JP2000296428A - Installation equipment for instrument panel assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently install different types of instrument panel assembly (INPANE-ASSY) in a state where many different types of panels exist, in an installation equipment for the INPANE-ASSY. SOLUTION: With this installation equipment for supplying INPANE-ASSY 1a, 1b to a specified place in the manufacturing line, in an installation equipment for INPANE-ASSY, in which instrument panels 51a, 51b on panels 10 are well equipped and which is provided with conveying path, the conveying path is provided with a main conveying line 2 on which equipment is prepared, and an auxiliary conveying line 3 for conveying the pallets 10. On the main conveying line 2, an equipment section 2a in which the second INPANE-ASSY 1b is well equipped with provided, and further, a first lowering and elevating mechanism 4 for by-passing the pallets 10 from an intermediate part of the auxiliary conveying line 2 to convey them to the downstream position of an equipment section 2a of the main conveying line 2, and a second lowering and elevating mechanism 5 for conveying the pallets from the downstream end of the auxiliary conveying line 3 to the upstream end of the main conveying line 2, are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automobile manufacturing line,
The present invention relates to an outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly that supplies an instrument panel assembly after the outfitting to a predetermined portion of a production line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the manufacture of automobiles, instrument panels (also referred to as instrument panels for short) are:
Parts that are difficult to install after the instrument panel is assembled to the vehicle body, such as harnesses (instrument harness) to be installed inside the instrument panel, air conditioning ducts, and passenger airbags, are previously installed by the outfitting equipment (also called cut-off lines). It is a common practice to equip it with an instrument panel assembly (abbreviated as instrument panel assembly) and then assemble it into the vehicle body.

The outfitting of such an instrument panel assembly is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the instrument panel pad (instrument panel body) 51a
Is placed on a cutting conveyor 102 provided on a cutting line and moved, while the moving instrument panel pad 51 is moving.
This is performed by a worker sequentially mounting parts on a. A urethane pad receiver 102a that supports the instrument panel pad 51a at both ends and holds the instrument panel pad 51a in a predetermined posture is provided on the cut conveyor 102 so that components can be easily mounted on the instrument panel pad 51a. It is attached.

[0004] The instrument panel assembly fitted with such outfitting equipment is supplied to, for example, a production line of an automobile, and is manually brought into a vehicle cabin of a vehicle body conveyed on the production line. Then, assembly to the vehicle body is performed. Then, for components that can be attached after the instrument panel assembly, such as instruments and air-conditioning ducts, are assembled, the operator brings these components into the vehicle and attaches them to the instrument panel in the vehicle compartment.

[0005]

However, when the instrument panel assembly and the components around the instrument panel assembly are assembled as described above, every time a worker attaches a component, the operator takes the vehicle compartment to get the next component to be attached. And the number of workers getting into and out of the vehicle compartment increases, and the assembling work becomes complicated. In addition, the work of assembling parts while getting into the vehicle interior is very bad in working posture, and thus places a heavy burden on the worker.

Therefore, in the outfitting equipment of the instrument panel assembly, all or most of the necessary components are attached to the instrument panel, and the instrument panel assembly is modularized [this is called an instrument panel module (abbreviated instrument panel module). After assembling,
A method of assembling the modularized instrument panel assembly in the vehicle compartment is conceivable.

However, when a large number of components are mounted on the instrument panel assembly to form a module as described above, it is necessary to directly attach heavy components not to the instrument panel pad but directly to a skeleton component (generally, a deck cross member) supporting the instrument panel pad. Yes, and if there is not enough rigidity as the instrument panel module, it will hinder its transport,
Such a skeleton member is mounted in advance, and instrument panel pads and various components are mounted around the skeleton member.

[0008] Therefore, the assembly process of the instrument panel assembly is greatly different from the conventional case where components are mounted while mounting the instrument panel pad on the pad receiver provided on the cut-off conveyor. Further, when assembling a plurality of types of vehicles on the same line, such an instrument panel module may be used for a certain vehicle type, and an instrument panel assembly that is not modularized may be used for another vehicle type.

Therefore, it is necessary to assemble two different instrument panel assemblies, the conventional instrument panel assembly which is not modularized and the instrument panel module, with the outfitting equipment attached to the line, and then supply it to the production line (main line). . Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-228531 discloses that in an assembly line composed of two different lines and a line formed by merging these lines (merging line), the time required for the work to be sent to the merging line is described. Predictably, a management system has been disclosed that allows efficient operation in a merging line.

However, if this technique is to be applied to the case where the instrument panel assemblies of two different structures as described above are rigged, two types of instrument panel assemblies are assembled with separate rigging facilities (rigging lines), and these are assembled. Supply line to the main production line while merging the outfitting lines. Although the time management at this time can be rationalized, the base line system is different for each type of instrument panel assembly, so the line efficiency ( Space surface,
Equipment efficiency) will be worse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assemblage in which instrument panels of different configurations can be efficiently installed while being mixed. The purpose is to:

[0012]

For this reason, in the outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly (instrument assembly) according to the first aspect, the pallet on which the instrument panel is mounted is disposed upstream of the main transport path. The pallets transported to the auxiliary transport path and of which the first instrument panel assembly is outfitted are bypassed from the intermediate section of the auxiliary transport path to a downstream position from the outfitting section of the main transport path by the first lifting / lowering mechanism. The pallet that has been transferred and is attached to the second instrument panel assembly is transferred from the downstream end of the auxiliary transfer path to the upstream end of the main transfer path by the second lifting mechanism.

The first instrument panel assembly is placed on the pallet transferred to a position downstream of the outfitting section of the main transfer path, transferred through the main transfer path and supplied to a production line. The first components are mounted while the first is transferred. The second instrument panel assembly is placed on the pallet transferred to the upstream end of the main transfer path, transferred to the main transfer path, supplied to the production line, and transferred to the main transfer path. A second part is mounted in an outfitting section provided in a part of the main transport path.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first instrument panel assembly is mounted on a pallet while being supported by the first support portion, and the second instrument panel assembly is mounted on the second support portion. It is supported and placed on a pallet. Therefore, for any instrument panel assembly,
The pallets can be selectively placed on one type of pallet, and the work of preparing or selecting the type of pallet according to the instrument panel assembly is not required.

In the outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly according to a third aspect, the second instrument panel assembly is assembled to a deck cross member supported by a second support portion of a pallet in an outfitting section. And when equipping the first instrument panel assembly, the first support section is separated from the second support section, and the first instrument panel assembly in this state allows the first instrument panel assembly to perform the second instrument installation. Since it is supported at a position that does not interfere with the support, the operator can mount the first components on the first instrument panel assembly without being obstructed by the second support.

When fitting the second instrument panel assembly, the first support portion is stored on the pallet.
The operator can mount the second components on the deck cross member supported by the second support without being disturbed by the first support.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 show an instrument panel assembly (hereinafter also referred to as instrument panel assembly) outfitting facility (hereinafter also simply referred to as outfitting facility) as one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. An instrumentation assembly device for an instrument panel assembly according to an embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings.

The outfitting equipment according to the present embodiment includes an instrument panel (hereinafter, also referred to as an instrument panel) mounted on a jig pallet (hereinafter, simply referred to as a pallet) and moved along the conveyance path, and parts are appropriately attached thereto. This is a facility for mounting and outfitting the instrument panel assembly, and supplying the instrument panel assembly to a predetermined portion of a production line of an automobile body. Further, in the present outfitting equipment, the instrument panel assembly (first instrument panel assembly) 1a and the instrument panel assembly (second instrument panel assembly) 1b having different structures can be installed together. I have.

Here, the instrument panel assembly 1a is, for example, an instrument panel harness, an air conditioning duct, a passenger airbag, or the like.
Only the parts (first parts) that are difficult to mount after being mounted on the vehicle body are mounted. As for other components (instruments and the like) around the instrument panel, the instrument panel assembly 1a is assembled in the vehicle interior, and then attached to the instrument panel assembly 1a.

On the other hand, the instrument panel assembly 1b includes not only parts (first parts) which are difficult to be mounted after being assembled to the vehicle body, but also parts (second parts) to be mounted after being assembled to the vehicle body in the instrument panel assembly 1a. Parts). That is, the instrument panel assembly 1b is a module in which all or most of the components to be mounted on the instrument panel are attached and modularized. For example, the instrument panel body, the instrument panel harness, the air conditioning duct, the assistant Seat airbag, heater unit,
It is configured as an instrument panel module including a steering shaft, a glove box, a radio, a combination meter, and the like.

Hereinafter, when the instrument panel assembly 1b is particularly distinguished from the instrument panel assembly 1a that is not modularized, it is also referred to as an instrument panel module (abbreviated instrument panel module) 1b. Further, the instrument panel assemblies 1a and 1b are simply referred to as the instrument panel assembly 1 unless it is necessary to particularly distinguish them. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the outfitting equipment of the present embodiment includes a cut conveyor (main transport path) 2 for outfitting an instrument panel assembly 1 mounted on a pallet 10, and a cut conveyor 2. A pallet supply conveyor (auxiliary transport path) 3 for supplying pallets is arranged in two rows vertically. In the present embodiment, the cut conveyor 2 is arranged in the upper stage, and the pallet supply conveyor 3 is arranged in the lower stage.

First, the pallet supply conveyor 3 is supplied with an empty pallet 10 from an instrument panel transfer facility (hereinafter simply referred to as a transfer line) 20 via a transfer facility (carry-out lifter) 25 at an upstream end in the transport direction. The empty pallet 10 is fed to the cutting conveyor 2. The pallet supply conveyor 3 has a configuration in which two pallet supply conveyors 3a and 3b are arranged in series from the upstream side, and both of them are pallets 10 in the right direction in FIG.
Is transported.

The cut conveyor 2 transports an instrument panel assembly 1 (instrument panels 51a, 51b) mounted on a pallet 10, and the instrument panel assembly 1 is configured to mount components on the cut conveyor 2. I have. Then, the instrument panel assembly 1 that has been fully equipped is mounted on the pallet 10 and is fed to the transfer line 20 by the transfer facility 25 at the downstream end of the cut conveyor 2 in the transport direction. Then, the instrument panel assembly 1 mounted on the pallet 10 is sent from a transfer line 20 to an instrument panel assembly take-out facility (hereinafter simply referred to as a take-out facility) 30 and supplied to a predetermined portion of an automobile body manufacturing line (not shown). An assembly device 200 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, can assemble the vehicle flowing through the production line.

The cut conveyor 2 has a configuration in which two cut conveyors 2a and 2b are arranged in series from the upstream side, and these cut conveyors 2a and 2b are both shown in FIG. And transports the pallet 10 on which the instrument panel assembly 1 is mounted in the left direction. Of these, the upstream cut conveyor 2a is provided with a second part for outfitting the second parts.
It is an outfitting section for parts (outfitting section in the present invention),
The cut-off conveyor 2b on the downstream side is a first component outfitting section for outfitting the first components.

A first lifter (first elevating mechanism) 4 is provided so as to vertically communicate between the cut conveyors 2a and 2b and the pallet supply conveyors 3a and 3b. The lifter 4 can convey the pallet 10 sent from the pallet supply conveyor 3a to the cut conveyor 2b. Further, the pallet supply conveyor 3b and the cut conveyor 2a
In order to supply the pallet 10 to the pallet 10, the second lifter (the second lifter) is connected so that the upstream end of the cut conveyor 2 a in the transport direction and the downstream end of the pallet supply conveyor 3 b are connected vertically. Lifting mechanism) 5 is provided.

The instrument panel assembly 1a to which only the first parts are mounted is a cut-off conveyor (outfitting section for first parts) 2b on the downstream side of the cut-off conveyor (main transport path) 2.
The instrument panel module 1b, which is equipped only with the first component and the second component, is equipped with an upstream cut-off conveyor (a second-component outfitting section) 2a and a cut-off conveyor. 2b and outfitting.

Therefore, of the pallets 10 transferred by the pallet supply conveyor 3a, those used for the instrument panel assembly 1a are not sent from the pallet supply conveyor 3a to the pallet supply conveyor 3b, but are transferred to the pallet supply conveyor 3b.
From a, it is sent to the upstream part (entrance part) of the cut conveyor 2b by the lifter 4. On the other hand, of the pallets 10 transferred by the pallet supply conveyor 3a, those used for the instrument panel module 1b are sent from the pallet supply conveyor 3a to the pallet supply conveyor 3b, and are lifted by the lifter 5 to the upstream part (the entrance part) of the cut conveyor 2a. ).

That is, regarding the instrument panel assembly 1a,
Only the first components are mounted on the cut conveyor 2b, bypassing the cut conveyor 2a, and the instrument panel module 1
As for b, after the second parts are mounted on the cut conveyor 2a, the first parts are further mounted on the cut conveyor 2b.

Here, the lifters 4 and 5 will be described in more detail. First, the lifter 4 will be described. The lifters 4 are composed of conveyors 4a and 4b arranged in two upper and lower stages.
The conveyors 4a and 4b can be moved up and down integrally. When the pallet 10 from the pallet supply conveyor 3a is sent to the pallet supply conveyor 3b, the lifter 4 is set to the lowered position. At this time, the level of the transport surface of the upper conveyor 4a is equal to the level of the transport surface of the notched conveyor 2. The level of the transport surface of the lower conveyor 4b coincides with the level of the transport surface of the pallet supply conveyor 3. When the pallet 10 from the pallet supply conveyor 3a is sent to the cut conveyor 2, the lifter 4 is set to the raised position, and the level of the transfer surface of the lower conveyor 4b matches the level of the transfer surface of the upper cut conveyor 2. It is supposed to.

Here, the transport direction of the upper conveyor 4a is set in the same manner as the transport direction of the cut conveyor 2, while the transport direction of the lower conveyor 4b is switchable. When it is at the same level, it is in the same transport direction as the pallet supply conveyor 3, and when it is at the same level as the cut conveyor 2, it is
Can be set in the same transport direction as. In addition, both conveyors 4
In both a and 4b, the pallets 10 are intermittently transported similarly to the cut conveyors 2a and 2b and the pallet supply conveyors 3a and 3b. For example, during the outfitting work, the cut conveyors 2a and 2b and the pallet supply are provided. Conveyors 3a, 3
At b, the pallet 10 is in a paused state,
At this time or when the pallet 10 is raised or lowered (when the lifter 4 is raised or lowered)
The conveyors 4a and 4b stop conveying the pallet 10.

Thus, when the pallet 10 sent from the pallet supply conveyor 3a to the lifter 4 is sent to the pallet supply conveyor 3b, the lifter 4 is set to the lowered position, and the lower conveyor 4b moves the pallet in the pallet direction. The pallets 10 are in the same direction as the supply conveyors 3a and 3b, and transfer the pallets 10 to the pallet supply conveyor 3b. At this time, the conveying surface of the upper conveyor 4a is at the same level as the cut conveyor 2, and the conveying direction is the same as that of the cut conveyor 2, so that the cut conveyor 2a, the conveyor 4a,
A conveying path is formed by the cut conveyor 2b, and the pallet 10 is conveyed without delay.

On the other hand, when the pallet 10 sent from the pallet supply conveyor 3a to the lifter 4 is sent to the upper cutting conveyor 2b, the pallet 10 is completely transferred to the conveyor 4b, and then the conveyor 4b is transported. While stopping, the lifter 4 is operated to raise the conveyors 4a and 4b. When the conveyor surface of the conveyor 4b is at the same level as the cut conveyor 2b, this time,
By operating the conveyor 4b in the same direction as the cut conveyor 2,
The pallet 10 is transported to the cutting conveyor 2b. At this time, the upper conveyor 4a of the lifter 4
The pallet 10 is located above the cut conveyor 2 and is not involved in transporting the pallet 10.

Then, the pallet 10 on the conveyor 4b
However, when it is completely transferred to the cut conveyor 2b, the lifter 4
Is operated to lower the conveyors 4a and 4b so that the conveyor surface level of the conveyor 4a matches the conveyor surface level of the cut conveyor 2, and the conveyor surface level of the conveyor 4b matches the conveyor surface level of the pallet supply conveyor 3. It is designed to match. At this time, the conveying direction of the conveyor 4b is the same as that of the pallet supply conveyor 3.

When the lifter 4 is moving up or down, the pallet 10 moving on the cut conveyor 2 and the pallet supply conveyor 3 does not interfere with the lifter 4 so that the pallet 10 does not interfere with the lifter 4. The transport of the pallet 10 by the pallet 3 is controlled. Next, the lifter 5 will be described. The lifter 5 is provided with a conveyor 5a. This conveyor 5a can change its transport direction to the same direction as the cut-off conveyor 2 and the same direction as the pallet supply conveyor 3, and its transport surface has the same level as the transport surface of the pallet supply conveyor 3b. It is possible to ascend and descend between a descending position and an ascending position at the same level as the conveying surface of the cut conveyor 2a. When the lifter 5 receives the pallet 10 from the pallet supply conveyor 3b, the transport surface and the transport direction of the conveyor 5a are set in the same manner as the transport surface level and the transport direction of the pallet supply conveyor 3b. The pallet supply conveyor 3b is completely transferred to the conveyor 5a. And pallet 1
When the transfer of the “0” to the conveyor 5a is completed, in this state,
The conveyance of the conveyor 5a is stopped, the lifter 5 is raised, and the conveyance surface of the conveyor 5a is set to the upper cut conveyor 2a.
So that it is at the same level as the transfer surface. Thereafter, the conveyor 5a is operated in the same direction as the cut conveyor 2, and the pallets 10 are supplied to the cut conveyor 2.

Next, the transfer line 20, the take-out facility 3
0 and the assembly of the instrument panel assembly 1 to the vehicle body will be described. First, the transfer line 20 will be described. The transfer line 20 is constituted by a plurality of hangers 21 circling the track indicated by A in FIG. 1 and is supplied from the cut conveyor 2 via the transfer facility 25. Instrument panel assembly 1
Is mounted on the hanger 21 together with the pallet 10 and is moved to the unloading equipment 30. Then, the pallet 10 on which the instrument panel assembly 1 is placed is taken out of the unloading equipment 3.
When it reaches 0, it is detached from the hanger 21. At this time, the hanger 21 from which the pallet 10 has been removed receives the empty pallet 10 from the unloading equipment 30 in exchange for the pallet 10, and the empty pallet 10
Is supplied to the pallet supply conveyor 3 via the delivery facility 25.

The instrument panel assembly 1 sent to the take-out facility 30 is supplied by the take-out facility 30 to a predetermined portion of a production line of an automobile body (not shown). At this time, since the instrument panel assembly 1a and the instrument panel module 1b are assembled in a different manner from each other in the vehicle body, different portions (here, the instrument panel assembly 1a is on the left side in FIG. 1, and the instrument panel module 1b is in FIG. To the right) while being placed on the pallet 10.

That is, the unloading equipment 30 is provided with a lifter 30a.
And conveyors 30b and 30c.
The pallet 10 received from is lowered by the lifter 30a,
Conveyor 30b for instrument panel module 1b,
The instrument panel assembly 1a is transported to each position by the conveyor 30c. The instrument panel assembly 1a supplied to the production line is removed from the pallet 10 by a manual operation of an operator, and is also brought into the vehicle interior of the vehicle body conveyed on the production line by the manual operation of the operator. It can be assembled to And
Thereafter, with respect to components that can be attached after the instrument panel assembly 1a is assembled, such as instruments, the operator brings these components into the vehicle and attaches them to the instrument panel in the vehicle compartment.

On the other hand, the instrument panel module 1b supplied to the manufacturing line is removed from the pallet 10 and, for example, an instrument panel assembling apparatus 200 as shown in FIG.
, And can be assembled in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle body 150 conveyed on the production line 100.
The assembling apparatus 200 is movable along the production line 100, the center unit 151 of the vehicle body 150 is gripped by the synchronization unit 110, and the support member 120 on which the instrument panel module 1b is mounted is moved synchronously with the vehicle body 150. The instrument panel module 1b is moved from the door opening 152 of 150 to the inside of the vehicle body and assembled.

The empty pallet 10 from which the instrument panel assembly 1 has been removed at the time of assembling the instrument panel assembly 1 to the vehicle body 150 is sent to the lifter 30a by the conveyor 30b or the conveyor 30c of the unloading equipment 30, and is passed through the lifter 30a. The pallet is transferred to the hanger 21 of the upper transfer line 20 and is sent to the pallet supply conveyor 3 via the transfer equipment 25 (see FIG. 1).

Next, the pallet 10 which is a major feature of the outfitting equipment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, a base plate 11, a pair of columns (second support portions) 12, 12 erected at both ends of the base plate 11, and inner sides (pallets 10) of the columns 12, 12 facing each other. A pair of pad receivers (first support portions) 14 and 14 slidably provided on the base plate 11 on the side of the cut conveyor 2 (in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the cut conveyor 2). It is composed of

Here, the pad receivers 14, 14 are for outfitting the instrument panel assembly 1a, and the instrument panel pads 51a, which are main components of the instrument panel assembly 1a.
The structure is suitable for supporting
Numerals 2 and 12 are used for outfitting the instrument panel module 1b.
2 has a structure suitable for supporting it.

Hereinafter, the pad receiver 14 and the support 12 will be described in detail. First, the pad receiver 14 for outfitting the instrument panel assembly 1a will be described.
2 and a use state in which one end of the instrument panel assembly 1a protrudes from the base plate 11 in order to mount an instrument panel pad 51a which is a component of the instrument panel assembly 1a (FIG. 2). (The state shown in the inside). When mounting the component, one end of the pad receiver 14 is attached to the base plate 1.
The projecting portion 1 is provided so that an operator can mount components on the instrument panel pad 51a mounted on the pad receiver 14 without being disturbed by the columns 12, 12 installed on both outer sides of the pad receiver 14. It is.

The pad receiver 14 is fixed by a lock mechanism (not shown) in the stored state and the used state. This fixation can be released by an operator operating an operation unit (not shown). Note that the structure of the pad receiver 14 is not limited to this, and the instrument panel assembly 1 a
Any structure may be used as long as it can take a state separated from the column 12 so as to support the pallet 10 and a state stored in the pallet 10. At times, it may be structured to stand up.

Next, the columns 12, 12 for outfitting the instrument panel module 1b will be described.
Opposite sides of the upper end portions of the instrument panels 2 and 12 have deck cross members 52 which are frame parts of the instrument panel module 1b.
Gripping portions 13 for gripping the end portions are provided respectively. Each grip portion 13 includes a disk-shaped support member 13a rotatably supported by the support column 12, a support base member 13b installed on the disk-shaped support member 13a, and a pair of upper and lower clamps 13c. 13c.

Each of the clamps 13c is capable of swinging in a direction away from and away from the supporting base member 13b.
For example, a biasing force such as a spring applies a biasing force in a direction in which the tip of the clamp 13c approaches the supporting base member 13b. The supporting base member 13b includes
Positioning pin 13d to face each clamp 13c
The end of the deck cross member 52 is gripped by the positioning pin 13d and the clamp 13c.

A plate-shaped fastening portion 53 for fastening the deck cross member 52 to the vehicle body is formed at each end of the deck cross member 52, and the positioning pin 13d is connected to the fastening portion. The clamp 13 c is fitted in a bolt hole 52 a provided in the 53, and the tip of the clamp 13 c is brought into contact with the tightening portion 53, and cooperates with the positioning pin 13 d to grip the tightening portion 53.

The columns 12, 12 of such a pallet 10
When the deck cross member 52 is mounted on each of the gripping portions 13, the operator operates a clamp operating mechanism (not shown) to swing each clamp 13c in a direction away from the supporting base member 13b (see FIG. 3). Then, the supporting base member 13b is inserted into a bolt hole 52a provided at each end (tightening portion) 53 of the deck cross member 52.
Of the positioning pin 13d of the
3c and 13c are brought into contact with the deck cross member 52,
Deck cross member 5 cooperating with positioning pin 13d
2 (a state shown in FIG. 3).

Further, a stopper (not shown) is provided on the disk-shaped support member 13a.
Can be stopped at a predetermined rotational position. The stopper can be released by an operator's operation, and the operator can operate the stopper so that the deck cloth gripped by the grip portion 13 via the disk-shaped shaft support member 13a. The member 52 can be rotated to a predetermined position. Thus, the operator can fix the deck cross member 52 in a posture (rotational position) suitable for mounting each component, and can easily mount each component on the deck cross member 52. .

The stopper attached to the disk-shaped support member 13a naturally acts even when the deck cross member 52 is not gripped.
a (grip 13) is not rotated unnecessarily. This prevents a difference in the rotational position of each of the gripping portions 13, 13 with respect to the bolt hole 52 a at each end of the deck cross member 52, and allows the deck cross member 52 to be attached to each of the gripping portions 13, 13. The adjustment of the rotational position of each of the gripping portions 13 and 13 is not required when the gripper 13 is gripped.

Since the outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, the outfitting of the instrument panel assembly is performed as follows. As shown in FIG.
Is supplied from the transfer line 20 to the pallet supply conveyor 3a via the delivery facility 25. The pallet 10 used for outfitting the instrument panel assembly 1a is
The pallet 10 is fed to the upper cutting conveyor 2b and used for outfitting the instrument panel module 1b through the lifter 4, and the pallet supply conveyor 3b and the lifter 5
Is fed to the upper cutting conveyor 2a via

The pallet 10 supplied to the cut conveyor 2b is transferred to the pad receivers 14 of the pallet 10 near the upstream end in the transport direction of the cut conveyor 2b.
The instrument panel pad 51a is mounted (see FIG. 2). At this time, the pad receivers 14 and 14 are in a use state in which one end thereof protrudes from the base plate 11, and the worker can use the column 1 disposed close to the pad receivers 14 and 14.
The work can be performed without being disturbed by 2,12.

Then, the operator operates the instrument panel pad 51a.
First components (for example, instrument panel harness, air conditioning duct, passenger airbag, etc.) are sequentially mounted on the pallet 10.
By the time the vehicle arrives at the delivery facility 25, the installation of the instrument panel assembly 1a on the pallet 10 is completed. Thereafter, the instrument panel assembly 1a is transferred to the delivery facility 25, the transfer line 2
0, through a take-out facility 30, to be supplied to a predetermined portion of the automobile production line. And this instrument panel assembly 1a
Is removed from the pallet 10 and assembled on a car moving on a production line. In addition, instrument panel assembly 1
The pallet 10 from which a has been removed is supplied again to the pallet supply conveyor 3 via the take-out facility 30, the transfer line 20, and the delivery facility 25.

On the other hand, the deck cross member 52 is mounted on the pallet 10 supplied to the cut conveyor 2a via the columns 12, 12 near the upstream end in the transport direction of the cut conveyor 2a. (See FIG. 3). And
The operator first attaches the instrument panel pad 51b to the deck cross member 52 (see FIG. 3), and then attaches the second components (for example, the heater unit, the steering shaft, the glove box, the radio, and the combination meter). We will put on sequentially. At this time, the worker mounts the component by fixing the deck cross member 52 to the rotation position where the component can be easily mounted via the grip portion 13. When the pallet 10 enters the cut conveyor 2b, the same parts (first parts) as the instrument panel assembly 1a are appropriately attached, and the pallet 10 arrives at the delivery facility 25 at the downstream end of the cut conveyor 2b in the transport direction. By this time, the installation of the instrument panel module 1b on the pallet 10 is completed. Then, this instrument panel module 1b
While being mounted on the pallet 10, it is sent to the production line of the vehicle body via the delivery facility 25, the transfer line 20, and the unloading facility 30. And instrument panel module 1
b is detached from the pallet 10 and assembled to the automobile 150 moving on the production line 100 by the assembling apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. The pallet 10 from which the instrument panel module 1b has been removed
0, via the transfer line 20, and the delivery facility 25, to the pallet supply conveyor 3 again.

As described above, the outfitting equipment for instrument panel assembly according to the present embodiment has the following advantages. That is, the instrument panel assembly 1a is outfitted on the cut conveyor 2b, while the instrument panel module 1b having more components to be mounted than the instrument panel assembly 1a is the cut conveyor 2a, 2b to which the cut conveyor 2a is further added. Outfitting is performed above. As described above, the outfitting section of the instrument panel assembly 1a and the outfitting section of the instrument panel module 1b are formed so as to overlap with each other, so that the outfitting work of the instrument panel assemblies 1a and 1b having different man-hours can be efficiently performed while being mixed. There is an advantage.

Further, the delivery equipment 25, the transfer line 2
0, take-out equipment 30, assembling device 200 for instrument panel assembly
Since the instrument panel assembly 1 can be delivered in a stable state mounted on the pallet 10, delivery failure can be prevented, and thus, trouble of equipment caused by delivery failure can be prevented. There is also an advantage that stable outfitting can be performed. Another advantage is that damage to the instrument panel assembly 1 due to a delivery failure can be prevented.

Further, two different types of instrument panel assemblies 1
Since both a and 1b can be placed on the pallet 10, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of pallets according to the instrument panel assemblies 1a and 1b or to select and use the types of pallets. There are advantages that the cost can be reduced and the operation can be simplified. When components are mounted on the instrument panel assembly 1a, the instrument panel assembly 1a is placed on the pad receivers 14, 14 of the pallet 10. At this time, one end of each pad receiver 14, 14 is pulled out from the pallet 10. It is located at a position separated from the columns 12, 12 installed on both outer sides. For this reason, the worker can mount the components on the instrument panel assembly 1a without being disturbed by the columns 12. Further, when components are mounted on the instrument panel module 1b, the pad receivers 14, 14 are in a storage state in which they are located on the base plate 11 so as not to protrude from the base plate 11, and the operator is obstructed by the pad receiver 14. Without
Parts can be mounted on the instrument panel module 1b. Therefore, there is an advantage that the worker can work efficiently.

The outfitting equipment for instrument panel assembly according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented in various modifications. For example, the delivery of the pallets 10 between the outfitting equipment and the automobile production line is performed via transfer equipment such as the transfer equipment 25, the transfer line 20, and the unloading equipment 30, but such transfer equipment is used. Instead, the pallet 10 may be directly transferred between the outfitting facility and the production line.

The outfitting of the instrument panel assemblies 1a and 1b is entirely performed by the outfitting equipment. For example, a part of the components commonly mounted on the instrument panel assemblies 1a and 1b is provided before the outfitting equipment is carried in. , And only the other parts may be outfitted by the outfitting equipment. In this case, since the number of outfitting parts for the instrument panel assemblies 1a and 1b in the present facility is reduced, the cut conveyors 2a and 2b are shortened accordingly.

In this embodiment, the instrument panel module 1b is equipped with parts both on the cut conveyor 2a and the cut conveyor 2b. However, if the cut conveyor 2a is easier to mount the parts, Some or all of the components fitted to the instrument panel module 1b on the cut conveyor 2b may be performed on the cut conveyor 2a. in this case,
There is an advantage that work efficiency is improved though space efficiency is deteriorated by reducing the common use of the cut conveyor 2b.

Further, in this embodiment, the cut conveyor 2
b, the parts commonly used for the instrument panel assemblies 1a and 1b are rigged.
If there are no parts commonly used in the a and 1b, or if they are commonly used but differ in the way of installation, the cut conveyor 2a is located in the fitting section dedicated to the instrument panel module 1b, and the cut conveyor 2b is the instrument panel. It may be a fitting section dedicated to the assembly 1a.

In this embodiment, the cut conveyor 2 is arranged on the upper stage and the pallet supply conveyor 3 is arranged on the lower stage. However, the pallet supply conveyor 3 is arranged on the upper stage and the cut conveyor 2 is arranged on the upper stage. May be arranged at the lower stage.

[0062]

As described above in detail, the outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly (instrument assembly) according to the present invention has the following advantages. That is, the first instrument panel assembly has the first components mounted at a position downstream of the outfitting section of the main transport path, whereas the second instrument panel assembly has the first component in the outfitting section of the main transport path. 2 parts are to be mounted,
Since the outfitting of the first instrument panel assembly and the outfitting of the second instrument panel assembly can be performed on one main transport path, the instrument panel assemblies (the first instrument panel assembly and the second instrument panel assembly) having different configurations can be used. There is an advantage that outfitting can be performed efficiently while being mixed.

According to the instrumentation equipment for an instrument panel assembly according to the present invention, both the first instrument panel assembly and the second instrument panel assembly can be placed on the same pallet, so that the instrument panel assembly Accordingly, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of pallets or to select and use the types of pallets. This has an advantage that the cost can be reduced and the operation can be simplified.

According to the outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the first instrument panel assembly is installed, the first instrument panel assembly is supported at a position where it does not interfere with the second support portion. So that workers can
Outfitting work without disturbing the second support,
Also, when the second instrument panel assembly is outfitted, the first support portion is stored in the pallet,
Since the worker can perform the outfitting work without being disturbed by the first support portion, there is an advantage that the worker can efficiently perform the outfitting work.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an outfitting facility for an instrument panel assembly as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a pallet of the outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly as one embodiment of the present invention and showing a method of outfitting a first instrument panel assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a pallet of the outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly as one embodiment of the present invention and showing a method of outfitting a second instrument panel assembly.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an instrument panel assembly device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a conventional instrument panel assembly outfitting facility and an instrument panel outfitting method.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instrument panel assembly (instrument panel assembly) 1a 1st instrument panel assembly (instrument panel assembly) 1b Instrument panel module (instrument panel module) as 2nd instrument panel assembly (instrument panel assembly) 2 Cut conveyor (main conveyance) Road) 2a Cut-out conveyor, outfitting section for second parts (outfitting section) 2b Cut-off conveyor 3, 3a, 3b Pallet supply conveyor (auxiliary transfer path) 4 Lifter (first lifting mechanism) 5 Lifter (secondary) Lifting mechanism) 10 jig pallet, pallet 12 columnar support, support (second support) 14 pad receiver (first support) 51a, 51b instrument panel pad (instrument panel) 52 deck cross member

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Yamafuji 5-33-8 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Terada 5-33-8 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi F-term (reference) in Automobile Industry Co., Ltd. 3C030 DA12 3D114 AA04 AA06 AA12 BA19 BA20 CA01 CA07 CA14 DA05 DA09

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An outfitting facility attached to a production line of an automobile for supplying an instrument panel assembly to a predetermined portion of the production line, wherein the outfitting is performed on an instrument panel mounted on a pallet. In an outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly provided with a transport path for transporting the later instrument panel assembly and the pallet, the instrument panel assembly fitted on the transport path mounts first components One of a first instrument panel assembly to be mounted and a second instrument panel assembly to which a second component is mounted, and the transport path includes the instrument mounted on the pallet. A main transport path for outfitting panels, and a pallet disposed upstream of the main transport path for transporting the pallets. A second section of the main transport path is provided with an outfitting section for outfitting the second instrument panel assembly. Further, an outfitting section for outfitting the first instrument panel assembly is provided. A first elevating mechanism for bypassing a pallet from an intermediate portion of the auxiliary transport path to a position downstream of the outfitting section of the main transport path, and a pallet for outfitting the second instrument panel assembly. A second lifting mechanism for transferring from the downstream end of the auxiliary transport path to the upstream end of the main transport path is provided. 2. A first support for supporting the first instrument panel assembly on the pallet; and a second support for supporting the first instrument panel assembly.
And a second support portion for supporting the instrument panel assembly of the first embodiment. Both the first instrument panel assembly and the second instrument panel assembly can be placed on the pallet. The outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The second instrument panel assembly is configured to be assembled to a deck cross member supported by the second support in the outfitting section, and the first support is mounted on the deck cross member. The first instrument panel assembly is movable so as to be capable of supporting the first instrument panel assembly at a position not interfering with the second support portion, being separated from the second support portion and stored in the pallet. The outfitting equipment for an instrument panel assembly according to claim 2, wherein: