JPH06190662A - Fitting line for chasis parts of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To curtail a space and improve safety and workability by automatically fitting chasis parts to a car body in the condition of transporting the car body by means of an overhead conveyor, and providing a back-up zone with operators in addition to the automatic assembling zone. CONSTITUTION:A car body 3 is hung and continuously transported by means of the hanger of an overhead conveyor 1. A lifter carriage 5 is transported by means of a floor loop conveyor 4. Further, the lifter carriage 5 with the chasis parts of the body 3 loaded thereon is lifted in the horizontal condition. The lifter carriage 5 and the hanger 5 are connected together and synchronously moved. Meanwhile, respective sorts of devices 100-400 to position the chasis parts against the body 5 are arranged. An automatic assembling zone of the chasis parts against the body is arranged on the overlapped part of the overhead conveyor 1 and the floor loop conveyor 4, and a back-up zone with operators is arranged on the succeeding part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle underbody component assembly line for automatically assembling the vehicle lower component from the lower side of a vehicle body with a lifter while automatically assembling the vehicle lower component.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional automatic assembly line for lower parts,
For example, automatic engine and suspension assembly lines include assembly zones that engage the engine and suspension with respect to the vehicle body. In this assembly zone, the vehicle body supplied by the ceiling conveyor is moved from the ceiling conveyor to another transport conveyor for positioning, and in this state, the engine and suspension are lifted from below with respect to the vehicle body by the lifter. by this,
The engine and the suspension are engaged with a prescribed position of the vehicle body. The vehicle body in which the engine and the suspension are engaged in this manner is then sent to the screw tightening zone by the transport conveyor, and the screw tightening is performed by the automatic tightening device. As a result, the engine and the suspension are mounted on the vehicle body. Further, the vehicle body on which the engine and the suspension are assembled is sent to a backup zone by a conveyor, and repairs such as screw tightening defects are performed there. The vehicle body with the engine and suspension securely fixed in this way is returned to the ceiling conveyor and transported to the next step.

[0003]

However, since the conventional automatic assembly line for engines and suspensions is provided with a dedicated conveyor in addition to the ceiling conveyor that continuously conveys the vehicle body, the equipment cost is high. . Also, a large space for equipment is required. Also, if it is necessary to rework, the worker will enter the automatic assembly line to perform work, so for safety,
It is disadvantageous in work efficiency. A technical problem of the present invention is to reduce equipment cost and space by automatically assembling an engine, a suspension and the like to the vehicle body while the vehicle body is being conveyed by a ceiling conveyor. Further, by providing a backup zone for an operator in addition to the automatic assembly zone, it is intended to improve safety and work efficiency.

[0004]

The above-mentioned problems can be solved by a vehicle lower component assembly line having the following features. That is, the lower component assembling line according to claim 1 is installed below the ceiling conveyor that continuously suspends and transports the vehicle body with a hanger, and is arranged so as to overlap with the ceiling conveyor. A loop conveyor having a portion and a trolley conveyed by the loop conveyor, in which a lower component to be assembled from below with respect to the vehicle body is placed at a specified position, and the lower component is held horizontally. A lifter carriage that can be raised, a connecting mechanism that connects the lifter carriage and the hanger to move the lifter carriage in synchronization with the hanger, and the lower part on the lifter carriage is attached to the vehicle body. And a positioning mechanism for positioning so as to have a predetermined positional relationship. And, in the portion where the ceiling conveyor and the loop conveyor are overlapped with each other, an automatic assembly zone for automatically assembling the lower parts placed on the lifter carriage to the vehicle body is provided. In addition, next to the automatic assembly zone, a backup zone for workers is provided. Further, a lower component mounting line for a vehicle according to claim 2 is the lower component mounting line for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the automatic mounting zone is connected to the lifter truck and is connected to the lifter truck. An inspection carriage that moves in synchronization is provided, and an attitude inspection device that inspects the mounting attitude of the lower component is attached to the inspection carriage. Further, the undercarriage parts assembly line of a vehicle according to claim 3 is the undercarriage parts assembly line of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the undercarriage parts assembly line is vertically mounted on a pallet for mounting the undercarriage parts on the lifter cart at a predetermined position. The
A socket used as an operating portion for screwing the lower component to the vehicle body, and a screw provided in the automatic assembly zone, which is connected to the lifter truck and moves in synchronization with the lifter truck. A tightening carriage and a nut runner mounted on the screw tightening carriage via a floating mechanism and engageable with the socket from below, and the nut runner is substantially the same as the socket in the horizontal direction. And a positioning mechanism for positioning the nut runner so that the nut runner is positioned.

[0005]

According to the invention of claim 1, when the lifter truck is conveyed to the position of the ceiling conveyor by the loop conveyor and the connecting mechanism connects the lifter truck to the hanger of the ceiling conveyor, the lifter truck is moved to the ceiling. Being towed by the conveyor, it starts synchronous travel. And
The lifter truck reaches the automatic mounting zone while moving in synchronization with the hanger and the vehicle body. In the automatic assembly zone, the lifter truck moves in synchronism with the hanger and the vehicle body to raise the lower parts. Then, in the process of rising, the positioning mechanism works to position the lower component at a specified position, and the lower component is assembled by being engaged with the vehicle body from below the vehicle body. Here, even if a screw tightening failure occurs, the vehicle body to which the lower parts are assembled is sent to the backup zone together with the lifter truck, so that the worker repairs the screw tightening failure. In this way, the lower parts can be automatically assembled while continuously transporting the vehicle body without stopping the ceiling conveyor. In addition to the automatic assembly zone, a backup zone for workers is provided, which improves safety and work efficiency. According to the invention of claim 2, the automatic mounting zone is provided with a posture inspection device for inspecting the posture of the lower component to be assembled to the vehicle body. The posture inspection device is synchronized with the lifter truck by the inspection truck. It can be moved. Therefore, the posture inspection device has a fixed positional relationship with the lower parts placed on the lifter truck, and can inspect the posture of the parts even while the lifter truck is moving. Then, if the posture abnormality of the lower component can be detected before the assembling to the vehicle body, the assembling can be stopped to prevent the component damage or the vehicle body damage due to the interference between the lower component and the vehicle body. Claim 3
According to the invention of claim 1, a nut runner is provided in the automatic assembly zone, and the nut runner can be moved in synchronization with the lifter truck by the screw tightening truck. Therefore, the nut runner has a fixed positional relationship with the socket mounted on the pallet on the lifter truck even when the lifter truck is moving. The nut runner is placed on a screw tightening trolley via a floating mechanism, and is further positioned by the positioning mechanism so as to be substantially at the same position in the horizontal direction as the socket. In this state, when the nut runner is driven and rises, the rotating shaft of the nut runner engages with the socket, and the lower component is screwed to the vehicle body.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle engine and suspension assembly line according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the engine and suspension assembly line of the vehicle according to this embodiment includes a linear ceiling conveyor 1 for continuously carrying a vehicle body 3 suspended by a hanger 2, and the ceiling conveyor 1. Floor loop conveyor 4 arranged in a substantially oval shape below the floor
It has and. And the floor loop conveyor 4
One side is arranged at a position where it overlaps with the ceiling conveyor 1. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the traveling direction of the conveyor is the L axis direction, the width direction of the conveyor is the W axis direction, the height direction is the Z axis direction, and the horizontal rotation direction is the θ direction.

The floor loop conveyor 4 is a conveyor for moving the lifter truck 5, and as shown in FIG. 2, is provided with a floor plate 4y which is a portion on which the lifter truck 5 travels. And this floor board 4y is the frame 4
A trolley body 4k for pulling the lifter carriage 5 is arranged in the center of the inside of the frame 4w, which is supported from below by w. Here, a slit 4s is formed in the center of the floor plate 4y along the traveling direction of the conveyor, and a passive pin 5p protruding downward from the lower surface of the lifter truck 5 is inserted into the slit 4s. As a result, the lifter truck 5 can move along the slit 4s. Further, the passive pin 5p inserted from the slit 4s into the frame 4w is inserted into the cylindrical body 4t formed on the trolley body 4k. As a result, the trolley body 4k and the lifter carriage 5 are connected.

A support 4j extends downward from the lower surface of the trolley body 4k, and an engaged body 4m is attached to the tip of the support 4j. Further, the engaged body 4
On the lower side of m, a drive chain 4e including an engagement body 4n is installed in the traveling direction (L-axis direction) of the conveyor while being guided by the guide rails 4f. The guide rail 4f is movable in the width direction (W axis direction) of the conveyor. With this structure, when the guide rail 4f moves to the left in the drawing, the engagement body 4n provided on the drive chain 4e is engaged with the engaged body 4m of the trolley body 4k.
The trolley body 4k receives the driving force from the drive chain 4e. Thereby, the trolley body 4
The lifter carriage 5 connected to k via the passive pin 5p receives the driving force from the drive chain 4e and travels following the floor loop conveyor 4. When the guide rail 4f moves to the right in the figure, the drive chain 4e
The engaging body 4n provided on the trolley body 4k
and the trolley body 4k is removed from the drive chain 4
The driving force from e is not received.

The lifter truck 5 is a truck for raising an engine and a suspension in a state of being held horizontally. As shown in FIG. 3, a front lift portion 51 for raising the engine and the front suspension and a rear suspension are raised. It is composed of a rear lift portion 52. The front lift section 51 includes a front lift table 51t on which a front pallet 7f having an engine and a front suspension loaded at predetermined positions is placed. The front lifting table 51t is mounted on the front portion of the carriage 5d via the lifting mechanism and the floating mechanism 51s which can be displaced in the L-axis direction, the W-axis direction, and the θ direction. Further, the rear lift portion 52 includes a rear lift table 52t on which the rear pallet 7r having the rear suspension loaded at a predetermined position is placed. This rear lifting table 52t is used for lifting mechanism and L-axis direction, W
Floating mechanism 52s that can be displaced in the axial and θ directions
It is mounted on the rear part of the trolley 5d via. Further, as described above, the carriage 5d of the lifter carriage 5 has the passive pin 5p protruding from the lower surface front portion thereof and the guide pin 5e protruding from the lower surface rear portion thereof. The passive pin 5p and the guide pin 5e are inserted into the slit 4s of the floor loop conveyor 4. The guide pin 5e is simply engaged with the slit 4s so that the carriage 5d can travel along the slit 4s.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the carriage 5d has a connecting mechanism 5h on both sides in the width direction (W axis direction) thereof.
Is installed. The connecting mechanism 5h is for connecting the dolly 5d to the hanger 2, and a clamp 5b is attached to the upper end portion thereof via an elevating cylinder 5a. Then, the carriage 5d and the hanger 2 are connected to each other in a state where the clamp 5b moves up to grip the lower part of the hanger 2.
Further, the front lifting table 51t and the rear lifting table 52t of the carriage 5d are inserted into the positioning holes (not shown) of the hanger 2 and the vehicle body 3 from below, so that the lifting tables 51t and 52t are not moved.
Positioning pins 5x (see FIG. 3) for positioning so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with the vehicle body 3 are installed.

Next, the entire engine and suspension assembly line of the vehicle according to this embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as an assembly line) will be described. This assembly line is shown in Figure 1.
As shown in, it consists of a work supply & empty pallet return zone, a preparatory work zone, an automatic assembly zone and a backup zone. In the work supply & empty pallet return zone, the used front pallet 7f is unloaded from the front lift table 51t of the lifter truck 5 at the position (A). Lifter truck 5
Reaches the position (B), the front pallet 7 with the engine and the front suspension loaded at predetermined positions.
f is placed on the front lift table 51t of the lifter truck 5. Also, the lifter truck 5 is in the position (C).
When it reaches, the used rear pallet 7r is unloaded from the rear lift table 52t of the lifter truck 5. When the lifter truck 5 reaches the position (D), the rear pallet 7r having the rear suspension loaded at a predetermined position.
Is placed on the rear lifting table 52t of the lifter truck 5.

In this way, the lifter truck 5 loaded with the engine and the suspension is carried to the preparatory work zone by the floor loop conveyor 4. In the preparation work zone, a shock absorber X, a propeller shaft, and the like are attached to the suspension by a worker while the lifter truck 5 moves from position (E) to position (F). Further, the nut N is supplied to the tightening socket 7s of the automatic tightening device (described later) mounted on both pallets 7f and 7r. When the preparatory work is completed in this way, the lifter truck 5 is moved to the floor loop conveyor 4
Will be taken to the automatic assembly zone by. Here, the automatic assembly zone is provided at a position where the ceiling conveyor 1 and the floor loop conveyor 4 overlap. When the lifter truck 5 enters the automatic assembly zone, the trolley body 4k of the floor loop conveyor 4 and the drive chain 4e are disengaged, and the lifter truck 5 waits at the position (G).
Then, in this state, when the vehicle body 3 suspended on the hanger 2 of the ceiling conveyor 1 reaches right above the lifter truck 5, the clamp 5b of the connecting mechanism 5h installed on the lifter truck 5 rises and the hanger 2 of the hanger 2 is lifted. Grasp the bottom. As a result, the lifter truck 5 is connected to the hanger 2,
The lifter truck 5 starts moving in synchronization with the hanger 2 and the vehicle body 3.

Next, the devices installed in the automatic assembly zone will be described in order. An absorber posture inspection device 100 and a shift lever posture inspection device 200 are installed near the entrance of the automatic assembly zone. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shock absorbers X are provided on the left and right sides of the front suspension and on the left and right sides of the rear suspension, for a total of four shock absorbers X. The bottom end of X is connected to each suspension via a bush BX in a standing state. The shock absorber X is
It is connected to each suspension in a state in which a slight rotation around the bush BX is allowed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the absorber posture inspection device 100 is provided with four sets so that the postures of the four front and rear shock absorbers X can be inspected. Since the structure of the essential parts of the four sets of absorber posture inspection apparatuses 100 is the same, the absorber posture inspection apparatus 100 of the left front part will be described as a representative.

The absorber posture inspection apparatus 100 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the apparatus pedestal 102 is provided, and the synchronization table 106 is mounted on the apparatus pedestal 102 via a pair of slide bearings 104. Here, since the slide bearing 104 is attached in the traveling direction of the conveyor (L-axis direction), the synchronization table 106 can move in the L-axis direction. Further, the device mount 102 has an L
The shaft air cylinder 108 is fixed and regulates the movement of the synchronization table 106 in the L-axis direction.

One end of a rod-shaped support 110 is fixed to the upper surface of the synchronization table 106, and this support 110 extends in the width direction (W axis direction) of the conveyor. A synchronization bar 110b is attached to the tip of the support 110 via an air cylinder with guide 110s. This will guide the air cylinder 1
The synchronization bar 110b can move in the W-axis direction by a stroke of 10 s. When the connecting mechanism 5h comes into contact with the synchronizing bar 110b as the lifter carriage 5 advances, the synchronizing bar 110b is pushed in the L axis direction by the connecting mechanism 5h, so that the synchronizing table 106 resists the force of the L axis air cylinder 108. Then, it moves in synchronization with the lifter truck 5.

Further, a shaft 112 is horizontally supported in the L-axis direction on the synchronizing table 106, and an absorber inspection arm 114 is attached to the shaft 112.
Are rotatably connected. The absorber inspection arm 114 includes a linear portion 114t and a U-shaped portion 114k fixed at a predetermined angle with respect to the linear portion 114t. A photoelectric switch is provided at the tip of each U-shaped portion 114k. The light sources 116k and the light receivers 116j are attached in three sets. Here, the light source 116k and the light receiver 116j of one set of photoelectric switches are arranged at the same position in the width direction (W axis direction) of the conveyor, and the three sets of photoelectric switches 116k and 116j are fixed in the W axis direction. Are arranged at intervals. Also, absorber inspection arm 1
A rotating cylinder 120 for rotating the absorber inspection arm 114 from the measurement position (solid line position in the drawing) to the standby position (two-dot chain line position) or vice versa is connected to the linear portion 114t of the reference numeral 14.

Then, with the absorber inspection arm 114 in the measuring position, three sets of photoelectric switches 116k, 1k are provided.
A photoelectric switch 116k arranged in the center of 16j,
The position of 116j coincides with the position of the shock absorber X held in the correct posture in the W axis direction. Therefore, if the shock absorber X blocks the light between the light source 116k and the light receiver 116j of the photoelectric switch arranged in the center, the posture of the shock absorber X is correct. In addition, the absorber posture inspection device 100 in the rear part
As shown in FIG. 6, the absorber inspection arm 11
The width (M) of the U-shaped portion 114k of 4, that is, the distance between the light source 116k of the photoelectric switch and the light receiver 116j can be set wide. Therefore, the absorber inspection arm 11
It is not necessary to synchronize 4 with the lifter carriage 5, and the absorber inspection arm 114 is fixed in the L axis direction. Therefore, the rear absorber posture inspection device 10
At 0, the shock absorber X is the light source 1 of the photoelectric switch.
The posture of the shock absorber X is inspected while moving in the L-axis direction between the 16k and the light receiver 116j.

The shift lever posture inspection device 200 is
As shown in FIG. 6, it is installed on the synchronization table 106 of the absorber posture inspection device 100 on the right front part. As shown in FIG. 8, the shift lever posture inspection device 200 includes a device mount 206 fixed on the synchronization table 106, and a slide mechanism 208 is mounted on the device mount 206 in the width direction of the conveyor ( It is fixed with the (W-axis direction) facing. And in this slide mechanism 208,
The lower end of the J-shaped bracket 210 is slidably connected. A pair of guide rods 214 are fixed to the tip of the J-shaped bracket 210 in the vertical direction, and the slide bearings 21 are attached to the guide rods 214.
The sensor plate 220 is horizontally attached via the connector 5. Furthermore, at the tip of the J-shaped bracket 210,
The guide cylinder 212 is fixed vertically,
The sensor plate 220 is fixed to the upper end of the piston rod of the cylinder 212 with the guide. As a result, when the guide cylinder 212 operates in the direction in which the piston rod extends, the sensor plate 220 rises while being held horizontally. Further, when the cylinder 212 with the guide is operated in the direction for accommodating the piston rod, the sensor plate 220 descends while being held horizontally.

The sensor plate 220 is a rectangular plate, and a through hole 220k having a size through which the shift lever R can be inserted is formed at the center of the tip of the sensor plate 220. When the J-shaped bracket 210 is moved by the slide mechanism 208 toward the center of the conveyor by a specified distance, J
The through hole 220k of the sensor plate 220 located at the tip of the character bracket 210 substantially coincides with the center line of the conveyor. Further, when the synchronization table 106 of the absorber posture inspection device 100 is connected to the connection mechanism 5h of the lifter truck 5 by the synchronization bar 110b, the through hole 220k of the sensor plate 220 is provided with the shift lever R attached to the engine and the conveyor. They are positioned at almost the same position in the traveling direction (L-axis direction). On the other hand, the shift lever R is located on the center line of the engine, that is, on the center line of the conveyor, as shown in FIG. Then, it can be tilted in a width direction (W axis direction) and a traveling direction (L axis direction) of the conveyor from a straight standing state by a predetermined angle.

When the synchronization table 106 of the absorber posture inspection apparatus 100 is connected to the connection mechanism 5h of the lifter truck 5 by the synchronization bar 110b, the J-shaped bracket 210 is moved by the slide mechanism 208 in the center direction of the conveyor by a specified distance. To do. As a result, the through hole 220k of the sensor plate 220 has the shift levers R and L
They are positioned at substantially the same position in the axis-W axis direction. Therefore, if the shift lever R is in the upright state, the shift lever R is inserted into the through hole 220k of the sensor plate 220 when the sensor plate 220 is lowered by the operation of the cylinder 212 with the guide, and the sensor plate 220 is Does not prevent the descent of. On the contrary, if the shift lever R is tilted, when the sensor plate 220 descends, the shift lever R cannot pass through the through hole 220k, but comes into contact with the lower surface of the sensor plate 220 to contact the sensor plate 220. Hinder the descent of. Therefore, it is possible to inspect whether or not the shift lever R is in a state of standing upright from the lower limit position of the sensor plate 220.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an absorber guide device 300 is arranged next to the absorber posture inspection device 100 and the shift lever posture inspection device 200 in the conveyor traveling direction (L axis direction). The absorber guide device 300 is a device for guiding the tip of the shock absorber X to an absorber mounting hole (not shown) formed in the wheel arch of the vehicle body 3 when the engine and the suspension are lifted by the lifter truck 5. And four front and rear shock absorbers X
It is provided corresponding to. The absorber guide device 300 includes a carriage 304d that can move alongside the ceiling conveyor 1 in the L-axis direction. Positioning for moving and positioning the guide member 302 in the W-Z-axis direction below the carriage 304d. A mechanism 304 is provided. Here, the guide member 302 is a guide having an inclined surface formed in a half quadrangular pyramid shape, and is disposed at a prescribed position below the absorber mounting hole and has a function of guiding the upper end portion of the shock absorber X to the absorber mounting hole. To do.

Further, a connecting member (not shown) for connecting the carriage 304d to the hanger 2 of the ceiling conveyor 1 is mounted at a predetermined position of the carriage 304d. Then, in a state where the carriage 304d is connected to the hanger 2 by the connecting member, the guide member 302 is positioned at a position substantially equal to the wheel arch of the vehicle body 3 in the L-axis direction, and in this state, it is synchronized with the hanger 2 and the vehicle body 3. And move. When the dolly 304d is connected to the hanger 2 by a connecting member, the positioning mechanism 304 is operated, the guide member 302 moves in the W axis-Z axis direction and is housed inside the wheel arch of the vehicle body 3, and Place it at the specified position below the mounting hole. In this state, when the engine and suspension are raised by the lifter truck 5, the shock absorber X
Is guided to the absorber mounting hole by the guide member 302.

An automatic tightening device 400 is arranged next to the absorber guide device 300 in the conveyor traveling direction (L-axis direction), as shown in FIGS. The automatic tightening device 400 is a device for screwing the engine and suspension lifted by the lifter truck 5 to the vehicle body 3 in a state where the engine and the suspension are engaged with the vehicle body 3. It is composed of a tightening portion 410 and a rear tightening portion 450. The front tightening portion 410 is a portion for screwing the engine and the front suspension to the vehicle body 3,
A first table 414a and a second table 414 on which the nut runner 412 is arranged and placed at a predetermined position.
b. And these first table 414
a, the second table 414b is the W-axis moving mechanism 417 and the floating mechanisms 416a, 4 which are horizontally displaceable
It is mounted on the front carriage 418 via 16b. Here, the front carriage 418 can travel on a rail 420 laid in parallel with the floor loop conveyor 4.

A slide mechanism 419s is provided on the front carriage 418 in the W-axis direction, and the connecting mechanism 5 of the lifter carriage 5 is provided at the tip of the slide mechanism 419s.
A grip portion 419h for gripping h is attached. Then, the gripping portion 419h is moved by a predetermined distance toward the center of the conveyor by the slide mechanism 419s, and the gripping portion 419h grips the connecting mechanism 5h of the lifter carriage 5, whereby the front carriage 418 is connected to the lifter carriage 5. Then, the lifter carriage 5 moves in synchronization with the lifter carriage 5. The first table 414a and the second table 414b are moved from the standby position to the center of the conveyor by operating the W-axis moving mechanism 417 while the front carriage 418 is connected to the lifter carriage 5. After moving by a distance, the front pallet 7f, on which the engine and the like are loaded, is arranged at a lower prescribed position. Further, the first table 414a, the second table
An engaging pin 414p is fixed to the table 414b at a reference position. The engagement pin 414p has a structure capable of moving up and down, and is inserted from below into a positioning hole (not shown) formed in the front pallet 7f, whereby the first table 414a and the second table 414 are inserted.
b is positioned with respect to the front pallet 7f in a predetermined positional relationship.

On the other hand, the front pallet 7f is provided with a tightening socket 7s at a portion where the engine and the front suspension are screwed to the vehicle body 3.
Then, with the first table 414a and the second table 414b being positioned on the front pallet 7f by the engagement pins 414p, the nut runner 412 is arranged substantially directly below the tightening socket 7s. FIG. 10A shows a tightening socket 7s mounted on the front pallet 7f.
And a main part of the nut runner 412 arranged directly below the tightening socket 7s. The tightening socket 7s is composed of a socket body 70 and a cylindrical socket guide 80 that supports the socket body 70 in a rotatable and vertically movable manner within a certain range. It is fixed in place. Here, in the socket body 70, the large-diameter portion 70a and the small-diameter portion 70b have a socket guide 80.
It is positioned by being supported from below by. Then, the socket body 70 is the nut runner 412.
By being pushed up by the large diameter portion 70
When a and the small diameter portion 70b are separated from the socket guide 80, the socket body 70 can be displaced in the horizontal direction with respect to the socket guide 80 by a predetermined amount. A flat hexagonal recess 72 is formed at the upper end of the socket body 70, and the head of a nut N or a bolt can be fitted into the recess 72. And the recess 7
The magnet 73 is embedded in the step portion of 2. The magnet 73 prevents the nut N fitted in the recess 72 from coming off the recess 72.

At the lower end of the socket body 70, there is formed a flat hexagonal recess 76, which is also formed in the recess 7.
Large-diameter hole 76d and small-diameter hole 7 in the axial direction from the bottom surface of 6
6s are continuously formed. The nut runner 4 is inserted into the recess 76, the large diameter hole 76d, and the small diameter hole 76s.
Twelve rotating shafts 412j are inserted. The rotation shaft 412j of the nut runner 412 is fitted into the large diameter hole 76d and the small diameter hole 76s of the socket body 70, and the guide shaft 412e which is aligned in the process of fitting with the flat hexagonal recessed portion 76 to fit into the socket body 70. And a rotating portion 412k for rotating the. Further, below the rotating portion 412k, there is provided a compliance portion 412c for absorbing the misalignment between the rotating shaft 412j and the screw hole of the vehicle body 3 when tightening. A planar polygonal recess 412r is formed in the compliance portion 412c, and a polygonal shaft 412y fixed to a drive shaft 412x is engaged with the recess 412r. Here, an appropriate clearance is provided between the wall surface of the recess 412r and the side surface of the polygonal shaft 412y. Further, between the ceiling of the recess 412r and the upper surface of the polygonal shaft 412y, both 412r and 412y are provided.
A spring 412s biased in the direction of separating is arranged. Then, the lower surface of the polygonal shaft 412y is supported from below by a ring-shaped cover member 412z via a two-divided seat beam 412t. Compliance section 4
Due to the function of 12c and the mechanism by which the socket body 70 can be displaced in the horizontal direction as it rises, the axis of the rotating shaft 412j of the nut runner 412 slightly moves horizontally from the center line of the screw hole of the vehicle body 3 during tightening. Even if there is a deviation, the nut N can be tightened well.

The rear tightening portion 450 is a portion for screwing the rear suspension to the vehicle body 3, and is provided with a rear table 454 on which the nut runner 452 is placed and placed at a predetermined position. The rear table 454 is placed on the rear carriage 458 via the W-axis moving mechanism 457 and the floating mechanism 456 which can be displaced in the horizontal direction. Here, the rear carriage 458 is mounted on the rail 4
It is designed to be able to drive over 20 and the front carriage 418
To each other by a connecting rod (not shown). Note that the tightening structure for the nuts and the like is similar to that of the front tightening portion 410, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the function of the automatic assembly zone will be described. When the vehicle body 3 suspended by the hanger 2 reaches just above the lifter truck 5 standing by at the position (G) shown in FIG. 1, the clamp 5b of the connecting mechanism 5h installed on the lifter truck 5 rises and the Hold the lower part of the hanger 2.
As a result, the lifter truck 5 is connected to the hanger 2, and the lifter truck 5 starts moving in synchronization with the hanger 2 and the vehicle body 3.

When the lifter carriage 5 and the vehicle body 3 reach the position of the absorber posture inspection device 100, the synchronization bar 110b attached to the synchronization table 106 of the absorber posture inspection device 100 is guided by the air cylinder 110s with the guide to the conveyor center side. Be moved to.
Thereby, the synchronization bar 110b is connected to the connecting mechanism 5h of the lifter truck 5, and the synchronization table 106 moves in synchronization with the lifter truck 5. Next, the synchronization table 10
The absorber inspection arm 114 on the upper side of the rotary cylinder 12
It is rotated to the measurement position by 0. Thereby, between the U-shaped portion 114k of the absorber inspection arm 114,
As shown in FIG. 6, the shock absorber X is arranged, and the posture of the shock absorber X is inspected by the three sets of photoelectric switches 116k and 116j. Then, if the shock absorber X blocks the light between the light source 116k and the light receiver 116j of the photoelectric switch arranged in the center, it is determined that the posture is correct. The fixed absorber posture inspection device 100 at the rear is also operated at the same time. When the posture inspection of the shock absorber X is completed, the absorber inspection arm 114 is returned to the standby position by the rotating cylinder 120.

At the same time, the shift lever posture inspection device 2
The sliding mechanism 208 of No. 00 is driven to move the J-shaped bracket 210 toward the center of the conveyor by a specified distance. As a result, the through hole 220k of the sensor plate 220 attached to the tip of the J-shaped bracket 210 is positioned right above the shift lever R. Next, by operating the cylinder 212 with a guide in this state,
The sensor plate 220 descends while being held horizontally. And if the shift lever R stands straight,
The shift lever R has a through hole 22 in the sensor plate 220.
When the sensor plate 220 is inserted through 0k, the sensor plate 220 reaches the lower limit position without being hindered from descending. As a result, the posture of the shift lever R is determined to be correct. When the posture inspection of the shift lever R is completed, the sensor plate 220 moves up and the J-shaped bracket 210 is returned to the standby position by the slide mechanism 208. Further, the synchronization bar 110b of the absorber posture inspection apparatus 100 is returned to its original position by the air cylinder 110s with the guide, and the connection between the synchronization table 106 and the lifter carriage 5 is released. Then, the synchronization table 106 is returned to the standby position by the L-axis air cylinder 108.

When the lifter truck 5 and the vehicle body 3 reach the position of the absorber guide device 300, the truck 304d of the absorber guide device 300 is connected by the connecting member.
Is connected to the hanger 2 of the ceiling conveyor 1. As a result, the guide member 302 is positioned at a position substantially equal to the wheel arch of the vehicle body 3 in the L axis direction, and moves in synchronization with the hanger 2 and the vehicle body 3 in this state. In addition, the positioning mechanism 304 is actuated to move the guide member 30.
2 moves in the W axis-Z axis direction, is housed inside the wheel arch of the vehicle body 3, and is arranged at a prescribed position below the absorber mounting hole. Next, the engine and suspension are lifted by the lifter truck 5, and the tip of the shock absorber X is guided to the absorber mounting hole of the vehicle body 3 by the guide member 302. Then, when the tip of the shock absorber X is engaged with the absorber mounting hole of the vehicle body 3, the guide member 302 is returned to its original position by the positioning mechanism 304, and the hanger 2 and the carriage 304d of the absorber guide device 300 are connected. It will be canceled.

When the lifter truck 5 further raises the engine and the suspension with the tip of the shock absorber X engaged with the absorber mounting hole of the vehicle body 3, the front pallet 7f on which the engine and the front suspension are mounted is moved. Positioning pins (not shown) are inserted into positioning holes (not shown) of the hanger 2 and the vehicle body 3. Further, the positioning pin (not shown) of the rear pallet 7r on which the rear suspension is placed is similarly inserted into the positioning holes (not shown) of the hanger 2 and the vehicle body 3. As a result, the front pallet 7f and the rear pallet 7r are positioned so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with the vehicle body 3, and the engine and suspension mounted on the front pallet 7f and the rear pallet 7r are engaged with the vehicle body 3. .

In this state, the lifter truck 5 and the vehicle body 3
When reaches the position of the automatic tightening device 400, the slide mechanism 419s of the automatic tightening device 400 operates to move the gripping part 419h to the center side of the conveyor by a predetermined distance. Then, the gripping portion 419h grips the connecting mechanism 5h of the lifter truck 5, thereby allowing the automatic tightening device 400 to operate.
The front dolly 418 and the rear dolly 458 are connected to the lifter dolly 5 and move in synchronization with the lifter dolly 5.
Next, the W-axis moving mechanisms 417 and 457 are activated to move the first table 414a, the second table 414b, and the rear table 454 from the standby position toward the center of the conveyor by a predetermined distance to load an engine or the like on the front pallet. 7
f, the rear pallet 7r is arranged at a specified lower position. Then, the engaging pins 414p, 454p provided at the reference positions of the tables 414a, 414b, 454 are inserted into the positioning holes (not shown) formed in the pallets 7f, 7r from below, so that each table 41
4a, 414b, 454 are positioned in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to each pallet 7f, 7r. In this state, the nut runners 412 and 452 installed on the respective tables 414a, 414b and 454 have the respective pallets 7f and 7f.
It is arranged almost directly below the tightening socket 7s attached to r. Next, the nut runners 412 and 452 move up, and the rotation shafts 412j and 452 of the nut runner 412.
j is inserted into the recessed portion 76, the large diameter hole 76d, and the small diameter hole 76s of the socket body 70, and is rotated while rising by a predetermined amount, whereby the engine and the suspension are screwed to the vehicle body 3. And after tightening normally,
The lift tables 51t and 52t of the lifter truck 5 are lowered.

When the engine and the suspension are assembled to the vehicle body 3 in this way, the lifter truck 5 and the vehicle body 3 are carried to the backup zone (position (H) to position (J)). In the backup zone, a repair is performed by an operator when a defective assembly or the like occurs in the automatic assembly zone. For example, when a tightening failure occurs, the lifter truck 5 moves the lift table 51.
It is carried to the backup zone with t and 52t still rising. Then, in this backup zone, the worker tightens the defective tightened portion according to the defective display, and after the work is completed, the lifting tables 51t and 52t of the lifter carriage 5 are tightened.
To lower. Further, when the operation is stopped in a state where the lifting tables 51t and 52t have not reached the upper limit, the operator raises the lifting tables 51t and 52t by an inching operation after eliminating the cause of not reaching the upper limit. After tightening the parts, the lifting tables 51t and 52t of the lifter truck 5 are lowered. Further, when the assembly is normally performed in the automatic assembly zone, no work is performed in the backup zone.

The lifter truck 5 and the vehicle body 3 are in the position (J)
When it reaches, the connecting mechanism 5h of the lifter truck 5 is operated and the connection between the lifter truck 5 and the hanger 2 is released. As a result, the vehicle body 3 suspended on the hanger 2 is carried to the next step. Further, the trolley body 4k of the floor loop conveyor 4 and the drive chain 4e are engaged with each other, so that the lifter truck 5 receives the driving force of the drive chain 4e via the trolley body 4k to supply the work and return the empty pallets. Be transported to. Then, at the position (A), the used front pallet 7f is unloaded from the front lift table 51t of the lifter truck 5. Thereafter, the above-described steps are repeated to assemble the vehicle engine and suspension.

FIG. 11 shows a control system for the entire equipment in the automatic assembly zone and the backup zone. In the automatic assembly zone, it is possible to switch between three modes: fully automatic mode, manual mode, and backup mode. In the fully automatic mode, all equipment can be operated automatically. In the manual mode, the absorber guide device 300 and the automatic tightening device 400 do not operate, and the lift tables 51t and 52t of the lifter truck 5 are not operated.
Does not automatically move up and down. Therefore, with the lifter truck 5 and the vehicle body 3 reaching the backup zone, the operator lifts the lift table 51 of the lifter truck 5.
Increase t and 52t, and tighten the screw with the manual tightening tool. It should be noted that the lifting tables 51t, 52t of the lifter truck 5 can be lowered when the tightening is completed.

The backup mode is switched to this mode when a failure occurs during automatic operation of all equipment in the fully automatic mode or when an operator gives an instruction. As a result, the lifting mechanism of the lifter truck 5 is set to the manual mode, and the absorber guide device 300 stops its operation and returns to the standby position. Further, the automatic tightening device 400 also stops the operation and returns to the standby position. In this state, the lifter truck 5 and the vehicle body 3 are carried to the backup zone, where an operator raises the elevating tables 51t, 52t of the lifter truck 5 and tightens the screws with a manual tightening tool. And
The lifting tables 51t and 52t of the lifter truck 5 are lowered in a state where the tightening is completed properly. When the lifting tables 51t and 52t are returned to the lower limit position, the backup mode is switched to the fully automatic mode. When a failure occurs in the automatic assembly zone, the details of the failure are transferred to the backup zone. Then, it is confirmed whether an appropriate backup operation has been performed in the backup zone. If an appropriate backup operation is not performed, the ceiling conveyor 1 stops at a predetermined position and an alarm is issued. If the backup operation is appropriate, the ceiling conveyor 1 continues to operate.

[0038]

According to the present invention, since the lower parts can be automatically assembled while continuously conveying the vehicle body on the ceiling conveyor, the equipment can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Space is also reduced. Further, in addition to the automatic assembly zone, a backup zone for workers is provided, which improves safety and work efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of an engine and suspension assembly line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a ceiling conveyor and a floor loop conveyor.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a lifter truck.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a lifter truck and a diagram showing a main part of an absorber guide device.

5A and 5B are a front view of a lifter truck and a diagram showing a main part of an absorber posture inspection device and a shift lever posture inspection device.

FIG. 6 is an overall plan view of an absorber posture inspection device and a shift lever posture inspection device.

7A and 7B are a plan view and a side view of a main part of the absorber posture inspection device.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a main part and a side view of the main part of the shift lever posture inspection device.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the automatic tightening device.

FIG. 10 is a side view and a cross-sectional view showing a rotating shaft of a tightening socket and a nut runner.

FIG. 11 is a control system diagram of the entire equipment in the automatic assembly zone and the backup zone.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ceiling Conveyor 2 Hanger 3 Vehicle Body 4 Floor Loop Conveyor 5 Lifter Cart 5h Coupling Mechanism 7f Front Pallet 7r Rear Pallet 7s Tightening Socket 100 Absorber Attitude Inspection Device 200 Shift Lever Attitude Inspection Device 300 Absorber Guide Device 400 Automatic Tightening Device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A ceiling conveyer for suspending a vehicle body by a hanger to continuously convey the body, a loop conveyer installed below the ceiling conveyer, the loop conveyer having a portion arranged to overlap with the ceiling conveyer, A trolley conveyed by a loop conveyor,
A lower part that is assembled from below with respect to the vehicle body is placed at a prescribed position, and a lifter truck that can raise the lower part while holding it horizontally, and that connects the lifter cart and the hanger. A connecting mechanism that moves the lifter truck in synchronization with the hanger, and a positioning mechanism that positions the lower component on the lifter truck to have a predetermined positional relationship with the vehicle body, In the portion where the ceiling conveyor and the loop conveyor are overlapped with each other, an automatic assembly zone for automatically assembling the lower parts placed on the lifter truck to the vehicle body is provided, and Next to the automatic assembly zone, a backup zone for workers is provided, which is a lower part assembly line for a vehicle. Down. 2. The undercarriage component assembly line according to claim 1, wherein the automatic assembly zone is provided with an inspection cart that is connected to the lifter truck and moves in synchronization with the lifter truck. The inspection cart is equipped with an attitude inspection device for inspecting an installation attitude of the undercarriage parts, wherein the undercarriage parts assembling line for a vehicle is provided. 3. The undercarriage part assembly line for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the undercarriage parts are vertically mounted on a pallet for loading the undercarriage parts on the lifter truck at predetermined positions, and the undercarriage parts are screwed to a vehicle body. A socket used as an operation unit for stopping, a screw tightening carriage that is provided in the automatic mounting zone and that is connected to the lifter carriage and moves in synchronization with the lifter carriage, and on the screw tightening carriage. A nut runner that is placed via a floating mechanism and is engageable from below with respect to the socket, and the nut runner so that the nut runner is substantially at the same position as the socket in the horizontal direction. And a positioning mechanism for positioning.