GB1525848A - Disassembly of used vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

1525848 System for dismantling used vehicles and storing the removed parts J M HOLLANDER 1 June 1977 23154/77 Heading B8W Used vehicles are dismantled and the reusable parts stored in a warehousing system including a conveyer, e.g. a belt conveyer 36, on which a used vehicle is transported during disassembly, means for removing used parts from the used vehicle, a storage area for storing the removed parts, means for identifying the removed parts and means for maintaining an inventory record relating to the removed parts. As shown, used vehicles enter main building 10 at entrance 12 and are raised by a travelling hoist 35 in an inspection area 17 where the vehicle is identified and an appropriate inventory form selected. After testing the vehicle engine by analysing equipment 34, to enable a decision to be made as to whether it should be removed whole or dismantled, the petrol tank is pumped dry and removed to fire-proof area 31, various parts are labelled for removal, and some parts removable only from below may be removed prior to placing the vehicle on conveyer 36, using the hoist 35 or/and a ramp 38. The vehicle then proceeds along the conveyer, together with its inventory form and passes successively a number of stations including labelling stations 24, parts testing areas 21 and cleaning areas 22, movement of the vehicle being controlled by conveyer drive controls 26 operable at each of several positions along the conveyer. At each station where dismantling is effected, use is made of tools connectible to pneumatic bases or electric lines, which are available at points such as 6, 7, 8 and 9, and of acetylene cutting torches 30, or arc welding or power saw equipment. The removed parts are placed in storage racks 48 which are loaded and unloaded by pallet trucks or manually, gangways 46 being provided for this purpose. Information on all the parts removed is supplied to an inventory record store device 52 in an adjoining sales building 32 including a sales counter 33. The store device 52 can be of any known type and have associated computerscanning equipment. After removal of all usable parts not requiring a hoist, a hoist 28 is used, e.g. for removal of rear axle, axle shaft, transmission and larger drive shafts. At the end of the conveyer a further hoist 49 lifts the remaining hulk of the vehicle and delivers it to a crusher 50 or to a transport vehicle for delivery to a crusher. 23, 25, 27 denote various test equipment, cleaning equipment and labelling equipment, used at the stations 21, 22 and 24, respectively.