Area of technology

The present invention relates to a device for assembling a vehicle frame, in accordance with the preamble to patent claim 1.

State of the art

Vehicle frames are conventionally constructed with two longitudinal side members, supplemented as necessary by a number of cross-members. This involves first fixing the side members in a rig and then adding the cross-members. It is not usually possible to use the same rig for different types of frame without substantial restructuring of the rig.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and flexible device for assembling a vehicle frame. The device has to be easy to adapt and use for numerous types of frame.

Description of the invention

This object is achieved by providing the device with the features indicated in the characterising part of patent claim 1.

Making the side members movable and the cross-members easy to fit in different positions results in a very simple frame rig which can easily be used for numerous types of frame. For buses, which often have a front frame section and a rear frame section which are provided with longitudinal side members and are connected by an intermediate vehicle body structure of self-supporting type, this way of building frames is particularly suitable, since the rigs are of

relatively small dimensions, which means that the front and rear frames can both be built according to the same principles.

A device according to the invention is suitable for the type of assembly which involves a kit with loose parts, so-called CKD (completely knocked down) assembly. This makes it possible for the parts to be manufactured with advantage at one location and transported without requiring much space to another location where assembly takes place.

Further features and advantages of the invention are indicated in the description below.

List of drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle frame according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a device for assembling the vehicle frame in Fig. 1 and

Fig. 3 shows a locking device.

Description of preferred embodiments

As may be seen in Fig. 1, a vehicle frame 1 according to the invention is composed of two elongated side members 2 and 3 and three shorter cross-members 4, 5 and 6. The side members 2 and 3 are at a certain mutual spacing and run in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The cross-members are arranged at right angles to the side members, through which they run and to which they are joined so that a rigid vehicle frame 1 is formed. To this end the side member 2 is provided with apertures 2a, 2b and 2c and the side member 3 is correspondingly provided with apertures 3a, 3b and 3c. These apertures are large enough for it to be possible to run the cross-members through them with clearance. On each of the

cross-members there are fastening devices 7, here in the form of flanges, for joining side members and cross-members together by means of fastening elements in the form of bolts and nuts.

The cross-members to be used in the vehicle frame are provided beforehand with fastening devices 7, advantageously by welding, which fastening devices are with advantage arranged in pairs and situated along the cross-members in such a way as to achieve the intended spacing between the side members at the time of assembly.

The side members to be used in the vehicle frame 1 are provided beforehand with the requisite number of apertures for cross-members and with the requisite number of holes for fastening elements. In this respect it is desirable from the outset to design the side members so that the same side member design can be used for different frame variants. This means that, for example, there may be alternative apertures for cross-members and hence also alternative holes for the fastening elements 8 depending on what is necessary or desired.

The procedure of assembling the vehicle frame 1 according to the invention starts with fixing the requisite number of cross-members (provided with necessary fastening devices 7) at the intended mutual spacings d, e and in the intended positions relative to one another. This is followed by placing the side members 2 and 3 in position by moving them in the transverse directions marked by the arrows 9 and 10 so that they abut against the fastening devices 7 and reach their intended positions on the cross-members. The next stage is to secure the fastening devices 7 and hence the cross-members to the side members by inserting bolts through the holes provided for the purpose. During this assembly operation it is important that the cross-members are inserted through the apertures intended for them in the side members with clearance in order to avoid damage to the surface

treatment, which is with advantage applied to the relevant parts before the assembly operation. This makes it possible, for example, for these parts to be spray-painted and keep their paintwork intact during the assembly operation, not least because welding to the side members is obviated.

The vehicle frame 1 here depicted is intended, together with its long cross-members, to form part of a bus. Depending on the length of the bus, it may be desirable to connect two vehicle frames 1 of the type depicted by joining the side members together at suitable points in the vehicle. It is also possible to use two separate vehicle frames with a self- supporting vehicle body portion between them. The shape of the side members may of course be different from that here depicted. Depending on the design of the vehicle, they may for example be bent in various ways. Other types of sections may be used instead of channel sections.

The cross-members , 5 and 6 are depicted here with closed cross-sections, resulting in good rigidity, but other versions may also be desired. Assembling the vehicle frame is facilitated if the portions of the cross-members 4, 5 and 6 which protrude beyond the side members 2, 3 are straight.

The type of fastening devices 7 and fastening elements may also be varied as necessary or desired. Where applicable, certain cross-members may be provided with a larger or smaller number of fastening devices than other cross-members, depending on their location in the vehicle.

Further parts not here depicted are subsequently fitted in a conventional manner to the vehicle frame here depicted.

An assembly device for assembling the vehicle frame 1 is depicted in Fig. 2. A stand 20 is provided with a table 21 on which there are devices 22, 23 and 24 intended for clamping the cross-members and making it possible not only to fix the latter at the intended mutual spacings but also to

lock them in their correct position in the longitudinal and vertical directions. The clamping device 22 is mounted on rails 25 to make it easy to move it to various positions and hence make various spacings d possible between the cross- members 4 and 5.

Protruding laterally from either side of the table 21 are four supports 26-29 which each support a rest 31 which is capable of being moved along the respective support on a rail 30. These rests 31 are intended two by two to support a side member and make it possible to move the latter in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, i.e. in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cross-members.

As may be seen in Fig. 3, the rest 31 is provided with a locking device 32 by means of which the side member can be locked relative to said rest. To facilitate correct positioning of the side members in the longitudinal direction, at least one rest 31 on each side of the table 21 may be provided with a longitudinal positioning device 33, e.g. in the form of a pin, which cooperates with a corresponding aperture in the side member. It is also advantageous for the cross-member clamping devices 22-24 to be provided with corresponding arrangements.

The supports 26-29 make it possible for the side members 2, 3 to be moved to an outer position beyond the ends of the cross-members 4, 5 and 6 and to an inner position in which their mutual spacing corresponds to their intended spacing in the vehicle frame 1.

Each of the clamping devices 22-24 may, should the need arise, be divided into two parts close to the edges of the table and may with advantage be readily movable relative to the table in order to make different frame versions possible.

It is important for the rests 31 to be properly guided on the rails 30 so as to avoid oblique positioning of the side members. This may be achieved, for example, by making the fastening of the rests on the rails relatively long.

Different types of vehicle frame may require different numbers of clamping devices 22-24 and supports 26-29. A rig of this kind is readily adapted to different requirements and easy to set up and dismantle.