Motor vehicle body assembly apparatus

• US 20080084013A1
• Filed: 11/21/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comau LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries, Co. (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Kilibarda, Velibor
• Granted Patent: US 8,042,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 269/37
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 21/00 Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 21/008 the assembling machines or tools moving synchronously with the units while these are being assembled
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 2700/50 Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0093 co-operating with conveyor means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49829 Advancing work to successive stations [i.e., assembly line]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/534 Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53404 including turret-type conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53539 including work conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53543 including transporting track
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53548 and work carrying vehicle

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing motor vehicle sub-assemblies with unrestricted model mix and quick changeover between models. The apparatus includes a track; a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement along the track between first and second positions; and first and second turrets rotatably mounted on the carriage at longitudinally spaced locations and each including a plurality of circumferentially spaced individual faces and unique tooling fixtures on the respective faces for receiving unique work piece components corresponding to a plurality of motor vehicle body styles.

As the carriage moves between its first and second positions the turrets are rotated through 180° so that work piece components corresponding to a first motor vehicle body style loaded onto one side of the first turret at a first load station on one side of the track are presented to a central weld/unload station on an opposite side of the track in response to movement of the carriage from its first position to its second position and work piece components corresponding to the first motor vehicle body style loaded onto the corresponding side of the second turret at a second load station on the one side of the track are presented to the weld/unload station in response to movement of the carriage from its second position to its first position. When a changeover to a second motor vehicle body style is required, the first and second turrets are rotated to bring a second face of each turret having tooling fixtures corresponding to a second motor vehicle body style to a position corresponding to the position of the first face prior to the changeover.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle body assembly apparatus comprising:

a turret having a central axis and first and second tooling faces spaced circumferentially about the central axis;

unique tooling fixtures on the respective first and second faces for receiving unique work piece components corresponding respectively to first and second motor vehicle body styles; and

mounting structures mounting the turret for movement along a linear path between first and second workstations and for rotation about its central axis to selectively present a respective face and its unique tooling to a workstation for receipt of unique workpiece components corresponding to a respective motor vehicle body style.

2. A body assembly apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the first workstation is defined on one side of the path;

the second workstation is defined on an opposite side of the path; and

the apparatus further includes means operative to rotate the turret through 180°

as the turret moves between the first and second workstations whereby to move a tooling face from a position presenting on one side of the path at the first workstation to a position presenting on an opposite side of the path at the second workstation.

3. A body assembly apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first workstation comprises a loading station and the second workstation comprises a welding station.

4. A body assembly apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting structure includes a track, a carriage mounted for linear movement on the track, and journal structure on the carriage mounting the turret on the carriage for rotation about its central axis.

5. A body assembly apparatus according to claim 4 wherein:

the turret comprises a first turret; and

the apparatus further includes a second turret rotatably mounted on the carriage in longitudinally spaced relation to the first turret and including first and second tooling faces spaced circumferentially with respect to the rotational axis of the second turret and unique tooling fixtures on the respective first and second tooling faces of the second turret for receiving unique workpiece components corresponding respectively to the first and second motor vehicle body styles.

6. A motor vehicle body assembly apparatus comprising:

guide structure defining a linear path;

a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement along the path between a first position and a second position;

first and second turrets rotatably mounted on the carriage at longitudinally spaced locations on the carriage;

first and second circumferentially spaced individual faces on each turret; and

unique tooling fixtures on the respective first and second turret faces for receiving unique work piece components corresponding to first and second motor vehicle body styles.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 and further including power means operative to rotate each turret through 180°

as the carriage is moved from its first position to its second position.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the power means comprises a carriage motor assembly operative to move the carriage along the path between the first and second positions and turret motor assemblies mounted on the carriage and operative to rotate the turrets on the carriage.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein:

each turret includes a tower structure defining the first and second faces and a base ring gear positioned on the carriage; and

each turret motor assembly includes a motor driving a pinion engaging the ring gear of the respective turret.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein:

the guide structure defining the path includes a track structure including a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers;

the carriage is rollably mounted on the rollers; and

the carriage motor assembly includes a motor driving the rollers whereby to propel the carriage along the track.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the apparatus further includes a latch assembly mounted on the carriage and operative to selectively preclude sliding movement of the carriage along the track and rotation of the turrets on the carriage.

12. A method of assembling a motor vehicle body comprising:

providing a turret having a central axis and first and second tooling faces spaced circumferentially about the central axis;

providing unique tooling fixtures on the respective first and second faces for receiving unique work piece components corresponding respectively to first and second motor vehicle body styles;

moving the turret along a linear path between first and second work stations; and

rotating the turret about its central axis to selectively present a respective face and its unique tooling to a workstation for receipt of unique work piece components corresponding to a respective motor vehicle body style.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein:

the first work station is defined on one side of the path;

the second work station is defined on an opposite side of the path; and

the turret is rotated through 180°

as the turret moves between the first and second work stations whereby to move a tooling face from a position presenting on one side of the path at the first work station to a position presenting on an opposite side of the path at the second work station.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the first work station comprises a loading station and the second work station comprises a welding station.

15. A method according to claim 12 wherein the method includes the further steps of:

providing a track extending between the first and second work stations;

providing a carriage mounted for linear movement along the track; and

providing journal structure on the carriage mounting the turret on the carriage for rotation about its central axis.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein:

the turret comprises a first turret; and

the method includes the further steps of providing a second turret rotatably mounted on the carriage in longitudinally spaced relation to the first turret and including first and second tooling faces spaced circumferentially with respect to the rotational axis of the second turret and unique tooling fixtures on the respective first and second tooling faces of the second turret for receiving unique work piece components corresponding respectively to the first and second motor vehicle body styles.

17. A method of assembling a motor vehicle comprising:

providing a path having a load side and an unload side;

providing a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement along the path between a first position and a second position;

providing first and second turrets rotatably mounted on the carriage at longitudinally spaced locations on the carriage;

providing first and second circumferentially spaced individual tooling faces on each turret;

providing unique tooling fixtures on the respective first and second turret tooling faces for receiving unique work piece components corresponding to first and second motor vehicle body styles;

positioning the carriage in its first position with the first turret positioned with a first face thereof facing the load side of the path and the second turret positioned with the first face thereof facing the unload side of the path and work piece components corresponding to the first motor vehicle body style positioned on the first face thereof;

loading work piece components corresponding to the first motor vehicle body style onto the loading fixtures on the first face of the first turret while welding the work piece components corresponding to the first motor vehicle body style positioned on the first face of the second turret and thereafter removing the welded together work piece components from the second turret for further processing; and

thereafter moving the carriage to its second position while rotating the first turret to position the first face thereof facing the unload side of the path and rotating the second turret to position the first face thereof facing the load side of the path.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the method includes the further steps of:

with the carriage in its second position, loading work piece components corresponding to the first motor vehicle body style unto the tooling fixtures on the first face of the second turret while welding the work piece components corresponding to the first motor vehicle body style positioned on the first face of the first turret and thereafter removing the welded together work piece components from the first turret for further processing.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the method includes the further step of repeating the steps of claims 17 and 18 for so long as the first motor vehicle body style is required.

20. A method according to claims 19 wherein the method includes the further steps of, when a changeover to the second motor vehicle body style is required, rotating the first and second turrets to bring the second face of each carriage into the position corresponding to the position of the first face prior to the changeover.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein each turret includes a third face circumferentially spaced from the first and second faces;

and

unique tooling fixtures corresponding to a third motor vehicle body style are positioned on the third faces of the turrets whereby to allow changeover between the first and third body styles and the second and third body styles in addition to the changeover between the first and second body styles.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein:

each turret further includes a fourth face circumferentially spaced from the first, second and third faces; and

unique tooling fixtures corresponding to a fourth motor vehicle body style are positioned on the fourth faces of the turrets whereby to allow changeover between the first and fourth body styles, the second and fourth body styles, and the third and fourth body styles in addition to the changeovers between the first and second body styles, the first and third body styles, and the second and third body styles.

23. A method of assembling a motor vehicle body comprising:

providing an apparatus including a track, a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement along the track between first and second positions, and first and second turrets rotatably mounted on the carriage at longitudinally spaced locations and each including a plurality of circumferentially spaced individual faces and unique tooling fixtures on the respective faces for receiving unique work piece components corresponding to a plurality of motor vehicle body styles, with the carriage in its first position, the first turret being positioned proximate a first load station on one side of the track and the second turret being positioned proximate a weld/unload station on an opposite side of the track and with the carriage in its second position the first turret being positioned proximate the weld/unload station and the second turret being positioned proximate a second load station on the one side of the track; and

rotating the turrets through 180°

as the carriage moves between its first and second positions so that work piece components corresponding to a first motor vehicle body style loaded onto one side of the first turret at the first load station are presented to the weld/unload station in response to movement of the carriage from its first to its second position and work piece components corresponding to the first motor vehicle body style loaded onto the corresponding side of the second turret at the second load station are presented to the weld/unload station in response to movement of the carriage from its second to its first position.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein, when a change over to a second motor vehicle body style is required, rotating the first and second turrets to bring a second face of each turret having tooling fixtures corresponding to a second motor vehicle body style to a position corresponding to the position of the first face prior to the changeover.