SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING MECHANICAL AND / OR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS UNDER A MOTOR VEHICLE BODY AND ASSOCIATED MOUNTING METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for mounting mechanical and / or electrical members (6) under a motor vehicle body (C), said system (1) comprising: – an assembly plate (3) comprising guide rods (5); – mechanical (6) and / or electrical members comprising at least one through hole (7) configured to cooperate with one of said guide rods (5) of said plate (3); characterized in that at least one mechanical and / or electrical member (6), called the first member, comprises fixing elements (9) configured to allow the first member (6) to be fixed to a motor vehicle body (C), and that said at least one through hole (7) of said first member (6) is delimited by an elastic structure (11). Abstract figure: [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING MECHANICAL AND / OR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS UNDER A MOTOR VEHICLE BODY AND ASSOCIATED MOUNTING METHOD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to the field of automated assembly of various mechanical and / or electrical components under a motor vehicle body.

[0002] Indeed, during the manufacture of a motor vehicle, it is known to use assembly systems, generally designated by the acronym "OS-POM" for "specific tools for preparing mechanical components", making it possible to mount said mechanical and / or electrical components under the body in an automated manner.

[0003] More particularly, the mounting system comprises, for example, a chassis or an assembly plate comprising supports, indexing means and / or holding elements, etc., on which various mechanical and / or electrical components, such as a running gear, a motor, a battery, a cable, etc., can be positioned and mounted. The positioning of said components on said plate is, for example, carried out automatically by means of a robot, a robotic arm, an automaton, etc., or even manually.

[0004] Thus, the positioning of said mechanical and / or electrical members on the assembly plate is carried out by the indexing means of the plate, such as indexing or guiding rods, which cooperate with passage holes provided in said members to be positioned.

[0005] Thus, when assembling the various mechanical and / or electrical components under the body, there are: - positioning of said members on the assembly plate, in particular by cooperation between indexing means, such as guide rods, of the plate and passage holes provided in said members; - covering the plate with a vehicle body, for example by moving the plate against the body (or vice versa), so as to position the various components against the body and opposite a body fixing zone associated with said component (covering which corresponds to the marriage, along the vertical axis, between the body and the components placed on the plate or “OS-POM”); - fixing said members to each of their associated fixing zones, for example by means of fixing elements, such as screws, rivets, bolts, tapped holes, etc.

[0006] It will be noted that the fixing of the heaviest mechanical and / or electrical components to the vehicle body, at a fixing zone, can be carried out by screwing, using robotic arms and / or automatons (therefore in an automated manner).

[0007] Whereas the lightest mechanical and / or electrical components are generally held on the body by temporary holding means, for example by fitting, then fixed by manual screwing (i.e. carried out by an operator), once the plate is removed from said vehicle body.

[0008] One of the problems linked to this assembly plate is the management of the different variances and tolerances which may exist in the dimensions of the different means for indexing and / or fixing the components to the body, in particular the indexing means, the passage holes, the fixing zones (i.e. the alignment of the complementary fixing means, such as tapped or untapped holes on the body and the component).

[0009] As a non-limiting example, certain mechanical parts, such as a vehicle rear axle, have product / product indexing in the structure, this means that the axle incorporates an indexing means which recenters itself in the body over the last few millimeters, but initially the tolerance values ​​are of the order of 4 mm. This tolerance value of the axle is chosen in particular to improve its positioning relative to the vehicle body. Indeed, the correct positioning of the running gear allows in particular correct positioning of the wheels in the wheel arch, to limit tire wear, to improve the road behavior of the vehicle, etc.

[0010] However, there are other members to be fixed to the body, and it is necessary that these members can be fixed to the body despite the tolerance constraints imposed by the rear axle, for example an engine harness flange interface (in the case of a hybrid or electric vehicle) which is configured to cooperate (or fit) on studs welded to the body, then to be fixed to said body, for example by means of screws and a nut.

[0011] The engine harness flange comprises, for example, a clip configured to grip the threads of welded studs, and then for the flange to be screwed manually by an operator to the body. The clip and the welded studs thus act as holding or pre-holding elements before securing the flange to the body.

[0012] Furthermore, once the flange is positioned on the assembly plate, the clip-stud position may have tolerances (or variances) of the order of 3 mm, whereas the positioning of the train with respect to the body may have variances of the order of 4 mm. There may therefore be variability in the positioning of up to 7 mm, which is of course unacceptable, because this makes it very difficult, or even impossible, to screw the flange onto the associated fixing zone arranged under the body of the motor vehicle, in particular preventing the automation of this screwing process.

[0013] Thus, unlike usual means, a tolerance of 3 mm on certain mechanical and / or electrical components is not sufficient to absorb the variability of the positioning of different mechanical and / or electrical components and / or the tolerance interval of certain components to be fixed under the body of the motor vehicle. It is therefore necessary to find a solution adapted to this tolerance problem and to be able to automate this process, as well as the fixing of said components to the vehicle body.

[0014] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing a new type of system for mounting mechanical and / or electrical components under a motor vehicle body, said system comprising: - an assembly plate comprising guide rods; - mechanical and / or electrical members comprising at least one passage hole configured to cooperate with one of said guide rods of said plate; characterized in that at least one mechanical and / or electrical member, called the first member, comprises fixing elements configured to allow the first member to be fixed to a motor vehicle body, and that said at least one passage hole of said first member is delimited by an elastic structure.

[0015] The mounting system according to the invention thus provides a simple and economical solution for varying the tolerance accepted by a mechanical and / or electrical member at the level of its positioning on the assembly plate, and thus absorbing dimensional and / or positioning variances of the different elements of the mounting system and / or other mechanical and / or electrical members.

[0016] Indeed, the guide rod of the plate inserted into the passage hole of the first member can thus move against the edges of the passage hole by compressing the elastic structure delimiting it, and therefore temporarily accept a greater movement of the rod in the passage hole. This thus allows the system to conform to tolerances and / or dimensional and / or positioning variances of other members or fixing elements, etc. until the correct positioning of the different elements and members before recentering the first member, or until the latter recenters itself, thus leaving the different members in their expected positions.

[0017] According to a possible characteristic, said system comprises another mechanical and / or electrical member, called the second member, comprising fixing elements configured to secure the second member to a motor vehicle body, the movement of the guide rod in the passage hole of said first member being configured to be greater than or equal to the cumulative variances in positioning of the fixing elements and / or the guide rods of the first and second members.

[0018] Advantageously, the movement of the guide rod in the passage hole of the first member must be greater than or equal to the cumulative variances in the positioning of the fixing elements and / or the guide rods of the first and second members, in order to allow the fixing of the different members and then the recentering of the first member to position it correctly in relation to the body.

[0019] According to another possible characteristic, said elastic structure has substantially a funnel or elliptical paraboloid shape. It is advantageous for the elastic structure to have an inclination relative to the guide rod when the latter is inserted into the through hole, in order to optimize the contact surface between the elastic structure and said rod, and thus to promote the elastic compression of said structure.

[0020] According to a possible characteristic, the concavity of said elastic structure is oriented in the direction of the guide rod. Advantageously, the concavity of the elastic structure is configured to be oriented towards the guide rod when it is inserted into the passage hole, this making it possible, among other things, to guide said rod into the passage hole delimited by the elastic structure.

[0021] According to a possible characteristic, said elastic structure is configured to allow a movement of said guide rod in said passage hole greater than 5 mm, and preferably greater than 6 mm. Advantageously, the travel of the guide rod in the passage hole is between 5 and 10 mm.

[0022] According to a possible characteristic, said elastic structure comprises fins or a discoidal structure. Advantageously, the fins or strips extend radially towards the inside of said through hole so as to allow the guide rod to be held tightly in said hole, and thus limit the movement of the members on the plate. It will also be noted that, preferably, the member(s) comprise two through holes each configured to cooperate with a separate guide rod, in order to block the rotation of said members on said plate.

[0023] According to a possible characteristic, said elastic structure is made of an elastic material having a Shore A hardness of between 20 and 50. Advantageously, when the guide rod is inserted into the through hole, the elastic structure is then stressed or pre-stressed, in order to increase its compressive strength.

[0024] According to a possible characteristic, said first member is a flange for an electric cable, said at least one passage hole being provided in said flange.

[0025] The invention also relates to a clamp for an electric cable, characterized in that said flange is configured to be implemented in a mounting system comprising one or more of the features set out above.

[0026] The invention further relates to a method for mounting mechanical and / or electrical components under a motor vehicle body by means of a mounting system, said system comprising: - an assembly plate comprising guide rods; - at least one mechanical and / or electrical member, called the first member, comprising at least one passage hole configured to cooperate with one of said guide rods of said plate and fixing elements configured to fix said first member to a motor vehicle body; the passage hole of the first member being delimited by an elastic structure, said method comprising: - positioning of the first member on the assembly plate by the cooperation of said at least one passage hole with one of the associated guide rods; - a covering of said assembly plate by the motor vehicle body, the fixing elements of said first member cooperating with complementary elements arranged on said vehicle body by the movement of the guide rod in the passage hole of the first member and the compression of the elastic structure by said guide rod; - refocusing or repositioning of the first organ so that each of the guide rods no longer compresses the elastic structure; - fixing the first member to the body by means of said fixing elements.

[0027] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic, partial and sectional view of a mounting system according to the invention topped by a motor vehicle body: - [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic, partial and perspective view of a mechanical and / or electrical member according to the invention of the mounting system of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the method of mounting mechanical and / or electrical components under a motor vehicle body according to the invention.

[0028] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". Furthermore, it will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0029] [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic, partial and sectional view of a system of assembly 1 according to the invention of mechanical and / or electrical members 6 under a body C of a motor vehicle.

[0030] Said mounting system 1 thus comprises: - an assembly or mounting plate 3 configured so that one or more mechanical and / or electrical members are positioned there temporarily, before said members 6 are mounted (or fixed) under the body C; - mechanical and / or electrical members 6 comprising fixing elements 9 configured to allow the fixing of said members 6 to a body C of a motor vehicle.

[0031] In addition, said plate 3 comprises guide rods 5 configured to cooperate with a passage hole 7 provided on said mechanical and / or electrical members 6. Said guide rods 5 for example project perpendicularly to a receiving face 4 of the plate 3.

[0032] Thus, each of said members 6 comprises at least one passage hole 7 configured to cooperate with one of said guide rods 5 of said plate 3 and thus allow the correct positioning of one of the members 6 on said plate 3 (and therefore also relative to the body C), before said member 6 is fixed or secured by means of said fixing elements 9 to the body C.

[0033] It will be noted that [Fig.l] illustrates only a single member 6, called the first member, a single guide rod 5 and a single fixing element 9, however advantageously said member 6 comprises two passage holes 7 which are each configured to cooperate with a separate guide rod 5, this among other things to block any rotation of said 6 on said plate 3 (and thus guarantee the correct positioning of said member 6).

[0034] [Fig.2] illustrates, for its part, a schematic, partial and perspective view of the mechanical and / or electrical member 6 of [Fig.l], said member illustrated in [Fig.l] and [Fig.2] being a flange 6 for an electric cable.

[0035] Said flange 6 is made of a plastic material, for example of charged polyamide, in which one or more passage holes 7 are arranged, two as illustrated in [Fig.2], each configured to cooperate with a guide rod 5 thus making it possible to position said flange 6 on said plate 3.

[0036] Said flange 6 may also comprise a channel 8, intended to receive at least one electric cable 2, as well as at least one mounting orifice 9 intended to receive a screw 10 coming from said box C for the purpose of fixing by a nut, not shown, of said flange 6 under said box C.

[0037] The flange 6 may also comprise a clip (not shown) configured to grip the threads of welded studs (not shown) of the body C, the clip and the welded studs thus acting as holding or pre-holding elements before securing flange 6 to body C.

[0038] Furthermore, the system 1 may further comprise at least one clamping collar 12 surrounding the trunking 8 in order to ensure the maintenance of a cable 2 in said trunking 8.

[0039] It will be noted that the mounting orifice 9 and the screw 10 are fixing elements allowing the fixing, for example definitively (by means of a nut), of the flange 6 under the body C. In addition, the flange 6 comprises for example two mounting orifices 9 intended to each receive a screw 10 coming from the body C.

[0040] Furthermore, one or more passage holes 7 of the first member 6 are delimited by an elastic structure 11. Said elastic structure 11 is advantageously made of a material having a Shore A hardness of between 20 and 50.

[0041] Said elastic structure 11 comprises fins, lamellae or a discoidal structure. The fins, lamellae or the discoidal structure of the elastic structure 11 are for example produced by molding, and extend radially towards the inside of said passage hole 7.

[0042] Furthermore, the elastic structure 11 has a substantially funnel or elliptical paraboloid shape, the concavity of said structure 11 being oriented in the direction of the guide rod 5 (in the mounted position), that is to say that the concavity faces said rod 5 when said rod 5 is inserted into the passage hole 7.

[0043] Furthermore, when the rod 5 is inserted into the passage hole 7, said elastic structure 11 surrounds the rod 5 and is configured to act as a spring, that is to say that said structure 11 is configured to compress so as to allow a radial movement greater than 5 mm, and preferably greater than 6 mm, to the guide rod 5 once the latter is inserted into the passage hole 7.

[0044] Furthermore, when the guide rod 5 is inserted into the passage hole 7, the elastic structure 11 is then stressed or prestressed, in order to increase the compressive strength of said structure 11. The ends and / or one of the faces, for example that directed towards said rod 5, of the elastic structure 11 is thus, in the mounted position, in abutment against the guide rod 5.

[0045] Said system 1 further comprises another mechanical and / or electrical member (not shown), called the second member, which also comprises fixing elements configured to secure the second member to the body C, as well as one or more passage holes configured to cooperate with guide rods 5 of the plate. The second member is for example a running gear (such as a rear gear), a motor, a battery, etc.

[0046] The second member has a positioning variance, whether due to the guide rods 5, the through holes and / or the fixing elements, determined, for example, of the order of 4 mm. While the first member 6 also has a positioning variance, whether due to the guide rods 5, the through holes and / or the fixing elements, passage 7 and / or fixing elements 9, 10, determined, for example of the order of 3 mm.

[0047] [Fig. 3] illustrates, for its part, a flowchart of a method 100 for mounting mechanical and / or electrical components 6 under the body C of a motor vehicle by means of the mounting system 1.

[0048] Said assembly method 100 comprises at least the following steps: - a positioning SI of the first member 6, here the flange, on the assembly plate 3 by the cooperation of at least one passage hole 7 with one of the associated guide rods 5; - capping S2 of said plate 3 by the motor vehicle body, the fixing elements 9, 10 of the first member 6 and the body C generating by their cooperation the displacement of the guide rods 5 in the passage holes 7 of the first member 6 and the compression (for example due to the lateral displacement of the rod 5 and / or the member 6) of the elastic structure 11 by said guide rod 5; - refocusing S3 or repositioning of the first member 6 so that each of the guide rods 5 no longer compresses the elastic structure 11; - fixing the first member 6 to the body C by means of said fixing elements 9, 10.

[0049] It will be noted that the possible movement of the guide rod 5 in the passage hole 7 of said first member 6 is advantageously configured to take into account the tolerances and / or variances of other members and / or fixing elements of said members and / or of the body C.

[0050] Thus, the elastic structure 11 is configured so that the movement of the guide rod 5 in the passage hole 7 of said first member 6 is greater than or equal to the cumulative variances in positioning of the fixing elements 9, 10 of the first member 6, but also of at least one other member, such as the second member.

[0051] In a variant of the invention not shown, one or more guide rods 5 are mounted on the plate 3 in an axially retractable manner, so as to allow the removal of said rods 5 from the passage hole 7, for example after fixing said member 6 under the body C (and / or for example after the insertion of the screw 10 into the mounting orifice 9).

Claims

Claims

1. Mounting system (1) for mechanical and / or electrical members (6) under a motor vehicle body (C), said system (1) comprising: - an assembly plate (3) comprising guide rods (5); - mechanical (6) and / or electrical members comprising at least one through hole (7) configured to cooperate with one of said guide rods (5) of said plate (3); characterized in that at least one mechanical and / or electrical member (6), called the first member, comprises fixing elements (9) configured to allow the first member (6) to be fixed to a motor vehicle body (C), and that said at least one through hole (7) of said first member (6) is delimited by an elastic structure (11).

2. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said system (1) comprises another mechanical and / or electrical member, called second member, comprising fixing elements configured to secure the second member to a motor vehicle body, the movement of the guide rod (5) in the passage hole (7) of said first member (6) being configured to be greater than or equal to the cumulative variances in positioning of the fixing elements (9) of the first (6) and second members.

3. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic structure (11) has substantially a funnel or elliptical paraboloid shape.

4. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the concavity of said elastic structure (11) is oriented in the direction of the guide rod (5).

5. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic structure (11) is configured to allow a movement of said guide rod (5) in said passage hole (7) greater than 5 mm.

6. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic structure (11) comprises fins or a discoidal structure.

7. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic structure (11) is made of an elastic material having a Shore A hardness of between 20 and 50.

8. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first member is a flange (6) for an electric cable, said at least one passage hole (7) being provided in said flange (6).

9. Flange (6) for electric cable, characterized in that said flange (6) is configured to be implemented in a mounting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Method (100) for mounting mechanical (6) and / or electrical members under a motor vehicle body by means of a mounting system (1), said system (1) comprising: - an assembly plate (3) comprising guide rods (5); - at least one mechanical (6) and / or electrical member, called first member, comprising at least one through hole (7) configured to cooperate with one of said guide rods (5) of said plate (3) and fixing elements (9) configured to fix said first member (6) to a motor vehicle body (C); the through hole (7) of the first member (6) being delimited by an elastic structure (11), said method (100) comprising: - a positioning (SI) of the first member (6) on the assembly plate (3) by the cooperation of said at least one through hole (7) with one of the associated guide rods (5);- a capping (S2) of said assembly plate (3) by the body (C) of the motor vehicle, the fixing elements (9) of said first member (6) cooperating with complementary elements (10) arranged on said body (C) of the vehicle by the displacement of the guide rod (5) in the passage hole (7) of the first member (6) and the compression of the elastic structure (11) by said guide rod (5); - recentering (S3) or repositioning of the first member (6) so that each of the guide rods (5) no longer compresses the elastic structure (11); - fixing (S4) of the first member (6) to the body (C) by means of said fixing elements (9, 10).;

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