Method for joining a door to a motor vehicle body

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for joining a door (2) to a motor vehicle body (1), the door being intended to be connected so as to rotate relative to the body by means of a hinge (3), the hinge comprising a first portion (8) and a second portion (9) that is connected to the first portion so as to rotate thereabout, characterised in that the joining method comprises: - a step of attaching the hinge to the body via the first portion thereof; and subsequently - a step of temporarily inserting a mounting shim (20) into the hinge (3) in order to keep the second portion of the hinge in a given orientation; and subsequently - a step of positioning the door against the second portion of the hinge; and subsequently - a step of attaching the door to the second portion of the hinge.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Method of assembling a door on a motor vehicle body

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a method for assembling a door, in particular a trunk door, on a body of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a hinge for a motor vehicle suitable for implementing such an assembly method. The invention also relates to an intermediate manufacturing product comprising a body or a body element of a motor vehicle, and such a hinge.

[0004] State of the prior art

[0005] The manufacture of motor vehicles includes a method of assembling a door onto a vehicle body. The assembly methods known from the state of the art include a step of fixing a first part of at least one hinge onto the vehicle body, then positioning the vehicle door against a second part of the at least one hinge by moving the door in a rectilinear translational movement. The axis along which the door is translated towards the body is imposed by the orientation of studs projecting from the at least one hinge. Once the door is correctly positioned, the door is fixed to the second part of the at least one hinge, in particular by tightening nuts onto said studs. The door is thus connected to the body in a rotational connection allowing the door to be opened and closed.Once the door is assembled, accessories are attached to the door, such as a lock to lock the door.

[0006] To attach the accessories, an operator operates on the door held in the open position. Attaching the accessories is impractical because the operator has little space between the body and the door in the open position. The operator must therefore perform movements likely to cause trauma. In particular, when the door is a trunk door that rotates around a horizontal axis, the operator is forced to attach the accessories above his head, with his arms in the air, which is even more traumatic.

[0007] To improve the ergonomics of the operations of attaching accessories to a vehicle door, it is known to attach these accessories before assembling the door on the body. The door can thus be freely positioned and oriented on a dedicated assembly station, which offers greater working comfort.

[0008] However, assembling a door to a vehicle body on which one or more accessories have already been fixed is a more delicate operation. Indeed, the various accessories are likely to interfere with the body when the door is brought closer to the body. Figure 1 illustrates an interference between, on the one hand, a lock T previously fixed to a trunk door 2', and on the other hand, a lower edge 3' delimiting a trunk opening provided in a body 4'. Indeed, the position of a low point of the lock T (identified by the line LT) is located below the level of the edge 3' (identified by the line L2'). The trunk door 2' cannot therefore be positioned against the body 4' by a simple rectilinear translational movement (illustrated by the arrow F'), parallel to an axis in which the studs 5' of the hinges 6' extend.

[0009] To avoid such interference, the door is usually positioned against the hinge according to complex kinematics. This kinematics is on the one hand difficult to implement in assembly workshops and also leads to a final positioning of the door, in the closed position, which is poorly adjusted in relation to the body. Thus, an undesirable offset may appear between the body and the door in the closed position. In particular, a play in appearance between the body and the door in the closed position may present irregularities and / or the lines of the door may not be well aligned with the lines of the body. This leads to an imperfect aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.

[0010] Presentation of the invention

[0011] The aim of the invention is to provide a method of assembling a door to a body of a motor vehicle which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the assembly methods known from the prior art.

[0012] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a method of assembling a door to a body of a motor vehicle which is both simple and ergonomic to implement and makes it possible to obtain an optimal aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention relates to a method of assembling a door on a body of a motor vehicle, the door being intended to be linked in rotation relative to the body by means of at least one hinge, the at least one hinge comprising a first part and a second part articulated in rotation around the first part, the assembly method comprising:

[0015] - a step of fixing at least one hinge on the body via its first part, then

[0016] - a step of temporarily inserting a mounting wedge into the hinge to hold the second part of the at least one hinge in a given orientation, then

[0017] - a step of positioning the door against the second part of the at least one hinge, then - a step of fixing the door to the second part of the at least one hinge.

[0018] An orientation of the door at the end of said positioning step may form with an orientation of the door in a closed position an angle greater than or equal to 3°, in particular greater than or equal to 4°, and / or an angle less than or equal to 6°, in particular an angle less than or equal to 5°.

[0019] The second part of the at least one hinge may comprise at least one stud, the at least one stud extending parallel to a first axis after the step of inserting said mounting wedge, and said step of positioning the door may comprise a rectilinear translational movement of the door parallel to said first axis.

[0020] The assembly method may comprise, following the step of fixing the door to the second part of the at least one hinge:

[0021] - a step of fixing at least one jack configured to hold the door in the open position, then

[0022] - a step of removing said wedge.

[0023] The assembly method may comprise, prior to the step of positioning the door relative to the second part of the at least one hinge, a step of fixing an accessory to the door, in particular the accessory being a lock, said accessory interfering with a part of the body if the door is moved in a rectilinear translational movement parallel to a closed position of the door.

[0024] The door may be intended to be linked in rotation relative to the body around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, the wedge being compressed between the first part of the hinge and the second part of the hinge under the effect of the force of gravity exerted on the door at the end of the step of fixing the door to the second part of the at least one hinge.

[0025] The invention also relates to a hinge for a motor vehicle, the hinge comprising a first part intended to be fixed to a body of the vehicle and a second part intended to be fixed to a door of the vehicle, the second part being articulated in rotation around the first part, the hinge comprising a wedge, in particular made of plastic, bearing against the first part and against the second part of the hinge to maintain the second part in a given orientation relative to the first part.

[0026] The first part may comprise a base intended to be fixed to the body and two uprights extending parallel to each other on either side of the base, the two uprights being connected by a rotation axis around which the second part of the hinge is articulated, the wedge extending between the two uprights.

[0027] The wedge may comprise a first portion intended to withstand compressive forces exerted by the hinge when the second part of the hinge tends to pivot towards a closed position of the door, and a second portion having the function of maintaining the wedge in position within the hinge.

[0028] The invention also relates to an intermediate manufacturing product intended to form a motor vehicle, said intermediate product comprising a body or a body element of the vehicle and a hinge as defined above, the first part of the hinge being fixed to the body or to said body element. Presentation of the figures

[0029] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic, partial, sectional view of a motor vehicle during a method of assembling a door on a vehicle body, according to the state of the art.

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic, partial, sectional view of a motor vehicle during a method of assembling a door on a body of the vehicle, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0032] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view of a hinge according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of a first portion of the hinge and a wedge of the hinge of Figure 3.

[0034] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the hinge wedge of Figure 3.

[0035] Figure 6 is a schematic, partial, sectional view of a hinge of the vehicle of Figure 1, during the door assembly process according to the state of the art.

[0036] Detailed description

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the assembly method firstly comprises a first step during which the various components intended to be assembled are brought. A box 1, a door 2 and at least one hinge 3 are thus brought separately. These components are shown in Figure 2.

[0038] The body 1 is a rigid structure, intended to support different components of a vehicle, in particular the door 2. The body 1 may in particular be a metal structure, formed by an assembly of body elements for example by welding. The body 1 is intended to be enveloped by a body whose lines contribute to the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.

[0039] The assembly method can be implemented on a complete or incomplete body 1. In other words, the assembly method can be implemented so as to assemble the door 2 to a body element, the manufacture of the body 1 being finalized after the assembly of the door 2 on the body element.

[0040] The body 1 is oriented in substantially the same way as when the vehicle is completed and rests on horizontal ground by means of its wheels. The terms "top", "bottom", "lower", and "upper" refer to an arrangement along a vertical axis. The terms "front" and "rear" refer to an arrangement along a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being the axis in which the vehicle travels in a straight line, the vehicle moving forward, from rear to front. The transverse axis designates a horizontal axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0041] The body 1 comprises an opening 4 intended to be closed by the door 2. In particular, the opening 4 is an opening giving access to a trunk of the vehicle. The door 2 is therefore a trunk door and is intended to be assembled to the body 1 according to a rotational connection around an axis of rotation parallel to the transverse axis. The axis of rotation is a horizontal axis and is positioned in the upper part of the body 1, in particular near a roof 5 of the body, at the rear thereof. Alternatively, the invention could also be transposed to the assembly of any other type of door or opening to the body 1 of the vehicle, for example side doors of the vehicle and / or an engine compartment hood of the vehicle. The door 2 comprises a panel 6 intended to close the opening 4 provided in the body 1. The shape of the panel 6 therefore substantially matches the shape of the opening 4. The panel 6 extends generally in a plane.Following assembly of the door to the body, and when the door is in the closed position, the plane in which the panel extends may be a plane substantially inclined upwards and forwards.

[0042] The door 2 further comprises at least one accessory, in particular a lock 7. The lock 7 is positioned at a lower edge of the panel 6. The lock 7 is intended to cooperate with a strike plate secured to the body 1 to lock the door 2 in the closed position. The lock 7 forms a projection substantially perpendicular to the panel 6. The lock 7 extends from the panel 6 generally forward and downward when the door is in the closed position, following its assembly on the body. The at least one accessory, in particular the lock 7, has been assembled to the door 2 during a prior assembly step.

[0043] The hinge 3 is intended to form a rotational articulation around the transverse axis between the door 2 and the body 1. The door 2 can be rotationally connected to the body by means of any number of hinges, in particular one, two or three hinges, at least one of these hinges being a hinge 3 as we will now describe it.

[0044] The hinge 3 comprises a first part 8, also called a fixed knuckle, which is intended to be fixed to the body 1. The hinge 3 also comprises a second part 9, also called a movable knuckle, which is intended to be fixed to the door 2. The second part 9 is articulated in rotation around the first part 8 along the transverse axis. The second part 9 of the hinge 3 comprises at least one stud 10, for example two studs, intended to cooperate with at least one fixing hole provided in the door 2. The at least one fixing hole of the door 2 is arranged through a fixing interface 11 of the door 2. The fixing interface 11 comprises a wall intended to bear against the second part 9 of the hinge 3 after the fixing of the door 3. This fixing interface

[0045] 11 is positioned at an upper edge of the panel 6.

[0046] Figures 3 and 4 show in more detail an embodiment of the hinge 3. The hinge 3 is preferably metallic in order to be sufficiently robust. The first part 8 comprises a base 12 intended to be fixed to the body 1 and two uprights 13 extending vertically, parallel to each other, and on either side of the base 12. The two uprights 13 are connected to each other, at their upper end, by a rotation axis 14, of cylindrical shape, around which the second part 9 of the hinge is articulated. The first part further comprises a substantially vertical wall 15, connecting the base

[0047] 12 and the two uprights 13 over part of the height of the latter. The first part 8 can thus have substantially the shape of a basket.

[0048] The second part 9 of the hinge 3 comprises a central part 16 connected in a rotational connection to the rotation axis 14. The central part 16 has a substantially U-shape and is positioned between the two uprights 13. The central part 16 is extended on its two lateral sides by two coplanar appendages 17, or ears. Each appendage 17 is provided with a hole 18 intended to receive a stud 10. The first part 8 and the second part 9 can each be obtained by deformation of a metal plate.

[0049] In a second step of the assembly method, the first part 8 of the hinge 3 is fixed to the body. In particular, the base 12 can be screwed to the body 1 by means of one or more fixing screws passing through fixing holes provided in the body and in the base 12. This or these fixing screws can extend substantially vertically. The studs 10 are also placed in the holes 18 provided for this purpose. The studs can be screwed to the second part 9 of the hinge 3. The hinge 3 can then be in a waiting state. In this state, the second part 9 adopts, under the effect of gravity, a stable position of lower potential energy. In particular, the appendages 17 bear against the uprights 13. The configuration of the hinge 3 can thus correspond to the position of the hinge 6' illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0050] Then, in a third step of the assembly process, a mounting wedge 20 is temporarily inserted into the hinge 3 to hold the second part 9 in a given orientation. The wedge 20 is therefore a part intended to facilitate the assembly of the door 2 and then to be removed. The wedge 20 can be reused for the assembly of several vehicles. The wedge 20 can in particular be a single-piece element, for example made of plastic, in particular ABS, or alternatively made of metal. In particular, the wedge 20 can be manufactured by an additive synthesis process.

[0051] The wedge 20 is particularly clearly visible in Figure 5. It comprises a shape matching the shape of a part of the hinge 3. In particular, the wedge 20 comprises a first surface 21 intended to bear against the first part 8 of the hinge 3 and a second surface 22 intended to bear against the second part 9 of the hinge 3. The first surface 21 and the second surface 22 are two substantially opposite surfaces of a first portion 23 of the wedge. More precisely, the first surface 21 is intended to bear against an upper edge of the wall 15. The second surface 22 is intended to bear against a lower edge of the appendages 17. This first portion 23 is thus intended to undergo compressive forces exerted by the hinge 3 when the second part 9 of the hinge tends to pivot towards a position corresponding to the closed position of the door 2.

[0052] The wedge 20 also comprises a second portion 24 having the function of holding the wedge 20 in position within the hinge 3. This second portion 24 comprises in particular a third surface 25 intended to bear on a front face of the wall 15, which prevents the wedge 20 from falling backward. This second portion 24 also comprises a fourth surface 26 intended to bear on each of the two uprights 13, which prevents the wedge 20 from falling forward. The wedge 20 can thus occupy a stable position within the hinge 3, even in the absence of force applied by the second part 9. It is therefore not likely to fall following an impact or vibration. Advantageously; the wedge is compact and light and can be easily handled with one hand. As the wedge 20 extends only between the two uprights 13, it does not require a free volume around the hinges 3 for its installation.Such a wedge can thus be used regardless of the geometry of the body. The wedge 20 can further comprise a gripping means, for example a handle, to facilitate its handling.

[0053] To place the shim 20 in the hinge 3, it is sufficient to manually lift the second part 9 of the hinge 3, to insert the second portion 24 between the two uprights 13, then to let the second part 9 of the hinge rest on the shim 20. The weight of the second part 9 can contribute to the correct positioning and the correct maintenance of the shim. The shim can thus be put in place quickly and easily. This operation does not require a very precise gesture. As can be seen in Figure 2, the shim 20 makes it possible to orient the studs 10 fixed to the second part 9 substantially upwards. The angle A1 formed between the axis X0 of the studs in the absence of a shim and the axis X1 of the studs in the presence of the shim 20 can be greater than or equal to 3°, in particular greater than or equal to 4°, and / or less than or equal to 6°, in particular less than or equal to 5°. The dimensions of the first portion 23 of the shim make it possible to obtain the desired angle value.

[0054] At the end of this third step, an intermediate manufacturing product is obtained comprising the body 1, the hinge 3 and the wedge 20 placed in the hinge 3. This intermediate manufacturing product is intended to form a motor vehicle at the end of a complete assembly process.

[0055] Then, in a fourth step of the assembly method, the door 2 is positioned against the second part of the hinge 3. To do this, the door can be moved, in particular by means of a robotic arm, following a translational movement substantially parallel to the axis X1 in which the studs extend. This translational movement is illustrated by the arrow F in Figure 2. The door 2 is therefore inclined by an angle equal to A1 with respect to its closed position. The value of the angle A1 is chosen to be sufficiently large to avoid interference between an accessory fixed to the door 2 and the body when the door is brought closer. In particular, the angle A1 may be greater than or equal to 3°, in particular greater than or equal to 4°, so as to avoid any collision between a low point of the lock 7 and a lower edge 19 of the opening 4 of the body.The inclination of the door during the fourth step makes it possible to raise the low point of the lock 7 relative to the body, which makes it possible to avoid interference between the lock 7 and the body 4. During the fourth step, the studs 10 are in particular passed through the holes provided in the fixing interface 11. This positions the fixing interface 11 in abutment against the appendages 17. Thanks to the wedge, the appendages 17 are presented well parallel to the fixing interface 11.

[0056] As a note, the angle A1 defined above also corresponds to an angle formed between, on the one hand, an orientation of the door at the end of the fourth step, and on the other hand, an orientation of the door in a closed position, i.e., a position where the lock 7 fixed to the door cooperates with the strike plate. In other words, the shim 20 makes it possible to keep the door ajar at a given angle A1. This angle is greater than or equal to 3°, in particular greater than or equal to 4°, and / or less than or equal to 6°, in particular an angle less than or equal to 5°. This value of the angle A1 is sufficiently large to avoid interference between the lock 7 and the upper edge of the opening 4 of the body. This value is also sufficiently small to avoid generating excessive compressive forces on the shim 20. Indeed, if the angle A1 were greater, the torque exerted on the hinge by the weight of the door 2 would be much greater.The shim would then have to be able to withstand greater compressive forces. The shim would then have to be made of metal and would be more likely to damage hinge 3. In addition, if the angle A1 were greater, more space would have to be provided around the body because the door would extend further towards the rear.

[0057] Then, in a fifth step, the door 2 is fixed to the second part 9 of the hinge 3. To do this, for example, nuts can be tightened onto the studs 10. Since the fixing interface 11 of the door 2 extends parallel to the appendages 17 when the nuts are tightened, no slippage occurs between the fixing interface 11 and the appendages 17. Consequently, tightening the nuts does not modify the positioning of the door 2 relative to the body 1. The assembly method thus allows for high precision in positioning the door 2 relative to the body 1 and therefore an optimized aesthetic appearance. Figure 6 illustrates the positioning of the appendages 17 and the fixing interface 11 during an assembly method in which the shim 20 would not be used. It can be seen that an angle equal to angle A1 would then be formed between the appendages 17 and the fixing interface 11 when the nuts are tightened.The presence of this angle would cause relative sliding between these surfaces during tightening and ultimately a poor adjustment of the position of door 2 relative to body 1.

[0058] The assembly process can then be continued as follows: in a sixth step, at least one jack, in particular two jacks, is fixed between the body 1 and the door 2. The jacks are configured to allow the door 2 to be held independently in the open position. This step includes in particular the fixing of a first end of the at least one jack to the body and the fixing of a second end of the at least one jack to the door. Then, in a seventh step, the wedge 20 is removed, which can then be reused during the assembly process of another vehicle.

[0059] As a side note, the use of a brittle material such as plastic for the manufacture of the wedge 20 is advantageous, because if the wedge is forgotten to be removed and the door is attempted to be closed, the wedge 20 can break easily, without damaging the vehicle.

[0060] Finally, thanks to the invention, we benefit from a simple assembly method to implement. This method allows, on the one hand, the attachment of accessories such as a lock to the door prior to the assembly of the door on the body. On the other hand, this method makes it possible to obtain vehicles with an optimal finish. The invention is particularly advantageous for improving the method of assembling a trunk door to a vehicle body when the axis of rotation of the hinge is positioned close to the roof of the vehicle, for example for a city vehicle, an MPV or an SUV. Indeed, on these types of vehicle, the assembly of accessories to the trunk door is even more complex to carry out when the trunk door is already assembled to the body.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Method of assembling a door (2) onto a body (1) of a motor vehicle, the door being intended to be rotationally connected to the body by means of at least one hinge (3), the at least one hinge comprising a first part (8) and a second part (9) articulated rotationally around the first part, characterized in that the assembly method comprises: - a step of attaching at least one hinge to the case via its first part, then - a step of temporarily inserting a mounting wedge (20) into at least one hinge (3) to hold the second part of at least one hinge in a given orientation, then - a step of positioning the door against the second part of at least one hinge, then - a step of fixing the door to the second part of at least one hinge.

2. Assembly method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that an orientation of the door (2) at the end of said positioning step forms with an orientation of the door in a closed position an angle greater than or equal to 3°, in particular greater than or equal to 4°, and / or an angle less than or equal to 6°, in particular an angle less than or equal to 5°.

3. An assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (9) of at least one hinge (3) comprises at least one stud (10), the at least one stud extending parallel to a first axis (X1) after the insertion step of said mounting wedge (20), and in that said door positioning step comprises a movement in rectilinear translation of the door parallel to said first axis.

4. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, following the step of fixing the door (2) to the second part (9) of the at least one hinge (3): - a step of attaching at least one cylinder configured to hold the door in the open position, then - a step of removing said wedge (20).

5. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, prior to the step of positioning the door (2) relative to the second part (9) of at least one hinge (3), a step of fixing an accessory on the door, in particular the accessory being a lock (7), said accessory interfering with a part of the box if the door is moved along a rectilinear translational displacement parallel to a closed position of the door.

6. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door (2) is intended to be rotationally linked to the body (1) around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (14), the wedge (20) being compressed between the first part (8) of the hinge (3) and the second part (9) of the hinge under the effect of the force of gravity exerted on the door at the end of the step of fixing the door to the second part of at least one hinge.

7. Hinge (3) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a first part (8) intended to be fixed to a body (1) of the vehicle and a second part (9) intended to be fixed to a door (2) of the vehicle, the second part being rotationally articulated about the first part, the hinge comprising a wedge (20), in particular made of plastic, bearing against the first part and against the second part of the hinge to maintain the second part in a given orientation relative to the first part. Hinge according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first part (8) comprises a base (12) intended to be fixed to the body (1) and two uprights (13) extending parallel to each other on either side of the base, the two uprights being connected by a rotation axis (14) about which the second part (9) of the hinge is articulated, the wedge (20) extending between the two uprights.A hinge according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the wedge comprises a first portion (23) designed to withstand compressive forces exerted by the hinge (3) when the second portion (9) of the hinge tends to pivot towards a closed position of the door, and a second portion (24) whose function is to hold the wedge in position within the hinge. An intermediate manufacturing product intended to form a motor vehicle, comprising a body (1) or a body component of the vehicle and a hinge (3) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the first portion (8) of the hinge being fixed to the body or said body component.

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