Method for positioning a number of working implements relative to a car body

• US 4,924,996 A
• Filed: 07/17/1989
• Issued: 05/15/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Atlas Copco AB
• Original Assignee: Atlas Copco AB
• Inventors: Svensson, Dick L., Soderman, Claes-Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Valenza, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US07/380,901
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 198/341, 198/345, 414/222, 414/225, 414/226, 118/313, 118/317, 118/326, 118/676, 118/695, 118/696, 29/430, 29/468, 29/709, 29/711, 29/712, 29/791, 29/822-824, 134/45, 134/123
• US Class Current: 198/341.05
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/62 Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/68 Arrangements for adjusting the position of spray heads B05B15/628, B05B15/652, B05B15/656 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/70 Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49829 Advancing work to successive stations [i.e., assembly line]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53052 including position sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53548 and work carrying vehicle

Abstract

A method for positioning a number of working implements, for example spray nozzles, to certain working or treatment points on a car body as the latter is supported by an overhead conveyor for travel between different working and assembly stations on a production line. A vertically movable base structure is provided and a working implement carrying frame is movably supported on the base structure. Hydraulic jacks on the base structure are arranged to accomplish a vertical parallel movement of the frame up toward the underside of the car body until one of four contact sensors indicates contact with the latter. A final vertical adjustment of the frame is accomplished by four vertical cylinders which raise the frame in a non-parallel movement until at least three of the four contact sensors indicate contact with the car body. The docking of the frame to the car body is completed by activating two expandable dowels which are introduced into openings in the car body bottom shell. Thereby, the frame is arrested relative to the car body and the spray nozzles are activated to perform the intended treatment of the car body.

Claims

1. Method for positioning a number of working implements relative to certain working or treatment points to a conveyor supported car body, wherein the working implements are carried on a frame (18) which is movably supported on a base structure (10, 11), comprising:

moving in a first step said frame (18) longitudinally in a horizontal plane to place said frame (18) in a preliminary horizontal position relative to the car body,

moving in a second step said frame (18) into a preliminary vertical position by effecting a parallel vertical displacement of said frame (18) toward the underside of the car body by raising said base structure (10,

     11)

aligning in a third step said frame (18) relative to the car body by moving said frame (18) vertically in a non-parallel movement relative to said base structure (10,

     11), and

arresting said frame (18) relative to the car body as said first, second and third steps are completed.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said step of arresting said frame (18) comprises a simultaneous horizontal position adjustment of said frame (18).

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein there are at least three car body contacting position sensing units (22) which are mounted on said frame (18) and responsive to vertical displacement of said frame relative to the car body;

said second positioning step being discontinued when one only of said at least three sensing units (22) abuts the car body; and

said third positioning step being discontinued when at least three of said at least three sensing units (22) abut simultaneously the car body.

4. Method according to claim 2, wherein there are at least three car body contacting position sensing units (22) which are mounted on said frame (18) and responsive to vertical displacement of said frame relative to the car body;

said second positioning step being discontinued when one only of said at least three sensing units (22) abuts the car body; and

said third positioning step being discontinued when at least three of said at least three sensing units (22) abut simultaneously the car body.