SUPPORT, FOR A SUSPENDED CONVEYOR, ADAPTABLE TO DIFFERENT BODY PARTS

Abstract

SUPPORT, FOR A SUSPENDED CONVEYOR, ADAPTABLE TO DIFFERENT BODYWORK PARTS Support (27) for transferring motor vehicle bodywork parts (A, B) to an assembly station, said support (27) comprising: a chassis (31); an engagement plate (33) with a suspended conveyor, fixed to the chassis (31); and fixing zones (37) of interfaces (39) with the part (A, B), on the chassis (31); the support (27) further comprising: an intermediate plate (35) fixed to the chassis (31) and comprising a regular network of orifices (37) forming the fixing zones (37) of interfaces (39) with the part (A, B). (Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 3)

Description

Title of the invention: SUPPORT, FOR A SUSPENDED CONVEYOR, ADAPTABLE TO DIFFERENT CAR PARTS ROSSERIE Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicle manufacturing, and more particularly to the transport of vehicle parts to an assembly station. Prior art

[0002] Currently, some vehicle models have variations in their body structure. These variations are also naturally found between different vehicle models. On the other hand, these modifications involve a large number of different body parts, and therefore an adaptation of the conveyors for transporting the parts to each of the different parts.

[0003] The manufacture of the bodywork of a motor vehicle is carried out on an assembly line, itself composed of a succession of islands, each island serving in particular for the assembly and fitting of numerous vehicle parts. In the case of an assembly unit, the island comprises an assembly station onto which the various parts of the vehicle to be assembled are brought. These parts are moved using floor or suspended conveyors, depending on the parts to be transported. When using a suspended conveyor, each vehicle part is mounted on a support attached to the conveyor by an engagement plate. A chassis extends from the engagement plate and supports an interface fixing zone with the part to be transported.

[0004] Figure 1 is a diagram reproducing a support for the transfer of bodywork parts, adapted to a suspended conveyor, as found in the prior art.

[0005] The support 1 comprises an engagement plate 3 with the suspended conveyor (the conveyor not being shown in this figure), and a frame 5 fixed to said engagement plate 3. The frame 5 supports fixing zones 7 of interfaces 9, these fixing zones 7 preferably forming beams. The interfaces 9 can have several shapes, which depend on the part to be transported. They can in particular take the form of hooks. But this support 1 is adaptable to only one shape of part. Indeed, a change in the part to be transported involves modifying the positioning of the interfaces 9, therefore adapting the fixing zones 7, in particular by modifying the length of the beams. The adaptation of such a support 1 is therefore limited, requiring heavy work, including steps of redesigning the support 1 and welding operations. Statement of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to facilitate the adaptation of supports for the transfer of bodywork parts from suspended conveyors, according to each of the parts to be transported.

[0007] The subject of the invention is a support for transferring motor vehicle body parts to an assembly station, said support comprising: a chassis; an engagement plate with a suspended conveyor, fixed to the chassis; and areas for fixing interfaces with the part, on the chassis; remarkable in that the support further comprises: an intermediate plate fixed to the chassis and comprising a regular network of orifices forming the areas for fixing interfaces with the part.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the chassis comprises a machined face receiving the intermediate plate.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame extends in a main vertical direction when the support is suspended from the suspended conveyor.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate plate extends transversely to the chassis.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, within the extent of the intermediate plate, the engagement plate has a length and the chassis has a width, said width of the chassis being less than said length of the engagement plate over the entire extent of said chassis.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate plate comprises a main portion fixed to the chassis and at least one lateral portion extending beyond the chassis.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the regular network of orifices extends over the main portion and at least one lateral portion.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the regular network of orifices has a pitch in two perpendicular directions of between 40mm and 60mm.

[0015] The invention also relates to a unit for assembling several body parts of a motor vehicle, comprising: a station for assembling the body parts; at least two suspended conveyors configured to accumulate and transfer the identical body parts to the assembly station via suspended supports each carrying one of said body parts; remarkable in that each of the suspended supports is according to the invention.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for configuring a support for transferring a model of motor vehicle parts to an assembly station, comprising the following step: adjustment and fixing on the support of interfaces with the part model; remarkable in that the support is according to the invention, and the adjustment and fixing step is carried out exclusively by screwing.

[0017] The measures of the invention are interesting in that they make it easier to adapt the supports transported by suspended conveyors to different parts or shapes of motor vehicle parts. Different interfaces, for contact with the parts, can be easily mounted on the intermediate plate, thanks to the regular network of orifices. These interfaces can also be easily moved from one orifice to another, by easy-to-implement fixing methods, such as screwing. Thus, the same assembly line can easily produce different vehicle models, by simply changing or moving the interfaces on the supports. This saves time when changing parts, as well as reducing the production and design costs of the supports. The invention also saves space in the assembly lines.In fact, it is no longer necessary to reserve a place for the storage of unused pallets corresponding to other vehicle models. This invention is also easy to manufacture and implement, with techniques and materials known to those skilled in the art.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description and the drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] [fig. 1] is a perspective view of a support for an overhead conveyor such as found in the prior art;

[0020] [fig.2] represents an assembly unit of several body parts according to the invention;

[0021] [fig.3] shows a front view of a bodywork part support according to the invention, carrying a body part;

[0022] [fig.4] shows a front view of the support of figure 3 without the body part;

[0023] [fig.5] shows a side view of the support of figures 3 and 4, without the car part nastiness. Detailed description

[0024] The examples described below are given for information purposes, but other applications or embodiments of the invention not described may be envisaged.

[0025] Figure 1 has been described in the “prior art” section.

[0026] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an assembly unit according to the invention.

[0027] The assembly unit 21 makes it possible to assemble parts (A, B) of the bodywork of motor vehicles (these vehicles not being shown in these figures). This unit 21 comprises an assembly station 23 for said parts (A, B) and at least two suspended conveyors 25. Each conveyor 25 transports identical bodywork parts (A, B), which accumulate and transfer the parts (A, B) to the assembly station 23, via suspended supports 27. Thus, each support 27 carries one of the vehicle parts (A, B), and moves from a first end 25A of the conveyor 25 to a second end 25B of said conveyor 25. This movement is carried out on a rail 25C, the second end 25B of the conveyor 25 serving to transfer the parts (A, B) to the assembly station 23, generally using robotic arms 29.

[0028] Figures 3 to 5 show different views, with or without vehicle part, of the suspended support according to the invention.

[0029] The support 27 according to the invention comprises a frame 31 and an engagement plate 33 with the suspended conveyor (the conveyor being visible in FIG. 2). The engagement plate 33 is fixed to an upper end 31A of said frame 31, this frame 31 extending in a main vertical direction when the support 27 is mounted on the conveyor. The support 27 further comprises, on a machined face 31B of the frame 31, an intermediate plate 35 fixed to said frame 31. This plate 35 comprises a regular network of orifices 37, this network forming fixing zones 37 for interfaces 39 supporting one of the parts (A, B). The intermediate plate 35 preferably extends transversely to the chassis 31, and, within the extent of the intermediate plate 35, the engagement plate 33 has a length and the chassis 31 has a width, the width of the chassis 31 being less than the length of the engagement plate 33 over the entire extent of said chassis 31.In addition, the intermediate plate 35 comprises a main portion 35A fixed to the frame 31 and at least one lateral portion 35B which extends beyond the frame 31, the network of orifices 37 extending over the main portion 35A and over the lateral portion 35B. This regular network of orifices 37 also has a pitch, in two perpendicular directions, of between 40mm and 60mm.

[0030] The chassis 31 further comprises openings 31C which make it possible to lighten the support 27. The interfaces 39 of the support 27 may have different shapes depending on the part (A, B) which they must transport. These interfaces 39 may be hook-shaped, or comprise rubber elements making it possible to avoid damage to the part (A, B). The interfaces 39 are advantageously fixed to the intermediate plate 35 by fixing elements 39A, mainly screws.

[0031] This support 27 is used for the transfer of parts (A, B) of the motor vehicle body to the assembly station (described in FIG. 2). The part (A, B) shown in FIG. 3 is one of the rear linings of the vehicle. The elements making up the support 27 according to the invention are preferably made in metallic materials, and by techniques known to those skilled in the art.

[0032] A method of configuring the support for transferring a model of a motor vehicle part to the assembly station is also described, with reference to Figures 2 to 5. This method comprises the following step.

[0033] The adjustment and fixing, on the support 27, of interfaces 39 according to the model of parts (A, B) that the support 27 must carry. This step is carried out exclusively by screwing.

[0034] This method may also comprise a prior step of determining the positioning of the interfaces 39 on the support 27 according to the part (A, B) to be carried.

Claims

Claims

1. Support (27) for transferring parts (A, B) of a motor vehicle body to an assembly station (23), said support (27) comprising: - a chassis (31); - an engagement plate (33) with a suspended conveyor (25), fixed to the chassis (31); and - fixing zones (37) of interfaces (39) with the part (A, B), on the chassis (31); characterized in that the support (27) further comprises: - an intermediate plate (35) fixed to the chassis (31) and comprising a regular network of orifices (37) forming the fixing zones (37) of interfaces (39) with the part (A, B).

2. Support (27) according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (31) comprises a machined face (31B) receiving the intermediate plate (35).

3. Support (27) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the frame (31) extends in a main vertical direction when the support (27) is suspended from the suspended conveyor (25).

4. Support (27) according to claim 3, characterized in that the intermediate plate (35) extends transversely to the frame (31).

5. Support (27) according to claim 4, characterized in that, within the extent of the intermediate plate (35), the engagement plate (33) has a length and the frame (31) has a width, said width of the frame (31) being less than said length of the engagement plate (33) over the entire extent of said frame (31).

6. Support (27) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate plate (35) comprises a main portion (35A) fixed to the frame (31) and at least one lateral portion (35B) extending beyond the frame (31).

7. Support (27) according to claim 6, characterized in that the regular network of orifices (37) extends over the main portion (35A) and the at least one lateral portion (35B).

8. Support (27) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the regular network of orifices (37) has a pitch in two perpendicular directions of between 40mm and 60mm.

9. Assembly unit (21) of several body parts (A, B) of motor vehicle, comprising: - an assembly station (23) for bodywork parts (A, B); - at least two suspended conveyors (25) configured to accumulate and transfer the identical bodywork parts (A, B) to the assembly station (23) via suspended supports (27) each carrying one of said bodywork parts (A, B); characterized in that each of the suspended supports (27) is according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Method for configuring a support (27) for transferring a model of parts (A, B) of a motor vehicle to an assembly station (23), comprising the following step: - adjustment and fixing on the support (27) of interfaces (39) with the model of parts (A, B); characterized in that the support (27) is according to one of claims 1 to 8, and the adjustment and fixing step is carried out exclusively by screwing.

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