in particular a front end, such that the vehicle part, together with the adapter piece, lies within the tolerance range for assembly on another vehicle part, in particular a main module. This allows piecewise assembly, i.e., step-by-step assembly, to be carried out using the workpiece carrier, with everything ultimately fitting within the tolerance range and, in particular, eliminating the need to attempt to fill the tolerance range somehow, for example, by adding small inserts or adapter pieces.

[0028] The workpiece carrier serves in particular as a type of template that can be dynamically adapted with respect to the multi-point recording based on the components to be arranged on it or based on the 3D information representing them and deviations between the two in order to achieve a tolerance range or tolerance specifications in order to enable assembly with another component.

[0029] According to one aspect, the multi-point mount can comprise at least one of a front module frame, a strut mandrel or a frunk, in particular at least two of these can be associated with one another, in particular in such a way as to lie, after assembly, within the tolerance range for assembly on a further vehicle part, in particular at least one of a (pre-assembled) front end or a main module.

[0030] According to an independent aspect, a method for assembling vehicle parts may include the step of comparing 3D values for a configuration of at least one component with a digital twin. The method may include the step of adapting a dynamically adjustable multi-point fixture of a workpiece carrier, in particular as described elsewhere herein.

[0031] The basic functions of the workpiece carrier remain the same: it can be used to hold a workpiece or component during vehicle construction. The tool holder features a new, dynamically adjustable multi-point holder. The individual mounting points of the multi-point holder can be adjusted manually or automatically. Positioning can be adjusted to the desired interface geometry (front to main module) based on the inline 3D-measured components and their dimensions. Freedom within the assembled front end is achieved primarily through various predefined fixed points, such as elongated holes (metric screws), as well as flexible adhesive application, high-strength rivets, and AGV screws. Any selection and combination of these is also possible. Other elements and / or devices can also be provided.After the front end has been assembled, it is removed from the workpiece carrier and has the required accuracy for assembly on the main module.

[0032] The individual components, i.e. individual parts, are measured using 3D measuring technology, particularly after mechanical production, and the deviations from the CAD model are stored, in particular in a DMC label. Alternatively or additionally, measuring can be omitted, and position and / or orientation can be ensured, for example, using locking pins at particularly critical points. During the pre-assembly, particularly the subsequent pre-assembly of the front end, the new dynamic workpiece carrier and / or the multi-point fixture are moved and adjusted according to the measured values in such a way that the subsequent tolerance position to the main module interface can be ensured. The dynamic fixture points can be adjusted translationally and / or rotationally in x / y / z.

[0033] The assembly is carried out successively, component by component, on the workpiece carrier. Tolerance deviations between the components are compensated using various joining technologies. This reduces the need for costly intervention after completion.

[0034] The process can be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the workpiece carrier. This also applies across the category boundaries of process, device, and system. Thus, the workpiece carrier can also be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the process. For the sake of readability and conciseness, we have omitted all of these features, properties, and advantages.

[0035] According to an independent aspect, a control device can be designed and configured to control a workpiece carrier, in particular as described elsewhere, in order to carry out a method as described elsewhere.

[0036] The control device can be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the workpiece carrier, the method, the control device, the storage device, and the computer program product. This also applies across the category boundaries of method, device, and system. Thus, the workpiece carrier, the method, the storage device, the control device, and the computer program product can also be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the control device. For reasons of readability and compactness, a repetition of all these features, properties, and advantages is omitted.

[0037] According to an independent aspect, a computer program product can be designed and configured to carry out a method as described elsewhere when executed on a control device, in particular as described elsewhere.

[0038] The computer program product can be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the workpiece carrier, the control device, the storage device, the computer program product, and the method. This also applies across the category boundaries of method, device, and system. Thus, the workpiece carrier, the control device, and the storage device can also be described by the features, properties, and advantages of the computer program product. For reasons of compactness and readability, a repetition of all these features, properties, and advantages is omitted here.

[0039] The computer program product can be designed and configured to be executed on a machine. When the computer program product is executed on the machine, a method can be carried out as described elsewhere. The computer program product is, in particular, machine-readable code and / or an electrical signal that is / are configured to be read by a machine in order to transmit work instructions to a machine, such as to carry out a method of the type described elsewhere. A computer program product can, in particular, be designed as machine-readable code, in particular as an algorithm that can carry out a corresponding control.

[0040] According to an independent aspect, a storage device—also referred to as a storage medium—can be provided, which has a computer program product, in particular as described elsewhere herein. A storage medium can have a computer program product as described. Alternatively or additionally, the control device, as described, can have a computer program product as described. The computer program product is in particular designed and configured to be read from the storage medium by the control device in order to carry out the described method. Thus, the storage medium and / or the control device can be described accordingly by the features, properties, and advantages as have been described and presented for the methods and / or for the computer program product. This also applies vice versa.For the sake of compactness and readability, we will not repeat all of these features, characteristics and advantages here.

[0041] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show schematically: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a method 10 for assembling vehicle parts; Fig. 2 a representation of a joining of a front end and a connection with a main module; and Fig. 3 a representation of an embodiment of a tool carrier.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a representation of an embodiment of a method in which Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows an example of an embodiment of an assembly of a front end 11 to a main module 15 to form a vehicle chassis 15 and is described accordingly. Here, a first component A is presented as a cast component and a second component B as a sheet metal component, which are to be connected to one another accordingly.

[0043] Mechanical production can begin. Component A can be manufactured as a cast part using die casting 1, particularly followed by milling 2. Component A, i.e., the blank, can be cleaned 3.

[0044] Component B can be manufactured as a sheet metal component by means of a punching process 5. This can be followed by forming 6. Component B, i.e. the blank, can be cleaned 3.

[0045] The individual parts (component A and component B) are measured 4 using 3D measuring technology, in particular after the mechanical production i described above, and the deviations from the CAD model resulting from a comparison 7 can be stored 8 in a DMC label. In the subsequent pre-assembly 9 of a front end 11, the new dynamic workpiece carrier 20 or its multi-point holder 26 is approached and adjusted 8 according to the measured values so that the subsequent tolerance position to the interface of the main module 15 can be ensured. The dynamic holder points 25 can be adjusted translationally and, if necessary, also rotationally r in the x, y, and / or z directions.

[0046] The assembly 9 is carried out successively, component by component, on the workpiece carrier 20. The compensation of the tolerance deviations is also realized, in particular, between the components A, B by means of various joining technologies, as described elsewhere herein (not shown for reasons of clarity).

[0047] Fig. Figure 2 shows a representation of the joining of a front end 11 (top) consisting of a frunk 14, a front module frame 13, and two strut mandrels 12. A built-up component, also referred to as a built-up module, can be provided. The built-up module can have a mixed construction, such as a combination of a sheet metal component B with a gigacasting component A.

[0048] After the front end 11 has been assembled as a built module, it can be connected to a main module 15 to form a vehicle chassis 16. By adjusting the multi-point mounting 26, as shown in Fig. 3, the tolerance ranges 17 for joining can be maintained.

[0049] Fig. Figure 3 shows an illustration of an embodiment of a tool carrier 20. Components A, B can be arranged on this, in particular on a multi-point holder 26, which has several, in particular individually adjustable, points 25. Here, two spring strut mandrels 12 are arranged as an example on the two multi-point holders 26 (left), which can be oriented by translational and rotational movements in such a way as to be able to accommodate a front module frame. This makes it possible, in particular, for the assembled module, as in the Fig. 2 shown below, can be assembled accordingly while observing the tolerance ranges 17 and can be connected to a main module 15 in order to be able to form a vehicle chassis 16.

[0050] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively within the scope of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Workpiece carrier (20), comprising at least one dynamically adjustable multi-point holder (26), which is designed and configured to be adapted by means of at least one movement to a tolerance range (17) of a component (A, B) of a vehicle, in particular as a large module, as a connection area to another component of the vehicle, in particular as another large module, characterized by that the multi-point holder (26) is designed as an adapter piece and is set up to carry out a piece-by-piece construction of a vehicle part in such a way that the vehicle part together with the adapter piece lies within the tolerance range for assembly on another vehicle part. [2] Workpiece carrier (20) according to claim 1, characterized by that the movement is at least one of a translation (x, y, z) or a rotation (r). [3] Workpiece carrier (20) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized bythat individual recording points (25) of the multi-point recording (26) can be adjusted manually or automatically. [4] Workpiece carrier (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the dynamically adjustable multi-point holder (26) is designed and configured to adjust the positioning based on inline 3D measured components (A, B) and their dimensions to the desired interface geometry (front (11) to main module (15)). [5] Workpiece carrier (20) according to claim 4, characterized by that a freedom within a built component, in particular a front end (11), as a component (A, B) takes place via different predefined fixed points, in particular selected from elongated holes (metric screws), flexible adhesive applications, high-strength rivets and FTS screws. [6] Workpiece carrier (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the multi-point mount (26) is designed as an adapter piece and is configured to carry out a piece-by-piece assembly of the vehicle part of a front end (11) in such a way that the vehicle part together with the adapter piece lies within the tolerance range for assembly on the further vehicle part, a main module (15). [7] Workpiece carrier (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the multi-point mount (26) has at least one of a front module frame (13), a spring strut mandrel (12) or a frunk (14), in particular at least two of these are assigned to one another, in such a way that after assembly it lies within the tolerance range (17) for assembly on a further vehicle part, in particular at least one of a (pre-assembled) front end (11) or a main module (15). [8] Method (10) for assembling vehicle parts comprising the steps: - a comparison (7) of 3D values for a configuration of at least one component with a digital twin of the component; and - an adaptation (8) of a dynamically adjustable multi-point holder of a workpiece carrier according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Control device (100) designed and configured to control a workpiece carrier (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7 in order to carry out a method (10) according to claim 8. [10] Computer program product (120) comprising machine-readable instructions for carrying out a method (10) according to claim 8 when executing the computer program product (120) on a control device (100) according to claim 9. [11] A storage device (110) comprising a computer program product (120) according to claim 10.

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