Indexing Device for Driverless Transport Vehicle Workpiece Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing manufacturing systems for series production of motor vehicles face challenges in achieving precise positioning of workpieces at production stations, limited by the positioning accuracy of driverless transport vehicles.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of under-ride industrial trucks as driverless transport vehicles, equipped with lifting devices and an indexing device featuring vertically movable taper bolts, allows for precise alignment and lifting of workpiece carriers at production stations, minimizing positioning inaccuracies and enabling precise workpiece placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If driverless transport vehicles are used to transport workpiece carriers, then automation and productivity are improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to the limited accuracy of transport vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of workpiece transportVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of workpieces

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an indexing device as an intermediary mechanism between the transport vehicle and the workpiece carrier. This indexing device independently adjusts and positions the workpiece carrier at the production station, decoupling the positioning function from the transport vehicle's limited accuracy, thereby resolving the contradiction between automated transport and precise positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the transport function (performed by the driverless vehicle) from the positioning function (performed by the indexing device). This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function: the vehicle handles automated transport while the indexing device ensures precise positioning, thus resolving the accuracy limitation imposed by using automated transport vehicles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If workpiece carriers extend beyond the transport vehicle for accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and positioning accuracy worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of workpiece carriersVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of workpieces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing device acts as an intermediary that stabilizes and precisely positions the workpiece carrier even when it extends beyond the transport vehicle. This mediator compensates for the instability introduced by the extended carrier design, maintaining positioning accuracy while enabling ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3609775B2Manufacturing system with driverless transport vehicles and improved workpiece positioning in the manufacturing stations

Publication Date: 2023.09.20 AUDI AG

Figure 1a~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a manufacturing system for manufacturing workpieces, in particular motor vehicles or motor vehicle assemblies, with a plurality of manufacturing stations, a plurality of workpiece carriers (200) and a plurality of driverless transport vehicles. The driverless transport vehicles are designed as underrunning industrial trucks which run under the workpiece carriers (200) for transportation purposes. At least one manufacturing station is formed with an indexing device (400) which aligns the workpiece carrier (200), which is located on a driverless transport vehicle that has been brought in, with the manufacturing station.