Assembly system comprising a workstation enclosure and a transport vehicle, and method for transferring a work object between a transport vehicle and a workstation enclosure

EP4519044A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-03-12DUERR SYST AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2023723817
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-05-06
Filing Date
2023-05-04
Publication Date
2025-03-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing assembly systems lack flexibility in transferring work objects between transport vehicles and workstation boxes, limiting the efficiency and safety of assembly and processing activities.

Method used

The system includes a workstation box with a guide route and wider entrance/exit for transport vehicles, equipped with environmental scanners for autonomous navigation, and a work object lifting table for easier access and handling, along with communication interfaces for system control, enabling flexible and safe transfer of work objects between transport vehicles and workstation boxes.

Benefits of technology

Enhances flexibility and safety by allowing autonomous navigation and easier handling of work objects, improving the efficiency of assembly and processing activities within the workstation box, while preventing accidents and ensuring worker safety.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly system comprising: a workstation enclosure (100) in which assembly and / or machining activities can take place on a work object (127); and a transport vehicle (107) on which the work object (127) can be detachably mounted. In order to offer an even more flexible assembly strategy, the invention is characterised in that the workstation enclosure (100) is provided with an entrance (112) and an exit (113), a guide path (114) being provided between the entrance (112) and the exit (113), along which guide path the transport vehicle (107) can be guided from the entrance (112) to the exit (113). The invention also relates to a method for transferring a work object (127) between a transport vehicle (107) and a workstation enclosure (100).
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Description

[0001] Assembly system with a workstation box and a transport vehicle and method for transferring a work object between a transport vehicle and a workstation box

[0002] The present invention relates to an assembly system comprising a workstation and a transport vehicle. Production systems are known, for example, from automobile production, in which one work step after another is carried out in a linear fashion.

[0003] To increase flexibility, however, so-called workstation boxes are often set up in factory halls these days. These are clearly defined areas in which assembly and / or processing of work objects, such as vehicles or vehicle bodies, is carried out.

[0004] The invention aims to offer an even more flexible assembly strategy.

[0005] Therefore, the invention proposes to simplify the transfer of the work objects between known transport vehicles and the workstation box.

[0006] Such transport vehicles are often also known as driverless transfer vehicles (AGVs). Such a transport vehicle typically has an environmental scanner that monitors the surroundings of the transport vehicle. The movement or path of the transport vehicle with the work object mounted on it is usually adjusted based on the information received by the environmental scanner.

[0007] The present invention is particularly characterized in that the work station box has an entrance and an exit, wherein a guide track is provided between the entrance and the exit, along which the transport vehicle can be guided from the entrance and the exit. The work object mounted on the transport vehicle is, for example, transferred from the transport vehicle to the work station box. In the work station box, corresponding assembly and / or processing activities can be carried out on the work object. The transport vehicle preferably travels substantially underneath the work station box and from the entrance to the exit along the guide track. After assembly and / or processing activities in the work station box, the work object is, for example, transferred back to the transport vehicle and can then be driven by the transport vehicle to another work station box or used for another purpose.In particular, it is advantageous for the entrance and / or exit in the workstation box to be wider in its cross-sectional direction compared to a transverse direction of the guideway. In particular, the entrance and / or exit are 30% or more wider in their cross-section than the guideway. Other advantageous ranges are 40% or more wider, 50% or more wider, 100% or more wider, 200% or more wider, 1000% or more wider. The aforementioned values ​​can be not only the lower limit, but also the upper limit of the width of the entrance or exit relative to the guideway.

[0008] For example, a type of entry or exit hopper can be provided. Given the typical dimensions of such transport vehicles, this entry or exit hopper can have a width of 3 m and a depth of 1 m. Other preferred widths are 4 m, 5 m, and 6 m. Other preferred depths are 2 m, 3 m, 4 m, 5 m, 6 m, and 7 m. The previously mentioned width and depth values ​​can also be upper and lower limits of preferred width and depth ranges.

[0009] The entrance and exit are designed to be wider for safety reasons, as it prevents people (workers) near the transport vehicle from being pushed into the entrance or exit. Furthermore, this size is also advantageous because the transport vehicle collects information using its environmental scanner and moves independently. This makes it easier to enter and exit the workstation box.

[0010] According to an advantageous development of the invention, for example, between the entrance and the exit, the latter comprises a guide path defined by opposing longitudinal walls. Alternatively or additionally, path markings can also be provided that mark the path of the transport vehicle beneath the workstation box. The environmental scanner of the transport vehicle can, for example, take these path markings and / or longitudinal walls into account and align the transport vehicle's path accordingly. Such a configuration predetermines the path of the transport vehicle from the entrance and exit.

[0011] In particular, as described above, the transport vehicle can have an environmental scanner that scans the surroundings of the transport vehicle, and the transport vehicle can adapt its path, both the path below the workstation box and the path within the production facility, to the information from the environmental scanner, in particular adapt it independently. For example, the transport vehicle can independently drive into the entrance and / or from one workstation box to the next based on the information from the environmental scanner. On the one hand, the path of the transport vehicle below the workstation box can be determined by a control loop comprising scanner information and environmental information. Alternatively, a fixed path can be specified by a controller, and the fixed path can be defined based on the position of the transport vehicle below the workstation box.Alternatively, the guide track can come into contact with the transport vehicle, for example, and thus guide it through mechanical interaction.

[0012] In particular, the assembly system can have a communication interface that allows the transport vehicle to communicate with the workstation box. In addition to such a communication interface, through which data can be exchanged, the entire system can be controlled via a higher-level controller used for the entire production facility.

[0013] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the workstation box can have a work object lifting table onto which the work object can be transferred from the transport vehicle. On such a work object lifting table, the work object can then be lifted, for example, from a lower position, which corresponds, for example, to a transfer position of the work object from the transport vehicle to the work object lifting table, to an upper position or any intermediate position. This allows a worker (person performing work activities on the work object in the workstation box) performing the corresponding assembly or processing steps on the work object to reach the work object more easily and even work on the work object from below.

[0014] The workstation box may have a floor, in particular a substantially planar floor, in which a slot is provided between the entrance and exit. One or more mounting means provided on the transport vehicle, by means of which the work object is releasably secured to the transport vehicle, can protrude into this slot from the underside.

[0015] As the transport vehicle passes from the entrance to the exit under the workstation box, the work object can be transferred to the work object lifting table. This can occur, in particular, at a position while the transport vehicle is positioned under the work object lifting table. While the work object is then placed on the work object lifting table, assembly and / or processing activities can be carried out on the work object. Afterwards, for example, the work object is lowered back onto the work object lifting table until it is in the transfer position and transferred to the transport vehicle, for example by being secured again to the assembly equipment on the transport vehicle. The transport vehicle can then drive the attached work object out of the workstation box again through the exit.

[0016] The slot is preferably provided with a seal, in particular a labyrinth seal, which closes the slot from above when no section of the assembly means or a section of the work object or a connecting element provided between the work object and the assembly means protrudes from below through the slot into the workstation box.

[0017] This seal ensures that no parts fall into the path of the transport vehicle under the workstation box, and also provides better protection against tripping hazards for a worker who moves on the floor of the workstation box.

[0018] In particular, the work piece lifting table can also have an additional slot that aligns with the slot in the floor of the workstation box. This is because, when the work piece is transferred from the transport vehicle to the work piece lifting table, the assembly tool essentially also protrudes through the additional slot into the work piece lifting table.

[0019] In particular, the workstation box can be formed by a planar platform, which is bordered, in particular, by fence or wall elements. Such a planar platform provides a boundary for the workstation box in the workshop.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the workstation box has an input conveyor element at the entrance, which is provided, for example, on an input lifting table. By means of this input lifting table, the input conveyor element can be moved from a lower position, which corresponds to a transfer position from the transport vehicle to the input conveyor element, to an elevated position, which corresponds to a transfer position from the input conveyor element to an assembly and / or processing conveyor element explained later.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, such an output conveyor belt element and a corresponding output lifting table assigned to this output conveyor belt element can also be provided at the exit. In a lower position, this output lifting table can then transfer the work object back to the transport vehicle. The raised position is, for example, a transfer position from the assembly and / or processing conveyor belt element to the output conveyor belt element. Thus, according to this development, the invention is characterized in that the work object is first transferred from the transport vehicle to an input conveyor belt element and then brought to the appropriate height via the input lifting table so that it can be transferred to another assembly and / or processing conveyor belt element. The processing and / or assembly steps on the work object can then take place in the area of ​​the assembly and / or processing conveyor belt element, for example by means of robots.After assembly or processing, the work object can then be transferred from the assembly and / or processing conveyor element to the output conveyor element, then lowered again using the output lifting table and then transferred accordingly to the transport vehicle and carried out of the exit by the transport vehicle.

[0022] The respective conveyor track element (input conveyor track element, output conveyor track element) can have a corresponding slot, as previously mentioned for the floor. A corresponding mounting device or a section of the work object can extend into this slot from the underside. Such a slot can also be provided with a corresponding seal.

[0023] According to a further development of the invention, the workstation box can have an assembly and / or processing conveyor element above the guide path, which is fixed at such a vertical height that the work object can only be fed from the input conveyor element to the assembly or processing conveyor element when the input lifting table has performed a predetermined stroke in the vertical direction and / or that the work object can only be fed from the assembly and / or processing conveyor element to the output conveyor element when the output lifting table has performed a predetermined stroke in the vertical direction.

[0024] Thus, the assembly and / or processing conveyor element is positioned higher relative to the floor of the workshop. This can be advantageous, for example, when work must be carried out from below the work object. The assembly and / or processing conveyor element can be designed such that it does not have a slot in its longitudinal direction.

[0025] This may be because this assembly and / or processing conveyor element is elevated relative to the input conveyor element or output conveyor element, so there is no vertical interaction with the transport vehicle. One or more robots can be provided along the assembly and / or processing conveyor element, configured to perform corresponding assembly and processing steps on the workpiece. A processing step can also be, for example, a painting step or another coating step.

[0026] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the workstation box can also be designed such that a continuous, height-fixed conveyor track element is provided, which extends from the entrance to the exit. The work object is transferred from the transport vehicle at the entrance to an input conveyor track section of the corresponding conveyor track element and transferred to the transport vehicle at the exit from an output conveyor track section of the conveyor track element. Thus, in contrast to the previously described elevated conveyor track element, the conveyor track element is a single conveyor track element that can project beyond a platform of the workstation box in the entrance or exit direction, e.g., horizontally.

[0027] In particular, the previously described workstation box can, for example, have a hanger by means of which the work object can be picked up from the conveyor track element and suspended thereon.

[0028] For example, the work object is first transferred from the transport vehicle to the conveyor element. From the conveyor element, it is then transferred to the hanger. After the assembly and / or processing steps, the hanger places it back on the conveyor element, from where it is conveyed out, and then transferred back to the transport vehicle at the exit.

[0029] With regard to the various embodiments described above, a transfer of the work object from the transport vehicle can thus take place either directly on the input side and / or output side or only within the work station box, in particular centrally in the work station box or centrally in relation to the corresponding guide route.

[0030] The aforementioned conveyor track elements can be oriented such that they are pivotable in the longitudinal direction. This is sometimes necessary because these conveyor track elements can be folded over, so that the path through which the transport vehicle travels, i.e., the guide track, is accessible. According to a subordinate aspect of the invention, a method for transferring a work object between a transport vehicle and a work station is also provided. The method has the features of claim 23.

[0031] All of the aforementioned aspects can be provided for the corresponding process. The work object can be transferred between the transport vehicle and the work station box in the various positions described above. Thus, all of the previously described device features can also be specified in procedural form.

[0032] Although the present invention speaks very generally of a work object, a vehicle body or a vehicle part to be manufactured can be used here as a specific example.

[0033] Although three separate embodiments are described below, the elements of the various embodiments can also be combined or interchanged. The suspension system can also be provided in the variant with the raised conveyor element, and / or the worker lifting table can be provided in the variant with one or more robots, to name just a few possible permutations or other combinations.

[0034] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0035] Fig. 1 to 3 show various views of a first embodiment of the invention, in which the workstation box is designed as a manual workstation with a work object lifting table and a worker lifting table and in which the work object is transferred by the transport vehicle relatively centrally in the workstation box;

[0036] Fig. 4 to 7 show various views of a second embodiment in which the workstation box is a so-called automatic box in which a raised assembly or processing conveyor element is provided which is surrounded by corresponding processing robots;

[0037] Fig. 8 to 10 different views of a third embodiment, which is a so-called UBS box, in which a continuous conveyor track element is provided which extends over the platform of the workstation box on the input and output sides.

[0038] Although specific embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0039] For example, although a suspension device is provided for the third embodiment, such a suspension device can also be provided in conjunction with all other embodiments. Each of the corresponding elements of the embodiments can also be combined accordingly to form new embodiments not shown.

[0040] Figs. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment in which a workstation box 100 is a manual workstation box 100.

[0041] The workstation box 100 has a platform 101 containing a floor 102. In the present example, the platform 101 is bounded by a fence 115. This fence 115 can also be designed as a wall.

[0042] The side of platform 101 designated by reference numeral 103 is an entrance side, and the side of platform 101 designated by reference numeral 104 is an exit side. The entrance 112 is provided on the entrance side 103. The exit 113 is provided on the exit side 104. In the exemplary embodiment, the transport vehicle has reference numeral 107. The transport vehicle is provided as a rollable, planar element with a flat top surface, on which, in the present case, two mounting means 108 are provided, which protrude from the surface as vertical pins.

[0043] When the transport vehicle 107 passes from the entrance 112 to the exit 113 through the schematically illustrated guide path 114 below the platform 101, the assembly means 108 are guided within a slot 109, on the side walls of which a seal 110 is provided, which covers the slot 109 so that no parts can fall into the guide path 114 and so that the worker, who is not shown, can walk on the floor 102 and carry out assembly or processing activities on the work object not shown, which can be, for example, a vehicle or a vehicle body.

[0044] A so-called work object lifting table 105 is provided centrally on the floor 102 of the platform 101. A worker lifting table 106 is provided to the side of the work object lifting table 105. A worker can position himself on the work object lifting table 106 and adjust the height relative to the work object stored on the work object lifting table 105.

[0045] Access to the slightly elevated platform 101 is via the corresponding stairs 117.

[0046] The floor 102 also has panel elements, in this case provided as a grid element, which are described below as access elements 116. These are removable or foldable. This ensures access to the underlying guideway 114 or the entrance 112 and exit 113.

[0047] A work object (not shown) is attached to the assembly means 108 on the transport vehicle 107 and is thus moved into the entrance 112 of the workstation box 100 and then continues along the guide track 114.

[0048] In the present exemplary embodiment, the transfer of the work object from the transport vehicle 107 to the work object lifting table 105 takes place centrally on the platform 101 in the area of ​​the work object lifting table 105, when the transport vehicle 107 is positioned substantially below the work object lifting table 105. This position can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. In contrast to Figure 1, the transport vehicle in Figures 2 and 3 is positioned below the work object lifting table 105. In Figure 1, however, the transport vehicle is positioned on the entrance side. Otherwise, Figures 2 and 3 show a cross-section along line AA in Figure 1.

[0049] The work object can be transferred when the work object lifting table 105 is fully retracted into a first position (lower position, or transfer position), so that when the transport vehicle 107 with the work object attached to it is placed beneath the work object lifting table 105, a gap still remains between the work object and the top of the work object lifting table 105. The work object lifting table 105 is then raised from this first position and can thus lift the work object from the transport vehicle 107. The work object lifting table 105 can then change its height position, and the worker, who is standing, for example, on the work object lifting table 106, can perform the corresponding assembly or processing activities. Once this is completed, the work object lifting table 105 is lowered again, for example, and the work object is reattached to the assembly means 8 of the transport vehicle 7 or placed on it.This can happen automatically, since these assembly means, in this case, are pins, for example, which are stored in a corresponding storage device mounted on the workpiece. After the workpiece (not shown in the figure) has been placed back on the transport vehicle 107, the transport vehicle 107 can continue along the guide path 114 to the exit 113 and exit the work station box 100 there.

[0050] In the present case, recesses are provided on the fence 115 on the input side 103 and on the output side 104 so that the workpiece can move into or out of the work station box 100 at this point.

[0051] Although in the present case the workstation box 100 has the worker lifting table 106 and the work object lifting table 105, only one of the two elements can be provided.

[0052] In the present case, the work object lifting table 105 also has a further slot 111, which is provided in alignment with the slot 109, so that the assembly means 108, as shown in Fig. 2, can also easily pass through in the area of ​​the work object lifting table 105.

[0053] Although it's not clearly visible in Figures 1 to 3, the entrance and exit are designed as a kind of entrance and exit funnel, respectively, with a width of 3 m and a depth of 1 m. This width is wider than the width of the guideway. This is because it allows the transport vehicle to thread through more easily and also prevents dangerous situations, such as people wandering around the entrance and exit area.

[0054] In particular, it is advantageous for the entrance and / or exit in the workstation box 100 to be wider in its cross-sectional direction compared to a transverse direction of the guideway. In particular, the entrance and / or exit is 30% or more wider in its cross-section than the guideway. Other advantageous ranges are 40% or more wider, 50% or more wider, 100% or more wider, 200% or more wider, 1000% or more wider. The aforementioned values ​​can be not only the lower limit, but also the upper limit of the width of the entrance or exit relative to the guideway.

[0055] For example, a type of entry or exit funnel can be provided. Given the typical dimensions of such transport vehicles, this entry or exit funnel can have a width of 3 m and a depth of 1 m. Other preferred widths are 4 m, 5 m, and 6 m. Other preferred depths are 2 m, 3 m, 4 m, 5 m, 6 m, and 7 m. The previously mentioned width and depth values ​​can also be upper and lower limits of preferred widths and depth ranges. The entrance or exit is provided wider because this is a safety aspect, as it prevents people (workers) near the transport vehicle from being pushed into the exit or entrance. Furthermore, this size is also advantageous if the transport vehicle collects information using its environmental scanner and moves independently. This makes it easier to enter or exit the workstation box 100.

[0056] In the present case, the transport vehicle 107 has environmental scanners 118 at its four corners. Two of these are provided in Fig. 1; the other two are concealed by the platform 101 and are not visible. Using these environmental scanners 118, the environment can be scanned, and the transport vehicle 107 can automatically enter the workstation box 100. Communication between the workstation box 100 and the transport vehicle 107 can be provided via a communication interface, which is not shown here. Thus, communication can take place between the transport vehicle 107 and the workstation box 100. For example, information about the workpiece or the distance the transport vehicle has to travel can also be exchanged.

[0057] Figures 4 to 7 show a second embodiment in which the workstation box 100 is designed as a so-called automatic box. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the workstation box 100. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 4. Another perspective cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 4 is also shown in Figure 6.

[0058] Figure 7 shows a schematic view from the direction of arrow C in Figure 4. It schematically depicts the work object, which is marked with reference numeral 127. In this case, this is a car body.

[0059] In the second embodiment, an input lifting table 122 is provided on the input side 103. This input lifting table 122 is shown in Fig. 4 in its lower position, which corresponds to a transfer position for transfer between the transport vehicle 107 and an input conveyor element 120. The input conveyor element 120 is mounted on the input lifting table 122.

[0060] In the present case, the conveyor elements shown are roller conveyors. However, any other conveyor technology may be provided, and the invention is not limited to such roller conveyors. After the work object 127 (not shown) has been transferred by the transport vehicle 107, in the present case at the entrance 112, to the input conveyor element 120 mounted on the input lifting table 122, the height of the input lifting table 122 is adjusted and thus moved to a higher position. This position corresponds to a transfer position for transferring the workpiece 127 from the input conveyor element 120 to the assembly and / or processing conveyor element 119 provided downstream in the line, which is provided within the work station.

[0061] This assembly and / or processing conveyor element 119 rests on so-called bridge elements 124, which have relatively long feet 125 mounted on the floor of the production hall. Between the feet 125 and through the bridges 124, the corresponding guide path 114 is formed from the entrance 112 to the exit 113.

[0062] The work object can be moved on the assembly and / or processing conveyor element 119 and processed there on the individual robots represented by reference numeral 126, which are provided on the left and right sides of the assembly and / or processing conveyor element 119.

[0063] After this step, the work object is then conveyed out onto the output conveyor element 121. For this purpose, the output lifting table 123 is moved to a higher position so that the output conveyor element 121 is aligned with the assembly and / or processing conveyor element 119. The workpiece is then transferred onto it, the output lifting table 123 is lowered, and the workpiece is then transferred back to the transport vehicle 107 in the lowered position, for example, secured to the assembly means 108 provided there, and then moved out of the work station box 100 via the exit 113.

[0064] Unlike in the first embodiment, the transfer of the work object takes place at the entrance 112 and, correspondingly, at the exit 113. In the first embodiment, the transfer of the work object from the transport vehicle 107 to the work station box 100 and from the work station box 100 to the transport vehicle 107 takes place at the same position, namely the central position.

[0065] The corresponding assembly and processing conveyor element 119 is provided in a fixed manner and is not adjustable in its height direction with respect to the workstation box 100.

[0066] Fig. 7 schematically shows the entrance side 104 again. There, it can be seen that the transport vehicle 107 has entered the entrance 112 and two mounting means 108, designed as pins, are provided between the left and right parts of the entrance lifting table 105. These can then extend into a corresponding slot 109 provided between the individual elements of the entrance conveyor element 120, allowing the work object to be transferred from the transport vehicle 107 to the entrance conveyor element 120.

[0067] In the present example, the element with reference number 227 is the work object, which can be, for example, a vehicle body.

[0068] The workstation box 100 in the third embodiment in Figs. 8 to 10 is a so-called UBS box.

[0069] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the workstation box 100. Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view along line DD in Figure 8. Another perspective cross-sectional view along line DD in Figure 8 is also shown in Figure 10.

[0070] In contrast to the second embodiment, no separate conveyor track elements are provided there, but rather a continuous conveyor track element 128 is provided which is fixed in height and has an input conveyor track section 129 and an output conveyor track section 130, which are also part of the conveyor track element.

[0071] The transport vehicle 107 transfers the work object to the continuous conveyor element 128 at the input conveyor section 129 and picks it up again at the output conveyor section 130. However, the transfer can also take place at any other location on the continuous conveyor element 128.

[0072] This continuous conveyor element 128 can move the work object (not shown in the figures) along the longitudinal direction within the work station box 100, where the work object can be processed by the corresponding robot 126. In this case, the work object is further transferred from the continuous conveyor element 128 to a hanger 131, which is provided above the continuous conveyor element 1 and located relatively centrally in the work station box 100.

[0073] For example, the work object can be moved from the hanger 131 to any desired position and then processed or assembly steps can be performed on it. The work object is then transferred from the hanger 131 back to the continuous conveyor track 128 and later back to the transport vehicle 107. The third embodiment also features corresponding wall sections 15 that delimit the work station box 100.

[0074] In the present embodiment, parts of the conveyor track element 128 or even the entire conveyor track element 128 can be folded upwards in its longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to access the guide track 114, for example, to carry out repair work.

[0075] Although different separate embodiments were discussed above, the individual elements can also be combined with one another. For example, the suspension system can also be provided in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. For example, a lifting table can also be provided in addition to one or more of the conveyor track elements in the workstation box 100. Several guide lines can also be provided in parallel in a workstation, and different processing or assembly steps can then be assigned to these guide lines.

[0076] In the present case, the invention has been described generally with reference to a workpiece. The workpiece may, for example, be a vehicle body.

[0077] List of reference symbols

[0078] Workstation box

[0079] platform

[0080] Floor

[0081] Entrance page

[0082] Home page

[0083] Workpiece lifting table

[0084] Worker lifting table

[0085] Transport vehicle

[0086] Assembly materials

[0087] slot

[0088] Sealing additional slot (work object lifting table)

[0089] entrance

[0090] exit

[0091] Guide route

[0092] Fence / Wall

[0093] Access element

[0094] Stairs

[0095] Environmental scanner

[0096] Assembly and / or processing conveyor element

[0097] Input conveyor element

[0098] Output conveyor element

[0099] Entrance lifting table

[0100] Exit lifting table

[0101] Bridge element

[0102] Foot

[0103] robot

[0104] Work object continuous conveyor element

[0105] Input conveyor section

[0106] Exit conveyor section

[0107] Hangers

Claims

Claims 1. Assembly system comprising a workstation box (100) in which assembly and / or processing activities can take place on a workpiece (127) and a transport vehicle (107) on which the workpiece (127) can be detachably mounted, characterized in that the workstation box (100) is provided with an entrance (112) and an exit (113), wherein a guide track (114) is provided between the entrance (112) and the exit (113), along which the transport vehicle (107) can be guided from the entrance (112) to the exit (113).

2. Assembly system according to claim 1, characterized in that the entry (112) and / or the exit (113) is dimensioned wider in the transverse direction of the guide track (114) compared to a transverse direction, in particular more than 30% wider.

3. Assembly system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide track (114) has opposing longitudinal walls and / or path markings which define a path of the transport vehicle (107) from the entrance (112) to the exit (113).

4. Assembly system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport vehicle (107) has an environment scanner (118) which scans the environment of the transport vehicle (107) and the transport vehicle (107) adapts and / or finds its way based on information from the environment scanner (118).

5. Assembly system according to claim 4, characterized in that the transport vehicle (107) is configured such that it enters the entrance (112) independently based on the information from the environment scanner (118).

6. Assembly system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the transport vehicle (107) is configured such that it determines its path from the entrance (112) to the exit (113) based on the information from the environment scanner (118) or that the path from the entrance (112) to the exit (113) is fixed and is determined from the position of the transport vehicle (107) in relation to the course of the guide track (114).

7. Assembly system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly system is configured such that the workstation box (100) communicates with the transport vehicle (107) via a communication interface.

8. Assembly system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workstation box (100) has a workpiece lifting table (105) onto which the workpiece (127) can be transferred from the transport vehicle (107).

9. Assembly system according to claim 8, characterized in that the workstation box (100) has a base (102) in which a slot (109) is provided between the inlet (112) and the outlet (113), into which a mounting means (108) provided on the transport vehicle (107), and by means of which the workpiece (127) is detachably attached to the transport vehicle (107), can extend from an underside, and / or the assembly system is configured such that, during the passage of the transport vehicle (107) from the inlet (112) to the outlet (113) under the workstation box (100), the workpiece (127) is transferred to the workpiece lifting table (105), while the transport vehicle (107) is positioned under the workpiece lifting table (105), and that during the placement of the workpiece (127) on the workpiece lifting table (105), assembly and / or Processing activities are carried out on the work object (127),and that afterwards the workpiece (127) is transferred again from the workpiece lifting table (105) to the transport vehicle (107) and the transport vehicle (107) leaves the workstation box (100) through the exit (113).

10. Assembly system according to claim 9, characterized in that the slot (109) is provided with a seal (110) which closes the slot (109) when no section of the assembly means (108) or of the workpiece (127) attached to the assembly means (108) protrudes through the slot (109) into the workstation box (100).

11. Assembly system according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the workpiece lifting table (105) has a further slot (111) which is aligned with the slot (109) in the base (102) of the workstation box (100).

12. Assembly system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workstation box (100) has a worker lift table (106) on which a worker performing assembly and / or processing activities on the workpiece (127) can stand.

13. Assembly system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workstation box (100) is formed by a planar platform (101) which is in particular bounded by a fence or wall element (115).

14. Assembly system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workstation box (100) has an inlet conveyor element (120) provided on an inlet lifting table (122) at the inlet (112), and / or has an outlet conveyor element (121) provided on an outlet lifting table (123) at the outlet (113), and the assembly system is configured such that the workpiece (127) is transferred from the transport vehicle (107) at the inlet (112) to the inlet conveyor element (120), and / or that the workpiece is transferred from the outlet conveyor element (121) at the outlet (113) to the transport vehicle (107).

15. Assembly system according to claim 14, characterized in that the respective conveyor element (120, 121) has a slot (109) into which a mounting means (108) provided on the transport vehicle (107) and by means of which the workpiece (127) is detachably attached to the transport vehicle (107) can extend from an underside.

16. Assembly system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workstation box (100) has an assembly and / or processing conveyor element (119) above the guide track (114), which is fixedly mounted at such a vertical height that the workpiece (127) can only be fed from the inlet conveyor element (120) to the assembly and / or processing conveyor element (119) when the inlet lift table (122) has performed a predetermined stroke in the vertical direction, and / or that the workpiece (127) can only be fed from the assembly and / or processing conveyor element (119) to the output conveyor element (121) when the output lift table (123) has performed a predetermined stroke in the vertical direction.

17. Assembly system according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the assembly and / or processing conveyor element (119) does not have a slot provided in its longitudinal direction.

18. Assembly system according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the workstation box (100) has one or more robots (126) along the assembly and / or processing conveyor element (119) which are configured to perform a respective assembly or processing step on the workpiece (127).

19. Assembly system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workstation box (100) has a continuous conveyor element (128) fixed in its height, which extends from the entrance (112) to the exit (113), wherein the workpiece (123) from the transport vehicle (107) in the entrance (112) to an entrance conveyor section (129) of the continuous conveyor element (128) fixed at its height is transferred, and in the exit (113) is transferred from an exit conveyor section (130) of the continuous conveyor element (128) fixed at its height to the transport vehicle (107).

20. Assembly system according to claim 19, characterized in that the infeed conveyor section (129) and / or the outfeed conveyor section (130) projects over a platform (101) formed by the workstation box (100) in its horizontal direction.

21. Assembly system according to one of claims 19 or 20, characterized in that the workstation box (100) has a suspension (131) on which the workpiece (127) can be picked up by the continuous conveyor element (128) fixed at its height and suspended thereon.

22. Assembly system according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that at least one section of the conveyor element (128) fixed at its height is pivotable along its longitudinal direction.

23. Method for transferring a work object (127) between a transport vehicle (107) and a workstation box (100), comprising the steps: Transfer of the work object (127) from the transport vehicle (107) to the workstation box (100); passage of the transport vehicle (107) under the workstation box (100); and Transfer of the work object (127) from the workstation box (100) to the transport vehicle (107).