GB2618664A

GB2618664A - Novel multi-mode flexible assembly line and control method thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2618664A
Application number: GB2303818.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yang Qinglong; Wan Junlin; Zhang Weiliang; Ou Leqing; Fang Lei; Qi Baoyun; Wang Junxiang; Chen Yuan; Shi Xiaofu; Wang Huang
Original assignee: 28th Research Institute Of China Electronics Tech Group Corp; CETC 28 Research Institute
Current assignee: 28th Research Institute Of China Electronics Tech Group Corp; CETC 28 Research Institute
Priority date: 2022-04-27
Filing date: 2023-03-16
Publication date: 2023-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2043-03-16
Also published as: CN114772198B; WO2023206901A1; CN114772198A; GB2618664B

Abstract

Disclosed are a flexible assembly line shaped like a Chinese character ‘fei’ and a control method thereof by a design method that an assembly unit is separated from a transmission unit in scheme layout. In the specific scheme layout, the assembly unit is located at a position of a horizontal stroke of the Chinese character ‘fei’, the transmission unit is located at a position of a vertical stroke of the Chinese character ‘fei’, a steering unit is located at an intersection position of the horizontal and vertical stokes of the Chinese character ‘fei’, and loading and unloading units are located at end points of the vertical stroke of the Chinese character ‘fei’. In the scheme layout, smooth conveying of logistics is not affected by an assembly operation, U-shaped lines or I-shaped lines with different station quantities can be flexibly arranged according to structural characteristics of products to be assembled and different assembling processes, multiple application modes are achieved and corresponding control methods are designed, thus being suitable for enterprises with customized, multi-variety and small-batch order characteristics to produce products of different varieties, different assembly processes and different beats.

Description

SPECIFICATION

NOVEL MULTI-MODE FLEXIBLE ASSEMBLY LINE AND CONTROL METHOD

THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a novel multi-mode flexible assembly line and a control method thereof

BACKGROUND

Assembly lines are used for assembling military and civilian component-level products, such as equipment, transportable boxes, cases, cabinets and household appliances. At present, non-standard assembly lines are mainly divided into manual assembly lines, automatic assembly lines or intelligent assembly lines There are two types of manual assembly lines. According to one type of manual assembly line, a product is placed in a fixed production position, and various parts need to be assembled one by one during production, until the whole product is assembled and then sent to a storage region. Generally, this type of manual assembly line is used for a variety of products, which has low production efficiency, large occupied space and no material flow. According to the other type of manual assembly line, a transmission unit and an assembly unit are arranged on one line, and this type of manual assembly line is semi-automatic transmission and manual assembly. Generally, this type of manual assembly line is used for small-batch products, which has a fixed assembly line type, is suitable for single products and cannot adapt to the production of products with different product complexities arid production process quantities. When the beats of manual assembly are inconsistent, the whole line may be blocked to wait. When a function fails, the whole line will stop producing.

An assembly line for one or several varieties of fixed products is designed for the automatic assembly line, thus realizing the automatic transmission between workstations and the automatic assembly of assembly units. This type of line is suitable for mass production of fixed products, with high costs and low flexibility. When the products are changed, the whole line may be scrapped. When a certain assembly unit of the line fails, the whole line will stop

SPECIFICATION

producing.

The intelligent assembly line is equipped with digital and information systems based on the automatic assembly line to manage and distribute production data, process data and quality data, thus realizing digital, paperless, automatic and networked production. This type of line is suitable for the production of the variety of products that are fixed. A line structure and digital and information systems are designed in advance for the products, with high costs and high flexibility. When the products are changed, there may be high transformation costs or even the whole line may be scrapped. When a certain assembly unit of the line fails, the whole line will stop producing.

SUMMARY

Objective of invention: the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are that: an existing assembly line has a low assembly efficiency and a low flexibility for multi-variety and small-batch device-level products; and a specific assembly process cannot be determined in customized, and short, adaptable and fast product design before finalization, and it is unqualified to demonstrate construction of a non-standard automatic assembly line. After the design is finalized, it is not allowed to demonstrate the construction of the nonstandard automatic assembly line in an order period; when the products are changed, a higher transformation cost or even scrapping of a whole line may be caused; and when a certain assembly unit fails, the whole line will stop producing, and there may be other problems, so that a multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like a Chinese character lei' and a control method thereof are provided.

The flexible assembly line comprises assembly units, transmission units, steering units, loading units and unloading units; wherein, the assembly unit is separated from the transmission unit, more than two transmission units are provided and arranged in pairs in a vertically parallel manner in a middle of the assembly line, one ends of two transmission units at an uppermost end of the assembly line are respectively connected with the loading unit and the unloading unit, and the other ends of the two transmission units at the uppermost end of the assembly line are connected with

SPECIFICATION

next transmission units; one ends of two transmission units at a lowest end of the assembly line are respectively connected with the unloading unit and the loading unit, the other ends of the two transmission units at the lowest end of the assembly line are connected with next transmission units, and two ends of remaining transmission units are connected with transmission units-a middle portion of each transmission unit is screwed and fixed with the steering unit, and the steering unit is slightly lower than the transmission unit-and a side surface (a middle portion of a left side or a right side) of each transmission unit is provided with the assembly unit perpendicular to the steering unit.

In the present invention, the flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character 'fei' is used, the assembly unit is separated from the transmission unit, the assembly unit is located at a position of a horizontal stroke of the Chinese character 'fel, the transmission unit is located at a position of a vertical stroke of the Chinese character 'fel, a steering unit is located at an intersection position of the horizontal and vertical stokes of the Chinese character fei', and loading and unloading units are located at end points of the vertical stroke of the Chinese character 'I.e.

The assembly line comprises 2x assembly units, 2x transmission units, 2x steering units, 2 loading units and 2 unloading units, and x is a component parameter of an assembly line module, and is a natural number; and the assembly unit is called a G unit, the transmission unit is called a 11 unit, the steering unit is called a T unit, the loading unit is called an L unit, the unloading unit is called a I unit, and the loading unit and the unloading unit are structurally symmetrical.

An assembly line composition model A is established A= C *MT; wherein an assembly line function module matrix is that M=[L H T G J], and a composition matrix is that C=[2 2x 2x 2x 2]. ;The assembly unit is separated from the transmission unit, so that an assembly operation function and a transmission function have no influence on each other, thus being suitable for a process flow operation with unequal beats. When a small-beat process station operation is completed while a large-beat process station operation cannot be completed, a plurality of -3 - ;SPECIFICATION ;identical large-beat process station or large-beat double-person bidirectional operations may be provided, and the workpiece may be directly transmitted to next two or more large-beat process stations after completing the small-beat operation. ;A layout design of the assembly line is preferably that x=7, which means that 14 assembly units are arranged in a shape like a Chinese character 'fei', 7 assembly units are arranged oppositely, and 2 I-shaped transmission lines are arranged in the middle. The transmission line is composed of the transmission units, the steering units and the loading and unloading units. ;There may be multiple application modes, 1 multi-station assembly line may be constituted for use, or 2 station assembly lines may be constituted for use. A U-shaped line or I-shaped line application mode with a corresponding quantity of assembly units is selected according to requirements for different complexities and production process quantities of different products. ;According to a structural characteristic and an assembly technology of an assembled product, a U-shaped line with 14 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 12 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 2 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 10 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 4 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 8 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 6 assembly units and 2 I-shaped lines with 7 assembly units are provided and formed to cover U-shaped lines, 1-shaped lines and U-shaped lines with 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 stations. ;A quantity of assembly units constituting the U-shaped line is denoted as 2i, an order of the U-shaped line is defined as i, and the corresponding U-shaped line is denoted as A-U,, then a U-shaped line application mode of 14 assembly modules is called a 7-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U7; a U-shaped line application mode of 12 assembly modules is called a 6-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-Us; a U-shaped line application mode of 10 assembly modules is called a 5-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U3; a U-shaped line application mode of 8 assembly modules is called a 4-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-154; a U-shaped line application mode of 6 assembly modules is called a 3-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U3; a U-shaped line application mode of 4 assembly modules is called a 2-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U2; a U-shaped line application mode of 2 assembly modules is called a 1-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-Ui; and the I-shaped ;SPECIFICATION ;line only has one application mode of 7 assembly modules, which is denoted as A-I,. ;A composition model A-11, = ni Gi of the U-shaped line A-U, ;M M M ;11" 1, 0, G2x ;M M M ;112x fl is established, wherein i is the order of the U-shaped line, L, is a 1st loading unit in the assembly line composition model A, 112, is a 2x1I1 transmission unit in the assembly line composition model A; T2 is a 2xill steering unit in the assembly line composition model A; is a 2xth assembly unit in the assembly line composition model A; J1is a Is' unloading unit in the assembly line composition model A; and x is a module composition parameter of the assembly line, and is a natural number, preferably x=7, and a value of i is 1 to 7. ;A flow direction of the steering unit at a corner of the U-shaped line is different from that of the steering unit at other places, and in an i-order A-U, assembly line use mode, when a subscript n of a T. steering unit is i or 2x-i, T. steering units I', and T2,,, are located at a corner of the U-shaped line; and the Tr, steering unit at the corner of the U-shaped line is identified. The control method is designed as follows: when a U-shaped line mode of A-U; is selected, the following steps are executed: step 1: resetting the assembly line; step 2: starting the assembly line; step 3: descending the loading unit Li to a lowest height to wait for manual loading, and then ascending the loading unit Li to a line transmission height after loading; step 4: setting an initial value of a subscript n of each unit as 1, with a range of[], 2x1, judging whether the subscript n of the unit is less than 2x, when the subscript n of the unit is less than 2x, sequentially transmitting a workpiece to a transmission unit 1-1", a steering unit T,, and an assembly unit G., and executing step 5; and when the subscript n of the unit is equal to 2x, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to ;SPECIFICATION ;a transmission unit u12, , a steering unit T2x and an assembly unit G2, and going to step 10; step 5: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit Gn is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit T.; step 6: judging whether the subscript n of the unit is equal to the order i of the assembly line, when the subscript n of the unit is equal to i, indicating that the workpiece is located at the corner of the U-shaped line, transmitting the workpiece from a steering unit Tn_i to a steering unit Tn-2x-1, transmitting the workpiece to an assembly unit and then executing step 7; and when the subscript n of the unit is not equal to i, indicating that the workpiece is not located at the corner of the U-shaped line, and then going to step 8; step 7: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit Gn-2x-i is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit Tri-2,t; step 8: updating the subscript of the unit that n=n+1; step 9: returning to step 4; step 10: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G2,, is completed, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit T2,, the transmission unit II2" and an unloading unit J2; step 11: descending the unloading unit J2 to a lowest height to wait for manual unloading, and then ascending the unloading unit 72 to a line transmission height after unloading; and step 12: finishing assembly. ;When an I-shaped line mode of is selected, the steps 1 to 3 are executed first, and then the following steps are executed: step al: setting an initial value of a subscript n of each unit as 1, with a range of [1, x], judging whether the subscript n of the unit is less than x, when the subscript n of the unit is less than x, sequentially transmitting a workpiece to a transmission unit 11," a steering unit Tn and an assembly unit Gn, and executing step a2; and when the subscript n of the unit is equal to x, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to ;SPECIFICATION ;a transmission unit TT, , a steering unit Tx and an assembly unit R, and going to step a5; step a2: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G,, is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit T.; step a3 updating the subscript of the unit that n=n+1; step a4: returning to step a I; step a5: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit Gc is completed, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit Tx, the transmission unit Fix and an unloading unit Ji; step a6: descending the unloading unit Ji to a lowest height to wait for unloading, and then ascending the unloading unit J1 to a line transmission height after unloading; and step a7: finishing assembly. ;According to a product complexity and an assembly process design, an assembly line with an odd quantity of stations, such as "3, 5, 9, 11 and 13" stations may be formed by combination, and in a process of product assembly and transmission, a certain assembly unit can be automatically skipped; and when a certain station fails, a mode of non-failure stations may be set, without causing the whole line to stop producing. ;For a complex product, according to a structural characteristic and an assembly technology of the assembled product, an application mode of "a U-shaped line with 14 assembly units" is set and selected, and the assembly is performed through 14 processes. ;For a relatively complex single product, an application mode of "a U-shaped line with 12 assembly units" or "a U-shaped line with 10 assembly units" is flexibly set and selected, and the assembly is performed through 12 or 10 processes. ;For a general single product, an application mode of "a U-shaped line with 8 assembly units", "a U-shaped line with 7 assembly units" or "a U-shaped line with 6 assembly units" is flexibly set and selected, and the assembly is performed through 8 or 7 or 6 processes. ;For a simple single product, an application mode of "a U-shaped line with 4 assembly units" or "a U-shaped line with 2 assembly units" is flexibly set and selected, and the assembly is performed through 4 or 2 processes. ;SPECIFICATION ;When two varieties of products are produced at the same time, according to the product complexity and the assembly process design, an application mode of "a U-shaped line with 12 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 2 assembly units" or -a U-shaped line with 10 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 4 assembly units" or "a U-shaped line with 8 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 6 assembly units" or 2 "I-shaped lines with 7 assembly units" is flexibly set and selected, and the two varieties of products are simultaneously produced on the line. ;The loading and unloading units comprise a lifting platform, a lifting mechanism and a transmission roller, the transmission roller is screwed and fixed with the lifting platform, and the lifting platform is screwed and fixed with the lifting mechanism; the transmission unit comprises a transmission platform, a double-speed chain, a driving motor and a transmission shaft, the double-speed chains are screwed and fixed on two sides of the transmission platform, the double-speed chains on two sides of the transmission platform are connected and fixed through the transmission shaft, and the driving motor is connected and fixed with the transmission shaft; and the steering unit comprises a steering platform, a detection module, a transmission roller, a jacking cylinder and a guiding mechanism; and the detection module is screwed and fixed in a middle portion of the steering platform, the transmission roller is screwed and fixed on a top surface of the steering platform, and the jacking cylinder is screwed and fixed with the steering platform. ;The assembly unit comprises a process table, an assembly workbench, a transmission roller, an auxiliary operating tool, a balancer, a lighting mechanism, a button box and a detection positioning block, and the process tables are placed on the ground and arranged on two sides of the assembly unit; the transmission roller is screwed and fixed on a plane of the assembly workbench; the auxiliary operating tool is screwed and fixed with the balancer through a steel wire rope, and the balancer is screwed and fixed with a top frame of the assembly workbench; the lighting mechanism is screwed and fixed with the top frame of the assembly workbench; the button box is screwed and fixed on the plane of the assembly workbench; and the detection positioning block is screwed and fixed on an outer side of the ;SPECIFICATION ;plane of the assembly workbench, and the detection positioning block comprises a proximity switch and a positioning block. ;The control method comprises: selecting, by an operator, a U-shaped line or l-shaped line mode with a corresponding quantity of assembly units according to a complexity of a product to be assembled and a design of a quantity of production-line assembly processes. ;When an I-shaped line mode with a certain quantity of assembly units is selected, the button box is operated in the loading and unloading units to descend the lifting platform to a lowest height, the workpiece is loaded manually, then the button box is operated to ascend the lifting platform to a transmission height of the line after completing loading, then the button box is operated to release the workpiece, and the transmission roller transmits the workpiece to the transmission unit; the transmission unit transmits the workpiece to the steering unit through the double-speed chain; after the steering unit detects that the workpiece is in place through the detection module, the double-speed chain stops transmitting, the steering platform is jacked up by the jacking cylinder, the transmission roller is started, and the workpiece is turned by 90 degrees through the transmission roller and transmitted to the assembly unit; the assembly unit stops the movement of the transmission roller after detecting that the workpiece is in place, the workpiece is manually assembled through the auxiliary operating tool under illumination of the lighting mechanism, the button box is operated to release the workpiece after completing assembly, and the workpiece is transmitted back to the steering unit by the transmission roller; after the steering unit detects that the workpiece is in place through the detection module, the transmission roller stops transmitting, the steering platform is lowered by the jacking cylinder, the double-speed chain is started, and the workpiece is turned by 90 degrees through the double-speed chain and transmitted to the steering unit; after the steering unit detects that the workpiece is in place through the detection module, the double-speed chain stops transmitting, the steering platform is jacked up by the jacking cylinder, the transmission roller is started, and the workpiece is turned by 90 degrees through the transmission roller and transmitted to the assembly unit; and the assembly unit stops the movement of the transmission roller after detecting that the workpiece is in place, the workpiece is manually assembled through the auxiliary operating tool under illumination of -9 - ;SPECIFICATION ;the lighting mechanism, the button box is operated to release the workpiece after completing assembly, the workpiece is transmitted back to the steering unit by the transmission roller, this is done until the assembly is completed, and the workpiece enters the loading and unloading units. The button box is manually operated to descend the lifting platform to the lowest height, and the workpiece is manually unloaded. ;When a U-shaped line mode with a certain quantity of assembly units is selected, the U-shaped line is different from the I-shaped line that, when an assembly unit at a corner of the U-shaped line completes assembly, 2 steering units at the corner of the U-shaped line jack up the steering platform at the same time through the jacking cylinder, and the assembly unit transmits the workpiece to an assembly unit at the other corner of the U-shaped line through the transmission roller and the 2 steering units at the corner of the U-shaped line. After the assembly is completed, transportation and assembly of the next assembly unit are performed in the above way until the assembly is completed, and the workpiece enters the loading and unloading units. The button box is manually operated to descend the lifting platform to the lowest height, and the workpiece is manually unloaded. ;Beneficial effects: the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character feil according to the present invention is composed of 4 loading and unloading units, 2x transmission units, 2x steering units, 2x assembly units (x is a natural number) and a control unit, and the assembly units are separated from the transmission units to design into the flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character lei'. According to the complexities of different products, the assembly process design or the failure of the assembly units of the line, the U-shaped line and I-shaped line modes with 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 assembly units, or the assembly line modes with the odd quantity of stations, such as 3, 5, 9, 11 and 13 stations, are selected. After the mode is selected, the loading and unloading units descend to the lowest point through the lifting platform for manual loading, and the workpiece is transmitted to the assembly unit through the transmission unit and the steering unit, and is assembled manually through the auxiliary operating tool. After the assembly is completed at the station, the workpiece is transmitted to the next assembly unit through the assembly unit, the steering unit and the transmission unit and is assembled. Until the assembly of the workpiece is completed, -10 - ;SPECIFICATION ;the workpiece is transmitted to the loading and unloading units through the assembly unit, the steering unit and the transmission unit. The loading and unloading units descend the workpiece to the lowest height through the lifting platform, and the workpiece is manually unloaded. ;The present invention can solve the problem of customized, multi-variety and small-batch whole machine assembly. It is generally unbearable for small and medium-sized enterprises to establish a customized assembly line and develop customized software, and once a product is completed, there may not be subsequent orders. Some customized products have many varieties, small batches, different shapes and different assembly processes, and before the product is designed, a specific assembly process thereof is unknown. Firstly, conditions for establishing an automatic production line and designing control software are not satisfied beforehand; secondly, after the product is designed, there is no time to demonstrate, design and establish a short, adaptable and fast project; and thirdly, it is impossible to invest in high-cost construction for a single order, for if there is no support by subsequent businesses, the loss will be great. ;The present invention firstly solves the problems that the manual assembly line, the automatic assembly line, the intelligent assembly line and other lines have a fixed mode and a low flexibility, and cannot adapt to the production of products with different complexities and production process quantities which are not defined in advance, when the beats of manual assembly are inconsistent, the whole line may be blocked to wait, and when a certain function fails, the whole line will stop producing. The present invention has multiple application modes, is suitable for the products with different complexities, may produce a variety of products at the same time, and has a high flexibility, and when the assembly unit fails or the product is changed, the whole line will not stop producing or be scrapped, and may still be used in a relatively suitable mode. ;BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ;The present invention is further described in detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments, and the advantages of the above and/or other aspects of the present invention will be clearer. ;SPECIFICATION ;FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of a multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like a Chinese character fei' and a control method thereof (taking x=7 as an example); FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a use mode of a U-shaped assembly line with 14 assembly units (taking 2x assembly units and x=7 as an example); FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a use mode of a U-shaped assembly line with 2 assembly units plus a U-shaped assembly line with 12 assembly units (taking 2x assembly units and x=7 as an example); FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a use mode of a U-shaped assembly line with 4 assembly units plus a U-shaped assembly line with +10 assembly units (taking 2x assembly units and x=7 as an example); FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a use mode of a U-shaped assembly line with 6 assembly units plus a U-shaped assembly line with +8 assembly units (taking 2x assembly units and x=7 as an example); FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a use mode of an I-shaped assembly line with 7 assembly units plus an I-shaped assembly line with 7 assembly units (taking 2x assembly units and x=7 as an example); FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a use mode of an odd quantity of assembly units formed by skipping a certain assembly unit (taking 2x assembly units and x=7 as an example); FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of an assembly unit in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a loading (unloading) unit in FIG. I; FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a transmission unit in FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of a steering unit in FIG. 1; and FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a control algorithm of the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character 'fel. ;FIG. 13 is the Chinese character 'fel. ;FIG. 14 is the enlarged schematic diagram of dotted line frame in Figure 2. ;DETAILED DESCRIPTION ;A flexible assembly line of the present invention comprises assembly units, transmission -12 - ;SPECIFICATION ;units, steering units, loading units and unloading units; wherein, the assembly unit is separated from the transmission unit, more than two transmission units are provided and arranged in pairs in a vertically parallel manner in a middle of the assembly line, one ends of two transmission units at an uppermost end of the assembly line are respectively connected with the loading unit and the unloading unit, and the other ends of the two transmission units at the uppermost end of the assembly line are connected with next transmission units; one ends of two transmission units at a lowest end of the assembly line are respectively connected with the unloading unit and the loading unit, the other ends of the two transmission units at the lowest end of the assembly line are connected with next transmission units, and two ends of remaining transmission units are connected with transmission units; a middle portion of each transmission unit is screwed and fixed with the steering unit; and a side surface of each transmission unit is provided with the assembly unit perpendicular to the steering unit. ;The assembly line comprises 2x assembly units, 2x transmission units, 2x steering units, 2 loading units and 2 unloading units, and x is a component parameter of an assembly line module, and is a natural number; and the assembly unit is called a G unit, the transmission unit is called a H unit, the steering unit is called a T unit, the loading unit is called an L unit, the unloading unit is called a J unit, and the loading unit and the unloading unit are structurally symmetrical. ;An assembly line composition model is established: A= C *MT; wherein an assembly line function module matrix is that M=[L H T G J], and a composition matrix is that C=[2 2x 2x 2x 2].

x=7, according to a structural characteristic and an assembly technology of an assembled product, a U-shaped line with 14 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 12 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 2 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 10 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 4 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 8 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 6 assembly units and 2 I-shaped lines with 7 assembly units are provided and formed to cover U-shaped lines, 1-shaped lines and U-shaped lines with 2,4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 stations.

SPECIFICATION

A quantity of assembly units constituting the U-shaped line is denoted as 2i, an order of the U-shaped line is defined as i, and the corresponding U-shaped line is denoted as A-U,, then a U-shaped line application mode of 14 assembly modules is called a 7-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-117; a U-shaped line application mode of 12 assembly modules is called a 6-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U6; a U-shaped line application mode of 10 assembly modules is called a 5-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-155; a U-shaped line application mode of 8 assembly modules is called a 4-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-114; a U-shaped line application mode of 6 assembly modules is called a 3-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U3, a U-shaped line application mode of 4 assembly modules is called a 2-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U2; a U-shaped line application mode of 2 assembly modules is called a 1-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-Ui; and the 1-shaped line only has one application mode of 7 assembly modules, which is denoted as A-I,.

A composition model AU; = L Gi of the U-shaped line A-U, M M M 112"

M M M

11-2x T2x G.1 2x 1 is established, wherein i is the order of the U-shaped line; L' is a 1st loading unit in the assembly line composition model A; ri,, is a 2xth transmission unit in the assembly line composition model A; 2,', is a 2xth steering unit in the assembly line composition model A; is a 2xth assembly unit in the assembly line composition model A; and is a 1' unloading unit in the assembly line composition model A. In an i-order A-U, assembly line use mode, when a subscript n of a In steering unit is i or 2x-i, Ti, steering units Ti and T2,_; are located at a corner of the U-shaped line; and the In steering unit at the corner of the U-shaped line is identified, and as shown in FIG. 12, a control method is as follows: when a U-shaped line mode of A-U1 is selected, the following steps are executed: -14 -

SPECIFICATION

step 1: resetting the assembly line; step 2: starting the assembly line; step 3: descending the loading unit L, to a lowest height to wait for loading, and then ascending the loading unit Li to a line transmission height after loading; step 4: setting an initial value of a subscript n of each unit as 1, with a range of [1, 2x], judging whether the subscript n of the unit is less than 2x, when the subscript n of the unit is less than 2x, sequentially transmitting a workpiece to a transmission unit fin, a steering unit T" and an assembly unit Gn, and executing step 5; and when the subscript n of the unit is equal to 2x, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to a transmission unit 1-12, , a steering unit T2x and an assembly unit G2x, and going to step 10; step 5: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit Gn is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit 11^11 step 6: judging whether the subscript n of the unit is equal to the order i of the assembly line, when the subscript n of the unit is equal to i, indicating that the workpiece is located at the corner of the U-shaped line, transmitting the workpiece from a steering unit Tn=, to a steering unit transmitting the workpiece to an assembly unit G11-2i, and then executing step 7; and when the subscript n of the unit is not equal to i, indicating that the workpiece is not located at the corner of the U-shaped line, and then going to step 8; step 7: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G,1=2", is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit Tn-2x-i, step 8: updating the subscript of the unit that n=n+1; step 9: returning to step 4; step 10: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G2,, is completed, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit T2,, the transmission unit TT" and an unloading unit 12; step 11: descending the unloading unit J2 to a lowest height to wait for unloading, and then ascending the unloading unit J2 to a line transmission height after unloading;

SPECIFICATION

step 12: finishing assembly; when an I-shaped line mode of A-I is selected, the steps 1 to 3 are executed first, and then the following steps are executed: step al: setting an initial value of a subscript n of each unit as 1, with a range of [1, x], judging whether the subscript n of the unit is less than x, when the subscript n of the unit is less than x, sequentially transmitting a workpiece to a transmission unit H1 a steering unit Tn and an assembly unit Gn, and executing step a2; and when the subscript n of the unit is equal to x, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to a transmission unit 11" , a steering unit Tx and an assembly unit R, and going to step a5; step a2: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G, is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit T," step a3 updating the subscript of the unit that n=n+1; step a4returning to step al; step a5 after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G, is completed, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit Tx, the transmission unit Ti, and an unloading unit J1; step ab: descending the unloading unit Ji to a lowest height to wait for unloading, and then ascending the unloading unit Ji to a line transmission height after unloading; and step a7: finishing assembly.

The loading and unloading units comprise a lifting platform, a lifting mechanism and a transmission roller, the transmission roller is screwed and fixed with the lifting platform, and the lifting platform is screwed and fixed with the lifting mechanism; the transmission unit comprises a transmission platform, a double-speed chain, a driving motor and a transmission shaft, the double-speed chains are screwed and fixed on two sides of the transmission platform, the double-speed chains on two sides of the transmission platform are connected and fixed through the transmission shaft, and the driving motor is connected and fixed with the transmission shaft; and the steering unit comprises a steering platform, a detection module, a transmission roller, -16 -

SPECIFICATION

a jacking cylinder and a guiding mechanism; and the detection module is screwed and fixed in a middle portion of the steering platform, the transmission roller is screwed and fixed on a top surface of the steering platform, and the jacking cylinder is screwed and fixed with the steering platform.

The assembly unit comprises a process table, an assembly workbench, a transmission roller, an auxiliary operating tool, a balancer, a lighting mechanism, a button box and a detection positioning block, and the process tables are placed on the ground and arranged on two sides of the assembly unit; the transmission roller is screwed and fixed on a plane of the assembly workbench, the auxiliary operating tool is screwed and fixed with the balancer through a steel wire rope, and the balancer is screwed and fixed with a top frame of the assembly workbench; the lighting mechanism is screwed and fixed with the top frame of the assembly workbench, the button box is screwed and fixed on the plane of the assembly workbench, and the detection positioning block is screwed and fixed on an outer side of the plane of the assembly workbench, and the detection positioning block comprises a proximity switch and a positioning block.

The control method comprises: selecting a U-shaped line or I-shaped line mode with a corresponding quantity of assembly units according to a complexity of a product to be assembled and a design of a quantity of production-line assembly processes.

In an assembly process of military and civilian component-level products, such as equipment, transportable boxes, cases, cabinets and household appliances, how to improve an assembly efficiency of multiple varieties and small batches, and how to have multiple application modes to adapt to assembly of customized products with different complexities, realize flexible adaption in the case of changing the products, avoid causing production stop of the whole line when one or several assembly units are failed, and reduce investment costs of users at the same time, is one of problems expected to be solved by the present application.

The present invention provides a multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like a Chinese character lei' and a control method thereof for assembled production of various products, such as equipment, cases, cabinets and household appliances. The multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character Tel is composed of 2x assembly units, 2x -17 -

SPECIFICATION

transmission units, 2x steering units, 4 loading and unloading units and control units. Preferably, x=7 in layout, 14 assembly units are arranged in a shape like the Chinese character lei', and 7 assembly units are arranged oppositely. There may be multiple application modes, 1 multi-station assembly line may be constituted for use, or 2 station assembly lines may be constituted for use. According to a structural characteristic and an assembly technology of an assembled product, -a U-shaped line with 14 assembly units", "a U-shaped line with 12 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 2 assembly units", "a U-shaped line with 10 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 4 assembly units", "a U-shaped line with 8 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 6 assembly units" and 2 "I-shaped lines of 7 assembly units" may be provided and formed to cover U-shaped lines and I-shaped lines with "2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14" stations. Assembly lines with "3, 5, 9, 11 and 13" stations may also be obtained by combination as needed, which are suitable for production-line assembled production of various products from a simple degree to a complex degree, such as equipment, cases, cabinets and home appliances, and are also suitable for production-line assembled production of mixed lines for various product.

In assembly operation of the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character 'fei', a U-shaped line or I-shaped line application mode with a corresponding quantity of assembly units is selected according to a complexity of a product and a quantity of production procedures. The loading and unloading units descend to a loading height through a lifting structure, and a clamping product is manually placed. The loading and unloading units transmit a workpiece to a Pt steering unit through a transmission mechanism, and the steering unit turns towards a 1st assembly unit according to a mode, and transmits the workpiece to the PE assembly unit through the transmission mechanism. The assembly unit controls a lifting unit to ascend or descend to a suitable operating height through a control button, and a production staff uses an assembly tool in an auxiliary unit to carry out the assembly operation. After an operation of an assembly unit module is completed, the product is transmitted to the next assembly unit through the transmission unit and the steering unit for the assembly operation. This is done until the assembly operation is completed on the last assembly unit in the last procedure. After completing assembly, the product is transmitted to the loading and

SPECIFICATION

unloading units through the steering unit and the transmission unit. The loading and unloading units descend to an unloading height through the lifting mechanism, and the product is manually removed from the assembly line.

Embodiment The embodiment is a multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like a Chinese character 'fei' and a control method thereof, with multiple U-shaped lines and I-shaped lines According to different product structures, assembly procedure characteristics and complexities, corresponding use modes are flexibly selected. Functions of auxiliary loading and unloading, automatic transmission, auxiliary assembly operation and lighting are mainly realized.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character fei' and the control method thereof, the assembly line is mainly composed of 2 loading units, 2x transmission units, 2x steering units, 2x assembly units and 2 unloading units (x is a natural number). Taking x=7 as an example, the assembly line comprises loading and unloading units 1, a transmission unit 2, a steering unit 3, an assembly unit 4, a transmission unit 5, a steering unit 6, an assembly unit 7, a transmission unit 8, a steering unit 9, an assembly unit 10, a transmission unit 11, a steering unit 12, an assembly unit 13, a transmission unit 14, a steering unit 15, an assembly unit 16, a transmission unit 17, a steering unit 18, an assembly unit 19, a transmission unit 20, a steering unit 21, an assembly unit 22, loading and unloading units 23, loading and unloading units 24, an assembly unit 25, a steering unit 26, a transmission unit 27, an assembly unit 28, a steering unit 29, a transmission unit 30, an assembly unit 31, a steering unit 32, a transmission unit 33, an assembly unit 34, a steering unit 35, a transmission unit 36, an assembly unit 37, a steering unit 38, a transmission unit 39, an assembly unit 40, a steering unit 41, a transmission unit 42, an assembly unit 43, a steering unit 44, a transmission unit 45, and loading and unloading units 46 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character 'fel and the control method thereof, taking x=7 as an example, A workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 1, clockwise passes through the transmission unit 2, the steering unit 3, the assembly unit 4, the transmission unit 5, the steering unit 6, the assembly unit 7, the transmission unit 8, the steering unit 9, the assembly unit 10, the transmission unit 11, the

SPECIFICATION

steering unit 12, the assembly unit 13, the transmission unit 14, the steering unit 15, the assembly unit 16, the transmission unit 17, the steering unit 18, the assembly unit 19, the transmission unit 20, the steering unit 21, the assembly unit 22, the assembly unit 25, the steering unit 26, the transmission unit 27, the assembly unit 28, the steering unit 29, the transmission unit 30, the assembly unit 31, the steering unit 32, the transmission unit 33, the assembly unit 34, the steering unit 35, the transmission unit 36, the assembly unit 37, the steering unit 38, the transmission unit 39, the assembly unit 40, the steering unit 41, the transmission unit 42, the assembly unit 43, the steering unit 44 and the transmission unit 45, and is unloaded from the unloading unit 46, thus forming a U-shaped line mode with 14 assembly units.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, in the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character 'fei' and the control method thereof; taking x=7 as an example, a mode of a U-shaped assembly line with 2 assembly units plus a U-shaped assembly line with 12 assembly units is formed The workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 1, clockwise passes through the transmission unit 2, the steering unit 3, the assembly unit 4, the transmission unit 5, the steering unit 6, the assembly unit 7, the transmission unit 8, the steering unit 9, the assembly unit 10, the transmission unit 11, the steering unit 12, the assembly unit 13, the transmission unit 14, the steering unit 15, the assembly unit 16, the transmission unit 17, the steering unit 18, the assembly unit 19, the assembly unit 28, the steering unit 29, the transmission unit 30, the assembly unit 31, the steering unit 32, the transmission unit 33, the assembly unit 34, the steering unit 35, the transmission unit 36, the assembly unit 37, the steering unit 38, the transmission unit 39, the assembly unit 40, the steering unit 41, the transmission unit 42, the assembly unit 43, the steering unit 44 and the transmission unit 45, and is unloaded from the unloading unit 46, thus forming a U-shaped line mode with 12 assembly units The workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 24, clockwise passes through the assembly unit 25, the steering unit 26, the steering unit 21 and the assembly unit 22, and is unloaded from the unloading unit 23, thus forming a U-shaped line mode with 2 assembly units.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, in the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character lei' and the control method thereof, taking x=7 as an example, a mode of a -20 -

SPECIFICATION

U-shaped assembly line with 4 assembly units plus a U-shaped assembly line with 10 assembly units is formed The workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 1, clockwise passes through the transmission unit 2, the steering unit 3, the assembly unit 4, the transmission unit 5, the steering unit 6, the assembly unit 7, the transmission unit 8, the steering unit 9, the assembly unit 10, the transmission unit 11, the steering unit 12, the assembly unit 13, the transmission unit 14, the steering unit 15, the assembly unit 16, the assembly unit 31, the steering unit 32, the transmission unit 33, the assembly unit 34, the steering unit 35, the transmission unit 36, the assembly unit 37, the steering unit 38, the transmission unit 39, the assembly unit 40, the steering unit 41, the transmission unit 42, the assembly unit 43, the steering unit 44 and the transmission unit 45, and is unloaded from the unloading unit 46, thus forming a U-shaped line mode with 10 assembly units. The workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 24, clockwise passes through the assembly unit 25, the steering unit 26, the transmission unit 27, the assembly unit 28, the steering unit 29, the steering unit 18, the assembly unit 19, the transmission unit 20, the steering unit 21 and the assembly unit 22, and is unloaded from the unloading unit 23, thus forming a U-shaped line mode with 4 assembly units.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, in the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character 'fei' and the control method thereof, taking x=7 as an example, a mode of a U-shaped assembly line with 6 assembly units plus a U-shaped assembly line with +8 assembly units is formed. The workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 1, clockwise passes through the transmission unit 2, the steering unit 3, the assembly unit 4, the transmission unit 5, the steering unit 6, the assembly unit 7, the transmission unit 8, the steering unit 9, the assembly unit 10, the transmission unit 11, the steering unit 12, the assembly unit 13, the assembly unit 34, the steering unit 35, the transmission unit 36, the assembly unit 37, the steering unit 38, the transmission unit 39, the assembly unit 40, the steering unit 41, the transmission unit 42, the assembly unit 43, the steering unit 44 and the transmission unit 45, and is unloaded from the loading and unloading units 46, thus forming a U-shaped line mode with 8 assembly units. The workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 24, clockwise passes through the assembly unit 25, the steering unit 26, the transmission unit 27, the assembly unit 28, the steering unit 29, the transmission unit 30, the assembly unit 31, the steering unit 32, -21 -

SPECIFICATION

the steering unit 15, the assembly unit 16, the transmission unit 17, the steering unit 18, the assembly unit 19, the transmission unit 20, the steering unit 21 and the assembly unit 22, and is unloaded from the loading unit 23, thus forming a U-shaped line mode with 6 assembly units.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, in the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character lei' and the control method thereof, taking x=7 as an example, a mode of an I-shaped assembly line with 7 assembly units plus an I-shaped assembly line with 7 assembly units is formed. The workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 1, clockwise passes through the transmission unit 2, the steering unit 3, the assembly unit 4, the transmission unit 5, the steering unit 6, the assembly unit 7, the transmission unit 8, the steering unit 9, the assembly unit 10, the transmission unit 11, the steering unit 12, the assembly unit 13, the transmission unit 14, the steering unit 15, the assembly unit 16, the transmission unit 17, the steering unit 18, the assembly unit 19, the transmission unit 20, the steering unit 21 and the assembly unit 22, and is unloaded from the unloading unit 23, thus forming an 1-shaped assembly line mode with 7 assembly units. The workpiece is loaded from the loading unit 24, clockwise passes through the assembly unit 25, the steering unit 26, the transmission unit 27, the assembly unit 28, the steering unit 29, the transmission unit 30, the assembly unit 31, the steering unit 32, the transmission unit 33, the assembly unit 34, the steering unit 35, the transmission unit 36, the assembly unit 37, the steering unit 38, the transmission unit 39, the assembly unit 40, the steering unit 41, the transmission unit 42, the assembly unit 43, the steering unit 44 and the transmission unit 45, and is unloaded from the unloading units 46, thus forming an I-shaped assembly line mode with 7 assembly units.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, in the multi-mode flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character lei' and the control method thereof taking x=7 as an example, a use mode of an odd quantity of assembly units is formed by skipping a certain assembly unit. A workpiece is loaded from the loading and unloading units 1, clockwise passes through the transmission unit 2, the steering unit 3, the assembly unit 4, the transmission unit 5, the steering unit 6, the assembly unit 7, the transmission unit 8, the steering unit 9, the assembly unit 10, the transmission unit 11 and the steering unit 12, without passing through the assembly unit -22 -

SPECIFICATION

13, continuously passes through the transmission unit 14, the steering unit 15, the assembly unit 16, the transmission unit 17, the steering unit 18, the assembly unit 19, the transmission unit 20, the steering unit 21, the assembly unit 22, the assembly unit 25, the steering unit 26, the transmission unit 27, the assembly unit 28, the steering unit 29, the transmission unit 30, the assembly unit 31, the steering unit 32, the transmission unit 33, the assembly unit 34, the steering unit 35, the transmission unit 36, the assembly unit 37, the steering unit 38, the transmission unit 39, the assembly unit 40, the steering unit 41, the transmission unit 42, the assembly unit 43, the steering unit 44 and the transmission unit 45, and is unloaded from the loading and unloading units 46, thus forming a mode of 13 assembly units.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the assembly unit comprises a process table 47, an assembly platform 48, a transmission roller 49, an auxiliary operating tool 50, a balancer 51, a lighting lamp 52, a button box 53 and a detection positioning block 54. A main body of the assembly unit is the assembly platform 48 formed by fixing and assembling aluminum profiles by a screw, the transmission roller 49 is fixed on a working plane of the assembly platform 48 by a screw, and an upper section of the transmission roller 49 is slightly higher than the working plane of the assembly platform 48. The balancer 51 and the lighting lamp 52 are fixed to a top profile of the assembly platform 48 by a screw, and are symmetrically mounted on two sides of a top portion of the assembly platform 48. The auxiliary operating tool 50 is fixed to the balancer 51 by a steel wire rope. The button box 53 is fixed on the working plane of the assembly platform 48 by a screw, and is located on one side close to a main operating position. The detection positioning block 54 is screwed and fixed on the working plane of the assembly platform 48, and is located on one side close to an exterior of a line. The process table is placed and fixed at a standing position for assembly operation on two sides of the assembly platform 48 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, the loading and unloading units comprise a lifting mechanism 55, a lifting platform 56, a transmission roller 57 and a button box 58. Amain body of the loading and unloading units is the lifting platform 56 formed by welding, and the transmission roller 57 is mounted and fixed on a working plane of the lifting platform 56 by a screw. An upper section of the transmission roller 57 is slightly higher than the working plane -23 -

SPECIFICATION

of the lifting platform 56. The button box 58 is screwed and fixed on an outer side of the working plane of the lifting platform 56, which is convenient for operation. The lifting mechanism 55 is a chain transmission mechanism, and is mounted and fixed on one side of the loading and unloading units by a screw. The lifting platform 56 is fixed to the lifting mechanism 55 by a screw, and moves up and down through the lifting mechanism 55.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 10, the transmission unit comprises a transmission platform 59, a double-speed chain 60, a transmission shaft 61 and a driving motor 62. Amain body of the transmission unit is the transmission platform 59 formed by assembling aluminum profiles by a screw, and the double-speed chains 60 are screwed and fixed on two sides of the transmission platform 59 along a transmission direction. The double-speed chains 60 on two sides are connected by the transmission shaft 61 at an end portion, and the driving motor 62 is screwed and fixed with the double-speed chain 60 and the transmission shaft 61 through a flange.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 11, the steering unit comprises a transmission roller 63, a steering platform 64, a jacking cylinder 65, a mounting plate 66 and a guide shaft 67. The jacking cylinder 65 is fixed on the mounting plate 66 by a screw, 4 guide shafts 67 are screwed and fixed on four corners of the mounting plate, and the steering platform 64 is connected with a mounting bottom plate through the 4 guide shafts 67, with a middle portion mounted and fixed on the jacking cylinder 65, so that the steering platform 64 may move along the guide shafts 67 under driving of the jacking cylinder 65. The transmission roller 63 is mounted and fixed on the middle portion of the steering platform 64.

A working process of the embodiment comprises two stages of: selecting an assembly line mode, and performing automatic transmission of assembly line and production-line assembly.

When various products are assembled in the flexible assembly line shaped like the Chinese character lei', an operator selects a U-shaped line or I-shaped line mode with a corresponding quantity of assembly units first.

The button box 58 is operated in the loading and unloading units 1 or the loading and unloading units 24 to descend the lifting platform to a lowest height, the workpiece is loaded -24 -

SPECIFICATION

by manual carrying, then the button box 58 is operated to ascend the lifting platform 56 to a transmission height of the line after completing loading, then the button box 58 is operated to release the workpiece, and the transmission roller 57 transmits the workpiece to the transmission unit 2. The transmission unit 2 transmits the workpiece to the steering unit 3 through the double-speed chain 60. After the steering unit 3 detects that the workpiece is in place, the double-speed chain 60 stops transmitting, the steering platform 64 is jacked up by the jacking cylinder 65, the transmission roller 63 is started, and the workpiece is turned by 90 degrees through the transmission roller 63 and transmitted to the assembly unit 4. The assembly unit 4 stops the movement of the transmission roller 49 after detecting that the workpiece is in place through the detection module 54, the workpiece is manually assembled through the auxiliary operating tool 50 under illumination of the lighting lamp 52, the button box 53 is operated to release the workpiece after completing assembly, and the workpiece is transmitted back to the steering unit 3 by the transmission roller 49. After the steering unit 3 detects that the workpiece is in place, the transmission roller 63 stops transmitting, and the steering platform 64 is lowered by the jacking cylinder 65. The transmission unit 2 and the transmission unit 5 will transmit the workpiece to the steering unit 6 through the double-speed chain 60. After the steering unit 6 detects that the workpiece is in place, the double-speed chain 60 stops transmitting, the steering platform 64 is jacked up by the jacking cylinder 65, the transmission roller 63 is started, and the workpiece is turned by 90 degrees through the transmission roller 60 and transmitted to the assembly unit 7. The assembly unit 7 stops the movement of the transmission roller 49 after detecting that the workpiece is in place through the detection module 54, and the workpiece is manually assembled through the auxiliary operating tool 50 under illumination of the lighting lamp 52, and the button box 53 is operated to release the workpiece after completing assembly. This is done until the assembly is completed, then the workpiece enters the loading and unloading units 23 or the loading and unloading units 46, the button box 58 is manually operated to descend the lifting platform 56 to the lowest height, and the workpiece is unloaded by manual carrying, so that the production-line assembly of one workpiece is completed.

The Chinese character "fei" defined in the invention is the Chinese character shown in -25 -

SPECIFICATION

Figure 13. It represents the overall structure of the multi-mode flexible assembly line of the invention, including U-shaped line and I-shaped line, wherein two vertical lines 69 correspond to the I-shaped line, and the horizontal lines 68 on both sides correspond to the U-shaped line.

Figure 14 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the dotted line frame in Figure 2. In Figure 14, two vertical lines 69 have a U-shaped line unit 68 on both sides.

The present invention provides the novel multi-mode flexible assembly line and the control method thereof There are many methods and ways to specifically realize the technical solution, and the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be pointed out that those of ordinary skills in the art can make some improvements and embellishments without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and embellishments should also be regarded as falling within the scope of protection of the present invention. All the unspecified components in the embodiments can be realized by the prior art.

-26 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A novel multi-mode flexible assembly line, wherein the flexible assembly line comprises assembly units, transmission units, steering units, loading units and unloading units; wherein, the assembly unit is separated from the transmission unit, more than two transmission units are provided and arranged in pairs in a vertically parallel manner in a middle of the assembly line, one ends of two transmission units at an uppermost end of the assembly line are respectively connected with the loading unit and the unloading unit, and the other ends of the two transmission units at the uppermost end of the assembly line are connected with next transmission units; one ends of two transmission units at a lowest end of the assembly line are respectively connected with the unloading unit and the loading unit, the other ends of the two transmission units at the lowest end of the assembly line are connected with next transmission units, and two ends of remaining transmission units are connected with transmission units; a middle portion of each transmission unit is screwed and fixed with the steering unit; and a side surface of each transmission unit is provided with the assembly unit perpendicular to the steering unit.
2. The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim I, wherein the assembly line comprises 2x assembly units, 2x transmission units, 2x steering units, 2 loading units and 2 unloading units, and x is a component parameter of an assembly line module, and is a natural number; and the assembly unit is called a G unit, the transmission unit is called a 11 unit, the steering unit is called a T unit, the loading unit is called an L unit, the unloading unit is called a I unit, and the loading unit and the unloading unit are structurally symmetrical.
3. The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim 2, wherein an assembly line composition model is established: A= C *MT; wherein an assembly line function module matrix is that M=[L H T G J], and a composition matrix is that C=r2 2x 2x 2x 21.
4. The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim 3, wherein x=7, according to a structural characteristic and an assembly technology of an assembled product, a U-shaped line with 14 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 12 assembly units plus a U- -27 -
CLAIMSshaped line with 2 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 10 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 4 assembly units, a U-shaped line with 8 assembly units plus a U-shaped line with 6 assembly units and 2 I-shaped lines with 7 assembly units are provided and formed to cover U-shaped lines, I-shaped lines and U-shaped lines with 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 stations 5. The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim 4, wherein a quantity of assembly units constituting the U-shaped line is denoted as 2i, an order of the U-shaped line is defined as i, and the corresponding U-shaped line is denoted as A-Ui, then a U-shaped line application mode of 14 assembly modules is called a 7-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U7, a U-shaped line application mode of 12 assembly modules is called a 6-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U6; a U-shaped line application mode of 10 assembly modules is called a 5-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U3; a U-shaped line application mode of 8 assembly modules is called a 4-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-154; a U-shaped line application mode of 6 assembly modules is called a 3-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U3; a U-shaped line application mode of 4 assembly modules is called a 2-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-U2; a U-shaped line application mode of 2 assembly modules is called a 1-order U-shaped line, and is denoted as A-UI; and the 1-shaped line only has one application mode of 7 assembly modules, which is denoted as A-Ix.
6. The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim 5, wherein a composition model A-U, = 1,, 11 T, M G, M G,M T MM 2x iM 2xof the U-shaped line is established, wherein i is the order of the U-shaped line; L, is a Pt loading unit in the assembly line composition model A; rr, is a 2xth transmission unit in the assembly line composition model A; T, is a 2x11' steering unit in the assembly line composition model A; G,x is a 22eh assembly unit in the assembly line composition model A; and J, is a l unloading unit in the -28 -CLAIMSassembly line composition model A. 7. The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim 6, wherein in an iorder A-U; assembly line use mode, when a subscript n of a Tn steering unit is i or 2x-i, T. steering units T; and T2i; are located at a corner of the U-shaped line; and the Tn steering unit at the corner of the U-shaped line is identified, and a control method is as follows: when a U-shaped line mode of A-U; is selected, the following steps are executed: step 1: resetting the assembly line, step 2: starting the assembly line; step 3: descending the loading unit Li to a lowest height to wait for loading, and then ascending the loading unit Li to a line transmission height after loading; step 4: setting an initial value of a subscript n of each unit as I, with a range of[], 2x], judging whether the subscript n of the unit is less than 2x, when the subscript n of the unit is less than 2x, sequentially transmitting a workpiece to a transmission unit fin, a steering unit Tn and an assembly unit Gn, and executing step 5; and when the subscript n of the unit is equal to 2x, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to a transmission unit 112,, a steering unit Ta and an assembly unit G2, and going to step 10, step 5: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G. is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit Tn; step 6: judging whether the subscript n of the unit is equal to the order i of the assembly line, when the subscript n of the unit is equal to i, indicating that the workpiece is located at the corner of the U-shaped line, transmitting the workpiece from a steering unit Tn-; to a steering unit Tii-2,c transmitting the workpiece to an assembly unit Gn-2x-i, and then executing step 7; and when the subscript n of the unit is not equal to i, indicating that the workpiece is not located at the corner of the U-shaped line, and then going to step 8; step 7: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G. 2x-i is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit Tn-2,4; step 8: updating the subscript of the unit that n=n+1; -29 -
CLAIMSstep 9: returning to step 4; step 10: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G2x is completed, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit T2,, the transmission unit 11, and an unloading unit J2; step Ii: descending the unloading unit 12 to a lowest height to wait for unloading, and then ascending the unloading unit J2 to a line transmission height after unloading; step 12: finishing assembly; when an I-shaped line mode of A-Ix is selected, the steps 1 to 3 are executed first, and then the following steps are executed: step al: setting an initial value of a subscript n of each unit as 1, with a range of [1, x], judging whether the subscript n of the unit is less than x, when the subscript n of the unit is less than x, sequentially transmitting a workpiece to a transmission unit FL, a steering unit T" and an assembly unit Gn, and executing step a2, and when the subscript n of the unit is equal to x, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to a transmission unit 11-, , a steering unit Tx and an assembly unit G," and going to step a5, step a2: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit Gn is completed, transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit Tn; step a3: updating the subscript of the unit that n=n+1; step a4: returning to step al; step a5: after an assembly operation of the assembly unit G is completed, sequentially transmitting the workpiece to the steering unit Tx, the transmission unit I-1" and an unloading unit Ji; step a6: descending the unloading unit Ji to a lowest height to wait for unloading, and then ascending the unloading unit Ji to a line transmission height after unloading; and step a7: finishing assembly.
8. The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim 7, wherein, the loading and unloading units comprise a lifting platform, a lifting mechanism and a -30 -CLAIMStransmission roller, the transmission roller is screwed and fixed with the lifting platform, and the lifting platform is screwed and fixed with the lifting mechanism; the transmission unit comprises a transmission platform, a double-speed chain, a driving motor and a transmission shaft, the double-speed chains are screwed and fixed on two sides of the transmission platform, the double-speed chains on two sides of the transmission platform are connected and fixed through the transmission shaft, and the driving motor is connected and fixed with the transmission shaft, and the steering unit comprises a steering platform, a detection module, a transmission roller, a jacking cylinder and a guiding mechanism, and the detection module is screwed and fixed in a middle portion of the steering platform, the transmission roller is screwed and fixed on a top surface of the steering platform, and the jacking cylinder is screwed and fixed with the steering platform
9. The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim 8, wherein the assembly unit comprises a process table, an assembly workbench, a transmission roller, an auxiliary operating tool, a balancer, a lighting mechanism, a button box and a detection positioning block, and the process tables are placed on the ground and arranged on two sides of the assembly unit; the transmission roller is screwed and fixed on a plane of the assembly workbench; the auxiliary operating tool is screwed and fixed with the balancer through a steel wire rope, and the balancer is screwed and fixed with a top frame of the assembly workbench; the lighting mechanism is screwed and fixed with the top frame of the assembly workbench; the button box is screwed and fixed on the plane of the assembly workbench; and the detection positioning block is screwed and fixed on an outer side of the plane of the assembly workbench, and the detection positioning block comprises a proximity switch and a positioning block.The novel multi-mode flexible assembly line according to claim 9, wherein the control method comprises: selecting a U-shaped line or I-shaped line mode with a corresponding quantity of assembly units according to a complexity of a product to be assembled and a design of a quantity of production-line assembly processes.-31 -