Vehicle Assembly Line Perpendicular Carrier Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle assembly lines face challenges in efficiently fitting vehicle underbody parts due to limitations in conveying tools and parts under the vehicle bodies, particularly with the longitudinal direction of vehicles being parallel to the conveyance direction, which hinders the formation of adequate part spaces and conveyance paths, leading to inefficiencies in the fitting process.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle assembly line design includes floor friction carriers that support vehicle bodies with their longitudinal direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, allowing for separate formation of conveyance paths and part spaces under the vehicles, with first and second conveyance paths connecting front and rear portions, respectively, and part spaces formed between these paths, enabling efficient tool and part placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the longitudinal direction of vehicle bodies is kept parallel to the conveyance direction, then the vehicle bodies can be conveyed efficiently along the assembly line, but it becomes difficult to form separate conveyance paths and part spaces under the vehicle bodies, hindering efficient tool and part placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial orientation of vehicle bodies from parallel to perpendicular relative to the conveyance direction. This dimensional reorientation creates sufficient lateral space under the vehicle bodies to accommodate both conveyance paths for tool wagons and separate part spaces for underbody parts, enabling workers to efficiently access tools and parts from below the vehicle bodies during assembly operations
2Loss of time
If the tool wagon and vehicle underbody parts are located under the vehicle body, then the distance between the worker and the tools/parts is minimized, but the conveyance path and part space need to be formed separately, which complicates the assembly line configuration
Solution Approach 1:
By reorienting vehicle bodies perpendicular to the conveyance direction, the patent creates sufficient lateral space to accommodate both conveyance paths and part spaces under the vehicle bodies without excessive complexity. This spatial arrangement allows tool wagons to travel along conveyance paths while part spaces are positioned adjacent to them, both accessible from below the vehicle bodies, minimizing worker movement time while maintaining reasonable configuration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the space under vehicle bodies into distinct functional zones: conveyance paths for tool wagons and separate part spaces for underbody parts. This segmentation allows independent optimization of tool delivery and part storage functions while both being accessible from below the vehicle bodies, reducing worker movement time without creating excessive configuration complexity
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 configuration minimizes the distance between workers and tools/part spaces, enhancing the efficiency of fitting vehicle underbody parts by allowing tools and parts to be located under the vehicle bodies, thus improving the fitting process and reducing errors, while also allowing for flexible adjustment to accommodate varying vehicle lengths.
Implementation Method 1
the vehicle bodies are supported by respective floor friction carriers
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle assembly line includes a plurality of carriers that support respective vehicle bodies to which vehicle underbody parts, which are parts that are fitted to the vehicle bodies from below the vehicle bodies, are fitted, and convey the vehicle bodies along the vehicle assembly line. The carriers support the vehicle bodies in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of each of the vehicle bodies is perpendicular to the conveyance direction in which the vehicle bodies are conveyed.