Vehicle Body Assembly Joining Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle body assembly methods require dedicated space and multiple joining devices, leading to inefficiencies and increased capital investment due to the need for separate operations for lower and upper assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that overlap and join upper and lower assemblies using a single joining device, with a robot arm supporting a movable upper jig and a lower jig for positioning and welding, allowing for space-saving and efficient production of vertical assemblies without the need for multiple dedicated spaces or devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate joining devices and dedicated spaces are used for lower and upper assemblies, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The joining device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can join both lower component parts and upper component parts, and can also perform vertical joining operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate joining devices for different assembly stages, reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision through the robot arm's controlled movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple joining operations (lower joining, upper joining, and vertical joining) into a single integrated joining device. The device is merged with a robot arm system that can position it accurately, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate devices into one unified system
2Reliability
If multiple joining devices are used for lower and upper assemblies, then joining reliability is improved, but space requirements and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single joining device performs multiple joining operations (lower joining, upper joining, vertical joining) that would traditionally require multiple devices. This multi-functional approach maintains joining reliability through consistent operation while significantly reducing the space required for the assembly apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The joining device is made dynamic through coupling with a robot arm, allowing it to move between different working positions. This dynamic positioning enables one device to perform multiple joining operations at different locations, reducing the need for multiple stationary devices and the space they would occupy
3Adaptability or versatility
If a robot arm is used to move the upper jig, then positioning flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot arm is designed as a multi-functional positioning system that performs multiple tasks: positioning the upper jig during upper joining operations, positioning the upper assembly during vertical joining, and transferring component parts. This universal positioning capability provides flexibility across different operations while justifying the added complexity through consolidated functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body assembling apparatus includes a lower jig, an upper jig movable by an arm of a robot, and a joining device. The joining device performs joining operations for lower component parts (e.g., a temporary assembly of a rear floor frame) transported by the upper jig and positioned by the lower jig, upper component parts (e.g., a temporary assembly of a rear floor panel) held by the upper jig, and a temporary assembly of a vertical assembly (e.g., rear floor component) formed by overlapping the upper assembly with the lower assembly, above the lower jig at different timings.