Modular vehicle assembly system and method
First Claim
1. A modular assembly system for use in assembling a high quantity of products along an assembly line, the system having an elongate rigid assembly frame having a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to an assembly line, the frame having a width defining an inboard and an outboard side relative to the assembly line, legs and an elevated floor connected to the legs and extending along the longitudinal axis, and an assembly tool positioned proximate to the assembly frame and positioned vertically lower than the frame elevated floor;
- the system comprising;
a plurality of modular application equipment (AE) pallets, a selected one of the plurality of AE pallets removably connected to the assembly frame proximate to the assembly tool;
a plurality of application equipment (AE) devices, a selected one of the plurality AE devices removably mountable to the selected one AE pallet prior to connection of the selected one AE pallet to the assembly frame, the selected one AE device suitable for operation of the assembly tool; and
a conduit connected to the selected one AE device and at least one of the assembly tool.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular vehicle assembly system and methods for increased flexibility and adaptability of a high volume assembly facility which builds several vehicle models. In one example, the invention includes modular assembly equipment (AE) support pallets which are shipped to vendors for installation of selected AE equipment devices that are specific to a predetermined assembly operation and then validation tested prior to shipment. The modular AE pallets and AE devices are quickly installed and easily removable for maintenance or replacement. In other examples, modular AE support platforms and safety fencing are used to support ground level assembly operation and safer working environment.
156 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A modular assembly system for use in assembling a high quantity of products along an assembly line, the system having an elongate rigid assembly frame having a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to an assembly line, the frame having a width defining an inboard and an outboard side relative to the assembly line, legs and an elevated floor connected to the legs and extending along the longitudinal axis, and an assembly tool positioned proximate to the assembly frame and positioned vertically lower than the frame elevated floor;
- the system comprising;
a plurality of modular application equipment (AE) pallets, a selected one of the plurality of AE pallets removably connected to the assembly frame proximate to the assembly tool; a plurality of application equipment (AE) devices, a selected one of the plurality AE devices removably mountable to the selected one AE pallet prior to connection of the selected one AE pallet to the assembly frame, the selected one AE device suitable for operation of the assembly tool; and a conduit connected to the selected one AE device and at least one of the assembly tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- the system comprising;
-
14. A modular assembly system for use in assembling a high quantity of products along an assembly line, the system comprising:
-
an elongate rigid assembly frame having a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to an assembly line, the frame having a width defining an inboard and an outboard side relative to the assembly line, legs and an elevated floor connected to the legs and extending along the longitudinal axis, and an assembly tool positioned proximate to the assembly frame and positioned vertically lower than the frame elevated floor; an assembly tool removably engaged to the assembly frame, the assembly tool operable to conduct a predetermined assembly operation; a plurality of modular application equipment (AE) pallets, a selected one of the plurality of AE pallets suitable for the assembly tool and the predetermined assembly operation removably engaged with the assembly frame proximate to the assembly tool; a plurality of application equipment (AE) devices, a selected one of the plurality AE devices suitable for the assembly tool and predetermined assembly operation removably mountable to the selected one AE pallet prior to removable engagement of the selected one AE pallet to the assembly frame; a consumable material in communication with the selected one AE device, the consumable material suitable for the assembly tool and predetermined assembly operation; and a conduit connected to the selected one AE device and the assembly tool, the conduit operable to selectively transfer the consumable material from the selected one AE device to the assembly tool. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification