FR3102422A1 - method of mounting a storage box on a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for mounting a storage box (2) on a platform of a vehicle. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: a step of assembling the box (2), a pallet (5) and at least one fixing means (4) by means of a first template (6) guaranteeing a precision of assembly of these three elements (2, 4, 5) in the three directions XYZ of space, -a step of positioning at least one complementary fixing means (3) on the platform of the vehicle by means of a second jig (7) capable of being positioned on said vehicle, a step of fixing the box (2) on the platform by means of an interaction between the fixing means (4) and the complementary fixing means (3). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 7

Description

method of mounting a storage box on a vehicle

The present invention relates to a method for mounting a storage box on a vehicle.

Some utility vehicles are equipped with at least one storage box often placed behind a cockpit. A storage box is a container with a simple geometry and capable of enclosing different goods. Generally, this box is fixed on a platform extending in a horizontal plane when the vehicle is resting on horizontal ground, said platform being positioned behind the cockpit.

An assembly method according to the invention makes it possible to assemble the same type of box always with the same precision, and to fix said box on the vehicle always with the same precision. In this way, any box assembled according to a method according to the invention can be fixed always as precisely as possible on the same type of vehicle prepared according to said method.

In order to clearly understand the positioning of the various parts involved in a vehicle according to the invention, the description is made with reference to a direct orthonormal reference XYZ linked to the vehicle, in which X is a front-rear longitudinal axis of the vehicle oriented towards the rear, Y is a transverse axis directed towards the right of the vehicle and Z is a vertical axis directed upwards.

The subject of the invention is a method for mounting a storage box on a vehicle platform.

According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps:
- a step of assembling the box, a pallet and at least one fixing means by means of a first template guaranteeing precision of assembly of these three elements in the three directions XYZ of space,
-a step of positioning at least one additional fixing means on the platform of the vehicle by means of a second template capable of being positioned on said vehicle,
-a step of fixing the box on the platform by means of an interaction between the fixing means and the complementary fixing means.

The principle of a method according to the invention is to use two separate jigs, one to assemble with great precision an assembly consisting of a storage box, a pallet and at least one fixing means, and the other to position with great precision at least one additional fixing means on the vehicle platform. In this way, any assembly mounted with the first jig is suitable for being mounted on any vehicle of which said at least one additional fixing means has been positioned with the second jig. A method according to the invention thus makes it possible to produce, on the one hand, a large number of assemblies, and, on the other hand, a large number of vehicles, so as to be able to mount any assembly on any vehicle. prepared by said process. Preferably, each template is wired and comprises at least one rectangular frame. The pallet is a part with an internal central channel which is attached to the box to facilitate the handling of said box with the support part of a forklift. When the box is fixed to the platform of the vehicle, the box is found above the pallet which covers each fixing means. According to a particular embodiment, the assembly comprises four fixing means and the vehicle platform comprises four complementary fixing means, said four fixing means and said four complementary fixing means being arranged at the four corners of a rectangle. The complementary fixing means can be represented by any type of parts capable of fixing the storage box on the vehicle platform. Advantageously, the complementary fixing means and the fixing means form a fixing system similar to that which is described in application EP2910421. Schematically, the complementary fastening means comprises two locking members movably mounted on the platform in a perforated box, between an inactive position for which they are parallel and aligned along a vertical axis Z, and an active locking position for which they moved away from each other. The fixing means which is secured to the pallet, comprises a fixing wall provided with an opening. In the inactive position, the two locking members are joined to one another and have a reduced cross section. During the operation of mounting the box on the vehicle, once the fixing wall has come into contact with the box, the two locking members are in the inactive position and have penetrated into the opening of said fixing wall. These two members are then actuated to pass into the active position. They deploy in the fixing wall to hold the assembly comprising the box and the pallet against the vehicle platform.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the assembly step comprises a step of positioning said at least one fixing means on a frame delimiting a bottom of the first template, a step of positioning the pallet in the first jig above the fastening means and a step of positioning the box in the first jig above the pallet. In this way, once said at least one fixing means has been correctly positioned on the first template, the pallet and the box are then superimposed on the fixing means in the first template.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the step of positioning the box in the first template is carried out by means of at least one abutment for referencing the box along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle, of at least an abutment for referencing the box along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle and at least one abutment for referencing the box along a vertical axis Z, said abutments being secured to the first template. In this way, thanks to the presence of all these stops, the box can only be placed in the first template in a single position. All these stops protrude from the template in the appropriate directions and the box must bear against all of said stops to be correctly positioned in the first template.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the assembly step comprises a wedging step consisting in inserting at least one wedge between each fastening means and the pallet and between said pallet and the box in order to fill the clearances between these elements. . Indeed, when the fixing means, the pallet and the box are superimposed in the first template, there may remain some play between these elements. Shims are then inserted into these gaps in order to stabilize the assembly made up of the box, the pallet and the fixing means.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the wedging step is carried out by means of a wedge to be chosen from among a solid wedge and a resin in the form of a paste capable of hardening.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the second template comprises a first face capable of coming into contact with the cockpit and a second face capable of coming into contact with the platform, the positioning of said at least one complementary fixing means on the vehicle platform being produced via said second face. In other words, it is the wedging of the first face of the second template against the cockpit which will make it possible to place the second template as precisely as possible on the vehicle, and consequently to position said at least as precisely as possible a complementary fixing means via the second face. The first face of the second jig serves as a guide means making it possible to optimize the positioning of said second jig on the vehicle and thus ensure positioning of each additional fixing means as precise as possible. The term "face" is generic and can just as easily designate a solid wall as a rectangular frame. To be precise, the first face of the second template comes into contact with a rear flat face of the cockpit.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the first face comprises wedging elements in X, wedging elements in Y and elements for wedging in Z of said first face against the cockpit. These wedging elements in the three directions X, Y, Z of space only allow the first face of the template to be placed against the cockpit in a single possible position. In other words, if the operation of placing the first face of the template against the cockpit were to be repeated several times, said first face would end up in exactly the same position relative to said cabin. Advantageously, all these wedging elements consist of abutments projecting from the first face. The position of the second template on the vehicle may be deemed satisfactory if all the wedging elements of the first face simultaneously come into contact with a rear face of the cockpit at the appropriate places.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the second face comprises at least one device for positioning a complementary fixing element on the platform of the vehicle, said at least one device comprising means for wedging the fixing element complementary on the platform in the three directions of space XYZ. In other words, there are as many positioning devices as there are additional fixing elements to be positioned on the vehicle platform. Advantageously, each positioning device is compact, the three wedging means being grouped together in a reduced area of the second face of the second template. The three wedging means make it possible to position with great precision and in the three directions of space X, Y, Z, each complementary fixing element on the vehicle platform.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the means for wedging the complementary fixing element along a vertical axis Z is a rectangular frame emerging from the second face, the complementary fixing element having to pass through said frame and then come into abutment against it. The frame makes it possible to position the complementary fixing element relatively precisely in a horizontal XY plane of the vehicle platform, and more rigorously said element along a vertical axis Z.

According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the means for wedging the complementary fastening element on the platform along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle and along a transverse axis Y of said vehicle consist of two wedging rods crossing two consecutive edges of the frame and intended to come into contact with the complementary fastening means, one of the two rods being aligned along said longitudinal axis X and the other rod being aligned along said transverse axis Y. The two rods are intended to adjust so as specifies as far as possible the position of the complementary fixing element in the vehicle in a horizontal XY plane. Schematically, the complementary fixing element is first placed in the frame and is then moved therein until it comes into contact with the two rods. Once this contact has been established, the additional fixing element is deemed to be in a satisfactory position on the vehicle platform.

An assembly method according to the invention has the advantage, on the one hand, of assembling with great precision a pallet, a storage box and at least one fixing means, and on the other hand, of adjusting with a high precision the position of at least one complementary fixing means of said assembly on the platform of a vehicle, so that any assembly thus obtained can be mounted in any vehicle prepared by said method. It also has the advantage of implementing templates which are light, therefore easy to handle, and which have a simple geometry, therefore easy to manufacture.

A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of an assembly method according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures:

represents a perspective view of the first template implemented in a method according to the invention,

shows a perspective view of a means for fixing an assembly comprising a storage box and a pallet, obtained by means of a method according to the invention,

represents a perspective view of the first jig and of a pallet illustrating a step of a method according to the invention,

represents a perspective view of the first jig, of a pallet and of a storage box illustrating another step of a method according to the invention,

represents a perspective view of a specific area of an assembly comprising a pallet, a storage box and a fixing means, said assembly being placed in the first jig,

shows a front view of part of the area of Figure 5,

represents a perspective view of the second template implemented in a method according to the invention and of a cockpit of a vehicle,

represents a perspective view of the second template,

shows a perspective view of a complementary fixing means and of a zone of the second template intended to adjust the position of said complementary fixing means on the vehicle.

Some utility vehicles have a cockpit 1 comprising a driver's seat and a passenger seat, and at the rear of which is placed a horizontal platform (when the vehicle rests on horizontal ground) intended to receive a box 2 for storage. The platform has complementary fixing means 3 and the box 2 has fixing means 4 able to cooperate with said complementary fixing means 3, to fix the box 2 tightly on the platform. In order to be able to be easily handled, in particular when it is mounted on the vehicle, the box 2 is provided with a perforated pallet 5 in which the support part of a forklift is intended to be positioned. The fixing means 4, the box 2 and the pallet 5 are separate elements which are first assembled before being mounted on the vehicle.

A method according to the invention aims both to ensure an assembly of the box 2, the pallet 5 and the complementary fixing means 4 which is as precise as possible, and also to adjust as precisely as possible the position of the means additional attachments 3 on the vehicle platform. The first assembly step is carried out by means of a first jig 6 and the second adjustment step is carried out by means of a second jig 7, said first jig 6 and said second jig 7 being distinct and of different shape.

Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 4 the first template 6 comprises a first rectangular frame delimited by four first segments 8,9, a second rectangular frame delimited by four second segments 10, 11 and by four identical uprights 12 connecting said two frames . The two frames are flat and parallel and the four uprights 12 connect said frames while being perpendicular to them. Each post 12 originates at a corner of one of the frames and connects a corner of the other frame. The first frame is crossed by a central rod 13 which is parallel to the first elongated segments 9 of said frame and connects the center of the first two short segments 8 of this frame.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the first assembly step includes a step of positioning four fastening means 4 on the two second elongated segments 11 of the second frame, each second elongated segment 11 carrying two fastening means 4 Each fixing means 4 of a second elongated segment 11 is aligned along a short segment 10 of the second frame, on a fixing means 4 of the other second elongated segment 11 of said frame.

Referring to Figure 3, the first assembly step includes a step of positioning the pallet 5 on the four fixing means 4 already positioned on the two second elongated segments 11 of the second frame.

Referring to Figure 4, the first assembly step includes a step of positioning the storage box 2 on the pallet 5 which has already been inserted into the first jig 6 above the four fastening means 4. The position of the box 2 in the first jig 6 is adjusted by means of two stops 14, 15 for referencing along an axis X, each of said stops 14, 15 being carried by an upright 12 connecting the two frames of said jig 6. This position is also adjusted by means of a reference stop 16 along a Y axis, said stop 16 emerging from one of the two uprights 12 already carrying a reference stop 14, 15 along X. This stop 16 of referencing the following box Y emerges outwardly from the first template 6 in a horizontal direction. This stop 16 is similar to a rectilinear finger having a folded end 17 against which a wall 18 of the casing 2 is intended to bear. Finally, this position is adjusted by means of two stops 40, 41 for referencing the casing 6 along the Z axis. These two stops 40, 41 are secured to the central rod 13 passing through the first frame, and project downwards along a vertical axis Z.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the first assembly step includes a step of inserting at least one wedge 20 between the box 2 and the pallet 5, at the areas where the four fastening means 4 are located. The shim 20 can be solid and depending on the clearance existing between the pallet 5 and the box 2, several shims 20 may be interposed between the box 2 and the pallet 5. The shim 20 can also appear in the form of a resin pasty, which will then harden. In this second case, it is then sufficient to fill the gap with pasty resin.

Once the pallet 5, the storage box 2 and the fixing means 4 have been arranged with precision relative to each other in the first template 6, said elements 2, 4, 5 are then fixed to each other and the resulting assembly is then removed from said first template 6. This assembly can then be transported to a vehicle having a platform intended to receive this assembly, so that it can be mounted with precision on said vehicle thanks to the second template 7.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the second template 7 has a first face 21 intended to bear against a rear face of the cockpit 1 located vis-à-vis the platform. It also includes a second face 22 which is perpendicular to the first face 21 and which is intended to bear against the platform of the vehicle. Two oblique uprights 23, 24 and parallel connect an upper zone of the first face 21 to a rear zone of the second face 22. The second template 7 is wired so that the term “face” means “frame”. Indeed, the first face 21 and the second face 22 are each delimited by a rectangular frame having two elongated segments and two shorter segments.

Referring to Figure 8, two vertical segments 24, 25 of the frame materializing the first face 21 each carry two stops 26, 27, 28, 29 for referencing along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle and a stop 30, 31 of referencing along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle each having a curved end 32. The two stops 30, 31 for referencing along Y are aligned along a horizontal and transverse axis Y of the vehicle, and project outwards from the frame materializing the first face 21. A horizontal upper segment 33 of the frame materializing the first face 21, has a reference stop 34 along a vertical axis Z.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the two elongated segments 35, 36 of the frame materializing the second face 22 and which extend along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle each carry two secondary frames 37 of small size and projecting outwards. of the frame, each secondary frame 37 of an elongated segment 35, 36 being aligned with a secondary frame 37 of the other elongated segment 35, 36 along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle. Each secondary frame 37 is inscribed in a horizontal plane, and carries two wedging rods 38, 39 crossing two consecutive edges of said secondary frame 37. Each complementary fixing means 3 is placed inside a secondary frame 37 and its position is then adjusted inside the secondary frame 37 so that the two wedging rods 38, 39 come into contact with said complementary fixing means 3. In this way, a wedging rod 38 adjusts the position of the means fixing along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle, the other wedging rod 39 adjusting the position of the fixing means along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle. The secondary frame 37 is supposed to come to rest on the complementary fixing means 3 once the latter has penetrated into said frame 37, and therefore makes it possible to adjust the position of said complementary fixing means 3 on the platform of the vehicle following a vertical Z axis.

The step of adjusting the position of each complementary fixing means 3 comprises the following steps:
-a step of positioning the second template 7 on the vehicle by means of precise contacting of the first face 21 with a rear face of the cockpit 1. This contacting step is carried out by means of a bringing into contact of the various stops 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34 for referencing the second template 7 against said rear face of the cockpit. During this positioning step, each additional fastening means 3 previously positioned on the vehicle platform, penetrates into a secondary frame 37 of the second face 32 of the second template 7.
-a step of adjusting the position of each complementary attachment means 3 on the vehicle platform inside the secondary frame 37, so that said means 3 bears against the secondary frame 37 and against the two wedging rods 38, 39 perpendicular to each of said secondary frames 37.

Once the four complementary fixing means 3 have been correctly positioned on the vehicle platform by means of the second template 7, the assembly consisting of the box 2, the pallet 5 and the four fixing means 4 is placed on said platform so as to make the said fixing means 4 cooperate very precisely with the complementary fixing means 3.

Advantageously, the complementary fixing means 3 and the fixing means 4 form a fixing system which is similar to that described in application EP2910421. Schematically, the complementary fastening means 3 comprises two locking members movably mounted on the platform in a perforated box, between an inactive position for which they are parallel and aligned along a vertical axis Z, and an active locking position for which they moved away from each other. Referring to Figure 2, the fixing means 4 comprises a fixing wall provided with an opening. In the inactive position, the two locking members are joined to one another and therefore have a reduced cross section. During the assembly operation of the box 2 on the vehicle platform, when the fixing wall 4 arrives above the locking members 3, these easily penetrate into the opening of the said fixing wall 4 since they are in the inactive position. Once placed inside said fixing wall 4, they are activated so as to move away from each other and to retain the fixing wall 4, which is secured to the pallet 5 which is itself even fixed to the box 2, against the box in which the two locking members 4 are housed and which is fixed to the vehicle platform.

Claims (10)

Method for mounting a storage box (2) on a vehicle platform, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
-a step of assembling the box (2), a pallet (5) and at least one fastening means (4) by means of a first jig (6) guaranteeing precision in the assembly of these three elements (2, 4, 5) in the three XYZ directions of space,
-a step of positioning at least one additional fixing means (3) on the platform of the vehicle by means of a second jig (7) capable of being positioned on said vehicle,
-a step of fixing the box (2) on the platform by means of an interaction between the fixing means (4) and the complementary fixing means (3). Assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly step comprises a step of positioning said at least one fixing means (4) on a frame delimiting a bottom of the first template (6), a step positioning the pallet (5) in the first jig (6) above the fixing means (4) and a step of positioning the box (2) in the first jig (6) above the pallet (5). Assembly method according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the step of positioning the box (2) in the first jig (6) is carried out by means of at least one abutment (14, 15) for referencing the box (2) along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle, at least one stop (16) for referencing the box along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle and at least one stop (40 , 41) for referencing the box along a vertical axis Z, and in that said stops (14, 15, 16, 40, 41) are secured to the first jig (6). Assembly method according to any one of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the assembly step comprises a wedging step consisting in inserting at least one wedge (20) between each fastening means (4) and the pallet (5) and between said pallet (5) and the box (2) in order to fill the clearances between these elements. Assembly method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the wedging step is carried out by means of a wedge (20) to be chosen from among a solid wedge and a resin in the form of a paste capable of hardening. Assembly method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second template (7) comprises a first face (21) able to come into contact with the cockpit (1) and a second face (22 ) adapted to come into contact with the platform, and in that the positioning of said at least one complementary fixing means (3) is carried out via said second face (22). Assembly method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the first face (21) comprises X-shaped wedging elements (26, 27, 28, 29), Y-shaped wedging elements (30, 31) and wedging in Z (34) of said first face (21) against the cockpit (1). Mounting method according to any one of Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the second face (22) comprises at least one device for positioning a complementary fixing element (3) on the vehicle platform, and in that said at least one device comprises means for wedging the complementary fixing element on the platform in the three directions of space XYZ. Mounting method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the means for wedging the complementary fixing element (3) along a vertical axis Z is a rectangular frame (37) emerging from the second face (22), and in that that the complementary fixing element (3) must pass through said frame (37) and then come into abutment against the latter. Mounting method according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for wedging the complementary fixing element (3) on the platform along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle and along a transverse axis Y of said vehicle consist of two wedging (38, 39) crossing two consecutive edges of the frame (37) and intended to come into contact with the complementary fixing means (3), and in that a rod (38) is aligned along the said longitudinal axis X and the another rod (39) is aligned along said transverse axis Y.