JP2006239764A - Method for manufacturing door impact beam for vehicles and apparatus for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method capable of manufacturing many and diversified kinds of products varying in pipe lengths, extensions, mounting parts and mounting positions with one unit of commonly used apparatus by setting a transfer means which is the absolute reference and a variable reference by each process in manufacturing of a door impact beam for the vehicles. <P>SOLUTION: In the manufacturing method for the door impact beam 40 for the vehicles by which a pipe 2 is successively transferred and worked by the transfer means between a plurality of working stages S1 to S5 installed together in a direction orthogonal to a pipe axis, the reference axis orthogonal to the axis of the pipe 2 is set across the plurality of the stages S1 to S5, and the movement adjustment of the pipe 2 in the pipe axis direction in at least one stage is performed on the basis of the reference axes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle door impact beam manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus therefor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an impact absorbing device installed in a vehicle door called a vehicle door impact beam, side impact bar, door side beam, etc., for example, a vehicle is installed at both ends of a long pipe 101 as shown in FIG. Extensions (commonly called end members for attaching to vehicle door panels; also referred to as support brackets) 102 and 103 are joined by welding W3, and parts such as the bracket 104 are attached to the outer surface of the pipe 101. A vehicle door impact beam 100 having an assembled structure is generally used.

  In this manufacturing method, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a pipe 101 and extensions 102 and 103 are set on a jig (not shown) on a first stage by an operator, and a welding robot (not shown) is shown. Thus, the extensions 102 and 103 are joined to both ends of the pipe 101 by welding W3.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the worker moves the pipe 101 with the extensions 102 and 103 welded to both ends as described above to a second stage different from the first stage. While being carried by hand, similarly to the above, the pipe 101 and the further attachment part 104 are set in another welding jig, and the attachment part 104 is welded to the pipe general part outer periphery 105 excluding both ends of the pipe 101. A method of joining by (or screwing) is known (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In addition, as a manufacturing method for solving an error in the component mounting position accompanying the transfer of the pipe 101 between processes, the pipe 101 is automatically and sequentially conveyed to a plurality of welding stages arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the pipe 101. Discloses a so-called transfer type in which the attachment component 104 is sequentially welded to the outer periphery 105 of the pipe 101 (see Patent Documents 3 and 4).
JP-A-4-300716 JP-A-7-144535 JP 2000-202689 A JP 2002-331392 A

  In the method of manufacturing a vehicle door impact beam described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the first and second stages are arranged at different locations, and the operator carries pipes, extensions, attachment parts, and jigs. There is a risk that this transport and setting to the jig will take time and trouble, and a setting error to the jig may occur. Moreover, there is a concern that the chances of generating errors also increase in the positional accuracy of the mounting holes of both extensions and the positional accuracy of each mounting component relative to them.

  In addition, when the welding process by the transfer method described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 is applied to the manufacture of the door impact beam, the jig of each stage is set with the pipe end face as a reference for assembly of the extension and attachment parts. Therefore, in the door impact beam in which an extension is attached to the pipe end surface, the extension is in the way, making it difficult to determine the pipe end surface reference, and there is a problem that the jig is complicated and the welding range and shape of the extension are restricted.

  Furthermore, the transfer-type welding method described in Patent Document 3 does not change the assembly standard of the pipe end face at the first stage, but does not change the pipe to the last stage and assembles pipes and extensions / attachment parts. If it is a dedicated machine that produces only one type of product, there is no problem, but it is difficult to manufacture many types of products with different pipe lengths, extensions, attachment parts, and attachment positions with this single device.

  On the other hand, according to the transfer-type welding method described in Patent Document 4, parts are temporarily welded to both ends of the pipe at different work locations in advance, and then both ends of the pipe are sandwiched from the outside in the pipe axial direction via the both parts. Since this is a transfer-type method of main welding of parts, in the case where extensions are assembled at both ends of the pipe, such as a door impact beam, the mechanism for clamping both ends becomes complicated, and the appropriate method is I can not say.

  In addition, as a configuration common to the transfer-type welding process described in Patent Documents 3 and 4, the pipe is only placed on a V-shaped or U-shaped carriage, and the pipe is actively used. Since the pipe is not fixedly supported, the pipe end surface reference is shifted in the pipe axial direction due to vibration during conveyance or shocks at the start and stop of conveyance, and there is a possibility that assembly failure may occur.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door impact beam manufacturing method and apparatus for solving the above problems.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the pipe is sequentially transferred by a transfer means between a plurality of processing stages arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the pipe axis of the pipe to be processed. A vehicle door impact beam manufacturing method is provided, wherein a reference axis orthogonal to a pipe axis is set across a plurality of stages, and the pipe is moved in the pipe axis direction in at least one stage based on the reference axis A method for manufacturing a vehicle door impact beam, wherein adjustment is performed.

  In the present invention, since an absolute reference axis is set over each stage, the reference axis is kept constant in a series of machining steps. In addition, by setting an arbitrary reference for each stage, the reference can be set in each stage.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the transfer type is applied to the first aspect of the invention, and the transfer means includes a transfer bar movable in a vertical plane including the reference axis, and a transfer bar on the transfer bar. A plurality of clamping devices that are firmly gripped and releasable, and the clamping device lifts and lowers on the reference axis while gripping the pipe by moving the transfer bar up and down and moving forward and backward in the reference axis direction. It is a manufacturing method of the door impact beam characterized by moving.

  In the present invention, the pipe can be firmly held and released on each stage, and accurate conveyance between the stages can be performed. In addition, since all the clamping devices are moved on the reference axis by a common driving means, the reference axes in each stage are not consistently shifted and it is easy to set an arbitrary reference (sub-reference) for each stage.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, in the pipe movement adjustment in the axial direction of the pipe, after the transfer means releases the pipe, the one end surface of the pipe is moved in the pipe axial direction by the pressing means. And the other end surface of the pipe and / or the processed portion is brought into contact with the abutting reference, and then the pipe is firmly held by the transfer means.

  In the present invention, the reference can be set for each stage by bringing the end face of the pipe and the processed portion into contact with the abutting reference.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein at least one stage includes a step of measuring a pipe length and / or a position of a processed portion by the pressing means and the abutting reference. It is a manufacturing method of a door impact beam.

  In the present invention, the length of the pipe and / or the position of the processed part can be measured, and the total length defect of the pipe can be measured.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle door impact beam in which pipes are sequentially transferred by a transfer means between a plurality of processing stages arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the pipe axis of the pipe to be processed. A manufacturing apparatus, a transfer means for sequentially moving a pipe to the plurality of processing stages along a reference axis perpendicular to the pipe axis, and at least one processing stage in the plurality of processing stages, the pipe being connected to the pipe An apparatus for manufacturing a vehicle door impact beam comprising adjusting means for adjusting movement in an axial direction.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the transfer means includes a transfer bar that is movable in a vertical plane including the reference axis, and a plurality of clamps that are provided on the transfer bar and that can firmly grip and release the pipe. 6. The door impact according to claim 5, wherein the clamping device moves up and down and moves on the reference axis while gripping the pipe by raising and lowering the transfer bar and moving forward and backward in the reference axis direction. This is a beam manufacturing apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to move the pipe in the pipe axial direction with respect to the transport means that is an absolute reference, and to freely set the processing standard (part mounting standard, etc.) of this pipe. Many types of products with different pipe lengths and processing positions (part mounting positions, etc.) can be processed with a single welding device.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pipe is firmly gripped and transferred to the next stage by the transfer bar extending on the reference axis, so that the absolute reference at the time of pipe transfer is not shifted and the pipe is not displaced. It is possible to accurately adjust the pipe movement position in the axial direction.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the following pipe machining step is performed with reference to the end face and / or the machined portion of the pipe, the pipe axial interval and the surface angle between the machined parts that are originally required. It is possible to manufacture a pipe product in which the relationship is accurately determined and the attachment property to the attachment object is excellent.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a pipe having a defective overall length or a pipe having a poorly mounted object is supplied to the stage, it can be easily determined whether it is acceptable or not.

  According to invention of Claim 5 and 6, the manufacturing apparatus of the vehicle door impact beam which can exhibit the effect of the invention of the said Claim 1 and 2 can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the embodiment shown in FIGS.

  1 to 3 show Embodiment 1 of a method and apparatus for manufacturing a vehicle impact beam according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the entire vehicle door impact beam manufacturing apparatus.
In this manufacturing apparatus, a plurality of stages S1 to S5 having processing mechanisms for respective steps are arranged on a base 1 in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe 2 constituting the door impact beam. A pallet 3 is provided on the side of the base 1 located upstream of S1 to S5, and a plurality of pipes 2 are stored in the pallet 3. A slide base plate 4 for supplying the pipe 2 from the pallet 3 to the first stage S1 is juxtaposed.

  The first stage S1 is provided with a pair of stoppers 4a and 4a located at the end of the slide base plate 4 arranged side by side, and is located on the axis of the pipe 2 positioned against the stopper 4a. The two bearings 5 and 5 formed in a V-shaped groove (arbitrary shape is arbitrary) in the longitudinal section are arranged at a predetermined interval, and the pipe 2 is held by the bearings 5 and 5.

  Further, a first abutting jig 6 is provided on one end side of the first stage S1 with the right end surface 2a of the pipe 2 (in the present embodiment, the right end surface but may be based on the left end surface) as a positioning reference. On the other end side, a first cylinder 7 is installed as a pressing means for pressing the left end surface 2b of the pipe 2 and bringing the right end surface 2a of the pipe 2 into contact with the first abutting jig 6. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a transfer bar 38 is installed between the plurality of stages S1 to S5 in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the pipe 2 at the approximate center of each stage S1 to S5. The transfer bar 38 is disposed along a reference axis (absolute reference) CL orthogonal to the axis of the pipe 2.

  Further, the transfer bar 38 is reciprocated horizontally between adjacent stages along the absolute reference CL by driving means such as a hydraulic cylinder (in the direction AB in FIG. 3), and is vertically driven by driving means such as a hydraulic cylinder. It moves up and down in the direction (C-D direction in FIG. 3).

  On the transfer bar 38, a plurality of first to fourth four clamping devices 8a to 8d in the illustrated embodiment are mounted at intervals between adjacent stages S1 to S5.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each of the clamp devices 8a to 8d includes a pair of bases 39 fixed on the transfer bar 38 and a pair of driving means (not shown) built in the bases 39. The clamp rotation shafts 36 and 36 are arranged in parallel, and a pair of opposing gripping pieces 37 and 37 provided on the pair of rotation shafts 36 and 36, and the pair of clamp rotation shafts 36 and 36 by the driving means. , The pair of gripping pieces 37, 37 are rotated in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3 to firmly grip or release the pipe 2 with the pair of gripping pieces 37, 37. This is a so-called tulip type clamping device.

  The transfer bar 38 may be driven by using a well-known transfer technique, and the clamp device is not a tulip type, but is translated along the absolute reference CL (direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe 2). Then, a mechanism that opens and closes may be used. Furthermore, a commercially available product may be used as appropriate for the clamping device.

  Further, the transfer bar 38 may be reciprocated only, and the clamp devices 8a to 8d may be lifted and lowered by a lifting device provided between the clamps 8a to 8d.

  The transfer bar 38 and the clamping devices 8a to 8d constitute a transfer means for the pipe 2.

  The first clamp device 8a of the first stage S1 reciprocates and moves up and down between the first stage S1 and the second stage S2 by the reciprocation and the up-and-down movement of the transfer bar 38, and the second clamp device 8b The reciprocating movement and the elevating movement are performed between the second stage S2 and the third stage S3, the third clamping apparatus 8c is reciprocating and the elevating movement between the third stage S3 and the fourth stage S4, and the fourth clamping apparatus 8d is the second moving apparatus. Between the 4th stage S4 and the 5th stage S5, the reciprocating movement and the vertical movement are performed.

  The second stage S2 is provided with bracket mounting tables 9 and 10 located at both ends of the second stage S2, and a plurality of first bracket constituent members 11 are mounted on the bracket mounting table 9. A plurality of second bracket constituent members 12 are mounted on the bracket mounting table 10. The first bracket component member 11 and the second bracket component member 12 form a bracket 13, and the bracket component members 11 and 12 are formed with through holes 11a and 12a that match each other.

  Also, a bracket first jig 14 is installed in the vicinity of the outer periphery 2c of the general portion of the pipe 2 in accordance with the assembly position of the product. On the first jig 14 for bracket, the first bracket component 11 and Insertion pins 14 a that can be inserted into through holes 11 a and 12 a formed in the second bracket component 12 are provided upright.

  The bracket mounting bases 9 and 10 are provided with feeders 15 and 16 by robot control (not shown), and the first bracket constituent member 11 and the second bracket constituent member 12 on the bracket mounting bases 9 and 10 can be vacuumed. While being attracted by an electromagnet or the like, it can be supplied to the bracket first jig 14 by moving three-dimensionally.

  Further, there is a welding machine (not shown) in the vicinity of the bracket first jig 14, and the bracket 13 is configured by joining the first bracket component member 11 and the second bracket component member 12 by spot welding W1. .

  The third stage S3 is provided with a chuck 17 which is a rotary gripping means located on the axis of the pipe 2 and opposed to the left end surface 2b of the pipe 2. The chuck 17 is arranged in the radial direction. A claw 17a that can be opened and closed and that can be rotated around the axis of the pipe 2 by a rotating means is provided. The claw 17a supports the open end of the pipe 2 from the inside, and the pipe 2 is rotated about its axis. It can be done.

  In the fourth stage S4, the two bearings 18 and 18 are located on the axis of the pipe 2 with a gap, as in the first stage S1, and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2 is also disposed. A second bracket jig 19 is provided at a predetermined position on the side portion, and one surface of the bracket 13 assembled to the pipe 2 in the second stage S2 comes into contact therewith.

  Further, on the other end side of the fourth stage S4, there is a second abutting jig 20 that uses the left end surface 2b of the pipe 2 (the left end surface in this embodiment, but the right end surface may be used as a reference) as a positioning reference. Provided on one end side is a second cylinder 21 which is a pressing means for pressing the right end surface 2a of the pipe 2 and bringing the left end surface 2b of the pipe 2 into contact with the second abutting jig 20. .

  In the fifth stage S5, a bracket third jig 22 for holding the bracket 13 attached to the pipe 2 in the previous process is provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery 2c of the general portion of the pipe 2 so as to contact the bracket 13. An insertion pin 22 a that can be inserted into a through hole 11 c formed in the first bracket component member 11 is erected on the third jig 22 for bracket.

  The bracket third jig 22 is provided with a pressing member 22b, and the bracket 13 is gripped by the pressing member 22b and the bracket third jig 22. Further, a pressing device 23 for pressing the outer peripheral portion of the pipe 2 is provided, and the pipe 2 is pressed from above.

  At both ends of the fifth stage S5, extension mounting tables 24 and 25 are provided. A first extension 26 is mounted on one of the extension mounting tables 24 and 25, and a second extension 27 is mounted on the other. Extension jigs 28 and 29 are arranged at both ends of the pipe 2 in accordance with the positions where the extensions 26 and 27 are assembled. The extension jigs 28 and 29 are formed on the extensions 26 and 27, respectively. Insertion pins 28a and 29a that can be inserted into the through holes 26a and 27a are provided upright.

  Further, both the extension mounting tables 24 and 25 are provided with feeders 30 and 31 by robot control (not shown), and the extensions 26 and 27 on the extension mounting tables 24 and 25 are adsorbed by in-plant air or electromagnets. The jigs 28 and 29 can be moved and supplied in three dimensions.

  Further, there is a welding machine (not shown) in the vicinity of both extension jigs 28 and 29, and the extensions 26 and 27 are joined to the pipe 2 by welding W2.

  All the clamping devices 8a to 8d are coaxially fixed to the transfer bar 38, and are arranged at intervals of each stage on a straight line perpendicular to the axis of the pipe 2 with the center line CL shown in FIG. 2 as an absolute reference. The transfer bar 38 is reciprocated and moved up and down along the CL, and the reciprocating movement is performed synchronously so that the clamp devices 8a to 8d do not interfere with each other. It has become.

Next, the manufacturing process of a present Example is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 1, first, a large number of pipes 2 stored in the pallet 3 are scooped up one by one to the front side in the orthogonal direction of the paper surface by supply claws whose upper surface is not shown. When the supply claw reaches the upper limit position of the pallet 3, only one pipe 2 rolls on the slide base plate 4 and is supplied to the first stage S1. As a method for supplying the pipe 2, for example, an apparatus as disclosed in FIGS. 11 and 13 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-90255 is used.

  At this time, in the first stage S1, the transfer bar 38 on which the first clamp device 8a is fixed is lowered to the back side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface so as not to interfere with the pipe 2 supplied with the first clamp device 8a. Let it go down. The pipe 2 supplied by rolling from the pallet 3 is automatically arranged at a predetermined position across the bearings 5 and 5 of the first stage S1. In supplying the pipe 2, the stopper 4 a is provided at the end of the slide base plate 4 so that the pipe 2 is brought into contact with the stopper 4 a and is arranged more reliably.

  Next, the pipe 2 supplied onto the bearings 5 and 5 is pressed rightward along the axis of the pipe 2 by pressing the left end surface 2b of the pipe 2 by pressing means such as the first cylinder 7 or the like, and the right end surface of the pipe 2 is pressed. 2a is brought into contact with the first abutting jig 6 and the right end surface 2a of the pipe 2 is used as a positioning reference, and then the first cylinder 7 is moved backward to the left.

  Thereafter, the transfer bar 38 that has been retracted downward is raised to bring the first clamping device 8a close (up) to the peripheral surface portion of the pipe 2, and as shown in FIG. 3, the gripping piece 37 of the first clamping device 8a. , 37 is closed and the substantially central portion of the pipe 2 in the axial direction is gripped. Then, the transfer bar 38 is further raised to raise the first clamping device 8a further to the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and the pipe 2 is removed upward from the bearings 5 and 5, and the transfer bar 38 is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The first clamping device 8a is moved in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe 2, that is, moved to the second stage S2, and the pipe 2 is conveyed to a predetermined position above the second stage S2. At this time, since the first clamping device 8a does not move in the axial direction of the pipe 2a, the position of the first clamping device 8a on the CL is an absolute reference.

  Next, in the second stage S <b> 2, first, among the second bracket constituent members 12 stacked in advance on the bracket mounting table 10, one of the uppermost stages is supplied onto the bracket first jig 14 by the feeder 16. . At this time, the feeder 16 which can be moved three-dimensionally by robot control inserts the insertion pin 14a erected on the bracket first jig 14 into the through hole 12a formed in the second bracket component member 12. Then, the second bracket constituent member 12 is set at a predetermined position on the bracket first jig 14.

  Next, the transfer bar 38 is lowered, and the first clamping device 8a that has moved from the first stage S1 to the upper part of the second stage S2 as described above is lowered to the second stage S2 and the first clamping device 8a. The pipe 2 that has been gripped by opening is opened, and the pipe 2 is placed on the second bracket component 12. At this time, the second clamp device 8b fixed to the transfer bar 38 at intervals for each stage moves to the third stage S3 side, and the first clamp device 8a does not interfere with the second clamp device 8b. Further, although not shown, the same bearings 5 and 5 as the first stage S1 may be provided to support the pipe 2 by both the second bracket constituent member 12 and the bearings 5 and 5.

  Next, among the first bracket constituent members 11 stacked on the bracket mounting base 9, one of the uppermost stages is supplied to the first bracket jig by the feeder 15 in the same manner as the supply of the second bracket constituent member 12. 14 is moved three-dimensionally by robot control and supplied and placed on the pipe 2, and the through-hole 11 a formed in the first bracket component 11 stands on the bracket first jig 14. The first bracket component member 11 is inserted into the insertion pin 14 a provided, and is set at a predetermined position with respect to the pipe 2 and the second bracket component member 12 so as to sandwich the pipe 2 with the second bracket component member 12.

  Next, the first bracket constituent member 11 and the second bracket constituent member 12 are joined to each other or to the pipe 2 by spot welding W1 using a welding machine (not shown). In addition, the rubber | gum is stuck on the pipe contact surface of the 1st bracket structural member 11 and the 2nd bracket structural member 12, and does not weld the bracket 13 directly to the pipe 2, but clamps the pipe 2 via a rubber. It may be a fixed structure.

  The transfer bar 38 lowers and moves to the first stage S1 side after supplying the pipe 2 to the second stage S2, and the first clamping device 8a retracts below the first stage S1. Further, with the retraction of the first clamp device 8a, the second clamp device 8b returns and stands by so as to be replaced with the first clamp device 8a below the second stage S2.

  Next, as described above, the transfer bar 38 that has been waiting under the second stage S2 is raised, the second clamp device 8b is brought close (raised) to the pipe 2, and the second clamp device 8b is closed. After gripping the pipe 2, the second clamp device 8 b is moved upward on the paper surface by raising the transfer bar 38 and moved to the third stage S 3 by forward movement of the transfer bar 38, and the pipe 2 is moved to the third stage. Transport to S3.

  In the third stage S3, as shown in FIG. 1, the claw 17a of the chuck 17 is inserted into the left (or right) opening end of the pipe 2, and the claw 17a is opened from the center of the pipe 2 in the radial direction. The inner peripheral surface of 2 is supported from the inside by the claw 17a.

  Note that the third clamp device 8c is shown in the third stage S3 of FIG. 1, but at this time, the third clamp device 8c is on the fourth stage S4 side, and the pipe 2 of the third stage S3 is the second clamp. It is supported by the device 8b.

  Next, the second clamp device 8b is opened or loosened, the pipe 2 is supported only by the claw 17a, and the pipe 17 is rotated around the axis of the pipe 2 by a rotation control device (not shown). Rotate. In the third stage S3 in FIG. 1, the pipe 2 is rotated about 180 degrees around the axis of the pipe 2 from the state of the second stage S2.

  The rotation angle of the pipe 2 depends on the attachment object, for example, a part (attachment surface) of the bracket 13 attached to the door panel of the vehicle, and the attachment object such as extensions 26 and 27 attached on the fifth stage S5 described later. The angle with the surface is set to have a predetermined angle.

  In addition, the rotation angle of the chuck 17 is accurately controlled by a rotation control device (not shown), and the rotation angle of the pipe 2 is always kept constant. Therefore, the third stage S3 can more accurately position the mounting surfaces of the extensions 26 and 27 to be mounted in the fifth stage S5 described later with reference to a part (mounting surface) of the bracket 13 as a reference. ing.

  Next, after the transfer bar 38 is lowered, the second clamp device 8b supplies the pipe 2 to the third stage S3, and then the transfer bar 38 is moved backward to move the second clamp device 8b to the second stage S2. The third clamp device 8c that has been moved to the fourth stage S4 side instead of the second clamp device 8b is returned to the lower side of the third stage. Then, the transfer bar 38 is raised to bring the third clamp device 8c close to (up) the pipe 2, and the third clamp device 8c is closed to grip the pipe 2, and then the claw 17a of the chuck 17 is centered on the pipe 2. It closes in the direction, opens the pipe 2, and retreats to the left in the drawing. Thereafter, the third clamping device 8c that grips the pipe 2 is moved upward by the ascent of the transfer bar 38, and is moved upward by the forward movement of the transfer bar 38 in the figure perpendicular to the axis of the pipe 2. Transport to the fourth stage S4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distance from CL (center line), which is the absolute reference of each clamping device, to the right end surface 2a of the pipe 2 between the first stage S1 and the third stage S3 by the above process. a and the distance b to the bracket 13 do not change.

  Next, in FIG. 1, the transfer bar 38 is lowered, and the third clamp device 8c is lowered in the fourth stage S4. In addition, in 4th stage S4 of FIG. 1, although the 4th clamp apparatus 8d is shown, the 4th clamp apparatus 8d has moved to 5th stage S5 at this time. Then, the third clamp device 8 c is opened to open the pipe 2, and the pipe 2 is placed on the bearings 18 and 18.

  At this time, in the third stage S3, if the rotation angle of the pipe 2, that is, the mounting surface of the bracket 13 is misaligned, the second jig for bracket is partly attached to the bracket 13 (mounting surface). 19 abuts, and the second jig 19 for bracket corrects the deviation. The bracket second jig 19 may be provided on the third stage S3 for correction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the right end surface 2a of the pipe 2 is pressed to the left along the axis of the pipe 2 by pressing means such as the second cylinder 21 installed at the right end of the fourth stage S4. The left end surface 2b of the pipe 2 is brought into contact with the second abutting jig 20, and the left end surface 2b of the pipe 2 is used as a positioning (variable) reference. Thereafter, the second cylinder 21 is moved backward to the right.

  The third clamping device 8c supplies the pipe 2 to the fourth stage S4 and descends, and then returns to the third stage S3 by the backward movement of the transfer bar 38. The third clamping device 8c replaces the third clamping device 8c. Returns to the lower side of the fourth stage S4.

  Next, the transfer bar 38 is raised to raise the fourth clamping device 8d to the pipe 2, and after the fourth clamping device 8d is closed and the pipe 2 is gripped, the transfer bar 38 is raised to raise the fourth clamping device 8d. And the transfer bar 38 is moved forward to move the fourth clamping device 8d to the fifth stage S5, and the pipe 2 is conveyed to the fifth stage.

  In the fifth stage S5, the extensions 26 and 27 stacked on the extension mounting tables 24 and 25 are supplied to the extension jigs 28 and 29 located at both ends of the pipe 2 by the feeders 30 and 31, respectively. The feeders 30 and 31 that are three-dimensionally movable by robot control include insertion pins 28a and 29a that are erected on the extension jigs 28 and 29 and through holes 26a. The extension 26, 27 is inserted into a predetermined position on the extension jigs 28, 29.

  Next, the transfer bar 38 is lowered and the fourth clamp device 8d is opened to open the pipe 2, and both ends of the pipe 2 are placed on the extensions 26 and 27. At this time, at least a part (mounting surface) of the bracket 13 abuts on the bracket third jig 22, and the insertion pin 22 a on the bracket third jig 22 is inserted into the through hole 11 c of the bracket 13. The positioning of the pipe 2 in the axial direction is also performed, and the mounting surface of the bracket 13 is securely fixed by the pressing member 22b.

  Next, after a part of the outer periphery of the pipe 2 and a part of the extensions 26 and 27 are pressed from above by the holding jig 23, the pipe 2 and both the extensions 26 and 27 are welded W2 by a welding machine (not shown). Thereby, the vehicle door impact beam 40 is formed.

  It should be noted that the reciprocating movement and the up-and-down movement of the clamping devices 8a to 8d in the respective stages S1 to S5 as described above are simultaneously performed by the reciprocating movement and the up-and-down movement of one transfer bar 38. These operations are performed simultaneously.

  Also, between the fourth stage S4 and the fifth stage S5 by the above-described steps, as shown in FIG. 2, the distance c from CL, which is the absolute reference of each clamping device, to the left end surface 2b of the pipe 2, and the extension 26 , 27 and the distance f to the bracket 13 do not change.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the transfer bar 38 is an absolute reference that does not move in the axial direction of the pipe 2, and all the clamp devices 8 a to 8 d fixed coaxially on the transfer bar 38 are provided. There is no deviation from side to side. Further, by moving the pipe 2 in the axial direction with respect to the clamping devices 8a to 8d and using the end face of the pipe 2 as a variable reference, various products having different lengths of the pipe 2 and assembly positions of the bracket 13 can be obtained. A single unit can also be manufactured. In this embodiment, in the fourth stage S4, the left end surface 2b of the pipe 2 is used as a variable reference, but the right end surface 2a may be used as a variable reference, and the second abutting treatment is performed with the same configuration as the first stage S1. Only the position of the tool 20 may be changed.

  In the present embodiment, when manufacturing products having different distances d, e, and f from CL, which is the absolute reference of each clamping device shown in FIG. 2, in the first stage S1 and the fourth stage S4. By simply changing the positions of the first butting jig 6 and the second butting jig 20 as a variable reference and changing the welding jigs used for the second stage S2 and the fifth stage S5, Yes.

  If the gripping position of the pipe 2 is always kept constant and the pipe 2 is moved in the axial direction of the pipe 2 only by the clamping device according to various products, the movement trajectory of the clamping device differs depending on the product type. Since it becomes a crank-shaped locus including the conveyance direction, there is a problem that the conveyance mechanism and the control are complicated. Further, the error of the mechanism is superimposed, and the position accuracy is easily lost. In this embodiment, such a problem can be solved.

  FIG. 4 shows Example 2, which is an example in which the bracket 13 attached to the pipe 2 in Example 1 is used as a variable reference.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the fourth stage S4, a third abutting jig 35 is provided on the second jig 19 for bracket instead of the first abutting jig 20 shown in FIG. By pressing the pipe 2 to the left along its axis to bring the left side of the bracket 13 into contact with the third abutting jig 35, the left side of the bracket 13 is used as a variable reference in the fifth stage S5. The positioning of the extensions 26 and 27 in the axial direction of the pipe 2 is made accurate.

Others are the same as those of the first embodiment.
In the second embodiment, the extensions 26 and 27 are welded on the basis of the mounting surface of the bracket 13 and the axial position of the pipe 2, so that the extensions 26 and 27 are based on the end surface of the pipe 2 as in the first embodiment. Compared to the method of welding the steel plate, the axial distance between the bracket 2 and the extensions 26 and 27 and the surface angle relationship between the bracket 13 and the extensions 26 and 27, which are originally required, are accurately determined, and are attached to an attachment object such as a vehicle door panel. Pipe products with excellent properties can be manufactured.

  FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment. In the present invention, when the total length of the supplied pipe 2 is a defective pipe 2 having no predetermined length, this is measured in advance and eliminated. This is an example.

  In the third embodiment, in the first stage S1 in the first embodiment, a not-shown total length measuring unit for the pipe 2 is provided, and it is determined whether or not the pipe 2 has a predetermined total length. When the pipe 2 having a poor overall length is supplied to the first stage S1, a device for removing the pipe 2 from the first stage S1 is provided and eliminated.

  As a means for measuring the total length of the pipe 2, for example, a proximity switch or an auto switch that can detect the stop position of the piston that reciprocates in the first cylinder 7 in accordance with the total length g of the pipe 2 is provided in the first cylinder 7. Attached.

  Then, when the pipe 2 having a poor overall length is supplied to the first stage S1, it is detected that the piston stop position is deviated from the proximity switch position. to decide.

  Furthermore, the system may be a system in which the apparatus is abnormally stopped by a signal from the determination apparatus when a total length defect is detected.

  In order to manufacture various types of products with different overall lengths of the pipe 2 with this apparatus, a plurality of proximity switches are arranged in the first cylinder 7 and the proximity switch is appropriately selected and used according to the type of product. It is possible to detect defective products as well as defects.

  In addition, this measuring means has an advantage that it is not necessary to change the position of the abutting jig 6 according to the type of product.

  The means for measuring the position and stroke of the pressing means is not limited to the above, and any known means may be used as appropriate, or the entire length g itself of the pipe 2 may be measured within the stage by an image processing apparatus or the like.

  Further, when the position of the first abutting jig 6 is changed depending on the type of product, deviations (sub-references) a and h from CL in FIG. 5 are determined and compared with these values to determine whether or not the measurement is successful. Good.

Other examples

  When the installation space of the apparatus of the embodiment cannot be secured widely, the indexing mechanism of the chuck 17 in the third stage S3 is used as a pressing means such as the second cylinder 21 installed at the right end of the fourth stage S4. By providing the third stage S3, the integration may be abolished. Thereby, there is also a merit that the pipe transfer time is shortened and the manufacturing apparatus becomes compact.

  However, basically, if many operations are included in one stage, processing errors may increase, so it is desirable to distribute and set processing and operations to each stage in consideration of space and cycle time allowance. .

  Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the pipe 2 is arbitrary, such as an ellipse, an ellipse, a polygon, etc. in addition to a perfect circle. In other cases, the pipe 2 is transported from the pallet 3 storing the pipe 2 to the first stage S1. Instead of rolling by the slide plate 4, three-dimensional conveyance by robot control such as conveyance supported by a chuck or the like or conveyance of the bracket 13 may be performed. Further, the number of brackets 13 may be any number, and a stage or a welding jig may be further provided according to the number.

The top view which shows the manufacturing apparatus and process of the impact beam for vehicles in Example 1 of this invention, and shows the process in each stage. In the top view showing the absolute reference of the clamp device moving in the direction orthogonal to the pipe axis direction in FIG. 1 and the variable reference relative to this absolute reference, the jig is omitted. The perspective view which shows the clamp apparatus fixed to the transfer bar in Example 1 of this invention. The top view of the 4th stage which shows Example 2 of the present invention. The top view of the 1st stage which shows Example 3 of this invention. (A) is a top view in which extensions are welded to both ends of a conventional pipe, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in (a), and (c) is a top view in which a bracket is welded to the outer periphery of the pipe. The figure, (d) is the YY sectional view taken on the line in (c).

Explanation of symbols

2 Pipes S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 Stages 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d Clamping devices 6, 20 Abutting jig as adjusting means 7, 21 Cylinder as pressing means 38 Transfer bar 40 Vehicle door impact beam
CL reference axis (center line)

Claims (6)

  A method of manufacturing a vehicle door impact beam, in which a pipe is sequentially transferred by a transfer means between a plurality of processing stages arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to a pipe axis of a pipe to be processed, A method for manufacturing a vehicle door impact beam, characterized in that a reference axis perpendicular to the pipe axis is set across the stage, and the movement of the pipe is adjusted in the pipe axis direction in at least one stage based on the reference axis. .   The transfer means includes a transfer bar that is movable in a vertical plane including the reference axis, and a plurality of clamp devices that are provided on the transfer bar and are capable of firmly grasping and releasing the pipe. 2. The method of manufacturing a door impact beam according to claim 1, wherein the clamp device moves up and down and moves on the reference axis while gripping the pipe by raising and lowering and moving forward and backward in the reference axis direction.   Adjustment of the movement of the pipe in the axial direction of the pipe is performed by pressing the one end surface of the pipe in the axial direction of the pipe by the pressing means after the transfer means releases the pipe and hitting the other end surface of the pipe and / or the processed portion against the reference. 3. The method of manufacturing a door impact beam according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is firmly held by the transfer means and then the pipe is firmly held by the transfer means.   4. The method of manufacturing a door impact beam according to claim 3, wherein at least one stage includes a step of measuring a pipe length and / or a position of a processed portion based on the pressing means and the abutting reference.   An apparatus for producing a vehicle door impact beam, in which pipes are sequentially transferred by a transfer means between a plurality of processing stages arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the pipe axis of the pipe to be processed. A transfer means for sequentially moving the pipe to the plurality of machining stages along a reference axis orthogonal to the pipe, and an adjustment means for moving and adjusting the pipe in the pipe axis direction in at least one machining stage of the plurality of machining stages An apparatus for manufacturing a vehicle door impact beam.   The transfer means comprises a transfer bar movable in a vertical plane including the reference axis, and a plurality of clamping devices provided on the transfer bar and capable of firmly gripping and releasing the pipe. 6. The door impact beam manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the clamp device moves up and down and moves on the reference axis while gripping the pipe by moving up and down and moving forward and backward in the reference axis direction.

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