Positioning tool

Abstract

A positioning tool is provided that can accommodate a variety of types of parts having T-shaped portions and can facilitate management of individual differences. [Solution] A positioning tool (1) positions and supports a component (M) having a T-shaped portion in which one end of a long second portion (M2) is disposed in the middle of a long first portion (M1). The positioning tool (1) includes a first support portion (10) that supports at least one end of the second portion (M2) and a second support portion (20) that supports the other end of the second portion (M2). The first support portion (10) has a first receiving portion (11) that receives at least one end of the second portion (M2), and a first receiving surface (11A) of the first receiving portion (11) has an arc-shaped cross section curved upward in a vertical plane along one direction. The second support portion (20) has a cylindrical rod-shaped second receiving portion (21) that receives the other end of the second portion (M2).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning tool that positions and supports a component having a T-shaped portion in which one end side of a long second portion is disposed in the middle portion of a long first portion. [Background technology]

[0002] In the manufacture of automobiles, parts are automatically supplied. For example, parts are loaded onto a cart, which is then automatically moved to a part assembly position, and an industrial robot picks up the parts from the cart and assembles them on the object to be assembled. For example, a positioning tool is provided on the cart to place the parts in a predetermined position, and parts for one vehicle model are loaded according to the vehicle model being produced. Furthermore, for example, multiple positioning tools are provided, one for each vehicle model, so that one cart can accommodate multiple vehicle models. This allows multiple carts with the same structure to be used, sequentially loading parts for the vehicle models being produced, and transporting them in time for the process takt time.

[0003] However, when multiple carts with the same structure are used in this way, differences occur between each cart, causing variations in part position and resulting in misalignment when an industrial robot picks up the part.Furthermore, as the number of carts increases, it becomes difficult to manage individual differences, making it difficult to identify which cart is experiencing misalignment.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a hanger for transporting rear inner panels that uses a U-shaped support to support the lower flange of the part. Patent Document 2 describes a carriage for transporting side member outer panels in an upright position that uses multiple pads to support the lower flange of the part.

[0005] However, the hanger in Patent Document 1 or the carriage in Patent Document 2 supports parts along a linear flange, which fixes the position of the part and requires a linear flange at the bottom. Therefore, they cannot be applied to parts that have a complex shape, such as an assembly with a T-shaped portion where a center pillar and a roof rail are joined, which makes it difficult to fix the position and does not have a linear flange at the bottom. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4447759 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5536592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention was made in response to such problems, and aims to provide a positioning tool that can be used with multiple types of parts having T-shaped portions and can easily manage individual differences. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The positioning tool of the present invention positions and supports a component having a T-shaped portion in which one end side of a long second portion is arranged in the middle portion of a long first portion, and has a first receiving portion that receives at least one end side of the second portion, and the first receiving surface of the first receiving portion has a first support portion whose cross-sectional shape in a vertical plane along one direction is an arc curved upward, and a second receiving portion that receives the other end side of the second portion, and the second receiving portion has a cylindrical rod shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the first receiving surface of the first receiving portion that receives at least one end of the second portion has a cross-sectional shape in a vertical plane along one direction that is an upwardly curved arc, and the second receiving portion that receives the other end of the second portion has a cylindrical rod shape. This allows multiple types of components with different shapes to be positioned and supported by the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion. Therefore, the same positioning fixture can be used for multiple types of components, making it easier to manage individual differences compared to when multiple positioning fixtures are provided individually for multiple types of components. Furthermore, the number of spare parts can be reduced.

[0010] Furthermore, a plurality of differently shaped components can be positioned with a minimum of mechanism between the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion, thereby simplifying the configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a positioning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1. FIG. 4 is another view showing the configuration of the positioning tool shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration taken along line II shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Figures 1 and 2 show the configuration of a positioning tool 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 showing the configuration as seen from the side and Figure 2 showing the configuration as seen from above. Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional configuration of a first receiving portion 11 of the positioning tool 1.

[0014] The positioning tool 1 positions and supports a part M having a T-shaped portion in which one end of a long second part M2 is disposed in the middle of a long first part M1. An example of the part M is a car part, such as an assembly having a T-shaped portion in which a center pillar as the second part M2 is joined to a roof rail as the first part M1. Note that part M is partially omitted in FIG. 2.

[0015] The positioning tool 1 includes, for example, one first support part 10 that supports at least one end side of the second part M2 of the part M, and at least one second support part 20 that supports the other end side of the second part M2 of the part M. The first support part 10 and the second support part 20 are commonly used for, for example, a plurality of different types of parts M with different shapes, and are configured so that one positioning tool 1 can accommodate a plurality of different types of parts M with different shapes. Specifically, for example, one positioning tool 1 can accommodate a plurality of parts M for different vehicle models.

[0016] Note that one second support part 20 may be provided for one first support part 10, but one first support part 10 may be provided with a plurality of second support parts 20 corresponding to a plurality of types of parts M. Figures 1 and 2 show the case where one second support part 20 is provided for one first support part 10.

[0017] The first support portion 10 has a first receiving portion 11 that receives at least one end side of the second portion M2 of the component M. The first receiving portion 11 is disposed, for example, on a first support column 12. The height of the first support column 12 is preferably, for example, approximately 590 mm or more and 610 mm or less.

[0018] The first receiving portion 11 is provided with, for example, a first receiving surface 11A that receives at least one end of the second portion M2. The first receiving surface 11A has a cross-sectional shape in a vertical plane along one direction that is an arc that is curved upward. The one direction is, for example, the longitudinal direction of the second portion M2. Specifically, for example, the first receiving surface 11A is formed by a semi-cylindrical curved surface, and it is preferable that the semi-circular top and bottom surfaces of the semi-cylindrical shape are parallel to the vertical plane and the opposing direction of the top and bottom surfaces is perpendicular to the one direction.

[0019] This is because, even if the shape of the part M varies depending on the type, any part of the first receiving surface 11A can abut and support the part M at any part on one end side of the second part M2. Note that, in addition to the one end side of the second part M2, other parts of the part M may abut on the first receiving surface 11A. Specifically, for example, the part where the first part M1 and the second part M2 are disposed, and at least a part of the vicinity of the part where the first part M1 is disposed may abut on the first receiving surface 11A. The size of the first receiving surface 11A is preferably, for example, such that the diameter in a vertical plane along one direction is approximately 180 mm to 185 mm, and the width in the vertical direction relative to the one direction is approximately 20 mm to 30 mm.

[0020] The first receiving portion 11 is also preferably provided with drop prevention portions 11B that protrude in a flange-like manner from the first receiving surface 11A on both sides of the first receiving surface 11A in a direction perpendicular to one direction of the first receiving surface 11A. This is to prevent the component M from shifting sideways and becoming detached from the first receiving portion 11. The amount of protrusion of the drop prevention portions 11B from the first receiving surface 11A is preferably, for example, approximately 5 mm to 35 mm.

[0021] The second support part 20 has a second receiving part 21 that receives the other end side of the second part M2. The second receiving part 21 is disposed relative to, for example, a second support pillar 22. The height of the second support pillar 22 is preferably, for example, approximately 245 mm or more and 255 mm or less.

[0022] The second receiving portion 21 is cylindrical and rod-shaped. This is so that even if the shape of the part M varies depending on the type and the position of the other end side of the second portion M2 varies depending on the type, the part M can be received by the second receiving portion 21. The diameter of the second receiving portion 21 is preferably, for example, about 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and the length of the second receiving portion 21 is preferably, for example, about 70 mm or more and 75 mm or less.

[0023] The positioning tool 1 also preferably includes a plurality of fall prevention portions 30 that support the part M to prevent it from falling. Each fall prevention portion 30 includes, for example, a pair of clamping members 31 arranged to sandwich a portion of the other end side of the second portion M2 of the part M, and a third support 32 that supports the pair of clamping members 31. Each pair of clamping members 31 is preferably disposed parallel to a vertical plane. For example, each fall prevention portion 30 is provided to individually correspond to a plurality of types of parts M, that is, to match the position of the other end side of each second portion M2.

[0024] The positioning tool 1 is used by being disposed on, for example, a jig, a mounting table, or a transport member that positions and arranges the part M. The part M is positioned and arranged on the positioning tool 1, for example, by first inserting a part of the other end side of the second part M2 into the corresponding fall prevention part 30, then placing the other end side of the second part M2 on the corresponding second receiving part 21, and placing one end side of the second part M2 on the first receiving part 11.

[0025] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first receiving surface 11A of the first receiving portion 11 that receives at least one end of the second portion M2 has a cross-sectional shape in a vertical plane along one direction that is curved upward in an arc shape, and the second receiving portion 21 that receives the other end of the second portion M2 has a cylindrical rod shape, so that multiple types of components M with different shapes can be positioned and supported by the first receiving portion 11 and the second receiving portion 21. Therefore, a common positioning fixture 1 can be used for multiple types of components M, making it easier to manage individual differences compared to when multiple positioning fixtures 1 are provided to individually correspond to multiple types of components M. The number of spare parts can also be reduced.

[0026] Furthermore, a plurality of types of components M having different shapes can be positioned with a minimum mechanism of the first receiving portion 11 and the second receiving portion 21, thereby simplifying the configuration.

[0027] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways. For example, although each component has been specifically described in the above embodiments, the specific structure or shape of each component may be different, and the device may not include all of the above-described components, and may include other components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1...positioning tool, 10...first support part, 11...first receiving part, 11A...first receiving surface, 11B...fall prevention part, 12...first support pillar, 20...second support part, 21...second receiving part, 22...second support pillar, 30...fall prevention part, 31...clamping member, 32...third support pillar, M...component, M1...first part, M2...second part

Claims

1. A positioning tool for positioning and supporting a component having a T-shaped portion in which one end side of a long second portion is disposed in a middle portion of a long first portion, a first support portion having a first receiving portion that receives at least one end side of the second portion, wherein a first receiving surface of the first receiving portion has a cross-sectional shape in a vertical plane along one direction that is an arc curved upward; a second receiving portion for receiving the other end of the second portion, the second receiving portion being a cylindrical rod-shaped second support portion; A positioning tool comprising:

2. 2. The positioning tool according to claim 1, further comprising one first support portion, at least one second support portion, and a plurality of fall prevention portions that individually correspond to a plurality of types of components and support the components to prevent them from falling.

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