Working method and apparatus for workpiece being conveyed

• US 4,964,497 A
• Filed: 07/20/1989
• Issued: 10/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hannuki, Kouzou, Ito, Mikiya, Bundo, Isao
• Primary Examiner(s): Valenza, Joseph E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Application Number:
  US07/382,446
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 198/341, 198/345, 198/375, 198/376, 198/346.2, 198/468.2, 198/401, 198/411, 198/395, 198/399, 901/7, 29/429, 29/430, 29/711, 29/822-824
• US Class Current: 198/341.02
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 21/008 the assembling machines or tools moving synchronously with the units while these are being assembled
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/02 Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49828 Progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53548 and work carrying vehicle

Abstract

A working apparatus for a work being conveyed wherein a movable base is provided alongside of a conveyor conveying a plate-like workpiece mounted on a carrier in such a manner that the workpiece is held in an upright posture with its side surfaces facing sideward, the movable base being movable in the longitudinal direction in which the workpiece is conveyed, and a robot mounted on the movable base is used to apply predetermined working to the workpiece being conveyed by the conveyor. A clamping device for clamping the carrier is provided on the movable base and operated by signals from a detecting device that detects the carrier. A positioning mechanism is also provided on the movable base, for positioning the workpiece on the carrier in three orthogonal directions with respect to the movable base and holding the workpiece in that position. The positioning mechanism includes a vertically movable lifter for pushing the workpiece up from below to a predetermined position, a first unit having a reference seat for receiving one of the front and rearward side edges of the workpiece and a first clamp member for clamping the one side edge from sideward direction and a second unit having an abutment seat for contacting the other of the front and rearward side edges of the workpiece and a second clamp member for clamping the other side edge from sideward direction. The first unit is mounted on the movable base to be movable laterally toward and away from the conveyor. The second unit is also mounted on the movable base to be movable laterally toward and away from the conveyor and additionally movable in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. In a working method for a workpiece being conveyed wherein a movable base is provided alongside of a conveyor conveying a workpiece mounted on a carrier which is movable in the longitudinal direction in which said workpiece is conveyed, and a robot mounted on the movable base is used to apply predetermined working to the workpiece being conveyed by the conveyor, an improvement comprising the steps of:

carrying out successively;

detecting the carrier, clamping the carrier by a clamping means provided on the movable base, and positioning the workpiece on the carrier by a positioning means provided on the movable base in three orthogonal directions with respect to the movable base and holding the workpiece in that position; and

thereafter operating the robot.

2. A working apparatus for a workpiece being conveyed wherein a movable base is provided alongside of a conveyor conveying a workpiece mounted on a carrier which is movable in the longitudinal direction in which said workpiece is conveyed, and a robot mounted on the movable base is used to apply predetermined working to the workpiece being conveyed by the conveyor, said apparatus further comprising:

a clamping means for clamping the carrier, said clamping means being provided on the movable base and operated by signals from a detecting means that detects the carrier; and

a positioning means, which is also provided on the movable base, for positioning the work piece on the carrier in three orthogonal directions with respect to the movable base and holding the workpiece in that position.

3. A working apparatus for a work being conveyed wherein a movable base is provided alongside of a conveyor conveying a plate-like workpiece mounted on a carrier in such a manner that the workpiece is held in an upright posture with its side surfaces facing sideward, said movable base being movable in the longitudinal direction in which the work piece is conveyed, and a robot mounted on the movable base is used to apply predetermined working to the workpiece being conveyed by the conveyor, said apparatus further comprising:

a clamping means for clamping the carrier, said clamping means being provided on the movable base and operated by signals from a detecting means that detects the carrier; and

a positioning means, which is also provided on the movable base, for positioning the workpiece on the carrier in three orthogonal directions with respect to the movable base and holding the workpiece in that position, said positioning means comprising a vertically movable lifter for pushing the workpiece up from below to a predetermined position, a first unit having a reference seat for receiving one of the front and rearward side edges of the workpiece and a first clamp member for clamping said one side edge from sideward direction and a second unit having an abutment seat for contacting the other of the front and rearward side edges of the workpiece and a second clamp member for clamping said other side edge from sideward direction, said first unit being mounted on the movable base to be movable laterally toward and away from the conveyor and said second unit being also mounted on the movable base to be movable laterally toward and away from the conveyor and additionally movable in the longitudinal direction.

4. A working apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the clamping means is provided on the movable base to be movable longitudinally toward and away from the first unit.