AUTOMATED MOUNTING OF HINGES ON A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR

Abstract

AUTOMATED MOUNTING OF HINGES ON A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR Jig (9) for mounting a lower hinge (7B) and an upper hinge (7A) on a vehicle door (5), comprising: at least one support (27) with a receiving area for the lower hinge (7B) and a receiving area for the upper hinge (7A) of the door (5); means (33, 35) for positioning the jig (9) relative to the door (5); the jig (9) further comprising: a frame (11) on which the at least one support (27) is pivotally mounted; and means for adjusting the angular position of the at least one support (27) relative to the frame (11), so as to allow fine adjustment of the positioning of at least one of the lower (7B) and upper (7A) hinges of the door (5) according to manufacturing tolerances of said door (5). (Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 6)

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMATED MOUNTING OF HINGES ON A VEHICLE DOOR CAR Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of manufacturing motor vehicles, and, more particularly, to the mounting of door hinges on a motor vehicle. Prior art

[0002] Mounting hinges on a vehicle door generally requires the use of a template. This allows the exact positioning of each hinge on the corresponding door to be determined, depending in particular on the vehicle model, or, more generally, on the geometry of the door. Since this positioning is carried out manually, it takes time and requires great precision during its implementation. Indeed, a lack of precision can impact the perceived quality of the vehicle and the closing of the door.

[0003] The published patent document FR 2 934 190 A1 discloses a jig intended for the assembly of motor vehicle door hinges, in particular an upper hinge and a lower door hinge. This jig comprises an elongated support, with positioning means for holding the jig on the corresponding vehicle door. The jig further comprises operating handles for facilitating the positioning of the jig, and means for geometrically referencing each hinge in X, Y and / or Z. This jig can therefore be adapted as required, but, being manual, it requires long and complex installation steps in order to determine the correct positioning of the hinges.

[0004] Also, depending on different parameters linked to the manufacture of the bodywork elements, and in particular the door, the position of the hinges may change slightly. However, known templates do not allow such diversity to be taken into account. Presentation of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to facilitate the adjustment of hinges on a motor vehicle door.

[0006] The invention relates to a template for mounting a lower hinge and an upper hinge on at least one motor vehicle door, comprising: at least one support with a zone for receiving the lower hinge and a zone for receiving the upper hinge of the at least one door; means for positioning the template relative to the at least one door; remarkable in that the template further comprises: a frame on which the at least one support is pivotally mounted; and means for adjusting the angular position of the at least one support relative to the frame, so as to allow fine adjustment of the positioning of at least one of the lower and upper hinges of the at least one door according to manufacturing tolerances of said door.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the angular position adjustment means are indexing means according to predetermined angular positions.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the angular position adjustment means comprise notches on the at least one support and movable fingers on the frame, each capable of engaging with one of said notches.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pivoting mounting of the at least one support on the frame and the angular position adjustment means are configured to allow angular movement of the at least one support over an angular range greater than 0° and / or less than 3°.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pivoting mounting of the at least one support on the frame is along a pivot axis passing through the receiving zone of the lower hinge of said support.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for positioning the template relative to the at least one door comprise guide fingers on the at least one support and on the frame so as to allow positioning of the at least one door in particular by means of at least one robotic arm.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one support extends in a main plane with a front face comprising the receiving zones of the corresponding lower hinge and upper hinge and a rear face, and the frame extends along said rear face(s) and comprises an opening opposite each of said zones.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one support comprises at each of the receiving zones of the corresponding lower hinge and upper hinge a sliding pin with a front end configured to engage in rotation with a screw of the corresponding hinge and a rear end passing through the corresponding opening of the frame and configured to engage in rotation with a tightening tool.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame further comprises a horizontal rail and a carriage mounted to slide along said rail, the pivoting mounting of the at least one support on the frame being on the carriage, said at least one support comprising a first support and a second support extending vertically on either side of said rail.

[0015] The invention also relates to a method for mounting a lower hinge and an upper hinge on at least one motor vehicle door, comprising the following steps: (a) placing the lower hinge and the upper hinge of the at least one door on a mounting jig; (b) positioning the at least one door relative to the mounting jig; (c) tightening screws for fixing the lower hinge and the upper hinge of the at least one door; remarkable in that the mounting jig is according to the invention and that in step (b), the mounting jig is stationary and the at least one door is moved by at least one robotic arm.

[0016] The measures of the invention are interesting in that they make it possible to facilitate the assembly and orientation of the hinges to be positioned on a motor vehicle door. The positioning and then the assembly of the hinges are carried out automatically, thanks to the template. The automatic movement of a part of the template, once the hinges have been put in place, is carried out thanks to a horizontal rail. The angular adjustment means will allow precise adjustment of the angle with which the hinges are mounted on the door, this angle being between 0° and 3°. The door is positioned on the template thanks to several positioning means, positioned both on the supports and on the frame. The tightening is then carried out automatically or manually thanks to a tightening tool positioned against the rear face of the template support.Finally, the invention saves time when fitting hinges to vehicle doors, thus reducing vehicle production costs.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description and the drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] [fig. 1] is a side view of a motor vehicle door;

[0019] [fig.2] is a diagram reproducing a front view of a template according to the invention;

[0020] [fig.3] is a diagram reproducing a view from the rear of the template of figure 2;

[0021] [fig.4] is a diagram showing the rear face of a receiving area of ​​the lower hinge of a jig holder, showing a sliding pin;

[0022] [fig.5] is a diagram reproducing an enlargement of the adjustment means of angular position of the support relative to the template frame;

[0023] [fig.6] is a diagram reproducing a vehicle door mounted on one of the supports of the template of figures 2 or 3. Detailed description

[0024] Figure 1 shows a side view of a motor vehicle door.

[0025] A vehicle 1 generally comprises a body 3, in which vehicle doors 5 1 are mounted. Each door 5 comprises hinges (7A, 7B) positioned on a front face 5A of the lining of the door 5, and attaching the door 5 to a pillar 3A of the vehicle 1 (a front pillar in the case of a front door and a middle pillar in the case of a rear door). More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a front door 5 mounted on a front pillar 3A by an upper hinge 7A and by a lower hinge 7B.

[0026] Generally, a hinge (7A, 7B) comprises a first knuckle (7A. 1, 7B.1) and a second knuckle (7A.2, 7B.2) fixed, respectively, to the front upright 3A and to the front face 5A of the door lining 5. The two knuckles (7A.1, 7B.1; 7A.2, 7B.2) are joined at a pivot axis (7A.3, 7B.3), which will allow the pivoting of the second knuckle (7A.2, 7B.2) relative to the first (7A.1, 7B.1), and, thus, the pivoting of the door 5. Each knuckle (7A.1, 7B.1; 7A.2, 7B.2) of the hinges (7A, 7B) is attached to the front upright 3A or to the door 5 by one or more fasteners (7A.4, 7B.4), such as screws.

[0027] Figures 2 and 3 show two views, from the front (figure 2) and from the rear (figure 3), of a jig according to the invention used for mounting hinges on a vehicle door.

[0028] The jig 9 according to the invention comprises a frame 11, said frame 11 comprising at least one horizontal rail 13 attached to several posts 15 (and only one of which is shown), and a carriage 16 mounted to slide on the rail 13. In this case, the carriage 16 comprises two lateral plates (17, 17') on either side of the rail 13, each plate (17, 17') comprising a vertical longitudinal portion (21, 21'). The two plates (17, 17') of the carriage 16 are, in addition, attached together by a central connecting portion 19 of the carriage 16. The posts 15 and the rail 13 form a fixed part of the frame 11, relative to the carriage 16 which is movable.

[0029] At the rear of each side plate (17, 17') and on the fixed part of the frame 11 is an end (23, 23') comprising displacement devices (25, 25'). These displacement devices (25, 25') are four in number in these figures, and they are either positioned on the upper end 23 located at the rear of the longitudinal portion 21 of the plate 17, or on the lower end 23' located at the rear of the longitudinal portion 21' of the plate 17'. Thus, the side plates (17, 17') are configured in an inverted manner, depending on whether they support a front door (when the displacement devices 25 are positioned on the upper end 23), or a rear door (when the displacement devices 25' are positioned on the lower end 23').

[0030] The template 9 further comprises at least one support (27, 27'), and, more preferably, a first support 27 and a second support 27', each of the supports (27, 27') being positioned respectively against each side plate (17, 17'). The supports (27, 27') are therefore movable relative to the fixed part of the frame 11. Each support (27, 27') is pivotally mounted on one of the corresponding side plates (17, 17') of the frame 11, and comprises a vertical longitudinal portion (29, 29') extending parallel to the vertical longitudinal portion (21, 21') of the corresponding side plate (17, 17').

[0031] More particularly in Figure 2, the supports (27, 27') extend in a main plane and have a front face (31, 31'). The front faces (31, 31') each comprise a receiving zone (31A, 31'A) for an upper hinge 7A, and a receiving zone (31B, 31'B) for a lower hinge 7B. The front face (31, 31') of each support (27, 27') further comprises positioning means (33, 33') for the template 9 relative to the door (visible in Figures 1 and 6). These positioning means (33, 33') form guide fingers which allow the door to be held during the assembly of the hinges (7A, 7B). Positioning means (35, 35') are also positioned on the frame 11 and have the same function as previously described for the positioning means (33, 33'). These means (35, 35') can also form guide fingers.

[0032] More particularly in Figure 3, a rear face (37, 37') of the support (27, 27') is partially visible, the frame 11, and more particularly, the side plates (17, 17') of the frame 11 extend along the rear faces (37, 37'). The side plates (17, 17') of the frame 11 comprise openings (39, 39'), each opening (39, 39') being positioned opposite the receiving zones (visible in Figure 2) of the corresponding support (27, 27'). The rear face (37, 37') of each support (27, 27') is in contact with a clamping tool 41 (also visible in Figure 2), which allows the hinges (7A, 7B) (visible in Figure 2) to be fixed. The connection between the support (27, 27') and the clamping tool 41 will be detailed in figure 4.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a sliding pin providing the connection between one of the supports and the corresponding clamping tool (not shown in this figure). In this figure, this is the end of the support opposite the end in contact with the displacement devices.

[0034] The connection between one of the supports (27, 27') and the clamping tool is achieved by means of the sliding pin (43, 43'). The pin (43, 43') extends from the rear face (37, 37') of the support (27, 27'), and, more particularly, from the rear of the receiving area (31B; 31'B) of the lower hinges (said hinges not being visible in this figure). A pin also extends from the rear of the receiving area of ​​the upper hinges in order to achieve the connection with one of the clamping tools, but this case is not shown in these figures. The pins have in all cases the characteristics described below. The sliding pin (43, 43') comprises a front end (43A, 43'A) which engages in rotation with one of the screws of the corresponding hinge (not visible in this figure), the front end (43A, 43'A) of the pin (43, 43') being inserted into a spring (43B, 43'B) for returning the pin (43, 43'). The pin (43, 43') further comprises a rear end (43C, 43'C) which passes through the opening (39, 39') of the side plates (17, 17') of the frame 11; it is at the level of this rear end (43C, 43'C) that the corresponding clamping tool will engage in rotation.

[0035] Figure 5 shows an enlargement of the template adjustment means of Figures 2 and 3. This figure is shown with the displacement devices above the support, but can be applied to both the first support and the second support.

[0036] The angular position adjustment means (25A, 25'A, 45A, 45'A) of the template 9 are positioned on an upper end 45 or lower end 45' of the corresponding support (27, 27') and on the displacement devices (25, 25') corresponding to the support (27, 27'). These adjustment means (25A, 25'A, 45A, 45'A) serve to control the angular positioning of the support (27, 27') relative to the frame 11, leading to an adjustment of the positioning of the upper and lower hinges (not visible in this figure) of the door according to the manufacturing tolerances of said door. Thus, these adjustment means (25A, 25'A, 45A, 45'A) are indexing means which allow an adjustment according to predetermined angular positions.The adjustment means (25A, 25'A, 45A, 45'A) comprise notches (45A, 45'A), positioned on the upper end 45 or lower end 45' of the corresponding support (27, 27'), and movable fingers (25A, 25'A), each movable finger (25A, 25'A) being positioned on one of the corresponding displacement devices (25, 25') of the frame 11. The notches (45A, 45'A) and the movable fingers (25A, 25'A) are therefore, in this case, four in number each. The movable fingers (25A, 25'A) are able to engage in the corresponding notch (45A, 45'A) of the support (27, 27'), thus causing, according to the displacement device (25, 25') which lowers the movable finger (25A, 25'A) into the corresponding notch (45A, 45'A), a pivoting of the support (27, 27') relative to the frame 11. The angular movement of the support (27, 27') obtained is within an angular range greater than 0° and less than 3°.The pivoting of the support (27, 27') is carried out along a pivot axis, which passes through the receiving area of ​​the lower hinge of the door (visible in figures 2 and 3).

[0037] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a door mounted on the template according to the invention. In this case, it is a right front door, mounted on the first support of the template. The second support allows the mounting of a rear door, and will not be shown in these figures. In this second case, the rear door is mounted on the support upside down, that is to say with the window opening facing the bottom of the template.

[0038] In this figure, the door 5 is brought onto the template 9 by means of a robotic arm 47, so that the front face (visible in figure 1) of the lining of the door 5 is positioned against the front face 31 of the support 27 of the template 9. The positioning means (33, 35) of the support 27 and of the frame 11 allow the adequate positioning of the door 5 against the template 9, and, more particularly, against the support 27 supported by the side plate 17. Thus, the upper 7A and lower 7B hinges are quickly positioned against the door 5, allowing a saving of time during the assembly of the vehicle.

[0039] The invention also relates to a method of mounting the upper and lower hinges on a vehicle door. This method is described in correlation with the previously described figures 1 to 6. The mounting method comprises the following steps.

[0040] a) Positioning the lower hinge 7B and the upper hinge 7A of the door 5 on the mounting template 9. On the support 27, the upper hinge 7A is mounted on the receiving zone 31A of said hinge 7A, located, when the support 27 is mounted on the template 9, at the top of the vertical longitudinal portion 29. The lower hinge 7B is positioned on the receiving zone 31B of said hinge 7B, located below the first receiving zone 31A. On the support 27', the upper hinge 7A is mounted on the receiving zone 31'A of said hinge 7A, located, when the support 27' is mounted on the template 9, at the bottom of the vertical longitudinal portion 29'. The lower hinge 7B is then positioned on the receiving zone 31'B of said hinge 7B, located above the first receiving zone 31'A once the support 27' is mounted on the template 9.

[0041] b) Positioning of the at least one door 5 relative to the assembly template 9.

[0042] -When door 5 is a front door 5, door 5 is mounted on support 27 of which the upper end 45 comes into contact with the moving devices 25. The door 5 is positioned against the support 27 in its direction of mounting on the motor vehicle.

[0043] -When the door 5 is a rear door 5, the door 5 is mounted on the support 27', a lower end 45' of which comes into contact with the displacement devices 25'. The door 5 is positioned in a direction opposite to the direction of mounting of the door 5 on the motor vehicle. The mounting of the rear door 5 on the template 9 is not, however, shown in these figures.

[0044] The movable carriage 16 of the template 9, comprising the first and second supports (27, 27'), the side plates (17, 17') and the central portion 19 comes into contact with the fixed part (13, 15, 25, 25') of the frame 11. The carriage 16 is held against the fixed part (13, 15, 25, 25') of the template 9. Thus, the template 9 is stationary during the assembly of the door(s) 5 on the support(s) (27, 27'). The positioning of the door 5 on the template 9 is facilitated by the presence of the positioning means (33, 33', 35, 35'), located both on the frame 11 and on the corresponding support (27, 27'). These positioning means (33, 33', 35, 35') will facilitate the proper orientation of the door 5 during its installation by the robotic arm 47.

[0045] c) Tightening of the fixing screw(s) (7A.4, 7B.4) of the lower 7B and upper 7A hinges of the door 5. This tightening is carried out by one or more tightening tools 41, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Each tightening tool 41 comes into contact with the sliding pin(s) (43, 43') of the corresponding support (27, 27'). A screw (7A.4, 7B.4) is positioned at the front end (43A, 43'A) of the corresponding pin (43, 43'), the pin (43, 43') then being tightened by the corresponding tool 41, leading to the mounting of the hinge(s) (7A, 7B) on the front face 5A of the door 5.

Claims

Claims

1. Jig (9) for mounting a lower hinge (7B) and an upper hinge (7A) on at least one door (5) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - at least one support (27, 27') with a receiving area (31B, 31'B) for the lower hinge (7B) and a receiving area (31A, 31'A) for the upper hinge (7A) of the at least one door (5); - positioning means (33, 33', 35, 35') for the jig (9) relative to the at least one door (5); characterized in that the jig (9) further comprises: - a frame (11) on which the at least one support (27, 27') is pivotally mounted; and - means for adjusting the angular position (25A, 25'A, 45A, 45'A) of the at least one support (27, 27') relative to the frame (11), so as to allow fine adjustment of the positioning of at least one of the lower (7B) and upper (7A) hinges of the at least one door (5) according to manufacturing tolerances of said door (5).

2. Template (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that the angular position adjustment means (25A, 25'A, 45A, 45'A) are indexing means according to predetermined angular positions.

3. Template (9) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the angular position adjustment means (25A, 25'A, 45A, 45'A) comprise notches (45A, 45'A) on the at least one support (27, 27') and movable fingers (25A, 25'A) on the frame (11), each capable of engaging with one of said notches (45A, 45'A).

4. Jig (9) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pivoting mounting of the at least one support (27, 27') on the frame (11) and the angular position adjustment means (25A, 25'A, 45A, 45'A) are configured to allow angular movement of the at least one support (27, 27') over an angular range greater than 0° and / or less than 3°.

5. Template (9) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pivoting mounting of the at least one support (27, 27') on the frame (11) is along a pivoting axis passing through the receiving zone (31B, 31'B) of the lower hinge (7B) of said support (27, 27').

6. Template (9) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positioning means (33, 33', 35, 35') of the template (9) relative to the at least one door (5) comprise guide fingers (33, 33', 35, 35') on the at least one support (27, 27') and on the frame (11) so as to allow positioning of the at least one door (5) in particular by means of at least one robotic arm (47).

7. Template (9) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one support (27, 27') extends in a main plane with a front face (31, 31') comprising the receiving zones (31 A, 31'A; 31B; 31'B) of the corresponding lower hinge (7B) and upper hinge (7A) and a rear face (37, 37'), and the frame (11) extends along said rear face(s) (37, 37') and comprises an opening (39, 39') opposite each of said zones (31 A, 31'A; 31B; 31'B).

8. Jig (9) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one support (27, 27') comprises at each of the receiving zones (31A, 31'A; 31B; 31'B) of the corresponding lower hinge (7B) and upper hinge (7A) a sliding pin (43, 43') with a front end (43A, 43'A) configured to engage in rotation with a screw (7A.4, 7B.4) of the corresponding hinge (7A, 7B) and a rear end (43C, 43'C) passing through the corresponding opening (39, 39') of the frame (11) and configured to engage in rotation with a clamping tool (41).

9. Jig (9) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the frame (11) further comprises a horizontal rail (13) and a carriage (16) mounted to slide along said rail (13), the pivoting mounting of the at least one support (27, 27') on the frame (11) being on the carriage (16), said at least one support (27, 27') comprising a first support (27) and a second support (27') extending vertically on either side of said rail (13).

10. Method for mounting a lower hinge (7B) and an upper hinge (7A) on at least one door (5) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising the following steps: (a) placing the lower hinge (7B) and the upper hinge (7A) of the at least one door (5) on a mounting jig (9); (b) positioning the at least one door (5) relative to the mounting jig (9); (c) tightening fixing screws (7A.4, 7B.4) of the lower hinge (7B) and the upper hinge (7A) of the at least one door (5); characterized in that the mounting jig (9) is according to one of the claims dications 1 to 9 and that in step (b), the assembly jig (9) is stationary and the at least one door (5) is moved by at least one robotic arm (47).

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