Assembling a multi-component pipe

Abstract

Assembly of a multi-component pipe. The invention relates to a method for assembling a pipe (2) from at least two separate pipe sections (4, 4a, 4b), the method employing an assembly jig (1) comprising at least two arms (6a, 6b), at least one of which is movable, the assembly jig (1) comprising at least one stop (14) which determines a contact position for the arms (6a, 6b), the assembly method comprising at least one step in which the pipe sections (4, 4a, 4b) are joined to the arms (6a, 6b), at least one step in which the two arms (6, 6a, 6b) are brought together until they are in their contact position, and at least one step in which the pipe sections (4, 4a, 4b) are joined to each other. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly of a multi-component pipe

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of multi-component vehicle hoses comprising at least two hose sections made of distinct materials. More particularly, the invention relates to the assembly of multi-component hoses integrated within a vehicle.

[0002] Multi-component pipes typically comprise at least two different pipe sections, which may be made of different materials. Such a multi-component pipe design is particularly useful when the pipe is subjected to different stresses on each of its sections. In other words, using different materials for the manufacture of the at least two pipe sections allows the pipe to adapt to the different stresses imposed on each of these sections. For example, one of the pipe sections may be made of a material more resistant to high temperatures than another of the pipe sections.Such multi-component pipes are then made by assembling the pipe sections that compose them, for example by sliding the pipe sections into one another, a stop protrusion formed on one of the pipe sections ensuring that the sliding stops against the end.

[0003] A problem with such multi-component hoses lies in the variable and relatively large manufacturing tolerances from one hose section to another within the same production batch, particularly depending on the material used. Thus, different manufacturing dimensions can be observed between two hose sections within the same batch, subsequently complicating hose assembly. For example, the position of the stop protrusion on one of the hose sections can vary from one section to another within the same batch, subsequently causing length differences between different hoses within the same batch containing these hose sections. Therefore, such inaccuracy in the manufacturing of the stop protrusion on the hose sections, due to the high manufacturing variations of certain materials, causes assembly difficulties on the vehicle, which cannot accommodate such length variations.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned problem by standardizing and homogenizing the assembly of the multi-component pipe sections, regardless of the manufacturing tolerances inherent to each of the materials used for each pipe section. More specifically, it aims to ensure that the end faces of the pipes assembled from the pipe sections always have substantially the same relative position with respect to each other once the assembly is complete, irrespective of the manufacturing dimensions of said sections. portions of pipe that are used in the assembly.

[0005] The invention therefore relates to a method of assembling a pipe from at least two separate pipe sections, the method implementing an assembly jig comprising at least two arms, of which at least a first arm and a second arm movable relative to the first arm, the assembly jig comprising at least one stop which determines a contact position of the second arm relative to the first arm, the assembly method comprising at least a first step during which the second arm is positioned relative to the first arm in a position different from the contact position, at least a second step during which one of the pipe sections is joined to the first arm and the other pipe section to the second arm,at least a third step in which the two arms are brought together until they are in their contact position and at least a fourth step in which the sections of the pipe are joined together.

[0006] The separate pipe sections can be made of different materials from one pipe section to another. The invention thus takes advantage of this by allowing the length of the multi-component pipe and the relative position of its end faces to be standardized by means of the assembly jig, which forms a standardized assembly tool and thus gives the pipe a "tool dimension." Indeed, the stop, which determines the contact position of the second arm relative to the first arm, ensures the position of the pipe sections relative to each other, independently of manufacturing tolerances inherent to each of the materials used to make the pipe sections, since the stop is supported by the assembly jig and no longer by one of the pipe sections, which, in known assembly methods, provides the physical stop of one pipe section relative to the other.

[0007] According to one feature of the invention, at least one of the arms carries the stop, the contact position corresponding to the other arm resting on the stop. For example, the first arm of the mounting jig carries the stop and the contact position corresponds to the second arm resting on the stop.

[0008] According to one feature of the invention, the first arm and the second arm are articulated relative to each other about an axis of rotation. It is understood that, in this way, the second arm pivots relative to the first arm of the mounting jig.

[0009] Alternatively, the first and second arms of the mounting jig are movable in translation relative to each other. They could thus be brought closer together and moved apart by a linear translational movement.

[0010] According to one feature of the invention, the second arm can rotate relative to the first arm so as to assume an opening angle and a closing angle corresponding to the contact position, the opening angle being strictly greater than the closing angle.

[0011] According to one feature of the invention, during the fourth step, the pipe sections are joined together by means of a fastening element. The fastening element may take the form, for example, of a hose clamp or an adhesive.

[0012] According to one feature of the invention, at least one of the arms includes a base which receives the portion of pipe assigned to said arm, and during the second step, the portion of pipe is secured to the base concerned.

[0013] According to one example of the invention, the base may take the form of a cylinder projecting from the arm onto which the pipe attached to said arm is fitted. Alternatively, the base may take the form of a hollow cylinder delimiting a volume in which the pipe is press-fitted.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, in the second step, the portion of the pipe is secured to the respective base by means of a removable assembly element. According to examples of the invention, the removable assembly element may take the form of a clamp or a press-fit assembly.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, in a fifth step, the pipe formed from at least two pipe portions is detached from the template and the steps are carried out again with portions of a pipe separate from the previously assembled pipe.

[0016] The advantage of such an assembly jig is then understood in that it allows the assembly of a plurality of pipes formed of at least two portions of pipe, and in that it ensures a standardized and identical assembly of said pipes, in other words, the length of the assembled pipe is always substantially the same, and the extreme faces of the pipes always have identical, or substantially identical, relative positions with respect to each other.

[0017] According to a feature of the invention, at the end of the third step, the pipe has a sliding zone for the pipe portions, said pipe portions being joined together at the sliding zone during the fourth step.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, the pipe sections lack a projection to prevent them from sliding relative to one another. It is understood that the function of preventing the pipe sections from sliding against one another is ensured by the stop on the assembly jig. Thus, the sliding resistance of the pipe sections relative to one another is identical from one pipe to another assembled using the assembly method according to the invention, thereby making it possible to obtain pipes that are identical to one another at the end of the assembly, regardless of the materials used to manufacture the pipe sections.

[0019] The invention also relates to a mounting jig for a pipe comprising at at least two pipe sections, the mounting jig comprising at least two arms of which at least a first arm and a second arm movable relative to the first arm, the mounting jig comprising at least one stop which determines a contact position of the second arm relative to the first arm, the mounting jig being suitable for implementing the assembly method according to the preceding characteristics.

[0020] According to a feature of the invention, the stop formed on one of the arms includes a bearing surface suitable for receiving a face of the other arm when the template is in its contact position, the stop being arranged so that its bearing surface is substantially parallel to the face of the other arm when said template is in its contact position.

[0021] The invention also relates to a pipe comprising at least two pipe portions made, in particular, of at least two distinct materials, the position of the pipe portions relative to each other being determined by a method according to any one of the preceding characteristics or by means of an assembly template according to the preceding characteristics.

[0022] In the pipe thus formed, the pipe portions have different materials.

[0023] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description by way of example, in conjunction with drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] is a schematic view of a mounting jig for a multi-pipe components according to the invention capable of implementing an assembly method according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of the mounting jig of [Fig.1] comprising at least two arms in a contact position.

[0026] It should first be noted that while the figures illustrate the invention in detail for its implementation, these figures can of course also be used to further define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that these figures only show a few examples of embodiments of the invention.

[0027] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a mounting jig 1 for a pipe 2 comprising at least two pipe sections 4. The mounting jig 1 comprises at least two arms 6, of which at least a first arm 6a and a second arm 6b are included, with at least the second arm 6b being movable relative to the first arm 6a. In other words, in this non-limiting example of the invention, the first arm 6a is intended to be in a static position, while the second arm 6b is movable relative to the first arm 6a.

[0028] More specifically here, the second arm 6b is rotationally movable relative to the first arm 6a about an axis of rotation R, the axis of rotation R passing through a pivoting member 8 disposed between a connecting end 10 of each of the arms 6. It should be noted that the connecting ends 10 of each of the arms 6 are opposite ex free limbs 12 of each of said arms 6. Alternatively and not illustrated, the first arm and the second arm are mobile in translation relative to each other.

[0029] The mounting jig 1 includes at least one stop 14 which determines a contact position of the second arm 6b relative to the first arm 6a. More specifically, the second arm 6b can rotate relative to the first arm 6a, about the axis of rotation R, so as to assume an opening angle XI, visible in [Fig. 1], in which at least one of the arms 6 is at a non-zero distance from the stop 14, here the second arm 6b, and a closing angle X2, visible in [Fig. 2], corresponding to the contact position and in which at least one of the arms 6 is in contact with the stop 14, here the second arm 6b. It is therefore understood that the opening angle XI is strictly greater than the closing angle X2. Thus, according to the illustrated example of the invention, and in a non-limiting manner, the stop 14 is formed in projection from a first internal face 16a of the first arm 6a and the contact position corresponds to the contact of a second internal face 16b of the second arm 6b on the stop 14..

[0030] It is also understood that the position of the stop 14 is not limited to the first internal face 16a of the first arm 6a and could be disposed on the second arm 6b or on any other part of the template 1 as long as said stop 14 makes it possible to fix the contact position of the arms 6 with each other.

[0031] According to the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], a bearing surface 18 of the stop 14 is defined, suitable for receiving the second inner face 16b of the second arm 6b. The bearing surface 18 extends in a surface plane PS intersecting a principal plane PP of the first arm 6a, such that said surface plane PS is parallel to the first inner face 16a of the first arm 6a when the arms 6 are in the contact position as shown in [Fig. 2]. In the example of the invention, the surface plane PS intersects such that it forms a stop angle X3 with the principal plane PP of the first arm 6a of between 85° and 40°. It is further understood that the stop angle X3 is equal to the closing angle X2 mentioned previously.

[0032] The mounting jig 1 comprises at least one base 20 formed on at least one of the arms 6. More precisely, at least one base 20 is formed on at least one of the internal faces 16a, 16b of one of the arms 6 of the jig 1. According to the illustrated example of the invention, the first internal face 16a of the first arm 6a and the second internal face 16b of the second arm 6b each comprise a base 20. The base 20 has the function of receiving one end, or extreme face, of a portion of pipe 4 of the pipe 2. Thus, the base 20 can take different forms such as, for example, that of a cylinder projecting from the internal face 16a, 16b of one of the arms 6 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, or that of a hollow cylinder delimiting a receiving volume for one of the pipe portions. It is understood that in the first example of base 20, pipe 2 fits onto the cylinder, while in the second example of the base, the pipe is inserted into the volume delimited by the hollow cylinder.

[0033] The pipe 2 according to the invention comprises the at least two pipe portions 4 as previously mentioned, each of the pipe portions 4 being able to be made of a different material in order to meet different types of constraints, for example thermal or other. More particularly, and without limitation, a first pipe portion 4a of pipe 2 is made of a plastic synthetic material, and a second pipe portion 4b is made of another material, for example rubber.

[0034] Furthermore, a diameter is defined for each of the pipe sections 4 of pipe 2, and in particular a first diameter DI of the first pipe section 4a and a second diameter D2 of the second pipe section 4b. According to the invention, the first diameter DI and the second diameter D2 are different from each other. More specifically, here, the first diameter DI is an external diameter of the first pipe section 4a and the second diameter D2 is an internal diameter of the second pipe section 4b. Thus, the first diameter DI of the first pipe section 4a is smaller than the second diameter D2 of the second pipe section 4b. Moreover, and according to a non-limiting example of the invention, the first diameter DI is smaller than the second diameter D2 such that an external surface of the first pipe section 4a is substantially in contact with an internal surface of the second pipe section 4b.It is understood that such a feature allows the first portion 4a of pipe to slide into the second portion 4b of pipe during the assembly of said portions 4 of pipe in order to form said pipe 2. This sliding is free in the absence of any stop protrusion on the portions of pipe which would act as a stop.

[0035] A method of assembling the pipe 2 comprising at least the two pipe portions 4 and implementing the previously mentioned assembly jig 1 will now be described in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

[0036] The assembly method includes at least a first step in which the second arm 6b is positioned relative to the first arm 6a in a position different from the contact position. More precisely, the second arm 6b is pivoted relative to the first arm 6a so as to generate the opening angle XI between the two arms 6, mentioned previously. Such a displacement of the second arm 6b relative to the first arm 6a can be carried out manually by an operator or by means of an elastic element disposed between the first arm 6a and the second arm 6b, which ensures that the second arm 6b moves away from the first arm 6a when it is relaxed.

[0037] Subsequently, in a second step, one of the pipe sections 4 is attached to the first arm 6a and the other pipe section 4 to the second arm 6b. According to the example of the invention, the first pipe section 4a is attached to the first arm 6a and the The second pipe section 4b is attached to the second arm 6b. More specifically, in the second step, the pipe sections 4 are attached to the base 20 of their respective arms 6 by means of a removable assembly element 22. The removable assembly element 22 can then take the form of a clamp positioned around the end of the pipe section 4 fitted onto the base 20 when the latter takes the form of a protruding cylinder. According to another example of the invention, not shown here, the removable assembly element is a press fit of one end of the pipe section within the volume of the hollow cylinder forming the base as described above. Furthermore, it is understood from the removable feature that the removable assembly element 22 can attach and detach the pipe section 4 from its respective arm 6 without damaging the material of either of these elements.

[0038] Next, in a third step of the assembly method, the two arms 6 of the assembly jig 1 are brought together until they are in their contact position visible in [Fig. 2]. In other words, the second arm 6b is pivoted so that its second inner face 16b approaches the first inner face 16a of the first arm 6a, and until the second inner face 16b of the second arm 6b is in contact with the bearing surface 18 of the stop 14. It is then understood that in the third step, the jig 1 moves from the position in which the first arm 6a and the second arm 6b have the opening angle XI between them, to the contact position of the second arm 6b with respect to the first arm 6a, forming the closing angle X2 between the two arms 6.

[0039] During this third step, a first free end 24a of the first portion 4a of pipe, opposite the end fixed to the base 20, is slid into a second free end 24b of the second portion 4b of pipe, opposite the end fixed to the base 20. Such a sliding of the first portion 4a of pipe into the second portion 4b of pipe is implemented by the particular diameter of each of the portions 4 as mentioned previously, and thus forms a sliding zone 26. It is understood that the sliding zone 26 corresponds to a zone where the first portion 4a of pipe is at least partly contained within a volume of the second portion 4b of pipe.

[0040] It is further understood that the sliding of the first pipe section 4a within the second pipe section 4b is stopped when the first arm 6a and the second arm 6b are in contact with each other. In other words, the stop 14 projecting from the first arm 6a prevents the sliding of the first pipe section 4a within the second pipe section 4b. In other words, the position of the first pipe section 4a relative to the second pipe section 4b is determined by the mounting template 1. Thus, neither the first section 4a neither the second portion of pipe 4b includes a projection to stop the sliding of the portions 4 of pipe into each other, this function being ensured by the stop 14 of the mounting template 1.

[0041] Subsequently, in a fourth step, the first pipe section 4a and the second pipe section 4b are joined at the sliding zone 26. More specifically, the first pipe section 4a and the second pipe section 4b are joined by means of a fastening element 28. According to non-limiting examples of the invention, the fastening element 28 may be a hose clamp or even adhesive. Furthermore, it is understood that the fastening element 28, in combination with the specific diameters D1, D2 of each of the pipe sections 4, ensures a seal between a pipe volume V3 of the pipe 2 and the environment external to said pipe 2, the pipe volume V3 being composed of a first volume VI of the first pipe section 4a and a second volume V2 of the second pipe section 4b.

[0042] It is therefore understood that at the end of the fourth step, or at a fifth step for example, the pipe 2, formed by the first pipe section 4a and the second pipe section 4b joined together, is detached from the assembly jig 1. In particular, the pipe 2 is detached from the base 20 of each of the arms 6 of the jig 1 by removing the removable assembly elements 22 that secure said pipe 2 to each of the bases 20. Subsequently, the second arm 6b is positioned relative to the first arm 6a in a position different from the contact position, so as to form, for example, the opening angle XI between said arms 6 as described previously. The pipe 2 is thus freed from the assembly jig 1, and in particular from its bases 20.It is also understood that, at the end of this fifth step, the steps of the assembly method are implemented again with sections of pipe from a pipe distinct from the previously assembled pipe, the latter necessarily being of the same length, or very substantially the same length, as the previous pipe and with relative positions of the extreme faces of the pipe identical or substantially identical to each other, despite any possible differences in length and manufacturing dimensions of the sections of pipe 4.

[0043] The assembly method and the assembly jig as just described take advantage of the fact that a single assembly jig allows the assembly of a plurality of pipes formed from at least two pipe sections, and that the assembly jig ensures an identical assembly between each of the pipes joined by it. The assembly jig thus eliminates the manufacturing tolerances of each pipe section, which vary due to the materials used in their manufacture.

[0044] It is also understood that the assembly method can be implemented for the assembly of a pipe comprising more than two pipe sections.

[0045] The invention as just described cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations exclusively described and illustrated and also applies to all equivalent means or configurations and to any combination of such means or configurations.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for assembling a pipe (2) from at least two separate pipe sections (4, 4a, 4b), the method employing an assembly jig (1) comprising at least two arms (6a, 6b), of which at least a first arm (6a) and a second arm (6b) are movable relative to the first arm (6a), the first arm (6a) and the second arm (6b) being articulated relative to each other about an axis of rotation (R), the assembly jig (1) comprising at least one stop (14) that determines a contact position of the second arm (6b) relative to the first arm (6a), the assembly method comprising at least a first step in which the second arm (6b) is positioned relative to the first arm (6a) in a position different from the contact position, and at least a second step in which one of the pipe sections (4, 4a, 4b) is secured to the first arm (6a) and the other portion (4, 4a, 4b) of pipe to the second arm (6b),at least a third step in which the two arms (6, 6a, 6b) are brought together until they are in their contact position and at least a fourth step in which the portions (4, 4a, 4b) of the pipe are joined together.

2. Assembly method according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the arms (6, 6a, 6b) carries the stop (14), the contact position corresponding to a support of the other arm (6, 6a, 6b) on the stop (14).

3. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the arms (6, 6a, 6b) comprises a base (20) which receives the portion (4, 4a, 4b) of pipe assigned to said arm (6, 6a, 6b), and in the second step, the portion (4, 4a, 4b) of pipe is secured to the respective base (20).

4. Assembly method according to the preceding claim, wherein in the second step the portion (4, 4a, 4b) of the pipe is secured to the respective base (20) by means of a removable assembly element (22).

5. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a fifth step, the pipe (2) formed from at least two portions (4, 4a, 4b) of pipe is detached from the jig (1) and the steps are carried out again with portions (4, 4a, 4b) of a pipe distinct from the previously assembled pipe (2).

6. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims preceding, in which at the end of the third step, the pipe (2) has a sliding zone (26) of the pipe portions (4, 4a, 4b), said pipe portions (4, 4a, 4b) being joined together at the sliding zone (26) during the fourth step.

7. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portions (4, 4a, 4b) of pipe are devoid of a projection to stop their sliding relative to each other.

8. Mounting jig (1) for a pipe (2) comprising at least two pipe portions (4, 4a, 4b), the mounting jig (1) comprising at least two arms (6a, 6b) of which at least a first arm (6a) and a second arm (6b) are movable relative to the first arm (6a), the first arm (6a) and the second arm (6b) being articulated relative to each other about an axis of rotation (R), the mounting jig (1) comprising at least one stop (14) which determines a contact position of the second arm (6b) relative to the first arm (6a), the mounting jig (1) being capable of implementing the assembly method according to claims 1 to 7.

9. Pipe (2) comprising at least two portions (4, 4a, 4b) of pipe, the position of the portions (4, 4a, 4b) of pipe relative to each other being determined by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or by means of a mounting jig (1) according to the preceding claim.

10. Pipe (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the portions (4, 4a, 4b) of pipe have different materials.