Driverless transport device for assembling a motor vehicle and method for unloading a motor vehicle from a transport vehicle of this type

Abstract

An automated guided vehicle for assembling a motor vehicle including a drivable base and a vehicle carrier coupled to the base and extending in a longitudinal direction, is configured and developed in terms of a flexible production using simple constructional means, in such a way that the vehicle carrier has actuatable receiving points for carrying the motor vehicle, the vehicle carrier can be moved along its longitudinal direction relative to the base by means of a guide device and can be tilted around an axis oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal direction, such that the at least partially assembled motor vehicle can drive off of the vehicle carrier on its own wheels when receiving points are released from the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A driverless transport device for assembling an automobile, comprising a drivable base and a vehicle carrier coupled to the base and extending in a longitudinal direction, characterized in that the vehicle carrier has actuatable receiving points for carrying the automobile, in that the vehicle carrier is movable along its longitudinal direction relative to the base via a guide device and can be tilted around an axis oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal direction and comprises two wheel supports for moving the automobile relative to the vehicle carrier, such that the at least partially assembled automobile can drive off of the vehicle carrier on its own wheels when the receiving points are released from the automobile, wherein the driverless transport device is configured as a an automated guided vehicle, wherein the vehicle carrier further comprises at least one crossbar that extends transversely or obliquely to the longitudinal direction of said vehicle carrier and is displaceably guided in the longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle carrier, and wherein on said crossbar the receiving points are arranged.

2. The driverless transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle carrier is coupled to the base by a lift table that is adjustable in height relative to the base.

3. The driverless transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide device further comprises a seat that is arranged in the lift table, wherein said seat is complementary to a profile rail, and allows only a longitudinal displacement of the profile rail.

4. The driverless transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lift table is configured so as to be tiltable relative to the base.

5. The driverless transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that one end of the vehicle carrier further comprises a tapering portion that functions as a drive-off ramp.

6. The driverless transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide device further comprises a profile rail arranged on the vehicle carrier, and a recess that is arranged in the base and is intended for guiding the profile rail.

7. The driverless transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two sides of the base further comprise a platform for at least one of workers, tools and components to be assembled.

8. Method for unloading an automobile from an automated guided vehicle that functions to assemble an automobile, the method comprising the steps of: moving a vehicle carrier, extending in a longitudinal direction and carrying the automobile by actuating receiving points, along its longitudinal direction relative to a drivable base, providing at least one crossbar that extends transversely or obliquely to the longitudinal direction of said vehicle carrier and is displaceably guided in the longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle carrier, and wherein on said crossbar the receiving points are arranged, tilting the vehicle carrier around an axis extending orthogonally to the longitudinal direction, releasing the receiving points from the automobile, and driving the at least partially assembled automobile off on its own wheels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be explained in greater detail in the following with reference to the figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a driverless transport device;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the driverless transport device from FIG. 1 when the vehicle carrier is pivoted;

(4) FIG. 3a, b are a plurality of partial views (cross sections A-A and B-B along the axes in FIG. 1) of the profile rail of the vehicle carrier in a recess and a seat;

(5) FIG. 4a, b are schematic side views of a first and a second step of unloading the motor vehicle from the transport device;

(6) FIG. 5a, b are schematic side views of a third and a fourth step of unloading the motor vehicle from the transport device;

(7) FIG. 6a, b are schematic side views of a fifth and sixth step of unloading the motor vehicle from the transport device; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the driverless transport device from FIG. 1 having a tilted lift table; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the driverless transport device in the state shown in FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a driverless transport device 10 for assembling a motor vehicle 12 (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) The transport device 10 comprises a drivable base 14 and a vehicle carrier 18 coupled to the base 14 and extending in a longitudinal direction 16.

(12) The vehicle carrier 18 further comprises actuatable receiving points 20 for carrying the motor vehicle 12. The vehicle carrier 18 can be moved along its longitudinal direction 16 relative to the base 14 by means of a guide device 22 and can be tilted around an axis 24 oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal direction 16. The at least partially assembled motor vehicle 12 can thus drive off of the vehicle carrier 18 on its own wheels 26 when receiving points 20 are released from the motor vehicle 12 (cf. FIGS. 4 to 6).

(13) The vehicle carrier 18 is coupled to the base 14 by means of a lift table 28 that is adjustable in height relative to the base 14. The vehicle carrier 18 is guided on the lift table 28 by means of a lift table top 32 that can be pivoted relative to the base 14 by means of a rotary drive 30.

(14) The lift table 28 is configured so as to be tiltable relative to the base 14. In this case, the lift table 28 can be pivoted or tilted around an axis that is in parallel with the longitudinal direction 16. The lift table 28, and therefore the vehicle carrier, can thus be tilted towards the sides of the drivable base 14 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In this case, the lift table is tilted or pivoted by extending, by different amounts, lifting columns or lifting cylinders 29 that form “table legs” of the lift table 28. The lifting columns or lifting cylinders 29 are each hingedly mounted on the table surface element 31 by means of a pivot bearing.

(15) The vehicle carrier 18 comprises two crossbars 34 that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction 16 and are displaceably guided in the longitudinal direction 16 relative to the vehicle carrier 18 (see FIG. 1). The receiving points 20 are arranged on the crossbars 34. The receiving points 20 are actuatable and can be released from the motor vehicle 12. The receiving points 20 can comprise lifting spindles for example.

(16) A displacement of the crossbar 34 along the longitudinal direction 16 of the vehicle carrier 18 allows for active conveying of the motor vehicle 12, which assists unloading of the motor vehicle 12 from the vehicle carrier 18.

(17) One end, in particular the tiltable end 36, of the vehicle carrier 18 comprises a tapering portion 38 that functions as a drive-off ramp. The motor vehicle 12 can thus drive off of the vehicle carrier 18 (cf. FIGS. 4 to 6).

(18) The vehicle carrier 18 comprises holders 40 for the components of the motor vehicle 12 that are to be assembled. Just like the crossbars 34, the holders 40 can be displaceably guided on the vehicle carrier 18. The holders 40, and also the crossbars 34, can thus be adjusted to different motor vehicles 12.

(19) The vehicle carrier 18 comprises a carriage 42 that is movable in the longitudinal direction 16 and comprises two wheel supports 44. The wheel supports 44 can be configured as a safety/drive-down wedge and can be adjusted or displaced in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 42. The carriage 42 functions to move the motor vehicle 12 relative to the vehicle carrier 18. The wheel supports 44 can comprise a wedge portion 41 via which the motor vehicle 12 can drive off of the wheel supports 44. The carriage 42 is displaceably guided by means of carriage rails 43 that are arranged on the vehicle carrier 18 and carriage guides 45 that are arranged on the carriage 42.

(20) The guide device 22 comprises two profile rails 46 arranged on the vehicle carrier 18, and two recesses 48 arranged in the base 14 for guiding one of the profile rails 46 in each case (cf. FIG. 3a). In this way, the vehicle carrier 18 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the base 14 and can be tilted relative to the base 14, since the recess 48 has a constant width or is “open at the top”.

(21) The guide device 22 additionally comprises a seat 50 that is arranged in the lift table 28, in particular on the lift table top 32, wherein the seat 50 is complementary to the profile rail 46, and allows only a longitudinal displacement of the profile rail 46. Engagement between the profile rail 46 and the seat 50 results in the process.

(22) In view of tilting the vehicle carrier 18 using simple constructional means, it is advantageous for the profile rail 46 not to extend over the entire movement length of the vehicle carrier 18, but instead in a central region of the vehicle carrier 18, viewed in the longitudinal direction 16, for example in the central 40 to 60 percent of the movement length of the vehicle carrier 18.

(23) The base 14 comprises a peripheral platform 52 for workers, tools and/or components to be assembled. It is thus possible for assembly work to be carried out on the motor vehicle 12 even when the transport device 10 is being moved.

(24) The drivable base 14 comprises two wheel axles that each comprise two individually, in particular wheel-specifically, drivable wheels and/or an energy store for supplying power (each without reference signs). The wheel axles are arranged in drive portions 54 that are encased by housing portions 56.

(25) A connecting portion 58 of the base 14 extends between the drive portions 54. The lift table 28 is arranged in the connecting portion 58.

(26) The method for unloading a motor vehicle 12 from a driverless transport device 10 that functions to assemble a motor vehicle 12 is carried out in the following manner (cf. FIGS. 4 to 6):

(27) Firstly, a vehicle carrier 18 that extends in a longitudinal direction and carries the motor vehicle 12 by means of receiving points 20 is moved along its longitudinal direction 16 relative to a drivable base 14 (this has already taken place in FIG. 4a).

(28) The vehicle carrier 18 is then tilted around an axis 24 extending orthogonally to the longitudinal direction 16 (this has likewise already taken place in FIG. 4a).

(29) Subsequently, the receiving points 20 are released from the motor vehicle 12 (cf. FIGS. 4a to 5b).

(30) Finally, the at least partially assembled motor vehicle 12 is driven off on its own wheels 26 (cf. FIG. 4b to FIG. 6b).

(31) A vehicle can thus be easily unloaded from a transport device 10 that functions to assemble the motor vehicle 12, for example onto the ground, or loaded onto another plane, for example onto or into a storage device.

(32) The unloading steps shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 will be clarified in the following:

(33) In FIG. 4a, the vehicle carrier has been uncoupled from the lift table 28, moved to the front end position, and already tilted or hinged around the axis 24 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction 16.

(34) The crossbars 34 then move forwards, in particular synchronously, until the wheels 26 of a first axle of the motor vehicle 12, in particular the front wheels 26 of a front axle of the motor vehicle 12, make contact with the ramp portion 38 of the vehicle carrier 18 and, as a result, the wheel suspension on the first axle, in particular the front axle, of the vehicle deflects. The lifting spindles of the receiving points 20 of the front crossbars 34 are retracted. The motor vehicle 12 is thus already resting on its wheels 26 on a first axle, in particular the front axle (cf. FIG. 4b).

(35) Subsequently, the rear crossbars 34 are moved forwards so that the first axle, in particular the front axle, of the vehicle 12 rolls on the floor (cf. FIG. 5a).

(36) After that, the carriage 42, together with the wheel supports 44 or drive-down wedges 44, is moved towards the tiltable end 36. The wedge portions of the wheel supports 44 are pushed under the wheels 26 of a second axle, in particular the rear axle, of the motor vehicle 12, as a result of which the wheel suspension on the second axle, in particular the rear axle, deflects and the motor vehicle 12 is uncoupled from the rear crossbars 34. The rear crossbar 34 moves into the front end position (cf. FIG. 5b).

(37) Subsequently, the carriage 42 moves into the front end position, until the wheel supports 44 are positioned directly above the ramp portion of the wheel supports 44. The second axle, in particular the rear axle, of the motor vehicle 12 can then roll over the ramp portion 38. The motor vehicle 12 is thus unloaded from the transport device 10 and from the vehicle carrier 18 (cf. FIGS. 6a and 6b).

(38) Even though, in the present embodiment, the front of the motor vehicle 12 is oriented towards the tiltable end 36 of the vehicle carrier 18, a reversed arrangement of the motor vehicle 12 such that its tail is at the tiltable end 36 of the vehicle carrier 18 is also conceivable. In this case, the motor vehicle 12 would drive off of the vehicle carrier 18 backwards, beginning with its tail.