Servo-Actuated Pillar Locking Mechanism for Vehicle Body Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for securing and positioning vehicle bodies on pallets in assembly lines require complex hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms, which add unnecessary components and complicate the assembly process, and lack efficient methods for accommodating various vehicle builds and body styles.
Innovation Solution
A system using servo motors with a crank shaft and a body locking mechanism with a locking arm and linkage, housed in a hollow pillar, allows for remote and selective securing of the vehicle body to the pallet, and includes a compliance member to accommodate sheet metal variances, along with a precise positioning system using locator pads and receivers for accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms are used to secure vehicle body to pallet, then the securing function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking mechanism from the moving pallet and relocates it to the stationary pillar. The locking arm and actuator are now fixed infrastructure rather than components that travel with the pallet, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic/pneumatic systems on the pallet itself while maintaining the securing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compliance member as an intermediary element between the locking arm and the vehicle body. This compliance member accommodates variations in body thickness and positioning, providing a simple mechanical solution that replaces complex controlled mechanisms while maintaining reliable securing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms are secured aboard the moving pallet, then the vehicle body can be secured and unsecured along the assembly path, but the quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the actuator and locking mechanism from the pallet and relocates them to the stationary pillar. This extraction eliminates numerous components that would otherwise need to be mounted on and transported with each pallet, including hydraulic pumps, pneumatic tanks, valves, and associated piping.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary pillar with its integrated actuator serves multiple pillars and pallets over time, rather than each pallet carrying its own dedicated locking mechanism. This universal approach reduces the total quantity of components needed across the entire assembly system while maintaining the ability to selectively secure different vehicle bodies.
3Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used on the pallet to secure body, then the body can be locked at various stations, but the weight of the moving pallet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all heavy locking mechanisms from the moving pallet and relocates them to the stationary pillar infrastructure. This includes removing actuators, linkages, and support structures that would add significant weight to the pallet, while the locking capability is maintained through the stationary system.
4Manufacturing precision
If prior systems are used to secure vehicle body to pallet, then the body can be positioned at build stations, but the manufacturing precision of body positioning is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a simpler system based on precision locators and compliance members. The locators provide precise reference points, while the compliance member passively accommodates variations through elastic deformation, achieving high positioning accuracy without complex active control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body positioning and locking devices for use in assembling a vehicle body positioned on a movable vehicle support positioned at a vehicle build station. The locking device includes a remote vehicle locking device for selectively securing and locking a vehicle body to a support pallet. The support pallet is accurately and precisely positioned at a build station through alignment and inserting engagement of locating pads in at least one four-way and at least one two way receiver mounted to a build station foundation. A compliant body clamp design is included to provide a desired clamping force between the pallet and a vehicle body across a range of motion of the body clamp to accommodate vehicle build variances.