The present invention relates to an apparatus for straightening out deformed or even damaged metal and/or plastic members, as a result of a excessive mechanical stress such as for example an impact.
It is notably but not exclusively applied to the straightening out of a body member of a motor vehicle, deformed for example as a result of an accident.
Generally, it is known that for carrying out such straightening-out, different solutions are proposed at the present time.
Thus, notably, according to a process currently used by body repairers, a portion of the deformed metal sheet is exposed and small studs, recessed on a point of their periphery, are welded on the latter. A tool, one hook-shaped end of which is engaged into the recess of a stud, is then used. This tool is provided with a slide hammer with which hammer blows may be given on the end of the tool opposite to the hook, in order to carry out traction pulses on the metal sheet in order to cause its straightening. After having completed the straightening out, the studs are removed by means of the tool, by performing a rotation, and the weld spot is removed, for example with a deburring disc, and filler is applied to the metal sheet. This solution proves to be relatively long and delicate to perform. Further, it leads to substantial reduction in the thickness of the metal sheet, and therefore to its embrittlement.
With the purpose of simplifying this straightening-out process, without altering the coatings of the metal sheet such as paint, primer, galvanization or electrolytic galvanization, the Applicant has proposed a method consisting of exerting on the deformed member a pressure generated by an actuator, a balloon or the like, inflated by means of a fluid, the pressure of which is controlled. This method further involves two jigs having the original shape of the deformed member which sandwich said deformed member. One of these jigs is placed inside the deformed member while the other one is positioned on the outside of the latter.
It is found that in its present embodiment, this method is difficult to apply to all the portions of an automotive vehicle body.
This notably depends on the fact that the rigid structure of the vehicle body does not always comprise members on which the actuators or balloons used by this method may be supported, opposite to the surface, the straightening out of which is desired.
The object of the invention therefore is more particularly to solve this problem.
For this purpose, it proposes an apparatus involving at least one supporting member equipped with means for temporary fastening onto the rigid structure of the vehicle and/or its body, a counter-brace member on which may be fastened an actuator optionally equipped with a jig or the like and a mechanical link which may be adjusted in position and/or in orientation between said supporting member and said counter-brace member, this connecting member being designed so as to retransmit onto the supporting member at least one fraction of the force exerted by the actuator on the counter-brace member.
Preferably, the aforesaid actuator may be of the pneumatic type and comprise a pneumatic actuator, an inflatable balloon or bellows or the like.
The invention particularly advantageously applies to the straightening-out of deformations of the body top (roof) of a motor vehicle, in particular but not exclusively, deformations due to hail: it is known that during certain thunderstorms, hailstones with relatively large dimensions are formed, the impacts of which on a body cause a multiplicity of deformations in the form of pits. The straightening-out of a body having undergone such damage is very long and costly: the price of the repair may be greater than the price of the vehicle, so that very often, the owner abandons the idea of having his car repaired if he is not properly insured.
With the invention it is possible to solve this problem by means of tooling of the aforesaid type wherein:
By means of this arrangement, the extensible frame may be positioned inside the vehicle and hung from the side reinforcements of the body top, substantially parallel to the latter.
The counter-brace member bearing the actuator equipped with a jig may be brought at right angles of each deformation by sliding the cross-bar along the girders and the carriage along the cross-bar.
The actuator is then fed with pressurized fluid in order to allow the jig to bring the metal sheet back to its initial shape. This process may be easily repeated in order to carry out the straightening-out of all the deformations present on the body top. Considering the nature of the deformations produced by hail, this type of straightening-out is sufficient for bringing the body top back to its initial shape without having to carry out any additional treatment. The cost of the repair is therefore considerably reduced and becomes acceptable, even in the case of a vehicle with a not very high value. With this solution it is possible to straighten out members which are impossible to straighten out with conventional tools. Of course, it may be useful for other (notably vertical) portions of the body of a vehicle.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the supporting member may comprise means for fastening it to the body such as a suction cup or even a permanent magnet (or even an electromagnet) as well as a column on which a carriage may slide and be locked, carriage on which a lever provided with a handle is jointed. On this lever which forms the aforesaid connecting member, a counter-brace member is slidably mounted, on which an actuator optionally equipped with a jig may be fastened. Of course, the lever may be of any order.
Optionally, the connecting member may comprise two branches jointed through one of their ends, both branches bearing at their other ends two supporting parts, at least one of which forms a jig, an actuator being positioned between both branches so as to be able to have them pivot around the joint axis.
Embodiments of the invention will be described hereafter, as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings wherein:
In the example illustrated in
This apparatus involves an extensible frame 1 with a square or rectangular shape intended to be positioned inside the vehicle, under the body top or the roof.
In this example, the sides C1 to C4 of the frame 1 each comprise two segments T1, T2 which telescopically engage into each other, these segments T1, T2 may be tubular or even consist in profiles with a closed and/or open section.
Locking means (not shown) may be used for locking both segments making each side C1 to C4 with the desired length.
By these arrangements, it is therefore possible to adjust the length of the sides C1 to C4 and therefore the section of the frame 1 to the dimensions of the inner volume of the vehicle and/or of the body top, the straightening-out of which is desired.
On both opposite sides of the frame 1, an extensible cross-bar TE is slidably mounted, on which a carriage 6 slides, the length of this cross-bar being adapted to the dimensions of the frame.
In the example illustrated in
This cross-bar may be removable and used independently of the frame in order to serve as a support for an actuator/jig assembly which may be used in locations such as for example inside a car door.
The carriage as for it consists in a segment with a substantially C-shaped profile 10 delimiting a sectional volume slightly larger than the outer section of the segment 9.
This profile segment 10 is provided on its face (core) opposite to its longitudinal aperture 11, with a threaded rod 12, with an axis perpendicular to the plane of the frame 1, on which a column 13 bearing a pneumatic actuator 14 or even directly the pneumatic actuator may be attached. The face of the actuator 14 opposite to the column 13 is itself provided with a rod 15 which extends coaxially with the column 13 and which supports a jig 16 used for straightening out the body roof.
The fastening of the frame onto the rigid structure of the vehicle is obtained with four hooks 17-20 respectively positioned at the four angles of the frame 1.
These hooks 17-20 are intended to be introduced into bore holes or edges present in the structure or specially made for this purpose.
Of course, the invention is not limited to this arrangement: the hooks 17-20 may be replaced with rods of adjustable length, cables or even chains. The hooking-up of these rods, cables or chains on the fixed structure of the vehicle may be achieved by any known hooking and/or fastening means.
The application of this apparatus is particularly efficient: once the frame 1 is installed in the vehicle, the operator may bring the actuator 14/jig 16 assembly into a suitable location (under a deformation) by displacing the extensible cross-bar TE along the sides and the carriage 6 along the cross-bar TE. After having carried out a height adjustment of this assembly, he proceeds with admission of pressurized gas, preferably compressed air, into the actuator 14. Under the effect of the pressure of the gas, the jig 16 will exert a thrust on the deformation until it again assumes its initial shape.
The operator then repeats these operations on the other deformations until the body top or roof is totally straightened out.
Optionally, the cross-bar TE may be jointed so as to allow modifications of the orientation of the actuator 14 and better adaptation of the jig to the shape of the metal sheet which is intended to be straightened out.
Thus,
On the central member, a carriage 29 intended to bear an actuator 30, for example of the type of the one described earlier, is slidably mounted. Axial blocking of this carriage 29 both as well as that of the two tubular segments is ensured by means of respective cone-point set screws with knurled heads 31, 32.
The guiding and/or fastening members 23, 24 may be slidably mounted on both parallel sides of a frame 1 of the type of the one illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
Inside the drum 35, a pneumatic actuator with bellows 38 bearing upon the bottom 36 is housed and bears, opposite to the bottom 36, a rod 39 equipped with a jig 40 of circular shape provided with a slightly convex supporting face 41.
The adjustment of the height of the jig 40 is obtained by the fact that the rod 39 is threaded in its lower portion and will be screwed into a tapped tubular sleeve 42 coaxial with the actuator 38 and firmly attached to the face of the latter opposite the bottom.
In order to straighten out a deformation 43 on a metal (ferromagnetic) sheet 44, the ring-shaped member 34 is applied onto the metal sheet, coaxially with the deformation 43. After having optionally adjusted the position of the jig 40 by screwing/unscrewing the rod 39 in the sleeve 42, it is then proceeded with admission of pressurized gas into the actuator 38. The jig 40 then exerts on the deformation 43 a force tending to straighten it out. Because of its convex shape, the jig 40 may bring the metal sheet slightly beyond its original position by generating within the metal sheet a mechanical stress capable of unfolding possible folds. When admission of the pressurized fluid into the actuator 38 is interrupted, the slightly convex metal sheet portion (contrary to the initial deformation) returns to its original position, by its elasticity.
Advantageously, the apparatus illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
Along this lever 45, a carriage 50 is slidably mounted, formed by a tubular segment on which a pneumatic actuator 52 bearing a jig 53 may be fastened via an attachment column 51. Blocking of the carriage 50 in a position on the lever 45 is ensured by means of the cone-point set screw 54 which will be screwed into a tapped bore hole provided on the carriage 50.
By these arrangements, with view to straightening out a deformation of a metal sheet, the suction cup 49 is attached onto a metal sheet portion which may consist but not necessarily in the metal sheet bearing the deformation.
By sliding the carriage 50 along the lever 45 and by optionally having the latter pivot, the jig 53 borne by the apparatus 52 is brought against the deformation. The actuator 52 is then actuated so that the jig exerts a force on the deformation until the sought straightening-out is obtained. This force is spread by the suction cup 49 and by the operator who exerts an antagonistic force on the handle 46 of the lever 45.
Optionally, in order to allow better adjustment of its orientation, the actuator used in the examples described earlier may be mounted on its support (counter-brace member) via a ball joint connection.
This solution is illustrated in
The bottom 62 bears a tapped coaxial tubular sleeve 65 into which the rod 66 of a ball joint 67 may be screwed ensuring a ball joint connection with a supporting part 68, which may for example consist in a carriage of the type of those used in the previous examples.
An advantage of this solution consists in that the operator may hold the tubular body in his/her hand while having his/her hand protected by circular coaxial flanges with which the ends of said body are equipped.
The apparatus illustrated in
This lever 71 is jointed at its bend by a clevis mounting 74 on a supporting part 75 delimiting a concavity, for example a C-section part into which the upper portion of the tyre 76 of the vehicle located at the wing 70 may closely engage. The core 77 of this supporting part 75 comprises, opposite to the tyre 76, a plate 78 which extends at right angles. On this plate 78 is attached an actuator 79, here a concertina-type actuator, which acts on the arm 80 of the lever 71 bearing the jig 73.
In order to straighten out the deformation of the wing 70, the operator, first of all, positions the supporting part 75 on the tyre 76 and fastens it thereto, optionally in the desired angular position, by fastening means not shown. The actuator 79 is then retracted. The operator then tips over the lever 71 until the jig 73 will bear upon the wing 70 in the region where the deformation is located: the operator then controls the actuation of the actuator 79 by retaining the handle 72 until the deformed portion is straightened out.
Optionally, the lever described earlier may be used without the actuator or even without the supporting part 75.
In the example illustrated in
This claw may be handled by means of a handle 88 borne by a third arm 89 jointed around the axis of the joint 83 of the arms 81, 82.
Between both arms 81, 82 is positioned a pneumatic actuator 90 formed by an elastomeric balloon connected to a pressurized gas admission circuit.
Due to its elongated shape, this apparatus may be engaged in narrow passages, for example between the metal sheet of the body and the stiffeners associated with this metal sheet.
Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described earlier.
Thus, for example, the actuator may further comprise means with which vibrations may be generated facilitating the return of the deformed metal sheet to its initial position.
These vibrations may be obtained by variable frequency percussion.
Also, the jig may be mounted on the actuator via an easily connectable/disconnectable fastening device such as for example a Velcro™ fastener.
Further, the member for supporting the apparatus according to the invention may involve a plastic foam cushion bearing upon a structural member of the vehicle. The density of the foam (for example polyurethane foam) will be provided so as to ensure transmission of the forces while following the shape of the supporting part. Better distribution of the pressures exerted on this supporting part is then achieved. Moreover, the travel of the actuator will be shortened.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0802465 | May 2008 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/FR09/00519 | 4/30/2009 | WO | 00 | 2/28/2011 |