• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    SYSTEM FOR FRAMING BODIES OF MOTOR VEHICLES OR SUB-ASSEMBLIES OF THE SAME. In a framing system to frame motor vehicle bodies or subsets thereof, the body to be framed is positioned and retained in position during assembly operations by lateral positioning and securing structures (8). Each of these structures comprises a rigid support structure (82) including a base platform (82a) and a frame (81) that carries positioning and securing devices (D). The base platform (82a) is dimensioned in the direction parallel to a body conveyor line with a standard length provided to comply with the type of longest body in which the system must operate. Columns (82b) to support the framing (81) are mounted on the platform (82a) in positions that are selected from different possible positions, displaced in relation to each other longitudinally and / or transversely. Thus, the lateral positioning and fastening structures (8) can be easily configured for different types of body and the system is capable of operating in types of body with also very relevant differences in length and / or width.
    公开号:BR112012001842B1
    申请号:R112012001842-6
    申请日:2010-06-22
    公开日:2020-07-28
    发明作者:Gianni Magni；Mauro Maestri
    申请人:Comau S.P.A；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Field of the Invention
    [0001] The present invention relates to a system for fitting motor vehicle bodies or subsets thereof.
    [0002] In the present description and in the following claims, the term "frame" is used to mean the operation by which a relatively stable geometry is imparted to a motor vehicle body made up of pressed sheet metal elements or a subset of the same. Typically, this operation is performed by applying a plurality of welds or overlapping joints or riveted joints to a bodywork comprising a lower subassembly or floor panel, two side portions connected to the floor panel on both sides of the same and two or more cross members that connect the side portions at its top. Welds / overlapping joints / riveted joints can be carried out, for example, manually or preferably by means of programmable robots provided in a framing station, where the component parts of the body are precisely positioned in position and fixed until the framing operation is complete . It is well understood that the present invention is applicable both to installations in which the framing operation is carried out in a single station, and in installations in which the framing operation is carried out in many stations arranged one after the other, in which case the principles of the invention can also be used in bodywork operating stations that have already been preliminarily fitted. Fundamentals of technique
    [0003] Framing systems for motor vehicle bodies have been known and used for a long time, which comprise a framing station and a conveyor line to supply the framing station with a sequence of lower body subsets or a sequence of pre-assembled bodies, and to take the framed bodies out of the framing station. The framing station comprises a positioning means for positioning and retaining the component parts of a body in the appropriate mounting position, and mounting means for applying a plurality of welds or overlapping or riveted joints to the positioned and retained body. The aforementioned positioning means comprises at least one pair of positioning and securing structures provided on both sides of the line at the framing station, each pair of side structures being provided with a plurality of positioning and securing devices for engaging the component parts of a motor vehicle body or a subset thereof, said positioning and fastening devices being shaped and arranged so as to be adapted to a specific motor vehicle body model. The aforementioned lateral positioning and fastening structures are displaced along a transverse direction with respect to the conveyor line, between a closed operating condition, in which they are relatively closer to each other, to engage the component parts of the body that is in framing station, and an open operating condition, in which said lateral positioning and securing structures are more spaced from the line, to allow activation of the conveyor line in order to replace a framed body with a new body to be framed in the station for framing and / or to allow, if necessary, that the component parts of the side portions of a body are prepared in the two lateral structures for positioning and securing.
    [0004] The depositor company has manufactured and marketed framing systems of the type indicated above under the ROBOGATE and OPEN ROBOGATE brands for a long time. Some of the most recent modalities have been exposed in European patent applications EP-A-1 611 991, EP-A-1 686 048, EP-A-1 837 120, EP-A-1 897 653, EP-A-1 918 182 and EP-A-1 935 554.
    [0005] The framing systems of the type indicated above have the relevant advantage of being easily adapted to operate on different types or models of motor vehicle bodies. For this purpose, many pairs of lateral positioning and securing structures are provided, which are quickly interchangeable with each other in the operating position at the framing station. Each pair of these structures is provided with positioning and fastening devices shaped and arranged in order to conform to the shape and dimensions of a specific body model. Due to these characteristics, the framing stations are thus able to operate flexibly in any possible mixture of different types or models of body which are advanced along the line, in order to allow a quick adaptation of production to the demand of the market, while also ensuring uniform assembly quality, since all bodies of the same type are positioned and retained precisely during assembly by means of the same positioning and fastening devices.
    [0006] However, there are limitations to the degree of flexibility of the framing systems that have been made and used so far. In particular, there are limitations with respect to the allowable variations in the longitudinal length and / or in the transverse width of the different types of bodywork in which the framing station is capable of operating.
    [0007] A system as indicated in the preamble according to claim 1 is known from EP-A-1 611 991. A flexible framing station with mobile positioners is also known from GB-A-2 151 991. Objectives of the Invention
    [0008] It is an objective of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the prior art, by providing a system to frame motor vehicle bodies, which can be easily adapted to operate on different types or models of body, even in the case of very relevant variations in the longitudinal and / or transverse length of the different body types or models, as in the case, for example, of the body of a van or light truck and the body of a so-called class A car, in which the differences in length can be in the order of 1-1.5 m or more and differences in width can be in the order of 1 m.
    [0009] Another objective of the invention is that of providing a framing system of the type indicated above that has a relatively simple and inexpensive structure and, nevertheless, proves to be efficient and reliable in operation.
    [0010] Another objective of the invention is to provide a framing system of the type indicated above that can be easily configured as a flexible system that has a very high productivity, with minimal losses of time in connection with the replacement of tools when a change in the type of body to be fitted must be carried out.
    [0011] Finally, another objective of the invention is to provide a framing system that ensures very high precision and quality of the assembled body, with the help of very simple means. Summary of the invention
    [0012] In order to achieve the above objectives, the invention provides a framing system for motor vehicle bodies or subsets thereof having the characteristics indicated in the attached claim 1.
    [0013] Due to the aforementioned characteristics, the lateral positioning and fastening structures can be easily and quickly configured to be adapted to operate in different types of body, also having very relevant differences in their longitudinal length and / or transverse width, while ensuring in in any case, the dimensional stability and working precision of said lateral positioning and fastening structures.
    [0014] The platform of the aforementioned support structure can be dimensioned with a standard longitudinal length, provided for the longitudinal dimension of the longest type of body in which the system can operate. In this way, it is possible to configure the positioning and fastening structures that must operate on the longest body type by providing the columns mentioned above, or close to the opposite ends of the platform. Similarly, the lateral positioning and fastening structures can be easily adapted to operate on a body of the shortest type by assembling the aforementioned columns on the platform at a reduced reciprocal distance. The positioning of the columns on the platform can also be varied along the transverse direction to the longitudinal direction of the line, in view of any relevant differences in width between different types of body.
    [0015] Due to the provision of a standard base platform for lateral positioning and fastening structures, the entire system, once installed, has no limitations with respect to the possibility of application to any type of body, since it can be easily adapted to operate also in bodies that have very relevant differences in length and / or width. This result represents a dramatic improvement over those systems that have been made so far, which, once designed and installed, do not prove to be of use for bodies that have very relevant dimensional differences with respect to the type of body for which the systems were designed. done.
    [0016] According to a preferred characteristic, the framing of each side structure that carries the positioning and fastening devices is in contact with said support structure in order to unload its weight and the applied horizontal transversal reaction forces on it by the body to the positioning and securing devices as a result of engaging these devices on the body during the framing operation. For example, these transverse forces can be generated as a result of a wider body width in relation to the nominal dimension, within the design tolerances.
    [0017] In the simplest modality, the system according to the invention is provided with a single pair of lateral positioning and securing structures, it being understood that, due to the characteristics mentioned above, the system is capable of being easily adapted to operate in a different type of motor vehicle body, or can be transformed into a flexible system adapted to operate on two or more different types of motor vehicle body. In the preferred embodiment, however, the system is provided with at least two pairs of lateral positioning and securing structures, which are adapted to operate on two respective models or types of body and they are quickly interchangeable with each other at the framing station. In particular, according to the technique known to you, each lateral positioning and fastening structure is displaceable along a longitudinal direction parallel to the line between the aforementioned operating position at the framing station and a waiting position, upstream or downstream. downstream of the operating position.
    [0018] In the case of this preferred modality, in which the possibility is provided for a longitudinal exchange of the positioning and securing structures on both sides of the framing station, the system further comprises means to ensure the precise positioning of each of said lateral structures when it goes to said operating position in the framing station.
    [0019] According to a first solution, which corresponds to the more conventional technique, the aforementioned medium comprises a device for raising the entire lateral structure from its longitudinal guides in order to position it in position.
    [0020] Preferably, however, in the system of the invention, the guide rails, on which each positioning and fastening structure is slidably mounted, are provided in the form of high precision guides, which cooperate with high precision shoes or rollers, of so that the rails themselves ensure the proper positioning of the structure both vertically and transversely with respect to the line.
    [0021] Finally, a variant is also provided, in which each lateral positioning and fastening structure is slidably mounted on its longitudinal guide rails with a slight set, high precision auxiliary guide devices being provided, which are engaged only in one terminal position of the longitudinal displacement of each positioning and clamping structure in the direction of the aforementioned operating position in the framing station. Brief Description of Drawings
    [0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given purely in the manner of non-limiting example, in which:
    [0023] - figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the framing system according to the invention,
    [0024] - figure 2 is a schematic view, in cross section, of the framing system of figure 1, along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body conveyor line,
    [0025] - figure 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the framing station as part of the system shown in figure 1,
    [0026] - figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the central longitudinal plane of the station in figure 3,
    [0027] -a figures 5A, 5B show the framing station in two different solutions, in which the bodies are transported by pallets and skids, respectively,
    [0028] -Figure 6 is a schematic view in cross section, taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body conveyor line, showing the system according to the invention in the case of manual loading of the components of the side portions bodywork,
    [0029] - figure 7 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a detail of the system according to the invention, which refers to a solution in which longitudinal guides are provided in the form of high precision guides,
    [0030]-figure 8 is another perspective view on an enlarged scale of a variant of a solution shown in figure 7, in which the longitudinal guides are not of the high-precision type, but high-precision auxiliary guide devices are provided, which are engaged only during the final portion of the longitudinal displacement of the lateral positioning and holding structure in the direction of its operating position,
    [0031] - figure 9 is a schematic plan view showing a solution of figure 8,
    [0032] - figures 10, 11 are other schematic views of the system of figures 8, 9,
    [0033] - Figures 12, 13 are schematic side views of the positioning and fastening structure for the body to be welded, configured for the assembly of the body of a commercial vehicle (van) and the body of a class-A car, respectively ,
    [0034] - figures 14, 15 are seen from the lateral positioning and fastening structure in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line, in the configuration of figure 12 and figure 14, respectively,
    [0035] - Figures 16, 17 are seen in an enlarged scale from those in Figures 14, 15, which show the lateral structure of positioning and fastening, and
    [0036] figures 18, 19 are seen in an enlarged scale of figures 12, 13, which also show the lateral positioning and fastening structure. Detailed Description of Preferred Modalities
    [0037] In its preferred modalities, the motor vehicle body framing system according to the invention is made according to a general configuration that is known to you from documents, such as EP-A-1897653. According to this configuration, a conveyor line 1 is provided, having conveyor devices of any known type and which passes through a station 2 to frame motor vehicle bodies.
    [0038] The modalities that are shown in the attached drawings refer to a solution in which the conveyor line 1 is used to supply the framing station 2 with a sequence of lower subassemblies (floor panels) of motor vehicle bodies. The remaining component parts of the body are assembled with the lower body subassembly at the framing station, before participating in the assembly thereof. However, the invention is also applicable to the case in which the conveyor line 1 is used to supply the framing station 2 with a bodywork sequence that has already been preliminarily assembled.
    [0039] In figure 2, reference number 3 is used to designate a plurality of programmable robots that are provided at station 2. The robots are provided with welding heads of any type known for electric spot welding. The illustrated example refers to the case of welding assembly, but it is clearly evident that the invention is also applicable to any other assembly technique (laser welding, joining, riveting. Also in the example shown, three assembly robots 3 are provided on each side of line 1 on the installation floor and other robots 3 are suspended from a raised structure 4, forming part of a structure including columns 5 supported on the installation floor. The structure and robots 3 are visible in the figure 2, while they have been removed from figure 1, for clarity. According to a technique known to you, robots 3 are able to perform a plurality of electrical welding points to connect the lower subset of the bodywork to the two subsets constituting the portions sides of the body, as well as to connect one or more upper cross members to the two side portions, and also to connect the components of each side portion to each other.
    [0040] As already indicated, the conveyor devices provided on line 1 can be made in any known manner. For example, line 1 can be of the type where each lower body subset is supported on a pallet 6 (figure 5A) provided with positioning and / or securing devices 6a for the precise positioning of the subset. Alternatively to this solution, each lower body subset can be supported on a simple frame or “skid” 7, as shown in figure 5B, in which case the lower body subset is positioned and retained in position in the framing station by means of positioning and securing devices that are provided at the framing station. In this case, if the system operates on at least two different types of bodywork, the positioning and fastening devices for the floor panel of the two different types are supported by support structures 70 (figure 5B) that are movable longitudinally guided along the line in order to be quickly interchangeable in the operating position at the framing station, depending on the specific type of body that is at the station.
    [0041] Also with reference to figure 1, the system illustrated in it is a flexible system capable of operating on at least three different types or models of motor vehicle bodies that are advanced in sequence along the conveyor line 1, according with any possible mixture.
    [0042] According to a known art, the framing station 2 is provided with means adapted to precisely position and retain the body components during welding operations. For this purpose, in the framing station, on both sides of line 1, two lateral positioning and fastening structures are generally designated by reference number 8, followed by a letter that is different to designate lateral positioning and fastening structures that are to operate on different body types. Thus, for example, the side structures designated 8a, 8b, 8c are for operating on the bodies of a first type A, a second type B and a third type C, respectively.
    [0043] Also according to a known art, the lateral positioning and fastening structures are provided with devices D of any known type to precisely position and retain the body components during welding operations. These devices may have positioning pins or brackets adapted to engage the body components, to position them in position, as well as a fixation device including fasteners provided with pneumatic actuators and having claws shaped according to the profile of the parts they must engage . The arrangement and shape of the positioning and fastening devices are therefore a function of the configuration of the specific type of body to be welded. Therefore, also according to a known art, in order to operate on many different types of motor vehicle bodies, the system according to the invention is provided with two or more pairs of lateral positioning and securing structures 8 which are quickly interchangeable in the operating position on the station. For this purpose, station 2 is provided with guide tracks 9 that extend longitudinally on both sides of the line 1, which allow the longitudinal displacement of the lateral positioning and securing structures 8 between an operating position in the framing station (which is occupied by the structure 8a in figures 1 and 2) and a longitudinally displaced waiting position upstream or downstream of the aforementioned operating position.
    [0044] The means for controlling the longitudinal displacement of the side structures 8 can be made in any known manner. However, the preferred solution is that the side structures are mounted on self-propelled carts or on carts towed by self-propelled tractor carts, as will be shown in more detail below.
    [0045] The two structures 8 that are in the framing station can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of line 1 between an open condition, in which they are relatively more spaced from each other and from line 1 and a closed condition (visible in figure 1), moved in the direction towards line 1, to allow the positioning and fastening devices thus loaded to engage the body that is in the framing station. In the open operating condition, the structures 8 are aligned with the guides 9 to allow a longitudinal exchange of the two pairs of structures 8. Figure 2 shows the lateral positioning and securing structures 8a in their closed operating condition, in which the positioning devices and clamping D thus supported are capable of engaging the bodywork structure.
    [0046] Figure 1 also shows that, similar to the known systems already proposed by the depositor, the system according to the invention has one or more parking positions for a corresponding number of types of lateral positioning and securing structures 8, which are to operate on other types of motor vehicle bodies. In the case of figure 1, a third type of structure 8c, which is to operate on a third type C of bodywork, is in a parking position P1 on a guide track 9 'which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of line 1. A upstream and downstream of the framing station, the guides 9 comprise separate track portions 9a, formed by rails 93, which can be moved transversely in the longitudinal direction on a conveyor 10, to place said separate track portions 9a in alignment with a parking position P or with other parking positions adjacent to it, which are not shown in the drawings. In this way, it is possible to transfer the structure 8 that is in a parking position on the portion of the runway 9a that then participates to place it in the waiting position, adjacent to the operating position or, conversely, it is possible to pick up the structure 8 a from the waiting position upstream or downstream of station 2 to a remote parking position.
    [0047] Systems of the type described above, which have been made up to now, have limitations regarding their operational flexibility, particularly with reference to the allowable differences in length and / or width between different types of bodywork on which the system can operate.
    [0048] As will be easily apparent from the following description, the invention overcomes these limitations by providing a framing system that is capable of operating also on bodies that are totally different from each other and in particular on bodies that have very relevant differences in their length longitudinal and / or in its transverse width.
    [0049] This advantage is immediately apparent from figures 12, 13 and 14, 15 of the attached drawings, which show that the lateral positioning and securing structures 8 of the system according to the invention can be easily configured, due to the characteristics that will be described, in order to operate with total reliability and precision, in one case, on the V body of a relatively large commercial vehicle or van (figures 12 and 14) and, in another case, on the C body of a mini - two-seat car or a class-A car (figures 13 and 15).
    [0050] The key factor to solve this problem is represented, according to the invention, by the architecture designed for each lateral positioning and fastening structure 8.
    [0051] In the case of side structures 8a that are to operate on a car body (see figures 5A, 5B and 13, 15), each lateral positioning and securing structure 8 is basically divided into two parts. A first part consists of a quadrilateral frame 81, which is relatively light and comprises two uprights 81a connected by upper and lower cross members 81b. This quadrangular frame 81 has the task of supporting the various positioning and fastening devices D that are for engaging the body to be framed. The second part of each lateral positioning and fastening structure consists of the support structure 82 which is relatively rigid and heavy and comprises a platform 82a and at least two pillars or columns 82b which are substantially aligned with each other along a direction parallel to the conveyor line 1. Frame 81 is supported by support structure 82, preferably because it is rigidly and permanently connected to it, for example, by means of screws or welds. The support structure 82 has the task, above all, of supporting the weight of the frame 81 and the devices supported therein. For this purpose, the frame 81 rests on planar support surfaces of the step type 82c of the columns 82b, as shown in figure 17. In addition, the support structure 82 also has the task of supporting the transverse forces, to which the frame 81 is subject, as a result of the hitching of the body during the framing operation, which can be generated, for example, by the fact that the body has a greater width in relation to the nominal dimension, within the limits of the design tolerances. Frames 81 can be designed as relatively light structures, since the forces mentioned above are discharged by frames 81 onto the support structures 82 to which they are connected. For this purpose, each frame 81 is in contact with the face of the support structure 82 facing inwards of the framing station and in particular with the columns 82b.
    [0052] Another important feature of the present invention is situated in the fact that the columns 82b that are part of said support structure 82 of each positioning and fastening structure 8 are connected, preferably removably, to a standardized support platform, generally designated 82a, which is dimensioned along the direction parallel to line 1 so as to have a length proportioned to the length of the longest body model in which the system is to operate. In the case of the specific example illustrated, as shown in figures 12-19, the longitudinal dimension of platform 82a is selected to be suitable for the length of a van body in which the system must operate. In the illustrated example, in the case of the side frames 8b that are used to engage the van bodies, the frame 81 is self-supporting and is attached to two small columns 82b that are attached to the platform 82a adjacent to its ends. However, it is possible to provide the same architecture described with reference to the side structures 8a, which are to operate on the car bodies, also for the side structures 8b which are to operate on the van bodies.
    [0053] Thanks to the structure and arrangement that have been described in the preceding, the lateral positioning and securing structures 8 used in the system according to the invention can be easily configured to be adapted to specific types of motor vehicle body, without limitations variations in the length of the bodies on which the system can operate, since platform 82a is chosen with a length adapted to operate on bodies of maximum length, as in the case of bodies of commercial vehicles, vans or the like.
    [0054] The connection of the columns 82b to the platform 82a is preferably made by means of screws. The connection positions can vary both in the longitudinal direction, to allow adaptation to the body of different length, and in the transverse direction, to allow adaptation to the body of different width. The platform can be provided with a matrix of holes for engaging the connection screws, to allow the selection of the connection positions of the columns supporting the frames that support the positioning and fastening devices. Alternatively, it can be provided that the screw holes are formed in any desired area of the platform, when the columns are to be installed.
    [0055] As shown in figures 13 and 17, when it is necessary to operate on a much shorter body, the lateral positioning and fastening structures 8 are configured with the two columns 82b close to each other and with a correspondingly sized frame 81, having amounts 81a in contact with the internal faces of the two columns 82b.
    [0056] In a simpler embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a single pair of lateral positioning and securing structures that, in any case, have the architecture that was described above. In this way, the system can be used initially to operate on a single type of motor vehicle body, it being understood that it can be quickly configured to operate on a different type of body, or transformed into a flexible system adapted to operate on different body types.
    [0057] In the following, another specific characteristic of the system according to the invention will be described, with reference to the case of the preferred modality that is shown in the drawings.
    [0058] As shown in figure 3, the platform 82a of the lateral positioning and fastening structure 8 that is in the operating position in the framing station is slidably guided on separate sections of the track guides 9, constituted by rail sections 90 aligned with the rail sections 93 of tracks 9a arranged upstream and downstream of the framing station. The rail sections 90 are loaded by the movable structure 91 which is slidably mounted along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of line 1 on guides 11 of a stationary base structure 12 (figure 7). The mobile structure 91 is provided with a motor-reduction unit 13 that drives a gear wheel 14 that meshes with a rack 15 supported by the base structure 12 and directed transversely with respect to the conveyor line 1, so that the activation of the transmission unit motor reduction 13 causes the structure 91 to move along a direction transverse to the conveyor line 1. In this way, the lateral positioning and securing structure 8 that is in the operating position at the framing station is movable across the line between the “ open ”, more spaced from the line, where the rail sections 90 are aligned with the rail sections 93 (figure 1) and the“ closed ”condition, closer to the line, where the positioning and holding devices D supported by the side structures 8 are capable of engaging the bodywork that is in the station.
    [0059] With reference to figures 2-4, when the side structures 8 that are in the framing station are in their "closed" condition, they are still connected to the other by a structure of the upper spider type 16 that forms, together with the lateral structures 8, a type of rigid cage and other positioning and fastening devices capable of engaging the upper portion of the body.
    [0060] Similarly to the case of lateral positioning and securing structures 8, for which different types are provided, capable of operating in corresponding different types of body, also in the case of the aforementioned structure of the upper spider type 16, different types are provided. Figure 4 shows that different structures 16 are movable along an elevated conveyor 17. A rail 18 of the conveyor 17 has a separate section 19 that can be lowered by means of a vertical acting actuator device 19a, in order to place the structure 16 that is in this section of rail 19 to operate on the body that is in the framing station. When the rail section 19 is in its elevated position, aligned with the rail 18, the elevated conveyor can be activated to quickly change the spider-type structure 16 that is in section 19. The construction details of the elevated conveyor 18 and the associated motor devices, as well as those of device 19a, are not described or illustrated here, since they can be made in any known manner. Omitting these details in the drawings also makes the latter simpler and more easily understandable.
    [0061] With reference to figure 6, when the lateral positioning and fastening structures 8 are in the open condition, shown in this figure, it is possible to prepare on them the component parts of the respective side portions of the body that must be mounted on the station. Once this preparation is complete, the lateral positioning and securing structures 8 can be moved transversely in the direction towards the line until the final "closed" condition, in which the positioning and securing devices are able to assemble and lock in position various body components, while assembly robots 3 perform a number of electrical welding points, sufficient to provide a relatively stable geometry to the body. Once this operation is complete, the lateral positioning and securing structures 8 are brought back to the open condition and the conveyor line is activated to remove the framed body out of the framing station while taking a new body subset inward. from the station.
    [0062] The aforementioned operation to arrange the component parts of the body side portions on the lateral positioning and fastening structures can be performed manually (as shown in figure 6) or also, for example, by means of robots.
    [0063] Another feature of the invention relates to the means that ensure a precise positioning of each lateral positioning and clamping structure 8 when it is moved longitudinally until it reaches the operative open condition in the framing station.
    [0064] According to a first solution, which is conventional in itself, when the side structure 8 reaches the open operating condition at the framing station, that structure is captured by a device for the precise positioning that separates the structure 8 from the guide rails mentioned above, positioning it both vertically and in a direction transverse to line 1.
    [0065] Although this known solution is certainly of interest in the system according to the present invention, in the preferred embodiment, the precise positioning of the side structure 8 is obtained by adopting any of two other solutions.
    [0066] In a first other solution (figure 7), it is provided that the rail sections 90 that are in the station are made as high precision guides, which cooperate with high precision shoes or roller guide units 90a, associated with each side structure 8, so that these rails themselves ensure the proper positioning of structure 8 both vertically and transversely to the line. Precise positioning in the longitudinal direction is achieved when the closed condition is reached, by engaging over a final portion of the transverse guides 11, which is made as a high precision guide. Figure 7 also shows pneumatic fasteners 94 that fix structure 91 in the appropriate position along the transverse direction.
    [0067] According to a second other solution (figures 8-11), the lateral positioning and securing structure 8 is slidably mounted on rail sections 90 with a slight play, the lateral structure 8 being further provided with auxiliary guide devices high precision that are engaged only in a final portion of the longitudinal displacement of the structure 8 in the direction to the aforementioned operating position. As shown schematically in figure 9, on the platform 82a of each side structure 8, four small rail sections 20 are arranged, which project in a cantilevered manner from the two sides of the platform 82a, at the two ends of the same. Auxiliary rail sections 20 are made as high-precision rails, which cooperate with guide rollers that are also of the high-precision type, which are designated in figures 10, 11 by numerals 21, 22 and are supported by supports 23 ( figure 8) mounted on the frame 91 which also supports the rail sections 90. The rollers 21, 22 are engaged by the high precision auxiliary rails 20 in a final portion of the longitudinal displacement of the platform 82a in the direction to the operating position in the station framework. As clearly visible in figures 10, 11, the rollers 21, 22 respectively ensure the proper positioning of the lateral positioning and clamping structure 8 in the vertical direction and in the horizontal transverse direction perpendicular to line 1. The rollers 21 are capable of engaging the upper surface and the bottom surface of the sections 20, while the rollers 22 engage the sides of the sections 20.
    [0068] In the preceding description, the construction details of the devices or motor means that are associated with each platform 82a in order to allow their movement along tracks 9 have been omitted. These details can be made in any known manner and may include, for example, the provision of a motor unit within the platform 82a, rotatingly driving a gearwheel that meshes with a longitudinal stationary rack. However, systems have also been proposed, which, as in the case illustrated in figure 1, make use of small self-propelled T tractors that can be connected to the platforms of the lateral positioning and securing structures 8 (see EP-A-1 611 991). Similar observations also apply to the construction details of the conveyor devices that move the track sections 9a transversely to their longitudinal direction, to align with the parking positions P.
    [0069] As is immediately apparent from the preceding description, the basic concept of the present invention is situated in a new constructive architecture for the lateral positioning and securing structures 8 and is naturally applicable to framing stations having a layout also very different from that which was illustrated here purely by way of example. In particular, a solution adopted for the quick change of the side structures 8 that are in the station can be of any type, can be based on movements in any direction of the side structures and can make use of displacement devices of any type.
    [0070] Furthermore, although the principle of the invention remains the same, the details of construction and modalities can vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated here purely by way of example, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in attached claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (7)
    [0001]
    1. System for fitting motor vehicle bodies or subassemblies thereof, comprising: -a framing station (2), -a conveyor line (1) to supply the framing station (2) with a sequence of lower body subassemblies or a sequence of pre-assembled bodies, and to take the framed bodies out of the framing station, wherein said framing station (2) comprises positioning means (8) for positioning and retaining the component parts of the body in position of appropriate mounting, and mounting means (3) for applying a plurality of welds or overlapping joints or riveted joints to the positioned and retained body, wherein said positioning means comprises a number of pairs of lateral positioning and securing structures (8 ) which are interchangeable in the operating position at the framing station to operate on respective different types of motor vehicle body, said structure pairs s for positioning and securing (8) being provided on both sides of the line (1) at the framing station (2) and each provided with a plurality of positioning and securing devices (D) for engaging the component parts of a motor vehicle, said lateral positioning and securing devices being shaped and arranged so as to be adapted to a specific model of a motor vehicle body, -in which the lateral positioning and securing structures (8) are in position operating in the framing station are movable along a transverse direction with respect to the line (1) between a closed operating condition in which they are relatively closer to each other, to engage the component parts of the bodywork or a subset of it that is in the framing station (2) and an open operating condition in which they are spaced farther from each other, to allow the activation of the conveyor line in order to sub replace a body framed by a new body to be framed in the framing station and / or to allow, if necessary, that the component parts of the side portions of the body are prepared above mentioned lateral positioning and fastening structures (8), the lateral positioning and fastening structures (8) each comprise a rigid support structure (82) and a frame (81) supporting said positioning and fastening devices (D) and supported by said support structure (82), -in which said platform (82) of each lateral positioning and fastening structure (8) is slidably movable along longitudinal guides (9) on one side of the conveyor line (1) between the operating position in the framing station and a standby position, upstream or downstream of the framing station, and when the lateral positioning and holding structure (8) is in said operating position, it is received above separate sections those of said guides (9) which are in the form of rail sections (9) carried by the structure (91) which is movable along a direction transversal to the line (1), characterized by the fact that said support structure ( 82) comprises a base platform (82a) and at least two columns (82b) removably connected to the platform (82a) in positions substantially aligned with each other along a longitudinal direction parallel to the line (1), the positions of said columns in with respect to said platform (82a) both in the longitudinal direction parallel to the line (1) and in a transverse direction with respect to said longitudinal direction being different for lateral structures (8) provided for different types of bodywork, - said platform (82a) forming part of each lateral positioning and fastening structure (8) being identical to all of the lateral structures (8) provided for the different types of bodywork.
    [0002]
    2. Framing system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said framing (81) is in contact with said support structure (82) in order to unload its weight and transverse reaction forces on it applied by the body to the positioning and holding devices (D) as a result of their engagement on the body during the framing operation.
    [0003]
    3. Framing system according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said framing (81) is in contact with the inner side of said columns (82b), that is, the side facing the framing station.
    [0004]
    4. Framing system according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that each of the said frames (81) supporting the positioning and fastening devices (D) is in the form of a square frame with two uprights (81a) connected between itself by upper and lower cross members (81B), said uprights (81a) being connected to the internal faces of said columns (82b) of the support structure (82).
    [0005]
    5. Framing system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said separate rail sections (9) are made with a precision high enough to ensure a precise positioning of the lateral structure (8) that is received in them in the end of a vertical displacement of the structure in the direction to the operating position in the framing station, both along the vertical direction and along a direction transversal to the line (1).
    [0006]
    6. Framing system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each lateral positioning and securing structure (8) is arranged to engage said rail sections (9) with game and is also provided with auxiliary guide devices (20, 21, 22) that are engaged only in a final portion of the longitudinal displacement of the lateral structure (8) in the direction of its operative position, in order to position it precisely in the position both vertically and transversely.
    [0007]
    7. Framing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it is provided with one or more upper structures (16) supporting positioning and holding devices (D) adapted to operate in the respective different types of vehicle body to motor and that one or more upper structures (16) can be quickly positioned in the framing station to rigidly connect the lateral positioning and fastening structures (8) in the meantime and to allow engagement of the loaded positioning and fastening devices (D) by the upper structure (16) in the respective type of motor vehicle body
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CN102498028B|2014-10-29|
    DE602009000958D1|2011-05-05|
    US8806739B2|2014-08-19|
    CA2767872C|2013-11-26|
    EP2279929B1|2011-03-23|
    MX2012001057A|2012-06-19|
    PL2279929T3|2011-08-31|
    AT502837T|2011-04-15|
    BR112012001842A2|2016-03-15|
    CA2767872A1|2011-02-03|
    CN102498028A|2012-06-13|
    ES2363663T3|2011-08-11|
    EP2279929A1|2011-02-02|
    RU2489242C1|2013-08-10|
    US20120145514A1|2012-06-14|
    WO2011013012A1|2011-02-03|
    AR078084A1|2011-10-12|
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    法律状态:
    2019-01-15| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-09-03| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-05-12| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-07-28| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 10 (DEZ) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 28/07/2020, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EP09425299.6|2009-07-27|
    EP09425299A|EP2279929B1|2009-07-27|2009-07-27|System for framing motor-vehicle bodies or sub-assemblies thereof|
    PCT/IB2010/052813|WO2011013012A1|2009-07-27|2010-06-22|System for framing moror-vehicle bodies or sub-assemblies thereof|
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