JP3804848B2 - Stabilizer for engine assembly - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steadying apparatus for an engine assembly that is used to perform operations such as mounting parts on an engine assembly that is transported in a suspended state in the assembly of an automobile engine, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, the assembly of automobile engines is lined up, and the engine assembly is suspended from a conveyor provided above the work area via a hanger, and components are attached while the engine assembly is transported in this state. We are doing work such as. A method of transporting the engine assembly in such a suspended state is described, for example, in JP-A-6-31549.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, in order to attach components in a state where the engine assembly is suspended, the engine assembly is in an unstable state in which it is likely to be oscillated or rotated. It is necessary to work while holding the assembly, or another worker must hold the engine assembly, and improvement in workability and labor has been demanded.
[0004]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation. When performing an operation such as mounting a part on an engine assembly conveyed in a suspended state, the engine assembly is swung or rotated. It is an object of the present invention to provide an engine assembly steadying device that can prevent the engine assembly from being carried out easily and reliably by only one worker.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided the steady rest device for the engine assembly, wherein the vertical support is provided to stand up and receive the flange surface of the engine assembly at a predetermined transport position of the engine assembly transported in a suspended state. And a horizontal support that is raised and receives the lower surface of the engine assembly, and the horizontal support is rotatably held by a horizontal shaft, and an elastic that holds the horizontal work receiver in a horizontal state. And the suspended engine assembly is supported by a vertical support and a horizontal support, and the vertical support includes a vertical work receiver that receives a crank pulley on the flange surface of the engine assembly. The horizontal support body includes a horizontal work receiver that can be moved up and down, and is configured to receive an oil pan on the lower surface of the engine assembly with the horizontal work receiver. The horizontal support includes a load detecting means for detecting a load on the horizontal workpiece receiver. According to claim 4, the horizontal support includes a frame and a guide rod for guiding the horizontal workpiece receiver up and down in the frame. The frame and the guide rod are provided with a stopper mechanism that abuts each other at a predetermined ascent position of the horizontal workpiece receiver, and according to claim 5, the carriage that is movable in parallel with the transport direction of the engine assembly is supported vertically. It is set as the structure which mounts a body and a horizontal support body, and it is a means for solving a problem with said structure.
[0006]
Note that the engine assembly in the above configuration includes not only the engine itself but also a transmission case coupled to the engine.
[0007]
[Effects of the Invention]
In the engine assembly steadying apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, the vertical surface of the engine assembly is received by the upright vertical support body at a predetermined transport position of the engine assembly transported in a suspended state. At the same time, the lower surface of the engine assembly is received by the horizontal workpiece receiver of the raised horizontal support. At this time, in the horizontal support body, the horizontal work receiver is rotatable by the horizontal shaft and held in a horizontal state by the elastic body, so that when the suspended engine assembly is inclined, the horizontal work receiver The work receiver follows the inclination and can support the engine assembly well. As a result, the suspended engine assembly is supported on two surfaces, vertical and horizontal, to prevent the engine assembly from swinging and rotating. After the work is finished, the vertical support body is laid down and the horizontal work support of the horizontal support body is lowered to prevent interference with the transported engine assembly.
[0008]
In the steady assembly apparatus for an engine assembly according to claim 2 of the present invention, the vertical support member receives the crank pulley on the flange surface of the engine assembly by the vertical workpiece receiver that is turned upright, so that the cylinder varies depending on the type of engine. The flange surface of the engine assembly can be supported without being affected by the shape of the block or crankcase, and the oil pan on the lower surface of the engine assembly is received by the raised horizontal workpiece receiver in the horizontal support body. Therefore, the lower surface of the engine assembly can be supported by the surface.
[0010]
In the steady assembly apparatus for an engine assembly according to claim 3 of the present invention, the horizontal support is provided with load detection means for detecting the load on the horizontal workpiece receiver, so that the engine assembly is supported by the detected value of the load. The state can be determined. That is, since the engine assembly is in a suspended state, for example, if the horizontal workpiece receiver is raised too much, an excessive load is applied to the horizontal workpiece receiver, and the holding force due to the suspension is lost and the engine assembly is It becomes unstable. Thus, the load on the horizontal workpiece receiver is detected by the load detection means, and this is used to control the raised position of the horizontal workpiece receiver, so that the engine assembly is supported in an optimum state.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the stopper mechanism for abutting the frame and the horizontal work receiver to the guide rod for vertically guiding the frame and the horizontal work receiver at a predetermined raised position of the horizontal work receiver. Therefore, it is possible to mechanically prevent an excessive rise in the horizontal workpiece receiver.
[0012]
In the steady assembly apparatus for an engine assembly according to claim 5 of the present invention, the vertical support body and the horizontal support body are mounted on the carriage that is movable in parallel with the transport direction of the engine assembly. By synchronizing the movement of the carriage, the engine assembly is prevented from swinging and rotating while being transported at a constant speed.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
According to the engine assembly steadying apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the engine assembly in which the parts are mounted in the suspended state is raised with the upright vertical support. Since the horizontal work support of the horizontal support body supports the two surfaces of the engine assembly, ie, the flange surface and the lower surface, the engine assembly can be prevented from swinging and rotating and stabilized. Work such as attachment of parts to the engine assembly can be easily and reliably performed by only the worker, and thereby workability can be remarkably improved and labor can be greatly reduced.
In addition, since the horizontal work support of the horizontal support is held by the horizontal shaft and the elastic body, when the suspended engine assembly is tilted, the horizontal work receiver that receives it can follow the tilt, Thereby, the load receiving area of the horizontal workpiece receiver can be made constant at all times, and further stabilization of the supported engine assembly can be realized.
[0014]
According to the steadying device for an engine assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention, the effect similar to that of the first aspect can be obtained, and the vertical workpiece receiver that receives the crank pulley of the engine assembly in the vertical support. Since the vertical workpiece holder is not affected by the shape of the cylinder block or crankcase, it can be used for a wide variety of engine assemblies and can support them reliably. , The horizontal work receiver that receives the oil pan of the engine assembly can be used to bring the lower surface of the engine assembly and the horizontal work receiver into surface contact, thereby supporting the engine assembly in a more stable state. .
[0016]
According to the engine assembly steady rest device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the same effects as in claims 1 and 2 can be obtained, and the load on the horizontal workpiece receiver is detected in the horizontal support. Since the load detection means is used, the support state of the engine assembly can be optimized by controlling the rising position of the horizontal workpiece receiver based on the detection value of the load detection means. It can contribute to the stabilization of solid and ensuring safety.
[0017]
According to the engine assembly steady rest device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the same effect as in the first to third aspects can be obtained, and the horizontal workpiece holder can be received by the stopper mechanism provided on the frame and the guide rod. Can be prevented mechanically, and further improvement in safety can be realized.
[0018]
According to the engine assembly steadying apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the same effect as in the first to fourth aspects can be obtained, and the carriage can be moved in parallel with the transport direction of the engine assembly. Since the vertical support body and horizontal support body are installed, the engine assembly can be transported at a constant speed to prevent its swinging and rotation, and work such as component mounting to the engine assembly can be performed. As a result, workability and productivity can be further enhanced.
[0019]
【Example】
An embodiment of an engine assembly steadying apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0020]
1 is a vertical support body 1 that stands up and receives a flange surface of the engine assembly A at a predetermined transport position of the engine assembly A that is transported in a suspended state. , And two horizontal supports 2 and 2 that receive the lower surface of the engine assembly E. Further, the steady rest device lays the rail 3 parallel to the floor with respect to the conveyor C, and includes a carriage 4 that travels on the rail 3. The carriage 4 includes a vertical support 1 and both horizontal supports 2 and 2. In addition, a control device 5 for driving and controlling the vertical support 1, the horizontal support 2, and the carriage 4 is provided.
[0021]
The engine assembly A is a general automobile engine assembly, which is mainly composed of an engine E and is connected to a transmission case TC. The engine E has a crank pulley CP on its front surface and an oil pan OP1 on its lower surface. An oil pan OP2 is also provided on the lower surface of the transmission case TC.
[0022]
The engine assembly A is suspended by the hanger H from the conveyor C disposed on the upper side of the assembly work area, and is conveyed with the crank pulley CP facing forward. The hanger H includes a connecting portion H1 to the conveyor C side, a frame H2 suspended from the connecting portion H1, and a plurality of (two in the illustrated case) chains H3 that connect the frame 2 and the engine assembly A. It is.
[0023]
The steady rest device includes a vertical support 1 and two horizontal supports 2 and 2 arranged in series from the forward side of the cart 4 with the left side in FIG. The horizontal support members 2 and 2 receive the oil pans OP1 and OP2 on the lower surfaces of the engine E and the transmission case TC. The carriage 4 includes a driving device and traveling wheels (not shown), and in addition, it is possible to provide a step for an operator to get on.
[0024]
As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the vertical support 1 includes a column 9 that supports a vertical work receiver 8 that receives a crank pulley CP via a bracket 7 on a frame 6 that is fixed to the carriage 4, and a column 9. In addition, a rotating cylinder 10 is provided for rotating the vertical workpiece receiver 8 in the vertical direction.
[0025]
The vertical workpiece receiver 8 is attached to the upper end portion of the support column 9 and has a shape in which both side portions are bent in the front direction toward the crank pulley CP, and in order to prevent damage to the crank pulley CP at the time of contact, The protective material 11 is provided in the. A connecting plate 12 is provided at the lower end portion of the support column 9 so as to protrude rearward (rightward in FIG. 2) of the vertical workpiece receiver 8. The support column 9 is connected to the upper end portion of the bracket 7 via an upper rotation shaft 13 whose axis is the left and right direction of the carriage so as to be rotatable at a portion of the connecting plate 12.
[0026]
Further, a lower rotating shaft 14 having an axis parallel to the upper rotating shaft 13 is provided at the lower end portion of the bracket 7, and the rotating cylinder 10 in which the rod 15 faces upward with the lower rotating shaft 14. Is pivotably held, and the upper end of the rod 15 of the pivoting cylinder 10 is pivotably coupled to the tip of the coupling plate 12 of the support column 9.
[0027]
The above-mentioned vertical support 1 reciprocates the vertical work receiver 8 together with the support column 9 in the range of about 90 degrees by driving the rod 15 of the rotating cylinder 10 to extend and contract, and the posture of the vertical work receiver 8 is illustrated. 2 is switched between a sideways state indicated by a virtual line and a standing state indicated by a solid line.
[0028]
On the other hand, the two horizontal supports 2 have the same configuration, and as shown in detail in FIG. 3, the frame 16 fixed to the carriage 4 receives the oil pan OP1 (OP2). A horizontal workpiece receiver 17, a lifting cylinder 18 that moves the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 up and down, a guide rod 19 that guides the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 up and down, and the like are provided.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 has a shape in which both sides thereof are bent upward, and a protective material 20 similar to that of the vertical workpiece receiver 8 is provided on the entire upper surface. A connecting piece 22 through which a horizontal shaft 21 to be described later passes is provided. The lifting cylinder 18 is attached with the rod 23 facing upward and the axial direction being vertical, and a horizontal side support plate 24 is provided at the upper end of the rod 23. The guide rod 19 is arranged in parallel with the lifting cylinder 18 with the axis line in the vertical direction, and is slidable in the vertical direction by two upper and lower guide blocks 25 and 26 provided on the frame 16. The upper end portion is provided with a holding body 27 in which plate members are combined side by side.
[0030]
The holding body 27 is connected to the previous side support plate 24 via a connecting member 28, and a load detecting means 29 for detecting a load applied to the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 is provided on the upper surface. A central support plate 30 is provided between the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 located on the upper side. The load detection means 29 has the upper end of the load input rod 29 a that faces upward contact the lower surface of the central support plate 30. As the load detection means 29, for example, a load cell is used.
[0031]
The central support plate 30 includes, on one side thereof, the other side support plate 31 that forms a pair with one side support plate 24 provided on the previous rod 23, and two connecting pieces that face each other on the upper surface. 32, 32. The central support plate 30 has a connecting piece 22 of the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 fitted between the connecting pieces 32, 32, and is connected to the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 through the horizontal shaft 21. Thereby, the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 is rotatably held by the horizontal shaft 21.
[0032]
Further, the central support plate 30 includes guide pins 33 protruding downward at four locations on the lower surface. Each guide pin 33 penetrates the upper surface of the holding body 27 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and a lower end 34 is provided with a stopper 34 from the holding body 27 at the lower end portion. A buffering spring 35 is mounted on the outer periphery of the holding member 27.
[0033]
Further, the horizontal support 2 is an elastic body that holds the horizontal work receiver 17 that can rotate about the horizontal shaft 21 in a horizontal state, and is interposed between the horizontal work receiver 17 and the side support plates 24 and 31 on both sides. In addition to holding springs 36, 36, a stopper 37 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the guide rod 19. The stopper 37 and the lower guide block 26 in the frame 16 are used to form a predetermined workpiece of the horizontal workpiece receiver 17. Stopper mechanisms that abut each other at the raised position are configured.
[0034]
When the rod 23 of the elevating cylinder 18 is driven to extend and contract, the horizontal support 2 moves up and down the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 together with other components while being guided in the vertical direction by the guide rod 19.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 1, the steady rest device having the above configuration rotates the vertical work receiver 8 of the vertical support 1 with respect to the engine assembly A conveyed in a state of being suspended at a certain height. In response to the crank pulley CP being received by the vertical workpiece receiver 8 in the upright state, the carriage 4 starts traveling in accordance with the conveying speed of the engine assembly A, and further, the horizontal workpiece of each horizontal support 2 is started. The receiver 17 is raised to receive the oil pans OP1 and OP2.
[0036]
In this way, as shown in FIG. 5, the engine assembly A is supported by the vertical support 1 and each horizontal support 2 on the two surfaces of the front surface and the lower surface in the transport direction, and in particular, the horizontal workpiece receiver 17. Since the oil pans OP1 and OP2 are in surface contact with each other, rocking and rotation are reliably prevented and a stable state is obtained. As a result, operations such as component mounting on the engine assembly A can be easily and reliably performed.
[0037]
Further, since the carriage 4 is running synchronously, the engine assembly A can be supported and operated while being transported at a constant speed. After the work is completed, the vertical work receiver 8 of the vertical support 1 is attached. The engine assembly A can be quickly carried out to the next step by rotating it in the forward direction of the carriage 4 so as to lie down and lowering the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 of each horizontal support 2.
[0038]
Further, in the steady rest device, the horizontal work support 17 in the horizontal support 2 is rotatable by the horizontal shaft 21 and held in a horizontal state by the holding spring 36. When A is inclined, as indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 4, the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 that has received the engine assembly A rotates following the inclination, whereby the load receiving area in the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 is increased. Always keep the engine assembly A well supported.
[0039]
Here, when the engine assembly A suspended like the steady rest device is supported from the lower side, if the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 of the horizontal support 2 is raised too much, an excessive load is applied to the horizontal workpiece receiver 17. In addition, the holding force due to the suspension is lost and the engine assembly A becomes unstable.
[0040]
Therefore, in the steady rest device, when the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 is lifted to receive the engine assembly A, the guide pin 33 and the buffering spring 35 act to virtually lift the holding body 27 in FIG. As indicated by the line, the center support plate 30 and the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 are relatively lowered, and the load input rod 29a of the load detecting means 29 is pushed down on the lower surface of the center support 30. Then, the load on the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 is detected by the load detection means 29, and the control device 5 controls the raised position of the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 based on the detected value of the load. That is, the control device 5 supports the engine assembly A by controlling the raised position of the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 so that the load on the horizontal workpiece receiver 17, that is, the detection value from the load detecting means 29 becomes an appropriate value. The state will be optimal.
[0041]
Moreover, in the steady rest device, when the horizontal workpiece receiver 17 rises above the ascent limit based on the control device 5, immediately after that, the stopper 37 of the guide rod 19 and the lower guide block 26 of the frame 16 are moved. They abut against each other and mechanically prevent the components from rising from the guide rod 19 to the horizontal workpiece receiver 17. Thereby, the safety | security at the time of supporting the engine assembly A is also ensured.
[0042]
As described above, the steady rest apparatus described in the above embodiment prevents the suspended engine assembly A from swinging or rotating, so that the operator can hold the engine assembly A with one hand when mounting components. In addition, there is no need for another operator to support the engine assembly A, and the operation can be performed safely and with less labor by one operator. In particular, in the vertical support 1, the crank pulley CP is received by the vertical workpiece receiver 8, so that the flange surfaces of various engine assemblies A are supported without being affected by the shape of the cylinder block or crankcase that varies depending on the type of engine. It has become possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating one embodiment of a steadying apparatus for an engine assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view (a) of a vertical support, a rear view (b) of a vertical workpiece receiver, and a plan view (c) of the vertical workpiece receiver.
FIG. 3 is a front view (a) of a horizontal support partially broken and a side view (b) of a horizontal support partially broken.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the horizontal support near the horizontal workpiece receiver.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the engine assembly is supported by a vertical support body and a horizontal support body.
[Explanation of symbols]
A Engine assembly CP Crank pulley OP1 OP2 Oil pan 1 Vertical support 2 Horizontal support 4 Cart 8 Vertical work support 16 Horizontal support frame 17 Horizontal work support 19 Guide rod 21 Horizontal shaft 26 Lower guide block (stopper mechanism) )
29 Load detection means 36 Holding spring (elastic body)
37 Stopper (Stopper mechanism)

Claims (5)

  A vertical support body that stands and receives the flange surface of the engine assembly at a predetermined transfer position of the engine assembly that is transported in a suspended state, and a horizontal support body that rises and receives the lower surface of the engine assembly. In addition, the horizontal support body includes a horizontal work receiver that is rotatably held by a horizontal shaft, and an elastic body that holds the horizontal work receiver in a horizontal state, and the suspended engine assembly is supported vertically and horizontally. An anti-sway device for an engine assembly characterized by being supported by a body.   The vertical support body is provided with a vertical workpiece receiver that receives the crank pulley on the flange surface of the engine assembly, and the horizontal support body is provided with a horizontal workpiece receiver that can be raised and lowered. 2. The steadying device for an engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein the steadying device receives an oil pan.   3. The steady assembly apparatus for an engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal support includes load detection means for detecting a load applied to the horizontal workpiece receiver.   The horizontal support includes a frame and a guide rod that guides the horizontal workpiece receiver up and down in the frame, and the frame and the guide rod are provided with stopper mechanisms that contact each other at a predetermined raised position of the horizontal workpiece receiver. The steady rest apparatus for an engine assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The engine assembly steadying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a vertical support body and a horizontal support body are mounted on a carriage that is movable in parallel with the transport direction of the engine assembly.

Images