# US 9,513,625 B2 · Integrated vehicle part delivery and build system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,513,625 B2 - Document ID: US9513625B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/483,156 - Filed: 2012-05-30 - Published: 2012-12-06 - Granted: 2016-12-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-03 - Assignees: Comau S.p.A. - Applicants: Velibor Kilibarda - Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9513625B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/41805: {characterised by assembly} - B23P 21/004: {the units passing two or more work-stations whilst being composed} - B23P 2700/50: Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines - G05B 2219/31036: Load component into corresponding compartment, bin, storage before assembly - G05B 2219/31044: Assembly of modular products, variant configurability - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - Y10T 29/49829: Advancing work to successive stations [i.e., assembly line] - Y10T 29/534: Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus - Y10T 29/53417: Means to fasten work parts together - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A device and method for assembling parts, products or machines in a random build order that integrates or combines the delivery of loose components to be assembled on a carriage that itself supports the device being assembled along an assembly line path of travel. The loose parts onboard the carriage that also supports the device being progressively assembled substantially improves the logistics in an assembly plant and efficiency in building the part, product or device, for example a vehicle sheet metal body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for providing coordinated component delivery for use in a predetermined random build sequence in vehicle manufacturing assembly lines, the method comprising the steps of: gathering a plurality of individual vehicle build components for at least a first and a second vehicle type, the first vehicle type different than the second vehicle type; loading selected of the vehicle build components for one of the first vehicle type on one of a plurality of first movable carriages; loading selected of the vehicle build components for one of the second vehicle type on another one of the plurality of first carriages; sequencing each of the plurality of first carriages loaded with respective of the first vehicle or the second vehicle type vehicle build components in sequential order such that the respective loaded first carriages coordinate with a predetermined sequence of the at least first and second vehicle types to be assembled; supporting the first or second vehicle type to be progressively assembled with the respective first carriage supporting the loaded vehicle build components for the respective first or second vehicle type; progressively moving each first carriage loaded with respective of the first vehicle or second vehicle type vehicle build components along a path of the vehicle build; and progressively removing selected of the vehicle build components from the respective first carriages at a plurality of build stations along the assembly line to progressively assemble at least a portion of the respective first and second vehicle types. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of loading selected vehicle build components on one of the plurality of first carriages further comprises the step of individually positioning the vehicle build components on at least one rack hanger integrated with the respective first carriage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the step of positioning of the vehicle build components on the at least one rack hanger further comprises the step of removably securing the positioned vehicle build components on a hanger panel positioned on the rack hanger. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the step of removably securing of the vehicle build components on the hanger panel further comprises the step of removably securing the respective vehicle build components in respective predetermined three dimensional positions on the hanger panel operative for respective engagement by a programmable assembly robot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the step of removably securing the vehicle build components on the hanger panel further comprises engaging selected of a plurality of substantially equally spaced apertures in the hanger panel, the spaced apertures operable to accurately dimensionally position the vehicle build components in the predetermined three dimensional position on the first movable carriage. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprises the steps of: loading selected of the vehicle build components for the first vehicle or the second vehicle type on hanger panels positioned on second movable carriages; sequencing each of the second carriages loaded with respective of the first vehicle or the second vehicle type vehicle build components in sequential order to coordinate with the predetermined sequence of the at least first and second vehicle types to be assembled; moving the respective second carriages along a path adjacent the vehicle build path coordinated with the predetermined sequence of the at least first and second vehicle type to be assembled; and selectively removing the vehicle build components from the second carriage hanger panels; and connecting the selectively removed vehicle build components to the partially assembled first or second vehicle type supported by the first carriage. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of loading selected vehicle build components on one of the plurality of first carriages further comprises the step of loading the vehicle build components in a material sequencing area positioned distant from, but in communication with the manufacturing assembly line including the build stations. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of returning the first carriage to an area to be reloaded with the vehicle build components. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of engaging the first carriage with an overhead conveyor for moving the first carriage, the loaded vehicle build components and the supported first or second vehicle type along the vehicle build path as a single first carriage unit. ### Claim 10 A method for providing coordinated component delivery for use in a predetermined random build sequence in vehicle manufacturing assembly lines, the method comprising the steps of: gathering a plurality of individual vehicle build components for at least a first and a second vehicle type, the first vehicle type different than the second vehicle type; loading selected of the vehicle build components for one of the first vehicle type on one of a plurality of movable carriages; loading selected of the vehicle build components for one of the second vehicle type on another one of the plurality of carriages; sequencing each of the plurality of carriages in sequential order such that the respective carriages loaded vehicle build components coordinate with a predetermined sequence of the at least first and second vehicle types to be assembled; loading a partially completed first or second vehicle type on a deck portion of the carriage, the deck portion positioned adjacent to at least one rack hanger and moveable relative to the rack hanger; supporting the first or second vehicle type to be progressively assembled with the respective carriage supporting the loaded vehicle build components for the respective first or second vehicle type; progressively moving each carriage loaded with the respective vehicle build components along a path of the vehicle build; and progressively removing selected of the vehicle build components from the respective carriages at a plurality of build stations along the assembly line to progressively assemble at least a portion of the respective first and second vehicle types. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of reciprocally moving the carriage deck portion relative to the rack hanger to position the respective partially completed first or second vehicle type in a build position in a respective build station. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of moving the first carriage deck portion further comprises the steps of: operably disengaging the deck portion from the rack hanger; lowering the deck portion to the build position; and raising the deck portion for re-engagement to the rack hanger following completion of assembly operations at the build station. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the deck portion remains connected to the rack hanger and is telescopically and movably guided relative to the rack hanger to and from the build position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of transferring a tooling pallet into the build station to precisely position the partially assembled first or second vehicle type in the build station for assembly.