U.S. patent application number 17/526320 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-10 for main buck unit for vehicle body assembling system and control method of the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation. Invention is credited to Sangcho Kim, Seon Woo Kweon, Junkyoung Lee.
Application Number | 20220073158 17/526320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220073158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Junkyoung ; et
al. |
March 10, 2022 |
MAIN BUCK UNIT FOR VEHICLE BODY ASSEMBLING SYSTEM AND CONTROL
METHOD OF THE SAME
Abstract
A vehicle body assembling system forms a pre-buck section and a
main buck section set along a transfer path of a floor assembly. A
main buck unit is set at opposite sides of the transfer path in the
main buck section, controls an upper portion of a side assembly in
a state that a lower portion of each side assembly is pre-assembled
to the floor assembly the pre-buck section, and assembles the upper
portion of the side assembly and vehicle body parts using a second
welding robot.
Inventors: |
Lee; Junkyoung; (Suwon,
KR) ; Kweon; Seon Woo; (Ulsan, KR) ; Kim;
Sangcho; (Ulsan, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hyundai Motor Company
Kia Corporation |
Seoul
Seoul |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/526320 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16728560 |
Dec 27, 2019 |
11203386 |
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17526320 |
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15373699 |
Dec 9, 2016 |
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16728560 |
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International
Class: |
B62D 65/02 20060101
B62D065/02; B62D 65/18 20060101 B62D065/18; B23K 37/04 20060101
B23K037/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0115071 |
Claims
1. A vehicle body assembling system, comprising: a pre-buck unit
including a pre-buck section and a main buck unit including a main
buck section that are set along a transfer path of a floor
assembly, wherein the main buck unit is formed in the main buck
section, and while a side assembly is provided in each of opposite
sides of a transfer path in the main buck section and a lower
portion of each side assembly is pre-assembled to the floor
assembly by the pre-buck unit, the vehicle body assembling system
controls an upper portion of each side assembly and assembles the
upper portion of each side assembly and vehicle body parts using a
second welding robot.
2. The vehicle body assembling system of claim 1, wherein, while
the lower portion of each side assembly is welded to the floor
assembly by the pre-buck unit, the main buck unit controls a width
direction of the side assembly and welds the upper portion of the
side assembly and the vehicle body parts using the second welding
robot.
3. The vehicle body assembling system of claim 1, wherein the main
buck unit comprises a loading portion that controls the vehicle
body parts that include a cowl, a roof rail, and a package tray and
placing of the vehicle body parts in a regular position in the
upper portion of the side assembly.
4. The vehicle body assembling system of claim 1, wherein the main
buck unit comprises a plurality of side jigs that control the upper
portion of the side assembly that is different depending on a type
of a vehicle, and a 4-sided rotation index that fixes the side
jig.
5. The vehicle body assembling system of claim 4, wherein the main
buck unit detachably couples the side jig with respect to the
rotation index by using a handling robot.
6-22. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) the
benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0115071 filed in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 7, 2016, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
(a) Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body assembling
system, more particularly, to a main buck unit for the vehicle body
assembling system configured to assemble various types of vehicles
in a vehicle body assembly line, and a method for controlling the
same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
[0003] In general, a vehicle is formed in the shape of a white body
(i.e., body in white, BIW) through a process of assembling various
product panels produced in a vehicle body subprocess.
[0004] A vehicle body is formed of a floor panel that supports a
driving portion such as an engine, an axle, a seat, and the like
from a lower portion of a frame, opposite side panels that
respectively form a left side and a right side of the frame, a roof
panel that forms an upper surface of the frame, and a plurality of
parts such as a cowl panel, a roof rail, a package tray, and a back
panel. Assembly of the vehicle parts is performed through a main
buck process (also referred to as a body build-up process in the
relevant field).
[0005] In the main buck process, the back panel is bonded to the
floor panel through the vehicle body assembling system, and then
the opposite side panels, the cowl panel, the roof rail, the
package tray, and the roof panel are assembled by welding.
[0006] For example, the vehicle body assembling system controls the
side panels through a side hanger and a side gate, sets the side
panel in the floor panel, sets the cowl panel, the roof rail, and
the package tray in the side panel, and then welds a bonding
portion of the parts through a welding robot.
[0007] A vehicle body assembling system according to a conventional
art is provided with a rotation index (also referred to as a
4-sided rotator in the relevant field) that installs a
vehicle-specific side gate in each of four sides. The 4-side
rotation index rotates while controlling the vehicle-specific side
panel through each of the side gates, and may place a side panel of
the corresponding vehicle in the correct position at opposite sides
of the floor panel.
[0008] Thus, while relevant parts (e.g., the cowl panel, the roof
rail, and the package tray) are placed in the correct position in
an upper end portion of the side panel that is controlled by the
side gate of the 4-side rotation index, the upper end portion of
the side panel, the relevant parts, a lower end portion of the side
panel, and the floor panel may be welded using the welding robot in
the conventional art.
[0009] In addition, in the conventional art, the entire frame of
the vehicle body can be controlled at once through the
vehicle-specific side gate of the 4-rotation index, and therefore
the entire vehicle body assembling system may be increased in
weight and size.
[0010] Further, since the vehicle-specific side gate is installed
at each side of the 4-side rotation index in the conventional art,
five or more different types of vehicle bodies cannot be assembled,
and heavy and large-scale equipment needs to be additionally
installed to assemble five or more different types of vehicle
bodies.
[0011] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the
disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not
form the prior art that is already known in this country to a
person of ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY
[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a
main buck unit for a vehicle body assembling system that can
assemble at least five or more types of vehicles by separating a
vehicle body assembly process into two processes rather than
forming a frame of a vehicle body through a single process, and is
capable of reducing the weight of the entire equipment, and a
method for controlling the same.
[0013] A vehicle body assembling system includes a pre-buck unit in
a pre-buck section and a main buck unit in a main buck section that
are set along a transfer path of a floor assembly. According to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the main buck unit
is set at opposite sides of the transfer path in the main buck
section, and the vehicle body assembling system controls an upper
portion of each side assembly in a state that a lower portion of
each side assembly is pre-assembled to the floor assembly by the
pre-buck unit in the pre-buck section, and assembles the upper
portion of each side assembly and vehicle body parts using a second
welding robot.
[0014] In addition, the vehicle body assembling system according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure controls a
vehicle width direction of the side assembly in the main buck
section while the lower portion of each side assembly is welded to
the floor assembly by the pre-buck unit, and welds the upper
portion of the side assembly and the vehicle body parts using the
second welding robot.
[0015] Further, the vehicle body assembling system according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a
loading portion (e.g., a CRP loading portion, referring to a cowl,
a roof rail, and a package tray) that controls the vehicle body
parts that include a cowl, a roof rail, and a package tray, and
places the vehicle body parts in regular positions in the upper
portion of the side assembly.
[0016] The main buck unit may include a plurality of side jigs that
control an upper portion of a side assembly that is different
depending on a type of a vehicle, and a 4-sided rotation index that
fixes the side jig.
[0017] The main buck unit detachably may couple the side jig with
respect to the rotation index by using a handling robot.
[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a main buck unit is provided in a vehicle body
assembling system that sets a pre-buck section and a main buck
section along a transfer path of a floor assembly and forms a
pre-buck unit in the pre-buck section. The main buck unit is formed
in the main buck section, and includes: a plurality of side jigs
detachably mounted to a handling robot in the main buck section and
controlling an upper portion of a side assembly that is different
depending on a type of a vehicle; a rotation index coupled with the
side jig in the main buck section, that is rotatable by a
predetermined angle, and that is provided to be reciprocatively
movable along a vehicle width direction at opposite sides of the
transfer path; and at least one second welding robot provided in
the main buck section and welding the upper portion of the side
assembly and vehicle body parts.
[0019] The main buck unit may include a loading portion (e.g., a
CRP loading portion) provided to be movable along the transfer path
in an upper side of the transfer path and being elevatable in the
main buck section.
[0020] The CRP loading portion may control the vehicle body parts
that include a cowl, a roof rail, and a package tray, and may place
the vehicle body parts in regular positions in the upper portion of
the side assembly.
[0021] A storage portion may be provided in the main buck section
to store the plurality of side jigs.
[0022] Each of the side jigs may include: a jig frame mounted to an
arm front end of the handling robot in the min-buck section; a
plurality of third dampers provided in the jig frame, clamping the
upper portion of the side assembly, and controlling a vehicle width
direction of the side assembly; and a plurality of second coupling
pins provided in the jig frame and coupled with the rotation
index.
[0023] The second coupling pin may form a round-shaped second ball
coupling groove along a circumferential direction thereof.
[0024] The rotation index may include: second movement members
provided to be reciprocatively movable along a vehicle width
direction by a driver in main buck frames at opposite sides of the
transfer path; a pair of index frames provided at a distance from
each other on the second movement member; a rotator including four
sides where the side jigs that are different depending on a type of
the vehicle are detachably coupled and rotatably provided in the
index frame by the driver; a plurality of jig coupling portions
provided in the respective sides of the rotator and pin-coupled
with the side jigs; and a plurality of fourth dampers provided in
the respective sides of the rotator and fixing the side jigs to the
rotator.
[0025] The jig coupling portion may be provided with a triangular
structure in each side of the rotator.
[0026] The jig coupling portion may include: a second pin housing
to which a second coupling pin provided in the side jig is fitted;
and a second ball clamp provided in the second pin housing and
clamping the second coupling pin using a plurality of balls.
[0027] The second ball clamp may include a pair of second race
members where the balls are rollably provided, and may be provided
to be movable to a center from an outer side of a circumferential
direction of the second coupling pin by the driver.
[0028] The second coupling pin may form a round-shaped second ball
coupling groove along a circumferential direction thereof.
[0029] The balls may be coupled to the second ball coupling grooves
by the second race members.
[0030] In the index frame, a second location sensor that senses a
location of the side assembly and controls a driver of the second
movement member according to a sense signal may be provided.
[0031] A vehicle type tag may be provided in the side jig and a tag
reader may be provided in each side of the rotator.
[0032] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a method for controlling a main buck unit for a vehicle
body assembling system is provided. The method includes: receiving,
by a tag reader, vehicle type information of side jigs coupled to
four sides of a rotation index; determining, by a controller,
whether a side jig that corresponds to a type of a next vehicle to
be produced in addition to the side jig of the type of a vehicle
that is currently produced is coupled to the rotation index; when
it is determined that a side jig of a type of the next vehicle to
be produced is not coupled to the rotation index, separating the
side jig mounted to an upper side of the rotation index and
unloading the separated side jig in a storage portion in assembling
of a side assembly of the type of the vehicle that is currently
produced; and selecting, by the controller, a side jig of a type of
the next vehicle to be produced from the storage portion, and
coupling the selected side jig to the upper side of the rotation
index when the rotation index is moved backward after finishing
assembly of the side jig of the type of the vehicle that is
currently produced.
[0033] When it is determined that the side jig of the type of the
next vehicle to be produced is coupled to the rotation index, the
side assembly of the type of the vehicle that is currently produced
and a side assembly of the type of the next to be produced vehicle
may be assembled by rotating the rotation index and moving the
rotation index back and forth.
[0034] A tag reader provided in each side of the rotation index may
receive vehicle type information stored in a vehicle type tag
provided in the side jig.
[0035] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the lower portion of the side assembly is pre-assembled
to the floor assembly using the pre-buck unit in the pre-buck
section, and then the upper portion of the side assembly and the
vehicle body parts can be assembled by the main buck unit in the
main buck section.
[0036] Thus, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the main buck unit for the vehicle body assembling
system that can assemble at least five or more types of vehicles by
separating a vehicle body assembly process into two processes
rather than forming a frame of a vehicle body through a single
process as in a conventional art, and is capable of reducing the
weight of the entire equipment, and a method for controlling the
same are provided.
[0037] Accordingly, various types of vehicles can be produced,
equipment preparation time can be reduced, the entire equipment can
be light-weight and simplified, and initial investment cost and
additional investment cost due to addition of different types of
vehicles can be saved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The drawings are intended to be used as references for
describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and
the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the
technical spirit of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of a vehicle body
assembling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows a side assembly applied to the vehicle body
assembling system according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pre-buck unit applied to
the vehicle body assembling system according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a side hanger applied
to the pre-buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a guide post applied to the
pre-buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically illustrate a hanger combining
portion of the guide post applied to the pre-buck unit and a zigzag
combining portion of a rotation index applied to the main buck unit
of the vehicle body assembling system according to the present
disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 10 is a front schematic diagram of the guide post
applied to the pre-buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the main buck unit applied
to the vehicle body assembling system according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0047] FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of side jigs applied
to the main buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0048] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a rotation index applied to
the main buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0049] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the rotation index applied
to the main buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0050] FIG. 16 schematically shows a vehicle type recognition
system of the side jig applied to the main buck unit of the vehicle
body assembling system according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0051] FIG. 17 is a flowchart describing a control method of the
main buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0052] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or
other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in
general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility
vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles,
watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and
the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other
alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived from resources other
than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a
vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both
gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
[0053] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the
specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the
word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising"
will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but
not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms
"unit", "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification
mean units for processing at least one function and operation, and
can be implemented by hardware components or software components
and combinations thereof.
[0054] Further, the control logic of the present disclosure may be
embodied as non-transitory computer readable media on a computer
readable medium containing executable program instructions executed
by a processor, controller or the like. Examples of computer
readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact
disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart
cards and optical data storage devices. The computer readable
medium can also be distributed in network coupled computer systems
so that the computer readable media is stored and executed in a
distributed fashion, e.g., by a telematics server or a Controller
Area Network (CAN).
[0055] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described more
fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. As those skilled
in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified
in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present disclosure.
[0056] The drawings and description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not restrictive, and like reference
numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.
[0057] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of a vehicle body
assembling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle body assembling system
100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
may be applied to a vehicle body assembly line through which
assembly parts of a vehicle body, conveyed through a vehicle body
subassembly line, are welded and assembled as a complete vehicle
body.
[0059] The vehicle body assembly line includes a main process for
assembling a floor assembly, which is a base of the vehicle body, a
side process for assembling side assemblies, which are wall parts
of the vehicle body, and a main buck process for assembling the
side assemblies to the floor assembly and assembling a cowl, a roof
rail, and a package tray to the side assemblies.
[0060] Here, the main buck process is a process for fixing a
welding fixture using large-scale equipment, swinging, rotating,
and shifting the welding fixture, and integrally assembling a side
body assembly and an underbody.
[0061] The vehicle body assembling system 100 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to
the main buck process that assembles the floor assembly, the side
assemblies, the cowl, the roof rail, and the package tray by spot
welding equipment using a robot in the vehicle body assembly
line.
[0062] Hereinafter, an example of bonding the side assemblies to
opposite sides of the floor assembly and bonding the cowl, the roof
rail, and the package tray to the side assemblies will be described
in the main buck process.
[0063] That is, the vehicle body assembling system 100 according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may assemble
side assemblies 3 to opposite sides of a floor assembly 2 that is
conveyed along a transfer path set along a truck line 1, and may
assemble a cowl 7, a roof rail 8, and a package tray 9 to the side
assemblies 3.
[0064] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a
transfer direction of the floor assembly 2 is defined as a vehicle
body transfer direction, and the vehicle body transfer direction is
called a T direction, a vehicle width direction is called an L
direction, and a height direction of the vehicle body is called an
H direction in the relevant field. However, in the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure, the L, T, and H directions
are respectively defined as a vehicle body transfer direction, a
vehicle width direction, and a vehicle body height direction.
[0065] The vehicle body assembling system 100 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure does not form a
frame of the vehicle body through a single process, but separates a
vehicle body assembly process into two processes such that at least
5 or more different types of vehicle bodies can be assembled and
the entire equipment can be light-weight.
[0066] In particular, the vehicle body assembling system 100
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
sets a pre-buck section 20 and a main buck section 50 partitioned
along the transfer path.
[0067] In addition, the vehicle body assembling system 100
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
basically includes a pre-buck unit 200 provided in the pre-buck
section 20 and a main buck unit 500 provided in the main buck
section 50.
[0068] The pre-buck unit 200 and the main buck unit 500 may be
respectively provided in one frame in each of the pre-buck section
20 and the main buck section 50, or may be provided in each
frame.
[0069] Such a frame is provided to support the above-stated
constituent elements, and is equipped with various components such
as various brackets, a support block, a plate, a housing, a cover,
a collar, and the like. However, the components are provided to
install the constituent elements to the frame, and will be
collectively referred to as a frame in the exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure, except for exceptional cases.
[0070] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
pre-buck unit 200 controls a lower portion of the side assembly 3,
which is different depending on a type of a vehicle, with respect
to opposite sides of the floor assembly 2, and pre-assembles the
lower portion of each of the side assemblies 3 to the floor
assembly 2. Such a pre-buck unit 200 is provided in each of the
opposite sides of the transfer path of the truck line 1 in the
pre-buck section 20.
[0071] Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the side assemblies 3 may
be divided into a lower portion 4a and an upper portion 4b with
reference to a dotted reference line 4. In addition, the side
assembly 3 forms a front pillar 5a, a center pillar 5b, a rear
pillar 5c, and a rear combination lamp portion 5d. Further, the
side assembly 3 forms at least one reference hole 6 for placing the
side assembly 3 in the correct position.
[0072] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pre-buck unit applied to
the vehicle body assembling system according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0073] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the pre-buck unit 200 according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a
side hanger 210, a guide post 310, and a plurality of first welding
robots 410 for controlling a transfer direction and a height
direction of the vehicle body of the side assembly 3 and
pre-assembling the lower portion 4a (see FIG. 3) of each side
assembly 3 to the floor assembly 2.
[0074] Here, the pre-assembling implies not a setting assembly
performed by locating the side assembly 3 at the floor assembly 2
of the vehicle body but a welding assembly performed by welding the
lower portion of the side assembly 3 to the floor assembly 2.
[0075] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
side hanger 210 clamps or grips the lower portion 4a of the side
assembly 3, which is different depending on a vehicle type, so as
to control a transfer direction of the height direction of the side
assembly 3.
[0076] Such a side hanger 210 may be provided as a common hanger
that can commonly control the lower portion 4a of the side assembly
3, which is different depending on a vehicle type, at a regular
position. The side hanger 210 is mounted to a first handling robot
281 in the pre-buck section 20.
[0077] Meanwhile, the side hanger 210 may control the lower portion
4a of the side assembly 3 to be aligned in the predetermined
position using an additional alignment means in the pre-buck
section 20. For this, the pre-buck unit 200 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a robot
hanger 290 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0078] The robot hanger 290 may unload the side assemblies 3
transferred to the pre-buck section 20 through a transfer hanger
110, and may load the unloaded side assemblies 3 to the side hanger
210 using a robot-to-robot method while the side assemblies 3 are
aligned in the predetermined position.
[0079] The robot hanger 290 includes an alignment jig 293 mounted
to a front end of an arm of a hanger robot 291. The alignment jig
293 aligns the side assembly 3 in the predetermined position, and
may set a reference location of the side assembly 3, support an
edge portion of the side assembly 3, and clamp the edge portion.
Such an alignment jig 293 is a known alignment jig in the relevant
field, and therefore further detailed description will be
omitted.
[0080] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the side hanger
applied to the pre-buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the side hanger 210 according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure basically
includes a hanger frame 211, a reference pin 231, a first damper
251, and a first coupling pin 271.
[0082] The hanger frame 211 is mounted to an arm front end of the
first handling robot 281 (see FIG. 1) that is provided in the
pre-buck section 20 (see FIG. 1). The hanger frame 211 may be
mounted to the arm front end of the first handling robot 281 or may
be separated from the arm front end through a tool changer 213.
[0083] The reference pin 231 sets the reference position of the
side assembly 3, and at least one reference pin 231 is provided in
the hanger frame 211. The reference pin 231 is pinned in the
reference hole 6 of the side assembly 3 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0084] The reference pin 231 may move forward and backward in a
front side of the hanger frame 211 using a driving means of the
reference pin 231, and may be pinned into the reference hole 6 of
the side assembly 6. Further, the reference pin 231 may change its
locations in three directions, that is, the transfer direction, the
vehicle width direction, and the height direction by the driving
means corresponding to the reference hole 6 of the side assembly 3,
which may be different depending on a vehicle type.
[0085] The first clamper 251 clamps only the lower portion 4a of
the side assembly 3, and is provided in plural to control the
vehicle body transfer direction and the height direction of the
side assembly 3.
[0086] The first clampers 251 are respectively provided in opposite
end portions of the hanger frame 211, and are provided in plural
between the opposite end portions. The first dampers 251
respectively provided at the opposite end portions of the hanger
frame 211 may respectively clamp a front side and a rear side
(i.e., a rear combination lamp portion) of the side assembly 3. The
first dampers 251 at the opposite end portions of the hanger frame
211 are provided therein in a fixed manner.
[0087] In addition, the plurality of first dampers 251 provided
between the opposite end portions of the hanger frame 211 may clamp
the front pillar 5a, the center pillar 5b, and the rear pillar 5c
of the side assembly 3 shown in FIG. 3.
[0088] Here, the first clampers 251 that correspond to the front
pillar 5a, the center pillar 5b, and the rear pillar 5c of the side
assembly 3 are reciprocally provided along the vehicle body
transfer direction by a first driver 253 such that the locations of
the first dampers 251 become variable.
[0089] The first driver 253 moves the first dampers 251 in the
vehicle body transfer direction according to locations of pillars
of the side assemblies 3, which are different depending on a
vehicle type. For example, the first driver 253 may reciprocally
move the first dampers 251 in the vehicle body transfer direction
through a known first guide structure 257 that is provided with a
lead (or a ball) screw and a guide rail to convert a rotation force
of a first servomotor 255 to a linear movement.
[0090] In this case, the first dampers 251 may be provided in a
triangular structure so as to stably grip the lower portion of the
side assembly 3 with reference to the center of the side assembly
3.
[0091] Further, a plurality of installation left sides 261 are
provided in the hanger frame 211 for additionally installing the
first dampers 251 corresponding to the side assemblies 3 that are
different depending on a vehicle type.
[0092] The above-stated fixed or location-variable first dampers
251 may be mounted to the installation left sides 261 corresponding
to the side assemblies 3 that are different depending on a vehicle
type.
[0093] The first coupling pins 271 are provided to couple the
hanger frame 211 that controls the lower portion 4a of the side
assembly 3 through the first clampers 251 to the guide post 310
from the back.
[0094] The first coupling pins 271 are provided in plural in a rear
lower portion of the hanger frame 211. The first coupling pins 271
are mounted to the rear lower portion of the hanger frame 211
through a first installation bracket 273. The first coupling pints
271 protrude in a lower direction in the first installation bracket
273.
[0095] The first coupling pin 271 forms a first ball coupling
groove 275 along a circumference direction with a cylinder shape. A
coupling structure of the first coupling pin 271 and the guide post
310 will be described later in detail.
[0096] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the guide post applied to
the pre-buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0097] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the guide post 310 according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled with
the side hanger 210 that controls the side assembly 3 in the
pre-buck section 20, and precisely matches the side assemblies 3 to
the opposite sides of the floor assembly 2 (see FIG. 1).
[0098] Further, the guide post 310 according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure controls location variation of
the side assembly 3, which may occur when the first handling robot
281 handles the side hanger 210 that controls the side assembly 3,
and minimizes assembly variation of the side assemblies 3 with
respect to the opposite sides of the floor assembly 2.
[0099] The guide post 310 is provided in each of the opposite sides
of the transfer path of the truck line 1 (see FIG. 1) in the
pre-buck section 20, is coupled with the side hanger 210 through
the first handling robot 281, and is reciprocally provided in the
vehicle width direction with respect to the opposite sides of the
floor assembly 2.
[0100] The guide post 310 may be reciprocally movable in the
vehicle width direction in a pre-buck frame 311 at the opposite
sides of the transfer path of the pre-buck section 20. Such a guide
post 310 includes a first movement member 321, a post frame 331,
and a hanger coupling portion 351.
[0101] The first movement member 321 is provided to be
reciprocative along the vehicle width direction with respect to the
opposite sides of the floor assembly 2 through a second driver 313
in the pre-buck frame 311 at the opposite sides of the transfer
path. For example, the first movement member 321 is provided with a
plate shape, and is reciprocative along the vehicle width direction
by the second driver 313 in the upper side of the pre-buck frame
311.
[0102] Here, the second driver 313 is provided to make the first
movement member 321 be reciprocative along the vehicle width
direction. The second driver 313 can make the first movement member
321 reciprocative along the vehicle width direction using a second
guide structure 317 which is a known structure and is provided with
a lead (or a ball) screw and a guide rail that convert a rotation
force of the second servomotor 315 to linear movement.
[0103] Such a second driver 313 is provided as an electric driver
or a moving device which is well known in the field, and therefore
no further detailed description will be provided.
[0104] The pre-buck frame 311 may be provided with a first stopper
319 that determines a regular position of the first movement member
321 that moves along the vehicle width direction by the second
driver 313. The first stopper 319 may be provided in each of
opposite ends of the guide rail in the pre-buck frame 311.
[0105] The post frame 331 provided as a pair is substantially
coupled with the side hanger 210 through the first handling robot
281, and the pair of post frames 331 are disposed at a distance
from each other in the vehicle body transfer direction on the first
movement member 321.
[0106] Such a post frame 331 is provided with a structure in which
a plurality of metal bars are connected in the vehicle body
transfer direction, the vehicle width direction, and the height
direction, and the post frames 331 may be perpendicularly disposed
at a distance from each other along the vehicle body transfer
direction on the first movement member 321. The post frames 331
respectively include mounting surfaces formed on upper surfaces
thereof such that the side hanger 210 can be mounted on the
mounting surfaces of the post frames 331.
[0107] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hanger coupling portion 351
couples the hanger frame 211 of the side hanger 210, which controls
the side assembly 3 through the first dampers 251, to the post
frames 331.
[0108] The hanger coupling portion 351 is provided in plural, and
the plurality of hanger coupling portions 351 are respectively
provided in the mounting surfaces of the post frames 331. The
hanger coupling portion 351 is pin-coupled with the first coupling
pin 271 provided in the hanger frame 211 to clamp the first
coupling pin 271.
[0109] FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically show the hanger coupling portion
of the guide post applied to the pre-buck unit of the vehicle body
assembling system according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0110] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, along with FIGS. 5 and 6, the
hanger coupling portion 351 according to the exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure includes a first pin housing 353 and a
first ball clamp 355.
[0111] The first pin housing 353 is provided to be fixed to the
mounting surface of the post frame 331. The first coupling pin 271
of the side hanger 210 is fitted into the first pin housing
353.
[0112] The first ball clamp 355 is provided in the first pin
housing 353 and clamps the first coupling pin 271 fitted into the
first pin housing 353 with a plurality of balls 356 and air
pressure.
[0113] For example, the first ball clamp 355 includes a support
race 357 that supports the balls 356 to be rollable, a pair of
first race members 358 provided to be movable to the center from an
outer side of the circumferential direction of the first coupling
pin 271, and a third driver 359 that provides a driving pressure to
the first race member 358. The support race 357 is provided as a
circular race that supports the balls 356 to be rollable, and the
pair of first race members 358 serve to press the balls 356 while
moving to the center from the outer side of the circumferential
direction of the first coupling pin 271.
[0114] In addition, the third driver 359 provides air pressure to
the first race member 358, and is provided as an air supply source
that presses the balls 356 while moving to the center from the
outer side of the circumferential direction of the first coupling
pin 271.
[0115] As shown in FIG. 8, when the first coupling pin 271 is not
coupled to the first pin housing 353, air pressure is not supplied
to the first race member 358 through the third driver 359, and in
this case, the balls 356 maintain a free-rollable state in the
support race 357.
[0116] In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, when the first coupling pin
271 is coupled to the first pin housing 353, the air pressure is
supplied to the first race member 358 through the third driver 359
such that the first race member 358 presses the balls 356 on the
support race 357 while moving to the center from the outer side of
the circumferential direction of the first coupling pin 271.
[0117] Accordingly, the balls 356 are coupled to the first ball
coupling groove 275 of the first coupling pin 271 such that the
first coupling pin 271 can be firmly fixed to the first pin housing
353.
[0118] Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the first coupling pin 271 of the side hanger 210 is clamped by the
hanger coupling portion 351 using a ball clamping method such that
the side hanger 210 can be coupled to the post frame 331.
[0119] In the drawings, there are four hanger coupling portions 351
provided in the post frames 331 (i.e., two hanger coupling portions
351 for each post frame 331), but this is not restrictive. Three
hanger coupling portions 351 may be provided in the post frames
331.
[0120] Alternatively, the hanger coupling portion 351 may be
provided with a triangle structure in the post frames 331 so as to
stably couple the side hanger 210 to the post frames 331.
[0121] Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the side assemblies 3 may be moved to the opposite
sides of the floor assembly 2, respectively, by the first movement
members 321 while the side hangers 210 that control the side
assemblies 3 are being respectively coupled to the hanger coupling
portions 351 of the post frames 331 by the first handling robots
281.
[0122] In such a process, the first handling robots 281 may be
moved in synchronization with the first movement member 321 without
being separated from the hanger frames 211 of the side hangers 210.
Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a
process for separating arms of the first handling robots 281 from
the hanger frames 211 and re-coupling the arms to the hanger frames
211 can be omitted.
[0123] Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, when the side assemblies 3 are moved to the opposite
sides of the floor assembly 2 through the first movement member
321, the arms of the first handling robots 281 may be separated
from the hanger frames 211.
[0124] When the arms of the first handling robots 281 are separated
from the hanger frames 211, a driving source supplied to the side
hangers 210 through the first handling robots 281 may be
blocked.
[0125] Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, in the exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure, a driving source supply potion 371 that
supplies a driving source to the side hanger 210 is provided in the
post frame 331. Here, the driving source may include a power
source, air pressure, a control signal, and the like for driving
the first damper 251 (see FIG. 5) of the side hanger 210. That is,
the driving source supply portion 371 may include a feeding
portion, an air supply portion, and a wireless communication
portion.
[0126] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the guide post 310
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
further include a plurality of second dampers 381 that clamp the
bottommost portion of the side assembly 3 while the side hangers
210 that control the side assemblies 3 are coupled to the hanger
coupling portions 351 of the post frames 331.
[0127] Apart from the side hanger 210, the second dampers 381 are
disposed at a distance from each other along the vehicle body
transfer direction in the first movement member 321. The second
dampers 381 may clamp a lower side seal of the side assembly 3.
[0128] Here, the second clampers 381 may be provided reciprocative
to three axis directions (the vehicle body transfer direction, the
vehicle width direction, and the height direction) by a fourth
driver 383 corresponding to the side assembly 3, which is different
according to a vehicle type.
[0129] The fourth driver 383 converts a rotation force of a
servomotor to a linear movement, and the second dampers 381 may
move reciprocative to the three axis directions through a fourth
guide structure 387, which is a known structure that includes a
lead (or a ball) screw that performs a linear movement by an air
pressure cylinder, a cylinder rod, and a guide rail.
[0130] Such a fourth driver 383 is provided as a three-axis
electric driver or a moving device which is well known in the field
and therefore no further description will be provided.
[0131] Further, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a first location sensor 391 is further included. The
first location sensor 391 senses location of the side assembly 3,
which is different according to a vehicle type, and controls the
fourth driver 383 of the second dampers 381 according to a sense
signal (see FIG. 10).
[0132] The first location sensor 391 is provided in the second
damper 381. For example, the first location sensor 391 may include
a laser displacement sensor that irradiates a laser beam to an
object to be sensed, receives a laser beam reflected from the
object, and senses a location of the object.
[0133] Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
a control signal is applied to the fourth driver 383 through a
controller according to the sense signal of the first location
sensor 391, and corrects a control location of the second damper
381 corresponding to the side assembly 3, which is different
according to a vehicle type, by changing the location of the second
damper 381 in the third axis directions.
[0134] Referring to FIG. 1, the first welding robots 410 weld the
lower portions 4a of the side assemblies 3 disposed in regular
portions at the opposite sides of the floor assembly 2 by the side
hangers 210 and the guide posts 310 to the floor assembly 2.
[0135] The first welding robots 410 are provided in plural along
the vehicle body transfer direction, and a spot welding device is
provided in an arm front end of each robot.
[0136] Such a first welding robot 410 is provided as a spot welding
robot, which is well known in the art, and therefore no further
description will be provided.
[0137] Hereinafter, the main buck unit 500 of the vehicle body
assembling system 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure will be described in detail.
[0138] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main buck unit 500 according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure assembles
vehicle body parts to the side assemblies 3 of the vehicle body,
transferred to the main buck section 50 through the truck line 1.
In this case, the side assemblies 3 are in a state of being
pre-assembled and thus the lower portions 4a of the side assemblies
3 are pre-assembled to the floor assembly 2 by the pre-buck unit
200 in the pre-buck section 20.
[0139] That is, the main buck unit 500 controls the upper portion
4b (see FIG. 3) of the side assembly 3 in the main buck section 50,
and welds the vehicle body parts to the upper portion 4b of the
side assembly 3. Here, the vehicle body parts may include the cowl
7, the roof rail 8, and the package tray 9.
[0140] Such a main buck unit 500 is provided in opposite sides of
the transfer path of the truck line 1 in the main buck section
50.
[0141] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the main buck unit applied
to the vehicle body assembling system according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0142] Referring to FIG. 11, along with FIGS. 1 and 2, the main
buck unit 500 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure includes a side jig 510, a rotation index 610, a CRP
loading portion 710, and a second welding robot 810 to control a
vehicle width direction of the side assembly 3 and assemble the
upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3 and the vehicle body
parts.
[0143] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
side jig 510 clamps or grips the upper portion 4b of the side
assembly 3 and controls the vehicle width direction of the side
assembly 3 in the main buck section 50. The side jig 510 is
provided in plural corresponding to the side assemblies 3, which
are different according to a vehicle type. In addition, the side
jig 510 can be mounted to a second handling robot 581 in the main
buck section 50, and may be detached from/attached to the rotation
index 610 through the second handling robot 581.
[0144] Since the side jigs 510 are provided in plural corresponding
to the side assembly 3 that is different depending on a type of the
vehicle, a storage portion 910 is provided to store the side jigs
510 in the main buck section 50.
[0145] As described, the side jigs 510 stored in the storage
portion 910 may be attached to/detached from the rotation index 610
through the second handling robot 581 according to the side
assembly 3 that is different depending on a type of the
vehicle.
[0146] FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of the side jig
applied to the vehicle body assembling system according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0147] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the side jig 510 according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure basically
includes a jig frame 511, third clampers 531, and second coupling
pins 551.
[0148] The jig frame 511 is mounted to an arm front end of each of
the second handling robots 581 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the main
buck section 50 (see FIG. 1). The jig frame 511 may be mounted to
the arm front ends of the second handling robots 581 or may be
separated therefrom through a tool changer 513.
[0149] The third clampers 531 are provided in the jig frame 511,
and clamp the upper portions 4b of the side assemblies 3 and
control the width direction of each side assembly 3 in the main
buck section 50.
[0150] The third dampers 531 are respectively disposed at opposite
end portions of the jig frame 511, and provided in plural between
the opposite end portions of the jig frame 511. The first dampers
531 respectively disposed at the opposite end portions of the jig
frame 511 may clamp a front side and a rear side (i.e., a rear
combination lamp) of the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3.
In addition, the plurality of third dampers 531 disposed between
the opposite end portions of the jig frame 511 may clamp a pillar
side of the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3.
[0151] The second coupling pin 551 couples the jig frame 511 to the
rotation index 610, which will be described later. The second
coupling pin 551 is provided in plural in the rear side of the jig
frame 511. The second coupling pin 551 protrudes in the bottom
direction of the jig frame 511 from the bottom of the jig frame 511
through a second installation bracket 553.
[0152] Such a second coupling pin 551 forms a round-shaped second
ball coupling groove 555 along a circumferential direction in the
cylindrical shape. A coupling structure of the second coupling pin
551 and the rotation index 610 will be described in detail
later.
[0153] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rotation index applied
to the main buck unit of the vehicle body assembling system
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0154] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 14, the rotation index 610
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is
coupled with the side jig 510 in order to control a regular
position of the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3 through the
side jig 510 in the main buck section 50.
[0155] In addition, the rotation index 610 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure controls location
variation of the side assembly 3 and minimizes assembly variation
of the side assembly 3.
[0156] Further, the rotation index 610 of the exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure installs a plurality of side jigs 510
that correspond to the side assembly 3 that is different depending
on a type of the vehicle, and controls the upper portion 4b of the
side assembly 3 while rotatably selecting a side jig 510 of the
corresponding type of the vehicle.
[0157] The rotation index 610 is provided to be rotatable by a
predetermined angle by being coupled with the side jig 510 at
opposite sides of the transfer path of the main buck section 50,
and becomes reciprocatively movable along the vehicle width
direction in a main buck frame 611.
[0158] Such a rotation index 610 includes a second movement member
621, an index frame 631, a rotator 641, a jig coupling portion 651,
and a fourth damper 671.
[0159] The second movement member 621 provided at opposite sides of
the transfer path of the main buck section 50 can be
reciprocatively movable along the vehicle width direction in the
main buck frame 611 with respect to the side assemblies 3 of which
the lower portions are pre-assembled to the floor assembly 2
through a fifth driver 513.
[0160] For example, the second movement members 621 are
respectively formed in the shape of a plate, and they are
reciprocatively movable along the vehicle width direction by the
fifth driver 613 in the upper side of the main buck frame 611.
[0161] Here, the fifth driver 613 is provided to make the second
movement members 621 reciprocatively movable along the vehicle
width direction. The fifth driver 613 enables the second movement
members 621 to be reciprocatively movable along the vehicle width
direction through a fifth guide structure 617, which is a
well-known structure in the art, and includes a lead (or a ball)
screw that converts a rotation force of a fifth servomotor 615 to a
linear movement, and a guide rail.
[0162] Such a fifth driver 613 is an electric driver or a moving
device known in the art, and therefore no further detailed
description will be provided.
[0163] Meanwhile, a second stopper 619 that determines a regular
position of the second movement member 621 moving along the vehicle
width direction by the fifth driver 613 may be provided in the main
buck frame 611. The second stopper 619 may be provided in each of
the opposite ends of the guide rail in the main buck frame 611.
[0164] The index frame 631 is provided as a pair to make the
rotator 641, which will be described later, to be rotatable, and
each of the pair of the index frames 631 is distanced from one
another along the vehicle body transfer direction on the second
movement members 621.
[0165] Such an index frame 631 is formed with a structure in which
a plurality of metal bars are connected in the vehicle body
transfer direction, the vehicle width direction, and the height
direction, and therefore the index frames 631 may be
perpendicularly provided on the second movement members 621 with a
constant interval along the vehicle body transfer direction.
[0166] The rotator 641 is coupled with the side jig 510 that
corresponds to the side assembly 3 that is different depending on a
type of the vehicle through the second handling robot 581, and has
four sides that can replace the side jig in a detachable manner and
is rotatably provided in the index frame 631.
[0167] Opposite ends of the rotator 641 are rotatably supported by
the index frames 631, and the rotator 641 may rotate by a
predetermined angle (i.e., 90 degrees) through a sixth driver 643.
For example, the sixth driver 643 includes a sixth servomotor 645
that is fixed to the index frame 631.
[0168] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the jig coupling portion 651 is
provided to couple the jig frame 511 of the side jig 510 to the
rotator 641. The jig coupling portion 651 is provided in plural,
and a plurality of jig coupling portions 651 are provided in each
side of the rotator 641. The jig coupling portions 651 are coupled
with the second coupling pins 551 provided in the jig frame 511 to
clamp the second coupling pins 551.
[0169] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, along with FIGS. 8 and 9, the
jig coupling portion 651 according to the exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure includes a second pin housing 653 and a
second ball clamp 655.
[0170] The second pin housing 653 is provided to be fixed to each
side of the rotator 641. The second coupling pin 551 of the side
jig 510 is fitted into the second pin housing 653.
[0171] The second ball clamp 655 clamps the second coupling pin 551
fitted into the second pin housing 653 with a plurality of balls
656 and air pressure, and is provided in the second pin housing
653.
[0172] For example, the second ball clamp 655 includes a support
race 657 that supports the balls 656 to be rollable, a pair of
second race members 658 that are provided to be movable to the
center of the second coupling pin 551 from an outer side of a
circumferential direction of the second coupling pin 551, and a
seventh driver 659 that supplies a driving pressure to the second
race members 658.
[0173] The support race 657 is provided as a circular race that
supports the balls 656 to be rollable, and the pair of second race
members 658 press the balls 656 while moving to the center from the
outer side of the circumferential direction of the second coupling
pin 551.
[0174] In addition, the seventh driver 659 provides air pressure to
the second race member 658, and thus is provided as an air supply
source that presses the balls 656 while moving the second race
member 658 to the center of the second coupling pin 551 from the
outer side of the circumferential direction of the second coupling
pin 551.
[0175] As shown in FIG. 8, when the second coupling pin 551 is not
coupled to the second pin housing 653, air pressure is not supplied
to the second race member 658 through the seventh driver 659 such
that the balls 656 maintain a free-rollable state on the support
race 657.
[0176] Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the second coupling pin
551 is coupled to the second coupling pin 551, the second race
member 658 is supplied with air pressure through the seventh driver
659 such that the second race member 658 moves to the center from
the outer side of the circumferential direction of the second
coupling pin 551 and presses the balls 656 on the support race
657.
[0177] Thus, the balls 656 are coupled to the second ball coupling
grooves 555 by the second race 656, such that the second coupling
pin 551 can be firmly fixed to the second pin housing 653.
[0178] Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the second coupling pin 551 of the side jig 510 is
clamped by the jig coupling portion 651 using a ball clamp method
such that the side jig 510 can be coupled to each side of the
rotator 641.
[0179] The jig coupling portion 651 may be provided with a triangle
structure in the rotator 641 so as to more stably couple the side
jig 510 to the rotator 641.
[0180] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the fourth damper 671 is
provided in plural in each side of the rotator 641 so as to fix the
side jigs 510 to the rotator 641.
[0181] The fourth dampers 671 are provided at opposite sides in
each side of the rotator 641. For example, the fourth damper 671
moves back and forth by a pneumatic cylinder, and may be provided
as a pin clamber that can be pin-coupled to the jig frame 511 of
the side jig 510.
[0182] Meanwhile, a second location sensor 591 is further included
in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The second
location sensor 591 senses a location of the side assembly 3 while
the upper portion of the side assembly 3 is controlled by the third
clambers 531 of the side jig 510 after moving the rotator 641
coupled with the side jig 510 to the side assembly 3.
[0183] The second location sensor 591 is provided as a location
sensor that senses a location of the side assembly 3 and controls
the fifth driver 613 of the second movement member 621 according to
a sense signal, and is provided in the index frame 631.
[0184] For example, the second location sensor 591 may include a
laser displacement sensor that irradiates a laser beam to an object
to be sensed, receives a laser beam reflected by the object, and
senses a location of the object.
[0185] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, while
the upper portion of the side assembly 3 is controlled by the third
clampers 531 of the side jig 510, the location of the side assembly
3 is sensed by the second location sensor 591 and a sense signal is
output to a controller (not shown in the drawing).
[0186] Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
a control signal is applied to the fifth driver 631 through the
controller according to the sense signal of the second location
sensor 591, and the second movement member 621 is moved in the
vehicle width direction to thereby correct a position of the side
assembly 3.
[0187] Alternatively, the second location sensor 591 may be
provided in the third damper 531 of the side jig 510 instead of
being provided in the index frame 631.
[0188] As shown in FIG. 16, a vehicle type tag 931 is provided in
the jig frame 511 of the side jig 510, and a tag reader 933 may be
provided in each side of the rotator 641.
[0189] The vehicle type tag 931 stores information on a type of the
vehicle with respect to each side jig 510 because a plurality of
side jigs 510 are provided respectively corresponding to side
assemblies 3 that are different depending on a type of the vehicle.
The tag reader 933 recognizes the information on a type of the
vehicle with respect to each side jig 510 through the
controller.
[0190] Referring to FIG. 2, in the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, a CRP loading portion 710 transfers vehicle
body parts that include the cowl 7, the roof rail 8, and the
package tray 9 to the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3, and
places the transferred parts in the upper portion 4b of the side
assembly 4b. Here, the CRP is a combination of C representing the
cowl, R representing the roof rail, and P representing the package
tray.
[0191] The CRP loading portion 710 is provided in an upper side of
the transfer path of the truck line 1 to be moveable along the
transfer path, and can be elevated with respect to the upper side
of the side assembly 3 in the main buck section 50.
[0192] The CRP loading portion 710 includes various clamping
devices and control devices to control locations of the cowl 7, the
roof rail 8, and the package tray 9, and to clamp the cowl 7, the
roof rail 8, and the package tray 9.
[0193] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second welding robot
810 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
welds the cowl 7, the roof rail 8, and the package tray 9 to the
upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3.
[0194] The second welding robot 810 welds the vehicle body parts
(i.e., the cowl 7, the roof rail 8, and the package tray 9) and the
upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3 while the upper portion 4b
of the side assembly 3 are controlled by the side jig 510 and the
rotation index 610 and the vehicle body parts are located in the
regular positions in the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3 by
the CRP loading portion 710.
[0195] The second welding robot 810 is provided in plural along the
vehicle body transfer direction in the main buck section 50, and a
spot welding device is provided in an arm front end of each robot.
Such a second welding robot 810 is provided as a spot welding
robot, which is well known in the art, and therefore no further
description will be provided.
[0196] Hereinafter, an operation and a vehicle body assembly
process of the vehicle body assembling system 100 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in
detail with reference to the above-stated drawings.
[0197] First, the floor assembly 2 assembled in the subassembly
line is transferred to the pre-buck section 20 among a
predetermined transfer path through the truck line 1.
[0198] In the pre-buck section 20, the side hanger 210 of the
pre-buck unit 200 is in a state of being mounted to the front end
of the arm of the first handling robot 281. In addition, the guide
post 310 of the pre-buck unit 200 is in a state of being moved
backward in a direction (i.e., the vehicle width direction) that is
away from the floor assembly 2 at the opposite sides of the
transfer path by the second driver 313.
[0199] The side assembly 2 that is different depending on a type of
the vehicle is transferred to the pre-buck section 20 through the
transfer hander 110, and in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the side assembly 2 is unloaded from the transfer
hanger 110 through the robot hanger 290.
[0200] The robot hanger 290 clamps the side assembly 3 while the
side assembly 3 is aligned in a predetermined location using the
alignment jig 293. In this case, in the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, the side assembly 3 is loaded to the side
hanger 210 by the robot hanger 290 using a robot-to-robot
method.
[0201] Here, the reference pin 231 of the side hanger 210 is fitted
into the reference hole 6 of the side assembly 3 to set a reference
location of the side assembly 3. In addition, the first dampers 251
of the side hanger 210 clamp the lower portion 4a of the side
assembly 3.
[0202] In this case, the first dampers 251 provided at the opposite
sides of the hanger frame 211 of the side hanger 210 clamp a front
side and a rear side (i.e., a rear combination lamp) of the side
assembly 3.
[0203] In addition, the plurality of first dampers 251 provided
between the opposite ends of the hanger frame 211 respectively
clamp the front pillar 5a, the center pillar 5b, and the rear
pillar 5c of the side assembly 3.
[0204] In this case, the plurality of first dampers 251 provided
between the opposite ends of the hanger frame 211 respectively
clamp the front pillar 5a, the center pillar 5b, and the rear
pillar 5c of the side assembly 3 while being moved in the vehicle
body transfer direction by the first driver 253 according to
locations of the pillars of the side assembly 3 that is different
depending on a type of the vehicle.
[0205] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
first clamper 251 may be additionally provided in the installation
left side 261 of the hanger frame 211 corresponding to the side
assembly 3 that is different depending on a type of the
vehicle.
[0206] In such a state, the side hanger 210 that controls the side
assembly 3 is transferred to the guide post 310 by the first
handling robot 281 in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0207] Next, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the first coupling pin 271 provided in the hanger frame 211 is
coupled to the hanger coupling portion 351 of the post frame 331
such that the side hanger 210 is coupled to the post frame 331 of
the post 210 using the first handling robot 281.
[0208] More specifically, before the first coupling pin 271 is
coupled to the first pin housing 353 of the hanger coupling portion
351, the first race member 358 is not supplied with air pressure
through the third driver 359 in the first ball clamp 355 of the
hanger coupling portion 351, and in this case, the balls 356 are in
the free-rollable state on the support race 357.
[0209] In this case, when the first coupling pin 271 is coupled to
the first pin housing 353, air pressure is supplied to the first
race member 358 through the third driver 359 in the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0210] Then, the first race member 358 moves to the center of the
first coupling pin 271 from the outer side of the circumferential
direction of the first coupling pin 271 by the air pressure such
that the balls 356 on the support race 357 are pressed.
[0211] Here, the balls 356 are coupled to the ball coupling groove
275 of the first coupling pin 271 by the first race member 358, and
the first coupling pin 271 is fixed to the first pin housing
353.
[0212] Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the first coupling pin 271 of the side hanger 210 is clamped by the
hanger coupling portion 351 using a ball clamp method such that the
side hanger 210 can be coupled to the post frame 331.
[0213] While the side hanger 210 that controls the side assembly 3
is coupled to the hanger coupling portion 351 of the post frame
331, the lower side seal of the side assembly 3 is clamped by the
second dampers 381 on the first movement member 321 in the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0214] Here, the second dampers 381 can clamp the lower side seal
of the side assembly 3 while moving in the three axis directions of
the vehicle body transfer direction, the vehicle width direction,
and the height direction by the fourth driver 383 corresponding to
the side assembly 3 that is different depending on a type of the
vehicle.
[0215] In this case, a location of the side assembly 3 is sensed by
the first location sensor 391 and a sense signal is output to the
controller in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Then, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
location of the second damper 381 is changed in three axis
directions while applying the control signal to the fourth driver
383 through the controller according to the sense signal of the
first location sensor 391 such that the locations of the second
dampers 381 can be corrected corresponding to the side assembly 3
that is different depending on a type of the vehicle.
[0216] Next, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the first movement member 321 of the guide post 310 is moved toward
the opposite sides of the floor assembly 2 along the vehicle width
direction by driving of the second driver 313.
[0217] That is, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the side assemblies 3 controlled by the side hanger 210
coupled to the post frame 331 on the first movement member 321 and
the second dampers 381 on the first movement member 321 are moved
to the opposite sides of the floor assembly 2 by the first movement
members 321.
[0218] In such a process, the first handling robots 281 may be
synchronized with the first movement members 321 rather than
separating the arms of the first handling robots 281 from the
hanger frame 211 of the side hanger 210 in the exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0219] Alternatively, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the arms of the first handling robots 281 may be
separated from the hanger frame 211. In such a case, the driving
source supply 371 provided in the post frame 331 supplies a driving
source such as power, air pressure, and a control signal to the
first dampers 251 of the side hanger 210.
[0220] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
side assemblies 3 can be precisely matched to the opposite sides of
the floor assembly 2 while moving the side assemblies 3 to the
opposite sides of the floor assembly 2 using the guide post
310.
[0221] Further, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, location variation of the side assembly 3, which may
occur while the first handling robot 281 is handling the side
hanger 210 that controls the side assembly 3, can be controlled by
the guide post 310 such that the location variation of the side
assemblies 3 with respect to the opposite sides of the floor
assembly 2 can be minimized.
[0222] Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the lower portion 4a of the side assembly 3 can be placed in the
regular position at each of the opposite sides of the floor
assembly 2 while controlling the vehicle body transfer direction
and the height direction of the side assembly 3 with the side
hanger 210 and the second dampers 381.
[0223] In such a state, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the lower portions 4a of the side assemblies 3 are
pre-assembled to the opposite sides of the floor assembly 2 by
welding the lower portions 4a of the side assemblies 4 to the floor
assembly 2 using the first welding robots 410.
[0224] The lower portions 4a of the side assemblies 3 are
pre-assembled to the opposite sides of the floor assembly 2 in the
pre-buck unit 200 through the pre-buck section 20 through such a
series of processes, and then the pre-assembled vehicle body is
transferred to the main buck section 50 along the transfer path of
the truck line 1 in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0225] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
plurality of side jigs 510 that correspond to the side assembly 3
that is different depending on a type of the vehicle are stored in
the storage portion 910 in the main buck section 50.
[0226] In addition, the side jig 510 that corresponding to the side
assembly 3 that is different depending on a type of the vehicle is
coupled to each side of the rotator 641 in the rotation index 610
of the main buck unit 500 in the main buck section 50. Here, the
rotation index 610 is in a state of being moved backward in a
direction (i.e., the vehicle width direction) that is away from the
pre-assembled vehicle body by the fifth driver 613 at the opposite
sides of the transfer path.
[0227] As described, when the pre-assembled vehicle body is
transferred to the main buck section 50 from the pre-buck section
20, the rotator 641 of the rotation index 610 is rotated to place
the side jig 510 of the corresponding vehicle type that corresponds
to the side assembly 3 that is different depending on a type of the
vehicle to the side assembly 3 of the pre-assembled vehicle body in
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0228] Next, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the second movement member 621 of the rotation index 610 is moved
toward the side assembly 3 along the vehicle width direction by
driving the fifth driver 613.
[0229] That is, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the rotator 641 on which the side jig 510 is mounted,
while being supported by the index frame 631 on the second movement
member 621, is moved toward the side assembly 3 by the second
movement member 621.
[0230] Next, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the vehicle width direction of the side assembly 3 is controlled
while clamping the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3 using
the third dampers 531 of the side jig 510.
[0231] Here, the third dampers 531 provided at the opposite ends of
the jig frame 511 of the side jig 510 clamp the front side and the
rear side (i.e., rear combination lamp) of the upper portion 4b of
the side assembly 3. In addition, the plurality of third dampers
531 provided between the opposite ends of the jig frame 511 clamp
the pillars of the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3.
[0232] In this case, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the second location sensor 591 senses a location of the
side assembly 3 and outputs a sense signal to the controller. Then,
in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a control
signal is applied to the fifth driver 613 through the controller
according to the sense signal of the second location sensor 591,
and the second movement member 621 is moved in the vehicle width
direction such that the location of the side assembly 3 can be
corrected.
[0233] Next, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the CRP loading portion 710 transferred to the main buck section 50
along the transfer path of the truck line 1 from the upper side of
the transfer path is lowered to the upper side of the side assembly
3.
[0234] The CRP loading portion 710 is lowered to the upper side of
the side assembly 3 while controlling the vehicle body parts, such
as the cowl 7, the roof rail 8, and the package tray 9. Thus, the
cowl 7, the roof rail 8, and the package tray 9 are located in the
upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3 by the CRP loading portion
710.
[0235] In such a state, the vehicle body parts and the upper
portion 4b of the side assembly 3 are welded by the second welding
robot 810 in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0236] Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the side jig 510 coupled to the rotator 641 may be
replaced with a side jig 510 that corresponds to a side assembly 3
of a different type of the vehicle.
[0237] In this case, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, when the vehicle body parts and the upper portion 4b of
the side assembly 3 are welded by the second welding robot 810, the
side jig 510 coupled to the upper side of the rotator 641 may be
replaced with another side jig 510 corresponding to a side assembly
3 of a different type of the vehicle using the second handling
robot 581.
[0238] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, while
the side jig 510 coupled to the upper side of the rotator 641 is
separated from the rotator 641 by the second handling robot 581 or
the side jig 510 is not coupled to the upper side of the rotator
641, a different side jig 510 is coupled to the upper side of the
rotator 641 by the second handling robot 581. In the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure, the second coupling pin 551
provided in the jig frame 511 of the side jig 510 is coupled to the
jig coupling portion 651.
[0239] More specifically, before the second coupling pin 551 is
coupled to the second pin housing 653 of the jig coupling portion
651, the second race member 658 is not supplied with air pressure
through the seventh driver 659, and in this case, the balls 656 are
in the free-rollable state on the support race 657.
[0240] In such a state, when the second coupling pin 551 is coupled
to the second pin housing 653, the air pressure is supplied to the
second race member 658 by the seventh driver 659 in the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure. Then, the second race member
658 moves to the center of the second coupling pin 51 from the
outer side of the circumferential direction of the second coupling
pin 551 by the air pressure such that the balls 656 on the support
race 657 are pressed.
[0241] Here, the balls 656 are coupled to the second ball coupling
grooves 555 of the second coupling pin 551 by the second race
members 658, and thus the second coupling pin 551 is fixed to the
second pin housing 653.
[0242] Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the second coupling pin 551 of the side jig 510 can be clamped by
the jig coupling portion 651 that uses a ball clamp method such
that the side jig 510 can be coupled to the upper side of the
rotator 641.
[0243] Further, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, while the side jig 510 is coupled to the rotator 641 by
the jig coupling portion 651, the jig frame 511 of the side jig 510
is fixed to the rotator 641 by the fourth dampers 671 provided in
the rotator 641. The fourth damper 671 is pin-coupled to the jig
frame 511 of the side jig 510 by the pneumatic cylinder, and fixes
the jig frame 511 to the rotator 641.
[0244] As described, in the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3 and the
vehicle body parts are assembled in the main buck unit 500 in the
main buck section 50.
[0245] In such a series of processes, a control process
corresponding to multiple vehicle types of the replaceable side jig
510 with respect to the rotator 641 will be described in further
detail with reference to FIG. 17. Specifically, the tag reader 933
provided in each side of the rotator 641 receives vehicle type
information stored in the vehicle type tag 931 of the side jig 510
and outputs the corresponding vehicle type information to the
controller (S11). In addition, in the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, vehicle type information on a side jig 510 of a
type of a vehicle that is being produced and vehicle type
information on a side jig 510 that corresponds to a type of the
next vehicle to be produced are determined (S12).
[0246] Next, the controller determines whether or not a side jig
that corresponds to the type of the next vehicle to be produced is
coupled to the upper side of the rotator 641 (S13).
[0247] Here, if the controller determines that the side jig 510 of
the type of the next vehicle to be produced is coupled to the
rotator 641, the side assembly 3 of the type of the vehicle that is
currently produced and a side assembly 3 of the type of the next
vehicle to be produced are assembled by rotating the rotator 641
and moving the rotator 641 back and forth by using the rotation
index 610 in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
(S14 and S15).
[0248] If, in S13, the controller determines that that the side jig
510 of the type of the next vehicle to be produced is not coupled
to the rotator 641, the side jig 510 coupled to an upper side
(i.e., (-1) side) of the rotator 641 (S21) and the separated side
jig 510 is unloaded in the storage portion 910 (S22) in assembly of
the side assembly 3 of the type of the vehicle that is currently
produced according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0249] Next, in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
a side jig 510 of a type of the next vehicle to be produced is
selected from the storage portion 910 (S23), and the side jig 510
of the type of the next vehicle to be produced is coupled to the
upper side of the rotator 641 (S24) by moving the rotator 641
backward after the side assembly 3 of the type of the vehicle that
is currently produced is assembled.
[0250] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the vehicle body assembling system 100 can pre-assemble
the lower portion 4a of the side assembly 3 to the floor assembly 2
using the pre-buck unit 200 in the pre-buck section 20 and then
assemble the upper portion 4b of the side assembly 3 and the
vehicle body parts using the main buck unit 500 in the main buck
section.
[0251] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, at least five or more types of vehicles can be
assembled by separating a vehicle body assembly process into two
processes rather than forming a frame of a vehicle body through a
single process as in a conventional art, and various types of
vehicles can be commonly produced by using robots.
[0252] Thus, various types of vehicles can be flexibly produced,
equipment preparation time can be reduced, the entire equipment can
be light-weight and simplified, and initial investment cost and
additional investment cost due to addition of different types of
vehicles can be saved according to the exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0253] While this disclosure has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments,
it is to be understood that technical aspects of the present
disclosure are not limited to the exemplary embodiments suggested
in the specification, but, although a person of ordinary skill in
this field of art who understands the technical aspects of the
present disclosure can suggest another exemplary embodiment by
modifications, changes, removal, and addition of constituent
elements within a range of technical aspects that are the same as
in the present disclosure, it will also be within a range of right
of the present disclosure.
* * * * *