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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11014747-B2
Application number	US-201615750392-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 5, 2016
Priority date	Aug 6, 2015
Publication date	May 25, 2021
Grant date	May 25, 2021

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

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.

Assignees

• Univ Stuttgart

Inventors

• Hofmann Matthias

Classifications

• B62D65/18 Primary

  Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines {(conveyors and haulage in general B65G)} · CPC title

• B66F7/22

  with tiltable platforms (tilting vehicles for unloading B65G67/34) · CPC title

• B65G2201/0294

  Vehicle bodies · CPC title

• B65G7/08 Primary

  for tilting the loads · CPC title