Device and method for assigning a tool to a workpiece
AssigneeBayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsJosef Hofer, Robert Donharl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
For assigning a tool to a workpiece conveyed on an assembly line, at least one transmitter is arranged in the area of an assembly line, and a receiver is arranged on the tool. An analyzing unit determines the distance of the tool from each transmitter, based on the transit times of at least one received signal, and an indicating device emits positions information regarding workpieces on the assembly line. An assignment unit assigns a tool or a tool position to a workpiece, based on at least one distance of the tool from the transmitter, and on the workpiece positions. The arrangement of the transmitters and receivers can also be interchanged.
Claims28
Apparatus for assigning a tool to a workpiece conveyed on an assembly line, comprising:
- at least one transmitter arranged in the area of an assembly line;
- a receiver arranged on the tool;
- an analyzing unit which determines a position of the tool relative to a defined fixed reference point, based on transit times of signals transmitted by said at least one transmitter and received by said receiver;
- a device which indicates positions of workpieces conveyed on the assembly line, relative to the assembly line;
- and
- an assignment unit which assigns a tool or a tool position to a particular workpiece, based on a comparison of the determined position of the tool and the workpiece positions indicated by the indicating device.
Apparatus for assigning a tool to a workpiece conveyed on an assembly line comprising:
- at least one receiver arranged in the area of an assembly line;
- a transmitter arranged on the tool;
- an analyzing unit which determines a position of the tool relative to a defined fixed reference point, based on transit times of signals transmitted by said transmitter and received by said at least one receiver;
- a device which indicates positions of workpieces conveyed on the assembly line, relative to the assembly line;
- and
- an assignment unit which assigns a tool or a tool position to a workpiece, based on a comparison of the determined position of the tool and the workpiece positions indicated by said indicating device.
A method for coordinating positioning of a tool and a workpiece, comprising:
- a first sensor continuously determining time-related position of the tool relative to a defined fixed zero point;
- continuously monitoring time-related position of the workpiece relative to a reference system, based on position information from a source of position information which is different from said first sensor;
- comparing the determined time-related position of the tool with the monitored time-related position of the workpiece;
- and
- generating a time-related assignment of the tool to the workpiece, based on a result of said comparing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.