JP4110835B2 - Car body transfer device in vehicle assembly process - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle body transfer device that is to be placed in close proximity to a floor type conveyor for conveying a vehicle body in a vehicle assembly process. For example, prior to transferring a vehicle body from a floor type conveyor to an overhead conveyor, first, between the two. The present invention relates to a vehicle body transfer device that can autonomously perform a centering operation that is positioning in the vehicle width direction of a vehicle body when transferring a vehicle body on the floor type conveyor side to a drop lifter that is interposed in the vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Automobile assembly lines go offline only after the interior parts and exterior parts, as well as the chassis parts, are sequentially assembled into the painted car body and then the coolant and gasoline are supplied. Of these, the process of assembling interior parts is generally referred to as a trim line, and the body is supported by a trim fixture with a relatively strong portion of the floor as a support, and is then sequentially conveyed by a floor conveyor. In the process, for example, wiring of harnesses (wire bundles), attachment of interior fitting parts, and the like are performed. In this case, it is not uncommon for an operator to enter the vehicle interior and perform work.
[0003]
The body that has finished the work on the trim line will move to the under floor line, but here the work is mainly on the lower surface of the body, so the work can be done with the body on the floor type conveyor. Can not. Therefore, the body is transferred to an overhead conveyor type hanger generally called a chassis hanger at the end of the trim line, and the body is at least high enough to allow an operator to enter the lower side of the body. Be raised.
[0004]
When the body is transferred from the floor type conveyor of this trim line to the chassis hanger, if the displacement of the body in the left-right direction with respect to the chassis hanger is too large, the posture of the body may change during transportation. At the time of the transfer, the centering of the body is performed in order to obtain the relative positional accuracy between the chassis hanger and the body.
[0005]
Factors that cause the position of the body to shift include when the painted body has already shifted when it is transferred to the floor conveyor of the trim line, and the worker enters the body at the trim line to work. In any case, in order to transfer the body from the floor line conveyor of the trim line to the correct position of the chassis hanger, the centering function of the body in the transfer equipment is indispensable. .
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
This centering mechanism is generally a table lifter for lifting the body from a floor type conveyor, and an air cylinder drive pusher for pressing the side sill flange of the body from the left and right. For simple operations, pipes and solenoid valves are essential, which not only complicates the structure, but also controls so-called interlocks that do not shift to the next step operation until the centering operation is completed. This is disadvantageous in terms of the cycle time of the entire transfer equipment.
[0007]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and in particular, it is possible to perform a transfer operation without requiring an interlock circuit or the like under a simple configuration that does not require an externally driven actuator or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle body transfer device capable of autonomously centering a body in the process.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, disposed close to the floor type conveyor (1) for transporting this on that positioning and supporting the vehicle body (B) to be assembled target body to transferring to other transport means (B ) From the floor type conveyor (1) or by receiving the vehicle body (B) to be received from other conveying means at the lift-up position before the floor type conveyor (1) and then lifting it down It is assumed that the vehicle body transfer device has a function of transferring to the floor type conveyor (1) .
[0009]
In addition, at least a pair of left and right table lifters (6 ) for lifting or lowering the vehicle body (B) is provided, and each table lifter (6) has a slide plate which is a movable part of the table lifter (6). the vehicle body (B) according to the vehicle weight applied to (18) in the vehicle width direction autonomously displaced will be self-centering mechanism for positioning the vehicle width direction (20) is provided, each self-centering mechanism (20 ) Slides and displaces the slide plate (18) which directly supports the vehicle body (B) on the table lifter (6) in the vehicle width direction together with the slide plate (18). The weight of the vehicle body acts on the hydraulic cylinder (14) that supports the plate (18) so as to be movable up and down, and the slide plate (18). Characterized in that it comprises a vehicle body (B) or push cylinder of the slide plate (18) hydraulic pressing operation (16 or 26), to the hydraulic its hydraulic cylinder (14) is generated when .
[0010]
In addition to the drop lifter, for example, the other transport means described above may be an overhead conveyor as long as the vehicle body can be exchanged directly with the table lifter.
[0011]
In this case, the left and right self-centering mechanisms (20) according to claim 2, in order not to be affected by the imbalance of the vehicle body weight in the left-right direction and to smoothly perform the displacement operation of the vehicle body. The push cylinder (16 or 26) applies an external force that antagonizes the vehicle body (B) to the vehicle body (B) or the slide plate (18) in order to displace the vehicle body (B) in the vehicle width direction. Even when the weights of the vehicle bodies applied to the slide plates (18) of the left and right table lifters (6) are different from each other , the external force exerted by the push cylinder (16 or 26) on the vehicle bodies (B) or the slide plates (18) is the same on both the left and right sides. It is desirable to set so that
[0014]
Further, as described in claim 3 , when the vehicle body weight acts on the slide plate (18) in the left and right self-centering mechanism (20) , the hydraulic pressure generated by the left and right hydraulic cylinders (14) is once merged. In addition, it is desirable that the pressure is introduced into each push cylinder (16 or 26) as equal hydraulic pressure on the left and right.
[0015]
Therefore, for example, when the vehicle body (B) on the floor type conveyor is transferred to the overhead conveyor via the drop lifter, the vehicle body (B) previously supported by the floor type conveyor is transferred to the table lifter (6) . When lifted up, the weight of the vehicle body (B) acts on the slide plate (18) which is the movable part of the table lifter (6) as it is . Each self-centering mechanism that stage (20) by displacing the vehicle body (B) the vehicle body by an amount corresponding to the weight of (B) in the vehicle width direction, the width direction center of the vehicle body of the drop lifter as a counterpart In order to make the center in the width direction coincide, centering of the vehicle body (B) is performed as positioning in the vehicle width direction.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the vehicle body which is added to the table lifter (6) for lifting or lowering the vehicle body (B) to the slide plate (18) which is a movable part of the table lifter (6). Since the self-centering mechanism (20) that autonomously displaces the vehicle body (B) in the vehicle width direction according to the weight and performs positioning in the vehicle width direction is provided, an actuator of an external drive method that has been conventionally required And solenoid valves are no longer required, simplifying the structure and reducing equipment costs, and eliminating the need to synchronize with other equipment using an interlock circuit. Reduction of the cycle time of the apparatus can also be achieved.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 and the following drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a general trim line in the vehicle assembly line described above, and FIG. 2 shows an end portion of the trim line. And the interrelationship with the chassis hanger on the underfloor line.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the trim lines T and L are configured around a slat conveyor 1 as a floor type conveyor, and a total of four trim fixtures 3, 3,. After the painted body (vehicle body) B is positioned and supported at, inner and outer parts and the like are sequentially attached to the body B while the body B continuously travels at a predetermined speed together with the slats 2. As a result, the trim line TL functions as a so-called continuous line in which the conveyed object continuously travels at a predetermined speed.
[0019]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the under floor line U / L is configured with an overhead conveyor as the center, and the lower surface of the floor portion of the body B is supported by the carrier 5 of the chassis hanger 4 that travels with a trolley (not shown). After the suspension is supported, the leg parts and the like are sequentially attached to the lower surface of the floor portion of the body B while the body B continuously travels at a predetermined speed together with the chassis hanger 4. As a result, the under floor lines U and L also function as so-called continuous lines in which the conveyed object continuously travels at a predetermined speed.
[0020]
Since the body B is continuously running on both the trim line TL and the underfloor line UL, the body B is transferred from the trim line TL to the underfloor line UL. At this time, the body B cannot be directly transferred between the two, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the right and left transfer devices are disposed at the end portion (trim-out position) of the slat conveyor 1 which is the trim line TL. In addition to the table lifter 6, drop lifters 7 are arranged so as to be close to the slat conveyor 1.
[0021]
In this trim-out position, the left and right table lifters 6 are provided with a total of four receiving members 8 that are independent in the front, rear, left and right, so that the table lifter 6 temporarily moves synchronously with the slat conveyor 1 as shown in FIG. As shown in (A) and (B), the receiving member 8 of the table lifter 6 lifts and separates the body B on the slat conveyor 1 from the slat conveyor 1, and then drops as shown in FIG. After the fork 9 of the lifter 7 has entered the lower side of the body B, the body B on the table lifter 6 is lifted up and separated from the table lifter 6 as shown in FIG. Then, the fork 9 of the drop lifter 7 descends after the carrier 5 of the chassis hanger 4 enters the lower side of the body B at the ascent end position of the fork 9 of the drop lifter 7 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3C, the body B is transferred to the carrier 5 at the overhead conveyor side, that is, at the tip of the chassis hanger 4 only after this.
[0022]
Here, in order to put the body B transported from the painting process by the overhead conveyor into the trim line TL, the same transfer is made to the start end (trim-in position) of the slat conveyor 1 which is the trim line TL. A loading device is provided. That is, the body B supported by the overhead conveyor hanger is slightly lifted up by the fork 9 of the drop lifter 7, the hanger is withdrawn, and the fork 9 of the drop lifter 7 is lowered as it is so that the body B moves downward. The table lifter 6 is transferred to the receiving member 8. Then, in the process in which the table lifter 6 is temporarily moved synchronously with the slat conveyor 1 which is the trim line T / L, the receiving member 8 is lowered so that the body B is transferred to the trim fixture 3 on the slat conveyor 1 side. Will be.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the body B is transferred from the slat conveyor 1 which is the trim line T · L to the chassis hanger 4 of the overhead conveyor which is the under floor line U · L, the body B particularly in the vehicle width direction. If the transfer is performed with the displacement, the posture of the body B may be greatly changed during the conveyance process by the chassis hanger 4, which is not preferable in practice.
[0024]
Therefore, in the process of transferring the body B from the slat conveyor 1 to the chassis hanger 4, self-centering work is performed while effectively utilizing the weight of the body B itself as energy, so that the body B is substantially repositioned in the vehicle width direction. The main purpose of the present embodiment is to perform the transfer to the chassis hanger 4 after the operation, and details thereof are shown in FIG.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 5 in addition to FIG. 2, table lifters 6 are arranged on both sides of the end portion of the slat conveyor 1 in the trim line T · L at positions that do not interfere with the trim fixture 3 of the slat conveyor 1. The table lifter 6 as a whole can be synchronously driven in the same direction as the slat conveyor 1 in synchronism with the movement of the slat conveyor 1, and the lifter plate 10 of the table lifter 6 together with the guide post 11 serves as a lifting drive source (not shown). Are driven up and down. In addition, on the lifter plate 10, a front and rear independent slide plate 18 corresponding to the previous receiving member 8 is placed.
[0026]
An intermediate plate 12 parallel to the lifter plate 10 is arranged at a predetermined distance on the lifter plate 10. The intermediate plate 12 can be moved up and down while being guided by a guide rod 13. The lifter plate 10 and the intermediate plate A hydraulic cylinder 14 having a piston 14a is interposed as a hydraulic cylinder. The slide plate 18 that directly supports the body B is disposed on the intermediate plate 12, and the slide plate 18 can slide in the vehicle width direction via the linear guide 15.
[0027]
A single-acting push cylinder (hydraulic cylinder) 16 is disposed outside the slide plate 18 as a hydraulic cylinder adjacent to the slide plate 18. The push cylinder 16 has its axis oriented in the vehicle width direction, and the piston rod 16a faces the side sill flange F of the body B when the body B is placed on the slide plate 18 as will be described later. Further, the intermediate plate 12 is supported via a bracket 17. The oil chamber of the push cylinder 16 and the oil chamber 14b of the hydraulic cylinder 14 are connected to each other through pipes 19, and each oil chamber and the pipe 19 are sealed with a predetermined oil. Thus, the piston rod 16a of the push cylinder 16 is set to extend by the hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic cylinder 14 when the weight of the body B is applied to the slide plate 18, and the hydraulic cylinder 14, the push cylinder 16, A self-centering mechanism 20 is constituted by the intermediate plate 12 and the slide plate 18 and the like.
[0028]
According to such a structure, when the body B carried on the slat conveyor 1 by the trim line TL is transferred from the slat conveyor 1 to the chassis hanger 4 of the overhead conveyor, the following is performed. According to the procedure.
[0029]
In the trim line T / L, as described above, the body B is continuously positioned at a predetermined speed in a state where the body B is positioned and supported by the plurality of trim fixtures 3 of the slat conveyor 1 using the strength members such as the side members as support portions. As shown in FIG. 2, when the body B is transported to the vicinity of the end portion (trim-out position) of the slat conveyor 1, the table lifters 6 waiting on the line side are all at once. Start synchronous running with.
[0030]
When each table lifter 6 lifts up, that is, when the lifter table 10 moves up by a predetermined stroke in the process of this synchronous running, the slide plate 18 comes into contact with the side sill flange portion F as shown in FIG. The body B is separated from the slat conveyor 1.
[0031]
When the body B moves away from the trim fixture 3 on the slat conveyor 1 side, the weight of the body B is added to the slide plate 18 of each table lifter 6 at that moment instead, and accordingly the lower side of the intermediate plate 12 A piston 14a of a certain hydraulic cylinder 14 is pushed in to generate a predetermined hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic pressure generated in the hydraulic cylinder 14 is immediately introduced into the push cylinder 16 to push out the piston rod 16a, and the piston rod 16a of the push cylinder 16 contacts the side sill flange portion F of the body B to press the body B.
[0032]
Since the pressing operation of the body B by the push cylinder 16 is performed almost simultaneously on the four slide plates 18, the pressing forces of the push cylinders 16 and 16 facing each other in the vehicle width direction are antagonistic to each other. As a result, the body B is autonomously centered and is indexed and positioned at the center position in the vehicle width direction. In other words, even if the body B is displaced in the vehicle width direction when it is placed on the slat conveyor 1, it is lifted by each table lifter 6 prior to being transferred to the chassis hanger 4 as described above. The amount of displacement of the body B in the vehicle width direction is corrected at the stage where it is up. Note that the slide displacement of the body B at this time is allowed by the lower linear guide 15 of the slide plate 18.
[0033]
When the body B is centered on each table lifter 6, the drop lifter 7 is lifted up in the same manner as shown in FIGS. Is transferred to the fork 9 of the drop lifter 7, while the drop lifter 7 is lifted down while waiting for the carrier 5 of the chassis hanger 4 to enter the lower side of the body B at the upper limit position of the drop lifter 7. Body B is transferred to chassis hanger 4 for the first time. At this time, since the body B is centered in advance, the center of the chassis hanger 4 in the vehicle width direction and the center of the body B itself in the vehicle width direction coincide with each other when the body B is transferred to the chassis hanger 4. Thus, there is no deviation between the two.
[0034]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the centering operation of the body B is performed autonomously immediately from the moment when the weight of the body B acts on the table lifter 6, the solenoid valve or the like is not necessary. In addition, since no special control by an interlock circuit or the like is required, it is possible to simplify the equipment and reduce the equipment cost, and it is advantageous for shortening the cycle time of the transfer device.
[0035]
The drop lifter may be omitted if the body B can be directly transferred between the table lifter 6 and the chassis hanger 4.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are given to parts common to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0037]
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the structure of the left and right self-centering mechanisms 20 themselves is the same as that shown in FIG. , 14 is once introduced into a common reservoir tank 22 through a pipe 21 and then supplied to the left and right push cylinders 16 via the reservoir tank 22 and the pipe 23. This is different from that of the first embodiment.
[0038]
As described above, when it is assumed that the body B is supported by the left and right table lifters 6 and 6 when centering the body B in the vehicle width direction, depending on the difference in the body shape, the type of parts to be attached, etc. Thus, the center of gravity of the body B, that is, the weight distribution in the vehicle width direction, is often different depending on the vehicle type. Therefore, in the structure of FIG. 5, for example, when the position of the center of gravity of the body B is shifted in either the left or right direction, the load applied to the left and right table lifters 6 and 6 may not be centered accurately without necessarily being equal to the left and right. There is sex.
[0039]
The structure shown in FIG. 6 takes into account such an imbalance of weight distribution in the left-right direction of the body, and the hydraulic pressure generated in the left and right hydraulic cylinders 14 and 14 due to the load on the body B is supplied to the reservoir tank 22 together. Once introduced, merged, and the hydraulic pressure is distributed from the reservoir tank 22 to the left and right push cylinders 16, 16, the pressing force exerted on the body B by each push cylinder 16, 16 is made equal to each other. Can do.
[0040]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the body B is mounted on the slat conveyor 1, for example, when there is a deviation amount G in the vehicle width direction, As shown in FIG. 8A, when the body weight is applied to the slide plate 18 by lifting the body B with the table lifter 6, the piston rods of the left and right push cylinders 16 extend. Then, the body B is pressed in the direction in which the deviation amount G decreases. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pressing forces of the push cylinders 16 and 16 will eventually antagonize each other, so that the deviation G is eliminated and the body B in the vehicle width direction is eliminated. Centering is complete.
[0041]
Therefore, in the second embodiment, when compared with the first embodiment, even when the weight distribution of the body B is not equal to the left and right, the weight of the body B is effectively utilized while being effectively used. Can be centered.
[0042]
FIGS. 9 and 10 are views showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are given to parts common to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0043]
In the third embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, while the left and right slide plates 28 and 28 are made independent from each other by substantially cutting away the central portion of the slide plate that will function as a receiving member for the table lifter 6, A single-acting rodless cylinder 26 is disposed on the intermediate plate 12 as a push cylinder, and a push block 25 is fixed to the movable portion 24 of the rodless linder 26, and the push block 25 is connected to the slide plates 28, 28. It protrudes upward from the space. Each slide plate 28 can slide in the vehicle width direction via the linear guide 15. The hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic cylinder 14 is introduced into the rodless cylinder 26 via a pipe 29.
[0044]
According to this embodiment, the side sill flange portion F of the body B is directly supported by the slide plates 28, 28. On the other hand, when the rodless cylinder 26 is actuated by receiving the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic cylinder 14, the push block 25 is moved to the side sill flange. It abuts against the part F and is pressed from the inside. In response to the pressing force of the push block 25, the body B is slid and displaced in the vehicle width direction together with the slide plates 28, 28 and is centered.
[0045]
According to the third embodiment, the rodless cylinder 26 is housed in the area of the slide plates 28 and 28 (intermediate plate 12) particularly in plan view, and the cylinder is large as shown in FIGS. Since it does not protrude, it becomes more advantageous in reducing the size of the table lifter 6.
[0046]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Based on the structure of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the same slide plate 28 and rodless cylinder as those in FIG. 26 and push block 25 are employed.
[0047]
According to the fourth embodiment, since the cylinder does not protrude greatly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in addition to the same effects as those of the second embodiment, the table lifter 6 can be downsized. There are also advantages to be advantageous.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a trim line mainly including a slat conveyor in a vehicle assembly line.
2 is a perspective view of a main part showing a mutual relationship between a table lifter and a drop lifter in addition to a chassis hanger on an overhead conveyor serving as an end floor and an underfloor line of the slat conveyor shown in FIG. 1;
3 is an explanatory view showing a body transfer process in the structure of FIG. 2; FIG.
4 is an explanatory diagram of a body transfer process subsequent to FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a table lifter as the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a table lifter as a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an operation explanatory view of the table lifter shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
8 is an operation explanatory view of the table lifter shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a table lifter as a third embodiment of the present invention.
10 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a table lifter as a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Slat conveyor (floor type conveyor)
6 ... Table lifter 7 ... Drop lifter 14 ... Hydraulic cylinder (hydraulic cylinder)
16 ... Push cylinder 18 ... Slide plate (movable part)
20 ... Self-centering mechanism 22 ... Reservoir tank 26 ... Rodless cylinder (push cylinder)
28 ... Slide plate B ... Body

Claims (3)

The vehicle body (B), which is to be assembled, is positioned near the floor conveyor (1) that transports the vehicle body (B) that is positioned and supported, and the vehicle body (B) to be transferred to another transport means is removed from the floor conveyor (1). transferring the vehicle body to be received from the function or other transport means lifts up (B) floor type conveyor (1) by its lift-down upon receiving once at lift-up position prior to the floor type conveyor (1) A vehicle body transfer device having a function,
Provide at least a pair of left and right table lifters (6) for lifting or lowering the vehicle body (B) ,
In each table lifter (6) , the vehicle body (B) is autonomously displaced in the vehicle width direction according to the weight of the vehicle body applied to the slide plate (18) which is a movable part of the table lifter (6). A self-centering mechanism (20) for positioning in the direction ;
Each self-centering mechanism (20)
The slide plate (18) that directly supports the vehicle body (B) on the table lifter (6) is slid in the vehicle width direction together with the slide plate (18).
The hydraulic cylinder (14) that supports the slide plate (18) to be movable up and down, and the vehicle body (B) by the hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic cylinder (14) when the weight of the vehicle body acts on the slide plate (18). Or a hydraulic push cylinder (16 or 26) for pressing the slide plate (18), and a vehicle body transfer device in a vehicle assembly process. The push cylinders (16 or 26) of the left and right self-centering mechanisms (20)
While the vehicle body (B) or the slide plate (18) is applied with external forces that antagonize each other in the left-right direction to displace the vehicle body (B) in the vehicle width direction,
Even when the weights of the vehicle bodies applied to the slide plates (18) of the left and right table lifters (6) are different from each other , the external force exerted by the push cylinder (16 or 26) on the vehicle bodies (B) or the slide plates (18) is the same on both the left and right sides. The vehicle body transfer device in the vehicle assembly process according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body transfer device is set to be When the weight of the vehicle body acts on the slide plate (18 ) in the left and right self-centering mechanism (20) , the hydraulic pressure generated by the left and right hydraulic cylinders (14) is once merged, and the left and right hydraulic pressures are made equal to each other. The vehicle body transfer device in the vehicle assembly process according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle body transfer device is introduced into the push cylinder (16 or 26) .

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