JPS6026753B2 - Automotive assembly management system - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention provides instructions for processing operations such as selecting parts to attach, engraving numbers, and drilling holes in a system in which automobiles with different specifications, models, standards, etc. are produced on a common line. This invention relates to an automobile assembly management system that accurately performs tasks such as specifying the destination of transportation.

2. Description of the Related Art In automobile assembly, for example, body assembly, automobiles of different types and specifications are assembled on a common line.

In this case, bodies of each car type and specification are put on the line based on an (assembly) order chart created in accordance with a predetermined production plan, and bodies are distributed in advance to each assembly department along the line. The parts to be attached are prepared based on the above-mentioned order table, and instructions for assembly, processing, and transport destination are given to the moving corresponding body. For this reason, each linking department prepares the corresponding mounting parts from among various parts in advance according to the assembly order listed on the order chart, but the bodies that move on the line are not actually listed on the order chart. It is necessary to check each item to see if it matches the actual item, and then assemble the correct parts, process them, and give instructions on where to transport them. This is because, for example, an ordered car may be produced in the middle of the assembly order specified in the order chart due to an order.
This is because the assembly order in the order table may not correspond to the actual assembly order. In such cases, changes in the assembly order are immediately communicated to each department, but if this is not done thoroughly, defective products will be produced. Furthermore, even if such changes in the assembly order do not occur, if workers in each assembly department misread the order chart, they may select incorrect silk-attached parts or make incorrect processing operations, resulting in the production of defective products. become. For this reason, in the past, as described above, workers would look at the body moving on the line and actually confirm the car type, then compare this with the sequence chart, and only after checking that the two matched did they start assembly, processing, etc. A system for specifying the destination is being sought. Therefore, an assembly worker is required to have the ability to distinguish between different vehicle types and, in some cases, different specifications, and there is a problem in that only skilled workers can accurately perform assembly and processing operations. In addition, the burden on the workers was heavy, such as checking the order list every time the work was completed. Another system is a computerized centralized assembly control system. This system is generally referred to as a tracking method, in which information such as the specifications and model of the car is stored in advance in a computer, and the memory is also forwarded sequentially as the body moves on the line. It outputs signals to departments and instructs them to select the appropriate parts, process them, and direct them to the destination. Since this system uses a large computer, the equipment cost is extremely high. Furthermore, since the memory in the computer is forwarded sequentially based on the prediction that the body will be fed normally along the line, it is necessary to feed back to the computer and correct the memory each time the body is pulled out in the middle of the line or there is an interruption. First, pull out the body.
Poor response to interrupts. Particularly when assembling the body, many pull-outs and interruptions are performed, resulting in poor system efficiency. Attempting to deal with this extraction and interruption would complicate the system and make it expensive. Furthermore, an abnormality at the end of the line also affects the entire system, further reducing the efficiency of the system. Also, since it is a centralized control system, a computer failure could cause the entire line to stop.
~1-84). The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to assemble automobiles with different specifications, models, standards, etc. on a common line, and one of the parts input to the line has a specified specification. Vehicle type information such as model and standard is assigned, and this vehicle type information is automatically read in each work process to perform tasks such as attaching details of each part, processing, and instructions on where to transport it. The present invention provides an inexpensive automobile assembly management system that can flexibly respond to various demands. The automobile assembly management system of the present invention will be explained below by taking automobile body assembly as an example. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an assembly line for automobile bodies to which the method of the present invention is applied, and this figure shows an example of assembling two types of automobiles.

In other words, 1 is the floor main line, 2, 2 is the body main line, 3, 3 is the special work line, and 4, 4 is the metal line. After the floor is assembled by the floor main line 1, there are separate lines L for each vehicle type. , L' are provided for assembly. On floor main line 1,
As shown in Fig. IA, the floor main assembly 4 is assembled from the front body 10, front floor 11, rear floor 12, side members 13, etc., and on the body main line 2, as shown in Fig. IB, the floor main assembly 4 is assembled. Left and right body sides 15, 16, roof 1
7. Attach the rear/gunnel 18, power rail 19, parcel shelf 20, etc.

Further, special work lines 3, 3 perform work such as drilling required only for special specification vehicles. Further, on the metal lines 4, 4, as shown in FIG. IC, a front fender 21, a front door 22, a rear door 23, a hood 24, a trunk lid 25, etc. are attached with paper to complete the body assembly. FIG. 2 is an overall view of the assembly line,
1 is the floor main line, 2 is the body main run, 3 is the special work line, and 4 is the metal line. As a device for carrying out the system of the present invention, a labeling device 30 is installed on the upstream side of the floor main line 1 for pasting a label with predetermined information symbolically displayed on the body. Each of the day main line 2 and metal line 4 is provided with component supply devices 50, 70, and 90 that automatically read the label information and automatically select and convey the corresponding roughened components. Also, Fu. A point device 100 is installed between the main line 1 and the body main line 2 to read the label information and switch the line according to the vehicle type, and between the main line 3 and the body main line 3, the point device 100 reads the label information and stamps the body number. Automatic marking device 1
10 is provided. Furthermore, the special work line 3 is also provided with a special work instruction device 130 that reads label information and notifies workers of special work on the body. This will be explained in detail for each device. Label pasting device 3
0', as shown in FIG. 3, it is associated with a selective take-out machine 32 for front bodies that are organized, for example, by type and specification and stored in a plurality of stockers 31a to 31f.

That is, the information on the order table created based on the production plan is transcribed onto a tape 33, and this tape 33 is read by the reader 34 and inputted into the control device 35, so that the printer 36 can determine whether or not to color the information. In other words, a combination of black circles and uncolored parts are printed on a predetermined paper, and the label 37
(See Figure 4). The created label 37 is pasted on the front side of the front body 10 by a pasting machine 38. 4 to 6 show the details, the printer 36 prints a black circle on the colored part on the surface of the rolled label paper 36a with the head 39, and the plunger 40
The material is extruded with a cutter 41 and then cut into a predetermined size with a cutter 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the produced label 37 has a magnetic rubber plate 37a attached to its back surface, and is thereby attached to the front body 10 by magnetic force. The label pasting machine 38 is configured as an extendable cylinder having a suction cup 38a at the tip, and can be rotated in a substantially horizontal direction by a motor 42 and a gear 43. Stretch it towards this direction and paste it. For the front body to which a label is attached, a part of the output of the control device 35 is sent to the front body's selective take-out machine 32.
By sending out the front body of the corresponding type, model, specification, etc. to the stocker 31a~
31f, placed on the transfer device 44, and conveyed to the labeling position. This action is performed synchronously with the label pasting action described above, and a corresponding label is pasted. At the same time as this label pasting, pasting machine 3
The reader 45 stored in proximity to 8 reads the label information,
This world power is fed back to the printer 36 or the like to check whether the printing is correct or incorrect. For this reading, an optical reading method such as a photoelectric element is used. ．． Here, the front body is
As shown in the third diagram, the parts are assembled while being moved to the right from the parts setting position 46.
7, the vehicle type and vehicle type are automatically detected by the vehicle body detector 47a.
The model etc. are detected, and the automatic lifter 48 stores the products in predetermined stockers 31a to 31f.

The vehicle body detector 47a detects the characteristics of the front body, such as the length,
The presence or absence of a hole is detected and determined using a phototube or a mitt switch. In addition, the stockers 31a to 31f
The vehicle body detector 49 installed on the side of the body outlet is used to reconfirm the front body. If confirmation cannot be obtained, the selection device 32 is stopped, and if confirmation is obtained, the control device 35 is activated.
In cooperation with this, the selective take-out machine 32 is operated to transport the front body as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the parts supply device 50 has a cutting machine 51 arranged upstream of the front body being fed into the floor main line, reads label information of the moving front body, and reads the label information of the moving front body. This world power is transmitted to the parts extractors 52 and 56. The take-out machine 52 automatically selects and takes out the rear floor facing the front body from the rear floor stockers 53a and 53b, and after performing some assembly and processing on the preliminary assembly line 54, sends it to the floor main line 1. supply luster Similarly, the front floor is also taken out from the stockers 55a and 55b by the takeout machine 56, and sent to the floor main line 1 via the preliminary assembly line 57. This supply action is performed in synchronization with the movement of the front body. As shown in FIG. 7, the point device 100 is installed at a branch point of a line in charge of assembling bodies of different vehicle types, and connects an upstream rail 104 to a downstream side by a pair of rails 102 and 103 formed on a reciprocating body 101. It is designed to be connected to one of the rails 105 or 106.

The reciprocating body 101 can be reciprocated by a cylinder 107,
The cylinder 107 is the Kendori machine 1 installed upstream from the branch point.
08 reads the specified information from the label attached to the front body of the floor main assembly that has been moved,
The output is used to drive the controller 109. The parts supply device 70 of the body main line 2 selectively supplies parts such as a roof, a Hersel shelf, and a cowl to the same line based on the information read by the cutting machine 71. As a configuration similar to that of 50, descendant joining parts 72, 7
2... are provided along the line, and as shown in Figs.
A side body supply section 73 is disposed at a position opposite to....

This side body supply V supply part 73 is for example a sedan, left and right side bodies 15A, 16A and 1 of a hard top.
Stockers 77 and 78 in which 5B and 16B are arranged facing each other in each row
, 79, 80, a lift device 81, 82 selected from these stockers to pull out and lift the side body, and a moat-shaped rail 74 passing between these opposing stockers and running parallel to the body main line 2. 7
Multiple self-propelled hangers 75, 75...
... is provided. Each of these mesh hangers 75, 75...
...is controlled by a control device 76, and simultaneously suspends either the sedan or hardtop side bodies on the left and right sides,
It is designed to be conveyed onto line 2 along rails 74. The control device 76 and the lift devices 81 and 82 are controlled by the information cutting machine 71 that reads the label of the floor main assembly B that has moved on the line 2, and the control device 76 and the lift devices 81 and 82 are controlled. The left and right side bodies are simultaneously suspended and transported. The assembly equipment used in Body Main Line 2 is Special Publication No. 53-215.
There is No. 42. The automatic marking device 110 is a device that stamps a body number on the body assembled on the body main line 2, and as shown in FIGS. is input, thereby controlling and operating the stamping machine 113.

That is, the output of the reader 111 is input to the controller 112, the body number to be stamped is displayed in the upper display field 114, and a signal is sent to the stamping machine 113, while the number set by the stamping machine 113 is This is displayed in the display column 115 in the lower row based on the contrary belief. By comparing the upper and lower display fields 114 and 115, the correctness of the stamped number can be confirmed, and the transmission of stamping commands is controlled. The stamping machine 113 has a stamping head body 119 attached to a sill 118 hanging from a frame 117 fixed to a ladder 116.
is attached via a pin joint 210.

The engraving head body 119 has a substantially downward U-shaped yoke 120.
It has a head 122 which is moved laterally (in the direction of arrow C) by a cylinder 121 inside, and the cowl 19 is sandwiched between the fork end 120a and the head 122 to perform stamping. head 1
22 is provided with as many rotary print heads 123 as the number of digits of the body number, and each rotary print head is rotationally driven by the cooperation of a feed gear 126 and a pole 125 operated by a corresponding hydraulic plunger 124. and rotate the desired print to the front. 127 is a reversal prevention pawl. and,
The rotational position of this rotary print head 123 is determined by the feed gear 12.
The rotational position detection means (not shown) provided in the rotational position detection gear 128 meshed with the rotational position detection gear 128 meshing with the rotational position detection gear 128 detects the rotational position and sends a reverse signal to the controller 112. 211 is rod 1 of cylinder 118
The rod 211a is a cylinder fixed to the yoke 18a, and the rod 211a is connected to the yoke 120.

In addition, in FIG. 11, 129 indicates a copy tape. The imaginary line in FIG. 11 shows a state in which the cylinder 211 is retracted and the yoke 120 is rotated around the pin joint 210. In this state, the cylinder 121 pushes the head 122 toward the yoke to perform marking. Also, in Figure 12, 1
24a and 124b indicate hydraulic boats for operating the plunger 24. The special work instruction device 130 instructs the operator to perform special processing or parts assembly work on the body due to different specifications, such as right-hand drive, left-hand drive, etc.

That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the output of the label information from the reader 131 is input to the indicator 132, which determines the necessity of special work on the body.

If a special action is required, the lamp 133 is lit or flashed and the buzzer 134 is sounded to notify the operator that the body is the object of special work. Then, while making the announcement, the scheduled special work instruction columns 135a, 13
5b... lights up one of the lamps 136 to instruct the details of the work to be done on the body. This instruction field 1
35a, 135b... are each prepared with a card 137 in which details of the special work are written, and the first worker takes out the card 137 according to the instructions and points it as shown by the imaginary line in the figure. Attach it to the front of the body. This allows the worker to perform subsequent work on the special work line by reading the card.
At the end of the special task, the card is removed with confirmation of the task. As shown in FIG. 14, the parts supply device 90' in the metal line 4 stores parts such as doors and hoods in stockers 91a to 91f corresponding to each car type, and there are hangers between the corresponding parts. 92a, 92b, 92
c is provided, and the hanger selects one of the opposing parts and suspends it from hanging machines 93a, 93b, and 93c provided for each.

Then, the parts of the suspension machines 93a, 93b, and 93c are transferred to the conveyor 94, and the metal line 4 is supplied. Each of the running hangers 92a, 92b, and 92c is controlled by a controller 96 into which the read output of a reader 95 is input. In addition, if there are left and right parts such as a door, the suspension devices 93a, 9
When transferring from 3b, 93c to the conveyor 94, a time lag is provided so that the left and right parts come to the same position at the part assembly location of the metal line 4. Once the assembly described above has been completed, the next step is a painting process.
The body will be transferred to the interior production process, but in order to confirm whether the finally assembled body conforms to the production schedule, and to use it for production control in the next process, a As shown in FIG. 15, a final confirmation device 140 is provided which reads the label 37 again using a scraper 141 and sends it to, for example, a central control room that controls the painting process.

On the other hand, the label 37 that was attached for the painting process
is removed by a label removal machine 143 having a suction cup 142, and then lifted up by a lift device 144 and transported to the next process. It goes without saying that the method of selecting and taking out components in each component supply device and the specific method of processing work on the line may be modified as appropriate. As described above, according to the automobile assembly management system of the present invention, when assembling automobiles with different specifications, models, standards, etc. on a common line, one of the parts before assembly is
Vehicle type information such as model and standards is provided, and this information is automatically read in each process to instruct the attachment, processing, and transport destination of various parts, resulting in the following effects.

tl} Since parts and information are integrated without intervening assembly order charts, computers, etc., there is no mistake in the parts to be assembled, various processing, directions for transport, etc., and reliability is improved.

'2} There are no restrictions on the order of assembly in each process on the line, and the system is flexible because pulling out a car or interrupting the line can be done without affecting the entire system.

Furthermore, even if equipment in one process breaks down, other processes can still produce without being affected, making the system highly flexible. {3} Unlike the conventional method using a sequence table, there is no need for the operator to check the sequence table and the parts to be assembled one by one, which reduces the burden on the worker.

Additionally, since information is automatically read, there is no need to make mistakes when assembling or processing parts, improving work reliability. '4
'The system is inexpensive because it does not require a large computer.

[51] Since the mark used is a combination of colored and non-colored marks, reading errors of the cutting machine are reduced and the accuracy of the system is improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of the entire assembly process of an example in which the system of the present invention is applied to the assembly process of an automobile body.
The figure is a perspective view of the body assembly parts, Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the assembly process, Figure 3 is a plan configuration diagram of the label pasting device, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the same device, and Figure 5 is the printer and pasting machine. Fig. 6 is a partially cutaway front view of the label, Fig. 7 is a plan configuration diagram of the point device, Fig. 8 is a plan configuration diagram of the body main line parts supply device, and Fig. 9 is the same. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts of the device; FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view of the stamping device; FIG.
The figure is an enlarged side view of the marking head, Fig. 12 is an enlarged cutaway view of the print head, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the special work instruction device,
FIG. 14 is a plan configuration diagram of the metal line parts supply V supply device, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the final confirmation device. 1... Floor main line, 2... Body main line, 3... Special work line, 4... Metal line, 30... Label pasting device, 37...
...Huber, 50,70,90...Parts supply device, 100...Point device, 110...
... Automatic marking device, 130... Special work instruction device, 51, 71, 95, 108, 111, 131, 14
1...reader. Fig. 1 Fig. IA Fig. IB Fig. IC Fig. 5 Fig. N Figure 15

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. When assembling car models with different specifications, models, standards, etc. on a common line, information on the car models such as the applicable specifications, models, standards, etc. is sent to the parts set on the line in the initial process or the jigs on which the parts are placed. A label with a mark replaced with a combination of colored parts is attached, and as the part moves through each process on the line, the marks on the label are sequentially read using a photoelectric element to identify the part based on the signal,
An automobile assembly management system in which work instructions for each process are given based on these identification signals.