GB2312876A - A method of assembling a motor vehicle with robotic installation of windscreen and roof - Google Patents

A method of assembling a motor vehicle with robotic installation of windscreen and roof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2312876A
GB2312876A GB9608441A GB9608441A GB2312876A GB 2312876 A GB2312876 A GB 2312876A GB 9608441 A GB9608441 A GB 9608441A GB 9608441 A GB9608441 A GB 9608441A GB 2312876 A GB2312876 A GB 2312876A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
motor vehicle
vehicle body
roof
partially assembled
robotic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9608441A
Other versions
GB2312876B (en
GB9608441D0 (en
Inventor
Martin Christopher Green
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority to GB9608441A priority Critical patent/GB2312876B/en
Publication of GB9608441D0 publication Critical patent/GB9608441D0/en
Publication of GB2312876A publication Critical patent/GB2312876A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2312876B publication Critical patent/GB2312876B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
    • B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
    • B62D65/06—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components the sub-units or components being doors, windows, openable roofs, lids, bonnets, or weather strips or seals therefor

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)

Abstract

The method comprises using a robotic cell C1 to place at least one window 11 on a partially assembled motor vehicle body 2,3,4 and using the same or a further robotic cell C1 or C2 to place one or more exterior closing panels 12 on the partially assembled motor vehicle body. The method is particularly useful when placing pre-painted polymeric roof panels 12 in position as manual handling thereof is minimised and the risk of handling damage is thereby reduced. An adhesive bead may be applied to the roof panel 12 by the nozzle 9 of the robotic arm 8 before the roof is placed in position.

Description

A METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A MOTOR VEHICLE The invention relates to a method of assembling a motor vehicle, using one or more robotic cells.
The use of robotics for the application of an adhesive bead to a windscreen or backlight and for the installation of such a component into a motor vehicle body aperture is known. The use of robotics has the advantage of allowing the windscreen and backlight to be accurately and consistently placed and ensures that a water tight joint is produced. Adhesive application is also accurately controlled, preventing contamination of other body parts and the use of the robotic cell reduces the risk of handling damage.
A closing panel such as a roof may be placed in position on a partly assembled vehicle body during its passage along an assembly line. Increasing use is being made of polymeric roof panels which are held in position on the vehicle body by means of an adhesive. Once in position, the roof panel becomes partly structural in that is contributes to the overall rigidity of the vehicle. Handling large closing panels during assembly on to the vehicle is difficult and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of assembly which will reduce that particular problem.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a motor vehicle comprising the steps of providing a partially assembled motor vehicle body, using a robotic cell to place at least one window on to the partially assembled motor vehicle body, and using the said or a further robotic cell to place an exterior closing body panel on the partially assembled motor vehicle body.
Preferably the exterior closing panel is made of a polymeric material. The robotic cell used to place the exterior closing panel may apply an adhesive bead to that panel prior to placing the panel on the partly assembled motor vehicle body.
The exterior closing panel may comprise a roof panel.
Preferably the method of the invention also comprises the step of supplying the or the further robotic cell with exterior closing panels for respective vehicles by means of a conveyor.
Preferably the motor vehicle is assembled on an assembly line.
The invention also includes a motor vehicle manufactured by a method according to the first aspect of the invention or any of the consistory clauses relating thereto.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a motor vehicle comprising the steps of providing a partially assembled motor vehicle body and using a robotic cell to attach one or more opaque polymeric exterior closing panels to the motor vehicle.
A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic diagram showing part of a motor car assembly line utilising an assembly method according to the invention.
A motor car assembly line 1 has a plurality of motor car bodies 2, 3, 4 thereon. The cars 2, 3, 4 on the assembly line 1 proceed in the direction of arrow A for assembly.
The first car 2 is partially assembled and defines a windscreen aperture 5 and a roof aperture 6.
The figure illustrates robotic arms 7, 8 which form parts of respective robotic cells C1, C2 which include sensors and control systems (not shown) associated with each robotic arm. Adhesive applying nozzles 9 and "pick-andplace" jigs 10 are attached to the distal ends of the respective robotic arms 7,8 to enable the arms to perform a variety of functions.
In the example shown, windscreens 11 and roof panels 12 are supplied to the robotic arms 7, 8 by a conveyor belt 13.
Robotic arm 7 applies adhesive to the windscreen 11 using its nozzle 9 and then, by using its pick-and-place jig 15, places the windscreen 11 in position on the first car 2.
Once the windscreen 11 has been installed as shown on the second car 3, a roof panel 12 which may be made of a polymeric material, is put into place as shown on the third car 4 using the pick-and-place jig 10 on the second robotic arm 8. An adhesive bead may be applied by the nozzle 9 of the robotic arm 8 to the roof panel 12 prior to installation of the roof panel on the third car 4.
In an alternative embodiment in accordance with the invention the robotic arms 7, 8 may be replaced by a single robotic arm which places both the windscreens 11 and the roof panels 12 in position on the cars. This has the additional advantage that the assembly line is shortened and the number of expensive robotic cells C1, C2 needed by the assembly line is reduced.
The method of assembly in accordance with the invention facilitates the accurate and consistent placement and positioning of roof panels 12 with a reliable water tight joint provided by the adhesive. By using a robotic cell to apply the roof panels 12, manual handling of the panels 12 is minimised thereby reducing handling damage particularly to roof panels which comprise large flexible painted polymeric mouldings.

Claims (1)

1. A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle comprising the steps of providing a partially assembled motor vehicle body, using a robotic cell to place at least one window on the partially assembled motor vehicle body and using the said or a further robotic cell to place one or more exterior closing panels on the partially assembled motor vehicle body.
2 A method according to Claim 1 in which the exterior closing panel is a roof panel.
3 A method according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the exterior closing panel is made of a polymeric material.
4 A method according to any previous claim additionally comprising the step of using the or the further robotic cell to apply an adhesive bead to the exterior closing panel prior to placing it on the partially assembled motor vehicle body.
5 A method according to any previous claim comprising supplying the or the further robotic cell with exterior closing panels for respective vehicles by means of a conveyor.
6 A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the same robotic cell is used to place both the window and the exterior closing panel on the partially assembled motor vehicle body.
7 A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
8 A motor vehicle manufactured by a method according to any previous claim.
GB9608441A 1996-04-24 1996-04-24 A method of assembling a motor vehicle Expired - Fee Related GB2312876B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9608441A GB2312876B (en) 1996-04-24 1996-04-24 A method of assembling a motor vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9608441A GB2312876B (en) 1996-04-24 1996-04-24 A method of assembling a motor vehicle

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9608441D0 GB9608441D0 (en) 1996-06-26
GB2312876A true GB2312876A (en) 1997-11-12
GB2312876B GB2312876B (en) 2000-12-06

Family

ID=10792542

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9608441A Expired - Fee Related GB2312876B (en) 1996-04-24 1996-04-24 A method of assembling a motor vehicle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2312876B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002098616A2 (en) * 2001-06-04 2002-12-12 Futaba Corporation Of America Integrated robotic cell
EP1291271A3 (en) * 2001-09-05 2003-08-27 DaimlerChrysler AG Mounting system for a roof module in a car body
WO2004026669A2 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-04-01 Daimlerchrysler Ag Method and device for processing a moving production part, particularly a vehicle body
EP1593589A3 (en) * 2004-05-06 2006-05-24 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. Assembly system for adhesivly securing a motor vehicle body part onto a vehicle body

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0076934A1 (en) * 1981-10-06 1983-04-20 FIAT AUTO S.p.A. A process for making the body of a vehicle utilising outer cladding elements made of synthetic plastics resins
EP0240470A1 (en) * 1986-03-24 1987-10-07 FIAT AUTO S.p.A. Motor vehicle with a load-bearing platform and body with elements of plastics material, and a method for its manufacture
EP0254689A1 (en) * 1986-07-16 1988-01-27 IVECO FIAT S.p.A. Commercial vehicle cab with an upper open space
GB2204001A (en) * 1987-03-26 1988-11-02 Nissan Motor Roof structure for modular vehicle body
US5319840A (en) * 1990-12-28 1994-06-14 Mazda Motor Corporation Method for the assembly of automotive vehicles

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4909869A (en) * 1986-12-04 1990-03-20 Mazda Motor Corporation Method of mounting a window glass on a vehicle body

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0076934A1 (en) * 1981-10-06 1983-04-20 FIAT AUTO S.p.A. A process for making the body of a vehicle utilising outer cladding elements made of synthetic plastics resins
EP0240470A1 (en) * 1986-03-24 1987-10-07 FIAT AUTO S.p.A. Motor vehicle with a load-bearing platform and body with elements of plastics material, and a method for its manufacture
EP0254689A1 (en) * 1986-07-16 1988-01-27 IVECO FIAT S.p.A. Commercial vehicle cab with an upper open space
GB2204001A (en) * 1987-03-26 1988-11-02 Nissan Motor Roof structure for modular vehicle body
US5319840A (en) * 1990-12-28 1994-06-14 Mazda Motor Corporation Method for the assembly of automotive vehicles

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002098616A2 (en) * 2001-06-04 2002-12-12 Futaba Corporation Of America Integrated robotic cell
WO2002098616A3 (en) * 2001-06-04 2004-07-22 Futaba Corp Of America Integrated robotic cell
EP1291271A3 (en) * 2001-09-05 2003-08-27 DaimlerChrysler AG Mounting system for a roof module in a car body
US6954973B2 (en) 2001-09-05 2005-10-18 Daimlerchrysler Ag Assembly system and method for installing a roof module into a vehicle body
WO2004026669A2 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-04-01 Daimlerchrysler Ag Method and device for processing a moving production part, particularly a vehicle body
WO2004026669A3 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-12-16 Daimler Chrysler Ag Method and device for processing a moving production part, particularly a vehicle body
EP1593589A3 (en) * 2004-05-06 2006-05-24 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. Assembly system for adhesivly securing a motor vehicle body part onto a vehicle body

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2312876B (en) 2000-12-06
GB9608441D0 (en) 1996-06-26

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20020424