Method for mounting an add-on element on a support structure of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The following statements relate to a method for mounting an add-on element (30) on a support structure (12) of a motor vehicle, in particular on a vehicle body, comprising the following steps: - measuring the support structure (12) and creating measurement data; - calculating a first and second target position for the positioning of at least two positioning elements (14, 16) on the support structure (12) based on the determined measurement data; - fastening a first positioning element (14) at the first target position and a second positioning element (16) at the second target position; - positioning a holding device (20) on the support structure (12) with the aid of the first and second positioning elements (14, 16); - fastening the holding device (20) to the support structure (12) by means of a fastening element (22); - arranging the add-on element (30) on the holding device (20);-Fastening the attachment element (30) to the holding device (20) and / or the support structure (12) by means of at least one fastening means (32);

Description

[0001] The following statements relate to a method for mounting an add-on element to a support structure of a motor vehicle, in particular to a vehicle body, by means of which the add-on element can be mounted simply, cost-effectively, and precisely. Furthermore, the following statements relate to a fastening arrangement and a motor vehicle with a corresponding fastening arrangement.

[0002] It is known that intermediate elements such as brackets, retaining brackets or supports can be used for the installation of add-on elements on vehicle bodies. The intermediate elements can be attached to the body, and the add-on elements can then be connected to the vehicle body via the intermediate element. The use of intermediate elements enables more precise positioning and adjustment of the add-on elements. At the same time, such an arrangement requires additional components, which has a negative impact on weight and costs. This also makes the assembly process more complex and time-consuming. Depending on the application, a large number of mechanical setting gauges are required in the assembly process, which are used specifically for derivatives and variants. Due to the wide variety of variants, these are cost-intensive to acquire and maintain.In the case of product upgrades, new model and equipment variants, new setting gauges must always be purchased in order to ensure high-quality and process-stable assembly during initial assembly.

[0003] DE 100 63 192 A1 discloses a precise mounting of backrests in vehicles. Industrial robots firmly attach pin-like fixing aids to the body. The positions of the fixing aids are determined using reference points on the body. The fittings can then be positioned using these fixing aids.

[0004] From DE 10 2009 035 177 A1 a method for mounting an add-on element on a support structure of a motor vehicle, in particular on a vehicle body, is known.

[0005] There is a consistent requirement to improve and stabilize the assembly of add-on elements on support structures of motor vehicles and to design these independently of variants, taking into account quality-relevant fit characteristics.

[0006] Based on this situation, the present task is to propose a method in which the assembly of an add-on element to a support structure of a motor vehicle can be improved and applied derivative- and variant-independently, taking into account quality-relevant fitting characteristics.

[0007] The present problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. To the extent technically feasible, the teachings of the subclaims can be combined arbitrarily with the teachings of the main and subclaims.

[0008] In particular, the object is achieved by a method for mounting an add-on element on a support structure of a motor vehicle, in particular on a vehicle body, comprising the following steps: - Measuring the support structure and creating measurement data; - Calculating a first and second target position for the positioning of at least two positioning elements on the support structure based on the measured data determined; - Attaching a first positioning element to the first target position and a second positioning element to the second target position; - Positioning a holding device on the support structure using the first and second positioning elements; - Attaching the holding device to the support structure by means of a fastening element; - Arranging the attachment element on the holding device; - Fastening the attachment element to the holding device and / or the support structure by means of at least one fastening means; wherein the holding device has a first positioning contour for receiving the first positioning element and a second positioning contour for receiving the second positioning element, wherein the first positioning contour is designed as an elongated hole and the second positioning contour is designed as a round hole.

[0009] The add-on elements can be mounted on the support structure both inside and outside the motor vehicle, with the support structure being designed as the vehicle body. The add-on element is mounted on the support structure indirectly via the holding device. For this purpose, the holding device must be precisely aligned with the support structure. This is ensured by at least two positioning elements, which allow the holding device to be positioned positively on the support structure. To calculate the necessary target positions for attaching the positioning elements to the support structure, the structure is measured, and the corresponding target positions for the positioning elements are calculated from the measured data obtained. The positioning elements can then be attached to the target positions.This process ensures that the attachment elements can be mounted safely, cost-effectively, and precisely on the support structure without any additional adjustment effort. Optionally, the holding device and / or the attachment element can also be measured. This allows a computer-aided process to automatically calculate the required target positions for attaching the positioning elements to the respective support structure for a particular holding device based on different support structures, holding devices, and / or attachment elements. The measured data obtained is used to identify the different dimensional contributions of the respective components and subsequently compensate for them within the specified system limits.

[0010] Advantageous aspects are explained below, and preferred modified embodiments are described further below. Explanations, particularly regarding advantages and definitions of features, are essentially descriptive and preferred, but not limiting, examples. If an explanation is limiting, this will be expressly stated.

[0011] It is preferred that the sequence of process steps can be varied, unless technically required in an explicit order. However, the aforementioned sequence of process steps is particularly preferred.

[0012] Where ordinal numbers, such as "first", "second", etc., are used, for example to designate a component, an element, a method step, or a method action, these ordinal numbers are intended purely for differentiation in the designation and do not indicate any dependencies or sequences. This means, in particular, that, for example, a device does not have to have a "first component" in order to have a "second component." A device can also have a "first component" and a "third component" without necessarily having a "second component." Multiple units of the same ordinal number can also be provided, for example, multiple "first components."

[0013] The support structure is measured particularly after a painting process, during which the surface of the support structure has been coated. The alignment of the holding device to the support structure is carried out vehicle-specifically using two positioning elements attached to the support structure. The quality characteristics that are crucial for calculating the target positions for the positioning elements are preferably recorded at the "paint" outlet. After the painting process, the gap dimensions of the individual components, in particular between several add-on parts or between an add-on element and the support structure, can be adjusted to a predetermined value.

[0014] The positioning of one or more holding devices for connecting the add-on element can be carried out on a vehicle-specific basis using two positioning elements per holding device, which can be fastened to the support structure in particular in an automated manner. Target positions for the positioning elements can be calculated in a defined joining area on the support structure, in particular a connecting flange provided for the connection of the holding device, which enable vehicle-specific alignment of the holding device. These target positions can be calculated automatically using an algorithm based on the actual states of the support structure, one or more holding devices and the add-on element recorded by measuring the support structure. Alternatively, for a step-by-step implementation of the method, only the support structure or the support structure and the one or more holding devices can be measured.This allows the target positions for the arrangement of the positioning elements on the support structure to be calculated, taking into account the measured form and position tolerances of the individual components. Since the holding device can be aligned to suit the specific vehicle and feedback of the assembly results in the form of the measured data to the target position calculation algorithm is possible, the system has the potential to continuously optimize itself using machine learning (ML) approaches.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the attachment element can be designed to be flexible or dimensionally stable. Depending on whether the attachment is designed to be dimensionally stable or flexible, adjustment effort is reduced or eliminated entirely. After the adjustment process, the attachment element is attached to the holding device and / or the support structure using at least one fastening means.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the measurement of the support structure is carried out using an optical measuring method. The optical measuring method can be designed in particular as interferometry, laser triangulation, photogrammetry, time-of-flight (ToF), digital holography of the support structure, or the like. Advantageously, this allows the measurement to be carried out quickly and precisely. The acquired data can then be evaluated using a data processing unit, in particular a computer. In particular, it is provided that an optical inline measuring method is carried out. This allows the support structure and optionally also the remaining components to be monitored in real time, and measurement data to be recorded continuously.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the contour of the support structure and / or at least one connecting flange of the support structure can be measured to calculate the target positions. This allows the areas and positions where the holding device is to be attached to be measured specifically.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the first positioning element is attached to the support structure at the first target position and the second positioning element is attached to the second target position by means of an adhesive. In particular, it is provided that UV adhesives and / or light-curing adhesives are used. The positioning elements are glued to the support structure at the positions calculated based on the measurement data of the support structure, the holding device, and in particular the add-on element. The cycle-time-dependent bonding process is made possible, for example, by the use of a UV-curing and / or light-curing adhesive. The short curing time can shorten assembly time and save manufacturing costs.

[0019] It is provided that the holding device has a first positioning contour for receiving the first positioning element and a second positioning contour for receiving the second positioning element, wherein the first positioning contour is designed as an elongated hole and the second positioning contour as a round hole. The positioning contours are each designed, in particular, as blind holes. The positioning contours can ensure a statically determined and stress-free alignment of the holding device using the attached positioning elements on the support structure. The positioning elements can thus form the secondary and tertiary planes for aligning the holding strip as shaping reference points of the reference point system (RPS). The primary plane is provided by the existing flat component support on the support structure.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the first positioning element and the second positioning element are substantially cylindrical.

[0021] The longitudinal extension axes of the positioning elements extend, in particular, orthogonally to the surface of the respective target position. In particular, it is provided that the positioning elements are designed to extend at least partially through the positioning contours of the holding device, in particular in the axial direction of the respective positioning element and / or the respective positioning contour. The holding device can be positively positioned on the support structure via the positioning contours and the positioning elements. In particular, the holding device can be mounted in a floating manner. The second positioning contour can be designed as a fixed bearing and the first positioning contour as a loose bearing. To facilitate the arrangement of the positioning contours above the positioning elements, the positioning elements can have a tapered cross-section (introduction bevel) at the free end section.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the measurement of the support structure and / or the fastening of the first positioning element at the first target position and of the second positioning element at the second target position takes place automatically, in particular mechanically, preferably by one or a plurality of robots. Through the automated, in particular mechanical, measurement of the support structure and optionally also of the holding device and / or the attachment element, the determined measurement data can be processed directly and the number of required positioning elements can be calculated using a computer-implemented method. Through the automated fastening of the positioning elements at the respective target positions, they can be precisely attached to the support structure.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of holding devices, each with at least two positioning elements per holding device, can be provided for mounting the add-on element to the support structure. Particularly when mounting larger add-on elements, this can be connected to the support structure via a plurality of holding devices. Two positioning elements are attached to the support structure for each holding device. The required number of holding devices and target positions are calculated or determined automatically based on the measurement data generated.

[0024] The object is further achieved by a fastening arrangement comprising a support structure of a motor vehicle, which is designed in particular as a vehicle body, two positioning elements which can be joined to the support structure, a holding device and an attachment element, wherein the attachment element can be mounted on the support structure according to a method which can be designed and further developed as described above.

[0025] The object is further achieved by a motor vehicle with a fastening arrangement which can be designed and further developed as described above.

[0026] A preferred technical solution is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments. The term "figure" is abbreviated to "Fig." in the drawings.

[0027] The drawings show Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fastening arrangement during an initial method step for mounting an add-on element to a support structure; Fig. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the fastening arrangement according to Fig. 1 during a further process step for mounting an add-on element to a support structure; and Fig. 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of the fastening arrangement according to Fig. 2 during a final procedural step.

[0028] The described embodiments are merely examples that can be modified and / or supplemented in a variety of ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a specific embodiment can be used independently or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described for an embodiment of a specific claim category can also be used correspondingly in an embodiment of a different claim category.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a fastening arrangement 10 during an initial method step for mounting an add-on element 30 to a support structure 12. The support structure 12 is first measured, and a first and a second target position for fastening a first positioning element 14 and a second positioning element 16 to the support structure 12 are calculated from the measured data obtained. The positioning elements 14, 16 are then fastened to the support structure 12 using an adhesive 18. By using, for example, UV adhesives and / or light-curing adhesives, the adhesive 18 can dry quickly, and the positioning elements 14, 16 can be securely fastened to the support structure 12.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the fastening arrangement 10 according to Fig. 1 during a further method step for mounting an add-on element 30 to a support structure 12, wherein a holding device 20, which has a first positioning contour 24 and a second positioning contour 26 on a contact surface facing the support structure 12, is positively positioned over the positioning elements 14, 16 on the support structure 12. The positioning contours 24, 26 are slipped over the positioning elements 14, 16. The first positioning contour 24 can be designed as an elongated hole and the second positioning contour 26 as a round hole. The cylindrically shaped positioning elements 14, 16 extend at least partially in the axial direction into the positioning contours 24, 26. This achieves a positive connection with the holding device 20. The holding device 20 is then connected to the support structure 12 in a force-fitting and positive-fitting manner by means of a fastening element 22.The positioning of the holding device 20 on the support structure 12 can therefore be carried out quickly, easily, and precisely. This facilitates a cost-effective assembly process.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the fastening arrangement 10 according to Fig. 2 during a final method step, wherein an add-on element 30 can be joined to the holding device 20 and is fastened to the holding device 20 by means of a fastening means 32. In addition, the holding device 20 and the add-on element 30 have a snap connection 28 for positively locking the add-on element 30 to the holding device 30. The indirect assembly of the add-on element 30 to the support structure 12 can therefore be carried out quickly, easily, and precisely. This enables a cost-effective assembly process.

Claims

[1] Method for mounting an add-on element (30) on a support structure (12) of a motor vehicle, in particular on a vehicle body, comprising the following steps: - Measuring the support structure (12) and creating measurement data; - Calculating a first and second target position for the positioning of at least two positioning elements (14, 16) on the support structure (12) based on the determined measurement data; - fastening a first positioning element (14) at the first target position and a second positioning element (16) at the second target position; - positioning a holding device (20) on the support structure (12) with the aid of the first and second positioning elements (14, 16); - fastening the holding device (20) to the support structure (12) by means of a fastening element (22); - arranging the attachment element (30) on the holding device (20); - Fastening the add-on element (30) to the holding device (20) and / or the support structure (12) by means of at least one fastening means (32); wherein the holding device (20) has a first positioning contour (24) for receiving the first positioning element (14) and a second positioning contour (26) for receiving the second positioning element (16), wherein the first positioning contour (24) is designed as an elongated hole and the second positioning contour (26) is designed as a round hole. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement of the support structure (12) is carried out by means of an optical measuring method. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contour of the support structure (12) and / or at least one connecting flange of the support structure (12) is measured to calculate the target positions. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first positioning element (14) is fastened to the carrier structure (12) at the first target position and the second positioning element (16) is fastened to the carrier structure (12) at the second target position by means of an adhesive (18), wherein in particular UV adhesives and / or light-curing adhesives are used. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first positioning element (14) and the second positioning element (16) are cylindrical, wherein in particular the positioning elements (14, 16) are designed to extend at least partially through the positioning contours (24, 26) of the holding device (20). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring of the support structure (12) and / or the fastening of the first positioning element (14) at the first target position and of the second positioning element (16) at the second target position is carried out automatically. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of holding devices (20) each having at least two positioning elements (14, 16) per holding device (20) are provided for mounting the add-on element (30) on the support structure (12). [8] Fastening arrangement (10) comprising a support structure (12) of a motor vehicle, which is designed in particular as a vehicle body, two positioning elements (14, 16) which can be joined to the support structure (12), a holding device (20) and an attachment element (30), wherein the attachment element can be mounted on the support structure (12) according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Motor vehicle with a fastening arrangement (10) according to claim 8.

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