DE102008058124A1 - Method for transporting vehicle seats by using transport frame, involves staying seat at separating unit of transport frame after opening transport frame and transporting seat to final assembly area - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves staying a seat (S) at a separating unit of a transport frame (1) after opening the transport frame and transporting the seat to a final assembly area. The transport frame has three units for vehicle seats.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for transporting vehicle seats using transport racks.

in the Framework of final assembly of vehicles, such as commercial vehicles, It is necessary that the right one at the right time Seats are on site. This is a logistical challenge, in particular if the order of seat installation in the presence of a plurality different models only relatively shortly before final assembly fixed. Usually be - if necessary computer- and / or robot-assisted - for example by means of a forklift the individual seats in the right one Order and timed to the tape brought on which the final assembly takes place. Here are the seats in the Usually from a big one Brought warehouse in which they are stored. This kind of Handling of seats leaves but still wishes open.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a method of the initially to improve the type mentioned. This object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 1 solved. advantageous Embodiments of the method are the subject of the dependent claims.

By the provision of a transport of vehicle seats using Transport racks, wherein after opening the transport racks at least a seat remains on a detachable part of the transport rack and is transported with the same up to a final assembly area, In particular, the structure with which the seat on the vehicle structure is securely mounted.

Further can by dividing the Caddy of the short-term Interim storage required space requirements are reduced. By the Separating parts of the transport rack including seat from the rest Part of the Caddy will also reduce the weight and thereby simplifying handling.

Prefers the transport racks in the area of a first factory become corresponding an anticipated, not yet completely final assembly order loaded, with the probability of this final assembly order for example, 98%, and taking into account the order reversal unloaded in trucks, railroad cars or containers. In these trucks, railway cars or containers will be the transport racks transported to a second factory, unloaded and opened. The seats, together with the corresponding parts of another Part of the transport rack separated, taking into account the specified Final assembly order, which is known at this time, placed in rows, and according to the installation order transported to final assembly area. In the final assembly area is the Seat of the belonging Part separated and then directly installed in a vehicle.

The method according to the invention is advantageously supported by the following configurations of the transport frame:
The fact that the transport frame for vehicle seats has at least three parts which can be arranged in a row, wherein in each case two of the parts are interconnected via mutually parallel pivot axes, and the pivoting range between two adjacent and mutually pivotable parts is at least 90 °, can be simply open the Caddy for loading and unloading, so that the seats are easily accessible from (almost) all sides. Here, fastening devices for the vehicle seats are provided on the two lateral parts, which are swung up for transport.

The Parts are particularly preferably formed by simple frame structures. These structures are very easy to create, are lightweight and sufficiently stable. Naturally can the frame also be formed closed, for example by attached fabric panels, plastic sheets or thin sheets, so that the interior, in which the seats are arranged, is protected from dust and dirt.

to increase stability in the closed state of the transport frame is preferred on the outside at least one of the lateral parts provided at least one support, which in the closed state of the Caddy the lateral Parts of the spaced from the two pivot axes sides thereof support each other and particularly preferably also the closed state of the transport frame secure, with the two side parts in the closed state the caddy be kept in a parallel state. This support protects u. a. also the hinges against overload in the closing direction. At least one is particularly preferred on each lateral part support arranged, each with a pair of cooperating columns together the length of the central part in the direction perpendicular to the pivot axes. At the free end of the supports may be arranged a locking device with which the closed state of the transport frame is securable. Of course you can - for example at the corners - too two supports be provided.

For one space-saving empty transport of the transport frame, the Support also folded or formed detachable from the corresponding lateral part be.

Especially in the case of commercial vehicle seats, in which seat sets are preferred usually consist of two seats, two seats per trolley transported.

Of course you can Principle any number of seats per transport rack are transported, however, an even number of seats is preferred to the existing space and easy mountability of seats on the caddy to use optimally by the swiveling side parts.

Of the Pivoting range of the lateral parts with respect to the middle part in the opening direction is preferably at an angle of 180 ° or another, blunt Angle bounded, with the obtuse Angle is preferably less than 225 °.

Of the Pivoting range of the lateral parts with respect to the middle part in the closing direction is preferably at a 90 ° angle limited, causing damage the seats by further pivoting the side parts in Direction of the middle part can be safely avoided.

The Padding of the seats can be easily protected by that in the closed state of the transport frame, the seats at a distance are arranged to each other.

One particularly easy opening and closing of the caddy leaves thereby realize that between the neighboring parts a pivoting device is arranged to provide an automatic Ab- and to enable pivoting of the lateral parts.

The Caddy is particularly preferably designed stackable, wherein projections and / or Wells for aligning adjacent caddies provided are, allowing easy positioning of the cradles is possible.

in the The invention is based on an embodiment with reference closer to the drawing explained. Show it

1 a perspective view of a caddy in the open state,

2 a 1 corresponding schematic side view,

3 a schematic side view of the caddy of 1 with one side swung up,

4 a side perspective view of the transport frame of 1 ,

5 a perspective view of the transportable transport frame,

6 a schematic view of the transportable transport frame to illustrate the arrangement of the seats,

7 a schematic representation of the flow of material from a factory in which seats are made, to a factory, in which the final assembly takes place in a commercial vehicle, wherein each seat two seats are provided,

8th a schematic representation of the steps in the factory, in which the final assembly of the seats takes place, and

9 a schematic representation of the resorting in the sorting and storage area of the factory of 8th ,

For the implementation of the inventive method suitable handleable transport racks are important. Hereinafter is therefore first on these transport racks - including their handling per se - discussed in more detail, before the entire process for transporting such cradles described in more detail becomes.

A transport rack 1 for commercial vehicle seats S, indicated in the drawing only by dashed lines, according to the embodiment consists of three parts 2 . 3 and 4 , wherein due to the arrangement on two of the parts as lateral parts 2 and 4 as well as the intermediate part as a middle part 3 Reference is made. The side parts 2 and 4 are hinges (not shown) with the opposite sides of the middle part 3 connected, ie the lateral parts 2 and 4 are about pivot axes A relative to the middle part 3 pivotable.

The middle part 3 is presently designed as an open frame of aluminum profiles. The side parts 2 and 4 are also designed as an open frame of aluminum profiles, but with parallel to the pivot axes A cross struts 5 are arranged running between the opposite frame sides, which serve the attachment of the seats S. In the present case, two such cross struts 5 provided, ie each side part 2 . 4 are two seats S in the caddy 1 attachable and transportable. The attachment of the seats S within a lateral part 2 . 4 takes place side by side, the backrests are arranged in a plane. The attachment of the seats S of the two lateral parts 2 and 4 However, it is rotated 180 ° to each other, as from 1 seen. Further, the side of the seats S on which the backrest is disposed is closer to the outside of the corresponding side part 2 . 4 as the front of the seat S is on the opposite outer side, ie in front of the front end of the seat S is still some space free, in which in the folded state of the transport frame 1 the upper end of the back of the other side part 4 . 2 arranged seat S is positioned.

Furthermore, on the outside is an upstanding support 6 arranged, which in the present case are arranged centrally and half the height of the transverse to the pivot axes A extending sides of the central part 3 to have. These props 6 lie with their free ends in the folded state of the Caddy 1 to each other and are firmly connected to each other for security. To fold one of the side parts 2 . 4 are also stops 7 at the middle part 3 provided, to which the lateral parts 2 . 4 at an angle of 90 ° to the middle part 3 get into contact. To lift the Caddy 1 with a forklift or the like to facilitate, are also on the middle part 3 down feet 8th arranged.

The function of the transport rack 1 is the following: The empty delivered transport rack 1 is opened, for example, in the loading area of a supplier for vehicle seats, for which the connection between the supports 6 opened and the side parts 2 . 4 about the pivot axes A are pivoted by approximately 90 ° to the outside, whereby the caddy 1 is opened. Subsequently, in each case two seats S on the two lateral parts 2 and 4 mounted, what the seats on the crossbars 5 be fixed. For this purpose are on the cross struts 5 suitable guides formed with end stops. The seats are inserted into the guides until they are in contact with the end stops and positioned correctly.

For the connection between cross struts 5 and seats S may also be used adapters which are releasably attached to the seats prior to their installation. Seats S with locks on the feet can also be locked directly to the cross braces, which have suitable bolts or straps for this purpose.

After positioning and fixing the seats S to the cross struts 5 become the side parts 2 and 4 swung up until the supports 6 abut each other and can be connected together to prevent unwanted swinging back. After connecting the supports 6 is the loaded caddy 1 ready for transport to final assembly in the vehicle.

The unloading of the seats S takes place by the connection of the supports 6 solved and the side parts 2 . 4 to be pivoted outwards by approx. 90 °.

Subsequently, in the present case, the lateral parts 2 and 4 from the middle part 3 solved, so that the seats S can be transported to the frame in the factory to the place of final assembly. This simplifies the handling of the seats S significantly.

Alternatively you can also directly the seats S from the side parts 2 and 4 released and out of the caddy 1 be removed.

For an empty return transport, for example, the open transport racks 1 stacked on top of each other. Of course, a "closed" empty transport is possible. For this purpose, according to a variant, the supports can also be designed to be foldable or detachable from the corresponding lateral part.

According to one Variant of the embodiment The seats are on the side parts one behind the other and with arranged a certain distance, with both (or possibly more) seats one part are aligned the same, but the seats of the other part are are oriented in the opposite direction. The lateral ones Parts are in this case around along the inner long side extending pivot axes pivotally mounted on the middle part. When Support are here at the outer corners each supports at half height - compared with the width of the middle part - arranged.

Of course they can Seats can also be arranged differently, but the two seats, after the pivoting of the two lateral parts in the same height of Swivel axes arranged seats are arranged opposite and in each case the upper end of the back of the one seat in front of the front the seat the other seat is positioned.

Although an open transport frame has been described above, it is to be understood that the parts may be formed closed. Further, additional, closed formed parts for closing the other, open sides can be pivotally mounted on the middle part, so that they are also folded up when closing the Caddy. For a closed upper side also the outer sides can not be formed as simple supports with half the height, but as walls at half height be, so that a total of a closed container results.

Further Of course, in such a transport rack, a complete seat set for one Passenger cars are transported, for what on a lateral part of the rear seat and on the other lateral part the two front seats attached are, and - accordingly the embodiment described above and its variants - again the upper end of the respective backrests in front of the front of the seats are positioned.

According to a further variant of the embodiment, only two seats, in particular two seats for a commercial vehicle, in a caddy 1 mountable. Also in this case, the arrangement of the seats S takes place at the lateral parts 2 and 4 such that the upper portion of the back of the one seat S is positioned in front of the seat of the other seat S, as in 6 shown schematically. Also in this case, the lateral parts 2 and 4 from the middle part 3 be solved so that the seats S individually on the the lateral parts 2 . 4 forming frame can be transported.

Thereby, that the seats remain on the lateral part of the transport rack, the seats are additional from damage, in particular in the field of attachment to the vehicle structure, protected. The release the seat from the lateral part preferably takes place immediately before the assembly line or directly before installation in the vehicle. By the Solve the however, lateral parts from the middle part will require space for transportation significantly reduced in the unpacked state.

Of course you can - though not explicitly shown in the drawing - with appropriate dimensioning The side parts also have more than four seats in one Caddy be included, such as the entire Seating set for a van with three rows of vehicle seats.

The following is with reference to the 7 to 9 the process of the invention explained in more detail. Here are per transport rack 1 transported only two seats S, which are to be installed in a commercial vehicle. Of course, it is also possible to proceed with larger transport racks with four or more seats.

Starting from a factory F1, in which commercial vehicle seats S can be produced on request within a day, two corresponding seats S are a seat in a caddy 1 used and the caddy 1 closed in the manner described above. The factory F1 hereby receives as starting data the completely correct information about the type of seats desired as well as the presently approx. 98% probability of correct final assembly sequence of the seats, so that essentially a manufacture and provision of the seats in the anticipated final assembly sequence is possible, speaks that a presorting of the seats is already possible at the supplier.

The transport racks 1 are loaded in trucks, taking into account the final assembly order and the "first in, last out" rule, and transported to factory F2 where final assembly takes place. This can also drive several trucks per day and the travel time can be several days. When loading the trucks it is assumed that the departure order also corresponds to the arrival order.

Upon arrival at the factory F2 unloading of the transport racks takes place 1 , where in 8th for better clarity, the loaded, closed cradles 1 denoted by "2S". After unloading, the transport racks are opened at the goods receipt 1 , The side parts 2 and 4 are - without the seats S are solved by the same - from the middle parts 3 separated. The two seats S of a Caddy 1 For example, in a sorting and temporary storage area, the order of unloading, which corresponds to 98% of the final assembly order, is sequentially placed side by side in rows, the order being able to be corrected by simply sliding two seats between pairs of other seats can be (cf. 9 ). Ie. in this sorting and intermediate storage area, the seats S, which are still on the corresponding lateral parts 2 . 4 fixed in the correct final assembly order. The seats S are constantly pushed from the back to the front, which is easily feasible, for example, by providing eintsprechender conveyors (in 9 indicated by an arrow from bottom to top).

The side parts 2 and 4 including seats S, as in 9 indicated, picked up from the front end of the rows, loaded on special transport vehicles and transported in the correct final assembly sequence to the appropriate assembly line for mounting in a commercial vehicle. Locally, the seats are S of the lateral parts 2 . 4 the transport racks 1 loosened and installed directly in the commercial vehicle (cf. 8th ).

The middle parts 3 be after loosening the side parts 2 . 4 brought directly into the return transport area for the empty transport racks, where they have empty lateral parts 2 . 4 that come directly from the final assembly area, reconnected, be closed, loaded into a truck and transported back to the supplier to be reloaded there again.

The re-sorting and interim storage can of course also take place in a different area, spatially clearly spaced from the final assembly area, so that - again taking into account "first in, last out" the unpacked seats including seitilchen parts 2 . 4 must be transported by truck or the like directly to the place of final assembly, where they unloaded directly in this case, transported to the final assembly area and installed in the appropriate commercial vehicle. A further change in the order of final assembly, already after opening the transport racks 1 If necessary, no correction is made in this case.

1

Caddy

2

lateral part

3

average part

4

lateral part

5

crossmember

6

support

7

attack

8th

foot

A

swivel axis

F1

factory 1 (supplier)

F2

factory 2 (final assembly)

S

Commercial vehicle seat, Seat

Claims (7)

Method for transporting vehicle seats (S) using transport racks ( 1 ), after opening the cradles ( 1 ) at least one seat (S) on a separable part ( 2 . 4 ) of the transport frame ( 1 ) and transported with the same up to a final assembly area. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport frame ( 1 ) for vehicle seats (S) at least three parts ( 2 . 3 . 4 ), which can be arranged in a row and in each case two of the parts ( 2 and 3 . 3 and 4 ) are connected to each other via mutually parallel pivot axes (A), wherein the pivoting area between two adjacent and mutually pivotable parts ( 2 and 3 . 3 and 4 ) is at least 90 °, the lateral parts ( 2 . 4 ) from the middle part ( 3 ) and the vehicle seats (S) on the two lateral parts ( 2 . 4 ) are releasably attached. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transport racks ( 1 ) are loaded in the area of a first factory (F1) according to an expected final assembly order and loaded taking into account the order reversal during unloading in trucks, railway cars or containers, transported to a second factory (F2), unloaded and opened, the seats (S) together with the corresponding parts ( 2 . 4 ) from another part ( 3 ) of the transport frame ( 1 ) are placed in rows, taking into account the set final assembly order, and are transported to the final assembly area according to the order of installation. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the final assembly region of the seat (S) of the associated part ( 2 . 4 ) and then installed directly in a vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parts ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) after final assembly of the seats (S) reassembled, folded and transported back to the first factory (F1). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parts ( 2 . 4 ) and the seats (S) attached thereto are placed side by side in rows of two, the seats (S) belonging to a set of seats. Caddy ( 1 ) for seats (S), suitable for a method according to any one of the preceding claims.