Mobile Parts Table Docking for Flexible Vehicle Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and inflexibility of conventional fixtures in vehicle assembly factories, which require unique designs for each part and are fixed to specific locations, lead to significant financial and operational inefficiencies, especially when updating vehicle models or changing assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of mobile parts tables that can engage with multiple parts and autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), allowing for the relocation of parts tables without the need for new fixtures, enabling efficient reconfiguration of assembly processes and reducing costs associated with fixture redesign and reinstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixtures are used to hold specific parts for assembly, then parts can be securely held and assembled, but the cost of fixtures becomes extremely high and the system becomes inflexible for model updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dedicated single-purpose fixtures with universal parts tables that can accommodate multiple different parts through standardized interfaces. The parts tables use generic holding mechanisms that can secure various part types without requiring custom-designed fixtures for each part, thereby reducing costs while maintaining reliable part holding capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile parts tables that can be dynamically relocated within the assembly facility using autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs). This dynamic positioning allows the same parts table to serve different assembly stations and different vehicle models, providing flexibility for model updates while maintaining secure part holding through controlled movement and positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated fixtures are designed for each specific part, then assembly precision can be maintained, but the number of fixtures required becomes extremely large and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal parts tables with standardized part-holding interfaces that can accommodate multiple different part types. This universality reduces the total number of fixtures needed while maintaining assembly precision through consistent positioning and holding mechanisms that work across different part geometries and sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses adjustable and reconfigurable part-holding mechanisms on the parts tables that can be modified to accommodate different part parameters. This allows a single fixture type to maintain precision for multiple part types by changing its configuration rather than requiring dedicated fixtures for each part.
3Reliability
If fixtures are fixed to particular locations in the assembly factory, then stable assembly operations can be performed, but relocation for process changes or model updates becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms fixed fixtures into mobile parts tables that can be dynamically relocated using autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs). The parts tables can be moved to different locations within the assembly facility as needed for process changes or model updates, while maintaining stable assembly operations through controlled positioning and secure part holding during movement and at new locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service relocation where the mobile parts tables can autonomously navigate to different locations using AGVs without requiring manual intervention for relocation. This reduces the time and cost associated with fixture relocation while maintaining operational stability through automated positioning and setup at new locations.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixtures are designed for specific parts, then part-specific assembly requirements can be met, but updating vehicle models requires complete redesign and reinstallation of fixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal parts tables with standardized interfaces that can accommodate parts from different vehicle models. This allows the same parts table infrastructure to support part-specific assembly requirements while easily adapting to different vehicle models by simply changing the parts loaded onto the tables rather than redesigning the fixtures themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration for different vehicle models by allowing mobile parts tables to be relocated and reloaded with different parts as needed. This dynamic approach allows part-specific assembly capabilities to be maintained while making vehicle model updates simple matters of reloading parts rather than redesigning and reinstalling entire fixture systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A parts table may comprise a structure including a first surface, a base including a platform affixed to the structure, and kinematic couplers secured to the base and configured to dock with complementary kinematic couplers of an alignment structure, the alignment structure being secured to a floor of an assembly cell, the first surface including a parts interface configured to hold a plurality of parts for assembly in the assembly cell, such that each part of the plurality of parts can be picked up by a robot of the assembly cell when the parts table is docked with the alignment structure, and the parts table is movable to a new location when the kinematic couplers are undocked from the alignment structure.