JPH0457555B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Object of the Invention (1) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transporting a vehicle body for assembly of a vehicle, for transporting a vehicle body for assembly of a vehicle.

(2) Prior Art Conventionally, on an automobile assembly line, vehicle bodies are conveyed and assembled using an overhead conveyor or a slat conveyor.

(3) Problems to be solved by the invention By the way, automobile assembly work involves a large number of parts and many parts that are heavy, so automation has been attempted to reduce the labor burden on workers. It is coming. However, in the conventional method mentioned above,
The orientation of the vehicle body remains constant along the entire length of the assembly line, so automating assembly work in the engine compartment or trunk compartment, for example, would be complicated, and even if automated, it would take too much time or require equipment. There are problems such as higher costs.

Therefore, the present applicant has previously proposed a conveyance device that solves the above problem by changing the direction of a traveling trolley carrying a vehicle body.

However, in such a conveyance device, the traveling line remains in a straight line even if the orientation of the vehicle body changes, and the length of the assembly line becomes long, resulting in poor efficiency from the viewpoint of logistics and equipment maintenance at the assembly plant.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it facilitates assembly work by conveying the vehicle body while changing its direction in 90 degree increments, and also makes the assembly line compact, thereby reducing logistics and equipment maintenance. To provide a vehicle body conveyance device for automobile assembly which improves efficiency and can always accurately guide the traveling of a traveling truck even if the traveling truck uses wheels of a simple structure.

B. Structure of the Invention (1) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle assembly vehicle body transporting device for transporting vehicle bodies for assembling a vehicle. A rectangular and endless running line is formed by the combination of a plurality of first road surfaces extending in parallel and a plurality of second road surfaces extending parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the first road surface and having a higher level than the first road surface. A plurality of first wheels that can roll on a first road surface and a plurality of second wheels that can roll on a second road surface are attached to a traveling trolley that is set on a floor surface and carries a vehicle body. The mounting positions of the first and second wheels on the traveling trolley are such that when the first wheel is in contact with the first road surface, the second wheel is attached to the first wheel.
The first wheel is set to float off the road surface and when the second wheel is in contact with the second road surface, the first wheel is set to float off the first road surface, and at each bend in the running line, the second wheel
Switchable road surfaces connected to the road surface are arranged in such a way that they can be raised and lowered, and a pair of guide pins that are lined up at a distance from each other in the direction along one of the road surfaces protrudes from the bottom of the traveling bogie. An endless guide groove that is slidably engaged is provided across the floor surface and the switching road surface, and the guide groove extends along one of the road surfaces to form a pair of guide pins that can be engaged with both guide pins at the same time. a pair of second guide grooves that extend along the other road surface, have both ends communicated with both the first guide grooves, and can engage exclusively with one of the guide pins.
It is comprised of a guide groove and a pair of third guide grooves that also extend along the road surface on the other side, have both ends communicated with both first guide grooves, and can engage exclusively with the other guide pin.

(2) Effect According to the above configuration, the traveling line is square and endless, and the traveling bogie travels while changing the traveling direction by 90 degrees at the bends of the traveling line, so the direction of the vehicle body can be changed by 90 degrees. The vehicle can be assembled by moving the vehicle body within a relatively narrow space.

In particular, at bends in the travel line, simply by raising and lowering the switching road surface, the first wheel can be selectively switched between the state in which the first wheel is in contact with the first road surface and the state in which the second wheel is in contact with the second road surface. , the running direction of the trolley can be easily changed by 90 degrees.

In addition, when traveling on one road surface, the traveling bogie simultaneously engages a pair of guide pins with only one first guide groove, and when traveling on the other road surface, the pair of guide pins the second and third
By engaging the respective guide grooves, it is possible to accurately travel while always maintaining a constant traveling posture without deviating from the traveling line.

(3) Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 1, a rectangular endless running line L is set, for example, in the automobile assembly process, and the running bogie 1 follows this running line. While traveling along line L, the automobile is assembled.
Moreover, the four bends C1, C2 of the running line L,
At C3 and C4, the traveling trolley 1 changes its direction by 90 degrees.

In FIG. 2, the traveling trolley 1 has a rectangular base 2.
Equipped with. The base 2 includes a plurality of first wheels 3 arranged in two rows along the longitudinal direction of the base 2, and a plurality of first wheels 3 arranged in two rows in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first wheels 3. The second wheels 4 are each pivotally supported.

The running line L is the first line L that rotates the first wheel 3.
Floor surfaces 7 parallel to each other to form a road surface 5
A pair of first guide rails G1, G1 laid in
and a pair of second guide rails G2 laid on the floor surface 7 parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first guide rails G1, G1 to form a second road surface 6 on which the second wheels 4 roll. . forming a second road surface 6 on which the second guide rails G2, G are rolled;
2 and a pair of fourth guide rails G4, G4 laid on the floor surface 7 in parallel to the guide rails G4, the guide rails are formed into a rectangular shape.

In FIG. 3, the first and third guide rails G1, G1:G3, G3 are buried in the floor 7 with their upper first road surface 5 flush with the floor 7. Also, the second and fourth guide rails G2, G2:G
4, G4 is laid on the floor surface 7 with its upper surface, the second road surface 6, positioned above the floor surface 7. That is, the second road surface 6 is located above the first road surface 5. On the other hand, the first and second wheels 3 of the traveling trolley 1,
4, when the first wheel 3 is in contact with the first road surface 5, the second wheel 4 is in contact with the first road surface 5, that is, the floor surface 7.
When the second wheels 4 are in contact with the second road surface 6, the first wheels 3 are mounted on the base 2 in such a way that they float from the first road surface 5, that is, the floor surface 7. This makes it possible to switch between a state in which the traveling trolley 1 is driven in its longitudinal direction using the first wheels 3 and a state in which the traveling trolley 1 is driven in its width direction using the second wheels 4.

At each bending portion C1 to C4 in the running line L, second and fourth guide rails G2, G2:G
4, G4, a pair of switching rails 9, 9 each forming a switching road surface 8 on the upper surface is disposed so as to be movable up and down. A pit 10 is provided in each of the bent portions C1 to C4 corresponding to these switching rails 9, 9, and a pair of lifting cylinders 11, 11 are fixedly disposed at the bottom of each pit 10. The piston rods 12, 12 of these lifting cylinders 11, 11 protrude upward, and the tips or upper ends of the piston rods 12, 12 are connected to the switching rail 9.
connected to. Therefore, the lifting cylinder 11,1
1, the switching rails 9, 9 are moved to the upper limit position where the switching road surface 8 on the upper surface thereof is flush with the second road surface 6, and to the upper limit position where the switching road surface 8 is flush with the first road surface 5, that is, the floor surface 7.
It is possible to move up and down between this position and the lower limit position which is flush or lowered.

Therefore, with the switching road surface 8 at the lower limit position, traveling on the first guide rails G1, G2 or the third guide rails G3, G3, the bending portion C1,
When the traveling bogie 1 reaches the home position of C3, when the switching road surface 8 is raised to the raised position, the traveling bogie 1 is moved from the switching road surface 8 to the second guide rail G2, G2 or the fourth guide rail G4, G4. It becomes possible to run the vehicle. In addition, with the switching road surface 8 at the upper limit position, the second guide rails G2, G
When the traveling bogie 1 travels on the second or fourth guide rails G4 and G4 and reaches the fixed position of the bending portions C2 and C4, when the switching road surface 8 is lowered to the lower limit position, the first wheel 3 is moved to the first position. Ground it to the road surface 5,
It becomes possible to run the traveling carriage 1 by the first guide rails G1, G1 or the third guide rails G3, G3.

A pair of travel drive means 13, 13 is disposed between each of the bent portions C1 to C4 in the travel line L, respectively. These travel drive means 13, 13
can freely switch between connecting and uncoupling the traveling truck 1 with the base 2, and by operating the traveling drive means 13, 13 in the connected state, the traveling truck 1 travels in the traveling direction 14. .

Moreover, each travel drive means 13, 13 has a bent portion C1.
It can be connected to the base 2 that is slightly moved in the running direction 14 from C4, and the front part of the base 2 along the running direction 14 is connected to each bending part C1 to C4.
4, the connection with the base 2 is released, and the traveling cart 1, which has been disconnected from the traveling drive means 13, 13, is pressed and moved to a fixed position at each bending portion C1 to C4. Push cylinder 15 for
a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are arranged, and the traveling drive means 1 moves the traveling trolley 1 in a fixed position.
Extrusion cylinders 16a, 16b, 1 for pressing and moving to a position where connection with 3, 13 is possible
6c and 16d are arranged.

Each traveling drive means 13 is, for example, an endless chain that is driven to travel by a drive source (not shown), and by switching the connection and disconnection between this chain and the base 2, the traveling trolley 1 can travel. , or stop driving. In addition, the running direction 14
The rack extending along the road is driven back and forth within a certain range,
By switching between connection and disconnection with the rack, the traveling trolley 1 may be made to travel at a constant pitch.

In FIG. 4, each pushing cylinder 15a to 15
d are fixedly disposed with an axis along the running direction 14, and the tips of these piston rods 17 rotate downward when a force is applied forward along the running direction 14. The locking pawl 18 is rotated in the running direction 14 in such a manner that rotation when a rearward force along the direction 14 is applied is prevented.
The locking pawl 18 is supported by a shaft 19 orthogonal to the locking pawl 18, and the locking pawl 18 is urged to rotate upward by a spring (not shown). Therefore, the traveling truck 1 can pass above each of the push cylinders 15a to 15d, and when the traveling truck 1 is stopped and each of the push cylinders 15a to 15d is extended, the locking pawl 18 can move. It engages with the base 2 of the truck 1, and the traveling truck 1 is pushed and moved by each of the push cylinders 15a to 15d.

Further, each bending portion C1 to C4 is provided with a stopper 20 for stopping the traveling carriage 1, which is moved by each push cylinder 15a to 15d, at a fixed position.
are fixedly arranged.

Further, each of the pushing cylinders 16a to 16d is configured in the same manner as the above-mentioned pushing cylinders 15a to 15d, and the traveling carriage 1 in the fixed position of each bending portion C1 to C4 can be connected to the traveling driving means 13, 13. It is arranged to be pressed and moved in the running direction 14 to a position.

A pair of pins 24, 24 are provided on the lower surface of the base 2 of the traveling bogie 1 at the center in the width direction thereof and are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction (that is, the direction along the first road surface 5) and protrude downward. There is. An endless guide groove 21 that slidably engages these pins 24, 24 is provided across the floor surface 7 and the switching road surface 8.

The guide groove 21 includes a pair of first guide grooves g 1 extending along the first road surface 5 and capable of engaging with both guide pins 24 and 24 simultaneously, and a pair of first guide grooves g ₁ extending along the second road surface 6 and capable of simultaneously engaging both guide pins 24 , 24 . A pair of second guide grooves _g2 whose both ends are communicated with the first guide groove _g1 and can exclusively engage _one of the guide pins 24; It is comprised of a pair of third guide grooves _g3 whose both ends are communicated and can exclusively engage with the other guide pin 24. The first guide groove _g1 is disposed in the center between the pair of first guide rails G1, G1 and in the center between the pair of third guide rails G3, G3, and
The guide groove g ₂ is disposed inside the inner second guide rail G2 and outside the outer fourth guide rail G4, and further includes the third guide groove g _{3 .}
are respectively arranged outside the second guide rail G2 on the outside and inside the fourth guide rail G4 on the inside. Thus, when traveling on the first road surface 5, the traveling bogie 1 simultaneously engages the pair of guide pins 24, 24 with only one first guide groove _g1 , and also on the second road surface 6. When traveling, the pair of guide pins 24, 24 are inserted into the second and third guide grooves _g2 ,
By engaging _G3 respectively, it is possible to accurately drive while always maintaining a constant running posture without deviating from the running line L.

A pair of cylindrical guide posts 25, 25 are erected on the base 2 with an interval larger than the width of the vehicle body B in the longitudinal direction of the base 2. On the other hand, the left and right bottom portions of the vehicle body B are respectively received by receiving members 26, and these receiving members 26 are movable up and down along the guide post 25.

In FIG. 5, an elevating tube 27 is slid into the guide post 25, and a support member 28 is suspended from the upper end of the elevating tube 27 protruding from the upper end of the guide post 25 along the outer surface of the guide post 25. A receiving member 26 is fixed to the lower end of this supporting member 28 .

A nut 29 is fixed to the lower end of the elevator tube 27,
A screw shaft 30 is screwed into this nut 29. At the upper end of the screw shaft 30,
A guide member 31 that can slide within the elevating tube 27 is fixedly installed, and a first bevel gear 32 is fixedly installed at the lower end of the screw shaft 30.

In FIG. 6, a groove 33 extending in the axial direction is provided on the inner surface of the guide post 25 over the entire length, and a protrusion 34 that slides into the groove 33 is provided on the outer surface of the elevating cylinder 27. As a result, the elevator tube 2
7 is prevented from rotating around the axis, but is allowed to move in the axial direction, so that the receiving member 26 moves up and down in response to the rotation of the screw shaft 30.

The lower end of the guide post 25 protrudes into the base 2, and a gear box 35 is fitted into and fixed to the lower end of the guide post 25. gearbox 35
A first bevel gear 32 is rotatably supported therein.
Further, a support tube 36 extending inward of the base 2 is connected to the side of the gearbox 35, and a second bevel gear 37 rotatably supported by the support tube 36 is connected to the first bevel gear 37 within the gearbox 35. It meshes with the gear 32.

A drive source (not shown) is mounted inside the base 2 between both guide posts 25, and a transmission shaft 38 connected to this drive source is coaxially connected to the second bevel gear 37. As a result, both receiving members 26 move up and down in accordance with the operation of the drive source.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. The vehicle body B is placed on both receiving members 26 of the traveling truck 1. In this state, when traveling on the first guide rails G1, G1, the base 2 is in a posture with its longitudinal direction facing the traveling direction 14, and therefore the vehicle body B is oriented with its width direction facing the traveling direction 14. and move.

When a part of the traveling truck 1 reaches the bending portion C1, the traveling driving means 13, 13 stop moving the traveling truck 1, and the pushing cylinder 15a moves the traveling truck 1 to a fixed position where it comes into contact with the stopper 20. do. At this time, the switching rails 9, 9 have descended to the lower limit position, and the second wheels 4 do not hit the switching rails 9, 9.

When the traveling trolley 1 stops at a fixed position, the switching rails 9, 9 rise, come into contact with the second wheels 4, and lift them up. When the switching rails 9, 9 reach the upper limit position, the switching road surface 8 becomes the same level as the second road surface 6, and the first
The wheels 3 are lifted off the first road surface 5. In this state, by extending the extrusion cylinder 16a, the traveling trolley 1 moves forward in the traveling direction 14, and the second wheels 4 roll from the switching road surface 8 to the second road surface 6.

Next, the traveling drive means 13, 13 drive the traveling trolley 1 to travel, and the second guide rail G2,
Guided by G2, the traveling trolley 1 moves to the bending portion C2.
move towards. At this time, the base 2 of the traveling trolley 1
is a posture with its width direction facing the running direction 14, and the vehicle body B moves with its longitudinal direction facing the running direction 14.

When a part of the traveling truck 1 reaches the bending portion C2, the driving means 13, 13 stop traveling, and the pushing cylinder 15B moves the traveling truck 1 to the bending portion C2.
is moved to its normal position. At this time, the switching rails 9, 9 are at the upper limit position, and the second road surface 6 of the second guide rails G2, G2 and the switching road surface 8 of the switching rails 9, 9 are at the same level, so the traveling bogie 1 is at a constant position. Move smoothly into position.

Next, as the switching rails 9, 9 descend, the first wheels 3 of the traveling trolley 1 come into contact with the first road surface 5, and the second wheels 4 rise from the switching road surface 8 and the floor surface 7.

Then, by extending the extrusion cylinder 16a, the traveling carriage 1 moves on the third guide rails 3, G3 to a position where it can be driven by the traveling driving means 13, 13.

In this way, the traveling bogie 1 moves to each bending portion C1 to
At C4, the vehicle travels along the traveling line L while changing its direction in 90 degree increments, and the vehicle body B placed on the traveling trolley 1 also moves while changing its direction in 90 degree increments.

Therefore, it becomes easy to assemble the parts to the vehicle body B, and it also becomes easy to automate the assembling of the parts. Moreover, since the traveling carriage 1 goes around the traveling line L and returns to its original position, the effort of moving the empty traveling carriage 1 to the starting position can be saved. Furthermore, since the running line L is endless, the automobile can be assembled in a relatively compact space, improving efficiency in terms of logistics and equipment maintenance.

In the above embodiment, the traveling vehicle 1 is driven to travel by the travel driving means 13, but the traveling vehicle 1 may be driven by itself.

C. Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of first road surfaces extend parallel to each other along one direction, and a plurality of first road surfaces extend parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the first road surface.
In combination with a plurality of second road surfaces that are at a higher level than the road surface, a rectangular and endless running line is set on the floor surface.
A plurality of first wheels capable of rolling on a road surface and a plurality of second wheels capable of rolling on a second road surface are attached,
The mounting positions of the first and second wheels on the traveling trolley are as follows:
The setting is such that when the first wheel is in contact with the first road surface, the second wheel floats off the first road surface, and when the second wheel is in contact with the second road surface, the first wheel floats off the first road surface. At each bent part of the traveling line, a switching road surface connected to the second road surface is arranged so as to be able to be raised and lowered, so that the traveling bogie can rotate the traveling direction by 90 degrees at the bent part of the rectangular and endless traveling line. This makes it possible to change the orientation of the car body in 90 degree increments with respect to the transport direction, which not only makes it easier to assemble parts, but also allows the car body to travel in a relatively narrow space. It becomes possible to assemble automobiles, which can contribute to overall efficiency improvement in terms of logistics and equipment maintenance.

In particular, on the bottom of the traveling bogie, a pair of guide pins are protruded from each other at intervals in the direction along one road surface, and an endless guide groove is provided to slidably engage the pair of guide pins. The guide groove is provided across the floor surface and the switching road surface, and the guide groove includes a pair of first guide groove sections extending along one road surface and capable of engaging with both guide pins simultaneously, and a pair of first guide groove sections extending along one road surface and capable of engaging with both guide pins simultaneously. a pair of second guide pins that extend and have both ends communicated with both the first guide grooves and can engage exclusively with one of the guide pins;
The traveling bogie is composed of a guide groove and a pair of third guide grooves that extend along the road surface on the other side and have both ends communicated with both the first guide grooves and can exclusively engage with the other guide pin. , when driving on one road surface, use only one pair of guide pins, the first one.
By simultaneously engaging the guide grooves, and when traveling on the other road surface, by engaging the pair of guide pins with the second and third guide grooves respectively, it is possible to deviate from the running line on each road surface. This allows you to drive accurately while always maintaining a constant running posture. Moreover, there is no need to specially provide the wheels to prevent them from coming off the road surface for the purpose of guiding the travel, and it is possible to use wheels with a simple structure.
The fact that only a special guide pin is required and the first guide groove along one road surface can be shared by both guide pins simplifies the structure, contributing to cost reduction and improved handling. can do.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an overall plan view, FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the traveling truck, FIG.
1, FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 1... Traveling trolley, 3... First wheel, 4... Second
Wheels, 5... First road surface, 6... Second road surface, 7...
Floor surface, 8... Switching road surface, 21... Guide groove, 24...
... Guide pin, g ₁ - g ₃ ... 1st - 3rd guide groove part,
B...Vehicle body, C1-C4...Bending portion, L...Travel line.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a vehicle assembly vehicle body transport device for transporting a vehicle body B for assembling a vehicle, a plurality of first road surfaces 5 extending parallel to each other along one direction;
In combination with a plurality of second road surfaces 6 that extend parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the first road surface 5 and have a higher level than the first road surface 5, a rectangular and endless running line L is set on the floor surface 7. , a plurality of first wheels 3 capable of rolling on a first road surface 5 and a plurality of second wheels 4 capable of rolling on a second road surface 6 are attached to the traveling trolley 1 on which the vehicle body B is mounted, 1st and 2nd
The mounting positions of the wheels 3 and 4 on the traveling trolley 1 are such that when the first wheel 3 is in contact with the first road surface 5, the second wheel 4 is lifted off the first road surface 5, and the second wheel 4 is mounted on the second road surface 5.
The first wheel 3 is set to float from the first road surface 5 when it is in contact with the road surface 6, and the traveling line L
At each of the bending parts C1 to C4, a switching road surface 8 connected to the second road surface 6 is arranged so as to be able to be raised and lowered,
A pair of guide pins 24 are arranged on the bottom surface of the traveling bogie 1 at a distance from each other in the direction along one road surface 5.
An endless guide groove 21 is provided extending over the floor surface 7 and the switching road surface 8, and the pair of guide pins 24 are slidably engaged with each other.
a pair of first guide grooves extending along one road surface 5 and capable of engaging with both guide pins 24 at the same time;
g ₁ , extending along the other road surface 6 and both first
a pair of second guide grooves g ₂ whose both ends are communicated with the guide groove g ₁ and can exclusively engage one guide pin 24;
Similarly, it extends along the road surface 6 on the other side and both first
A vehicle body conveyance device for automobile assembly, comprising a pair of third guide grooves _g3 whose both ends communicate with the guide groove _g1 and which can engage exclusively with the other guide pin 24.