Assembly process for a vehicle and assembly equipment that implements such a process

• US 20090265911A1
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nexter Systems (KNDS NV)
• Original Assignee: Nexter Systems (KNDS NV)
• Inventors: Valette, Guillaume, Laurent, Henri, Charlier, Dominique, Viganne, Stephane
• Granted Patent: US 9,273,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/428
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/18 Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines conveyors and haulage in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 5/06 Pits or building structures for inspection or services
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/12 with mechanical means for shifting or lifting vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/18 with means for transport in vertical direction only or independently in vertical and horizontal directions E04H6/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/188 using only vertical transport means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53983 Work-supported apparatus

Abstract

An assembly process for a vehicle of substantial height, process in which at least one pit is implemented that is able to accommodate the vehicle, the latter being positioned on at least one removable floor platform able to raise the vehicle with respect to the bottom of the pit, the floor platform being positioned at the required height by means of positioning means.

Claims

1. An assembly process for a vehicle of substantial height, said process in which at least one pit is implemented that is able to accommodate said vehicle, said vehicle being positioned on at least one removable floor platform able to raise said vehicle with respect to the bottom of said pit, said floor platform being positioned at the required height by means of positioning means.

2. An assembly process according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle is put into place in said pit and on its said floor platforms using lifting means.

3. An assembly process according to claim 2, wherein said process incorporates at least one assembly operation that is performed on said vehicle positioned upside down in said pit.

4. An assembly process according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle may advance through said pit or on its said floor platform using its own mobility means, at least one ramp being provided to enable said vehicle to be removed from said pit.

5. Assembly equipment for a vehicle that implements a process according to claim 1, wherein said equipment comprises at least one pit able to accommodate said vehicle, said pit inside which at least one floor platform is positioned able to raise said vehicle with respect to the bottom of said pit bottom, said floor platform being removable and position at the required height using positioning means.

6. Assembly equipment according to claim 5, wherein said assembly comprises at least two separate floor platforms, each said two floor platforms being put into place such as to receive part of the mobility means of said vehicle.

7. Assembly equipment according to claim 5, wherein said floor platform and said positioning means are constituted by a stack of stringers.

8. Assembly equipment according to claim 5, wherein said pit is of a length such that it is able to accommodate only one said vehicle.

9. Assembly equipment according to claim 5, wherein said pit is of a length such that said pit is able to accommodate several vehicles, thereby constituting a pathway on which said vehicles are able to circulate, at least one ramp being provided to enable said vehicles to exit said pit.

10. Assembly equipment according to claim 9, wherein said equipment incorporates panels that may be positioned to the fore and/or the rear of said vehicle, such said panels partly covering said pit.

11. Assembly equipment according to claim 5, wherein said equipment incorporates lateral shutters enabling the gaps between said vehicle and the lateral edges of said pit to be closed off.

12. Assembly equipment according to claim 11, wherein each said lateral shutters incorporates a pivoting slat integral with a fixed horizontal slat, said pivoting slat being able to press on said vehicle.