JP4598942B2 - Method and apparatus for measuring vehicle body shape - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle body shape measuring apparatus for measuring a vehicle body shape extracted from an assembly line.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an assembly plant for assembling automobile bodies, different types of bodies are assembled using the same welding line for various types of small-volume production. In such a line, in order to check whether the body has been assembled with the expected accuracy, one body is randomly extracted from the body row mixed on the line, and this is used to measure the body shape. For example, it is transported to an inspection site having a three-dimensional body measuring device, and the shape of each part of the body is measured at the inspection site (sampling inspection).
[0003]
Conventionally, body shape measurement at this inspection site has been carried out by setting equipment that receives the body that has been transported by a receiving device for each vehicle type and setting it in a predetermined posture, and measuring the shape along the surface of the set body. A method or apparatus in combination with a measuring facility in which a child moves is used. Specifically, the measurement equipment uses an operation unit, and the operator wants to select the model of the extracted body from the measurement execution information set in advance for each model, and measure the same body. When a location or the like is selected, a method or structure is adopted in which the shape gauge moves along the outer surface of the body at the selected location according to the measurement execution information of the selected vehicle type, and the cross-sectional shape of the body part is measured. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when measuring the body shape, the operator may select a vehicle type different from the vehicle type extracted from the line due to an error in recognition of the body shape.
[0005]
At this time, the shape measuring element should normally move along a movement path without an obstacle, but a part of the body may exist as an obstacle on the movement path of the shape measuring element.
[0006]
For this reason, if an incorrect input operation is performed, the shape measuring element and the body may interfere with each other, and each part of the measuring device may be damaged or the body may be damaged.
[0007]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body shape measuring method and apparatus for avoiding troubles caused by differences in vehicle types.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Body shape measuring method according to claim 1 in order to achieve the above object, before the shape measurement by the shape measuring element is started, among the accessory member that comes to the body and the body, characterized a different part for each vehicle model was measured, indexing the actual model to be measured from the measured characteristic part, by matching the vehicle type entered in the operation unit the indexing was actually measured models, by the shape measuring element when the collation does not match By stopping the start of measurement, when an erroneous input operation is performed, the measurement work by the shape measuring element is not started so that the trouble that the body and the shape measuring element interfere with each other does not occur.
[0009]
Body shape measuring apparatus according to claim 2, further to the above measurement method can be realized with a simple structure, before the shape measurement by the shape measuring element is started, among the accessory member that comes to the body and the body , A measurement unit that measures different characteristic parts for each vehicle type, an indexing means for determining the vehicle type that is actually measured from the results measured by the measurement unit, a vehicle type that has been calculated and a vehicle type that is input in the operation unit And a stopping unit that stops the measurement by the shape measuring element when the matching does not match.
[0010]
In the body shape measuring apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, in order to further simplify the structure, the measuring unit is configured to also serve as a shape measuring element .
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows a part of an inspection site for measuring, for example, a body shape, and reference numeral 1 in the drawing denotes a surface plate of the inspection site. And, on this surface plate 1, for example, the body 2 of the vehicle type that has been randomly extracted from the welding line in which various types of vehicles are mixed, is carried in a predetermined posture using a detachable support 3. Is set. In addition, the receiving device 3 has a structure in which the position of the receiving portion 3a that supports the body 2 from the lower side is different for each vehicle type, and has a dedicated accessory member for each vehicle type.
[0013]
Near the area where the body 2 is set, a measuring device 4 is installed. The main body 5 of the measuring device 4 includes, for example, a pedestal 7 that self-propels a rail 6 laid in the front-rear direction of the body 2, a column 8 that stands on the pedestal 7, a lift module 9 that lifts and lowers the column 8, The arm module 10 is configured to advance and retract from the lifting module 9 toward the body 2 side, and a shape measuring element 11 (also serving as a measurement unit of the present application) attached to the tip of the arm module 10. The main body 5 has a function of moving along the outer surface of the body 2 while the shape measuring element 11 at the tip hits at a predetermined interval according to a given measurement program.
[0014]
The main body 5 is connected to an operation unit 13 and a setting unit 14 (for example, configured by a memory) via a control unit 12 (for example, configured by a microcomputer). The setting unit 14, by previously溶組measurement execution information for each vehicle type for mixed flow line, for example in the shape measuring element 11 on the moving path and the path suitably shaped measuring element 11 to follow the shape of the body 2 of each vehicle model A measurement program (corresponding to measurement execution information) such as a detection position is set. The operation unit 13 is provided with, for example, a selection button group 15 for each vehicle type for selecting a measurement program for each vehicle type, a place selection button group 16 for selecting a part to be inspected of the body 2, a measurement start button 17 and the like. Yes. The control unit 12 operates the selection button of the measurement program of the body 2 to be measured from the selection button group 15, selects the part to be measured from the location selection button group 16, and starts the measurement. When the button 17 is operated, it has a function of receiving these signals and controlling the main unit 5 according to the measurement program. Thus, the shape measuring element 11, and the scanning movement on the surface of the body 2 in accordance with the selected measurement execution information, from the detection of the shape measurement points the same shape measuring element 11 is performed in a path of movement (coordinates), the body 2 The accuracy with which the shape is formed is measured three-dimensionally.
[0015]
Furthermore, the setting unit 14 and the control unit 12 are devised so that trouble does not occur from an erroneous operation.
[0016]
Explaining the same idea, the setting unit 14 includes a body 2 for each vehicle type to be measured in advance and a receiver 3 (corresponding to an attached member) attached to the body 2 as a set, and for each of these vehicle types. Different features are registered. In the present embodiment, the position of the receiving portion 3a of the receiving device 3 is different for each vehicle type (for example, four sedan is located closer to the center of the body, and four wagons are disposed closer to the front and rear of the body. ) Is registered in the setting unit 14 as identification information for identifying the vehicle type. Also the control unit 1 2,
a. Before the shape measurement by the shape measuring element 11 is started, the function for measuring the position of the receiving portion 3a (in this case, as described above, which is different from each vehicle type). To be part).
[0017]
b. A function for determining the vehicle type from the measurement data obtained by measuring the same part, in this case, a function for determining from comparison between the measurement data and registered data registered in the setting unit 14 (corresponding to an indexing unit).
[0018]
c. A function (corresponding to collating means) for collating the vehicle model to be measured and the vehicle model selected by operating the selection button.
[0019]
d. A function of operating a warning unit connected to the control unit 12, for example, a warning sound generation unit 18 (notifying the worker with a sound or a display) if the verification does not match.
[0020]
e. A function of canceling the measurement start by the shape measuring element 11 following the warning (corresponding to the canceling means).
[0021]
If the operator selects the vehicle type by mistake, the operation of the measuring device 4 is stopped so that no trouble occurs.
[0022]
The operation of the measuring device 4 for preventing this trouble is shown in the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0023]
If the body shape measuring method is described based on this flowchart, the body 2 (for example, wagon type) of the vehicle type that has been randomly extracted from the welding line in which various types of vehicles are mixed and carried is now illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that each vehicle type is placed on a dedicated receiving device 3 and set in an inspection site.
[0024]
The operator views the body 2, inputs the set body 2 vehicle type from the selection operation button group 15, and inputs the location of the body 2 to be measured from the location selection button group 16. Then, the measurement start button 17 is turned on.
[0025]
Then, before the three-dimensional measurement by the selected measurement program is started, the work for recognizing the vehicle type starts.
[0026]
That is, first, the control unit 12 controls the main body unit 5 so as to show a feature for each vehicle type (a portion having a characteristic shape) as shown in step S1, and here, receiving portions whose positions differ for each vehicle type. The position of 3a is measured.
[0027]
Next, in step S2, a vehicle type having a characteristic part is determined. This indexing is performed, for example, by collating the measurement data of the receiving unit 3a with the data for each vehicle type of the receiving unit 3a registered in advance in the setting unit 14 for each vehicle type.
[0028]
If collation is successful at this time, the process proceeds to step S3, and the vehicle type of the set body 2 is recognized. Thereby, the set body 2 is indexed.
[0029]
If the verification does not match, the control unit 12 determines that there is no corresponding vehicle type, proceeds to step S6 to step S8, operates the warning generation unit 18 to warn that there is no corresponding vehicle type, and executes the measurement program. The shape measurement of the body 2 by the shape measuring element 11 is stopped.
[0030]
When the determination of the set body 2 is completed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the control unit 12 collates the vehicle type information to be actually measured with the vehicle type information selected and input from the operation unit 13.
[0031]
If the verification is successful at this time, the control unit 12 proceeds to step S5, and starts measuring the shape of the body 2 at the place to be measured according to the measurement program selected from the previous operation unit 13.
[0032]
If the verification does not match, the process proceeds to step S9 to step S11, and the control unit 12 should operate the warning generation unit 18 and originally execute the measurement program for the vehicle type such as the wagon as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 is warned that the measurement program of a different vehicle type such as a sedan indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 is being executed, the measurement program is terminated, and the shape of the body 2 by the shape measuring element 11 is terminated. Stop measurement.
[0033]
Therefore, when the body measurement, event, erroneously operator, if such as to select the model different from the extracted from line model, the operation of the measuring device stops, the body 2 and the shape measuring element 11 Occurrence of troubles that interfere with the system is avoided, and safe and reliable body measurement is promised.
[0034]
In addition, to avoid troubles due to the difference in the model of the vehicle, from the result of measuring the characteristic part of the shape, the model of the actual measurement target is determined, and the model of the actual measurement target calculated and the model input at the operation unit are determined. It can be realized by a simple method of collating and further by a simple structure. In particular, since the shape measuring element 11 for three-dimensionally measuring the shape of the body 2 is used as it is for the measurement of “parts having a characteristic shape” (also used), there is no need for a measuring element, which is further simplified. The structure is sufficient.
[0035]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the difference in the position of the receiving part of the receiving device is used as the characteristic part of the shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the difference in the roof height of the body and the difference in the shape of the quarter part may be used. In short, it is sufficient that the difference appears for each vehicle type, and the place and shape are not limited.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a trouble due to a difference in vehicle type. In particular, the invention described in claim 2 can realize the avoidance of the trouble with a simple measuring device structure.
[0037]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the structure of the measuring device can be further simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a body shape measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a process for avoiding troubles of different types of vehicles performed before body measurement of the apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 ... Body 3 ... Receptacle (accessory)
11 ... Shape measuring element 12 ... Control unit (indexing means, collating means, stopping means)
13 ... operation unit 14 ... setting unit (indexing means, collating means).

Claims (3)

A body shape measuring method for measuring the shape of each part of the body by moving the shape measuring element along the outer surface of the vehicle body,
When the operator inputs the measurement execution information of the vehicle body extracted from the assembly line from the operation unit,
Of the extracted body of the vehicle and the attached members attached to the body, the shape measuring element performs shape measurement of a characteristic portion that differs for each vehicle type,
Based on the shape measurement of the characteristic portion performed by the shape measuring element, the indexing means determines the actual vehicle type of the extracted body,
The collation means collates the actual vehicle type calculated by the indexing unit and the vehicle type input by the operator from the operation unit,
In the collation by the collation means, when it is determined that the vehicle types match, the shape measuring element executes the shape measurement of the body according to the measurement execution information input to the operation unit,
On the other hand, the vehicle body shape measuring method according to claim 1, wherein when the vehicle type is determined to be inconsistent in the collation by the collating means, the body shape measurement by the shape measuring element is stopped by the stopping means . The vehicle body extracted from the assembly line is moved along the outer surface of the body in accordance with the operation unit input by the operator and the measurement execution information input from the operation unit. A vehicle body shape measuring device comprising a shape measuring element for measuring the shape of each part, and a control device,
Before the shape measurement by the shape measuring element is started, the control device causes the measurement unit to measure a different characteristic part for each vehicle type among the body and the attached member attached to the body,
Further, the control device includes an indexing unit that determines an actual vehicle type of the vehicle extracted from the assembly line from the measurement result of the characteristic portion by the measurement unit;
Collating means for collating the actual vehicle type determined by the indexing means with the vehicle type input by the operator;
Stop means for stopping the shape measurement of each part of the body by the shape measuring element when the matching means does not match the actual vehicle type calculated by the indexing means and the vehicle type input by the operator; A vehicle body shape measuring apparatus characterized by comprising:   The vehicle body shape measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the measuring unit is the shape measuring element.

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