Production moving line system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A production moving line system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A production moving line system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A production moving line method, comprising the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification