JPH0373233A - Article transferring method and device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce duty even when fabricating process and assembly process are distant from each other by loading a second pallet where a first article is placed on a first article loading means to assemble the first article into a second article, and transferring the second pallet to a first article assembling station by a transferring means after assembling. CONSTITUTION:A first article is fabricated on a set of pallets where a second pallet 21 is positioned an fixed on a first pallet 9, and after fabricating, the second pallet 21 is separated from the first pallet 9 to transfer to the area where a second article is assembled together with the first article by a transferring means 28. Next, the second pallet 21 where the first article is placed is loaded on a first article loading means to assemble the first article into the second article, and after assembling, the second pallet 21 is transferred to a first article assembling station by the transferring means 28.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a method and device for transporting articles, for example, using an assembly jig pallet for assembling the suspension of a vehicle, and then assembling the suspension to the vehicle body. The present invention relates to a conveying method and apparatus applicable to such cases.

(Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention) In assembling assemblies such as vehicle suspensions,
2. Description of the Related Art A manufacturing system is known in which an assembly jig pallet is used, a target article is assembled on the pallet, and then the object article is assembled to the article to be assembled.

The present applicant had previously proposed a method and device for transporting articles at an assembly site as a method and device applicable to the assembly and transport of suspensions, etc. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-19
According to this method, improvements can be made in terms of work efficiency, etc., compared to the conventional suspension assembly method. That is, according to the above proposal,
A parts mounting container and a parts assembly pallet are used, and they are combined at a starting position of an assembly site, and the combined parts mounting container and parts assembly pallet are transported from the starting position to a terminal position, By separating the component mounting container from the component assembly pallet at the terminal position and discharging it from the conveying means, a significant improvement in the efficiency of the assembly work can be expected.

As described above, this product is superior when compared to the previous version, but there is still room for improvement in the following points.

In other words, after separation from the above-mentioned container for placing parts, the assembly is transferred to the next process together with the assembly pallet, which also serves as an assembly workbench, and if the distance to the next process is long, equipment problems may occur. occurs.

Taking the case of a vehicle's rear suspension as an example, in this case, the assembled suspension is assembled to the vehicle body, but due to the layout of the factory, the suspension assembly process and the suspension mounting process are separated by a distance. If they are far apart, the entire pallet must be transported between them, which places a load on the transport equipment. More specifically, as illustrated in the above-mentioned publication, it is sufficient to have a vehicle body conveyor immediately after assembling the rear suspension, but if the conveyor is far away, the pallet mounts the rear suspension to the vehicle body. Since it is also used for mounting, transporting heavy and large pallets is disadvantageous and inconvenient, such as placing a load on the equipment.Therefore, there is still room for improvement in this aspect. It can be said that there is.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to transport articles with less load even if the assembly department and assembly are far apart when articles are assembled on a pallet and then assembled onto other articles. An object of the present invention is to provide a transportation method and a device therefor.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention assembles a first article having a symmetrical structure on a pallet, and then attaches the assembled first article to a second article. In the method of assembling the
The first article is assembled on a pallet assembly in which a second pallet is positioned and fixed on the pallet of the first article, and after the assembly, the second pallet is separated from the first pallet and conveyed together with the first article by a conveying means. The assembly to the second article is carried out by transporting it to a position, placing the second pallet on which the first article is placed on the first article loading means, and assembling the first article to the second article. After the assembly, the second pallet is transported to the first article assembly department by a transport means.

Further, according to the present invention, in an apparatus for assembling a first article having a symmetrical structure on a pallet and then assembling the assembled first article to a second article, a device for assembling a first article on a pallet assembly in which a second pallet is positioned and fixed; The assembling to the article is carried out to a position, and the assembling is carried out by a device that conveys the subsequent empty second pallet to the first article assembly department, and a device for assembling the second article. and a device for assembling the first article to the second article by placing a second pallet on which the first article is placed on the article means.

(Example) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device showing a part of the article assembly process and transportation process according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the rear suspension of a vehicle is assembled on a pallet, and then the suspension assembly is assembled to the vehicle body. The case where it is applied to the attachment is shown. Further, FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show outlines of a part of the rear suspension assembly department and the vehicle body assembly department on the production line.

As shown in Figure 1, this production line system is roughly as follows:
A parts supply zone 1, a first automatic assembly zone 2, a first manual assembly zone 3, a second automatic assembly zone 4, a second manual assembly zone 5, a tightening work zone 6 using a tightening machine, and It consists of a transport zone 7 and further a rear suspension mount zone 8 as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, among the zones l-8, zones 1 to 1 are
6, a pallet 9 is used as the first pallet, an example of which is shown in FIG. It is formed.

In the case shown, for this reason, the zone 1 to 4 side and the zone 5 side
, 6 sides to form a rectangular assembly line, roller conveyors 11.12 each consisting of rollers 10 are arranged, and each roller conveyor 11.12 has a pallet rotating section 13.14, respectively. It is provided.

Each pallet 9 on the line is circulated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by being sequentially transferred along such an annular path, and is assembled in the process. Parts supply zone 1, automatic assembly zone 2.4, manual assembly zone 3,
5 and the tightening work zone 6, the pallet 9 is transported by tact.

The starting point of the assembly process is the bullet position labeled 9 (Ia) in the parts supply zone 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pallet position at which the reference numeral 9 (T) is placed is at a branching point in the transport zone 7, where the pallet 9 is separated from a second pallet to be described later.

In the above-mentioned parts supply zone l, in the case of this system example, parts are supplied by a worker and a robot, and a parts supply robot 15 and a control console 16 are arranged facing the position of pallet 9 (lb). .

In the first automatic machine assembly zone 2, an automatic machine 17 and a control console 18 are arranged facing each position below the pallet 9 (2a). Similarly, in automatic machine assembly zone 4, automatic machine 1 is installed corresponding to the positions of pallets 9 (4a) and (4b).
9 and a control console 20 are arranged.

The second manual assembly zone 5 is set to occupy the majority of one longitudinal side of the rectangular main assembly line.
As will be described later, a sub-pallet 21 as a second pallet is introduced at the starting point of the second manual assembly zone 5.

The sub-pallet 21 is positioned and fixed on the pallet 9. These pallets 9 and the sub-pallet 21 constitute a pallet set, and suspension assembly is performed on the pallet set in the second manual assembly zone 5. Also, in the tightening work zone 6, the pallet 9 (6a) is in the state of the pallet assembly.

The tightening operation is performed by a tightening machine 22 arranged corresponding to the position 9 (6b).

The sub-pallets 21 introduced above can be of a plurality of types so as to be compatible with different rear suspension models assembled on the line.

FIG. 5 shows each side of the structure of the pallet 9 and three types of sub-pallets 21 (Δ), 21 (B), and 21 (C) that are to be positioned and fixed at the center of the pallet 9 when forming a pallet set. In the case shown in the figure, each is configured as follows.

The pallet 9 has a rectangular shape that is long in the conveyance direction, and assembly jigs 9I are provided at both end sides in the longitudinal direction, and between the pair of assembly jigs 91, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the pallet 9. A sub-pallet fixing section 93 consisting of four mounting sections 92 for positioning and mounting the sub-pallet is provided approximately at the center. Further, behind the assembly jig 91 and the sub-pallet fixing section 93, a component mounting section 94 of the pallet 99 is formed.

This pallet 9 is the 70th assembly jig pallet.
! Assembled pallet 9, such as the one shown as a comparative example in I.
00 and the component placement pallet 910, it is possible to form a - pallet for component placement, and in this case, the above-mentioned placement section 9
4 is made into a concave shape so that necessary parts can be positioned. That is, the component placement section 9. on the pallet 9. 1p includes symmetrical rear suspension assembly parts to be supplied in the parts supply zone 1, for example, if a drum brake is adopted, the rear brake drum, hub unit bearing, etc. as described later (Fig. 6). will be placed.

Sub-palettes 21 (A), 21 (B), 2
1 (C) C. Each mounting part 92 on the pallet 9 side
4 which is fitted into the protrusion on the upper surface of the mounting portion 92 corresponding to the
It has two mounting holes 21a, so that it can be positioned and fixed to the fixing part 93 of the pallet 9. On each sub-pallet 21 (A) to 21 (C), there is an assembly jig 21 containing another part of the rear suspension assembly jig.
0 is attached to each sub-pallet 21 (A) to 2, and the shape of the mounting hole 21a, mutual dimensions, etc.
1(C) are common, but the shapes, dimensions, etc. of the component parts of the assembly jig 210 are different from each other in order to provide compatibility with the aforementioned models.

For example, a pair of pins 211, 211 in the assembly jig 210
Regarding the distance between each sub-pallet 21 (A), 21 (B), 2
1(C) can be made different from each other.

The pallet/device formed by the combination of the pallet 9 with the above structure and the removable sub-pallet 21 is divided into two parts, one on the sub-pallet 21 side and one on the pallet 9 side, regarding the rear suspension assembly jig. In the transportation process to the rear suspension mount zone 8 after assembly on the pallet assembly and the mounting process 1) in the zone 8, the pallet 9 side is not used, and only the sub-pallet 21 is used. This makes it possible to place and transport the suspension, and also to mount it on the vehicle body.

Moreover, in addition to this, even when providing model compatibility, this can be easily achieved, and when the rear suspension models to be assembled differ, depending on the model,
When the specifications of the assembly jig 210, which is a part of the assembly jig, are to be changed, the entire assembly jig pallet is individually prepared for each model in advance and used for the annular assembly when switching models. Instead of replacing the entire pallet as it circulates on the line, the circulating pallet 9 side is kept as a common one, and the sub-pallet 21 side is replaced with sub-pallets 21(A) to 21 corresponding to the model as shown in Fig. 5.
(C) can be prepared and used selectively when changing rice.

The jig parts divided and arranged on the pallet 9 and sub-pallet 21 side, that is, the set (= J jig 91, assembly jig 210,
Jig 901 in FIG. The assembly pallet 900 shown in FIG. 7, which can be constructed as a part corresponding to the jig 902, can be applied to the pallet for assembling parts referred to in the above-mentioned publication, and is This is a jig pallet for assembling a rear suspension disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 161625/1983, and is configured for assembling a double wishbone type suspension.

In this case, a jig 902 as a cross beam mounting jig is placed in the center of the pallet base, and jigs 901 as brake drum assembly jigs are placed on both ends of the same pallet base. , the configuration of the drum assembly jig 901 is as follows:
A drum assembly jig base is slidably attached to a guardrail extending in the longitudinal direction of the base, and is rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the base and in a direction diagonal to the longitudinal direction on a shaft erected on the base. A knuckle support is pivotally supported on the free end of the support base and is pivotable in the longitudinal direction of the base and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base. As a result, even when installing the brake drum on the - side and the trailing arm on the other side, the brake drum can be installed with the knuckle support horizontal, and the trailing arm on the opposite side. can be assembled with the knuckle support vertically,
Furthermore, by assembling the left and right brake drums with different axes of the bodies, bolt tightening of the trailing arm can be easily done without interference from the body, and the drum assembly jig can be easily tightened. By sliding, the brake drum can be assembled by penetrating the lower arm and gross beam of the rear suspension while adjusting the position of the body (Fig. 6).

That is, the left and right pair of brake drum assembly jigs 901 are arranged horizontally around a positioning block a, a support base C having a fulcrum bin b horizontally protruding from its tip side, an eccentric cam d with a handle, and a fulcrum bin b. A knuckle holder e that is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable in two mounting directions, a clamping plate g that operates to tighten a portion 100c of the knuckle 100 shown in FIG. 6 with a bolt f, and a portion 10 of the knuckle 100.
0 part of receiving part h1 knuckle 100 that receives a +00
The cross beam mounting jig 902 is equipped with a hook i for fixing the cross beam 106, and the cross beam mounting jig 902 can be retracted by holding bolts inside the pair of bottles p1 that are pushed through the holes 106a of the cross beam 106 shown in FIG. It is equipped with a pair of supported sockets q, etc., and when assembling the rear suspension, first,
The process begins with fixing the knuckle 100 onto the holding body e.

That is, while positioning the supporting base C in the longitudinal direction of the pallet 900, and with the knuckle holder e thereon laid down horizontally, the portion 100a of the knuckle lOO is placed above the receiving part of the other end of the knuckle holder e. Place it on the knuckle lOO
By latching the portion 1oob and further tightening the bolt f, the portion 100c of the knuckle 100 is held between the clamping plate g and the knuckle holder e, and the knuckle 100 is fixed on the holder e.

A rear brake shoe 10 is connected to the spindle 100d of the fixed knuckle 100 through a spindle ring.
1 and fixed it with bolts, further mounted the hub unit bearing 102 and rear brake drum 103, and
Fit the washer and spindle nut to the spindle 100d, tighten and caulk, then press-fit the hub unit cap 104 from above.Finally, rotate the knuckle holder e vertically about the branch bin b as a fulcrum, and then tighten the nut. 100
Stand up the trailing arm 1 on the other side 100e.
05 will be installed with nuts (Fig. 6 (A)
, (B)). Do the same thing for the other symmetrical knuckle on the brake drum side.

After completing each assembly of brake drum parts, remove the handle (=J
When the eccentric cam d is rotated, the support base C is rotationally displaced, and the bracket surface 105a of the trailing arm 105 is rotated.
Align the axis of the brake drum 1-1 so that it faces diagonally to the rear.
In this case, even when the trailing arm 105 is installed by an automatic machine, the automatic machine can assemble the other brake drum without interference from the other body. Can tighten nuts.

Next, by adjusting the positioning block a, the assembly assembly as described above is moved along the guardrail along the drum assembly jig base part to the outside with the jig part, and the distance between the left and right assembly jigs 901 is adjusted. After moving in the opening direction), the cross beam mounting jig 902 is used to assemble these and each brake drum assembly to the body using the cross beam 106 and lower arm 107.

To assemble the cross beam 106 in this work, fit a bolt into the tip of the socket q of the cross beam mounting jig 902, pass the bolt and pin p through the hole in the cross beam 106, and then insert the bolt into the cross beam receiving part. Then, while adjusting the position of each drum assembly jig 901 by slightly moving it in the inward and outward direction, attach the knuckle 100 and cross beam 1 on each side.
This can be done by fitting the two lower arms 107, 107 between the 06 and 06 and fixing them with bolts and nuts (FIG. 6(C)). In this state, the extraction pipe 108 and the like can be connected.

According to the pallet 900 described above, it is possible to provide a jig pallet that can handle complex rear suspension assembly and can be easily assembled. The assembly jig 91 for the brake drum assembly jig is placed on the pallet 9 side, and the assembly jig 210 for the cross beam mounting jig is placed separately on a sub-pallet 21 separate from the pallet 9. It was an attempt to make further improvements in that it was placed on the side.
Pallet 9 is the structure of the suspension assembly pallet.
and sub-pallet 2I can be combined/separated, and when a double wishbone type suspension is installed, depending on the model, the bin pt p shown in Fig. 7
distance and socket q.

However, by adopting the above sub-pallet configuration, the distance between the bins and sockets is different, so that it cannot be used as it is and lacks compatibility. However, by adopting the above sub-pallet configuration, the distance between the bins and sockets can be easily adjusted on the sub-pallet 21 side. The dimensions and other specifications will be changed.

At the starting point of the second manual assembly zone 5, such a sub-pallet 21 is introduced as a second pallet, and after introduction, the conveyance zone 7 at the position of the pallet 9 (T) up to which branch point, The pallets are conveyed through the lines of the second manual assembly zone 5 and the tightening work zone 6 in the form of a pallet assembly.

In this embodiment, the line portions of Zones 5 and 6 are further provided with a second manual assembly process for empty sub-pallets when they are returned after being used in the rear suspension mounting process, which will be described later. A sub-pallet transport system is installed to return the pallet to the starting position in zone 5. The sub-pallet transport system in this part can be arranged along one longitudinal side of the second manual assembly zone 5 side of the annular main assembly line, as shown in the figure, and specifically, the sub-pallet transport system In addition to the transport section 23, it can be configured with a sub-pallet delivery machine 24, a sub-pallet supply machine 25, a control console 26, etc. (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3).

Equipment such as the sub-pallet transport section 23 provided in the suspension assembly department will be described later.

At the post-assembly branch point where the rear suspension is assembled, the sub pallet 21 and the pallet 9 are separated. The separation is performed while the assembled suspension is placed on the sub-pallets 21.
1 and the suspension from the pallet 9, and the empty pallet 9 side is transferred to the return roller conveyor J2, which forms part of the annular line, while being separated. Subpalette 2
The first side is transported along with the suspension by the transport zone 7 toward the rear suspension mount zone 8 .

The device used in conveyance zone 7 is drop lifter 2.
7. It can be composed of a transport hanger 28, etc., and is transported in the direction of arrow F along a predetermined transport route in zone 7, and transported to mount zone 8 where it is assembled to the vehicle body. . Even if the zone 8 is located far away, the weight of the object to be transported is lighter, and in this case, the weight of the object to be transported is lighter than when transporting the suspension after the assembly of the pallet 900 in FIG. 7 is completed. Only the sub-pallet 21 is required as the pallet, and therefore, even if the conveyance distance along the conveyance route is approximately 200 to 300 m, the weight is reduced as described above, and thereby the pallet can be easily conveyed.

In FIG. 4 showing the rear suspension mounting zone 8, the devices used to attach the assembled rear suspension to the vehicle body 29 include a hanger 30 for the vehicle body 29, a drop lifter 31. It includes a suspension mounting device 32 and the like. The suspension mounting device 32 is for mounting the sub-pallet 21 on which the suspension is mounted, and in the mounting process, the sub-pallet 21 is sent onto the suspension mounting device 32 through the conveyance zone 7 in the direction of arrow F to be assembled to the vehicle body 29. This can be done by placing the sub-pallet 21 on which the previously assembled rear suspension is placed and assembling it to the vehicle body 29. After that, only the empty sub-pallet 21 is used as a transportation hanger. At 28, the vehicle is transported to the suspension assembly department along the route indicated by arrow R for return.

In the production line system according to this embodiment configured as described above,
When assembling the suspension on the vehicle body 29 after assembling the suspension on a pallet, the suspension assembly process and the suspension mounting process can be separated without placing any load on the equipment. Even if they are different, they can be easily assembled and transported.

In the following, we will further specifically explain the flow in each zone 1 to 8 in order. Among the pallets that circulate and flow through the rectangular assembly line shown in FIG. 1, we will focus on pallet 9. Then, first, in the parts supply zone l, here, the worker attaches the knuckles 100 shown in FIG. 6 to the pair of assembly jigs 91 of the pallet 9 shown in FIG. Fix the clamp. Furthermore, in the zone 1, parts are supplied to the component placement section 94 of the pallet 9 by a worker and the component supply robot 15. That is, the mounting portion 94 is shaped into a concave shape for positioning, and the parts mounting portion 94 includes the rear brake drum 103, hub unit bearing 102, spindle nut, hub unit washer, hub unit cap 104, Trailing arm 105, lower arm 107
... etc., and the brake shoe 101 is placed on the knuckle 100.

Although the above description deals with drum brake parts, disc brake parts are equally applicable.

Next, the pallet 9 that has been supplied with parts is transported to the first automatic assembly zone 2, the first manual assembly zone 3, and the second automatic assembly zone 4, where it is transferred to the automatic machines 17, 17, and so on. ,
And during the work history, an automatic machine 19.19 assembles the brake shoe 101 to the knuckle 100, supplies the hub unit bearing 102, supplies the hub unit washer, tightens the spindle nut, caulks the spindle nut, and assembles the rear brake drum 103. , hub unit cap +
04 press-fitting and trailing arm 105 assembly are performed.

Next, the pallet 9 that has passed through zone 4 is sent out to the roller conveyor 11 side, and when it reaches the roller conveyor 11 section equipped with the pallet rotating section 13, the pallet 9 is rotated upward and rotated, and then lowered again. , and then transported to the next second manual assembly zone 5.

In the parts supply zone 1, the first automatic assembly zone 2, the first manual assembly zone 3, and the second automatic assembly zone 4, and in the second manual assembly zone 5, as described above, The pallet 9 is transported by tact.

In the pallet rotating section 13, the pallets 9 are rotated in the parts supply zone l and the first automatic machine assembly zone 2.
This is because the orientation of the pallet 9 is changed by 180 degrees between the line on the side of the first manual assembly zone 3 and the second automatic assembly zone 4 and the line on the side of the second manual assembly zone 5.

That is, on each line side, the side of the assembly jig 91 and attachment part 93 of the pallet 9 is located on the outer peripheral edge side of the line (the hand side as seen from the workers in the parts supply zone 1 and each manual assembly zone 3, 5). In order to ensure that the pallet is conveyed in a manner that
In step 2, the direction of the pallet 9 is reversed.

In the line part on the zone 1 to 4 side, the sub-pallet 21 has not yet been introduced, and therefore, the above-mentioned assembly jig 210 used in the zones 5 and 6 side is not present in the attachment part 93 of the sub-pallet 21. Each task is performed. Zones 1 to 4
Not only is it lighter in tact transportation on the side, but there are no obstructions between the pair of assembly jigs 91, and in this respect, the above-mentioned automatic machines 17 and 19 and operators can perform each task more easily. Become something.

That is, in the automatic machine 17, the parts are already placed at fixed positions in the previous parts supply zone l.
If you teach the automatic machine 17 (robot), it will be able to perform tasks such as sequentially taking out specified parts and placing them in fixed positions or assembling them, and for parts that cannot be automated. 1. Workers perform assembly work in the first manual assembly zone 3, and then proceed to the second automatic assembly zone 4.
In such a work process, the configuration in which the central part of the pallet 9 is wide open as a space allows for the operation of the automatic machine 17, 19,
It is also extremely advantageous in terms of work for the operator.

When the pallet 9 whose orientation has been reversed via the roller conveyor 11 reaches the second manual assembly zone 5, the sub-pallet 21 is positioned and fixed to the pallet 9. The second manual assembly zone 5 has two levels: the upper level is for the rear suspension assembly section, and the lower level is for the sub-pallet 21.
The sub-pallet transport section 23 consists of a roller conveyor that transports the pallets (Fig. 2).

The sub-pallet transport unit 23 carries, for example, three types of sub-pallets 21(A), 21(B), 21 so that multiple types of sub-pallets to be used can be prepared depending on the model.
There are three rows to convey each of (C).

As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-pallets 21(A) to 21(C) used have different specifications of the assembly jig 210 as described above.For example, the sub-pallets 21(A) are used for 4WS. The sub-palette 21(B) can be used for 2SW.

At the starting point of the second manual assembly zone 5, there is provided a sub-pallet feeder 25 that positions and places the sub-pallet 21 from the sub-pallet transport section 23 at the center of the pallet. A) ~21
Required items of (C) are attached to the mounting portion 93 of the pallet 9.

In this way, the sub-pallet transport section 23 is provided at the lower part of the assembly process in the second manual assembly zone 5, and the sub-pallets 21 can be placed on the pallet 9 in accordance with the suspension set (size and type).

Once the sub-pallet 21 has been positioned and fixed in this manner, the suspension is assembled following the previous process before the second automatic machine assembly zone 4 using the cross beam. In this embodiment, the sub-pallet 21 has model compatibility as described above, but instead of being selectively attached to the attachment part 93 of the pallet 9 from the beginning, it is attached to the second manual assembly zone 5. The sub-pallet 21 equipped with the assembly jig 210 is required when installing the cross beam 106 shown in FIG. However, it is possible to assemble other parts.

Assembly in the second manual assembly zone 5 is carried out using pallets 9.
The process is carried out on a pallet assembly with the sub-pallet 21 positioned and fixed thereon, and the bin 211 attached to the sub-pallet 21 is passed through the hole of the cross beam 106 shown in FIG. 6, and first positioned at the center.

Next, the lower arm 107, brake extraction pressure-related pipes, and hoses are assembled, and the cross beam 106 and lower arm 107 are tightened and fixed using the tightening machine 22 in the tightening work zone 6.

As described above, suspension assembly is performed on the pallet with the sub-pallet 21 positioned and fixed on the pallet 9, and after such assembly, the sub-pallet 2
1 is separated from the pallet 9 and transported together with the suspension, and the sub-pallet 21 with the suspension mounted thereon is placed on the suspension mounting device 32 and assembled to the vehicle body 29.

That is, after the rear suspension assembly is completed on the assembly line, when the pallet assembly reaches the pallet position indicated by reference numeral 9 (T), the drop lifter 27 lifts the transport hanger 2.
8 grasps the sub-pallet 21 on the pallet 9 and lifts it up. The transport hanger 28 in this case functions as a rear suspension transport hanger because it is lifted and transported together with the assembled rear suspension.

In this way, the two are separated and, after separation, they each go through separate processes. First, the following process will be explained by focusing on the flow of the separated sub-pallets 21. On the sub-pallet 21 side, the rear suspension placed on the sub-pallet 21 is moved by the transfer zone 7 using the transfer hanger 28. Transfer to rear suspension mount zone 8.

As mentioned above, the transportation to zone 8 may be a long distance, but of course it may be a short distance (for example, 30 to 4
(approximately 0m) This system can be applied, and in that case, the load can be further reduced.

When you reach rear suspension mount zone 8, first,
The rear suspension is lowered together with the sub-pallet 21 by the drop lifter 31, and - once the zone 8
It is mounted on the rear suspension mounting device 32 of. In zone 8, the vehicle bodies 29 to which rear suspensions are to be assembled are sequentially conveyed by a conveyor, and the vehicle bodies 29 conveyed by the conveyor stop at the rear suspension mount position as shown in FIG. At this time, the rear suspension mounting device 32 moves toward the vehicle body 29.

That is, as the vehicle body 29 stops at the rear suspension mount position, the mounting device 32 also moves in the direction of the vehicle body 29.

When the rear suspension mounting device 32 reaches the rear lower position of the vehicle body 29 through such movement, the rear suspension mounting device 32 rises, and the nut runner (not shown) laid on the mounting device 32 is attached to the assembly jig 210 of the sub-pallet 21. The rear suspension is fitted into the lower part of the provided socket 212 and rotated, and the rear suspension is fixed to the vehicle body using a bolt (not shown) that has been pushed into the socket 212 in advance. In this way,
They are combined and assembled.

After this assembly to the vehicle body 29, only the empty sub-pallet 21 is transported by the transport hanger 28 and then transported to the suspension assembly department again. That is, the set (
; After J, first, the loading device 32 returns to its original position, which is the lower position of the drop lifter 31 in zone 8, with the empty sub-pallet loaded thereon, and then the loading device 32 returns to its original position, which is the lower position of the drop lifter 31
The empty sub-pallet 21 is lifted by the transport hoist 28 lowered by the transporter 28, and is returned to the above-mentioned annular assembly line side by the transport zone 7. When returned, the empty sub-pallet 2I is lowered by the drop lifter 27, placed on the sub-pallet transport section of each model of the sub-pallet transport section 23 by the sub-pallet delivery machine 24, and transferred to the sub-pallet supply machine 25 side. It will be transported and used for the next assembly.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing the sub-pallet 21 instead of transporting the entire jig pallet individually, it is no longer necessary to transport a large heavy pallet. By lifting the sub-pallet 21 and the rear suspension, it can be easily transported. If the sub-pallet 21 is grasped and lifted at the branching point, the entire assembled suspension will be lifted up as a unit, making it possible to transport the sub-pallet 21 in a lightened state, with no load on the equipment. Furthermore, by adopting the sub-pallet configuration, even if the rear suspension models are different, as described above, it can be easily accommodated.

On the other hand, the flow on the pallet 9 side separated at the above-mentioned branch point is as follows. That is, the pallet 9, which has been assembled in the second manual assembly zone 5 and the tightening work sheet 6 and is separated from the sub-pallet 21 and becomes empty, is transferred from the branching point, that is, the position of the pallet 9 (T), to the roller conveyor 10. It is rotated by a pallet rotating section 14 similar to the pallet rotating section 13, that is, the direction is reversed to return to its original state, and it returns to the original position of the component supply zone l, that is, the reference numeral 9 (
The pallet is returned to the pallet position shown in la). Therefore, the pallet 9 is larger and relatively heavier than the pallet 21.
The pallet 9 goes around in this way, and in the circular assembly line, such a pallet 9 goes through NyA.

In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the suspension of a vehicle is assembled and then the suspension is assembled to the vehicle body, but the present invention is not limited to this.
It can be widely applied when predetermined articles are assembled on a pallet and then other articles are assembled thereon.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, after assembling a first article on a pallet, when assembling the assembled first article to a second article,
It is possible to reduce the load on equipment, and even if the assembly process and assembly are 4 degrees apart from the process, the load can be easily reduced. be effective.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing a part of the rear suspension assembly process and transportation process according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an external view showing a partial outline of the assembly section; 3
The figure also shows an external view showing an overview of other parts, Fig. 4 is an external view showing an overview of the rear suspension body assembly section, and Fig. 5 shows examples of each of the pallets and sub-pallets that make up the pallet set. 6 is a schematic diagram of an assembled state taking a double wishbone type suspension as an example, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a single assembly jig pallet shown as a comparative example. Sub-pallet, 23... Sub-pallet transport section, 24...
...Sub pallet delivery machine, 25...Sub pallet supply machine, 27.31...Drop lifter, 28...Transportation hanger, 29...Vehicle body, 32...Rear suspension mounting device, 91. ...Assembling jig, 94...Component placement part, 210...Assembling jig, 211...Bin, 212
···socket.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a method for assembling a first article having a substantially symmetrical structure on a pallet and then assembling the assembled first article to a second article, the first article is assembled on the first pallet. The first article is assembled on the pallet assembly in which the second pallet is positioned and fixed, and after the assembly, the second pallet is separated from the first pallet, and the second pallet is transferred together with the first article by a conveyance means. The second pallet on which the first article is placed is placed on the first article loading means, and the first
1. A method for transporting articles, comprising: assembling the articles into a second article; and after the assembling, conveying the second pallet to a first article assembly department by a conveying means. 2. The article conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that, as the second pallet, a plurality of types of pallets are used corresponding to differences in the second article to be assembled to the first article. 3. After assembling a first article having a substantially symmetrical structure on a pallet, in a device for assembling the assembled first article onto a second article, positioning the second pallet on the first pallet; a device for assembling a first article on a fixed pallet assembly; and a second pallet separated from the first pallet to a position for assembling the second article together with the assembled first article. and a device for conveying the assembled empty second pallet to a first article assembly department;
An article conveyance device comprising: a device for mounting a second pallet on which articles are placed thereon and assembling the first article to the second article.