Method and tool for assembling a hood liner onto a hood skin.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assembling a first element (2), extending between an inner face (6) and an outer face (7) delimited by a joining edge, onto a second element to form an assembly obtained by securing the joining edge to the second element, the inner face (6) positioned opposite the second element. The method comprises a first step consisting of positioning the joining edge in contact with the second element. This first step is followed by a second step employing gripping means (11) to maintain the inner face (6) away from the second element while the joining edge is secured to the second element. The gripping means (11) are inserted into a slot (9) formed in the first element (2) and positioned to bear against the inner face (6). (Figure 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and tool for assembling a hood lining on a hood skin.

[0001] The technical field concerns assembly methods for assembling a first bodywork element onto a second bodywork element, assembly tools for implementing such a method, assemblies obtained by implementing such a method and finally vehicles equipped with such an assembly.

[0002] Automobile manufacturers take great care during the manufacture of their vehicles to ensure that the various body parts are assembled correctly. In particular, the openings of a vehicle are generally made of a skin assembled with a corresponding lining and it is necessary to ensure that such assemblies are robust and do not risk coming apart. In particular, a vehicle hood is made of a hood skin and a hood lining secured together. The hood of the vehicle is subjected to significant stresses during the movement of the vehicle, which are linked to the relative winds to which it is subjected, more particularly when vehicles traveling in the opposite direction meet; however, these stresses are sufficiently significant to risk causing the hood skin and the hood lining to become detached.Also, in order to ensure more solid attachments, car manufacturers often use beads of sealant placed between the different parts to be assembled. The sealant used generally requires heat treatment to crosslink and harden. Before assembling a lining on a skin, a bead of sealant is thus placed on one or other of the parts and then these are adjusted to be fixed, for example by crimping.

[0003] When one of the parts is flexible, like most hood linings, it is sometimes necessary to support the flexible part before fixing it to prevent it from sagging onto the other. To achieve this support, devices are frequently used comprising suction cups applied to the flexible part. However, fixing the suction cups to the flexible part requires pressing on this flexible part, which generally causes the mastic beads to be crushed and / or stretched. The deformation of the mastic beads is detrimental and does not guarantee that the mastic will perform its reinforcing function once crosslinked.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for a solution making it possible to hold two bodywork parts in position relative to each other without risking deforming a bead of mastic prior to its hardening.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide an assembly method making it possible to ensure correct positioning and maintenance of a first bodywork element on a second bodywork element without applying pressure prior to fixing to one or other of the first and second bodywork elements.

[0006] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an assembly method using an assembly tool for assembling a first bodywork element, extending between an internal face and an external face both delimited by an edge to be joined, on a second bodywork element to form an assembly, the assembly being obtained by securing at least a portion of the edge to be joined with the second element, the internal face being positioned in the assembly opposite the second element, the method comprising a first step consisting of positioning the edge to be joined in contact with the second element, the first step being followed by a second step consisting of implementing gripping means of the tool to maintain at least a portion of the internal face at a distance from the second element while the edge to be joined is secured with the second element,at least part of the gripping means being introduced through at least one light provided in the first element and positioned in support on the internal face.

[0007] The invention also relates to an assembly tool for implementing the method according to the invention comprising a positioning table designed to receive the first and second bodywork elements, the tool further comprising gripping means designed to implement at least the second step of the method according to the invention.

[0008] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a first bodywork element secured to a second bodywork element and obtained by implementing the method according to the invention, the first element comprising at least one slot, each allowing the gripping means of an assembly tool according to the invention to be introduced.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one assembly according to the invention.

[0010] Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to assemble a first bodywork element onto a second bodywork element, such as, for example, assembling a hood lining onto a hood skin. Thanks to the implementation gripping means introduced through a light made in the first bodywork element, the gripping means are able to hold the first bodywork element, possibly flexible, without exerting pressure on the first element unlike, for example, support operated using a suction cup. The second step of the method can thus be implemented without the first and second bodywork elements being pressed against each other. The tool according to the invention, by implementing the method according to the invention, thus makes it possible to produce an assembly according to the invention comprising, for example, a first flexible element capable of collapsing onto the second element and / or in which a bead of mastic possibly present is not deformed during assembly.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the assembly method, during the second step, the edge to be joined is secured to a peripheral edge delimiting the second element by crimping.

[0012] According to one possibility of the method, the first step is preceded by a step consisting of placing a bead of mastic on the first and / or the second elements to allow bonding of the first and second elements.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the assembly method, the first element is a hood lining and the second element is a hood skin.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the assembly tool, the gripping means comprise at least one articulated hook designed to be introduced into a slot provided in the first element.

[0015] According to one possibility of the tool, the gripping means comprise at least one support which can be opposed to a hook to allow the first element to be clamped between the hook and the support.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the assembly comprises at least one bead of mastic arranged between the first and second elements and designed to harden during a cataphoresis heat treatment.

[0017] 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:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.l], represents a perspective view of an assembly tool according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a detailed view of a light of a first element with means for gripping the tool of [Fig.l] introduced into the light;

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a sectional view of [Fig.2], along a longitudinal axis of the light, showing the gripping means of the assembly tool of [Fig.1] during the second step of the method according to the invention.

[0021] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0022] An assembly method according to the invention uses an assembly tool 1, illustrated in [Fig. 1], to assemble an assembly according to the invention comprising a first bodywork element 2, illustrated in part in Figures 2 and 3, and a second bodywork element 3, illustrated in [Fig. 1]. By way of example, the first bodywork element 2 is a hood lining 4 and the second bodywork element 3 is a hood skin 5. A vehicle according to the invention is equipped with at least one assembly according to the invention.

[0023] In order to implement the method according to the invention, the first element 2 extends between an internal face 6 and an external face 7, both delimited by an edge to be joined 8.

[0024] The assembly is obtained by securing at least a part (preferably the whole) of the edge to be joined 8 with the second element 3, the internal face 6 being positioned in the assembly opposite the second element 3. In order to make the internal face 6 accessible in the assembly, the first element 2 also has at least one slot 9, in this case a plurality of slots 9, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, allowing access to the internal face 6 from the external face 7. Each slot 9 has, for example, an oblong shape.

[0025] The method according to the invention comprises a first step consisting of positioning the edge to be joined 8 of the first element 2 in contact with the second element 3. During the first step, the edge to be joined 8 is positioned relative to the second element 3 in the position where it will be secured to the second element 3. Advantageously, the edge to be joined 8 is secured to a peripheral edge 10 delimiting the second element 3 by crimping.

[0026] The first step of the method according to the invention is followed by a second step consisting of implementing gripping means 11 of the tool 1, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, to maintain at least a portion of the internal face 6 at a distance from the second element 3 while the edge to be joined 8 is secured to the second element 3, at least a portion of the gripping means 11 being introduced through at least one slot 9 to position the gripping means 11 resting on the internal face 6. During the second step, the edge to be joined 8 is kept stationary relative to the second element 3, in this case relative to the peripheral edge 10.

[0027] Advantageously, during the second step of the method according to the invention, the edge to be joined 8 is secured to the peripheral edge 10 by crimping.

[0028] In order to reinforce the assembly according to the invention, the first step of the method according to the invention is preceded by a step consisting of depositing at least one bead of mastic, not illustrated in the figures, on the first 2 and / or second 3 elements for allow bonding of the first 2 and second 3 elements. For example, the sealant used is a sealant designed to harden under the effect of a heat treatment such as a heat treatment carried out during a cataphoresis step. When such a step is implemented, the assembly according to the invention then comprises a bead of sealant placed between the first 2 and second 3 elements.

[0029] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the assembly tool 1 comprises, in addition to the gripping means 11 designed to implement at least the second step of the method according to the invention, a positioning table 12 designed to support the second bodywork element 3 in a position allowing the positioning of the first element 2 above the second element 3 during the first step of the method.

[0030] For example, and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the gripping means 11 comprise at least one hook 13, in this case a plurality of hooks 13 sized to be able to be introduced into a slot 9. Each hook 13 is arranged at the end of an articulated arm 14 of the gripping means 11 making it possible to bring the hook 13 to the level of the corresponding slot 9. The articulated arm 14 advantageously has pneumatic or motorized means 15, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, to allow the movements of the hook 13.

[0031] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the gripping means 11 comprise at least one support 16 opposable to a hook 13 to allow the first element to be clamped between the hook 13 and the support 16, the support 16 coming into contact with the external face 7 while the hook 13 is in contact with the internal face 6. For this purpose, the support 16 and the hook 13 respectively have a contact surface 17a, 17b adapted to the shape of the external 7 and internal 6 faces.

[0032] According to one possibility, the first step of the method is, for example, implemented using the gripping means 11. Alternatively, the first step of the method is implemented with one or more other tools not illustrated.

[0033] Furthermore, holding the second element 3 and possibly the first element 2 on the positioning table 12 advantageously uses positioning means 18, illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The positioning means 18 ensure, for example, that the edge to be joined 8 and the peripheral edge 10 remain correctly positioned with respect to each other during the implementation of the method according to the invention.

[0034] Thus, the assembly tool 1, thanks in particular to the cooperation of the gripping means 11 and the light 9 provided in the first element 2, makes it possible to produce an assembly according to the invention without pressure being exerted on the first bodywork element 2, during the implementation of the method according to the invention. Thus, an assembly according to the invention comprising a bead of mastic makes it possible to guarantee that the bead of mastic remains intact before it hardens.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the assembly tool or the assembly or even the mode of implementation of the assembly method described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments or implementations can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the framework and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. An assembly method using an assembly tool (1) for assembling a first bodywork element (2), extending between an internal face (6) and an external face (7) both delimited by an edge to be joined (8), on a second bodywork element (3) to form an assembly, the assembly being obtained by securing at least a portion of the edge to be joined (8) with the second element (3), the internal face (6) being positioned in the assembly opposite the second element (3), the method comprising a first step consisting of positioning the edge to be joined (8) in contact with the second element (3), the first step being followed by a second step consisting of implementing gripping means (11) of the tool (1) to maintain at least a portion of the internal face (6) at a distance from the second element (3) while the edge to be joined (8) is secured to the second element (3),at least part of the gripping means (11) being introduced through at least one slot (9) provided in the first element (2) and positioned in abutment on the internal face (6), characterized in that during the second step, the edge to be joined (8) is secured to a peripheral edge (10) delimiting the second element (3) by crimping.,

2. Assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first step is preceded by a step consisting of placing a bead of mastic on the first (2) and / or the second (3) elements to allow bonding of the first (2) and second (3) elements.

3. Assembly method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first element (2) is a hood lining (4) and the second element (3) is a hood skin (5).

4. Assembly tool (1) for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 3 comprising a positioning table (12) designed to receive the first (2) and second (3) bodywork elements, the tool (1) further comprising gripping means (11) designed to implement at least the second step of the method.

5. Tool (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the gripping means (11) comprise at least one articulated hook (13) designed to be introduced into a light (9) provided in the first element (2).

6. Tool (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the gripping means (11) comprise at least one support (16) opposable to a hook (13) to allow the first element (2) to be clamped between the hook (13) and the support (16).

7. Assembly comprising a first bodywork element (2) secured to a second bodywork element (3) and obtained by implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 3, the first element (2) comprising at least one slot (9), each allowing the introduction of the gripping means (11) of an assembly tool (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6.

8. Assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one bead of mastic arranged between the first (2) and second (3) elements and designed to harden during a cataphoresis heat treatment.

9. Motor vehicle comprising at least one assembly according to claim 7 or 8.

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