US 2003/0189085 A1 · Vehicle framing system for plurality of vehicle body styles

Abstract

An apparatus and method for randomly interchanging up to four pairs of side framing gates at a framing station of a vehicle assembly line while maintaining a predetermined build cycle time interval of the assembly line. The system employs first and second carousels positioned on opposite sides of the assembly line upstream of the framing station and third and fourth carousels positioned on opposite sides of the production line downstream of the framing station. The system further includes a first linear track structure extending from the first carousel to a first side of the framing station, a second linear track structure extending from the second carousel to a second, opposite side of the framing station, a third linear track structure extending from the third carousel to the first side of the framing station, a third linear track structure extending from the third carousel to the first side of the framing station, and a fourth linear track structure extending from the fourth carousel to the second side of the framing station. The carousel includes at least two sides, possibly three sides, four sides or more, each side capable of receiving a framing gate. The framing gates positioned at the framing station are randomly interchanged by a combination of rotary movements of the carousels and linear movements of framing gates along the linear track structures.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A body framing system for use with a vehicle assembly line in which loosely pre-assembled vehicle bodies are moved incrementally along a single assembly line from station to station, successive loosely pre-assembled vehicle bodies arrive at a framing station along the assembly line at predetermined build cycle time intervals, and each loosely pre-assembled vehicle body arriving at the framing station is welded to form a rigid vehicle body, the body framing system including:

the framing station;
a plurality of more than three pairs of opposed side framing gates for positioning at opposite sides of the framing station for use in welding a respective plurality of more than three vehicle body styles allowing random production of the plurality of more than three vehicle body styles on the single assembly line;
and
a transfer apparatus assembly operative for randomly exchanging any of the plurality of pairs of side framing gates positioned at the framing station with any other of the plurality of pairs of side framing gates within the predetermined build cycle time interval to allow the random production interchange of the more than three vehicle body styles on the single assembly line while maintaining the predetermined build cycle time interval.

1 more element

A carousel for use in delivering framing gates to a framing station on a vehicle body assembly line, the carousel comprising:

a base structure positioned proximate the assembly line and including a support surface and a central pivot shaft upstanding from the support surface;
a carousel body supported on the support surface, mounted on the pivot shaft for rotary movement about the axis of the shaft, and defining a plurality of sides, each side adapted to receive a framing gate;
means operative for generating an air cushion between the support surface and an underface of the carousel body to lift the carousel body off of the support surface;
and
means operative for applying a turning force to the lifted body to rotate the body about the central axis to bring successive sides of the body into a position proximate the assembly line.

2 more elements

A transfer apparatus for use in delivering framing gates to a framing station on a vehicle body assembly line, the transfer apparatus comprising:

a linear track structure having one end positioned proximate the framing station and a free end;
a carousel positioned proximate the assembly line, defining a plurality of sides each adapted to receive a framing gate, and mounted for rotation about a central axis to bring successive sides of the carousel into a position proximate the free end of the track structure and in linear alignment with the track structure;
and
a transfer device operative to move a gate positioned on a side of the carousel in alignment with the track structure from the carousel side, onto the track structure, and along the track structure to the framing station.

1 more element

A method of moving pairs of framing gates to a framing station on a motor vehicle assembly line where loosely preassembled vehicle bodies are clamped by the framing gate pairs while the bodies are welded to form a rigid vehicle body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of carousels each having a plurality of substantially flat sides;
positioning the carousels along and on opposite sides of the assembly line in spaced relation to the framing station;
mounting the carousels for rotation to bring successive sides of the carousel into a discharge position proximate and substantially parallel to the assembly line;
positioning a pair of framing gates on one side of the respective pair of carousels;
rotating the carousels to bring the one carousel sides into the discharge position;
discharging the framing gates from the carousels;
and
sliding the framing gates along the assembly line to opposite sides of the framing station.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle framing system for plurality of vehicle body styles

Life of this patent

Vehicle framing system for plurality of vehicle body styles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26