Abstract:
A tooling fixture positioning system for securing automotive body part components to create an automotive body. The tooling fixture positioning system comprises a plurality of pivot joint assemblies and link arms coupled together to facilitate supporting tooling fixtures in desired positions and orientations. Each pivot joint assembly includes a brake that selectively engages and disengages the pivot joint assembly for rotation about a respective axis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/097,383 filed on Sep. 16, 2008 (pending), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to tools and fixtures used in an automotive assembly line, and more particularly to tools and fixtures for supporting a variety of component parts at a variety of positions and orientations. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the automotive vehicle manufacturing industry, it is customary to install various parts onto a fixture or an end effector frame of a robotic manipulator to produce a vehicle sub assembly or full body capsule assembly. The vehicle assembly process starts with sub assembly fixtures or tooling cells that require location features to address geometric control of the vehicle build. In this sub assembly scenario and similar applications, a multi-tool positioner unit can be used to support multiple tooling arrangements to allow more than one type of vehicle sub assembly to be processed through the fixture or tooling cell, thereby making the fixture or tooling cell flexible. Likewise, mainline assembly tooling can also be made flexible by using multi-tool positioner units. For techniques of marrying an automotive body parts, see U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/112,599 and 60/632,117, which are assigned to the assignee of this application and incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     Multi-tool positioners are used to set geometry or to assist in securing automotive body parts so that the general operating process can be performed to create a part assembly that meets specifications. Typically as many as about twelve multi-tool positioner units may be used in a fixture and pallet tooling, depending on the parts being assembled. In use, an operator (or automatic equipment) loads an automotive component part, for example, a wheel house inner or even an entire underbody assembly, onto the pallet/fixture. The multi-tool positioner units hold the component parts in position. In the event that a different specified part is entered in to the system the multi-tool positioner units can be manipulated to the required location to accommodate the entering part. 
     The multi-tool positioner unit must be able to be moved in three orthogonal directions to achieve the required flexibility. The unit is adjustable through a braking system. The braking system may be released to reconfigure the multi-tool positioner unit to a different required position. More particularly, the multi-tool positioner units can be repositioned by engaging socket type connections, either manually or by using robotic end of arm tooling. From any given position, the brakes may be released individually or sequentially to obtain the next desired position. Once the next position is obtained, the manual device or robotic end of arm tooling will engage the brake to hold the multi-tool positioner unit in that position. The multi-tool positioner units must also accommodate locational tolerances required to compensate for manufacturing tolerances inherent in the various body parts and in the multi-tool positioner unit itself, while holding the tool in the desired position. Moreover, the brakes should be able to withstand minor collisions or pressure exerted by external forces. 
     Conventional multi-tool positioner units generally include spherical bearings in the lower pivot assembly to provide positional compliance and/or locational tolerance. Upper pivot assemblies hold a desired position with surface contact bearing method utilizing coated fitted bearings. 
     SUMMARY 
     An apparatus for securing automotive body part components to create an automotive body is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of pivot joint assemblies and link arms coupled together to facilitate supporting tooling fixtures in desired positions and orientations. In one aspect, a multi-tool positioner includes four pivot joint assemblies, each having a dedicated brake, and a mount face for securing custom bracket fixtures. Each brake may be engaged or disengaged by an actuator. 
     The pivot joint assemblies may be manually or automatically actuated to engage and disengage the brakes. Moreover, the brakes can be actuated individually or simultaneously to facilitate reconfiguring the multi-tool positioner to a desired position. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings herein, in which: 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tooling fixture system including a multi-tool positioner in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the multi-tool positioner of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a side elevation view of the multi-tool positioner of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a rear elevation view of the multi-tool positioner of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the multi-tool positioner of  FIG. 2 , depicting a first pivot joint assembly in an engaged condition. 
         FIG. 4B  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the multi-tool positioner of  FIG. 2 , similar to  FIG. 4A , depicting the first pivot joint assembly in a disengaged condition. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the second pivot joint assembly of  FIG. 4A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary tooling fixture positioning system  10  which may be used, for example, to support build components in a desired position and orientation in an automotive manufacturing line for assembly onto an automobile. The system  10  includes an exemplary multi-tool positioner  12 , in accordance with the present disclosure, mounted to a support frame  14 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , and referring further to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A, and  3 B, the multi-tool positioner  12  comprises a plurality of pivot joint assemblies  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and link arms  24 ,  26  coupled together to support a tooling fixture  28  and to position the tooling fixture  28  at a desired location within a three-dimensional space defined by three orthogonal axes X, Y, Z. A first pivot joint assembly  16  is secured at a desired position to the support frame  14  by a mounting base  30 . A pivot plate  32  is coupled to the mounting base  30  for rotation about a first axis  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first axis  34  is oriented in a generally vertical direction, although it will be appreciated that the first axis  34  may alternatively be oriented in various other directions. 
     A second pivot joint assembly  18  is secured to a second mounting plate  36  that is in turn coupled to the pivot plate  32  of the first pivot joint assembly  16  by a pair of gusset plates  38  secured therebetween. The second pivot joint assembly  18  includes an outer hub  40  that is selectively rotatable about a second axis  42  that is generally orthogonal to the first axis  34 . A first link arm  24  has a first terminal end  44  coupled to the outer hub  40  of the second pivot joint assembly  18 , and a second distal end  46  coupled to an outer hub  48  of a third pivot joint assembly  20 . The outer hub  48  of the third pivot joint assembly  20  is selectively rotatable about a third axis  50  that is generally parallel to the second axis  42  of the second pivot joint assembly  18 . An inner hub  52  of the third pivot joint assembly  20  is coupled to a first terminal end  54  of a second link arm  26 , and the second terminal end  56  of the second link arm  26  is coupled to the outer hub  58  of a fourth pivot joint assembly  22 . The outer hub  58  of the fourth pivot joint assembly  22  is selectively rotatable about a fourth axis  60  that is generally parallel to the second and third axes  42 ,  50  of the second and third pivot joint assemblies  18 ,  20 . An inner hub  62  of the fourth pivot joint assembly  22  is adapted to receive and support a tooling fixture, such as the tooling fixture  28  depicted in  FIG. 1 . It will be appreciated, however, that various other configurations of tooling fixtures may alternatively be coupled to the inner hub  62  of the fourth pivot joint assembly  22  to support a variety of build components on the multi-tool positioner  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the pivot joint assemblies will be described in more detail. The first pivot joint assembly  16  includes first and second outer hubs  70 ,  72  interconnected by a central shaft  74 . The second outer hub  72  is coupled to the base plate  30  that secures the first pivot joint assembly  16  to the support frame  14 . An inner hub  76  is disposed between the first and second outer hubs  70 ,  72  and is carried on bearings  78  for rotational movement relative to the first and second outer hubs  70 ,  72 . The first pivot joint assembly  16  further includes a locking spline brake  80  for locking the inner hub  76  against rotation relative to the first and second outer hubs  70 ,  72 . The spline brake  80  includes a brake drum  80   a  fixed to the inner hub  76 , and a brake shoe  80   b  fixed to the central shaft  74 . The outer radial surface  82  of the brake shoe  80   b  and the corresponding inner radial surface of the brake drum  80   a  include complementary-shaped spline teeth that prevent rotation of the inner hub  76  relative to the first and second outer hubs  70 ,  72  when the spline teeth are engaged. The brake shoe  80   b  is biased into engagement with the brake drum  80   a  by a spring  86  to thereby prevent rotational movement of the inner hub  76  relative to the first and second outer hubs  70 ,  72 . 
     The first pivot joint assembly  16  further includes an actuator  90  coupled to the first outer hub  70  by an adapter plate  92 . The actuator  90  has a plunger  94  that is movable in a direction along the first axis  34 . Upon actuation, the plunger  94  moves in a direction such that a pusher bar  98  engages the brake shoe  80   b  and moves the brake shoe  80   b  against the bias of the spring  86  to disengage the brake shoe  80   b  from the brake drum  80   a , whereafter the inner hub  76  is free to rotate relative to first and second outer hubs  70 ,  72 . 
     The second pivot joint assembly  18  comprises an inner hub  100  coupled to the second mounting plate  36  and an outer hub  40  coupled to the inner hub  100  for relative rotational movement with respect to the inner hub  100 . A spline cone brake  102  has a brake drum  102   a  fixed to the inner hub  100 , and a brake shoe  102   b  coupled to a central shaft  123 . The central shaft  123  is coupled to a hub plate  40   a  of the outer hub  40 . Exemplary brake shoe  102   b  and exemplary brake drum  102   a  is depicted in  FIG. 5 . It will be appreciated that various other configurations of brake shoes and brake drums could alternatively be used. The outer radial surface  104  of the brake shoe  102   b  and the inner radial surface  106  of the brake drum  102   a  include corresponding spline teeth configured to engage one another such that when the teeth are engaged the outer hub  40  and central shaft  123  are locked against rotation relative to the inner hub  100 . A spring  108  biases the brake shoe  102   b  into engagement with the brake drum  102   a.    
     The second pivot joint assembly  18  further includes an actuator  110   a  having a plunger  112  that is movable in a direction along the second axis  42 . The actuator  110   a  is coupled to the outer hub  40  by an adapter plate  114 . Upon actuation, the plunger  112  moves in a direction to engage the brake shoe  102   b  with a push ring  116  that is coupled to central shaft  123  and thereby move the brake shoe  102   b  in a direction against the bias force of the spring  108  such that the corresponding spline teeth on the brake shoe  102   b  and the brake drum  102   a  become disengaged. After the spline teeth on the brake shoe  102   b  and brake drum  102   a  become disengaged, the outer hub  40  and central shaft  123  may be rotated relative to the inner hub  100 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the second pivot joint assembly  18 , further depicting the components discussed above and including thrust bearing  130 , ball bearings  132 , fasteners  134 , dowels  136 , spacer  138 , bearing  140 , and retainer  142 . 
     The third and fourth pivot joint assemblies  20 ,  22  are constructed in a manner similar to the second pivot joint assembly  18  discussed above, and are actuated by actuators  110   b  and  110   c . The details of the third and fourth pivot joint assemblies  20 ,  22  are therefore not repeated. The actuators  90 ,  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  shown and described herein may be pneumatic actuators, electric motors, or any other type of actuator suitable to move the respective plungers and thereby selectively disengage the respective brake shoes from the brake drums. Actuators  90 ,  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  may also be adapted to be manually actuated to disengage the brake shoes from the brake drums when it is desired to reposition the tooling fixture  28 . For example, the second pivot joint assembly  110   a  depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  includes a manual release groove  120 . By applying force to the plunger  112  and release groove  120 , the push ring  116  moves brake shoe  102   b  against the bias of spring  108 , thereby disengaging brake shoe  102   b  and brake drum  102   a  as described above. Actuators  90 ,  110   b , and  110   c  may be similarly constructed. 
     The first end  44  of the first link arm  24  is coupled to the outer hub  40  of the second pivot joint assembly  18 , and the second end  46  of the first link arm  24  is coupled to the outer hub  48  of the third pivot joint assembly  20 . Likewise, the first end  54  of the second link arm  26  is coupled to the inner hub  52  of the third pivot joint assembly  20 , and the second end  56  of the second link arm  26  is coupled to the outer hub  58  of the fourth pivot joint assembly  22 . In operation, the actuators  90 ,  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  of the first, second, third, and fourth pivot joint assemblies  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  may be actuated, individually or simultaneously, to release the respective spline brakes whereby the hubs of the respective pivot joint assemblies  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  may be selectively rotated to position and orient a tooling fixture  28  coupled to the fourth pivot joint assembly  22  at a desired location and orientation for supporting a build component. 
     While various aspects in accordance with the principles of the invention have been illustrated by the description of various embodiments, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such detail. The various features shown and described herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.