assembly vehicle

Abstract

Assembly trolley (10) for carrying assembly material or assembly tools, especially along a production line - at least one supporting structure (11) on which at least one wheel (12, 13) is arranged, - at least one receptacle (16) for storing the assembly material and / or assembly tool, where a platform (20) suitable for access is provided, which can be moved from a working position to a driving position and vice versa, characterized in that The platform can be moved from the driving position to the working position by the action of gravity.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly trolley according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In the mass production of motor vehicles, production line manufacturing has long been established. In this process, the vehicles to be manufactured are guided along a production line, where they are assembled into finished vehicles. Along the production line, employees perform individual assembly steps or quality control checks. To carry out these work steps, tools or testing equipment are generally required, which the employees carry with them. These tools are stored in toolboxes, some of which are mounted on casters.

[0003] However, if work steps or quality control checks need to be carried out in the area of ​​the vehicle body that are difficult or even impossible for a person standing upright, it has become standard practice to use platforms, for example in the form of stools, stepladders, or the like. These platforms usually have to be retrieved from a storage location and transported to the production line.

[0004] Because these inflexible platforms require time-consuming manual positioning and subsequent removal by employees, they are not well-received. Furthermore, their use increases the overall production time. Additionally, several different assembly trolleys with integrated platforms exist. With these existing solutions, unfolding the platform requires a relatively high effort, and the trolley must also be secured against rolling away. Consequently, employee acceptance of these solutions is also low.

[0005] US Patent 5,238,300 shows a tool cart with rollers arranged on its base wall to enable rolling engagement with a floor below.

[0006] From DE 92 11 650 U1 a mobile tool trolley with rollers is known, for the provision, storage and transport of tool holders, wherein the tool trolley is enclosed all around with profiles so that no tools held in the tool trolley can protrude with their cutting edges beyond the edges of the tool trolley.

[0007] Starting from this state of the art, the present invention aims to provide an assembly trolley that overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0008] This problem is solved with an assembly cart having the features of claim 1. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] To solve this problem, the invention proposes an assembly cart for transporting assembly materials or tools, particularly for use on a production line. The cart comprises at least one support structure to which wheels are attached. Furthermore, the cart can have at least one receptacle for storing the assembly materials and / or tools. The receptacle can be detachably attached to the support structure. Depending on the assembly materials or tools to be stored, different receptacles can be attached to the support structure. This allows the cart to be adapted or pre-configured to the work step being performed. For the purposes of this invention, the term "receptacle" is to be understood, on the one hand, as a container into which objects can be placed. On the other hand, the term can also be understood as a holder to which, for example, tools can be attached or fastened.

[0010] Furthermore, the assembly cart can include a platform that can be moved from a working position to a driving position and vice versa. Such an integrated platform offers the advantage that the employee can carry it with them and always has it available when they need to reach difficult-to-access work areas at certain heights. This significantly reduces the time required for the work step. Finally, it results in very high employee acceptance, as they can use the platform without unnecessary time expenditure.

[0011] The platform can be moved from the transport position to the working position by the action of gravity. This offers the advantage that the platform can be moved into the working position, where it can be immediately accessed by an employee, without any manual effort from the employee.

[0012] In its working position, the platform rests on the floor. The platform can have three, four, or more legs, which ensure it stands securely on the factory floor when in this position. This offers the advantage that, under load, for example, when an employee steps onto the platform, no lateral forces are transferred to the wheels of the assembly cart. This effectively prevents the assembly cart or the platform from slipping or tipping.

[0013] Furthermore, the platform can be locked in the travel position. In the travel position, the platform does not touch the floor of the workshop, so the assembly cart can be moved without the platform scraping against the tool tray.

[0014] Furthermore, an operating device can be provided with which the platform can be unlocked. Preferably, the operating device is designed as a handle or integrated into the handle. With the handle, which can also have the form of a retaining bar, an employee can push the assembly cart in front of them and thus position it at a desired location in order to carry out the work steps.

[0015] By unlocking the platform using the handrail, functional integration can be achieved.

[0016] The platform can be unlocked by moving the handle to a predetermined position. This offers the advantage that the handle is positioned for pushing the assembly cart. If the platform is to be unlocked so that gravity moves it from a transport position to a working position, the operator must move the handle to a predetermined position – the unlocking position. The handle is connected to a locking mechanism via a Bowden cable. Once the handle is in the unlocking position, the locking mechanism is activated, releasing the platform and allowing it to move into the working position.

[0017] According to a first embodiment, the platform can be designed as a single step. The platform thus represents a raised platform above the tool base.

[0018] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the platform can also be designed with two or more steps. The platform thus has two steps, each with a different height above the tool base.

[0019] Furthermore, the platform can be arranged on the supporting structure so that it can be moved linearly via a telescopic guide rail. A telescopic guide rail is particularly space-saving, so that no part of the rail protrudes beyond the supporting structure when the platform is in the travel position.

[0020] Furthermore, the platform can be positioned within the supporting structure when it is in the driving position. In other words, the platform does not protrude beyond the supporting structure when it is in the driving position.

[0021] The advantages of the invention are summarized below. Since only the assembly cart is on wheels and the platform itself has no wheels, it is automatically secured against rolling away when extended. The platform stands securely on solid legs, while the assembly cart is slightly decoupled and mounted on casters. Folding down the platform is unnecessary, as it extends by gravity after a slight foot or hand activation of the release mechanism. This eliminates the risk of injury and requires no significant effort from the operator. The platform can be easily and ergonomically pushed back into the travel position with the foot and locks automatically. Because the operator does not have to bend down or exert any manual force, user acceptance is very high. To move the platform into the travel position, the operator simply pushes it into the area within the supporting structure with their foot.He simultaneously holds the cart firmly with his hands. This reduces the risk of the assembly cart turning away, and thus also the risk of damaging surrounding objects, when the platform is being moved into position.

[0022] The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the description of the figures. The description of the figures, the claims, and the figures show exemplary embodiments of the invention, the features of which a person skilled in the art would also consider in other combinations in order to adapt them to the corresponding requirements of the invention.

[0023] They show, in schematic view: Fig. 1 a side view of the assembly trolley, with the platform arranged in a driving position, Fig. 2 a side view of the assembly trolley, with the platform arranged in a working position, and Fig. 3 A rear view of the assembly trolley, with the platform arranged in a working position.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows an assembly trolley 10, which has a frame-like supporting structure 11. Crossbeams and longitudinal beams 14 and 15 are arranged within the frame to stabilize the frame 11. Wheels 12 and 13 are arranged in the lower section. Fig. Figure 1, shown on the right-hand side, depicts a handrail 19, which is shown as a bar. In the illustration from Fig. 1 is the retaining bracket 19 in an operating position I. In this position, an employee can grasp the handle 19 or retaining bracket and pull or push the assembly trolley 10. During such a pushing movement, the assembly trolley 10 would move into Fig. 1. Move forward from right to left in the direction of arrow V. The length of the handle 19 is adjusted so that in the Fig. In position I shown in Figure 1, the grip area of ​​the handle 19 is the point furthest from the assembly trolley 10 of the handrail 19. This allows an operator of the assembly trolley 10 to maintain a sufficient distance from the trolley 10 and thus walk comfortably behind the assembly trolley 10 without their feet touching the trolley 10.

[0025] In the forward direction of movement V, the assembly cart 10 has front wheels 12 and rear wheels 13. The front wheels 12 or the rear wheels 13, or both 12, 13, can be steered. For the purposes of the invention, wheels are to be understood as elements for reducing static friction. Instead of wheels 12, 13, rollers, skids, or the like can also be arranged on the assembly cart 10. Furthermore, in deviation from the one described in Fig. The embodiment of the assembly trolley 10 shown in Figure 1 may also include only front wheels 12 or only rear wheels 13.

[0026] A platform 20 is connected to the support structure 11 via a telescopic guide rail 17. The telescopic guide rail 17 is in Fig. 1 shown in a retracted position, the driving position, in which the platform 20 is arranged within the supporting structure 11.

[0027] A receptacle 16 is provided in the upper area of ​​the support structure 11. This receptacle 16 can be designed as a container, for example as a tray, for holding assembly materials such as screws, dowels, bolts, components or assemblies, and the like. Alternatively, tools such as screwdrivers, socket wrenches, hot air blowers, etc., can also be stored in it. The receptacle 16 is interchangeable, so that different receptacles 16 can be arranged on the support structure 11.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 shows the assembly trolley 10 from Fig. 1, wherein the platform 20 is arranged in a working position. To move the platform 20 from the travel position, as in Fig. 1 shown, in the working position, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the handle 19 is first moved into a predetermined position II, which is exemplified in Figure 2. Fig. Figure 2 is shown. Alternatively, the predetermined position can also correspond to the vertical, in which the handrail 19 is moved vertically or even further to the left beyond the vertical position. When an employee moves the handrail 19 into this position II, a locking device is unlocked. This locking device is not shown in the figures. It can be designed as a mechanical lock, for example, as a latch. Due to its own weight or the force of gravity acting upon it, the platform 20 moves from a travel position to a working position. In doing so, it slides along the telescopic guide rail 17 – shown in the figure to the lower right. By way of example, an outer guide rail 17 is connected to the support structure 11, and an inner guide rail 18 sliding within it is connected to the platform 20.In other embodiments of the invention not shown, the guide rail can also be arranged in reverse.

[0029] The platform 20 has front support legs 24 and rear support legs 23 in the forward direction V. When the platform is in the Fig. In the working position shown in Figure 2, the assembly cart 10 rests fully on its legs 24 and 23 on the floor of the workshop. This allows an operator to climb onto the platform 20 without any lateral forces being transferred to the supporting structure 11 of the assembly cart 10. Consequently, the cart cannot slip or tip under the user's weight. The bearing clearance in the guide rail decouples the assembly cart 10 from the platform 20. Within the limits of this bearing clearance, the assembly cart 10 can therefore make small movements relative to the platform 20.

[0030] The platform 20 is pushed into position by the operator after the operation has been completed, for example by pushing it with their foot. As soon as the platform 20 is in the driving position, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, once the platform reaches position II, it is automatically locked in this position by the locking device. The platform 20 only rolls out when an employee operates the handrail 19 accordingly and moves it back to position II. Preferably, the platform 20 rolls out towards the handrail 19 and thus towards the employee. This allows the employee to climb onto it directly. In other embodiments not shown, however, the platform 20 can also roll out in a different direction, with the result that the employee has to walk around the assembly cart to be able to climb onto the platform.

[0031] In Fig. 2 the handrail 19 is aligned in a position II which allows the platform 20 to be climbed without an employee touching the handrail 19.

[0032] While in an embodiment of the invention not shown the platform can be designed as a single step, the Fig. Figure 3 shows a rear view of an embodiment with a two-step platform. A single-step platform offers the advantage of a large, flat surface, allowing an operator to reach many different areas at this height to perform assembly steps or quality control measures. The platform 20 shown in the figures comprises a lower step 22 and an upper step 21. This, in turn, offers the advantage of allowing a greater height to be reached for the operator to perform work steps. As shown in the figures... Fig.As can be seen in Figure 3, the lower section of the frame structure 11 extends over the width B, while the upper section of the frame structure 11 is narrower by a width b. Advantageously, this allows a multi-tiered platform to be arranged in the lower section, extending over the entire width B of the assembly trolley 10. This increases the platform's footprint, which is supported by the legs 23, 24. This provides the advantage of a particularly stable platform 20.

Claims

[1] Assembly trolley (10) for carrying assembly material or assembly tools, especially along a production line with - at least one supporting structure (11) on which at least one wheel (12, 13) is arranged, - at least one receptacle (16) for storing the assembly material and / or assembly tool, where a platform (20) suitable for access is provided which can be moved from a working position to a driving position and vice versa, characterized by , that The platform can be moved from the driving position to the working position by the action of gravity. [2] Assembly trolley (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that in the working position the platform (20) rests on the floor. [3] Assembly trolley (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the platform (20) can be locked in the driving position. [4] Assembly trolley (10) according to claim 3, characterized by, that a handle (11) is provided with which the platform (20) can be unlocked. [5] Assembly trolley (10) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the platform can be unlocked by moving the handle (11) into a predetermined position. [6] Assembly trolley (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the platform (20) includes at least two steps (21, 22). [7] Assembly trolley (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the platform (20) is arranged to be linearly movable on the supporting structure (11) via a telescopic guide rail (17, 18). [8] Assembly trolley (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the platform (20) is arranged in the supporting structure (10) when it is in the driving position.

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