A material transport vehicle for automobile assembly line

Abstract

This invention discloses a material cart for an automotive assembly line, comprising: a cart body, a controller and a support component mounted on the cart body, a timing module within the controller for setting a preset time, a mounting frame fixedly connected to the support component, and a material rack connected to the top of the mounting frame via an elastic element; a detection unit is provided between the mounting frame and the material rack, electrically connected to the controller, and the detection unit is used to detect whether the mounting frame and the material rack overlap at the preset time. Based on the detection result of the detection unit, the controller controls the cart body to move or stop. Using this material cart for accompanying operations, each cart operates independently without interference. The accompanying operation steps are simple, eliminating the need for manual connection between the cart body and the chain conveyor, thus simplifying the accompanying operation process and improving efficiency while achieving intelligent and automated accompanying operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automotive assembly technology, specifically relating to a material transport vehicle accompanying an automotive assembly production line. Background Technology

[0002] Nowadays, in the automotive assembly process, most car manufacturers use plate chain production lines to transport car bodies. On one side of the plate chain production line, there are fixed intervals for assembling automotive parts. Each workstation has a shelf with the parts to be assembled. During the transport process, the plate chain production line transports the car body at a pre-set conveying rate of m / min. When the car body is transported to different workstations, the operators at those workstations must manually install the parts within a specified time. Otherwise, as the car body moves further away from the workstation, the operators will have to run around to work, resulting in high labor intensity, reduced installation efficiency, and affecting the entire assembly operation.

[0003] A search revealed existing technology announcement number CN201753178U, which describes a trolley for transporting accompanying tools. This trolley is fixedly connected to a sliding plate or chain on an automotive production line, allowing it to move along with the production line and reduce the labor intensity of workers. However, this trolley has certain drawbacks. Due to the large number of installation stations and the different types of parts at each station, the trolley cannot carry all the parts. Secondly, CN215361611U describes a trolley for accompanying automotive assembly lines. This trolley requires operators to manually connect it to the chain, which is cumbersome and increases labor intensity. Finally, CN110271589 A describes a material trolley for accompanying production lines and its usage method. In this method, multiple material trolleys are connected in series and move with the production line, with one material trolley corresponding to the assembly of one car body. This method requires a large operating space, and because there are many material trolleys connected in series, a problem with one material trolley will affect the movement of the following material trolleys. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems in the prior art and provide a material transport vehicle for an automobile assembly line. To achieve the above objective, this invention employs the following technical solution:

[0005] A material carrier accompanying an automobile assembly line includes: a vehicle body, a controller and a support component on the vehicle body, a timing module inside the controller for setting a preset time, a mounting frame fixedly connected to the support component, and a material rack connected to the top of the mounting frame via an elastic element; a detection unit is provided between the mounting frame and the material rack, the detection unit is electrically connected to the controller, the detection unit is used to detect whether the mounting frame and the material rack overlap at the preset time, and the controller controls the vehicle body to move or stop based on the detection result of the detection unit.

[0006] Furthermore, elastic elements are arranged around the bottom of the material rack, one end of the elastic element is fixedly connected to the material rack, and the other end is fixedly connected to the mounting frame. The detection unit is arranged inside the mounting frame, with its detection end facing the bottom of the material rack.

[0007] When the detection unit detects that the mounting frame and the bottom of the material rack are aligned at a preset time, the controller controls the vehicle to move.

[0008] When the detection unit detects that the mounting frame and the bottom of the material rack are not aligned within a preset time, the controller stops the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, the detection unit is an ultrasonic distance sensor, with the ultrasonic sensors symmetrically arranged on opposite sides within the mounting frame.

[0010] Furthermore, the detection unit is a touch sensor, which is symmetrically arranged on the other two opposite sides inside the mounting bracket.

[0011] Furthermore, the material rack has a frame structure and is connected to the inside of the mounting frame by elastic elements. The length of the material rack is equal to or greater than the length of the mounting frame, and sliders are provided on all four sides of the material rack.

[0012] The top of the mounting bracket has a groove, and the slider is slidably connected in the groove. One end of the elastic element is fixedly connected to the bottom of the slider, and the other end is fixedly connected to the inner bottom surface of the groove.

[0013] Furthermore, the elastic element is a spring.

[0014] Furthermore, a warning unit is provided on the top of the mounting bracket.

[0015] Furthermore, an emergency stop switch is provided on one side of the vehicle body, and the emergency stop switch is electrically connected to the controller.

[0016] Furthermore, support components are installed around the top of the vehicle body, and multiple support components are fixedly connected by mounting brackets.

[0017] Furthermore, the support member is a support rod, and a fixing opening is provided at the top of the support rod, into which the mounting bracket is installed.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. When the car body is transported to an assembly station, it will stay at the station for a period of time. The end of the stay is the detection time of the detection component, which is the preset time. Before the material cart travels, the preset time is set by the timing module on the cart body. When the assembly parts are placed on the material rack, the material rack is affected by the weight of the parts and moves down using the elastic element to contact and overlap with the mounting frame. When the preset time is reached, the detection component will control the controller to move or stop the cart body according to the result of whether the material rack and the mounting frame are in contact and overlap. During the entire travel process, there is no need for operators to manually fix the cart body to the plate chain to achieve the travel operation, which simplifies the travel operation steps, improves the travel operation efficiency, and realizes the intelligent and automated travel operation of the cart.

[0020] 2. The material carts can be arranged at fixed intervals along with the assembly stations. Each material cart can operate independently without interfering with the others. This avoids occupying work space and ensures that maintenance is carried out without affecting the operation of other material carts, thus preventing a decrease in assembly efficiency.

[0021] 3. By installing elastic components on the material cart, the material rack can be lowered and made to contact and overlap with the mounting frame by the weight of the components, thus realizing the intelligent and automatic following operation of the material cart.

[0022] 4. During the testing process, appropriate sensors can be selected based on the elastic force of the elastic component, the type and variety of the assembled parts, and the material of the material rack, so as to be suitable for the accompanying operation of assembling different product parts.

[0023] 5. The coordinated operation of the chute and the slider further enhances the stability of the material rack's downward movement and resetting, and improves the reliability of the accompanying operation.

[0024] 6. The installation of warning units can not only alert the operators but also remind the operators at subsequent assembly stations to prepare for assembly and avoid exceeding the assembly time limit.

[0025] 7. The mounting bracket and support rod are fixedly connected by bolts, which facilitates the replacement of mounting brackets of different materials according to the operation conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the accompanying material cart for an automobile assembly line provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the chute in the accompanying material cart of the automobile assembly line provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 A top view of the accompanying material cart for an automobile assembly line provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the detection components in the accompanying material cart of an automobile assembly line provided by the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of the installation of the detection component in the accompanying material vehicle of the automobile assembly line provided by the present invention.

[0032] The components include: 1. Vehicle body; 101. Emergency stop switch; 2. Controller; 3. Support rod; 4. Slide rail; 5. Material rack; 501. Slider; 6. Spring; 7. Contact plate; 8. Detection unit. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0034] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0035] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0036] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "horizontal," or "inner" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of the invention is in use, they are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] Furthermore, the use of the term "horizontal" does not imply that the component must be absolutely horizontal, but rather that it can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0040] Example 1:

[0041] See Figure 1 This invention discloses a material carrier accompanying an automobile assembly line, comprising: a vehicle body 1, a controller 2 and a support component mounted on the vehicle body 1; the controller 2 includes a timing module, a signal transmission module, and a condition judgment module; wherein, the timing module is used to set a preset time, which is the time point at which the vehicle body ends its stay at a certain assembly station; the signal transmission module is used to feed back the signal of the detection result of the detection component 8 to the controller 2, the controller 2 sends the received signal to the condition judgment module, and the condition judgment module issues an instruction based on the judgment result, and the controller 2 controls the vehicle body 1 to move or stop according to the instruction (here, stopping means staying in place, not indicating that the vehicle body has moved or stopped after moving); a mounting frame is fixedly connected to the support component, and a material rack 5 is connected to the top of the mounting frame through an elastic element; a detection unit 8 is provided between the mounting frame and the material rack 5, and the detection unit 8 is electrically connected to the controller 2; the detection unit 8 is used to detect whether the mounting frame and the material rack 5 overlap at a preset time, and the controller 2 controls the vehicle body 1 to move or stop according to the detection result of the detection unit 8.

[0042] Furthermore, the support components are set around the top of the vehicle body 1, and multiple support components are fixedly connected by mounting brackets. Specifically, the support component is a support rod 3, the top of the support rod 3 has a fixing opening, the mounting bracket has an H-shaped structure, its bottom end is installed in the fixing opening, and a through hole is opened on the outside of the fixing opening. The support rod 3, the mounting bracket and the through hole are all fixedly connected by bolts, which facilitates the replacement of mounting brackets of different materials according to the operation conditions in the future.

[0043] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, elastic elements are arranged around the bottom of the material rack 5. One end of the elastic element is fixedly connected to the material rack 5, and the other end is fixedly connected to the mounting frame. One elastic element is installed around the bottom of the material rack 5. Multiple elastic elements can ensure the reliability of the material rack 5's downward movement and reset. The detection unit 8 is arranged inside the mounting frame, with its detection end facing the bottom of the material rack 5. When the detection unit 8 detects that the bottom of the mounting frame and the bottom of the material rack 5 are aligned at a preset time, the controller 2 controls the vehicle body 1 to move. When the detection unit 8 detects that the bottom of the mounting frame and the bottom of the material rack 5 are not aligned at a preset time, the controller 2 controls the vehicle body 1 to stop.

[0044] Specifically, in this embodiment, the detection unit 8 is an ultrasonic distance sensor, which is symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the mounting frame. The elastic element is a spring 6, and the elastic element of the spring 6 is less than the weight of a single part. Before the material cart moves along, the part to be assembled is placed on top of the material rack 5. Due to the weight of the part, the material rack 5 moves downward using the spring 6. The bottom of the material rack 5 contacts and overlaps with the mounting frame. During the overlap process, the ultrasonic distance sensor detects the distance between the mounting frame and the bottom of the material rack 5 and sets this distance as the downward movement distance. Finally, the part on the material rack 5 is removed, and the material rack 5 resets using the elasticity of the spring 6. At this time, the ultrasonic distance sensor detects the distance between the mounting frame and the bottom of the material rack 5 again and sets this distance as the reset distance. Finally, all the parts to be assembled are placed on top of the material rack 5, and the control controller 2 sets a preset time on the timing module. This preset time is not limited to this and can be set according to the specific dwell time of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the preset time is five minutes. After all the pre-set operation values ​​are completed, the conveyor belt transports the vehicle body to the workstation. Once the vehicle body arrives at the workstation, it remains stationary for five minutes. During this time, the controller 2 activates the timing module, which begins timing. After the five minutes have elapsed, the conveyor belt continues transporting the vehicle body. Simultaneously, the ultrasonic distance sensor detects the distance between the mounting bracket and the bottom of the material rack 5, sending the detected distance value to the condition judgment module for processing. When the condition judgment module determines that the detected distance is a downward movement distance, it indicates that the positional relationship between the mounting bracket and the bottom of the material rack 5 is coincident, and the parts on the material rack 5 have not been fully assembled. The controller 2 immediately controls the vehicle body 1 to move forward. It is worth noting... Since the conveyor belt transports the vehicle body to the next workstation and the ultrasonic distance sensor detects the distance simultaneously, the moving speed of vehicle body 1 can be adjusted adaptively. It can be set to the same moving speed or a speed greater than that of the conveyor belt. The workers at this workstation need to complete the assembly of all parts before the material cart moves to the next workstation to avoid taking up the assembly time of the workers at the next workstation. During the movement of vehicle body 1, a distance detection is performed every five seconds. When the condition judgment module determines that the detected distance is the reset distance, it means that the parts on the material rack 5 have been assembled, and vehicle body 1 can stop in place.

[0045] In this embodiment, a warning unit is provided on the top of the mounting frame. Specifically, the warning unit is a warning light. Since multiple assembly stations are arranged at intervals, multiple material carts are also arranged on the same straight line. When the material cart of a certain assembly station starts to move forward and flashes the warning light, it serves two purposes: firstly, it warns the operator at that station to speed up the assembly process; secondly, it reminds the operator at the next assembly station to prepare for assembly, avoiding assembly timeouts and supervising the operator at the previous station. When all the parts on the material rack 5 have been assembled, the cart 1 stops moving, and the operator can push the cart 1 back to its original position.

[0046] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 As shown, the material rack 5 has a frame structure, which facilitates the retrieval of assembly parts. A contact plate 7 is installed at both ends of the bottom of the material rack 5. Both contact plates 7 are located directly above the ultrasonic distance sensor, which can ensure the accuracy of the ultrasonic distance sensor detection. The material rack 5 is connected to the inside of the mounting frame through an elastic element. The length of the material rack 5 is equal to or greater than the length of the mounting frame. The purpose is to ensure that the material rack 5 will not tilt when the assembly parts are placed on top of the material rack 5.

[0047] Furthermore, to ensure that the material rack 5 does not tilt and that its downward movement and resetting are reliable after the assembled parts are placed, such as Figure 3 As shown, sliders 501 are provided around the material rack 5, and a groove 4 is provided on the top of the mounting frame. The sliders 501 are slidably connected in the groove 4. One end of the elastic element is fixedly connected to the bottom of the slider 501, and the other end is fixedly connected to the inner bottom surface of the groove 4. During the downward movement and resetting process, the material rack 5 is more reliable due to the operation of the groove 4 and the sliders 501. In summary, the vehicle body, sensors, controller and various functional modules in this embodiment are all existing technology products, which can be purchased online and offline physical stores. During the entire following process of the material cart, there is no need for operators to manually fix the vehicle body to the plate chain to achieve following operation, which simplifies the following operation steps, improves the following operation efficiency, and realizes intelligent automated following operation of the cart.

[0048] Example 2:

[0049] Unlike Embodiment 1, the detection unit in this embodiment is a touch sensor. The other parts are the same as in Embodiment 1. This embodiment will not describe in detail the connection relationship, installation position and working principle between the various components.

[0050] Specifically, before the material cart moves along, the detection value of the touch sensor when the material rack 5 and the mounting frame are not in contact or overlap is set as the first value. Then, an assembly part is placed on the material rack 5, causing the material rack 5 to move down and drive the contact plate 7 to touch and press the touch sensor. At this time, the detection value when the material rack 5 and the mounting frame are in contact and overlap is set as the second value. The detection is performed at a preset time and it is determined whether it is the first value or the second value. The detection is performed at the preset time. If the detection is the first value, the cart body 1 stops moving; if the detection is the second value, the cart body 1 moves forward. At the same time, during the movement, a detection is performed every five seconds until the detection is the first value and the cart body 1 stops moving, and the following operation is completed.

[0051] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automotive assembly line dollie characterized by, The utility model relates to a kind of material rack installation and detection device, including: Vehicle body (1), the vehicle body (1) is equipped with controller (2) and support, the controller (2) is equipped with timing module, the timing module is used to set preset time, the support is fixedly connected with mounting bracket, the top of the mounting bracket is connected with material rack (5) by elastic member; Detection unit (8) is equipped between the mounting bracket and material rack (5), the detection unit (8) is electrically connected with controller (2), the detection unit (8) is used to detect whether coincidence between mounting bracket and material rack (5) at the preset time, the controller (2) controls the vehicle body (1) to travel or stop according to the detection result of the detection unit (8); Wherein, preset time is the time point that vehicle body (1) stays in assembly station ends; When the detection unit (8) detects coincidence between mounting bracket and the bottom of material rack (5) at preset time, the controller (2) controls the vehicle body (1) to travel; When the detection unit (8) detects that mounting bracket and the bottom of material rack (5) are not coincident at preset time, the controller (2) controls the vehicle body (1) to stop.

2. The materials cart of claim 1, wherein, The elastic member is arranged around the bottom of material rack (5), one end of the elastic member is fixedly connected with material rack (5), the other end is fixedly connected with mounting bracket, and the detection unit (8) is arranged on the inner side of the mounting bracket, and the detection end thereof faces the bottom of material rack (5).

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that The detection unit (8) is an ultrasonic distance sensor, and the ultrasonic distance sensor is symmetrically arranged on the opposite sides in the mounting bracket.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 or 2, wherein The detection unit (8) is a touch sensor, and the touch sensor is symmetrically arranged on the other opposite sides in the mounting bracket.

5. The materials cart of claim 1, wherein, The material rack (5) is a frame structure, is connected to the inner side of the mounting bracket by the elastic member, the length of the material rack (5) is equal to or greater than the length of the mounting bracket, and the four peripheries of the material rack (5) are all provided with sliding blocks (501). The top of the mounting bracket is provided with a sliding groove (4), the sliding block (501) is slidably connected in the sliding groove (4), one end of the elastic member is fixedly connected with the bottom of the sliding block (501), and the other end is fixedly connected with the inner bottom surface of the sliding groove (4).

6. The materials cart of claim 1, wherein, The elastic member is a spring (6).

7. The materials cart of claim 1, wherein, The top of the mounting bracket is provided with a warning unit.

8. The materials cart of claim 1, wherein, One side of the vehicle body (1) is provided with an emergency stop switch (101), and the emergency stop switch (101) is electrically connected with the controller (2).

9. The materials cart of claim 1, wherein, The support is arranged around the top of the vehicle body (1), and the supports are fixedly connected by the mounting bracket.

10. The materials cart of claim 9, wherein, The support is a support rod (3), and the top of the support rod (3) is provided with a fixed port, and the mounting bracket is installed in the fixed port.

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