Production Moving Line System and Method

• US 20090093900A1
• Filed: 10/04/2007
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Bradley, James S., Irvine, Richard S., Reeves, Brad J., McInelly, Chris G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,599,756 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/95
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0263 using magnetic strips
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2201/0216 Vehicle for transporting goods in a warehouse, factory or similar

Abstract

A production moving line system. An illustrative embodiment of the production moving line system includes at least one metallic guide strip and at least one tow vehicle which may be adapted to follow the guide strip. The tow vehicle may include control circuitry and a power source and a wireless transceiver connected to the control circuitry. An assembly fixture cart may be coupled to the tow vehicle. A wireless communication link may be provided between a central control computer and the wireless transceiver of the tow vehicle. A production moving line method is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A production moving line system, comprising:

at least one metallic guide strip;

at least one tow vehicle adapted to follow said guide strip;

said at least one tow vehicle comprises control circuitry and a power source and a wireless transceiver connected to said control circuitry;

an assembly fixture cart coupled to said tow vehicle;

a central control computer; and

a wireless communication link between said central control computer and said wireless transceiver of said tow vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a user interface pendant connected to said control circuitry.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises at least one battery.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising a battery recharging system connected to said battery.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a data input/output device connected to said circuitry.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said assembly fixture cart comprises a cart base having a plurality of cart wheels, a cart frame carried by said cart base and a cart platform carried by said cart frame.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said tow vehicle is coupled to said cart base of said assembly fixture cart.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said tow vehicle comprises a vehicle housing.

9. A production moving line system, comprising:

a plurality of production work stations;

at least one metallic guide strip extending generally adjacent to said production work stations;

at least one tow vehicle adapted to follow said guide strip;

said at least one tow vehicle comprises control circuitry having memory, at least one battery connected to said control circuitry, a wireless transceiver connected to said control circuitry, a position sensing mechanism connected to said control circuitry and adapted to sense said guide strip, a drive motor connected to said control circuitry, at least one wheel drivingly engaged by said drive motor and a steering mechanism connected to said control circuitry and coupled to said at least one wheel;

an assembly fixture cart coupled to said tow vehicle;

a central control computer; and

a wireless communication link between said central control computer and said wireless transceiver of said tow vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a user interface pendant connected to said control circuitry.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a battery recharging system connected to said battery.

12. The system of claim 9 further comprising a data input/output device connected to said circuitry.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said assembly fixture cart comprises a cart base having a plurality of cart wheels, a cart frame carried by said cart base and a cart platform carried by said cart frame.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said tow vehicle is coupled to said cart base of said assembly fixture cart.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein said tow vehicle comprises a vehicle housing.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein said at least one tow vehicle comprises a plurality of tow vehicles and further comprising a wireless communication link between said tow vehicles.

17. A production moving line method, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one metallic guide strip;

providing at least one tow vehicle having a wireless transceiver in guided contact with said guide strip;

coupling an assembly fixture cart to said at least one tow vehicle;

providing at least one part on said assembly fixture cart;

providing a central control computer;

providing a wireless communication link between said central control computer and said wireless transceiver of said tow vehicle; and

moving said tow vehicle along said guide strip.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising connecting a user interface pendant to said tow vehicle and controlling said tow vehicle by operation of said user interface pendant.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising providing at least one battery, powering said tow vehicle using said at least one battery and recharging said at least one battery during operation of said tow vehicle.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said at least one tow vehicle comprises a plurality of tow vehicles and further comprising providing a wireless communication link between said plurality of tow vehicles.