Device for holding a vehicle tailgate in the open position

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device (1) for holding a tailgate (2) of a vehicle (3) in the open position when the vehicle is positioned on a conveyor (4) capable of moving the vehicle in a forward direction (A), the holding device comprising a first rail (8) positioned above the conveyor and a tailgate support (10) for supporting the tailgate and sliding along the first rail when the conveyor advances the vehicle from an inlet (6) to an outlet (7) of the conveyor. The holding device comprises a second rail (9) positioned above the first rail and inclined relative to the first rail to allow the tailgate support to slide along the second rail by gravity in a return direction (B), opposite to the forward direction (A), when the tailgate support (10) is engaged in the second rail (9). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for holding a vehicle tailgate in the open position

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device intended to hold a vehicle tailgate in the open position during the manufacture of the vehicle, and more particularly during an inspection and maintenance operation of the vehicle.

[0002] The process of manufacturing a vehicle includes an operation of inspecting and smoothing the weld beads made on the metal parts of the vehicle.

[0003] During this stage, the vehicle is moved by a conveyor with its tailgate which must remain open.

[0004] To hold the tailgate open, two metal bars are usually attached to each side of the tailgate and bolted to the vehicle body, in the body shop by two people.

[0005] Both bars are surface treated and painted during a vehicle surface and paint treatment carried out after the vehicle inspection and maintenance operation.

[0006] After the bars have been painted, the bars are removed by at least one person when the vehicle arrives at the assembly shop, to be oven-stripped. The bars are stripped every 20 cycles, which incurs a cost.

[0007] In addition, the bars deteriorate due to stripping and must be repaired and sometimes replaced.

[0008] Once dismantled, the bars are brought back from the assembly workshop to the sheet metal workshop.

[0009] Document KR20080051805 is known, which describes an automobile production line, comprising a system for holding the trunk in the open position on a part of the line. The holding system comprises a hook holding the tailgate open which is connected to a sliding bearing in a rail. The bearing is moved horizontally by a piston.

[0010] However, this holding system is complex because it includes sensors to determine the position of the bearing. In addition, the low travel of the piston does not allow movement over long distances, which is technically restrictive and not suitable for use in a weld inspection operation.

[0011] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a holding device intended to hold a vehicle tailgate in the open position during a step of inspecting and smoothing the weld seams of the vehicle, and a holding method making it possible to simplify the manufacturing process. and reduce manufacturing time.

[0012] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a device for holding an assembly line intended to hold a vehicle tailgate in the open position when the vehicle is positioned on a conveyor capable of moving the vehicle, from an entry to an exit of the conveyor, in a direction of advance. The holding device comprises a first rail positioned above the conveyor and a tailgate support, intended to support a rear end of the tailgate and to slide along the first rail, from a first end of the first rail to a second end of the first rail, when the tailgate support is engaged in the first rail, and the conveyor advances the vehicle from the entry to the exit of the conveyor.

[0013] According to the invention, the holding device comprises a second rail positioned above the first rail and inclined relative to the first rail, to allow the tailgate support to slide along the second rail by gravity, from a first end of the second rail to a second end of the second rail, in a return direction, opposite to the direction of advance, when the tailgate support is engaged in the second rail.

[0014] The invention thus provides a holding device intended to hold a vehicle tailgate in the open position during a step of inspecting and smoothing the weld seams of the vehicle, and a holding method making it possible to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the manufacturing time.

[0015] It is no longer necessary to have two people in the body shop to fix the bars on the vehicle or another person in the assembly shop to remove them, reducing labor time.

[0016] The operation of stripping the bars is also avoided, also reducing labor time.

[0017] The back and forth of bars between the assembly shop and the sheet metal shop are also eliminated, reducing labor time.

[0018] Quality defects caused by the bars rubbing against the already painted bodywork are eliminated.

[0019] The operation of holding the tailgate in the open position is automated and simplified, reducing labor times and vehicle manufacturing costs.

[0020] In addition, this solution does not require the use of multiple sensors.

[0021] According to a variant, the holding device comprises a lifting means intended to lift the tailgate support from the second end of the first rail to the first end of the second rail to engage the tailgate support in the first end of the second rail.

[0022] This solution allows to reduce the labor time.

[0023] According to a variant, the lifting means comprises a first cylinder connected to a first arm provided with a first gripping end configured to support the tailgate support.

[0024] According to a variant, the holding device comprises a lowering means intended to lower the tailgate support from the second end of the second rail to the first end of the first rail, to engage the tailgate support in the first end of the first rail.

[0025] This solution allows to reduce the labor time.

[0026] According to a variant, the lowering means comprises a second cylinder connected to a second arm provided with a second gripping end configured to support the tailgate support.

[0027] According to a variant, the second rail is inclined relative to the first rail at an angle of at least 5° and preferably at least 15°.

[0028] This inclination is optimal to allow the tailgate support by gravity.

[0029] According to a variant, the tailgate support comprises an L-shaped holding element connected to an upper end of the tailgate support comprising a rolling device intended to engage in the rails.

[0030] This provides a simple solution for supporting the tailgate.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method of maintaining a vehicle tailgate in the open position comprising: • a step of positioning the vehicle on a conveyor, at an entrance to the conveyor, the vehicle comprising a tailgate in the open position, • a step of inserting a tailgate support into a first end of a first rail positioned above the conveyor, • a step of holding the tailgate in the open position by the tailgate support, • a step of sliding the tailgate support along the first rail from the first end of the first rail to a second end of the first rail when the vehicle is moved by the conveyor from the entrance to an exit of the conveyor in a direction of travel, • a step of inserting the tailgate support into a first end of a second rail positioned above the first rail and inclined relative to the first rail, and • a step of sliding the tailgate support by gravity along the second rail from the first end of the second rail to a second end of the second rail in a return direction, opposite to the forward direction.

[0032] The advantages are identical to those mentioned later for the holding device.

[0033] According to another variant, the step of inserting the tailgate support into the first end of the second rail comprises a lifting operation in which a lifting means unhooks the tailgate support from the rear end of the tailgate and lifts the tailgate support from the second end of the first rail to the first end of the second rail to engage it in the first end.

[0034] This allows the maintenance process to be automated.

[0035] According to another variant, the step of inserting the tailgate support into the first end of the first rail comprises a lowering operation in which a lowering means lowers the tailgate support from the second end of the second rail to the first end of the first rail to engage it in the first end.

[0036] This allows the maintenance process to be automated.

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0038] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a view of an assembly line comprising a conveyor and a device for holding a vehicle tailgate provided with a tailgate support;

[0039] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a profile view of the assembly line when the tailgate support is lowered from a second end of a second rail to a first end of a first rail and inserted into the first rail;

[0040] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a side view of the assembly line when the tailgate support has slid in the first rail to a second end of the first rail;

[0041] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a profile view of the assembly line when the tailgate support translated from the first end of the second rail to the second end of the second rail.

[0042] The term “rear” shall be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0043] Similarly, the terms "lower" and "upper" will be understood according to their usual definition, in which the term "lower" indicates a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the term "upper".

[0044] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure and / or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0045] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate an assembly line 5 intended for an inspection and maintenance operation of the weld beads made on the vehicle during which the beads are smoothed.

[0046] The assembly line 5 comprises a conveyor 4 capable of moving the vehicle 3 from an input 6 to an output 7 of the conveyor 4 in a direction of advance. A. Preferably, the direction of advancement A is horizontal.

[0047] The assembly line 5 comprises a holding device 1 intended to hold a tailgate 2 of the vehicle 3 in the open position.

[0048] The holding device 1 comprises a first rail 8 positioned above the conveyor 4, parallel to the conveyor 4, and a tailgate support 10 intended to support a rear end 11 of the tailgate 2 to keep the tailgate 2 open during the movement of the vehicle 3 on the conveyor 4.

[0049] During the movement of the vehicle 3, the tailgate support 10 slides along the first rail 8 from a first end 12 of the first rail 8 to a second end 13 of the first rail 8 when the conveyor 4 advances the vehicle 3 from the entrance 6 to the exit 7 of the conveyor 4.

[0050] The tailgate support 10 comprises a first end 26 comprising a rolling device engaging in the first rail 8 and rolling on a lower wall of the first rail 8. The tailgate support 10 comprises a holding element 18 for holding the tailgate 2 which is in this example an L-shaped hook. Other shapes of holding element are possible.

[0051] The holding element 18 comprises a first portion 27 connected to a second portion 28 extending perpendicularly relative to the first portion 27 towards the direction of advancement A. The second portion 28 supports the rear end 11 of the tailgate 2.

[0052] The holding device 1 comprises a second rail 9 positioned above the conveyor 4 and above the first rail 8. The rolling device is able to engage in the second rail 9 and to roll on a lower wall of the second rail 9.

[0053] The second rail 9 and the first rail 8 have substantially the same length. The second rail 9 is inclined relative to the first rail 8 by an angle α to allow the tailgate support 10 to slide along the second rail 9 by gravity from a first end 14 of the second rail 9 to a second end 15 of the second rail 9 in a return direction B, opposite to the forward direction A, when the rolling device of the tailgate support 10 is engaged in the second rail 9. The second rail 9 is inclined relative to the horizontal and relative to the conveyor 4.

[0054] The angle a is at least 5° and preferably at least 15°.

[0055] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the second rail 9 and the first rail 8 can be offset not only in the height direction but also in a transverse direction X.

[0056] The invention also relates to a method for maintaining the tailgate 2 in the open position during an inspection and maintenance operation of the weld seams of the vehicle 3.

[0057] The holding method comprises a step of positioning the vehicle 3 on the conveyor 4, at the entrance 6 of the conveyor 4. The tailgate 2 of the vehicle 3 is opened and lifted by a robot.

[0058] The holding method comprises a step of holding the tailgate 2 in the open position by the tailgate support 10. The tailgate support 10 is engaged in the first end 12 of the first rail 8 and the robot rests the rear end 11 of the tailgate 2 on the tailgate support 10 which thus holds the tailgate 2 in the open position, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0059] The holding element 18 comprises hooking means for being fixed to the rear end 11 of the tailgate 2.

[0060] The holding method then comprises a step of sliding the tailgate support 10 along the first rail 8 from the first end 12 of the first rail 8 to the second end 13 of the first rail 8 when the vehicle 3 is moved by the conveyor 4 from the inlet 6 to an outlet 7 of the conveyor 4 in the direction of advance A.

[0061] The tailgate support 10 follows the movement of the vehicle 3 to the second end 13 of the first rail 8, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0062] The holding method then comprises a step of inserting the tailgate support 10 into the first end 14 of the second rail 9.

[0063] The holding device 1 comprises a lifting means 16 unhooking the tailgate support 10 from the rear end 11 of the tailgate 2 and lifting the tailgate support 10 from the second end 13 of the first rail 8 to the first end 14 of the second rail 9 to engage the tailgate support 10 in the first end 14 of the second rail 9.

[0064] The lifting means 16 comprises a first cylinder 19 connected to a first arm 21 provided with a first gripping end 22 configured to support the tailgate support 10.

[0065] The first arm 21 thus raises the tailgate support 10 from the second end 13 of the first rail 8 to the first end 14 of the second rail 9

[0066] The lifting means 16 comprises a first structure 29 supporting the first jack 19 and comprising an assembly of metal bars.

[0067] The first structure 29 is fixed on a first frame 30 positioned above the conveyor 4, upstream of the outlet 7 of the conveyor 4.

[0068] The tailgate support 10 then slides by gravity along the second rail 9 from the first end 14 of the second rail 9 to the second end 15 of the second rail 9 in the return direction B, as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0069] The holding method then comprises a step of inserting the tailgate support 10 into the first end 12 of a first rail 8.

[0070] The holding device 1 comprises a lowering means 17 intended to lower the tailgate support 10 from the second end 15 of the second rail 9 to the first end 12 of the first rail 8 to engage the tailgate support 10 in the first end 12 of the first rail 8, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0071] The lowering means 17 comprises a second cylinder 20 connected to a second arm 23 provided with a second gripping end 24 configured to support the tailgate support 10.

[0072] The second arm 23 thus lowers the tailgate support 10 from the second end 15 of the second rail 9 to the first end 12 of the first rail 8.

[0073] Thus, when a new vehicle 3 arrives at the entrance 6 of the conveyor, the process of holding the tailgate 2 of the vehicle 3 by the tailgate support 10 begins again.

[0074] Again, the tailgate support 10 slides along the first rail 8 from the first end 12 of the first rail 8 to the second end 13 of the first rail 8 when the vehicle 3 is moved by the conveyor 4 from the inlet 6 to an outlet 7 of the conveyor 4 in the direction of travel A.

[0075] The lowering means 17 comprises a second structure 31 supporting the second jack 20 and comprising an assembly of metal bars.

[0076] The second structure 31 is fixed on a second frame 32 positioned above the conveyor 4, downstream of the inlet 6 of the conveyor 4.

[0077] The first and second cylinders 19, 20 may be pneumatic, electric or hydraulic cylinders.

[0078] The tailgate support 10 thus makes back and forth movements, including a horizontal movement in the first rail 8 and a return movement descending by gravity in the second rail 9 to the second end 15 of the second rail 9.

[0079] The second rail 9 is higher than the first rail 8, i.e. further from the conveyor 4 than the first rail 8.

[0080] The distance between the second end 15 of the second rail 9 and the first end 12 of the first rail 8 is smaller than the distance between the second end 13 of the first rail 8 and the first end 14 of the second rail 9.

Claims

Claims

1. Holding device (1) of an assembly line (5) intended to hold a tailgate (2) of a vehicle (3) in the open position when the vehicle (3) is positioned on a conveyor (4) capable of moving the vehicle (3) from an inlet (6) to an outlet (7) of the conveyor (4) in a direction of advance (A), the holding device (1) comprising a first rail (8) positioned above the conveyor (4) and a tailgate support (10) intended to support a rear end (11) of the tailgate (2) and to slide along the first rail (8) from a first end (12) of the first rail (8) to a second end (13) of the first rail (8) when the tailgate support (10) is engaged in the first rail (8) and the conveyor (4) advances the vehicle (3) from the inlet (6) to the outlet (7) of the conveyor (4),characterized in that it comprises a second rail (9) positioned above the first rail (8) and inclined relative to the first rail (8) to allow the tailgate support (10) to slide along the second rail (9) by gravity from a first end (14) of the second rail (9) to a second end (15) of the second rail (9) in a return direction (B), opposite to the forward direction (A), when the tailgate support (10) is engaged in the second rail (9).,

2. Holding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device (1) comprises lifting means (16) for lifting the tailgate support (10) from the second end (13) of the first rail (8) to the first end (14) of the second rail (9) to engage the tailgate support (10) in the first end (14) of the second rail (9).

3. Holding device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the lifting means (16) comprises a first cylinder (19) connected to a first arm (21) provided with a first gripping end (22) configured to support the tailgate support (10).

4. Holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding device (1) comprises lowering means (17) for lowering the tailgate support (10) from the second end (15) of the second rail (9) to the first end (12) of the first rail (8) to engage the tailgate support (10) in the first end (12) of the first rail (8).

5. Holding device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lowering means (17) comprises a second cylinder (20) connected to a second arm (23) provided with a second gripping end (24) configured to support the tailgate support (10).

6. Holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second rail (9) is inclined relative to the first rail (8) by an angle (a) of at least 5° and preferably at least 15°.

7. Holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tailgate support (10) comprises an L-shaped holding element (18) connected to an upper end (26) of the tailgate support (10) having a rolling device intended to engage in the rails (8, 9).

8. Method for holding a vehicle tailgate (3) in the open position, characterized in that it comprises: • a step of positioning the vehicle (3) on a conveyor (4), at an inlet (6) of the conveyor (4), the vehicle (3) comprising a tailgate (2) in the open position, • a step of inserting a tailgate support (10) into a first end (12) of a first rail (8) positioned above the conveyor (4), • a step of holding the tailgate (2) in the open position by the tailgate support (10), • a step of sliding the tailgate support (10) along the first rail (8) from the first end (12) of the first rail (8) to a second end (13) of the first rail (8) when the vehicle (3) is moved by the conveyor (4) from the inlet (6) to an outlet (7) of the conveyor (4) following a direction of advancement (A),• a step of inserting the tailgate support (10) into a first end (14) of a second rail (9) positioned above the first rail (8) and inclined relative to the first rail (8), and • a step of sliding the tailgate support (10) by gravity along the second rail (9) from the first end (14) of the second rail (9) to a second end (15) of the second rail (9) in a return direction (B), opposite to the forward direction (A).,

9. A holding method according to claim 8, characterized in that the step of inserting the tailgate support (10) into the first end (14) of the second rail (9) comprises a lifting operation in which a lifting means (16) unhooks the tailgate support (10) from the rear end (11) of the tailgate (2) and lifts the tailgate support (10) from the second end (13) of the first rail (8) to the first end (14) of the second rail (9) to engage it in the first end (14).

10. A holding method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the step of inserting the tailgate support (10) into the first end (12) of the first rail (8) comprises a lowering operation in which a lowering means (17) lowers the tailgate support (10) from the second end (15) of the second rail (9) to the first end (12) of the first rail (8) to engage it in the first end (12).

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