Method for depositing at least one adhesive dot on an element

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for depositing at least one adhesive dot on an element. This deposition method comprises: a step of picking up the at least one adhesive dot from a distribution system, doing so by means of a suction cup and by suction under a determined pick-up suction pressure; a step of conveying the at least one adhesive dot from the distribution system to the element, doing so by means of the suction cup and by suction under a determined conveying suction pressure; and a step of applying the at least one adhesive dot to the element via the suction cup; as well as a step of checking that the at least one adhesive dot adheres to the element. This method is characterised in that the checking step comprises: a step of pulling on the at least one adhesive dot by means of the suction cup, aimed at removing the at least one adhesive dot from the element; and a step of detecting the presence or absence of the at least one adhesive dot on the suction cup.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element

[0001] [The present invention relates to a method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element, more particularly consisting of an element of a motor vehicle.

[0002] This invention relates to the field of tools, more particularly the field of manufacturing tools which are designed to grip an object at an element located in a determined place, to move this object to another place where an element is located, to position this object at this element, and to equip this element with this object.

[0003] This invention then relates more particularly to a tool which is designed to deposit an adhesive pad on an element more particularly constituted by an element of a motor vehicle.

[0004] Without being limited thereto in any way, this invention will find a particularly suitable application when it is a question of depositing an adhesive pad on an element comprising an opening, more particularly at the level of this opening and with a view to closing this opening by means of this adhesive pad.

[0005] Methods are already known for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element, in particular an element of a motor vehicle.

[0006] Such a removal method comprises a step of gripping an adhesive pad at a system for dispensing at least one such adhesive pad, in particular by means of a suction cup. This removal method further comprises a step of conveying the adhesive pad from the dispensing system to the element by means of the suction cup. The removal method also comprises a step of applying the adhesive pad to the element by means of the suction cup. Finally, the removal method comprises a step of checking that the adhesive pad adheres to the element.

[0007] It will be observed that the control step is usually implemented by an optical detector and consists, on the one hand, of recording and recording reference data which correspond to the element as well as to the opening that this element comprises, this before the step of applying the adhesive pad to the element and at the level of the opening, on the other hand, of recording sealing data which correspond to the element as well as to the opening of this element, this after the step of applying the adhesive pad to the element and at the level of the opening and, on the other hand again, of comparing the reference data and the sealing data to note, either a difference between these data which makes it possible to determine that the opening is sealed by the adhesive pad, or a correspondence between these data which makes it possible to determine that the opening is not sealed by the adhesive pad.

[0008] This control step has a number of drawbacks. In particular, this control step requires the presence, on the one hand, of an optical detector (more particularly at the suction cup) which is an additional part, on the other hand, of a data management system (reference and shutter) and, on the other hand, of means of connection (in particular wired) of said optical detector to the data management system.

[0009] It will be observed that this control step makes it possible to determine with relevance that the opening of the element is not closed by an adhesive pad, this in the absence of such an adhesive pad on the element and at the level of this opening. This may be the case, when no adhesive pad has been conveyed towards the element. This may also be the case, when, on the one hand, the opening is provided on a substantially vertical part of the element or when the application of the adhesive pad is ensured on the underside of the element and, on the other hand, that the adhesive pad has not adhered to the element due to an absence of adhesive on the adhesive pad, too weak an application force of the adhesive pad on the element or soiling of the surface of the element (in particular by grease or silicone) which prevents the adhesion of the adhesive pad.

[0010] However, when the application of the adhesive pad is ensured on a substantially horizontal part of the element and from above this element, this control step can determine that the opening is closed by the pad adhesive whereas this adhesive pad may simply rest on the element without adhering to it or with insufficient adhesion, in particular due to insufficient or no adhesive on the adhesive pad, due to soiling of the surface of the element or due to too weak an application force of the adhesive pad on the element.

[0011] Furthermore, regardless of the orientation of the part of the element that includes the opening, this control step certainly makes it possible to determine the presence of an adhesive pad on the element, but this control step does not make it possible to determine whether this adhesive pad adheres appropriately to this element. However, the fact that such an adhesive pad does not adhere appropriately to the element has the effect that this adhesive pad does not fulfill the function for which it was designed. In particular, and although the presence of this adhesive pad was confirmed during the control step, this adhesive pad may not fulfill its sealing function (to air and / or water) and / or its acoustic function (in particular attenuation, or even acoustic insulation), which is not admissible.

[0012] In order to validate that the adhesive pad adheres appropriately to the element, the control step may be supplemented by a validation step which may consist of an impermeability test (in particular consisting of a test known as the water column test) or an impact test (in particular known as the puncture test). Such a validation step, on the one hand, constitutes an additional step which is time-consuming, which extends the manufacturing time of the element, and which increases the manufacturing cost of this element and, on the other hand, requires the acquisition and implementation of additional and specific equipment, which may even be restrictive to implement.

[0013] The above-mentioned disadvantages are amplified by the fact that such an element usually has a plurality of openings, or even a large number of these openings.

[0014] The present invention is intended to remedy, at least in part, the drawbacks of the methods of the state of the art.

[0015] To this end, the invention relates to a method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element. This depositing method comprises, on the one hand, a gripping step which consists of gripping said at least one adhesive pad at a distribution system for at least one such adhesive pad, this by means of a suction cup and by suction under a determined gripping suction pressure, on the other hand, a conveying step which consists of conveying said at least one adhesive pad from the distribution system to the element, this by means of the suction cup and by suction under a determined conveying suction pressure, on the other hand again, an application step which consists of applying said at least one adhesive pad on the element by means of the suction cup, on the other hand again, a control step which consists of controlling that said at least one adhesive pad adheres to the element.This removal method is characterized by the fact that the control step comprises, on the one hand, a traction step which consists of exerting, on said at least one adhesive pad and by means of the suction cup, a traction which aims to remove said at least one adhesive pad relative to the element and, on the other hand, a detection step which consists, at least during the traction step, of detecting the presence or absence of said adhesive pad on the suction cup.

[0016] Another feature concerns the fact that the traction step consists, on the one hand, in exerting a determined traction suction pressure on said at least one adhesive pad, this by means of the suction cup and, on the other hand, in moving the suction cup away from the element.

[0017] According to another characteristic, the detection step comprises, on the one hand, a measurement step which consists of measuring a pressure at the suction cup or at the level of a pneumatic circuit associated with this suction cup, this at least during the traction step, on the other hand, a step of comparing the pressure measured during the measurement step with a set pressure and, on the other hand, a determination step which consists, either and in the case of a measured pressure less than or equal to the set pressure, in determining the presence of said at least one adhesive pad on the suction cup, or and in the case of a measured pressure greater than the set pressure, in determining the absence of said at least one adhesive pad on the suction cup.

[0018] Thus, the removal method according to the present invention comprises a control step, on the one hand, which comprises a traction step and a detection step and, on the other hand, which advantageously makes it possible to control that an adhesive pad is absent from the suction cup and, therefore, that such an adhesive pad adheres satisfactorily to an element which then allows said adhesive pad to fulfill its function, more particularly sealing and / or acoustic, at the level of an opening that said element comprises.

[0019] With regard to said traction step, this is implemented by means of the suction cup, which advantageously makes it possible to use the suction cup that the removal device already includes, without having to resort to an additional device, or even one separate from the removal device.

[0020] This control step also includes a detection step which is implemented at the level of the suction cup and / or at the level of means which are associated with this suction cup which, again, advantageously makes it possible to take advantage of the means which the removal device includes without having to resort to an additional device (more particularly in the form of a sensor), or even separate from the removal device.

[0021] In addition, this control step can be implemented during the traction step (i.e., at the time of the suction cup moving away from the element) and therefore does not require an additional time-consuming step, which then advantageously makes it possible not to extend the duration of the cycle for removing the adhesive pads. Additionally, this control step advantageously makes it possible to maintain a particularly short removal cycle duration, in particular of the order of 1.2 seconds.

[0022] Additionally, the traction step and the detection step are, at least in part, implemented by a pneumatic system, which the removal device comprises, which manages the pressure within the removal device (more particularly at the level of the suction cup), and which already controls the suction cup so that these steps (of traction and detection) do not require additional means and can be easily controlled, more particularly by means (more particularly by the system pneumatic), which the removal device already includes, and which already control the suction cup of this removal device.

[0023] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows relating to embodiments which are given only as indicative and non-limiting examples.

[0024] Thus, the present invention relates to the field of tools, more particularly the field of manufacturing tools which are designed to grip an object at an element located in a determined place, to move this object to another place where an element is located, to position this object at this element, and to equip this element with this object.

[0025] The invention then relates to a method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element, more particularly constituted by an element that comprises a motor vehicle. Such an element may consist of an element of a structure, an element of the chassis, an element of the body or an element of the bodywork of such a motor vehicle.

[0026] In particular, this element comprises at least one opening while the method of depositing said at least one adhesive pad consists of depositing said at least one adhesive pad in such a way as to close such an opening.

[0027] The method for depositing at least one adhesive pad comprises a plurality of steps which can be implemented by means of a device for depositing at least one adhesive pad.

[0028] This removal method comprises a gripping step which consists of gripping said at least one adhesive pad at the level of a distribution system of at least one such adhesive pad, more particularly on an assembly, which this distribution system comprises, which can take the form of a roll, and which comprises a strip as well as at least one adhesive pad which temporarily adheres to this strip.

[0029] This gripping step is implemented by means of a suction cup (which the removal device then includes) and by suction under a determined gripping suction pressure.

[0030] In this regard, it will be observed that this determined suction pressure is between -50kPa and -100kPa, preferably between -75kPa and -90kPa.

[0031] This removal method also comprises a conveying step which consists of conveying said at least one adhesive pad from the distribution system to the element, this by means of the suction cup and by suction under a determined conveying suction pressure.

[0032] In this regard, it will be observed that this determined conveying suction pressure is between -50kPa and -100kPa, preferably between -75kPa and -90kPa.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this determined conveying suction pressure can be substantially equal to the determined gripping suction pressure, which makes it possible to maintain said at least one adhesive pad within the suction cup.

[0034] Additionally, this removal method comprises an application step which consists of applying said at least one adhesive pad to the element, using the suction cup.

[0035] Finally, this removal method comprises a control step which consists of checking that said at least one adhesive pad adheres to the element. In fact, this control step consists, more particularly, of checking that said at least one adhesive pad adheres appropriately to the element, so that said at least one adhesive pad fulfills its function, more particularly of sealing (to air and / or water) and / or acoustic (in particular attenuation, or even acoustic insulation) at the level of an opening that said element comprises.

[0036] The control step comprises, on the one hand, a traction step which consists of exerting, on said at least one adhesive pad and by means of the suction cup, a traction which aims to remove said at least one adhesive pad relative to the element and, on the other hand, a detection step which consists, at least during the traction step (or even before and / or later), in detecting the presence or absence of said at least one adhesive pad on the suction cup (and, consequently and respectively, the absence or presence of said at least one adhesive pad on the element).

[0037] As regards said pulling step, this consists, on the one hand, in exerting a determined pulling suction pressure on said adhesive pad, this by means of the suction cup and, on the other hand, in moving the suction cup away from the element.

[0038] In this regard, it will be observed that this determined traction suction pressure is between -50kPa and -100kPa, preferably between -75kPa and -90kPa.

[0039] According to another feature, the determined traction suction pressure may be higher than the determined gripping suction pressure and / or the determined conveying suction pressure.

[0040] However, and according to a preferred embodiment, the determined traction suction pressure is less than or equal to the determined gripping suction pressure and / or the determined conveying suction pressure.

[0041] This feature advantageously makes it possible, on the one hand, to grasp and convey said at least one adhesive pad under a pressure (determined grasping suction and determined conveying suction) which may be moderate (but sufficient for such grasping and conveying) and, on the other hand, by exerting a traction suction pressure which may be lower, to determine whether the adhesive pad does not adhere appropriately to the element or adheres appropriately to the element, or even adheres strongly to the element.

[0042] As mentioned above, the control step also includes a detection step.

[0043] This detection step comprises, on the one hand, a recording step which consists of recording a pressure at the level of the suction cup or at the level of a pneumatic circuit associated with this suction cup (more particularly a pneumatic circuit which establishes the determined gripping suction pressure, the determined conveying suction pressure and / or the determined traction suction pressure at the level of the suction cup), this at least during the traction step, or even subsequently.

[0044] On the other hand, this detection step includes a step of comparing the pressure recorded during the reading step with a set pressure.

[0045] Furthermore, this detection step includes a determination step which consists, either and in the case of a measured pressure less than or equal to the set pressure, in determining the presence of said at least one adhesive pad on the suction cup (and, therefore, the fact that said at least one adhesive pad does not adhere at all to the element or does not adhere appropriately to this element to fulfill its function), or and in the case of a measured pressure greater than the set pressure, in determining the absence of said at least one adhesive pad on the suction cup (and, therefore, the fact that said at least one adhesive pad adheres to the element, this in an appropriate manner so that this adhesive pad fulfills its function).

[0046] According to another characteristic, the set pressure is between -50kPa and -100kPa, preferably between -75kPa and -90kPa.

[0047] According to a particular embodiment, the set pressure is equal to the determined input suction pressure.

[0048] Alternatively, the set pressure is equal to the determined traction suction pressure.

[0049] Yet another feature of the invention consists in that the deposition method comprises a step of selecting the determined gripping suction pressure. This selection step advantageously makes it possible to adapt the determined gripping suction pressure to the characteristics of the suction cup (in particular to the diameter of a suction duct that this suction cup comprises and / or to the size of the surface of the adhesive pad on which the suction cup exerts suction) and / or to the characteristics of said at least one adhesive pad (in particular to the size - for example, to the diameter and / or to the thickness - to the flexibility, to the mechanical resistance, to the surface condition or to the tack, in particular known under the Anglo-Saxon term "tack") and / or to the adhesion of said at least one adhesive pad to the strip of the assembly mentioned above.

[0050] According to an alternative or (and preferably) additional characteristic, the deposition method comprises a step of selecting the suction pressure determined conveying pressure. This selection step advantageously makes it possible to adapt the determined conveying suction pressure to the characteristics of the suction cup (in particular to the diameter of a suction duct that this suction cup comprises and / or to the size of the surface of the adhesive pad on which the suction cup exerts suction) and / or to the characteristics of said at least one adhesive pad (in particular to the size - for example, to the diameter and / or to the thickness - to the flexibility, to the mechanical resistance, to the surface condition or to the tackiness).

[0051] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, the removal method comprises a step of selecting the determined traction suction pressure. This selection step advantageously makes it possible to adapt the determined traction suction pressure to the characteristics of the suction cup (in particular to the above-mentioned characteristics of the suction cup) and / or to the characteristics of said at least one adhesive pad (in particular to the above-mentioned characteristics of the adhesive pad) and / or to the required adhesion force of the adhesive pad on the element so that this adhesive pad adheres appropriately to the element in order to perform its function.

[0052] An additional feature is that, during the conveying step, this depositing method may include a step of adjusting the suction pressure to the determined conveying suction pressure.

[0053] This adjustment step advantageously makes it possible to maintain said at least one adhesive pad in place on the suction cup despite possible degradation of said at least one adhesive pad (for example, a crack or a split in said at least one adhesive pad) and / or despite an irregular surface condition of said at least one adhesive pad. |

Claims

Claims

1. [A method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element, this depositing method comprises, on the one hand, a gripping step which consists of gripping said at least one adhesive pad at a distribution system for at least one such adhesive pad, this by means of a suction cup and by suction under a determined gripping suction pressure, on the other hand, a conveying step which consists of conveying said at least one adhesive pad from the distribution system to the element, this by means of the suction cup and by suction under a determined conveying suction pressure, on the other hand again, an application step which consists of applying said at least one adhesive pad to the element by means of the suction cup, on the other hand again, a control step which consists of controlling that said at least one adhesive pad adheres to the element,characterized in that the control step comprises, on the one hand, a traction step which consists of exerting, on said at least one adhesive pad and by means of the suction cup, a traction which aims to remove said at least one adhesive pad relative to the element and, on the other hand, a detection step which consists, at least during the traction step, of detecting the presence or absence of said at least one adhesive pad on the suction cup.,

2. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to claim 1, characterized in that the traction step consists, on the one hand, in exerting a determined traction suction pressure on said at least one adhesive pad, this by means of the suction cup and, on the other hand, in moving the suction cup away from the element.

3. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to claim 2, characterized in that the determined traction suction pressure is less than or equal to the determined gripping suction pressure.

4. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that the determined traction suction pressure is between - 50kPa and -100kPa, preferably between -75kPa and -90kPa.

5. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determined gripping suction pressure and / or the determined conveying suction pressure is between - 50kPa and -100kPa, preferably between -75kPa and -90kPa.

6. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection step comprises, on the one hand, a reading step which consists of reading a pressure at the suction cup or at the level of a pneumatic circuit associated with this suction cup, this at least during the traction step, on the other hand, a step of comparing the pressure recorded during the reading step with a set pressure and, on the other hand, a determination step which consists, either and in the case of a recorded pressure less than or equal to the set pressure, in determining the presence of said at least one adhesive pad on the suction cup, or and in the case of a recorded pressure greater than the set pressure, in determining the absence of said at least one adhesive pad on the suction cup.

7. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to claim 6, characterized in that the set pressure is equal to the determined gripping suction pressure.

8. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to claims 2 and 6, characterized in that the set pressure is equal to the determined traction suction pressure.

9. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of selecting the determined gripping suction pressure.

10. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a step of selecting the determined traction suction pressure.

11. Method for depositing at least one adhesive pad on an element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, during the conveying step, the method comprises a step of adjusting the suction pressure to the determined conveying suction pressure, j