Panel assembling equipment

Abstract

A panel assembling apparatus includes an assembly jig frame, a plurality of alignment units installed in the assembly jig frame to align a main panel member to a predetermined position on the assembly jig frame, and a plurality of external force applying units installed in the assembly jig frame to apply external force to the main panel member. And a plurality of external force applying units mounted on the assembly jig frame to cause elastic deformation in the main panel member and form an assembly path along which an associated panel member to be assembled with the main panel member can move.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0177521, filed on December 8, 2023, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a panel assembly device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a panel assembly device applied to an assembly process of panel components. Background Art

[0004] Generally, various moving parts (such as door panels, hood panels, and tailgate panels) are assembled to a vehicle body. Among these panel components, the hood has recently become larger and is manufactured in a clamshell type that is advantageous in terms of fuel efficiency and design.

[0005] Panel components such as hoods can be assembled through a marriage process of loading an inner panel onto an outer panel and a hemming process of hemming the edges of the outer panel and the inner panel.

[0006] In the marriage process, the outer panel is fixed to an assembly jig, and the inner panel is loaded onto the outer panel that has been fixed to the assembly jig. The assembly jig includes units such as an alignment device and a locator for fixing the outer panel.

[0007] However, units such as the alignment mechanism and the locator are set as dedicated units according to vehicle types. Therefore, when assembling panel components for multiple vehicle types, the investment cost may increase because new dedicated units may need to be manufactured or prepared for each vehicle type.

[0008] In addition, when the inner panel is loaded onto the outer panel that has been fixed to the assembly jig, during the marriage process, due to interference between the flange portion of the outer panel and the inner panel, assembly defects may occur, thereby reducing the assembly quality of the panel component.

[0009] The information included in this background art section is prepared to facilitate the understanding of the background of the present invention and may include matters other than the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention provides a panel assembly device that can be commonly used in an assembly process of panel components for assembling panel components of various vehicle types and various designs.

[0011] In addition, the present invention provides a panel assembly device capable of suppressing assembly interference between panel components.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the panel assembly device may include: an assembly jig frame, a plurality of alignment units, and a plurality of external force application units. The plurality of alignment units are installed in the assembly jig frame and configured to align a main panel component to a predetermined position on the assembly jig frame; the plurality of external force application units are installed on the assembly jig frame and configured to cause elastic deformation in the main panel component and form an assembly path along which an associated panel component to be assembled with the main panel component can move.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the panel assembly device may further include a plurality of multi-axis movement units, and the plurality of alignment units are installed on the plurality of multi-axis movement units. In particular, each of the plurality of alignment units is installed on the assembly jig frame to move in the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction.

[0014] The plurality of alignment units may include: a plurality of supports and a plurality of locators. The plurality of supports are installed on at least one of the plurality of multi-axis movement units and configured to support an edge portion of the main panel component; the plurality of locators are installed on at least one of the plurality of multi-axis movement units and configured to clamp the edge portion of the main panel component.

[0015] Each of the plurality of external force application units may include a vacuum chuck module, which is movably installed on the assembly jig frame so as to be able to move forward and backward, to allow vacuum adsorption for forming a flange portion at the edge of the main panel component.

[0016] Each of the plurality of external force application units may further include a roller module, which is movably installed on the assembly jig frame so as to form a rolling contact with the outer skin surface of the main panel component.

[0017] The vacuum chuck module may include: a chuck that is in close contact with the flange portion of the main panel component; an air inlet portion provided inside the chuck; and a magnet provided at the edge of the air inlet portion.

[0018] Each roller module may include a pressure roller, which is rotatably installed on a support rod. The pressure roller is configured to form a rolling contact with the outer skin surface of the main panel component.

[0019] The pressure roller may be equipped with a buffer foam roller.

[0020] Each roller module may include a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the pressure roller.

[0021] The vacuum suction cup module can move forward to vacuum-adsorb the flange portion of the main panel component.

[0022] A plurality of alignment units can release the support and fixation of the main panel component.

[0023] The roller module can move forward to cause elastic deformation of the outer skin surface of the main panel component;

[0024] The vacuum suction cup module can move backward to cause elastic deformation of the flange portion of the main panel component.

[0025] The main panel component can be elastically deformed by the vacuum suction cup module and the roller module to form an assembly path, and the associated panel component moves along the assembly path.

[0026] The inner panel of the engine hood as the associated panel component can be loaded on the outer panel of the engine hood as the main panel component.

[0027] According to the panel assembly device according to the embodiment, the initial investment cost of the assembly process equipment can be reduced, and the problems of production line downtime and panel component assembly quality problems caused by assembly defects can be solved.

[0028] In addition, the effects that can be obtained or expected from the respective embodiments of the present invention are directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. In other words, various effects expected according to the embodiments are disclosed in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Since these drawings are used as references when illustrating the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the technical concept of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the attached drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing an assembly process to which the panel assembly device according to the embodiment is applied.

[0031] Figure 2 FIG. is a block diagram of the panel assembly device according to the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 3 FIG. shows a support member of an alignment unit applied to the panel assembly device according to the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4A and Figure 4B FIG. is a schematic diagram showing a locator of an alignment unit applied to the panel assembly device according to the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 FIG. is a perspective view of a multi-axis moving unit applied to the panel assembly device according to the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is a schematic diagram showing an external force applying unit applied to a panel assembling apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a schematic diagram showing a vacuum chuck module of an external force applying unit applied to a panel assembling apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 8A and Figure 8B is a schematic diagram showing a roller module of an external force applying unit applied to a panel assembling apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 9 and Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of an alignment unit and an external force applying unit in an assembling process of a hood assembly using a panel assembling apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing elastic deformation of an outer skin surface of an outer panel of a hood by operation of a panel assembling apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0040] Figure 12A and Figure 12B is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of a panel assembling apparatus according to an embodiment and an assembling process of a hood assembly using the panel assembling apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0041] It should be understood that the above-mentioned drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but present simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present invention. For example, specific design features of the present invention (including specific dimensions, directions, positions, and shapes) should be determined in part by the specific target application and the environment of use.

[0042] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0043] 1: Hood assembly 3: Main panel member

[0044] 4: Outer panel of hood 4a: Outer skin surface

[0045] 5: Associated panel member 6: Inner panel of hood

[0046] 7: Flange portion 9: Assembly path

[0047] 10: Assembly jig frame 20: Alignment unit

[0048] 21: Support member 23: First panel support member

[0049] 25: Guide rod 31: Locator

[0050] 33: Second panel support member

[0051] 35: Gripper

[0052] 37: Clamping cylinder 39: Operating rod

[0053] 40: Multi-axis moving unit 41: Base block

[0054] 42: First moving block 43: Second moving block

[0055] 44: Third moving block 46: First servo motor

[0056] 47: Second servo motor 48: Third servo motor

[0057] 60: External force application unit

[0058] 61: Vacuum suction cup module

[0059] 61a: Link 63: Suction cup

[0060] 65: Air intake part 67: Magnet

[0061] 71: Roller module 71a: Support rod

[0062] 73: Pressure roller 75: Bearing

[0063] 77: Foam roller 79: Pressure sensor

[0064] 100: Panel assembly equipment. Detailed implementation mode

[0065] In the following, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the implementation modes of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, the described implementation modes can be modified in various different ways, all of which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

[0066] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing only the specific disclosure and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to also include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0067] In addition, in the following detailed description, when the components are in a similar relationship, the names of the components are divided into first, second, etc. to distinguish them, and the following description is not necessarily limited to this order.

[0068] As used herein, the terms "comprising" and / or "including" mean the presence of the specified features, values, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but may also include one or more other features, values, or steps. It should also be understood that this does not exclude the presence or addition of elements, operations, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0069] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one or all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. When a component, device, element, etc. of the present invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, or element should be regarded herein as "configured to" meet the purpose or perform the operation or function.

[0070] In this specification, the term "connected" represents a physical relationship between two components, where the components are directly connected to each other by welding, riveting, SPR (self-piercing riveting), FDS (flow drill screw), structural adhesive, etc., or indirectly connected through one or more intermediate components.

[0071] As used herein, the terms "vehicle", "vehicular", "automobile", or other similar terms generally refer to passenger cars, sports cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, and various commercial vehicles, including passenger cars, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, PBVs (purpose-built vehicles on demand) based on electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., excluding petroleum fuels extracted from resources).

[0072] Hereinafter, the disclosure of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing an assembly process of a panel assembly device according to an embodiment.

[0074] Referring to Figure 1 , the panel assembly device 100 according to an embodiment can be applied to, for example, the body part assembly process of a moving part for a vehicle.

[0075] The moving part may include panel parts, such as a door assembly, a hood assembly, and a tailgate assembly.

[0076] In one example, the panel assembly device 100 can be applied to the process of assembling the hood assembly 1. In another example, the panel assembly device 100 can be applied to the process of assembling the clamshell hood assembly 1.

[0077] However, the protection scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited thereto, and the technical concept of the present invention can also be applied to assembling panel parts of other moving parts including a door assembly and a tailgate assembly.

[0078] The hood assembly 1 may include a hood outer panel 4 as a main panel member 3 and a hood inner panel 6 connected to the hood outer panel 4 as an associated panel member 5.

[0079] The hood assembly 1 may be assembled by an assembling process and a hemming process. The assembling process is for setting the hood outer panel 4 and the hood inner panel 6 by a panel assembling device 100 according to an embodiment, and the hemming process is for hemming edge portions of the hood outer panel 4 and the hood inner panel 6 by a hemming device.

[0080] The hood outer panel 4 includes a flange portion 7 formed in a predetermined shape at an edge.

[0081] In the present invention, the following reference directions for describing components may be set as a front - rear direction, a left - right direction, and an up - down direction.

[0082] Furthermore, in the present invention, the “upper end”, “upper portion” or “upper surface” of a component means an end, portion or surface of the component that is relatively upper in the drawing, and the “lower end”, “lower portion” or “lower surface” of a component means an end, portion or surface of the component that is relatively lower in the drawing.

[0083] Furthermore, in this specification, an end of a component (e.g., one end or the other end, etc.) means an end of the component in any direction, and an end portion of a component (e.g., one end portion or the other end portion, etc.) means a portion of the component including the end.

[0084] The panel assembling device 100 according to an embodiment can be commonly used in an assembling process for assembling panel members of hood assemblies 1 of various vehicle types and various designs.

[0085] Furthermore, the panel assembling device 100 according to an embodiment can eliminate an assembling interference between the hood outer panel 4 and the hood inner panel 6 in the assembling process.

[0086] Figure 2 A block diagram showing the panel assembling device 100 according to an embodiment is provided.

[0087] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the panel assembling device 100 may include an assembling jig frame 10, a plurality of alignment units 20, a plurality of multi - axis moving units 40, and a plurality of external force applying units 60.

[0088] In an embodiment, the assembling jig frame 10 is configured to support and mount various components as described below. The assembling jig frame 10 is fixed to the floor of a machining workshop. The assembling jig frame 10 may be provided with one frame or two or more connected frames.

[0089] The assembly fixture frame 10 may include various accessory elements such as plates, brackets, blocks, and colors to support various components.

[0090] However, since the above-mentioned various accessory elements are used to mount various components into the assembly fixture frame 10, in an embodiment, except for special cases, the above-mentioned accessory elements are collectively referred to as the assembly fixture frame 10.

[0091] In an embodiment, the alignment unit 20 is configured to align the outer panel 4 of the engine hood to a predetermined position on the assembly fixture frame 10.

[0092] The alignment unit 20 is installed in the assembly fixture frame 10. Each alignment unit 20 includes a support member 21 and a locator 31.

[0093] Figure 3 The support member 21 of the alignment unit applied to the panel assembly device according to the embodiment is shown.

[0094] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the support member 21 according to the embodiment is configured to support the edge portion of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood. Each support member 21 includes a first panel support member 23 and a guide rod 25.

[0095] As an example, the first panel support member 23 may be provided in a plate shape. The first panel support member 23 may support the end portion of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood, such as the flange portion 7.

[0096] The guide rod 25 is provided on the assembly fixture frame 10 along the vertical direction and is fixed to the first panel support member 23. The guide rod 25 can guide the end portion of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood, such as the flange portion 7, in the vertical direction.

[0097] The guide rod 25 includes a bent portion 26 that bends toward the outer side of the edge of the assembly fixture frame 10 to guide the flange portion 7 of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood in the vertical direction.

[0098] The first panel support member 23 is connected to the multi-axis moving unit 40 described below and can be moved in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction by the multi-axis moving unit 40.

[0099] Figure 4A and Figure 4B The schematic diagram of the locator 31 applied to the alignment unit of the panel assembly device according to the embodiment is shown.

[0100] Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B, the locator 31 according to the embodiment is configured to clamp the end of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood, such as the flange portion 7. Each locator 31 includes a second panel support member 33 and a gripper 35.

[0101] As an example, the second panel support member 33 can be provided in a plate shape. The second panel support member 33 can support one end of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood, such as the flange portion 7.

[0102] The gripper 35 is connected to a clamping cylinder 37 hinged to the second panel support member 33 to clamp one end of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood, such as the flange portion 7. The gripper 35 is hingedly connected to the operating rod 39 of the clamping cylinder 37 and is also hingedly connected to the second panel support member 33.

[0103] In one example, the clamping cylinder 37 can include a pneumatic cylinder. The second panel support member 33 is connected to a multi-axis moving unit 40 described below and can be moved in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction by the multi-axis moving unit 40.

[0104] Refer to Figure 2 , in the embodiment, the multi-axis moving unit 40 is configured to move each of the support member 21 of the alignment unit 20 and the locator 31 in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction.

[0105] The multi-axis moving unit 40 is installed on the assembly fixture frame 10 at positions corresponding to the support member 21 and / or the locator 31, and the multi-axis moving unit 40 is connected to the support member 21 and / or the locator 31.

[0106] Figure 5 FIG. shows a perspective view of the multi-axis moving unit 40 applied to the panel assembly device according to the embodiment.

[0107] Refer to Figure 5 , each multi-axis moving unit 40 according to the embodiment includes a base block 41, a first moving block 42, a second moving block 43, and a third moving block 44.

[0108] The base block 41 is fixed to the assembly fixture frame 10. The first moving block 42 is slidably connected to the base block 41, for example, along the X-axis direction (e.g., the front-rear direction). The second moving block 43 is slidably connected to the first moving block 42, for example, along the Y-axis direction (e.g., the left-right direction). And the third moving block 44 is slidably connected to the second moving block 43, for example, along the Z-axis direction (e.g., the up-down direction).

[0109] By driving the first servo motor 46 installed in the base block 41, the first moving block 42 can move along the X-axis direction. By driving the second servo motor 47 installed in the first moving block 42, the second moving block 43 can move along the Y-axis direction. And, by the third servo motor 48 installed in the second moving block 43, the third moving block 44 can move along the Z-axis direction.

[0110] As Figure 3 shown, the third moving block 44 can be connected to the first panel support member 23 of the support member 21. Alternatively, as Figure 4A / Figure 4B shown, the third moving block 44 can be connected to the second panel support member 33 of the locator 31.

[0111] Each of the first servo motor 46, the second servo motor 47, and the third servo motor 48 can be connected to a ball screw (not shown). And, the ball screw can be threadedly connected to the first moving block 42, the second moving block 43, and the third moving block 44, respectively.

[0112] The combined structure of the servo motor and the ball screw, the combined structure of the ball screw and the moving block, and the guiding structure of the moving block are known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0113] Figure 6A And Figure 6B is a schematic diagram showing an external force applying unit applied to a panel assembly device according to an embodiment.

[0114] Referring to Figure 6A And Figure 6B , in the embodiment, the external force applying unit 60 can cause elastic deformation of the outer engine hood panel 4 by applying an external force to the outer engine hood panel 4, thereby joining the outer engine hood panel 4 and the inner engine hood panel.

[0115] The external force applying unit 60 is installed in the assembly jig frame 10. Each of these external force applying units 60 includes a vacuum chuck module 61 and a roller module 71.

[0116] Figure 7A And Figure 7B is a schematic diagram showing a vacuum chuck module of an external force applying unit applied to a panel assembly device according to an embodiment.

[0117] Referring to Figures 6A to 7B , the vacuum chuck module 61 according to the embodiment is configured to cause elastic deformation of the flange portion 7 by vacuum suction of an end portion (e.g., the flange portion 7) of the outer engine hood panel 4.

[0118] The vacuum chuck module 61 may be slidable on the assembly jig frame 10 along the forward and backward direction. The vacuum chuck module 61 is connected to a working cylinder (not shown) well-known to those skilled in the art through a connecting rod 61a, and the vacuum chuck module 61 may move forward and backward by the operation of the working cylinder.

[0119] In the detailed description and claims of the present invention, the forward movement may be defined as the movement toward the panel direction of the process, and the backward movement may be defined as the movement away from the panel direction of the process.

[0120] The vacuum chuck modules 61 may be mounted slidably on the assembly jig frame 10 such that they may move along the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction according to the shape and size of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood.

[0121] Each of these vacuum chuck modules 61 includes a suction cup 63, an air intake portion 65, and a magnet 67.

[0122] The suction cup 63 may be in close contact with an end portion (e.g., a flange portion 7) of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood. The air intake portion 65 is provided inside the suction cup 63 to suck air.

[0123] In addition, the magnet 67 is configured to magnetically attach an end portion (e.g., a flange portion 7) of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood to the suction cup 63. In one example, the magnet 67 may be placed at the edge of the air intake portion 65. In one example, the magnet 67 may be a permanent magnet. In another example, the magnet 67 may be an electromagnet.

[0124] Figure 8A and Figure 8B FIG. shows a schematic view of a roller module of an external force applying unit applied to a panel assembly device according to an embodiment.

[0125] Referring to Figure 6A 、 Figure 6B 、 Figure 8A and Figure 8B , the roller module 71 according to an embodiment is in rolling contact with the outer skin surface 4a of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood (see Figure 1 ), and is configured to cause elastic deformation of the outer skin surface 4a.

[0126] The roller module 71 may be movably mounted on the assembly jig frame 10. The roller module 71 is connected to a working cylinder (not shown) well-known to those skilled in the art through a support rod 71a, and the roller module 71 may move forward and backward by the operation of the working cylinder.

[0127] According to the shape and size of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood, the roller module 71 may be movably mounted on the assembly jig frame 10 along the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction.

[0128] Each roller module 71 includes a pressure roller 73 rotatably mounted on a support rod 71a.

[0129] The pressure roller 73 is rotatably mounted on the support rod 71a via a bearing 75. By the operation of the working cylinder, the pressure roller 73 can form a rolling contact with the outer skin surface 4a of the engine hood outer panel 4.

[0130] In one example, the pressure roller 73 may be equipped with a buffer foam roller 77 to avoid or prevent damage to the outer skin surface 4a of the engine hood outer panel 4.

[0131] Each roller module 71 further includes a pressure sensor 79 for detecting the pressure of the pressure roller 73. The detection signal of the pressure sensor 79 can be output to a controller (not shown).

[0132] Figures 9 to 12B It is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the panel assembly device according to the embodiment and the assembly process of the engine hood assembly using the panel assembly device according to the embodiment.

[0133] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1 to 12B The operation of the panel assembly device 100 configured as described above and the assembly process of the engine hood assembly 1 using the panel assembly device 100 according to the embodiment are described in detail.

[0134] With reference to Figure 9 , in the assembly process of the engine hood outer panel 4 and the engine hood inner panel 6 of the engine hood assembly 1, the position of the alignment unit 20 changes according to the component information of the engine hood assembly 1 (such as the vehicle type, design and size of the engine hood assembly 1 and the component specifications).

[0135] According to the component information of the engine hood assembly 1, the support 21 and the locator 31 of the alignment unit 20 are moved to a predetermined position in the front - rear direction, left - right direction and up - down direction by the multi - axis moving unit 40.

[0136] In this state, the engine hood outer panel 4 is loaded onto the first panel support member 23 of the support 21 and the second panel support member 33 of the locator 31 by a robot hanger (not shown).

[0137] The flange portion 7 of the engine hood outer panel 4 is guided downward by the guide rod 25 of the support 21 and can be loaded onto the first panel support member 23 and the second panel support member 33.

[0138] Then, the gripper 35 of the locator 31 grips the flange portion 7 of the outer engine hood panel 4. The outer engine hood panel 4 is aligned to a predetermined position on the assembly fixture frame 10 by the support member 21 and the locator 31.

[0139] As Figure 10 shown, the vacuum chuck module 61 of the external force application unit 60 that has moved backward moves forward toward the flange portion 7 of the outer engine hood panel 4.

[0140] The vacuum chuck module 61 sucks air through the intake portion 65 and vacuum adsorbs the flange portion 7 of the outer engine hood panel 4 through the chuck 63. Due to the magnetic force applied by the magnet 67 to the flange portion 7, the chuck 63 can form a tight contact with the flange portion 7 of the outer engine hood panel 4.

[0141] After the vacuum adsorption of the flange portion 7 is completed by the vacuum chuck module 61, the gripping of the gripper 35 is released, and the support member 21 and the locator 31 are moved in a direction away from the flange portion 7 of the outer engine hood panel 4 by the multi-axis moving unit 40.

[0142] As Figure 11 shown, the vacuum chuck module 61 moves in a direction away from the flange portion 7 of the outer engine hood panel 4. At the same time, the roller module 71 of the external force application unit 60 that has moved backward moves forward.

[0143] The pressure roller 73 of the roller module 71 forms a rolling contact with the outer skin surface 4a of the outer engine hood panel 4 and applies pressure to the outer skin surface 4a, thereby causing elastic deformation of the outer skin surface 4a. At the same time, the vacuum chuck module 61 causes elastic deformation of the flange portion 7 of the outer engine hood panel 4.

[0144] The pressure sensor 79 of the roller module 71 detects the pressure of the pressure roller 73 and outputs the detected signal to a controller (not shown). The controller changes the position of the roller module 71 according to the detected signal of the pressure sensor 79 and can control the pressure applied to the pressure roller 73 on the outer skin surface 4a.

[0145] Therefore, by causing elastic deformation of the outer engine hood panel 4 by the vacuum chuck module 61 and the roller module 71, the assembly path 9 of the inner engine hood panel 6 to be assembled with the outer engine hood panel 4 can be set. In other words, by unfolding the end portion of the outer engine hood panel 4, i.e., the flange portion 7, an assembly path or gap 9 can be formed so that the inner engine hood panel 6 can move toward the inside of the outer engine hood panel 4.

[0146] Referring to Figure 12A and Figure 12B, in this state, the inner panel 6 of the engine hood is transported or moved along the assembly path 9 by a robot hanger (not shown) and loaded onto the outer panel 4 of the engine hood.

[0147] The vacuum chuck module 61 moves backward in a direction away from the flange portion 7 while releasing the vacuum adsorption of the flange portion 7. In addition, the roller module 71 is moved back to its initial position. Therefore, as the external forces caused by the vacuum chuck module 61 and the roller module 71 are removed, the outer panel 4 of the engine hood returns to its initial shape.

[0148] The support 21 and the locator 31 of the alignment unit 20 are moved back to the predetermined positions along the front - rear direction, left - right direction, and up - down direction by the multi - axis moving unit 40.

[0149] Through the above operations, the support 21 and the locator 31 support and clamp the flange portion 7 of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood.

[0150] Therefore, the assembly process of the outer panel 4 and the inner panel 6 of the engine hood is completed through the series of processes described above.

[0151] Then, in the hemming process, when a hemming device (not shown) hemms the edge portions of the outer panel 4 and the inner panel 6 of the engine hood, the assembly of the engine hood assembly 1 is completed.

[0152] According to the embodiment of the panel assembly device 100 described so far, in the assembly process of the outer panel 4 and the inner panel 6 of the engine hood, the alignment unit 20 can move in multiple - axis directions through the multi - axis moving unit 40.

[0153] Therefore, the panel assembly device 100 according to the embodiment can be widely used in the assembly process for assembling engine hood assemblies 1 of different vehicle types and various designs.

[0154] Therefore, according to the panel assembly device 100 in accordance with the embodiment, the design freedom of the engine hood assembly 1 can be improved, and the initial investment cost of the assembly process equipment can be reduced.

[0155] In addition, the panel assembly device 100 according to the embodiment can cause elastic deformation of the outer panel 4 of the engine hood and load the inner panel 6, thereby eliminating the assembly interference between the outer panel 4 and the inner panel 6 of the engine hood.

[0156] Therefore, the panel assembly device 100 according to the embodiment can solve the problem that the production line cannot operate due to poor assembly between the outer panel 4 and the inner panel 6 of the engine hood and the assembly quality problem of the engine hood assembly 1.

[0157] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the present invention, and the drawings, and these modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A panel assembly device, comprising: Assemble the fixture frame; a plurality of alignment units installed in the assembly jig frame and configured to align the main panel components to predetermined positions on the assembly jig frame; and A plurality of external force applying units are mounted on the assembly jig frame and are configured to induce elastic deformation in the main panel component and form an assembly path along which an associated panel component to be assembled with the main panel component moves.

2. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of multi-axis moving units, the plurality of alignment units being mounted on the plurality of multi-axis moving units, wherein Each of the plurality of multi-axis moving units is configured to move in a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, and an up-down direction.

3. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of alignment units include: a plurality of support members mounted on at least one of the plurality of multi-axis moving units and configured to support edge portions of the main panel member; and A plurality of positioners are mounted on at least one of the plurality of multi-axis moving units and are configured to clamp edge portions of the main panel member.

4. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of external force applying units includes a vacuum cup module movably mounted on the assembly jig frame and configured to move forward and backward to allow vacuum suction of a flange portion at an edge portion of the main panel member.

5. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: Each of the plurality of external force applying units further includes a roller module movably mounted on the assembly jig frame and configured to make rolling contact with an outer skin surface of the main panel member.

6. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The vacuum suction cup module comprises: a suction cup which is in close contact with a flange portion of the main panel member; an air intake portion, which is disposed inside the suction cup; and A magnet is disposed at an edge of the air intake portion.

7. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The roller module includes a pressure roller rotatably mounted on a support rod and configured to form a rolling contact with an outer skin surface of the main panel member.

8. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The press roller is equipped with a cushioning foam roller.

9. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The roller module includes a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of a pressure roller.

10. The panel assembly apparatus of claim 5, wherein: The vacuum suction cup module is configured to move forward to vacuum-suction the flange portion of the main panel component; The plurality of alignment units release the support and fixation of the main panel member.

11. The panel assembly apparatus of claim 10, wherein: The roller module is configured to move forward to cause elastic deformation of the outer skin surface of the main panel component; The vacuum chuck module is configured to move backward to cause elastic deformation of the flange portion of the main panel member.

12. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: The main panel component is elastically deformed by the vacuum suction cup module and the roller module to form an assembly path, and the associated panel component moves along the assembly path.

13. The panel assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The associated panel component is a hood inner panel, the main panel component is a hood outer panel, and the hood inner panel is loaded on the hood outer panel.

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