A vehicle disassembly system for disassembling a vehicle by moving the vehicle through a plurality of discrete workstations specifically adapted for select de-pollution and dismantling procedures encountered during the end-of-life vehicle recycling process. A vehicle disassembly system exemplifying the principles of the present invention may comprise a primary de-pollution and disassembly line and an engine disassembly line. The primary de-pollution and disassembly line may include one or more de-pollution stations, one or more intermediate, part removal stations, and a conveyor apparatus for transmitting the end-of-life vehicle from the de-pollution stations to the part removal stations. The engine disassembly line may include an overhead track support frame, a trolley assembly, one or more height adjustable loading tables, one or more height adjustable work tables, and one or more height adjustable un-loading tables. The vehicle disassembly system may also comprise an engine cleaning apparatus positioned proximate to the height adjustable un-loading tables of the engine disassembly line.

In various embodiments, a generative design application generates and evaluates automotive designs. In operation, the generative design application computes a first set of metric values based on a set of metrics associated with design goal(s) and a first set of parameter values for a parameterized automobile model. The generative design application then performs optimization operation(s) on the first set of parameter values based on the first set of metric values to generate a second set of parameter values. Subsequently, the generative design application generates at least one design based on the second set of parameter values that is more convergent with respect to at least one of the design goals than a previously generated design. Advantageously, less time and effort are required to generate and evaluate multiple designs and then optimize those designs relative to more manual prior art approaches.

In various embodiments, a generative design application generates and evaluates automotive designs. In operation, the generative design application computes a first set of metric values based on a set of metrics associated with design goal(s) and a first set of parameter values for a parameterized automobile model. The generative design application then performs optimization operation(s) on the first set of parameter values based on the first set of metric values to generate a second set of parameter values. Subsequently, the generative design application generates at least one design based on the second set of parameter values that is more convergent with respect to at least one of the design goals than a previously generated design. Advantageously, less time and effort are required to generate and evaluate multiple designs and then optimize those designs relative to more manual prior art approaches.

A replacement steering and suspension support cross member is configured to replace the original cross member in an automobile that, as originally designed, could only receive small block motors into its engine bay, so that a big block motor can be installed in the engine bay. The cross member has first and second end portions that are joined, longitudinally, by a central portion. The central portion is recessed from the front and top of the end portions. The assembly further includes upper and lower control arms at each end as well as shock supports. The cross member is configured to reside at a transverse position that is behind the position of the original cross member, while the spindle mounts and shock absorber mounts are offset forward to be on the original axle axis.

A technique for enabling efficient retrieval of a digital representation of personality data of a user (402) by a client device (406) from a server (404) is disclosed, wherein the digital representation of the personality data is processed at the client device (406) to provide a user-adapted service to the user (402). A method implementation of the technique is performed by the server (404) and comprises storing a neural network being trained to compute personality data of a user based on input obtained from the user (402), receiving, from the client device (406), a request for a digital representation of personality data for a user (402), and sending, to the client device (406), the requested digital representation of the personality data of the user (402), wherein the personality data of the user is computed using the neural network based on input obtained from the user (402).

A technique for enabling efficient retrieval of a digital representation of personality data of a user (402) by a client device (406) from a server (404) is disclosed, wherein the digital representation of the personality data is processed at the client device (406) to provide a user-adapted service to the user (402). A method implementation of the technique is performed by the server (404) and comprises storing a neural network being trained to compute personality data of a user based on input obtained from the user (402), receiving, from the client device (406), a request for a digital representation of personality data for a user (402), and sending, to the client device (406), the requested digital representation of the personality data of the user (402), wherein the personality data of the user is computed using the neural network based on input obtained from the user (402).

A welded steel part obtained by welding a first sheet with a second sheet, at least one with a coating of aluminum alloy. The welding uses a welding wire which, after melting and cooling, constitutes a weld bead connecting the first sheet to the second sheet and being part of said welded steel part. The respective peripheral edge of the first and second sheets are in a joggled edge type configuration in which the peripheral edge of the first sheet is arranged above, and on or near the upper face of an end portion of the peripheral edge of the second sheet which is extended by an inclined junction portion, at least one part of the upper face of the inclined junction portion delimits at least laterally with the edge of the peripheral edge of the first sheet a groove receiving the weld bead, the inclined joining portion extending by a welding portion in longitudinal continuity with the peripheral edge of the first sheet.

A robotic system for presenting a payload within a workspace includes a pair of serial robots configured to connect to the payload, a parallel robot coupled to a distal end of one of the serial robots such that the parallel robot is disposed between the distal end and the payload, a sensor situated within a kinematic chain extending between the distal end and the payload, and a robot control system (RCS). The sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of a measured property of the payload. The RCS includes a coordinated motion controller configured to control the serial robots, and a corrective motion controller configured to control the parallel robot. Parallel robot control occurs in response to the sensor signal concurrently with control of the serial robots in order to thereby modify the property of the payload in real-time.

A robotic system for presenting a payload within a workspace includes a pair of serial robots configured to connect to the payload, a parallel robot coupled to a distal end of one of the serial robots such that the parallel robot is disposed between the distal end and the payload, a sensor situated within a kinematic chain extending between the distal end and the payload, and a robot control system (RCS). The sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of a measured property of the payload. The RCS includes a coordinated motion controller configured to control the serial robots, and a corrective motion controller configured to control the parallel robot. Parallel robot control occurs in response to the sensor signal concurrently with control of the serial robots in order to thereby modify the property of the payload in real-time.

An embodiment outer panel assembled to a vehicle body frame includes an outer plate portion, a plurality of flange portions extending from an edge portion of the outer plate portion and bent toward the vehicle body frame, and a fastening member installed in the flange portions and engaged to the vehicle body frame.