Island and flow line combined flexible lean automobile assembly line

Abstract

The application discloses an island and flow line combined flexible lean automobile assembly line, which comprises an assembly line composed of an interior trim line, a chassis line, parallel island areas and a final line, and an AGV trolley; the AGV trolley is used for mounting a vehicle to be assembled; the parallel island areas comprise a plurality of working islands, a plurality of intelligent robots, a plurality of main lines of the working islands and a plurality of branch lines of the working islands; the interior trim line and the chassis line are connected with the parallel island areas respectively; the chassis line is connected with the final line; and the AGV trolley is limited to walk or stay in the interior trim line, the chassis line, the final line, the main lines of the working islands and the branch lines of the working islands. According to the application, the AGV trolley is used for carrying a vehicle body, the difficulty of line reconstruction is reduced, the working islands of the parallel island areas are arranged to solve the problem that the whole line needs to be stopped when a fault occurs in one station of a linear line, and the utilization rate of equipment is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automobile assembly line technology, specifically a flexible lean automobile assembly line that combines island and assembly line. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional automobile assembly lines use rigid, linear conveyor lines. Vehicles pass sequentially through the interior trim section's slide line, the chassis section's lifting line, and the final assembly section's slide line. Lifting and lowering of the vehicle body between sections is accomplished by elevators.

[0003] This traditional linear production line has the following problems: 1. Traditional production lines are linear production lines. If one workstation malfunctions, it will cause problems for the entire production line.

[0004] 2. Traditional production lines are rigid production lines. Personnel and equipment need to be configured according to the highest-spec vehicles produced by that production line, which can easily lead to a waste of resources.

[0005] 3. Traditional production lines have poor expansion and transformation capabilities and cannot cope with the flexibility of multiple vehicle types. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible and lean automotive assembly line that combines island-style and assembly line design. It uses AGVs to carry the car body, reducing the difficulty of production line modification. The parallel island work islands solve the problem that if one workstation in a linear production line fails, the entire production line needs to be shut down, while improving equipment utilization.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: a flexible lean automobile assembly line combining island and assembly line, including AGV trolleys, and an assembly line consisting of interior lines, chassis lines, parallel island areas and final lines; The AGV trolley is used to install vehicles awaiting final assembly. The interior trim line is equipped with several interior trim installation stations; these stations are used for the manual or automated assembly of vehicle interior parts. The chassis line is equipped with several chassis installation stations; the chassis installation stations are used for manual or automated assembly of vehicle chassis parts. The final assembly line is equipped with several final assembly stations; the final assembly stations are used for the manual or automated assembly of final parts of vehicles. The parallel island area includes several work islands, several intelligent robots, several main work island lines, and several branch work island lines. The main work island lines can connect to interior trim lines or chassis lines. The main work island lines connect to the branch work island lines. The branch work island lines connect to the work islands. The intelligent robots are installed on the work islands and are used to assemble parts or perform intelligent appearance inspections when the AGV arrives. The work islands can acquire usage signals from the intelligent robots and send them to the AGV. The AGV can determine whether a work island is idle by receiving usage signals. Only work islands without usage signals are idle. The AGV can travel along the planned path along the branch work island lines to an idle work island. The interior trim lines and chassis lines are respectively connected to the parallel island areas; the chassis lines are connected to the final line; the AGV is restricted to walking or staying in the interior trim lines, chassis lines, final line, main work island lines and branch work island lines.

[0008] Specifically, the interior trim line also includes an interior trim installation robot; the interior trim installation robot is installed on one side of the interior trim line and is used to assemble the vehicle's interior parts at designated interior trim installation stations.

[0009] Specifically, the chassis line also includes a chassis installation robot; the chassis installation robot is mounted on one side of the chassis line and is used to assemble chassis parts of the vehicle at designated chassis installation stations.

[0010] Specifically, the final line also includes a final line installation robot; the final line installation robot is installed on one side of the final line and is used to assemble the final line parts of the vehicle at designated final line installation stations.

[0011] Specifically, the internal components include the vehicle wiring harness, interior trim, cabin, and cooling system.

[0012] Specifically, the chassis components include the assembly of the powertrain, exhaust system, fuel system, and electric drive system.

[0013] Specifically, the final parts include exterior assembly, fluid filling, and commissioning / testing.

[0014] Specifically, the parts assembled by the intelligent robot include windshields, side windows, seats, sunroofs, tires, batteries, and interior and exterior trim inspection.

[0015] Specifically, the interior trim line also has several interior trim branch lines; the interior trim branch lines are equipped with several interior trim installation stations; the interior trim installation stations are used to assemble optional parts for the vehicle.

[0016] Specifically, the work island includes a logic controller (PLC) and a host control system. The PLC is connected to the intelligent robot and can control the intelligent robot and acquire its usage signals. The host control system is connected to the PLC and the AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) and sends usage signals to the AGV.

[0017] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solutions, the working principle and beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. This invention uses AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) to carry the car body for final assembly, reducing the difficulty of production line modification. The AGV stations where the AGVs stop, namely the independently set interior installation stations, chassis installation stations, final line installation stations, and work islands, can be quickly and adaptably adjusted.

[0018] 2. This invention separates automated workstations from the assembly line, establishing them as independent parallel island work islands. There is no fixed order between these work islands; by planning the main and branch lines of each work island, parallel assembly is achieved. This solves the problem of a single workstation failure on a linear production line requiring the entire line to stop. The entire final assembly line can more efficiently accommodate mixed-line production of different vehicle configurations, shorten the final assembly cycle, and improve the utilization rate of human resources and equipment.

[0019] 3. This invention does not require the use of fixed large equipment such as elevators. The interior trim lines, chassis lines, parallel island areas and terminal lines are all arranged without roots, eliminating the need for foundation excavation.

[0020] 4. Add an interior trim sub-line to the traditional assembly line, select different optional parts for different vehicle configurations and install them, and rationally allocate production resources. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a vehicle to be assembled according to an embodiment of the present invention after the AGV trolley is installed; Marked in the diagram: 1. Interior trim line; 2. First interior trim branch line; 3. End line; 4. Parallel island area; 5. Second interior trim branch line; 6. Chassis line; 7. AGV trolley; 8. Vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0022] 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. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] 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.

[0024] It should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., 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 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0025] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," and "sag" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0026] In the embodiments of the present invention: Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 This embodiment of a flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line features an assembly line consisting of an interior trim line 1, a chassis line 6, parallel island areas 4, and a final assembly line 2, and an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) trolley 7.

[0027] The AGV trolley 7 is used to install the vehicle 8, which is to be assembled into a car. Interior trim line 1 has several interior trim installation stations. These stations are used for the manual or automated assembly of interior parts of vehicle 8. Interior trim line 1 also includes an interior trim installation robot. The robot is mounted on one side of interior trim line 1 and is used to assemble interior parts of vehicle 8 at designated interior trim installation stations. These interior parts include vehicle wiring harnesses, interior trim, cabin, and cooling system. Interior trim line 1 also has two branch lines: a first branch line 2 and a second branch line 5. These branch lines have several interior trim installation stations. These stations are used to assemble optional parts for vehicle 8.

[0028] Chassis line 6 has several chassis assembly stations. These stations are used for the manual or automated assembly of chassis components for vehicle 8. Chassis line 6 also includes a chassis assembly robot. The chassis assembly robot is mounted on one side of chassis line 6 and is used to assemble chassis components for vehicle 8 at designated chassis assembly stations. Chassis components include the assembly of the powertrain, exhaust system, fuel system, and electric drive system.

[0029] The final line 2 assembly line has several final line 2 assembly stations. These stations are used for manual or automated assembly of final line parts for vehicle 8; final line 2 also includes a final line assembly robot. The final line assembly robot is mounted on one side of the final line and is used to assemble final line parts for vehicle 8 at designated final line assembly stations. Final line parts include exterior assembly, fluid filling, and testing / adjustment.

[0030] Parallel island zone 4 includes several work islands, several intelligent robots, several main work island lines, and several branch work island lines. The main work island lines connect to interior trim line 1 or chassis line 6. The main work island lines connect to the branch work island lines. The branch work island lines connect to the work islands. Intelligent robots are installed on the work islands and are used to assemble parts or perform appearance inspections when the AGV arrives; parts include windshields, side windows, seats, sunroofs, tires, batteries, and interior / exterior trim inspections. The work islands can acquire usage signals from the intelligent robots and send them to the AGV. Each work island includes a logic controller (PLC) and a host control system. The PLC connects to the intelligent robots, controlling them and acquiring their usage signals. The host control system connects to the PLC and the AGV, sending usage signals to the AGV. The AGV can determine if a work island is idle by receiving usage signals; only work islands without usage signals are considered idle. The AGV can then travel along a planned path along the branch work island lines to an idle work island for assembly, improving equipment utilization.

[0031] Interior trim line 1 and chassis line 6 connect to parallel island area 4 respectively. Chassis line 6 connects to terminal line 2. AGV trolley 7 is restricted to traveling or stopping within interior trim line 1, chassis line 6, terminal line 2, the main line of the work island, and the branch lines of the work island.

[0032] The method of using this invention is as follows: First, the AGV 7 is installed on the vehicle 8 to be assembled. After stopping at the interior installation station of the interior line 1, the AGV 7 assembles the internal parts of the vehicle 8, such as the vehicle wiring harness, interior trim, cabin, cooling system, etc. Some optional parts are placed on the interior branch line. Vehicles 8 with optional parts go through the interior branch line, while those without go through interior line 1.

[0033] Then, it enters the parallel island area 4 and goes to the designated work island to complete the assembly of parallel parts. The intelligent robot assembles parts such as glass, seats and sunroofs. The work island can obtain the usage signal of the intelligent robot and send it to the AGV trolley 7. The AGV trolley 7 then goes to the idle work island to perform assembly, improving the utilization rate of the equipment.

[0034] After assembly, the AGV 7 exits from the parallel island area 4 and enters the chassis line 6, where the power system, fuel system, exhaust system, and other components are assembled.

[0035] After coming down from chassis line 6, the AGV trolley 7 re-enters the parallel island and completes intelligent tasks such as tire assembly and appearance inspection by designated intelligent robots. Finally, it enters the final line 2, where it performs final exterior assembly and liquid filling.

[0036] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line architectures, comprising AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) carts, characterized in that: It also includes the final assembly line, which consists of interior trim lines, chassis lines, parallel island areas, and final assembly lines; The AGV trolley is used to install vehicles awaiting final assembly. The interior trim line is equipped with several interior trim installation stations; these stations are used for the manual or automated assembly of vehicle interior parts. The chassis line is equipped with several chassis installation stations; the chassis installation stations are used for manual or automated assembly of vehicle chassis parts. The final assembly line is equipped with several final assembly stations; the final assembly stations are used for the manual or automated assembly of final parts of vehicles. The parallel island area includes several work islands, several intelligent robots, several main work island lines, and several branch work island lines. The main work island lines can connect to interior trim lines or chassis lines. The main work island lines connect to the branch work island lines. The branch work island lines connect to the work islands. The intelligent robots are installed on the work islands and are used to assemble parts or perform intelligent appearance inspections when the AGV arrives. The work islands can acquire usage signals from the intelligent robots and send them to the AGV. The AGV can determine whether a work island is idle by receiving usage signals. Only work islands without usage signals are idle. The AGV can travel along the planned path along the branch work island lines to an idle work island. The interior trim lines and chassis lines are respectively connected to the parallel island areas; the chassis lines are connected to the final line; the AGV is restricted to walking or staying in the interior trim lines, chassis lines, final line, main work island lines and branch work island lines.

2. The flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line configurations as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The interior trim line also includes an interior trim installation robot; the interior trim installation robot is installed on one side of the interior trim line and is used to assemble the vehicle's internal parts at designated interior trim installation workstations.

3. The flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The chassis line also includes a chassis installation robot; the chassis installation robot is installed on one side of the chassis line and is used to assemble chassis parts of the vehicle at designated chassis installation stations.

4. The flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line configurations as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The final line also includes a final line installation robot; the final line installation robot is installed on one side of the final line and is used to assemble the final line parts of the vehicle at designated final line installation stations.

5. The flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line configurations as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The internal components include the vehicle wiring harness, interior trim, cabin, and cooling system.

6. The flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line configurations as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The chassis components include the powertrain, exhaust system, fuel system, and electric drive system.

7. The flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line configurations as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The final parts include exterior assembly, fluid filling, and adjustment and inspection.

8. The flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line configurations as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The parts assembled by the intelligent robot include windshields, side windows, seats, sunroofs, tires, batteries, and interior and exterior trim inspection.

9. A flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line configurations as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The interior trim line also has several interior trim branch lines; the interior trim branch lines are equipped with several interior trim installation stations; the interior trim installation stations are used to assemble optional parts for the vehicle.

10. A flexible lean automotive assembly line combining island and assembly line configurations as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The work island includes a logic controller (PLC) and a host control system. The PLC is connected to the intelligent robot and can control the intelligent robot and acquire its usage signals. The host control system is connected to the PLC and the AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) and sends usage signals to the AGV.

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