GB2332012A

GB2332012A - Installing window glasses on a motor vehicle body

Info

Publication number: GB2332012A
Application number: GB9826801A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andreas Weber; Theo Rauland; Jurgen Spitzbarth; Hubert Ast
Original assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG
Current assignee: ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG
Priority date: 1997-12-05
Filing date: 1998-12-04
Publication date: 1999-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-04
Also published as: ITMI982638A1; GB9826801D0; IT1303646B1; GB2332012B; DE19802918B4; DE19802918A1

Abstract

A frame 1 for installing window glasses 3 on a motor vehicle body has suction devices 4 for holding the glass 3, and joining cylinders 9 for pressing the glass 3 on to the associated window glass support of the motor vehicle body. The movement of the frame 1 is manually controlled and the glass can be accurately pre-positioned on the body and inserted automatically in the aperture. Supporting contour parts 13 position the frame 1 and clamping elements 14 fix the frame 1 to vehicle body. The frame 1 is relieved from weight and is freely movable under manual control as it has a connection 2 to a load absorption means.

Description

1 2332012 AN APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING WINDOW GLASSES ON A MOTOR VEHICLE

BODY This invention relates to an apparatus for installing window glasses on a motor vehicle body, comprising a frame on which suction devices for holding a window glass and joining cylinders for pressing the window glass on to the aasociated window glass support of the motor vehicle body are disposed. Apparatuses of this type are usually disposed on a load absorption means which moves the frame to and fro between a transfer station, on which the frame receives a window glass which is already provided with a surrounding bead of adhesive at its edge, and the place of installation, namely the window glass aperture, which is provided with a window glass support, of the motor vehicle body.

3, 0 One known apparatus of this type (DE 37 16 232 A1) is fixed to a robot arm and is moved therewith. Sensors are disposed on the frame, and are designed firstly as distance sensors and secondly as positioning sensors. The robot arm is controlled by the measuring signals from these sensors so that the frame with the window glass is correctly positioned after approaching the window glass aperture of the motor vehicle body. The joining cylinders are then actuated so that the window glass which is provided with the bead of adhesive is pressed against the associated window glass support. The forces of reaction which arise in the course of this procedure have to be absorbed by the robot arm.

Apart from this, it is also customary for window glasses to be installed manually, by one or two operators pick-ng J35 up a window glass which is provided with a bead of adhesive, guiding it on to the window glass aperture of the motor vehicle body, and pressing it against the 2 associated window glass support.

It would be desirable to be able to provide a manually controlled apparatus for installing window glasses with which window glasses can be accurately installed on a motor vehicle body.

According to the present invention the frame is relieved from weight and is freely movable under manual control, supporting contour parts for positioning the frame on the motor vehicle body as well as clamping elements for fixing the frame to the motor vehicle body being disposed on the frame.

This apparatus is disposed on a load absorption means which is completely or partially relieved from weight but which allows the frame to move freely, so that after the frame has picked up a window glass which is provided with a bead of adhesive in the transfer station, the frame is moved to the motor vehicle body by an operator and in the course of this procedure can also be swivelled in three dimensions so that the window glass is situated at a short distance in front of the associated window glass frame of the window glass aperture in the motor vehicle body. By means of the supporting contour parts and/or the clamping elements, which are preferably designed for mechanically grasping the window glass frame or components attached thereto, e.g. an edge strip attached to the window glass frame, the frame with the window 3 :)0 glass is positioned in relation to the window glass aperture in the motor vehicle body. The clamping elements, which are preferably designed for the nonpositive attachment of the frame to the motor vehicle body, are then actuated in order to fix the frame to the motor vehicle body. By actuating the joining cylinders, the window glass is then pressed against the associated window glass frame. The forces of reaction which arise in 3 the course of this procedure are transmitted over a short distance from the frame via the clamping elements into the motor vehicle body. The suction devices can subsequently be removed from the window glass.

Hydraulic, pneumatic or magnetic clamping elements are preferably used. Other clamping elements can also be used, however, if it is only a nonpositive attachment between the frame and the motor vehicle body which is to be effected.

To make it possible to adapt to different shapes of window glasses, the supporting contour parts and/or the clamping elements can be adjustably disposed on the frame.

It is advantageous if the clamping elements are disposed articulated on the frame and/or on a holding fork joined to the frame and fit behind a window glass frame after a swivelling movement. This swivelling movement can be executed by a swivelling cylinder, optionally with a restoring element, e.g. a pressure spring unit, acting in opposition thereto.

An adjustable relief of the frame from weight is also advantageous in order to adapt the capacity for manipulation of the frame to window glasses of different sizes and weights.

An embodiment is preferred in which the suction devices and the guide cylinders are disposed independently of each other on the frame, so that they can also be actuated independently of each other. In particular, the suction devices can be guided in the direction of operation of the joining cylinders and can be supported on springs, so that as long as the window glass which is held by the suction devices is being moved and aligned it 4 is situated at a distance from the associated window glass support of the motor vehicle body and can subsequently be resiliently pressed thereon. In order to adapt to different operating conditions, the Joining cylinders can be disposed on the frame so that their direction of operation is adjustable. Moreover, the joining cylinders should also be disposed on the frame so that they can be adjusted in different directions, so as make it possible to adapt to window glasses of different 10 shapes and sizes.

An example of an embodiment is explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings, where:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus for installing window glasses on a motor vehicle body, Fig. 2 is a partial side view of a suction device which is held on the frame in a longitudinal guide, Fig. 3 is a partial side view of a joining cylinder which is held on the frame so that its direction of operation is adjustable, and Fig. 4 shows the device for clamping the supporting contour parts to the window glass frame.

The apparatus illustrated comprises a frame 1, which i suspended via a joint arrangement 15 and a connecting component 2 on a load absorption means which is not illustrated, so that it can be moved by hand and can at the same time be swivelled in three dimensions, wherein the frame is relieved from weight and is freely movable, between a transfer station, on which the frame 1 picks up a window glass 3 which is provided with a surrounding bead of adhesive at its edge, and the place of installation, namely an associated window glass aperture in a motor vehicle body. The frame i runs substantially along the external contour of the window glass 3.

A plurality of suction devices 4, namely four suction devices in the embodiment illustrated, are disposed on the frame 1. Each suction device 4 is held on one or more guide rods 5, which are longitudinally guided, optionally in a ball bearing cage, in a bracket 6 fixed to-theframe 1. The free ends of the guide rods:6 are joined to each other by a buttress 7, with pressure springs 8 which surround the guide rods 5 being disposed between the buttress and the bracket 6.

The guide rods 5 extend in the direction of operation of a plurality of joining cylinders 9 which are disposed on the frame and which can be adjusted in relation to the frame. Each joining cylinder is held in a bracket 10, which can be adjusted along the frame and can optionally be adjusted outwardly perpendicularly thereto, and which determines the end positions or which is freely programmable. The joining cylinders are adjustable in the direction of operation within the bracket. Each of the piston rods 11 which are led out of the joining cylinders 9 bears a contact pressure element 12 which acts on the window glass 3. The contact pressure elements 12 are distributed on and act on the edge contour of the window glass 3 335 Supporting contour parts 13, which can be adjusted along the frame 1 and can optionally be adjusted outwardly perpendicularly thereto, and which determine the end positions or which are freely programmable, are also disposed on the frame 1, together with clamping elements 14 which are designed as a constructional unit with the supporting contour parts. The supporting contour parts 13 are designed for mechanically grasping the window glass support, which is not illustrated, on the motor vehicle body, e.g. for grasping an edge strip attached to the window glass support. The clamping elements 14 are designed for the non-positive attachment of the frame 1 6 to the motor vehicle body, which is not illustrated. Magnetic clamping elements, or alternatively mechanical clamping elements, are preferably used.

The apparatus illustrated is employed as follows: The frame 1 which is suspended on the load absorption means is guided by hand to a transfer station which is not illustrated, so as to pick up there, in an accurately positioned manner, a window glass which is already provided with a surrounding bead of adhesive at its edge and which is held by the suction devices 4. The frame 1 with the window glass 3 is then, preferably also manually, brought in front of the window glass aperture of the stationary or moving motor vehicle body and in the course of this procedure is swivelled so that as the window glass approaches the window glass aperture it has already assumed the desired position. The frame 1 with the window glass 3 in then positioned three- dimensionally in relation to the window glass aperture of the motor vehicle body by means of the supporting contour parts 13, and the clamping elements 14 are actuated so that the frame 1 is fixed to the motor vehicle body. By actuating the joining cylinders 9 the window glass 3 is pressed on to the associated window glass support, against the action of the pressure springs 8, at a constructionall predetermined proximity. When the Joining operation is complete and, depending on the adhesive used, when sufficient strength has been developed, the joining cylinders 9 can be retracted again after the elapse of a )o defined holding period, and the suction devices 4 can then be removed from the window glass and the clamping elements 14 can be removed from the motor vehicle body.

y The frame 1 can also be of flexible construction or of a construction which is not resistant to torsion, so that it adapts to the window glass aperture.

i i 7 Fig. 4 illustrates part of a window glass 3 and a window glass frame 16 which are to be joined by means of an adhesive 17. The device illustrated in Fig. 4 is employed for clamping the frame 1 to the workpiece frame, primarily to the window glass frame 16 of a private car body.

The device essentially consists of the following elements: holding fork 21, swivelling cylinder 20, restoring element 19, clamping cylinder 18, clamping fork 14 and supporting contour part 13. The holding fork 21 is fixed to the frame 1. The clamping cylinder 18 is fixed to the holding fork 21 with an appropriately fashioned fixing so that when the clamping fork 14 moves which is mounted on the piston part of the clamping cylinder 18 It clamps round a suitable part of the window glass frame 16.

The swivelling movement of the unit comprising the clamping cylinder 18 and the clamping fork 14 is driven by a pneumatically operated swivelling cylinder 20. A corresponding restoring element 19 acts in opposition to this swivelling cylinder 20, so that the unit comprising the clamping cylinder 18 and the clamping fork 14 is caused to swivel to and fro. The restoring element 19 preferably consists of a pressure spring unit.

The supporting contour part 13 is fixed to the holding fork 21 in such a way that together with the clamping fork 14, which is correspondingly moved by the clamping cylinder 18 and the swivelling cylinder 20, it performs a clamping function on the window glass frame 16 of the vehicle body. When this clamping function is put into effect the supporting contour part 13 determines the position of the frame 1.

8

Claims

1. An apparatus for installing window glasses on a motor vehicle body, comprising a frame on which suction devices for holding a window glass and joining cylinders for pressing the window glass on to the associated window glass support of the motor vehicle body are disposed, the frame being relieved from weight and being freely movable under manual control, supporting contour parts for positioning the frame on the motor vehicle body as well as clamping elements for fixing the frame to the motor vehicle body being disposed on the frame.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the supporting contour parts and/or the clamping elements are designed for grasping the window glass frame mechanically.

3. An apparatus according to claims 1 or 2 in which the supporting contour parts and/or the clamping elements are adjustably disposed on the frame.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the clamping elements are designed for attaching the frame non-positively to the motor vehicle body.

5.

An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and comprising hydraulic, pneumatic or magnetic clamping elements.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the clamping elements are disposed articulated on the frame and/or on a holding fork attached to the frame and fit behind a window glass 4 after a swivelling movement.

9

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 in which the swivelling movement is executed by a swivelling cylinder.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the relief of the frame from weight is adjustable.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the suction devices and the joining cylinders are disposed independently of each other on the frame.

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the suction devices are guided in the direction of operation of the joining cylinders and are supported on springs.

11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in which the joining cylinders are disposed on the frame so that their direction of operation is adjustable.

12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in which the joining cylinders are adjustably disposed on the frame.

13.

3 0 An apparatus for installing window glasses on a motor vehicle body substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.