US20010037562A1 - Automatic decking and automatic fastening system - Google Patents
Automatic decking and automatic fastening system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010037562A1 US20010037562A1 US09/273,854 US27385499A US2001037562A1 US 20010037562 A1 US20010037562 A1 US 20010037562A1 US 27385499 A US27385499 A US 27385499A US 2001037562 A1 US2001037562 A1 US 2001037562A1
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- Prior art keywords
- automatic
- vehicle
- component
- fastener driver
- base
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
- B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
- B62D65/18—Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49895—Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53313—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention
- Y10T29/5337—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention including assembly pallet
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53313—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention
- Y10T29/53383—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention and means to fasten work parts together
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53435—Means to assemble or disassemble including assembly pallet
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53978—Means to assemble or disassemble including means to relatively position plural work parts
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an automatic vehicle component assembly system, and more particularly, to an automatic decking and automatic fastening (ADAF), apparatus and method that effects automatic decking and automatic fastening of vehicle body components to vehicle chassis components.
- ADAF automatic decking and automatic fastening
- an automatic decking and automatic fastening system includes a base with an elevatable unit repositionable relative to the base by at least one actuator.
- the elevatable unit is compliant in the fore-aft direction. This preferred fore-aft compliance is useful in accommodating any experienced chassis carrier stopping error.
- a cross-car slidable unit is supported on the elevatable unit and is repositionable relative to the elevatable unit by at least one other actuator.
- this other actuator can stop and hold position when an element of the chassis such as a frame bracket has been located.
- Tooling (referred to in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as an ADAF plate), is carried on the slidable unit and is repositionable vertically relative to the slidable unit by yet another actuator.
- the tooling locates off the chassis element and serves to carry and to justify the body component to the chassis.
- a fastener driver is preferably carried by a compliant assembly on the slidable unit. This assembly allows the fastener driver to have a preferred compliance in the cross-car and fore-aft directions relative to the slidable unit, and allows the fastener driver, with its own lead in tooling, to locate a mounting fastener.
- the body element is positioned in space at a predetermined location.
- the actuators are operated to reposition the tooling to accept and justify the body element to a position determined by engagement of the tooling with the chassis.
- the justified body element is lowered to the chassis, the tooling is retracted, and the fastener driver advances fastening the body element to the chassis.
- FIG. 1 is an illustration of one side of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus showing one ADAF unit.
- FIG. 2 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus with both ADAF units shown in an initial stage of the marriage sequence.
- FIG. 3 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence with the ADAF units ready to locate off the chassis frame.
- FIG. 4 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence with the ADAF units located off the chassis frame and the cab in a pre-deck position.
- FIG. 5 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence wherein the cab transfer has landed the cab onto the ADAF plates, and the cab is now justified to the chassis frame via the ADAF plates.
- FIG. 6 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence wherein the cab has been lowered onto the chassis frame and the ADAF plates are being retracted.
- FIG. 7 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence wherein the fastener drivers advance to fasten the cab screw.
- FIG. 8 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence with the fastener drivers retracted to the same position as shown in FIG. 6.
- FIG. 9 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence with the elevatable units lowered to enable ADAF unit retraction while clearing the vehicle's rocker panel.
- FIG. 10 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence wherein the slidable unit retracts to home position to allow the conveyor system to index the married cab and chassis out of station.
- FIG. 11 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of the end effector tooling usable with the cab to frame marriage station of the ADAF apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 - 10 , illustrated in a disengaged position.
- FIG. 12 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of the end effector tooling of FIG. 11 shown in an engaged position.
- FIG. 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is one fixture, referred to as ADAF unit 12 , of an automatic decking and automatic fastening system 10 .
- the ADAF unit 12 is operable to position fastener driver 18 relative to a first vehicle component (not shown in FIG. 1), and to position a second vehicle component relative to the first vehicle component. This is accomplished by operation of a plurality of actuators designated as cylinders 14 - 17 , which are pneumatic in the present embodiment.
- the ADAF unit 12 is described within the application of assembling a pick-up cab to its frame, but is useful in the assembly of many types of vehicle body components to their associated vehicle chassis components.
- ADAF unit 12 includes a base assembly 20 that is anchored to foundation 19 in a conventional manner.
- the base assembly 20 includes a horizontal structure 21 that supports vertical riser 22 , with a gusset fixed between the two for added rigidity.
- An elevatable unit 24 is carried by the base assembly 12 and includes a platform 25 and a vertical leg 26 each fixed to another gusset.
- a pair of bearings 27 and 28 are positioned between the vertical riser 22 and the vertical leg 26 permitting relative vertical movement there-between.
- the elevatable unit 24 is positioned vertically relative to the base assembly 20 by a joined pair of actuators designated as cylinder 14 and cylinder 15 .
- Cylinder 14 includes an extensible rod that is connected to base assembly 20 and cylinder 15 includes an extensible rod that is connected to elevatable unit 24 .
- cylinder 15 includes an extensible rod that is connected to elevatable unit 24 .
- a slidable unit 30 is carried by the platform 25 and includes a base plate 31 and an upwardly extending vertical arm 32 with a gusset fixed there-between.
- a slide assembly 34 is positioned between the base plate 31 and the elevatable unit's platform 25 .
- the slide assembly 34 includes a pair of bearings 35 and 36 along with an actuator in the form of cross-car cylinder 17 that has an extensible rod connected to the slidable unit 30 .
- the slide assembly 34 includes a pair of bearings 38 and 39 along with a well known type of spring centering mechanism 40 that extends between the slide assembly 34 and the elevatable platform 25 .
- Bearings 35 , 36 , 38 and 39 in combination with cylinders 14 , 15 and 17 , and centering mechanism 40 enable omnidirectional positionability of the slidable unit 30 including base plate 31 , relative to the base assembly 20 .
- the end effector assembly 65 of the ADAF system 10 includes a power operated fastener driver 18 of a type well known in the art that is carried by a compliant assembly 41 on the slidable unit 30 , and exhibits an upwardly facing rotating tool 42 that is disposed within a spring loaded guide 44 .
- the compliant assembly 41 is of a well known type and allows the fastener driver to be compliant in the cross-car and fore-aft directions relative to the slidable unit through the use of elements that are displaceable under force, such as springs. This compliance allows the fastener driver, with its own lead in tooling, to move into alignment while locating the cab mount screw.
- the rotating tool 42 is selectively positioned along with the slidable unit 30 in an automatic manner.
- the fastener driver 18 is operated automatically during procedures of the ADAF system 10 .
- This automatic fastening system for the fastener driver records the product sequence number and all cab mount torques for quality assurance and flags any non conformities for correction to specification.
- a decking arm 45 is also carried on the slidable unit 30 and includes tooling, referred to as ADAF plate 46 , that is vertically movable relative to the rotating tool 42 .
- Bearings 47 and 48 are positioned between the decking arm 45 and the vertical arm 32 of slidable unit 30 .
- a cylinder 16 extends between slidable unit 30 and decking arm 45 providing the motive force for vertically positioning the decking arm 45 and the ADAF plate 46 relative to platform 25 .
- the ADAF plate 46 justifies the cab to the chassis frame and includes an angled top surface to facilitate locating on the cab 51 . When cylinder 16 is retracted, the ADAF plate 46 is positioned relatively close to the rotating tool 42 . This allows the cab to be decked to the chassis frame and the fastener driver to re-engage the chassis frame to fasten the cab screws.
- the ADAF unit 12 is one of two substantially identical mirror-image ADAF units 11 , 12 included in the cab to frame marriage station of ADAF system 10 .
- the gusset plates of ADAF units 11 and 12 are removed for improved clarity.
- components of ADAF unit 11 that are like those of ADAF unit 12 carry the same numerical designation with the addition of a prime symbol.
- a marriage transfer 50 supports cab 51 , and operates to lower the cab 51 onto the ADAF units 11 and 12 .
- a trim conveyor (not illustrated), initially carries the body components and a chassis conveyor 52 carries the chassis component.
- the trim and chassis conveyors are alternatively shuttled along the same path.
- the cab and the utility box (not illustrated), are lifted from the trim conveyor and repositioned above the ADAF units 11 and 12 relative to one another in a predetermined position by the marriage transfer 50 .
- chassis conveyor 52 which is of a conventional type such as an automatically guided vehicle, supports a frame 53 , and operates to bring the frame 53 into position relative to the ADAF units 11 and 12 .
- the cab 51 is positioned prior to being lowered, and the frame 53 is positioned between the ADAF units 11 and 12 .
- a signal to begin prompts operation of the cylinders 15 and 15 ′, which extend to full stroke as shown, raising the elevatable units 24 and 24 ′.
- cylinders 14 , 14 ′, 16 , 16 ′, 17 and 17 ′ are fully retracted. In this position the Marriage station is ready to place the cab 51 onto the ADAF units 11 and 12 .
- movement of the cylinders 15 , 15 ′, 16 , 16 ′, 17 and 17 ′ may occur simultaneously or in any sequence to effect location of the ADAF units 11 and 12 to the desired position, with the ADAF plates 46 , 46 ′ engaging brackets 55 , 56 .
- the sequence depends on the line of attack that is open, which is dictated by the specific shape of the product being married together.
- the ADAF plates 46 , 46 ′ are prepared to accept the cab 51 from the marriage transfer 50 and justify it to a position determined by engagement of the ADAF plates with the cab and with the brackets 55 , 56 .
- the next stage involves marriage transfer 50 lowering cab 51 onto ADAF plates 46 , 46 ′ of the decking arms 45 , 45 ′, which receive and carry the cab 51 .
- the cab's bearing plates 57 , 58 are aligned with the mounts 60 , 61 of the frame 53 , with the end effectors of the ADAF units 11 and 12 positioned below the mounts 60 , 61 .
- cylinders 16 , 16 ′ are fully retracted so that the decking arms 45 , 45 ′ lower the cab 51 .
- the bearing plates 57 , 58 rest on the mounts 60 , 61 respectively, decking the cab 51 to the frame 53 .
- a signal is sent to initiate operation of the fastener drivers 18 , 18 ′ at a slow speed.
- the cylinders 14 , 14 ′ are extended so that the rotating tools 42 , 42 ′ engage the fasteners.
- the fastener drive torque increases to a level which causes the fastener controlling system to trip to high speed, rapidly driving the fasteners.
- the fastener drivers stop rotating and a signal is sent to retract cylinders 14 , 14 ′.
- Bracket 55 is rigidly connected to frame 53 and is preassembled with a fastener 64 .
- the end effector assembly 65 includes fastener driver 18 , spring loaded guide 44 , and locator 67 .
- the axis 68 of rotating tool 42 is not aligned with the fastener 64 , but is positioned slightly inboard therefrom.
- the locator 67 engages the side rail of frame 53 .
- Locator 67 includes an angled wall 69 that effects alignment of the rotating tool 42 with the fastener 64 when the terminal end 70 of the locator engages frame 53 .
- the guide 44 includes a flared circular opening 71 to assist in capturing the head of fastener 64 and directing it to rotating tool 42 . Initial slow speed rotation of the tool 42 also facilitates capture. During this process, in effect, the tooling is permitted to float by the centering mechanism 41 . As the rotating tool 42 drives the fastener 64 home, the guide retracts, compressing a spring that biases the guide outwardly along the rotating tool 42 .
- cylinders 14 , 14 ′ retract, withdrawing the end effectors 65 , 65 ′.
- cylinders 15 , 15 ′ retract, clearing the decking arms 45 , 45 ′ from the cab 51 and frame 53 .
- the cross-car cylinders are unlocked and retracted as shown in FIG. 10, so that the ADAF units 11 and 12 are returned to their home positions and readied for another cycle of the ADAF system 10 .
- the conveyor 52 moves the assembled cab 51 and frame 53 out from the automatic decking and fastening system marriage station.
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- Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an automatic vehicle component assembly system, and more particularly, to an automatic decking and automatic fastening (ADAF), apparatus and method that effects automatic decking and automatic fastening of vehicle body components to vehicle chassis components.
- One of the most impressive operations in a vehicle assembly plant involves the marriage of a vehicle body structure to its chassis. For a pick-up truck, this process is generally subdivided into assembly of the passenger cab to the frame and assembly of the utility box to the frame. Commonly used methodology involves a substantial reliance upon manual intervention to accomplish this complex task. In the case of a pick-up cab, a subassembly that can weigh in the neighborhood of 1200 pounds (545 kilograms), is supported by equipment and manually guided into position to align or “justify” the cab relative to the frame, before lowering it onto the frame to effect decking. In addition, manpower is used to guide the machinery that individually applies the fasteners for securing the components together. Automating this type of vehicle assembly process is highly desirable due to the labor intensive and physically demanding operations involved.
- Aspects of the present invention involve automation of the process that decks and secures a vehicle body component to its chassis. In accordance with these aspects, an automatic decking and automatic fastening system includes a base with an elevatable unit repositionable relative to the base by at least one actuator. Preferably, the elevatable unit is compliant in the fore-aft direction. This preferred fore-aft compliance is useful in accommodating any experienced chassis carrier stopping error. A cross-car slidable unit is supported on the elevatable unit and is repositionable relative to the elevatable unit by at least one other actuator. Preferably, this other actuator can stop and hold position when an element of the chassis such as a frame bracket has been located. Tooling (referred to in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as an ADAF plate), is carried on the slidable unit and is repositionable vertically relative to the slidable unit by yet another actuator. The tooling locates off the chassis element and serves to carry and to justify the body component to the chassis. A fastener driver is preferably carried by a compliant assembly on the slidable unit. This assembly allows the fastener driver to have a preferred compliance in the cross-car and fore-aft directions relative to the slidable unit, and allows the fastener driver, with its own lead in tooling, to locate a mounting fastener.
- According to preferred aspects of the present invention, the body element is positioned in space at a predetermined location. The actuators are operated to reposition the tooling to accept and justify the body element to a position determined by engagement of the tooling with the chassis. The justified body element is lowered to the chassis, the tooling is retracted, and the fastener driver advances fastening the body element to the chassis.
- The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is an illustration of one side of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus showing one ADAF unit.
- FIG. 2 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus with both ADAF units shown in an initial stage of the marriage sequence.
- FIG. 3 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence with the ADAF units ready to locate off the chassis frame.
- FIG. 4 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence with the ADAF units located off the chassis frame and the cab in a pre-deck position.
- FIG. 5 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence wherein the cab transfer has landed the cab onto the ADAF plates, and the cab is now justified to the chassis frame via the ADAF plates.
- FIG. 6 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence wherein the cab has been lowered onto the chassis frame and the ADAF plates are being retracted.
- FIG. 7 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence wherein the fastener drivers advance to fasten the cab screw.
- FIG. 8 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence with the fastener drivers retracted to the same position as shown in FIG. 6.
- FIG. 9 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence with the elevatable units lowered to enable ADAF unit retraction while clearing the vehicle's rocker panel.
- FIG. 10 is an illustration of the cab to frame marriage station of an ADAF apparatus shown in an operative stage of the marriage sequence wherein the slidable unit retracts to home position to allow the conveyor system to index the married cab and chassis out of station.
- FIG. 11 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of the end effector tooling usable with the cab to frame marriage station of the ADAF apparatus shown in FIGS.1-10, illustrated in a disengaged position.
- FIG. 12 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of the end effector tooling of FIG. 11 shown in an engaged position.
- Referring to the drawings, illustrated in FIG. 1 is one fixture, referred to as
ADAF unit 12, of an automatic decking andautomatic fastening system 10. Generally, the ADAFunit 12 is operable to positionfastener driver 18 relative to a first vehicle component (not shown in FIG. 1), and to position a second vehicle component relative to the first vehicle component. This is accomplished by operation of a plurality of actuators designated as cylinders 14-17, which are pneumatic in the present embodiment. The ADAFunit 12 is described within the application of assembling a pick-up cab to its frame, but is useful in the assembly of many types of vehicle body components to their associated vehicle chassis components. - More specifically, ADAF
unit 12 includes abase assembly 20 that is anchored tofoundation 19 in a conventional manner. Thebase assembly 20 includes ahorizontal structure 21 that supportsvertical riser 22, with a gusset fixed between the two for added rigidity. Anelevatable unit 24 is carried by thebase assembly 12 and includes aplatform 25 and avertical leg 26 each fixed to another gusset. A pair ofbearings vertical riser 22 and thevertical leg 26 permitting relative vertical movement there-between. Theelevatable unit 24 is positioned vertically relative to thebase assembly 20 by a joined pair of actuators designated ascylinder 14 andcylinder 15.Cylinder 14 includes an extensible rod that is connected tobase assembly 20 andcylinder 15 includes an extensible rod that is connected toelevatable unit 24. By selectively varying the power fluid pressure incylinders elevatable unit 24 relative to thebase assembly 20 is automatically varied to carry out the operations of theADAF system 10. - A
slidable unit 30 is carried by theplatform 25 and includes abase plate 31 and an upwardly extendingvertical arm 32 with a gusset fixed there-between. Aslide assembly 34 is positioned between thebase plate 31 and the elevatable unit'splatform 25. To position theslidable unit 30 in the cross-car direction relative to the vehicle being assembled, theslide assembly 34 includes a pair ofbearings 35 and 36 along with an actuator in the form ofcross-car cylinder 17 that has an extensible rod connected to theslidable unit 30. To allow positionability of theslidable unit 30 in the fore-aft direction relative to the vehicle being assembled, theslide assembly 34 includes a pair ofbearings spring centering mechanism 40 that extends between theslide assembly 34 and theelevatable platform 25.Bearings cylinders centering mechanism 40 enable omnidirectional positionability of theslidable unit 30 includingbase plate 31, relative to thebase assembly 20. - The
end effector assembly 65 of theADAF system 10 includes a power operatedfastener driver 18 of a type well known in the art that is carried by acompliant assembly 41 on theslidable unit 30, and exhibits an upwardly facingrotating tool 42 that is disposed within a spring loadedguide 44. Thecompliant assembly 41 is of a well known type and allows the fastener driver to be compliant in the cross-car and fore-aft directions relative to the slidable unit through the use of elements that are displaceable under force, such as springs. This compliance allows the fastener driver, with its own lead in tooling, to move into alignment while locating the cab mount screw. Therotating tool 42 is selectively positioned along with theslidable unit 30 in an automatic manner. In addition, thefastener driver 18 is operated automatically during procedures of theADAF system 10. This automatic fastening system for the fastener driver records the product sequence number and all cab mount torques for quality assurance and flags any non conformities for correction to specification. - A
decking arm 45 is also carried on theslidable unit 30 and includes tooling, referred to as ADAFplate 46, that is vertically movable relative to therotating tool 42.Bearings decking arm 45 and thevertical arm 32 ofslidable unit 30. Acylinder 16 extends betweenslidable unit 30 anddecking arm 45 providing the motive force for vertically positioning thedecking arm 45 and the ADAFplate 46 relative toplatform 25. The ADAFplate 46 justifies the cab to the chassis frame and includes an angled top surface to facilitate locating on thecab 51. Whencylinder 16 is retracted, the ADAFplate 46 is positioned relatively close to the rotatingtool 42. This allows the cab to be decked to the chassis frame and the fastener driver to re-engage the chassis frame to fasten the cab screws. - Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the
ADAF unit 12 is one of two substantially identical mirror-image ADAF units ADAF system 10. In FIGS. 2-10 the gusset plates ofADAF units ADAF unit 11 that are like those ofADAF unit 12, carry the same numerical designation with the addition of a prime symbol. Above theADAF units marriage transfer 50supports cab 51, and operates to lower thecab 51 onto theADAF units chassis conveyor 52 carries the chassis component. The trim and chassis conveyors are alternatively shuttled along the same path. The cab and the utility box (not illustrated), are lifted from the trim conveyor and repositioned above theADAF units marriage transfer 50. Between theADAF units chassis conveyor 52, which is of a conventional type such as an automatically guided vehicle, supports aframe 53, and operates to bring theframe 53 into position relative to theADAF units cab 51 is positioned prior to being lowered, and theframe 53 is positioned between theADAF units cylinders elevatable units stage cylinders cab 51 onto theADAF units - Referring to FIG. 3, when the
cylinders cylinders ADAF units cylinders cross-car cylinders ADAF plates chassis frame brackets cylinders cylinders ADAF units ADAF plates brackets ADAF plates cab 51 from themarriage transfer 50 and justify it to a position determined by engagement of the ADAF plates with the cab and with thebrackets - Referring to FIG. 5, the next stage involves
marriage transfer 50 loweringcab 51 ontoADAF plates arms cab 51. In this position, the cab'sbearing plates mounts frame 53, with the end effectors of theADAF units mounts cylinders arms cab 51. The bearingplates mounts cab 51 to theframe 53. At this point a signal is sent to initiate operation of thefastener drivers cylinders rotating tools cylinders - Reference is directed to FIGS. 11 and 12 to clarify operation of the end effector tooling. A preferred mechanism for locating the fastener drivers relative to the fasteners is shown in a simplified schematic manner.
Bracket 55 is rigidly connected to frame 53 and is preassembled with afastener 64. Theend effector assembly 65 includesfastener driver 18, spring loadedguide 44, andlocator 67. In its initial position, theaxis 68 of rotatingtool 42 is not aligned with thefastener 64, but is positioned slightly inboard therefrom. Ascylinder 14 is extended, thelocator 67 engages the side rail offrame 53.Locator 67 includes anangled wall 69 that effects alignment of therotating tool 42 with thefastener 64 when theterminal end 70 of the locator engagesframe 53. Theguide 44 includes a flaredcircular opening 71 to assist in capturing the head offastener 64 and directing it torotating tool 42. Initial slow speed rotation of thetool 42 also facilitates capture. During this process, in effect, the tooling is permitted to float by the centeringmechanism 41. As therotating tool 42 drives thefastener 64 home, the guide retracts, compressing a spring that biases the guide outwardly along the rotatingtool 42. - Continuing with reference to FIG. 8,
cylinders end effectors cylinders arms cab 51 andframe 53. Finally, the cross-car cylinders are unlocked and retracted as shown in FIG. 10, so that theADAF units ADAF system 10. Theconveyor 52 moves the assembledcab 51 andframe 53 out from the automatic decking and fastening system marriage station. - Accordingly, automation of the process that decks and secures a vehicle body component to its chassis is provided that eliminates labor intensive operations previously associated with the marriage process.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/273,854 US6427321B2 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-03-22 | Automatic decking and automatic fastening system |
CA002286426A CA2286426C (en) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-10-14 | Automatic decking and automatic fastening system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/273,854 US6427321B2 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-03-22 | Automatic decking and automatic fastening system |
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US20010037562A1 true US20010037562A1 (en) | 2001-11-08 |
US6427321B2 US6427321B2 (en) | 2002-08-06 |
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US09/273,854 Expired - Lifetime US6427321B2 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-03-22 | Automatic decking and automatic fastening system |
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CA (1) | CA2286426C (en) |
Cited By (1)
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EP1424269A2 (en) * | 2002-11-28 | 2004-06-02 | GEICO S.p.A. | System for handling vehicle bodies in processing stations, in particular for cars and industrial motor vehicles |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US6505726B1 (en) * | 2001-06-29 | 2003-01-14 | Valiant Corporation | Soft touch lifter |
US7055240B2 (en) * | 2003-10-08 | 2006-06-06 | Easom Automation Systems, Inc. | Positioning apparatus for precisely locating a part or other article |
US20090115156A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2009-05-07 | Shingo Tsujihama | Method of mounting axle module |
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-
1999
- 1999-03-22 US US09/273,854 patent/US6427321B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-14 CA CA002286426A patent/CA2286426C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1424269A2 (en) * | 2002-11-28 | 2004-06-02 | GEICO S.p.A. | System for handling vehicle bodies in processing stations, in particular for cars and industrial motor vehicles |
EP1424269A3 (en) * | 2002-11-28 | 2004-09-08 | GEICO S.p.A. | System for handling vehicle bodies in processing stations, in particular for cars and industrial motor vehicles |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6427321B2 (en) | 2002-08-06 |
CA2286426A1 (en) | 2000-09-22 |
CA2286426C (en) | 2004-04-13 |
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