CN111731411A

CN111731411A - Apparatus for manufacturing vehicles, relative container and assembly method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN111731411A
Application number: CN202010213662.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 劳伦·福韦; 奥利维尔·盖瑞; 达米安·冈萨雷斯
Original assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Current assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Priority date: 2019-03-25
Filing date: 2020-03-24
Publication date: 2020-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-24
Also published as: FR3094384B1; ZA202001738B; FR3094384A1; CN111731411B

Abstract

The invention discloses an apparatus for manufacturing vehicles, an associated container and a method of assembling the same. An apparatus (10) for manufacturing a vehicle, the manufacturing apparatus (10) having a modular construction and being formed of a plurality of modules, the modules comprising: (a) a receiving module (18) configured to receive components of a rail vehicle unloaded from a vehicle, in particular from a road vehicle; (b) a storage module (20) configured to store components of a rail vehicle; and (c) an assembly module (22) configured to assemble components of a rail vehicle to manufacture the vehicle. Each module is formed by at least one container (12).

Description

Apparatus for manufacturing vehicles, relative container and assembly method thereof

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The invention relates to a device for producing a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle.

[ background of the invention ]

US 2002/0129566 a1 describes a modular factory structure consisting of at least two containers placed to form two opposite walls of the factory, the walls defining a passageway between them, a roof supported by and covering the passageway by the containers, the containers being provided with doors for transporting material inside the passageway via the doors.

[ summary of the invention ]

One of the objects of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for manufacturing a rail vehicle which is simple and inexpensive in construction and facilitates the construction of the rail vehicle.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for manufacturing a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, having a modular construction and formed from a plurality of modules comprising:

(a) a receiving module configured to receive a component of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, unloaded from a transport vehicle, in particular a road transport vehicle;

(b) a storage module configured to store components of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle; and

(c) an assembly module configured to assemble components of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, to manufacture said vehicle,

wherein each module is formed by at least one container.

The manufacturing device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to any technically possible combination:

the receiving module comprises at least one lifting platform;

-the receiving module comprises at least one container arranged as an office;

at least one of the modules, in particular each of the modules, comprises containers placed on both sides of a central aisle through the module;

-several modules are aligned such that their central aisles are placed in alignment with each other;

at least one of the modules, in particular each of the modules, comprises containers stacked in at least two layers, for example exactly two layers;

the storage module comprises at least one first area arranged to store components of a first size and at least one second area configured to store components of a second size, the second size being larger than the first size;

-the assembly module comprises at least one handling device for lifting and transferring loads, carried by a support structure supported by the containers forming the module;

-the assembly module comprises containers stacked in at least two levels, the at least two levels comprising a lower level for assembling vehicles, and an upper level, at least one container from the lower level being arranged as a component of an assembling vehicle and/or at least one container located on the upper level being arranged as an office;

the manufacturing apparatus comprises a container arranged as an electrical equipment testing station;

the manufacturing plant comprises a tightness testing module configured to test the water tightness of the vehicle, the tightness testing module forming a portal for the passage of the vehicle, the portal being provided with water nozzles to spray water onto the vehicle passing under the portal; and

the container is a transport container for goods, in particular according to standards ISO 668 and ISO 1496 for the construction of containers.

The invention also relates to a set of containers arranged to be assembled to form a manufacturing apparatus as described above, each container being arranged to form a respective container of a respective one of the modules of the manufacturing apparatus.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling a manufacturing plant as described above from a set of containers as described above, the method comprising: the containers are placed relative to each other to form the manufacturing apparatus.

[ description of the drawings ]

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, which is provided by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a manufacturing facility for a rail vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 2 is an elevation view of an assembly module of the apparatus of fig. 1.

[ detailed description ] embodiments

Fig. 1 illustrates a manufacturing apparatus 10 for a rail vehicle. The manufacturing apparatus 10 is configured to allow components of a rail vehicle to be assembled to manufacture the rail vehicle.

The manufacturing apparatus 10 has a modular construction. It is formed of a plurality of modules.

The modules are placed one after the other along the assembly line L. The assembly line L corresponds to the general path of the components and the rail vehicle during assembly of the rail vehicle from a first end of the assembly line L to a second end of the assembly line L.

Each module is formed by at least one container 12.

The container 12 is in particular a transport container for goods, in particular according to the standards ISO 668 and ISO 1496 for the construction of containers, in particular for sea transport.

The length of the container 12 is 10, 20, 40 or 45 feet, preferably 40 feet.

The container 12 comprises armatures made of beams coupled by connectors provided with apertures so that the container 12 can be handled and/or fastened to each other, for example overlapping them.

The container 12 has no side panels. In a variant, the container 12 is provided with a fixed panel or with a movable panel.

Each container 12 of each module is configured to define a working space for an operator, for example, an office, a storage space for storing parts or components, or an operating space configured to perform assembly steps for manufacturing components of a rail vehicle.

Each module is traversed by the assembly line L and then comprises a central aisle 14 extending along the assembly line L, or is placed laterally on one or the other side of the assembly line L.

At least one of the modules traversed by the assembly line L, in particular each of the modules traversed by the assembly line L, comprises containers 12 placed on both sides of a central aisle 14 passing through the modules.

Advantageously, several modules are aligned so that their central aisles 14 are placed in alignment with each other. This configuration in particular allows simple transfer of components between modules through the aligned central aisles 14.

In the illustrated example, manufacturing facility 10 includes a receiving module 18, a storage module 20 for components, an assembly module 22, a testing module 24, a servicing module 26, a containment testing module 28, and a shipping module 30.

With the exception of test modules 24 and service modules 26, which are located in the same position along the assembly line L on both sides of the assembly line L, the modules are placed one after the other and in the order described above.

The receiving module 18 is configured to receive rail vehicle components unloaded from a vehicle, in particular a road vehicle.

The receiving module 18 includes at least one lifting platform (not shown) that is capable of transferring components between the vehicle and the receiving module 18.

The elevating platform comprises a platform mounted to be vertically movable between a lowered position in which the platform is located on a ground level so as to be able to ascend and descend the platform and a raised position; in the raised position, the platform may be raised to the level of the loading tray of the road vehicle to enable transfer of goods between the loading tray of the road vehicle and the platform.

The platform is for example mounted vertically movable by means of a lifting system comprising one or several actuators arranged to lift the platform. The actuator is for example a jack, in particular a hydraulic jack or an electric jack.

The lift system is located below the platform and is preferably completely contained within a cavity located below the platform in the lowered position.

The lifting platform makes it possible to easily unload road vehicles, for example, using hydraulic cars, without the need for heavy structures above the unloading area, such as lifting cranes, portable bridges, luffing cranes, etc.

Advantageously, the receiving module 18 is without a boom crane and lifting structure.

The receiving modules 18 define the central aisle 14 and include containers that are placed on both sides of the central aisle 14.

The container 12 is herein configured to define an office space, in particular an office, for accommodating operators, which makes it possible to perform management processes related to component reception.

Advantageously, the receiving module 18 comprises containers 12 stacked in two levels so as to define a lower level 34 and an upper level 35. In the illustrated example, the receiving module 18 includes containers 12 stacked in two tiers on each side of the central aisle 14, thus defining the central aisle between two stacks of containers 12.

At least one container 12 of the lower tier 34 is arranged as an office. The office is particularly configured to accommodate personnel and/or quality control devices configured to check the quality of the received components.

The storage module 20 is configured to store rail vehicle components which are received via the receiving module 18 and are intended for the manufacture of rail vehicles.

The storage module 20 is placed immediately after the receiving module 18 along the assembly line L in order to receive the components that have been received in the receiving module 18.

The storage module 20 includes a central aisle 14 that passes through the storage module 20.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the memory modules 20 comprise, in succession along the assembly line L, at least one first region 36 and at least one second region 38 separated from the first region 36.

The first region 36 and the second region 38 have respective functions different from each other.

The first region 36 is arranged to store components having a first size. The second region 38 is configured to store components having a second size that is larger than the first size.

The first region 36 includes the containers 12 arranged as storage components. The first area 36 includes containers 12 placed laterally on both sides of the central aisle 14.

Advantageously, the first zone 36 comprises containers 12 stacked in two layers so as to form a lower layer 34 and an upper layer 35. The lower deck 34 includes at least one container 12 arranged with a rack for storing rail vehicle components. The upper level 35 includes at least one container arranged as an office. The containers 12 of the upper tier 35 are stacked on the containers 12 of the lower tier 34.

Advantageously, the second area 38 is free of containers 12 and/or storage racks. The second area 38 comprises, for example, a storage area arranged to store bulky components on the floor. This configuration allows the second area 38 to easily store components having a large dimension. Components with large dimensions are for example capacitors, coils, electrical connectors, frames, panelling, resistors, batteries.

The second area 38 includes, for example, two storage areas located on either side of the central aisle 14 through the storage modules 20.

Advantageously, the containers 12 and any storage areas of the storage modules 20 are arranged on both sides of the central aisle 14, while also defining two side lanes, which make it possible to pass alongside these containers 12 and any storage areas from the outside on the side opposite the central aisle 14. Each container 12 and each possible storage area is located between the central aisle 14 and one of the two side aisles.

This facilitates circulation in the storage module 20, for example, when several persons or vehicles circulate in the storage module 20, and/or facilitates access to certain shelves.

The lateral spacing between the containers 12 of the storage module 20 and any storage area is strictly less than the lateral spacing between the containers 12 of the receiving module 18.

The assembly module 22 is configured to assemble components for manufacturing a rail vehicle.

The assembly module 22 includes a central aisle 14 through the assembly module 22 and containers 12 placed on both sides of the central aisle 14.

As shown in fig. 2, the assembly module 22 includes containers 12 stacked on top of each other. The assembly module 22 includes a lower layer 34 and an upper layer 35. The lower floor 34 and/or the upper floor 35 include the containers 12.

The containers 12 of the assembly module 22 are laterally more spaced apart relative to the assembly line L than the containers 12 of the receiving module 18 and/or the containers 12 and any storage areas of the storage module 20.

The assembly module 22 is configured to manufacture a rail vehicle from components from the storage module 20 on the central aisle 14 of the assembly module 22.

The assembly module 22 is configured to lift, transfer and unload loads so that the components to be assembled can be lifted, transferred and loaded to form a rail vehicle.

The assembly module 22 includes a support structure 40 supported by the container 12, and in particular by the container 12 of the upper tier 35. The support structure 40 extends over the central aisle 14 of the assembled modules 22 while being carried on containers 12 placed on both sides of the central aisle 14.

The support structure 40 is for example composed of two beams extending transversely between the containers 12 of the upper level 35.

The assembly module 22 further comprises at least one handling device 42 for lifting and transferring loads, in particular for loads placed in the central aisle 14. The handling device 42 is carried by the support structure 40, as shown in fig. 2.

According to a first embodiment of the assembly module 22 shown in fig. 2, the handling device 42 comprises at least one robotic handling arm 46.

The assembly module 22 advantageously comprises at least one handling arm 46 on each side of the central aisle 14.

In the example illustrated, the handling device 42 comprises profiles 48 extending along the assembly line L while being fastened to the beams of the support structure 40. The handling device 42 here comprises a profile 48 fastened to each side of the central aisle 14, and at least one handling arm 46. Advantageously, at least one handling arm 46 is fastened to each profile 48.

The containers 12 located on both sides of the central aisle 14 of the assembled modules 22 serve as supports for the support structure 40 carrying the handling devices 42.

Alternatively or in a variant, the handling device 42 comprises a bridge crane, which is movably mounted on the support structure 40 and carries the handling device 42.

A bridge crane is provided so that the handling device 42 can be moved, for example, to move the robotic handling arm 46.

In a variant, the handling arm 46 is fastened directly to the support structure 40.

Advantageously, the assembly module 22 comprises an operator area 52 on both sides of the central aisle 14, i.e. on each lateral side of the central aisle 14. The operator area 52 is intended to accommodate an operator for handling and/or assembling the components.

Advantageously, the assembly module 22 comprises a temporary storage area 54. The storage area 54 is particularly capable of storing sizes greater than 0.96m²Or a 1.2m long and 0.8m wide part. If at least one of the lengths or widths is greater than these dimensions, the parts will be considered in a special package called "non-standard". Advantageously, as illustrated in fig. 2, the storage area 54 is located laterally directly outside of the operator area 52 relative to the central aisle 14.

Advantageously, the assembly module 22 includes a parts procurement area 56. The procurement area 56 is capable of receiving component transfer vehicles that pass through the procurement area 56, which supply components to the storage area 54. Advantageously, as illustrated in fig. 2, the procurement area 56 is laterally directly outside of the storage area 54 relative to the central aisle 14.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the lower deck 34 comprises at least one container arranged to assemble a rail vehicle. Advantageously, the containers 12 of the lower tier 34 include a module production area 60. The production area 60 is particularly intended for manufacturing components intended to be integrated into rail vehicles, for example to assemble power components, assemble equipment, produce cable bundles, equip electrical panels, panelling and the like. Assembling these components may include screwing, welding, crimping, gluing, riveting, painting, shielding, tightness testing, filling operations. The particularity of these components is that: once the structure of the rail vehicle is assembled, these components are integrated into the structure (the structure is usually assembled at the central aisle or placed in the central aisle once assembled) and are not added in terms of the inflow placed in the central aisle for their manufacture. The components installed in the production area 60 are sub-assembly components that do not require heavy lifting devices. Depending on the type of component, the production area 60 will be able to be arranged to comply with an effective Electrostatic Standard (ESD).

The upper level 35 includes at least one container arranged as an office.

The test module 24 is placed downstream of the assembly module 22 while being located on one side of the assembly line L.

The test module 24 is configured to perform a test on an item of electrical equipment to be tested of a rail vehicle.

For example, test module 24 includes container 12 in which test device items are placed, and test module 24 is configured to test device items under test placed outside of container 12. The item of equipment to be tested is for example a traction box.

Service module 26 is located downstream from assembly module 22, facing test module 24. The service module 26 and the test module 24 face each other on both sides of the assembly line L.

The service module 26 is particularly configured to centralize functions such as computer racks, heating, circuit breakers and/or electricity meters.

The tightness test module 28 is configured to test the watertightness of the rail vehicle.

Advantageously, the tightness testing module 28 forms a portal (not shown in the figures) defining a passage for the rail vehicle assembled in the assembly module 22.

The portal is formed by containers 12 stacked on top of each other.

The mast is provided with water nozzles for spraying water on rail vehicles passing under the mast in order to test the tightness of the rail vehicles. The nozzle is supplied by a reservoir, not shown.

The portal shape makes it possible to spray the rail vehicle on the top and on the sides to verify its tightness.

The transport module 30 is placed downstream of the tightness testing module 28 along the assembly line L.

The transport module 30 is configured to prepare the assembled rail vehicles before transporting them.

The transport module 30 has a central aisle 14 and, for example, includes containers 12 located on both sides of the central aisle 14.

Advantageously, the transport module 30 comprises at least one container 12 arranged as an office in a lower level 34. The office is particularly configured to accommodate personnel and/or quality control devices capable of checking the quality of the finished product to be shipped.

Advantageously, the manufacturing facility 10 includes a roof 74 extending over at least one module, and preferably all

modules

18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30.

Advantageously, in each module comprising containers 12 placed on both sides of the central aisle 14, the roof 74 extends above the aisle while being at least partially supported by the containers 12 of that module located on both sides of the central aisle 14.

When two modules are placed opposite each other on both sides of the assembly line L, as is the case with the test module 24 and the service module 26, the manufacturing apparatus 10 comprises, for example, a roof 74, which roof 74 is carried on a container of the two modules placed opposite each other.

With the above invention, the construction duration of the manufacturing apparatus 10 is shortened. In fact, the present invention makes it possible to obtain the manufacturing apparatus 10 by assembling the previously constructed container having the predetermined function.

In addition, the use of a pre-existing structure for the container 12 prevents the need to construct structures in order to form technical ceilings and/or floors and/or walls.

Further, advantageously, the container 12 for manufacturing the manufacturing apparatus 10 is prepared in a transport configuration at a first preparation site, transported to a second manufacturing site, for example by road transport and/or sea transport, and then the manufacturing apparatus 10 is formed using the container 12.

This makes it possible to transport the container 12 to a second manufacturing site and to install/assemble the manufacturing apparatus 10 there quickly and with limited costs.

Thus, the manufacturing facility 10 can be quickly installed/assembled at a desired manufacturing site, for example, near a railway network of a rail vehicle to be manufactured using. Thus, there is no longer a need to transport rail vehicles from a manufacturing plant to a remote operating site, which may prove costly.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for manufacturing a vehicle, the manufacturing apparatus (10) having a modular construction and being formed of a plurality of modules, the modules comprising:

(a) a receiving module (18) configured to receive a component of a vehicle unloaded from a transport vehicle;

(b) a storage module (20) configured to store components of a vehicle; and

(c) an assembly module (22) configured to assemble components of a vehicle to manufacture the vehicle,

wherein each module is formed by at least one container (12).

2. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 1, wherein the receiving module (18) comprises at least one lifting platform.

3. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 1, wherein the receiving module (18) comprises at least one container (12) arranged as an office.

4. A manufacturing apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said modules includes containers (12) placed on both sides of a central aisle (14) through said module.

5. A manufacturing apparatus (10) according to claim 4, wherein several modules are aligned such that their central aisles (14) are placed in alignment with each other.

6. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the modules comprises a container (12) stacked in at least two layers (34, 35).

7. The manufacturing apparatus (10) of claim 1, wherein the storage module includes at least one first area (36) arranged to store components of a first size and at least one second area (38) configured to store components of a second size, the second size being larger than the first size.

8. A manufacturing plant (10) according to claim 1, wherein said assembly module (22) comprises at least one handling device (42) for lifting and transferring loads, carried by a support structure (40) supported by a container (12) forming said module.

9. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 1, wherein the assembly module (22) comprises containers (12) stacked in at least two levels including a lower level (34) where the vehicles are assembled, and an upper level (35), at least one container (12) from the lower level (34) being arranged to assemble components of the vehicles and/or at least one container (12) located at the upper level (35) being arranged as an office.

10. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 1, comprising a container (12) arranged as an electrical equipment testing station.

11. Manufacturing plant (10) according to claim 1, comprising a tightness testing module (28) configured to test the water tightness of the vehicle, said tightness testing module (28) forming a portal for the passage of the vehicle, said portal being provided with water nozzles to spray water onto the vehicle passing under said portal.

12. The manufacturing facility (10) according to claim 1, wherein the container is a transport container for goods, in particular according to standards ISO 668 and ISO 1496 for the construction of containers.

13. A set of containers (12) arranged to be assembled to form a manufacturing apparatus (10) according to claim 1, each container (12) being arranged to form a respective container (12) of a respective one of the modules of the manufacturing apparatus (10).

14. A method for assembling a manufacturing apparatus (10) according to claim 1 from a set of containers according to claim 13, the method comprising: placing the containers (12) relative to each other to form the manufacturing apparatus (10).

15. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a rail vehicle.

16. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 1, wherein the component of the vehicle is unloaded from a road transport vehicle.

17. A manufacturing apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said modules includes containers (12) placed on both sides of a central aisle (14) through said module.

18. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 6, wherein each of the modules comprises a container (12) stacked in at least two layers (34, 35).

19. The manufacturing facility (10) of claim 6, wherein at least one of the modules comprises a container (12) stacked in exactly two layers (34, 35).