Production line for vehicle bodies

Abstract

Production line (1) for vehicle bodies, comprising: a production station (2) configured to receive at least one clamping frame (100R, 100L) for a body part of a vehicle body, in order to position at least one body part to be inserted into the vehicle body as a component at the production station in a defined manner using the clamping frame, several parking stations (90R, 90L) for parking different clamping frames, at least one floor-guided transport unit for each of the clamping frames, wherein the floor-guided transport unit is arranged at the production station and is movable transversely to a through-direction (DLR) of the production line between a feed position for feeding the clamping frame to the production station and a change position for changing the clamping frame, and a portal structure (10) which includes at least one portal-guided transport unit,which includes at least one coupling device (60) for coupling one of the clamping frames, and which is configured such that the at least one coupling device with the portal-guided transport unit is movable in a horizontal plane area above the production station and the parking stations in the direction of travel and transversely thereto, as well as in the vertical direction (z), in order to transport clamping frames between the parking stations and the exchange position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a production line for vehicle bodies with a production station which is set up to accommodate at least one clamping frame for a body part of a respective vehicle body in order to position at least one body part to be inserted into the vehicle body as a component at the production station in a defined manner by means of the clamping frame.

[0002] Such a production line with a corresponding production station is known, for example, from EP 0 903 197 A1. For the production station, at least one interchangeable clamping frame is provided on each side of the production line, each clamping frame being arranged to be slidable and liftable transversely to the production line, and at least one magazine is provided for storing clamping frames. For moving the clamping frames in a direction parallel to the production line, a driven longitudinal slide, movable along a rail, is provided on each side of the production station, on which at least two clamping frames, arranged one behind the other in a direction parallel to the production line, can be received.For moving the clamping frames in a direction transverse to the production line, a driven cross slide is provided for each frame. This cross slide is movable transversely to the production line and can accommodate a clamping frame that can be released and locked. A transfer position is provided at the intersection of the movement direction of a longitudinal slide and its associated cross slide, where the longitudinal and cross slides are arranged directly adjacent to each other.

[0003] German patent DE 10 2012 009 061 A1 discloses a machining system for component parts, in particular vehicle bodies, comprising a machining station into which a component part to be machined can be inserted, and at least one machining frame which can be engaged with the component part inserted into the machining station in a working position. The machining system has a first transport system for moving the machining frame between the working position and the transfer position, and a second transport system for moving the machining frame between the transfer position and a non-working position. Furthermore, the machining system has a transfer unit which decouples the machining frame from the first transport system in the transfer position and transfers it to the second transport system, or decouples it from the second transport system and transfers it to the first transport system.

[0004] DE 10 2006 049 647 A1 relates to a workstation of a production line for joining body parts of a motor vehicle, in particular at least one side panel with a body structure, comprising a clamping frame magazine for providing clamping frames, in which clamping frame magazine at least one slide is arranged that adjusts at least one clamping frame in the clamping frame magazine, and a lifting device that adjusts the clamping frame between the clamping frame magazine and the workstation. The slide, together with the lifting device, forms a motion-coupled assembly in which the clamping frame is held.

[0005] The longitudinal slide is movable in the direction of the production line between the transfer position and a position for changing the clamping frames. The magazine is located in the area of ​​the clamping frame change position and contains receptacles for storing at least two clamping frames. The clamping frame magazine is designed as a high-bay storage system and includes a device for lifting, moving transversely to the production line, and placing the clamping frames onto designated receiving devices.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing an alternative production line for vehicle bodies which can be used for as many types of vehicle bodies as possible with short clamping frame changeover times.

[0007] This is achieved with a production line according to claim 1. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a production line for vehicle bodies comprises a production station configured to accommodate at least one clamping frame for a body part of a respective vehicle body, in order to position at least one body part to be inserted into the vehicle body as a component at the production station in a defined manner using the clamping frame, several parking stations for parking the different clamping frames, at least one floor-guided transport unit for each of the clamping frames, and a portal structure. The floor-guided transport unit is arranged at the production station and is driven to move transversely to a direction of travel of the production line between a feed position for feeding the clamping frame to the production station and a change position for changing the clamping frame.The portal structure defines at least one portal-guided transport unit, which includes at least one coupling device for attaching each of the clamping frames. The portal structure is designed such that the at least one coupling device with the portal-guided transport unit can be driven in a horizontal plane area above the production station and the parking stations in the direction of travel and transversely thereto, as well as driven in the vertical direction, in order to transport clamping frames between the parking stations and the exchange position.

[0009] According to the invention, the at least one portal-guided transport unit is configured such that all traversing movements of clamping frames in the horizontal plane area above the production station and the parking stations can be realized. The picking up and dropping of a clamping frame by the portal-guided transport unit is achieved, according to the invention, by a vertical traversing movement of the coupling device. The floor-guided transport unit is designed to take over a respective clamping frame at the exchange position from the portal-guided transport unit and move the clamping frame transversely to the direction of travel of the production line into the feeding position in the production station.The floor-guided transport unit is also designed to move a clamping frame located in the feed position in the production station, which is to be exchanged for another clamping frame, transversely to the direction of travel of the production line into the exchange position, so that the clamping frame can be taken over by the portal-guided transport unit and, for example, moved to one of the parking stations.

[0010] In the production line according to the invention, a clamping frame to be changed is thus transferred only once between the portal-guided transport unit and the floor-guided transport unit, thereby reducing the clamping frame changeover time. The number of vehicle body types that can be processed in the production line can be variably determined by the number of parking stations provided. According to the invention, the parking stations are arranged below the horizontal plane, in particular at the same height as the floor-guided transport unit, within the production line area.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the portal structure in the horizontal plane comprises a pair of longitudinal beams extending side by side in the direction of travel and spaced apart along their sides. As part of the portal-guided transport unit, it includes a first frame which is supported on the longitudinal beams, bridging the lateral gap between them, so that the first frame can move along the longitudinal beams in the direction of travel. In other words, the pair of longitudinal beams provides a guide track for the first frame, enabling the entire travel range of the portal-guided transport unit to be realized in the direction of travel.

[0012] Preferably, several parking stations are arranged side by side in the longitudinal lateral spacing between the pair of longitudinal beams of the portal structure, perpendicular to the direction of travel, so that several tension frames can be parked side by side in them, aligned lengthwise in the direction of travel. In other words, the longitudinal lateral spacing between the pair of longitudinal beams of the portal structure is dimensioned such that several tension frames can be parked side by side in their respective parking stations, aligned lengthwise in the direction of travel. To further increase the number of parking stations, such side-by-side arrangements of parking stations can be provided repeatedly along the production line (in the direction of travel).

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the preferably rectangular first frame has two elongated frame cross members which extend side by side longitudinally transversely to the direction of travel and with a longitudinal lateral distance between them. In the horizontal plane area, the portal structure includes a second frame as part of the portal-guided transport unit. This second frame is supported on the first frame, bridging the longitudinal lateral distance between the frame cross members, so that the second frame can be moved transversely to the direction of travel on the frame cross members of the first frame. In other words, the two elongated frame cross members of the first frame provide a guide track for the second frame such that the entire travel range of the portal-guided transport unit can be realized transversely to the direction of travel.The second frame is supported by the first frame and moves along with its traversing movements in the direction of travel. The first and second frames thus essentially form a cross slide.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the preferably rectangular second frame has two elongated frame cross members, which extend longitudinally transversely to the direction of travel and are each supported on one of the frame cross members of the first frame in a manner that allows the second frame to move transversely to the direction of travel. The portal-guided transport unit has a pair of vertical lifting devices, which are mounted opposite each other on the frame cross members of the second frame and on which a coupling is provided. The two couplings together form at least one coupling device for connecting (and disconnecting) each of the clamping frames. The vertical lifting devices can each be implemented, for example, by means of a hydraulic cylinder, a linear slide unit, a lifting belt system, or a combination thereof.

[0015] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the portal-guided transport unit has a further pair of vertical lifting devices, configured like the first pair, with an associated coupling device. This further pair of vertical lifting devices is arranged transversely to the direction of travel, at a distance from the first pair, on the frame cross members of the second frame, so that two clamping frames can be coupled to the portal-guided transport unit simultaneously, offset from each other transversely to the direction of travel. In this way, picking up one clamping frame from a position such as the changeover position or one of the parking stations and placing another clamping frame at the same position can be achieved without the portal-guided transport unit having to perform large traverse movements in the horizontal plane.Only the offset of the pairs of vertical lifting devices needs to be compensated for by the horizontal movement of the portal-guided transport unit. This allows the clamping frame changeover times to be reduced even further.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the portal structure comprises a plurality of portals arranged at intervals along the direction of travel, such that each portal opening defines a straight path for the vehicle bodies in the production line. The production station is located at the interval between two of the portals, so that the path extends centrally through the production station. In other words, the preferably rectangular portals are vertically oriented such that their respective openings are aligned with each other.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, one longitudinal beam of the pair of longitudinal beams is supported on the respective crossbeams of the portals, which extend horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel. The portal structure has a plurality of vertical supports arranged in a line along the direction of travel at intervals. The other longitudinal beam of the pair of longitudinal beams is then supported on the plurality of vertical supports. In this embodiment of the invention, the portals, which define the passageway for the vehicle bodies in the production line, advantageously also provide the vertical support for one longitudinal beam of the pair of longitudinal beams.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the at least one floor-guided transport unit is arranged on one longitudinal side of the passageway, and a further floor-guided transport unit, designed like the at least one floor-guided transport unit, is arranged on the other longitudinal side of the passageway. The at least one portal-guided transport unit is then arranged on one longitudinal side of the passageway to transport tension frames between the parking stations and the changeover position of the floor-guided transport unit on that longitudinal side of the passageway. A further portal-guided transport unit, designed like the at least one portal-guided transport unit, is arranged on the other longitudinal side of the passageway to transport tension frames between the parking stations and the changeover position of the further floor-guided transport unit on the other longitudinal side of the passageway.

[0019] In this way, once set up, the production station can accommodate a clamping frame for a body part of a respective vehicle body on both longitudinal sides of the passageway, and can be supplied with clamping frames with high type flexibility and short clamping frame change times.

[0020] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the first frame of the further portal-guided transport unit is supported, bridging a longitudinal lateral gap between a further pair of longitudinal beams of the portal structure, which are designed like the first pair of longitudinal beams, and is movable in the direction of travel on these longitudinal beams. One longitudinal beam of the further pair of longitudinal beams is supported on the respective crossbeams of the portals. The portal structure has a further plurality of vertical supports, which are arranged in a line along the opposite longitudinal side of the passageway at a respective distance from one another. The other longitudinal beam of the further pair of longitudinal beams is then supported on the further plurality of vertical supports. The longitudinal beam supported on the crossbeams of the portals can be identical to that of the first pair of longitudinal beams or be an additional longitudinal beam.

[0021] Preferably, several parking stations are arranged side by side in the longitudinal lateral spacing between the next pair of longitudinal beams of the portal structure, perpendicular to the direction of travel, so that several tension frames can be parked side by side in them, aligned lengthwise in the direction of travel. In other words, the longitudinal lateral spacing between the next pair of longitudinal beams of the portal structure is dimensioned such that several tension frames can be parked side by side in their respective parking stations, aligned lengthwise in the direction of travel. To further increase the number of parking stations, such side-by-side arrangements of parking stations can be provided repeatedly along the production line (in the direction of travel).

[0022] The invention expressly extends to embodiments which are not given by combinations of features from explicit cross-references of the claims, whereby the disclosed features of the invention can be combined arbitrarily with one another - insofar as this is technically sensible.

[0023] The invention will now be described using one embodiment and with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a production line according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows a view of the production line of Fig. 1, seen in one direction of travel of this. Fig. Figure 3 shows a view of the production line of Fig. 1, viewed perpendicular to the direction of travel.

[0024] The following refers to the Fig. 1 to 3 describe a production line 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Production line 1 is used for the assembly of vehicle bodies (not shown) and forms a cycle line along which associated body parts (not shown) are inserted as components into the respective vehicle bodies.

[0026] For this purpose, production line 1 has several production stations 2, of which in the Fig. Figures 1-3 show a production station 2. Each of the production stations 2 is set up to receive at least one clamping frame 100L, 100R for a body part of the respective vehicle body, in order to position the body part in production station 2 for insertion into the vehicle body using the clamping frame 100L, 100R.

[0027] The in the Fig. Production station 2, shown in Figures 1-3, is set up to simultaneously accommodate two clamping frames 100L, 100R, enabling the simultaneous insertion of a left and a right body panel into the vehicle body. To accommodate a left clamping frame 100L for the left body panel, production station 2 features a left-side precision steel structure 3L. To accommodate a right clamping frame 100R for the right body panel, production station 2 features a right-side precision steel structure 3R. To store and park different clamping frames 100L, 100R at production line 1, production line 1 has several parking stations 90L, 90R. Furthermore, production station 2 is equipped with several industrial robots 4L, 4R for manipulating and welding the body panels to insert them into the vehicle body.

[0028] Production line 1 also includes a portal structure 10 with a plurality of portals 11, each rectangular or in the shape of an inverted "U", arranged along a through-direction DLR (in an x-axis direction) of production line 1 at a distance from one another, such that each passage of the portals 11 defines a straight through-path DW for the vehicle bodies in production line 1. Production station 2 is located at the distance between two of the portals 11, so that the through-path DW extends centrally through production station 2.

[0029] The portal structure 10 also includes, in a horizontal plane area above the production station 2 and the parking stations 90L, 90R, a first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R, which extend longitudinally in the direction of travel DLR and are spaced apart along one side of the right longitudinal side of the passageway DW. One longitudinal beam 12R of the first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R is supported on the respective transverse webs 11.1 of the portals 11, which extend horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel DLR (in a y-axis direction). The other longitudinal beam 13R of the first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R is supported on a first plurality of vertical supports 14R of the portal structure 10, which are arranged in a line along the direction of travel DLR at a distance from one another.

[0030] The portal structure 10 also includes a second pair of longitudinal beams 12L, 13L in the horizontal plane area, which extend longitudinally in the direction of travel DLR and are spaced apart along one side of the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW. One longitudinal beam 12L of the second pair of longitudinal beams 12L, 13L is supported on the crossbeams 11.1 of the portals 11, running alongside one longitudinal beam 12R of the first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R. The other longitudinal beam 13L of the second pair of longitudinal beams 12L, 13L is supported on a second plurality of vertical supports 14L of the portal structure 10, which are arranged in a line along the direction of travel DLR at a distance from one another.

[0031] Production line 1 also includes a first floor-guided transport unit 5R for each right-hand clamping frame 100R and a second floor-guided transport unit 5L for each left-hand clamping frame 100L. The first floor-guided transport unit 5R is located on the right longitudinal side of the throughway DW at production station 2. The second floor-guided transport unit 5L is located on the left longitudinal side of the throughway DW at production station 2. The first and second floor-guided transport units 5R and 5L each operate bidirectionally transversely to the throughway direction DLR (in the y-axis direction) of production line 1 between a feed position P1R or P1L (which is located, in particular, within the longitudinally associated precision steel structure 3R or 3L) for feeding the clamping frame 100R or 100L to production station 2 and a changeover position P2R or P2L.P2L (which lies particularly outside the longitudinally assigned precision steel structure 3R or 3L) can be driven to change the clamping frame 100R or 100L, as shown in . Fig. 2 shown. For this purpose, each of the first and second floor-guided transport units 5R, 5L is designed as a transfer carriage and guided over two parallel rails (not shown) which extend longitudinally in the y-axis direction and has two synchronous drives for the two rail guides on the transfer carriage.

[0032] The portal structure 10 further defines a first portal-guided transport unit 20R, which is arranged on the right longitudinal side of the passageway DW, and a second portal-guided transport unit 20L, which is arranged on the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW. Each of the first and second portal-guided transport units 20R, 20L comprises at least one coupling device 60 with two couplings 60.1, 60.2 for coupling one of the respective clamping frames 100R, 100L. The portal structure 10 is arranged such that the coupling devices 60 of the first and second portal-guided transport units 20R, 20L in the horizontal plane area above the production station 2 and the parking stations 90R, 90L are driven bidirectionally in the through-direction DLR (in the x-axis direction) and transversely thereto (in the y-axis direction) and are driven bidirectionally in the vertical direction (in a z-axis direction) to move clamping frames 100R and 100L respectively.To transport 100L between the parking stations 90R and 90L and the respective exchange position P2R and P2L of the first and second ground-guided transport units 5R and 5L.

[0033] Since the first and second portal-guided transport units 20R and 20L are identical in design, for the sake of brevity, only the first portal-guided transport unit 20R on the right longitudinal side of the passageway DW will be described in more detail with its components below, while the components of the second portal-guided transport unit 20L on the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW are described in the Fig. 1-3 are provided with analogous reference symbols (but with the suffix "L"). The description of the components of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R therefore applies analogously to the components of the second portal-guided transport unit 20L.

[0034] As part of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R, the portal structure 10 has a rectangular first frame 30R in the horizontal plane area, which is supported on the first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R, bridging their longitudinal lateral distance, so that the first frame 30R can be driven bidirectionally on these longitudinal beams 12R, 13R in the direction of travel DLR (in the x-axis direction). More precisely, the first frame 30R has two elongated frame cross sections 31R, which extend side by side longitudinally transverse to the direction of travel DLR (in the y-axis direction) and with a longitudinal lateral distance (in the x-axis direction) from each other, bridging the longitudinal lateral distance of the first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R.Furthermore, the first frame 30R has two elongated frame longitudinal parts 32R, which extend longitudinally in the through-direction DLR (in the x-axis direction) and are movably supported on each of the longitudinal beams 12R, 13R of the first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R.

[0035] As part of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R, the portal structure 10 also has a rectangular second frame 40R in the horizontal plane area, which is supported on the first frame 30R, bridging the longitudinal lateral distance between the two frame cross sections 31R, so that the second frame 40R can be driven bidirectionally transversely to the direction of travel DLR (in the y-axis direction) on the frame cross sections 31R of the first frame 30R. More precisely, the second frame 40R has two elongated frame cross sections 41R, which extend longitudinally transversely to the direction of travel (in the y-axis direction) and are each supported on one of the frame cross sections 31R of the first frame 30R.Furthermore, the second frame 40R has two elongated frame longitudinal parts 42R, which extend side by side in the through-direction DLR (in x-axis direction) and with a longitudinal side distance (in y-axis direction) from each other, bridging the longitudinal side distance of the two frame transverse parts 31R of the first frame 30R.

[0036] As part of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R, the portal structure 10 also features a first pair of identically designed vertical lifting devices 50, 55, which are mounted opposite each other on the two frame cross members 41R of the second frame 40R and on which a coupling 60.1, 60.2 of a coupling device 60, as already mentioned above, is provided. That is, the two couplings 60.1, 60.2 together form such a coupling device 60 for coupling (and uncoupling) one of the respective clamping frames 100R. The vertical lifting devices 50, 55 are configured such that the coupling device 60 can be driven bidirectionally in the vertical direction (in the z-axis direction). The vertical lifting devices 50, 55 can each be implemented, for example, by means of a hydraulic cylinder, a linear slide unit, a lifting belt system, or a combination thereof.

[0037] As part of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R, the portal structure 10 also includes a second pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55, designed like the first pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55, with an associated coupling device 60. The second pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 is arranged transversely to the direction of travel DLR (in the y-axis direction) at a distance from the first pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55, so that two clamping frames 100R can be coupled to the first portal-guided transport unit 20R simultaneously, offset from each other transversely to the direction of travel (in the y-axis direction).

[0038] In conclusion, the first portal-guided transport unit 20R is arranged on the right longitudinal side of the passageway DW to transport right-hand clamping frames 100R between the right-hand parking stations 90R and the changeover position P2R of the first floor-guided transport unit 5R on the right longitudinal side of the passageway DW. The second portal-guided transport unit 20L, designed like the first portal-guided transport unit 20R, is arranged on the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW to transport left-hand clamping frames 100L between the left-hand parking stations 90L and the changeover position P2L of the second floor-guided transport unit 5L on the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW. In this context, it should be mentioned that the portal structure 10, according to the embodiment of the invention shown, is designed to support a minimum weight of 4 t per clamping frame 100R, 100L, i.e.,It can support a weight of at least 16 t with four 100R and 100L tension frames raised simultaneously.

[0039] According to the invention, the first and second portal-guided transport units 20R, 20L are each configured such that all traversing movements of clamping frames 100R, 100L in the horizontal plane area above the production station 2 and the parking stations 90R, 90L can be realized. The picking up and dropping of a clamping frame 100R, 100L by the first and second portal-guided transport units 20R, 20L is achieved by a synchronous vertical traversing movement of the opposing vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of each pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 or their respective couplings 60.1, 60.2.

[0040] The first and second floor-guided transport units 5R, 5L are each intended to take over a respective clamping frame 100R, 100L at the exchange position P2R, P2L from the first or the second portal-guided transport unit 20R, 20L and to move the clamping frame 100R, 100L transversely to the through-direction DLR (in the y-axis direction) of production line 1 to the feed position P1R or P1L in production station 2. The first and second floor-guided transport units 5R, 5L are each also designed to move a clamping frame 100R, 100L located in the feed position P1R or P1L in production station 2, which is to be exchanged for another clamping frame 100R, 100L, transversely to the through-direction DLR (in the y-axis direction) of production line 1 into the exchange position P2R, P2L, so that the clamping frame 100R, 100L is taken over by the first or the second portal-guided transport unit 20R, 20L and e.g.It can be driven to one of the parking stations 90R or 90L.

[0041] In the production line 1 according to the invention, a clamping frame 100R, 100L to be changed is thus transferred only once between the first or second portal-guided transport unit 20R, 20L and the first or second floor-guided transport unit 5R, 5L, thereby reducing the clamping frame change time. The number of vehicle body types that can be processed in production line 1 can be variably determined by the number of parking stations 90R, 90L provided. According to the invention, the parking stations 90R, 90L are arranged below the horizontal plane, in particular at the same height as the first and second floor-guided transport units 5R, 5L, in the area of ​​production line 1.

[0042] Preferably, several parking stations 90R are arranged side by side in the longitudinal lateral spacing between the first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R of the portal structure 10 on the right longitudinal side of the passageway DW, transverse to the direction of travel DLR (in the y-axis direction), so that several clamping frames 100R can be parked side by side in them, aligned longitudinally in the direction of travel DLR (in the x-axis direction). In other words, the longitudinal lateral spacing between the first pair of longitudinal beams 12R, 13R of the portal structure 10 is dimensioned such that several clamping frames 100R can be parked side by side in their respective parking stations 90R, aligned longitudinally in the direction of travel DLR. To further increase the number of parking stations 90R, such side-by-side arrangements of parking stations 90R are preferably provided repeatedly along the side of the production line 1 (in the direction of travel DLR).

[0043] Preferably, several parking stations 90L are arranged side by side in the longitudinal lateral spacing between the second pair of longitudinal beams 12L, 13L of the portal structure 10 on the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW, transverse to the direction of travel DLR (in the y-axis direction), so that several clamping frames 100L can be parked side by side in them, aligned longitudinally in the direction of travel DLR (in the x-axis direction). In other words, the longitudinal lateral spacing between the second pair of longitudinal beams 12L, 13L of the portal structure 10 is dimensioned such that several clamping frames 100L can be parked side by side in their respective parking stations 90L, aligned longitudinally in the direction of travel DLR. To further increase the number of parking stations 90L, such side-by-side arrangements of parking stations 90L are preferably provided repeatedly along the side of the production line 1 (in the direction of travel DLR).

[0044] As from the Fig. 2 and Fig.As can be seen in Figure 3, a building (not fully shown) housing production line 1 may contain a structural restriction for production line 1, for example, in the form of a supporting column 110. In the embodiment of the invention shown, this supporting column 110 would prevent the pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the second portal-guided transport unit 20L, located further inwards (closer to the longitudinal center or the passageway DW of production line 1), from reaching the outer parking stations 90L (located on the supporting column 110) on the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW. To account for this circumstance and to avoid restricting the flexibility of the arrangement of the clamping frames 100L, a parking station 90L' located further inwards (closer to the longitudinal center or the passageway DW of production line 1) can be provided as an additional changeover position.At this parking station 90L' designed as an exchange position, left clamping frames 100L can then be exchanged between the two pairs of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the second portal-guided transport unit 20L.

[0045] By way of example, the following describes a method for providing a clamping frame 100R on the right longitudinal side of the passageway DW in parallel with the manufacturing process. This method can, of course, be applied analogously to providing a clamping frame 100L on the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW.

[0046] For this clamping frame provision, a clamping frame 100R to be parked is picked up at the exchange position P2R by a pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R (the couplings 60.1, 60.2 are coupled to the clamping frame 100R to be parked). Then, one pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 (and, if necessary, the other pair) of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R is moved with the clamping frame 100R to be parked into its upper position. Then the first portal-guided transport unit 20R in the horizontal plane area above the production station 2 and the parking stations 90R is first moved outwards in the y-axis direction from the changeover position P2R and then in the x-axis direction and in the y-axis direction, so that the pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 supporting the clamping frame 100R to be parked is arranged above a free parking station 90R.One pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 is now moved to its lower position, and the clamping frame 100R to be parked is placed on the free parking station 90R (uncoupled from the couplings 60.1, 60.2) and locked in the parking station 90R. Then one pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 is moved back to its upper position.

[0047] Next, the first portal-guided transport unit 20R is moved in the horizontal plane in the x-axis direction and / or in the y-axis direction, so that one of the two pairs of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 is positioned above a parking station 90R occupied by a clamping frame 100R to be exchanged. Then, one pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R is moved to its lower position, and the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged is unlocked from the parking station 90R and picked up by one pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 (the couplings 60.1, 60.2 are coupled to the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged). Now, one pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R, with the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged, is moved to its upper position.

[0048] The first portal-guided transport unit 20R is then moved in the horizontal plane area in the y-axis direction and / or x-axis direction and then moved inwards in the y-axis direction to the exchange position P2R. The first portal-guided transport unit 20R now remains in the exchange position P2R until the first floor-guided transport unit 5R moves a clamping frame 100R to be exchanged to the exchange position P2R. This clamping frame 100R can then be picked up by the other pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R, and then the pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 carrying the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged can place the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged onto the first floor-guided transport unit 5R for use in production station 2.

[0049] As a purely exemplary example, the following describes a method for providing a clamping frame 100R on the right longitudinal side of the passageway DW in parallel with the body replacement. This method can, of course, be applied analogously to providing a clamping frame 100L on the left longitudinal side of the passageway DW.

[0050] For this clamping frame preparation, a clamping frame 100R to be exchanged is moved by the first floor-guided transport unit 5R in the y-axis direction from the feeding position P1R in the precision steel structure 3R of production station 2 to the exchange position P2R. Then, a free pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R is moved in the y-axis direction to the exchange position P2R and then to its lower position. The clamping frame 100R to be exchanged is unlocked by the first floor-guided transport unit 5R and picked up by one pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 (the couplings 60.1, 60.2 are coupled to the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged). Now, the pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R is moved into its upper position with the clamping frame 100R to be changed.

[0051] The other pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 of the first portal-guided transport unit 20R, on which a clamping frame 100R to be exchanged is mounted, is now moved in the y-axis direction to the exchange position P2R. The other pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55, which carries the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged, is then moved to its lower position, and the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged is placed on the first floor-guided transport unit 5R (uncoupled from the couplings 60.1, 60.2) and locked to the first floor-guided transport unit 5R. Then the other pair of vertical lifting devices 50, 55 is moved back to its upper position. Finally, the first floor-guided transport unit 5R moves the clamping frame 100R to be exchanged in the y-axis direction from exchange position P2R into the feed position P1R in the precision steel structure 3R of production station 2. Reference symbol list 1 production line 2 production stations 3R, 3L Precision Steel Construction 4R, 4L industrial robots 5R, 5L floor-guided transport unit 10 Portal construction 11 Portal 11.1 Crossbar 12R, 12L longitudinal beams 13R, 13L longitudinal beam 14R, 14L Vertical support 20R, 20L portal-guided transport unit 30R, 30L first frame 31R, 31L frame cross-section 32R, 32L frame longitudinal section 40R, 40L second frame 41R, 41L frame cross section 42R, 42L frame longitudinal section 50 Vertical lifting device 55 Vertical lifting device 60 Coupling device 60.1 Clutch 60.2 Clutch 90R, 90L Parking Station 90L' Parking Station (Changeover Position) 100R clamping frame 100L tension frame 110 support column P1R, P1L Feed position P2R, P2L change position DLR flow direction DW transit route x, y, z axis directions

Claims

[1] Production line (1) for vehicle bodies, comprising: a production station (2) which is set up to accommodate at least one clamping frame (100R, 100L) for a body part of a respective vehicle body, in order to position at least one body part to be inserted into the vehicle body as a component at the production station (2) in a defined manner using the clamping frame (100R, 100L), several parking stations (90R, 90L) for parking different tension frames (100R, 100L), at least one floor-guided transport unit (5R, 5L) for each of the clamping frames (100R, 100L), wherein the floor-guided transport unit (5R, 5L) is arranged at the production station (2) and is driven to move transversely to a through-direction (DLR) of the production line (1) between a feed position (P1R, P1L) for feeding the clamping frame (100R, 100L) to the production station (2) and a change position (P2R, P2L) for changing the clamping frame (100R, 100L), and a portal structure (10) which defines at least one portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) which includes at least one coupling device (60) for coupling one of the clamping frames (100R, 100L) and which is configured such that the at least one coupling device (60) with the portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) can be driven in a horizontal plane area above the production station (2) and the parking stations (90R, 90L) in the through-direction (DLR) and transversely thereto, as well as driven in the vertical direction (z) to transport clamping frames (100R, 100L) between the parking stations (90R, 90L) and the exchange position (P2R, P2L). [2] Production line (1) according to claim 1, wherein the portal structure (10) in the horizontal plane area comprises a pair of longitudinal beams (12R, 13R; 12L, 13L) which extend longitudinally in the through-direction (DLR) and with a longitudinal lateral distance from each other, and as a component of the portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) comprises a first frame (30R, 30L) which is supported on the longitudinal beams (12R, 13R; 12L, 13L) bridging the longitudinal lateral distance, so that the first frame (30R, 30L) is movable on the longitudinal beams (12R, 13R; 12L, 13L) in the through-direction (DLR). [3] Production line (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first frame (30R, 30L) has two elongated frame cross parts (31R, 31L) which extend longitudinally transversely to the direction of travel (DLR) and are spaced apart from each other, and wherein the portal structure (10) in the horizontal plane area as part of the portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) has a second frame (40R, 40L) which is supported on the first frame (30R, 30L) bridging the longitudinal lateral distance of the frame cross parts (31R, 31L) so that the second frame (40R, 40L) can be moved transversely to the direction of travel (DLR) on the frame cross parts (31R, 31L) of the first frame (30R, 30L). [4] Production line (1) according to claim 3, wherein the second frame (40R, 40L) has two elongated frame cross sections (41R, 41L) which extend longitudinally transversely to the direction of travel (DLR) and are movably supported on each of the frame cross sections (31R, 31L) of the first frame (30R, 30L), wherein the portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) has a pair of vertical lifting devices (50, 55) which are mounted opposite each other on the frame cross sections (41R, 41L) of the second frame (40R, 40L) and on each of which a coupling (60.1, 60.2) is provided, wherein the two couplings (60.1, 60.2) together form the at least one coupling device (60) for coupling one of the respective clamping frames (100R, 100L) form. [5] Production line (1) according to claim 4, wherein the portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) has a further pair of vertical lifting devices (50, 55) designed like the one pair of vertical lifting devices (50, 55) with associated coupling device (60), wherein the further pair of vertical lifting devices (50, 55) is arranged transversely to the direction of travel (DLR) at a distance from the one pair of vertical lifting devices (50, 55), so that two clamping frames (100R, 100L) can be coupled to the portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) simultaneously and transversely to the direction of travel (DLR). [6] Production line (1) according to one of claims 2-5, wherein in the longitudinal lateral distance between the pair of longitudinal beams (12R, 13R; 12L, 13L) of the portal structure (10) several of the parking stations (90R, 90L) are arranged next to each other transversely to the direction of travel (DLR), so that several clamping frames (100R, 100L) can be parked next to each other in it, aligned longitudinally in the direction of travel (DLR). [7] Production line (1) according to one of claims 2-6, wherein the portal structure (10) has a plurality of portals (11) arranged along the through-direction (DLR) at a distance from each other, such that the respective passages of the portals (11) define a straight through-path (DW) for the vehicle bodies in the production line (1), wherein the production station (2) is arranged at the distance between two of the portals (11) such that the through-path (DW) extends centrally through the production station (2). [8] Production line (1) according to claim 7, wherein one longitudinal beam (12R; 12L) of the pair of longitudinal beams (12R, 13R; 12L, 13L) is supported on the respective transverse webs (11.1) of the portals (11) extending horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel (DLR), wherein the portal structure (10) has a plurality of vertical supports (14R, 14L) arranged in a line along the direction of travel (DLR) at a respective distance from each other, wherein the other longitudinal beam (13R; 13L) of the pair of longitudinal beams (12R, 13R; 12L, 13L) is supported on the plurality of vertical supports (14R, 14L). [9] Production line (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one floor-guided transport unit (5R, 5L) is arranged on one longitudinal side of the passageway (DW) and a further floor-guided transport unit (5L, 5R) designed like the at least one floor-guided transport unit (5R, 5L) is arranged on the other longitudinal side of the passageway (DW), and wherein the at least one portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) is arranged on one longitudinal side of the passageway (DW) to transport clamping frames (100R, 100L) between the parking stations (90R, 90L) and the changeover position (P2R, P2L) of the floor-guided transport unit (5R, 5L) on one longitudinal side of the passageway (DW), and a further portal-guided transport unit (20L, 20L) designed like the at least one portal-guided transport unit (20R, 20L) 20R) is arranged on the other longitudinal side of the passageway (DW) to form tension frames (100L, 100R) between the parking stations (90L,90R) and the changeover position (P2L, P2R) of the further ground-guided transport unit (5L, 5R) on the other longitudinal side of the passageway (DW). [10] Production line (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first frame (30L, 30R) of the further portal-guided transport unit (20L, 20R) is supported on these longitudinal beams (12L, 13L; 12R, 13R) of the portal structure (10) in the direction of travel (DLR), bridging a longitudinal lateral distance between a further pair of longitudinal beams (12L, 13L; 12R, 13R) designed as one pair of longitudinal beams (12R, 13R; 12L, 13L), and wherein one longitudinal beam (12L; 12R) of the further pair of longitudinal beams (12L, 13L; 12R, 13R) is supported on the respective cross webs (11.1) of the portals (11) is supported, wherein the portal structure (10) has a further plurality of vertical supports (14L, 14R) arranged along the direction of travel (DLR) at a distance from each other in a line on the other longitudinal side of the passageway (DW), and wherein the other longitudinal beam (13L; 13R) of the further pair of longitudinal beams (12L, 13L; 12R, 13R) is supported on the further plurality of vertical supports (14L, 14R).

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