A flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval tool

Abstract

This invention provides a flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval fixture, including a main frame, protective pads, U-shaped isolation tubes, and a clamping arm mechanism. The main frame is composed of multiple connected rods and has openings on the sides and top. The protective pads are located at the bottom and inner wall of the main frame. Support plates are positioned opposite each other on the top of the main frame, with evenly spaced insertion holes on the top surface of the support plates. Multiple U-shaped isolation tubes have their ends slidably positioned within the insertion holes on both sides. Horizontal plates are positioned opposite each other on the inner walls of the side openings of the main frame, with grooves on their top surfaces. The clamping arm mechanism has its ends slidably positioned within these grooves. This invention allows multiple windshields to be placed spaced between two U-shaped isolation tubes. The clamping arm mechanism adjusts the storage space of the windshields according to the number of windshields. After removing some windshields, the remaining windshields can be restrained to prevent them from shaking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of glass storage and retrieval tooling technology, and in particular to a flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval tooling. Background Technology

[0002] As a core component of a vehicle's safety system, the windshield is made of two or more layers of glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer, bonded together through a high-temperature, high-pressure process to form laminated tempered glass or laminated regionally tempered glass structures. Its thickness typically ranges from 3.38mm to 5mm, and it possesses characteristics such as impact resistance, shard protection, and stable light transmittance. In a collision, it effectively adheres to broken glass, preventing shards from flying and injuring people. Simultaneously, the regionally tempered design ensures that a clear field of vision is maintained even after an impact, giving the driver more time to react in an emergency.

[0003] In the overall vehicle manufacturing process, the assembly of the windshield is a critical step in the final assembly stage. This process places extremely high demands on the precision, stability, and flexible adaptability of the tooling equipment, requiring it to be compatible with the handling needs of glass of different vehicle models, curvatures, and sizes.

[0004] However, traditional windshield storage and retrieval fixtures have the following problems: they use a rigid frame structure, and the windshields of the car are stacked horizontally or vertically in the frame. The two windshields are stuck to each other, which is inconvenient to pick up and put down. Moreover, they lack an adjustment mechanism. After removing part of the windshield, the remaining windshield may not be properly restrained, which may cause it to shake. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention proposes a flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval fixture to solve the problems mentioned above.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is implemented as follows:

[0007] A flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval fixture includes a main frame, a protective pad, U-shaped isolation tubes, and a grabbing arm mechanism. The main frame is composed of multiple rods connected together and has openings on the sides and top. The protective pad is fixedly installed at the bottom and inner wall of the main frame. A support plate is provided opposite to each other on the top of the main frame. Insertion holes are evenly distributed on the top surface of the support plate. The two ends of the multiple U-shaped isolation tubes are slidably installed in the insertion holes on both sides. Horizontal plates are provided on the two opposite inner walls of the side openings of the main frame, and the top surface of the plates is provided with grooves. The two ends of the grabbing arm mechanism are slidably installed in the grooves.

[0008] Preferably, the U-shaped isolation tube includes a central arc-shaped portion, prongs, and a flexible sheath. The prongs are respectively located at both ends of the central arc-shaped portion, and the flexible sheath is sleeved on the outer side of the central arc-shaped portion.

[0009] Preferably, the U-shaped isolation tube further includes a nut, one end of the middle arc-shaped portion is provided with a thread, the nut is screwed to one end of the middle arc-shaped portion, and the plug is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the nut.

[0010] Preferably, the flexible sheath and protective pad are made of soft EVA foam material.

[0011] Preferably, the guard arm mechanism includes a T-bolt, a Phillips head nut, and a guard arm. The slide groove is a C-shaped slide groove. The T-bolt is slidably disposed in the C-shaped slide groove, and its threaded end passes through the guard arm and is connected to the Phillips head nut.

[0012] Preferably, the system also includes support columns and rubber pads. The support columns are arranged in an arc shape on the horizontal plane and are spaced apart and disposed on the side of the guard arm and the inner wall of the main frame. The rubber pads are disposed on the end face of the support columns.

[0013] Preferably, the system also includes rollers located at the bottom of the main frame.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0015] 1. Equipped with multiple U-shaped isolation tubes, multiple windshields can be placed between two U-shaped isolation tubes at intervals. The two U-shaped isolation tubes 3 clamp the windshields at the same time, which helps to restrict their position and buffer the impact of shaking. When removing the windshields, it prevents the two windshields from sticking together, so that there is room for hand operation. It is convenient to quickly and space-savingly store, retrieve, and transport the windshields during storage, inspection, and assembly, and ensures that there is no damage.

[0016] 2. Equipped with a retaining arm mechanism, which can move horizontally along a C-shaped groove to restrict the side position of the windshield. After multiple windshields are placed between two U-shaped isolation tubes, first loosen the two end-of-line hand-tight nuts, then manually push the retaining arm so that the side protective pad of the retaining arm abuts against the side of the outermost windshield. Then tighten the two end-of-line hand-tight nuts to restrict the side position of the windshield. After the windshields are removed one by one from the outside, the retaining arm position can be adjusted according to the thickness of the stored windshields. The operation is simple and the structure is reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only preferred embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval tool according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of a flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval fixture according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the middle arc-shaped part of a flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval tool according to the present invention.

[0021] Reference numerals: 1. Main frame; 2. Protective pad; 3. Guard arm; 4. Support plate; 5. Insertion hole; 6. Horizontal plate; 7. C-shaped groove; 8. Middle arc section; 9. Insertion foot; 10. Flexible sheath; 11. Nut; 12. Roller; 13. T-bolt; 14. Torx nut; 15. Support column; 16. Rubber pad. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To better understand the technical content of this utility model, a specific embodiment is provided below, and the utility model will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] See Figures 1 to 3 This utility model provides a flexible automotive windshield storage and retrieval fixture, including a main frame 1, a protective pad 2, U-shaped isolation tubes, and a grab arm mechanism. The main frame 1 is composed of multiple rods connected together, and has openings on the sides and top. The protective pad 2 is provided at the bottom and inner wall of the main frame 1. The top of the main frame 1 is provided with a support plate 4 facing each other. The top surface of the support plate 4 is provided with evenly spaced insertion holes 5. The two ends of the multiple U-shaped isolation tubes are respectively slidably disposed in the two side insertion holes 5. The two inner walls of the side opening of the main frame 1 are provided with horizontal plates 6 facing each other, and the top surface of the plates is provided with sliding grooves. The two ends of the grab arm mechanism are respectively slidably disposed in the sliding grooves.

[0024] Specifically, when storing windshields, the windshields are first inserted one by one from top to bottom into multiple U-shaped isolation tubes in an arc shape. The bottom of the windshield abuts against the top surface of the protective pad 2 at the bottom of the main frame 1. One U-shaped isolation tube is located between two windshields, which not only provides storage space, but also clamps the windshields with two U-shaped isolation tubes, which helps to limit their position and buffer the impact of shaking. When removing the windshields, it can prevent the two windshields from sticking together, so that there is room for operation by hand, making it convenient to pick up and put down. After the windshields are placed, the guard arm mechanism is pushed according to the number of them. The guard arm mechanism moves along the slide groove at the top of the horizontal plate 6, so that the side of the guard arm mechanism abuts against the outermost windshield. This helps to reduce the storage space of the windshields. After removing part of the windshields, the remaining windshields can be limited to avoid the risk of shaking.

[0025] Preferably, the U-shaped isolation tube includes a central arc-shaped portion 8, pins 9, and a flexible sheath 10. The pins 9 are respectively located at both ends of the central arc-shaped portion 8, and the flexible sheath 10 is sleeved on the outer side of the central arc-shaped portion 8.

[0026] The arc of the middle section of the U-shaped isolation tube matches the arc of the windshield, increasing the contact area between the windshield and the U-shaped isolation tube. This prevents the windshield from easily breaking in the event of an impact due to a small contact area. The flexible sleeve 10 covering the outer side of the middle section of the U-shaped isolation tube effectively prevents the glass from colliding and scratching with other components during storage, retrieval, and handling, reducing the glass breakage rate and ensuring product quality. At the same time, the soft texture of the flexible sleeve 10 reduces friction on the glass surface and prevents scratches.

[0027] Preferably, the U-shaped isolation tube further includes a nut 11, one end of the middle arc-shaped part 8 is provided with a thread, the nut 11 is screwed to one end of the middle arc-shaped part 8, and the pin 9 is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the nut 11.

[0028] The pin 9 at one end of the middle arc-shaped part 8 is an adjustable telescopic structure. By rotating the nut 11, the distance between the two pins 8 can be adjusted to accommodate the span deviation caused by different bending deformation of the U-shaped isolation tube, ensuring that the pins 9 at both ends can be smoothly inserted into the socket 5 for fixing.

[0029] Preferably, the flexible sheath 10 and the protective pad 2 are made of soft EVA foam material.

[0030] The soft texture of EVA foam reduces friction on the glass surface and prevents scratches.

[0031] Preferably, the guard arm mechanism includes a T-bolt 13, a plum blossom hand-tightening nut 14, and a guard arm 3. The slide is a C-shaped slide 7. The T-bolt 13 is slidably disposed in the C-shaped slide 7, and its threaded end passes through the guard arm 3 and is connected to the plum blossom hand-tightening nut 14.

[0032] The windshield retaining arm mechanism can move horizontally along the C-shaped slide 7 to restrict the side position of the windshield. After multiple windshields are placed between the two U-shaped isolation tubes, first loosen the two end-to-end hand-tight nuts 14, then manually push the retaining arm 3 so that the side protective pad 2 of the retaining arm 3 abuts against the outermost windshield side. Then tighten the two end-to-end hand-tight nuts 14 to restrict the side position of the windshield. After the windshields are removed from the outside in sequence, the retaining arm position can be adjusted according to the thickness of the stored windshields. The operation is simple and the structure is reliable.

[0033] Preferably, the system also includes support columns 15 and rubber pads 16. The support columns 15 are arranged in an arc shape on the horizontal plane and are spaced apart and disposed on the side of the guard arm 3 and the inner wall of the main frame 1. The rubber pads 16 are disposed on the end face of the support columns 15.

[0034] The support columns are arranged in a horizontal arc shape to form a support surface that matches the curvature of the windshield, dispersing concentrated stress. The rubber pads are elastic and can prevent the windshield from being damaged by impacts.

[0035] Preferably, a roller 12 is also included, which is located at the bottom of the main frame 1.

[0036] The rollers 12 enable the tooling to move flexibly, eliminating the need for extensive manpower and time for overall handling during production line changes. Simply pushing the tooling allows for quick repositioning, shortening changeover time and improving production efficiency. Simultaneously, in warehousing, the tooling with rollers 12 facilitates easier repositioning, optimizing warehouse layout and improving space utilization.

[0037] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A flexible automotive front windshield access tool, characterized by, The device includes a main frame, protective pads, U-shaped isolation tubes, and a guard arm mechanism. The main frame is composed of multiple connected rods and has openings on the sides and top. The protective pads are fixed to the bottom and inner wall of the main frame. Support plates are provided on opposite sides of the top of the main frame, and insertion holes are evenly distributed on the top surface of the support plates. The two ends of the multiple U-shaped isolation tubes are slidably disposed in the insertion holes on both sides. Horizontal plates are provided on the two opposite inner walls of the side openings of the main frame, and sliding grooves are provided on their top surfaces. The two ends of the guard arm mechanism are slidably disposed in the sliding grooves.

2. The flexible front windshield access tooling of claim 1, wherein, The U-shaped isolation tube includes a central arc-shaped section, prongs, and a flexible sheath. The prongs are respectively located at both ends of the central arc-shaped section, and the flexible sheath is sleeved on the outer side of the central arc-shaped section.

3. The flexible front windshield access tooling of claim 2, wherein, The U-shaped isolation tube also includes a nut, one end of the middle arc-shaped part is provided with a thread, the nut is screwed to one end of the middle arc-shaped part, and the plug is fixedly located at the bottom of the nut.

4. The flexible front windshield access tooling of claim 2, wherein, The flexible sheath and protective pad are made of soft EVA foam material.

5. The flexible front windshield access tooling of claim 1, wherein, The guard arm mechanism includes a T-bolt, a plum blossom hand-tightening nut, and a guard arm. The slide groove is a C-shaped slide groove. The T-bolt is slidably disposed in the C-shaped slide groove, and its threaded end passes through the guard arm and is connected to the plum blossom hand-tightening nut.

6. The flexible front windshield access tooling of claim 1, wherein, It also includes support columns and rubber pads. Multiple support columns are arranged in an arc shape on the horizontal plane and are spaced apart and positioned opposite each other on the side of the guard arm and the inner wall of the main frame. The rubber pads are located on the end faces of the support columns.

7. The flexible front windshield access tooling of claim 1, wherein, It also includes rollers, which are located at the bottom of the main frame.

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