Patent ID: 7469473
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: B62D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A vehicle body assembly line adjustable locator assembly for use in an assembly station to assemble vehicle body formed metal parts to a partially assembled vehicle body, the locator assembly comprising: a plurality of locators each of which includes a locator member for mounting a locator head having a vertical rest surface for supporting the partially assembled vehicle body along a vertical axis, and at least a pair of the mounted locator heads each having a locator pin projecting upwardly from its vertical rest surface to provide horizontal positioning of the partially assembled vehicle body; each of the locators including longitudinal X, sideways Y, and vertical Z power operated actuators for driving the locator member thereof in longitudinal, sideways, and vertical directions with respect to the locator assembly; and a control for the power operated actuators for selectively controlling the vertical positioning of each locator member while allowing longitudinal and sideways movement thereof in a horizontal plane so positioning holes in the partially assembled vehicle body receive the locator pins upon relative vertical movement between the locator members and the partially assembled vehicle body and back drive the power operated actuators of the locator members having the locator pins horizontally in longitudinal and sideway directions as necessary as the vertical rest surfaces of the locator members move into supporting contact with the partially assembled vehicle body, and the control subsequently operating the power operated actuators of the locators as necessary to move the locator members and the partially assembled vehicle body supported thereby to a proper position for further assembly.