Panel jig apparatus for vehicle

A panel jig apparatus is provided which has first moving units that are respectively installed at the left and right sides of a base frame, and selectively reciprocate a first sliding plate provided on top of the base frame leftward and rightward on the base frame. Likewise, the second moving units are respectively installed at the front and rear sides of the base frame, and selectively reciprocate a second sliding plate provided on top of the base frame forward and rearward on the base frame. The first support units are movable leftward and rightward on the base frame by the respective first sliding plates, and movable upward and downward by an ascending and descending means so as to support a panel. The second support units are movable forward and rearward on the base frame by the second sliding plates, and provided to support the panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0124901 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 8, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a panel jig apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a panel jig apparatus for a vehicle, which can correspond to panels of different shapes and sizes according to vehicle type, regardless of the dimensions of a panel and the degree of curvature of a surface.

(b) Description of the Related Art

Generally, a vehicle is manufactured by numerous assembling processes using about twenty to thirty thousands of parts. In particular, a vehicle body is formed by a first assembling process such that vehicle body panels are produced in a press process, and each part of the vehicle body is then assembled in a vehicle body factory to form a vehicle body in a body-in-white (B.I.W) state. The formed vehicle body undergoes a main body process for mounting side walls, a loop, a rear panel, etc. on the floor thereof, and then is painted in painting process. After that, an engine, a transmission, interior, and exterior parts are assembled in an outfitting process.

Each panel to be mounted on the vehicle body is fabricated by press working, which is mounted and fixed on a panel jig apparatus in a vehicle body assembly process. The vehicle body then undergoes operations including assembling, welding, sealing, and hemming, and is then painted in a painting process.

During assembly, however, it is difficult to apply the aforementioned conventional panel jig apparatus commonly/universally to panels for different vehicle types as the panels come in different shapes and sizes according to vehicle type. Thus, it is necessary to manufacture dedicated jig apparatuses according to vehicle type.

Moreover, the manufacture of dedicated jig apparatuses according to vehicle type involves significant investment costs that increase each time a new vehicle type is introduced because of additional costs of remodeling and reconstructing a new jig apparatus. Furthermore, because of the advances in the automotive designs the structure of the jig apparatus continually become more and more complicated to make.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to provide a panel jig apparatus for a vehicle, which can correspond to panels of different shapes and sizes according to vehicle type.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a panel jig apparatus for a vehicle, including: a base frame, first moving units, second moving units, first support units and second support units. The first moving units are respectively installed at the left and right sides of the base frame, and selectively reciprocate a first sliding plate provided on top of the base frame leftward and rightward on the base frame. Likewise, the second moving units are respectively installed at the front and rear sides of the base frame, and selectively reciprocate a second sliding plate provided on top of the base frame forward and rearward on the base frame. The first support units are movable leftward and rightward on the base frame by the respective first sliding plates, and movable upward and downward by an ascending and descending means so as to support a panel. The second support units are movable forward and rearward on the base frame by the second sliding plates, and provided to support the panel.

In this exemplary embodiment the first moving unit may include a first rail housing, a first drive motor, a first guide rail, and a first rail block. The first rail housing is installed in a left-right direction on the base frame and has the first sliding plate slidably coupled to the top thereof. The first drive motor is disposed on one side of the first rail housing and coupled to a first lead screw. The first guide rail is disposed in a left-right direction on the base frame within the first rail housing, and the first rail block is engaged with the first lead screw and installed to be movable along the first guide rail by operation of the first drive motor, and is connected to the first sliding plate.

Additionally, the second moving unit may include: a second rail housing that is installed in a front-rear direction on the base frame and has the second sliding plate slidably coupled to the top thereof. The second drive motor is provide on one side of the second rail housing and coupled to a second lead screw/and the second guide rail is provided in a front-rear direction on the base frame within the second rail housing. The second rail block is engaged with the second lead screw and installed to be reciprocally movable along the guide rails by the operation of the second drive motor, and is connected to the second sliding plate.

The first support unit may include: a vertical frame mounted on top of the first sliding plate; and a support block that is mounted to be movable up and down by an ascending and descending means mounted on one side of the vertical frame and supports the panel. The ascending and descending means may include: a main body portion that is mounted on the vertical frame, and has a sliding hole longitudinally formed therein; a rod (e.g., a LM rod) that is provided to be movable in the sliding hole; and an operating motor that is connected to the rod and selectively moves the rod. The rod may have at least one guide protrusion formed longitudinally on the outer periphery surface. Further, the main body portion may have at least one rail groove, corresponding to the guide protrusion of the rod, formed on the inner periphery surface of the sliding hole.

The second support unit may include a moving plate that is mounted on top of the second sliding plate; a mounting bracket that is vertically mounted on the moving plate; a guider that is mounted at upper portions of the mounting brackets; and a locator that is mounted at another upper portion of the mounting bracket and supports the bottom of the panel. The locator may include: a mounting block whose one end is mounted on an upper portion of the mounting bracket; a rotating ball rotatably installed in the mounting block; and a support pad connected to the rotating ball.

There may also be a plurality of second moving units, and ascending and descending means that are disposed between the moving plate and the second sliding plate of at least one of the second moving units. The ascending and descending means may include a main body portion that has a sliding hole longitudinally formed therein; a rod (e.g., a LM rod) that is provided to be movable in the sliding hole; and an operating motor that is mounted on the main body portion and connected to the rod to selectively support the rod.

The panel jig apparatus for a vehicle may further include a support means which includes a support frame, installed between the first moving units and the second moving unit and a guider installed on the support frames so as to support the interior of the panel.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

10: base frame20: first moving unit21: first sliding plate23: first rail housing25: first drive motor26: first lead screw29: first rail block30: second moving unit31: second sliding plate33: second rail housing35: second drive motor36: second lead screw77: second guide rail40: first support unit41: vertical frame43: support block50: ascending and descending means51: main body portion52: sliding hole53: rod55: operating motor57: guide protrusion59: rail groove60: second support unit61: moving plate63: mounting bracket65: guider67: locator69: mounting block71: rotating ball73: support pad80: support means81: support frame

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment described in the present specification and the configuration shown in the drawings are merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical spirit of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace the embodiments described in the present specification and the configuration shown in the drawings at the time of filling the present application.

FIG. 1is a view showing a panel being mounted on a panel jig apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a perspective view of the panel jig apparatus for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a perspective view of a moving unit applied to the panel jig apparatus for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 3.FIG. 5is a perspective view of an ascending and descending means applied to the panel jig apparatus for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFIG. 5.FIG. 7is a partial perspective view of a second support unit applied to the panel jig apparatus for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a panel jig apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to a vehicle body assembly line for mounting and fixing a press-formed panel P thereon and welding or sealing it. To this end, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the panel jig apparatus1according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a base frame10, first and second moving units20and30, and first and second support units40and60.

First, the base frame10is installed on the floor of a workplace, and the first and second moving units20and30are mounted on top of the base frame10.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the first moving units20are respectively installed at the left and right sides of the upper surface of the base frame10, and reciprocate first sliding plates21leftward and rightward of the base frame10, respectively.

The first moving unit20of this type has, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, a first rail housing23, a first drive motor25, a first guide rail27, and a first rail block29. First, the first rail housing23is installed in a left-right direction on top of the base frame10, and the first sliding plate21is slidably coupled to the top of the first rail housing23. The first drive motor25is mounted on one side of the first rail housing23, and coupled to a first lead screw26. The first guide rail27is installed on the base frame10within the first rail housing23.

The first rail block29is engaged with the first lead screw26and installed to be movable along the first guide rail27by the operation of the first drive motor25, and is connected to the first sliding plate21. That is, in the thus configured first moving unit20, when the first drive motor25rotates in a forward or reverse direction, the first rail block29is moved along the first guide rail27, and at the same time, the first sliding plate21connected to the first rail block29is moved leftward and rightward of the base frame10.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the second moving units30are installed in a front-rear direction on the upper surface of the base frame10between the first moving units20, and move second sliding plates31forward and rearward of the base frame10.

The description of the second moving units30according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4since their shape and components are identical to those of the first moving units20.

Referring to the drawings, the second moving unit30comprises a second rail housing33, a second drive motor35, a second guide rail37, and a second rail block39. First, the second rail housing33is installed in a front-rear direction on top of the base frame10, and the second sliding plate31is slidably coupled to the top of the second rail housing33. The second drive motor35is mounted on one side of the second rail housing33, and coupled to a second lead screw36. The second guide rails37are installed on the base frame10within the second rail housing33. The second rail block39is engaged with the second lead screw36and installed to be movable along the second guide rails37by the operation of the second drive motor35, and is connected to the second sliding plate31. That is, in the thus configured second moving unit20, when the second drive motor35rotates in a forward or reverse direction, the second rail block39is moved along the second guide rail37, and at the same time, the second sliding plate31connected to the second rail block39is moved leftward and rightward of the base frame10.

The first support unit40has, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, a vertical frame41mounted on top of the first sliding plate21and a support block43that is mounted to be movable up and down by an ascending and descending means/mechanism50mounted on one side of the vertical frame41and supports the left and right sides of the panel P. Here, the support block43may be made of a rubber material so as to minimize friction upon contact with the panel P and prevent any damage, such as a scratch, on the panel P.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the ascending and descending means50is for reciprocating the support block43up and down, corresponding to the panel P having a different shape for each vehicle type, and comprises a main body portion51, a rod53(e.g., a LM rod), and an operating motor44.

First, the main body portion51is mounted on the vertical frame41, and has a sliding hole52longitudinally formed therein at the center thereof. The rod53is movably inserted into the sliding hole52, and is provided with the support block43at one end thereof. The operating motor55is mounted at the main body portion51and connected to the rod53, and selectively moves the rod53.

As shown inFIG. 6, the rod53may have at least one guide protrusion57formed longitudinally on the outer periphery surface. Additionally, the main body portion51has at least one rail groove59, corresponding to the guide protrusion57of the rod53, formed on the inner periphery surface of the sliding hole/aperture52into which the rod53is inserted.

In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, four guide protrusions57are formed at predetermined intervals along the outer periphery surface of the rod53, and four rail grooves59are likewise formed along the inner periphery surface of the sliding hole52. If the rod53moves forward or rearward from the main body portion51by the operating motor55, each of the guide protrusions57functions to prevent the rotation of the support block43by preventing the rod53from being rotated from the main body portion51. That is, the ascending and descending means50moves the support block43up and down on the base frame10, corresponding to the panel P having a different size and shape for each vehicle type, by the operation of the operating motor5to thereby support the left and right sides of the panel P.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 7, the second support unit60comprises a moving plate61, mounting brackets63, guiders65, and locators67. First, the moving plate61is mounted on top of the second sliding plate31. The moving plate61moves together with the second sliding plate31that moves forward and rearward of the base frame10by the second moving unit30. The mounting brackets63are vertically mounted on both sides of the moving plate61, respectively.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the guiders65are for guiding the exterior of the front and rear of the panel P, and are mounted at upper portions of the mounting brackets63. The locator67is mounted on another upper portion of the mounting bracket63and supports the bottom of the panel P.

As shown inFIG. 7, the locator67has a mounting block69whose one end is mounted on an upper portion of the mounting bracket63, a rotating ball71rotatably installed in the mounting block69, and a support pad73connected to the rotating ball71. That is, as the support pad73is configured to be rotatable in the mounting block69, the locator67is able to stably support the panel P even if it is positioned at a sloped or curved portion of the panel P.

Meanwhile, in the panel jig apparatus1according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the moving plate61of the second moving unit30positioned at the rear of the base frame10is connected to the second sliding plate31through the ascending and descending means50, and therefore mounted to be movable up and down. That is, the ascending and descending means/mechanisms50is interposed between the moving plate61and the second sliding plate31of at least one of the second moving units30, and the configuration of the above-described ascending and descending means/mechanisms50may be identical to that of the ascending and descending means/mechanisms ofFIGS. 5 and 6, and redundant explanation will be omitted. In this case, the moving plate61is connected to the end of the rod53of the ascending and descending means/mechanisms50.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the panel jig apparatus for a vehicle may further comprise a support means/mechanisms80which includes support frames81, installed between the second moving unit30positioned at the rear and the respective first moving units20so as to support the interior of the rear of the panel P, and the guiders65installed on the support frames81.

The panel jig apparatus1configured as above is able to support the left and right sides of the panel P as it is lifted or lowered by the operation of the ascending and descending means/mechanisms50while each of the first support units40reciprocates by the first moving units20installed to be movable leftward and rightward on both sides of the base frame10, corresponding to the panel P having a different size and shape for each vehicle type.

Simultaneously, the second support units60reciprocate forward and rearward on the base frame10by the second moving units30to thereby support the front and rear of the panel P. At this point, the locator67stably supports the panel P, being rotated corresponding to a curved or sloped shape of the panel P, and the guiders65guide the panel P when the panel P is put into the panel jig apparatus1.

Accordingly, the thus-configured panel jig apparatus1for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is commonly applicable to panels P of various vehicle types as it corresponds to panels of different shapes and sizes associated with those vehicle types, regardless of the dimensions of a panel and the degree of curvature of a surface.

Moreover, the panel jig apparatus1for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can reduce initial investment costs and simplify the overall system configuration as it is universally applicable to panels P of various vehicle types.

In describing the vehicle body moving cart1according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terms “front,” “rear,” “left”, “right,” “up”, and “down” are used to refer to directions with reference to the figures set forth in this specification for better understanding of the drawings and the present invention. However, the use of these terms is not meant in a limiting sense, and the orientations such as “front,” “rear,” “left”, “right,” “up”, and “down” in this specifications may be changed.