JPH048432A - Manufacture of roof unit and device therefore - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of exclusive jigs as best as possible by feeding a roof panel extracted one by one from an stacked state, to a work station, and by applying a sealing process on a stiffener member, so as to feed to the work station, and by assembling them. CONSTITUTION:After a roof panel 12 stacked and stored in a truck 38 is positioned and extracted one by one at a stand-by station through a first feeding means 16, the panel 12 is fed to a work station in the same condition. A stiffener member 18 is fed by a second longitudinal jig 86 to a station D for sealing process, and after it is subjected to the sealing process, the stiffener member is fed to the work station 14. After hemming process or welding work are carried out on the roof panel 12 and the stiffener member 18 at the work station 14, they are carried by a fourth feeding means 26 to an exit station G.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically manufacturing a roof unit for an automobile from a roof panel and a stiffener member.

[Prior Art] A roof unit that constitutes an automobile body consists of a roof panel, a stiffener member, etc., and in various processes such as a sealing process, a hemming process, and a welding process, an operator carries these component parts in and out. Manufacturing operations are carried out by carrying out and positioning.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since the number of the above-mentioned constituent members is quite large, it is extremely uneconomical to arrange workers corresponding to these constituent members. Moreover, in order to apply sealing treatment to the roof panel, the roof panel must be turned over, making the manufacturing work of the roof unit more complicated.

Furthermore, in each process, a dedicated jig is used for each component, and especially in high-mix, low-volume production, the number of dedicated jigs increases, which increases costs, takes time to replace the jig, and requires less jig storage space. There is the problem of expansion.

The present invention solves this type of problem, and provides a roof unit manufacturing method that can shorten each process as much as possible and easily improve the efficiency of the entire manufacturing operation. With the goal.

Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a roof unit manufacturing apparatus that can reduce the number of dedicated jigs as much as possible, thereby shortening the replacement time for the dedicated jigs and making effective use of the storage space. purpose.

Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a process in which roof panels constituting an automobile roof unit are taken out one by one from a stacked state and transported to a work station. , a step of applying a sealing treatment to the stiffener member constituting the roof unit; a step of transporting the stiffener member subjected to the sealing treatment to the work station; and a step of sealing the roof panel and the stiffener member at the work station. and a process of assembling.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a first transport means for taking out roof panels constituting an automobile roof unit one by one from a stacked state and transporting them to a work station; and a stiffener constituting the roof unit and subjected to a sealing treatment. a second transport means for transporting the member to the working station; and a second transport means for transporting the jig to the working station for exchanging the jig for assembling the roof panel and the stiffener member at the working station. and a fourth transfer means for discharging the roof unit after the assembly is completed from the work station, and the first to fourth transfer means are moved to each other around the work station. It is characterized by being arranged in four different directions.

[Function] In the above method for manufacturing a roof unit according to the present invention, the roof panel constituting the automobile roof unit:
While the sheets are taken out one by one from the laminated state and transported to a working station, the stiffener members constituting the roof unit are subjected to a sealing treatment and transported to the working station, and the roof panels and stiffener members are is assembled. Therefore, the working process is simplified, and the roof panel and stiffener member can be processed in a short time and efficiently.

Furthermore, in the roof unit manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the roof panels are taken out one by one from the laminated state and transferred to the work station via the first transfer means, while the stiffener member is subjected to a sealing treatment. After being removed, the roof unit is transferred to a work station by the second transfer means, where the roof panel and the stiffener member are assembled, and the roof unit after the assembly is discharged via the fourth transfer means. Therefore, the number of work steps can be reduced, and the number of dedicated jigs prepared for each type of roof unit can be reduced as much as possible.

Moreover, since the first to fourth transfer means are arranged in four different directions with the work station as the center, the space in the work place can be used effectively.

[Example] The method and apparatus for manufacturing a roof unit according to the present invention will be described in detail below by giving examples and referring to the attached drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a roof unit manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. This manufacturing apparatus 10 takes out roof panels 12 constituting an automobile roof unit one by one from a laminated state and sends them to a work station 14.
a first transfer means 16 for transferring the stiffener member 18 that constitutes the roof unit and has been subjected to a sealing treatment to the work station 14;
0 and the roof panel 1 at the working station 14.
Jig 22 for assembling 2 and the stiffener member 18
The jig 22 is moved to the work station 14 in order to replace the jig 22.
and a fourth transfer means 26 for discharging the roof unit after assembly from the work station 14,
The first to fourth transfer means 16 to 26 are arranged in four different directions with the work station 14 as the center.

A predetermined number of roof panels 12 are stacked on a take-out station A, and a take-out mechanism 30 that is reciprocatable between the take-out station A and a standby station B is used to remove the topmost roof panel 12 at the standby station B. A positioning mechanism 32 for positioning the uppermost roof panel 12 in the posture shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
A machine base 36 is supported via a cylinder 34 so as to be movable up and down, and a truck 38 in which a predetermined number of roof panels 12 are housed in a stacked state in multiple stages is held on the machine base 36.

The extraction mechanism 30 includes a pair of rails 40 extending in the extraction direction (arrow X direction), and a movable base 42 that engages with the rails 40 is engaged with a cylinder 44 and is supported by the movable base 42. The base 46 is engaged so as to be freely retractable.

The positioning mechanism 32 includes a pair of slide bases 50 that are arranged on both sides of the rail 40 and can move forward and backward in the direction of the arrow Y, and a cylinder 5 fixed on the slide base 50.
2, an alignment jig 58 is attached.

The first transfer means 16 includes a rail 62 extending in the direction of arrow X.
A movable body 66 is supported on this rail 62 via a rack binion that engages with a servo motor 64, and an arm 68 extends from this movable body 66.

Slide bases 70a and 70b are similarly arranged on this arm 68 via a rack and pinion, and a lifting platform 72a supported by these slide bases 70a and 70b,
A pair of suction cups 74a and 74b connected to a suction device (not shown) is attached to 72b.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, stiffener member 18
are arranged in a predetermined number by the alignment mechanism 80 and sent to the second transport means 20.

This alignment mechanism 80 includes a pair of parallel first elongated jigs 84 that are detachable from a fixing base 82 provided at the arrangement station C and extend in the direction of arrow Y;
a set of parallel second elongated jigs 86 that can hold the plurality of stiffener members 18 positioned on the top of the stiffener members 18 in their positioning postures and transport them to the sealing processing station D; A shaped jig 86 is attached to the second transfer means 20 .

The second transfer means 20 includes a set of rails 88 extending in the direction of arrow Y, and a movable base 92 is placed on the rails 88 to be movable forward and backward via a rack and pinion that engages with a servo motor 90. Ru. A cylinder 94 is fixed to the movable base 92 and extends in the direction of arrow X.
A lifting platform 98 that can freely hold the second elongated jig 86 is disposed on the frame 96 that engages with the frame 96 .

A sealing device 100 that can be moved up and down in the directions of arrows X and Y is provided in the sealing station D to seal the stiffener member 18.

A stocker 102 is disposed close to the fixed base 82, and the stocker 102 includes an elevating base 104. The elevating base 104 is formed with a plurality of accommodating portions 106 for sequentially accommodating the first elongated jig 84 and the second elongated jig 86 in a vertically downward direction.

The third transfer means 24 includes a cylinder 108 and a rail 11.
A movable base 112 is provided which can be freely placed between the work station 14 and the jig exchange station E via the movable base 112, and the movable base 112 has a positioning jig 22 which can be moved up and down and a jig 22 which can be moved back and forth in the horizontal direction. A hemming means 116 is provided (see FIG. 4). The jig 22 is provided with a plurality of clamping means 118 for positioning the roof panel 12 and stiffener member 18.

'; The replacement station E is equipped with a plurality of moving bases 112 corresponding to the shape of the roof unit, and a desired positioning jig 22 and hemming means 116 are attached to each moving base 112. .

The fourth transfer means 26 includes a movable base 120 that can move forward and backward in the direction of the arrow X under the action of an actuator (not shown). It is transported to G.

The roof unit manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment is constructed as described above, and its operation will be described next.

To explain in detail the operation of transporting the roof panel 12 to the work station 14, first, at the take-out station A, the cart 38 is lowered together with the machine platform 36, and the laminated roof located at the lowest stage of the cart 38 is lowered. Panel 1
2 is placed on the support base 46, the cylinder 44
The movable table 42 and the support base 46 move toward the standby station B side under the driving action of the movable table 42 and the support base 46.

Under the action of the servo motor 64, the movable body 66 constituting the first transfer means 16 moves to the standby station, the lifting platforms 72a and 72b are lowered, and the suction cups 74a and 74b suction the topmost roof panel 12. do. In this state, the lifting platforms 72a and 72b are once raised, and the alignment jig 58 enters below the roof panel 12, the suction cups 74a and 74b are deenergized, and the roof panel 12 is supported by the alignment jig 58. Ru. Next, after the cylinder 52 is driven and the roof panel 12 is positioned in a desired posture by the alignment jig 58, it is held by suction cups 74a and 74b and transported to the work station 14 under the driving action of the servo motor 64. be done.

On the other hand, in the alignment mechanism 80, the second elongated jig 86
It is disposed below a first elongated jig 84 via a lifting platform 98, and a plurality of stiffener members 18 are aligned on this first elongated jig 84. Then, the second elongated jig 86 is lifted up via the lifting table 98.
However, when the stiffener member 18 is received from the first elongated jig 84 and reaches a predetermined height, the cylinder 94 is driven and the lifting platform 98 and frame body 96 move integrally in the direction of arrow X. . As a result, the stiffener member 18 is transferred from the placement station C to the sealing station D.
Then, the sealer is applied under the driving action of the sealing device 100.

After the sealing work is completed, the servo motor 90 constituting the second transfer means 20 is driven, and the movable base 92 is moved to the rail 8.
8 in the direction of arrow Y, the second long jig 86
The stiffener member 18 held in position is transferred to a jig 22 located at the work station 14.

At the work station 14, the roof panel 12 and the stiffener member 18 are positioned and held via clamping means 118. If the roof panel 12 is provided with an opening corresponding to the window for taking in outside light, the jig 22
After being lowered, the roof panel 12 and the stiffener member 18 are hemmed under the action of the hemming means 116.

Furthermore, the jig 22 is moved to the welding position, and welding is performed on predetermined portions of the roof panel 12 and the stiffener member 18.

Next, under the action of the fourth transfer means 26, the roof unit after the welding operation is transferred to the welding station F, where necessary welding operations are performed, and then transferred to the unloading station G.

Next, when the type of roof unit is different, jig replacement work is performed according to the procedure shown below.

At placement station C, the elevating base 104 constituting the stocker 102 is raised and lowered to place the desired storage site 106.
is positioned, and the first elongated jig 84 disposed on the fixing table 82 and the second elongated jig 86 held on the elevating table 98 are drawn into this accommodation portion 106. Furthermore, after the elevating base 104 is positioned, the first elongated jig 84 accommodated in the predetermined accommodation portion 106, the second
A long jig 86 is drawn into and fixed to the fixed table 82 and the lifting table 98, respectively.

On the other hand, the jig 2 placed at the work station 14
2 is transported to the jig exchange station E together with the moving base 112 under the action of the cylinder 108 constituting the third transport means 24. The movable base 1 stands by at this jig exchange station E and has the desired jig 22 mounted thereon.
12 is transported to the working station 14 via the third transport means 24.

By performing these operations, the jig replacement operation is completed.

In this case, in this embodiment, the roof panels 12 stacked and stored in the cart 38 are positioned and taken out one by one at the standby station B via the first transfer means 16, and then left in the same position for work. It is transferred to station 14.

Therefore, there is no need to invert the roof panel 12, which is required when sealing the roof panel 12 in the conventional method, and the work of transporting the roof panel 12 can be carried out more efficiently and easily. This has the effect of

On the other hand, the stiffener member 18 is transferred to the sealing treatment station D by the second elongated jig 86 and subjected to a sealing treatment, and then transferred to the work station 14. Then, hemming and welding operations are performed on the roof panel 12 and the stiffener member 18 at this working station 14, and then they are transported to the payout station G by the fourth transport means 26.

In this way, various tasks that were previously dependent on the workers themselves can be reduced as much as possible, and can be easily automated.
It becomes possible to improve the efficiency of roof unit manufacturing work.

Moreover, the first to fourth transfer means 16 to 26 are arranged in four different directions around the work station 14, and are used in roof unit manufacturing work to simplify the work process. Since the number of dedicated jigs can be reduced as much as possible, the space in the workshop can be used effectively.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the roof unit manufacturing method and apparatus according to the present invention have the following effects and advantages.

The roof panels constituting an automobile roof unit are taken out one by one from the laminated state and transported to a work station, while the stiffener members constituting the roof unit are subjected to a sealing treatment and transported to the work station. The roof panel and the stiffener member are assembled. With this savings, the processing steps for the roof panels and stiffener members can be made as efficient as possible, and the manufacturing work of the roof unit can be accomplished easily and in a short time.

Furthermore, in the roof unit manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the first to fourth transfer means are arranged in four different directions around the work station, and the number of dedicated jigs is reduced as much as possible. This allows for effective use of space within the workplace.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a manufacturing apparatus for carrying out the roof unit manufacturing method according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan explanatory view of a first transfer means constituting the manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. A diagonal first explanatory view of the second transfer means constituting the apparatus, and a front explanatory view of the third transfer means and jig constituting the manufacturing apparatus. 10... Manufacturing equipment 12... Roof panel 14... Work station 16... First transfer means 18... Stiffener member 20... Second transfer means 22... Jig 24... Third transfer means 26...Fourth transfer means A...Take 8 station B...Waiting station C...Arrangement station D...Sealing processing station E...Jig exchange station F...・Welding station G...dispensing station

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A process of taking out the roof panels constituting an automobile roof unit one by one from a stacked state and transporting them to a work station; A process of applying a sealing treatment to a stiffener member constituting the roof unit; and the sealing treatment. A method for manufacturing a roof unit, comprising the steps of: transporting the stiffener member to the work station; and assembling the roof panel and the stiffener member at the work station. (2) a first transfer means for taking out roof panels constituting an automobile roof unit one by one from a stacked state and transferring them to a work station; and a stiffener member constituting the roof unit and subjected to a sealing process; a second transport means for transporting the jig to the work station; and a third transport means for transporting the jig to the work station in order to replace the jig for assembling the roof panel and the stiffener member at the work station. and a fourth transport means for discharging the roof unit after the assembly is completed from the work station, and the first to fourth transport means are moved in four different directions around the work station. A roof unit manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the roof unit is placed against the roof unit.