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US 12,296,516 B2Granted
Active grille shutter in-tool assembly
AssigneeMagna Exteriors Inc.
InventorsBraendon R. Lindberg, Rosen Rusev, Michael Zorn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of in tool formation and assembly of an active grille shutter system, followed by an automated testing process. The method includes providing a tool having a plurality of sliders that assist in the formation and assembly of the active grille shutter system. The components of the active grille shutter system are individually formed in a single tool, with each of the components being spaced apart from each other. After formation of the components a number of sliders and an end of arm tool push the components together to form the assembled active grille shutter system. The end of arm tool then takes the assembled active grille shutter system to a testing station where the operation is checked.
Claims20
A method of forming an active grille shutter system comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool having at least two core pieces moveable between a closed position and an open position wherein when the at least two core pieces are in the closed position a forming cavity is formed that defines molding surfaces for forming a plurality of components of the active grille shutter system, wherein the at least two core pieces include a base core piece that forms part of the forming cavity;
- providing one or more pushers each having a forming surface that forms part of the forming cavity and are moveable between a forming position and an assembly position;
- closing the tool and moving the at least two core pieces to the closed position and the one or more pushers to the forming position;
- forming the plurality of components of the active grille shutter system in the forming cavity;
- and
- moving the one or more pushers to the assembly position where the one or more pushers move against the plurality of components and push the plurality of components together to form the active grille shutter system.
3 more elements
A method of forming an active grille shutter system comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool having at least two core pieces moveable between a closed position and an open position wherein when the at least two core pieces are in the closed position a forming cavity is formed that defines molding surfaces for forming a plurality of components of the active grille shutter system, wherein the at least two core pieces include a base core piece that forms part of the forming cavity;
- providing one or more pushers each having a forming surface that forms part of the forming cavity and are moveable between a forming position and an assembly position;
- providing an end of arm tool having a plurality of gripping members and an actuator holding member for holding an actuator;
- providing a testing station having an electrical connector capable of supplying power to the actuator;
- closing the tool and moving the at least two core pieces to the closed position and the one or more pushers to the forming position;
- forming the plurality of components of the active grille shutter system in the forming cavity;
- opening the tool and moving the end of arm tool with the actuator attached to the actuator holding member into position over the plurality of components and placing the plurality of gripping members into contact with at least one of the plurality of components, wherein the end of arm tool also connects the actuator to one of the plurality of components when the end of arm tool contacts the plurality of components;
- moving the one or more pushers against the plurality of components and pushing the plurality of components together to form the active grille shutter system;
- holding the active grille shutter system with the plurality of gripping members;
- moving the end of arm tool with the active grille shutter system attached off of the base core piece, and
- using the end of arm tool to transfer the active grille shutter system to the testing station and connecting the actuator of the active grille shutter system to the electrical connector and performing a test of an operation of the active grille shutter system.
8 more elements
A method of forming an active grille shutter system comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool having at least two core pieces moveable between a closed position and an open position wherein when the at least two core pieces are in the closed position a forming cavity is formed that defines molding surfaces for forming a plurality of components of the active grille shutter system, the plurality of components include an upper frame portion, lower frame portion, left side end cap, right side end cap, a plurality of vanes and a link bar, wherein the at least two core pieces include an upper core piece and a base core piece that form part of the forming cavity;
- providing a left side pusher and a right side pusher that are adjacent the base core piece that are capable of moving in and out of the forming cavity, wherein the left side pusher has a forming surface that forms part of the left side end cap and once the left side end cap is formed the left side pusher is contactable with the left side end cap to contact and move the left side end cap on a forming surface of the base core piece and the right side pusher has a forming surface that forms part of the right side end cap and once the right side end cap is formed the right side pusher is contactable with the right side end cap to contact and move the right side end cap on the forming surface of the base core piece;
- closing the tool;
- forming the plurality of components of the active grille shutter system in the forming cavity;
- and
- opening the tool;
- moving the left side pusher against the left side end cap and pushing the left side end cap to connect with the plurality of vanes, the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion and simultaneously moving the right side pusher against the right side end cap and pushing the right side end cap to connect with the plurality of vanes, the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion, wherein all of the plurality of vanes connect to the link bar.
4 more elements
A method of forming an active grille shutter system comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool having at least two core pieces moveable between a closed position and an open position wherein when the at least two core pieces are in the closed position a forming cavity is formed that defines molding surfaces for forming a left side end cap, a right side end cap, and a link bar, wherein the at least two core pieces include an upper core piece and a base core piece that form part of the forming cavity;
- providing a left side pusher and a right side pusher that are adjacent the base core piece that are capable of moving in and out of the forming cavity, wherein the left side pusher has a forming surface that forms part of the left side end cap and once the left side end cap is formed the left side pusher is contactable with the left side end cap to contact and move the left side end cap on a forming surface of the base core piece and the right side pusher has a forming surface that forms part of the right side end cap and once the right side end cap is formed the right side pusher is contactable with the right side end cap to contact and move the right side end cap on the forming surface of the base core piece;
- providing a plurality of preformed components;
- inserting the preformed components into the tool:
- closing the tool:
- forming the left side end cap, the right side end cap, and the link bar of the active grille shutter system in the forming cavity;
- and
- opening the tool;
- and
- moving the left side pusher against the left side end cap and pushing the left side end cap to connect with the plurality of preformed components and simultaneously moving the right side pusher against the right side end cap and pushing the right side end cap to connect with the plurality of preformed components.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.