Vehicle-Body Gluing Assembly With Temperature-Controlled Riveting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The sensitivity of glue to the thermal state of components on a vehicle-body assembly line causes variations in glue viscosity, affecting the riveting process, leading to inconsistent quality due to increased resistance and requiring adjustments in riveting head operation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a process that measures the temperature of components and thermally conditions them or the glue to maintain a pre-set thermal state, ensuring consistent glue viscosity during riveting by using heat-conditioning means controlled by a temperature control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If glue is applied to cold metal sheet, then glue sets quickly, but glue viscosity increases and riveting resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing qualityVSAvoidriveting operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating of the metal component before glue application to prevent excessive glue viscosity increase. By pre-conditioning the substrate temperature, the system ensures optimal glue flow and riveting conditions are maintained throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the temperature parameter of the metal component during the gluing and riveting process. By controlling the substrate temperature within a specific range, the system maintains consistent glue viscosity and riveting resistance regardless of environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If environmental conditions vary, then manufacturing conditions change, but consistent quality is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing qualityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the metal component temperature and provide feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts heating power to maintain optimal conditions for glue application and riveting, ensuring consistent quality despite environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual environmental adjustments with an automated thermal control system. Instead of manually adapting riveting parameters to environmental conditions, the system uses automated temperature control of the substrate to maintain consistent process conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If riveting head operates without adjustment, then process simplicity is maintained, but riveting quality becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveriveting system complexityVSAvoidriveting quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the need for mechanical adjustment of the riveting head with thermal control of the substrate. By maintaining optimal substrate temperature, the system ensures consistent glue viscosity and riveting resistance, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while maintaining high riveting quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This process guarantees uniform manufacturing quality by maintaining consistent riveting conditions, eliminating the need for adjustments in the riveting head and ensuring consistent force application, regardless of environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

measuring the temperature of the first component and/or of the second component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 2

thermally conditioning the first component and/or the second component and/or the glue applied on the first component and/or second component via heat-conditioning means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conditioning: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3368626B1System and corresponding process for assembling together two components on a vehicle-body assembling line

Publication Date: 2021.12.15 COMAU SPA

Figure 1

AI summary

Described herein is a process for gluing two components on a vehicle-body assembly line, comprising the steps of: providing a first component and a second component; - applying a layer of glue on said first component and/or on said second component; - measuring the temperature of the first component and/or of the second component; thermally conditioning the first component and/or the second component and/or the glue applied on the first component or on the second component via heat-conditioning means controlled on the basis of the temperature measured; and coupling together said first and second components, with said layer of glue set in between.