JPH08142948A - Strut positioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To securely and quickly correct the dislocation between a vehicle body and a strut with simple constitution by correcting the position of a support means in the width direction and overall length direction of the vehicle body and around the axis of the strut, and also by arranging a locating unit for the support means. CONSTITUTION: A strut 5 is supported by a vehicle body 6 by means of a support means 1, and floating units 2, 3 are made so as to be relatively displaceable, and then while inserting a locating unit 4 into the guide hole 61 and a fitting hole 60 of the vehicle body 6, the correction of the position of the strut in the width direction and overall length direction of the vehicle is carried out. Thereafter, the floating units 2, 3 are locked, and the stud bolts 50 are driven toward the vehicle body 6. The stud bolts 50 and the end part of the head part 5A are abutted on the locating unit 4 that has been inserted into the fitting hole 61 and the guide hole 60, and at the same time the stud bolts 50 and the head part 5A are inserted into the fitting hole 61 and the guide hole 60, and the strut 50 is positioned in a prescribed fitting position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a positioning device for assembling a strut suspension used in a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0002]

Strut suspensions are widely used in vehicles such as automobiles. To assemble such automobiles, the head of the strut and a stud bolt projecting around the head are mounted on the vehicle body side. After being inserted into the formed through hole, a nut is fastened to the stud bolt to connect the vehicle body and the strut.

In the strut assembly process, the strut head and stud bolts are displaced by displacing the strut that has been set at a predetermined mounting angle with a jig or the like to the vehicle body sent by a carrier or hanger. Although it is inserted into the guide hole and the mounting hole of the vehicle body, it is necessary to correct the positional deviation between the vehicle body and the strut. As such a positioning device, as shown in FIG. 13, an image pickup means such as a CCD image sensor is used. Strut 5 and car body 6 by 91
It is known that the positional deviation between the vehicle body 6 and the strut 5 is corrected by photographing the relative position of the strut 5 and drivingly controlling the robot hand or the like which holds the strut 5 through the image processing means. The head 5A and the guide hole 61 of the vehicle body 6, and the stud bolt 50 also have the mounting hole 6
After positioning at the predetermined positions facing 0 respectively,
Strut 5 is assembled by being driven upward.

Besides, while a conical guide cap is temporarily provided on the head of the strut, a trumpet-shaped guide member for guiding the guide cap to the vehicle body side is temporarily attached, and the guide cap is slidably contacted with the guide member. In some cases, the struts are raised while the guide caps are inserted into the guide holes of the vehicle body and the stud bolts are inserted into the mounting holes for positioning. After the positioning is completed, the guide cap and the guide member are removed, and then the strut is fastened.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional strut positioning device as described above, in the latter case, a setup process for mounting the guide cap and the guide member, and the guide cap and the guide member after the positioning are performed. There is a problem that the number of work steps is increased because a process of removing the is required.

On the other hand, in the former case, the image pickup means such as a CCD image sensor is easily affected by the incidence of ambient light,
Depending on the ambient light, the strut may not be positioned accurately, and when the CCD image sensor is used, the positions of the vehicle body and the strut are recognized to control the robot hand, servo motor, etc. Not only does the device increase in size and the capital investment increases, but there is also the case where the time required for image recognition processing is required and a significant speed increase cannot be expected.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a strut positioning device having a simple structure and capable of surely and quickly correcting the deviation between the vehicle body and the strut.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a head is formed at one end, and a strut having a plurality of stud bolts projecting concentrically with the head is formed at a predetermined position of a vehicle body. In the strut positioning device that inserts the head portion into the guide hole and also inserts the stud bolt into the mounting hole that is also formed at a predetermined position of the vehicle body, the head portion and the stud bolt are arranged at the predetermined positions. A means for supporting the strut at a predetermined position capable of facing the guide hole and the mounting hole of the vehicle body, and a floating unit for selectively allowing the support means to displace in the width direction of the vehicle body, the entire length direction and the axis of the strut. , An elevating means for driving the strut toward the vehicle body and a guide hole and a mounting hole of the vehicle body, respectively, so that the position of the supporting means is in the width direction of the vehicle body. , Is corrected by the axis of the full-length direction and strut comprises a head and the stud bolt of the strut abutting locate units, it is disposed on the support means and means for driving the locate unit in the axial direction of the strut.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a head is formed at one end, and a strut having a plurality of stud bolts projecting concentrically with the head is formed through a guide hole formed at a predetermined position of the vehicle body. In a strut positioning device for inserting the stud bolt into a mounting hole that is also formed at a predetermined position of the vehicle body while inserting the head portion into the Means for supporting the strut at a predetermined position facing the guide hole and the mounting hole; a first floating unit for selectively allowing displacement of the supporting means in the width direction and the full length direction of the vehicle body; A second floating unit for selectively allowing the displacement of the strut of the means around the axis; and the first and second floating units. A base member that supports the support means and is displaceable toward the vehicle body, an elevating means that drives the struts toward the vehicle body, and a guide hole that is formed so as to be engageable with a guide hole of the vehicle body. A first guide member supported by a support means so as to be displaceable in the axial direction of the strut from a position where it can face the head of the strut via the first guide member which is attached to the support means and drives the first guide member. No. 1 drive means is inserted through the mounting hole of the vehicle body and is capable of contacting the end of the stud bolt, and is displaced in the axial direction of the strut from a position where it can face the stud bolt through the mounting hole. A second guide member that is supported by a support unit is provided, and a second drive unit that is attached to the support unit and drives the second guide member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the first guide member includes means for correcting the deviation of the support means in the width direction and the full length direction of the vehicle body, and the strut head. The lifting means guides the guide hole.

In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the pulling means is supported so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the strut with respect to the correcting means,
It is biased toward the correction means.

The fifth invention is the third or fourth invention.
In the invention described above, the correction means is composed of a convex portion protruding toward the guide hole, and an end portion of the convex portion is formed in a tapered shape.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the third to fifth aspects of the invention.
In any one of the inventions, the pulling-up means is composed of a claw capable of engaging with the outer circumference of the head of the strut.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the second to sixth aspects of the invention.
In any one of the inventions, the second guide member is composed of a plurality of locate pins projecting toward predetermined positions facing the mounting holes, and at least one of the locate pins has an end portion. And a tapered locate pin formed in a taper shape, and the tapered locate pin is supported so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the strut with respect to the locate pin.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the supporting means supports the head of the strut and the stud bolt so as to face the guide hole and the mounting hole formed through the vehicle body, and makes the floating unit relatively displaceable. Insert the locate unit into the guide hole and mounting hole of the vehicle body,
After correcting the lengthwise direction and the position around the axis of the strut, the floating unit is locked to regulate the relative displacement of the supporting means, and then the lifting means is driven to drive the stud bolt toward the vehicle body. The stud bolt and the end of the head come into contact with the locate unit that is inserted through the mounting hole and the guide hole, and the locate unit is pushed by the strut and comes out of the guide hole and the mounting hole. And the strut is positioned at a predetermined mounting position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the head of the strut and the stud bolt are supported by the supporting means in a direction capable of facing the guide hole and the mounting hole formed through the vehicle body, and the base member is arranged at a predetermined position. The head of the strut and the stud bolt face the first and second guide members attached to the supporting means through the guide hole and the attachment hole of the vehicle body, respectively. After the horizontal floating unit and the rotary floating unit are displaceable relative to each other, first, the first driving means is operated to engage the first guide member with the guide hole, and the supporting means is driven by the first guide member to drive the vehicle. Relative displacement in the width direction and the full length direction corrects the positional deviation from the vehicle body. Then, the second drive means is operated to insert the second guide member into the mounting hole, whereby the support means is driven by the second guide member around the axis of the strut according to the displacement between the vehicle body and the strut, and the vehicle body is moved. And correct the displacement of the strut position. In this way, after correcting the vehicle width direction, the entire length direction, and the position around the axis of the strut, when the relative displacement of the horizontal and rotary floating units is restricted, the elevating means is driven to drive the strut toward the vehicle body. The end portion of the stud bolt contacts the second guide member inserted through the mounting hole, and the head portion contacts the first guide member engaged in the guide hole. The first and second guide members are pushed by the struts and come out of the guide holes and the mounting holes, and at the same time, the stud bolt and the head are inserted into the mounting holes and the guide holes, and the struts are positioned at predetermined mounting positions.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the correction means constituting the first guide member is engaged with the guide hole to correct the deviation of the strut in the width direction and the full length direction of the vehicle body through the support means. When the first guide member is pushed out of the guide hole by being pushed by the strut, the pulling-up means surely guides the head of the strut to the guide hole, and the positioning of the strut can be surely performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the pulling means constituting the first guide member is supported so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the strut with respect to the correcting means, and is biased toward the correcting means. Therefore, the first guide member displaced toward the guide hole performs positioning in the vehicle width and the entire length direction by engaging the correcting means with the guide hole, but is caught and locked in the guide hole until the positioning is completed. The pulling means is displaced relative to the correcting means in the axial direction of the strut, and the biased pulling means is inserted into the guide hole after the positioning is completed. Can be inserted into the guide hole.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the taper formed at the end of the convex portion engages with the guide hole, so that the convex portion is displaced in the vehicle width and the entire length direction in accordance with the displacement between the vehicle body and the supporting means. Then
The support means and struts can be guided into position.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the head of the strut driven by the elevating means can be reliably inserted into the guide hole by guiding the claw engaged on the outer periphery.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when the tapered locate pin is inserted into the mounting hole with the other locate pin projecting toward the vehicle body, the taper comes into sliding contact with the vehicle body and the supporting means in accordance with the positional deviation. By the sliding contact of the taper locate pin, the supporting means can be rotated around the axis of the strut to correct the positional deviation. After that, the locate pin is inserted into each mounting hole and the protruding amount of the taper locate pin is increased. Can be brought into contact with the head of the stud bolt, and can be reliably guided to the mounting hole for positioning.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 3, a head 5A and a stud bolt 50 are attached to a vehicle body 6 supported by a self-propelled carrier 13 such as a guide hole 61 and a mounting hole 60 formed through a front fender. FIG. 1 shows a positioning device for guiding a protruding strut 5, and in FIG. 1, the strut positioning device is mainly composed of an arm 1 as a supporting means bent and formed in a substantially L shape.

As shown in FIG. 13 of the conventional example, the head portion 5A is provided so as to project from the center of the upper end portion of the strut 5, and the plurality of stud bolts 50 are rotatably supported on the upper end portion of the strut 5. It is provided so as to project from the flange portion 52 in a concentric circle shape centered on the head portion 5A, and mounting holes 60 are formed through the vehicle body 6 in accordance with the number and arrangement intervals of the stud bolts 50. Reference numeral 61 is formed to be engageable with the outer periphery of the head 5A of the strut 5.

The arm 1 is supported by a base carriage 12 which can be displaced in the X-axis direction in the drawing with the bending position side facing the vehicle body 6,
The lower end 1A is projected toward the transport carriage 13 side, the upper end 1B is directed upward, and the upper end 1B side of the arm 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle according to the mounting angle of the strut 5 and is parallel to the axial direction of the strut 5.

Here, the width direction of the vehicle body 6 is defined as the X-axis direction in the figure, and the overall length direction is also the Y-axis direction in the figure (the penetrating direction of the paper surface) and the vertical direction, that is, the axial direction of the struts 5 is the Z-axis in the figure. Direction.

A horizontal floating unit 2 is fixedly installed on the base carriage 12 as a first floating unit for selectively allowing a slide guide 20 formed of a plate member to be displaced in the XY plane. The slide guide 20 is arranged toward the transport carriage 13 side.

A rotary floating unit 3 as a second floating unit is provided at the end of the slide guide 20, and the rotary floating unit 3 supports a predetermined position near the bending position of the arm 1 and selectively. Allows rotation around the Z axis.

The horizontal floating unit 2 and the rotary floating unit 3 lock the slide guide 20 and the arm 1 at arbitrary positions by supplying hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure (not shown), and the arm 1 has the horizontal floating unit 2 and the rotary floating unit 3. It is supported by the unit 3 so as to be selectively displaceable in the XY plane and around the Z axis.

A pedestal 19 on which the lower end of the strut 5 can be placed is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the lower end 1A of the arm 1.

The lower end of the arm 1 is placed at a predetermined position on the pedestal 19
A chuck 11 that is mounted on the chuck 11 and selectively clamps the struts 5 along the Z-axis direction, and a clamping cylinder 9 that drives the chuck 11 are disposed. Further, the clamping cylinder 9 is located near the bending position of the arm 1. The lower elevating cylinder 8 as an elevating means that is fixedly installed at a predetermined position is supported so as to be displaceable in the Z-axis direction, and drives the strut 5 sandwiched by the chuck 11 in the Z-axis direction.

A linear guide 15 for supporting a slide guide 70 displaceable in the Z-axis direction is provided on the upper end 1B side of the arm 1.
Is arranged at the upper end of the slide guide 70 via the linear guide 16 in parallel with the arm 1 on the lower end 1A side and in the X direction.
A slide guide 40 that is displaceable in the axial direction is provided.

The slide guide 40 is supported so as to extend and contract from the linear guide 16 toward the vehicle body 6, and is fixed to the slide guide 70 side to drive the slide guide 40 in the X-axis direction. The arm 1 is driven in the X-Z axis direction by an upper lifting cylinder 7 that is fixedly installed at a predetermined position and drives the slide guide 70 in the Z-axis direction.

On the lower surface of the end portion of the slide guide 40 on the vehicle body 6 side, a locate unit 4 for positioning the struts 5 according to the position of the vehicle body 6 can face the mounting hole 60 and the guide hole 61 of the vehicle body Z. It is arranged in the axial direction.

Here, the locate unit 4 has a guide hole 61 formed through the vehicle body 6 as shown in FIGS.
A center locator 46 as a first guide member formed of a disk-shaped member through which a hole can be inserted, and a taper locating pin 44 and a locating pin 45 as a second guide member that can be inserted into a mounting hole 60 that is similarly formed through the vehicle body 6. If the stud bolts 50 formed on the strut 5 are provided in three places as shown in FIG. 13, one taper locate pin 44 and two locate pins 45 are provided.

A shaft 41 is provided on a predetermined lower surface of the end portion of the slide guide 40 along the Z-axis direction toward the vehicle body 6, and a guide hole 60 of the vehicle body 6 can be inserted into the end portion of the shaft 41. Center locate 4 as a corrective means
6 is fixed, and a taper 46A having a predetermined angle is formed at the end of the center locate 46.

At the center of the end face of the center locate 46, an engaging hole 51 formed in the head 5A of the strut 5 is formed.
A fixing pin 49 that can be engaged with the inner periphery of the fixing pin 49 is provided coaxially with the shaft 41 so as to protrude downward in the drawing along the Z-axis direction, and a predetermined taper 49A is formed at the tip of this fixing pin 49.

The slide guide 4 of the center locate 46
On the 0 side, a pull-up guide 47 having a plurality of claws 47A protruding in the Z-axis direction is supported by a shaft 41 so as to be slidable in the axial direction.

A claw 47A as a lifting means projecting from the lifting guide 47 can slidably contact the inner circumference with the outer circumference of the center locate 46, and engages with the outer circumference of the head 5A of the strut 5 at this inner circumference. While being formed possible, the nail 4
The outer periphery of 7A has a predetermined outer diameter that allows the inner periphery of the guide hole 61 of the vehicle body 6 to be inserted, and the surface of the pull-up guide 47 on the slide guide 40 side and the bracket 42 fixed at a predetermined position of the shaft 41. Spring 4 interposed between and
8 raises the guide 47 to the center locate 46
Is urged toward.

The taper locate pin 44 and the locate pin 45 are mounted on the stud bolt 5 on the concentric circle of the shaft 41.
The taper locating pin 44 and the locating pin 45 are supported at their base ends by the guide cylinders 17 and 18 as the second driving means and extendable in the Z-axis direction. Become.

The tapered locate pin 44 is formed of a rod-shaped member having a predetermined taper at its tip and a predetermined outer diameter capable of sliding contact with the inner periphery of the mounting hole 60, and the locate pin 45 also has a predetermined outer diameter. It is formed of a rod-shaped member having a predetermined outer diameter that can slidably contact the inner circumference.

The taper locate pin 44 and the locate pin 45 penetrate the bracket 42 and their displacements in the XY directions are restricted.

A recess 43 is formed on the side of the center locate 46 of the bracket 42 for accommodating the pull-up guide 47 displaced upward in the figure.

Locating unit 4 constructed in this way
Is driven by the horizontal cylinder 10 and the upper lift cylinder 7 via the slide guide 40 and is displaced in the XZ direction to guide the strut 5 supported by the arm 1 to a predetermined mounting position of the vehicle body 6. The strut positioning device is driven by supplying hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure controlled by a control means such as a sequencer to the upper lift cylinder 7, the lower lift cylinder 8, the horizontal cylinder 10 and the guide cylinders 17 and 18, respectively. An example of the control is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the assembling work of the strut 5 will be described in detail below with reference to this flowchart.

In step S1, the strut 5 is supported by the arm 1 as a setup work, and the lower end 1 of the arm 1 is supported.
After mounting the lower end of the strut 5 on the pedestal 19 on the A side, the strut 5 is erected in the Z-axis direction and then the clamping cylinder 9
Is driven to clamp the chuck 11 to support the strut 5 at a predetermined mounting angle.

In this setup work, the flange portion 52 of the strut 5 is rotated to preset the stud bolt 50 in a phase in which it can face the mounting hole 60 of the vehicle body 6.

In step S2, the base carriage 12 is displaced toward the carrier carriage 13 on which the vehicle body 6 is mounted, and the base carriage 12 is moved to a predetermined assembly position. As shown in FIG. 1, the stud bolt 50 and the head 5A are respectively moved. The mounting hole 60 and the guide hole 61 are made to face each other.

At this mounting position, the dolly bolt 13 may not be smoothly inserted into the mounting hole 61 due to the displacement of the transport carriage 13, so that each cylinder is driven to set the positioning device as in step S3 and subsequent steps. Activate.

In step S3, the horizontal floating unit 2 and the rotary floating unit 3 are released from the locked state, the arm 1 is supported so as to be displaceable relative to the vehicle body 6, and then the horizontal cylinder 10 is extended and driven in step S4. Then, the locate unit 4 is displaced to a predetermined position facing the head 5A of the strut 5.

In step S5, the upper elevating cylinder 7 is contractively driven to displace the locate unit 4 toward the vehicle body 6, and the center locate 46 and the pulling guide 47 are moved.
Is engaged with a guide hole 61 formed in the vehicle body 6.

As the upper lift cylinder 7 contracts, the slide guide 70 supporting the slide guide 40 is displaced downward along the Z axis, so that the locate unit 4 is displaced toward the guide hole 61 of the vehicle body 6. As shown in FIG. 6, first, the taper portion 4 of the center locate 46 is responded to in accordance with the error in the rough positioning in the step S2.
6A engages with the inner circumference of the guide hole 61, while the shaft 4
1 is a claw 47A that is slidable in the axial direction with the pull-up guide 47.
Since the end portion of the shaft contacts the vehicle body 6, it is displaced in the axial direction of the shaft 41 while compressing the spring 48, and the center locate 46 is not hindered from smoothly descending.

The center locate 46 is a taper portion 46A.
Is guided by XY in accordance with the displacement between the vehicle body 6 and the arm 1.
The horizontal floating unit 2 is displaced through a plane, and this displacement causes the shaft 41 and the slide guide 40 to move.
The arm 1 displaceably supported by is also displaced in the XY plane.

When the center locate 46 is inserted into the guide hole 61, the claw 47A of the pull-up guide 47 which is in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the center locate 46 is also biased by the spring 48 and inserted into the inner periphery of the guide hole 61. It By inserting the center locate 46 and the pull-up guide 47 into the guide hole 61, the arm 1 is guided by the center locate 46 and absorbs the positioning error of the vehicle body 6 and the base carriage 12, that is, the strut 5 in the XY plane. You can do it.

After positioning the strut 5 at a predetermined mounting position in the XY plane of the vehicle body 6, the guide cylinder 17 is driven in step S6 in order to match the phases of the plurality of stud bolts 50 and the mounting holes 60. , The taper locate pin 44 is driven to extend and the tip is inserted into the mounting hole 60 formed in the vehicle body 6, thereby correcting the positioning error around the Z axis (in the θ direction in FIG. 1).

If the strut 5 supported by the arm 1 and the vehicle body 6 are misaligned around the Z axis, the tapered locate pin 44 displaced downward as shown in FIG. Since the taper locate pin 44 drives the shaft 41 around the Z-axis while slidingly contacting the mounting hole 60, the arm 1 supported by the rotary floating unit 3 is also driven in the θ direction via the slide guide 40, and the stud bolt 50. And the mounting hole 60 face each other at a predetermined position along the Z axis.

After correcting the positioning error around the Z-axis in this way, in step S7, the guide cylinders 18, 18 are driven to insert the columnar locate pins 45, 45 into the mounting holes 60, 60 facing each other, and the Z-axis rotation is performed. Hold the assembly position of.

In order to lock the arm 1 which is guided by the locate unit 4 to correct the positioning error in the X-Y and θ directions, the horizontal floating unit 2 and the rotary floating unit 3 are subjected to pneumatic or hydraulic pressure (not shown) in steps S8 and S9. Is supplied to bring the arm 1 into the locked state, and the displacement of the arm 1 in the X and Y axis directions and around the Z axis is regulated.

In step S10, the lower lifting cylinder 8
Is extended to raise the strut 5 supported by the arm 1 via the chuck 11, and the head 5A and the stud bolt 50 are displaced toward the lower surface of the vehicle body 6 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Let

Ascending head 5A and stud bolt 50
The locate unit 4 that penetrates the mounting hole 60 of the vehicle body 6 before contacting the lower surface of the vehicle body 6 as shown in FIG.
While abutting on the taper locate pin 44 and the locate pin 45, the fixing pin 49 protruding from the center locate 46 penetrating the guide hole 61 engages with the engaging hole 51 formed in the head portion 5A.

The strut 5 is guided by the locator unit 4 whose displacement in the XY direction and around the Z axis is restricted through the arm 1 through the upper portion of the stud bolt 50 projecting from the stud bolt 50.
As it rises in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. 12, the stud bolt 50 rises together with the taper locate pin 44 and the locate pin 45 and can be inserted into the mounting hole 60 of the vehicle body 6 without being caught. The strut 5 is guided to a predetermined mounting position while pushing the locate unit 4 upward.

In this way, the lower lifting cylinder 8 is stopped at a predetermined position where the flange portion 52 to which the stud bolt 50 is attached contacts the lower surface of the vehicle body 6, and the positioning operation of the strut 5 is completed (step S11).

After the positioning is completed in this way, the upper lifting cylinder 7 and the horizontal cylinder 10 are driven to return the locate unit 4 to a predetermined origin (step S1).
2), while supplying nuts from a parts feeder (not shown) to the stud bolts 50 penetrating the vehicle body 6,
After the nuts are fastened with a nut runner (not shown) to connect the struts 5 to the vehicle body 6, each cylinder is driven to return the arm 1 to the origin (step S12,
S13).

As described above, by repeating the above steps S1 to S13, it becomes possible to automatically assemble the struts 5 to the vehicle body 6 sequentially sent by the carrier truck 13, and selectively through the arm 1. The positioning error of the strut 5 and the vehicle body 6 is corrected quickly and reliably by the guiding operation of the center locate 46 and the taper locate pin 44 of the locate unit 4 supported by the horizontal floating unit 2 and the rotary floating unit 3 which can be displaced. Therefore, complicated processing such as image processing as in the conventional example is not required, the positioning apparatus is prevented from becoming complicated and large, and the equipment investment is reduced while promoting the automation of the vehicle assembly process and manufacturing. The cost can be reduced.

[0064]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the strut is supported by the supporting means which is relatively displaceable in the vehicle width direction, the full length direction and the axis of the strut, and the vehicle width direction, the full length direction and the strut are supported. Since the locate unit for correcting the position around the axis is provided in the support means, the position of the vehicle body and the support means is corrected by the locate unit, the floating unit is locked, and then the head of the strut and the strut are guided by the locate unit. Since it is inserted into the guide hole and the mounting hole of No. 2, complicated processing such as image processing as in the conventional example is not necessary, and it is possible to prevent the positioning device from becoming complicated and large and to reduce capital investment. It is possible to promote the reduction of manufacturing cost, and it becomes possible to position the strut quickly and reliably. It is possible to promote the automation of the assembly process of.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the strut is supported by the supporting means capable of relative displacement with respect to the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, the entire length direction and the axis of the strut, and the position in the vehicle width direction and the length direction is corrected. Since the first guide member and the second guide member for correcting the position around the axis of the strut are provided in the support means, the positions of the vehicle body and the support means are corrected by the first and second guide members, and horizontal and rotational floating is performed. Since the head of the strut and the strut are inserted into the guide hole and the mounting hole of the vehicle body while guiding the head and the strut of the strut by the first and second guide members after the unit is locked, complicated processing such as the image processing as in the conventional example is performed. Since processing is unnecessary, it is possible to prevent the positioning device from becoming complicated and large, and to reduce equipment investment, thus promoting the reduction of manufacturing cost.
The struts can be positioned quickly and reliably, and the automation of the vehicle assembly process can be promoted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the correction means constituting the first guide member is engaged with the guide hole to correct the deviation of the strut in the width direction and the full length direction of the vehicle body through the support means. Since the first guide member is composed of the correction means and the lifting means for guiding the head of the strut to the guide hole, the head of the strut can be surely positioned while the positioning is easy in the vehicle width direction and the length direction while having a simple structure. Can be guided to the guide hole, image processing etc. are not required unlike the conventional example, and the assembly process can be automated while suppressing the increase in size and complexity of the apparatus.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the pulling means constituting the first guide member is supported so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the strut with respect to the correcting means, and is biased toward the correcting means. It is possible to prevent the pulling-up means from interfering with the operation of the correction means, and to reliably perform the positioning operation of the correction means, thereby preventing misalignment and improving the reliability of the apparatus.

Further, in the fifth invention, the taper formed at the end portion of the convex portion engages with the guide hole, thereby enabling positioning in the vehicle width and the entire length direction. By eliminating the need for complicated processing such as image processing described above, the assembly process can be automated while suppressing the increase in size and complexity of the apparatus.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, the head of the strut driven by the elevating means can be surely inserted into the guide hole by guiding the claw engaged with the outer periphery, and misalignment can be prevented. The reliability of the device can be improved.

Further, in the seventh invention, since the second guide member is constituted by the taper locate pin for correcting the position of the strut about the shaft and the locate pin for guiding the stud bolt to the mounting hole, the strut can be positioned about the shaft. The stud bolt can be guided quickly and reliably with a simple structure, and complicated processing such as image processing as in the above-mentioned conventional example is not required, and the size and complexity of the device are suppressed. However, the assembly process can be automated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a strut positioning device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a locate unit.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the center locate similarly.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the strut positioning device showing a state in which the vehicle body is positioned by center locate.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a center locate that has started to be inserted into a guide hole.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a center locate which is also inserted into the guide hole.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing insertion of a taper locate.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing insertion of a locate pin.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a strut positioning device showing upward drive of a strut.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the raising drive of the locate unit.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a stud bolt is also inserted into a mounting hole.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Arm 2 Horizontal Floating Unit 3 Rotating Floating Unit 4 Locate Unit 5 Strut 5A Head 6 Body 7 Upper Lifting Cylinder 8 Lower Lifting Cylinder 11 Chuck 12 Base Truck 14-16 Linear Guide 17, 18 Guide Cylinder 19 Pedestal 20 Slide Guide 44 Taper Locate pin 45 Locate pin 46 Center locate 47 Lifting guide 48 Spring 50 Stud bolt 51 Engagement hole 60 Mounting hole 61 Guide hole

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A strut having a head formed at one end and a plurality of stud bolts projecting concentrically with the head is inserted into a guide hole formed at a predetermined position of a vehicle body. In the strut positioning device for inserting the stud bolt into a mounting hole that is also formed at a predetermined position of the vehicle body, the head portion and the stud bolt are provided with a guide hole and a mounting hole of the vehicle body arranged at the predetermined position. A means for supporting the strut at a predetermined position where it can be faced to each other, a floating unit for selectively allowing the support means to displace in the width direction of the vehicle body, the entire length direction and the axis of the strut, and the strut is driven toward the vehicle body. And the guide hole and the mounting hole of the vehicle body are respectively inserted to position the support means in the vehicle width direction, the entire length direction and the strut. A strut comprising a locating unit that makes a correction around the axis and is in contact with the head of the strut and the stud bolt, and means for driving the locate unit in the axial direction of the strut, the strut being provided in the supporting means. Positioning device. 2. A strut having a head formed at one end and a plurality of stud bolts concentrically formed with the head is inserted into a guide hole formed at a predetermined position of the vehicle body. In the strut positioning device for inserting the stud bolt into a mounting hole that is also formed at a predetermined position of the vehicle body, the head portion and the stud bolt are provided with a guide hole and a mounting hole of the vehicle body arranged at the predetermined position. Means for supporting the strut at a predetermined position capable of facing each other, a first floating unit for selectively allowing the displacement of the supporting means in the width direction and the full length direction of the vehicle body, and an axis around the strut of the supporting means A second floating unit that selectively allows the displacement of
While supporting the support means through the first and second floating units, a base member that is displaceable toward the vehicle body, an elevating means that drives the struts toward the vehicle body, and a guide hole for the vehicle body A first guide member that is formed so as to be engageable with the first guide member and is supported by the support means so as to be displaceable in the axial direction of the strut from a position where it can face the head of the strut through the guide hole; A first driving means that is attached to drive the first guide member, is formed so as to be able to pass through a mounting hole of the vehicle body and abut on an end portion of a stud bolt, and the stud bolt is provided through the mounting hole. A second guide member supported by a support means so as to be displaceable in the axial direction of the strut from a position where it can face the second position; and a second guide member mounted on the support means and driving the second guide member. Strut positioning device is characterized in that a drive means. 3. The first guide member comprises a means for correcting the displacement of the support means in the width direction and the full length direction of the vehicle body, and a lifting means for guiding the head of the strut to the guide hole. The strut positioning device according to claim 2. 4. The pulling means is supported so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the strut with respect to the correcting means, and is biased toward the correcting means. Strut positioning device. 5. The correction means is constituted by a convex portion protruding toward the guide hole, and an end portion of the convex portion is formed in a tapered shape. The strut positioning device according to item 4. 6. The strut positioning device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the pulling-up means is constituted by a claw capable of being engaged with the outer periphery of the head of the strut. 7. The second guide member is composed of a plurality of locate pins projecting toward a predetermined position facing the mounting hole, and at least one of the locate pins has a tapered end portion. 7. The strut positioning according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the strut positioning is formed by a tapered locate pin formed on the strut and is supported so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the strut with respect to the locate pin. apparatus.