Tool for aligning vehicle fender on vehicle during assembly
AssigneeThe Paslin Company
InventorCharles R. Pasque
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool for holding a component during an assembly process includes a suction cup assembly which is operatively associated with an assembly system. The assembly system includes a supporting fixed frame and a movable subframe. The suction cup assembly is attached to the movable subframe by a movable arm. Each suction cup assembly includes a housing fixed to the movable arm and a suction cup movably positionable within part of a bore formed through the housing. A suction cup driver is provided to selectively and axially position the cup with respect to the housing. The housing comprises a component-abutting boot and a base. The boot includes a face which is contoured so as to substantially mate with the outer surface of the component being held.
Claims4
A vehicle panel alignment system for coupling a vehicle component having an exterior surface defining a non-flat contour to a vehicle body comprising:
- a suction cup assembly including a housing, said housing having a non-flat face matable with said non-flat contour of said exterior surface of said component and having a contour substantially the same as a portion of the non-flat contour prior to engagement with the component, a suction cup operably associated with said housing and being movable with respect thereto, and means for selectively moving said suction cup with respect to said housing, wherein said suction cup is operable to grasp the article and positions the article in nesting position with the contoured surface of said housing;
- an arm having a pneumatic drive mechanism capable of moving said suction cup to a non-flat surface engaging position;
- and
- a frame surrounding the vehicle body to which said suction cup assembly and said arm are operably attached, said suction cup assembly and said arm being fixed in spaced apart relation on said frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.