Process and apparatus for the application of self-adhesive protective film to vehicle bodies
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorsUwe Habisreitinger, Bernhard Nordmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cutting through protective film in the region of covered-over joints and beads of vehicle bodies includes a freely programmable industrial robot having at least five degrees of motional freedom. An operating arm of the robot has a cutting and pressing tool which includes a knife having a blade for cutting through the protective film in the region of covered-over joints and beads, and the pressing tool comprises a rotary brush or air nozzle for pressing down the cut edges. In another embodiment, an air nozzle which emits a diffuse hot-air current is provided for cutting through the protective film.
Claims26
Process for cutting through a protective film at a location of covered-over joints and beads on a passenger vehicle body by means of a freely programmable cutting robot having at least five degrees of motional freedom, said cutting robot has a cutting tool disposed on an operating arm thereof, which process comprises:
- said cutting tool piercing the protective film at one end of a joint or bead to be cut free;
- through a motion of the cutting tool along a cutting and motion direction coinciding with a course of the joint or bead, said cutting tool cutting through the protective film over substantially its entire length;
- and
- pressing the cut edges of the cut-through protective film onto the body by means of a pressing tool disposed downstream of the cutting tool on the operating arm.
Process for cutting through a protective film of plastic at a location of covered-over joints and beads on a passenger vehicle body by means of a freely programmable cutting robot having at least five degrees of motional freedom, which process comprises:
- providing a diffuse air jet issuing from an air nozzle disposed on an operating arm of said cutting robot, the temperature of said air jet corresponding at least to a melting temperature of the plastic of the protective film;
- and
- directing said air jet onto a location of said covered-over joints or beads, said air jet simultaneously cutting through the protective film and pressing its cut edges against the body.
Apparatus for cutting through protective film at a location of covered-over joints and beads on a passenger vehicle body, comprising:
- a freely programmable cutting robot having at least five degrees of motional freedom;
- an operating arm on said cutting robot;
- a cutting and pressing tool mounted on said operating arm, said cutting and pressing tool has a knife with a blade for cutting through the protective film at a location of covered-over joints and beads, together with a rotary brush or an air nozzle for pressing down the cut edges.
Apparatus for cutting through a protective film at a location of covered-over joints and beads on a passenger vehicle body, comprising:
- a freely programmable cutting robot having at least five degrees of motional freedom;
- an operating arm disposed on said robot;
- and
- an air nozzle mounted on said operating arm, for diffuse emission of hot air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.