JP6010556B2 - Car body transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle body transfer device, and more particularly to a vehicle body transfer device that transfers a vehicle body being assembled from one assembly line to another adjacent assembly line in an automobile manufacturing factory.

  For example, an automobile assembly operation in a general automobile manufacturing factory is performed manually or by a flow operation using a robot. For that purpose, a plurality of assembly lines including various assembly processes are formed. In this case, the vehicle body being assembled is transferred from one assembly line (A line) to the next process assembly line (B line) by a flat conveyor having the same height as the floor surface. This is done via a connecting line connecting the end of the line and the start of the B line.

  For this reason, even if it is desired to transfer from the middle of the A line to the B line, there is a disadvantage that it must be once advanced to the end of the A line and then transferred to the tip of the B line via the connecting line, which is a work efficiency. Also contributed to the decline.

JP-A-10-109647 JP 2001-130414 A JP 2006-290319 A JP 2008-280021 A

  As described above, the transportation of the vehicle body during the assembly between the automobile assembly lines is performed exclusively through the connecting line between the end of the assembly line, and when transferring from the middle of one assembly line to the next assembly line, However, there is an inconvenience that it is necessary to once advance to the end of one assembly line and then transfer it to the tip of another assembly line via the connecting line, which causes a reduction in work efficiency.

  The present invention solves such a problem in the conventional method, and makes it possible to easily and quickly transfer the vehicle body being assembled from any position on one assembly line to any position on the next assembly line. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body transfer device that can improve the efficiency of assembly work.

The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problem is that the vehicle runs parallel to the automobile assembly line , and one of the four wheels of the vehicle body on the automobile assembly line is levitated to bring the vehicle body into an inclined state. A vehicle body transfer device for holding and transferring, comprising: a main body having a self-propelled function; and a tire levitation support means that is installed in the main body and levitates and holds the one tire.
The tire levitation support means includes a receiving plate that sandwiches a tire that supports levitation from the front and back and a movable shaft, and the movable shaft is configured to be able to move toward and away from the receiving plate, and the movable shaft is in proximity to the movable shaft. The tire is levitated in cooperation with the backing plate during operation , and is capable of self-propelled while maintaining its levitating state ,
The tire levitation support means includes a travel support frame disposed at a front position of the main body, and a tire of a support frame that includes a tire support frame that is offset from the front position and juxtaposed next to the travel support frame. Deployed in the support frame,
The tire support frame has a horizontal frame member constituting the support frame and a pair of vertical frame members extending at right angles from the horizontal frame member, and a gap between the open ends of the vertical frame member is defined by the support plate or a movable shaft. The vehicle body transfer device is configured to be openable and closable, and when the tire is opened, the tire can enter and exit between the vertical frame members .

In one embodiment , one end of the movable shaft is pivotally supported by one end of the vertical frame member, and opens and closes between the open ends of the vertical frame member by turning, and when the movable shaft is closed. The tire is levitated in cooperation with the receiving plate.

In one embodiment , one end portion of the receiving plate is pivotally supported by one end portion of the vertical frame member, and opens and closes between the open end portions of the vertical frame member by turning, or The receiving plate can be moved back and forth in the axial direction, and is opened and closed between the open ends of the vertical frame member in accordance with the moving back and forth.

Further, in one embodiment, prior Symbol transverse frame member, the movable shaft is advanced, it retracted relative to the receiving plate, driving means for holding the movable shaft to the forward position or reverse position is deployed. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the receiving plate and the movable shaft are moved up and down integrally with the support frame.

  The present invention is as described above, and the tire levitation support means has a receiving plate and a movable shaft that sandwich the tire to be levitated from the front and rear, and the movable shaft can be moved close to and away from the receiving plate. Since the movable shaft is constructed so that the tire floats by cooperating with the receiving plate at the time of the proximity movement, and is capable of self-propelling while maintaining the floating state, the four wheels of the vehicle body are supported by the tire suspension support means. By lifting one of the tires and holding the vehicle body in an inclined state, there is an effect that the vehicle body being assembled can be easily transferred to a desired line.

It is a top view which shows the whole structure of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view showing the whole composition of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of other embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the whole structure of other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of other embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the whole structure of other embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part of other embodiment of this invention.

  A vehicle body transfer device according to the present invention is a device for levitating one tire of four wheels of a vehicle body in the middle of assembly and holding the vehicle body in an inclined state, and has a self-propelled function. A main body, and a tire levitating support means which is installed in the main body and floats and maintains a state of one tire, and the tire levitating support means includes a receiving plate and a movable shaft sandwiching the tire to be levitated from the front and rear. The movable shaft is configured to be able to move closer to and away from the backing plate, and the movable shaft floats the tire in cooperation with the receiving plate during the approaching operation, and keeps its floating state. It is configured to be able to run. EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail, referring an accompanying drawing.

  First, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. The vehicle body transfer device according to this embodiment includes a main body 1 having a self-propelling function, forks 2 and 2a with wheels extending forward from the main body 1, and a support frame 11 installed on the forks 2 and 2a. 11, a travel support frame 13 and tire levitation holding means are provided. Although this apparatus can be configured to be unattended and remotely operable, it is usually based on manned operation, and the main body 1 is provided with a step 3 on which an operator rides and an operation handle 4. As the self-propelled function of the main body 1, for example, a self-propelled function in a general forklift can be diverted.

  The forks 2 and 2a are usually arranged in parallel as a pair, and a traveling wheel 5 is installed on the back surface of the tip portion. The support frame 11 has a horizontal frame member 12 extending perpendicularly to the forks 2 and 2a. This horizontal frame member 12 is composed of one half located on the forks 2 and 2a and the other half extending away from the forks 2 and 2a, and a traveling support frame 13 is installed in the other half, and the other half The tire support frame 14 constituting the tire floating holding means is installed. A bearing 7 is provided on the upper surface of each fork 2, 2 a to pivotally support one end of the connecting arm 6 extending from the lateral frame member 12 of the support frame 11.

  The traveling support frame 13 has a U-shape, and its open side end is welded and fixed to the lower surface of the horizontal frame member 12 so as to straddle the outer fork 2, and casters 18 are attached to appropriate portions thereof. The tire support frame 14 includes a horizontal frame member 12 and a pair of vertical frame members 15 and 16 whose rear ends are fixed to the lower surface of the horizontal frame member 12. A caster 18a is attached. The ends of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 are opened, and a receiving plate 17 for opening and closing the open portions is provided there. The receiving plate 17 is formed as an inclined plate corresponding to the circumferential surface of the tire 10 in relation to receiving the circumferential surface of the tire 10.

  The receiving plate 17 operates so as to open and close between the front ends of the vertical frame members 15 and 16. The receiving plate 17 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is opened and closed by pivoting one end of which is pivotally supported by one of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 (the vertical frame member 15 in the illustrated example). However, as in an embodiment described later, it can be configured to be opened and closed to open and close.

  In the case of the turning method, the rotating plate 20 is pivotally mounted on the end portion of one vertical frame member 15, and the receiving plate 17 is fixed to the rotating plate 20 (see FIG. 1). An operation lever 22 that is gripped when performing a turning operation is attached to the rotating plate 20, and a lock pin 21 is inserted from the upper surface so as to reach the vertical frame member 15. The rotating plate 20 can be rotated integrally with the receiving plate 17 in a state where the lock pin 21 is removed. The front end portion of the receiving plate 17 is supported by a bracket 23 installed on the inner surface of the vertical frame member 16. Note that a connecting rod 24 is bridged between the travel support frame 13 and the inner vertical frame member 15 as necessary.

  A movable shaft 25 is disposed between the intermediate portions of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 in parallel with the receiving plate 17. The movable shaft 25 acts as a pair with the receiving plate 17 to float the tire 10 and maintain the floating state. The movable shaft 25 is driven back and forth in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction thereof, that is, toward the receiving plate 17 by a movable shaft drive cylinder 26 installed on the horizontal frame member 12. For this purpose, the movable shaft 25 is pivotally supported between both side plates of a U-shaped bracket 27 attached to the rod end of the movable shaft drive cylinder 26, and moves forward and backward by the action of the movable shaft drive cylinder 26. In order to support the forward / backward movement, the upper extensions of the side plates of the U-shaped bracket 27 are assembled to the guide rails 28 and 29 laid on the upper surfaces of the vertical frame member 15 and the vertical frame member 16, respectively. , 31 is fixed to the inner surface.

  Thus, the movable shaft 25 moves forward through the U-shaped bracket 27 supported by the LM blocks 30 and 31 that linearly move along the guide rails 28 and 29 as the movable shaft drive cylinder 26 moves forward. On the contrary, the movable shaft drive cylinder 26 moves backward and moves away from the receiving plate 17 as it approaches the receiving plate 17.

  In order to float one of the tires 10 of the vehicle body and maintain the state by the apparatus having the above-described configuration, the vehicle body 1 is moved to a desired position by the self-propelling means and the handle operation, and the receiving plate 17 is opened and moved. With the shaft 25 retracted, the tire 10 (for example, the right front wheel) is moved so as to enter between the vertical frame members 15 and 16. After the tire 10 has entered, the receiving plate 17 is closed, and the tip of the receiving plate 17 is supported by the bracket 23. Further, the lock pin 22 is inserted to lock the rotation plate 20 so as not to rotate.

  Then, if necessary, the main body 1 is moved backward to bring the receiving plate 17 into contact with the tread surface of the tire 10, and then the movable shaft drive cylinder 26 is advanced to move the movable shaft 25 forward. Abut. After that, when the tire 10 is further moved forward by the movable shaft drive cylinder 26 and the tire 10 is pressed by the movable shaft 25, the tire 10 is pressed by the receiving plate 17 and cannot be moved backward, so the movable shaft 25 is moved along the circumferential surface of the tire 10. It enters the lower side and pushes up the tire 10. When the tire 10 is lifted in this manner, the operation of the movable shaft drive cylinder 26 is stopped. Thus, the tire 10 is sandwiched between the receiving plate 17 and the movable shaft 25 and maintains its floating state.

  In this way, the vehicle body tilts as one of the four tires of the vehicle body is levitated, but by moving the vehicle body 1 in a desired direction in that state, the vehicle body is removed from one line. Can be transferred to another line. Then, after the vehicle body 1 is transferred to a desired position, the movable shaft drive cylinder 26 is retracted to retract the movable shaft 25 to ground the tire 10, and then the receiving plate 17 is opened, and then the main body 1. , The tire 10 is taken out from between the vertical frame members 15 and 16.

  The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is obtained by changing the tire floating means in the first embodiment, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, it comprises a main body 1 having a self-propelling function, wheeled forks 2 and 2a extending forward from the main body 1, and a support frame 11 installed on the forks 2 and 2a. The tire levitation holding means is still provided. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In the case of the second embodiment, a travel support frame 13 is installed on the horizontal frame member 12 that constitutes the support frame 11, and a tire support frame 14 that constitutes a tire suspension holding means is installed. The tire support frame 14 is composed of a horizontal frame member 12 and a pair of vertical frame members 15 and 16 whose rear end portions are fixed to the lower surface of the horizontal frame member 12. 18 is attached, and furthermore, the opening between the front ends of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 is the same as in the first embodiment, but in the case of the second embodiment, the vertical frame members 15 and 16 are opened. The difference is that a receiving plate 71 is provided between the intermediate portions. The receiving plate 71 is formed of an inclined plate, and both sides thereof are pivotally supported so as to be rotatable corresponding to the peripheral surface of the tire 10 as necessary. The receiving plate 71 does not turn in the horizontal direction unlike the receiving plate 17 in the first embodiment.

  The vertical frame member 15 located on the inner side is made longer than the vertical frame member 16 located on the outer side, and a movable shaft 72 is disposed at the tip thereof so as to be rotatable via a bearing 73. The movable shaft 72 operates to float the tire 10 in cooperation with the receiving plate 71 and maintain the floating state, and a caster 74 is installed at the tip portion thereof. A turning arm 75a extending from the turning shaft 75 of the movable shaft 72 is connected to the tip of the rod 77 of the hydraulic cylinder 76 via the core shaft 75b, so that the movable shaft 72 integral with the turning shaft 75 is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 76. It is swiveled along with the operation.

  The hydraulic cylinder 76 is pivotally supported on a plate 78 disposed so that the base end portion thereof straddles the forks 2 and 2a. Thus, when the hydraulic cylinder 76 is extended, the rod 77 and the swing arm 75a (refer to the phantom line display in FIG. 3) that are in a nearly linear state are rotated by the pivot arm 75a being pressed. It is bent from 75b to be bent (see solid line display in FIG. 3). Then, the movable shaft 72 integral with the swing arm 75a and the swing shaft 75 swings and becomes orthogonal to the vertical frame member 15, whereby the open ends of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 are closed.

  On the other hand, when the hydraulic cylinder 76 is contracted in the state where the open ends of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 are closed as described above, the swing arm 75a is pulled and rotated in the reverse direction, so that it is in a bent state. The rod 77 and the swivel arm 75a are extended to return to the original straight state, and the movable shaft 72 is swung in the opposite direction to be in a straight line with the vertical frame member 15, so that the open ends of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 are opened. Is opened (see virtual line display in FIG. 3). Reference numeral 79 denotes a hydraulic package pump for supplying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder 76.

  In order to float one of the tires 10 of the vehicle body and maintain the state thereof by the apparatus according to the second embodiment, first, after moving the vehicle body 1 to a desired position by its own traveling means and handle operation, The hydraulic cylinder 76 is contracted to rotate so that the movable shaft 72 is aligned with the vertical frame member 15, and the open ends of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 are opened. In this state, the vehicle body 1 is further moved so that the tire 10 (for example, the right front wheel) enters between the vertical frame members 15 and 16 and comes into contact with the receiving plate 71.

  After the tire 10 is made to enter and contact the receiving plate 71 in this way, the hydraulic cylinder 76 is extended to turn the movable shaft 72 in the reverse direction, that is, in the closing direction. At that time, the movable shaft 71 comes into contact with the tire 10 in a state where it is inclined with respect to the vertical frame member 15 before reaching the turning end at a right angle to the vertical frame member 15. The tire 10 is pushed up by advancing. Then, the movable shaft 71 reaches the turning end at a right angle to the vertical frame member 15, holds the tire 10 while floating with the receiving plate 71 not moving, and maintains the floating state.

  In this way, one of the four tires of the vehicle body is levitated and supported, and the vehicle body 1 is separated from one line by allowing the vehicle body 1 to travel in a desired direction while the vehicle body is inclined. Can be transferred to the next line. Then, after the vehicle body 1 is transferred to a desired position, the hydraulic cylinder 76 is contracted to turn the movable shaft 72 in a direction in which the end portions of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 are opened. Since it comes off and grounds, the tire 10 can be taken out of the vertical frame members 15 and 16 by retracting the main body 1 as it is.

  Next, a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 will be described. Similarly to the above-described two embodiments, the vehicle body transfer device in this embodiment also includes a main body 41 having a self-propelled function and a support frame 42 having tire levitation holding means installed to extend forward from the main body 41. And is configured. In addition, the main body 41 is provided with a step 43 and an operation handle 44.

  The support frame 42 is formed in a U shape by a horizontal frame member 45 installed on the main body 41 and a pair of vertical frame members 46 and 47 extending in parallel from the horizontal frame member 45. The outer vertical frame member 46 has a crank shape at the rear half thereof, and a load adjusting cylinder 48 that adjusts the balance of forces applied to the vertical axis 杆 51 and the vertical axis 杆 52, which will be described later, is installed on the rear end face thereof. .

  The horizontal frame member 45 and the vertical frame members 46 and 47 are bowl-shaped, and a horizontal shaft rod 50 is disposed in the horizontal frame member 45, and the rear ends of the horizontal frame members 46 and 47 are respectively horizontal axis rods. Vertical axis rods 51 and 52 connected to 50 are disposed (see FIGS. 5 and 7). The vertical axis rod 51 disposed in the vertical frame member 46 has a crank shape corresponding to the vertical frame member 46. The end portions of the horizontal shaft rod 50 are supported on the side walls of the rear end portions of the vertical frame members 46 and 47, respectively, and lifting drive means (not shown) is installed in the middle portion thereof. As the raising / lowering driving means, a hydraulic cylinder, a rack and pinion mechanism or the like can be employed.

  Connection of the rear ends of the vertical axis rods 51 and 52 to the horizontal axis rod 50 is performed through a right angle member 53 (see FIG. 7). The right-angle member 53 has a short side and a long side orthogonal to each other, and a corner portion of the right-angle member 53 is pivotally supported by a horizontal shaft 50, and ends of vertical shafts 51 and 52 are attached to the ends of the short side. The The long side is pivotally attached so that the middle part can be bent, and the end part is pivotally supported by the horizontal frame member 45.

  In addition, a wheel 56 is attached to the distal end portions of the vertical shafts 51 and 52 via a link plate 55. The link plate 55 has an intermediate portion pivotally supported between the inner side surfaces of the vertical frame members 46, 47, a normally grounding wheel 56 is attached to the front end portion, and a rear end portion is the front end of the vertical shaft 51, 52. It is pivotally attached to the part (see FIGS. 5 and 7). Further, bearings 58 and 59 are installed on the vertical shafts 51 and 52, and the movable shaft 60 is passed between the bearings 58 and 59 and supported.

  In such a configuration, when the horizontal shaft rod 50 is driven up by a hydraulic cylinder or the like, the vertical frame members 46 and 47, the right-angle member 53, and the vertical shaft rods 51 and 52 are raised through the horizontal shaft rod 50 (FIG. 7). In the virtual line display section). The raising of the right-angle member 53 is accompanied by its rotation. That is, as the horizontal shaft 50 is raised, the long side of the bent right-angle member 53 is extended and rotated.

  Further, as the right-angle member 53 rotates, the tip of the short side rises and is displaced forward. As a result, the vertical shafts 51 and 52 are pushed forward while being raised, and the vertical shafts 51 and 52 are moved upward. The movable shaft 60 installed on the upper side is also moved upward while being integrally lifted. When the vertical shafts 51 and 52 are pushed forward, the link plate 55 rotates around the intermediate pivot 57 and pulls the wheel 46 in a grounded state (see the phantom line display in FIG. 7). By this operation, the tire 10 is lifted and the state is maintained.

  A horizontal plate 61 extends from the tip of one of the vertical frame members 46 and 47 (vertical frame 47 in the illustrated example), and a guide rail 62 that supports the LM block 63 installed on the movable bracket 64 is provided thereon. It is laid (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The movable bracket 64 is attached with a receiving shaft 65 that opens and closes the front ends of the vertical frame members 46 and 47. The receiving shaft 65 plays a role similar to that of the receiving shaft 17 in the above-described embodiment. In this case, the receiving shaft 65 moves the movable bracket 64 forward and backward along the guide rail 62 to thereby move the vertical frame member 46. , 47 operates so as to open and close between the tip portions. The advance / retreat operation of the receiving shaft 65 is performed after the lock rod 66 that locks the movement is pulled up.

  In order to float one of the tires 10 of the vehicle body and keep the state thereof by the apparatus according to this embodiment, the main body 41 is moved to a desired position by its self-propelled means and handle operation, the receiving plate 65 is opened, The tire 10 (for example, the right front wheel) is introduced between the vertical frame members 46 and 47 by moving forward with the support frame 41 lowered. After the tire 10 is introduced, the receiving plate 65 is closed, and a lock rod 66 is inserted to lock the receiving plate 65.

  Then, if necessary, the main body 41 is retracted and the receiving plate 65 is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the tire 10, and then the horizontal shaft rod 50 is raised by the action of a hydraulic cylinder or the like. 46 and 47 and the vertical shafts 51 and 52 rise, and the movable shaft 60 moves forward while moving up, and the tire 10 is lifted. When the tire 10 is lifted in this manner, the operation of the lifting means such as a hydraulic cylinder is stopped, so that the tire 10 is sandwiched between the receiving plate 65 and the movable shaft 60 and maintains its floating state. It will be. Subsequent operations are performed according to the above embodiment.

  Although the invention has been described in some detail with its most preferred embodiments, it is evident that a wide variety of embodiments can be constructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to that particular embodiment, except as limited in the appended claims.

Claims (6)

A vehicle body transfer device that runs parallel to an automobile assembly line , floats one of the four wheels of the vehicle body on the automobile assembly line, and holds and transfers the vehicle body in an inclined state. A main body provided, and a tire levitation support means which is installed in the main body and levitates the one tire and holds the state thereof,
The tire levitation support means includes a receiving plate that sandwiches a tire that supports levitation from the front and back and a movable shaft, and the movable shaft is configured to be able to move toward and away from the receiving plate, and the movable shaft is in proximity to the movable shaft. The tire is levitated in cooperation with the backing plate during operation , and is capable of self-propelled while maintaining its levitating state ,
The tire levitation support means includes a travel support frame disposed at a front position of the main body, and a tire of a support frame that includes a tire support frame that is offset from the front position and juxtaposed next to the travel support frame. Deployed in the support frame,
The tire support frame has a horizontal frame member constituting the support frame and a pair of vertical frame members extending at right angles from the horizontal frame member, and a gap between the open ends of the vertical frame member is defined by the support plate or a movable shaft. A vehicle body transfer device that is openable and closable and that allows the tire to enter and exit between the vertical frame members when the tire is open .   One end of the movable shaft is pivotally supported by one end of the vertical frame member, and pivots to open and close between the open ends of the vertical frame member, and cooperates with the receiving plate during the closing operation. The vehicle body transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the tire is levitated by operation.   2. The vehicle body transfer device according to claim 1, wherein one end portion of the receiving plate is pivotally supported by one end portion of the vertical frame member, and opens and closes between the open end portions of the vertical frame member by turning.   2. The vehicle body transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving plate is configured to advance and retreat in an axial direction thereof, and opens and closes between a front end opening portion of the vertical frame member in accordance with the advance and retreat operation.   The vehicle body according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the horizontal frame member is provided with driving means for moving the movable shaft forward and backward relative to the receiving plate and holding the movable shaft at its forward or backward position. Transfer device.   The vehicle body transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving plate and the movable shaft move up and down integrally with the support frame.

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