Vehicular body assembly locking apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method for remotely locking a vehicle body to a movable vehicle body support located at a vehicle process station, the method comprising the steps of:
- aligning a powered actuator positioned remotely at a vehicle process station with a locking arm connected to a vehicle body support;
engaging the powered actuator with the locking arm;
moving the locking arm connected to a body clamp positioned adjacent a vehicle body;
articulating the body clamp through a path of travel; and
engaging the body clamp with a portion of the vehicle body to lockingly secure the vehicle body to the vehicle body support.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle body positioning and locking devices for use in assembling a vehicle body positioned on a movable vehicle support positioned at a vehicle build station. The locking device includes a remote vehicle locking device for selectively securing and locking a vehicle body to a support pallet. The support pallet is accurately and precisely positioned at a build station through alignment and inserting engagement of locating pads in at least one four-way and at least one two way receiver mounted to a build station foundation. A compliant body clamp design is included to provide a desired clamping force between the pallet and a vehicle body across a range of motion of the body clamp to accommodate vehicle build variances.
29 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for remotely locking a vehicle body to a movable vehicle body support located at a vehicle process station, the method comprising the steps of:
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aligning a powered actuator positioned remotely at a vehicle process station with a locking arm connected to a vehicle body support; engaging the powered actuator with the locking arm; moving the locking arm connected to a body clamp positioned adjacent a vehicle body; articulating the body clamp through a path of travel; and engaging the body clamp with a portion of the vehicle body to lockingly secure the vehicle body to the vehicle body support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification