Tool for handling and positioning a vehicle opening

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool (1) for handling and positioning a vehicle opening, characterized in that it comprises a fixing arm (3) carrying a fixing interface (5) to said opening at one of its ends and an articulation (7) at its other end; the tool (1) further comprising a lever (21) pivotally mounted around said articulation (7) so as to show two free ends defining a first and a second end, and in that the first end of the lever (21) carries a retaining means (25) capable of cooperating with a panel of said vehicle. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least two of these tools (1) and a method for manufacturing a vehicle using at least one such tool. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Tool for handling and positioning a vehicle opening

[0001] The invention lies in the field of tools for handling and / or positioning openings of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, said tools being intended to be used in a method of producing such a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method of producing a vehicle using such tools and / or to the use of such tools in a method of producing a vehicle. Finally, the invention relates to an assembly comprising at least two tools for handling and / or positioning openings of a vehicle.

[0002] During the production of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, the elements forming the body of the vehicle are assembled and the assembly is subjected to a cataphoresis operation consisting of immersion in one or more baths allowing it to be coated by cationic electrodeposition with a paint forming an anti-corrosion coating. This step is followed by a stoving step during which the assembly is heated to be dried.

[0003] The openings and any other elements are then mounted on the body of the vehicle and the assembly is subjected to a painting operation comprising, in particular, at least one lacquer (or base) removal operation which will give the color of the vehicle and at least one varnish removal operation which will give the final appearance of the vehicle.

[0004] During assembly and painting operations, the vehicle openings, such as for example the rear swing doors of a utility vehicle or SUV (sport utility vehicle), must be able to remain half-open to ensure accessibility to the interior of the body and to the inner face of said doors. They must also be easily manipulated by both operators and robots for the purpose of opening and / or closing them.

[0005] To do this, it is known to arrange on said openings a temporary mechanism intended to maintain a certain half-open position. Thus, document CN207709268U describes a hand tool for holding the doors in a given position for the paint lines. The tool is positioned on the inner face of the opening and on one of the lateral edges of the frame of the opening in order to maintain a gap between them. It comprises a clamp which clamps the frame of the opening and a magnet which is placed on the inner face of the opening. The clamp is tightened by means of a screw. This solution is interesting but is not entirely satisfactory, in particular because it is difficult to implement in the frame of a pair of rear swing doors due to the lack of a door frame side pillar on which to position oneself. In addition, for the rear swing doors of a vehicle, it is important that they do not touch each other and / or respect a certain closing kinematics in the event of accidental closing in order to avoid unwanted contact and interference. Another disadvantage shown by this tool is that it does not allow easy manipulation of the door from outside the vehicle.

[0006] The invention aims to address at least one of the drawbacks and / or problems encountered in the prior art. Thus, the invention proposes a simple and robust tool forming a temporary mechanism for transporting, handling and positioning openings during various assembly and paint removal operations such as removing lacquers and / or varnishes. In particular, the invention proposes a tool and / or a set of tools that can be used for transporting, handling and positioning swing doors.

[0007] To this end and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a tool for handling and positioning a vehicle opening panel, remarkable in that it comprises a fixing arm carrying an interface for fixing to said opening panel at one of its ends and an articulation at its other end; the tool further comprising a lever mounted pivoting around said articulation so as to show two free ends defining a first and a second end, and in that the first end of the lever carries a retaining means capable of cooperating with a panel of said vehicle.

[0008] As will be understood from reading the definition which has just been given, the invention is remarkable in that the tool comprises a retaining means arranged at one end of an articulated lever. The retaining means acts as a lock, its manipulation to lock or unlock the half-open position of the opening is therefore offset to the second end of the lever which remains free. This second end is intended to be accessible from outside the vehicle.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing arm comprises at least one spacer rod. This arrangement acts as a spacer and makes it possible to avoid the risk of the doors closing accidentally. When the retaining means is a raised edge or a hook, the spacer rod cooperates with the retaining means to immobilize the opening in a given position relative to the body of the vehicle.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing arm shows at least one bend. The tool being intended to be fixed on the inner face of the opening, this configuration makes it possible to offset the articulation carried by the fixing arm so as to make it pass to the other side of the opening and therefore to avoid hitting the opening with the lever during its manipulation. The articulation of the tool is visible from outside the vehicle.

[0011] Advantageously, the second end of the lever carries a counterweight and / or a handle. Preferably, the handle is in the form of a ring. The handle is designed to be operable by both an operator and a robot. Its size gives it a certain mass which acts as a counterweight to bring and maintain the tool in the closed position. An additional counterweight can be added if necessary. The invention is also remarkable in that it offers the operator a handle and a (partial) closing system for the opening which is accessible from outside the vehicle. Indeed, before the painting operations, the opening shows neither handle nor locking system, these being mounted subsequently. The invention therefore proposes a temporary handle allowing the opening to be manipulated without the operator having to touch it (once the tool is fixed).

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining means comprises a magnet and / or a latch. For example, the retaining means comprises a latch in the form of a raised edge or a hook. Optionally, the lever comprises a groove at the base of the latch, the groove being sized to be able to receive the edge of a vehicle panel.

[0013] Preferably, the articulation forms a pivot connection and the tool comprises a rotation limiter configured to limit the rotational movement of the lever around the pivot connection in at least one direction. Advantageously, the rotation limiter is configured to limit the movement of the second end downwards and of the first end upwards. The rotation limiter makes it possible to avoid contact between the lever and the opening when the lever is manipulated and therefore limits the risks of damage to the opening by impact.

[0014] Preferably, the fixing interface comprises a plate with at least one orifice for the passage of a fixing means and / or the fixing interface carries at least one indexing pin. The tool is preferably fixed to the opening so as to prevent it from rotating relative to the opening. This can be achieved, for example, by the use of two fixing means (or points) or by the use of one fixing means (or point) and one indexing pin.

[0015] Ideally, the fixing arm comprises at least one support element and / or a manipulator. The presence of a support element makes it possible to distribute the forces involved in manipulating the opening using the tool to the wall of the opening and therefore to avoid damaging the wall of the opening. The presence of a manipulator allows the operator to handle the tool in good safety conditions, particularly when fixing it to and / or removing it from the opening.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a set of tools remarkable in that it comprises at least two tools according to the first aspect, and in that at least two tools differ from each other at least in the length of their lever and / or their spreader rod.

[0017] Preferably, at least two tools differ from each other by the cumulative mass of the handle and any counterweights carried by the second end.

[0018] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle comprising a body and at least one opening element, the method comprising a step of immersing the body of the vehicle in at least one cataphoresis bath followed by a step of depositing at least one layer of lacquer and / or varnish; the method is remarkable in that it comprises, after the step of immersing the body of the vehicle in at least one cataphoresis bath and before the step of depositing at least one layer of lacquer and / or varnish, a step of fixing a tool according to the first aspect or a set of tools according to the second aspect on at least one opening element of the vehicle.

[0019] Preferably, the fixing is done by screwing and / or at least one opening is a rear door and at least one tool is fixed on a rear door of the vehicle.

[0020] Preferably, the opening(s) comprise an outer face and an inner face and the tool(s) are fixed to the inner face of the opening(s).

[0021] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will appear clearly on reading the following description given with reference to the attached drawing plates in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tool according to the invention

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a tool according to the invention from another point of view.

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a vehicle on which two tools according to the invention have been mounted. In this figure the openings are in the open position.

[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view similar to that of [Fig.3] but in which the openings are held in the half-open position. The retaining means are locked onto a structural panel of the vehicle.

[0026] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view of a detail of [Fig.3] illustrating the method of fixing the tool on the opening.

[0027] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view of a detail of [Fig.4] illustrating the spacing remaining between the two doors resulting from the use of a set of two tools showing spacer rods of different lengths.

[0028] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6] according to another point of view.

[0029] In the following description, the term “understand” is synonymous with “include” and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements or means in the tool, tool set or vehicle to which it relates, or other steps in the manufacturing process in question. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of". Similarly, the terms "inside", "outside", "front", "rear" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel, or of the tool when mounted on the vehicle as the case may be. In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0030] The tool for handling and positioning a vehicle opening according to the invention and the assembly comprising at least two tools of this type will be described jointly with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Their operation and their use in a method of manufacturing a vehicle will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7. The invention is illustrated in relation to the use of the tool on two rear swing doors of a vehicle, but can be used on vehicles showing a single rear door and / or in relation to side doors.

[0031] The tool 1 comprises a fixing arm 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing arm is intended to extend substantially vertically when it is fixed in position on an opening of the vehicle. Nevertheless, a person skilled in the art will be able to adapt the tool to give, if necessary, another orientation to the fixing arm.

[0032] The fixing arm 3 of the tool shows at one of its ends, here at the upper end, a fixing interface 5 to said opening and an articulation 7 at its other end, here at the lower end.

[0033] The fixing interface 5 is advantageously in the form of a plate with at least one orifice 9 for the passage of a reversible fixing means (not shown), for example a screw or a bolt. It will be noted that the tool is mounted integral with the opening and not with the frame of the opening. This configuration is advantageous in that it makes it possible to give the tool a role of temporary handle of the opening as we will see in detail later. The tool 1 can be fixed to the opening by one or more fixing means. Preferably, it is fixed by a single fixing means and the plate therefore has a single orifice 9. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, the vehicle comprises a body 47 and at least two openings (43, 45) for example two rear hinged doors. The mounting by fixing the tool 1 on the opening is done on the inner face 33 of the opening or openings (43, 45).The inner face 33 being placed opposite the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the opening is closed. Ideally, the tool is fixed in the lower part of the opening, so that the lever of the tool 1 passes under the opening (43, 45).

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing interface 5 carries at least one indexing pin 11 for positioning the tool on the opening. For example, at least one indexing pin 11 is carried by the plate. When the tool 1 is fixed to the opening by a single fixing means, the indexing pin(s) 11 also have an anti-rotation device function. Preferably, the fixing interface 5 carries a single indexing pin 11.

[0035] Advantageously, the fixing arm 3 further comprises at least one support element 13 visible in Figures 1 and 2. The support element(s) 13 are intended to be placed in support on the opening, as illustrated in [Fig. 5]. A support element 13 may be the same as or different from the fixing interface 5 and in particular from its plate. When at least one support element 13 is the same as the fixing interface 5, the latter is therefore placed in contact with the opening. When at least one support element 13 is different from the fixing interface 5, it may be carried by said fixing interface 5 so as to be arranged at least partly interposed between said fixing interface 5 and the opening, for example between the plate and the opening. This configuration is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. It may also be offset relative to the fixing interface 5 as illustrated in [Fig. 1].The person skilled in the art will adapt the positioning of the support element(s) 13 to the face of the opening on which the tool 1 is mounted. He will also easily adapt its size and therefore the support surface according to the forces involved during the handling of the opening. Whatever the configuration chosen, the person skilled in the art will benefit from the fixing arm 3 not being in the direct vertical extension of the support zone formed by the support element 13 (or the fixing interface when it is merged with the support element) but being arranged away from the wall of the opening. This configuration makes it possible to apply the lacquers and varnishes to the largest possible surface of the opening since the contact between the tool and the opening is minimized as much as possible.

[0036] Ideally, the fixing arm 3 further comprises a manipulator 15 that can be grasped by the operator to move or hold the tool 1. This manipulator 15 is for example in the form of a handle arranged at the fixing interface 5 and allows the operator to hold the tool in place when it is fixed to the opening. It will be noted that the manipulator 15 is advantageously oriented so as not to interfere with the operations of fixing the tool to the opening. In the absence of a manipulator 15, the person skilled in the art will be able to grasp and hold the tool 1 in place by its fixing arm 3. Nevertheless, the use of a manipulator 15 is recommended for safety reasons and in particular to avoid the risk of the operator's fingers being trapped between the fixing arm 3 and the opening.

[0037] The minimum authorized spacing between the opening and the frame in which it is mounted is advantageously ensured by means of at least one spacing rod 17; preferably a single spacing rod 17. The spacing rod(s) 17 preferably extend from the fixing arm in a direction opposite to the direction of the fixing means and / or indexing pins. The spacing rod(s) 17 will be placed in abutment against a panel of the vehicle, for example against the rear panel 49 as illustrated in [Fig.7], and will act as a spacer thus preventing the complete closing of the opening (43, 45).

[0038] It is preferable that the fixing arm 3 is not rectilinear but shows at least one bend 19; for example (as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2), two successive bends 19 at opposite angles. Thus, the two ends of the fixing arm 3 are not aligned along the vertical.

[0039] For example, it would be advantageous for the articulation 7 carried by the lower end of the fixing arm to have gone around the bottom of the opening in order to avoid any contact between a lever 21 which it carries and the opening.

[0040] Indeed, according to the invention, the tool 1 further comprises a lever 21 pivotally mounted around said articulation 7 carried by one of the ends of the fixing arm. The articulation 7 forms the fulcrum of the lever 21 so that the latter shows two free ends defining a first and a second end. The articulation 7 is therefore a pivot connection around which the lever 21 will tilt. This pivot connection is a connection with one degree of freedom. The rotation around the pivot axis is advantageously constrained in one direction in order to avoid any contact between one of the arms of the lever 21 and the opening. Thus, advantageously, the articulation 7 is associated with a rotation limiter 23 configured to limit the rotational movement of the lever 21 around the pivot connection in at least one direction. The rotation limiter 23 also acts as a stop confirming the correct positioning of the tool.

[0041] The lever 21 therefore has two parts (37, 39) extending on either side of the articulation 7. The lever is thus able to be tilted between an open position of the tool 1 and a closed position of the tool 1. Indeed, according to the invention, the lever 21 comprises a first part 37 with a first end and a second part 39 with a second end. The first and second ends are said to be free in that they are not engaged in the articulation 7. The two parts (37, 39) form arms which can extend in directions parallel to each other or in different directions. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the two parts of the lever extend in different directions and therefore form an elbow at the articulation 7. The two parts are advantageously further connected by a reinforcement 4L

[0042] The first end carries a retaining means 25 intended for locking the tool in the closed position. The closed position is the position of the tool 1 in which the opening on which it is fixed is held in the half-open position relative to its frame. According to one implementation of the invention, the retaining means comprises a lock disposed at the end of the first part 37 of the lever 21, said lock being in the form of a raised edge or a hook. Advantageously, the raised edge or the hook are intended to engage behind the edge of a vehicle panel by a rotational movement around the articulation so as to prevent the opening of the opening. With reference to [Fig.7], it is understood that the half-open position of the opening (43, 45) is then fixed by the cooperation of the spacer rod 17 which is placed in abutment on a vehicle panel 49 preventing the closing of the opening and the lock 25 associated with the lever which prevents its opening. The invention is remarkable in that the locking of the position of the opening is done once the opening is put in position by a movement different from that associated with the opening and closing of the opening. According to complementary or alternative embodiments, the retaining means may comprise a magnet.

[0043] Advantageously, the lever 21 has a groove 27 at the base of the lock 25, the groove 27 being sized to be able to receive the lower edge 51 of a panel of the vehicle.

[0044] It will be understood that the second part 39 of the lever 21 is used to actuate the retaining means 25. For this purpose, the second end will advantageously carry a gripping means such as a handle 29. The handle is designed to be able to be easily manipulated by an operator and / or by a robot. For example, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the handle 29 is in the form of a ring.

[0045] It will be advantageous for a person skilled in the art for the handle 29 to have a certain dimension because it also acts as a counterweight to keep the lock in the closed position. However, if for reasons of space, the handle must remain a certain size, it is possible to add one or more counterweights 31 at the second end of the lever 21. Such a configuration is illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0046] The tools 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are preferably part of a set comprising at least two tools 1. Figures 3 to 7 illustrate the use of such a set of two tools on the rear swing doors (43, 45) mounted on the body 47 of a vehicle. [Fig. 6] and 7 illustrate the advantage that at least two tools 1 of the set differ from each other at least by the length of their lever 21 and / or their spacer rod 17. Indeed, a difference in length of spacer rod 17 between two tools makes it possible to create a difference in degrees of half-opening between the two doors (43, 45) which are then kept apart from each other by a distance e, as visible in [Fig. 6]. The difference in lever length 21 makes it possible to adapt to the underfloor configuration of the vehicle as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0047] It will therefore be advantageous to be able to easily distinguish the different tools in the set from each other. To do this, each tool will preferably carry an identification plate 35. Such a plate makes it possible, for example, to identify easily the tool intended to be fixed on the right rear door 43 and the one intended to be fixed on the left rear door 45.

Claims

Claims

1. Tool (1) for handling and positioning a vehicle opening panel, characterized in that it comprises a fixing arm (3) having at least one elbow (19); a joint (7) positioned so that, when the tool is fixed on the inner face of an opening panel, said joint goes around a lower edge of said opening panel to be accessible from outside the vehicle; a pivotally mounted lever (21), the first end of which carries a retaining means (25) and in which the second end of the lever (21) carries a handle (29) forming a counterweight, capable of being grasped from outside the vehicle to maneuver the lever and the weight of which maintains the retaining means (25) in a position of cooperation with a panel of the vehicle

2. Tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing arm (3) comprises at least one spacer rod (17).

3. Tool (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle (29) is in the form of a ring.

4. Tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the retaining means (25) comprises a magnet and / or a lock; preferably, the retaining means (25) comprises a lock in the form of a raised edge or a hook.

5. Tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the articulation forms a pivot connection and in that it comprises a rotation limiter (23) configured to limit the rotational movement of the lever (21) around the pivot connection in at least one direction.

6. Tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the fixing interface (5) comprises a plate with at least one orifice (9) for the passage of a fixing means; preferably, the fixing interface (5) also carries at least one indexing pin (H).

7. Tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the fixing arm (3) comprises at least one support element (13) and / or a manipulator (15).

8. Set of tools characterized in that it comprises at least two tools (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, and in that at least two tools (1) differ from each other at least by the length of their lever (21) and / or their spacer rod (17).

9. Assembly according to claim 8 characterized in that at least two tools (1) differ from each other by the cumulative mass of the handle and any counterweights carried by the second end.

10. Method for manufacturing a vehicle comprising a body and at least one opening, the method comprising a step of immersing the body of the vehicle in at least one cataphoresis bath followed by a step of depositing at least one layer of lacquer and / or varnish; the method is characterized in that it comprises, after the step of immersing the body of the vehicle in at least one cataphoresis bath and before the step of depositing at least one layer of lacquer and / or varnish, a step of fixing a tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 or a set of tools (1) according to one of claims 8 or 9 on at least one opening of the vehicle; preferably, the fixing is done by screwing and / or at least one opening is a rear door and at least one tool (1) is fixed on a rear door of the vehicle.

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