Device for positioning vehicle parts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11208166-B2
Application number	US-202016932106-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 17, 2020
Priority date	Jul 25, 2019
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

A device for positioning motor vehicle parts in the production or manufacture of motor vehicles. The device includes a main frame, at least one main module configured to be disposed on the main frame, at least one interchangeable first docking plate configured for releasable connection to the main module, and a plurality of first receptacles, arranged on the interchangeable first docking plate, configured to hold the motor vehicle parts at a predefined position during the production.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for selectively positioning motor vehicle parts during a production of a motor vehicle, the device comprising:
a main frame;
at least one main module configured to be disposed on the main frame, the at least one main module including a zero-point clamping device;
at least one first interchangeable docking plate configured for releasable connection in a positionally accurate manner to the at least one main module and to be interchanged in an automated manner, the at least one first interchangeable docking plate including a retractable clamping bolt to facilitate the releasable connection of the at least one first interchangeable docking plate to the at least one main module in the positionally accurate manner, the retractable clamping bolt being lockingly received by the zero-point clamping device;
a plurality of first receptacles, arranged on the at least one first interchangeable docking plate, configured to hold the motor vehicle parts at a predefined position;
at least one second interchangeable docking plate configured to be interchanged in an automated manner, and which is releasably connected to the main module in the positionally accurate manner; and
a plurality of second receptacles, arranged on the at least one second interchangeable docking plate and which are dissimilar to the first receptacles, configured to hold the motor vehicle parts at the predefined position.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a media interface arranged on the main module to send a medium to the at least one main module, wherein the medium comprises compressed air and/or electric signals and/or electric current.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein each first receptacle in the plurality of first receptacles comprises a bearing face, a console, and/or a tensioner.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first interchangeable docking plate comprises at least one holding element configured to be engaged by a gripping system to thereby position the at least one first interchangeable docking plate on the at least one main module and/or remove the first interchangeable docking plate from the main module.

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one gripping system configured to position the at least one first interchangeable docking plate on the at least one main module and/or configured to remove the at least one first interchangeable docking plate from the at least one main module.

6. A device for selectively positioning motor vehicle parts during a production of a motor vehicle, the device comprising:
a main frame;
a plurality of main modules configured to be disposed on the main frame, each main module in the plurality of main modules including a zero-point clamping device;
a plurality of first interchangeable docking plates, each first interchangeable docking plate in the plurality of first interchangeable docking plates being configured for releasable connection in a positionally accurate manner to one main module in the plurality of main modules, and to be interchanged in an automated manner, each first interchangeable docking plate in the plurality of first interchangeable docking plates including a retractable clamping bolt to facilitate the releasable connection of the first interchangeable docking plate to one main module in the plurality of main modules in the positionally accurate manner, and each main module in the plurality of main modules including a zero-point clamping device configured to lockingly receive a retractable clamping bolt of a corresponding first interchangeable docking plate;
a plurality of first receptacles, arranged on a corresponding one of the first interchangeable docking plates, configured to hold the motor vehicle parts at a predefined position;
a plurality of second interchangeable docking plates, each second interchangeable docking plate in the plurality of interchangeable second docking plates being configured to be interchanged in an automated manner, and releasably connected to a corresponding main module in the positionally accurate manner; and
a plurality of second receptacles, arranged on the at least one second interchangeable docking plate and which are dissimilar to the first receptacles, configured to hold the motor vehicle parts at the predefined position.

7. The device of claim 6 , further comprising a media interface arranged on at least one main module in the plurality of main modules to send a medium to the main module, wherein the medium comprises compressed air and/or electric signals and/or electric current.

8. The device of claim 6 , wherein each first receptacle in the plurality of first receptacles comprises a bearing face, a console, and/or a tensioner.

9. The device of claim 6 , wherein each first interchangeable docking plate in the plurality of interchangeable docking plates comprises at least one holding element configured to be engaged by a gripping system to thereby position the first interchangeable docking plate on a corresponding main module and/or remove the first interchangeable docking plate from the corresponding main module.

10. The device of claim 6 , further comprising at least one gripping system configured to position a corresponding first interchangeable docking plate on a corresponding main module and/or for remove the corresponding first interchangeable docking plate from the corresponding main module.

Assignees

• Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik Ag & Co Kg

Inventors

• Kribernegg Christoph
• Leonhardsberger Patrick
• Mayer Thomas
• Pichler Manfred

Classifications

• B23Q1/0081

  using an expanding clamping member insertable in a receiving hole · CPC title

• B23P21/00

  Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with program control · CPC title

• B23K37/0443

  Jigs · CPC title

• B25B11/00 Primary

  Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders (for holding or positioning work for welding, soldering, or cutting by applying heat locally B23K37/04; specially adapted to machine tools B23Q3/00) · CPC title

• B23K2101/006

  Vehicles · CPC title