Adhesive-based reconfigurable pallet system for assembly lines

• US 7,484,464 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Shen, Chi-Hung, Lin, Yhu-Tin
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/721,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20050109249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,897 Days
• Field of Search: 108/56.3, 108/56.1, 108/57.12, 108/51.11, 269/20, 269/266, 269/296, 269/309, 269/310, 269/900
• US Class Current: 108/56.3
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/062 adapted for holding workpieces having a special form or being made from a special material
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/084 using adhesive means

Abstract

A reconfigurable pallet that supports a structure includes a pallet base and a plurality of modular stanchions that are adhesively secured to the pallet base. The modular stanchions are selectively positionable along x and y axes relative to a top surface of the pallet base. The modular stanchions each include a support element that has a height along a z axis that is transverse to the x and y axes. The support element supports the structure.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable pallet that supports a structure, comprising:

a pallet base; and

a plurality of modular stanchions that are adhesively secured to said pallet base and that are selectively positionable along x and y axes relative to a top surface of said pallet base, said modular stanchions each including a stanchion base and a support element that has a height along a z axis that is transverse to said x and y axes, said support element supporting said structure,

wherein each of said modular stanchions is adhesively bonded to said pallet base using a bonding pack, said bonding pack including;

a shim that enables said modular stanchion to be removed from said pallet base, said shim coupled to the bottom of said stanchion base via an adhesive layer; and

a quick-bonding adhesive layer providing an interfacial joint between said modular stanchion and said pallet base,

wherein said stanchion base and said shim are electrically conductive such that said stanchion base is removable from said shim by the application of an electric current to said modular stanchion.

2. The reconfigurable pallet of claim 1 wherein said x and y axes are parallel to a top surface of said pallet base and said z axis is perpendicular to said x and y axes.

3. The reconfigurable pallet of claim 1 wherein said support element is movable along said z axis to adjust said height.

4. The reconfigurable pallet of claim 3 wherein each of said modular stanchions further comprises a support cylinder that is selectively actuated to move said support element to a position along said z axis.

5. The reconfigurable pallet of claim 4 further comprising a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with said support cylinder and operable to adjust a hydraulic pressure within said support cylinder to move said support element along said z axis.

6. A reconfigurable pallet comprising:

a pallet base;

first and second structures; and

a plurality of modular stanchions that are adhesively secured to said pallet base and that are selectively positionable along x and y axes relative to a top surface of said pallet base, said modular stanchions each including a stanchion base and a support element that has a height defined along a z axis transverse to said x and y axes, said support element having a first position to support said first structure and having a second position to support said second structure, wherein each of said modular stanchions is adhesively bonded to said pallet base using a bonding pack, said bonding pack including;

a shim bonded to the bottom of said modular stanchion via a quick-debonding adhesive layer; and

a quick-bonding adhesive layer providing an interfacial joint between said shim and said pallet base, said interfacial joint bonds said shim to said pallet base such that said shim is configured to be removed from said pallet base to reconfigure said pallet,

wherein said stanchion base and said shim are electrically conductive such that said stanchion base is removable from said shim by the application of an electric current to said modular stanchion.

7. The pallet of claim 6 wherein said support element is movable along said z axis to adjust said height.

8. The pallet of claim 6 wherein each of said modular stanchions further comprises a support cylinder that is selectively actuated to move said support element to a position along said z axis.

9. The pallet of claim 8 further comprising a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with said support cylinder and operable to adjust a hydraulic pressure within said support cylinder to move said support element along said z axis.