Modular device for positioning and referencing a motor vehicle shutter.

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning device (1) for mounting a rear flap on the body of a motor vehicle, the rear flap being of the type comprising several variants, the device (1) comprising a chassis (8) comprising support means (10) designed to support and reference the rear flap (1) on the positioning device with a view to gripping the flap by a gripping tool to bring it onto the body, the positioning device (1) being characterized in that the support means (10) comprise at least two sets of actuators (12), each set of actuators (12) being designed to support and position a distinct variant of the flap on the device (1). (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Modular device for positioning and referencing a motor vehicle shutter.

[0001] The technical field relates to positioning devices for supporting and referencing a rear vehicle flap, as well as an assembly comprising such a device supporting a flap and finally a mounting system for mounting the flap thus referenced on the vehicle.

[0002] By rear flap, we mean in this text, a rear opening of a vehicle consisting either of a door generally opening upwards or consisting of two doors each opening on one side of the vehicle.

[0003] Positioning a rear flap on the body of a vehicle during assembly of the latter is an operation which requires great precision in order to guarantee perfect alignment of the flap with the sides of the body.

[0004] It is known, for example from document FR 2 933 949, to use positioning tools on assembly lines to correctly position the shutter on the body. Such a positioning tool also makes it possible to pre-position the hinges of the shutter in a suitable position for fixing them to the body of the vehicle.

[0005] However, such tools are particularly complex and prove to be specific to a given geometry of the body and the flap to be assembled. However, it is common for automobile manufacturers to offer several versions of their vehicles and in particular several variants of the rear flap, for example by offering a vehicle having a flap formed from a single door or a flap formed from two doors, as indicated above. Also, for each variant of the flap proposed to the customer, it is appropriate to have a specific version of the positioning tool. The positioning tools are generally stored on the edges or near the assembly lines in particularly limited storage areas.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to produce each vehicle version, it is necessary to reconfigure the assembly line by changing, in particular, the positioning tool, which requires time, maintenance and sometimes stopping the assembly line. Thus, the diversity of vehicles and the multiple flap variants generate costs and detrimental storage problems that should be reduced.

[0007] Thus, there is a need for a solution that makes it possible to overcome the diversity of positioning tools required to assemble a vehicle shutter having several variants.

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide a modular positioning device making it possible to support and reference a plurality of shutter variants without requiring a change of device.

[0009] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a positioning device for mounting a rear flap on the body of a motor vehicle, the rear flap being of the type comprising several variants, the device comprising a chassis comprising support means designed to support and reference the rear flap on the positioning device with a view to gripping the flap by a gripping tool to bring it onto the body, the positioning device being characterized in that the support means comprise at least two sets of actuators, each set of actuators being designed to support and position a distinct variant of the flap on the device.

[0010] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device according to the invention and a variant of a rear flap of a motor vehicle referenced on said device by means of the support means.

[0011] The invention finally relates to a system for mounting a rear vehicle flap comprising a positioning device according to the invention and a robotic gripping tool designed to grip a flap supported by the positioning device in order to position it on the body of the vehicle.

[0012] Thus, the positioning device makes it possible to support and reference at least one rear vehicle flap using the support means for the purpose of gripping the flap by a gripping tool according to the invention. Thanks to the different sets of actuators, the device is able to adapt to at least two variants of the same flap, without requiring the device to be changed. The device according to the invention is therefore modular and makes it possible to reduce the number of tools required for assembling a vehicle having several versions.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuators of each set of actuators are movable between a specific operational position, in which the actuator participates in supporting the shutter, and a specific retracted position, in which the actuator is set back from the shutter supported by the device.

[0014] According to one possibility, the positioning device comprises at least two sets of mechanical manipulators, each manipulator being adapted to rotate at least one hinge between a rest position, in which the hinge of the shutter rests when the shutter is supported by the device, and a mounting position, in which the hinge is positioned to be fixed on the body, each set of manipulators making it possible to manipulate the hinges of a distinct variant of the shutter.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the positioning device comprises at least one pair of alignment elements designed to guarantee the gaps and the flush levels between two doors constituting a variant of a shutter.

[0016] Advantageously, each alignment element is movable between an operational position, in which the alignment element is supported by at least one edge of one of the doors, and a retracted position, in which the alignment element is set back from the shutter, when the shutter is supported by the device.

[0017] According to one possibility, the device comprises detection means designed to detect the presence of a shutter and / or to identify the variant of said shutter.

[0018] Advantageously, the variant of the rear shutter comprises one door or two doors.

[0019] The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a device of positioning according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention comprising the positioning device of [Fig.l] and a first variant of a shutter having two doors;

[0022] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention comprising the positioning device of [Fig.l] and a second variant of a shutter having a door;

[0023] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view of a vehicle body and a mounting system according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a detailed view of the positioning device of the [Fig.l], showing a pair of alignment elements;

[0025] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a detailed view of the whole of [Fig.2] showing an alignment element of [Fig.5] interacting with the first variant of the shutter;

[0026] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents a detailed view of the whole of [Fig.2], showing a mechanical manipulator interacting with a hinge of the first variant of the shutter;

[0027] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents a detailed view of the mechanical manipulator of the [Fig.7], and the hinge in its rest position;

[0028] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] represents a detailed view of a manipulator of the assembly of [Fig.3], interacting with a hinge of the second variant of the shutter;

[0029] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] represents a detailed view of the positioning device of [Fig.l], showing detection means.

[0030] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0031] A positioning device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to allow the mounting of a rear flap 2 on the body 3 of a motor vehicle 4, illustrated in [Fig. 4], the rear flap 2 being of the type comprising several variants. Thus, a first variant of the flap 2, illustrated in [Fig. 2], has two doors 5 having hinges 6, illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, arranged on each of the doors 5 so as to articulate the doors 5 on the body 3 along a vertical axis of the vehicle 4. A second variant of the flap 2, illustrated in [Fig. 3], has a single door 7 which is intended to be articulated on the body 3 around a horizontal axis of the vehicle 4, located in the upper part thereof, using hinges 6.

[0032] The positioning device 1 comprises a frame 8, forming a flat structure 9 and comprising support means 10 designed to support and reference the rear flap 2 on the positioning device 1, with a view to gripping the flap 2 by a gripping tool 11, illustrated in [Fig.4], to bring it onto the body 3.

[0033] The positioning device 1 is remarkable in that the support means 10 comprise at least two sets of actuators 12 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each consisting of a plurality of actuators 13, illustrated in particular in Figures 1, 6 and 10. Each set of actuators 12 is designed to support and position a distinct variant of the shutter 2 on the positioning device 1, thus allowing modularity of the positioning device 1.

[0034] In order to allow the modularity of the positioning device 1, the actuators 13 of each set of actuators 12 are movable between a specific operational position, in which the actuator participates in the support of the shutter 2, and a specific retracted position, in which the actuator is set back from the shutter 2 supported by the device 1. For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 6], each actuator 13 has a functional head 14 designed to cooperate with the shutter 2 in order to ensure that it is held in place. The functional head 14 is mounted at one end of a rod 15, mounted perpendicular to the flat structure 9 of the chassis 8 and the end opposite the functional head 14 of which is fixed to a lifting element 16, illustrated for example in FIGS. 6 and 10, making it possible to move the functional head 14 along the axis of the rod 15.Thus, in the operational position, the functional head 14 is moved away from the chassis 8 while in the retracted position, the functional head is moved closer to the chassis 8.

[0035] Thus, by simultaneously controlling all the actuators 13 of the same set of actuators 12 in operational position, while positioning the other actuators 13 in retracted position, it is easy to configure the device 1 so that it can support and reference the first or second variant of the shutter 2.

[0036] In order to automatically detect the variant of the shutter 2 supported by the positioning device 1, the latter comprises detection means 17, illustrated in [Fig. 10], designed to detect the presence of a shutter 2 and to identify the variant of said shutter 2. For example, the detection means 17 comprise a photovoltaic cell, a camera or any other means making it possible to detect and / or measure a distance between the means and a shutter 2 positioned on the device 1. The detection means 17 are for example arranged on the frame 8 in a position such that the first variant of the shutter 2 covers the detection means while the second variant of the shutter 2 leaves a free space opposite the detection means, or vice versa.

[0037] As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the positioning device 1 includes at least one pair of alignment elements 18 designed to ensure the gaps 19 and the flush levels between two doors 5 constituting the first variant of the shutter 2. The gap 19 is arranged between the two doors 5 when they are in the closed position on the box 3. For example, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, each alignment element 18 includes two brackets 20 each forming a right angle and each defining a corner intended to receive the respective and opposite edges 21 of each door 5, as illustrated in [Fig.6]. In order to ensure the flush levels and a regular gap 19, the positioning device 1 includes two pairs of alignment elements 18 arranged at a distance from each other, as illustrated in [Fig.5].In the same way as for the actuators 13, each alignment element 18 is mounted to move between an operational position, in which the alignment element 18 is in support of the edges 21 of the two doors 5, and a retracted position, in which the alignment element 18 is set back from the shutter 2, when the shutter 2 is supported by the positioning device 1.

[0038] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, in particular figures 7, 8 and 9, the positioning device 1 comprises at least two sets of mechanical manipulators 22 comprising a plurality of mechanical manipulators 23, each manipulator 23 being designed to rotate at least one hinge 6 between a rest position, in which each hinge 6 of the flap 2 rests when the flap 2 is supported by the device 1, and a mounting position, in which the hinge 6 is positioned to be fixed on the body 3. Each set of manipulators 22 makes it possible to manipulate the hinges 6 of a distinct variant of the flap 2.

[0039] Thus, as illustrated in Figures 1, 7 and 8, two hinges 6 of the first variant of the shutter 2 are manipulated by a manipulator 23 of a set of manipulators 22. Each manipulator 23 comprises at least one plate 24, in this case two opposite plates 24, from which a pin 25 projects in a direction parallel to the frame 8. Each plate 24 is movable along an axis parallel to the chassis 8 in order to bring each plate 24 into contact with a hinge 6. Each plate 24 and each pin 25 can thus be rotated along an axis of rotation A, illustrated in [Fig.8], so as to rotate each hinge 6 around its own axis to bring it into the mounting position in which the pins 25 prevent the hinge 6 from returning to the rest position by gravity, illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0040] A first set of manipulators 22 comprises two manipulators 23 located on either side of the positioning device 1 so as to interact with the hinges 6 of each door 5 of the second variant of the shutter 2.

[0041] The positioning device 1 also comprises a set of manipulators 22, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9, comprising a pair of manipulators 23 capable of manipulating the hinges 6 of the second variant of the shutter 2. The manipulators 23 are then arranged at a distance from each other on the same side of the device 1, as illustrated in [Fig. 3].

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.9], each manipulator 23 also comprises a plate 24 designed and positioned to allow the hinge 6 to be rotated. A first cylinder 26 of the manipulator 23, illustrated in [Fig.9], makes it possible to bring the plate 24 into contact with the hinge 6, by moving it along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation B illustrated in [Fig.9]. Then a second cylinder 27 makes it possible to rotate the plate 24, around the same axis of rotation B, so as to rotate the hinge 6 to bring it into the mounting position, as illustrated in [Fig.9].

[0043] When the flap 2 is positioned on the positioning device 1, the support means 10 interact with the flap 2 in order to hold it in position and to reference it to form an assembly 28 according to the invention as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, any gaps 19 are perfectly respected and the hinges 6 are correctly positioned. A gripping tool 11, illustrated in [Fig.4] and forms with the device 1 a system for mounting a rear flap 2 of a vehicle according to the invention. The gripping tool 11 comprises a robotic arm 29 at the end of which gripping means 30 are configured to grip the flap 2 supported by the positioning device 1 in order to position it on the body 3 of the vehicle 4 while maintaining the relative positions of the hinges 6 and the doors 5, when the flap 2 comprises two doors 5.

[0044] Thus, the positioning device 1 makes it possible to form several assemblies 28 according to the invention, each corresponding to a variant of the flap 2. The positioning device 1 thus offers modularity and makes it possible to reduce the number of tools necessary for the assembly of a vehicle 4 having several versions.

[0045] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the positioning device described above, only as an example, but other embodiments may be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and ambit of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for positioning a rear flap (2) on the body (3) of a motor vehicle (4), the rear flap (2) being of the type comprising several variants, the device (1) comprising a chassis (8) comprising support means (10) designed to support and reference the rear flap (2) on the positioning device (1) with a view to gripping the flap (2) by a gripping tool (11) to bring it onto the body (3), the positioning device (1) being characterized in that the support means (10) comprise at least two sets of actuators (12), each set of actuators (12) being designed to support and position a distinct variant of the flap (2) on the device (1), and being movable between a specific operational position, in which the actuator (13) participates in supporting the flap (2), and a specific retracted position,in which the actuator (13) is set back from the flap (2) supported by the device (1).,

2. Positioning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two sets of mechanical manipulators (22), each manipulator (23) being designed to rotate at least one hinge (6) between a rest position, in which the hinge (6) of the shutter (2) rests when the shutter (2) is supported by the device (1), and a mounting position, in which the hinge (6) is positioned to be fixed on the body (3), each set of manipulators (22) making it possible to manipulate the hinges (6) of a distinct variant of the shutter (2).

3. Positioning device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of alignment elements (18) designed to guarantee the gaps (19) and the flush levels between two doors (5) constituting a variant of a shutter (2).

4. Positioning device (1) according to the claim, characterized in that each alignment element (18) is movable between an operational position, in which the alignment element (18) is in abutment against at least one edge (21) of one of the doors (5), and a retracted position, in which the alignment element (18) is set back from the shutter (2), when the shutter (2) is supported by the device (1).

5. Positioning device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises detection means (17) designed to detect the presence of a flap (2) and / or to identify the variant of said flap (2).

6. Assembly (28) comprising a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and a variant of a rear flap (2) of a motor vehicle (4) referenced on said device (1) by means of the support means (10).

7. Assembly (28) according to claim 6, characterized in that the variant of the rear flap (2) comprises one door (5) or two doors (5).

8. System for mounting a rear flap (2) of a vehicle comprising a positioning device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and a robotic gripping tool (11) designed to grip a flap (2) supported by the positioning device (1) in order to position it on the body (3) of the vehicle (4).