Measuring bench for determining the position of a wire of a dummy striker

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring bench for determining the position of a wire of a dummy striker. The measuring bench comprises a measuring station (4) with a plate (6) having a contact face (8) for immobilising the dummy striker (10), and at least one support (12) for a contact probe (14). This probe comprises a stylus, a reading gauge (24) and a stop (28). The support (12) allows the probe (14) to be inserted until its stop (28) bears against the support (12), allowing the stylus to accurately measure the displacement of the wire (16) of the dummy striker (10).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Measuring bench for determining the position of a wire in a false strike plate Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2503962 filed on April 14, 2025, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The invention is in the field of the automotive industry and relates more specifically to a measuring bench intended to allow easier and more precise positioning of a door latch on the chassis of a motor vehicle. Technological background

[0002] In the automotive industry, the seamless integration and proper functioning of openings, such as doors and hoods, are essential to ensuring the quality and safety of a vehicle. These components must not only fit perfectly into the designated openings in the chassis, but also be able to remain securely and reliably closed while the vehicle is in motion.

[0003] Locking systems typically consist of a strike plate attached to the vehicle's body, so that a wire on the strike plate engages with a lock on a door or hood to secure it. This locking mechanism is valued for its simplicity and robustness, which is crucial for both the vehicle's aesthetics and security.

[0004] During the design phase of a motor vehicle, before mass production, it is essential to create full-scale mock-ups. These prototypes allow for verification of the bodywork layout and its openings, as well as the proper functioning of locks and locking systems. This step is crucial for identifying and correcting any alignment or locking issues prior to mass production of the vehicle, ensuring compliance with quality and safety requirements.

[0005] To ensure consistent positioning of the latches on a given series of vehicles, it is common practice to drill indexing holes in the vehicle body. These indexing holes allow an operator to pre-position each latch in the desired location before it is permanently screwed onto the body. This process ensures that each latch is mounted uniformly, thus guaranteeing consistent production quality and reliable operation of the locking systems.

[0006] To ensure consistent positioning of the latches on the same series of vehicles, it is common practice to drill indexing holes in the chassis. These holes allow an operator to pre-position each latch in the desired location before it is permanently screwed onto the chassis. This process ensures that each latch is mounted uniformly, thus guaranteeing consistent production quality.

[0007] The precise positioning of the indexing holes is crucial during vehicle design. It ensures that the latches are correctly positioned on the vehicle chassis during mass production. Incorrect positioning can lead to lock malfunctions and door alignment problems, thus affecting the perceived quality of the vehicle.

[0008] Traditionally, the position of the indexing holes is determined empirically, by drilling initial indexing holes by eye and then testing the door's closure. If the lock malfunctions due to misalignment of the strike plate, adjustments are necessary, requiring the drilling of new indexing holes. These operations are repeated until the correct positioning is achieved, allowing the strike plate to function properly with the door lock. Drilling these indexing holes is a tedious process and prone to numerous approximations.

[0009] It can happen that, before the correct positioning is determined, the chassis becomes unusable due to the number of indexing holes previously drilled. This prevents the drilling of new holes and necessitates chassis replacement, resulting in significant development costs.

[0010] To solve this problem, the use of dummy latches has been proposed. These dummy strike plates allow the wire to move relative to the mounting plate, thus facilitating the quick and precise determination of the correct wire position relative to the initial drilling of the indexing holes, without requiring multiple drillings. However, this solution necessitates complex and delicate measurements of the strike wire's positioning relative to the plate's indexing pins, which are inserted into the indexing holes. The difficulty arises from the fact that the strike wire and the indexing pins are located on opposite faces of the plate. This arrangement complicates taking precise measurements, as it is necessary to coordinate adjustments on two separate planes, which can introduce errors and inaccuracies in the final positioning of the indexing holes on the vehicle chassis.

[0011] The invention aims to remedy this problem by proposing a measuring bench allowing to easily and quickly determine the offset between the wire of a false strike plate and its indexing pins intended to be inserted into the indexing holes of a chassis of a motor vehicle. Object of the invention

[0012] In order to solve the technical problem mentioned above, the invention proposes a test bench for measuring the position of the strike wire of a false strike relative to at least one indexing pin of the false strike, the wire being able to be moved along a first face of the false strike and the indexing pin extending from a second face of the false strike, the second face of the false strike being opposite the first face.

[0013] The measuring bench is remarkable in that it includes a measuring station comprising:

[0014] - a plate having a contact face on which the second face of the false strike plate is intended to rest, the contact face comprising a recess of complementary or substantially complementary shape to each indexing pin of the false strike plate to immobilize the false strike plate on the contact face;

[0015] - at least one support for a contact probe, the contact probe comprising a stylus capable of moving relative to a proximal end of a measuring arm and a reading gauge held at a distal end of the measuring arm, the reading gauge is configured to measure the displacement of the stylus relative to the measuring arm, a stop being present between the measuring gauge and the distal end of the measuring arm, the support delimits a passage of complementary shape to the measuring arm of the contact probe to allow the insertion of the proximal end of the contact probe until its stop comes to rest against the support and its stylus can measure the displacement of the wire of a false strike bearing on the contact face of the plate.

[0016] In other words, the invention relates to a measuring bench specifically designed to accurately measure the position of a dummy strike plate's wire relative to its indexing pins. This bench comprises a plate on which the dummy strike plate is stably positioned, thanks to recesses that precisely match the shape of the indexing pins. At least one support is provided to hold a contact probe in an optimal position. This probe is equipped with a stylus that measures the displacement of the strike plate wire and transmits this information to a reading gauge. The support's design allows for precise positioning of the probe, with its stop resting against the support, to ensure reliable and reproducible measurements.

[0017] The measuring bench according to the invention advantageously allows for precise isostatic positioning of the false strike plate, thus guaranteeing reliable and repeatable measurements, essential for ensuring the quality and accuracy of adjustments during the assembly of the sashes on a form-in-white, for example. By using contact probes, the measuring bench facilitates a direct and precise comparison with reference values, thereby simplifying the calibration process and reducing human error.

[0018] The measurement bench enables standardization of measurement procedures, applicable to all vehicles and projects, contributing to greater consistency and reduced costs associated with measurement errors. Finally, the system's robustness and precision ensure increased reliability, minimizing the risk of errors and improving the overall quality of the production process.

[0019] According to one embodiment of a measuring bench, the measuring bench includes a calibration station for the contact probe, the calibration station comprising a sleeve allowing the insertion of the proximal end of the measuring arm of the contact probe at a first end of the sleeve, until its stop comes to rest against the first end of the sleeve, and in that the sleeve is closed by a bottom at a second end so that the stylus of the contact probe is in contact with the bottom when its stop is in rest against the first end of the sleeve.

[0020] This embodiment allows for precise and repeatable calibration of the contact probe, thus ensuring the reliability of measurements performed by the measuring bench. By providing a fixed and stable reference point, the calibration station minimizes measurement errors and guarantees that the probe is correctly adjusted before each use. This is particularly crucial in production environments where the accuracy and consistency of measurements are essential for maintaining high quality standards.

[0021] Furthermore, using a sleeve with a sealed bottom allows for the simulation of real-world measurement conditions, ensuring that the probe stylus is correctly positioned and calibrated to interact with the components being measured. This approach simplifies the calibration process and reduces the time required to prepare the measurement setup before use, thus increasing operational efficiency.

[0022] Finally, this variant contributes to the versatility of the measuring bench, allowing its use with different types of probes and measurement configurations. The flexibility offered by the calibration station makes it easy to adapt the measuring bench to various production needs, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of industrial applications.

[0023] In another embodiment, the sleeve extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the contact face of the mounting plate. In other words, the sleeve is arranged on the measuring bench to allow the contact probe to slide naturally within the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve is arranged on the measuring bench so that it extends parallel or substantially parallel to the force of gravity. This orientation optimizes the stability of the probe during calibration, thus minimizing measurement errors due to unwanted movement or vibration.

[0024] In another embodiment, the measuring bench comprises several calibration stations, and for each calibration station, the length of the sleeve measured between its first and second ends is different. By having several calibration stations with varying sleeve lengths, this embodiment allows the measuring bench to be adapted to different strike plate configurations and diverse calibration needs. Each station can be used to calibrate the probe to a specific height or depth, thus ensuring optimal accuracy for each type of measurement. This versatility is particularly useful in production environments where different components or assemblies require specific adjustments.

[0025] Furthermore, this variant improves the efficiency of the calibration process by allowing for the rapid selection of the appropriate calibration station for each measurement task. This reduces the time required to prepare the measurement bench and perform calibrations, thereby increasing overall productivity.

[0026] In another embodiment, the measuring bench includes at least two supports for a contact probe, and the supports are arranged to allow a contact probe to measure the displacement of the wire of a dummy strike plate bearing against the contact face of the plate, in different directions. This multidimensional measurement capability is essential for applications requiring high precision, such as the assembly of automotive components, where even small variations can affect the performance and quality of the final product. By providing detailed displacement data in multiple dimensions, this embodiment helps to quickly identify and correct deviations, thus ensuring consistent quality.

[0027] Preferably, the measuring bench includes at least three supports and at least four calibration stations. By combining multiple supports and calibration stations, this configuration improves operational efficiency by reducing the time required to prepare and perform measurements. It also allows for verification and validation of results at different reference points, thus minimizing the risk of errors and ensuring consistent quality of finished products.

[0028] In one embodiment, the calibration supports and stations are configured to cooperate with a single contact probe. By allowing the use of the same contact probe with multiple calibration supports and stations, this embodiment reduces the need for several different measuring tools. This not only simplifies logistics and equipment management but also enables standardization of measurement procedures, thus ensuring greater consistency and accuracy in the results obtained.

[0029] In one embodiment, the contact face of the plate includes a reference pilot hole that allows a test pin to be positioned at the theoretical position of the wire of a dummy strike plate resting against the contact face of the plate. The reference pilot hole serves as a precise reference point for aligning the test pin, thus ensuring that the theoretical position of the strike plate wire is correctly simulated. This allows the conformity of the measuring bench to be checked and validated before each use, guaranteeing that the measurements taken are accurate and reliable.

[0030] By using a theoretically positioned control pin, this variant facilitates the rapid and efficient detection of any deviation or error in the positioning of the false strike plate. This is particularly useful for maintaining high quality standards in production environments where precision is crucial.

[0031] Furthermore, this configuration simplifies the calibration and verification process, thus reducing the time required to prepare the measuring bench and perform checks. This contributes to increased productivity and reduced operating costs.

[0032] Finally, the use of a reference pilot hole for positioning the control pin enhances the robustness and reliability of the measurement system, ensuring that the results obtained are consistent and accurate, regardless of potential variations in measurement conditions.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the measuring bench can be configured to accommodate right and left-hand door strike plates by integrating symmetrical buttonholes into the positioning plate. This configuration allows the same measuring bench to be used for different door configurations, thus increasing its versatility and reducing equipment costs.

[0034] In another embodiment, the measuring bench can be equipped with a mobile base with handling wheels, allowing for easy movement between different work areas. This mobility enables more flexible use of the measuring bench in various areas of the factory, thus reducing the need for multiple fixed units.

[0035] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and forms of realization mentioned above can be associated with each other in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

[0036] The invention also relates to a method for measuring the displacement of the wire of a false strike plate, implemented using a measuring bench described above; the following steps are carried out:

[0037] - positioning a dummy strike plate on the measuring bench plate, so that the indexing pins fit into the recesses provided for this purpose; then

[0038] - insertion of the proximal end of a contact probe into a passage of a support of the measuring station, until the stop of the contact probe comes to rest against the support and its stylus can measure the displacement of the wire of the false strike bearing on the contact face of the plate.

[0039] This method, by combining precise positioning of the dummy strike plate and direct measurement via a contact probe, enables the capture of accurate and reliable data, essential for high-precision applications such as automotive component assembly. It also simplifies the measurement process, reducing the time required and increasing operational efficiency.

[0040] The invention also relates to a method for calibrating a contact probe implemented using a measuring bench described above; the following steps are carried out:

[0041] - insertion of the proximal end of a contact probe into a sleeve of a calibration station, until the stop of the contact probe rests against the first end of the sleeve, and the stylus of the contact probe rests against the bottom of the sleeve; then

[0042] - resetting the measuring gauge or identifying the measurement displayed by the measuring gauge as the reference value.

[0043] This calibration process offers several advantages, including a significant improvement in measurement accuracy, a reduction in errors due to incorrect calibrations, and an increase in the overall reliability of the measurement system. By integrating this calibration process into the measurement routine, the invention ensures that the measurement bench provides accurate and reliable results, essential for demanding industrial applications.

[0044] The invention also relates to a method for measuring the displacement of the wire of a false strike plate, a contact probe is calibrated according to the calibration method described above, then the measurement method described previously is implemented with the contact probe.

[0045] This integrated process offers several advantages, including a significant improvement in measurement accuracy thanks to rigorous calibration before each use. It also ensures a reduction in measurement errors and an increase in overall system reliability, essential for demanding industrial applications. By combining calibration and measurement, this process guarantees that each measurement is performed with a perfectly calibrated tool, thus ensuring consistent and reliable results. Description of the figures

[0046] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become more apparent upon reading the description given below by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0047] - [Fig. 1] illustrates a perspective view of a measuring bench according to the invention, comprising a measuring station with a plate and three supports for contact probe, as well as four calibration stations;

[0048] [Fig. 2] illustrates a detailed view of a contact probe comprising a stylus, a measuring arm, a reading gauge and a stop;

[0049] [Fig. 3] illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the measuring station, showing how a support holds a contact probe in position to measure the displacement of the wire of a false strike plate;

[0050] [Fig. 4] illustrates a detailed view of a calibration station comprising a sleeve with a first end, a second end and a bottom allowing calibration of the contact probe. Detailed description of the invention

[0051] As a reminder, the invention proposes a measuring bench for determining the position of a wire of a false strike plate relative to its indexing pins.

[0052] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a measuring bench 2 according to the invention. The measuring bench 2 comprises a measuring station 4 consisting of a plate 6 having a contact face 8 on which the second face of a dummy strike plate 10 rests. The contact face 8 of the plate 6 includes recesses of a shape complementary or substantially complementary to the indexing pins of the dummy strike plate 10, which makes it possible to precisely immobilize the dummy strike plate 10 on the contact face 8.

[0053] As can be seen in Figure 1, the measuring station 4 also includes three supports 12 for contact probes 14. Each support 12 is arranged in a different direction to allow the displacement of the wire 16 of the false strike plate 10 to be measured along several axes. This multidirectional configuration makes it possible to obtain precise and complete measurements of the positioning of the wire 16, which is essential for ensuring optimal adjustment of the strike plates on the chassis of the motor vehicle.

[0054] Figure 2 illustrates in detail a contact probe 14. This probe includes a stylus 18 capable of moving relative to a proximal end 20 of a measuring arm 22. The contact probe 14 also includes a reading gauge 24 held at a distal end 26 of the measuring arm 22. This reading gauge 24 is configured to accurately measure the displacement of the stylus 18 relative to the measuring arm 22. A stop 28 is present between the reading gauge 24 and the distal end 26 of the measuring arm 22.

[0055] Figure 3 shows a partial cross-section of the measuring station 4, illustrating how the supports 12 allow the insertion of the proximal end 20 of the contact probe 14 until its stop 28 comes to rest against the support 12. In this position, the stylus 18 of each contact probe can accurately measure the displacement of the wire 16 of a false strike plate 10 positioned on the contact face 8 of the plate 6.

[0056] As shown in Figure 1, the measuring bench 2 also includes four calibration stations 30, detailed in Figure 4. Each calibration station 30 includes a sleeve 32 allowing the insertion of the proximal end 20 of the measuring arm 22 of the contact probe 14 at a first end 34 of the sleeve 32. The contact probe 14 is inserted until its stop 28 bears against the first end 34 of the sleeve 32. The sleeve 32 is closed by a bottom 36 at a second end 38, so that the stylus 18 of the contact probe 14 is in contact with the bottom 36 when its stop 28 is bearing against the first end 34 of the sleeve 32.

[0057] The four calibration stations 30 visible in Figure 1 have sleeves 32 of different lengths, measured between their first 34 and second 38 ends. This variation in length allows the measuring bench 2 to be adapted to different strike plate configurations and various calibration needs.

[0058] The contact face 8 of the plate 6 also includes a reference pilot hole not visible in the figures, allowing the positioning of a control pin at the theoretical position of the wire 16 of a dummy strike 10 bearing on the contact face 8 of the plate 6. This feature facilitates the verification and validation of the conformity of the measuring bench 2 before each use.

[0059] This design of the measuring bench 2 offers several significant advantages. First, it allows for precise isostatic positioning of the false strike plate 10, thus ensuring reliable and repeatable measurement of the wire 16's positioning. The multidirectional supports 12 ensure complete and accurate measurement along different axes, which is essential for automotive applications where even small variations can affect the performance and quality of the final product.

[0060] The inclusion of multiple calibration stations 30 with sleeves 32 of varying lengths enhances the versatility of the measuring bench 2, allowing it to be adapted to different strike plate configurations. This flexibility is particularly useful in production environments where different components or assemblies require specific adjustments.

[0061] Furthermore, the standardization of measurement procedures using this bench is applicable to all vehicles and projects, contributing to greater consistency and reduced costs associated with measurement errors. Finally, the system's robustness and precision ensure increased reliability, minimizing the risk of errors and improving the overall quality of the automotive production process.

Claims

DEMANDS

1. A measuring bench (2) for the position of the wire (16) of a false strike plate (10) relative to at least one indexing pin of the false strike plate (10), the wire (16) being able to be moved along a first face of the false strike plate (10) and the indexing pin extending from a second face of the false strike plate (10), the second face of the false strike plate (10) being opposite the first face, characterized in that the measuring bench (2) comprises a measuring station (4) including: - a plate (6) having a contact face (8) on which the second face of the false strike (10) is intended to bear, the contact face (8) comprising a recess of complementary or substantially complementary shape to each indexing pin of the false strike (10), to immobilize the false strike (10) on the contact face (8); - at least one support (12) for a contact probe (14), the contact probe (14) comprising: -a stylus (18) capable of moving relative to a proximal end (20) of a measuring arm (22); - a reading gauge (24) held at a distal end (26) of the measuring arm (22), configured to measure the displacement of the stylus (18) relative to the measuring arm (22); - a stop (28) present between the reading gauge (24) and the distal end (26) of the measuring arm (22); said support (12) delimits a passage of complementary shape to the measuring arm (22) of the contact probe (14) to allow the insertion of the proximal end (20) of the contact probe (14) until its stop (28) comes to rest against the support (12) and its stylus (18) can measure the displacement of the wire (16) of a false strike (10) bearing on the contact face (8) of the plate (6).

2. Measuring bench (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a calibration station (30) for the contact probe (14), the calibration station (30) comprising a sleeve (32) allowing the insertion of the proximal end (20) of the measuring arm (22) of the contact probe (14) at a first end (34) of the sleeve (32), until its stop (28) comes to rest against the first end (34) of the sleeve (32), and in that the sleeve (32) is closed by a bottom (36) at a second end (38) so that the stylus (18) of the contact probe (14) is in contact with the bottom (36) when its stop (28) is in rest against the first end (34) of the sleeve (32).

3. Measuring bench (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises several calibration stations (30), and in that for each calibration station (30) the length of the sheath (32) measured between its first (34) and its second end (38), is different.

4. Measuring bench (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least two supports (12) for a contact probe (14), and in that the supports (12) are arranged to allow a contact probe (14) to measure the displacement of the wire (16) of a false strike (10) bearing on the contact face (8) of the plate (6), in different directions.

5. Measuring bench (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least three supports (12) and at least four calibration stations (30).

6. Measuring bench (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the supports (12) and the calibration stations (30) are configured to cooperate with the same contact probe (14).

7. Measuring bench (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the contact face (8) of the plate (6) includes a reference pilot hole allowing the positioning of a control pin at the theoretical position of the wire (16) of a false strike (10) bearing on the contact face (8) of the plate (6).

8. A method for measuring the displacement of the wire (16) of a false strike plate (10), characterized in that it is implemented using a measuring bench (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and in that the following steps are carried out: - positioning a false strike plate (10) on the plate (6) of the measuring bench (2), so that the indexing pins fit into the recesses provided for this purpose; then - insertion of the proximal end (20) of a contact probe (14) into a passage of a support (12) of the measuring station (4), until the stop (28) of the contact probe (14) comes to rest against the support (12) and its stylus (18) can measure the displacement of the wire (16) of the false strike (10) bearing on the contact face (8) of the plate (6).

9. A method for calibrating a contact probe (14) characterized in that it is implemented using a measuring bench (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, and in that the following steps are carried out: - insertion of the proximal end (20) of a contact probe (14) into a sleeve (32) of a calibration station (30), until the stop (28) of the contact probe (14) rests against the first end (34) of the sleeve (32), and the stylus (18) of the contact probe (14) rests against the bottom (36) of the sleeve (32); then - resetting the reading gauge (24) or identifying the measurement displayed by the reading gauge (24) as the reference value.

10. Method for measuring the displacement of the wire (16) of a false strike plate (10) characterized in that a contact probe (14) is calibrated according to the calibration method according to claim 9, then the measurement method according to claim 8 is implemented with the contact probe (14).

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