# US 2022/0033231 A1 · Adjustable load leveler apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0033231 A1 - Document ID: US20220033231A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/945,967 - Filed: 2020-08-03 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-03 - Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Inventors: Shigeo Akiyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220033231A1 ## CPC - B66C 1/107: {for lifting engines} - B66C 13/04: Auxiliary devices for controlling movements of suspended loads, or preventing cable slack - B62D 65/022: {Transferring or handling sub-units or components, e.g. in work stations or between workstations and transportation systems} - B66C 1/10: by mechanical means - B66C 11/12: having hoisting gear adapted to special load-engaging elements and not otherwise provided for - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract Adjustable load leveler apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed automotive manufacturing system includes a hoist supported by a support structure and configured to carry a vehicle component. The automotive manufacturing system also includes a load leveler mechanism attached to the hoist. The load leveler mechanism includes a frame, a weight movably coupled to the frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the weight. The automotive manufacturing system also includes control circuitry connected to the actuator and an input device connected to the control circuitry and configured to generate input data in response to a user interacting with the input device. The control circuitry is configured to move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist based on the input data to adjust a levelness of the hoist. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automotive manufacturing system, comprising: a hoist supported by a support structure and configured to carry a vehicle component; a load leveler mechanism attached to the hoist, the load leveler mechanism including a frame, a weight movably coupled to the frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the weight; control circuitry connected to the actuator; and an input device connected to the control circuitry and configured to generate input data in response to a user interacting with the input device, wherein the control circuitry is configured to move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist based on the input data to adjust a levelness of the hoist. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the frame of the load leveler mechanism is configured to couple to a body of the hoist and decouple from the body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the load leveler mechanism includes a safety structure coupled to the frame and preventing access to the weight by the user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the weight of the load leveler mechanism is a primary weight positioned adjacent a first side of a hoist body, the load leveler mechanism including an auxiliary weight supported by the hoist body and positioned adjacent a second side of the hoist body opposite to the first side. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 4, wherein the primary and secondary weights are incrementally adjustable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured present, via an output device, a production instruction to the user, the production instruction notifying the user regarding how or when to interact with the input device during a production run of the manufacturing system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the input device includes an operation box positioned in a manufacturing area within viewing distance of the hoist. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: receive a user input from the input device indicative of a predefined position of the weight relative to the hoist, and move, via the actuator, the weight to the predefined position to substantially level the hoist. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the input device includes switch mechanisms, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to initiate control of the actuator in response to detecting activation of one of the switch mechanisms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: receive a user input from the input device indicative of a first predefined direction or a second predefined direction opposite the first predefined direction, move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist in the first or second predefined direction while the one of switch mechanisms is held in an activated state, and cease moving, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist when the one of the switch mechanisms changes from the activated state to a deactivated state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, further including a first tilt sensor positioned on the hoist and connected to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: detect a coarse tilt angle of the hoist via the first tilt sensor, and move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist at a first speed based on the coarse tilt angle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 11, further including a second tilt sensor, different from the first tilt sensor, positioned on the hoist and connected to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: detect a fine tilt angle of the hoist via the second tilt sensor, and move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist at a second speed, less than the first speed, based on the fine tilt angle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 12, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: perform a comparison of the coarse tilt angle with an auxiliary target tilt angle, move, via the actuator, the weight (a) at the first speed when the coarse tilt angle is greater than the auxiliary target tilt angle and (b) at the second speed when the coarse tilt angle is less than or equal to the auxiliary target tilt angle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 12, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: perform a comparison of the fine tilt angle with a primary target tilt angle, move, via the actuator, the weight at the second speed when the fine tilt angle is greater than the primary target tilt angle, and cease movement, via the actuator, of the weight when the fine tilt angle is less than or equal to the primary target tilt angle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 12, wherein the first tilt sensor includes a relatively low precision inclinometer and the second tilt sensor includes a relatively high precision inclinometer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 12, wherein the control circuitry includes a feedback controller forming a feedback control loop with the actuator, the first tilt sensor, and the second tilt sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The automotive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the load leveler mechanism has a first operating mode associated with a first operating characteristic of the load leveler mechanism and a second operating mode associated with a second operating characteristic of the load leveler mechanism different relative to the first operating characteristic, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to: receive a user input from the input device indicative of the second operating mode while the load leveler mechanism is in the first operating mode, change, based on the user input, the load leveler mechanism from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, and operate the actuator while the load leveler mechanism is in the second operating mode. ### Claim 18 An adjustable load leveler mechanism for a hoist, comprising: a frame coupled to the hoist; a weight movable along the frame to change a center of gravity of the hoist; an actuator operatively coupled to the weight; an input device configured to generate a user input in response to a user interacting with the input device; and control circuitry configured to receive the user input from the input device and control, based on the user input, the actuator to move the weight relative to the hoist. ### Claim 19 A method of operating an adjustable load leveler mechanism attached to a hoist, comprising: interacting with an output device to receive a production instruction associated with a manufacturing system; lifting an object of interest off of a first handling unit via the hoist; identifying an input device connected to control circuitry of the adjustable load leveler mechanism, the adjustable load leveler mechanism including a frame, a weight movably coupled to the frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the weight; and interacting with the input device in accordance with the production instruction to cause the control circuitry to move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist to adjust a levelness to the hoist. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further including pushing a switch mechanism of the input device to cause the control circuitry to change the adjustable load leveler mechanism from a first operating mode to a second operating mode, the first operating mode associated with a first operating characteristic of the adjustable load leveler mechanism, the second operating mode associated with a second operating characteristic of the adjustable load leveler mechanism different from the first operating characteristic.