FR2630948A1 - IMPROVED INSTALLATION FOR WELDING BODIES OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN A SINGLE WORKSTATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention consists of an installation for welding bodywork 16 of motor vehicles in a single workstation to which said bodies are successively supplied and where equipment for the work of said bodywork is arranged, which equipment comprises positioning and locking means. and possible welding means. This equipment is carried by a pair of opposing rotating units 12, each unit comprising at least two groups of equipment 20, different from each other, which can be placed alternately facing said workstation to carry out work on bodywork. different types.

Description

The present invention relates to an installation

  tion improved to perform the operation of

  dage - commonly called pointing - of bodies or bodies of motor vehicles in a

  unique work which includes a pair of tower units

  opposite nantes on which are mounted the equi-

work items required.

  As the experts of this

  branch, we have already proposed automatic installations

  ticks for the composition and welding of profiled sheets and similar elements in monolithic structures, such as, for example, bodies for motor vehicles, cabs for trucks and others, installations where elements, known as conforming jigs, are used which consist of a

  chassis supporting centering means and pins

  these blocking and possibly also welding available

  laid in such a way that sheets with a particular shape can be fixed and welded. Given their

  particular function, these templates must be

  specially designed for a particular production, the fixing and welding clamps must be arranged

adequately.

  To make the workstations in the production chain flexible, these conforming templates do not

  do not constitute a single block with said workstation

  vail but can be removed from it so that they can be replaced in order to adapt the same workstation to different productions; for example, in the case of motor vehicle bodies,

  ability to process different models.

  Such a system is described, for example, in

German Patent No. 2,810,822.

  In an attempt to make the system even more flexible, as described, for example, in Italian patent applications N 20 226 A / 84

  filed 26-3-1984, No 23 102 A / 82 filed 2-9-

  1982 and N 23 055 A / 83 filed on 29-9-1983, all

  in the name of Gaetano Di Rosa, and in the patent application

  Italian vet No 67 563 A / 77 on behalf of Weldesign of

  Nepote André e C. s.a.s., workstations with

  taking a system for moving said conforming jigs allowing automatic replacement

  these templates by removing them from a reserve of gaba-

  conforming rituals and positioning them, automatically, in their active position, in the station

  of work, thus making it possible to alternate between

  towards models on the production chain, a particular pair of trainers being associated with each of

  these models (work generally requiring a

  on each side of the chain).

  Although in the above mentioned patents

  on the system proposed for the storage of gaba-

  conforming rits, the number of these conforming templates

  stored maters and the method of transporting them to the seat provided in the work station,

  in each, different, these systems suffer in general

  neral of a serious basic disadvantage arising from their structural complexity and their size,

  especially related to the store part.

  On the other hand, in said known installations, the displacement of the conforming jigs

requires quite a long time.

  In addition, the transport and alter-

  nance of the templates is quite complex and must be

  sized to accurately transport large-

  its loads (in weight and in dimensions) represented

  by the conforming jigs and this is important

  aunt impact on costs of realization and

maintenance.

  The general aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above by

  performing an automatic installation for the

  sition of profiled and other sheets, installation

  which, while having the possibility of treating different

  product models, has a structure ex-

  very simple and compact and allows replacement

  quick equipment in the workplace.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an ins-

  tallation of the type indicated above designed so as to be able to use gantry welding robots

  on the upper part of the body.

  According to the present invention, the stated goals

  above are achieved by an installation

  for automotive bodywork welding

  them in a single workstation at which said

  bodies are supplied successively,

  for the work of said bodywork

  positioning means; blocking and possible welding means. in said station being mounted, installation characterized in that said equipment is carried by a pair of opposite rotating units, each unit comprising at least two groups of different equipment

  each other which can be placed alternative-

  facing the station to carry out work on

bodies of different types.

  According to another characteristic of the invention

  tion, each group of equipment is movable between

  an inactive position outside the forward course

  cementing of the bodywork in the workstation in an active position in which the equipment

  are capable of performing the work on said coach-

laughs.

  According to another characteristic of the invention

  tion, each group of equipment is removable by

  relative to the respective rotating unit in order to

  be replaced by another group from

a separate store.

  o05 The structural and operating characteristics of the invention, and its advantages by

  compared to the known technique, will be more

  still sensitive thanks to the description below,

  made with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which show a practical embodiment of a

installation according to the invention.

  In these drawings: - Figure 1 is an elevational view of said installation; - Figure 2 is a schematic view, in section

  transverse carried out according to plan II-II of the

  gure 1; - Figure 3 is a plan view of the

  work showing the layout of the welding robots

ge;

  - Figure 4 is an elevational view shown

  both the installation according to the invention coupled to a store of equipment groups; - Figure 5 is a sectional view along the plane V-V of Figure 4;

  - Figure 6 is a plan view of the installation

  tion; - Figure 7 is a detail view showing

  the link system between each team group-

  the corresponding rotary unit; - Figure 8 is a detail view schematically showing the coupling system between the

  energy sources and equipment group.

  Referring to the drawings, the installation in question, designated overall by the reference, is structurally constituted by a chassis 11

  supporting a pair of opposite rotating units 12.

  These units 12 are mounted on a central axis 13 au-

  turn which they can turn on command,

trailed by a motor 14.

  As can clearly be seen in the drawings, the opposing units 12 are spaced from each other so that, between them, can pass a

  production chain, indicated overall by the

  ference 15, for the scheduled supply of coach-

  series 16 of motor vehicles at a workstation

  vail 17. Chain 15 can be of any type known to experts in this industry and will not be

  therefore not described and represented here in a more detailed

cut.

  Each unit 12 includes a structure

  aunt 18 in which cavities 19 have been made in opposite positions; in each of these cavities 19 is housed a group of equipment 20 for working on a bodywork 16. These equipment

  consist of elements schematically de-

  signed by 21 which may, for example, be

  operation, blocking and welding of the coach-

  laughs; these elements also being of a well-defined type

  naked will not be described and represented here so

more detailed.

  Each group 20 is mounted, in its cavity 19 of the supporting structure 18, in an oscillating fashion around lateral axes of rotation 22 which can be extracted

  by means of an actuating device (Figure 7) .-

  More precisely, as shown in FIG. 2, the groups 20 can oscillate, around the axes 22, in

  the direction of the arrows 23, between the two positions

  shown in dotted and dashed lines respectively

  full. The position shown in dotted lines is inac-

  tive and does not interfere with the progress of the bodywork 16 in the workstation 17,

  while the solid line position is also active

  so well to place the elements 20 facing the body-

  series 16, so that we can work on it, that

  to replace said elements, as explained-

ra below.

  The movement of each group 20 between the two active and inactive positions indicated above is controlled by means of an articulated jack 24, for example with oil, acting between the bearing structure 18 and the group 20 itself; this action takes place thanks to a counterframe 25 connected to said structure

  18 in an articulated manner by means of the same system of

  ticulation 22 .. Said counterframe 25 is necessary

  insofar as the jack 24 cannot act directly

  group 20, which must be replaceable.

  The group 20 is made integral with the counter frame 25

  by means of a lock 26 with an action device

corresponding event (Figure 7).

  On the other hand, in the active position in the workstation (Figure 2), the opposing groups

  are stuck in place stably,

  correspondence on the outside, by means of a provision

  tightening sitive which can be constituted, for example-

  ple, by a fixed jaw 27 and a movable jaw

  28. This jaw 28 is movable, with the aid of a

  actuation rinse 29, between the folded inactive position, indicated by dotted lines, which does not interfere

  with the oscillation of group 20, and the position ac-

  tive raised indicated in solid lines in which

  group 20 is securely blocked on site.

  Between each group 20, on the structure

  bearing 18, groups 30, 31 are provided, including

  providing respectively the equipment for controlling the various tools as well as the equipment

  power supply and compressed air.

  These groups 30, 31, of an already known type, are available

  adequately placed in the center of structure 18 and

  their connections all lead to a single arrangement.

  quick coupling device 32 (fig. 8) fitted with a device

  actuation sitive and partly mounted on the structure

  ture 18 herself and partly on the team group-

20.

  Said groups 30 and 31 are centralized and can be used equally for the various types of

  equipment groups 20 after modification of the program-

  me. Par 33 indicates welding robots with

  earth and, by 34, gantry robots supported above

  above the bodywork by said chassis 11 so as to allow movement on guides between the

  active positions indicated in solid lines and the posi-

  inactive states shown in dotted lines in Figure 3.

  A motor 35 controls the movement of said robots 34 on slides 36 external to the rotary unit 12. The installation according to the invention, as is

  clearly seen in Figures 4 and 6, includes or

  tre side stores 37 in which is housed a series of groups 20, different from each other, so as to be able to work on bodies

of different types.

  The displacement of the groups 20 from the respective rotary units 12 is carried out by means of motorized air conveyors 38, capable of taking each group 20 of the rotary unit 12 and of transporting it with motorized carriages 39 capable of storing the groups 20 in side housings

of the shop. -

  For this purpose, the air carriers 38 and the motorized carriages 39 are provided with latches for

  stable blocking of the group of 20

21.

  The operation of the installation object of the invention follows clearly from all that has been described above with reference to the drawings. It is

briefly described below.

  By means of the actuating devices 24, the displacement of the opposite groups 20 is obtained.

  in active position in order to place the equi-

  pements 21 corresponding to the bodywork

  treat. This active position is rigidly determined

  undermined by the closure of the movable jaw 28.

  From there, operations can begin

  rations provided on the bodywork.

  The top 20 equipment groups,

  who are not involved in these operations,

  can then be used for another coach-

  rie, the units 12 rotating by 180 and the groups themselves being adequately positioned,

  as described above.

  This rotation can be done during

  the alternation of the bodies 16 on the chain 15.

  Equipment groups different from those mounted on the opposite rotating units 12 can be used in place of the groups described above

  by picking them up in the equipment store men-

  above mentioned which is placed above the

  which is set in automatic operation

  only through the centralized management system.

  The change of equipment takes place in the time cycle of the production line and during the welding phase in the pointing station. As

  it was indicated previously, groups 20 to

  place are removed by means of latches and in use

  health 38 air carriers that drop them off

  on the corresponding trolleys 39 which take them

  are loaded with their own locks.

  While these carts (which move in pairs to save time) are directed to an empty compartment of the store, a second cart,

  which carries the group 20 to be inserted in the tower unit

  nante 12, moves from the lateral position of stoc-

  kage at the central sampling position.

  Conversely, the passage of the cha-

  riot to transverse air carrier and depot

in the rotating unit.

  The advantages of installation according to the

  vention can be summarized as indicated below

  below. Unique rotating system containing several series of equipment which, activated in rigidly predetermined positions, make it possible to carry out the

forming of several bodies.

  Compact dimensions and simplification of installation.

  Possibility of using hand-held robots

  than on the upper part of the body.

  Possibility of using modern equipment

  biles to make subtypes of the same body-

series.

Claims (4)

  1. Installation for carriage welding-   motor vehicle lines in a workstation   single section (17) to which these bodies are supplied   successively, equipment for working on said bodies, comprising positioning, blocking and possible means of   welding being arranged in this workstation, ins-   tallation characterized by the fact that said equi-   elements are carried by a pair of opposite rotating units (12), each unit comprising at least two   equipment groups (20) different from each other   very which can be placed alternately opposite the station to perform work, respectively, on bodies (16) of different types, 2. Installation according to claim 1,   characterized by the fact that each team group-   elements (20) is movable between an inactive position   outside the advancement course of the body-   series (16) in the workstation (17) and a po-   active sition in which the equipment is installed   to do the work on the body itself   likewise, means (26) being provided for stably coupling said group (20) to said unit   rotating (12) in each of the two positions indicated   quées. 3. Installation according to claim 1,   characterized by the fact that each team group-   elements (20) is removable from the tower unit   nante (12) respective in order to be able to be replaced by another group coming from a separate store and in what it is planned, means of transport (38) between said rotating unit (12) and said store (37). 4. Installation according to claim 1, 11 'characterized in that each rotary unit: (20) comprises a single set of groups (30, 31) of power supply and control for the equipment, the whole being centralized .and usable   by any group of equipment.