JP2911641B2 - Automobile assembly method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of assembling a motor vehicle, and more particularly, to a method of assembling an upper body shell and a lower body shell separately from each other and then moving an underbody portion of the lower body shell relative to the upper body shell. The present invention relates to an assembling method of horizontally moving and combining from the front.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a conventional method of assembling a car,
An automobile is manufactured through a pressing process of processing a steel sheet material, a vehicle body assembling process of assembling a body shell, a painting process of applying paint, and a vehicle assembling process of providing outfitting. In the conventional automobile body assembly technology, the underbody part including the floor member, the front body part, the rear body part, the body side panel, the roof member, etc. are pre-assembled, and these body parts are assembled in order. Although the method of assembling the body shell has been adopted, in the case where the outfitting is performed after the completion of the assembling of the body shell, various restrictions are involved in promoting the automation of the outfitting work. Various vehicle body assembling methods and manufacturing methods that are advantageous for automating a vehicle assembling process are being proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-235174 discloses that in a vehicle body assembling process, a front body portion forming an engine room, an underbody portion including a front floor, a center floor and a rear floor, a body side panel, Assemble the upper body shell including the roof member and then attach the necessary fittings to these parts, and then attach the underbody part and the front body part to form a lower body shell. A vehicle assembling technique for assembling a body shell by assembling an upper body shell relatively from above is disclosed. Furthermore, the actual opening 64-28377
In the publication, in a vehicle body assembling process, a lower body shell composed of a front body part and an under body part and an upper body shell composed of a body side panel, a roof member, and a cowl member are assembled, and necessary for these body shells. An assembling technique of an automobile is disclosed in which after fitting, the upper body shell is combined with the lower body shell relatively from above to connect the two body shells. The upper body shell is provided with a side sill upper, and the lower body shell is provided with a side sill lower. When the two body shells are connected, the side flanges of the side sill upper and the side sill lower are joined to form a connecting portion and a side sill. .

[0004]

In the assembling technique disclosed in the former publication, flanges extending downward are formed at both left and right ends of the floor member, and the flanges are connected to the joining flanges at the lower ends of the side sills by bolts. However, it is difficult to join the bolts because many bolt holes on the floor member side and many bolt holes on the side sill side do not easily match, and errors in the width dimensions of the floor member and upper body shell may occur. When the size is large, there are various problems such as difficulty in making the joining operation difficult because the flange portion and the joining flange are difficult to adhere to each other, and difficulty in securing the reliability of the joining portion. In the assembling technique of the latter publication, it is necessary to join the horizontal flange of the side sill upper and the horizontal flange of the side sill lower when the upper body shell and the lower body shell are joined, but the assembling of the upper body shell and the lower body shell is required. If the accuracy is not maintained high enough, the horizontal flanges will not match easily, it will be difficult to join, it will be difficult to secure the reliability of the joint, and the structure will be complicated due to the joining of both body shells In addition, when welding the joints, there are problems such as damage to the coating film by welding, and difficulty in smooth joining by an automatic device due to the influence of assembly errors.

On the other hand, after the outfitted upper body shell and the outfitted lower body shell are combined, a lower unit, such as a bonnet, a side door, a trunk lid, a back door, a suspension and an engine are unitized, and the like. Although it is to be assembled to the body shell, various problems occur if these assembling orders are not properly set. For example, after assembling a heavy lower unit, the weight of the body shell causes some elastic deformation, which hinders the assembly of the lid member, and the bonnet hinders the assembly of the top of the front suspension strud. In addition, if a heavy lower unit is assembled at an early stage, there is a problem that the transfer by the transfer hanger becomes difficult and the transfer device becomes complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of assembling an automobile in which the upper and lower body shells can be easily connected, the reliability of the connecting portion can be ensured, and the assemblability of the lid member and the lower unit can be improved. To provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling an automobile, comprising an underbody portion including at least a front floor of a body shell of the automobile, and a separate or integral front body portion. The lower body shell, the upper body shell including the roof member, the left and right body side panels, the left and right side sills, and the receiving portions that receive the left and right ends of the front floor, respectively, are separately assembled, and the upper body shell and the lower body shell are assembled separately. After the outfitting is completed, the underbody part separate from or integrated with the front body part is moved rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the upper body shell, and the left and right ends of the front floor are Of the vehicle that connects the upper body shell and the lower body shell through the process of engaging A standing method, after coupling with the upper body shell and lower body shell, side door,
At least one of the trunk lid and the back door is attached to the body shell, and then a lower unit, which is a unit of at least the front suspension and the engine, is attached to the body shell.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method for assembling a vehicle according to the first aspect, after the lower unit is assembled, the bonnet is assembled to the body shell.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the method for assembling a vehicle according to the first aspect, the lower body shell comprising the underbody portion and the front body portion integrated with the underbody portion is provided with an outfit. The shell is connected to the upper body shell.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method of assembling a vehicle according to the first aspect, the underbody portion and a front body portion separate from the underbody portion are provided, and then these two body portions are connected. Then, these two body parts are connected to the upper body shell.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the method for assembling an automobile according to the first aspect, after the underbody portion and the front body portion separate from the underbody portion are provided, the underbody portion is attached to the upper body shell. Then, the front body portion is connected to the upper body shell and the under body portion.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automobile assembling method.
After assembling the lower body shell and the upper body shell separately, and attaching these two body shells to each other, the underbody part separate from or integrated with the front body part is attached to the body relative to the upper body shell. The upper body shell and the lower body shell are joined through the process of moving the front floor right and left ends to engage the left and right receiving parts on the left and right receiving parts, respectively, so that the upper body shell and the lower body shell are connected. It can be easily joined, the reliability of the joint can be secured, it is possible to fix by bonding without deteriorating the reliability of the joint, it is easy to absorb assembly errors, and automation of the joining work is also easy Become. Further, after the upper body shell and the lower body shell are joined, at least one of the side door, the trunk lid and the back door is assembled to the body shell, and then a lower unit formed by unitizing at least the front suspension and the engine is provided. As it is assembled to the body shell, side doors, trunk lids, back doors, etc. can be assembled with high precision and efficiency before the body shell is elastically deformed due to the assembly of the heavy lower unit. Unless the lower weight unit is mounted, the side door, trunk lid, back door, etc. can be mounted while the body shell is transported by the transport hanger.

According to the method of assembling an automobile according to the second aspect, basically the same operation as that of the first aspect is obtained. Furthermore,
After assembling the lower unit, the bonnet is assembled to the body shell, so that when the top of the front suspension strud is assembled to the body shell, the hood can be efficiently assembled without disturbing the bonnet. The performance is improved.

According to the method for assembling an automobile according to the third aspect, basically the same operation as that of the first aspect is obtained. Furthermore,
After fitting the lower body shell consisting of the underbody part and the front body part integrated with it, the lower body shell is connected to the upper body shell,
The workability of the outfitting for both body shells can be improved, the degree of perfection of the outfitting for the lower body shell can be increased, the lower body shell can be transported efficiently, and the transport device is not complicated .

According to the method of assembling an automobile according to the fourth aspect, basically the same operation as that of the first aspect is obtained. Furthermore,
After fitting the underbody part and the front body part separate therefrom, these two body parts are combined,
Next, since these two body parts are connected to the upper body shell, the workability of the outfitting work for the underbody part and the front body part can be improved, and the work load of the connection between the upper body shell and the lower body shell can be reduced.

In the method of assembling a motor vehicle according to the fifth aspect, basically the same operation as that of the first aspect is obtained. Furthermore,
After fitting the underbody part and the front body part separately therefrom, the underbody part is connected to the upper body shell, and then the front body part is connected to the upper body shell and the underbody part. In addition, the workability of the outfitting work for the underbody part and the front body part can be improved, and the connection of the underbody part to the upper body shell becomes easy.

[0017]

As described above, the following effects can be obtained. According to the method of assembling a vehicle according to the first aspect, the upper body shell and the lower body shell can be easily connected, the reliability of the connecting portion can be ensured, and the bonding can be performed without impairing the reliability of the connecting portion. The following effects can be obtained: fixation is possible, assembling errors are easily absorbed, and joining work is easily automated. Furthermore, before the body shell is elastically deformed by assembling the heavy lower unit, the side door, the trunk lid, the back door, etc. can be assembled with high accuracy and efficiency. Before assembling, it is possible to assemble side doors, trunk lids, back doors, and the like while transporting the body shell with the transport hanger. .

According to the method of assembling an automobile according to the second aspect, basically the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained. Furthermore,
By assembling the bonnet to the body shell after assembling the lower unit, the top of the front suspension strut can be efficiently assembled without disturbing the bonnet when assembling to the body shell. improves.

According to the method of assembling an automobile according to the third aspect, basically the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained. Furthermore,
The workability of outfitting the upper body shell and the lower body shell can be improved, the completeness of the outfitting of the lower body shell can be improved, the lower body shell can be transported efficiently, and the transport equipment is complicated. Nothing to do.

According to the automobile assembling method of the fourth aspect, basically the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained. Furthermore,
The workability of the outfitting work for the underbody part and the front body part can be improved, and the work load of connecting the upper body shell and the lower body shell can be reduced.

According to the method of assembling an automobile according to the fifth aspect, basically the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained. Furthermore,
The workability of the outfitting work for the underbody part and the front body part can be improved, and the connection of the underbody part to the upper body shell becomes easy.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a method of assembling a four-door sedan vehicle, and the front and rear and left and right are defined based on the front and rear and left and right of the vehicle body.

The assembling process of the automobile is as shown in FIG.
Basically, it is composed of a press forming process, a vehicle body assembling process, a painting process, and a vehicle assembling process. In the vehicle body assembling process, an upper body shell BU, an underbody portion BD and a separate or integral body as shown in FIG. The lower body shell BL consisting of the front body part BF and the lower body shell BL are each assembled on a dedicated assembly line, and in the painting process, the upper body shell BU and the lower body shell BL are each painted as required,
In the vehicle assembly process, the upper body shell BU and the lower body shell BL are each equipped with necessary equipment, and thereafter,
A process of moving the underbody portion BD separate from or integral with the front body portion BF from the front to the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the upper body shell BU to join the underbody portion BD to the upper body shell BU; After that, lower body shell BL and upper body shell B
U, and a body shell B including an upper body shell BU and a lower body shell BL is assembled, and then a lid member and a lower unit 160 are assembled to the body shell B to assemble an automobile. The press forming step is a commonly known step, and a description thereof will be omitted.

First, the upper body shell BU, the underbody BD and the front body BF will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The underbody portion BD includes a front floor 1, a pair of left and right front frames, a shaft tunnel 2, and a second cross member 3.
And a pair of left and right seat brackets 4 and the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the front floor 1 has a honeycomb-shaped substrate 1a made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
And a reinforcing plate 1b made of aluminum or aluminum alloy fixed to both upper and lower surfaces of the substrate 1a. Incidentally, the reinforcing plate 1b may be constituted by a steel plate member.

The front body portion BF includes a pair of left and right front side frames 7 and a wheel apron reinforcement 8, left and right wheel aprons 9, a cowl / dash structure 10, a dash lower panel 5, and a hinge pillar 6.
(See FIG. 15). The upper body shell BU includes a body side panel 11 forming a vehicle body side portion, a rear body 12 forming a vehicle body rear portion, and a roof panel 13 forming a vehicle body upper portion. Body side panel 11
Are the side outer panel 14 and the side inner panel 15
A front pillar 16 having a closed cross section, a closed cross section structure 6B forming a rear portion of the hinge pillar 6, a center pillar 18, a rear pillar 19, a pair of left and right side sills 20, and the like are formed by the panels 14 and 15. Rear body 12
Is composed of a rear floor, a main center floor 40, a pair of left and right rear frames 21, a third cross member 41, a fourth cross member, and the like. As shown in FIG. 51, the main center floor 40 and the third cross member 41
May be attached to the underbody part BD, or in order to increase the strength and rigidity of the front part of the upper body shell BU,
As shown by phantom lines in FIG.
May be attached to the upper body shell BU.

The connection structure between the upper body shell BU and the under body portion BD will be described. As shown in FIG. Metal receiving member 31 is a side sill 2
0 is provided from the front end to the rear end of the side sill 2 through a plurality of bolts 32 or by welding.
The receiving member 31 is integrally formed with a pair of upper and lower receiving portions 31a and 31b protruding inward, and the left and right ends of the front floor 1 are engaged between the receiving portions 31a and 31b. A possible engagement groove 33 is formed over substantially the entire length from the front end of the side sill 20, and the underbody portion BD slides the left and right ends of the front floor 1 into the engagement groove 33 from the front. Then, it is assembled below the upper body shell BU. The underbody portion BD is assembled in a state in which the adhesive 30 has been applied to the engagement groove 33 in advance, and the underbody portion BD is joined and fixed to the upper body shell BU. In this case, since the adhesive 30 is filled in the engaging groove 33 and bonded, the sealing can be surely performed.
However, after assembling the underbody BD, the adhesive 30
May be injected into the engagement groove 33 to connect the upper body shell BU and the underbody BD. In addition to the bonding, the upper body shell BU and the under body BD
May be fastened with bolts. The front floor 1 may be made of a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin.

When a front floor 1A made of steel plate is used instead of the front floor 1, as shown in FIG.
The letter-shaped receiving member 31A is fixed by welding or bolts,
An engagement groove 34 capable of engaging the left and right ends of the front floor 1A may be formed between the receiving portions 31c and 31d at the lower portion of 1A. As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of upper and lower substantially L-shaped receiving members 31B are vertically and symmetrically fixed to the inner lower portion of the side sill 20 by welding or bolts, and the receiving portions 31e of the both receiving members 31B are provided.
An engagement groove 34A capable of engaging the left and right ends of the front floor 1A is formed between 31f, the left and right ends of the front floor 1A are inserted into the engagement grooves 34A from the front, and the underbody BD is connected to the upper body shell BU. May be assembled to the lower end of the.

A side sill having a closed section made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy manufactured by extrusion or the like as the side sill 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG.
A receiving portion 35A for receiving the left and right end portions of the front floor 1 from below is provided in a lower portion on the inner side of 0A so as to project horizontally inward from the front end to the rear end of the side sill 20A.
The left and right end portions of the front floor 1 are slid from the front into the upper side of the receiving portion 35A by sliding movement, and the two are bonded with the adhesive 30.
And bolts. As shown by a two-dot chain line, the reinforcing closed cross section 35C may be integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 7, a receiving portion 35B is provided at a middle portion of the side sill 20B.
An engagement groove 3 provided in parallel with the receiving portion 35A and capable of engaging the left and right ends of the front floor 1 between the receiving portions 35A and 35B.
3A may be formed and the front floor 1 may be fixed with bolts and / or adhesive. The inside of the side sill 20B may be filled with urethane foam 35E in order to increase rigidity. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the receiving portion 35 of the side sill 20C is used to make the assembly of the front floor 1 easier.
The adhesive 30 may be filled between the receiving portion 35D and the front floor 1 by increasing the distance between A and 35D.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Receiving portions 35F and 35 having a closed cross-section structure at the lower portion and the middle portion of D
G is formed and the engagement groove 33A having an internally enlarged shape is formed between the two.
Are formed at both ends of the front floor 1, and the front end surface and the rear end surface of the engagement portion 37 are opened, and the adhesive 30 is filled in the engagement groove 33A. In this state, the upper body shell BU and the lower body part BD may be connected by inserting the engagement part 37 into the engagement groove 33A from the front. In addition, as shown in FIG.
Communicating hole 36 opened in the engaging groove 33A in the receiving portion 35G
are formed at predetermined intervals, and the left and right ends of the front floor 1 are inserted into the engagement grooves 33A.
The upper body shell BU and the underbody BD may be joined by filling the adhesive 30 into the engagement groove 33A from a. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a receiving portion 35H and an inner enlarged engagement groove 33B are formed in the lower inner portion of the left and right side sills 20F, and a laterally T-shaped engaging groove is formed in the upper inner portion of the side sill 20F. 38, the engaging portions 37A at both ends of the front floor 1 are engaged with the engaging grooves 33B and supported by the receiving portions 35H.
The outer ends of the seat bracket 4 and the second cross member 3 may be coupled to the side sill 20A via an engagement member 39 that engages with the side sill 20A. As shown in FIG. 13, engagement grooves 33 </ b> B and 33 </ b> C
The upper body shell BU is formed so that the engaging portions 37B and 37C of the outer end of the front floor 1B made of FRP are engaged with the engaging grooves 33B and 33C and are supported by the receiving portion 35I. The underbody BD is connected.

At the front end of the third cross member 41, a flange portion extending in the vehicle width direction along the rear end of the front floor 1.1A, 1B is formed so as to protrude forward, and an upper body shell BU is formed. The rear ends of the front floors 1 1A and 1B inserted into the flanges are wrapped around the flanges for a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction, and the two are joined with an adhesive or a bolt. A receiving member having a U-shaped cross section which opens forward at the front end of the third cross member 41 is provided on the front floor 1.1.
A ・ 1B Provided along the rear end of the front floor 1.1
Insert the rear end of A.1B into the engagement groove of this receiving member,
You may make it join with an adhesive agent or a bolt.

FIG. 14 shows the structure of the connection between the front body portion BF and the upper body shell BU.
As shown in FIG. 15, the divided surface 6a in which the closed cross-sectional structure forming the hinge pillar 6 is inclined with respect to the vertical plane in the vehicle width direction.
The front body part BF and the upper body shell BU are provided with closed sectional structures 6A and 6B, respectively, and the front body part BF is divided into upper and lower parts as shown in FIG. It is assembled relatively to the body shell BU from the front, and the two closed sectional structures 6A and 6B are combined and joined. As described above, the front body portion BF and the upper body shell BU have the closed cross-sectional structures 6A and 6B.
By providing each of B, the strength and rigidity of the hinge pillar 6 before joining can be increased. Reference numeral 17 denotes a reinforcing member for the instrument panel.
Side closed cross-section structure 6A. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the hinge pillar 6 may be divided into a pair of front and rear closed cross-section structures 6C and 6D by a vertical division surface 6b in the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 14, the hinge pillar 6 is divided into two parts by a dividing surface 6c which is inclined forward in the vehicle width direction, and the body structure BF / BU has a closed sectional structure 6E as shown in FIGS. 6F may be formed respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the hinge pillar 6 may be provided on the upper body shell BU side, or as shown in FIG.
The hinge pillar 6G is attached to the front body part BF, and the hinge pillar outer 6H is attached to the upper body shell BU, so that the front body part BF and the upper body shell B are attached.
The hinge pillar 6 may be formed by connecting U. However, when the side sill shown in FIGS. 6 to 11 is used, the lower end of the hinge pillar 6 is connected to the side sill by a bolt or the like.

At the rear end of the dash lower panel 5 of the front body portion BF, a flange extending in the vehicle width direction along the front end of the front floor 1.1A, 1B is formed so as to protrude rearward. Front floor 1.1A
The front end of 1B is wrapped around the flange portion by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction, and both are joined by an adhesive or a bolt. A receiving member having a U-shaped cross section that opens rearward at the rear end of the dash lower panel 5 is provided in the vehicle width direction along the front end of the front floors 1.1A and 1B, and the front floor 1.1A is provided.
-The front end of 1B may be inserted into the engagement groove of this receiving member, and may be joined with an adhesive or a bolt.

Next, a method of assembling an automobile will be described. [Body assembly process] The upper body shell BU, the underbody portion BD, and the front body portion BF are assembled on dedicated assembly lines, respectively. However, the description of the assembly line for assembling both body portions BD and BF will be omitted.
Assembly line BUL for assembling upper body shell BU
Will be described. In this assembly line BUL, FIG.
, Nine stations S1 to S9 are provided, and the assembling jig unit JU is sequentially transferred to the nine stations S1 to S9 by a transport device (not shown).
The upper body structure BU is assembled by sequentially positioning and fixing the vehicle body members to the assembling jig unit JU with reference to the inner panel. It should be noted that a plurality of assembly jig units JU are prepared corresponding to the types of vehicles and are made to stand by at the jig stock station ST. The transfer device is a linear type of general configuration or a lift and carry system. It is a transfer device of the system.

First, the assembly jig unit JU is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The assembly jig unit JU includes a pallet P, an RF holding mechanism for positioning and fixing the rear body 12, and a pair of right and left SPs for positioning and fixing the left and right side inner panels 15.
The holding mechanism and the front header 22 of the roof panel 13
And a pair of front and rear RH holding mechanisms for positioning and fixing the rear header 23 and the rear header 23, respectively.

The RF holding mechanism will be described. A pair of left and right support brackets 45 are provided at the rear of the pallet P at predetermined intervals in the front and rear directions.
5 is provided with a positioning pin 46 and a clamping device C1. The front end and the rear end of the left and right rear frames 21 of the rear body 12 are positioned on the pallet P by four positioning pins 46, and are palletized by the four clamping devices C1. Fixed on P.

The SP holding mechanism is for positioning and fixing the left and right side inner panels 15 respectively, and is provided at the left and right portions of the pallet P, respectively.
Since the P holding mechanism has a symmetrical structure, only the left side will be described. A fixed base 47 is provided on the left side of the pallet P, and a support plate 48 is supported on the fixed base 47 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The support plate 48 is provided with a substantially horizontal F-shaped support frame 49. A clamp device C2 for fixing a roof rail inner at an upper end of the side inner panel 15 is provided at an upper end of a pair of vertical pillars 49a in front and rear of the support frame 49, and a center plate liner 18A is provided on the support plate 48. A positioning device P1 for positioning the middle portion and a clamp device C3 for fixing are provided, and the rear end of the horizontal member 49b of the support frame 49 is positioned near the lower end of the rear liner 19A of the side inner panel 15. And a clamp device C4 for fixing to the positioning device P2.

Further, a support table 50 is provided on the pallet P in front of the fixed table 47, and a movable plate 51 is supported on the support table 50 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. A substantially U-shaped support frame 53 is provided on the upper portion of the vertical column 52, and the support frame 53 is fixed to a positioning device P3 for positioning the hinge pipeline 17A of the side inner panel 15. A pair of upper and lower clamping devices C5 is provided, and the left side inner panel 15 is positioned via positioning devices P1 to P3,
Further, it is fixed via the clamp devices C2 to C5.

The RH holding mechanism will be described. A pair of front and rear vertical pillars 5 is provided between the left and right fixed bases 47 of the pallet P.
4 and a support frame 55 is provided between the upper ends of the vertical columns 54. At the ends of the pair of arms 55 a on the front side of the support frame 55, the vicinity of both ends of the front header 22 is positioned from below. A positioning device P4 for positioning and a clamp device C6 for fixing are provided, and the rear end of the bifurcated arm portion 55b at the rear end of the support frame 55 has a lower portion near both ends of the rear header 23. A positioning device P5 for positioning from the side and a clamping device C7 for fixing are provided, and the front header 22 is positioned and fixed to the pallet P via a pair of positioning devices P5 and a clamping device C6. , And rear header 23
Is positioned and fixed with respect to the pallet P via a pair of positioning devices P6 and a clamp device C7. Note that a pair of arm portions 5 provided at the center of the support frame 55 is provided.
At both ends of 5c, a positioning device P6 for positioning the vicinity of both ends of the roof bow 24 sub-assembled to the roof panel 13 and a clamp device C8 for fixing are provided.

As shown in FIG. 24, the clamp devices C1 to C8 are toggle clamp devices having a general configuration including a substantially crank-shaped clamp lever 56 and an air cylinder 57 for rotating the clamp lever 56. The positioning devices P1 to P6 have a general configuration including a positioning pin 58 and an air cylinder 59 for driving the positioning pin 58 forward and backward. Incidentally, in the SP holding mechanism, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the clamp lever 4 of the clamp device C5
5 is an opening 15a formed in the side inner panel 15.
To clamp the side inner panel 15.

The clamping devices C2 to C4 and the positioning devices P1 and P2 are provided via a support plate 48 and a support frame 49, and the clamp device C5 and the positioning device P3 are provided via a vertical column 52 and a movable plate 51. As shown, when assembling the vehicle body members to the assembling jig unit JU, the vehicle body members are respectively driven to move to the assembling positions shown by solid lines by a driving mechanism (not shown), and the necessary body members are assembled and the upper body is assembled. After assembling the structure BU, the assembling jig units JU are respectively moved to the retracted positions shown in phantom lines so that the assembling jig units JU can be pulled downward from the floor opening 1c (see FIG. 24) before assembling the front floor 1. Is done.

Next, the vehicle body members supplied to the vehicle body assembly line BUL will be described with reference to FIGS. The rear body 12 is sub-assembled in a first sub-line SL1. The left and right side inner panels 15 are composed of an inner panel main body, a roof rail inner, an impact bracket, a wheel house, a suspension reinforcing material, and the like, and are sub-assembled in the second sub-line SL2.

The front header 22 and the rear header 23 as the roof inner member of the roof panel 13 are
Each is composed of a header inner panel, a header outer panel, and the like, and is sub-assembled along a third sub-line SL3. The left and right side outer panels 14 are composed of an outer panel main body, a front hinge reinforcing material, a rear hinge reinforcing material, a center pillar reinforcing material, a rear striker reinforcing material, a corner plate, and the like, and are sub-assembled by a fourth sub-line SL4. The roof panel 13 includes an outer panel body, a roof bow 24, and the like, and is sub-assembled along a fifth sub-line SL5. The hood 25 and the trunk lid 26 are respectively sub-assembled by sub-lines (not shown), and the four side doors 27 each include a door inner panel, a door outer panel, and a sash, and are sub-assembled by a sixth sub-line SL6.

Next, a method of assembling the upper body shell BU will be described with reference to FIGS. 20, 25 to 28. The upper body shell BU is assembled by sequentially assembling the body members into an assembling jig unit JU sequentially transferred to the stations S1 to S9 of the body assembly line BUL. The contents of the assembly work will be described one by one from the upstream side. The assembly jig units JU in the stations S1 to S9 in the figure are not shown.

In the first station S1, as shown in FIG. 25, after the rear body 12 is supplied from the first sub-line SL1 to the assembly jig unit JU transferred from the jig stock station ST and positioned, the positioning is performed. Fix it. At this time, as shown in FIG.
Are accurately positioned and fixed to the assembling jig unit JU via the four positioning pins 46 and the four clamping devices C1. In the second station S2, as shown in FIG. 25, a second sub-line SL is provided to the assembly jig unit JU transferred and positioned from the first station S1.
After supply, the left and right side inner panels 15 are supplied and positioned and fixed. At this time, the left and right side inner panels 1
21 are mounted to the jig unit J via positioning devices P1 to P3 and clamping devices C2 to C5, respectively, as shown in FIG.
It is accurately positioned and fixed to U.

Here, the transfer device 60 for transferring the side inner panel 15 to the second station S2 will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 27, the upper part of the downstream end of the second sub-line SL2 and the second station A guide rail (not shown) is provided over the upper part of S2, and a pair of right and left vertical frames 61 extending downward is provided on the guide rail.
Is vertically movably supported on both vertical frames 61, and vertically movable in a cantilever manner.
The elevating arm 62 is driven up and down by an elevating drive mechanism (not shown) provided near the upper end of the vertical frame 61.

A guide rail 63 is attached to the side surface of each elevating arm 62, and a base plate 64 that is driven to move in the left-right direction by a cylinder 65 is supported on the guide rail 63, and a vertical cylinder 66 is mounted on the base plate 64. The piston rod 66 of the cylinder 66
A movable plate 67 is provided at the lower end of the side inner panel 15. A support arm 68 and an anti-swing arm 69 that can be inserted through the door opening of the side inner panel 15 are rotatably provided on the movable plate 67. 15 is conveyed in a state where it is supported via a support arm 68 and held so as not to swing via a swing prevention arm 69.

In the third station S3, as shown in FIG. 25, the front header 22 and the rear header 23 are supplied from the third sub-line SL3 to the positioned jig unit JU and positioned and fixed. . At this time, as shown in FIG. 22, these headers 22 and 23 are respectively connected to positioning devices P4 and P5 and clamping devices C6.
・ Positioning is performed accurately through C7. Thereafter, both ends of the headers 21 and 23 are temporarily punch-welded to the left and right side inner panels 15 by two welding robots 70 provided in the third station S3, and the side inner panels 15 are temporarily punch-welded to the rear body 12. .

At the fourth station S4, as shown in FIG. 25, additional welding is performed by two welding robots 71, the left and right side inner panels 15 are connected to the rear body 12, and the headers 22 and 23 are left and right. To the side inner panel 15. In the fifth station S5, FIG.
As shown in (4), the left and right side outer panels 14 are supplied from the fourth sub-line SL4, and are respectively positioned and fixed to the left and right side inner panels 15 fixed to the assembling jig unit JU.

In the sixth station S6, as shown in FIG. 26, the roof panel 13 is supplied to the assembling jig unit JU from the fifth sub-line SL5, and is positioned and fixed. At this time, as shown in FIG.
3 is accurately positioned and fixed via the positioning device P6 and the clamp device C8. Thereafter, the side outer panel 14 is temporarily welded to the side inner panel 15 by two welding robots 72, and the roof panel 13 is temporarily welded to the front and rear headers 22 and 23 and the side outer panel 14.

At the seventh station S7, as shown in FIG. 26, two welding robots 73 are additionally welded to the vehicle body members that were temporarily punched and welded at the sixth station S6.
In the eighth station S8, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the front and rear side doors 27 are sequentially supplied from the sixth sub-line SL6 by a pair of left and right door supply robots 75, and one pair of upper and lower side doors is supplied to the side door 27. Of the side outer panel 14 with the nut runner 79 of the fastening device 78.
Temporarily. The door supply robot 75 is an articulated robot having a known structure, and its hand 75a is provided with a frame 81 provided with a pair of toggle clamp devices 80.
The clamp lever 80a of the clamp device 80 is inserted from the window opening, and the door sash is held by the clamp lever 80a.

In the ninth station S9, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the upper body structure BU assembled in the stations S1 to S8 is lifted by the lifting / lowering device 82, and the assembly jig unit JU is pulled out relatively downward from the upper body structure BU. Is transferred to the jig stock station ST, and the Abber body structure BU is transferred to a transfer station (not shown) of the coating line.

The lifting device 82 will be described. As shown in FIG. 29, a vertical column 83 is provided upright at a predetermined distance in front and rear of the ninth station S9 and the right side of the transfer station. The lifting arm 84 is vertically movably supported, a support frame 85 is provided at the tip of each lifting arm 84, and a guide rail 86 is provided between the front and rear support frames 85. The lifting arm 84 is driven up and down by the lifting drive mechanism 87.

The guide rail 86 has a base plate 88.
Are movably suspended in the front-rear direction, and the base plate 88
At the four corners, four support arms 89 capable of supporting the upper body shell BU from below are swingably supported. Each support arm 89 is connected to a cylinder 90 attached to an arm portion 85a of the support frame 85 as shown in FIG. The upper body is moved from the ninth station S9 to the transfer station with the upper body shell BU lifted as shown by the solid line and the retracted position shown by the one-dot chain line and the retracted position shown by the two-dot chain line. The shell BU is transferred, and as shown in FIG. 32, the upper body shell BU is lowered at the transfer station and set on the coating jig unit 91.

Here, a modified example in which the vehicle body assembly line BUL is partially changed will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 30, the side inner panel 15 and the side outer panel 14 are subassembled to form the body side panel 1.
1 is provided and a sub-line SL20 is provided.
The left and right body side panels 11 are supplied from L20 to the second station S20, and the left and right body side panels 11 are supplied from the first station S1 to the second station S2.
A is positioned and fixed to the assembly jig unit JU which has been transferred to A and positioned.

Next, in the second sub-line SL21, the assembling jig unit JU in which the roof panel assembly member 13A in which the front and rear front headers 22 and the rear headers 23 are pre-assembled into the roof panel 13 is positioned at the third station S3A. To the body member assembled to the assembling jig unit JU, and the two welding robots 72A perform temporary tapping welding. Next, at the fourth station S4A, additional welding is performed by the two welding robots 73A, and then the workpiece is transferred to the eighth station S8.

[Coating Step] Next, the coating step will be described with reference to FIGS. In this coating process, the upper body shell BU (however, the upper body shell BU has side doors 2 in the vehicle body assembling process).
7 and the trunk lid 26 are temporarily fixed), the left and right front fenders 28 and the bonnet 25 are set in the same coating jig unit 91, and the necessary coating is sequentially applied. Necessary coating is applied to the part BD and the front body part BF.

First, the coating jig unit 91 will be described. As shown in FIGS.
A substantially rectangular frame-shaped base frame 9 movable through
A pair of left and right holding mechanisms 94 for fixing and holding the rear frame 21 of the upper body shell BU are provided at a rear portion of the bake frame 93, and at a substantially central portion in a longitudinal direction of the base frame 93. A pair of left and right holding mechanisms 94 for fixing and holding the lower end of the closed cross-sectional structure 6B at the rear of the hinge pillar 17 are provided, and the upper body shell BU is connected to the base frame 93 via these four holding mechanisms 94.
Is fixedly held.

As shown in FIG. 34, each of the holding mechanisms 94 operates the fixing pin 96 mounted on the support bracket 95 in the left-right direction outward with the operation lever 97 to move the outer end of the fixing pin 96. The control lever 97 is attached to the reference hole (not shown) of the rear frame 21 or the closed section structure 6B.
Is engaged with the engaging member 98 to make the upper body shell BU
Is fixedly held on the base frame 93. In order to fix the front fender 28 and the bonnet 25 to the base frame 93, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 35, a substantially rectangular frame-shaped support frame 99 is provided at the front of the base frame 93. 28 is fixed to the base frame 93 by inserting the support pins 100 provided on the support frame 99 into three bolt holes for fixing the front fender, and
The hood hinge 25a is temporarily fixed to a pair of left and right fixing blocks 101 provided on the support frame 99 with bolts and fixedly held.

Next, a coating process for applying a coating using the coating jig unit 91 will be described with reference to FIG. The four side doors 27 and the upper body shell BU, the bonnet 25 and the front fender 28 set in the coating jig unit 91 are hung by the hanger 102 together with the coating jig unit 91 to form each of the coating lines. It shall be transferred to the station in sequence.

In the chemical conversion treatment step, the coating jig unit 9
After the upper body shell BU and the body member set to 1 are degreased with, for example, an alkaline degreaser,
A conversion coating of zinc phosphate is formed by a continuous spray method, and then sufficiently washed with water. In the undercoating step, the upper body shell BU and the body member are immersed together with the coating jig knit 91 in a paint tank containing, for example, an epoxy electrodeposition paint, and a voltage of 200 to 400 V is applied using the body member as a cathode. A cationic electrodeposition coating is applied, and after the electrodeposition coating, it is sufficiently washed with water, and then baked and dried at 170 ° C. for 25 minutes. In the undercoat application step, urethane or a PVC-based chipping-resistant paint is applied to the lower outer surface of the upper body shell BU, the lower outer surface of the side door 27, and the lower rear end side of the front fender 28 by spraying and dried. Then, for example, a chipping-resistant coating film of 100 to 200 μm is formed.

In the intermediate coating step, the upper body shell BU set in the coating jig unit 91 and the vehicle body member are grounded, and for example, an epoxy ester-based paint is applied.
Electrostatic coating is performed by charging to 60 to -90 kV, the solvent is evaporated after setting for 5 to 10 minutes after coating, and baking and drying is performed at 140 to 150 ° C for 20 to 25 minutes in the next drying step. In the overcoating process, the upper body shell BU set in the coating jig unit 91 and the vehicle body member are grounded, and for example, a melamine alkyd resin or an acrylic resin paint is charged to -60 to -90 kV to perform electrostatic coating. After the coating, the solvent is evaporated with a setting of 5 to 10 minutes after the coating, and the next drying step is performed at 140 to 150 ° C.
And bake dry for 25 minutes.

As described above, in each step from the chemical conversion treatment step to the top coating step, the side door 27, the upper body shell BU, the front fender 28, and the bonnet 25
Are set together in the same coating jig unit 91, so that variations in coating color can be prevented, and the coating line and the transfer device including the hanger 102 can be prevented from becoming complicated. Since the equipment is economically advantageous, and the amount (consumption) of the electrodeposition paint adhered to the hanger 102 can be reduced, the running cost is also advantageous. Note that a mechanism for holding a light lid, a garnish, or the like may be provided at a front portion of the support frame 99, and these body members may be painted together with the upper body shell BU.

Next, the coating process of the underbody portion BD will be described. First, in the underbody portion processing step, a sealer is applied to a necessary portion of the underbody portion BD, and a hole cover is formed on a hole formed in the underbody portion BD. Perform work such as installation of melt sheet and laying of melt sheet. Next, in the undercoat application step, urethane or PVC is coated on the lower surface of the underbody BD.
A chipping-resistant paint is applied by spraying, and baked and dried in a drying oven common to the drying oven used in the drying process after the intermediate coating process of the upper body shell BU.
A 00 μm chipping resistant coating is formed. When the front floor 1 is made of a steel plate, the underbody portion BD and the upper body shell BU may be set in the same painting jig unit 91 together with the upper body shell BU to perform painting up to the intermediate painting process.

The front body portion BF is subjected to chemical conversion treatment, undercoating and undercoating in the same manner as the upper body shell BU, and is common to a drying furnace used in the drying step after the middle coating step of the upper body shell BU. Bake and dry in a drying oven. Thus, the body part BD
Since the BF is dried in the same drying oven as the upper body shell BU, the drying efficiency can be improved, the running cost can be reduced, and the equipment is economically advantageous. In addition, the body part BD ·
BF may be baked and dried. As shown in FIG. 36, using a coating jig unit 91A in which the support frame 99 of the coating jig unit 91 is omitted, and holding the front body portion BF at the front portion of the base frame 93A. A holding mechanism 9A is provided.
Front body part BF is connected to base frame 9 via 4A.
The front fender 28 and the bonnet 25 may be temporarily fixed to the front body portion BF while being held at 3A, and the front body portion BF may be painted together with the side door 27 and the upper body shell BU.

After applying the necessary coating as described above,
Upper body shell BU from painting jig unit 91
And the left and right front fenders 28 and the hood 25 are removed, and the left and right side doors 2 are removed from the upper body shell BU.
7 and the trunk lid 26 are removed, and the vehicle body member set in the painting jig unit 91 and both body portions BD and
The BF and the BF are transferred to respective dedicated outfitting lines in the vehicle assembly process.

[Vehicle Assembly Process] Next, the vehicle assembly process will be described with reference to FIGS. In this vehicle assembling process, an outfitting line including a dedicated outfitting line for the upper body shell BU is configured as a main outfitting line, and as shown in FIG. The body parts BD and BF, the body members such as the lid member, and the fittings are sequentially supplied, and these are assembled to the upper body shell BU to assemble the automobile.

First, a dedicated outfitting line for each vehicle body member will be described. In the dedicated outfitting line for the upper body shell BU, as shown in FIG. 38, the upper body shell BU is provided on the transporting trolley device 110 while being set on the transporting trolley device 110 and transported along the outfitting line. By using the outfitting robot 115, a screw grommet, a fastener, a harness, an interior unit (including a top ceiling, a sun visor, a room mirror, etc.), a rear strut, a rear combination lamp are provided on a portion of the upper body shell BU on the side of the cabin 29. The installation of package units (including package trim, speakers, high-mount lamps, etc.), rear bumpers, rear floor mats, rear seats, trunk room units, rear window glass, and other fittings will be performed.

A brief description of the transport trolley device 110 is provided with a self-propelled transport trolley 114 running along an outfitting line, and a plurality of transport trolleys 114 for positioning and holding the upper body shell BU. A support bracket 116 is erected, and a center portion of the transport vehicle 114 is opened from the floor opening 1c to the compartment 2 of the upper body shell BU.
9 is provided with a robot 115 to be inserted into
Sub-pallets 117 are provided on both the left and right sides of 15.
A plurality of fittings are set in a predetermined arrangement on each sub-pallet 117.
Reference numeral 18 is provided outside the upper body shell BU, and a plurality of tools which are removably attached to the hand of the robot 115 are set on a tool mounting table 118 in a predetermined arrangement. Since the robot 115 is an articulated robot having a general configuration, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A robot 115 is provided at the rear of the transport carriage 114.
Is provided, and the robot 115 controls the control box 119.
Is controlled based on a command from the control unit, and necessary fittings are sequentially assembled to the upper body shell BU while moving the transport carriage 114. As described above, since the fittings are attached to the upper body shell BU in a state where the underbody portion BD is separated, the robot 1 is moved from the floor opening 1c of the upper body shell BU.
15 can be inserted, and the work of assembling the fittings into the vehicle compartment 29 can be largely automated, and the fittings can be efficiently provided. Further, since the outfitting is performed on the upper body shell BU while moving the transporting carriage 114, there is almost no waste time for transporting between stations in the outfitting line. However, it is a matter of course that the fittings may be assembled while the transport carriage 114 is intermittently moved over a plurality of stations. If necessary, the upper body shell BU is transferred to a transport trolley device 112 having a rotatable support mechanism for rotatably supporting the upper body shell BU as shown in FIG. May be mounted to the upper body shell BU by the automatic machine 113 provided on the line side in a state where is rotated by a predetermined angle.

Further, as described above, the assembling jig unit J
Upper body shell B based on inner panel using U
By assembling the U, the assembly accuracy can be maintained at a high level, and since the robot 115 is installed on the carrier trolley 114 together with the upper body shell BU, the positioning accuracy of the robot 115 with respect to the upper body shell BU can be maintained at a high level. Automatic outfitting can be carried out smoothly. In addition, when the robot 115 or the transport trolley 114 breaks down, they can be removed from the outfitting line, so that the operation rate of the outfitting line can be prevented from lowering. Can teach the robot 115. Furthermore, a trial can be performed outside the outfitting line at the time of newly installing or repairing the robot 115 or the transport vehicle 114.

In the dedicated outfitting line for the underbody BD, as shown in FIG.
Are sequentially transferred over a plurality of stations on the outfitting line while being positioned and fixed on a pallet (not shown). First, a change lever 150, a parking brake lever 151, a floor mat 152,
Attach the outfit parts such as the rear seat belt 153 and the rear console 154, then attach small parts such as fasteners and bolts with a robot not shown, and then attach the left and right front seats 155 with a robot not shown. , Four seat protectors 156 for covering the feet of the front seat 155 are assembled. As described above, since the outfitting parts are assembled to the underbody part BD in the dedicated outfitting line while being separated from the upper body shell BU, the efficiency of the assembling parts assembling work is greatly improved by employing a robot or the like. I can do it.

In the dedicated outfitting line for the front body portion BF, as shown in FIG.
With the set on the transport trolley device 120, the outfitting line is sequentially transferred, and the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal,
Fittings such as a wiper motor and a dash unit (including an instrument panel assembly and an air conditioning unit) 157 are assembled.

The transport trolley device 120 has a support mechanism 123 capable of switching the position of the front body portion BF between a substantially horizontal position and an inverted position shown by a solid line. And the assembling of fittings is performed by the automatic machine 122 on the line side. The dash unit 157 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning device is positioned and mounted on the front body portion BF held in the inverted posture by the line side supply device 121, and is assembled to the front body portion BF by the line side automatic machine 122. As described above, since the outfit is assembled by changing the posture of the front body BF, the work efficiency of the assembling work can be greatly improved, and a holding mechanism for holding the outfit to the front body BF is provided. Can be omitted.

The side door 27 and the front fender 2
8 and the hood 25 and trunk lid 26, black coating, application of secondary rust preventive oil, installation of moldings and rubber, etc., and then installation of necessary equipment such as harnesses, lamps, and wind regulators Install.
In this way, since the necessary fittings are assembled in the dedicated fitting lines while the lid member is removed from the upper body shell BU, the work efficiency thereof can be remarkably improved.

Next, a connecting step of connecting the upper body shell BU, the under body BD and the front body BF will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
The front body portion BF is assembled from the front relative to the underbody portion BD, and the two body portions BD and BF are joined to assemble an integrated lower body shell BL.
The connection between the body portions BD and BF employs a bolt / nut connection, an adhesive connection, a welding connection, or a combination of these.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 43 to 45, the lower body shell BL is set on the movable trolley 125 of the coupling station CS1, and the upper body shell BU is hung by the hanger 127 to move the left and right sides of the coupling station CS1. The movable carriage 125 is fixed to a pair of fixed bases 126, and the movable carriage 125 is moved downward from the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the lower side of the upper body shell BU, and the lower body shell BL is assembled relative to the upper body shell BU from the front. Then, the left and right ends of the front floor 1 are inserted into the left and right engagement grooves 33 of the side sill 20 from the front, respectively, and the left and right ends of the front floor 1 are engaged and supported on the receiving portions 31b of the engagement grooves 33. Then, it is fixed with the adhesive 30 in the engagement groove 33. In parallel with this, the cross-sectional structures 6A and 6B constituting the hinge pillar 6 are combined back and forth, and other connecting portions between the front floor 1 and the upper body shell BU (for example, by a fastening robot 128 provided between the fixed bases 126). For example, the body shell B is assembled by connecting the closed section structures 6A and 6B and connecting the lower body shell BL and the upper body shell BU in this manner. . This connection employs a bolt-nut connection, an adhesive connection, a welding connection, or a combination of these. When the cowl member 10A (see FIG. 2) is attached to the upper body shell BU, the reclining device prevents the upper end of the front seat 155 from interfering with the cowl member 10A. To the rear to combine the upper body shell BU and the under body shell BL.

As a modification of the connecting step of connecting the upper body shell BU and the lower body shell BL, first, as shown in FIGS.
D is assembled from the front relative to the upper body shell BU and connected to each other.
May be assembled and connected to the upper body shell BU and the underbody portion BD relatively from the front.

Next, the body shell B is suspended on a transport hanger (not shown) and transported to a plurality of stations for assembling a lid member one after another. After installing and adjusting the windshield, reassemble them in order. As described above, since the lid member is assembled before the lower unit 160 having a relatively large weight is assembled, the body shell B can be transferred by using a transfer device having a relatively simple configuration such as a transfer hanger as effectively as possible. In addition, since the lid member is assembled before the reference hole on the body shell B side is hidden or closed by the assembly of the lower unit 160, the lid member is assembled with the body shell B accurately positioned at a predetermined station. Since the lid member is attached to the highly rigid body shell B, the assembling accuracy of the lid member can be greatly improved. Furthermore, upper body shell BU
Since the windshield is assembled after the front glass and the lower body shell BL are joined, the lower end of the windshield can be joined to the upper end of the front seat 155 without interference. The side door 27 is attached to the body shell B by the door supply robot 75 and the fastening device 7 used in the vehicle body assembly process.
8 is to be performed using a door supply robot and a fastening device having the same configuration as that of the door feeding robot.

Next, in the lower unit assembling step of assembling the lower unit 160 to the body shell B,
As shown in FIG. 46, the pallet 12
The lower unit 1 includes an engine 161 positioned and fixed on the upper part 9, a transmission (not shown), front and rear suspensions 162, an exhaust pipe 163, a fuel tank 164, and the like.
60 is transferred onto the conveyor 130 of the coupling station CS2, and the body shell B is suspended by a support arm 131 of a lifting device (not shown) to couple the
And lowering the body shell B, thereby assembling the lower unit 160 relative to the body shell B from below, and using the two fastening robots 132 provided at the lower portion of the coupling station CS2 to move the lower unit. 160 is attached to body shell B with bolts or the like.
In this manner, since the lower unit 160 is attached to the highly rigid body shell B, the lower unit 160, which greatly affects running performance, can be attached with high accuracy.

Next, the left and right front faders 28 and the bonnet 25 are assembled and adjusted with respect to the body shell B and then assembled.
Assemble the car by assembling it to 0. As described above, since the hood 25 is assembled after the lower unit 160 is assembled, the lower unit 1 is attached to the body shell B.
When assembling the lower unit 160, the interference with the bonnet 25 does not occur, and a holding device for holding the bonnet 25 open can be omitted. Efficiency can be improved.

In the vehicle assembling process, the outfitting work for the upper body shell BU is performed for about 39 minutes, the outfitting work for the underbody section BD is performed for about 9 minutes, and the front body section B is mounted.
The outfitting work for F takes about 25 minutes, and the outfitting line including the outfitting line of the upper body shell BU, which takes the most time for outfitting work, is configured as the main outfitting line. The body parts BD and BF can be supplied without the need, and the vehicle assembly line can be operated efficiently.

Next, a modification of the method for assembling the automobile will be described. As shown in FIG. 50, in a vehicle body assembling process, a lower body shell BL in which an underbody portion BD and a front body portion BF are integrated, and an upper body shell BU are respectively assembled on dedicated assembly lines. still,
As shown in FIG. 50, the cowl member 10A of the cowl / dash structure 10 may be attached to the upper body shell BU, or as shown in FIG.
0 and the third cross member 41 may be attached to the lower body shell BL. Next, in the coating process, the necessary coating was applied to the upper body shell BU in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the necessary processing was applied to the lower body shell BL in the same manner as the under-body portion BD. rear,
The necessary coating is applied by a dedicated coating line, and then baked and dried in the same drying furnace as the drying furnace used in the drying process after the middle coating process or the top coating process of the upper body shell BU.

Next, in the vehicle assembling process, as shown in FIG. 52, necessary fittings are attached to the upper body shell BU in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and the lower body shell BL is assembled.
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the fittings assembled to the underbody portion BD and the front body portion BF in the above embodiment are assembled, and as shown in FIGS.
L is assembled relative to the upper body shell BU from the front, and both body shells BU and BL are connected. Further, here, a description will be given of a modified example of the connection structure for additionally connecting the upper body shell BU and the underbody portion BD.

As shown in FIG. 53, a side sill 20H made of a steel plate is integrally formed on each of the left and right ends of the front floor 1A with an inner side sill 20a having a closed cross section.
An outer side sill portion 20b having a closed cross section integrated with the lower end of the body side panel of the upper body shell BU
The outer side sill portion 20b is formed with a receiving portion 35J that projects horizontally inward at a lower end portion on the inside of the outer side sill portion 20b.
By moving the underbody portion BD rearward relative to the upper body shell BU, the left and right ends of the underbody portion BD are respectively engaged and supported on the left and right receiving portions 35J, and the inner side sill portion 20a and The outer side sill portions 20b are bonded and fixed with an adhesive.
When such a connection structure is adopted, a large bonding area can be formed, so that a strong bonding can be performed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 54, the side sill 20I is integrally fixed to the left and right ends of the front floor 1 composed of the same honeycomb substrate 1a and the reinforcing plates 1b on both upper and lower sides thereof. The inner side sill portion 20c having a closed cross section made of an aluminum alloy and the outer side sill portion 20d having a closed cross section integrated with a lower end portion of the body side panel of the upper body shell BU are divided into inner side sill portions 20d. At the lower end, a receiving portion 35K is formed which projects horizontally inward, and by moving the underbody portion BD rearward relative to the upper body shell BU, the left and right ends of the underbody portion BD are left and right receiving. The inner side sill 20c and the outer side sill 20d. Bonded fixed by an adhesive. When such a connection structure is adopted, a large bonding area can be formed, so that a strong bonding can be performed. The method of assembling the automobile of the present application is not limited to a four-door sedan car,
It is needless to say that various door or two-door automobiles can be assembled or an open-body automobile can be assembled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an assembly process diagram of an automobile.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper body shell, an under body portion, and a front body portion.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a coupling structure of a side sill and a front floor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a main part of a side sill and a front floor according to a modification.

FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a main part of a connection structure of a hinge pillar.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 15 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 17 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 15 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 18 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 15 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 19 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 15 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the entire process of the vehicle body assembly line.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an assembly jig unit.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the assembly jig unit.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the assembly jig unit.

FIG. 24 is a front view of the assembly jig unit.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a main portion step of the vehicle body assembly line in FIG. 20;

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a main portion step of the vehicle body assembly line in FIG. 20;

FIG. 27 is a front view of the transfer device.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a door supply robot and a fastening device.

FIG. 29 is a front view of the lifting device.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a main part process of a vehicle body assembly line according to a modification.

FIG. 31 is a drawing showing a painting process of an automobile.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an underbody shell, a vehicle body member, and a jig unit for painting.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the painting jig unit of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a main part near a holding mechanism.

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 33 of an assembly jig unit according to a modification.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram of the entire process of the vehicle assembly line.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a transport trolley device.

FIG. 39 is a view corresponding to FIG. 38 of a transport carriage device according to a modification.

FIG. 40 is a process explanatory view of an outfitting line for an underbody portion.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a main part of an outfitting line for a front body part.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an underbody portion and a front body portion in a connecting step.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an upper body shell and a lower body shell in a connecting step.

FIG. 44 is a side view of a coupling station that couples the upper and lower body shells.

FIG. 45 is a front view of the coupling station.

FIG. 46 is a side view of the coupling station for mounting the lower unit.

FIG. 47 is an overall process explanatory diagram of a vehicle body assembling process according to a modification.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an upper body shell and an under body portion in a coupling step of a modification.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of an upper body shell and a front body portion in a coupling step of a modified example.

FIG. 50 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of an upper body shell and a lower body shell of a modified example.

FIG. 51 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of an upper body shell and a lower body shell of a modified example.

FIG. 52 is an overall process explanatory view of a vehicle assembling process according to a modification.

FIG. 53 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

FIG. 54 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of a coupling structure according to a modification.

[Description of Signs] B Body shell BU Upper body shell BL Lower body shell BD Under body part BF Front body part 1.1A / 1B Front floor 11 Body side panel 13 Roof panel 20 / 20A / 20B / 20C Side sill 20D / 20E / 20F ・ 20G ・ 20H ・ 20I
Side sill 26 Trunk lid 27 Side door 31b / 31d / 31f / 35A Receiving portion 35F / 35H / 35I / 35J / 35K Receiving portion 160 Lower unit 161 Engine 162 Suspension

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshiaki Kazuki 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture Inside Mazda Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-235174 (JP, A) JP-A Sho JP-A-1-212676 (JP, A) JP-A-63-227478 (JP, A) JP-A-4-334665 (JP, A) JP-A-64-28377 (JP, A) U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B62D 65/00 B62D 25/00 B62D 25/20

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A lower body shell comprising an underbody portion including at least a front floor and a separate or integrated front body portion of a body shell of an automobile, a roof member, left and right body side panels, and left and right. After separately assembling the upper sill including the side sills and the receiving parts that receive the left and right ends of the front floor, and fitting the upper body shell and the lower body shell respectively, then separate from the front body part or The upper body shell and the lower body are moved through a process in which the integrated underbody part is moved rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the upper body shell to engage the left and right ends of the front floor with the left and right receiving parts, respectively. A method for assembling a vehicle, comprising: coupling an upper body shell and a lower body to each other. After coupling with the deshell, at least one of a side door, a trunk lid and a back door is assembled to the body shell, and then a lower unit, which is a unit of at least the front suspension and the engine, is assembled to the body shell. How to assemble a car. 2. The method for assembling an automobile according to claim 1, wherein after the lower unit is assembled, a bonnet is assembled to a body shell. 3. The lower body shell comprising the underbody portion and a front body portion integrated with the lower body portion is fitted, and then the lower body shell is connected to the upper body shell. Car assembling method. 4. The underbody portion and a front body portion separate from the underbody portion are fitted with each other, and then these two body portions are connected, and then these two body portions are connected to an upper body shell. The method for assembling an automobile according to claim 1. 5. The underbody portion and a front body portion separate from the underbody portion are provided with an outfit, and then the underbody portion is connected to the upper body shell, and then the front body portion is connected to the upper body shell and the underbody portion. 2. The method for assembling a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the method is combined with a vehicle.